Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi最新文献

{"title":"Probiotic intervention in colorectal cancer: the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of <i>Lactobacillus</i> cell-free supernatants.","authors":"Bahar Yilmaz, Berna Erdal","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2971","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2971","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Failures in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have increased scientific interest in the potential of the bioactive compounds contained in cell-free supernatants (CFSs) obtained from probiotic bacteria for cancer treatment. The aim in this study was to investigate the effects of CFSs obtained from <i>Lactobacillus delbrueckii</i> subsp. <i>bulgaricus</i> (<i>L. bulgaricus</i>) and <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> subsp. <i>paracasei</i> (<i>L. paracasei</i>) on colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) and a healthy colon epithelial cell line (CCD841 CoN).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Cytotoxic effects on the cell lines were determined by MTT assay. In line with the IC₅₀ values obtained, morphological changes were examined by fluorescent cell staining and cell cycle analyses were performed. In addition, the expression levels of the apoptosis-related genes Bax, Cas 9, Cas 8, Cas 3, and Bcl-2 in CFS-treated cells were measured using the qRT-PCR method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The MTT assay revealed that CFSs exerted a significant cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. Assessments with AO/PI fluorescent staining confirmed the increase in the number of apoptotic cells. Cell cycle analyses showed a tendency for accumulation in the G0/G1 phase and a decrease in the S phase. Furthermore, in cells treated with inactive CFS, proapoptotic genes (Bax, Cas 9, Cas 8, and Cas 3) were significantly increased, while antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression decreased.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that both live and inactivated <i>Lactobacillus</i> CFSs can exert targeted anticancer effects in Caco-2 and HT-29 cells. These results indicate that CFSs may be a potential biotherapeutic option for cancer treatment in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 4","pages":"274-285"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528427/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Profiling arbutin as a potent cholinesterase and GSK-3β inhibitor and evaluating its cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells for Alzheimer's disease therapy.","authors":"Shirin Tarbiat, Tuğba Bal, Deniz Gülmez","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2972","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder linked to cognitive decline and memory loss, marked by hyperphosphorylated tau tangles and decreased acetylcholine levels, which are affected by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activity. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) also plays a role in AD through abnormal activation. In this study, the potential of β-arbutin to inhibit cholinesterases and GSK-3β was investigated, utilizing in vitro assays, cytotoxicity analysis, and molecular docking simulations to explore its therapeutic implications.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Ellman's technique was used to test the inhibitory effects of arbutin on cholinesterase enzymes. An ATP-Glo luminescent assay kit was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects and inhibition kinetics of arbutin on GSK-3β. A Cell Titer-Glo 2.0 assay kit was used to assess the cytotoxicity of arbutin in SH-SY5Y cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>β-Arbutin exhibited significant inhibitory effects on AChE, BuChE, and GSK-3β, with IC₅₀ values of 0.6, 4, and 1.23 μM, respectively. The inhibition kinetics of GSK-3β with respect to ATP was competitive but with respect to the substrate (GS-2) was noncompetitive. We further found that β-arbutin, when applied alone to SH-SY5Y cells, does not affect cell viability and can ensure the sustainability of cell viability and health. Docking scores were -7.980, -6.726, and -6.115 kcal/mol for GSK-3β, AChE, and BuChE, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research demonstrates that arbutin is a modulator of cholinesterase and GSK-3β and may be beneficial as a multitarget-directed therapeutic natural compound for AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 4","pages":"286-295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Discovery and functional characterization of novel programmed death-ligand 1 monoclonal antibodies.","authors":"Nurşah Ersezen, Maide Şeker, Arzu Aysan, Durmuş Akdoğan, Mehmet Ender Avci, Aslı Kurden Pekmezci, Sibel Kalyoncu Uzunlar, Mehmet Inan, Tamer Yağci","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2974","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2974","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Targeted therapies with monoclonal antibodies provide cancer patients with better prognosis and disease-free survival. The blockade of immune checkpoints, including programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1, with monoclonal antibodies may boost immune responses against tumors and is regarded as an effective strategy in cancer immunotherapy. We describe the generation of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies with high affinity and specificity, and we assess their potential for therapeutic use in cancer.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Hybridomas were selected for PD-L1 specificity and cross-reactivity with other immune checkpoint proteins and PD-L1 orthologs using indirect ELISA. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays were conducted for further characterization of the antibodies. The affinities of the antibodies for PD-L1 were determined using surface plasmon resonance. Receptor blocking activities were examined through competitive ELISA and cell-based luciferase reporter assays. Sequences of variable regions of the selected antibodies were determined by Sanger sequencing and subjected to BLAST analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 25 PD-L1-specific monoclonal antibodies were generated. While most clones reacted with PD-L1 from cynomolgus monkeys, none of the antibodies displayed cross-reactivity with other checkpoint proteins. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the selected clones stained PD-L1-expressing cell membranes specifically, but not those of PD-L1-negative cells. Western blotting revealed that most of the clones recognized both glycosylated and nonglycosylated PD-L1, and a few reacted with the glycosylated form only. Only two clones with subnanomolar affinity for human PD-L1 were effective at blocking PD-1/PD-L1 and CD80/PD-L1 interactions. Sequence analysis of their variable regions revealed their unique specificity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Of the 25 monoclonal antibodies produced in this study, only one was identified as a potential therapeutic drug candidate thanks to its high capacity for checkpoint blockade and affinity, as well as its unique sequence specificity. These properties are comparable to those of anti-PD-L1 antibodies currently used in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 4","pages":"306-320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528429/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The N-terminal, WD40, and C-terminal domains of WDR-31 control ciliary localization and cooperate with ELMOD/RP2 gaps to maintain membrane compartmentalization.","authors":"Sebiha Çevik, Fatma Güzel","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2973","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2973","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>WD40 repeats are found in many ciliary proteins. Although the WD40 repeat-containing WD repeat-containing protein 31 (WDR-31) is known to regulate ciliary protein trafficking and morphology, the specific contributions of its N-terminal, WD40, and C-terminal domains to protein localization and ciliary gate integrity remain unclear. Aim of this study is to dissect the functional roles of WDR-31 domains by investigating their contributions to ciliary localization, ciliary protein trafficking, and gate integrity.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we generated <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> strains with in-frame deletions that removed the N-terminus (WDR-31(ΔN)), WD40 (WDR-31(ΔWD)), and C-terminus (WDR-31(ΔC)). We next examined the protein dynamics of wild-type WDR-31 and these variants at the ciliary base using confocal imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Gate function was evaluated using the distribution of the periciliary marker TRAM-1, and structural ciliary abnormalities in AWB neurons were scored using confocal microscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When the N-terminal domain was deleted, WDR-31 became less mobile at the basal body and mislocalized to the transition zone, suggesting a role in protein turnover. Furthermore, the WD40 domain is required for basal body confinement, whereas the C-terminus prevents WDR-31 from spreading into the distal axoneme. Any single domain deletion resulted in TRAM-1 leakage into the cilium in a sensitized mutant background. Remarkably, WDR-31 localization depends on IFT, the BBSome, and transition zone components; its mobility is significantly reduced in intraflagellar transport-defective mutants, supporting a model in which its steady-state distribution at the ciliary base appears to depend on intact intraflagellar transport machinery and may involve dynamic regulation of protein localization, retention, or turnover rather than being passively restricted.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results indicate that the N-terminal, WD40, and C-terminal domains of WDR-31 are necessary for its dynamic positioning at the ciliary base. Together, these domains in WDR-31 are critical for maintaining TRAM-1 exclusion and periciliary membrane compartment/ciliary membrane compartmentalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 4","pages":"296-305"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528428/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutrient uptake of two microalgae from culture medium under nickel treatment.","authors":"Dilara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gizem Çetin, Hüseyin Altundağ, Hatice Tunca","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2805","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel exposure on macro- and micronutrient uptake in algae and evaluate the bioremediation potential of <i>Desmodesmus pannonicus</i> and <i>Scenedesmus aldavei</i> under varying NiSO₄ concentrations. Additionally, it assesses growth responses, elemental composition changes, and alterations in functional groups to determine the tolerance and effectiveness of these algae in Ni(II) removal from contaminated environments.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The bioremediation abilities of <i>Desmodesmus pannonicus</i> and <i>Scenedesmus aldavei</i> were evaluated spectrophotometrically by measuring growth rate, chlorophyll-<i>a</i>, and chlorophyll-<i>b</i> for 14 days. Bioremediation properties were also analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Growth parameters varied with concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). Both species were found to have bioremediation capabilities up to the concentration of 1 M NiSO₄, which increased the absorption of Na⁺ ion content (p ≤ 0.05). However, the Mg(II), Ca(II), and K contents in the dry mass changed with the concentration (p ≤ 0.05). FTIR analysis was used to identify changes in specific functional groups in the samples, including carboxyl, amine, hydroxyl, and carbonyl.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>Desmodesmus pannonicus</i> and <i>Scenedesmus aldavei</i> exhibit significant potential for Ni(II) bioremediation, showing tolerance to NiSO₄ concentrations of up to 1 M. Compared to other organisms in the literature, <i>Scenedesmus aldavei</i> is an excellent model for phycoremediation studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 3","pages":"232-244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An in vitro mechanistic study of cholinergic-associated mechanisms relevant to MASLD in HepG2 cells.","authors":"Gamze Sönmez, Müslüm Gök, Suat Sari, Ebru Bodur","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2806","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2806","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the hepatic cholinergic axis are critical regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling; however, their time-dependent interplay in hepatocytes remains incompletely understood. Clarifying how n-6 and n-3 PUFAs interact with cholinergic pathways may provide mechanistic insight into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>HepG2 cells were used to examine the combined effects of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) overexpression and PUFA exposure. Cells were treated with linoleic acid (LA; n-6) or α-linolenic acid (α-LA; n-3) for 24 or 48 h. Gene expression analyses were performed to assess pathways involved in de novo lipogenesis, β-oxidation, cholinergic signaling, and inflammatory responses. Cholinesterase activities were measured enzymatically, secreted cytokines were profiled, and molecular docking simulations were performed to evaluate potential α-LA interactions with the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) and M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3 mAChR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>An early antilipogenic profile and changes suggestive of increased fatty-acid oxidation (↓SREBP-1c, ↓ACC1, and ↑CPT1A) were induced by α-LA at 24 h and were partially attenuated by 48 h. LA exhibited a biphasic pattern characterized by modest early suppression followed by a pronounced proinflammatory profile at 48 h (↑TNF, ↑IL6, and ↑COX-2). BChE overexpression was associated with increased expression of lipogenic and triglyceride-related genes, whereas cotreatment with PUFAs resulted in time- and class-specific modulation. Cholinergic markers exhibited divergent expression patterns: BCHE + α-LA increased <i>CHAT</i> and <i>CHRNA7</i> expression at 48 h, whereas ACHE mRNA expression increased under both BCHE + LA and BCHE + α-LA conditions. Enzymatic analyses demonstrated increased total cholinesterase activity in the BChE and α-LA groups, while molecular docking supported the potential accommodation of α-LA within the binding pockets of α7 nAChR and M3 mAChR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PUFA class and exposure duration jointly shape hepatocellular metabolic and inflammatory states, with cholinergic signaling acting as a modulatory node relevant to MASLD.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 3","pages":"245-258"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398593/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586481","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and its biosynthesis in <i>Priestia endophytica</i> UCM B-5715.","authors":"Alina Kharchuk, Maksym Kharchuk, Maksym Kharkhota, Sergiy Rogalsky, Oksana Tarasyuk, Oleksandr Kisten, Anastasiia Hubina, Illya Kapats, Liliia Avdieieva","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2804","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers with promising applications in biotechnology and medicine; however, the diversity of their biosynthesis within the genus <i>Priestia</i> remains poorly characterized. Although <i>Priestia</i> species have been recognized as potential PHA producers, the detailed genomic architecture and physicochemical properties of the polymers synthesized by these bacteria, particularly in the type strain, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by <i>Priestia endophytica</i> UCM B-5715 and to investigate the PHB biosynthetic genes across related strains.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>PHB granules were visualized and measured using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Polymer structure and molecular weight were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and viscometry, whereas thermal behavior was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Comparative genomic analysis of 11 <i>P. endophytica</i> strains was performed to reconstruct the PHB biosynthetic pathways and to analyze the evolutionary relationships among PhaC synthases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Microscopy confirmed the intracellular accumulation of PHB granules ranging in size from 65.35 × 47.77 nm to 1544.39 × 1126.53 nm. DSC analysis revealed a glass transition temperature of 2.3 °C, a crystallization temperature of 74.6 °C, and two melting peaks at 155 °C and 164.5 °C, indicating the presence of distinct crystalline domains. TGA demonstrated high thermal stability, with thermal decomposition initiating at 271 °C. Genomic analysis revealed a complete and conserved <i>pha</i> gene cluster across all examined strains, with the PhaC proteins being classified as Class IV PHA synthases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides the first comprehensive physicochemical and genomic characterization of PHB synthesized by the type strain <i>Priestia endophytica</i> UCM B-5715, highlighting the potential of this species as a robust microbial source of biotechnologically relevant biopolymers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 3","pages":"218-231"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398554/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retinoic acid-loaded nanoparticles enhance macrophage-mediated control of <i>Leishmania infantum</i>.","authors":"Zeynep Işlek Köklü, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Dila Yüksel","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2803","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2803","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by <i>Leishmania (L.) infantum</i>, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated against extracellular <i>L. infantum</i> promastigotes, noninfected RAW 264.7 macrophages, and <i>L. infantum</i>-infected macrophages using resazurin-based assays and xCELLigence real-time cell analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Neither free ATRA nor ATRA-loaded SLNs exhibited significant inhibitory activity against extracellular promastigotes at concentrations up to 75 μM. In contrast, both forms of ATRA demonstrated marked dose-dependent inhibition in infected macrophages, with a significantly enhanced intracellular response observed in the SLN formulation, while maintaining excellent biocompatibility in noninfected macrophages. Enhanced uptake and sustained intracellular release are likely contributors to the improved efficacy of the SLN system.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings reveal that ATRA exerts its antileishmanial activity primarily through host-dependent mechanisms that become apparent within infected macrophages, and that encapsulation into SLNs markedly amplifies this intracellular effect while preserving cell viability. ATRA-loaded SLNs thus represent a promising host-directed therapeutic strategy for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 3","pages":"209-217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Context-dependent regulation of SIX1 by ETS1 within EMT-associated transcriptional networks.","authors":"İrem Yalim Camci","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2801","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process driving tumor plasticity, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Although E26 transformation-specific transcription factor 1 (ETS1) and Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) are individually implicated in EMT-related transcriptional programs, the regulatory interplay and functional coordination of these proteins across tumor states remain unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanistic and clinical behavior of the ETS1-SIX1 axis, with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and aggressive endothelial-like cancer phenotypes.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>ETS1-SIX1 expression patterns were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in HCC-derived cell lines and the endothelial-like SK-HEP-1 cell line, whereas chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed in SK-HEP-1 cells to assess ETS1 binding to the SIX1 promoter. Clinical relevance was assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets (breast invasive carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and lung adenocarcinoma) with correlation and survival analyses, and validated using tumor cDNA panels and public transcriptomic data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ChIP assays confirmed ETS1 binding to the SIX1 promoter. Expression analyses indicated an inverse relationship between ETS1 and SIX1 in HCC-derived cell lines, the endothelial-like SK-HEP-1 cell line, and tumor cDNA panels. Pan-cancer analyses showed decreased ETS1 and increased SIX1 expression in tumors, with stage-dependent heterogeneity. Elevated SIX1, but not ETS1, was associated with poorer overall survival, particularly in LIHC. Gene set enrichment analysis linked high-risk profiles to EMT, cell cycle, and immune-related pathways, while ETS1 expression decreased with increasing tumor grade.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study supported a model in which ETS1 negatively regulates SIX1 expression within liver cancer-associated contexts. Integrating mechanistic and clinical analyses, the findings suggest that the ETS1-SIX1 axis contributes to EMT-driven tumor plasticity and aggressive tumor behavior, with potential relevance for future therapeutic investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 3","pages":"185-196"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13398590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiatopic dermatitis activity of <i>Lissachatina fulica</i> mucin: Network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation.","authors":"Atin Supiyani, Wasmen Manalu, Lina Noviyanti Sutardi, Mawar Subangkit, Andriyanto Andriyanto","doi":"10.55730/1300-0152.2970","DOIUrl":"10.55730/1300-0152.2970","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong><i>Lissachatina fulica</i> mucin (LFM) has been used as a nutraceutical, therapeutic agent, and cosmetic ingredient. The bioactivity of mucin depends on bioactive compounds whose composition is strongly influenced by the snail's diet. This study investigated the bioactive compounds in <i>L. fulica</i> mucin as potential therapeutic agents for atopic dermatitis (AD).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>LFM was collected from snails fed long beans and melon rinds for 4 weeks, freeze-dried, and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry followed by network pharmacology (NP) analysis to identify its bioactive compounds. A total of 60 BALB/c mice were sensitized on the dorsal skin with 1% 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and subsequently treated with dexamethasone or LFM cream (5% or 10%), which was applied daily for 7 days. Skin samples were collected on days 0, 3, 5, and 7 for immunohistological analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results demonstrated that LFM contained 61 bioactive compounds, 16 of which interacted with seven target proteins: CCL2, TNF, PTGS2, SYK, MMP9, AKT1, and ICAM1. The NP analysis identified three major bioactive compounds in LFM-macamide, N-benzyloleamide, and a compound tentatively annotated as eplerenone-that potentially targeted CCL2 and TNF, which may serve as key regulators associated with the anti-AD effects of LFM. LFM 5% cream significantly reduced Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index (ADSI) scores and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression on day 5 (p < 0.05). LFM normalized epidermal thickness and increased the numbers of macrophages and mast cells (p < 0.05), suggesting a potential role in tissue remodeling and inflammation resolution during skin recovery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>LFM demonstrated potential anti-AD effects by modulating CCL2- and TNF-associated pathways. LFM 5% cream reduced ADSI scores and IL-1β expression while normalizing epidermal thickness, potentially through immunomodulatory responses during the skin recovery phase.</p>","PeriodicalId":94363,"journal":{"name":"Turkish journal of biology = Turk biyoloji dergisi","volume":"50 4","pages":"259-273"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528426/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}