Current Biotechnology - Volume 13, Issue 1, 2024

Cholesterol metabolism is a crucial mechanism for preserving cellular functionality, and overall human health. Cardiovascular diseases and other conditions can arise due to dysregulation of cholesterol levels. Bile acids’ enterohepatic circulation greatly influences cholesterol homeostasis. Recent research has emphasized the essential role of the gut microbiota in bile acid metabolism and its association with cholesterol regulation. Living microbial supplements known as probiotics have been studied as a potential means of reducing cholesterol by modifying the gut microbiome. This review explores existing theories of how probiotic production and modification of bile acids affect cholesterol metabolism. Discussion ensues regarding the processes by which probiotics lower cholesterol, including bile acid deconjugation, conversion of cholesterol to coprostanol and cholestenone, co-precipitation of cholesterol with deconjugated bile, and disruption of cholesterol micelles by Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH). According to research, there are significant therapeutic ramifications in understanding the complex interactions between the gut microbiome and host cholesterol metabolism. More research is required to comprehend the causal mechanisms further and produce new methods for lowering microbiota-mediated cholesterol to improve human health.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy characterized by excess androgen and infertility due to anovulatory failure. A significant fraction of the world's population is affected by the infertility condition known as PCOS. Due to the disease's complicated nature and overlapping symptoms, diagnosis of the condition is frequently challenging. Exogenous compounds or combinations known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can imitate the effects of steroid hormones and obstruct their metabolism. EDCs and this condition have recently been the subject of intensive research to better understand the possible contribution of these substances to the pathophysiology of PCOS. It was shown that EDC exposure can be connected to PCOS in either a direct or indirect way since PCOS is linked to higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, which lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and infertility. This review's objective is to investigate how exposure to environmental contaminants affects the etiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Among the various technological advancements in different fields that help fulfill our needs further, marine biotechnology is one that has brought a significant change in the overall bleak outlook of the limited resources that the oceans have to offer. Marine biotechnology has not just revolutionized the method of farming and increased productivity, but it has also ensured a consistent supply to various cuisines throughout the world. In recent years, marine biotechnology has outgrown its traditional image in the seafood-related industry to one that caters to a plethora of industries such as enzyme technology, pharmaceuticals, tanning industry, cancer therapeutics, cosmetic industry, biodegradable polymers, and bioremediation. These are a few among a broad spectrum of industries where it finds applications and many more are yet to be explored. Remarkably, marine biotechnology has not only helped restore the normal local flora and fauna of the oceans but has also contributed extensively to conservation efforts. In this review, an attempt has been made to follow the trails of the wide applicability of marine biotechnology as well as its impact on various sectors in recent years.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by an imbalance in the production and development of hematopoietic lymphoid cells, a malignant disease capable of affecting the proliferation-selection of hematopoietic cells. The Aurora kinase A protein participates in several steps of the mitosis process. Its deregulation can trigger the process of carcinogenesis, which has become a therapeutic target of interest for computational prediction and the development of inhibitory drugs. Studies report its overexpression in malignant cells of patients with ALL. Objective: The present study aims to prospect new molecules to identify a potential inhibitor of Aurora kinase A for the pharmaceutical market. Methodology: Virtual screening and molecular docking study was performed using the MCULE and DockThor web servers. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of the molecules were evaluated using the Swiss ADME and ProTox-II programs were used. Results: Ten molecules were identified by virtual screening, in which only two, MCULE-349 and MCULE-796, showed the best score, binding, at the site of action of the protein, interacting positively with amino acids, lipid-soluble molecules with low toxicity and with violation of only 1 Lipinski rule. Conclusion: Both molecules interact with the site of action, acting as inhibitors or blockers of the catalytic site, becoming potential Aurora kinase A inhibitors and anticancer molecules.

Background: Cystinosis is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disease (LSD), caused by a mutation in the Cystinosin Lysosomal Cystine Transporter (CTNS). Novel therapies and strategies are needed to improve patients' clinical conditions and quality of life. Objectives and Methods: This study assessed whether CTNS can be secreted, and investigated a method to enhance its secretion, by adding a secretion signal to the N-terminus. Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293 cells were transfected with the resulting construct. The amount of protein secreted was then measured. Uptake by monolayer cultures of cystinotic cells and enzyme activity were also assessed. Results: The recombinant protein could effectively be secreted, and the secretion signal slightly further increased its secretion. The secreted recombinant protein was taken up by cystinotic cells, and, after internalization, still retained its biological activity. Conclusion: Optimization of the proposed method to increase the secretion of CTNS would provide new insights into the production of recombinant proteins for medical and industrial use. Further identification and screening of alternative signalling peptides and cell types can maximise the secretion and production of recombinant CNTS, to be used as a therapeutic agent in human healthcare.

Background: Explant recalcitrance is one of the major challenges during the tissue culture of a tree species, especially when explants are derived from mature plants. It is mainly associated with the genotypes/species, source and physiological status of explants, seasonal variations, and competency/incompetency of explants towards PGRs for in vitro manipulations. Therefore, to optimize the appropriate conditions and minimize explant recalcitrance, it is necessary to elucidate the different factors influencing the tissue culture of a tree species. Objective: Several factors influencing in vitro shoot induction from nodal explants derived from mature plants of Sapindus trifoliatus were investigated. Methods: Nodal segment obtained from mature plants was used as an explant for shoot regeneration. The factors assessed in this study included the types and concentrations of plant growth regulators, nutrient composition of MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium, sucrose concentrations, the position of nodes on their respective branches, seasonal variations, and successive transfers of mother explant. Results: The performance of nodal explants was better on modified MS medium, i.e., M4 medium (half-strength of MS major salts and full-strengths of MS minor salts, Fe-EDTA and MS organic nutrients each) than the full-strength MS medium. The addition of BAP in the medium resulted in a higher shoot induction rate than other cytokinins i.e., Kin, Zeatin, TDZ. M4 medium supplemented with 3.0 mg l^-1 BAP and 2% sucrose was optimum for shoot proliferation. However, elongation of shoots was observed only when induced shoots, along with the mother explant, were subcultured on a medium containing 1.0 mg l^-1 BAP. The shoot multiplication was positively affected by the repeated transfer of the mother explant for different passages on the multiplication medium. Mother explant transferred to multiplication medium (0.8% agar-solidified M4 medium + 2% sucrose + 1.0 mg l^-1 BAP) proliferated maximum shoots after fourth passages. Regenerated shoots were rooted in vitro and further successfully acclimatized in field conditions. Conclusion: The in vitro regeneration system developed from an explant obtained from mature trees can be successfully exploited for mass multiplication of Sapindus trifoliatus, a medicinally and commercially important tree.