Molecular Characterization and Expression of α-Globin and β-Globin Genes in the Euryhaline Flounder (Platichthys flesus)

Structural and functional characterization of haemoglobin genes in Labeo catla: Insights into hypoxic adaptation and survival

Haemoglobin (HB) protein comprises four subunits: two identical α-subunits (HBA) and two identical β-subunits (HBB), encoded by the HBA and HBB genes. In this investigation, 5'/3' RACE PCR (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) was used to obtain complete coding sequences (CDSs) of both the genes from farmed Labeo catla. The resulting CDSs were 432 base pairs and 447 base pairs for HBA and HBB, respectively, corresponding to 143 and 148 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships with other cyprinids, with Labeo rohita being the closest relative. Functional analysis and protein structure prediction were conducted using bioinformatics tools. Expression profiling of both genes was checked in various tissues under control (C) and hypoxic (H) conditions. Notably, under hypoxia, HBA and HBB genes were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) initially, followed by a return to normal expression levels. Similar trends were observed for Hif1α (Hypoxia-inducible factor one alpha) and EPO (Erythropoietin) genes. Additionally, haematological indices also significantly increased corresponding to the gene expressions. However, with the decrease in the expression of these genes an onset of mortality was observed in the hypoxia (H) treated groups. The results of the current study explored the role of haemoglobin genes in adaptation to the hypoxic condition.

Therapeutic potential of Pogostemon cablin herb: a comprehensive review

Pogostemon cablin (Pogostemon patchouli or Patchouli) is known for its essential oil and is a popular medicinal herb in Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. This review covers patent articles on the P. cablin plant's therapeutic effects. The patent literature was collected using a thorough, comprehensive search on databases like Thomson Innovation, Espacenet, Patentscope, The Lens and Patent digital libraries of different Jurisdictions, including IPO, USPTO, CNIPA, inPASS, KIPO, JPO, etc. Despite the vast number of review articles on non-patent literature, none of the articles reviewed the patent literature. This current P. cablin literature analysis study will facilitate bridging the gap between further exploring the potential of this plant through novel investigations.

Characterization of a Cytosolic Acyl-Activating Enzyme Catalyzing the Formation of 4-Methylvaleryl-CoA for Pogostone Biosynthesis in Pogostemon Cablin

Pogostone, a compound with various pharmaceutical activities, is a major constituent of the essential oil preparation called Pogostemonis Herba, which is obtained from the plant Pogostemon cablin. The biosynthesis of pogostone has not been elucidated, but 4-methylvaleryl-CoA (4MVCoA) is a likely precursor. We analyzed the distribution of pogostone in P. cablin using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and found that pogostone accumulates at high levels in the main stems and leaves of young plants. A search for the acyl-activating enzyme (AAE) that catalyzes the formation of 4MVCoA from 4-methylvaleric acid was launched, using an RNAseq-based approach to identify 31 unigenes encoding putative AAEs including the PcAAE2, the transcript profile of which shows a strong positive correlation with the distribution pattern of pogostone. The protein encoded by PcAAE2 was biochemically characterized in vitro and shown to catalyze the formation of 4MVCoA from 4-methylvaleric acid. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PcAAE2 is closely related to other AAE proteins in P. cablin and other species that are localized to the peroxisomes. However, PcAAE2 lacks a peroxisome targeting sequence 1 (PTS1) and is localized in the cytosol.

Modulatory effect of dopamine receptor 5 on the neurosecretory Dahlgren cells of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

A neuromodulatory role for dopamine has been reported for magnocellular neuroendocrine cells in the mammalian hypothalamus. We examined its potential role as a local intercellular messenger in the neuroendocrine Dahlgren cell population of the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) of the euryhaline flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. In vitro application of dopamine (DA) caused an increase in electrical activity (firing frequency, recorded extracellularly) of Dahlgren cells, recruitment of previously silent cells, together with a greater proportion of cells showing phasic (irregular) activity. The dopamine precursor, levodopa (L-DOPA), also increased firing frequency, cell recruitment and enhanced bursting and tonic activity. The effect of dopamine was blocked by the D1, D5 receptor antagonist SCH23390, but not by the D2, D3, D4 receptor antagonist amisulpride. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that all DA receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5) were present in the flounder CNSS. However, quantitative RT-PCR revealed that D5 receptor mRNA expression was significantly increased in the CNSS following dopamine superfusion. These findings suggest that dopamine may modulate CNSS activity in vivo, and therefore neurosecretory output, through D5 receptors.

Kidney morphology and candidate gene expression shows plasticity in sticklebacks adapted to divergent osmotic environments

Novel physiological challenges in different environments can promote the evolution of divergent phenotypes, either through plastic or genetic changes. Environmental salinity serves as a key barrier to the distribution of nearly all aquatic organisms, and species diversification is likely to be enabled by adaptation to alternative osmotic environments. The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a euryhaline species with populations found both in marine and freshwater environments. It has evolved both highly plastic and locally adapted phenotypes due to salinity-derived selection, but the physiological and genetic basis of adaptation to salinity is not fully understood. We integrated comparative cellular morphology of the kidney, a key organ for osmoregulation, and candidate gene expression to explore the underpinnings of evolved variation in osmotic plasticity within two populations of sticklebacks from distinct salinity zones in the Baltic Sea: the high salinity Kattegat, representative of the ancestral marine habitat, and the low salinity Bay of Bothnia. A common-garden experiment revealed that kidney morphology in the ancestral high salinity population had a highly plastic response to salinity conditions, whereas this plastic response was reduced in the low salinity population. Candidate gene expression in kidney tissue revealed a similar pattern of population-specific differences, with a higher degree of plasticity in the native high salinity population. Together these results suggest that renal cellular morphology has become canalized to low salinity, and that these structural differences may have functional implications for osmoregulation.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Mitracarpus frigidus in established animal models

OBJECTIVES

This study reports the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Mitracarpus frigidus (MFM) and its chemical fingerprint.

METHODS

The acute anti-inflammatory activity was performed using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and peritonitis, ear oedema induced by croton oil and ethyl phenylpropiolate methods. Total COX, COX-1 and COX-2 expression was also evaluated. Chronic activity was determined by cotton pellet granuloma model. The antioxidative activity was assessed using liver tissue malondialdehyde, catalase and myeloperoxidase activities.

KEY FINDINGS

M. frigidus showed an intense acute anti-inflammatory action (100 and 300 mg/kg) in a nondose-dependent manner with selective inhibition of COX-2 expression. This activity may be also related to the strong antioxidative effect observed. By the other side, the chronic anti-inflammatory activity of MFM was not expressive. Kaempferol, kaempferol-O-rutenoside, rutin, ursolic acid and psychorubrin were identified in MFM.

CONCLUSIONS

The anti-inflammatory activity of MFM was probably due to inhibition of COX expression in a selective manner for COX-2. Other mechanisms, such as inhibition of inflammatory mediators and of the oxidative stress were possibly involved in the effects observed. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time those activities are reported for M. frigidus.