{"title":"Assessing the Impact of Bedaquiline, Clofazimine, and Linezolid on Mycobacterial Genome Integrity.","authors":"Dániel Molnár, Éva Viola Surányi, Nikoletta Gálik, Judit Tóth, Rita Hirmondó","doi":"10.3390/biom14111451","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111451","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tuberculosis (TB) presents significant medical challenges, largely due to the genetic diversity of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>, which enhances the resilience and resistance of the pathogen to first-line treatments. In response to the global rise of drug-resistant TB, second-line antitubercular drugs like bedaquiline (BDQ), linezolid (LZD), and clofazimine (CFZ) have become critical treatment options. Understanding the molecular changes these drugs induce is essential for optimizing TB therapy. To contribute to this effort, we investigated their impact on genome maintenance and stability using <i>Mycobacterium smegmatis</i> as a model organism. Using mutation accumulation assays and whole-genome sequencing, we found that the second-line antibiotics did not significantly increase mutation rates, unlike the positive control UV treatment. However, upon BDQ treatment, we detected mutations in transporter proteins and transcription factors without any increase in the minimal inhibitory concentration. Additionally, BDQ and CFZ were found to alter DNA repair pathways and reduce cellular dNTP levels, particularly CFZ, which depleted dGTP, impacting DNA synthesis. CFZ also upregulated DNA repair enzymes, enhancing error-free repairs. Despite minimal mutagenic effects, both drugs displayed distinct impacts on cellular mechanisms, suggesting additional modes of action.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11591709/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Targeting PDGF/PDGFR Signaling Pathway by microRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA for Therapy of Vascular Diseases: A Narrow Review.","authors":"Chao-Nan Ma, Shan-Rui Shi, Xue-Ying Zhang, Guo-Song Xin, Xiang Zou, Wen-Lan Li, Shou-Dong Guo","doi":"10.3390/biom14111446","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111446","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the significant progress in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and respiratory diseases, still cannot be successfully eliminated. Vascular cells play a key role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Notably, a variety of cells produce and secrete platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), which promote mitosis and induce the division, proliferation, and migration of vascular cells including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), aortic SMCs, endothelial cells, and airway SMCs. Therefore, PDGF/PDGR receptor signaling pathways play vital roles in regulating the homeostasis of blood vessels and the onset and development of CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, and respiratory diseases including asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that microRNA, long-chain non-coding RNA, and circular RNA are involved in the regulation of PDGF/PDGFR signaling pathways through competitive interactions with target mRNAs, contributing to the occurrence and development of the above-mentioned diseases. These novel findings are useful for laboratory research and clinical studies. The aim of this article is to conclude the recent progresses in this field, particular the mechanisms of action of these non-coding RNAs in regulating vascular remodeling, providing potential strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of vascular-dysfunction-related diseases, particularly CVDs and respiratory diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-14DOI: 10.3390/biom14111447
Tan Li, Mengshan Li, Yan Wu, Yelin Li
{"title":"Visualization Methods for DNA Sequences: A Review and Prospects.","authors":"Tan Li, Mengshan Li, Yan Wu, Yelin Li","doi":"10.3390/biom14111447","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The efficient analysis and interpretation of biological sequence data remain major challenges in bioinformatics. Graphical representation, as an emerging and effective visualization technique, offers a more intuitive method for analyzing DNA sequences. However, many visualization approaches are dispersed across research databases, requiring urgent organization, integration, and analysis. Additionally, no single visualization method excels in all aspects. To advance these methods, knowledge graphs and advanced machine learning techniques have become key areas of exploration. This paper reviews the current 2D and 3D DNA sequence visualization methods and proposes a new research direction focused on constructing knowledge graphs for biological sequence visualization, explaining the relevant theories, techniques, and models involved. Additionally, we summarize machine learning techniques applicable to sequence visualization, such as graph embedding methods and the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for processing graphical representations. These machine learning techniques and knowledge graphs aim to provide valuable insights into computational biology, bioinformatics, genomic computing, and evolutionary analysis. The study serves as an important reference for improving intelligent search systems, enriching knowledge bases, and enhancing query systems related to biological sequence visualization, offering a comprehensive framework for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-14DOI: 10.3390/biom14111448
Justyna D Kryś, Maksymilian Głowacki, Piotr Śmieja, Dominik Gront
{"title":"deepBBQ: A Deep Learning Approach to the Protein Backbone Reconstruction.","authors":"Justyna D Kryś, Maksymilian Głowacki, Piotr Śmieja, Dominik Gront","doi":"10.3390/biom14111448","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coarse-grained models have provided researchers with greatly improved computational efficiency in modeling structures and dynamics of biomacromolecules, but, to be practically useful, they need fast and accurate conversion methods back to the all-atom representation. Reconstruction of atomic details may also be required in the case of some experimental methods, like electron microscopy, which may provide Cα-only structures. In this contribution, we present a new method for recovery of all backbone atom positions from just the Cα coordinates. Our approach, called deepBBQ, uses a deep convolutional neural network to predict a single internal coordinate per peptide plate, based on Cα trace geometric features, and then proceeds to recalculate the cartesian coordinates based on the assumption that the peptide plate atoms lie in the same plane. Extensive comparison with similar programs shows that our solution is accurate and cost-efficient. The deepBBQ program is available as part of the open-source bioinformatics toolkit Bioshell and is free for download and the documentation is available online.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111444
Jackie Trink, Renzhong Li, Bo Gao, Chao Lu, Joan C Krepinsky
{"title":"Modulators of Alpha-2 Macroglobulin Upregulation by High Glucose in Glomerular Mesangial Cells.","authors":"Jackie Trink, Renzhong Li, Bo Gao, Chao Lu, Joan C Krepinsky","doi":"10.3390/biom14111444","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111444","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Up to 40% of patients with diabetes mellitus will develop diabetic kidney disease (DKD), characterized pathologically by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, which leads to the loss of kidney function over time. Our previous studies showed that the pan-protease inhibitor alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2M) is increased in DKD and is a critical regulator of the fibrotic response in glomerular mesangial cells (MC), an initial site of injury during DKD development. How A2M is regulated by high glucose (HG) has not yet been elucidated and is the focus of this investigation. Using serial deletions of the full A2M promoter, we identified the -405 bp region as HG-responsive in MC. Site-directed mutagenesis, siRNA, and ChIP studies showed that the transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5), regulated A2M promoter activity and protein expression in response to HG. Forkhead box P1 (FOXP1) served as a cooperative binding partner for NFAT5, required for A2M upregulation. Lastly, we showed that Smad3, known for its role in kidney fibrosis, regulated A2M promoter activity and protein production independently of HG. The importance of NFAT5, FOXP1, and Smad3 in A2M regulation was confirmed in ex vivo studies using isolated glomeruli. In conclusion, Smad3 is required for basal and HG-induced A2M expression, while NFAT5 and FOXP1 cooperatively regulate increased A2M transcription in response to HG. Inhibition of NFAT5/FOXP1 will be further evaluated as a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit A2M production and attenuate profibrotic signaling in DKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142724617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111443
Roberta Veglia Tranchese, Sabrina Battista, Laura Cerchia, Monica Fedele
{"title":"Ferroptosis in Cancer: Epigenetic Control and Therapeutic Opportunities.","authors":"Roberta Veglia Tranchese, Sabrina Battista, Laura Cerchia, Monica Fedele","doi":"10.3390/biom14111443","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a critical pathway in cancer biology. This review delves into the epigenetic mechanisms that modulate ferroptosis in cancer cells, focusing on how DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs influence the expression and function of essential genes involved in this process. By unraveling the complex interplay between these epigenetic mechanisms and ferroptosis, the article sheds light on novel gene targets and functional insights that could pave the way for innovative cancer treatments to enhance therapeutic efficacy and overcome resistance in cancer therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592303/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111441
Alejandro G Lopez, Venkat R Chirasani, Irina Balan, Todd K O'Buckley, Makayla R Adelman, A Leslie Morrow
{"title":"Novel Inhibitory Actions of Neuroactive Steroid [3α,5α]-3-Hydroxypregnan-20-One on Toll-like Receptor 4-Dependent Neuroimmune Signaling.","authors":"Alejandro G Lopez, Venkat R Chirasani, Irina Balan, Todd K O'Buckley, Makayla R Adelman, A Leslie Morrow","doi":"10.3390/biom14111441","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111441","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The endogenous neurosteroid (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP) modulates inflammatory and neuroinflammatory signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human and mouse macrophages, human blood cells and alcohol-preferring (P) rat brains. Although it is recognized that 3α,5α-THP inhibits TLR4 activation by blocking interactions with MD2 and MyD88, the comprehensive molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study explores additional TLR4 activation sites, including TIRAP binding to MyD88, which is pivotal for MyD88 myddosome formation, as well as LPS interactions with the TLR4:MD2 complex. Both male and female P rats (n = 8/group) received intraperitoneal administration of 3α,5α-THP (15 mg/kg; 30 min) or a vehicle control, and their hippocampi were analyzed using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting techniques. 3α,5α-THP significantly reduces the levels of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and HMGB1, confirming its anti-inflammatory actions. We found that MyD88 binds to TLR4, IRAK4, IRAK1, and TIRAP. Notably, 3α,5α-THP significantly reduces MyD88-TIRAP binding (Males: -31 ± 9%, <i>t</i>-test, <i>p</i> < 0.005; Females: -53 ± 15%, <i>t</i>-test, <i>p</i> < 0.005), without altering MyD88 interactions with IRAK4 or IRAK1, or the baseline expression of these proteins. Additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamic analysis revealed 3α,5α-THP binding sites on the TLR4:MD2 complex, targeting a hydrophobic pocket of MD2 usually occupied by Lipid A of LPS. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays validated that 3α,5α-THP disrupts MD2 binding of Lipid A (Kd = 4.36 ± 5.7 μM) with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 4.5 ± 1.65 nM. These findings indicate that 3α,5α-THP inhibition of inflammatory mediator production involves blocking critical protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions at key sites of TLR4 activation, shedding light on its mechanisms of action and underscoring its therapeutic potential against TLR4-driven inflammation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11591752/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111442
Bryce W Collingwood, Scott J Witte, Carol M Manhart
{"title":"Action-At-A-Distance in DNA Mismatch Repair: Mechanistic Insights and Models for How DNA and Repair Proteins Facilitate Long-Range Communication.","authors":"Bryce W Collingwood, Scott J Witte, Carol M Manhart","doi":"10.3390/biom14111442","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111442","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Many DNA metabolic pathways, including DNA repair, require the transmission of signals across long stretches of DNA or between DNA molecules. Solutions to this signaling challenge involve various mechanisms: protein factors can travel between these sites, loop DNA between sites, or form oligomers that bridge the spatial gaps. This review provides an overview of how these paradigms have been used to explain DNA mismatch repair, which involves several steps that require action-at-a-distance. Here, we describe these models in detail and how current data fit into these descriptions. We also outline regulation steps that remain unanswered in how the action is communicated across long distances along a DNA contour in DNA mismatch repair.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11592386/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111445
Małgorzata Małodobra-Mazur, Monika Ołdakowska, Tadeusz Dobosz
{"title":"Exploring PPAR Gamma and PPAR Alpha's Regulation Role in Metabolism via Epigenetics Mechanism.","authors":"Małgorzata Małodobra-Mazur, Monika Ołdakowska, Tadeusz Dobosz","doi":"10.3390/biom14111445","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to a family of nuclear receptors. To date, three types of PPARs, namely PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, have been identified, demonstrating co-expression across numerous tissues. PPARγ is primarily distributed in adipose tissue, the colon, the immune system, and the retina, while PPARα is predominantly expressed in metabolic tissues such as brown adipose tissue, the liver, and the kidneys. Both PPARγ and PPARα play crucial roles in various cellular processes. Recent data suggest that the PPAR family, among other mechanisms, might also be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Our recent studies, alongside numerous others, have highlighted the pivotal roles of DNA methylation and histone modifications in the regulation of PPARγ and PPARα, implicating them in the deterioration of metabolic disorders via epigenetic mechanisms. This still not fully understood mechanism of regulation in the nuclear receptors family has been summarized and described in the present paper. The present review summarizes the available data on PPARγ and PPARα regulation via epigenetic mechanisms, elucidating the link between the development of metabolic disorders and the dysregulation of PPARγ and PPARα resulting from these mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11591816/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BiomoleculesPub Date : 2024-11-13DOI: 10.3390/biom14111440
Yuxue Liu, Xiaojing Zhang, Erchu Yang, Xiaobei Liu, Weiwei Su, Zhenyu Wang, Hailei Wang
{"title":"Production of Value-Added Arabinofuranosyl Nucleotide Analogues from Nucleoside by an In Vitro Enzymatic Synthetic Biosystem.","authors":"Yuxue Liu, Xiaojing Zhang, Erchu Yang, Xiaobei Liu, Weiwei Su, Zhenyu Wang, Hailei Wang","doi":"10.3390/biom14111440","DOIUrl":"10.3390/biom14111440","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arabinofuranosyl nucleotide analogue (arabinoside) and the derived compounds, a family of nucleoside analogues, exhibit diverse, typically biological activities and are widely used as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor drugs in both clinical and preclinical trials. Despite their long and rich history in medicinal chemistry, the biosynthesis of arabinoside has only been sporadically designed and studied and has remained a challenging task. In this study, an in vitro synthetic enzymatic biosystem was designed and constructed for the production of arabinoside from low-cost nucleoside, based on a phosphorolysis -isomerization-dephosphorylation enzymatic cascade conversion routes. The enzymatic system achieves the biosynthesis of arabinoside by isomerizing the ribose part of nucleoside to arabinose. The reaction conditions affecting the yield of arabinoside were investigated and optimized, including meticulous enzyme selection, key enzyme dosage, the concentration of orthophosphate, and reaction time. Under the optimized conditions, we achieved the production of 0.12 mM of arabinofuranosylguanine from 0.5 mM of guanosine, representing 24% of the theoretical yield. Furthermore, this biosystem also demonstrated the capability to produce other arabinosides, such as vidarabine, spongouridine, and hypoxanthine arabinofuranoside from corresponding nucleosides. Overall, our biosynthesis approach provides a pathway for the biosynthesis of arabinoside.</p>","PeriodicalId":8943,"journal":{"name":"Biomolecules","volume":"14 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11591822/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142725797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}