Displaying publications 1281 - 1300 of 1902 in total

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  1. Fulltext MPA alters metabolic phenotype of endometrial cancer-associated fibroblasts from obese women via IRS2 signaling
    Omar IS, Abd Jamil AH, Mat Adenan NA, Chung I
    PLoS One, 2022;17(7):e0270830.
    PMID: 35816477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270830
    Obese women have a higher risk of developing endometrial cancer (EC) than lean women. Besides affecting EC progression, obesity also affects sensitivity of patients to treatment including medroxprogesterone acetate (MPA). Obese women have a lower response to MPA with an increased risk for tumor recurrence. While MPA inhibits the growth of normal fibroblasts, human endometrial cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were reported to be less responsive to MPA. However, it is still unknown how CAFs from obese women respond to progesterone. CAFs from the EC tissues of obese (CO) and non-obese (CN) women were established as primary cell models. MPA increased cell proliferation and downregulated stromal differentiation genes, including BMP2 in CO than in CN. Induction of IRS2 (a BMP2 regulator) mRNA expression by MPA led to activation of glucose metabolism in CO, with evidence of greater mRNA levels of GLUT6, GAPDH, PKM2, LDHA, and increased in GAPDH enzymatic activity. Concomitantly, MPA increased the mRNA expression of a fatty acid transporter, CD36 and lipid droplet formation in CO. MPA-mediated increase in glucose metabolism genes in CO was reversed with a progesterone receptor inhibitor, mifepristone (RU486), leading to a decreased proliferation. Our data suggests that PR signaling is aberrantly activated by MPA in CAFs isolated from endometrial tissues of obese women, leading to activation of IRS2 and glucose metabolism, which may lead to lower response and sensitivity to progesterone in obese women.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics
  2. Antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus spp. isolated from fermented foods and their inhibitory effect against foodborne pathogens
    Hussein AO, Khalil K, Mohd Zaini NA, Al Atya AK, Aqma WS
    PeerJ, 2025;13:e18541.
    PMID: 39790459 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18541
    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), known for their health benefits, exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. This study investigated the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Lactobacillus spp., particularly L. plantarum KR3, against the common foodborne pathogens S. aureus, E. coli and Salmonella spp. Lactobacillus strains were isolated from cheese, pickles and yoghurt. They were then identified by morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Culture supernatants from seven lactobacilli isolates showed varying inhibitory activities. Notably, L. plantarum KR3 and L. pentosus had the highest bacteriocin gene counts. L. plantarum KR3 CFS demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 20 ± 0.34 mm for S. aureus, 23 ± 1.64 mm for E. coli, and 17.1 ± 1.70 mm for Salmonella spp. The CFS also exhibited substantial antibiofilm activity, with 59.12 ± 0.03% against S. aureus, 83.50 ± 0.01% against E. coli, and 60. ± 0.04% against Salmonella spp., which were enhanced at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). These results highlighted the potential of L. plantarum KR3 in antimicrobial applications, however, further research is needed to evaluate its viability and functional properties for probiotic use. Additionally, the CFS demonstrated exceptional thermal stability, reinforcing its promise as an antimicrobial agent.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
  3. First report of Haemaphysalis bispinosa, molecular-geographic relationships of Ixodes granulatus and a new Dermacentor species from Vietnam
    Hornok S, Kontschán J, Keve G, Takács N, Van Nguyen D, Ho KNP, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2025 Jan 23;18(1):21.
    PMID: 39849649 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06641-7
    BACKGROUND: Vietnam and its region are regarded as an ixodid tick biodiversity hotspot for at least two genera: Haemaphysalis and Dermacentor. To contribute to our knowledge on the tick fauna of this country, ticks from these two genera as well as an Ixodes species were analyzed morphologically and their molecular-phylogenetic relationships were examined in taxonomic and geographical contexts.

    METHODS: For this study, seven Haemaphysalis sp. ticks were removed from dogs and collected from the vegetation. These showed morphological differences from congeneric species known to occur in Vietnam. In addition, three Ixodes sp. ticks were collected from pygmy slow lorises (Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus), and a Dermacentor female had been previously collected from the vegetation. After DNA extraction, these were molecularly or phylogenetically analyzed based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) and 16S rRNA genes.

    RESULTS: The three species were morphologically identified as (i) Ixodes granulatus, which had nearly or exactly 100% sequence identities to conspecific ticks reported from large (approximately 2000 km) geographical distances but was more different (having lower, only 94.2% cox1 and 96.7% 16S rRNA sequence identity) from samples collected within 1000 km of Vietnam in Southern China and Malaysia, respectively; (ii) Haemaphysalis bispinosa, which showed 100% sequence identity to samples reported within both narrow and broad geographical ranges; and (iii) a new species, Dermacentor pseudotamokensis Hornok sp. nov., described here morphologically and shown to be phylogenetically a sister species to Dermacentor tamokensis.

    CONCLUSIONS: Haemaphysalis bispinosa shows genetic homogeneity in the whole of South and Southeast Asia, probably owing to its frequent association with domestic ruminants and dogs (i.e. frequently transported hosts). However, I. granulatus, the Asian rodent tick, has a mixed geographical pattern of haplotypes, probably because it may associate with either synanthropic or wild-living rodents as primary hosts. This tick species is recorded here, for the first time to our knowledge, as parasitizing lorises in Vietnam and its region. Based on phylogenetic analyses, D. pseudotamokensis Hornok sp. nov., recognized and described here for the first time, was almost certainly misidentified previously as Dermacentor steini, drawing attention to the need to barcode all Dermacentor spp. in Southern Asia.

    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
  4. Fulltext Impact of logging and forest conversion to oil palm plantations on soil bacterial communities in Borneo
    Lee-Cruz L, Edwards DP, Tripathi BM, Adams JM
    Appl Environ Microbiol, 2013 Dec;79(23):7290-7.
    PMID: 24056463 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02541-13
    Tropical forests are being rapidly altered by logging and cleared for agriculture. Understanding the effects of these land use changes on soil bacteria, which constitute a large proportion of total biodiversity and perform important ecosystem functions, is a major conservation frontier. Here we studied the effects of logging history and forest conversion to oil palm plantations in Sabah, Borneo, on the soil bacterial community. We used paired-end Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, V3 region, to compare the bacterial communities in primary, once-logged, and twice-logged forest and land converted to oil palm plantations. Bacteria were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the 97% similarity level, and OTU richness and local-scale α-diversity showed no difference between the various forest types and oil palm plantations. Focusing on the turnover of bacteria across space, true β-diversity was higher in oil palm plantation soil than in forest soil, whereas community dissimilarity-based metrics of β-diversity were only marginally different between habitats, suggesting that at large scales, oil palm plantation soil could have higher overall γ-diversity than forest soil, driven by a slightly more heterogeneous community across space. Clearance of primary and logged forest for oil palm plantations did, however, significantly impact the composition of soil bacterial communities, reflecting in part the loss of some forest bacteria, whereas primary and logged forests did not differ in composition. Overall, our results suggest that the soil bacteria of tropical forest are to some extent resilient or resistant to logging but that the impacts of forest conversion to oil palm plantations are more severe.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
  5. Identification of lactic acid bacteria from chili bo, a Malaysian food ingredient
    Leisner JJ, Pot B, Christensen H, Rusul G, Olsen JE, Wee BW, et al.
    Appl Environ Microbiol, 1999 Feb;65(2):599-605.
    PMID: 9925588
    Ninety-two strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from a Malaysian food ingredient, chili bo, stored for up to 25 days at 28 degreesC with no benzoic acid (product A) or with 7,000 mg of benzoic acid kg-1 (product B). The strains were divided into eight groups by traditional phenotypic tests. A total of 43 strains were selected for comparison of their sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) whole-cell protein patterns with a SDS-PAGE database of LAB. Isolates from product A were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus farciminis, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecalis, and Weissella confusa. Five strains belonging to clusters which could not be allocated to existing species by SDS-PAGE were further identified by 16S rRNA sequence comparison. One strain was distantly related to the Lactobacillus casei/Pediococcus group. Two strains were related to Weissella at the genus or species level. Two other strains did not belong to any previously described 16S rRNA group of LAB and occupied an intermediate position between the L. casei/Pediococcus group and the Weissella group and species of Carnobacterium. The latter two strains belong to the cluster of LAB that predominated in product B. The incidence of new species and subspecies of LAB in chili bo indicate the high probability of isolation of new LAB from certain Southeast Asian foods. None of the isolates exhibited bacteriocin activity against L. plantarum ATCC 14917 and LMG 17682.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*
  6. Fulltext Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus nucleoprotein interacts with TREX complex adaptor protein Aly/REF
    Balasubramaniam VR, Hong Wai T, Ario Tejo B, Omar AR, Syed Hassan S
    PLoS One, 2013;8(9):e72429.
    PMID: 24073193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072429
    We constructed a novel chicken (Gallus gallus) lung cDNA library fused inside yeast acting domain vector (pGADT7). Using yeast two-hybrid screening with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) nucleoprotein (NP) from the strain (A/chicken/Malaysia/5858/2004(H5N1)) as bait, and the Gallus gallus lung cDNA library as prey, a novel interaction between the Gallus gallus cellular RNA export adaptor protein Aly/REF and the viral NP was identified. This interaction was confirmed and validated with mammalian two hybrid studies and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Cellular localization studies using confocal microscopy showed that NP and Aly/REF co-localize primarily in the nucleus. Further investigations by mammalian two hybrid studies into the binding of NP of other subtypes of influenza virus such as the swine A/New Jersey/1976/H1N1 and pandemic A/Malaysia/854/2009(H1N1) to human Aly/REF, also showed that the NP of these viruses interacts with human Aly/REF. Our findings are also supported by docking studies which showed tight and favorable binding between H5N1 NP and human Aly/REF, using crystal structures from Protein Data Bank. siRNA knockdown of Aly/REF had little effect on the export of HPAI NP and other viral RNA as it showed no significant reduction in virus titer. However, UAP56, another component of the TREX complex, which recruits Aly/REF to mRNA was found to interact even better with H5N1 NP through molecular docking studies. Both these proteins also co-localizes in the nucleus at early infection similar to Aly/REF. Intriguingly, knockdown of UAP56 in A549 infected cells shows significant reduction in viral titer (close to 10 fold reduction). Conclusively, our study have opened new avenues for research of other cellular RNA export adaptors crucial in aiding viral RNA export such as the SRSF3, 9G8 and ASF/SF2 that may play role in influenza virus RNA nucleocytoplasmic transport.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA-Binding Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
  7. Fulltext Interactions of noncanonical motifs with hnRNP A2 promote activity-dependent RNA transport in neurons
    Muslimov IA, Tuzhilin A, Tang TH, Wong RK, Bianchi R, Tiedge H
    J. Cell Biol., 2014 May 26;205(4):493-510.
    PMID: 24841565 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201310045
    A key determinant of neuronal functionality and plasticity is the targeted delivery of select ribonucleic acids (RNAs) to synaptodendritic sites of protein synthesis. In this paper, we ask how dendritic RNA transport can be regulated in a manner that is informed by the cell's activity status. We describe a molecular mechanism in which inducible interactions of noncanonical RNA motif structures with targeting factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 form the basis for activity-dependent dendritic RNA targeting. High-affinity interactions between hnRNP A2 and conditional GA-type RNA targeting motifs are critically dependent on elevated Ca(2+) levels in a narrow concentration range. Dendritic transport of messenger RNAs that carry such GA motifs is inducible by influx of Ca(2+) through voltage-dependent calcium channels upon β-adrenergic receptor activation. The combined data establish a functional correspondence between Ca(2+)-dependent RNA-protein interactions and activity-inducible RNA transport in dendrites. They also indicate a role of genomic retroposition in the phylogenetic development of RNA targeting competence.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism; RNA Transport/physiology*
  8. Transcript, methylation and molecular docking analyses of the effects of HDAC inhibitors, SAHA and Dacinostat, on SMN2 expression in fibroblasts of SMA patients
    Mohseni J, Al-Najjar BO, Wahab HA, Zabidi-Hussin ZA, Sasongko TH
    J Hum Genet, 2016 Sep;61(9):823-30.
    PMID: 27251006 DOI: 10.1038/jhg.2016.61
    Several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are known to increase Survival Motor Neuron 2 (SMN2) expression for the therapy of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We aimed to compare the effects of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and Dacinostat, a novel HDACi, on SMN2 expression and to elucidate their acetylation effects on the methylation of the SMN2. Cell-based assays using type I and type II SMA fibroblasts examined changes in transcript expressions, methylation levels and protein expressions. In silico methods analyzed the intermolecular interactions between each compound and HDAC2/HDAC7. SMN2 mRNA transcript levels and SMN protein levels showed notable increases in both cell types, except for Dacinostat exposure on type II cells. However, combined compound exposures showed less pronounced increase in SMN2 transcript and SMN protein level. Acetylation effects of SAHA and Dacinostat promoted demethylation of the SMN2 promoter. The in silico analyses revealed identical binding sites for both compounds in HDACs, which could explain the limited effects of the combined exposure. With the exception on the effect of Dacinostat in Type II cells, we have shown that SAHA and Dacinostat increased SMN2 transcript and protein levels and promoted demethylation of the SMN2 gene.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  9. Macrobrachium rosenbergii mannose binding lectin: synthesis of MrMBL-N20 and MrMBL-C16 peptides and their antimicrobial characterization, bioinformatics and relative gene expression analysis
    Arockiaraj J, Chaurasia MK, Kumaresan V, Palanisamy R, Harikrishnan R, Pasupuleti M, et al.
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2015 Apr;43(2):364-74.
    PMID: 25575476 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2014.12.036
    Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), an antimicrobial protein, is an important component of innate immune system which recognizes repetitive sugar groups on the surface of bacteria and viruses leading to activation of the complement system. In this study, we reported a complete molecular characterization of cDNA encoded for MBL from freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Mr). Two short peptides (MrMBL-N20: (20)AWNTYDYMKREHSLVKPYQG(39) and MrMBL-C16: (307)GGLFYVKHKEQQRKRF(322)) were synthesized from the MrMBL polypeptide. The purity of the MrMBL-N20 (89%) and MrMBL-C16 (93%) peptides were confirmed by MS analysis (MALDI-ToF). The purified peptides were used for further antimicrobial characterization including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, kinetics of bactericidal efficiency and analysis of hemolytic capacity. The peptides exhibited antimicrobial activity towards all the Gram-negative bacteria taken for analysis, whereas they showed the activity towards only a few selected Gram-positive bacteria. MrMBL-C16 peptides produced the highest inhibition towards both the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria compared to the MrMBL-N20. Both peptides do not produce any inhibition against Bacillus sps. The kinetics of bactericidal efficiency showed that the peptides drastically reduced the number of surviving bacterial colonies after 24 h incubation. The results of hemolytic activity showed that both peptides produced strong activity at higher concentration. However, MrMBL-C16 peptide produced the highest activity compared to the MrMBL-N20 peptide. Overall, the results indicated that the peptides can be used as bactericidal agents. The MrMBL protein sequence was characterized using various bioinformatics tools including phylogenetic analysis and structure prediction. We also reported the MrMBL gene expression pattern upon viral and bacterial infection in M. rosenbergii gills. It could be concluded that the prawn MBL may be one of the important molecule which is involved in antimicrobial mechanism. Moreover, MrMBL derived MrMBL-N20 and MrMBL-C16 peptides are important antimicrobial peptides for the recognition and eradication of viral and bacterial pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  10. Blood gene signature for early hepatocellular carcinoma detection in patients with chronic hepatitis B
    Omar H, Lim CR, Chao S, Lee MM, Bong CW, Ooi EJ, et al.
    J Clin Gastroenterol, 2015 Feb;49(2):150-7.
    PMID: 25569223 DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000000112
    Up to 25% of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a disease with poor prognosis unless detected early. This study identifies a blood-based RNA biomarker panel for early HCC detection in CHB.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Neoplasm/blood; RNA, Neoplasm/genetics*
  11. Fulltext Antiretroviral drug resistance and HIV-1 subtypes among treatment-naive prisoners in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Ariffin TA, Mohamad S, Yusuf WN, Shueb RH
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2014 Aug;8(8):1063-7.
    PMID: 25116676 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.4095
    INTRODUCTION: The widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and continuous reports of HIV-1 strains developing resistance to these drugs is rather alarming, as transmission of resistant viruses to newly infected persons is possible. This study aimed to determine HIV-1 subtypes and the prevalence of primary mutations associated with antiretroviral (ARV) resistance among treatment-naive prisoners on the east coast of Malaysia.
    METHODOLOGY: Viral RNA was extracted from plasma samples of 21 treatment-naive prisoners. Protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) regions were amplified and sequenced. Stanford HIV database algorithms were used for interpretation of resistance, and phylogenetic analysis was performed for subtype assignment.
    RESULTS: In the PR gene, no antiviral resistance-associated mutation was detected. For RT-associated mutations, K103N was the most prevalent in sequenced samples (14.3%). Genetic subtyping on the pol gene revealed that the majority of the prisoners were infected with subtype CRF33_01B (52.4%).
    CONCLUSION: Continuous surveillance of newly infected individuals is required to help strategize the best antiviral treatment for these patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Viral/genetics; RNA, Viral/isolation & purification
  12. Abuse potential and adverse cognitive effects of mitragynine (kratom)
    Yusoff NH, Suhaimi FW, Vadivelu RK, Hassan Z, Rümler A, Rotter A, et al.
    Addict Biol, 2016 Jan;21(1):98-110.
    PMID: 25262913 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12185
    Mitragynine is the major psychoactive alkaloid of the plant kratom/ketum. Kratom is widely used in Southeast Asia as a recreational drug, and increasingly appears as a pure compound or a component of 'herbal high' preparations in the Western world. While mitragynine/kratom may have analgesic, muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory effects, its addictive properties and effects on cognitive performance are unknown. We isolated mitragynine from the plant and performed a thorough investigation of its behavioural effects in rats and mice. Here we describe an addictive profile and cognitive impairments of acute and chronic mitragynine administration, which closely resembles that of morphine. Acute mitragynine has complex effects on locomotor activity. Repeated administration induces locomotor sensitization, anxiolysis and conditioned place preference, enhances expression of dopamine transporter- and dopamine receptor-regulating factor mRNA in the mesencephalon. While there was no increase in spontaneous locomotor activity during withdrawal, animals showed hypersensitivity towards small challenging doses for up to 14 days. Severe somatic withdrawal signs developed after 12 hours, and increased level of anxiety became evident after 24 hours of withdrawal. Acute mitragynine independently impaired passive avoidance learning, memory consolidation and retrieval, possibly mediated by a disruption of cortical oscillatory activity, including the suppression of low-frequency rhythms (delta and theta) in the electrocorticogram. Chronic mitragynine administration led to impaired passive avoidance and object recognition learning. Altogether, these findings provide evidence for an addiction potential with cognitive impairments for mitragynine, which suggest its classification as a harmful drug.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/drug effects*; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  13. Oral cancer secretome: identification of cancer-associated proteins
    Chang HY, Hor SY, Lim KP, Zain RB, Cheong SC, Rahman MA, et al.
    Electrophoresis, 2013 Aug;34(15):2199-208.
    PMID: 23712713 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201300126
    This study aims to identify cancer-associated proteins in the secretome of oral cancer cell lines. We have successfully established four primary cell cultures of normal cells with a limited lifespan without human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immortalization. The secretome of these primary cell cultures were compared with that of oral cancer cell lines using 2DE. Thirty five protein spots were found to have changed in abundance. Unambiguous identification of these proteins was achieved by MALDI TOF/TOF. In silico analysis predicted that 24 of these proteins were secreted via classical or nonclassical mechanisms. The mRNA expression of six genes was found to correlate with the corresponding protein abundance. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) core analysis revealed that the identified proteins were relevant in, and related to, cancer development with likely involvements in tumor growth, metastasis, hyperproliferation, tumorigenesis, neoplasia, hyperplasia, and cell transformation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a comparative study of the secretome of cancer versus normal cell lines can be used to identify cancer-associated proteins.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  14. Fulltext The modulation of PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 mRNA expression by ciglitazone in CD3/CD28-activated naïve and memory CD4+ T cells
    Norazmi MN, Mohamed R, Nurul AA, Yaacob NS
    Clin. Dev. Immunol., 2012;2012:849195.
    PMID: 22548115 DOI: 10.1155/2012/849195
    Given their roles in immune regulation, the expression of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) 1 and 2 isoforms was investigated in human naïve (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells. Stimulation of both types of cells via the CD3/CD28 pathway resulted in high expression of both PPARγ receptors as measured by real-time PCR. Treatment with the PPARγ agonist, ciglitazone, increased PPARγ1 expression but decreased PPARγ2 expression in stimulated naïve and memory cells. Furthermore, when present, the magnitude of both PPARγ receptors expression was lower in naïve cells, perhaps suggesting a lower regulatory control of these cells. Similar profiles of selected proinflammatory cytokines were expressed by the two cell types following stimulation. The induction of PPARγ1 and suppression of PPARγ2 expressions in naïve and memory CD4+ T cells in the presence of ciglitazone suggest that the PPARγ subtypes may have different roles in the regulation of T-cell function.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis*; RNA, Messenger/immunology
  15. Fulltext Mitragynine attenuates withdrawal syndrome in morphine-withdrawn zebrafish
    Khor BS, Jamil MF, Adenan MI, Shu-Chien AC
    PLoS One, 2011;6(12):e28340.
    PMID: 22205946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028340
    A major obstacle in treating drug addiction is the severity of opiate withdrawal syndrome, which can lead to unwanted relapse. Mitragynine is the major alkaloid compound found in leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a plant widely used by opiate addicts to mitigate the harshness of drug withdrawal. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of mitragynine on anxiety behavior, cortisol level and expression of stress pathway related genes in zebrafish undergoing morphine withdrawal phase. Adult zebrafish were subjected to two weeks chronic morphine exposure at 1.5 mg/L, followed by withdrawal for 24 hours prior to tests. Using the novel tank diving tests, we first showed that morphine-withdrawn zebrafish display anxiety-related swimming behaviors such as decreased exploratory behavior and increased erratic movement. Morphine withdrawal also elevated whole-body cortisol levels, which confirms the phenotypic stress-like behaviors. Exposing morphine-withdrawn fish to mitragynine however attenuates majority of the stress-related swimming behaviors and concomitantly lower whole-body cortisol level. Using real-time PCR gene expression analysis, we also showed that mitragynine reduces the mRNA expression of corticotropin releasing factor receptors and prodynorphin in zebrafish brain during morphine withdrawal phase, revealing for the first time a possible link between mitragynine's ability to attenuate anxiety during opiate withdrawal with the stress-related corticotropin pathway.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  16. Molecular cloning, characterization and gene expression of an antioxidant enzyme catalase (MrCat) from Macrobrachium rosenbergii
    Arockiaraj J, Easwvaran S, Vanaraja P, Singh A, Othman RY, Bhassu S
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2012 May;32(5):670-82.
    PMID: 22293093 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.01.013
    In this study, we reported a full length of catalase gene (designated as MrCat), identified from the transcriptome database of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The complete gene sequence of the MrCat is 2504 base pairs in length, and encodes 516 amino acids. The MrCat protein contains three domains such as catalase 1 (catalase proximal heme-ligand signature) at 350-358, catalase 2 (catalase proximal active site signature) at 60-76 and catalase 3 (catalase family profile) at 20-499. The mRNA expressions of MrCat in healthy and the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) challenged M. rosenbergii were examined using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The MrCat is highly expressed in digestive tract and all the other tissues (walking leg, gills, muscle, hemocyte, hepatopancreas, pleopods, brain and eye stalk) of M. rosenbergii taken for analysis. The expression is strongly up-regulated in digestive tract after IHHNV challenge. To understand its biological activity, the recombinant MrCat gene was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant MrCat existed in high thermal stability and broad spectrum of pH, which showed over 95% enzyme activity between pH 5 and 10.5, and was stable from 40 °C to 70 °C, and exhibited 85-100% enzyme activity from 30 °C to 40 °C.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  17. Fulltext Emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype V in the Republic of Korea
    Takhampunya R, Kim HC, Tippayachai B, Kengluecha A, Klein TA, Lee WJ, et al.
    Virol J, 2011;8:449.
    PMID: 21943222 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-449
    Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype V reemerged in Asia (China) in 2009 after a 57-year hiatus from the continent, thereby emphasizing a need to increase regional surveillance efforts. Genotypic characterization was performed on 19 JEV-positive mosquito pools (18 pools of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and 1 pool of Cx. bitaeniorhynchus) from a total of 64 positive pools collected from geographically different locations throughout the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2008 and 2010.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Viral/genetics*; RNA, Viral/chemistry
  18. Upregulation of SOX-2, FZD9, Nestin, OCT-4 and FGF-4 expression in human chorion derived-stem cells after angiogenic induction
    Abdul Rahman H, Manzor NF, Tan GC, Tan AE, Chua KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:57-8.
    PMID: 19024982
    Angiogenic induction was made to promote angiogenesis by differentiating stem cells towards endothelial cells. However, the stemness property of induced cells has not been revealed yet. Hence, we aim to evaluate the differential mRNA expression of stemness genes in human chorion-derived stem cells (CDSC) after being cultured in EDM50 comprised bFGF and VEGF. Results indicated that CDSC cultured in EMD50 expressed significantly higher mRNA level of Sox-2, FZD9, BST-1 and Nestin. In addition Oct-4, FGF-4 and ABCG-2 were also upregulated. Our finding suggested that CDSC after angiogenic induction enhanced its stem cell properties. This could be contributed for the mechanism of stem cell therapy in ischemic problem.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger/genetics
  19. In vitro genotoxicity tests for polyhydroxybutyrate--a synthetic biomaterial
    Ali AQ, Kannan TP, Ahmad A, Samsudin AR
    Toxicol In Vitro, 2008 Feb;22(1):57-67.
    PMID: 17892925
    The aims of this study are to determine the mutagenicity of a locally produced polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) using Salmonella mutagenicity test and to find out if PHB altered the expression of p53 and c-myc proto-oncogenes and bcl-xl and bcl-xs anti-apoptotic genes in the human fibroblast cell line, MRC-5. Different concentrations of PHB were incubated with special genotypic variants of Salmonella strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98 and TA100) carrying mutations in several genes both with and without metabolic activation (S9) and the test was assessed based on the number of revertant colonies. The average number of revertant colonies per plate treated with PHB was less than double as compared to that of negative control. For the gene expression analyses, fibroblast cell lines were treated with PHB at different concentrations and incubated for 1, 12, 24 and 48 h separately. The total RNA was isolated and analysed for the expression of p53, c-myc, bcl-xl and bcl-xs genes. The PHB did not show over or under expression of the genes studied. The above tests indicate that the locally produced PHB is non-genotoxic and does not alter the expression of the proto-oncogenes and anti-apoptotic genes considered in this study.
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA/drug effects; RNA/metabolism
  20. Expression profile of immune-related genes in Lates calcarifer infected by Cryptocaryon irritans
    Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Mohd-Adnan A, Kua BC, Nathan S
    Fish Shellfish Immunol, 2013 Mar;34(3):762-9.
    PMID: 23296118 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2012.11.052
    Cryptocaryon irritans causes Cyptocaryonosis or white spot disease in a wide range of marine fish including Lates calcarifer (Asian seabass). However, the immune response of this fish to the parasite is still poorly understood. In this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to assess the expression profile of immune-related genes in L. calcarifer infected by C. irritans. A total of 21 immune-related genes encoding various functions in the fish immune system were utilized for the qPCR analysis. The experiment was initiated with the infection of juvenile fish by exposure to theronts from 200 C. irritans cysts, and non-infected juvenile fish were used as controls. Spleen, liver, gills and kidney tissues were harvested at three days post-infection from control and infected fish. In addition, organs were also harvested on day-10 post-infection from fish that had been allowed to recover from day-4 up to day-10 post-infection. L. calcarifer exhibited pathological changes on day-3 post-infection with the characteristic presence of white spots on the entire fish body, excessive mucus production and formation of a flap over the fish eye. High quality total RNA was extracted from all tissues and qPCR was performed. The qPCR analysis on the cohort of 21 immune-related genes of the various organs harvested on day-3 post-infection demonstrated that most genes were induced significantly (p 
    Matched MeSH terms: RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Messenger/metabolism
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