Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

Role of peptide hormones in regulation of plant growth and development and their adaptation to environmental factors

Halina G. Filiptsova — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Plant peptide hormones are a class of signaling substances involved in the regulation of growth and development processes, as well as the adaptation of plant organisms to stress. Induction of genes, which encode precursors of peptide hormones, occurs in response to a variety of external and internal stimuli. Peptide hormones are perceived by specific receptors of plant cells and trigger a multi-level signaling system that ensures the coordination of cellular processes under changing environmental conditions, the development of protective reactions and the formation of immunity. This work analyses recent studies on the structure, functional activity and signaling mechanisms of the main groups of plant peptide hormones.

Nanostructured zinc oxide: role of physico-chemical properties into the biological activity and potential cytotoxicity of the material

Yuliya M. Harmaza, Alexander V. Tamashevski, Ekaterina I. Slobozhanina — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Over the past two decades, nanotechnology has become interesting not only for science, but also for industry. Application of nanotechnological approaches has provided opportunities for obtaining various nanoparticles and new materials based on them with specific properties different from the properties of microanalogues. These new materials include nanostructured zinc oxide, which has found application into the biomedical sector, including bioimaging and targeted drug delivery. The production of particles in the nanoscale range has made it possible to increase the active surface area of this type of materials in the occupied volume, which has led to an improvement into their chemical, electrical, magnetic, structural and (or) morphological properties. However, depending on the entry type to the human body, nanoparticles can travel to various organs and tissues, where they can cause side effects. So, it is important in vitro to simulate the interaction in vivo between nanoparticles and cellular systems for toxicological studies. Moreover, in order to correlate any toxic reactions with the type of nanoparticles, it is necessary to find out the degree of their ability to adsorb on the cell surface and penetrate inside cell. It is known that the cytotoxicity of nanostructured zinc oxide can also significantly depend on its physico-chemical properties, in particular on the size and shape of the particles. For this reason, understanding the relationship between cytotoxicity and the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles seems relevant for the objective assessment of possible risks associated with their exposure. Thus, the review provides a comprehensive overview of the main mechanisms of nanomaterials action on the human organism, the role of their physico-chemical properties into the biological activity, as well as the questions of potential cytotoxicity of nanostructured zinc oxide.

Synthesis of biohydrogen by green microalgae and methods of increasing it production

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The use of microalgae for the production of biohydrogen is one of the promising areas of modern biotechnology and applied algology. In green microalgae cells, the process of biohydrogen synthesis is carried out in the electron transport chain of chloroplasts by the enzyme [FeFe]-hydrogenase and serves as a physiological adaptation to anaerobic conditions. A detailed understanding of the mechanism of biohydrogen synthesis makes it possible to more efficiently use microalgae as a source of environmentally clean fuel. This analytical review examines the mechanisms of H₂ bioproduction and its potential roles in physiology, as well as approaches to stimulating H₂ production for biotechnological purposes.

Effect of quercetin and its microstructured forms on cell viability and nuclear DNA degradation in human keratinocytes when modelling oxidative stress

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

Experimental data are presented indicating the possibility of using cumoquinone to model oxidative stress and study its consequences in cultured human keratinocytes of the HaCaT line. It has been shown that cell death, DNA damage and the appearance of atypical DNA comets in keratinocytes exposed to cumoquinone are associated not with its genotoxicity, but mainly with the development of oxidative stress. It has been established that quercetin has a cytoprotective effect and reduces the degree of damage to nuclear DNA under conditions of oxidative stress initiated by cumoquinone. This effect increases significantly when microstructured forms of quercetin are used, which may be due to an increase in its cellular availability.

Assessment of the endogenous antioxidant potential of Belarusian beers during its storage in different packaging

Alina A. Rusakovich, Vadim V. Demidchik — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

During long-term storage, oxidative processes develop in beer, leading to a deterioration in the quality of this drink. This is based on the production of reactive oxygen species, which can be caused by the diffusion of oxygen through packaging elements or transformation of internal oxygen-containing sources. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has been actively used in recent years to analyse free radical processes in beer. It allows to evaluate the oxidative stability of beer by the so-called endogenous antioxidant potential, the value of which correlates with storage time and taste of the drink. One of the most important issues in the beer industry is the effectiveness of various types of insulating packaging in relation to oxidative processes. There are a number of studies indicating better preservation of beer in a can and glass bottle compared to a polyethylene bottle. However, it is not clear whether this is due to oxidative phenomena. In the presented work, using adapted EPR spectroscopy methods based on the EPR spectrometer manufactured in Belarus, differences in the value of endogenous antioxidant potential were identified for both different types of beer and different types of packaging (polyethylene bottle, glass bottle and can). Beer stored in a polyethylene bottle has been shown to have a significantly lower endogenous antioxidant potential compared to beer stored in a glass bottle. It was also found that the oxidation characteristics of the same type of beer stored in a can and a glass bottle do not differ.

9-cis-Epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase as a switch of immunityrelated signalling pathways in Solanum lycopersicum plants

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

It has been established that reduced expression of the NCED3 gene causes a decrease in the size of Solanum lycopersicum plants and increases their susceptibility to Pectobacterium versatile infection. A change in the expression of salicylate signalling genes was revealed: the expression of the genes for the signalling protein NPR5 and the pathogenesis-related protein PR1a increased. It was also noted that the expression of the genes for the pathogenesis-related proteins PR3, PR5, PR10 and the transcription factor WRKY65 increased, and the expression of the gene for the pathogenesis-related protein PR2 became sensitive to the pathogen strain. Based on the results obtained, it was suggested that the NCED3 gene provides resistance to pectobacteriosis in tomato plants by inhibiting the salicylate signalling pathway, leading to activation of the hypersensitive response.

New species of pycnidial Septoria-like micromycetes for Belarus

Ilya А. Fiadziushka — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0300

The findings of 14 new species of pycnidial Septoria-like micromycetes to the territory of Belarus are reported (12 species of which belong to the genus Septoria, 1 species belongs to the genus Rhabdospora, 1 species – to the genus Stagonospora). The identified species are provided descriptions and illustrations. The species Septoria heterochroa is considered alien to the mycobiota of Belarus.