Search Results (82)

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are important proteins in plant development and environmental adaptation. Despite extensive characterization of GRX gene family members in various plant species, limited research has been conducted on the identification and functional analysis of GRXs in the economically important Solanaceae family pepper (Capsicum annuum). This study identified 35 typical GRX genes in pepper and categorized them into three distinct groups: CC-, CGFS-, and CPYC-type, based on the phylogenetic topology, which was consistent with motif or domain arrangement, and gene structures. Furthermore, the determination of ω values indicated that purifying selection was a significant factor in the evolutionary diversification of GRX genes in the eudicot family. Intra-genome investigations demonstrated that both segmental and tandem duplications were involved in the expansion of CaGRX genes. Moreover, examination of collinearity within the Solanaceae family revealed 53 orthologous pairs of GRX genes. Additionally, prediction of cis-regulatory elements and analysis of expression profiles revealed the significant involvement of GRX genes in plant stress response, specifically in relation to hypoxia and submergence. Subsequent subcellular localization examination suggested CaGRX may be involved in the endomembrane system and regulation of oxidative balance in plants. Collectively, these findings enhance our comprehension of the structural and functional properties of GRX in pepper, and establish a groundwork for subsequent functional characterization of the CaGRX genes. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are vital for oocyte development, yet the redox state of peritoneal fluid may differ between health and disease. This study investigates the effects of peritoneal fluid from women with and without endometriosis on mouse oocytes’ redox status and RNA oxidation. Peritoneal fluid samples were collected during laparoscopy from women enrolled in an ethically approved case–control study. Stimulated C57BL6 mouse germinal vesicle oocytes were microinjected with RNA transcribed from a Grx1-roGFP2 construct and imaged to assess redox changes. Further oocytes were incubated in standard media, H₂O₂, or 20% peritoneal fluid, fixed, and immunostained for 8-OHG to evaluate RNA oxidative damage. Oocytes exposed to endometriosis-affected peritoneal fluid showed significantly less redox reduction (mean change 0.07, p < 0.001) compared to fluid from unaffected women (mean change 0.17, p < 0.001), suggesting impaired antioxidant capacity. Those treated with fluid from women without endometriosis showed a more significant reduction (mean ratio change 0.17, p < 0.001). RNA damage was higher in oocytes incubated in fluid from women with infertility compared to pelvic pain (p < 0.001). These findings suggest an altered oxidative environment of peritoneal fluid in endometriosis may contribute to impaired oocyte quality, highlighting a potential mechanism of infertility in affected women. Full article

This study examines the corrosion characteristics of GRX-810, a NiCoCr-based high entropy alloy, in a simulated marine environment represented by 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The research employs electrochemical and surface analysis techniques to evaluate the corrosion performance and protective mechanisms of this alloy. Electrochemical characterization was performed using potentiodynamic polarization to determine critical corrosion parameters, including corrosion potential and current density, along with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to assess the stability and protective qualities of the oxide film. Surface analytical techniques provided detailed microstructural and compositional insights, with scanning electron microscopy revealing the morphology of corrosion products, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy identifying elemental distribution in the passive layer, and X-ray diffraction confirming the chemical composition and crystalline structure of surface oxide. The results demonstrated distinct corrosion resistance behavior between the different processing conditions of the alloy. The laser powder bed fused (LPBF) specimens in the as-built condition exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to their hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) counterparts, as evidenced by higher corrosion potentials and lower current densities. Microscopic examination revealed the formation of a dense, continuous layer of corrosion products on the alloy surface, indicating effective barrier protection against chloride ion penetration. A compositional analysis of all samples identified oxide film enriched with chromium, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, titanium, and silicon. XRD characterization confirmed the presence of chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) as the primary protective phase, with additional oxides contributing to the stability of the film. This oxide mixture demonstrated the alloy’s ability to maintain passivity and effective repassivation following film breakdown. Full article

The oxidative modification of specific cysteine residues to persulfides is thought to be the main way by which hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) exerts its biological and signaling functions. Therefore, protein persulfidation represents an important thiol-switching mechanism as other reversible redox post-translational modifications. Considering their reductase activity but also their connections with proteins that generate H₂S and its related molecules, the glutaredoxin (GRX) and thioredoxin (TRX)-reducing systems have potential dual roles in both protein persulfidation and depersulfidation. In this review, we will first focus on recent advances describing the physiological pathways leading to protein persulfidation before discussing the dual roles of the physiological TRX and glutathione/GRX-reducing systems in protein persulfidation/depersulfidation. Full article

In this study, different molecular weight cut-off ultrafiltration membranes (100 and 50 kDa) were used to concentrate and separate whey protein and blueberry juice fermented system by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to demonstrate that the mixed fermentation had a protective effect on LAB and antioxidant activity during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The antioxidant activity after gastrointestinal digestion, the survival rate of LAB after membrane filtration, and their ability to reflect ultraviolet light of the membrane concentrated fermented components were investigated. It was found that the ABTS cationic free radical scavenging ability of L. plantarum 67 and L. paracasei W125 fermented group increased by 7.85%, especially after digestion, which increased by 3.17% compared with the unfermented blueberry and whey protein mixed group. The survival rates of L. plantarum 67 and L. paracasei W125 in the blueberry-whey protein mixture were greater than 82.45% after digestion. The ultrafiltration membrane concentration process had little effect on the viability of LAB during 0–50 min. The mixture of L. bulgaricus 134 and S. thermophiles Grx02 fermented blueberry-whey protein showed strong UV reflection at 300 nm, reaching 27.39%. The mixture of L. plantarum 67 and L. paracasei W125 fermented blueberry-whey protein showed strong UV reflection at 335 nm, reaching 34.29%. Full article

Lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃) layers are widely used in electronics, optics, and optoelectronics due to their properties. Lanthanum oxide is also used as a dopant, modifying and improving the properties of other materials in the form of layers, as well as having a large volume. In this work, lanthanum oxide layers were obtained using MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition) on the inner walls of tubular substrates at 600–750 °C. The basic reactant was La(tmhd)₃ (tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)lanthanum(III)). The evaporation temperature of La(tmhd)₃ amounted to 170–200 °C. Pure argon (99.9999%) and air were used as the carrier gases. The air was also intended to remove the carbon from the synthesized layers. Tubes of quartz glass were used as the substrates. La₂O₃ layers were found to be growing on their inner surfaces. The value of the extended Gr_x/Re_x² criterion, where Gr—Grashof’s number, Re—Reynolds’ number, x—the distance from the gas inflow point, was below 0.01. The microstructure of the deposited layers of lanthanum oxide was investigated using an electron scanning microscope (SEM). Their chemical composition was analyzed via energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. Their phase composition was tested via X-ray diffraction. The transmittance of the layers of lanthanum oxide was determined with the use of UV-Vis spectroscopy. The obtained layers of lanthanum oxide were characterized by a nanocrystalline microstructure and stable cubic structure. They also exhibited good transparency in both ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) light. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity causes oxidative stress damage in plant cells. Glutaredoxins (GRXs), a type of small oxidoreductase, play a crucial role in modulating thiol redox states. However, whether GRXs act in Cd stress remains to be identified. Here, we reveal that Arabidopsis GRX480, a member of the CC-type family, enhances plant Cd stress tolerance. The GRX480 mutants exhibit enhanced sensitivity to Cd stress, manifested by shortened root, reduced biomass, lower chlorophyll and proline levels, and decreased photosynthetic efficiency compared with the wild type. The Cd concentration in GRX480 mutants is higher than the wild type, resulting from the inhibition of Cd efflux and transport genes transcription. Lower levels of GSH were detected in Cd-treated GRX480 mutants than in the wild type, indicating that GRX480 regulates plant Cd tolerance by influencing the balance between GSH and GSSG. Furthermore, the hyperaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is associated with decreased expression of H₂O₂ scavenging genes in Cd-treated GRX480 mutants. Additionally, more toxic reactive carbonyl species (RCS), produced during oxidative stress, accumulate in Cd-treated GRX480 mutants than in wild type. Overall, our study establishes a critical role of GRX480 in response to Cd stress, highlighting its multifaceted contributions to detoxification and the maintenance of redox homeostasis. Full article

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most common long-term complication of cataract surgery. Traditionally, the pathogenesis of PCO involves the residual lens epithelial cells (LECs), which undergo transdifferentiation into a myofibroblast phenotype, hyperproliferation, matrix contraction, and matrix deposition. This process is driven by the marked upregulation of inflammatory and growth factors post-surgery. Recently, research on the role of redox environments has gained considerable attention. LECs, which are in direct contact with the aqueous humour after cataract surgery, are subjected to oxidative stress due to decreased levels of reduced glutathione and increased oxygen content compared to contact with the outer fibre layer of the lens before surgery. In this review, we examine the critical role of oxidative stress in PCO formation. We also focus on glutaredoxins (Grxs), which are antioxidative enzymes produced via deglutathionylation, their protective role against PCO formation, and their therapeutic potential. Furthermore, we discuss the latest advancements in PCO therapy, particularly the development of advanced antioxidative pharmacological agents, and emphasise the importance and approaches of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant treatments in PCO management. In conclusion, this review highlights the significant roles of oxidative stress in PCO, the protective effects of Grxs against PCO formation, and the potential of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapies in treating PCO. Full article

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are widely distributed oxidoreductase enzymes that play important roles in plant growth, development, and responses to various stresses. In this study, bioinformatics methods were used to identify and analyze the wheat GRX gene family and predict their properties and potential functions. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR expression analyses were used to investigate their regulatory functions under hormone treatment and fungal diseases. In this study, 86 GRX genes were identified in wheat and classified into CC-type, CGFS-type, and CPYC-type categories with no TaGRX located on chromosome 4B. The results show that TaGRXs regulate wheat transcriptional responses and have an integrative role in biotic and abiotic stress responses. TaGRXs are involved in wheat responses to Fusarium graminearum, Puccinia striiformis, and Erysiphe graminis diseases. TaGRX73-7D, TaGRX20-3A, and TaGRX29-3B play a negative regulatory role in E. graminis infection but a positive regulatory role in F. graminearum and P. striiformis infection. These TaGRXs play potential regulatory functions in wheat responses to the plant hormones and signaling molecules, including IAA, ABA, H₂O₂, and SA. The findings of this study lay the groundwork for further investigation of the functions of wheat GRX genes and their potential use as candidate genes for molecular breeding of stress-resistant wheat varieties. Full article

A growing number of studies indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction serves as a pathological mechanism for periodontitis. Therefore, this two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was carried out to explore the causal associations between mitochondrial biological function and periodontitis, because the specific nature of this causal relationship remains inconclusive in existing MR studies. Inverse variance weighting, Mendelian randomization-Egger, weighted mode, simple mode, and weighted median analyses were performed to assess the causal relationships between the exposure factors and periodontitis. The results of the present study revealed a causal association between periodontitis and medium-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MLYCD), glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2), oligoribonuclease (ORN), and pyruvate carboxylase (PC). Notably, MCAD and MLYCD are causally linked to periodontitis, and serve as protective factors. However, Grx2, ORN, and PC function as risk factors for periodontitis. Our study established a causal relationship between mitochondrial biological function and periodontitis, and such insights may provide a promising approach for treating periodontitis via mitochondrial regulation. Full article

Glutaredoxin (Grx) is a group of redox enzymes that control reactive oxygen species (ROS), traditionally defined as redox regulators. Recent research suggested that members of the Grx family may be involved in more biological processes than previously thought. Therefore, we cloned the AcGrx5 gene and identified its role in A. chinensis diapause. Sequence analysis revealed the ORF of AcGrx5 was 432 bp, encoding 143 amino acids, which was consistent with the homologous sequence of Halyomorpha halys. RT-qPCR results showed that AcGrx5 expression was the highest in the head, and compared with non-diapause conditions, diapause conditions significantly increased the expression of AcGrx5 in the developmental stages. Further, we found that 15 °C low-temperature stress significantly induced AcGrx5 expression, and the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes AcTrx2 and AcTrx-like were significantly increased after AcGrx5 knockdown. Following AcGrx5 silencing, there was a considerable rise in the levels of VC content, CAT activity, and hydrogen peroxide content, indicating that A. chinensis was exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species. These results suggested that the AcGrx5 gene may play a key role in antioxidant defense. Full article

Silybin (SIB) is a hepatoprotective drug known for its poor oral bioavailability, attributed to its classification as a class IV drug with significant metabolism during the first-pass effect. This study explored the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles with (SLN-SIB-U) or without (SLN-SIB) ursodeoxycholic acid and polymeric nanoparticles (PN-SIB) as delivery systems for SIB. The efficacy of these nanosystems was assessed through in vitro studies using the GRX and Caco-2 cell lines for permeability and proliferation assays, respectively, as well as in vivo experiments employing a murine model of Schistosomiasis mansoni infection in BALB/c mice. The mean diameter and encapsulation efficiency of the nanosystems were as follows: SLN-SIB (252.8 ± 4.4 nm, 90.28 ± 2.2%), SLN-SIB-U (252.9 ± 14.4 nm, 77.05 ± 2.8%), and PN-SIB (241.8 ± 4.1 nm, 98.0 ± 0.2%). In the proliferation assay with the GRX cell line, SLN-SIB and SLN-SIB-U exhibited inhibitory effects of 43.09 ± 5.74% and 38.78 ± 3.78%, respectively, compared to PN-SIB, which showed no inhibitory effect. Moreover, SLN-SIB-U demonstrated a greater apparent permeability coefficient (25.82 ± 2.2) than PN-SIB (20.76 ± 0.1), which was twice as high as that of SLN-SIB (11.32 ± 4.6) and pure SIB (11.28 ± 0.2). These findings suggest that solid lipid nanosystems hold promise for further in vivo investigations. In the murine model of acute-phase Schistosomiasis mansoni infection, both SLN-SIB and SLN-SIB-U displayed hepatoprotective effects, as evidenced by lower alanine amino transferase values (22.89 ± 1.6 and 23.93 ± 2.4 U/L, respectively) than those in control groups I (29.55 ± 0.7 U/L) and I+SIB (34.29 ± 0.3 U/L). Among the prepared nanosystems, SLN-SIB-U emerges as a promising candidate for enhancing the pharmacokinetic properties of SIB. Full article

The TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy has problems such as low material hardness, poor wear resistance, and abnormal sensitivity to adhesive wear and fretting wear. In this study, we used graphene-reinforced Ti/BN composite coatings prepared on the surface of the TC4 alloy by argon arc cladding technology. We explored the optimal content of graphene to improve its hardness and wear resistance. The physical phases and microstructures of the coatings were analyzed using an X-ray diffractometer, metallurgical microscope, and scanning electron microscope. Microhardness and wear properties of the cladding coating were measured by a Vickers hardness tester and a universal friction and wear tester. The incorporation of graphene resulted in a transformation of the reinforcing phase in the coating from TiN to Ti(N, C). The C element in the molten pool was substituted with the N element in an unending solid solution, resulting in the formation of Ti(N, C) through intermittent nucleation. As the amount of graphene in the molten pool increases, the concentration of carbon (C) also increases. This leads to the continuous growth of Ti(N, C) particles, resulting in a coarser coating structure and a decrease in coating performance. When the graphene content is 5 wt.%, the microstructure refinement of the coating is the most obvious, the microhardness is 900 HV_0.2, which is 3 times higher than that of the matrix, and the wear rate is 4.9 × 10⁻⁵ mm³/(N·m), which is 4.9 times higher than that of the matrix. The wear mechanism of the coating is primarily abrasive wear with some slight adhesive wear. Full article

Glutathione (GSH), a robust endogenous antioxidant, actively participates in the modulation of the redox status of cysteine residues in proteins. Previous studies have indicated that GSH can prevent β-cell failure and prediabetes caused by chronic oscillating glucose (OsG) administration. However, the precise mechanism underlying the protective effect is not well understood. Our current research reveals that GSH is capable of reversing the reduction in Nrf2 levels, as well as downstream genes Grx1 and HO-1, in the islet β-cells of rats induced by chronic OsG. In vitro experiments have further demonstrated that GSH can prevent β-cell dedifferentiation, apoptosis, and impaired insulin secretion caused by OsG. Additionally, GSH facilitates the translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus, resulting in an upregulation of Nrf2-targeted genes such as GCLC, Grx1, HO-1, and NQO1. Notably, when the Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 is employed, the effects of GSH on OsG-treated β-cells are abrogated. Moreover, GSH enhances the S-glutathionylation of Keap1 at Cys273 and Cys288, but not Cys151, in OsG-treated β-cells, leading to the dissociation of Nrf2 from Keap1 and facilitating Nrf2 nuclear translocation. In conclusion, the protective role of GSH against OsG-induced β-cell failure can be partially attributed to its capacity to enhance Keap1 S-glutathionylation, thereby activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of β-cell failure in the context of prediabetes/diabetes, highlighting the potential of GSH. Full article

During diapause, a state of temporarily arrested development, insects require low winter temperatures to suppress their metabolism, conserve energy stores and acquire cold hardiness. A warmer winter could, thus, reduce diapause incidence and duration in many species, prematurely deplete their energy reserves and compromise post-diapause fitness. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of thermal stress and the diapause program on the expression of selected genes involved in antioxidant defense and heat shock response in the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis. By using qRT-PCR, it has been shown that response to chronic heat stress is characterized by raised mRNA levels of grx and trx, two important genes of the antioxidant defense system, as well as of hsp70 and, somewhat, of hsp90, two major heat shock response proteins. On the other hand, the expression of hsc70, hsp20.4 and hsp20.1 was discontinuous in the latter part of diapause, or was strongly controlled by the diapause program and refractory to heat stress, as was the case for mtn and fer, genes encoding two metal storage proteins crucial for metal ion homeostasis. This is the first time that the effects of high winter temperatures have been assessed on cold-hardy diapausing larvae and pupae of this important corn pest. Full article