Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
You seem to have javascript disabled. Please note that many of the page functionalities won't work as expected without javascript enabled.
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
The Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Processes
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

The Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Processes

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 December 2024 | Viewed by 3176

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Koichi Fujisawa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Oncology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan
Interests: energy metabolism; adenylate kinase; mitochonodria; oncology; hepatology; regenerative medicine; stem cell; mesenchymal stem cell
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cellular metabolism is an important function that regulates nutrient storage and energy production. Enzymes, in particular, play an important role in regulating metabolic processes, including glycolysis and the TCA cycle. Furthermore, metabolic processes are closely related to cell proliferation, cell death, and carcinogenesis, and the importance of analyzing their functions continues to grow. This Special Issue solicits papers on enzymes involved in metabolic processes.

Prof. Dr. Koichi Fujisawa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • enzyme
  • metabolism
  • glycolysis
  • mitochondria
  • kinase
  • cell growth
  • carcinogenesis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 3197 KiB  
Article
Plasmalogens Improve Lymphatic Clearance of Amyloid Beta from Mouse Brain and Cognitive Functions
by Alexander Shirokov, Daria Zlatogosrkaya, Viktoria Adushkina, Elena Vodovozova, Kristina Kardashevskaya, Ruslan Sultanov, Sergey Kasyanov, Inna Blokhina, Andrey Terskov, Maria Tzoy, Arina Evsyukova, Alexander Dubrovsky, Matvey Tuzhilkin, Inna Elezarova, Alexander Dmitrenko, Maria Manzhaeva, Valeria Krupnova, Anastasiia Semiachkina-Glushkovskaia, Egor Ilyukov, Dmitry Myagkov, Dmitry Tuktarov, Sergey Popov, Tymophey Inozemzev, Nikita Navolokin, Ivan Fedosov and Oxana Semyachkina-Glushkovskayaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312552 - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a neuronal metabolic product that plays an important role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Normally, intensive brain Aβ formation is accompanied by its effective lymphatic removal. However, the excessive accumulation of brain Aβ is observed with age and during the [...] Read more.
Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a neuronal metabolic product that plays an important role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Normally, intensive brain Aβ formation is accompanied by its effective lymphatic removal. However, the excessive accumulation of brain Aβ is observed with age and during the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) leading to cognitive impairment and memory deficits. There is emerging evidence that plasmalogens (Pls), as one of the key brain lipids, may be beneficial for AD and cognitive aging. Here, we studied the effects of Pls on cognitive functions and the lymphatic clearance of Aβ from the brain of AD mice and mice of different ages. The results showed that Pls effectively reduce brain Aβ levels and facilitate learning in aged but not old mice. In AD mice, Pls improve the lymphatic clearance of Aβ that is accompanied by an increase in general motor activity and an improvement of the emotional status and learning ability. Thus, these findings suggest that Pls could be a promising candidate for the alternative or concomitant therapy of AD and age-related brain diseases to enhance the lymphatic clearance of Aβ from the brain and cognitive functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Processes)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1
<p>Schematic illustration of the study design: (<b>a</b>) Pls (phospholipids from bovine brain) were administered for 21 days into the right lateral ventricle through a chronic catheter; (<b>b</b>,<b>c</b>) the effects of Pls on clearance of the soluble forms of Aβ and cognitive functions were studied in two functional models, including (<b>b</b>) an injection model of early AD (unilateral administration of Aβ into the hippocampus) and (<b>c</b>) the age model reflecting natural age-related changes in Aβ deposition in brain tissues. Before and after a 21-day course of Pls, studies of behavior of mice as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis of Aβ in brain tissues were conducted using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and confocal imaging of Aβ in the brain, the meninges, and in the deep cervical lymph nodes (dcLNs).</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>The effects of Pls on Aβ clearance from the brain and the meninges to the peripheral lymphatics in AD mice: (<b>a</b>–<b>d</b>) Representative images of Aβ (green) in the brain from the tested groups. The blood vessels are filled with Evans Blue (blue) and labeled with NG2 (red); (<b>e</b>–<b>h</b>) Representative images of Aβ (red) in the meninges from the tested groups; (<b>i</b>–<b>l</b>) Representative images of Aβ (red) in dcLNs from the tested groups. In (<b>e</b>–<b>l</b>), the blood vessels are filled with Evans Blue (blue), the cell nuclei are labeled with DAPI (violet); (<b>m</b>–<b>o</b>) Quantitative analysis of the intensity of fluorescent signal from Aβ labeled with primary and secondary antibodies in the brain (<b>m</b>), the meninges (<b>n</b>), and in dcLNs (<b>o</b>), n = 7 in each group, *—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, ***—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, the ANOVA test with the post hoc Duncan test.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>The effects of Pls on cognitive functions in AD mice and mice of different ages: (<b>a</b>–<b>e</b>) Assessment of locomotor activity and anxiety using the open-field test (<b>a</b>) in the AD groups (<b>b</b>,<b>c</b>) without Pls and after a 21-day course of Pls as well as in middle-aged, aged, and old mice without Pls (<b>d</b>,<b>e</b>); (<b>f</b>–<b>i</b>) Evaluation of spatial memory using the Y-maze test (<b>f</b>,<b>g</b>) in the AD groups (<b>h</b>) without Pls and after a 21-day course of Pls and well as in middle-aged, aged, and old mice without Pls (<b>i</b>); Analysis of recognition memory using the new object recognition test (<b>j</b>) in the AD groups (<b>k</b>) without Pls and after a 21-day course of Pls as well as in middle-aged, aged, and old mice without Pls (<b>l</b>); n = 8 in the AD groups and n = 7 in the age groups, *—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, **—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ***—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, ns means not significant, the ANOVA with the post hoc Tukey HSD Test.</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>The effects of Pls on the development of Pavlov’s conditioned reflex in AD mice and mice of different ages: (<b>a</b>–<b>c</b>) the training of mice is based on the presentation of an unconditional signal (green light), after which the animal receives food (reward) if it accidentally finds the correct window, in which food (seeds) falls out when the head is howled. The number of training sessions required for the mouse to form a stable conditioned reflex is assessed (when the light is turned on, the mouse must quickly (within 15 s) find the correct window and receive food (reward)). The number of rewards (food) received is also assessed in the final session; (<b>d</b>,<b>e</b>) Assessment of Pavlov’s conditioned reflex in AD mice and mice of different ages, n = 8 in each group, *—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, **—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ***—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, ns means not significant, the ANOVA test with the post hoc Duncan test.</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>The effects of Pls on Aβ clearance from the brain and the meninges to the peripheral lymphatics in AD mice: (<b>a</b>–<b>d</b>) Representative images of Aβ (green) in the brain from the tested groups. The blood vessels are filled with Evans Blue (blue) and labeled with NG2 (red); (<b>e</b>–<b>h</b>) Representative images of Aβ (red) in the meninges from the tested groups; (<b>i</b>–<b>l</b>) Representative images of Aβ (red) in dcLNs from the tested groups. In (<b>e</b>–<b>l</b>), the blood vessels are filled with Evans Blue (blue), the nuclei are labeled with DAPI (violet); (<b>m</b>–<b>o</b>) Quantitative analysis of Aβ levels in the brain (<b>m</b>), the meninges (<b>n</b>), and in dcLNs (<b>o</b>), n = 7 in each group, *—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.05, **—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01, ***—<span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001, ns means not significant, the Mann–Whitney U Test.</p> Full article ">
17 pages, 315 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Usefulness of Interleukin-8 as a Biomarker of Inflammation and Metabolic Dysregulation in Dairy Cows
by Kamila Puppel, Jan Slósarz, Paweł Solarczyk, Grzegorz Grodkowski, Piotr Kostusiak, Aleksandra Kalińska, Marek Balcerak, Małgorzata Kunowska-Slósarz and Marcin Gołębiewski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 11129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252011129 - 16 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 705
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a biomarker for udder inflammation in dairy cows and to explore its associations with various metabolic parameters indicative of systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Dairy cows (multiparous) were categorized into five somatic cell count (SCC) [...] Read more.
The study aimed to evaluate interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a biomarker for udder inflammation in dairy cows and to explore its associations with various metabolic parameters indicative of systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. Dairy cows (multiparous) were categorized into five somatic cell count (SCC) classes: Class I (<100,000 cells/mL; n = 45), Class II (100,000–200,000 cells/mL; n = 62), Class III (201,000–400,000 cells/mL; n = 52), Class IV (401,000–1,000,000 cells/mL; n = 73), and Class V (>1,000,000 cells/mL; n = 56). The study quantified IL-8 levels and analyzed their correlations with NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids), BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyrate), GGTP (gamma-glutamyltransferase), and AspAT (aspartate aminotransferase). IL-8 concentrations demonstrated a significant and progressive increase across the SCC classes, establishing a strong positive correlation with SCC (p < 0.01). Additionally, IL-8 levels exhibited positive correlations with GGTP (p < 0.01) and AspAT (p < 0.01), indicating that elevated IL-8 is associated with increased hepatic enzyme activities and potential liver dysfunction. Furthermore, IL-8 showed significant positive correlations with NEFAs (p < 0.01) and BHBA (p < 0.05), linking higher IL-8 levels to metabolic disturbances such as ketosis and negative energy balance. Variations in metabolic parameters, including NEFAs, BHBA, GGTP, and AspAT, across the SCC classes underscored the association between elevated SCC levels and metabolic dysregulation in dairy cows. These findings highlight the interrelated nature of the inflammatory responses and metabolic disturbances in dairy cattle, emphasizing that an elevated SCC not only signifies udder inflammation but also correlates with systemic metabolic alterations indicative of ketosis and liver damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Processes)
16 pages, 4261 KiB  
Article
Inhibitory Efficacy of Main Components of Scutellaria baicalensis on the Interaction between Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 and Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme II
by Cheng-Han Lin, Ho-Ju Chang, Meng-Wei Lin, Xin-Rui Yang, Che-Hsiung Lee and Chih-Sheng Lin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2935; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052935 - 2 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1643
Abstract
Blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) protein serves as a therapeutic strategy for treating COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments containing bioactive products could alleviate the symptoms of severe COVID-19. However, the emergence of [...] Read more.
Blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) protein serves as a therapeutic strategy for treating COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments containing bioactive products could alleviate the symptoms of severe COVID-19. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has complicated the process of developing broad-spectrum drugs. As such, the aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of TCM treatments against SARS-CoV-2 variants through targeting the interaction of the viral spike protein with the hACE2 receptor. Antiviral activity was systematically evaluated using a pseudovirus system. Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) was found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection, as it mediated the interaction between the viral spike protein and the hACE2 protein. Moreover, the active molecules of S. baicalensis were identified and analyzed. Baicalein and baicalin, a flavone and a flavone glycoside found in S. baicalensis, respectively, exhibited strong inhibitory activities targeting the viral spike protein and the hACE2 protein, respectively. Under optimized conditions, virus infection was inhibited by 98% via baicalein-treated pseudovirus and baicalin-treated hACE2. In summary, we identified the potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors from S. baicalensis that mediate the interaction between the Omicron spike protein and the hACE2 receptor. Future studies on the therapeutic application of baicalein and baicalin against SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Enzymes in Metabolic Processes)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
<p>Establishment of SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus system. Protein expression of hACE2 in HEK293T-hACE2 and HEK293T cells was examined via Western blotting analysis (<b>a</b>). ACE2 activity in HEK293T-hACE2 and HEK293T cells was examined using ACE2 activity assays (<b>b</b>). GFP intensity in HEK293T-hACE2 and HEK293T cells was quantified using a Synergy HT multimode microplate reader (<b>c</b>). The spike protein expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus and VSV pseudovirus was examined via Western blotting (<b>d</b>). GFP images represent HEK293T-hACE2 and HEK293T cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus (<b>e</b>). GFP intensity in HEK293T-hACE2 and HEK293T cells was quantified (<b>f</b>). All values are expressed as the mean ± SD (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5) for each group. The statistical comparison between groups was conducted using Student’s <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test; *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 vs. HEK293T cells.</p> Full article ">Figure 2
<p>Infection efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 spike variant pseudovirus and inhibitory efficacy of spike and hACE2 blockers. GFP images and flow cytometry analysis represent HEK293T-hACE2 cells that were infected with pseudoviruses expressing the spike proteins of Wuhan, Alpha, Beta, Delta, BA.1, and BA.2. strains (<b>a</b>). GFP intensity was detected with a Synergy HT multimode microplate reader (<b>b</b>). GFP images of HEK293T-hACE2 cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 spike pseudovirus (<b>c</b>). The inhibitory efficacy of spike and hACE2 blockers preincubated with pseudovirus or cells (<b>d</b>). All values are expressed as the mean ± SD (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5) for each group. The statistical comparison among groups was conducted using Student’s <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test; *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 vs. SPV or APV group. SPV, SPC, APV, and APC are defined in <a href="#ijms-25-02935-t001" class="html-table">Table 1</a>.</p> Full article ">Figure 3
<p>Assessment of inhibitory efficacy of <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span>, <span class="html-italic">H</span>. <span class="html-italic">cordata</span>, and <span class="html-italic">I</span>. <span class="html-italic">indigotica</span> against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 spike pseudovirus infection. The inhibitory efficacy and cell viability of <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span> (<b>a</b>), <span class="html-italic">H. cordata</span> (<b>b</b>), and <span class="html-italic">I. indigotica</span> (<b>c</b>) were quantified using a Synergy HT multimode microplate reader at final concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL for 24 h. All values are expressed as mean ± SD for each group (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5).</p> Full article ">Figure 4
<p>LC-MS fingerprint profiles of <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span> extract. LC profiles of the TCM compound were obtained with an Impact HD Q-TOF mass spectrometer through ESI/MS experiments. Ten major constituents were found in the <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span> extract (<b>a</b>). ESI/MS negative-mode mass spectra fingerprint of baicalein (<b>b</b>). ESI/MS negative-mode mass spectra fingerprint of baicalin (<b>c</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 4 Cont.
<p>LC-MS fingerprint profiles of <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span> extract. LC profiles of the TCM compound were obtained with an Impact HD Q-TOF mass spectrometer through ESI/MS experiments. Ten major constituents were found in the <span class="html-italic">S. baicalensis</span> extract (<b>a</b>). ESI/MS negative-mode mass spectra fingerprint of baicalein (<b>b</b>). ESI/MS negative-mode mass spectra fingerprint of baicalin (<b>c</b>).</p> Full article ">Figure 5
<p>Assessment of inhibitory efficacy of baicalein and baicalin against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 spike pseudovirus infection. The viability of HEK293T-hACE2 cells treated with baicalein was quantified via MTT assay (<b>a</b>). The viability of HEK293T-hACE2 cells treated with baicalin was quantified via MTT assay (<b>b</b>). Experimental scheme indicating the pseudovirus pretreatment (PV group) and the cell pretreatment (PC group) of baicalein and baicalin (<b>c</b>). The inhibitory efficacy of baicalein pretreated with SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 spike pseudovirus and HEK29T-hACE2 cells was quantified using a Synergy HT multimode microplate reader (<b>d</b>). The inhibitory efficacy of baicalin pretreated with SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 spike pseudovirus and HEK29T-hACE2 cells was quantified using a Synergy HT multimode microplate reader (<b>e</b>). Red color (PV group): baicalein and baicalin pretreated with SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudovirus. Blue color (PC group): baicalein and baicalin pretreated with HEK293T-hACE2 cells. All values are expressed as mean ± SD for each group (<span class="html-italic">n</span> = 5). The statistical comparison between groups was conducted using Student’s <span class="html-italic">t</span>-test; ** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.01 and *** <span class="html-italic">p</span> &lt; 0.001 vs. PV group.</p> Full article ">Figure 6
<p>Synergism between baicalin and baicalein. Dose–response map for a synergistic drug combination (baicalein and baicalin) (<b>a</b>). ZIP synergy score map for the same drug combination (<b>b</b>). The interaction results are shown in both 2D and 3D. δ, excess % inhibition beyond the expectation predicted with the ZIP model.</p> Full article ">Figure 7
<p>The SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus system construction. The transfer vector is pLAS2.1w.FLuc-I2-Puro, which expresses the eGFP gene. The packaging vector is pCMVΔR8.91, which expresses HIV-1 Gag and polymerase gene. The envelope vector is pcDNA3.3_SARS2_omicron BA.2, which expresses Omicron BA.2. The plasmid DNA were co-transfected into HEK293T cells to produce the pseudovirus. The GFP of the infected cells was observed via microscopy at 72 h after infection.</p> Full article ">
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop