Coenzyme Q biosynthesis inhibition induces HIF-1α stabilization and metabolic switch toward glycolysis.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ, ubiquinone) is a redox-active lipid endogenously synthesized by the cells. The final stage of CoQ biosynthesis is performed at the mitochondrial level by the 'complex Q', where coq2 is responsible for the prenylation of the benzoquinone ring of the molecule. We report that the competitive coq2 inhibitor 4-nitrobenzoate (4-NB) decreased the cellular CoQ content and caused severe impairment of mitochondrial function in the T67 human glioma cell line.

Characterization of a β2 adrenergic receptor protein precursor in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and its tissue distribution across silvering.

This study provides the characterization and tissue distribution of a β2-AR in the female European eel during silvering, aiming to better understand the adrenergic system involvement in this critical maturation event. A putative β2-AR (ADRB2) mRNA was cloned and sequenced. Amino acid residues and motifs important for ligand binding are generally conserved across fish and between fish and mammals, although the occurrence of some sequence variabilities may explain the noted peculiarities of eel AR interaction with pharmacological ligands.

Renewable Alkenes from the Hydrothermal Treatment of Polyhydroxyalkanoates-Containing Sludge.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a key constituent of excess sludge produced by Aerobic Sewage Sludge Treatment plants. The accumulation of significant amount of PHA inside aerobic microbial cells occurs when a surplus of an easily degradable carbon source (e.g.

A comprehensive evaluation of the environmental quality of a coastal lagoon (Ravenna, Italy): Integrating chemical and physiological analyses in mussels as a biomonitoring strategy.

This study aimed at evaluating the environmental quality of a coastal lagoon (Pialassa Piomboni, NW-Adriatic, Italy) by combining analyses of biomarkers of environmental stress and bioaccumulation of contaminants in marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) transplanted for 28days to six selected sites. Assessed biomarkers encompassed lysosomal endpoints, oxidative stress and detoxification parameters, specific responses to metals, neuro- and genotoxic substances; chemical analyses focused on PAHs, metals, pesticide and pharmaceuticals. Results showed up to a 67-fold bioaccumulation of 4- to 6-ring PAHs, including pyrene, fluoranthene, chrysene and benzo(ghi)perylene in transplanted mussels compared to reference conditions (T0).

Chemical and ecotoxicological properties of three bio-oils from pyrolysis of biomasses.

In view of the potential use of pyrolysis-based technologies, it is crucial to understand the environmental hazards of pyrolysis-derived products, in particular bio-oils. Here, three bio-oils were produced from fast pyrolysis of pine wood and intermediate pyrolysis of corn stalk and poultry litter. They were fully characterized by chemical analysis and tested for their biodegradability and their ecotoxicity on the crustacean Daphnia magna and the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata.

Use of an integrated biomarker-based strategy to evaluate physiological stress responses induced by environmental concentrations of caffeine in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

The occurrence of caffeine (CF), a biologically active drug, has widely been documented in coastal waters, and whether its environmental concentrations do represent a threat for marine organisms is unclear. The present study aimed at assessing sub-lethal effects induced by a 7-day exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of CF (5, 50 and 500ng/L) in the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. CF in water and mussel tissues, and a battery of biomarkers, including lysosomal parameters of general stress, oxidative stress responses and endpoints of neurological and genetic damages, were evaluated and tested for significance vs controls (p<0.

Selection of best-performing reference gene products for investigating transcriptional regulation across silvering in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla).

The focus of the present study was to set a methodological approach for evaluating molecular mechanisms underlying silvering transformation in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Silvering is a tightly controlled process during which eels undergo significant morphological, physiological and behavioral changes, pre-adapting for the oceanic spawning migration. Female eels showing different silver indexes were caught in different seasons in the Comacchio Lagoon (North Adriatic Sea, Italy).