Prototype strain MG409 (arg11-1) is a severe arginine bradytroph with greatly reduced ornithine and arginine pools, although all known enzymes required for arginine biosynthesis are functional. To identify the function required for normal arginine production impaired in MG409, we have cloned, sequenced, and performed a first molecular characterization of ARG11.We show that the ARG11 open reading frame encodes a putative 292-residue protein with a predicted molecular mass of 31.5 kDa. Sequence similarities, a tripartite organization, and six potential hydrophobic transmembrane spans suggest that Arg11p belongs to the mitochondrial integral inner membrane carrier family. We have used immuno-Western blotting and hemagglutinin epitope-tagged derivatives of Arg11p, Arg8p (a mitochondrial matrix marker), and Arg3p (a cytosolic marker) to demonstrate that Arg11p is confined to the mitochondria and behaves like an integral membrane protein.A deletion created in ARG11 causes the same arginineleaky behavior as the original arg11-1 mutation, which yields a premature stop codon at residue 266. Arg11p thus appears to fulfill a partially redundant function requiring its 27 carboxyl-terminal amino acids. As a working hypothesis, we propose that Arg11p participates in the export of matrix-made ornithine into the cytosol.

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Background: There are many local black rice cultivars in Indonesia, yet only a few of these are formally described in the literature. It has been reported that black rice has many phytochemical variants which may contribute to its use as a functional food, including nutraceuticals and secondary metabolites such as anthocyanin, oryzanol, and more. The purpose of this article was to review literature describing black rice cultivars from Indonesia, with a particular focus on its potential use as a functional food. Our literature search revealed several articles that describe black rice in relation to its nutraceutical properties and its role in reducing non-communicable diseases. Other studies describe the diversity of local pigmented rice and its potential for lowering the risk of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and for cancer prevention. Black rice has been described as a functional food in several countries; however, there is great diversity among cultivars and further research on Indonesian varieties will determine whether local variants are candidates as well for the development of functional foods.  Keywords: black rice cultivar, functional food, non-communicable diseases, nutraceutical, phytochemical

Background: Noncontact Electro Capacitive Cancer Therapy (ECCT) is a novel treatment modality in cancer. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) has a major role in the outgrowth of metastatic breast cancer. Interleukin 18 (IL18) plays a role in macrophage alteration, which leads to excessive angiogenesis. This study aims to elaborate on the association of CCL2, IL18, IL23α, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) expression with the anti-proliferative effect of ECCT in rat breast tumor tissue.   Methods: Low intensity (18 Vpp) and intermediate frequency (150 kHz) alternating current-electric field (AC-EF) between two capacitive electrodes were exposed as external EF to a rat cage. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups of six replicates. Breast tumor tissues were collected from 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rats. Two groups were non DMBA-induced rats without ECCT exposure (NINT) and with (NIT). The other two groups were DMBA-induced rats without ECCT exposure (INT) and with (IT). Mammary glands and breast tumor tissues were collected from each group and preserved. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry staining were performed on paraffin sections of tissues using anti-PCNA, anti-ErbB2, anti-Caspase3, and anti-CD68. CCL2, IL18, IL23α, and TNF-α mRNA relative expressions were analyzed using qRT-PCR. Results: ECCT exposure may cause the reduction of PCNA protein expression as well as ErbB2 on breast tumor tissues, but it causes the increase of Caspase3 and macrophage CD68 protein. In rat breast tumor tissues of IT groups, the mRNA expression of CCL2 and IL18 are significantly down-regulated, in contrast with the up-regulated expression of these cytokines in tumor tissues of the INT group. IL23α and TNF- α expression remained similar in both groups. Conclusion: CCL2 and IL18 expressions have an association with the inhibition of breast tumor cell proliferation affected by ECCT exposure

The chemical contents and health benefits of black rice bran of some rice cul vars have been inves gated. However, there has been li le research on the 'Cempo Ireng' cul var from Sleman, Yogyakarta. The aim of this present study was to determine the anthocyanin, an oxidant ac vity, and macro-and micronutrients contents of black rice bran from this local cul var. The anthocyanin in the black rice bran was extracted using the macera on method with methanol as a solvent. The extract obtained was separated through a prepara ve thin layer chromatography (TLC) of silica GF254 and a mobile phase composed of n-butanol, ace c acid, and water. Two frac ons were collected and analyzed for the anthocyanin content. The prepara ve TLC spots were separated for further detec on and measurement of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside using HPLC followed by LC-MS. The an oxidant ac vity of the frac ons were measured using the DPPH free radical scavenging method. The results showed that the anthocyanin in frac on 1 was iden fied as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (66.1 ± 10.6 µg/g). The IC 50 of frac ons 1 and 2 were 200.96 and 218.36 µg/mL, respec vely. Analysis of the macro-and micronutrients revealed that the black rice bran of 'Cempo Ireng' had nutrient contents comparable with other rice cul vars. Therefore, this local black rice bran can be used as a source of an oxidants and macro-and micronutrients.