Aurasperone A Inhibits SARS CoV-2 In Vitro: An Integrated In Vitro and In Silico Study

Several natural products recovered from a marine-derived Aspergillus niger were tested for their inhibitory activity against SARS CoV-2 in vitro. Aurasperone A (3) was found to inhibit SARS CoV-2 efficiently (IC₅₀ = 12.25 µM) with comparable activity with the positive control remdesivir (IC₅₀ = 10.11 µM). Aurasperone A exerted minimal cytotoxicity on Vero E6 cells (CC₅₀ = 32.36 mM, SI = 2641.5) and it was found to be much safer than remdesivir (CC₅₀ = 415.22 µM, SI = 41.07). To putatively highlight its molecular target, aurasperone A was subjected to molecular docking against several key-viral protein targets followed by a series of molecular dynamics-based in silico experiments that suggested M^pro to be its primary viral protein target. More potent anti-SARS CoV-2 M^pro inhibitors can be developed according to our findings presented in the present investigation.     

Neoechinulin A as a Promising SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitor: In Vitro and In Silico Study Showing the Ability of Simulations in Discerning Active from Inactive Enzyme Inhibitors

The COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing emerging variants emphasize the need to discover appropriate treatment, where vaccines alone have failed to show complete protection against the new variants of the virus. Therefore, treatment of the infected cases is critical. This paper discusses the bio-guided isolation of three indole diketopiperazine alkaloids, neoechinulin A (1), echinulin (2), and eurocristatine (3), from the Red Sea-derived Aspergillus fumigatus MR2012. Neoechinulin A (1) exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro with IC₅₀ value of 0.47 μM, which is comparable to the reference standard GC376. Despite the structural similarity between the three compounds, only 1 showed a promising effect. The mechanism of inhibition is discussed in light of a series of extensive molecular docking, classical and steered molecular dynamics simulation experiments. This paper sheds light on indole diketopiperazine alkaloids as a potential structural motif against SARS-CoV-2 M^pro. Additionally, it highlights the potential of different molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches in the discrimination between active and inactive structurally related M^pro inhibitors.     

Influence of Disease Process and Duration on Acute Phase Proteins in Serum and Peritoneal Fluid of Horses with Colic

Background

The acute phase proteins (APP) serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, and fibrinogen are valuable blood biomarkers in equine inflammatory diseases, but knowledge of factors influencing their concentrations in blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) of horses with colic is needed.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of demographics (age, sex, breed), disease process (simple obstruction, strangulating obstruction, inflammatory), disease location, disease duration, hypovolemia, and admission hospital on concentrations of APP, lactate and white blood cell counts (WBC) in horses with colic admitted to 2 referral hospitals.

Animals

The study included 367 horses with colic admitted at 2 referral hospitals.

Methods

Prospective multicenter observational study of clinical data, as well as blood and PF biomarkers. Associations between biomarker concentrations and clinical variables were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

Increasing pre‐admission duration of colic was associated with increased concentrations of APP in blood and PF. Blood concentrations of SAA and fibrinogen were associated with disease process (inflammatory, strangulations, simple obstructions) in more colic duration groups (5–12 and >24 hours) than any of the other biomarkers. No relevant associations between demographic factors, hospital, or hydration status and the measured biomarkers were found.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In horses with colic, concentrations of APP are associated mainly with disease process and duration of colic and may thus be used for assessment of disease independently of demographic or geographic factors. Serum amyloid A may be a diagnostic marker for use in colic differential diagnosis, but further evaluation is needed.     

白细胞介素-6对猪脂肪细胞脂肪分解的影响

为了研究白细胞介素(Interleukin,IL)-6对猪脂肪细胞脂肪分解的影响及其分子机制,分化的猪脂肪细胞用不同浓度的IL-6(0、25、50、75、100 ng·mL-1)处理24或48 h.通过测定培养液中的甘油浓度检测脂肪细胞的脂解率;采用形态学观察检测脂肪细胞中甘油三酯积聚量的变化;分别用RT-PCR和Western blot检测脂肪细胞中perilipin A、PPAR γ2(Peroxisome proliferato-activated receptor-gamma2)、HSL(Hormone-sensitive lipase)和AT-GL(Adipose triglyceride lipase)的mRNA及蛋白表达.结果显示,IL-6以剂量和时间依赖性的方式刺激猪脂肪细胞的脂肪分解,同时PPAR γ2和perilipin A的mRNA及蛋白表达被显著下调;HSL的mRNA表达达著上调,但其蛋白表达水平并未发生显著改变;ATGL的mRNA和蛋白表达均未发生显著改变.上述研究结果表明,IL-6通过抑制PPAR γ2及其靶基因perilipin A的表达直接刺激猪脂肪细胞的脂肪分解.     

山羊碱性氨基酸转运载体基因SLC3A1cDNA序列克隆及表达

试验旨在克隆山羊碱性氨基酸转运载体基因SLC3A1 cDNA序列,探究其表达的组织特异性及其在小肠中的表达发育模式。参考GenBank已发表的绵羊、牛SLC3A1基因mRNA序列设计引物,克隆山羊SLC3A1基因的cDNA序列,采用实时荧光定量PCR的方法分析其在1日龄山羊11种组织及其在1日龄、6月龄、8月龄、10月龄、12月龄山羊十二指肠、空肠、回肠中的mRNA表达情况。结果表明,成功克隆得到了山羊SLC3A1基因cDNA序列,其与绵羊、牛、野猪、人、小鼠、大鼠的同源性分别为99%、97%、88%、86%、80%和79%。SLC3A1基因转录表达有明显的组织特异性,其在1日龄山羊肾脏、回肠、空肠、结肠中表达量依次降低(P<0.05),其他组织中表达量很低。同一月龄山羊,SLC3A1基因在不同肠段的表达量数值上回肠>空肠>十二指肠。SLC3A1基因在不同月龄山羊十二指肠表达量以1日龄山羊为最高(P<0.05),6~12月龄山羊相同肠段之间表达量无显著差异(P>0.05);空肠表达量随山羊年龄的增加均呈现逐步降低的趋势;回肠表达量在各个月龄山羊之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果说明,山羊碱性氨基酸转运载体基因SLC3A1的主要表达部位在肾脏和肠道,推测b^0,+碱性氨基酸转运系统转运氨基酸的主要部位为肾脏和肠道。SLC3A1基因在山羊小肠受肠段和发育阶段的影响,具有不同的表达发育模式。     

内毒素诱生自由基致兔血循环系统损伤及CA对其影响

将56只健康白兔随机分组:正常对照组( 组)8只,ET处理组( 组)、CA保护组( 组)各24只,第1、2、3、4和5小时分别采集血液制备血浆样品,检测血浆T-AOC、T-SOD活性和MDA含量,第2和第5小时捕杀并迅速采集心脏制备组织匀浆,检测心脏GSH、GSH-ST、GSH-Px活性,研究内毒素(endotoxin,ET)诱导休克兔产生自由基对血浆和心脏的损伤及阳离子A(cationA,CA)对其影响。结果表明: 组各项指标均保持相对稳定; 组MDA含量比 组升高(P<0.01),T-AOC、T-SOD活性比 组降低(P<0.01),而 组的MDA、T-AOC、T-SOD显著高于 组(P<0.05);除心脏GSH-Px活性第5小时降低不明显外, 组GSH、GSH-Px和GSH-ST活性显著降低(P<0.01), 组比 组GSH、GSH-Px、GSH-ST活性高(P<0.01)。结果提示:CA能减轻ET诱生自由基所致的过氧化损伤,有效缓解内毒素引起的血液循环系统毒性损伤。     

The response of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A pathways in porcine theca interna cells to opioid agonist FK 33-824

Opioids were found as factors affecting porcine ovarian steroidogenesis. The mechanism of opioid action, however, on porcine theca interna cells is completely unknown. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the possible involvement of two intracellular pathways, phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A, in opioid signal transduction in porcine theca cells treated with mu opioid receptor agonist, FK 33-824. Incubation of the cells for 4 h with FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM resulted in decreases in inositol phosphate accumulation as well as androstenedione (A(4)), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E(2)) secretions. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine (1-100 nM), D-sphingosine (10-500 nM), and PKCi (100-2000 nM), both added alone and together with the opioid agonist, depressed release of the steroid hormones. PKC activator, phorbol ester (PMA, 1-100 nM), used alone was without effect on theca cell steroidogenesis, but added in combination with FK 33-824 abolished inhibitory influence of the opioid on A(4), T, and E(2) output. The steroid hormone secretion by PKC-deficient theca cells was inhibited by the opioid agonist. FK 33-824 also suppressed PKC activity reducing [(3)H]PDBu specific binding to theca cells, whereas ionomycin (a positive control) increased labeled phorbol ester binding to the cells. In the next experiment, cAMP release from theca cells during 2 and 4 h incubations with FK 33-824 (1-100 nM), naloxone (10 microM; opioid receptor antagonist), and LH (100 ng/mL; a positive control) was examined. FK 33-824 at the dose 1 nM inhibited cAMP secretion during 2 h incubation, but had no effect during longer incubation. LH in a manner independent on incubation time multiplied cAMP release. Protein kinase A inhibitor, PKAi (100-2000 nM), alone and in combination with FK 33-824 (1 nM), inhibited A(4), T, and E(2) secretions by theca cells. PKA activator, 8BrcAMP (10-1000 microM), stimulated the steroid hormone release, but this stimulatory effect was diminished in the presence of FK 33-824. The results allow to suggest that opioid peptides affect porcine theca cell steroidogenesis and their acute action on the cells is connected with the inhibition of phospholipase C/protein kinase C and adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A signal transduction systems.     

Genetics of equine bleeding disorders

Genetic bleeding disorders can have a profound impact on a horse's health and athletic career. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms of these diseases and how they are diagnosed. These diseases include haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease, prekallikrein deficiency, Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia and Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia. Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage also has a proposed genetic component. Genetic mutations have been identified for haemophilia A and Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in the horse. Mutations are known for von Willebrand disease and prekallikrein deficiency in other species. In the absence of genetic tests, bleeding disorders are typically diagnosed by measuring platelet function, von Willebrand factor, and other coagulation protein levels and activities. For autosomal recessive diseases, genetic testing can prevent the breeding of two carriers.