Nova Biologica Reperta

Identification of hub genes and their related microRNAs in triple negative breast cancer

Zohreh Jahanafrooz

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a kind of breast cancer that does not have any of the receptors that are commonly found in breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their related microRNAs (miRNAs) in TNBC. GSE113865 and GSE154255 were selected from GEO database. DEGs and differentially expressed miRNAs between normal and TNBC tissues were identified via GEO2R online tools and R program. STRING was used to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs. The hub genes, obtained using the cytoHubba plugin in Cytoscape. We used R program and Enrichr database to enrichment analysis of hub genes. Then intersection of predicted hub gene's miRNAs and differentially expressed miRNAs was investigated. UBE2C and SAA1 were the highest upregulated and downregulated genes, respectively. Six main hub genes were identified, including CDC20, DLGAP5, TPX2, UBE2C, TK1, and CDC45. All the mentioned genes were upregulated and enriched in cell cycle progression. Some hub genes such as TPX2, UBE2C, and TK1 were targeted by differentially expressed miRNAs (miR-3679 and miR-4530). In conclusion, knockdown of hub genes could be a targeted therapy for TNBC.

Association between ERCC5 Gene (SNP: rs2296147 T>C) and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Northwest of Iran

Sara Ghaffarian

ERCC5 gene, is a key components of NER pathway and encodes a key endonuclease. In this study, we analyzed the association between rs2296147 T>C polymorphism of ERCC5 gene with the risk of breast cancer in a case-control study with statistical population consisting of 100 patients and 100 healthy controls by Tetra-ARMS PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using javastat online statistics package and SPSS V.26. The frequency of CC, CT, and TT genotypes in the case group, were 11.46%, 58.33%, and 30.21%, respectively and they were 22%, 44%, and 34% for the control group. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between CC (p-value=0.049) (OR=0.459, CI 95%=0.209-1.007) and CT genotype (p-value=0.045) (OR=1.782, CI 95%=1.012-3.139) with breast cancer risk. Also, C and T alleles frequency in the case group, were 40.62 % and 59.37% and those in the control group were 44 % and 56 % respectively. There was not any significant association between T (p-value=0.499) and C (p-value=0.499) alleles frequency and breast cancer risk in Northwestern Iran. Also, there was no significant association between this SNP frequency and patient’s pathological traits. In conclusion, our study indicated that ERCC5 rs2094258 polymorphism may contribute to the risk of breast cancer in northwestern of Iran.

The effects of biochar application and nano Zn foliar spray on yield and physiological characteristics of Cucurbita pepo L.

Lamia Vojodi Mehrabani

Abstract. Cucurbita pepo L. seeds are very important in nutrition and pharmaceutical industries due to high amounts of oil. To investigate the effects of biochar (zero, 5, and 10 tons per hectare) and foliar spraying with zinc nanoparticles (zero, 2, and 4 milligrams/ litter), an experiment was conducted as factorial based on randomized complete blocks design, in the Farm. Fruit number and leaf Zn content were increased at 5 and 10 t/ha of biochar with both nano zinc foliar spray. Ten t/ha biochar treatments with both levels of nano Zn increased seed number per fruit, fruit yield, biological yield, harvest index, and plant oil yield. Five t/ha biochar with 4 mg/L of nano zinc and 10 t/ha biochar with foliar spraying with both nanoparticle concentrations increased hundred seed yield, biological yield, and chlorophyll index in the plant. The top amounts of phenolic content were observed in 5 and 10 t/ha biochar with 4mg/L of zinc nanoparticle spray. The relative water and anthocyanin content increased in 10 t/ha biochar. Overall, theresults of this study showed that the use of 10 t/ha biochar and foliarspraying of 2 and 4 mg/L zinc nanoparticles increased the yield and physiological characteristics of the plant.

Biosystematic study of Arceuthobium oxcyderi (D.C.) M. Bieb species in Chahar-bagh region, Golestan province

elham Amini

Arceuthobium oxycedri is commonly known as dwarf mistletoe and grows on and infects cypress species. The semi-parasitic plant was observed in three locations of Juniper Reza Abad in Semnan Province, Chahar Bagh Area of Gorgan and Zanjan Province. In this study, the anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of the species were evaluated to facilitate the identification of this semi-parasitic species in Golestan province. The outcomes of the analysis indicated that the estimation of infestation rate in dwarf shrub trees is unattainable through factors such as canopy percentage, stand gender, slope percentage, and slope orientation. Examination of the stem's transverse section revealed that, across all three elevations, there were no variations in brain size between the semicircular cross-section and the sink's thickness. Analysis of pollen demonstrated that every pollen grain is classified as Monad, exhibiting three to five deep and asymmetric grooves of varying sizes (tricolpate). In regards to their morphology, they exhibit an oblatespheroidal shape adorned with sharp exine decorations. Overall, given the novelty of this study on dwarf mistletoe species, the discoveries hold significant systematic implications for the identification of analogous species documented in alternative juniper habitats within Iran.

Studying the interaction of three isoforms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase with tyrosine kinase inhibitors effective in drug resistance

Reyhane Chamani

Deactivation of drugs by enzymes, especially UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), is a reasons for resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of UGT1A3, UGT1A1 and UGT2B7 enzymes with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The structure of enzymes was made by homology modeling method and the structure of 300 tyrosine kinase inhibitors was obtained from Pubchem database. Molecular docking simulation was performed by PyRx 0.8 software and the complexes were sorted based on the most negative binding energy and zero RMSD and the amino acids involved in the binding were analyzed. In total, forty-five drugs were introduced as possible substrates of these three enzymes. The results showed that the binding site of these drugs were to the amino acids of the active site of the enzymes and the binding energy of the ligands to UGT1A1 was more negative than the other two enzymes. It can be suggested that the possible glucuronidation of these inhibitors by UGT enzymes can lead to two important events: first, their rapid removal from the blood circulation and creating drug resistance, and second, preventing bilirubin glucuronidation and increasing serum bilirubin level. Therefore, laboratory investigation of the relationship between these inhibitors and UGT enzymes can be necessary.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Verbascum thapsus extract and its effect on BfmR gene expression in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii

Samaneh Dolatabadi

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes respiratory and urinary tract infections. Therefore, the development of an alternative drug against Acinetobacter is of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized by a green method on the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii and the expression of the BfmR gene. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized in combination with Verbascum thapsus extract and their characteristics were determined by X-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry, TEM electron microscopy and zeta potential analysis. The antibacterial activity was investigatead by MIC analysis. Also, the effect of nanoparticles on the expression of the BfmR gene was investigated by real-time PCR. The prepared green nanoparticles had a size of about 30 nm. The MIC analysis showed that the nanoparticles have antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumannii. Gene expression results also indicate a mechanism of down-regulation of BfmR .also nanoparticles leads to reduced biofilm formation. silver nanoparticles, have gained widespread popularity as antibacterial options due to their unique physical and chemical properties and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Nanoparticles obtained from flower extract can reduce BfmR gene expression, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation and exerting antibacterial effects.

The effect of chitosan and Iron on growth parametrs, soluble sugar, sodium, potassium, iron and calcium ions in Camelina under salinity stress

Azam Salimi

Camelina (Cruciferae), is an oilseed. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer, non-toxic, and biocompatible which favors potentially broad application in biotic and abiotic stress. Iron is an essential micronutrient for almost all living organisms because it plays a critical role in metabolic processes respiration, and photosynthesis. In this research, examined the salinity (0, 8, 12, ds/m), (0, 5/12, 7/6 g/l) chitosan (0, 0.2, 0.4, g/l) and iron (0, 3, 6, g/l) based on a randomized block design with three replications. The sodium, root growth increased significantly in salinity. The irons and growth parameters decreased because the ionic ratio has been changed. Root increased to provide water. Due to the destructive effects of salinity, the increase of sodium has also affected other parameters and caused the decrease of iron and calcium. Stress has been reduced the shoot growth by affecting the growth of the plant. In this study, the interaction of salinity, chitosan, and iron, it was observed that the stem length, biomass, RWC, ions, carbohydrates increased and the root growth decreased. It has effect on RWC, regulating ions and compatible solutes, have been able to maintain the plant's conditions like stress-free conditions reduce the effects of salinity, and help plant growth.