In vitro and in silico biological studies of novel thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives

In the present study, we report the synthesis, characterization of new series of thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate derivatives 3a–f and 4a–f. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro antimicrobial and antiviral activities. The probable mode of action of these active compounds was determined through in silico docking study by docking the receptor methionyl-tRNA synthetase and human inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) for antibacterial and antiviral activities, respectively. Among the compounds, 4c exhibited excellent in vitro antimicrobial activity against all tested strains with binding and docking energies ?35.6 and ?12.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The antiviral studies were carried out for the selected compounds in which 4a exhibited 73.69 and 54.42 % of inhibition of buffalopox and camelpox viruses, respectively. Furthermore, compound 4a showed minimum docking and binding energy along with the maximum hydrogen/hydrophobic interaction with IMPDH. The study contributes towards identification and screening of potential antimicrobial and antiviral agent’s against the pathogens.     

Sequence analysis of morbillivirus CD150 receptor-signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) of different animal species

Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule-SLAM (CD150) molecule has been reported as a putative receptor for most morbilliviruses for their respective host species. In this study, we determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the gene coding for the morbillivirus receptor-SLAM from the four species, namely, goat (Capra hircus), sheep (Ovis aries), Indian cattle (Bos indicus), and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The nucleotide (nt) open reading frame sequence of SLAM gene in all the four species studied was 1017 nucleotides in length encoding a polypeptide of 339 amino acids (aa), similar to Bos taurus, but different from canine, human, marmoset, and mouse SLAM, which were 1029, 1008, 1011, and 1032 nts, respectively, in length, and coding for 343, 336, 337, and 344 aa, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed 96.3–98.5% and 92.9–96.8% identities among the four species at the nt and aa level, respectively. Sequence diversity at aa level between various species revealed that the critical functional region of SLAM protein among different species is relatively conserved, thereby facilitating this molecule to act as a receptor for morbillivirus. Phylogenetic relationship based on the aa sequences of SLAM protein revealed that caprine, ovine, cattle, and buffalo fall under a defined cluster but caprine SLAM is more closely related to ovine, followed by bovine.     

Transepithelial paracellular leakiness induced by chronic phorbol ester exposure correlates with polyp-like foci and redistribution of protein kinase C-alpha

Although exposure of LLC-PK1 epithelial cell sheets to phorbol esters (TPA) causes a near immediate and total decrease of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), continuation of exposure for 3 to 4 days results in a tachyphylactic response as TER begins to return to control levels. Recovery of TER is maximal by 5 to 6 days, but reaches only 70 to 80% of control level. A reciprocal change in the transepithelial flux of D-mannitol indicates that the TER decrease is indicative of an increase in tight junction permeability. Exposure of cell sheets to TPA for several days also results in the appearance of multilayered polyp- like foci (PLFs) across the otherwise one cell layer thick cell sheets. The pattern of penetration of the electron dense dye, ruthenium red, from the apical surface, across the tight junction and into the lateral intercellular space indicates that the tight junctions of the cell sheet become uniformly leaky after acute exposure to TPA. However, when exposure is continued for several days, only the junctions of cells in the PLFs manifest leakiness. The decrease in TER following acute TPA exposure correlates with the translocation of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC alpha) into a membrane-associated compartment. With exposure of several days, only a trace of PKC alpha is visible by Western immunoblot, and this is in the membrane-associated compartment. Immunofluorescent microscopy indicates that the trace of PKC alpha seen in the Western immunoblots is ascribable distinctly to cells of the PLFs. Monolayer areas between PLFs show no discernible immunofluorescent signal. The data therefore indicate that tight junction barrier function may be restored in certain areas by the down regulation of PKC alpha from the membrane-associated compartment. Failure to down regulate may result in the paracellular leakiness and abnormal cell architecture of the PLFs. Possible implications of this model for in vivo epithelial tumor promotion are discussed.      

The pelvic digit ��eleventh finger��

Described as asymptomatic and an incidental finding on a plain x-ray film, the “pelvic digit” is a rare congenital anomaly. A 35-year-old man is of a rare symptomatic pelvic digit that warranted surgical excision. Its importance lies in its differentiation from acquired abnormalities due to trauma such as myositis ossificans and avulsion injuries of pelvis. If this entity is kept in mind, unnecessary investigations or interventions can be avoided.     

Expression of P32 protein of goatpox virus in Pichia pastoris and its potential use as a diagnostic antigen in ELISA

The present study was undertaken to express goatpox virus (GTPV) P32 protein in Pichia pastoris and evaluate its potential use as a diagnostic antigen in ELISA. The amplified P32 gene of GTPV was cloned into pPICZαA vector and characterized by PCR, restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The characterized linear recombinant plasmids were transformed in Pichia host GSII5 strain by electroporation and the zeocin resistant Pichia transformant containing P32 gene was selected and confirmed by PCR. The expression of P32 protein in Pichia was induced with 0.5% methanol at 30 °C. The optimum expression was observed at 72 h post-induction and the yield was 100 mg/L of culture. The expressed protein was precipitated with polyethylene glycol and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using GTPV specific serum and GTPV-P32 protein specific monoclonal antibody. Further, the protein precipitated with acetone was evaluated as diagnostic antigen in indirect ELISA in order to replace the whole GTPV. The standardized P32 protein based indirect ELISA had relative specificity and sensitivity of 84.2% and 94.2–100%, respectively when compared with serum neutralization test and whole virus based indirect ELISA. This study showed a potential of the yeast expressed GTPV-P32 protein as safe antigen in ELISA for seroepidemiological study of the capripox infection in sheep and goats, in India as well as capripox enzootic countries.