Project description:Propolis is a resinous honeybee product, rich in polyphenolic compounds and with high economic value. Although extensive studies regarding the chemical composition of different propolis extracts have been carried out, the propolis proteome remained unknown. The present study aimed at characterizing the proteome of two geographically-distinct propolis originating from Belgium and Iran. Propolis extracts were analysed by SDS-PAGE followed by MALDI-TOFand LC/ESI- mass spectrometry (MS). Our in-depth proteomic analysis led to the identification of honeybee venom and royal jelly proteins, and numerous plant-defense proteins in propolis, extending our understanding on the antimicrobial properties of this complex natural substance. The proteome of both propolis was mainly made up of proteins belonging to the poplar tree. The poplar PR-2 (β-1,3-glucanases) and PR-8 (acidic endochitinases) proteins were found to be the major components of both propolis extracts, while bee venom (Api m 1) and royal jelly allergens (MJRP 1and 2) were only identified in the propolis from Belgium. Overall, our proteome analyses revealed that propolis extracts from Belgium and Iran shared a core protein composition originating from the poplar proteome. The majority of identified proteins are involved in the plant defense against pathogens, some belonging to well-known pathogenesis-related families.
Project description:Several features differentiate aged cells from young cells, many of which are due to changes in gene expression during the aging process. The mechanisms of altered gene expression in aging cells remain incompletely understood, and we hypothesized that long non-coding (lnc) RNAs mediate at least some of these changes. To determine candidate lncRNAs which are associated with aging process, we screened for alterations in lncRNA expression with aging in skin fibroblasts. Twenty-eight lncRNAs were found to be expressed more than 2-fold in aged fibroblasts, and thirty-five lncRNAs expressed less than 0.5-fold.
Project description:microRNA array of 4 cell lines: WI-38 primary fibroblasts (â??Controlâ??), slow growers (early passage after immortalization, Slow), fast growers (extensive passaging after immortalization) and fast growers transformed by constitutively activated mutant H-RasV12 (â??Rasâ??) WI-38 cells were grown in 37° in MEM supplemented with 10% non-heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (Sigma), pen-strep, sodium pyruvate, L-glutamine solution (Beit HaEmek). RNA was extracted using Nucleospin miRNA kit (Macherey-Nagel), according to manufacturerâ??s instructions. microRNA array analysis was done in duplicates, using the miRNA Complete Labeling and Hyb Kit (Agilent, 5190-0456) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Briefly, for each sample 100ng RNA was dephosphorylated, denatured, labeled with Cyanine 3-pCp and purified using Micro Bio-Spin 6 Columns. Hybridization was done for 20h with Agilent SurePrint G3 Unrestricted miRNA 8x60K (Release 19.0) arrays. Arrays were scanned using an Agilent DNA microarray scanner, and analyzed using the AgiMicroRna package in R with the RMA algorithm. The function filterMicroRna was applied with the following parameters: control = TRUE, IsGeneDetected = TRUE, wellaboveNEG = TRUE, limIsGeneDetected = 50 and limNEG = 25.
Project description:Filamentous algae (FA) have potential advantages over microalgae for wastewater treatment. However, their implementation at large-scale is hindered by an inability to predict performance. This study compared the cellular responses (photosynthesis and respiration) and composition (pigments and photosystem proteins) of FA Oedogonium acclimatised to average summer and winter conditions (Melbourne, Australia). After 7 days of acclimation the Chl a content of summer acclimated (SA) algae was about half that of the winter acclimated (WA) algae, which can be related to a strategy to reduce photodamage under high light intensities. No statistically significant changes were observed in any identified proteins associated with photosystem PSII and the reaction centre of PSI. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed more prominent lipid bodies within the SA filaments than in WA filaments, but no discernible difference in the abundance of starch granules. Photosynthetic irradiance curves were compared for the SA and WA algae. Consistent with the differences in chlorophyll, the specific gross photosynthetic rate (µP, gross) was generally higher for the WA algae. The relative difference increased from around 2-fold at 15°C to 3-fold at 25°C, and then decreased to less than 1.5-fold at 30 °C and 35 °C. At all the tested temperatures, saturation irradiance levels were in the range of 75 – 500 µmol/m2·s. Photoinhibition was observed at 30 °C (above ~300 µmol/m2·s) and was more severe at 35 °C (above ~500 µmol/m2·s), with WA algae showing greater inhibition. In contrast, the respiration response was similar for the SA and WA algae. The study emphasises the significance of accounting for seasonal variations and their effects on biomass productivity and utilisation. The data obtained will enable the incorporation of acclimation and its effect on biochemistry and photosynthetic response into predictive models of FA performance in outdoor cultures.