Composition, Anti-Diabetic, and Antioxidant Potential of Leaves.

Limiting and/or slowing down the starch digestion process and consequently the release of glucose can be an important strategy for the prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the current in vitro study was to assess the anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential of red radish leaves of the Carmen, Jutrzenka, Saxa, and Warta cultivars. In the context of anti-diabetic activity, the effect of leaves on potato starch digestion and free glucose binding, as well as inhibitory effects of leaf extracts against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and non-enzymatic glycation (AGEs) were determined.

The Anti-Metastatic Potential of Aronia Leaf Extracts on Colon Cancer Cells.

Background/objectives: Numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of polyphenols found in aronia fruits; however, little is known about how aronia leaf polyphenols impact colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-metastatic and anti-invasive activity of crude aronia leaf extract (ACE) and purified phenolic-rich aronia leaf extract (APE) against two CRC cell lines (SW-480 and HT-29).

Methods: Migration and invasion potential of ACE and APE were evaluated.

Structural and biophysical characterization of the cytoplasmic domains of HprS kinase and its interactions with the cognate regulator HprR.

The HprSR constitutes the bacterial two-component regulatory system engaged by Escherichia coli to reduce the damaging effects of reactive chlorine and oxygen species present in its cytosol. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has been shown to be the molecule capable of activating of the HprSR system. HOCl is produced upon pathogen invasion by phagocytic cells of the human innate immune system, particularly neutrophils, to take advantage of its powerful antimicrobial attributes.

Physicochemical properties and mechanism of action of a new copper(ii) pyrazine-based complex with high anticancer activity and selectivity towards cancer cells.

Two compounds, benzyl-2-(amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylene)-1-methylhydrazine-1-carbodithioate (L) and its copper(ii) complex Cu(L) were synthesized and studied in terms of their physicochemical properties, including single crystal, spectroscopic and magnetic properties; simulations, including DFT calculations and pharmacokinetic profile analysis; and biological activity. The Cu(L) compound was found to exhibit good anticancer activity against A375, PANC-1, MKN-74, T-47D, HeLa, and NCI-H1563 cells, with the IC value against the HeLa cell line reaching 17.50 μM, significantly surpassing the activity of the organic ligand.

Arabidopsis thaliana argininosuccinate lyase structure uncovers the role of serine as the catalytic base.

Arginine is an important amino acid in plants, as it not only plays a structural role and serves as nitrogen storage but is also a precursor for various molecules, including polyamines and proline. Arginine is produced by argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) which catalyzes the cleavage of argininosuccinate to arginine and fumarate. ASL belongs to the fumarate lyase family and while many members of this family were well-characterized, little is known about plant ASLs.

N-acyl glycines produced by commensal bacteria potentiate GLP-1 secretion as GPCR ligands.

Commensal microbiota is crucial for nutrient digestion and production of biologically active molecules, many of which mimic endogenous ligands of human GPCRs. Bacteroides spp. are among the most abundant bacteria residing in the human gut and their absence has been positively correlated with metabolic disorders.

Stapled peptides as potential therapeutics for diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

The field of peptide drug research has experienced notable progress, with stapled peptides featuring stabilized α-helical conformation, emerging as a promising field. These peptides offer enhanced stability, cellular permeability, and binding affinity and exhibit potential in the treatment of diabetes and metabolic disorders. Stapled peptides, through the disruption of protein-protein interactions, present varied functionalities encompassing agonism, antagonism, and dual-agonism.

Bioactive Compounds Produced by Endophytic Bacteria and Their Plant Hosts-An Insight into the World of Chosen Herbaceous Ruderal Plants in Central Europe.

The natural environment has been significantly impacted by human activity, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changes in living organisms and their adaptation to harsh conditions. Species, including plants, adapt to these changes by creating mechanisms and modifications that allow them to survive in harsh environments. Also, endophytes, microorganisms that live inside plants, can support plant growth and defense mechanisms in these conditions by synthesizing antimicrobial secondary metabolites.

Alpha-cyclodextrin increases glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in multiple models and improves metabolic status in mice.

Alpha-cyclodextrin (α-CD) is a non-absorbable and soluble fiber that causes weight loss. We studied whether this is due to an effect on GLP-1 secretion. In GLUTag cells, α-CD increased GLP-1 secretion up to 170% via adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, and L-type calcium channels dependent processes.

Evaluation of the effect of roasting and digestion on biological activity of compounds of coffee extracts - in vitro assessment of the bioavailability, cytoprotective properties and modulation of inflammatory response.

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world. Consumption of phenolic compounds present in coffee protects the body against oxidative stress generation, inflammatory response, and cancer development. The aim of the study was evaluation of biological activity of coffee extracts (obtained from green, as well as light and dark roasted Robusta and Arabica beans) and isolated fractions on human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells, which are used as a cellular model of intestinal barrier in bioavailability studies.

Isolation, Selection, and Identification of Keratinolytic Bacteria for Green Management of Keratin Waste.

The volume of difficult-to-process keratin waste is increasing as a result of rising global meat production. If not properly managed, this waste can contribute to environmental pollution and pose a threat to human and animal welfare. An interesting and more sustainable alternative is therefore the bioconversion of keratin using microorganisms and their enzymes.

Evidence of Gas Phase Glucosyl Transfer and Glycation in the CID/HCD-Spectra of S-Glucosylated Peptides.

Protein cysteine S-glycosylation is a relatively rare and less well characterized post-translational modification (PTM). Creating reliable model proteins that carry this modification is challenging. The lack of available models or natural S-glycosylated proteins significantly hampers the development of mass-spectrometry-based (MS-based) methodologies for detecting protein cysteine S-glycosylation in real-world proteomic studies.

L-valine is a powerful stimulator of GLP-1 secretion in rodents and stimulates secretion through ATP-sensitive potassium channels and voltage-gated calcium channels.

Background: We previously reported that, among all the naturally occurring amino acids, L-valine is the most powerful luminal stimulator of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) release from the upper part of the rat small intestine. This makes L-valine an interesting target for nutritional-based modulation of GLP-1 secretion. However, the molecular mechanism of L-valine-induced secretion remains unknown.

Double-modified, thio and methylene ATP analogue facilitates wound healing in vitro and in vivo.

Recent data indicate that extracellular ATP affects wound healing efficacy via P2Y2-dependent signaling pathway. In the current work, we propose double-modified ATP analogue-alpha-thio-beta,gamma-methylene-ATP as a potential therapeutic agent for a skin regeneration. For the better understanding of structure-activity relationship, beside tested ATP analogues, the appropriate single-modified derivatives of target compound, such as alpha-thio-ATP and beta,gamma-methylene-ATP, were also tested in the context of their involvement in the activation of ATP-dependent purinergic signaling pathway via the P2Y2 receptor.

Injectable Liposome-Loaded Hydrogel Formulations with Controlled Release of Curcumin and α-Tocopherol for Dental Tissue Engineering.

An injectable hydrogel formulation is developed utilizing low- and high-molecular-weight chitosan (LCH and HCH) incorporated with curcumin and α-tocopherol-loaded liposomes (Lip/Cur+Toc). Cur and Toc releases are delayed within the hydrogels. The injectability of hydrogels is proved via rheological analyses.

The impact of E3 ligase choice on PROTAC effectiveness in protein kinase degradation.

Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTACs) provide a novel therapeutic approach that is revolutionizing drug discovery. The success of PROTACs largely depends on the combination of their three fragments: E3 ligase ligand, linker and protein of interest (POI)-targeting ligand. We summarize the pivotal significance of the precise combination of the E3 ligase ligand with the POI-recruiting warhead, which is crucial for the successful execution of cellular processes and achieving the desired outcomes.

Uncontrolled Post-Industrial Landfill-Source of Metals, Potential Toxic Compounds, Dust, and Pathogens in Environment-A Case Study.

The aim of this case study was the evaluation of the selected metals' concentration, potential toxic compound identification, cytotoxicity analysis, estimation of the airborne dust concentration, biodiversity, and number of microorganisms in the environment (leachate, soil, air) of the biggest uncontrolled post-industrial landfills in Poland. Based on the results obtained, preliminary solutions for the future management of post-industrial objects that have become an uncontrolled landfill were indicated. In the air, the PM fraction dominated, constituting 78.

Old Apple Cultivars as a Natural Source of Phenolics and Triterpenoids with Cytoprotective Activity on Caco-2 and HepG2 Cells.

Apples are among the most consumed fruits worldwide. They serve as an excellent source of compounds that have a positive impact on human health. While new varieties of apples are being developed, numerous varieties have been forgotten.

Indole-3-carboxyaldehyde does not reverse the intestinal effects of fiber-free diet in mice.

Objective: Fiber-free diet impairs intestinal and colonic health in mice, in parallel with a reduction in glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels. Endogenous GLP-1 is important for intestinal growth and maintenance of the intestinal integrity. We aimed to investigate whether fiber-free diet reduces luminal content of metabolites which, upon supplementation, could increase GLP-1 secretion and restore the adverse effects of fiber-free diet.

Complete genome sequence and transcriptome response to vitamin C supplementation of Novacetimonas hansenii SI1 - producer of highly-stretchable cellulose.

Novacetimonas hansenii SI1, previously known as Komagataeibacter hansenii, produces bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) with unique ability to stretch. The addition of vitamin C in the culture medium increases the porosity of the membranes and their stretchability making them highly moldable. To better understand the genetic background of this strain, we obtained its complete genome sequence using a hybrid sequencing and assembly strategy.

Comprehensive structural overview of the C-terminal ligand-binding domains of the TetR family regulators.

TetR family regulators (TFRs) represent a large group of one-component bacterial signal transduction systems which recognize environmental signals, like the presence of antibiotics or other bactericidal compounds, and trigger the cell response by regulating the expression of genes that secure bacterial survival in harsh environmental conditions. TFRs act as homodimers, each protomer is composed of a conserved DNA-binding N-terminal domain (NTD) and a variable ligand-binding C-terminal domain (CTD). Currently, there are about 500 structures of TFRs available in the Protein Data Bank and one-fourth of them represent the structures of TFR-ligand complexes.

Lysophosphatidylcholines Enriched with and Palmitoleic Acid Regulate Insulin Secretion via GPR119 Receptor.

Among lipids, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) with various fatty acyl chains have been identified as potential agonists of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Recently, targeting GPCRs has been switched to diabetes and obesity. Concomitantly, our last findings indicate the insulin secretagogue properties of and palmitoleic acid (16:1, n-7) resulting from GPCR activation, however, associated with different signaling pathways.

Pro-fluorescent probe with morpholine moiety and its reactivity towards selected biological oxidants.

Biological oxidants participate in many processes in the human body. Their excessive production causes organelle damage, which may result in the accumulation of cytotoxic mediators and cell degradation and may manifest itself in various diseases. Peroxynitrite (ONOO ), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H O ), and peroxymonocarbonate (HOOCO ) are important oxidants in biology, toxicology, and various pathologies.