Background Protein–peptide and protein–protein interactions play an essential role in different functional and structural cellular organizational aspects. While Cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography generate the most complete structural characterization, most biological interactions exist in biomolecular complexes that are neither compliant nor responsive to direct experimental analysis. The development of computational docking approaches is therefore necessary. This starts from component protein structures to the prediction of their complexes, preferentially with precision close to complex structures generated by X-ray crystallography. Results To guarantee faithful chromosomal segregation, there must be a proper assembling of the kinetochore (a protein complex with multiple subunits) at the centromere during the process of cell division. As an important member of the inner kinetochore, defects in any of the subunits making up the CENP-HIKM complex lead to kinetochore dysfunction and an eventual chromosomal mis-segregation and cell death. Previous studies in an attempt to understand the assembly and mechanism devised by the CENP-HIKM in promoting the functionality of the kinetochore have reconstituted the protein complex from different organisms including fungi and yeast. Here, we present a detailed computational model of the physical interactions that exist between each component of the human CENP-HIKM, while validating each modeled structure using orthologs with existing crystal structures from the protein data bank. Conclusions Results from this study substantiate the existing hypothesis that the human CENP-HIK complex shares a similar architecture with its fungal and yeast orthologs, and likewise validate the binding mode of CENP-M to the C-terminus of the human CENP-I based on existing experimental reports. Graphical abstract
Medicinal plants play a vital role in ensuring proper health is attained by human beings due to their antioxidants constituents. The large family Euphorbiaceae contain nearly about 300 genera and 7,500 species. Amongst all, Ricinus communis or castor bean plant has high traditional and medicinal values towards a disease-free community. The objective of this study focuses on the phytochemical constituents and phytotoxicity perspective of the R. communis plant. The castor bean plant is effective and is thought to have antifertility, anti-nociceptive, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepato-protective, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antimicrobial bone regeneration, central analgesic, antihistamine, anti-asthmatic, cytotoxic, lipolytic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential. The seeds of R. communis were deshelled and manually separated from its shells. They were divided into three based on different methanol extraction (Fermented, Unfermented and Crystals of methanol extracts of unfermented). The quantitative phytochemical analysis showed variations in the phytochemical content of the unfermented and fermented methanol extracts respectively, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, soluble carbohydrates, hydrogen cyanides, steroids and phenols.
Aim: This study evaluated PAH content and health risks associated with consuming Clarais gariepinus (cat fish) from Ekulu Rivers, in Enugu, Nigeria fed with roofing sheet company effluent. Place and Duration of Study Design: Ekulu River, the largest body of water in the city of Enugu in Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria, is a 25-kilometer long river (16mi) and it originates in the same city as well. The city is located on latitude 06o 21o N and 06o 30o and longitude 07o 26o E and 07o 37 Eo. Methodology: This analysis was conducted with the use of Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) machine equipped with Flame ionization detector (FID). The health risks were evaluated by the mathematical models stipulated by USEPA and WHO. Results: The PAHs identified from the Clarias gariepinus samples were Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Naphthalene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Anthracene, Flouranthene, Pyrene, Benzo(α)pyrene and Benzo (g-h-i)perylene. Benzo(α)pyrene and Benzo (g-h-i)perylene were predominant. The quantity of PAHs detected in all fish samples including the control ranged from below detectable limit (BDL) through 0.001 to 0.0786mg/kg. The LMW PAHs detected were 60 % while the HMW PAHs were 40 % of the total PAHs in isolated. The total PAH concentration observed from the different point locations were 0.1003 mg/kg, 0.0977 mg/kg, 0.1102 mg/kg and 0.0414 mg/kg for the downstream, upstream, POD and control respectively. The HQ and HI obtained in all point locations were < 1. The ILCR of all the PAHs detected were in the range of 10-5 to 10-9. The benzo (α) pyrene in cat fish obtained from the POD has the most carcinogenic potency and also recorded the maximum limit (5E -03 mg/kg). Conclusion: it is pertinent to enlighten the fish consumers and mongers on the dangers posed by the consumption of fish from Ekulu River and also caution industries with injudicious effluent disposal into water bodies.
Soil microrganisms or faunas play vital roles in biogeochemical cycles which maintain the state of equilibrium of mineral elements in soil ecosystem as well as impacting on its texture and structure in otherward productivity. The impact of herbicides on biological population of soil samples spiked with various herbicides such as: dragon (paraquat) dichloride, Action 40 (Dimethoate), Vanish (Glyphosate). Buta force (Butachlor) and Amino force (2, 4-D amine 720G/L) were investigated. The soils were spiked with 10% of the herbicides, incubated for 4weeks and the oxidative stress as well as the acetylcholinesterase activity of soil faunas used as biomonitors. There was a progressive increase of lipid peroxidation in achatina achatina with vanish having the highest level of malondialdehyde (5.12 mg.dl) and dragon herbicides with the lowest levels on the second week (2.67 mg/dl). The sample contaminated with amino force herbicide had the least impact on glutathione levels (1.66 mg/dl) while the dragon herbicide depleted more of the glutathione levels (1.31 mg/dl). The Achatina achatina incubated with the soil sample spiked with vanish registered the highest catalase activity (6.2 1U/L) while action 40 recorded 3.9 IU/L as the least activity. Acetylcholineesterase activity seen in Achatina achatina incubated with soil sample 4(vanish) was inhibited beyond all other samples with 0.169 IU g protein-1 as the least value with the exception of amino force that depreciated to 0.108 IU g protein-1on the third week. This study reveals how detrimental these herbicides can be to achatina achatina which counsels the farmers on their selectivity for agricultural purposes. Keywords: oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase, herbicides, biomarkers, activity.
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