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Baek SE, Kwon Y, Yoon JW, Kim HS, Yang JY, Lee DS, Yeom E. The overexpression of DSP1 in neurons induces neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration phenotypes in Drosophila. Mol Brain 2024; 17:43. [PMID: 39003465 PMCID: PMC11245852 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01117-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Dorsal switch protein 1(DSP1), a mammalian homolog of HMGB1, is firstly identified as a dorsal co-repressor in 1994. DSP1 contains HMG-box domain and functions as a transcriptional regulator in Drosophila melanogaster. It plays a crucial role in embryonic development, particularly in dorsal-ventral patterning during early embryogenesis, through the regulation of gene expression. Moreover, DSP1 is implicated in various cellular processes, including cell fate determination and tissue differentiation, which are essential for embryonic development. While the function of DSP1 in embryonic development has been relatively well-studied, its role in the adult Drosophila brain remains less understood. In this study, we investigated the role of DSP1 in the brain by using neuronal-specific DSP1 overexpression flies. We observed that climbing ability and life span are decreased in DSP1-overexpressed flies. Furthermore, these flies demonstrated neuromuscular junction (NMJ) defect, reduced eye size and a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons, indicating neuronal toxicity induced by DSP1 overexpression. Our data suggest that DSP1 overexpression leads to neuronal dysfunction and toxicity, positioning DSP1 as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Eun Baek
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Younghwi Kwon
- KNU-G LAMP Project Group, KNU Institute of Basic Sciences, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Jong-Won Yoon
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Hyo-Sung Kim
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Jae-Yoon Yang
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Dong-Seok Lee
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
| | - Eunbyul Yeom
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
- KNU-G LAMP Project Group, KNU Institute of Basic Sciences, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
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2
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Ismael S, Colvin RA, Lee D. Activation of cyclic AMP signaling pathway in dopaminergic neurons rescues locomotion defects in a Drosophila larval model of Parkinson's disease. Brain Res 2024; 1822:148641. [PMID: 37866407 PMCID: PMC10842101 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease showing uncontrollable motor symptoms that are primarily caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Currently no treatment exists to prevent PD progression. Therefore, discovery of new neuroprotective strategies still has great potential to benefit PD patients. A handful of studies show that activation of cAMP pathways is neuroprotective against PD progression. However, the neuroprotective role of this signaling cascade specifically in DA neurons has not been explored. In this study, fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster was used because of its sophisticated and powerful genetic approaches, especially with related to cAMP signaling pathway. We have investigated molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection in a fly larval model of PD by administering an environmental PD toxin rotenone. Increased cAMP signaling in the dunce mutant fly carrying defects in phosphodiesterase (PDE) gene, is neuroprotective against rotenone-induced locomotion deficits. Furthermore, the neuroprotective role of cAMP signaling specifically in DA neurons has been studied as it has not been explored. By using transgenic flies expressing designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), we have shown that an increase of cAMP levels in DA neurons rescues rotenone-induced locomotion deficits. We also showed that this neuroprotection is mediated by activation of Gαs and PKA-C1 subunits. The results provide novel findings that expand our knowledge of neuroprotective mechanisms in DA neurons affecting PD progression, which could contribute to the development of new therapeutic treatments against PD. An important future study will explore downstream targets of cAMP-PKA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sazan Ismael
- Neuroscience Program, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA; Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science and Health, Koya University, Koya KOY45, Kurdistan Region-F.R., Iraq
| | - Robert A Colvin
- Neuroscience Program, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Daewoo Lee
- Neuroscience Program, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
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3
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Niwa R, Sato M, Igaki T. Editorial note: flying high in Japan. Fly (Austin) 2023; 17:2173997. [PMID: 36876479 PMCID: PMC10012939 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2023.2173997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryusuke Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Makoto Sato
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Igaki
- Laboratory of Genetics, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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4
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Al-Ayari EA, Shehata MG, El-Hadidi M, Shaalan MG. In silico SNP prediction of selected protein orthologues in insect models for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18986. [PMID: 37923901 PMCID: PMC10624829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46250-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's are the most common neurodegenerative diseases that are incurable and affect the elderly population. Discovery of effective treatments for these diseases is often difficult, expensive, and serendipitous. Previous comparative studies on different model organisms have revealed that most animals share similar cellular and molecular characteristics. The meta-SNP tool includes four different integrated tools (SIFT, PANTHER, SNAP, and PhD-SNP) was used to identify non synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (nsSNPs). Prediction of nsSNPs was conducted on three representative proteins for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases; APPl in Drosophila melanogaster, LRRK1 in Aedes aegypti, and VCPl in Tribolium castaneum. With the possibility of using insect models to investigate neurodegenerative diseases. We conclude from the protein comparative analysis between different insect models and nsSNP analyses that D. melanogaster is the best model for Alzheimer's representing five nsSNPs of the 21 suggested mutations in the APPl protein. Aedes aegypti is the best model for Parkinson's representing three nsSNPs in the LRRK1 protein. Tribolium castaneum is the best model for Huntington's disease representing 13 SNPs of 37 suggested mutations in the VCPl protein. This study aimed to improve human neural health by identifying the best insect to model Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshraka A Al-Ayari
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Magdi G Shehata
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Hadidi
- Bioinformatics Group, Center for Informatics Sciences (CIS), School of Information Technology and Computer Science (ITCS) , Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mona G Shaalan
- Entomology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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5
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Pedroso AL, Schonwald MK, Dalla Corte CL, Soares FAA, Sperança A, Godoi B, de Carvalho NR. Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. ( Laminaceae) essential oil on adult and larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:913-921. [PMID: 37915481 PMCID: PMC10615809 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae family), also known as "alecrim," is a perennial herb, typical of the Mediterranean region and widely distributed in Brazilian territory. Despite having demonstrated several properties of human interest, insecticide/larvicidal effect of essential oil from R. officinalis on insects remains unclear. In this study, we tested the effects of R. officinalis essential oil on biomarkers of oxidative damage in Drosophila melanogaster. Exposure to R. officinalis essential oil increased adult mortality and decreased geotaxis behavior in adult fruit flies. In addition, essential oil increased of larval mortality and impaired the developmental success in D. melanogaster. R. officinalis essential oil showed a significant repellent effect, with duration time of about 6 h. To understand the mechanism underlying the toxicity of essential oil both pro-oxidant effects and biomarkers of oxidative damage were evaluated in exposed flies. Exposure to essential oil caused a significant redox imbalance with impairment of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant system and increased the lipid peroxidation levels. These results suggest that R. officinalis essential oil can be used as a bioinsecticide and/or larvicide as well as an alternative insect repellent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Lucca Pedroso
- Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus IFFar, Santo Ângelo, RS 98806-700, Brazil
| | | | - Cristiane Lenz Dalla Corte
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus UFSM, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Felix Alexandre Antunes Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus UFSM, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Adriane Sperança
- Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus IFFar, Santo Ângelo, RS 98806-700, Brazil
| | - Benhur Godoi
- Núcleo de Síntese, Aplicação, e Análise de Compostos Orgânicos e Inorgânicos, Universidade Federal Fronteira Sul, Campus UFFS, Cerro Largo, RS 97900-000, Brazil
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6
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Wu M, Li Y, Miao Y, Qiao H, Wang Y. Exploring the efficient natural products for Alzheimer's disease therapy via Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) models. J Drug Target 2023; 31:817-831. [PMID: 37545435 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2245582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a grievous neurodegenerative disorder and a major form of senile dementia, which is partially caused by abnormal amyloid-beta peptide deposition and Tau protein phosphorylation. But until now, the exact pathogenesis of AD and its treatment strategy still need to investigate. Fortunately, natural products have shown potential as therapeutic agents for treating symptoms of AD due to their neuroprotective activity. To identify the excellent lead compounds for AD control from natural products of herbal medicines, as well as, detect their modes of action, suitable animal models are required. Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) is an important model for studying genetic and cellular biological pathways in complex biological processes. Various Drosophila AD models were broadly used for AD research, especially for the discovery of neuroprotective natural products. This review focused on the research progress of natural products in AD disease based on the fruit fly AD model, which provides a reference for using the invertebrate model in developing novel anti-AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdi Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaodong Miao
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Huanhuan Qiao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiwen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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7
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Shabir S, Sehgal A, Dutta J, Devgon I, Singh SK, Alsanie WF, Alamri AS, Alhomrani M, Alsharif A, Basalamah MAM, Faidah H, Bantun F, Saati AA, Vamanu E, Singh MP. Therapeutic Potential of Green-Engineered ZnO Nanoparticles on Rotenone-Exposed D. melanogaster (Oregon R +): Unveiling Ameliorated Biochemical, Cellular, and Behavioral Parameters. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1679. [PMID: 37759981 PMCID: PMC10525955 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12091679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology holds significant ameliorative potential against neurodegenerative diseases, as it can protect the therapeutic substance and allow for its sustained release. In this study, the reducing and capping agents of Urtica dioica (UD), Matricaria chamomilla (MC), and Murraya koenigii (MK) extracts were used to synthesize bio-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and against rotenone-induced toxicities in D. melanogaster for the first time. Their optical and structural properties were analyzed via FT-IR, DLS, XRD, EDS, SEM, UV-Vis, and zeta potential. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the fabricated ZnO-NPs were evaluated employing cell-free models (DPPH and ABTS) and the well diffusion method, respectively. Rotenone (500 µM) was administered to Drosophila third instar larvae and freshly emerged flies for 24-120 h, either alone or in combination with plant extracts (UD, MC, an MK) and their biogenic ZnO-NPs. A comparative study on the protective effects of synthesized NPs was undertaken against rotenone-induced neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and behavioral alterations using an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay, dye exclusion test, and locomotor parameters. The findings revealed that among the plant-derived ZnO-NPs, MK-ZnO NPs exhibit strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, followed by UD-ZnO NPs and MC-ZnO NPs. In this regard, ethno-nano medicinal therapeutic uses mimic similar effects in D. melanogaster by suppressing oxidative stress by restoring biochemical parameters (AchE and proteotoxicity activity) and lower cellular toxicity. These findings suggest that green-engineered ZnO-NPs have the potential to significantly enhance outcomes, with the promise of effective therapies for neurodegeneration, and could be used as a great alternative for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Shabir
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Amit Sehgal
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Joydeep Dutta
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Inderpal Devgon
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Sandeep K. Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow 226002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Walaa F. Alsanie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulhakeem S. Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid Alhomrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alsharif
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences Research (CBSR), Deanship of Scientific Research, Taif University, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Hani Faidah
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Farkad Bantun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Ali Saati
- Department of Community Medicine & Pilgrims Healthcare, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emanuel Vamanu
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Mahendra P. Singh
- Department of Zoology and Centre of Genomics and Bioinformatics, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur 273009, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Cembran A, Fernandez-Funez P. Intrinsic determinants of prion protein neurotoxicity in Drosophila: from sequence to (dys)function. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1231079. [PMID: 37645703 PMCID: PMC10461008 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1231079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal brain disorders characterized by deposition of insoluble isoforms of the prion protein (PrP). The normal and pathogenic structures of PrP are relatively well known after decades of studies. Yet our current understanding of the intrinsic determinants regulating PrP misfolding are largely missing. A 3D subdomain of PrP comprising the β2-α2 loop and helix 3 contains high sequence and structural variability among animals and has been proposed as a key domain regulating PrP misfolding. We combined in vivo work in Drosophila with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which provide additional insight to assess the impact of candidate substitutions in PrP from conformational dynamics. MD simulations revealed that in human PrP WT the β2-α2 loop explores multiple β-turn conformations, whereas the Y225A (rabbit PrP-like) substitution strongly favors a 310-turn conformation, a short right-handed helix. This shift in conformational diversity correlates with lower neurotoxicity in flies. We have identified additional conformational features and candidate amino acids regulating the high toxicity of human PrP and propose a new strategy for testing candidate modifiers first in MD simulations followed by functional experiments in flies. In this review we expand on these new results to provide additional insight into the structural and functional biology of PrP through the prism of the conformational dynamics of a 3D domain in the C-terminus. We propose that the conformational dynamics of this domain is a sensitive measure of the propensity of PrP to misfold and cause toxicity. This provides renewed opportunities to identify the intrinsic determinants of PrP misfolding through the contribution of key amino acids to different conformational states by MD simulations followed by experimental validation in transgenic flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cembran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Pedro Fernandez-Funez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
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9
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Amanullah A, Arzoo S, Aslam A, Qureshi IW, Hussain M. Inbreeding-Driven Innate Behavioral Changes in Drosophila melanogaster. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:926. [PMID: 37508357 PMCID: PMC10376054 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster has long been used to demonstrate the effect of inbreeding, particularly in relation to reproductive fitness and stress tolerance. In comparison, less attention has been given to exploring the influence of inbreeding on the innate behavior of D. melanogaster. In this study, multiple replicates of six different types of crosses were set in pair conformation of the laboratory-maintained wild-type D. melanogaster. This resulted in progeny with six different levels of inbreeding coefficients. Larvae and adult flies of varied inbreeding coefficients were subjected to different behavioral assays. In addition to the expected inbreeding depression in the-egg to-adult viability, noticeable aberrations were observed in the crawling and phototaxis behaviors of larvae. Negative geotactic behavior as well as positive phototactic behavior of the flies were also found to be adversely affected with increasing levels of inbreeding. Interestingly, positively phototactic inbred flies demonstrated improved learning compared to outbred flies, potentially the consequence of purging. Flies with higher levels of inbreeding exhibited a delay in the manifestation of aggression and courtship. In summary, our findings demonstrate that inbreeding influences the innate behaviors in D. melanogaster, which in turn may affect the overall biological fitness of the flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Amanullah
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Shabana Arzoo
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Aslam
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Iffat Waqar Qureshi
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
| | - Mushtaq Hussain
- Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine Research Group, Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75330, Pakistan
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Yamada M, Nitta Y, Uehara T, Suzuki H, Miya F, Takenouchi T, Tamura M, Ayabe S, Yoshiki A, Maeno A, Saga Y, Furuse T, Yamada I, Okamoto N, Kosaki K, Sugie A. Heterozygous loss-of-function DHX9 variants are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders: Human genetic and experimental evidences. Eur J Med Genet 2023:104804. [PMID: 37369308 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2023.104804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
DExH-box helicases are involved in unwinding of RNA and DNA. Among the 16 DExH-box genes, monoallelic variants of DHX16, DHX30, DHX34, and DHX37 are known to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In particular, DHX30 is well established as a causative gene for neurodevelopmental disorders. Germline variants of DHX9, the closest homolog of DHX30, have not been reported until now as being associated with congenital disorders in humans, except that one de novo heterozygous variant, p.(Arg1052Gln) of the gene was identified during comprehensive screening in a patient with autism; unfortunately, the phenotypic details of this individual are unknown. Herein, we report a patient with a heterozygous de novo missense variant, p.(Gly414Arg) of DHX9 who presented with a short stature, intellectual disability, and ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy. The variant was located in the glycine codon of the ATP-binding site, G-C-G-K-T. To assess the pathogenicity of this variants, we generated transgenic Drosophila lines expressing human wild-type and mutant DHX9 proteins: 1) the mutant proteins showed aberrant localization both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm; 2) ectopic expression of wild-type protein in the visual system led to the rough eye phenotype, whereas expression of the mutant proteins had minimal effect; 3) overexpression of the wild-type protein in the retina led to a reduction in axonal numbers, whereas expression of the mutant proteins had a less pronounced effect. Furthermore, in a gene-editing experiment of Dhx9 G416 to R416, corresponding to p.(Gly414Arg) in humans, heterozygous mice showed a reduced body size, reduced emotionality, and cardiac conduction abnormality. In conclusion, we established that heterozygosity for a loss-of-function variant of DHX9 can lead to a new neurodevelopmental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamiko Yamada
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Nitta
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomoko Uehara
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisato Suzuki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fuyuki Miya
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takenouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Tamura
- Mouse Phenotype Analysis Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shinya Ayabe
- Experimental Animal Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoshiki
- Experimental Animal Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akiteru Maeno
- Cell Architecture Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saga
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, Department of Gene Function and Phenomics, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Tamio Furuse
- Mouse Phenotype Analysis Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ikuko Yamada
- Mouse Phenotype Analysis Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Sugie
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
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11
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Ramzan F, Abrar F, Mishra GG, Liao LMQ, Martin DDO. Lost in traffic: consequences of altered palmitoylation in neurodegeneration. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1166125. [PMID: 37324388 PMCID: PMC10268010 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1166125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the first molecular events in neurodegenerative diseases, regardless of etiology, is protein mislocalization. Protein mislocalization in neurons is often linked to proteostasis deficiencies leading to the build-up of misfolded proteins and/or organelles that contributes to cellular toxicity and cell death. By understanding how proteins mislocalize in neurons, we can develop novel therapeutics that target the earliest stages of neurodegeneration. A critical mechanism regulating protein localization and proteostasis in neurons is the protein-lipid modification S-acylation, the reversible addition of fatty acids to cysteine residues. S-acylation is more commonly referred to as S-palmitoylation or simply palmitoylation, which is the addition of the 16-carbon fatty acid palmitate to proteins. Like phosphorylation, palmitoylation is highly dynamic and tightly regulated by writers (i.e., palmitoyl acyltransferases) and erasers (i.e., depalmitoylating enzymes). The hydrophobic fatty acid anchors proteins to membranes; thus, the reversibility allows proteins to be re-directed to and from membranes based on local signaling factors. This is particularly important in the nervous system, where axons (output projections) can be meters long. Any disturbance in protein trafficking can have dire consequences. Indeed, many proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases are palmitoylated, and many more have been identified in palmitoyl-proteomic studies. It follows that palmitoyl acyl transferase enzymes have also been implicated in numerous diseases. In addition, palmitoylation can work in concert with cellular mechanisms, like autophagy, to affect cell health and protein modifications, such as acetylation, nitrosylation, and ubiquitination, to affect protein function and turnover. Limited studies have further revealed a sexually dimorphic pattern of protein palmitoylation. Therefore, palmitoylation can have wide-reaching consequences in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Hebbar S, Traikov S, Hälsig C, Knust E. Modulating the Kynurenine pathway or sequestering toxic 3-hydroxykynurenine protects the retina from light-induced damage in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010644. [PMID: 36952572 PMCID: PMC10035932 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue health is regulated by a myriad of exogenous or endogenous factors. Here we investigated the role of the conserved Kynurenine pathway (KP) in maintaining retinal homeostasis in the context of light stress in Drosophila melanogaster. cinnabar, cardinal and scarlet are fly genes that encode different steps in the KP. Along with white, these genes are known regulators of brown pigment (ommochrome) biosynthesis. Using white as a sensitized genetic background, we show that mutations in cinnabar, cardinal and scarlet differentially modulate light-induced retinal damage. Mass Spectrometric measurements of KP metabolites in flies with different genetic combinations support the notion that increased levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OH-K) and Xanthurenic acid (XA) enhance retinal damage, whereas Kynurenic Acid (KYNA) and Kynurenine (K) are neuro-protective. This conclusion was corroborated by showing that feeding 3OH-K results in enhanced retinal damage, whereas feeding KYNA protects the retina in sensitized genetic backgrounds. Interestingly, the harmful effects of free 3OH-K are diminished by its sub-cellular compartmentalization. Sequestering of 3OH-K enables the quenching of its toxicity through conversion to brown pigment or conjugation to proteins. This work enabled us to decouple the role of these KP genes in ommochrome formation from their role in retinal homeostasis. Additionally, it puts forward new hypotheses on the importance of the balance of KP metabolites and their compartmentalization in disease alleviation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Hebbar
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sofia Traikov
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Catrin Hälsig
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Knust
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
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A novel NONO variant that causes developmental delay and cardiac phenotypes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:975. [PMID: 36653413 PMCID: PMC9849200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27770-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila behavior/human splicing protein family is involved in numerous steps of gene regulation. In humans, this family consists of three proteins: SFPQ, PSPC1, and NONO. Hemizygous loss-of-function (LoF) variants in NONO cause a developmental delay with several complications (e.g., distinctive facial features, cardiac symptoms, and skeletal symptoms) in an X-linked recessive manner. Most of the reported variants have been LoF variants, and two missense variants have been reported as likely deleterious but with no functional validation. We report three individuals from two families harboring an identical missense variant that is located in the nuclear localization signal, NONO: NM_001145408.2:c.1375C > G p.(Pro459Ala). All of them were male and the variant was inherited from their asymptomatic mothers. Individual 1 was diagnosed with developmental delay and cardiac phenotypes (ventricular tachycardia and dilated cardiomyopathy), which overlapped with the features of reported individuals having NONO LoF variants. Individuals 2 and 3 were monozygotic twins. Unlike in Individual 1, developmental delay with autistic features was the only symptom found in them. A fly experiment and cell localization experiment showed that the NONO variant impaired its proper intranuclear localization, leading to mild LoF. Our findings suggest that deleterious NONO missense variants should be taken into consideration when whole-exome sequencing is performed on male individuals with developmental delay with or without cardiac symptoms.
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Trajković J, Makevic V, Pesic M, Pavković-Lučić S, Milojevic S, Cvjetkovic S, Hagerman R, Budimirovic DB, Protic D. Drosophila melanogaster as a Model to Study Fragile X-Associated Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2022; 14:genes14010087. [PMID: 36672829 PMCID: PMC9859539 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a global neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the expansion of CGG trinucleotide repeats (≥200) in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. FXS is the hallmark of Fragile X-associated disorders (FXD) and the most common monogenic cause of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. There are several animal models used to study FXS. In the FXS model of Drosophila, the only ortholog of FMR1, dfmr1, is mutated so that its protein is missing. This model has several relevant phenotypes, including defects in the circadian output pathway, sleep problems, memory deficits in the conditioned courtship and olfactory conditioning paradigms, deficits in social interaction, and deficits in neuronal development. In addition to FXS, a model of another FXD, Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), has also been established in Drosophila. This review summarizes many years of research on FXD in Drosophila models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Trajković
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vedrana Makevic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Pesic
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Sara Milojevic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Smiljana Cvjetkovic
- Department of Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Dejan B. Budimirovic
- Department of Psychiatry, Fragile X Clinic, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences-Child Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence:
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Synthesis of Green Engineered Silver Nanoparticles through Urtica dioica: An Inhibition of Microbes and Alleviation of Cellular and Organismal Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11121690. [PMID: 36551347 PMCID: PMC9774676 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11121690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant fractions have a diversity of biomolecules that can be used to make complicated reactions for the bioactive fabrication of metal nanoparticles (NPs), in addition to being beneficial as antioxidant medications or dietary supplements. The current study shows that Urtica dioica (UD) and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of UD have antibacterial and antioxidant properties against bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida) and Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R+). According to their ability to scavenge free radicals, DPPH, ABTS, TFC, and TPC initially estimated the antioxidant potential of UD and UD AgNPs. The fabricated AgNPs were analyzed (UV−Vis, FTIR, EDS, and SEM) to determine the functional groups (alcohol, carboxylic acids, phenol, proteins, and aldehydes) and to observe the shape (agglomerated crystalline and rod-shaped structure). The disc diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial properties of synthesized Ag-NPs against E. coli and P. putida. For 24 to 120 h, newly enclosed flies and third instar larvae of Drosophila were treated with UD and UD AgNPs. After exposure, tests for biochemical effects (acetylcholinesterase inhibition and protein estimation assays), cytotoxicity (dye exclusion), and behavioral effects (jumping and climbing assays) were conducted. The results showed that nanoparticles were found to have potent antimicrobial activity against all microbial strains tested at various concentrations. In this regard, ethno-medicinal characteristics exhibit a similar impact in D. melanogaster, showing (p < 0.05) significantly decreased cellular toxicity (trypan blue dye), enhanced biochemical markers (AChE efficacy and proteotoxicity), and improved behavioral patterns in the organism treated with UD AgNPs, especially in comparison to UD extract. The results of this study may help in the utilization of specific plants as reliable sources of natural antioxidants that may have been beneficial in the synthesis of metallic NPs, which aids in the production of nanomedicine and other therapeutic applications.
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Benoit I, Di Curzio D, Civetta A, Douville RN. Drosophila as a Model for Human Viral Neuroinfections. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172685. [PMID: 36078091 PMCID: PMC9454636 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of human neurological infection faces many technical and ethical challenges. While not as common as mammalian models, the use of Drosophila (fruit fly) in the investigation of virus–host dynamics is a powerful research tool. In this review, we focus on the benefits and caveats of using Drosophila as a model for neurological infections and neuroimmunity. Through the examination of in vitro, in vivo and transgenic systems, we highlight select examples to illustrate the use of flies for the study of exogenous and endogenous viruses associated with neurological disease. In each case, phenotypes in Drosophila are compared to those in human conditions. In addition, we discuss antiviral drug screening in flies and how investigating virus–host interactions may lead to novel antiviral drug targets. Together, we highlight standardized and reproducible readouts of fly behaviour, motor function and neurodegeneration that permit an accurate assessment of neurological outcomes for the study of viral infection in fly models. Adoption of Drosophila as a valuable model system for neurological infections has and will continue to guide the discovery of many novel virus–host interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilena Benoit
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 599 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2G3, Canada
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Domenico Di Curzio
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Alberto Civetta
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 599 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2G3, Canada
| | - Renée N. Douville
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, 599 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2G3, Canada
- Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Taché Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- Correspondence:
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Shabir S, Yousuf S, Singh SK, Vamanu E, Singh MP. Ethnopharmacological Effects of Urtica dioica, Matricaria chamomilla, and Murraya koenigii on Rotenone-Exposed D. melanogaster: An Attenuation of Cellular, Biochemical, and Organismal Markers. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081623. [PMID: 36009342 PMCID: PMC9405140 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural antioxidants derived from plants have been proven to have significant inhibitory effects on the free radicals of living organisms during actively metabolization. Excessive production of free radicals increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and motor sclerosis. This study aimed to compare the ethnopharmacological effects of Urtica dioica (UD), Matricaria chamomilla (MC), and Murraya koenigii (MK) on the amelioration of rotenone-induced toxicity in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R+) at biochemical, cellular, and behavioral levels. Phytoextracts were prepared from all three plants, i.e., UD, MC, and MK (aqueous and ethanolic fractions), and their bioactive compounds were evaluated using in vitro biochemical parameters (DPPH, ABTS, TPC, and TFC), UV-Vis, followed by FT-IR and HPLC. Third instar larvae and freshly eclosed flies were treated with 500 µM rotenone alone or in combination with UD, MC, and MK for 24 to 120 h. Following exposure, cytotoxicity (dye exclusion test), biochemical (protein estimation and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays), and behavioral assays (climbing and jumping assays) were performed. Among all three plant extracts, MK exhibited the highest antioxidant properties due to the highest TPC, TFC, DPPH, and ABTS, followed by UD, then MC. The overall trend was MK > UD > MC. In this context, ethnopharmacological properties mimic the same effect in Drosophila, exhibiting significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cytotoxicity (trypan blue), improved biochemical parameters (proteotoxicity and AChE activity), and better behavioral parameters in the organisms cotreated with phyto extracts compared with rotenone. Conclusively, UV-Vis, FTIR, and HPLC analyses differentiated the plant extracts. The findings of this research may be beneficial in the use of select herbs as viable sources of phyto-ingredients that could be of interest in nutraceutical development and various clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Shabir
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
| | - Sumaira Yousuf
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Indian Scientific Education and Technology Foundation, Lucknow 226002, India
- Correspondence: (S.K.S.); (E.V.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Emanuel Vamanu
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (S.K.S.); (E.V.); (M.P.S.)
| | - Mahendra P. Singh
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
- Correspondence: (S.K.S.); (E.V.); (M.P.S.)
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