High yield expression, characterization, and biological activity of IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein.

The use of interferon α-2 in combination with thymosin α-1 shows higher anti-cancer effect in comparison when both are used individually because of their synergistic effects. In this study we produced an important human interferon α-2-thymosin α-1 (IFNα2-Tα1) fusion protein with probable pharmaceutical properties coupled to its high-level expression, characterization, and study of its biological activity. The IFNα2-Tα1 fusion gene was constructed by over-lap extension PCR and expressed in Escherichia coli expression system. The expression of IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein was optimized to higher level and its maximum expression was obtained in modified terrific broth medium when lactose was used as inducer. The fusion protein was refolded into its native biologically active form with maximum yield of 83.14% followed by purification with ∼98% purity and 69% final yield. A band of purified IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein equal to ∼23 kDa was observed on 12 % SDS-PAGE gel. The integrity of IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein was confirmed by western blot analysis and secondary structure was assessed by CD spectroscopy. When IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein was subjected to its biological activity analysis it was observed that it exhibits both IFNα2 & Tα1 activities as well as significantly higher anticancer activity as compared to IFNα-2 alone.

Structure, chemical modification, and functional applications of mucilage from Mimosa pudica seeds - A review.

Mimosa pudica (MP) is an ornamental plant due to seismonastic movements that close leaves and fall petioles in response to touch, wind, light, heat, cold, and vibration. The seeds of MP secrete smart, biocompatible, and non-toxic mucilage that has captivated researchers due to its widespread use in various fields such as pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The mucilage is responsive to pH, salt solutions, and solvents and acts as a binder in tablet formulations for targeted drug delivery. The mucilage is chemically modifiable via acetylation, succinylation, and graft polymerization. Chemically modified MP mucilage appeared supersorbent for heavy metal ion uptake. Nanoparticles synthesized using mucilage as a reducing and capping agent displayed significant antimicrobial and wound-healing potential. Crosslinking of mucilage using citric acid as a crosslinking agent offers a sustained release of drugs. The present review is aimed to discuss extraction optimization, structure, modification, and the stimuli-responsive nature of mucilage. The review article will cover the potential of mucilage as emulsifying, suspending, bio-adhesive, gelling, and thickening agent. The role of mucilage as a capping and reducing agent for nanoparticles will also be discussed.

Correction: Recent trends in ozone sensing technology.

Correction for 'Recent trends in ozone sensing technology' by Muhammad Mudassir Iqbal et al., Anal. Methods, 2023, 15, 2798-2822, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3AY00334E.

Recent trends in ozone sensing technology.

The harmful impact of ozone on humans and the environment makes the development of economical, accurate, and efficient ozone monitoring technologies necessary. Therefore, in the present review, we critically discuss developments in the methods for the synthesis of ozone sensing materials such as metal oxides (Ni, Co, Pd, In, Cu, Zn, Fe, Sn, W, Ti and Mo), carbon nanotubes, organic compounds, perovskites, and quartz. Additionally, the recent advancements and innovations in ozone technology will be discussed. In this review, we focus on assembling ozone-sensing devices and developing related wireless communication, data transferring, and analyzing technologies together with satellite, airborne, and ground-based novel ozone-sensing strategies for monitoring the atmosphere, urban areas, and working environments. Furthermore, the developments in ozone-monitoring miniaturized devices technology will be considered. The effects of different factors, such as spatial-temporal variation, humidity, and calibration, on ozone measurements will also be discussed. It is anticipated that this review will bridge the knowledge gaps among materials chemists, engineers, and industry.

Hydrogel assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles with enhanced microbicidal and in vivo wound healing potential.

The present study reports a hydrogel-based sunlight-assisted synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with enhanced antimicrobial and wound healing potential. The hydrogel extracted from the seeds of Cydonia oblonga was used as a reducing and capping agent to synthesize Au NPs for the first time. The as-synthesized Au NPs were characterized for an average size, shape, surface functionalization, antimicrobial, and wound healing capabilities. The cubic and rectangular-shaped Au NPs with an average edge length of 74 ± 4.57 nm depicted a characteristic surface plasmon resonance band at 560 nm. The hydrogel-based Au NPs inhibited the growth of microorganisms in zones with 12 mm diameter. In-vitro experiments showed that a minimum inhibitory concentration of Au NPs (16 µg/mL) was sufficient to mimic the 95% growth of pathogenic microorganisms in 24 h. In vivo treatment of wounds with Au NPs in murine models revealed a 99% wound closure within 5 days. Quantitative PCR analysis performed to decipher the role of Au NPs in enhanced wound healing showed an increase in the expression levels of NANOG and CD-34 proteins.

Interferon α2-Thymosin α1 Fusion Protein (IFNα2-Tα1): A Genetically Engineered Fusion Protein with Enhanced Anticancer and Antiviral Effect.

Human interferon α2 (IFNα2) and thymosin α1 (Tα1) are therapeutic proteins used for the treatment of viral infections and different types of cancer. Both IFNα2 and Tα1 show a synergic effect in their activities when used in combination. Furthermore, the therapeutic fusion proteins produced through the genetic fusion of two genes can exhibit several therapeutic functions in one molecule. In this study, we determined the anticancer and antiviral effect of human interferon α2-thymosin α1 fusion protein (IFNα2-Tα1) produced in our laboratory for the first time. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of IFNα2-Tα1 was evaluated in HepG2 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The in vitro assays confirmed that IFNα2-Tα1 inhibited the growth of cells more effectively than IFNα2 alone and showed an elevated genotoxic effect. The expression of proapoptotic genes was also significantly enhanced in IFNα2-Tα1-treated cells compared to IFNα2-treated cells. Furthermore, the HCV RNA level was significantly reduced in IFNα2-Tα1-treated HCV-infected Huh7 cells compared to IFNα2-treated cells. The quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of various genes, the products of which inhibit HCV replication, was significantly enhanced in IFNα2-Tα1-treated cells compared to IFNα2-treated cells. Our findings demonstrate that IFNα2-Tα1 is more effective than single IFNα2 as an anticancer and antiviral agent.