Zinc oxide nanoparticles inhibit bacterial biofilm formation via altering cell membrane permeability.

In the current scenario nanoparticles (NPs) have gained a breathtaking impetus due to their multidimensional applications in varied fields. In the present effort, biogenic synthesis of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) was carried out using aqueous extract of dried powder of Emblica officinalis (Amla). Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles was carried out via UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) wherein the particles were found to be quasi spherical and with a size ranging between 3 and 11 nm. The ZnO nanoparticles exhibited significant antibacterial activity against bacteria as Streptococcus pyogenes MTCC 442, Bacillus cereus MTCC 1272, Escherichia coli MTCC 1687 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 4673. The nanoparticles displayed high anti-biofilm activity toward all the bacterial strains, when tested against three different base materials viz. glass, plastic and metal (Aluminum). Further, the nanoparticle treatment of bacterial cells caused changes in their cell membrane permeability, leading to leakage of nucleic acid from the bacterial cells, thereby defining it as the most probable mechanism for their anti-biofilm potential.

p38-MAPK is prerequisite for the synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 protein.

The inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) by small molecule chemical inhibitors was previously shown to impair severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication, however, mechanisms underlying antiviral activity remains unexplored. In this study, reduced growth of SARS-CoV-2 in p38-α knockout Vero cells, together with enhanced viral yield in cells transfected with construct expressing p38α, suggested that p38-MAPK is essential for the propagation of SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 was also shown to induce phosphorylation (activation) of p38, at time when transcription/translational activities are considered to be at the peak levels. Further, we demonstrated that p38 supports viral RNA/protein synthesis without affecting viral attachment, entry, and budding in the target cells. In conclusion, we provide mechanistic insights on the regulation of SARS-CoV-2 replication by p38 MAPK.

Microbial proteases: ubiquitous enzymes with innumerable uses.

Proteases are ubiquitous enzymes, having significant physiological roles in both synthesis and degradation. The use of microbial proteases in food fermentation is an age-old process, which is today being successfully employed in other industries with the advent of 'omics' era and innovations in genetic and protein engineering approaches. Proteases have found application in industries besides food, like leather, textiles, detergent, waste management, agriculture, animal husbandry, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. With the rising demands and applications, researchers are exploring various approaches to discover, redesign, or artificially synthesize enzymes with better applicability in the industrial processes. These enzymes offer a sustainable and environmentally safer option, besides possessing economic and commercial value. Various bacterial and fungal proteases are already holding a commercially pivotal role in the industry. The current review summarizes the characteristics and types of proteases, microbial source, their current and prospective applications in various industries, and future challenges. Promoting these biocatalysts will prove significant in betterment of the modern world.