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Sen A, Dewaker V, Debnath U, Jana K, Rath J, Joardar N, Sinha Babu SP. In silico exploration and in vitro validation of the filarial thioredoxin reductase inhibitory activity of Scytonemin and its derivatives. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37990568 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2283876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by the vector borne parasitic nematode Wuchereria bancrofti is of major concern of the World Health Organization (WHO). Lack of potential drug candidates worsens the situation. Presently available drugs are promising in killing the microfilaria (mf) but are not effective as adulticidal therapeutics. Previous studies have revealed that routine administration of the available drugs (albendazole, ivermectin and albendazole) sometime is associated with severe adverse effects (SAEs) in co-infection state. Therefore, potential and safe therapeutics are still required. Earlier studies on filarial thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) have shown that successful inhibition of it can lead to apoptotic death of the parasites. TrxR in filarial parasites plays a significant role in disease progression and pathogenesis, hence efficient non-reversible inhibition of TrxR can be a good strategy to treat LF. In this research, inhibitory potential of Scytonemin, a cyanobacterial metabolite on filarial TrxR was evaluated via different in silico methods and validated through in vitro experiments. Parasite death upon exposure to Scytonemin can be correlated with the TrxR inhibiting capacity of the compound. Therefore, this cyanobacterial-derived compound may possibly be used further as novel and safe therapeutic candidate against filarial infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Animesh Sen
- Department of Botany, Applied Phycology Laboratory, Siksha-Bhavana, Santiniketan, India
- Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, CCRAS, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India, Gangtok, India
| | - Varun Dewaker
- Institute of New Frontier Research Team, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Utsab Debnath
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India
| | - Kuladip Jana
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Unified Academic Campus, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Jnanendra Rath
- Department of Botany, Applied Phycology Laboratory, Siksha-Bhavana, Santiniketan, India
| | - Nikhilesh Joardar
- Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Siksha-Bhavana, Santiniketan, India
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Santi P Sinha Babu
- Department of Zoology, Parasitology Laboratory, Siksha-Bhavana, Santiniketan, India
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Sahu N, Mishra S, Kesheri M, Kanchan S, Sinha RP. Identification of Cyanobacteria-Based Natural Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Druggable Target ACE2 Using Molecular Docking Study, ADME and Toxicity Analysis. Indian J Clin Biochem 2023; 38:361-373. [PMID: 35812791 PMCID: PMC9255548 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-022-01056-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In 2019-2020, the novel "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)" had emerged as the biggest challenge for humanity, causing "coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)". Scientists around the world have been putting continuous efforts to unfold potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. We have performed computational studies that help us to identify cyanobacterial photoprotective compounds as potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 druggable target human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), which plays a vital role in the attachment and entry of the virus into the cell. Blocking the receptor-binding domain of ACE2 can prevent the access of the virus into the compartment. A molecular docking study was performed between photoprotective compounds mycosporine-like amino acids, scytonemins and ACE2 protein using AutoDock tools. Among sixteen molecularly docked metabolites, seven compounds were selected with binding energy < 6.8 kcal/mol. Afterwards, drug-likeness and toxicity of the top candidate were predicted using Swiss ADME and Pro Tox-II online servers. All top hits show desirable drug-likeness properties, but toxicity pattern analysis discloses the toxic effect of scytonemin and its derivatives, resulting in the elimination from the screening pipeline. Further molecular interaction study of the rest two ligands, mycosporine-glycine-valine and shinorine with ACE2 was performed using PyMol, Biovia Discovery studio and LigPlot+. Lastly biological activity of both the ligands was predicted by using the PASS online server. Combining the docking score and other studied properties, we believe that mycosporine-glycine-valine and shinorine have potential to be potent inhibitors of ACE2 and can be explored further to use against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niharika Sahu
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
| | - Sonal Mishra
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
| | - Minu Kesheri
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
| | - Swarna Kanchan
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
| | - Rajeshwar P. Sinha
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005 India
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G M Edwards H, Jehlička J, Němečková K, Culka A. Scytonin in gypsum endolithic colonisation: First Raman spectroscopic detection of a new spectral biosignature for terrestrial astrobiological analogues and for exobiological mission database extension. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2023; 292:122406. [PMID: 36738580 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial colonisations of gypsum from Eastern Poland (Badenian, Middle Miocene age) were investigated by Raman microspectrometry with a rarely used excitation 445 nm excitation. Zones of microbial colonisation in selenitic gypsum endolithic outcrops comprise algae and cyanobacteria, which commonly contain the photosynthetic and protective pigments carotenoids, scytonemin and gloeocapsin. Diagnostic bands differing from those of scytonemin have been identified in black colonies in gypsum outcrops at Chotel Czierwony (Poland). Raman spectral signatures of scytonin are reported here for the first time in two endolithic specimens identified by the band wavenumbers predicted from DFT calculations. The strong or medium strong intensity Raman bands observed at 1603, 1585, 1559, 1435, and 1424 cm-1. Other weaker bands were located at 1676 (sh), 1660 (sh), 1649, 1399, 1362, 1342, 1320, 1294, 1272, 1259, and 1052 cm-1. The first observation of the Raman spectrum of scytonin in the cyanobacterial colonisation of gypsum facilitates the inclusion of this new biomolecular signature in the library of unique Raman spectra of biological pigments invaluable for detection of traces of life in frame of the planetary missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howell G M Edwards
- Centre for Astrobiology and Extremophiles Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK
| | - Jan Jehlička
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Němečková
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Culka
- Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic.
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Tamamizu K, Sakamoto T, Kurashige Y, Nozue S, Kumazaki S. Scytonemin redox status in a filamentous cyanobacterium visualized by an excitation-laser-line-scanning spontaneous Raman scattering spectral microscope. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2023; 290:122258. [PMID: 36571864 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.122258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Some cyanobacteria produce a UVA-absorbing pigment, scytonemin, at extracellular sheaths. Although scytonemin-containing dark sheaths are recognizable through optical microscopes and its redox changes have been known for decades, there has been no report to obtain images of both oxidized and reduced scytonemins at subcellular resolution. Here, we show that a spontaneous Raman scattering spectral microscopy based on an excitation-laser-line-scanning method unveil 3D subcellular distributions of both the oxidized and reduced scytonemins in a filamentous cyanobacterium. The redox changes of scytonemin were supported by comparison in the Raman spectra between the cyanobacterial cells, solid-state scytonemin and quantum chemical normal mode analysis. Distributions of carotenoids, phycobilins, and the two redox forms of scytonemin were simultaneously visualized with an excitation wavelength at 1064 nm that is virtually free from the optical screening by the dark sheaths. The redox differentiation of scytonemin will advance our understanding of the redox homeostasis and secretion mechanisms of individual cyanobacteria as well as microscopic chemical environments in various microbial communities. The line-scanning Raman microscopy based on the 1064 nm excitation is thus a promising tool for exploring hitherto unreported Raman spectral features and distribution of nonfluorescent molecules embedded below nontransparent layers for visible light, while avoiding interference by autofluorescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouto Tamamizu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Toshio Sakamoto
- School of Biological Science and Technology, College of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yuki Kurashige
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shuho Nozue
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Shigeichi Kumazaki
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
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Vítek P, Ascaso C, Artieda O, Casero MC, Wierzchos J. Raman imaging of microbial colonization in rock-some analytical aspects. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 412:3717-3726. [PMID: 32249342 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-02622-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Raman imaging allows one to obtain spatially resolved chemical information in a nondestructive manner. Herein, we present analytical aspects of effective in situ and in vivo Raman imaging of algae and cyanobacteria from within their native rock habitats. Specifically, gypsum and halite inhabited by endolithic communities from the hyperarid Atacama Desert were analyzed. Raman imaging of these phototrophic colonization reveals a pigment composition within the aggregates that helps in understanding some of their adaptation strategies to survive in this harsh polyextreme environment. The study is focused on methodical aspects of Raman imaging acquisition and subsequent data processing. Point imaging is compared with line imaging in terms of their image quality, spatial resolution, spectral signal-to-noise ratio, time requirements, and risk of laser-induced sample alteration. The roles of excitation wavelength, exposure time, and step size of the imaging grid on successful Raman imaging results are also discussed. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Vítek
- Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 986/4a, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Carmen Ascaso
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Artieda
- Departamento Biología Vegetal, Ecología y Ciencias de la Tierra, and IACYS, Universidad de Extremadura, 10600, Plasencia, Spain
| | - M Cristina Casero
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacek Wierzchos
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, c/ Serrano 115 dpdo., 28006, Madrid, Spain
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Fuentes-Tristan S, Parra-Saldivar R, Iqbal HMN, Carrillo-Nieves D. Bioinspired biomolecules: Mycosporine-like amino acids and scytonemin from Lyngbya sp. with UV-protection potentialities. J Photochem Photobiol B 2019; 201:111684. [PMID: 31733505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of life on Earth, cyanobacteria have been exposed to natural ultraviolet-A radiation (UV-A, 315-400 nm) and ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-315 nm), affecting their cells' biomolecules. These photoautotrophic organisms have needed to evolve to survive and thus, have developed different mechanisms against ultraviolet radiation. These mechanisms include UVR avoidance, DNA repair, and cell protection by producing photoprotective compounds like Scytonemin, carotenoids, and Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). Lyngbya marine species are commercially important due to their secondary metabolites that show a range of biological activities including antibacterial, insecticidal, anticancer, antifungal, and enzyme inhibitor. The main topic in this review covers the Lyngbya sp., a cyanobacteria genus that presents photoprotection provided by the UV-absorbing/screening compounds such as MAAs and Scytonemin. These compounds have considerable potentialities to be used in the cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, biotechnological and biomedical sectors and other related manufacturing industries with an additional value of environment friendly in nature. Scytonemin has UV protectant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and antioxidant activity. MAAs act as sunscreens, provide additional protection as antioxidants, can be used as UV protectors, activators of cell proliferation, skin-care products, and even as photo-stabilizing additives in paints, plastics, and varnishes. The five MAAs identified so far in Lyngbya sp. are Asterina-330, M-312, Palythine, Porphyra-334, and Shinorine are capable of dissipating absorbed radiation as harmless heat without producing reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Fuentes-Tristan
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldivar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico.
| | - Hafiz M N Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico.
| | - Danay Carrillo-Nieves
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Nuevo México, Zapopan C.P. 45138, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Aigner S, Herburger K, Holzinger A, Karsten U. Epilithic Chamaesiphon (Synechococcales, Cyanobacteria) species in mountain streams of the Alps-interspecific differences in photo-physiological traits. J Appl Phycol 2017; 30:1125-1134. [PMID: 29755206 PMCID: PMC5928177 DOI: 10.1007/s10811-017-1328-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many alpine streams inhabit conspicuous epilithic biofilms on pebbles and rocks that are formed by members of the cyanobacterial genus Chamaesiphon (Synechococcales). In the Austrian Alps, some Chamaesiphon species can even overgrow up to 70% of the surface of river rocks, and hence they must play an important but still unstudied ecological role in the organic matter flux. Since photo-biological traits have not been investigated so far, photosynthetic features, pigments, and UV-sunscreen compounds were studied in three Chamaesiphon morphospecies (C. geitleri, C. polonicus, C. starmachii). These species form conspicuously differently colored spots on cobbles and boulders in the alpine streams. While C. polonicus typically forms red crusts on flat pebble conglomerate, C. geitleri and C. starmachii are characterized by dark brown and black biofilms in the field, respectively. Photosynthesis-irradiance (PE) curves indicate that all three Chamaesiphon species have different light requirements for photosynthesis, with C. starmachii and C. polonicus preferring high and low photon fluence rates, respectively, while C. geitleri takes a position in between. This low-light requirement of C. polonicus is also reflected in ca. ten-times lower chlorophyll a, zeaxanthin, and ß-carotene concentrations, as well as in a lack of the UV-sunscreen scytonemin. All Chamaesiphon morphospecies exhibit the mycosporine-like amino acid porphyra-334. The physiological and biochemical data indicate strong intraspecific differences in photosynthetic activity and pigment patterns, which explain well the distinct preferences of the three studied Chamaesiphon morphospecies for sun-exposed or shaded habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siegfried Aigner
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwarte Strasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Herburger
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwarte Strasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Holzinger
- Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwarte Strasse 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulf Karsten
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, D-18057 Rostock, Germany
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Gao X. Scytonemin Plays a Potential Role in Stabilizing the Exopolysaccharidic Matrix in Terrestrial Cyanobacteria. Microb Ecol 2017; 73:255-258. [PMID: 27623964 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-016-0851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic oxygen-evolving prokaryotes that are distributed in diverse habitats. They synthesize the ultraviolet (UV)-screening pigments, scytonemin (SCY) and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), located in the exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix. Multiple roles for both pigments have gradually been recognized, such as sunscreen ability, antioxidant activity, and heat dissipation from absorbed UV radiation. In this study, a filamentous terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme was used to evaluate the potential stabilizing role of SCY on the EPS matrix. SCY (∼3.7 %) was partially removed from N. flagelliforme filaments by rinsing with 100 % acetone for 5 s. The physiological damage to cells resulting from this treatment, in terms of photosystem II activity parameter Fv/Fm, was repaired after culturing the sample for 40 h. The physiologically recovered sample was further desiccated by natural or rapid drying and then allowed to recovery for 24 h. Compared with the normal sample, a relatively slower Fv/Fm recovery was observed in the SCY-partially removed sample, suggesting that the decreased SCY concentration in the EPS matrix caused cells to suffer further damage upon desiccation. In addition, the SCY-partially removed sample could allow the release of MAAs (∼25 %) from the EPS matrix, while the normal sample did not. Therefore, damage caused by drying of the former resulted from at least the reduction of structural stability of the EPS matrix as well as the loss of partial antioxidant compounds. Considering that an approximately 4 % loss of SCY led to this significant effect, the structurally stabilizing potential of SCY on the EPS matrix is crucial for terrestrial cyanobacteria survival in complex environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, People's Republic of China.
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Edwards HG, Seaward MR, Preece TF, Jorge-Villar SE, Hawksworth DL. Raman spectroscopic analysis of the effect of the lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola physciae on its lichen host. Symbiosis 2017; 71:57-63. [PMID: 28066125 DOI: 10.1007/s13199-016-0447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Lichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi have been extensively researched taxonomically over many years, and phylogenetically in recent years, but the biology of the relationship between the invading fungus and the lichen host has received limited attention, as has the effects on the chemistry of the host, being difficult to examine in situ. Raman spectroscopy is an established method for the characterization of chemicals in situ, and this technique is applied to a lichenicolous fungus here for the first time. Xanthoriicola physciae occurs in the apothecia of Xanthoria parietina, producing conidia at the hymenium surface. Raman spectroscopy of apothecial sections revealed that parietin and carotenoids were destroyed in infected apothecia. Those compounds protect healthy tissues of the lichen from extreme insolation and their removal may contribute to the deterioration of the apothecia. Scytonemin was also detected, but was most probably derived from associated cyanobacteria. This work shows that Raman spectroscopy has potential for investigating changes in the chemistry of a lichen by an invading lichenicolous fungus.
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Varnali T, Edwards HGM. Reduced and oxidised scytonemin: theoretical protocol for Raman spectroscopic identification of potential key biomolecules for astrobiology. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2014; 117:72-77. [PMID: 23981417 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Scytonemin is an important UV-radiation protective biomolecule synthesised by extremophilic cyanobacteria in stressed terrestrial environments. Scytonemin and its reduced form have been both isolated experimentally and the Raman spectrum for scytonemin has been assigned and characterised experimentally both in extracts and in living extremophilic cyanobacterial colonies. Scytonemin is recognised as a key biomarker molecule for terrestrial organisms in stressed environments. We propose a new, theoretically plausible structure for oxidised scytonemin which has not been mentioned in the literature hitherto. DFT calculations for scytonemin, reduced scytonemin and the new structure modelled and proposed for oxidised scytonemin are reported along with their Raman spectroscopic data and λmax UV-absorption data obtained theoretically. Comparison of the vibrational spectroscopic assignments allows the three forms of scytonemin to be detected and identified and assist not only in the clarification of the major features in the experimentally observed Raman spectral data for the parent scytonemin but also support a protocol proposed for their analytical discrimination. The results of this study provide a basis for the search for molecules of this type in future astrobiological missions of exploration and the search for extinct and extant life terrestrially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Varnali
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, Bebek 34342, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Rastogi RP, Sinha RP, Incharoensakdi A. Partial characterization, UV-induction and photoprotective function of sunscreen pigment, scytonemin from Rivularia sp. HKAR-4. Chemosphere 2013; 93:1874-1878. [PMID: 23859424 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/13/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Scytonemin, located in the extracellular polysaccharide sheath of some cyanobacterial species is considered an efficient natural photoprotectant against lethal doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiations. In the present study, scytonemin from the cyanobacterium Rivularia sp. HKAR-4 was partially characterized and investigated for its induction by UV radiation as well as its role in photoprotection. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode-array detection studies revealed the presence of an UV-absorbing compound with absorption maximum at 386 nm. Based on its absorption spectrum and ion trap liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis, the compound was confirmed as scytonemin. In comparison to photosynthetically active radiation, a significant induction in the synthesis of scytonemin was found under UV-stress. Scytonemin also exhibited efficient photoprotective ability by detoxifying the in vivo reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by UV radiation and by reducing the formation of thymine dimers. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the UV-screening effects of scytonemin on in vivo ROS generation and thymine dimer formation in any cyanobacterial strain. Based on these findings, we conclude that scytonemin may play a vital role in the survival and sustainability of cyanobacterial life in adverse environmental conditions such as under high solar irradiances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh P Rastogi
- Laboratory of Cyanobacterial Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Zhang Z, Zhang G, Kong C. High expression of polo-like kinase 1 is associated with the metastasis and recurrence in urothelial carcinoma of bladder. Urol Oncol 2013; 31:1222-30. [PMID: 22192978 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2011.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 11/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been widely pursued as an oncology target because it is overexpressed in several human tumor types. To investigate whether Plk1 plays a general role in bladder urothelial carcinoma, we examined the expression of Plk1 protein in bladder urothelial carcinoma and cell lines, and analyzed the relationship among Plk1 protein expression, metastasis, and recurrence of urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Plk1 in 120 bladder urothelial carcinoma. Moreover, the expression of Plk1 was analyzed by Western blot in 60 bladder urothelial carcinoma and 21 normal epithelial tissues. MTT assay and flow cytometry and transwell assay were used to examine the proliferative and invasive ability of bladder cancer cells with the treatment of scytonemin (the inhibitor of Plk1). Statistical analysis was used to discuss the association between Plk1 expression and clinicopathologic parameters, tumor metastasis and recurrence, and the proliferative and invasive ability and cell cycle process of the bladder cancer cells. RESULTS There was a significantly higher Plk1expressions in bladder urothelial carcinoma and highly invasive bladder T24 cells than those in bladder normal tissues and the superficial bladder BIU-87 cells. Plk1 expression was positively correlated with histologic grade, pT stage, recurrence, and metastasis. With the increasing concentration of scytonemin, we found that not only the cell proliferation and invasion activity decreased significantly, but also the cell cycle was blocked at G2/M stage. CONCLUSION Plk1 expression status was closely correlated with important histopathologic characteristics (grades and stages) and the recurrence and metastasis of bladder urothelial carcinomas. Furthermore, Plk1 played an important function on the bladder cancer cells' proliferation by regulating the cancer cell cycle from G1/S to G2/M and probably promoted the invasion and metastasis of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China.
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