Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Longhui Chai, Chuanlin Yin, Peter Muiruri Kamau, Lei Luo, Shilong Yang, Xiancui Lu, Dong Zheng, Yunfei Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates the structural and functional diversity of peptide families in the skin of Hyla japonica, showing their evolution as an efficient chemical toolkit for defense in arboreal habitat with functional consistency compared to other amphibian species. Anntoxin-like neurotoxins with high expression levels are found to be species-specific in tree frogs, with derivatives exhibiting multiple evolutionary traits.
Article
Fisheries
Shen Yang, Jian Li, Jude Juventus Aweya, Shaogui He, Shanggui Deng, Wuyin Weng, Yueling Zhang, Guang-Ming Liu
Summary: The histone H4-derived peptide PvH4a exhibits strong antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-negative bacteria. PvH4a increases the inner membrane permeability of V. parahaemolyticus and has no adverse effects on normal human cells.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chuanling Yin, Fanpeng Zeng, Puyi Huang, Zhengqi Shi, Qianyi Yang, Zhenduo Pei, Xin Wang, Longhui Chai, Shipei Zhang, Shilong Yang, Wenqi Dong, Xiancui Lu, Yunfei Wang
Summary: The skin secretion of tree frogs contains a compound called Paxilline (PAX), which has the ability to inhibit potassium channel subfamily K member 18 (KCNK18) channels in their predators. PAX-induced KCNK18 inhibition leads to calcium influx in rat neurons. The interaction between PAX and KCNK18 is mediated by pi-pi stacking interactions, and the inhibition of both KCNK18 and BKCa channels in predators or competitors results in tingling and buzzing sensations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seyda Kara, Cemil Kurekci, Muharrem Akcan
Summary: Naturally occurring frog skin peptides are a significant source of antimicrobial peptides, which have advantages such as broad spectrum activity and low susceptibility to drug resistance. However, they also have disadvantages such as hemolytic activity and high production costs. By designing new analogues, the antimicrobial activity and hemolytic activity can be improved, enhancing their potential clinical applications.
Article
Cell Biology
Reiko Okada, Shun Adachi, Yu Takiya, Ryohei Iwasaki, Atsushi Hirota, Sakae Kikuyama
Summary: Glucose, glucose transporters, and metabolic enzymes play important roles in the freeze tolerance of Hyla japonica. Serum glucose concentrations were higher in thawed frogs compared to hibernating and nonhibernating frogs. Glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes increased before hibernation and decreased after freezing and thawing. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of glucose transporter gene in frozen frogs and glycogen synthase gene in hibernating frogs. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased Glut2 protein on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes in hibernating frogs, further increased after freezing, and decreased after thawing.
DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jie Yang, Chengliang Tong, Junmei Qi, Xiaoying Liao, Xiaokun Li, Xu Zhang, Mei Zhou, Lei Wang, Chengbang Ma, Xinping Xi, Tianbao Chen, Yitian Gao, Di Wu
Summary: The Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor family is a well-studied group of proteins mainly found in plants. Recently, attenuated peptides with inhibitory motifs have been discovered in the skin secretions of amphibians, with one peptide named livisin identified in the skin secretion of the green cascade frog. Livisin was found to be a potent inhibitor against several serine proteases. Comparative activity studies were conducted to investigate the structure-activity relationship of livisin, and it was suggested as a potential tool for drug discovery and development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenjie Wang, Wanqing Yang, Shouying Du, Xinping Xi, Chengbang Ma, Lei Wang, Mei Zhou, Tianbao Chen
Summary: Bioactive proteins secreted by amphibian skin glands exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, offering potential for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The antimicrobial peptide temporin-FL and its analogues show potent activity against MRSA, with enhanced efficiency and lower cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. These peptides disrupt bacterial membranes, block biofilm formation, and provide insights for developing new drugs for MRSA infections.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Beatrix R. Bradford, Chunyuan Jin
Summary: Pre-mRNA processing of replication-dependent canonical histone mRNAs involves an endonucleolytic cleavage after a conserved stem loop structure before RNA Pol II encounters poly (A) signal. Unlike other eukaryotic mRNAs, canonical histone mRNAs are not polyadenylated at their 3' ends. The binding of SLBP to the stem loop structure is crucial for this process, and SLBP plays a role in regulation of histone mRNA nuclear export, degradation, and translation.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Haixin Qin, Hantian Fang, Xiaoling Chen, Lei Wang, Chengbang Ma, Xinping Xi, Tianbao Chen, Chris Shaw, Mei Zhou
Summary: Amphibian skin-derived antimicrobial peptides are gaining increasing attention for their low drug resistance and potential for further bioactivity optimization. This study isolated a novel dermaseptin peptide with antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities, and designed cationicity-enhanced analogues to explore activity enhancement thresholds. The research suggests that improving net charge can enhance bioactivities up to a certain limit, beyond which bioactivities decrease or remain constant.
Article
Toxicology
Qi Sun, Danqi Chen, Amna Raja, Gabriele Grunig, Judith Zelikoff, Chunyuan Jin
Summary: The use of electronic-cigarettes and exposure to nicotine can potentially lead to lung cancer and bladder hyperplasia. In this study, it was found that exposure to nicotine leads to downregulation of Stem-loop binding protein (SLBP) and polyadenylation of canonical histone mRNAs. These processes are believed to be critical in nicotine-induced cell transformation and potential carcinogenesis.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian A. Cuesta, Camila Reinoso, Felipe Morales, Fernanda Pilaquinga, Giovanna Moran-Marcillo, Carolina Proano-Bolanos, Ailin Blasco-Zuniga, Miryan Rivera, Lorena Meneses
Summary: Two novel cruzioseptins peptides, cruzioseptin-16 and -17, extracted from the splendid leaf frog Cruziohyla calcarifer, showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans with low haemolytic effect. The peptides are 21-23 residues long alpha helical cationic peptides that disrupt cell membranes through electrostatic interactions with negative phosphate groups in the pathogen cell membrane.
Article
Microbiology
Shu Chen, Pingping Zhang, Liyin Xiao, Ying Liu, Kuihai Wu, Guoying Ni, Hejie Li, Tianfang Wang, Xiaolian Wu, Guoqiang Chen, Xiaosong Liu
Summary: The study shows that two peptides isolated from an Australian frog, caerin 1.1 and 1.9, exhibit high bioactivity against various bacteria strains and can inhibit the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in mice without inducing resistance.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milena Mechkarska, Gervonne Barran, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Norbert Nowotny, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: Skin secretions from Lithobates palmipes, a species of frog found in Trinidad, were analyzed and found to contain 10 host-defense peptides belonging to the ranatuerin-2, brevinin-1, and temporin families. One of the peptides showed decreased antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus but maintained activity against Echerichia coli. Cladistic analysis based on the primary structures of ranaturerin-2 peptides supported the division of New World frogs of the family Ranidae into the genera Lithobates and Rana, with L. palmipes having a sister-group relationship with Lithobates warszewitschii.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Meng-Yen Li, Pooja Flora, Hong Pu, Carmit Bar, Jose Silva, Idan Cohen, Phillip M. Galbo, Hequn Liu, Xufen Yu, Jian Jin, Haruhiko Koseki, John A. D'Orazio, Deyou Zheng, Elena Ezhkova
Summary: UV radiation reduces the function of the Polycomb complex in epidermal stem cells, leading to an increase in melanocytes and subsequent pigmentation in the epidermis. Polycomb regulates the expression of UV-responsive genes and identifies COL2A1 as a critical regulator of melanogenesis and epidermal pigmentation.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shaowen Wang, Jin Zhang, Weilai Zhou, Wanting Liu, Yu Ou, Xiaoxiao Zheng, Huazhe Yang, Tianlin Wang
Summary: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus characterized by non-healing wounds, leading to amputation and death. Injectable hydrogels with 3D structures similar to soft tissue have great potential as wound dressings due to their biocompatibility and ability to fill irregular wounds. They can also be loaded with carriers to achieve functions like antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, promoting wound healing. This review article discusses the mechanisms of DFU, research progress of injectable hydrogel systems in DFU repair, advantages and disadvantages of various materials, and the challenges and development prospects of injectable hydrogels as wound dressings.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Milena Mechkarska, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Hubert Vaudry, G. John Measey
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jelena M. Pantic, Gordana D. Radosavljevic, Ivan P. Jovanovic, Nebojsa N. Arsenijevic, J. Michael Conlon, Miodrag L. Lukic
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Vishal Musale, Samir Attoub, Maria Luisa Mangoni, Jerome Leprince, Laurent Coquet, Thierry Jouenne, Yasser H. A. Abdel-Wahab, Peter R. Flatt, Andrea C. Rinaldi
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vishal Musale, Bruno Casciaro, Maria Luisa Mangoni, Yasser H. A. Abdel-Wahab, Peter R. Flatt, J. Michael Conlon
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jelena Pantic, Laure Guilhaudis, Vishal Musale, Samir Attoub, Miodrag L. Lukic, Milena Mechkarska, J. Michael Conlon
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biophysics
Patrick Brendan Timmons, Donal O'Flynn, J. Michael Conlon, Chandralal M. Hewage
EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL WITH BIOPHYSICS LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick Brendan Timmons, Donal O'Flynn, J. Michael Conlon, Chandralal M. Hewage
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Galyna Graham, Andrew McCloskey, Yasser H. Abdel-Wahab, J. Michael Conlon, Peter R. Flatt
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gervonne Barran, Jolanta Kolodziejek, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Norbert Nowotny, J. Michael Conlon, Milena Mechkarska
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Galyna Graham, J. Michael Conlon, R. Charlotte Moffett, Yasser H. Abdel-Wahab, Peter R. Flatt
Summary: The study showed that long-acting, dual-agonist anti-diabetic peptides can induce alpha-cell to beta-cell transdifferentiation, leading to increased pancreatic insulin content and plasma insulin concentrations. This suggests therapeutic potential for using proglucagon-derived peptides from phylogenetical ancient fish in diabetes treatment.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Finbarr P. M. O'Harte, Peter R. Flatt
Summary: Peptides derived from ancient fish, such as lamprey GLP-1 and paddlefish glucagon, act as naturally occurring dual agonists at GLP1R and GCPR receptors, showing potential in improving glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and beta-cell proliferation. Studies suggest that these fish-derived peptides have therapeutic potential for obesity-related T2DM.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Michael Conlon, Lauren Hunter, Samir Attoub, Bruno Casciaro, Milena Mechkarska, Yasser H. A. Abdel-Wahab
Summary: Ocellatin-3N is a peptide that inhibits the growth of various bacteria and pathogens, and has potential therapeutic effects. It also regulates insulin release and intracellular calcium ion concentration.
JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
J. Michael Conlon, Laure Guilhaudis, Samir Attoub, Laurent Coquet, Jerome Leprince, Thierry Jouenne, Milena Mechkarska
Summary: Peptidomic analysis of skin secretions from Boana boans frogs led to the isolation and structural characterization of five host-defense peptides with limited structural similarity to figainin 2 and picturin peptides. These peptides showed antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity against human tumor-derived cells.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Milena Mechkarska, Taylor S. Cunning, Megan G. Taggart, Nigel G. Ternan, Jerome Leprince, Laurent Coquet, Thierry Jouenne, Jordi Tena-Garces, Juan J. Calvete, J. Michael Conlon
Summary: The venom of the Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion contains peptides with antimicrobial activity and potassium channel and sodium channel toxins. Among the peptides, TtAP-1 exhibits strong bactericidal activity against various bacteria and can rapidly kill clinically relevant bacteria. However, its high hemolytic activity limits its potential as an anti-infective agent.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nasrin Abbasi Gharibkandi, J. Michael Conlon, Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fuqiang Ge, Qiaoling Yu, Jun Zhang, Yaoyao Han, Dongfa Zhu, Xi Xie
Summary: The E93 gene was identified and found to be widely distributed in adult tissues of the swimming crab. The expression levels of PtE93 mRNA in Y-organ and epidermis fluctuated during the molt cycle, suggesting its involvement in juvenile molting. Treatment with 20E induced PtE93 expression, while treatment with MF showed the opposite effect. The study also observed a negative correlation between PtE93 and ecdysteroid biosynthesis genes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Marrero, Oscar Monroig, Jose A. Perez, Monica B. Betancor, Ana Galindo, Ana Bolanos, N. Guadalupe Acosta, Covadonga Rodriguez
Summary: This study investigated the combined effects of partial dietary replacement of fish oil (FO) by vegetable oil (VO) and reduced ambient salinity on the fatty acid composition of C. labrosus juveniles. The results showed that C. labrosus is able to biosynthesise EPA and DHA from ALA, and low salinity conditions can upregulate the gene expression related to fatty acid metabolism. Fish reared on FO20 diet showed the highest amount of n-3 LC-PUFA in muscle.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Davide Degli Esposti, Aureline Lalouette, Karen Gaget, Louveline Lepeule, Zineb Chaabi, Maxime Lepretre, Anabelle Espeyte, Nicolas Delorme, Herve Queau, Laura Garnero, Federica Calevro, Arnaud Chaumot, Olivier Geffard
Summary: Metal pollution has significant effects on aquatic environments, and metallothioneins play important roles in maintaining metal homeostasis and detoxification. This study identified two metallothionein-coding transcripts in Gammarus fossarum and investigated their organ-specific expression patterns. The results showed that mt1 was more strongly induced after cadmium exposure, and mt1 was more highly induced in the caeca compared to the gills for any metal exposure. Additionally, mt2 was more inducible in the gills than in the caeca for cadmium and zinc exposure at the individual level.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cuihong You, Shuangshuang Miao, Zhiyong Xie, Siyuan Lin, Shuqi Wang, Cuiying Chen, Li Lin, Yanhua Huang, Meng Zhou, Yewei Dong, Yuanyou Li, Ping Zhuang
Summary: The rabbitfish S. guttatus was found to have the capability for LC-PUFA biosynthesis, with the expression of related genes varying temporally and spatially during embryogenesis and being influenced by ambient salinity.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Saydur Rahman, Mohammad Maruf Billah, Victor Rangel, Esmirna Cantu
Summary: Global warming has severe impacts on the reproductive fitness of marine invertebrates. In this study, the researchers used various techniques to investigate the effects of high temperatures on global DNA methylation, cellular apoptosis, and nitrative stress in the gonads of Atlantic sea urchins.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. S. Kladchenko, A. A. Tkachuk, M. S. Podolskaya, A. Yu. Andreyeva
Summary: This study investigated the osmotic stability and cellular responses of hemocytes in Mediterranean mussel and Pacific oyster. The results revealed that both species showed cellular volume changes and alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential upon hypoosmotic swelling. These findings provide insights into the cellular responses of bivalve mollusks to osmotic stress.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuya Ohhara, Chiemi Sagisaka, Kimiko Yamakawa-Kobayashi
Summary: This study investigated the biosynthetic capacity of n-3 PUFAs in the terrestrial invertebrate Sinella dubiosa, and found that it can metabolize oleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids to produce EPA, suggesting that it may serve as an EPA source in soil ecosystems.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
N. Perales-Garcia, D. Tovar-Ramirez, M. G. Martinez-Morales, B. P. Ceballos-Vazquez, D. A. Corona-Rojas, M. A. Salcedo-Meza, A. Garrido-Mora, F. Vega-Villasante, H. Nolasco-Soria
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
N. Perales-Garcia, D. Tovar-Ramirez, M. G. Martinez-Morales, B. P. Ceballos-Vazquez, D. A. Corona-Rojas, M. A. Salcedo-Meza, A. Garrido-Mora, F. Vega-Villasante, H. Nolasco-Soria
Summary: This study provides the first report on the digestive tract pH of the pygmy octopus. The pH of the digestive tract regions was found to be lower than 7.0 and did not differ significantly between wild and captive octopuses. The digestive gland had the lowest pH values, but they were still above 5.0.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Espirito-Santo, Carmen Alburquerque, Francisco A. Guardiola, Rodrigo O. A. Ozorio, Leonardo J. Magnoni
Summary: Swimming has physiological effects on farmed fish, but the potential link between swimming and oxidative stress is still poorly understood. This study investigated the impact of different moderate swimming conditions on the antioxidant status of gilthead seabream, revealing that swimming modulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and skeletal muscle. Adequate swimming conditions were found to minimize oxidative stress in gilthead seabream.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingxin Zhang, Chaobin Qin, Junli Wang, Liping Yang, Xiao Yan, Shaoyang Zhi, Guoxing Nie
Summary: The study focuses on the expression patterns of PFK genes in response to glucose, insulin, and glucagon stimuli in grass carp. The findings suggest that PFK family genes have different or even opposite expression patterns in various tissues, which may contribute to glucose intolerance in fish.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jianshuang Li, Likang Lyu, Haishen Wen, Yun Li, Xiaojie Wang, Yijia Yao, Xin Qi
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptional regulation of estrogen receptors (ESRs) on isotocin receptors (itrs) in guppies, and found that estrogen can regulate oxytocin receptor expression in ovoviviparous teleosts. The study also demonstrated that ESR1 represses itr2 promoter activity in an estrogen-dependent manner, while overexpression of ESR2a or ESR2b enhances itr2 promoter activity.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wan-Xin Li, Li-Ting Cai, Yan-Ping Huang, Yuan-Qing Huang, Shu-Hui Pan, Zhi-Long Liu, Charles Brighton Ndandala, Gang Shi, Si-Ping Deng, Hong-Juan Shi, Guang-Li Li, Dong-Neng Jiang
Summary: In this study, it was found that S. argus has two lep genes, with lepa highly expressed in the liver and lepb not detected in any tissue. lepa was found to play a role in regulating female reproduction in S. argus.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Xiang Wu, Xiao-Ying Tan, Yi-Chuang Xu, Hua Zheng, Xiao-Lei Wei, Wu-Hong Lv, Zhi Luo
Summary: This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the activation of lipophagy in yellow catfish under high glucose-induced lipid deposition. The SIRT1-NRF2-TFEB pathway is proposed to mediate lipophagy activation, and lipophagy helps alleviate high glucose-induced lipid deposition. This study provides insights into the control of lipophagy in response to metabolic stress.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)