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Results for “Functional potential”

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PubMed2026

Multi-dimensional profiling of primary metabolites in Heuchera micrantha varieties reveals potential for functional food development.

Heuchera micrantha is a horticultural plant with emerging pharmacological value, yet its primary metabolites remain underexplored. This study comprehensively profiled nutrient metabolites in four H. micrantha varieties using LC-MS/MS. We identified 285 metabolites, with amino acid derivatives being predominant. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct varietal accumulation patterns and 204 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs). Integrative network pharmacology and molecular docking suggested γ-glutamyltyrosine and L-prolyl-L-phenylalanine as potential bioactive dipeptides that may interact with core hubs (MAPK1, EGFR, SRC) involved in cancer and inflammation pathways, though these predictions require experimental validation. Transcriptomics identified 39 differentially expressed genes regulating the biosynthesis of their precursor amino acids. Antioxidant assays showed varietal differences: some excelled in free radical scavenging (DPPH/ABTS) while others demonstrated superior reducing power (FRAP). This multi-omics study suggests that H. micrantha may be a rich source of therapeutically relevant primary metabolites, providing a preliminary scientific basis for its development as a functional food or nutraceutical pending further validation.

Functional Food↗

PubMed2001

Developmental expression of mouse Krüppel-like transcription factor KLF7 suggests a potential role in neurogenesis.

To identify potential functions for the Krüppel-like transcription factor KLF7, we have determined the spatiotemporal pattern of gene expression during embryogenesis and in the adult organism. We show that the profile of Klf7 expression predominantly involves the central and peripheral nervous systems and is broadly identified by three separate phases. The first phase occurs early in embryogenesis with increasingly strong expression in the spinal cord, notably in motor neurons of the ventral horn, in dorsal root ganglia, and in sympathetic ganglia. The second robust phase of Klf7 expression is confined to the early postnatal cerebral cortex and is downregulated thereafter. The third phase is characterized by high and sustained expression in the adult cerebellum and dorsal root ganglia. Functionally, these three phases coincide with establishment of neuronal phenotype in embryonic spinal cord, with synaptogenesis and development of mature synaptic circuitry in the postnatal cerebral cortex, and with survival and/or maintenance of function of adult sensory neurons and cerebellar granule cells. Consistent with Klf7 expression in newly formed neuroblasts, overexpression of the gene in cultured fibroblasts and neuroblastoma cells repressed cyclin D1, activated p21, and led to G1 growth arrest. Based on these data, we argue for multiple potential functions for KLF7 in the developing and adult nervous system; they include participating in differentiation and maturation of several neuronal subtypes and in phenotypic maintenance of mature cerebellar granule cells and dorsal root ganglia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2025

Decoding the distribution, structure-function-redox potential relationship and recent advances in fungal laccases: a systematic approach.

Laccases, categorized as multicopper oxidases, are recognized for their multifaceted roles in ecosystems and their utility in diverse industrial applications. Laccases from higher fungi, specifically Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, have garnered significant research interest due to their elevated redox potentials and their capacity to degrade lignin in decaying wood, alongside other industrial uses. Here, we have conducted a comprehensive and systematic analysis on fungal laccases using Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The genomic distribution, phylogenetic affiliation, and structural organization of laccase-encoding genes in higher fungal species were investigated, as were the catalytic mechanisms of the corresponding enzymes. Additionally, the study explores the correlation between structural domains and redox potential, as well as the impact of post-translational modifications like glycosylation on enzyme activity. Furthermore, the recent advancements in laccase engineering, employing strategies such as rational design, directed evolution, and heterologous expression are discussed. The review also explores the scope of "artificial intelligence and machine learning" in deducing the structure-function relationships, optimizing codon usage, predicting signal peptides, enhancing enzymatic performance, and developing host-specific genetic engineering techniques is also discussed for tailoring fungal laccases to meet the demands of industrial biocatalysis for improved activity and stability.

Laccase↗

PubMed2026

Genomic identification and functional characterization of the nuclear receptor gene family in relation to sex determination and gonad development in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a large superfamily of transcription factors that control a wide range of physiological processes by modulating the expression of downstream target genes. Numerous studies have confirmed that NR family members play critical and conserved roles in sex determination and gonadal development across metazoans. However, in mollusks, systematic characterization of NRs and their potential functions in gonadal regulation remain largely unexplored. In this study, 46 NR gene family members in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) were identified and assigned to eight subfamilies. All NR family members contain at least one of the two core domains (DNA-binding domain, DBD; ligand-binding domain, LBD), and conserved exon-intron structures were observed within the same subgroup, indicating their evolutionary conservation. Furthermore, expression profiling revealed high expression of CgNR2F, CgNR5A1-1, and CgNR0B1 in undifferentiated gonads, suggesting their potential involvement in sex determination. CgNR1A and CgNR2E5 were specifically expressed in female gonads and exhibited female-biased expression patterns, indicating a putative role in ovarian development. Moreover, CgNR3A and CgNR3B showed high expression levels during the undifferentiated stage and early male development stage, implying their possible participation in male gonadal development and gametogenesis. These results expand the understanding of the NR gene family in C. gigas and help elucidate the potential functions of NR genes in sex determination and gonadal development.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The Millimeter-Wave Spectrum of 2,3-Dihydrofuran

The millimeter-wave spectrum of 2,3-dihydrofuran in the ground and five ring-puckering excited states has been measured in the frequency range 100-250 GHz. The ground and first ring-puckering excited states have been fitted to a two-state Hamiltonian including Coriolis coupling interaction. The determined energy difference of 18.684(7) cm-1 between these states and the a and b type coupling parameters are consistent with the ring-puckering potential function and the previously observed dependence of the centrifugal distortion constants DeltaJK, DeltaK, and deltaK. A small ring-puckering dependence of the quartic centrifugal distortion constants DeltaJ and deltaJ has been also observed. This dependence is well accounted for in terms of the ring-puckering potential function and the vibrational dependence of the rotational constants.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Insights into the regulation of immunoglobulin light chain gene rearrangements via analysis of the kappa light chain locus in lambda myeloma.

Accumulating evidence indicates that B cells may undergo sequential rearrangements at the light chain loci, despite already expressing light chain receptors. This phenomenon may occur in the bone marrow and, perhaps, in germinal centers. As immunoglobulin (Ig)kappa light chains usually rearrange before Iglambda light chains, we analysed, by polymerase chain reaction, the Igkappa locus of bone marrow mononuclear cells from 29 patients with Iglambda myeloma to identify earlier recombinations in marrow plasma cells. The results demonstrated that Igkappa alleles were inactivated via the kappa-deleting element, presumably prior to V(kappa)-J(kappa) rearrangement, in many cases. Eighteen alleles (16 myeloma clones, 55%) showed V(kappa)-J(kappa) rearrangements, with increased utilization of 5' distant V(kappa) and 3' distant Jkappa gene segments (Jkappa4, 56%), an indication of multiple sequential rearrangements. In-frame, potentially functional V(kappa)-J(kappa) rearrangements were found in approximately one-third of available rearrangements (as expected by chance), each one in different myeloma clones: three were germline encoded, while one had several nucleotide substitutions, suggesting inactivation after the onset of somatic hypermutation. Three of four potentially functional V(kappa)-J(kappa)rearrangements involved V(kappa)4-1, a segment considered to be associated with autoimmunity. These findings provide insights into the regulation of light chain rearrangements and support the view that B cells may occasionally undergo sequential light chain rearrangements after the onset of somatic hypermutation.

B-Lymphocytes↗

PubMed2000

Normal and pathological erectile function: the potential clinical role of endothelin-1 antagonists.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem, particularly in older men. The production of penile erection involves an interplay between autonomic nerves and locally released vasoactive mediators. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a peptide released from endothelium in the corpus cavernosum, which causes smooth muscle contraction. Recent studies have investigated the physiological significance of ET-1 in the control of erectile function and it may play a role in detumescence. There is also much evidence to link ET-1 to risk factors for ED. ET-1 antagonists may prove beneficial in the treatment of ED and also in prevention of long term deterioration of erectile function. These antagonists may also find a role when used in combination with agents, which are established for the treatment of ED.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Variation in seedling hydraulic architecture as a function of species and environment.

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) were grown for two years in full sunlight (unshaded) or 20% of full sunlight (shaded) under either well-watered or drought conditions. There was a close association between evaporative flux (in situ) and leaf-specific conductivity (LSC) in stem segments of both species. Shaded, drought-stressed seedlings of both species had significantly reduced leaf area, evaporative flux, volume flow rate in xylem, flow velocity, potentially functional xylem area, and LSC than unshaded, well-watered seedlings. Reductions in LSC associated with drought or shade were similar for both species; and within a treatment, both species had similar LSC. Species differed in the manner of LSC adjustment to drought and shade. Reductions in leaf area associated with drought or shade were accompanied primarily by reductions in potentially functional xylem area for L. tulipifera, and by reductions in flow velocity for Q. rubra. These results suggest (1) the existence of a homeostatic balance between evaporative flux and LSC, (2) that species with widely different growth patterns and xylem anatomies may develop similar LSC within the same environment, and (3) a possible hydraulic basis for differences in habitat between ring- and diffuse-porous species.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Genetic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from the sputa of Australian adult cystic fibrosis patients.

Genetic investigations were carried out with 50 phenotypically selected strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from 18 patients attending an Australian cystic fibrosis (CF) center. The isolates were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Phylogenetic analysis of the macrorestriction patterns showed rates of genetic similarity ranging from 76 to 100%; 24 (48%) of the strains from 11 patients had greater than 90% similarity. A dominant strain emerged: 15 isolates from seven patients had identical PFGE patterns, and 4 other isolates were very closely related. The 50 isolates were grouped into 21 pulsotypes on the basis of visual delineation of a three-band difference. Ten of the 18 (56%) patients were infected with clonal or subclonal strains. Sequence analysis of PCR products derived from the mucA gene showed 20 mutations, with the number of mutations in individual isolates ranging from 1 to 4; 19 of these changes are reported here for the first time. Potentially functional changes were found in 22 (44%) isolates. Eight changes (five transversions and three single base deletions) led to premature stop codons, providing support for the presence of mucA mutations as one pathway to mucoidy. There was a trend toward an association between the dominant strain and lack of potentially functional mucA mutations (P = 0.09 by the chi(2) test) but no relationship between genotype and phenotype. This is the first study of genetic variation in P. aeruginosa isolates from adult Australian CF patients. The findings highlight the need for further investigations on the transmissibility of P. aeruginosa in CF patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Potential multiple functions of the v-myc oncogene within a single cell clone of OK10 retrovirus-transformed quail fibroblasts.

Propagation of in vitro transformed OK10 QDP 9c cells, cloned in soft agar, results in selective amplification of the OK10 pro-viral genome to yield a 12-fold increase in v-myc oncogene expression. In addition, increased v-myc oncogene dosage correlates with an increase of the proliferative potential of already transformed cells and relieves dependence on high serum concentrations for optimal cell growth. The increased rate of cell proliferation is reflected by a much more rapid progression through all parts of the cell cycle. These results suggest that the attainment of transformed status on one hand and progressive increase in growth factor independence for optimal cell proliferation on the other hand, may be initiated by different myc oncogene dosages within the OK10 QDP 9c cell clone.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Quantum chaos induced by nonadiabatic coupling in wave-packet dynamics.

The effect of nonadiabatic coupling due to breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation on chaos is investigated. A couple of measures (indicators) that detect the extent of chaos in wave-packet dynamics on coupled potential functions are devised. Using them, we show that chaos is indeed induced by a nonadiabatic coupling in individual time-dependent wave-packet dynamics. This chaos is genuinely of quantum nature, since it arises from bifurcation and merging of a wave packet at the quasicrossing region of two coupled potential functions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Electrophoretic Motion of Two Interacting Particles.

The electrophoretic motion of two particles in a uniform electric field is analyzed using bispherical coordinates. Thin electric double layers on the particle surfaces and Stokes flow of the surrounding fluid are assumed. The particles may be of different sizes and zeta potentials, suspended in an unbounded quiescent Newtownian fluid. The particles are separated by an arbitrary distance, and their line of centers has arbitrary orientation with respect to the electric field. Extensive mathematical treatment is performed on the solutions of the electrostatic and hydrodynamic governing equations, which are solved using scalar stream functions, potential functions, and auxiliary functions in series forms. As a result, fast and accurate solutions are possible for very wide ranges of particle separations and size ratios, thereby extending previous work on electrophoretic mobility functions for interacting particles. The new code can be incorporated directly into other codes which require electrophoretic mobility functions. As an example, pairwise electrophoretic heteroaggregation rates are calculated using the new code. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple oscillators, dynamic synchronization and sympathetic control.

1. Intermittent bursts of activity are a robust feature of the discharges of sympathetic nerves. There are at least two major mechanisms producing such discharges: (i) phasic inputs influencing sympathetic circuits; and (ii) oscillators embedded within sympathetic networks. The functional significance of patterned and synchronized activity underlying bursts of population activity may reside in their influence on information transfer between excitable cells. At the level of the single neuron, firing pattern appears to be an important determinant of synaptic/neuroeffector function (e.g. the probability of transmitter release, the types of transmitter released, the types of receptor activated and plasticity). Synchronization of inputs at a target favours summation and, therefore, may influence response (short term and long term). 2. In the present paper, I review the work from my laboratory that has focused on furthering understanding of the potential functional importance of pattern and synchrony coding in sympathetic nervous control of cardiovascular function. Because the rat tail artery has been used extensively as a model for studying neuroeffector transmission, in our investigations we have recorded from its sympathetic innervation. 3. In the anaesthetized preparation, under steady state conditions, we have established that the discharges of these sympathetic neurons have a distinct rhythm (frequency approximately 0.8 Hz). This can be detected both at single neuron and population levels. 4. A family of oscillators appears to control their discharge such that under some conditions all neurons do not have the same frequency of rhythmical activity. However, these weakly coupled or uncoupled oscillators can be synchronized dynamically by various inputs, such as central respiratory drive, lung inflation cycle-related inputs and inputs arising from visceral and somatic afferents. 5. The potential functional significance of dynamic synchronization of sympathetic oscillators in relation to sympathetic pattern generation and neuroeffector transmission is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The competitive NMDA antagonists CGP 43487 and APV potentiate dopaminergic function.

The administration to rats of different doses of the non competitive NMDA receptor blocker MK-801 (0.03-1 mg/kg IP) induced stimulation or reduction of locomotor activity, depending on the dose, whereas the competitive NMDA antagonists CGP 43487 (0.188-6 mg/kg IP) and APV (2.5-20 micrograms/rat ICV) inhibited locomotion at the highest doses. Unlike MK-801 and APV treatment, the administration of CGP 43487 did not induce impairment of rota-rod test performance. Both competitive and non-competitive NMDA antagonists, at doses devoid of any behavioral effect per se, potentiated the responses elicited by apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg SC). In particular, the occurrence of episodes of licking was weakly affected by MK-801 administration, but significantly increased by CGP 43487 and APV treatment; the presence of gnawing was augmented by all the pretreatments; sniffing, locomotion, grooming and rearing occurrence were not affected by the administration of NMDA antagonists. The results suggest that the competitive antagonists which facilitated dopaminergic function without causing motor impairment could be useful supplements in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed1993

Cross-coupling of the NF-kappa B p65 and Fos/Jun transcription factors produces potentiated biological function.

NF-kappa B and AP-1 represent distinct mammalian transcription factors that target unique DNA enhancer elements. The heterodimeric NF-kappa B complex is typically composed of two DNA binding subunits, NF-kappa B p50 and NF-kappa B p65, which share structural homology with the c-rel proto-oncogene product. Similarly, the AP-1 transcription factor complex is comprised of dimers of the c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogene products or of closely related proteins. We now demonstrate that the bZIP regions of c-Fos and c-Jun are capable of physically interacting with NF-kappa B p65 through the Rel homology domain. This complex of NF-kappa B p65 and Jun or Fos exhibits enhanced DNA binding and biological function via both the kappa B and AP-1 response elements including synergistic activation of the 5' long terminal repeat of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These findings support a combinatorial mechanism of gene regulation involving the unexpected cross-coupling of two different classes of transcription factors to form novel protein complexes exhibiting potentiated biological activity.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2005

Streptococcus pyogenes collagen type I-binding Cpa surface protein. Expression profile, binding characteristics, biological functions, and potential clinical impact.

The Streptococcus pyogenes collagen type I-binding protein Cpa (collagen-binding protein of group A streptococci) expressed by 28 serotypes of group A streptococci has been extensively characterized at the gene and protein levels. Evidence for three distinct families of cpa genes was found, all of which shared a common sequence encoding a 60-amino acid domain that accounted for selective binding to type I collagen. Surface plasmon resonance-based affinity measurements and functional studies indicated that the expression of Cpa was consistent with an attachment role for bacteria to tissue containing collagen type I. A cpa mutant displayed a significantly decreased internalization rate when incubated with HEp-2 cells but had no effect on the host cell viability. By utilizing serum from patients with a positive titer for streptolysin/DNase antibody, an increased anti-Cpa antibody titer was noted for patients with a clinical history of arthritis or osteomyelitis. Taken together, these results suggest Cpa may be a relevant matrix adhesin contributing to the pathogenesis of S. pyogenes infection of bones and joints.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1996

Regulation, function and potential origin of the Drosophila gene spalt adjacent, which encodes a secreted protein expressed in the early embryo.

During early embryogenesis of Drosophila the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the region-specific homeotic gene spalt (sal) and the neighbouring gene spalt adjacent (sala) extensively overlap. We show that the initial expression patterns of the two genes in the blastoderm also have identical genetic controls. However, while sal encodes a transcription factor, sala encodes a precursor protein from which a functional signal peptide is cleaved off to generate the secreted sala protein. Ectopic expression or absence of sala protein does not affect embryonic development, adult viability or fertility. In addition to sal and sala, we identified a third gene nearby, termed spalt related (salr), which shares coding sequence similarity and a late embryonic expression pattern with sal, but lacks the early expression domains that are shared by sal and sala. These results suggest that the three genes and their present cis-regulatory regions arose through a chromosomal rearrangement involving local duplication and transposition events in the 32F/33A region on the left arm of the second chromosome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

The tightness contribution to the Brønsted alpha for hydride transfer between NAD+ analogues.

It has been shown that the rate of symmetrical hydride transfer reaction varies with the hydride affinity of the (identical) donor and acceptor. In that case, Marcus theory of atom and group transfer predicts that the Brønsted alpha depends on the location of the substituent, whether it is in the donor or the acceptor, and the tightness of the critical configuration, as well as the resemblance of the critical configuration to reactants or products. This prediction has now been confirmed for hydride transfer reactions between heterocyclic, nitrogen-containing cations, which can be regarded as analogues of the enzyme cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). A series of reactions with substituents in the donor gives Brønsted alpha of 0.67 +/- 0.03 and a tightness parameter, tau, of 0.64 +/- 0.06. With substituents in the acceptor alpha = 0.32 +/- 0.03 and tau = 0.68 +/- 0.08. The reactions are all spontaneous, with equilibrium constants between 0.4 and 3 x 10(4), and the two sets span about the same range of equilibrium constants. The two tau values are essentially identical with an average value of 0.66 +/- 0.05. These results can be semiquantitatively mimicked by rate constants calculated for a linear, triatomic model of the reaction. Variational transition state theory and a physically motivated but empirically calibrated potential function were used. The computed rate constants generate an alpha value of 0.56 if the hydride affinity of the acceptor is varied and an alpha of 0.44 if the hydride affinity of the donor is varied. The calculated kinetic isotope effects are similar to the measured values. A previous error in the Born charging term of the potential function has been corrected. Marcus theory can be successfully fitted to both the experimental and computed rate constants, and appears to be the most compact way to express and compare them. The success of the linear triatomic model in qualitatively reproducing these results encourages the continued use of this easily conceptualized model to think about group, ion, and atom transfer reactions.

Electrochemistry↗