MicroRNAs in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders: Potential as therapeutic targets.

Neurodegenerative diseases (neurodegenerative disorders) are marked by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system. They may result in the deterioration of cognitive, motor, and functional abilities. Diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis represent some of the most prominent examples of neurodegenerative disorders.

miR-137 targets Myc to regulate growth during eye development.

During development, regulation of gene expression is key to cellular homeostasis. Gene expression regulation by non-coding RNAs involves the prevention of mRNA accumulation or the inhibition of translation of their target gene. In a forward-genetic screen to identify the microRNA involved in the growth and patterning of the Drosophila eye, we identified the highly conserved miR-137.

The Gene Expressed in a Subset of Dopaminergic Neurons Regulates Locomotion in .

CD133, also known as prominin-1, was first identified as a biomarker of mammalian cancer and neural stem cells. Previous studies have shown that the () gene, an orthologue of mammalian CD133 in , plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism, body growth, and longevity. Because locomotion is required for food sourcing and ultimately the regulation of metabolism, we examined the function of in locomotion.

Non-Rodent Genetic Animal Models for Studying Tauopathy: Review of , Zebrafish, and Models.

Tauopathy refers to a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer's disease, which correlate with the malfunction of microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) due to abnormal hyperphosphorylation, leading to the formation of intracellular aggregates in the brain. Despite extensive efforts to understand tauopathy and develop an efficient therapy, our knowledge is still far from complete. To find a solution for this group of devastating diseases, several animal models that mimic diverse disease phenotypes of tauopathy have been developed.

UBE4B, a microRNA-9 target gene, promotes autophagy-mediated Tau degradation.

The formation of hyperphosphorylated intracellular Tau tangles in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau hyperphosphorylation destabilizes microtubules, promoting neurodegeneration in AD patients. To identify suppressors of tau-mediated AD, we perform a screen using a microRNA (miR) library in Drosophila and identify the miR-9 family as suppressors of human tau overexpression phenotypes.

analysis of phytochemicals as potential inhibitors of proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

analysis of six phytochemicals, flabelliferin, marmelosin, piperine, ocimin, curcumin and leucoanthocyanin, along with three drug compounds, nelfinavir, remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine, as positive control against drug targets of one SARS-CoV-2 viral protease, COVID-19 main protease (SARS CoV-2 3CL/M), two coronavirus proteases, SARS-CoV main peptidase (SARS CoV M), SARS-CoV main proteinase (SARS CoV 3CL), and one human cellular transmembrane serine proteinase (TMPRSS2), was carried out. Except leucoanthocyanin all other phytochemicals proved better than all three positive control drugs against SARS-CoV main peptidase, whereas, flabelliferin was found to be the potential inhibitor for SARS-CoV main proteinase out performing all the positive control drugs and phytochemicals. Amongst the compounds studied, the best inhibitor for COVID-19 main protease was nelfinavir followed by flabelliferin and ocimin.

Ionome signatures discriminates the geographical origin of jackfruits (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.).

Jackfruits are nutritionally rich fruit crop indigenous to the humid tropics, known by their place of origin. In the present study, using multielemental profiling of fruit samples, we demonstrated the discrimination of different jack fruit germplasm based on their geographical origin in India. The concentration of 24 elements in soil and fruit were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Prominin-like Regulates Longevity and Glucose Metabolism via Insulin Signaling in Drosophila.

CD133, also called Prominin-1, is a biomarker for mammalian stem cells. It is involved in cell growth, development, and tumor biology. However, the function of CD133 at the organismal level has not been investigated.

Short-term exposure to dim light at night disrupts rhythmic behaviors and causes neurodegeneration in fly models of tauopathy and Alzheimer's disease.

The accumulation and aggregation of phosphorylated tau proteins in the brain are the hallmarks for the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, disruptions in circadian rhythms (CRs) with altered sleep-wake cycles, dysregulation of locomotion, and increased memory defects have been reported in patients with AD. Drosophila flies that have an overexpression of human tau protein in neurons exhibit most of the symptoms of human patients with AD, including locomotion defects and neurodegeneration.

Loss of IP3 receptor function in neuropeptide secreting neurons leads to obesity in adult Drosophila.

Background: Intracellular calcium signaling regulates a variety of cellular and physiological processes. The inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is a ligand gated calcium channel present on the membranes of endoplasmic reticular stores. In previous work we have shown that Drosophila mutants for the IP3R (itprku) become unnaturally obese as adults with excessive storage of lipids on a normal diet.

Altered lipid homeostasis in Drosophila InsP3 receptor mutants leads to obesity and hyperphagia.

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder that often manifests with a strong genetic component in humans. However, the genetic basis for obesity and the accompanying metabolic syndrome is poorly defined. At a metabolic level, obesity arises from an imbalance between the nutritional intake and energy utilization of an organism.

Effect of Mangrove Tea Extract from Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou. on Salivary Bacterial Flora of DMBA Induced Hamster Buccal Pouch Carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mangrove tea on salivary bacterial flora in DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma. Tea from mangrove plant Ceriops decandra was administered against DMBA induced buccal pouch carcinoma in hamster rats. The chemical constitutions and quality of mangrove tea is similar with the commercial tea Camellia sinensis.

Insulin-like antigen of mangrove leaves and its anti-diabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of three mangrove plants, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora annamalayana, and to detect the presence of their insulin-like protein. The in vivo anti-diabetic experiment was done on male albino Wister rats. Oral administration of 60 mg kg(-1) leaf powder extract of the three different mangrove plants for 30 days modulated the parameters such as blood glucose, plasma insulin, body weight, total haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, liver glycogen, plasma and tissue lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids to normal levels in the alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Antidiabetic activity of the mangrove species Ceriops decandra in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetes is a series of disorders characterized by increased fasting and postprandial glucose concentration and insulin deficiency and/or decreased insulin action. Although there are a number of commercially available drugs for the treatment of diabetes, their long-term use may cause unwanted side effects. Consequently, many studies are underway to find natural remedies that can effectively reduce the intensity of diabetes.