Identification of putative antiviral bioactive compounds derived from family Asteraceae: An in silico approach

This computational study investigates 21 bioactive compounds from the Asteraceae family as potential inhibitors targeting the Spike protein (S protein) of SARS-CoV-2. Employing in silico methods and simulations, particularly CDOCKER and MM-GBSA, the study identifies two standout compounds, pterodontic acid and cichoric acid, demonstrating robust binding affinities (-46.1973 and -39.4265 kcal/mol) against the S protein. Comparative analysis with Favipiravir underscores their potential as promising inhibitors. Remarkably, these bioactives exhibit favorable ADMET properties, suggesting safety and efficacy. Molecular dynamics simulations validate their stability and interactions, signifying their potential as effective SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.

Iron promotes glycolysis to drive colon tumorigenesis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and is also the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Understanding the mechanisms of growth and progression of CRC is essential to improve treatment. Macronutrients such as glucose are energy source for a cell. Many tumor cells exhibit increased aerobic glycolysis. Increased tissue micronutrient iron levels in both mice and humans are also associated with increased colon tumorigenesis. However, if iron drives colon carcinogenesis via affecting glucose metabolism is still not clear. Here we found the intracellular glucose levels in tumor colonoids were significantly increased after iron treatment. 13C-labeled glucose flux analysis indicated that the levels of several labeled glycolytic products were significantly increased, whereas several tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates were significantly decreased in colonoids after iron treatment. Mechanistic studies showed that iron upregulated the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and mediated an inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex function via directly binding with tankyrase and/or pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) 3. Pharmacological inhibition of GLUT1 or PDHK reactivated PDH complex function and reduced high iron diet-enhanced tumor formation. In conclusion, excess iron promotes glycolysis and colon tumor growth at least partly through the inhibition of the PDH complex function.

Transferrin Receptor-Mediated Iron Uptake Promotes Colon Tumorigenesis

Transferrin receptor (TFRC) is the major mediator for iron entry into a cell. Under excessive iron conditions, TFRC is expected to be reduced to lower iron uptake and toxicity. However, the mechanism whereby TFRC expression is maintained at high levels in iron-enriched cancer cells and the contribution of TFRC to cancer development are enigmatic. Here the work shows TFRC is induced by adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene loss-driven β-catenin activation in colorectal cancer, whereas TFRC-mediated intratumoral iron accumulation potentiates β-catenin signaling by directly enhancing the activity of tankyrase. Disruption of TFRC leads to a reduction of colonic iron levels and iron-dependent tankyrase activity, which caused stabilization of axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2) and subsequent repression of the β-catenin/c-Myc/E2F Transcription Factor 1/DNA polymerase delta1 (POLD1) axis. POLD1 knockdown, iron chelation, and TFRC disruption increase DNA replication stress, DNA damage response, apoptosis, and reduce colon tumor growth. Importantly, a combination of iron chelators and DNA damaging agents increases DNA damage response and reduces colon tumor cell growth. TFRC-mediated iron import is at the center of a novel feed-forward loop that facilitates colonic epithelial cell survival. This discovery may provide novel strategies for colorectal cancer therapy.

Molecular interaction of human brain acetylcholinesterase with a natural inhibitor huperzine-B: an enzoinformatics approach

The present study emphasizes the molecular interactions between human brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the natural ligand Huperzine-B and its comparison to 'AChE-Tolserine interactions'. Docking between Huperzine-B and AChE was performed using 'Autodock4.2'. Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds both play an equally important role in the correct positioning of Huperzine-B within the 'catalytic site' of AChE to permit docking. However, docking of Tolserine to AChE is largely dominated by hydrophobic interactions. Such information may aid in the design of versatile AChE-inhibitors, and is expected to aid in safe clinical use of Huperzine-B. Scope still remains in the determination of the three-dimensional structure of AChE-Huperzine-B complex by X-ray crystallography to validate the described data. Furthermore, this study confirms that Huperzine-B is a more efficient inhibitor of human brain AChE compared to tolserine with reference to Ki and ΔG values.

Cardiovascular involvement in leptospirosis

Cardiovascular involvement was studied in 50 patients with serologically proved leptospirosis. Twelve (24%) patients had dyspnoea and 18 (36%) had transient hypotension during the illness. None of them had cardiac enlargement, development of new murmur or pericardial rub. Various electrocardiographic abnormalities occurred in 70 percent of patients. Atrial fibrillation was the most common major arrhythmia (14%). Conduction system abnormalities were seen in 36 percent of patients. T-wave changes were observed in 30 percent of patients. Left ventricular function as assessed by echocardiography and Doppler examination was normal. Three (6%) patients died due to renal failure. In conclusion, even though ECG abnormalities were frequently seen in leptospirosis, there was no data to support associated left ventricular dysfunction. Dyspnoea and hypotension occurring in patients of leptospirosis must be due to a noncardiac mechanism.