Protective Effect of a Hexapeptide Derived from Rotifer-Specific SCO-Spondin Against Beta-Amyloid Toxicity.

The Rotimer (rotifer-specific biopolymer) like SCO-spondin (R-SSPO/1), predicted as the main component of this biopolymer, is an adequate base for the design of functional small peptides. This macromolecule is interactive and protective against neurotoxic human-type beta-amyloid 1-42 aggregates (agg-Aβ). The current work presents biological investigations and predictable molecular interaction analysis of DSSNDL and PNCRDGSDE peptides that were synthesized based on the sequences of R-SSPO/1.

Biofilm formation initiating rotifer-specific biopolymer and its predicted components.

The rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, is a recently discovered group of the biomolecule family. Rotimer has an active role in the biofilm formation initiated by rotifers (e.g.

Translational biomedicine-oriented exploratory research on bioactive rotifer-specific biopolymers.

There are numerous surprising discoveries in current comprehensive biopolymer research, including the description of new types of biopolymers and the extension of their applications. The discovery of a new rotifer-specific biopolymer family (Rotimers) and the exceptional ability of these micrometazoans to inactivate and catabolize human-type neurotoxic aggregates (e.g.

Particle-dependent reproduction and exogenic biopolymer secretion of protozoa co-cultured rotifers.

The rotifer-specific exogenic biopolymer, named Rotimer and its related molecular processes are affected by physical and chemical factors (e.g., temperature, pH or metal ions); however, the study of biological influences (e.

The interacting rotifer-biopolymers are anti- and disaggregating agents for human-type beta-amyloid in vitro.

Neurodegeneration-related human-type beta-amyloid 1-42 aggregates (H-Aβ) are one of the biochemical markers and executive molecules in Alzheimer's disease. The exogenic rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, has a protective effect against H-Aβ toxicity on Euchlanis dilatata and Lecane bulla monogonant rotifers. Due to the external particle-dependent secreting activity of these animals, this natural exudate exists in a bound form on the surface of epoxy-metal beads, named as Rotimer Inductor Conglomerate (RIC).

External modulation of Rotimer exudate secretion in monogonant rotifers.

The Rotimer, a rotifer-specific biopolymer, is an exogenic bioactive exudate secreted by different monogonant species (e.g. Euchlanis dilatata or Lecane bulla).

Detection of acute stress by smooth muscle electromyography: A translational study on rat and human.

Aims: Non-invasive and simultaneous recording of gastrointestinal (GI) activity during stress induction is still an unexplored field. In our previous investigation, the stress-induced alteration of the gastrointestinal tract was explored in rats. Our aims were to expand our previous rat experiment and to induce stress response in rats (Study 1) and humans (Study 2) to detect the GI tract activity, heart rate and body temperature.

Exogenic production of bioactive filamentous biopolymer by monogonant rotifers.

The chemical ecology of rotifers has been little studied. A yet unknown property is presented within some monogonant rotifers, namely the ability to produce an exogenic filamentous biopolymer, named 'Rotimer'. This rotifer-specific viscoelastic fiber was observed in six different freshwater monogonants (Euchlanis dilatata, Lecane bulla, Lepadella patella, Itura aurita, Colurella adriatica and Trichocerca iernis) in exception of four species.

Neurodegeneration-related beta-amyloid as autocatabolism-attenuator in a system.

Investigation of human neurodegeneration-related aggregates of beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42) on bdelloid rotifers is a novel interdisciplinary approach in life sciences. We reapplied an organ size-based monitoring system, exploring the autocatabolism-related alterations evoked by Aβ42, in a glucose-supplemented starvation model. The experientially easy-to-follow size reduction of the bilateral reproductive organ (germovitellaria) in fasted rotifers was rescued by Aβ42, serving as a nutrient source- and peptide sequence-specific attenuator of the organ shrinkage phase and enhancer of the regenerative one including egg reproduction.

Alzheimer risk factors age and female sex induce cortical Aβ aggregation by raising extracellular zinc.

Aging and female sex are the major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and its associated brain amyloid-β (Aβ) neuropathology, but the mechanisms mediating these risk factors remain uncertain. Evidence indicates that Aβ aggregation by Zn released from glutamatergic neurons contributes to amyloid neuropathology, so we tested whether aging and sex adversely influences this neurophysiology. Using acute hippocampal slices, we found that extracellular Zn-elevation induced by high K stimulation was significantly greater with older (65 weeks vs 10 weeks old) rats, and was exaggerated in females.

Kynurenic Acid and Its Analogs Are Beneficial Physiologic Attenuators in Bdelloid Rotifers.

The in vivo investigation of kynurenic acid (KYNA) and its analogs is one of the recent exciting topics in pharmacology. In the current study we assessed the biological effects of these molecules on bdelloid rotifers ( and ) by monitoring changes in their survival and phenotypical characteristics. In addition to longitudinal (slowly changing) markers (survival, number of rotifers alive and body size index), some dynamic (quickly responding) ones (cellular reduction capacity and mastax contraction frequency) were measured as well.

Application of BisANS fluorescent dye for developing a novel protein assay.

In many biology- and chemistry-related research fields and experiments the quantification of the peptide and/or protein concentration in samples are essential. Every research environment has unique requirements, e.g.

Triterpenes from the Mushroom : Isolation, Structure Determination and Investigation in Bdelloid Rotifer Assays.

Twelve compounds (⁻) were isolated from the methanol extract of brick cap mushroom ( (Schaeff.) P. Kumm.

Biological Activities of Four Adaptogenic Plant Extracts and Their Active Substances on a Rotifer Model.

Rotifers have been widely used as well-characterized models of aging, since their multiorgan character makes them suitable as toxicological and lifespan models. Here we report the assessment of four adaptogenic plants and their extracts for the first time in this model. The effects on rotifer viability of extracts and characteristic active markers of , , and were tested .

Structural Optimization of Foldamer-Dendrimer Conjugates as Multivalent Agents against the Toxic Effects of Amyloid Beta Oligomers.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Despite several in vivo and clinical studies, the cause of the disease is poorly understood. Currently, amyloid β (Aβ) peptide and its tendency to assemble into soluble oligomers are known as a main pathogenic event leading to the interruption of synapses and brain degeneration.

Redox Modulating Factors Affect Longevity Regulation in Rotifers.

Rotifers are microinvertebrate models to study the phylogenetically based mechanisms of aging. Our study aimed to develop a physiological system with electron deprivation via a chemical electron carrier/acceptor pair together with extreme caloric restriction (ECR). Middle-aged Philodina acuticornis rotifers were treated with combinations of phenazine methosulfate (PMS, electron carrier) and 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide inner salt (XTT, electron acceptor) for a period of 72 hours under total food deprivation (preselection).

Exceptional in vivo catabolism of neurodegeneration-related aggregates.

Neurodegenerative diseases are linked to a systemic enzyme resistance of toxic aggregated molecules and their pathological consequences. This paper presents a unique phenomenon that Philodina acuticornis, a bdelloid rotifer, is able to catabolize different types of neurotoxic peptide and protein aggregates (such as beta-amyloids /Aβ/, alpha-synuclein, and prion) without suffering any damage. P.

In vivo screening of diterpene alkaloids using bdelloid rotifer assays.

The group of diterpene alkaloids contains numerous compounds with complex chemistry and diverse pharmacological activities. Beside toxicity, these compounds possess activity on the cardiovascular system, tumor cell lines and nervous system. The pharmacological properties have been described using in vitro and in vivo techniques; however, the bioactivities of many compounds have not thoroughly been studied.

Novel in vivo experimental viability assays with high sensitivity and throughput capacity using a bdelloid rotifer.

Rotifers have been used in biological research as well-characterized models of aging. Their multi-organ characters and their sensitivity for chemicals and environmental changes make them useful as in vivo toxicological and lifespan models. Our aim was to create a bdelloid rotifer model to use in high-throughput viability and non-invasive assays.

Adiponectin Receptors Are Less Sensitive to Stress in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Adiponectin and leptin are implicated in the initiation and pathomechanism of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The serum concentrations of these adipokines has been extensively studied in AD, however little is known about their receptors in this disease. We developed a novel approach to examine whether the receptors of adiponectin (AdipoR1 and -R2) and/or leptin (LepR) can contribute to AD pathomechanism.

Relevance of defensin β-2 and α defensins (HNP1-3) in Alzheimer's disease.

The DEFB4 gene copy numbers were investigated in 206 AD patients and in 250 controls. The levels of the human defensin β-2 (hBD2) and α-defensins (HNP 1-3) in the sera and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the patients and the controls were determined. Higher copy numbers of the DEFB4 gene was observed in AD patients as compared with the controls.

Docosahexaenoic acid reduces amyloid-β induced toxicity in cells of the neurovascular unit.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) as perivascular deposits and senile plaques in the brain. The intake of the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been associated with decreased amyloid deposition and reduced risk in AD in several epidemiological trials; however the exact underlying molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. The aim of the study was to test whether DHA can exert a direct protective effect on the elements of the neurovascular unit, such as neurons, glial cells, brain endothelial cells, and pericytes, treated with Aβ42 (15 μM).

Proteome-wide study of endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by thapsigargin in N2a neuroblastoma cells.

Disturbances in intraluminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+) concentration leads to the accumulation of unfolded proteins and perturbation of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis, which has a huge impact on mitochondrial functioning under normal and stress conditions and can trigger cell death. Thapsigargin (TG) is widely used to model cellular ER stress as it is a selective and powerful inhibitor of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPases. Here we provide a representative proteome-wide picture of ER stress induced by TG in N2a neuroblastoma cells.

A novel method for the rapid determination of beta-amyloid toxicity on acute hippocampal slices using MTT and LDH assays.

It is difficult task to measure precisely the toxic effect of beta-amyloid (Aβ 1-42) peptides and also the protective effect of novel drug candidates against Aβ-peptides. The widely used MTT-assay in cell lines or primary cell cultures could be insensitive against Aβ-peptides. We describe here an easy and relevant method for testing Aβ 1-42 toxicity on acute hippocampal slices derived from rat.