Unveiling the Antimicrobial and Larvicidal Potential of Butyrolactones and Orsellinic Acid Derivatives from the Morus alba-derived Fungus Aspergillus terreus via Integrated In vitro and In silico Approaches

The emergence of multi-drug-resistant microbial strains spurred the search for antimicrobial agents; as a result, two distinct approaches were combined: four in vitro studies and four corresponding molecular docking investigations. Antituberculosis, anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti-MRSA), antifungal, and larvicidal activities of the crude extract, two fractions, and seven isolated compounds from Aspergillus terreus derived from Morus alba roots were explored. The isolated compounds (5 butyrolactones and 2 orsellinic acid derivatives) showed potent to moderate antitubercular activity with MIC values ranging from 1.95 to 62.5 μg/mL (compared to isoniazid, 0.24 μg/mL) and promising anti-MRSA potential with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 8 to 25 mm. Additionally, the in silico study proved that the isolated compounds bind to the two corresponding proteins' active sites with high to moderate -(C-Docker interaction energies) and stable interactions. The isolated compounds displayed antifungal activities against different fungal strains at diverse degrees of activity, among them compound (8"S,9")-dihydroxy-dihydrobutyrolactone I eliciting the best antifungal activity. Meanwhile, all isolated compounds, fractions, and the crude extract demonstrated extremely selective potent to moderate activity against Cryptococcus neoformans. The isolated five butyrolactone derivatives could develop potential mosquito larvicidal agents as a result of promising docking outcomes in the larval enzyme carboxylesterase.

Unearthing the fungal endophyte Aspergillus terreus for chemodiversity and medicinal prospects: a comprehensive review

Aspergillus terreus microorganism represents a promising prospective source for drug discovery since it is rich in diverse kinds of bioactive secondary metabolites. It contributed to many biotechnological applications and its metabolites are used in the synthesis of certain pharmaceuticals and food products, in addition to its useful uses in fermentation processes. There are about 346 compounds identified from marine and terrestrial-derived A. terreus from 1987 until 2022, 172 compounds of them proved a vast array of bioactivity. This review aimed to create an up-to-date comprehensive literature data of A. terreus's secondary metabolites classes supported by its different bioactivity data to be a scientific record for the next work in drug discovery.

The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the gene for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma is associated with a lower Global Acne Grading System score in patients with acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial disease of the skin. Several studies have shown that sebocyte proliferation and/or lipogenesis, as well as inflammatory reactions, may be regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ-mediated pathways.

AIM

To investigate whether the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARγ gene might be associated with the risk of acne, and to assess the effect of this polymorphism on acne severity.

METHODS

This case-control study enrolled 100 patients with acne and 100 apparently healthy subjects. The clinical grade of acne was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System. We used PCR to identify the presence of the Pro12Ala polymorphism in exon 2 of PPARγ.

RESULTS

Our results revealed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.001) in the genotype distribution between patients and controls, with higher incidence of the Pro/Ala genotype in controls (51%) than in patients (28%). A statistically significant association (P < 0.001) between disease severity and genotype distribution was found, indicating that the Pro/Ala genotype is less prevalent in patients with severe acne.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that that the Ala allele might be a protective factor against acne development or may attenuate acne severity.

A report of three patients with MMP2 associated hereditary osteolysis

Osteolysis syndromes are rare hereditary disorders characterized by destruction and resorption of affected bones. The current study adds three new patients from two unrelated consanguineous families with a severe form of inherited osteolysis. Clinical examination, radiological, biochemical, ultrastructural and molecular studies were conducted. Clinical and radiological studies suggested the diagnosis of Torg-Winchester syndrome. The three affected patients were homozygous for novel MMP2 gene mutations which confirmed the diagnosis. Our patients are the first to be reported from Egypt thus, supporting the pan ethnic nature of the disease.

AMH gene mutations in two Egyptian families with persistent müllerian duct syndrome

The anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is responsible for regression of müllerian ducts during male sexual differentiation. Mutations in the AMH gene or its type II receptor gene AMHR2 lead to persistence of the uterus and fallopian tubes in male children, i.e. persistent müllerian duct syndrome (PMDS). Both conditions are transmitted according to an autosomal recessive pattern and are symptomatic only in males. We report on 2 unrelated Egyptian consanguineous families with PMDS. The first family comprised 3 affected prepubertal sibs complaining of undescended testes. Pelvic exploration and laparotomy revealed müllerian duct derivatives. The other family was presenting with an adolescent male with impalpable left testis, and pelvic exploration showed remnants of fallopian tubes and rudimentary uterus. AMH levels were very low and almost undetectable in all affected patients in both families. Direct sequencing of the coding region of the AMH gene identified 2 homozygous mutations in exon 1, R95X in the first family and V12G in the second family. These data confirmed the autosomal recessive type of PMDS. Molecular investigation of this rare disorder in a larger number of cases with undescended testes in Egypt is warranted for proper diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Homozygosity for a novel missense mutation in the leptin receptor gene (P316T) in two Egyptian cousins with severe early onset obesity

Congenital deficiency of the leptin receptor is a very rare cause of severe early-onset obesity. To date, only 9 families have been reported in the literature to have mutations in the leptin receptor gene. The clinical features include severe early onset obesity, severe hyperphagia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and T cell and neuroendocrine/metabolic dysfunction. Here we report two cousins with severe early onset obesity and recurrent respiratory tract infections. Their serum leptin levels were elevated but they were within the range predicted by the elevated fat mass in both cousins. Direct sequencing of the entire coding sequence of the leptin receptor gene revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation in exon 6, P316T. The mutation was found in the homozygous form in both cousins and in the heterozygote state in their parents. This mutation was not found in 200 chromosomes from 100 unrelated normal weight control subjects of Egyptian origin using PCR-RFLP analysis. In conclusion, finding this new mutation in the LEPR beside our previous mutation in the LEP gene implies that monogenic obesity syndromes may be common in the Egyptian population owing to the high rates of consanguineous marriages. Further screening of more families for mutations in LEP, LEPR, and MC4 might confirm this assumption.

A novel homozygous missense mutation of the leptin gene (N103K) in an obese Egyptian patient

Congenital leptin deficiency is a rare recessive genetic disorder resulting in severe hyperphagia and early onset obesity. It is caused by mutations in the LEP gene encoding leptin. To date, only two mutations have been identified in the LEP gene, Delta133G and R105W. We present the third reported mutation identified in an Egyptian patient with very low serum leptin levels and severe early onset obesity (BMI = 51). Direct sequencing of the coding region of the LEP gene revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation, N103K. The N103K mutation was not found in 100 alleles from 50 unrelated Egyptian normal-weight control subjects using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In conclusion, this study presents the third reported mutation of the LEP gene and will provide further insight into the physiologic role of leptin in human obesity.