Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 56 in total

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  1. Wide-field time-gated photoluminescence microscopy for fast ultrahigh-sensitivity imaging of photoluminescent probes
    Razali WA, Sreenivasan VK, Bradac C, Connor M, Goldys EM, Zvyagin AV
    J Biophotonics, 2016 08;9(8):848-58.
    PMID: 27264934 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201600050
    Fluorescence microscopy is a fundamental technique for the life sciences, where biocompatible and photostable photoluminescence probes in combination with fast and sensitive imaging systems are continually transforming this field. A wide-field time-gated photoluminescence microscopy system customised for ultrasensitive imaging of unique nanoruby probes with long photoluminescence lifetime is described. The detection sensitivity derived from the long photoluminescence lifetime of the nanoruby makes it possible to discriminate signals from unwanted autofluorescence background and laser backscatter by employing a time-gated image acquisition mode. This mode enabled several-fold improvement of the photoluminescence imaging contrast of discrete nanorubies dispersed on a coverslip. It enabled recovery of the photoluminescence signal emanating from discrete nanorubies when covered by a layer of an organic fluorescent dye, which were otherwise invisible without the use of spectral filtering approaches. Time-gated imaging also facilitated high sensitivity detection of nanorubies in a biological environment of cultured cells. Finally, we monitor the binding kinetics of nanorubies to a functionalised substrate, which exemplified a real-time assay in biological fluids. 3D-pseudo colour images of nanorubies immersed in a highly fluorescent dye solution. Nanoruby photoluminescence is subdued by that of the dye in continuous excitation/imaging (left), however it can be recovered by time-gated imaging (right). At the bottom is schematic diagram of nanoruby assay in a biological fluid.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence*
  2. Fulltext Osteoblasts growth behaviour on bio-based calcium carbonate aragonite nanocrystal
    Shafiu Kamba A, Zakaria ZA
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:215097.
    PMID: 24734228 DOI: 10.1155/2014/215097
    Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocrystals derived from cockle shells emerge to present a good concert in bone tissue engineering because of their potential to mimic the composition, structure, and properties of native bone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological response of CaCO3 nanocrystals on hFOB 1.19 and MC3T3 E-1 osteoblast cells in vitro. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed by MTT and BrdU assays, and LDH was measured to determine the effect of CaCO3 nanocrystals on cell membrane integrity. Cellular morphology was examined by SEM and fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that CaCO3 nanocrystals had no toxic effects to some extent. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and protein synthesis were enhanced by the nanocrystals when compared to the control. Cellular interactions were improved, as indicated by SEM and fluorescent microscopy. The production of VEGF and TGF-1 was also affected by the CaCO3 nanocrystals. Therefore, bio-based CaCO3 nanocrystals were shown to stimulate osteoblast differentiation and improve the osteointegration process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  3. Newcastle disease virus infection promotes Bax redistribution to mitochondria and cell death in HeLa cells
    Molouki A, Hsu YT, Jahanshiri F, Rosli R, Yusoff K
    Intervirology, 2010;53(2):87-94.
    PMID: 19955813 DOI: 10.1159/000264198
    Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus that has gained a lot of interest in cancer viro-therapeutic applications because of its ability to selectively induce apoptosis in human cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanisms by which NDV induces apoptosis in human cancer cells are still not entirely understood.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  4. Fulltext Surface display of glycosylated Tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2) tumour antigen on Lactococcus lactis
    Kalyanasundram J, Chia SL, Song AA, Raha AR, Young HA, Yusoff K
    BMC Biotechnol, 2015;15:113.
    PMID: 26715153 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-015-0231-z
    The exploitation of the surface display system of food and commensal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for bacterial, viral, or protozoan antigen delivery has received strong interest recently. The Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status of the Lactococcus lactis coupled with a non-recombinant strategy of in-trans surface display, provide a safe platform for therapeutic drug and vaccine development. However, production of therapeutic proteins fused with cell-wall anchoring motifs is predominantly limited to prokaryotic expression systems. This presents a major disadvantage in the surface display system particularly when glycosylation has been recently identified to significantly enhance epitope presentation. In this study, the glycosylated murine Tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2) with the ability to anchor onto the L. lactis cell wall was produced in suspension adapted Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO-S) cells by expressing TRP-2 fused with cell wall anchoring LysM motif (cA) at the C-terminus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  5. Isolation, identification and characterization of chicken anaemia virus in Malaysia
    Chowdhury SM, Omar AR, Aini I, Hair-Bejo M, Jamaluddin AA, Kono Y, et al.
    J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. Biophys., 2002 Aug;6(4):249-55.
    PMID: 12186740
    A study was conducted to isolate and identify chicken anaemia virus (CAV) from field samples of clinically infected broiler chickens in Malaysia. A total of 125 samples were collected from chickens aged 2-6 weeks with clinically depressed and retarded growth, of which five samples were found positive to CAV directly by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Later, five isolates of CAV from the respective five PCR positive samples were isolated in MDCC-MSB1 cells at passage 4 based on cytopathic effects, PCR and indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The isolates were identified as BL-1, BL-2, BL-3, BL-4 and BL-5. These CAV isolates were found to resist treatment with chloroform and heat at 37 degrees C for 2 h, 56 degrees C for 30 min and 70 degrees C for 5 min. One of the isolates, BL-5 produced significant reduction (p < 0.001) of hematocrit values (9-19%), pale bone marrow, thymus atrophy and haemorrhages in skin/muscle when inoculated into 1-day old SPF chickens. Restriction enzyme digestion of 926 bp genomic fragments of all the isolates including Cux-1 isolate with HindIII exhibited a similar pattern of bands in 2% agarose gel. The present findings confirmed the presence of CAV in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  6. In Vitro Investigation of Influences of Chitosan Nanoparticles on Fluorescein Permeation into Alveolar Macrophages
    Chachuli SH, Nawaz A, Shah K, Naharudin I, Wong TW
    Pharm Res, 2016 06;33(6):1497-508.
    PMID: 26951565 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-016-1893-5
    PURPOSE: Pulmonary infection namely tuberculosis is characterized by alveolar macrophages harboring a large microbe population. The chitosan nanoparticles exhibit fast extracellular drug release in aqueous biological milieu. This study investigated the matrix effects of chitosan nanoparticles on extracellular drug diffusion into macrophages.

    METHODS: Oligo, low, medium and high molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by nanospray drying technique. These nanoparticles were incubated with alveolar macrophages in vitro and had model drug sodium fluorescein added into the same cell culture. The diffusion characteristics of sodium fluorescein and nanoparticle behavior were investigated using fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques.

    RESULTS: The oligochitosan nanoparticles enabled macrophage membrane fluidization with the extent of sodium fluorescein entry into macrophages being directly governed by the nanoparticle loading. Using nanoparticles made of higher molecular weight chitosan, sodium fluorescein permeation into macrophages was delayed due to viscous chitosan diffusion barrier at membrane boundary.

    CONCLUSION: Macrophage-chitosan nanoparticle interaction at membrane interface dictates drug migration into cellular domains.

    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  7. Fulltext Co-visualization of DNA damage and ion traversals in live mammalian cells using a fluorescent nuclear track detector
    Kodaira S, Konishi T, Kobayashi A, Maeda T, Ahmad TA, Yang G, et al.
    J Radiat Res, 2015 Mar;56(2):360-5.
    PMID: 25324538 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rru091
    The geometric locations of ion traversals in mammalian cells constitute important information in the study of heavy ion-induced biological effect. Single ion traversal through a cellular nucleus produces complex and massive DNA damage at a nanometer level, leading to cell inactivation, mutations and transformation. We present a novel approach that uses a fluorescent nuclear track detector (FNTD) for the simultaneous detection of the geometrical images of ion traversals and DNA damage in single cells using confocal microscopy. HT1080 or HT1080-53BP1-GFP cells were cultured on the surface of a FNTD and exposed to 5.1-MeV/n neon ions. The positions of the ion traversals were obtained as fluorescent images of a FNTD. Localized DNA damage in cells was identified as fluorescent spots of γ-H2AX or 53BP1-GFP. These track images and images of damaged DNA were obtained in a short time using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The geometrical distribution of DNA damage indicated by fluorescent γ-H2AX spots in fixed cells or fluorescent 53BP1-GFP spots in living cells was found to correlate well with the distribution of the ion traversals. This method will be useful for evaluating the number of ion hits on individual cells, not only for micro-beam but also for random-beam experiments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence/instrumentation*
  8. Bioencapsulation and Colonization Characteristics of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS in Artemia franciscana: a Biological Approach for the Control of Edwardsiellosis in Larviculture
    Loh JY, Kay GL, Ting ASY
    Mar Biotechnol (NY), 2018 Jun;20(3):353-362.
    PMID: 29654379 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-018-9813-9
    Predominance of beneficial bacteria helps to establish a healthy microbiota in fish gastrointestinal system and thus to reduce emerging pathogen. In this study, the colonization efficacy of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS in Artemia franciscana and its potential as a probiotic in suppressing Edwardsiella sp. infection were investigated in vivo. The colonization extent of the bioencapsulated L. lactis was established through visualization of gfp gene-transformed L. lactis in A. franciscana. Here, we demonstrate that when A. franciscana is administrated with L. lactis at 108 CFU mL-1 for 8 h, the highest relative percentage of survival (RPS = 50.0) is observed after inoculation with Edwardsiella sp. The total counts of L. lactis entrapped in Artemia were the highest (ranged from 3.2 to 5.1 × 108 CFU mL-1), when 108-109 CFU mL-1 of L. lactis was used as starting inoculum, with the bioencapsulation performed within 8-24 h. Fluorescent microscopy showed gfp-transformed L. lactis colonized the external trunk surfaces, mid-gut and locomotion antennules of the A. franciscana nauplii. These illustrations elucidate the efficiency of colonization of L. lactis in the gastrointestinal tract and on the body surfaces of Artemia. In conclusion, L. lactis subsp. lactis CF4MRS shows a good efficacy of colonization in Artemia and has the potential for biocontrol/probiotic activity against Edwardsiella sp. infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  9. Fulltext Single-step purification of the recombinant green fluorescent protein from intact Escherichia coli cells using preparative PAGE
    Chew FN, Tan WS, Ling TC, Tey BT
    Electrophoresis, 2009 Sep;30(17):3017-3023.
    PMID: 19685471 DOI: 10.1002/elps.200900246
    Mechanical and non-mechanical breakages of bacterial cells are usually the preliminary steps in intracellular protein purification. In this study, the recombinant green fluorescent protein (GFP) was purified from intact Escherichia coli cells using preparative PAGE. In this purification process, cells disruption step is not needed. The cellular content of E. coli was drifted out electrically from cells and the negatively charged GFP was further electroeluted from polyacrylamide gel column. SEM investigation of the electrophoresed cells revealed substantial structural damage at the cellular level. This integrated purification technique has successfully recovered the intracellular GFP with a yield of 82% and purity of 95%.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  10. Fulltext Cloning and mutagenetic modification of the firefly luciferase gene and its use for bioluminescence microscopy of engrailed expression during Drosophila metamorphosis
    Ogoh K, Akiyoshi R, Suzuki H
    Biochem Biophys Rep, 2020 Sep;23:100771.
    PMID: 32490216 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100771
    Bioluminescence microscopy is an area attracting considerable interest in the field of cell biology because it offers several advantages over fluorescence microscopy, including no requirement for excitation light and being phototoxicity free. This method requires brighter luciferase for imaging; however, suitable genetic resource material for this purpose is not available at present. To achieve brighter bioluminescence microscopy, we developed a new firefly luciferase. Using the brighter luciferase, a reporter strain of Drosophila Gal4-UAS (Upstream Activating Sequence) system was constructed. This system demonstrated the expression pattern of engrailed, which is a segment polarity gene, during Drosophila metamorphosis by bioluminescence microscopy, and revealed drastic spatiotemporal change in the engrailed expression pattern during head eversion in the early stage of pupation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  11. Andrographolide inhibits growth of acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells by inducing retinoic acid receptor-independent cell differentiation and apoptosis
    Manikam SD, Manikam ST, Stanslas J
    J Pharm Pharmacol, 2009 Jan;61(1):69-78.
    PMID: 19126299 DOI: 10.1211/jpp/61.01.0010
    The growth inhibiting potential of andrographolide was evaluated in three acute promyelocytic leukaemia cell line models (HL-60, NB4 and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant NB4-R2).
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  12. Clathrin-mediated endocytic uptake of PUFA enriched self-nanoemulsifying lipidic systems (SNELS) of an anticancer drug against triple negative cancer and DMBA induced preclinical tumor model
    Khurana RK, Kumar R, Gaspar BL, Welsby G, Welsby P, Kesharwani P, et al.
    Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2018 Oct 01;91:645-658.
    PMID: 30033299 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.05.010
    The current studies envisage unravelling the underlying cellular internalisation mechanism of the systematically developed docetaxel (DTH) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) enriched self-nanoemulsifying lipidic micellar systems (SNELS). The concentration-, time- and cytotoxicity-related effects of DTH-SNELS on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and non-TNBC MCF-7 cell lines were assessed through Presto-blue assay. Subsequently, rhodamine-123 (Rh-123) loaded SNELS were employed for evaluating their internalisation through flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, establishing it to be "clathrin-mediated" endocytic pathway. Apoptosis assay (65% cell death) and cell cycle distribution (47% inhibition at G2/M phase) further corroborated the cytotoxicity of DTH-SNELS towards cancerous cells. Biodistribution, histopathology and haematology studies indicated insignificant toxicity of the optimized formulation on vital organs. Preclinical anticancer efficacy studies using 7,12-dimethylbenzantracene (DMBA)-induced model construed significant reduction in breast tumor-volume. Overall, extensive in vitro and in vivo studies indicated the intracellular localization and cytotoxicity, suggesting DTH-SNELS as promising delivery systems for breast tumor therapeutics including TNBC.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  13. Swietenia macrophylla extract promotes the ability of Caenorhabditis elegans to survive Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
    Dharmalingam K, Tan BK, Mahmud MZ, Sedek SA, Majid MI, Kuah MK, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2012 Jan 31;139(2):657-63.
    PMID: 22193176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.016
    Swietenia macrophylla or commonly known as big leaf mahogany, has been traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  14. Fulltext Effects of Paclitaxel on Plasma Membrane Microviscosity and Lipid Composition in Cancer Cells
    Shimolina L, Gulin A, Khlynova A, Ignatova N, Druzhkova I, Gubina M, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Jul 29;24(15).
    PMID: 37569560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512186
    The cell membrane is an important regulator for the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. However, the biochemical and biophysical effects that occur in the membrane under the action of chemotherapy drugs are not fully described. In the present study, changes in the microviscosity of membranes of living HeLa-Kyoto tumor cells were studied during chemotherapy with paclitaxel, a widely used antimicrotubule agent. To visualize the microviscosity of the membranes, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with a BODIPY 2 fluorescent molecular rotor was used. The lipid profile of the membranes was assessed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry ToF-SIMS. A significant, steady-state decrease in the microviscosity of membranes, both in cell monolayers and in tumor spheroids, was revealed after the treatment. Mass spectrometry showed an increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content in treated cell membranes, which may explain, at least partially, their low microviscosity. These results indicate the involvement of membrane microviscosity in the response of tumor cells to paclitaxel treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  15. Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling by EGF downregulates membranous E-cadherin and β-catenin and enhances invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
    Yip WK, Seow HF
    Cancer Lett, 2012 May 28;318(2):162-72.
    PMID: 22182447 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.12.018
    Dysregulation of E-cadherin and β-catenin function in cell-cell adhesion is common in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and correlates with metastatic disease. In this study, we examined the role of EGF-activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling in E-cadherin and β-catenin regulation. We found that reduced membranous E-cadherin and β-catenin expression was positively correlated with Akt phosphorylation in NPC tissues. EGF treatment disrupted cell-cell adhesion and resulted in mesenchymal morphological features in NPC cell lines (TW01, TW04, and TW06). Western blot analysis showed that the E-cadherin protein level was partially reduced in TW04 cells only and the β-catenin levels were not considerably affected upon EGF treatment. In contrast, quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that the E-cadherin, but not β-catenin, mRNA levels were markedly reduced by EGF in all cell lines. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that E-cadherin and β-catenin appeared to be markedly reduced on the cell surface and more localized in the cytoplasm. Inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 did not abolish the EGF-induced downregulation of E-cadherin protein or mRNA in TW04 cells but moderately increased the β-catenin protein level in TW01 cells and mRNA level in TW06 cells. However, LY294002 substantially restored or increased cell surface E-cadherin and β-catenin in all EGF-treated cell lines, in concordance with the inhibition of cell morphological changes. Moreover, LY294002 significantly blocked EGF-driven cell invasion, correlating with the elevation of membranous E-cadherin and β-catenin levels. In conclusion, EGF-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition may not be only dependent on downregulation of E-cadherin protein/mRNA but also on mislocalization of E-cadherin and β-catenin. The mechanisms involved may be related, at least in part, to the PI3K-Akt pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  16. Functional Validation of DownRegulated MicroRNAs in HeLa Cells Treated with Polyalthia longifolia Leaf Extract Using Different Microscopic Approaches: A Morphological Alteration-Based Validation
    Shanmugapriya, Vijayarathna S, Sasidharan S
    Microsc Microanal, 2019 10;25(5):1263-1272.
    PMID: 31383043 DOI: 10.1017/S1431927619014776
    Several microscopy methods have been developed to assess the morphological changes in cells in the investigations of the mode of cell death in response to a stimulus. Our recent finding on the treatment of the IC50 concentration (26.67 μg/mL) of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract indicated the induction of apoptotic cell death via the regulation of miRNA in HeLa cells. Hence, the current study was conducted to validate the function of these downregulated microRNAs in P. longifolia-treated HeLa cells using microscopic approaches. These include scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI)-based fluorescent microscopy techniques by observing the morphological alterations to cells after transfection with mimic miRNA. Interestingly, the morphological changes observed in this study demonstrated the apoptotic hallmarks, for instance, cell blebbing, cell shrinkage, cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation, vacuolization, cytoplasmic extrusion, and the formation of apoptotic bodies, which proved the role of dysregulated miRNAs in apoptotic HeLa cell death after treatment with the P. longifolia leaf extract. Conclusively, the current study proved the crucial role of downregulated miR-484 and miR-221-5p in the induction of apoptotic cell death in P. longifolia-treated HeLa cells using three approaches-SEM, TEM, and AO/PI-based fluorescent microscope.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence/methods
  17. Combinatorial effect of genistein and female sex-steroids on uterine fluid volume and secretion rate and aquaporin (AQP)-1, 2, 5, and 7 expression in the uterus in rats
    Chinigarzadeh A, Muniandy S, Salleh N
    Environ Toxicol, 2017 Mar;32(3):832-844.
    PMID: 27235753 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22283
    We hypothesized that genistein can interfere with the regulation of uterine fluid volume, secretion rate and expression of aquaporin in the uterus by female sex-steroids, i.e., estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate changes in these parameters in the presence of genistein and female sex-steroids.

    METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and received 3-days estradiol-17β benzoate (E2) plus genistein (25, 50, or 100 mg kg(-1)  day(-1) ) or 3-days E2 followed by 3-days E2 plus progesterone with genistein (25, 50, or 100 mg kg(-1)  day(-1) ). A day after last treatment, uterine fluid secretion rate was determined by in vivo uterine perfusion with rats under anesthesia. Animals were sacrificed and uteri were harvested and subjected for histological analyses. Luminal/outer uterine circumference was determined and distribution of AQP-1, 2, 5, and 7 in endometrium was visualized by immunofluorescence. Expression of AQP-1, 2, 5, and 7 proteins and mRNAs were determined by Western blotting and Real-time PCR respectively.

    RESULTS: Combined treatment of E2 with high dose genistein (50 and 100 mg kg(-1)  day(-1) ) resulted in significant decrease in uterine fluid volume, secretion rate and expression of AQP-1, 2, 5, and 7 proteins and mRNAs in uterus (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  18. Effects of testosterone on mean arterial pressure and aquaporin (AQP)-1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 expressions in the kidney of orchidectomized, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats
    Loh SY, Giribabu N, Gholami K, Salleh N
    Arch Biochem Biophys, 2017 Jan 15;614:41-49.
    PMID: 28024836 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2016.12.008
    We hypothesized that higher blood pressure in males than females could be due to testosterone effects on aquaporin (AQP) expression in kidneys.

    METHODS: Orchidectomized adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received seven days subcutaneous testosterone treatment (125 μg/kg/day or 250 μg/kg/day), with or without flutamide or finasteride. Following completion of treatment, MAP was determined in rats under anaesthesia via carotid artery cannulation. In another cohort of rats, kidneys were removed following sacrifice and AQP-1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 protein and mRNA levels were determined by Western blotting and Real-time PCR respectively. Distribution of AQP subunits' protein in the nephrons were visualized by immunofluorescence.

    RESULTS: Testosterone caused MAP, AQP-1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 protein and mRNA levels in kidneys to increase while AQP-3 protein and mRNA levels in kidneys to decrease (p 

    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  19. Fulltext The molecular mechanism of the anticancer effect of Artonin E in MDA-MB 231 triple negative breast cancer cells
    Etti IC, Abdullah R, Kadir A, Hashim NM, Yeap SK, Imam MU, et al.
    PLoS One, 2017;12(8):e0182357.
    PMID: 28771532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182357
    Nature has provided us with a wide spectrum of disease healing phytochemicals like Artonin E, obtained from the root bark of Artocarpus elasticus. This molecule had been predicted to be drug-like, possessing unique medicinal properties. Despite strides made in chemotherapy, prognosis of the heterogenous aggressive triple negative breast cancer is still poor. This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of Artonin E, a prenylated flavonoid on MDA-MB 231 triple negative breast cancer cell, with a view of mitigating the hallmarks displayed by these tumors. The anti-proliferative effect, mode of cell death and the mechanism of apoptosis induction were investigated. Artonin E, was seen to effectively relinquish MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells of their apoptosis evading capacity, causing a half-maximal growth inhibition at low concentrations (14.3, 13.9 and 9.8 μM) after the tested time points (24, 48 and 72 hours), respectively. The mode of cell death was observed to be apoptosis with defined characteristics. Artonin E was seen to induce the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic caspases initiators of apoptosis. It also enhanced the release of total reactive oxygen species which polarized the mitochondrial membrane, compounding the release of cytochrome c. Gene expression studies revealed the upregulation of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand and proapoptotic genes with down regulation of anti-apoptotic genes and proteins. A G2/M cell cycle arrest was also observed and was attributed to the observed upregulation of p21 independent of the p53 status. Interestingly, livin, a new member of the inhibitors of apoptosis was confirmed to be significantly repressed. In all, Artonin E showed the potential as a promising candidate to combat the aggressive triple negative breast cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
  20. Cell Wall-Treated Lactococcus lactis Increases the Plasmid Transfer Efficiency of Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Incorporated Lactococcal Bicistronic Vector into DF1 Cells
    Mat Isa N, Abdul Mutalib NE, Alitheen NB, Song AA, Rahim RA
    J. Mol. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2017;27(4):246-251.
    PMID: 29055951 DOI: 10.1159/000481257
    This study demonstrates that cell wall treatment of Lactococcus lactis harbouring the internal ribosome entry site-incorporated lactococcal bicistronic vector pNZ:VIG mediated the delivery of genes into an eukaryotic cell line, DF1 cells, through bactofection. Bactofection analysis showed that the pNZ:VIG plasmid in L. lactis can be transferred into DF1 cells and that both the VP2 and gfp genes cloned in the plasmid can be transcribed and translated. The protein band relative to the Mr of VP2 protein (49 kDa) was successfully detected via Western blot analysis, while green fluorescence was successfully detected using a fluorescence microscope. The intensity of the bands detected increased for samples treated with both 1.5% (w/v) glycine and 10 μg/mL of lysozyme when compared to L. lactis treated with glycine alone and without treatment. Cell wall treatment of L. lactis with a combination of both glycine and lysozyme was not only shown to mediate plasmid transfer to DF1 cells, but also to increase the plasmid transfer efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Microscopy, Fluorescence
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