Maternal protein restriction combined with postnatal sugar consumption alters liver proteomic profile and metabolic pathways in adult male offspring rats.

This study investigated the impact of maternal protein restriction (MPR) and early postnatal sugar consumption (SUG) on the liver health of adult male descendant rats. Male offspring of mothers fed a normal protein diet (NPD) or a low protein diet (LPD) were divided into four groups: Control (CTR), Sugar Control (CTR + SUG), LPD during gestation and lactation (GLLP), and LPD with sugar (GLLP + SUG). Sugar consumption (10% glucose diluted in water) began after weaning on day 21 (PND 21), and at 90 days (PND 90), rats were sacrificed for analysis. Sugar intake reduced food intake and increased water consumption in CTR + SUG and GLLP + SUG compared to CTR and GLLP. GLLP and GLLP + SUG groups showed lower body weight and total and retroperitoneal fat compared to CTR and CTR + SUG. CTR + SUG and GLLP + SUG groups exhibited hepatocyte vacuolization associated with increased hepatic glycogen content compared to CTR and GLLP. Hepatic catalase activity increased in GLLP compared to CTR. Proteomic analysis identified 223 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) among experimental groups. While in the GLLP group, the DEPs enriched molecular pathways related to cellular stress, glycogen metabolic pathways were enriched in the GLLP + SUG and CTR + SUG groups. The association of sugar consumption amplifies the effects of MPR, deregulating molecular mechanisms related to metabolism and the antioxidant system.

Metalloproteomic analysis of liver proteins isolated from broilers fed with different sources and levels of copper and manganese.

Supplementing minerals beyond dietary requirements can increase the risk of toxicity and mineral excretion, making the selection of more bioavailable sources crucial. Thus, this work aimed to use metalloproteomics tools to investigate possible alterations in the hepatic proteome of broilers fed with diets containing two sources (sulfate and hydroxychloride) and two levels of copper (15 and 150 ppm) and manganese (80 and 120 ppm), totaling four treatments: low Cu/Mn SO4, high Cu/Mn SO4, low Cu/Mn (OH)Cl and high Cu/Mn (OH)Cl. The difference in abundance of protein spots and copper and manganese concentrations in liver and protein pellets were analyzed by analysis of variance with significance level of 5%. The Cu and Mn concentrations determined in liver and protein pellets suggested greater bioavailability of hydroxychloride sources. We identified 19 Cu-associated proteins spots, 10 Mn-associated protein spots, and 5 Cu and/or Mn-associated protein spots simultaneously. The analysis also indicated the induction of heat shock proteins and detoxification proteins in broilers fed with high levels of copper and manganese, suggesting the involvement of these proteins in metal tolerance and stress.

Preliminary Insights of Brazilian Snake Venom Metalloproteomics.

Snakebite envenoming is one of the most significantly neglected tropical diseases in the world. The lack of diagnosis/prognosis methods for snakebite is one of our motivations to develop innovative technological solutions for Brazilian health. The objective of this work was to evaluate the protein and metallic ion composition of Crotalus durissus terrificus, Bothrops jararaca, B. alternatus, B. jararacussu, B. moojeni, B. pauloensis, and Lachesis muta muta snake venoms. Brazilian snake venoms were subjected to the shotgun proteomic approach using mass spectrometry, and metal ion analysis was performed by atomic spectrometry. Shotgun proteomics has shown three abundant toxin classes (PLA2, serine proteases, and metalloproteinases) in all snake venoms, and metallic ions analysis has evidenced that the Cu2+ ion is present exclusively in the L. m. muta venom; Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions have shown a statistical difference between the species of Bothrops and Crotalus genus, whereas the Zn2+ ion presented a statistical difference among all species studied in this work. In addition, Mg2+ ions have shown 42 times more in the C. d. terrificus venom when compared to the average concentration in the other genera. Though metal ions are a minor fraction of snake venoms, several venom toxins depend on them. We believe that these non-protein fractions are capable of assisting in the development of unprecedented diagnostic devices for Brazilian snakebites.

Shotgun proteomics reveals changes in the pectoralis major muscle of broilers supplemented with passion fruit seed oil under cyclic heat stress conditions.

The aim of this study was to characterize the proteins differentially expressed in the pectoralis major muscle of broilers supplemented with passion fruit seed oil (PFSO) under cyclic heat stress conditions. Ninety one-day-old male chicks were housed in cages arranged in a climatic chamber, where they were kept under cyclic heat stress for eight hours a day from the beginning to the end of the experiment. The birds were divided into two experimental groups, one group supplemented with 0.9% PFSO and a control group (CON) without PFSO supplementation. At 36 days of age, 18 birds were slaughtered to collect muscle samples. From pools of breast fillet samples from each group, proteolytic cleavage of the protein extracts was performed, and later, the peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The 0.9% PFSO supplementation revealed the modulation of 57 proteins in the pectoralis major muscle of broilers exposed to cyclic heat stress. Among them, four proteins were upregulated, and 46 proteins were downregulated. In addition, seven proteins were expressed only in the CON group. These results suggest that PFSO may increase heat tolerance, with a possible reduction in oxidative stress, activation of neuroprotective mechanisms, protection against apoptosis, decrease in inflammatory responses, and regulation of energy metabolism.

Collection of Plasma Samples in Areas with Limited Healthcare Access.

Regular monitoring of various biomarkers and molecular panels in plasma can significantly help to prevent disease onset and improve its management and final outcomes. Many groups can benefit from monitoring programs focusing on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, evaluation of environmental exposure impacts, or the prevention/management of cancer. Improvement in therapeutic options in part due to targeted therapeutic agents and monoclonal antibody therapies has led to a significant sized population that can be described as "cancer survivors." These patients, although in remission from their original disease, are at significant risk for the recurring disease and must be monitored for adverse events. Monitoring is, however, not an easy task; requiring a high level of complexity in lab facilities and blood/plasma sampling, collection, and storage must occur under tightly controlled conditions. These demanding circumstances are especially difficult to attain in rural areas and in historically marginalized populations. The Telimmune Plasma Separation Card (TPS card or TPSC) has been developed to enable diagnostic plasma sampling, collection, and stabilization in locations that may be remote to laboratory or clinic. The TPSC requires a drop of blood applied to a top of a separation system consisting of a separation membrane and collection disk. In 3 min, the TPSC device separates plasma from erythrocytes and deposits a defined volume of plasma into a collection disc which is air-dried for 15 min to deliver a stabilized, volumetric plasma sample, which may be stored or shipped at ambient temperatures with minimal biological risk. Extraction of proteins and metabolites is then achieved in well-equipped laboratories using protocols discussed in this chapter.

Metalloproteomic approach to liver tissue of rats exposed to mercury.

The aims of this study were to identify mercury-associated protein spots in the liver tissue of rats exposed to low concentrations of mercury and to elucidate the physiological and functional aspects of the proteins identified in the protein spots. Therefore, proteomic analysis of the liver tissue of Wistar rats exposed to mercury chloride (4.60 µg kg-1 in Hg2+) was performed for thirty days (Hg-30 group) and sixty days (Hg-60 group). The proteomic profile of the liver tissue of the rats was obtained by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and the determinations of total mercury in the liver tissue, pellets and protein spots were performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). ImageMaster 2D Platinum 7.0 software was used to identify the differentially expressed mercury-associated protein spots, which were then characterized by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The determinations by GFAAS indicated a total mercury bioaccumulation of 2812% in the Hg-30 group and 3298% in the Hg-60 group and 10 mercury-associated protein spots with a concentration range of 51 ± 1.0 to 412 ± 6.00 mg kg-1 in the 2D PAGE gels from the liver tissue of the Hg-60 group. The LC-MS/MS analyses allowed the identification of 11 metal binding proteins in mercury-associated protein spots that presented fold change with upregulation >1.5, downregulation < -1.7 or that were expressed only in the Hg-60 group. Using the FASTA sequences of the proteins identified in the mercury-associated protein spots, bioinformatics analyses were performed to elucidate the physiological and functional aspects of the metal binding proteins, allowing us to infer that enzymes such as GSTM2 presented greater mercury concentrations and downregulation < -3; Acaa2 and Bhmt, which showed expression only in the Hg-60 group, among others, may act as potential mercury exposure biomarkers.

Mercury metalloproteomic profile in muscle tissue of Arapaima gigas from the Brazilian Amazon.

Metalloproteomics is an innovative methodology for identifying of protein-associated mercury. Thus, we analyzed the muscle proteome of Arapaima gigas (pirarucu), collected in the Madeira River of the Brazilian Amazon, to identify protein-associated mercury, with the aim of identifying possible mercury biomarkers in fish muscle tissue. After obtaining the protein pellet, we conducted two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D PAGE) to fractionate the muscle proteome. Total mercury in muscle tissue and protein pellets and mapping of mercury content in protein spots of the 2D PAGE gels was determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The protein-associated mercury identification was performed using liquid chromatography coupled with sequence mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS). Total mercury determinations by GFAAS indicated concentrations on the order of 153 ± 1.90 mg kg-1 and 142 ± 1.50 mg kg-1 (total precipitation of protein fraction) and 139 ± 1.45 mg kg-1 (fractional precipitation of protein fraction) in muscle tissue and protein pellets, respectively. Mercury concentrations in the range of 48 ± 0.90 to 165 ± 3.00 mg kg-1 were found in twelve protein spots. Among the 2D PAGE protein spots, eleven Hg-binding proteins were identified using LC‒MS/MS, which showed characteristics of mercury exposure biomarkers for important metabolic functions, such as five parvalbumin isoforms, triosephosphate isomerase, cofilin 2 (muscle), and fructose-bisphosphate aldolases.

Investigation of Protein Biomarkers and Oxidative Stress in Pinirampus pirinampu Exposed to Mercury Species from the Madeira River, Amazon-Brazil.

In recent decades, the scientific community has widely debated the contamination of fish in the Amazon region by mercury species. As the diet of riverside populations in the Amazon region is based mainly on fish, these populations are exposed to mercurial species that can cause serious and irreversible damage to their health. The risks of consuming fish exposed to mercurial species in the Amazon region have motivated toxicological investigations. However, the effect of mercurial species on protein and enzyme levels is still controversial. In this work, analytical and bioanalytical techniques Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [2D-PAGE] Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry [GFAAS], and Mass Spectrometry in Sequence with Electrospray Ionization [ESI-MS/MS] were used to identify proteins associated with mercury (metal-binding protein) in muscle and liver tissues of the fish species Pinirampus pirinampu from the Madeira River, in the Brazilian Amazon. Enzymatic and lipid peroxidation analyses were also used to assess changes related to oxidative stress. Determinations of total mercury by GFAAS indicated higher concentrations in liver tissue (555 ± 19.0 µg kg-1) when compared to muscle tissue (60 ± 2.0 µg kg-1). The fractionation process of tissue proteomes by 2D-PAGE and subsequent mapping of mercury by GFAAS in the protein spots of the gels identified the presence of mercury in three spots of the liver tissue (concentrations in the range of 0.800 to 1.90 mg kg-1). The characterization of protein spots associated with mercury by ESI-MS/MS identified the enzymes triosephosphate isomerase A, adenylate kinase 2 mitochondrial, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase as possible candidates for mercury exposure biomarkers. The muscle tissue did not show protein spots associated with mercury. Enzymatic activity decreased proportionally to the increase in mercury concentrations in the tissues.

Supplementation with an Inorganic Zinc Source in the Metalloproteomic Profile of Royal Jelly in Apis mellifera L.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of royal jelly produced by honeybees Apis mellifera supplemented with different concentrations of inorganic zinc (zinc sulfate monohydrate-0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm). Two-dimensional electrophoresis for the fractionation of royal jelly proteins was performed, and the zinc level was quantified by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) technique. Proteins were identified by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS MS). Analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05) was used. Supplementation with the mineral zinc positively affected the quantification of proteins for treatments 50 and 75 ppm. However, all treatments independent of zinc concentrations showed fewer protein spots when compared to the control. All zinc-containing proteins were classified as major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The exposure of nursing bees to the mineral zinc in its inorganic form reduced the expression of six different MRJPs involved in larval and glands development of nursing bees (MRJP1, MRJP2, MRJP3, MRJP5, and MRJP7), however promoted an increase in the expression of royal jelly proteins involved in defense systems (MRJP8 and MRJP9). The results demonstrate that vital proteins and metabolic processes are impaired in nursing bees exposed to the mineral zinc in its inorganic form in all doses used affecting nutrition and maintenance of colonies.

Metalloproteomic Strategies for Identifying Proteins as Biomarkers of Mercury Exposure in Serrasalmus rhombeus from the Amazon Region.

This manuscript describes the results of a metalloproteomic study of mercury in samples of muscle and liver tissue of the species Serrasalmus rhombeus, popularly known as black piranha and characterised as the most voracious and aggressive predator in the Brazilian Amazon. The metalloproteomic study involved using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D PAGE) to fractionate the proteome of the muscle and liver tissue samples, along with atomic absorption spectrometry in a graphite furnace (GFAAS) to identify mercury associated with protein SPOTs and mass spectrometry with electrospray ionisation (ESI-MS/MS) to characterise the mercury-binding proteins. The protein SPOTs characterised showed concentrations in the order of 156 mg kg-1, which ranks as the highest concentrations of mercury determined so far in metalloproteomic studies involving fish species in the Amazon region. Based on FASTA sequences of proteins characterised by ESI-MS/MS, bioinformatics studies were performed that allowed identifying nine proteins with characteristics of biomarkers of mercury exposure. Of those proteins, glutathione peroxidase stands out as an enzyme of great importance in the antioxidant defence of organisms subjected to oxidative stress caused by xenobiotics.

The role of apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain (ASC) in response to bone substitutes.

The apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain (ASC), present in inflammasomes, regulates inflammation events and is involved in osteogenic phenotype. Nevertheless, its function in bone repair induced by bone substitute biomaterials is unclear. This study aimed to unveil the role of ASC on osteoprogenitor and tissue response to stoichiometric-hydroxyapatite (HA), nanostructured carbonated-hydroxyapatite (CHA), and CHA containing 5% Strontium (SrCHA), characterized previously by XRD, uXRF-SR, and FTIR spectroscopy implants. Thereafter, conditioned media by the biomaterials were used later to treat pre-osteoblasts and an osteogenic stimulus was shown in response to the materials, with higher expression of Runx2, Osterix, ALP, and Collagen 1a1 genes, with significant involvement of inflammatory-related genes. Thus, to better address the involvement of inflammasome, primary cells obtained from both genotypes [Wild-Type (WT) and ASC Knockout (ASC-KO) mice] were subjected to conditioned media up to 7 days, and our data reinforces both HA and CHA induces lower levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) than SrCHA, considering both genotypes (p < 0.01), and ASC seems contribute with osteogenic stimulus promoted by SrCHA. Complimentarily, the biomaterials were implanted into both subcutaneous and bone defects in tibia. Histological analysis on 28 days after implantation of biomaterials into mice's subcutaneous tissue revealed moderate inflammatory response to them. Both histomorphometry and µCT analysis of tibias indicated that the biomaterials did not reverse the delay in bone repair of ASC KO, reinforcing the involvement of ASC on bone regeneration and bone de novo deposition. Also, the bone density in CHA was >2-fold higher in WT than ASC-KO samples. HA was virtually not resorbed throughout the experimental periods, in opposition to CHA in the WT group. CHA reduced to half-area after 28 days, and the bone deposition was higher in CHA for WT mice than HA. Taken together, our results show that biomaterials did not interfere with the healing pattern of the ASC KO, but CHA promoted higher bone deposition in the WT group, probably due to its greater biodegradability. These results reinforce the importance of ASC during bone de novo deposition and healing.

Parvalbumin and Ubiquitin as Potential Biomarkers of Mercury Contamination of Amazonian Brazilian Fish.

Recent studies have demonstrated the association of mercury (Hg) with some fish proteins, milk, and hair from individuals exposed to the element in the Amazon. However, few studies involve identifying biomarkers of mercury exposure. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of Hg exposure in fish. For this, the muscular tissues of two species of fish (Prochilodus lineatus and Mylossoma duriventre) that feed the Amazonian human population were analyzed. Through the analyses obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), it was possible to identify four protein SPOTS where mercury was present. These SPOTS, identified by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), included parvalbumin and ubiquitin-40S ribosomal protein S27a, and these being metalloproteins with biomarker characteristics. In addition, the results show the intense Hg/protein ratio observed in the two proteins, which makes metalloproteins strong candidates for biomarkers of mercury exposure. Graphical Abstract.

Study of proteins with mercury in fish from the Amazon region.

The high concentrations of mercury found in Amazon have been intensively studied by the scientific community in the last decades. These mercurial species bind preferentially to proteins. Therefore, this work proposal sought to obtain the fractionation, identification and study of mercury - bound proteins present in samples of muscular and hepatic tissue from fish collected in the reservoir of the Jirau Hydroelectric Power Plant - on the Madeira River. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for protein fractionation, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) for the quantification of mercury and Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) were used for the identification of proteins. Concluding the work with analysis of graphics from the Blast2go program. Two mercury - bound proteins were identified as triosephosphate isomerase A and Protein FAM45A. The data generated by the bioinformatics programs confirm the tendency of these proteins to be linked to mercury and elucity the possibles existing physiological and cellular interactions.

Metalloproteomic approach of mercury-binding proteins in liver and kidney tissues of Plagioscion squamosissimus (corvina) and Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) from Amazon region: Possible identification of mercury contamination biomarkers.

Fish is an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, this food is also a major source of human exposure to toxic contaminants such as mercury. Thus, this paper aimed to evaluate mercury-binding proteins for possible application as biomarkers of mercury contamination in hepatic and renal tissues of Plagioscion squamosissimus (carnivorous fish) and Colossoma macropomum (omnivorous fish) from the Amazon region using metalloproteomic approach. The proteome of hepatic and renal tissues of fish species was separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and the mercury concentrations in protein spots were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Finally, the protein spots associated to mercury were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were also determined. The results showed that the highest concentrations of mercury were found in the carnivorous species (P. squamosissimus) and that the accumulation pattern of this metal was higher in hepatic tissues than in renal tissues for both species. A tendency was observed for greater enzymatic activity in the hepatic and renal tissues of P. squamosissimus, the species with the highest concentration of mercury. Only GPx activity in the kidney and GST in the liver were lower for the P. squamosissimus species, and this finding can be explained by the interaction of mercury with these enzymes. The data obtained by ESI-MS/MS allowed for the characterization of the protein spots associated to mercury, revealing proteins involved in energy metabolism, biomolecules transport, protein synthesis and degradation, cell differentiation, gene regulation, and the antioxidant system. The results obtained in the present study can contribute to understanding the physiological processes underlying mercury toxicity and have provided new perspectives on possible candidates for mercury contamination biomarkers in fish.

Identification of Zinc Absorption Biomarkers in Muscle Tissue of Nile Tilapia Fed with Organic and Inorganic Sources of Zinc Using Metallomics Analysis.

The development of metallomics techniques has allowed for metallomics analysis of biological systems, enabling a better understanding of the response mechanisms for different stimuli, their relationship to metallic species, and the characterization of biomarkers. In this study, a metallomics analysis of the muscle tissue of Nile tilapia was used to aid the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in zinc absorption in this fish species when fed organic and/or inorganic sources of zinc and to identify possible biomarkers for the absorption of this micromineral. To accomplish this, the fish were separated into three groups of 24 g, 74 g, and 85 g initial weights, and each group, respectively, was fed a zinc-free diet (control group, G1), a diet containing zinc found in organic sources (treatment 1, G2), and a diet containing zinc from an inorganic source (treatment 2, G3). Two-dimensional polyacrylamide (2D PAGE) gel electrophoresis was used to separate the proteins of the muscle tissue. Subsequently, the expression profiles of protein spots in the samples where zinc was applied in different concentrations were compared, using the software ImageMaster 2D Platinum version 7.0, to identify proteins that were differentially expressed. The identified proteins were then exposed to atomic absorption spectrometry in a graphite furnace to determine zinc mapping and were subsequently characterized via electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The metallomic analysis identified 15 proteins differentially expressed and associated with zinc, leading to the conclusion that three metal-binding proteins presented as possible biomarkers of zinc absorption in fish.

Supplementation with an Inorganic Iron Source Modulates the Metalloproteomic Profile of the Royal Jelly Produced by Apis mellifera L.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the royal jelly produced by Apis mellifera bees in the presence of different iron concentrations (ferrous sulfate heptahydrate-0, 25, 50, and 100 mg L-1). Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used for the fractionation of royal jelly proteins, and iron level was quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The proteins were identified using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Analysis of variance followed by the Tukey test (P < 0.05) was utilised. Dietary supplementation with mineral Fe affected the protein content and number of proteins in the experimental period. Further, the diet containing the highest iron concentration showed a greater number of spots containing iron, as well as in the abdomen of the bees. The most protein containing Fe were classified as major royal jelly proteins. These results showed that Fe influenced the quality of royal jelly and can improve its nutritional value.

Proteomic analysis of the fast-twitch muscle of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) after prolonged fasting and compensatory growth.

Protocols that improve growth performance in fish while assuring product quality are important for aquaculture. Fasting followed by refeeding may promote compensatory growth, thus optimizing growth performance. During fasting and refeeding, fast-twitch muscle, which comprises most of fish fillet, undergoes intense plasticity. In this work, we studied the proteome of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fast-twitch muscle after 30 days of fasting (D30), 30 days of refeeding (D60) and 60 days of refeeding (D90) with two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics. Body mass, growth rate and muscle histology were also assessed. At D30, fish presented muscle catabolism and decreased growth. Proteomic analysis showed that metabolism proteins were the most affected, up and downregulated. Cytoskeleton and amino acid biosynthesis proteins were downregulated, while nuclear and regulatory proteins were upregulated. At D60, fish showed accelerated growth, despite the body mass not completely recovering. Metabolism proteins were still the most affected. Amino acid biosynthesis proteins became upregulated, while cytoskeleton proteins remained downregulated. At D90, the fish presented total compensatory growth. Many metabolic proteins were up or downregulated. Few cytoskeleton proteins remained differentially expressed. Amino acid biosynthesis proteins were mostly upregulated, but less than at D60. Prolonged fasting followed by refeeding also led to the regulation of possible meat quality biomarkers, such as antioxidant enzymes. This fact suggests possible consequences of this protocol on fish meat quality. Our work also enriches our knowledge on proteomic changes during muscle plasticity that occur during fasting and refeeding diet protocols.

Layered Double Hydroxides Are Promising Nanomaterials for Tissue Bioengineering Application.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have emerged as promising nanomaterials for human health and although it has achieved some progress on this matter, their application within bioengineering is not fully addressed. This prompted to subject fibroblasts to two compositions of LDHs (Mg2 Al-Cl and Zn2 Al-Cl), considering an acute response. First, LDH particles are addressed by scanning electron microscopy, and no significant effect of the cell culture medium on the shape of LDHs particles is reported although it seems to adsorb some soluble proteins as proposed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. These LDHs release magnesium, zinc, and aluminum, but there is no cytotoxic or biocompatibility effects. The data show interference to fibroblast adhesion by driving the reorganization of actin-based cytoskeleton, preliminarily to cell cycle progression. Additionally, these molecular findings are validated by performing a functional wound-healing assay, which is accompanied by a dynamic extracellular matrix remodeling in response to the LDHs. Altogether, the results show that LDHs nanomaterials modulate cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, delineating new advances on the biomaterial field applied in the context of soft tissue bioengineering, which must be explored in health disorders, such as wound healing in burn injuries.

Identification of Biomarkers of Mercury Contamination in Brachyplatystoma filamentosum of the Madeira River, Brazil, Using Metalloproteomic Strategies.

Predator fish can accumulate high levels of mercury, which qualifies them as potential indicators of this toxic metal. The predatory species Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, popularly known as filhote, is among the most consumed species in the Brazilian Amazon. Continuing the metalloproteomic studies of mercury in Amazonian fishes that have been developed in the last 5 years, the present paper provides the data of protein characterization associated with mercury in muscle and liver samples of filhote (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum) collected in the Madeira River, Brazilian Amazon. The mercury concentration in the muscle and liver samples was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The protein fraction was extracted in an aqueous medium, and later, a fractional precipitation procedure was performed to obtain the protein pellets. Then, the proteome of the tissue samples of this fish species was separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and a mercury mapping of the protein spots was carried out by GFAAS after acid digestion. Protein spots that had mercury were characterized by mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in sequence (ESI-MS/MS) after tryptic digestion. It was possible to characterize 11 mercury-associated protein spots that presented biomarker characteristics and could be used to monitor mercury in fish species of the Amazon region. Thus, the metalloproteomic strategies used in the present study allowed us to characterize 11 mercury-associated protein spots. It should be noted that the protein spots identified as GFRP, TMEM186, TMEM57B, and BHMT, which have coordination sites for elements with characteristics of soft acids, such as mercury, can be used as biomarkers of mercury contamination in monitoring studies of this toxic metal in fish species from the Amazon region.

Characterization of molecular biomarkers of mercury exposure to muscle tissue of Plagioscion squamosissimus and Colossoma macropomum from the Amazon region.

Mercury has the ability to bind to a variety of biomolecules, which can compromise its structure and functionality and thus promote its toxic effects. The aim of this study is to identify possible mercury biomarkers in muscle samples of Plagioscion squamosissimus (carnivorous fish) and Colossoma macropomum (omnivorous fish), from the Amazon region. The muscle proteome of fish species was separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and the total mercury concentrations in protein spots were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The protein spots containing mercury were characterized by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The mercury concentrations in the protein spots were in the range of 1.10 ±â€¯0.02-23.90 ±â€¯0.33 µg g-1. The proteins phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (P. squamosissimus), hemoglobin ß and cytochrome P450scc (C. macropomum), identified by ESI-MS/MS and showing the highest values of mercury concentration, may be considered possible mercury biomarkers.