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Emergence of plasmid mediated colistin and extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) resistant genes has been impacted the efficacy of colistin and β-lactams drugs like 3rd, 4th generation cephalosporin. Current study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) among Escherichia coli isolates from meat producing commercial broilers in Pakistan. Two hundred (n=200) fecal samples were collected during January-2018 to August-2019. For isolation of E. coli, pink colonies on MacConkey agar were transferred to EMB agar. Metallic sheen color colonies were tested biochemically using API-20E kit. The molecular identification of E. coli (n=153) was targeted by amplification of uid gene through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and different ARGs i.e. gentamicin, streptomycin, tetracycline, colistin, β-lactams drugs, quinolone and ampicillin followed by sequence analysis. Genotypically, followed by phenotypically of resistant ARGs of isolated PCR-confirmed E. coli (153) shoed resistant against gentamicin (aac(3)-IV), streptomycin (aadA1), tetracycline (tetA), colistine (mcr-1), ampicillin (bla-TEM) and bla-CTX-M were 86%, 88%, 86%, 88%, 83% & 77% respectively. 33/38 (86%) of the isolate was positive for quinolone resistance. Colistine (mcr-1), ESBLs (bla-TEM) and (bla-CTX-M) resistance genes were 88%, 83% and 77% respectively. About 33 isolated E. coli harbored the both mcr-1 and ESBLs genes. All of E. coli isolates were found sensitive to ceftriaxone (CTX-30) and imipenem (IMP-10). The Isolated E. coli showed single or multi clade decadency. The E. coli and ARGs sequences showed single or multi clade decadency. This is first comprehensive study from Pakistan that described the molecular evidences of ARGs and their co-existence in single isolates originated from commercial poultry. Commercial chicken (Broilers) can act as melting pot of antibiotic resistance genes for human being. It is alarming situation for surveillance of antibiotic resistance program because of more regulated prescription of antimicrobial agents in Pakistan Resumo O surgimento de colistina mediada por plasmídeo e genes de resistência a β-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL) afetou a eficácia de medicamentos colistina e β-lactâmicos, como as cefalosporinas de 3ª e 4ª geração. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar genes de resistência antimicrobiana (ARGs) entre isolados de Escherichia coli em frangos de corte comerciais no Paquistão. Duzentas (n = 200) amostras fecais foram coletadas durante janeiro de 2018 a agosto de 2019. Para o isolamento de E. coli, colônias rosas em ágar MacConkey foram transferidas para ágar EMB. As colônias de cores de brilho metálico foram testadas bioquimicamente usando o kit API-20E. A identificação molecular de E. coli (n = 153) foi direcionada pela amplificação do gene uid através da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e diferentes ARGs, ou seja, gentamicina, estreptomicina, tetraciclina, colistina, medicamentos β-lactâmicos, quinolona e ampicilina, seguido de análise de sequência. Genotipicamente, seguido por fenotipicamente de ARGs resistentes de E. coli isoladas foram confirmadas por PCR (153) como resistente contra gentamicina (aac(3)-IV), estreptomicina (aadA1), tetraciclina (tetA), colistina (mcr-1), ampicilina (bla-TEM) e bla-CTX-M, demonstrando resultados de 86%, 88%, 86%, 88%, 83% e 77%, respectivamente. Cerca de 33/38 (86%) do isolado foi positivo para resistência às quinolonas. Os genes de resistência à colistina (mcr-1), ESBLs (bla-TEM) e (bla-CTX-M) foram 88%, 83% e 77%, respectivamente. Cerca de 33 E. coli isoladas continham os genes mcr-1 e ESBLs. Todos os isolados de E. coli foram considerados sensíveis à ceftriaxona (CTX-30) e imipenem (IMP-10). A E. coli isolada apresentou decadência de um ou vários clados. As sequências de E. coli e ARGs apresentaram decadência de um ou vários clados. Este é o primeiro estudo abrangente do Paquistão que descreveu as evidências moleculares de ARGs e sua coexistência em isolados únicos originados de aves comerciais. Dessa forma, é possível concluir que o Frango comercial (Broilers) pode atuar como caldeirão de genes de resistência a antibióticos para o ser humano. É uma situação alarmante para a vigilância do programa de resistência a antibióticos devido à prescrição mais regulamentada de agentes antimicrobianos no Paquistão

NF-κB signaling is a key regulator of inflammation and atherosclerosis. NF-κB cooperates with bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a transcriptional and epigenetic regulator, in endothelial inflammation. This study aimed to investigate whether BRD4 inhibition would prevent the proinflammatory response towards TNF-α in endothelial cells. We used TNF-α treatment of human umbilical cord-derived vascular endothelial cells to create an in vitro inflammatory model system. Two small molecule inhibitors of BRD4—namely, RVX208 (Apabetalone), which is in clinical trials for the treatment of atherosclerosis, and JQ1—were used to analyze the effect of BRD4 inhibition on endothelial inflammation and barrier integrity. BRD4 inhibition reduced the expression of proinflammatory markers such as SELE, VCAM-I, and IL6 in endothelial cells and prevented TNF-α-induced endothelial tight junction hyperpermeability. Endothelial inflammation was associated with increased expression of the heparin-binding growth factor midkine. BRD4 inhibition reduced midkine expression and normalized endothelial permeability upon TNF-α treatment. In conclusion, we identified that TNF-α increased midkine expression and compromised tight junction integrity in endothelial cells, which was preventable by pharmacological BRD4 inhibition.

Chromatin is a dynamic structure comprising of DNA and proteins. Its unique nature not only help to pack the DNA tightly within the cell but also is pivotal in regulating gene expression DNA replication. Furthermore it also protects the DNA from being damaged. Various proteins are involved in making a specific complex within a chromatin and the knowledge about these interacting partners is helpful to enhance our understanding about the pathophysiology of various chromatin associated diseases. Moreover, it could also help us to identify new drug targets and design more effective remedies. Due to the existence of chromatin in different forms under various physiological conditions it is hard to develop a single strategy to study chromatin associated proteins under all conditions. In our current review, we tried to provide an overview and comparative analysis of the strategies currently adopted to capture the DNA bounded protein complexes and their mass spectrometric identification and quantification. Precise information about the protein partners and their function in the DNA-protein complexes is crucial to design new and more effective therapeutic molecules against chromatin associated diseases.

In this study, we have proposed a gesture to emotion recognition method using flex sensors mounted on metacarpophalangeal joints. The flex sensors are fixed in a wearable glove. The data from the glove are sent to PC using Wi-Fi. Four gestures: finger pointing, thumbs up, fist open and fist close are performed by five subjects. Each gesture is categorized into sad, happy, and excited class based on the velocity and acceleration of the hand gesture. Seventeen inspectors observed the emotions and hand gestures of the five subjects. The emotional state based on the investigators assessment and acquired movement speed data is compared. Overall, we achieved 77% accurate results. Therefore, the proposed design can be used for emotional state detection applications.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is prescribed to prevent allograft rejection in organ transplanted patients. However, its use is sporadically linked to leak flux diarrhea and other gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances in around 75% of patients through yet unknown mechanisms. Recently, we identified Midkine as a modulator of tight junctions (TJs) permeability in MPA treated Caco-2 monolayer. In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of Midkine dependent PI3K pathway in alteration of TJs under MPA treatment. Caco-2 cells were grown as monolayer to develop TJs and were treated for 72 h with DMSO (control) or MPA in presence and absence of Midkine inhibitor (iMDK) or PI3K inhibitors (LY/AMG). Caco-2 monolayer integrity was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC-dextran assays. Our functional assays showed that PI3K inhibitors (LY/AMG) can significantly inhibit the compromised TJs integrity of MPA-treated Caco-2 cells monolayer. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed a significant epigenetic activation of Midkine, PI3K, Cdx-2, and Cldn-2 genes and epigenetic repression of Cldn-1 gene after MPA treatment. The MPA-induced epigenetic alterations were further confirmed by mRNA and protein expression analysis. Collectively, our data shows that PI3K pathway as the downstream target of Midkine which in turn modulates p38MAPK and pAKT signaling to alter TJs permeability in Caco-2 cell monolayers treated with MPA. These results highlight the possible use of either Midkine or PI3K inhibitors as therapeutic agents to prevent MPA induced GI disturbances.

A major drawback in deploying beamforming scheme in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is to obtain the optimal weights that are associated with information beams. Two beam weighting methods, namely co-phasing and singular vector decomposition (SVD), are considered to maximize the signal beams for such beamforming scheme. Initially the system performance with and without interleaving is investigated using coded fast Fourier transform (FFT)-OFDM and wavelet-based OFDM. The two beamforming schemes are applied to the wavelet-based OFDM as confirmed to perform better than the FFT-OFDM. It is found that the beam-weight by SVD improves the performance of the system by about 2dB at the expense of the co-phasing method. The capacity performances of the weighting methods are also compared and discussed.

The present study was undertaken to identify proteins that interact with the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) to enable it to carry out its crucial cell signaling functions. Endogenous and myc-tag mTORC1 was purified, in-gel tryptic digested and then identified by nano-LC ESI Q-TOF MS/MS analysis. A total of nine novel interacting proteins were identified in both endogenous and myc-tag mTORC1 purifications. These new mTORC1 interacting partners include heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1, enhancer of mRNA decapping protein 4, 60S acidic ribosomal protein, P0, nucleolin, dynamin 2, glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, glycosyl transferase 25 family member 1 and prohibitin 2. Furthermore hnRNP A2/B1 and dynamin 2 interaction with mTORC1 was confirmed on immunoblotting. The present study has for the first time identified novel interacting partners of mTORC1 in human T lymphoblasts (CCRF-CEM) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. These new interacting proteins may offer new targets for therapeutic interventions in human diseases caused by perturbed mTORC1 signaling. Open-Access-Publikationsfonds 2014 peerReviewed

Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) is characterized by wide clinical and pathological variability, which is mainly influenced by the conformation of the misfolded prion protein, and by the methionine and valine polymorphism at codon 129 of the prion protein gene. This heterogeneity likely implies differences in the molecular cascade that leads to the development of certain disease phenotypes. In this study, we investigated the proteome of the frontal cortex of patients with the two most common sCJD subtypes (MM1 and VV2) using 2D-DIGE and MS. Analysis of 2D maps revealed that 46 proteins are differentially expressed in the sCJD. Com- mon differential expression was detected for seven proteins, four showed opposite direction of differential expression, and the remaining ones displayed subtype-specific alteration. The highest number of differentially expressed proteins was associated with signal transduction and neuronal activity. Moreover, functional groups of proteins involved in cell cycle and death, as well as in structure and motility included subtype-specific expressed proteins exclusively. The expression of Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha, which regulates Rab3a-mediated neu- rotransmitter release, was affected in both sCJD subtypes that were analyzed. Therefore, we also investigated as to whether Rab3a recycling is altered. Indeed, we found an accumulation of the membrane-associated form, thus the active one, which suggests that dysfunction of the Rab3a-mediated exocytosis might be implicated in sCJD pathology peerReviewed

Background: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an important immunosuppressive drug (ISD) prescribed to prevent graft rejection in the organ transplanted patients, however, its use is also associated with adverse side effects like sporadic gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances. Recently, we reported the MPA induced tight junctions (TJs) deregulation which involves MLCK/MLC-2 pathway. Here, we investigated the global histone acetylation as well as gene-specific chromatin signature of several genes associated with TJs regulation in Caco-2 cells after MPA treatment.Results: The epigenetic analysis shows that MPA treatment increases the global histone acetylation levels as well as the enrichment for transcriptional active histone modification mark (H3K4me3) at promoter regions of p38MAPK, ATF-2, MLCK, and MLC-2. In contrast, the promoter region of occludin was enriched for transcriptional repressive histone modification mark (H3K27me3) after MPA treatment. In line with the chromatin status, MPA treatment increased the expression of p38MAPK, ATF-2, MLCK, and MLC-2 both at transcriptional and translational level, while occludin expression was negatively influenced. Interestingly, the MPA induced gene expression changes and functional properties of Caco-2 cells could be blocked by the inhibition of p38MAPK using a chemical inhibitor (SB203580).Conclusions: Collectively, our results highlight that MPA disrupts the structure of TJs via p38MAPK-dependent activation of MLCK/MLC-2 pathway that results in decreased integrity of Caco-2 monolayer. These results led us to suggest that p38MAPK-mediated lose integrity of epithelial monolayer could be the possible cause of GI disturbance (barrier dysfunction) in the intestine, leading to leaky style diarrhea observed in the organ-transplanted patients treated with MPA.

Chronic hemodynamic overload on the heart results in pathological myocardial hypertrophy, eventually followed by heart failure. Phosphatase calcineurin is a crucial mediator of this response. Little is known, however, about the role of calcineurin in response to acute alterations in loading conditions of the heart, where it could be mediating beneficial adaptational processes. We therefore analyzed proteome changes following a short-term increase in preload in rabbit myocardium in the absence or presence of the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A. Rabbit right ventricular isolated papillary muscles were cultivated in a muscle chamber system under physiological conditions and remained either completely unloaded or were stretched to a preload of 3 mN/mm2, while performing isotonic contractions (zero afterload). After 6 h, proteome changes were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and ESI-MS/MS. We identified 28 proteins that were upregulated by preload compared to the unloaded group (at least 1.75-fold regulation, all P

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is involved in the cellular transcription and translation processes. The undertaken study characterized the enhancer of mRNA decapping protein 4 (Edc4) as mTORC1 interacting protein. Human T lymphoblast (CCRF-CEM) cells were used for mTORC1 purification. Co-immunoprecipitation coupled with immunoblotting analysis was used to confirm the interaction of Edc4 in mTORC1 specific purifications. Further assays were incorporated to conclude the role of mTORC1 in mRNA decapping via Edc4. Edc4 was identified as a new interacting protein with mTORC1 in both the endogenous and myc-tag raptor component mTORC1 specific purifications. Quantitative co-localization using confocal microscopy demonstrated that raptor component of mTORC1 coexists with Edc4 in processing (P) bodies, a site for mRNA degradation. Incubation of cells with rapamycin, a known inhibitor of mTOR kinase activity, increased the total Edc4 protein expression but at the same time decreased the Edc4 interaction with mTORC1. Moreover, rapamycin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in total serine phosphorylated Edc4 protein signal and the total 5'-capped mRNA. These findings provide the first evidence for the pivotal role of mTORC1 in Edc4 regulation. Further in-depth studies are required to get a complete understanding of molecular crosstalk between mTORC1 signaling and mRNA decapping pathway. peerReviewed

Human gastrointestinal tract is covered by a monolayer of specialized epithelial cells that constitute a protective barrier surface to external toxic and infectious agents along with metabolic and digestive functions. Intercellular junctions, among epithelial cells, such as desmosomes, adherens, gap, and tight junctions (TJs), not only provide mechanical integrity but also limit movement of molecules across the monolayer. TJ is a complex structure composed of approximately 35 different proteins that interact with each other at the apical side of two adjacent epithelial cells. Claudin family proteins are important members of TJ with so far 24 known isoforms in different species. Claudins are structural proteins of TJ that help to control the paracellular movement by forming fence and barrier across the epithelial monolayer. Altered function of claudins is implicated in different form of cancers, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), and leaky diarrhea. Based on their significant role in the molecular architecture of TJ, diversity, and disease association, further understanding about claudin family proteins and their genetic/epigenetic regulators is indispensable.

Advances in Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry: 5th Symposium of the Gottingen Proteomics Forum Mass Spectrometry with Spatial Resolution: MALDI-Imaging and Laser Capture Microscopy Gottingen, Germany, 22 November 2012 MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) combines the speed and molecular specificity of MALDI-MS detection with information on spatial organization. In the last years, MSI found large application in proteomics research for determining the spatial distribution of compounds in biological tissues and started to draw increasing interest in clinical research. To shed light on the new developments in the field of MSI, the Gottingen Proteomics Forum organized a symposium that was held in Gottingen as part of the series of regular symposia organized by the members of the Gottingen Proteomics Forum. The symposium was on 22 November 2012, with more than 80 delegates that attended the event entitled 'Mass spectrometry with spatial resolution: MALDI-imaging and laser capture microscopy'. The one-day agenda consisted of nine oral presentations from renowned experts in the field with subsequent discussion sessions. As usual, the meeting was fruitful and offered a good platform for discussion between the delegates and proteomics specialists.

Background Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is widely used as a post transplantation medicine to prevent acute organ rejection. In the present study we used proteomics approach to identify proteome alterations in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) after treatment with therapeutic dose of MPA. Following 72 hours MPA treatment, total protein lysates were prepared, resolved by two dimensional gel electrophoresis and differentially expressed proteins were identified by QTOF-MS/MS analysis. Expressional regulations of selected proteins were further validated by real time PCR and Western blotting. Results The proliferation assay demonstrated that therapeutic MPA concentration causes a dose dependent inhibition of HEK-293 cell proliferation. A significant apoptosis was observed after MPA treatment, as revealed by caspase 3 activity. Proteome analysis showed a total of 12 protein spots exhibiting differential expression after incubation with MPA, of which 7 proteins (complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein, electron transfer flavoprotein subunit beta, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit, peroxiredoxin 1, thioredoxin domain-containing protein 12, myosin regulatory light chain 2, and profilin 1) showed significant increase in their expression. The expression of 5 proteins (protein SET, stathmin, 40S ribosomal protein S12, histone H2B type 1 A, and histone H2B type 1-C/E/F/G/I) were down-regulated. MPA mainly altered the proteins associated with the cytoskeleton (26%), chromatin structure/dynamics (17%) and energy production/conversion (17%). Both real time PCR and Western blotting confirmed the regulation of myosin regulatory light chain 2 and peroxiredoxin 1 by MPA treatment. Furthermore, HT-29 cells treated with MPA and total kidney cell lysate from MMF treated rats showed similar increased expression of myosin regulatory light chain 2. Conclusion The emerging use of MPA in diverse pathophysiological conditions demands in-depth studies to understand molecular basis of its therapeutic response. The present study identifies the myosin regulatory light chain 2 and peroxiredoxin 1 along with 10 other proteins showing significant regulation by MPA. Further characterization of these proteins may help to understand the diverse cellular effects of MPA in addition to its immunosuppressive activity.

Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, a fatal neurodegenerative disease of childhood, is caused by mutations in the TPP1 gene that encodes tripeptidyl-peptidase I. We show that purified TPP1 requires at least partial glycosylation for in vitro autoprocessing and proteolytic activity. We crystallized the fully glycosylated TPP1 precursor under conditions that implied partial autocatalytic cleavage between the prosegment and the catalytic domain. X-ray crystallographic analysis at 2.35 angstroms resolution reveals a globular structure with a subtilisin-like fold, a Ser475-Glu272-Asp360 catalytic triad, and an octahedrally coordinated Ca2+-binding site that are characteristic features of the S53 sedolisin family of peptidases. In contrast to other S53 peptidases, the TPP1 structure revealed steric constraints on the P4 substrate pocket explaining its preferential cleavage of tripeptides from the unsubstituted N terminus of proteins. Two alternative conformations of the catalytic Asp276 are associated with the activation status of TPP1. 28 disease-causing missense mutations are analyzed in the light of the TPP1 structure providing insight into the molecular basis of late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.