Search

Multifunctional enzyme, type‐1 (MFE1) catalyzes the second and third step of the β‐oxidation cycle, being, respectively, the 2E‐enoyl‐CoA hydratase (ECH) reaction (N‐terminal part, crotonase fold) and the NAD+‐dependent, 3S‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) reaction (C‐terminal part, HAD fold). Structural enzymological properties of rat MFE1 (RnMFE1) as well as of two of its variants, namely the E123A variant (a glutamate of the ECH active site is mutated into alanine) and the BCDE variant (without domain A of the ECH part), were studied, using as substrate 3S‐hydroxybutanoyl‐CoA. Protein crystallographic binding studies show the hydrogen bond interactions of 3S‐hydroxybutanoyl‐CoA as well as of its 3‐keto, oxidized form, acetoacetyl‐CoA, with the catalytic glutamates in the ECH active site. Pre‐steady state binding experiments with NAD+ and NADH show that the kon and koff rate constants of the HAD active site of monomeric RnMFE1 and the homologous human, dimeric 3S‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (HsHAD) for NAD+ and NADH are very similar, being the same as those observed for the E123A and BCDE variants. However, steady state and pre‐steady state kinetic data concerning the HAD‐catalyzed dehydrogenation reaction of the substrate 3S‐hydroxybutanoyl‐CoA show that, respectively, the kcat and kchem rate constants for conversion into acetoacetyl‐CoA by RnMFE1 (and its two variants) are about 10 fold lower as when catalyzed by HsHAD. The dynamical properties of dehydrogenases are known to be important for their catalytic efficiency, and it is discussed that the greater complexity of the RnMFE1 fold correlates with the observation that RnMFE1 is a slower dehydrogenase than HsHAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A significant amount of research has been conducted to establish the validity of acupuncture, and it has been demonstrated through animal disease model studies that acupuncture influences mitochondrial changes. However, to more accurately examine the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment effectiveness in pathological models, it is crucial to investigate changes in disease-free animals. Among various hypotheses regarding the effects of acupuncture on the body, we focused on the result that acupuncture stimulation is related to mitochondria. Objectives: We examined the effects of acupuncture mitochondrial fission and fusionrelated mediators in disease-free Sprague Dawley (SD) rats' spleen meridian acupoints. Methods: SD rats were divided into control, SP1, SP2, SP3, SP5, and SP9 acupuncture groups. Acupuncture was performed at each point for 10 minutes daily for four days. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-a (PGC-1a) and fission protein 1 (Fis1) levels were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), optic atrophy-1 (OPA1), mitofusin-1 (MFN1), and mitofusin-2 (MFN2) levels were assessed via western blotting. Mitochondria protein concentrations and NADH dehydrogenase activity in spleen tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: PGC-1a expression decreased in the SP1 (p < 0.01), SP5 (p < 0.05), and SP9 (p < 0.05) groups, while Fis1 expression increased in the SP1 (p < 0.01), SP5 (p < 0.01), and SP9 (p < 0.05) groups. DRP1, OPA1, MFN1, and MFN2 levels exhibited no significant changes. Mitochondrial protein concentrations decreased in the SP2 (p < 0.01), SP3 (p < 0.01), SP5 (p < 0.01), and SP9 (p < 0.01) groups, while NADH dehydrogenase activity decreased in the SP2 (p < 0.05) and SP9 (p < 0.05) groups. Conclusion: Acupuncture at the SP9 acupoint influenced the mitochondrial fission pathway by modulating PGC-1a and Fis1 mediators in the rat spleen under non-disease conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of mixed microplastics (MPs) in anaerobic wastewater treatment processes has been shown to impede fermentation performance by suppressing microbial activity. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES), with its extensive potential, offers a promising solution for refractory substances management and methane recovery, achieved through the enhancement of microbial metabolism and interspecies electron transfer. This study, therefore, delves into the functional impacts and the microbial response to MES in the remediation of wastewater contaminated with mixed-MPs. Results indicated that mixed-MPs could inhibit methane production (−52.38%) and substance removal (−26.59%), and MES could effectively mitigate this inhibitory effect (−22.86%, −19.01%). Concurrently, MES also boosts enzymatic activities pivotal for electron transfer, such as cytochrome c and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), as well as those linked to energy metabolism like adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Furthermore, MES bolsters microbial resistance to mixed-MPs, as evidenced by an increase in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), albeit with a minor rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Correspondingly, electric stimulation promoted the enrichment of functional microorganisms associated with fermentation, acetate production, electrogenesis, and methanogenesis, and stimulated elevated expression levels of genes related to methane metabolism. Notably, the Methanothrix -mediated acetoclastic pathway emerges as the predominant methanogenic route, succeeded by the Methanobacterium -driven hydrogenotrophic pathway. Lastly, the study underscores the supportive role of applied voltage and carriers in energy metabolism and substance transport, which are associated with methanogenesis. Overall, MES demonstrates efficacy in mitigating the biotoxicity induced by mixed-MPs exposure and in enhancing anaerobic wastewater treatment and methane recovery. [Display omitted] • Applied voltage mitigated microplastic pollution. • Electric stimulation enhanced methane yield and reduced organic acid accumulation. • Functional enzyme activities and microbial resistance were enhanced. • Methane metabolism-related microbial abundance and gene expression were both elevated. • Methane metabolism was driven by acetoclastic pathways, via acetate-CoA ligase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optic neuropathies were estimated to affect 115 in 100,000 population in 2018. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) as one of such optic neuropathy diseases that was first identified in 1871 and can be defined as a hereditary mitochondrial disease. LHON is associated with three mtDNA point mutations which are G11778A, T14484, and G3460A that affect the NADH dehydrogenase subunits of 4, 6, and 1, respectively. However, in most cases, only one point mutation is involved. Generally, in manifestation of the disease, there are no symptoms until the terminal dysfunction in the optic nerve is observed. Due to the mutations, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase or complex I is absent and thus ATP production is stopped. This further causes the generation of reactive oxygen species and retina ganglion cells apoptosis. Aside from the mutations, there are several environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption that can be pointed out as the risk factors of LHON. Nowadays, gene therapy has been intensively studied for LHON treatment. Disease models using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been utilized for LHON research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of mitochondrial protein phosphorylation on beef color stability through a quantitative mitochondrial phosphoproteome analysis. The mitochondria from beef samples of high, medium and low color stability were extracted and the phosphorylation status of their protein profiles were investigated. In total, 376 identified phosphopeptides were assigned to 191 phosphoproteins in mitochondria. The phosphorylation status of 47 mitochondrial proteins were significantly differed between the compared groups and 70% of phosphosites were significantly upregulated. The mitochondrial phosphoproteins were involved in the pathway of oxidative phosphorylation, signaling transduction, transport, muscle contraction, etc. The phosphorylation of NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial inner membrane and the phosphorylation of voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein in the mitochondrial outer membrane were positively correlated with meat color. Collectively, this study explored the important role of mitochondrial phosphoproteins in meat color development and broadens our knowledge on mitochondria-mediated meat color regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are important essential nutrients for plant growth and development, but their functions in energy status remains unclear. Here, we grew Nipponbare rice seedlings in a growth chamber for 20 d at 30 °C/24 °C (day/night) under natural sunlight conditions with different nutrient regimes. The results showed that N had the strongest influence on the plant growth and development, followed by P and K. The highest nonstructural carbohydrate content, dry matter weight, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), ATP content, as well as NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase activities were found in the plants that received sufficient N, P and K. The lowest values of these parameters were detected in the N-deficient plants. Higher dry matter accumulation was observed in the K-deficient than in the P-deficient treatments, but there was no significant difference in the ratio of respiration rate to Pn between these two treatments, suggesting that differences in energy production efficiency may have accounted for this result. This hypothesis was confirmed by higher ATP contents and activities of NADH dehydrogenase, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase in the K-deficient plants than in the P-deficient plants. We therefore inferred different abilities in energy production efficiency among N, P and K in rice seedlings, which determined rice plant growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male of the wolf spider Paratrochosina amica (Mello-Leitão 1941) is redescribed, and the female of this species is described for the first time. Additionally, we evaluate the phylogenetic position of P. amica using the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1), the 12S rRNA (12S) and 16S rRNA (16S), NADH deshydrogenase subunit I (nad1) and the complete tRNA leu (L1). In live specimens we recognized three different morphotypes based on colour patterns. There were no differences in genitalic features of males and females among the three morphotypes. Molecular results through GMYC analyses did not identify independent evolutionary lineages. Genetic and taxonomic results support that the three morphotypes are conspecific. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the position of P. amica in the subfamily Allocosinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria still threatens global health seriously today. While the current discoveries of antimalarials are almost totally focused on single mode-of-action inhibitors, multi-targeting inhibitors are highly desired to overcome the increasingly serious drug resistance. Here, we performed a structure-based drug design on mitochondrial respiratory chain of Plasmodium falciparum and identified an extremely potent molecule, RYL-581, which binds to multiple protein binding sites of P. falciparum simultaneously (allosteric site of type II NADH dehydrogenase, Q o and Q i sites of cytochrome bc 1). Antimalarials with such multiple targeting mechanism of action have never been reported before. RYL-581 kills various drug-resistant strains in vitro and shows good solubility as well as in vivo activity. This structure-based strategy for designing RYL-581 from starting compound may be helpful for other medicinal chemistry projects in the future, especially for drug discovery on membrane-associated targets. A highly potent antimalarial compound, RYL-581, has a potential multi-targeting mechanism of action by simultaneously binding to three pockets (allosteric site of Pf NDH2, Q o and Q i sites of Pf bc 1). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) naturally occurring at low levels in aquatic environments and production varies widely across different ecosystems. Oxygenic photosynthesis generates hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct, of which some portion can be released to ambient water. However, few studies have examined hydrogen peroxide dynamics in relation to cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs). A year-long investigation of algal succession and hydrogen peroxide dynamics was conducted at the Caloosahatchee River, Florida, USA. We aimed to identify potential biological mechanisms responsible for elevated hydrogen peroxide production during cHAB events through the exploration of the freshwater microbial metatranscriptome. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations were elevated from February to September of 2021 when cyanobacteria were active and abundant. We observed one Microcystis cHAB event in spring and one in winter. Both had distinct nutrient uptake and cyanotoxin gene expression patterns. While meaningful levels of microcystin were only detected during periods of elevated hydrogen peroxide, cyanopeptolin was by far the most expressed cyanotoxin during the spring bloom when hydrogen peroxide was at its yearly maxima. Gene expressions of five microbial enzymes (Rubisco, superoxide dismutase, cytochrome b 559, pyruvate oxidase, and NADH dehydrogenase) positively correlated to hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Additionally, there was higher nitrogen-fixing gene (nifDKH) expression by filamentous cyanobacteria after the spring bloom but no secondary bloom formation occurred. Overall, elevated environmental hydrogen peroxide concentrations were linked to cyanobacterial dominance and greater expression of specific enzymes in the photosynthesis of cyanobacteria. This implicates cyanobacterial photosynthesis and growth results in increased hydrogen peroxide generation as reflected in measured environmental concentrations. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen peroxide dynamics coincided with annual cyanobacterial growth pattern. • Hydrogen peroxide surge during cHAB events coincided with high Rubisco expression. • Microcystis gene expression decreased by 98% after bloom formation. • Highest cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation expressions occurred after cHAB event. • High cyanopeptolin gene expressions by Microcystis during hydrogen peroxide maxima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-y-old Labrador Retriever was presented to a small animal practice in northern Virginia with a history of recent lethargy. Physical examination findings were unremarkable. Ultrasound revealed several large hepatic masses and multiple smaller masses involving the pancreas. Cytologic findings on fine-needle aspirates of the hepatic masses included inflammation and necrosis with eosinophilic, membranous oval structures consistent with cestode infection. Histopathologic findings for biopsies of these masses included extensive necrosis, inflammation, and PAS-positive hyaline-like membranous material interpreted as metacestode cyst wall. A PCR product was generated from aspirate material using primers specific for Echinococcus multilocularis. Subsequent sequence data were 100% homologous to E. multilocularis NADH dehydrogenase subunit I gene sequences. The dog received daily oral albendazole (10 mg/kg) treatment, but its condition deteriorated, and the dog was euthanized. The dog, born in Mississippi, was brought as a puppy to Virginia with no other travel history. To our knowledge, alveolar echinococcosis has not been reported previously in a dog in the United States; E. multilocularis infection was apparently acquired in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a report of 2 cases of human hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus ortleppi in Vietnam. The patients were a 12-year-old male (case 1) having a cyst of 10.0×9.0 cm size in the lung and a 50-year-old female with a 3.0×3.3 cm-sized cyst in the heart. Eosinophilia was 33.7% in the male and 45.8% in the female patient. C-reactive protein was increased to 16.5 mg/L in the male and 18.2 mg/L in the female. Both patients were positive for ELISA at OD=2.5 and 3.1, respectively. Echinococcus protoscolices were collected from the cysts by amniocentesis and surgery. The protoscolices were identified as E. ortleppi by morphology and analysis of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 1 (nad1) gene sequence. Both patients were cured by surgical resection of the hydatid cyst combined with albendazole medication. The E. ortleppi infection in lung is the second report, and the other in the heart is the first in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) is the main hydrogen‐producing enzyme complex in enterobacteria. It converts formate to CO2 and H2 via a formate dehydrogenase and a [NiFe]‐hydrogenase. FHL and complex I are evolutionarily related and share a common core architecture. However, complex I catalyses the fundamentally different electron transfer from NADH to quinone and pumps protons. The catalytic FHL subunit, HycE, resembles NuoCD of Escherichia coli complex I; a fusion of NuoC and NuoD present in other organisms. The C‐terminal domain of HycE harbours the [NiFe]‐active site and is similar to other hydrogenases, while this domain in NuoCD is involved in quinone binding. The N‐terminal domains of these proteins do not bind cofactors and are not involved in electron transfer. As these N‐terminal domains are separate proteins in some organisms, we removed them in E. coli and observed that both FHL and complex I activities were essentially absent. This was due to either a disturbed assembly or to complex instability. Replacing the N‐terminal domain of HycE with a 180 amino acid E. coli NuoC protein fusion did not restore activity, indicating that the domains have complex‐specific functions. A FHL complex in which the N‐ and C‐terminal domains of HycE were physically separated still retained most of its FHL activity, while the separation of NuoCD abolished complex I activity completely. Only the FHL complex tolerates physical separation of the HycE domains. Together, the findings strongly suggest that the N‐terminal domains of these proteins are key determinants in complex assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cestode Taenia hydatigena uses canids, primarily dogs, as definitive hosts, while the metacestode larval stage cysticercus infects a range of intermediate hosts, including domestic animals such as goats, sheep, and pigs. Cysticercosis due to T. hydatigena has large veterinary and economic drawbacks. Like other taeniids, e.g., Echinococcus, intraspecific variation is found among the members of the genus Taenia. In Africa, few studies are available on the epidemiology and distribution of T. hydatigena, and even fewer studies are available on its genetic variation. In this study, we molecularly identified 11 cysticerci from sheep in Sudan and demonstrated the genetic variation based on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial genes. The isolates were correctly identified as T. hydatigena with more than 99% similarity to those in the GenBank database. Low diversity indices and insignificant neutrality indices were observed, with 3 and 2 haplotypes for the nad1 and cox1 genes, respectively. The results suggest the presence of unique T. hydatigena haplotypes in Sudan, as haplotypes with 100% similarity were not found in the GenBank database. With few available studies on the genetic variation of T. hydatigena in Africa, this report represents the first insights into the genetic variation of T. hydatigena in Sudan and constitutes useful data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a Spirometra species of Tanzania origin obtained from an African leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) was identified based on molecular analysis of cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nad1) as well as by morphological observations of an adult tapeworm. One strobila and several segments of a Spirometra species were obtained from the intestine of an African male leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in the Maswa Game Reserve of Tanzania. The morphological characteristics of S. theileri observed comprised 3 uterine loops on one side and 4 on the other side of the mid-line, a uterine pore situated posterior to the vagina and alternating irregularly either to the right or left of the latter, and vesicular seminis that were much smaller than other Spirometra species. Sequence differences in the cox1 and nad1 genes between S. theileri (Tanzania origin) and S. erinaceieuropaei were 10.1% (cox1) and 12.0% (nad1), while those of S. decipiens and S. ranarum were 9.6%, 9.8% (cox1) and 13.0%, 12.6% (nad1), respectively. The morphological features of the Tanzania-origin Spirometra specimens coincided with those of S. theileri, and the molecular data was also consistent with that of S. theileri, thereby demonstrating the distribution of S. theileri in Tanzania. This places the leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) as new definitive hosts of this spirometrid tapeworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enzymatic assay system of D-Ala, which is reported to affect the taste, was constructed using alanine racemase and L-alanine dehydrogenase. D-Ala is converted to L-Ala by alanine racemase and then deaminated by L-alanine dehydrogenase with the reduction of NAD+ to NADH, which is determined with water-soluble tetrazolium. Using the assay system, the D-Ala contents of 7 crustaceans were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is currently the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world. Major features of cell pathology of the disease include the presence of cytoplasmic inclusions called Lewy bodies, which are composed of aggregated proteins. The presence of Lewy's body is associated with more advanced stages of the disease when considering irreversible changes. Precise identification of the disease stage at a cellular level presents the critical tool in developing early diagnostics and/or prevention of PD. The aim of our work is to introduce sensitive microscopic analysis in living cells, focused on initial intracellular changes and thus capable to detect earlier stages of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are exposed to reactive nitrogen species under physiological conditions and even more under several pathologic states. In order to reveal the mechanism of these processes we studied the effects of peroxynitrite on isolated beef heart mitochondria in vitro. Peroxynitrite has the potential to nitrate protein tyrosine moieties, break the peptide bond, and eventually release the membrane proteins into the solution. All these effects were found in our experiments. Mitochondrial proteins were resolved by 2D electrophoresis and the protein nitration was detected by immunochemical methods and by nano LC-MS/MS. Mass spectrometry confirmed nitration of ATP synthase subunit beta, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit beta, citrate synthase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase. Immunoblot detection using chemiluminiscence showed possible nitration of other proteins such as cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] ironsulfur protein 2, elongation factor Tu, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] flavoprotein 2, heat shock protein beta-1 and NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 8. ATP synthase beta subunit was nitrated both in membrane and in fraction prepared by osmotic lysis. The high sensitivity of proteins to nitration by peroxynitrite is of potential biological importance, as these enzymes are involved in various pathways associated with energy production in the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus subtilisgenesiolG,iolW,iolX,ntdC,yfiI,yrbE,yteT, andyulFbelong to the Gfo/Idh/MocA family. The functions ofiolG,iolW,iolX, andntdCare known; however, the functions of the others are unknown. We previously reported theB. subtiliscell factory simultaneously overexpressingiolGandiolWto achieve bioconversion ofmyo-inositol (MI) intoscyllo-inositol (SI). YulF shares a significant similarity with IolW, the NADP+-dependent SI dehydrogenase. Transcriptional abundance ofyulFdid not correlate to that ofiolgenes involved in inositol metabolism. However, whenyulFwas overexpressed instead ofiolWin theB. subtiliscell factory, SI was produced from MI, suggesting a similar function toiolW. In addition, we demonstrated that recombinant His6-tagged YulF convertedscyllo-inosose into SI in an NADPH-dependent manner. We have thus identifiedyulFencoding an additional NADP+-dependent SI dehydrogenase, which we propose to renameiolU. Among the Gfo/Idh/MocA family paralogs inB. subtilis, IolU turned out to be an additionalscyllo-inositol dehydrogenase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been deemed to be newly emerged contaminants interfering with various physiological processes closely related with gene expression alteration. Reverse transcriptase quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) serves as a powerful tool to assess gene expression, however highly dependent on a reliable reference gene. Therefore, it is necessary to identify stable reference genes for gene expression study under MP or NP stress. We constructed a mouse model postexposure to polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) to assess PP-MPs bioaccumulation in kidney, evaluate the kidney pathological changes, and then explore potential reference genes via RT-qPCR. Although the hematoxylin-eosin staining showed no obvious damage in kidney tissues, we observed significant PP-MPs accumulation in kidney using Raman spectra analysis supported by spectral multivariate analysis. The expression of 19 candidate reference genes were examined, including the commonly used ones of β-actin , glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh), Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4I1 (Cox4i), Histocompatibility 13 (H13) and ribosomal protein. Their expression stability and reliability were assessed by the combination of four algorithms including geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and Delta Cq. The geNorm analysis revealed that the top three genes with the lowest variability were Cox4il, Rps9 and Gapdh , whereas NormFinder results ranked Rps3, Cox4il and Rps18 as the top three ones. Rpl15, Cox4i1 and Rps3 were the most reliable reference genes in BestKeeper results , and Delta Cq proposed Rps3 and Cox4il as the stable genes. The overall ranking indicated by GMR value gave the five most stable reference genes (Cox4i1 , Rps3 , Rps9 , Rps18 and Gapdh). Three genes associated with different biochemical processes (Atp5f1 , Crebbp and Dele1) were chosen to verify the characterized reference genes using the least stable gene as a control, exhibiting different expression profiles and implying the essentiality to select the reliable reference genes. Our results documented the expression fluctuations of acknowledged reference gene (Ubc) and proposed a set of reliable reference genes for future studies of gene expression profiles in MP treated mouse models. • First observation of significant PP-MPs accumulation in kidney. • First assessment of reference gene stability in PP-MP exposure mouse model. • The unreliable exhibition of Ubc in the comprehensive analysis of PP treated mouse kidney. • Five most stable reference genes (Cox4i1 , Rps3 , Rps9 , Rps18 , Gapdh) proposed for gene expression study under PP-MP stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteroides species can use fumarate and oxygen as terminal electron acceptors during cellular respiration. In the human gut, oxygen diffuses from intestinal epithelial cells supplying "nanaerobic" oxygen levels. Many components of the anaerobic respiratory pathway have been determined, but such analyses have not been performed for nanaerobic respiration. Here, we present genetic, biochemical, enzymatic, and mass spectrometry analyses to elucidate the nanaerobic respiratory pathway in Bacteroides fragilis. Under anaerobic conditions, the transfer of electrons from NADH to the quinone pool has been shown to be contributed by two enzymes, NQR and NDH2. We find that the activity contributed by each under nanaerobic conditions is 77 and 23%, respectively, similar to the activity levels under anaerobic conditions. Using mass spectrometry, we show that the quinone pool also does not differ under these two conditions and consists of a mixture of menaquinone-8 to menaquinone-11, with menaquinone-10 predominant under both conditions. Analysis of fumarate reductase showed that it is synthesized and active under anaerobic and nanaerobic conditions. Previous RNA sequencing data and new transcription reporter assays show that expression of the cytochrome bd oxidase gene does not change under these conditions. Under nanaerobic conditions, we find both increased CydA protein and increased cytochrome bd activity. Reduced-minus-oxidized spectra of membranes showed the presence of heme d when the bacteria were grown in the presence of protoporphyrin IX and iron under both anaerobic and nanaerobic conditions, suggesting that the active oxidase can be assembled with or without oxygen. IMPORTANCE By performing a comprehensive analysis of nanaerobic respiration in Bacteroides fragilis, we show that this organism maintains capabilities for anaerobic respiration on fumarate and nanaerobic respiration on oxygen simultaneously. The contribution of the two NADH:quinone oxidoreductases and the composition of the quinone pool are the same under both conditions. Fumarate reductase and cytochrome bd are both present, and which of these terminal enzymes is active in electron transfer depends on the availability of the final electron acceptor: fumarate or oxygen. The synthesis of cytochrome bd and fumarate reductase under both conditions serves as an adaptation to an environment with low oxygen concentrations so that the bacteria can maximize energy conservation during fluctuating environmental conditions or occupation of different spatial niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), as one of the most widely used new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), can pose a potential threat to human health and the environment. An integrated transcriptome and proteome was performed for investigating the toxicological molecular mechanisms of Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) during the biodegradation of DBDPE at the concentrations of 5 and 20 mg/L. A total of 1193/1018 and 92/126 differentially expressed genes/proteins (DEGs/DEPs) were found, respectively, with DBDPE exposure at 5 and 20 mg/L. These DEGs and DEPs were mainly involved in the cellular process as well as metabolic process. DEPs for oxidation-reduction process and hydrolase activity were up-regulated, and those for membrane, lipid metabolic process and transmembrane transport were down-regulated. The DEGs and DEPs related to some key enzymes were down-regulated, such as NADH dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome C1 protein, cytochrome-c oxidase/reductase and ATP synthase, which indicated that DBDPE affected the oxidative phosphorylation as well as tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) might be involved in DBDPE degradation through hydroxylation and oxidation. Some stress proteins were induced to resist DBDPE toxicity, including major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter, superoxide dismutase (SOD), molecular chaperones, heat shock proteins (HSP20, HSP26, HSP42), 60S ribosomal protein and histone H4. The findings help revealing the toxicological molecular mechanisms of DBDPE on P. ostreatus , aiming to improve the removal of DBDPE. [Display omitted] • DBDPE affected the oxidative phosphorylation and tricarboxylic acid cycle of P. ostreatus. • Cytochrome P450 might be involved in DBDPE degradation through hydroxylation and oxidation. • Some stress proteins were induced to resist DBDPE stress, such as major facilitator superfamily transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Spirometra belongs to the family Diphyllobothriidae and order Pseudophyllidea, and includes intestinal parasites of cats and dogs. In this study, a plerocercoid labeled as Spirometra mansonoides from the USA was examined for species identification and phylogenetic analysis using 2 complete mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (nad3). The cox1 sequences (1,566 bp) of the plerocercoid specimen (USA) showed 99.2% similarity to the reference sequences of the plerocercoid of Korean Spirometra decipiens (GenBank no. KJ599679), and 99.1% similarity in regard to nad3 (346 bp). Phylogenetic tree topologies generated using 4 analytical methods were identical and showed high confidence levels with bootstrap values of 1.00, 100%, 100%, and 100% for Bayesian inference (BI), maximum-likelihood (ML), neighbor-joining (NJ), and maximum parsimony (MP) methods, respectively. Representatives of Diphyllobothrium and Spirometra species formed a monophyletic group, and the sister-genera status between these species was well supported. Trapezoic proglottids in the posterior 1/5 region of an adult worm obtained from an experimentally infected cat were morphologically examined. The outer uterine loop of the uterus coiling characteristically consisted of 2 complete turns. The results clearly indicated that the examined Spirometra specimen from the USA matched to S. decipiens very well, and indicated possible presence of the life cycle of this species in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuel emissions and changes in net land use lead to an increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration and a subsequent decrease of ocean pH. Noticeable effects on organisms' calcification rate, shell structure and energy metabolism have been reported in the literature. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms altered under low pH exposure, especially in non-calcifying organisms. We used a suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) approach to characterise differentially expressed genes isolated from Platynereis dumerilii , a non-calcifying marine polychaeta species, kept at normal and low pH conditions. Several gene sequences have been identified as differentially regulated. These are involved in processes previously considered as indicators of environment change, such as energy metabolism (NADH dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and ATP synthase subunit F), while others are involved in cytoskeleton function (paramyosin and calponin) and immune defence (fucolectin-1 and paneth cell-specific alpha-defensin) processes. This is the first study of differential gene expression in a non-calcifying, marine polychaete exposed to low pH seawater conditions and suggests that mechanisms of impact may include additional pathways not previously identified as impacted by low pH in other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human diphyllobothriasis is a widespread fish-borne zoonosis caused by the infection with broad tapeworms belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. In mainland China, so far 20 human cases of Diphyllobothrium infections have been reported, and the etiologic species were identified as D. latum and D. nihonkaiense based on morphological characteristics or molecular analysis. In the present study, proglottids of diphyllobothriid tapeworms from 3 human cases that occurred in Heilongjiang Province, China were identified as D. nihonkaiense by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. Two different cox1 gene sequences were obtained. One sequence showed 100% homology with those from humans in Japan. The remaining cox1 gene sequence and 2 different nad5 gene sequences obtained were not described previously, and might reflect endemic genetic characterizations. D. nihonkaiense might also be a major causative species of human diphyllobothriasis in China. Meanwhile, the finding of the first pediatric case of D. nihonkaiense infection in China suggests that infants infected with D. nihonkaiense should not be ignored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tribolium castaneum, a pest of stored grain, has a uniform morphology, preventing the visual identification of strains from different areas. Polymorphisms in the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial genes of this species were examined, and combined into seven haplotypes among the test insect specimens originating from Japan, Thailand, and Canada. These results suggested the potential for geographical differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Berberis is the largest genus in the Berberidaceae, comprising more than 500 species. It is now recognised to include all of the compound-leaved species formally ascribed to Mahonia, as well as simple-leaved species comprising Berberis s.str. Berberis s.l. has a mainly Northern Hemisphere distribution, with a centre of diversity in the Sino-Himalaya region, while Berberis s.str. extends into South America where it has a secondary centre of diversity. We analyzed nuclear ITS and chloroplast ndhF sequence data from 68 accessions oi Berberis s.l. The results support the monophyly of Berberis s.l, but compound-leaved Berberis are shown to be paraphyletic. The analysis supports Berberis higginsae, a member of North American B. sect. Horridae, as sister to all other Berberís species. Our results, interpreted in the light of fossil evidence, suggest a North American origin of Berberis s.l, but the area of origin of the simple-leaved group remains uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been established as an electrocatalytic material for the oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Heteroatom doped CNTs, either boron or nitrogen, have been shown to enhance the electrocatalytic oxidation. Methylene green (MG), a well-established redox mediator for NADH oxidation, is shown here to further enhance the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH at CNTs and nitrogen-doped CNTs (N-CNTs), but the standard technique of electropolymerizing MG on the surface of the electrode attenuates the natural reactivity of the nanotube/MG couple as formed through spontaneous adsorption. Additionally, MG coupled CNT/N-CNTs produces a leveling effect on N-CNTs, eliminating their electrocatalytic enhancement due to nitrogen doping. Nondoped CNTs display a slightly more efficient oxidation of NADH after adsorption of MG, due to an increased hydrophobic character which causes the adsorbed MG to reside slightly closer to the nanotube surface, and thus, facilitates more facile electron transfer between the nanotube/MG redox couple. Investigation of the influence of potential on MG adsorbed onto CNT/N-CNT electrodes allows the detection of MG polymerization, which is initiated at 0.05 V (vs. Hg/Hg2SO4) as an anodic stripping peak, along with the appearance of a reversible surface wave with E½ at - 1 .0 V (0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.0). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reagentless and non-reagentless nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) bioanodes integrating multiwalled nanotubes (WMNTs)-bucky papers are introduced in this study. The NAD+ was tethered by pyrene butanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PBSE) to the wall of the carbonic MWNTs composing the bucky paper by π-π stacking interactions. The designs have been evaluated electrochemically and by X-ray spectroscopy. The electrodes have been assembled to a quasi-2D microfluidic system with capillary driven flow. Michaelis-Menten analysis on CMN-MG-PBSE-NAD+-GDH, reagentless bioanode, in an electrolytic cell shows a limiting current and constant of Imox = 3.252 ± 0.134 mA.cm-2 and Km = 48.3 ± 4.6 mM at 4°C, and IMax = 2.568 ± 0.085 mA.cm-2 and Km = 13.6 ± 1.8 mM at 25°C for 0.1 M glucose. Results demonstrate the enzymatic system, in non-reagentless and reagentless bioanode, has an extraordinary current density generation. In the reagentless bioanode design, the enzyme and its cofactor are highly catalytically active, and the design can be feasible integrated into biofuel cell assembly and later used as a power source for small portable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential accumulation of chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) in aquatic environments sparked interest in studying the effects of Cl-OPFRs on cyanobacterial blooms. In this work, two common Cl-OPFRs, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), induced dose-dependent biphasic effect on bloom-forming M. aeruginosa. The hormetic response to low-dose Cl-OPFRs was associated with the upregulation of the type I NADH dehydrogenase (NDH-1) complex and its mediated cyclic electron transfer (CET) pathway, as reflected by a transient post-illumination increase in chlorophyll fluorescence, the dark reduction of P700+ and the change of NDH-1-related gene expression. The increased CET activity and carotenoid content jointly reduced the intracellular ROS production, facilitating cyanobacterial growth. Conversely, a higher concentration of both Cl-OPFRs induced severe inhibition of growth and photosynthetic oxygen-evolving activity through an imbalance between PSII and PSI. Toxic-dose Cl-OPFRs inhibited state transition and fixed cells into the State I with a higher PSII/PSI ratio, as indicated by chlorophyll fluorescence induction, 77 K fluorescence emission spectra and photosystem stoichiometry. The elevated PSII/PSI ratio created an imbalance between the two photosystems and eventually lead to ROS overproduction, which generate adverse effects on cell growth. This work provides important insights into the hormetic mechanism of Cl-OPFRs on Microcystis aeruginosa and their potential roles in harmful cyanobacteria blooms. [Display omitted] • TCEP and TDCPP induced biphasic dose responses in bloom-forming M. aeruginosa. • The cyclic electron transfer and ROS-scavenging mechanisms contributed to hormetic stimulation at low-dose Cl-OPFRs. • High-dose Cl-OPFRs locked cyanobacterial cells in State I with higher PSII but lower PSI activity. • High-dose Cl-OPFRs induced ROS accumulation through imbalance between PSII and PSI. • Cl-OPFRs could not be directly utilized by M. aeruginosa as additional phosphorus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enzymatic assay method of blood ethanol testing is still used to convict individuals accused of driving under the influence (DUI) throughout the United States. This test does not directly measure ethanol, yet reports an ethanol level. The test is based on the enzymatic reaction of ethanol with alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). The reaction produces nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and the concentration of NADH is measured and reported as ethanol. Samples tested include serum, plasma, supernatant, urine, and ocular fluid.1 Discussed in this report are reasons why the method has many possible sources of error and is simply too unreliable to be used in a legal setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Physical performance displays a great interindividual variance in both general population and among welltrained athletes. Genetic factor has an important contribution in this variance. The aim of this study was to examine the association between maximal oxygen uptake and genetic variants of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene (mtND5) in Caucasians from Poland. Material and Methods. The studies were carried out in a group of 154 men and 85 women, professional athletes representing various sports and fi tness levels and students of the University of Physical Education in Poznañ. Physiological and molecular procedures were used, i.e. direct measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and SNP 13470 G>C polymorphism of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 gene (mtND5) was determined by restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results. We have found that maximal oxygen uptake is associated with BamHI+/+ homoplasmic variant of the mtND5 gene in Caucasians from Poland. We have also observed positive influence of BamHI+ allele on level of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis are parasites known to be carcinogenic and causative agents of cholangiocarcinoma in Asia. The standard method for diagnosis for those parasite infections is stool examination to detect parasite eggs. However, the method has low sensitivity, and eggs of 0. viverrini and C. sinensis are difficult to distinguish from each other and from those of some other trematodes. Here, we report a multiplex real-time PCR coupled with high resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the differentiation of 0. viverrini and C. sinensis eggs in fecal samples. Using 2 pairs of species-specific primers, DNA sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (nad 2) gene, were amplified to generate 209 and 165 bp products for 0. viverrini and C. sinensis, respectively. The distinct characteristics of HRM patterns were analyzed, and the melting temperatures peaked at 82.4±0.09°C and 85.9±0.08°C for O. viverrini and C. sinensis, respectively. This technique was able to detect as few as 1 egg of 0. viverrini and 2 eggs of C. sinensis in a 150 mg fecal sample, which is equivalent to 7 and 14 eggs per gram of feces, respectively. The method is species-specific, rapid, simple, and does not require fluorescent probes or post-PCR processing for discrimination of eggs of the 2 species. It offers a new tool for differentiation and detection of Asian liver fluke infections in stool specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the ark shell Scapharca broughtonii was determined using long PCR and a genome walking sequencing strategy with genus-specific primers. The S. broughtonii mt genome (GenBank accession number AB729113) contained 12 protein-coding genes (the atp8 gene is missing, as in most bivalves), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 42 transfer tRNA genes, in a length of 46,985 nucleotides for the size of mtDNA with only one copy of the heteroplasmic tandem repeat (HTR) unit. Moreover the S. broughtonii mt genome shows size variation; these genomes ranged in size from about 47kb to about 50kb because of variation in the number of repeat sequences in the non-coding region. The mt-genome of S. broughtonii is, to date, the longest reported metazoan mtDNA sequence. Sequence duplication in non-coding region and the formation of HTR arrays were two of the factors responsible for the ultra-large size of this mt genome. All the tRNA genes were found within the S. broughtonii mt genome, unlike the other bivalves usually lacking one or more tRNA genes. Twelve additional specimens were used to analyze the patterns of tandem repeat arrays by PCR amplification and agarose electrophoresis. Each of the 12 specimens displayed extensive heteroplasmy and had 8–10 length variants. The motifs of the HTR arrays are about 353–362bp and the number of repeats ranges from 1 to 11. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: The oxidative phosphorylation system is one of the best-characterized metabolic pathways. In mammals, the protein components and X-ray structures are defined for all complexes except complex I. Here, we show that NDUFA4, formerly considered a constituent of NADH Dehydrogenase (CI), is instead a component of the cytochrome c oxidase (CIV). Deletion of NDUFA4 does not perturb CI. Rather, proteomic, genetic, evolutionary, and biochemical analyses reveal that NDUFA4 plays a role in CIV function and biogenesis. The change in the attribution of the NDUFA4 protein requires renaming of the gene and reconsideration of the structure of CIV. Furthermore, NDUFA4 should be considered a candidate gene for CIV rather than CI deficiencies in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the molecular analysis of Korean aspermic Fasciola flukes on the basis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) Region and mitochondrial DNA markers and its comparison with Japanese aspermic Fasciola flukes. The three concatenated haplotypes of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nadl) and cox1 are identified. The fragment patterns of the species determined via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) are detailed.

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article reports on results of a study of cloning and expression of a Clostridium klyveri gene responsible for diaphorase activity. A description of the study design and method is presented. The study concluded that recombinant enzyme rDiaA showed NADH/NADPH diaphorase activity with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and nitro blue tetrazolium.

The article reports on the results of a study of the occurrence of a novel NADH dehydrogenase (NADH-dh), distinct from the old yellow enzyme, in gluconobacter strains A description of the experimental set-up and measurement methods is presented. The study concluded that the N-terminal amino acid sequence of NADPH-dh matched a putative oxidoreductase containing the old yellow enzyme-like FMN-binding domain.

In this study, we aimed to identify the determinants of mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle (SKLM) of subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and to evaluate the effect of pioglitazone (PIO) on SKLM mitochondrial proteome. Two different groups of adults were studied. Group I consisted of 8 individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 8 with T2DM, subjected to SKLM mitochondrial proteome analysis by 2D-gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry-based protein identification. Group II included 24 individuals with NGT and 24 with T2DM, whose SKLM biopsies were subjected to immunoblot analysis. Of the 24 subjects with T2DM, 20 were randomized to receive placebo or PIO (15 mg daily) for 6 months. After 6 months of treatment, SKLM biopsy was repeated. Mitochondrial proteomic analysis on Group I revealed that several mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative metabolism were differentially expressed between T2DM and NGT groups, with a downregulation of ATP synthase alpha chain (ATP5A), electron transfer flavoprotein alpha-subunit (ETFA), cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIb isoform 1 (CX6B1), pyruvate dehydrogenase protein X component (ODPX), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH), dihydrolipoamide-S-succinyltransferase (DLST), and mitofilin, and an up-regulation of hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HCDH), 3,2-trans-enoyl-CoA-isomerase (D3D2) and delta3,5-delta2,4-dienoyl-CoA-isomerase (ECH1) in T2DM as compared to NGT subjects. By immunoblot analysis on SKLM lysates obtained from Group II we confirmed that, in comparison to NGT subjects, those with T2DM exhibited lower protein levels of ATP5A (−30%, P = 0.006), ETFA (−50%, P = 0.02), CX6B1 (−30%, P = 0.03), key factors for ATP biosynthesis, and of the structural protein mitofilin (−30%, P = 0.01). T2DM was associated with a reduced abundance of the enzymes involved in the Krebs cycle DLST and ODPX (−20%, P ≤ 0.05) and increased levels of HCDH and ECH1, enzymes implicated in the fatty acid catabolism (+30%, P ≤ 0.05). In subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with PIO for 6 months we found a restored SKLM protein abundance of ATP5A, ETFA, CX6B1, and mitofilin. Moreover, protein levels of HCDH and ECH1 were reduced by −10% and − 15% respectively (P ≤ 0.05 for both) after PIO treatment. Type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced levels of mitochondrial proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and an increased abundance of enzymes implicated in fatty acid catabolism in SKLM. PIO treatment is able to improve SKLM mitochondrial proteomic profile in subjects with T2DM. • Proteomic analysis on human skeletal muscle biopsies reveals that type 2 diabetes is associated with an altered mitochondrial proteomic profile. • Skeletal muscle abundance of key components of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and enzymes involved in Krebs cycle is reduced in type 2 diabetes. • Type 2 diabetes is associated with an upregulation of enzymes implicated in fatty acid oxidation. • Pioglitazone reverts the diabetes-related abnormalities in the skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: RNA editing is common in terrestrial plants, especially in mitochondria and chloroplast. In the photosynthesis process, NAD dehydrogenase plays a very important role. Subunit 2 of NADH-dehydrogenase is one of the major subunits in NAD dehydrogenase complex. Using desert plant Calotropis (Calotropis procera), this study focuses on the RNA editing activity of ndhB based on light time. Results: NdhB (NADH-dehydrogenase subunit 2) gene accession no. MK144329 was isolated from Calotropis procera genomic data (PRJNA292713). Additionally, using RNA-seq data, the cDNA of the ndhB gene of C. procera was isolated at three daylight periods, i.e., dawn (accession no. MK165161), at midday (accession no. MK165160), and pre-dusk (accession no. MK165159). Seven RNA editing sites have been found in several different positions (nucleotide no. C467, C586, C611, C737, C746, C830, and C1481) within the ndhB coding region. The rate of these alterations was deferentially edited across the three daylight periods. RNA editing rate of ndhB gene was highest at dawn, (87.5, 79.6, 78.5, 76, 68.6, 39.3, and 96.9%, respectively), less in midday (74.8, 54.1, 62.6, 47.4, 45.5, 47.4, and 93.4%, respectively), and less at pre-dusk (67, 52.6, 56.9, 40.1, 40.7, 33.2, and 90%, respectively), also all these sites were validated by qRT-PCR. Conclusion: The differential editing of chloroplast ndhB gene across light periods may be led to a somehow relations between the RNA editing and control of photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitochondrial DNA 5178 (Mt5178) C/A polymorphism is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism influences the effect of physiological aging on renal function in male Japanese health checkup examinees. Methods: A total of 404 male subjects (mean age ± SD, 53.9 ± 7.8 years; range, 29–76 years) were selected from among individuals visiting the hospital for regular medical checkups. After Mt5178 C/A genotyping, a cross-sectional study assessing the joint effects of Mt5178 C/A polymorphism and aging on renal function was then conducted. Renal function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Subjects were divided into three age groups (< 50, 50–59, ≥ 60 years). Results: In simple linear regression analysis, a significant negative association between aging and eGFR was observed in both Mt5178C and Mt5178A genotypic men (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). However, in multiple linear regression analysis, a significant effect of aging on reduced eGFR was observed only in Mt5178C genotypic men (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that, in the case of reduced eGFR defined as < 75 mL/min/1.73 m2, reduced eGFR was dependent on aging in both Mt5178C and Mt5178A genotypic men (P for trend < 0.001 and P for trend = 0.002, respectively). After adjusting for smoking status and alcohol consumption, reduced eGFR was also dependent on aging in both Mt5178C and Mt5178A genotypic men (P for trend < 0.001 and P for trend = 0.014, respectively). However, in reduced eGFR defined as < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, reduced eGFR was dependent on aging only in Mt5178C genotypic men (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: This cross-sectional study suggests that Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modulates the effects of physiological aging on kidney function in Japanese men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]