Identification of novel brain penetrant GSK-3β inhibitors toward Alzheimer's disease therapy by virtual screening, molecular docking, dynamic simulation, and MMPBSA analysis.

One of the significant therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Inhibition of GSK-3β can prevent hyperphosphorylation of tau, and thus prevent formation and accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads that block intracellular transport, trigger unfolded protein response, and increase oxidative stress, cumulatively leading to neurodegeneration. In this study, we have performed structure-based virtual screening of two small-molecule libraries from ChemDiv CNS databases using AutoDock Vina to identify hit molecules based on their binding affinities compared to that of an established GSK-3β inhibitor, indirubin-3'-monoxime (IMO).

Attenuation of Las/Rhl quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Artocarpesin.

The emergence of multidrug resistance and increased pathogenicity in microorganisms is conferred by the presence of highly synchronized cell density dependent signalling pathway known as quorum sensing (QS). The QS hierarchy is accountable for the secretion of virulence phenotypes, biofilm formation and drug resistance. Hence, targeting the QS phenomenon could be a promising strategy to counteract the bacterial virulence and drug resistance.

Structural elucidation of ETHR-A and ETHR-B from and insight into non-conservative mutations in transmembrane helix-6.

The development of Diamondback moth (DBM) depends on the ecdysis triggering hormone receptor (ETHR); a neuronal membrane G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) connected to the metamorphosis cascade. Lepidopteran insect DBM is an infamous pest of cruciferous plants. This study examined the full-length coding sequences (CDS) of ETHR-A and ETHR-B from the DBM genome.

Alantolactone modulates the production of quorum sensing mediated virulence factors and biofilm formation in .

is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients and accounts for mortality worldwide. Quorum sensing (QS) and QS mediated biofilm formation of increase the severity of infection in the host. New and effective therapeutics are in high demand to eliminate infections.

Sesamin and sesamolin rescues Caenorhabditis elegans from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection through the attenuation of quorum sensing regulated virulence factors.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen emerging as a public health threat owing to their multidrug resistance profiles. The quorum sensing systems of P. aeruginosa play a pivotal role in the regulation of virulence and act as the target for the development of alternative therapeutics.

Attenuation of quorum sensing mediated virulence factors production and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides HM3.

Signal dependent microbial communication in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 is a typical phenomenon mediated by acyl homo-serine lactone molecules that helps in developing biofilm and enhance antibiotic resistance. Microbial sources provide insight to the hidden treasure of secondary metabolites, and these structurally diversified chemical motifs can be used as antimicrobial and anti-infective agents. In the present study, endophytic fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides HM3 isolated from Carica papaya leaves was explored for anti-infective potential against P.

Identification of novel human neutrophil elastase inhibitors from dietary phytochemicals using and studies.

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) has been well studied as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases for several decades. A variety of small-molecule HNE inhibitors have been well known, and their mode of binding at the active site of the enzyme has been determined, but none of them reached clinical trials except sivelestat. In this study, we intended to identify potent dietary phytochemicals that can target the active site of HNE by employing computational methods and inhibition assay.

Binding Profile Analysis and Investigation on Chitin Synthase Substrate and Inhibitors from Maize Stem Borer, .

Introduction: Insect growth and metamorphosis are strictly dependent on the structural changes that occur in chitin containing tissues and organs. Chitin synthase catalyzes chitin polymerization by β-(1, 4) glycosidic linkage of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) monomers; the major component of insect cuticles. Targeting this enzyme could be a promising strategy to control insect pests while avoiding adverse effects on coexisting populations.

Cloning, functional characterization and screening of potential inhibitors for chitin synthase A using , and approaches.

Chitin synthase (CHS) is one of the crucial enzymes that play an essential role in chitin synthesis during the molting process, and it is considered to be the specific target to control insect pests. Currently, there are no potent inhibitors available in the market, which specifically target this enzyme. Pyrimidine nucleoside peptide, nikkomycin Z, binds to nucleotide-binding sites of fungal and insect CHS.

as Inhibitor of Quorum Sensing System and Biofilm Forming Ability of .

Endophytic fungi provide rich reservoir for novel antimicrobial compounds. An endophytic fungus, from plant identified as , was investigated for attenuating the quorum sensing mediated pathogenicity of PAO1. Crude extract of was found to reduce the production of redox-active pigments-pyocyanin and pyoverdine in PAO1 by 92.

Inhibition of quorum sensing-associated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Mycoleptodiscus indicus PUTY1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the second most emerging multidrug-resistant, opportunistic pathogen after Acinetobacter baumannii that poses a threat in nursing homes, hospitals, and patients who need devices such as ventilators and blood catheters. Its ability to form quorum sensing-regulated virulence factors and biofilm makes it more resistant to top most therapeutic agents such as carbapenems and next-generation antibiotics. In the current study, we studied the quorum quenching potential of secondary metabolites of Mycoleptodiscus indicus PUTY1 strain.

Inhibition of Microbial Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factors by .

Quorum sensing (QS)-mediated infections cause severe diseases in human beings. The control of infectious diseases by inhibiting QS using antipathogenic drugs is a promising approach as antibiotics are proving inefficient in treating these diseases. Marine fungal ( PPR) extract was found to possess effective antipathogenic characteristics.

Peruvoside targets apoptosis and autophagy through MAPK Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways in human cancers.

Aim: To investigate the cytotoxic effect of Peruvoside and mechanism of action in human cancers.

Main Methods: Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and the cell cycle arrest was identified by FACS. Real-time qPCR and western blotting studies were performed to identify important gene and protein expressions in the different pathways leading to apoptosis.

Anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities of Blastobotrys parvus PPR3 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

The bacterial cell communication also termed as Quorum sensing (QS) system was involved in the expression of several virulence traits during Pseudomonas infection. The attenuating of this bacterial cell communication system is an attractive approach for the management of bacterial infections without the complication of resistance development. In this respect, the marine environment has gained significant attention due to its biodiversity and as a source of novel bioactive compounds.

Molecular cloning, gene expression analysis, and in silico characterization of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase from Bombyx mori.

The present study was aimed to explore the molecular and structural features of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase of Bombyx mori (BmUAP), an essential enzyme for chitin synthesis in insects. The BmUAP cDNA sequence was cloned and expression profiles were monitored during the molting and feeding stages of silkworm larvae. The effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) on BmUAP expression, and on silkworm molting was studied, which revealed that 20E regulates its expression.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of flavone-8-acrylamide derivatives as potential multi-target-directed anti Alzheimer agents and investigation of binding mechanism with acetylcholinesterase.

In a search for novel multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents, a congeneric set of seventeen flavone-8-acrylamide derivatives (8a─q) were synthesized and evaluated for their cholinesterase inhibitory, antioxidant, neuroprotective and modulation of Aβ aggregation activities. The target compounds showed effective and selective inhibitory activity against the AChE over BuChE. In addition, the target compounds also showed moderate anti-oxidant activity and strong neuroprotective capacities, and accelerated dosage-dependently the Aβ aggregation.

Mosloflavone attenuates the quorum sensing controlled virulence phenotypes and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1: In vitro, in vivo and in silico approach.

Quorum sensing (QS) is the cell density dependent communication network which coordinates the production of pathogenic determinants in majority of pathogenic bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes hospital-acquired infections by virtue of its well-defined QS network. As the QS regulatory network in P.

Pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach for identification of potent natural modulatory compounds of human Toll-like receptor 7.

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is a transmembrane glycoprotein playing very crucial role in the signaling pathways involved in innate immunity and has been demonstrated to be useful in fighting against infectious disease by recognizing viral ssRNA & specific small molecule agonists. In order to find novel human TLR7 (hTLR7) modulators, computational ligand-based pharmacophore modeling approach was used to identify the molecular chemical features required for the modulation of hTLR7 protein. A training set of 20 TLR7 agonists with their known experimental activity was used to create pharmacophore model using 3D-QSAR pharmacophore generation (HypoGen algorithm) module in Discovery Studio.

Screening and analysis of acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors in the context of Alzheimer's disease.

Acetyl-cholinesterase enzyme (AChE) is a known target for identifying potential inhibitors against Alzheimer diseases (AD). Therefore, it is of interest to screen AChE with the CNS-BBB database. An AChE enzyme is a member of hydrolase family is activated by acetylcholine (ACh), so, targeting the AChE enzyme with the potential inhibitor may block the binding of the ACh.

Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 modulates quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen causing the majority of acute and persistent infections in human beings. The ability to form biofilm adds a new dimension to its resistance to conventional therapeutic agents. In the present study, down-regulation of quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm development resulting from exposure to Aspergillus ochraceopetaliformis SSP13 extract was investigated.

Attenuation of quorum sensing regulated virulence and biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 by Diaporthe phaseolorum SSP12.

In recent years, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 emerged as the significant pathogenic microorganism in majority of the hospital-acquired infections due to its resistance to the conventional antibiotics by virtue of its highly organized quorum sensing and associated biofilm formation. In the present study, quorum sensing attenuation potential of Diaporthe phaseolorum SSP12 extract was investigated against P. aeruginosa PAO1 amply supported by molecular docking studies.

Identifying novel small molecule antagonists for mLST8 protein using computational approaches.

Mammalian lethal with SEC13 protein 8 (mLST8), is an indispensable protein subunit of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway that interacts with the kinase domain of mTOR protein, thereby stabilizing its active site. Experimental studies reported the over expression of mLST8 in human colon and prostate cancers by activation of both mTORC1/2 complexes and subsequent downstream substrates leading to tumor progression. Considering its role, targeting mLST8 protein would be a therapeutic approach against tumor progression in colon and prostate cancers.

Molecular cloning and structural characterization of Ecdysis Triggering Hormone from Choristoneura fumiferana.

At the end of each stadium, insects undergo a precisely orchestrated process known as ecdysis which results in the replacement of the old cuticle with a new one. This physiological event is necessary to accommodate growth in arthropods since they have a rigid chitinous exoskeleton. Ecdysis is initiated by the direct action of Ecdysis Triggering Hormones on the central nervous system.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of 8-imino-2-oxo-2H,8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromene Analogs: New Dual AChE Inhibitors as Potential Drugs for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease onset and progression are associated with the dysregulation of multiple and complex physiological processes, and a successful therapeutic approach should therefore address more than one target. In line with this modern paradigm, a series of 8-imino-2-oxo-2H,8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromene analogs (4a-q) were synthesized and evaluated for their multitarget-directed activity on acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical, and amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) specific targets for Alzheimer's disease therapy. Most of the synthesized compounds showed remarkable acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities in low nm concentrations and good ABTS radical scavenging activity, however, no evidence of BuChE inhibitory activity.

Purification and characterization of lipoxygenase from mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) germinating seedlings.

This study reports purification and characterization of lipoxygenase protein from mung bean germinating seedlings. Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are key enzymes in seed germination. The purified mung bean LOX has resolved into two peaks by chromatofocusing, one has highest LOX activity with an isoelectric point of 5.