Effect of polyunsaturated free fatty acids on the membrane fusion mechanism

TMEM41B Is an Interferon-Stimulated Gene That Promotes Pseudorabies Virus Replication

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that causes Aujeszky's disease and is responsible for economic loss worldwide. Transmembrane protein 41B (TMEM41B) is a novel endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized regulator of autophagosome biogenesis and lipid mobilization; however, the role of TMEM41B in regulating PRV replication remains undocumented. In this study, PRV infection was found to upregulate TMEM41B mRNA and protein levels both in vitro and in vivo. For the first time, we found that TMEM41B could be induced by interferon (IFN), suggesting that TMEM41B is an IFN-stimulated gene (ISG). While TMEM41B knockdown suppressed PRV proliferation, TMEM41B overexpression promoted PRV proliferation. We next studied the specific stages of the virus life cycle and found that TMEM41B knockdown affected PRV entry. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the knockdown of TMEM41B blocked PRV-stimulated expression of the key enzymes involved in lipid synthesis. Additionally, TMEM41B knockdown played a role in the dynamics of lipid-regulated PRV entry-dependent clathrin-coated pits (CCPs). Lipid replenishment restored the CCP dynamic and PRV entry in TMEM41B knockdown cells. Together, our results indicate that TMEM41B plays a role in PRV infection via regulating lipid homeostasis. IMPORTANCE PRV belongs to the alphaherpesvirus subfamily and can establish and maintain a lifelong latent infection in pigs. As such, an intermittent active cycle presents great challenges to the prevention and control of PRV disease and is responsible for serious economic losses to the pig breeding industry. Studies have shown that lipids play a crucial role in PRV proliferation. Thus, the manipulation of lipid metabolism may represent a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of PRV. In this study, we report that the ER transmembrane protein TMEM41B is a novel ISG involved in PRV infection by regulating lipid synthesis. Therefore, our findings indicate that targeting TMEM41B may be a promising approach for the development of PRV vaccines and therapeutics.

A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

Toxicity with heavy metals has proven to be a significant hazard with several health problems linked to it. Heavy metals bioaccumulate in living organisms, pollute the food chain, and possibly threaten the health of animals. Many industries, fertilizers, traffic, automobile, paint, groundwater, and animal feed are sources of contamination of heavy metals. Few metals, such as aluminum (Al), may be eliminated by the elimination processes, but other metals like lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Ca) accumulate in the body and food chain, leading to chronic toxicity in animals. Even if these metals have no biological purpose, their toxic effects are still present in some form that is damaging to the animal body and its appropriate functioning. Cadmium (Cd) and Pb have negative impacts on a number of physiological and biochemical processes when exposed to sub-lethal doses. The nephrotoxic effects of Pb, As, and Cd are well known, and high amounts of naturally occurring environmental metals as well as occupational populations with high exposures have an adverse relationship between kidney damage and toxic metal exposure. Metal toxicity is determined by the absorbed dosage, the route of exposure, and the duration of exposure, whether acute or chronic. This can lead to numerous disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress generated by free radical production. Heavy metals concentration can be decreased through various procedures including bioremediation, pyrolysis, phytoremediation, rhizofiltration, biochar, and thermal process. This review discusses few heavy metals, their toxicity mechanisms, and their health impacts on cattle with special emphasis on the kidneys.