Spectrum of Clinical Variability with SEPT9 Gene Mutation in Hereditary Neuralgic Amyotrophy: Understanding the Pathogenesis Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary Neuralgic Amyotrophy (HNA) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodes of severe pain and amyotrophy affecting the brachial plexus as well as other sites. Mutations in the SEPTIN9 gene have been identified as genetic abnormality for HNA. Although the genetic mutations are known, their pathogenesis for the causation of this disorder is not exactly elucidated. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have investigated the phenotypic and genetic features in a large pedigree with HNA. METHODS: We report the clinical spectrum and genetic analysis of a family with 9 affected members. Clinical heterogeneity has been reported in the individuals having mutations in SEPTIN9 gene. After taking informed consent, we have done genetic analysis of 6 affected and 4 unaffected members of the family to identify the molecular abnormalities of SEPTIN9 gene. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Genetic analysis has identified the presence of NM_001113491.2:p.Arg106Trp mutation in SEPTIN9 gene. The same mutation has been identified in 6 affected members of the family. Molecular simulation study has revealed that the mutation has significantly altered the conformation of septin-9 protein, thereby impairing the microtubule binding and bundling ability. Although the affected members shared a common recurrent mutation, they have a wide spectrum of clinical variability. This may be due to the variable penetrance of the mutation and different epigenetic influences in the family. This is the first genetically confirmed case series of HNA reported from India.

Designing and development of multi-epitope chimeric vaccine against Helicobacter pylori by exploring its entire immunogenic epitopes: an immunoinformatic approach.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a prominent causative agent of gastric ulceration, gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric lymphoma and have been categorised as a group 1 carcinogen by WHO. The treatment of H. pylori with proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics is effective but also leads to increased antibiotic resistance, patient dissatisfaction, and chances of reinfection. Therefore, an effective vaccine remains the most suitable prophylactic option for mass administration against this infection. RESULTS: We modelled a multi-chimera subunit vaccine candidate against H. pylori by screening its secretory/outer membrane proteins. We identified B-cell, MHC-II and IFN-γ-inducing epitopes within these proteins. The population coverage, antigenicity, physiochemical properties and secondary structure were evaluated using different in-silico tools, which showed it can be a good and effective vaccine candidate. The 3-D construct was predicted, refined, validated and docked with TLRs. Finally, we performed the molecular docking/simulation and immune simulation studies to validate the stability of interaction and in-silico cloned the epitope sequences into a pET28b(+) plasmid vector. CONCLUSION: The multiepitope-constructed vaccine contains T- cells, B-cells along with IFN-γ inducing epitopes that have the property to generate good cell-mediated immunity and humoral response. This vaccine can protect most of the world's population. The docking study and immune simulation revealed a good binding with TLRs and cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, respectively. Overall, we attempted to design a multiepitope vaccine and expect this vaccine will show an encouraging result against H. pylori infection in in-vivo use.

Aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin functionalized tetraphenylethylene molecular probe for highly selective detection of bovine serum albumin protein.

A novel tetraphenylethylene (TPE) functionalized aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin (TPE-kana 1) has been successfully synthesized and characterized by means of modern analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The probe TPE-kana 1 showed strong affinity towards bovine serum albumin (BSA) compared to its other biological competitors. The recognition of BSA have been investigated employing UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. The significant color change of TPE-kana 1 with BSA can be observed by necked eye, where the role of AIE-active TPE molecule is handle in both optical and colorimetric changes. The quenching of fluorescence of TPE-kana 1 with BSA was characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, with 71.16% of quenching efficiency. Moreover, the Stern-Volmer quenching constant was calculated and found to be 2.46 × 107 M-1. Probe TPE-kana 1 showed detection limit of 2.87 nM (nM) towards BSA with binding constant 7.56 × 107 M. A molecular docking study is also performed to investigate the detail interactions between TPE-kana 1 with the sites of BSA via non-covalent i.e., H-bonding, π-cation interactions, π-donor hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions. The lowest binding energy conformation was found at - 10.42 kcal/mol.

Isolation and identification of hair growth potential fraction from active plant extract of Blumea eriantha DC grown in Western Ghat of India: In silico study.

BACKGROUND: In Aayurveda, Blumea eriantha DC has been used in the management of various diseases and is found to exhibit antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, anti-diarrhoeal, larvicidal, antimicrobial properties. OBJECTIVE: The present study has focused on isolation of the active fraction from B. eriantha DC extract and to investigate its effect as a hair growth promoter along with identification of phytoconstituent(s) responsible for hair growth activity and its probable mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our work introduces an effective isolation protocol for the active fraction from B. eriantha DC extract using chromatographic techniques. Fraction A was isolated by using mobile phase toluene:acetone (9:1). In-vitro and in-vivo methods were executed for the evaluation of hair growth activity. Moreover, the docked conformations of the isolated phytoconstituent Dimethyl sulfone was compared to Minoxidil for selected proteins namely 2FGF, 2PVC and 4U7P. The PDB identifications 2PVC (DNMT3L recognizes unmethylated histone H3 lysine 4), 4U7P (Crystal structure of DNMT3A-DNMT3L complex and 2FGF (Human Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor) were downloaded from Protein Data Bank. RESULTS: The study data revealed that B. eriantha DC alcoholic extracts exhibited prominent hair growth activity and it was affirmed that Dimethyl sulfone a phyto-constituent isolated from B. eriantha DC alcoholic extract contributed for the same. CONCLUSION: The findings strongly suggest hair growth promotion potential of the extract of B. eriantha DC.

17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 deficiency in 46,XY disorders of sex development: Our experience and a gender role-focused systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe Asian Indian patients with 17ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17ßHSD3) deficiency and to perform a systematic review to determine the factors influencing gender role in 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) due to 17ßHSD3 deficiency. PATIENTS AND DESIGN: We present the phenotypic and genotypic data of 10 patients (9 probands and 1 affected family member) with 17ßHSD3 deficiency from our 46,XY DSD cohort (N = 150; Western India) and a systematic review of 152 probands with genetically proven, index 17ßHSD3 deficiency patients from the world literature to identify the determinants of gender role. RESULTS: 17ßHSD3 deficiency was the third most common (6%) cause of non-dysgenetic 46,XY DSD in our cohort. Five patients each had prepubertal (atypical genitalia) and pubertal (primary amenorrhoea) presentations. Six patients were initially reared as female of whom two (one each in prepubertal and pubertal age) changed their gender role. Ten pathogenic molecular variants (six novel) were observed. In the systematic review, initial male sex of rearing was uncommon (10.5%) and was associated with atypical genitalia, higher testosterone/androstenedione (T/A) ratio and Asian origin. Gender role change to male was seen in 10.3% of patients with initial female sex of rearing and was associated with Asian origin but unrelated to pubertal androgens or molecular variant severity. It has not been reported in patients of European origin. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first Indian case series of 17ßHSD3 deficiency, the third most common cause of 46,XY DSD, with six novel molecular variants. Distinct geographical differences in the frequency of initial male sex of rearing and gender role change to male in those initially reared as females in 17ßHSD3 deficiency were noted which needs further evaluation for the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Conformational Preferences of Modified Nucleoside 5-Taurinomethyluridine, τm(5)U Occur at 'wobble' 34th Position in the Anticodon Loop of tRNA.

Conformational preferences of hypermodified nucleoside 5-taurinomethyluridine 5'-monophoshate 'p-τm(5)U' (-CH2-NH2(+)-CH2-CH2-SO3(-)) have been investigated using semi-empirical RM1 method. Automated geometry optimization using ab initio molecular orbital HF-SCF (6-31G**) and DFT (B3LYP/6-31G**) calculations have also been made to compare the salient features. The RM1 preferred most stable conformation of 'p-τm(5)U' has been stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions between O(11a)…HN(8), O1P(34)…HN(8), and O1P(34)…HC(10). Another conformational study of 5-taurinomethyluridine side chain has also been performed in context of anticodon loop bases of E. coli tRNA(Leu). The atom O(11a) of τm(5)U(34) side chain interacts with adenosine (A35) as well as ribose-phosphate backbone which might provide structural stability to the anticodon loop. The glycosyl torsion angle of τm(5)U retains 'anti'-conformation. The solvent accessible surface area calculations revealed the role of τm(5)U in tRNA(Leu) anticodon loop. MD simulation results are found in agreement with RM1 preferred stable structure. The MEPs calculations of τm(5)U(34):G3 model show unique potential tunnels between the hydrogen bond donor and acceptor atoms as compared to τm(5)U(34):A3 model. Thus, these results could pave the way to understand the role of τm(5)U(34) to recognize UUG/UUA codons at atomic level in the mitochondrial disease, MELAS.

Conformational preferences of modified nucleoside N(4)-acetylcytidine, ac4C occur at "wobble" 34th position in the anticodon loop of tRNA.

Conformational preferences of modified nucleoside, N(4)-acetylcytidine, ac(4)C have been investigated using quantum chemical semi-empirical RM1 method. Automated geometry optimization using PM3 method along with ab initio methods HF SCF (6-31G**), and density functional theory (DFT; B3LYP/6-31G**) have also been made to compare the salient features. The most stable conformation of N(4)-acetyl group of ac(4)C prefers "proximal" orientation. This conformation is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between O(7)···HC(5), O(2)···HC2', and O4'···HC(6). The "proximal" conformation of N(4)-acetyl group has also been observed in another conformational study of anticodon loop of E. coli elongator tRNA(Met). The solvent accessible surface area (SASA) calculations revealed the role of ac(4)C in anticodon loop. The explicit molecular dynamics simulation study also shows the "proximal" orientation of N(4)-acetyl group. The predicted "proximal" conformation would allow ac(4)C to interact with third base of codon AUG/AUA whereas the 'distal' orientation of N(4)-acetyl cytidine side-chain prevents such interactions. Single point energy calculation studies of various models of anticodon-codon bases revealed that the models ac(4)C(34)(Proximal):G3, and ac(4)C(34)(Proximal):A3 are energetically more stable as compared to models ac(4)C(34)(Distal):G3, and ac(4)C(34)(Distal):A3, respectively. MEPs calculations showed the unique potential tunnels between the hydrogen bond donor-acceptor atoms of ac(4)C(34)(Proximal):G3/A3 base pairs suggesting role of ac(4)C in recognition of third letter of codons AUG/AUA. The "distal" conformation of ac(4)C might prevent misreading of AUA codon. Hence, this study could be useful to understand the role of ac(4)C in the tertiary structure folding of tRNA as well as in the proper recognition of codons during protein biosynthesis process.

Structural significance of hypermodified nucleic acid base hydroxywybutine (OHyW) which occur at 37th position in the anticodon loop of yeast tRNA(Phe).

Conformational preferences of hypermodified nucleic acid base hydroxywybutine (OHyW) have been studied using quantum chemical single point semi-empirical PM3 method. Automated geometry optimization using semi-empirical RM1, molecular mechanics force field (MMFF) along with ab-initio HF-SCF (6-31G** basis set) and DFT (B3LYP/6-31G** basis set) calculations have also been made to compare the salient features. Molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) depict the polarities of hydroxywybutine (OHyW) side chain. Another conformational study showed that hydroxywybutosine side chain interacts with adjacent bases within the anticodon loop of tRNA(Phe). The solvent accessible surface area (SASA) calculations revealed the structural role of hydroxywybutine in anticodon loop. Explicit molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been done over the PM3 most stable structure of OHyW. The hydroxywybutine side chain prefers 'distal' conformation i.e. spreads away from the cyclic five membered imidazole moiety of modified tricyclic guanine base. The predicted preferred conformation of hydroxywybutine may prevent extended Watson-Crick base pairing during protein biosynthesis process. This conformation of OHyW stabilized by intramolecular interactions between O(6)⋯HO(16), O(6)⋯HC(15) and O(20)⋯HC(17). Further stabilization is also expected from interactions between O(22)⋯HC(16) and O(23)⋯HC(15). Explicit molecular dynamics (MD) simulation over the PM3 most stable structure of OHyW support the preferred geometry by preserving the 'distal' orientation of hydroxywybutine side chain and intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. MD simulation study revealed the role of hydroxyl group of OHyW to avoid fluctuations and prevent multiple iso-energetic conformations of hydroxywybutine side chain as compared to wybutine (yW).

Conformational preferences of modified nucleoside N(2)-methylguanosine (m(2)G) and its derivative N(2), N(2)-dimethylguanosine (m(2)(2)G) occur at 26th position (hinge region) in tRNA.

Conformational preferences of the modified nucleosides N(2)-methylguanosine (m(2)G) and N(2), N(2)-dimethylguanosine (m(2)(2)G) have been studied theoretically by using quantum chemical perturbative configuration interaction with localized orbitals (PCILO) method. Automated complete geometry optimization using semiempirical quantum chemical RM1, along with ab initio molecular orbital Hartree-Fock (HF-SCF), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations has also been made to compare the salient features. Single-point energy calculation studies have been made on various models of m(2)G26:C/A/U44 and m(2)(2)G26:C/A/U44. The glycosyl torsion angle prefers "syn" (χ = 286°) conformation for m(2)G and m(2)(2)G molecules. These conformations are stabilized by N(3)-HC2' and N(3)-HC3' by replacing weak interaction between O5'-HC(8). The N(2)-methyl substituent of (m(2)G26) prefers "proximal" or s-trans conformation. It may also prefer "distal" or s-cis conformation that allows base pairing with A/U44 instead of C at the hinge region. Thus, N(2)-methyl group of m(2)G may have energetically two stable s-trans m(2)G:C/A/U or s-cis m(2)G:A/U rotamers. This could be because of free rotations around C-N bond. Similarly, N(2), N(2)-dimethyl substituent of (m(2)(2)G) prefers "distal" conformation that may allow base pairing with A/U instead of C at 44th position. Such orientations of m(2)G and m(2)(2)G could play an important role in base-stacking interactions at the hinge region of tRNA during protein biosynthesis process.