Computational discovery of AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 inhibitors through shape screening for rheumatoid arthritis intervention.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, symmetrical inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by painful, swollen synovitis and joint erosions, which can cause damage to bone and cartilage and be associated with progressive disability. Despite expanded treatment options, some patients still experience inadequate response or intolerable adverse effects. Consequently, the treatment options for RA remain quite limited. The enzyme AKT1 is crucial in designing drugs for various human diseases, supporting cellular functions like proliferation, survival, metabolism, and angiogenesis in both normal and malignant cells. Therefore, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 is considered crucial for targeting therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating RA mechanisms. In this context, directing efforts toward AKT1 represents an innovative approach to developing new anti-arthritis medications. The primary objective of this research is to prioritize AKT1 inhibitors using computational techniques such as molecular modeling and dynamics simulation (MDS) and shape-based virtual screening (SBVS). A combined SBVS approach was employed to predict potent inhibitors against AKT1 by screening a pool of compounds sourced from the ChemDiv and IMPPAT databases. From the SBVS results, only the top three compounds, ChemDiv_7266, ChemDiv_2796, and ChemDiv_9468, were subjected to stability analysis based on their high binding affinity and favorable ADME/Tox properties. The SBVS findings have revealed that critical residues, including Glu17, Gly37, Glu85, and Arg273, significantly contribute to the successful binding of the highest-ranked lead compounds at the active site of AKT1. This insight helps to understand the specific binding mechanism of these leads in inhibiting RA, facilitating the rational design of more effective therapeutic agents.

Identification, prioritization, and evaluation of RlpA protein as a target against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

According to the World Health Organization, infectious diseases, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR), are projected to claim the lives of 15 million people by 2050. Septicemia carries a higher morbidity and mortality rate than infections caused by susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MDR-mediated ocular infections can lead to impaired vision and blindness. To identify and develop a potential drug against MDR P. aeruginosa, we employed in silico reverse genetics-based target mining, drug prioritization, and evaluation. Rare Lipoprotein A (RlpA) was selected as the target protein, and its crystal structure was geometrically optimized. Molecular docking and virtual screening analyses revealed that RlpA exhibits strong binding affinity with 11 compounds. Among these, 3-chlorophthalic acid was evaluated, and subsequent in vitro assays demonstrated significant anti-Pseudomonas activity with negligible cytotoxicity. The compound was further evaluated against both drug-susceptible and MDR P. aeruginosa strains in vitro, with cytotoxicity assessed using an MTT assay. The study demonstrated that 3-chlorophthalic acid exhibits potent anti-Pseudomonas activity with minimal toxicity to host cells. Consequently, this compound emerges as a promising candidate against MDR P. aeruginosa, warranting further investigation.

Deciphering the conformational transitions of LIMK2 active and inactive states to ponder specific druggable states through microsecond scale molecular dynamics simulation.

LIMK2 inhibitors are one of the potential therapeutic modalities for treating various diseases. In the current scenario, there is a paucity of effective LIMK inhibitors that are highly specific with minimal off-target effects. To date, the conformational transitions of LIMK2 from DFGinαCin (CIDI) (active) to DFGoutαCout (CODO) (inactive) states are yet to be probed and are essential for capturing the unique, druggable conformations. Therefore, this study was intended to capture the diverse conformational states of LIMK2 for accelerating the rational identification of conformation specific inhibitors through high-end structural bioinformatics protocols. Hence, in this study, molecular modelling followed by an extensive microsecond timescale of molecular dynamics simulation was performed encompassing perturbation response scanning, metapath, and community analysis towards the conformational sampling of LIMK2. Overall this study precisely identifies the conformational ensemble of LIMK2 the intermediate inactive states namely, CIDO, CinterDinter, CIDinter, CinterDI, CinterDO, CODI, CODinter apart from CIDI and CODO. This also facilitated observing that ß8 preceding XDFG, αC (F373, L374), and αD (L413) as the major effectors that may facilitate the regulation of varying conformational transitions among the states. Additionally, the conserved ß sheets and the loops namely, C.l, b.l, and G/P.loop were observed to be involved in the metapath for allosteric communication among the intermediates with CIDI and CODO state. Moreover, only the CODO state was observed to have closed type A.l, while the CIDI and other intermediate states except for CIDO were observed to have open-DFG out type A.l, thereby enabling the binding of substrate. Apart from these, the druggable site analysis inferred that the CIDI and CODO states harbor prominent druggable sites spanning the conserved N-lobe, while the intermediates were observed to have unraveled allosteric druggable sites distal from the ATP binding site, majorly spanning the C-lobe of LIMK2. Thus, this study provides potential insights into the intermediate conformational druggable states of LIMK2 and also the druggable conformations, especially the inactive states of LIMK2, as a specific therapeutic targeting mode. Thus, providing a widened avenue to ponder the allosteric sites or the isoform selectivity conformations for targeting LIMK2 in various disease conditions.

Structure based design of inhibitory peptides targeting ornithine decarboxylase dimeric interface and in vitro validation in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells.

Polyamine synthesis in human cells is initiated by catalytic action of Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) on Ornithine. Elevated levels of polyamines are manifested proliferating cancer cells and are found to promote tumour cell adhesion. Di-flouro methyl orninthine is a known inhibitor of ODC, however its usage is limited due its low affinity quick clearance and incompetent cellular uptake, thus posing a need for potential inhibitors. Currently, peptides are substituting drugs, as these are highly selective, specific and potent. Hence, in this study, the interacting interfaces of native homodimeric form of ODC and its heterodimer with Antizyme were probed to design inhibitory peptides targeting ODC. The designed peptides were validated for structural fitness by extensive molecular dynamics simulations and Circular dichroism studies. Finally, these peptides were validated in Y79 retinoblastoma cells for impact on ODC activity, cytotoxicity cell cycle and cell adhesion. On collective analysis, Peptide3 (Pep 3) and Peptide4 (Pep 4) were found to be potentially targeting ODC, as these peptides showed significant decrease in intracellular polyamine levels, cell adhesion and cell cycle perturbation in Y79 cells. Thus, Pep 3 and Pep 4 shall be favourably considered as therapeutic agents for targeting ODC mediated proliferation in retinoblastoma.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Computational modeling of novel inhibitory peptides targeting proteoglycan like region of carbonic anhydrase IX and in vitro validation in HeLa cells.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a tumour-associated, hypoxia-induced, membrane-bound metallo-enzyme which catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate (HCO3-) and proton (H+) ions. Over expression of CAIX is observed in cancers of colon, lung, kidney, breast, etc. CAIX plays a vital role in maintaining favourable intracellular pH for tumour cell growth and extracellular acidification which in-turn leads to drug resistance and spread of factors influencing tumour invasion. The N-terminal proteoglycan (PG) - like fragment of CAIX is unique to this isoform and is considered as potential druggable hotspot. Recently, M75 monoclonal antibody targeting the LPGEEDLPG epitope of PG like region has been proposed to reduce cellular adhesion in cancer cells. LPGEEDLPG fragment in complex with M75 has been crystallized and it serves as a strong base for development of peptide inhibitors based on interacting interfaces. Thus, in this study, an in-depth analysis of intermolecular interactions in LPGEEDLPG-M75 complex was carried out by implementing extensive molecular dynamics simulations, binding free energy calculations so as to infer the major determinant fragments of M75 that can be used as peptide inhibitors targeting PG region. Based on these analyses, 3 peptides (Pep1, Pep2 and Pep3) were synthesized and validated by in vitro assays involving cytotoxicity assessment, CAIX inhibition analysis through Direct and Indirect functional assays, and inhibition of Cell adhesion in HeLa cells. The results reveal Pep1 to be a promising inhibitor as it could efficiently modulate CAIX mediated pH homeostasis and cell adhesion in cancer cells.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Structure-based drug target prioritisation and rational drug design for targeting Chlamydia trachomatis eye infections.

Chlamydia trachomatis (C.t) is a major causative of infectious blindness in world. It is a real challenge to combat Chlamydial infection as it is an intracellular pathogen. Hence, it is essential to determine the most potential targets of C.t in order to inhibit or suppress its virulence during its infectious phase. Thus, in this study, the highly expressed-cum-most essential genes reported through our earlier study were reprioritized by structure-based comparative binding site analysis with host proteome. Therefore, computational approaches involving molecular modelling, large-scale binding site prediction and comparison, molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed to narrow down the most potential targets. Furthermore, high-throughput virtual screening and ADMETox were also performed to identify potential hits that shall efficiently inhibit the prioritised targets. Hence, by this study we report Pyruvoyl-dependent arginine decarboxylase (PvlArgDC), DNA-repair protein (RecO) and porin (outer membrane protein) as the most viable targets of C.t which can be potentially targeted by compounds, NSC_13086, MFCD00276409, MFCD05662003, respectively. AbbreviationsC.tChlamydia trachomatisSTDSexually transmitted diseaseHTVSHigh-throughput virtual screeningADMEToxAbsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and ToxicityPMPocketMatchMDMolecular Dynamics simulationSPStandard precisionXPExtra precisionMMGBSAMolecular mechanics energies combined with generalised Born and surface area continuum solvationOMPOuter membrane proteinPvlArgDCPyruvoyl-dependent arginine decarboxylaseRecORecombination protein O.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Designing and enhancing the antifungal activity of corneal specific cell penetrating peptide using gelatin hydrogel delivery system.

BACKGROUND: Fungal keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness accounting for more than one-third of microbiologically proven cases. The management of fungal keratitis is through topical or systemic antifungal medications alone or in combination with surgical treatment. Topical medications such as natamycin and voriconazole pose major challenges due to poor penetration across the corneal epithelium. To address the issue various carrier molecules like nanoparticles, lipid vesicles, and cell penetrating peptides were explored. But the major drawback such as non-specificity and lack of bioavailability remains. PURPOSE: In this study, we have attempted to design corneal specific cell penetrating peptide using subtractive proteomic approach from the published literature and tried to improve its bioavailability through gelatin hydrogel delivery system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using subtractive proteomic approach two peptides VRF005 and VRF007 were identified on the basis of solubility, cell permeability and amphipathicity. The peptides were modeled for three-dimensional structure and simulated for membrane penetration. The peptides were characterized using circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Further uptake studies were performed on primary corneal epithelial cells and the stability was analyzed in corneal epithelial tissue lysates. Insilico prediction of peptides showed it to have antifungal activity which was further validated using colony forming assay and time killing kinetics. The duration of antifungal activity of peptide was improved using gelatin hydrogel through sustained delivery. RESULTS: VRF005 and VRF007 showed α-helical structure and was within the allowed region of Ramachandran plot. The simulation study showed their membrane penetration. The peptide uptake was found to be specific to corneal epithelial cells and also showed intracellular localization in Candida albicans and Fusarium solani. Peptides were found to be stable up to 2 hours when incubated with corneal epithelial tissue lysate. Dynamic light scattering, and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed aggregation of peptides. VRF007 showed antifungal activity up to 24 hour whereas VRF005 showed activity up to 4 hours. Hence gelatin hydrogel-based delivery system was used to improve the activity. Actin staining of corneal epithelial cells showed that the cells were attached on gelatin hydrogel. CONCLUSION: We have designed corneal specific cell penetrating peptides using subtractive proteomic approach. Bioavailability and delivery of peptide was enhanced using gelatin hydrogel system.

Analysis of candidate genes ZEB1 and LOXHD1 in late-onset Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy in an Indian cohort.

BACKGROUND: Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a complex degenerative disease of the corneal endothelium with genetic predisposition. Pathogenic rare variants have been identified in SLC4A11, LOXHD1, ZEB1, and AGBL1. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and CTG trinucleotide repeat expansions in the intron of TCF4 gene to FECD has been studied across multiple ethnicities. Recently, genome-wide association studies have also identified KANK4, LAMC1, and ATP1B1 as novel loci for FECD. Here, we report the contribution of ZEB1 and LOXHD1 genes in our sporadic late-onset FECD cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experimental study, coding regions of ZEB1 and LOXHD1 were screened by Sanger DNA sequencing in 52 late-onset and 5 early-onset FECD cases of Indian origin, recruited at a tertiary eye care center. Further, bioinformatics analysis was done. RESULTS: One reported missense mutation, c.2522A>C; p.(Q841P), and one variant of uncertain significance (VUS), c.619A>G; p.(S207G), were identified in the ZEB1 gene. One VUS, c.6413G>Ap.(R2138Q), was observed in LOXHD1. A 3D structural bioinformatic analysis of the missense variant in LOXHD1 predicted the variant to affect the structure-function relationship of the protein. DISCUSSION: While mutations in ZEB1 contributed to 2% of the late-onset FECD cases, the exact role of the two VUS identified in ZEB1 and LOXHD1 in FECD pathogenesis needs to be studied.

Insights on ornithine decarboxylase silencing as a potential strategy for targeting retinoblastoma.

Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) is a key enzyme involved in polyamine synthesis and is reported to be up regulated in several cancers. However, the effect of ODC gene silencing in retinoblastoma is to be understood for utilization in therapeutic applications. Hence, in this study, a novel siRNA (small interference RNA) targeting ODC was designed and validated in Human Y79 retinoblastoma cells for its effects on intracellular polyamine levels, Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 & 9 activity and Cell cycle. The designed siRNA showed efficient silencing of ODC mRNA expression and protein levels in Y79 cells. It also showed significant reduction of intracellular polyamine levels and altered levels of oncogenic LIN28b expression. By this study, a regulatory loop is proposed, wherein, ODC silencing in Y79 cells to result in decreased polyamine levels, thereby, leading to altered protein levels of Lin28b, MMP-2 and MMP-9, which falls in line with earlier studies in neuroblastoma. Thus, by this study, we propose ODC silencing as a prospective strategy for targeting retinoblastoma.

Ocular distribution of antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase & its alteration in cataractous lens & diabetic retina.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The enzyme paraoxonase (PON), an antioxidant enzyme that has both arylesterase and thiolactonase activity, is well studied in cardiovascular diseases. Although a few studies have shown altered PON activity in ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, but the tissue-wise expression of PON in its three gene forms has not been studied. This study was conducted to see the ocular distribution of PON for any altered expression in ocular pathologies such as in cataract and diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the ocular tissues was done for localizing all three forms of the PON in the human donor eyeballs. The PON arylesterase (PON-AREase) and thiolactonase (PON-HCTLase) activities were determined by spectrophotometry in kinetic mode, and the mRNA expression of the PON genes (PON1-3) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: IHC showed the presence of both PON1 and 2 in all the ocular tissues and PON3 was seen only in retina. The mRNA expression analysis showed that PON2 and PON3 were present in all the tissues, whereas PON1 was seen only in ciliary and retina. Both the PON-AREase and PON-HCTLase activities were detected in all ocular tissues and was in the order of lens>retina>choroid>ciliary body>iris. The expression and activity were studied in cataractous lens and in diabetic retina of the donor eyes. A significant decrease in PON-AREase activity was seen in cataractous lens (P<0.05) but not in diabetic retina, and there was an increase in PON- HCTLase activity (P<0.05) only in diabetic retina. Bioinformatic studies and in vitro experiments indicated that advanced glycation end products (AGE) such as carboxymethyl -lysine might decrease the PON- AREase activity of the PON. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Distribution of PON enzyme and its activity in ocular tissues is reported here. The study revealed maximal PON activity in lens and retina, which are prone to higher oxidative stress. Differential activities of PON were observed in the lens and retinal tissues from cataractous and diabetic patients, respectively.

Polymorphism of the PAI-1gene (4G/5G) may be linked with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and associated pregnancy disorders in South Indian Women.

Polycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting 5 - 10% of all women of reproductive age group. The present research was carried out to study the impact of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism (rs1799889) in PCOS, and the risk of developing PCOS in South Indian Population. The study was carried out in 60 subjects of South Indian population (30 PCOS and 30 Non PCOS) recruited from ARC Research and Fertility Centre, Chennai, India. Genotype and Allelic frequencies were compared by Fisher exact test, Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Genotype frequency difference between PCOS and non-PCOS was observed as statistically non-significant (p=0.4647, OR=1.3077, 95% CI 0.63-2.68). The allelic frequency distribution in Spontaneous Abortion (SAB) cases in total subjects is not found to be statistically significant (p=0. 29), however the PCOS women carrying mutant homozygous and heterozygous genotype are more prone to recurrent pregnancy loss. Out of 17 Implantation failure cases, 23.52% were found to carry mutant homozygous (4G/4G), and 66.66% carried mutant heterozygous (4G/5G), and 5.88% carried wild type homozygous (5G/5G), the allelic difference was highly significant with 4G (62.5%), and 5G (37.5%). P value is highly significant and recorded at p=0.0164. The positive correlation between PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and PCOS risk was not observed in this study, however, the correlation between Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) and Implantation failures were observed in PCOS cases.

Virulence genome analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa VRFPA10 recovered from patient with scleritis.

Infectious keratitis is a major cause of blindness, next to cataract and majority of cases are mainly caused by gram negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). In this study, we investigated a P. aeruginosa VRFPA10 genome which exhibited susceptibility to commonly used drugs in vitro but the patient had poor prognosis due to its hyper virulent nature. Genomic analysis of VRFPA10 deciphered multiple virulence factors and P.aeruginosa Genomic Islands (PAGIs) VRFPA10 genome which correlated with hyper virulence nature of the organism. The genome sequence has been deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the accession numbers LFMZ01000001-LFMZ01000044.

Virtual screening, molecular dynamics, and binding free energy calculations on human carbonic anhydrase IX catalytic domain for deciphering potential leads.

Carbonic anhydrase IX is a tumor-associated membrane-bound metallo-enzyme which catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2) to bicarbonate (HCO3-) and proton (H+) ions. It is a hypoxia-inducible enzyme and plays a critical role in tumor pH homeostasis favoring tumor cell invasiveness and drug resistance. Over expression of CAIX is documented in cancers of breast, lung, kidney, colon/rectum, etc. Chemical inhibition of CAIX activity has proven to be an effective therapeutic modality towards targeting cancer. Hence, in this study, we intend to identify potential molecules from NCI (National Cancer Institute) and Maybridge databases implementing high-throughput virtual screening. CAIX co-crystallized with acetazolamide (a known inhibitor of CAIX) (PDB ID: 3IAI) was used for reference-guided docking protocol. The potential inhibitors among the coupled data sets were finalized based on Glide docking score, Prime/MMGBSA scoring, significant intermolecular interactions, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, toxicity) prediction and stability of complex formation, molecular dynamics simulation, and comparative analysis. By this study, we propose NSC_93618, NSC_170253, NSC_93618, JFD03677, SEW06488, and BTB09372 to be highly significant, as all these compounds were found to qualify as potential leads surpassing all the stringent filtering process. However, NSC_93618 was found to be the most potential, as it featured with higher complex stability with strong bonded interactions, binding affinity synonymous to acetazolamide. Hence, these proposed compounds shall prove to be effective in targeting CAIX towards modulating carcinogenesis.

In Silico Structure Prediction of Human Fatty Acid Synthase-Dehydratase: A Plausible Model for Understanding Active Site Interactions.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN, UniProt ID: P49327) is a multienzyme dimer complex that plays a critical role in lipogenesis. Consequently, this lipogenic enzyme has gained tremendous biomedical importance. The role of FASN and its inhibition is being extensively researched in several clinical conditions, such as cancers, obesity, and diabetes. X-ray crystallographic structures of some of its domains, such as ß-ketoacyl synthase, acetyl transacylase, malonyl transacylase, enoyl reductase, ß-ketoacyl reductase, and thioesterase, (TE) are already reported. Here, we have attempted an in silico elucidation of the uncrystallized dehydratase (DH) catalytic domain of human FASN. This theoretical model for DH domain was predicted using comparative modeling methods. Different stand-alone tools and servers were used to validate and check the reliability of the predicted models, which suggested it to be a highly plausible model. The stereochemical analysis showed 92.0% residues in favorable region of Ramachandran plot. The initial physiological substrate ß-hydroxybutyryl group was docked into active site of DH domain using Glide. The molecular dynamics simulations carried out for 20 ns in apo and holo states indicated the stability and accuracy of the predicted structure in solvated condition. The predicted model provided useful biochemical insights into the substrate-active site binding mechanisms. This model was then used for identifying potential FASN inhibitors using high-throughput virtual screening of the National Cancer Institute database of chemical ligands. The inhibitory efficacy of the top hit ligands was validated by performing molecular dynamics simulation for 20 ns, where in the ligand NSC71039 exhibited good enzyme inhibition characteristics and exhibited dose-dependent anticancer cytotoxicity in retinoblastoma cancer cells in vitro.

Bio-conjugation of antioxidant peptide on surface-modified gold nanoparticles: a novel approach to enhance the radical scavenging property in cancer cell.

BACKGROUND: Functionalized gold nanoparticles are emerging as a promising nanocarrier for target specific delivery of the therapeutic molecules in a cancer cell, as a result it targeted selectively to the cancer cell and minimized the off-target effect. The functionalized nanomaterial (bio conjugate) brings novel functional properties, for example, the high payload of anticancer, antioxidant molecules and selective targeting of the cancer molecular markers. The current study reported the synthesis of multifunctional bioconjugate (GNPs-Pep-A) to target the cancer cell. METHODS: The GNPs-Pep-A conjugate was prepared by functionalization of GNPs with peptide-A (Pro-His-Cys-Lys-Arg-Met; Pep-A) using thioctic acid as a linker molecule. The GNPs-Pep-A was characterized and functional efficacy was tested using Retinoblastoma (RB) cancer model in vitro. RESULTS: The GNPs-Pep-A target the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RB, Y79, cancer cell more effectively, and bring down the ROS up to 70 % relative to control (untreated cells) in vitro. On the other hand, Pep-A and GNPs showed 40 and 9 % reductions in ROS, respectively, compared to control. The effectiveness of bioconjugate indicates the synergistic effect, due to the coexistence of both organic (Pep-A) and inorganic phase (GNPs) in novel GNPs-Pep-A functional material. In addition to this, it modulates the mRNA expression of antioxidant genes glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by two-threefolds as observed. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of GNPs-Pep-A on ROS reduction and regulation of antioxidant genes confirmed that Vitis vinifera L. polyphenol-coated GNPs synergistically improve the radical scavenging properties and enhanced the apoptosis of cancer cell.

Resistome and pathogenomics of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa VRFPA03, VRFPA05 recovered from alkaline chemical keratitis and post-operative endophthalmitis patient.

Eye infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of ocular morbidity. We presents the whole genomic comparative analysis of two P. aeruginosa VRFPA03 and VRFPA05 isolated from alkaline chemical injury mediated keratitis and post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis patients, respectively. The blaDIM-1 gene in VRFPA03 and the blaGes-9 gene in VRFPA05 were identified and reported for the first time from an ocular isolate. The current study revealed novel integrons In1107 and In1108, comprised of multidrug-resistant genes. Ocular virulence factors mainly mediated by exoenzymes T, Y, and U and exotoxin A, elastase B, and phenazine-specific methyltransferase. Genomic analysis uncovered multiple known and unknown factors involved in P. aeruginosa mediated ocular infection, which may lead to drug discovery and diagnostic markers to improve human vision care.

Multilevel Precision-Based Rational Design of Chemical Inhibitors Targeting the Hydrophobic Cleft of Toxoplasma gondii Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1)

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular Apicomplexan parasite and a causative agent of toxoplasmosis in human. It causes encephalitis, uveitis, chorioretinitis, and congenital infection. T. gondii invades the host cell by forming a moving junction (MJ) complex. This complex formation is initiated by intermolecular interactions between the two secretory parasitic proteins—namely, apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) and rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) and is critically essential for the host invasion process. By this study, we propose two potential leads, NSC95522 and NSC179676 that can efficiently target the AMA1 hydrophobic cleft, which is a hotspot for targeting MJ complex formation. The proposed leads are the result of an exhaustive conformational search-based virtual screen with multilevel precision scoring of the docking affinities. These two compounds surpassed all the precision levels of docking and also the stringent post docking and cumulative molecular dynamics evaluations. Moreover, the backbone flexibility of hotspot residues in the hydrophobic cleft, which has been previously reported to be essential for accommodative binding of RON2 to AMA1, was also highly perturbed by these compounds. Furthermore, binding free energy calculations of these two compounds also revealed a significant affinity to AMA1. Machine learning approaches also predicted these two compounds to possess more relevant activities. Hence, these two leads, NSC95522 and NSC179676, may prove to be potential inhibitors targeting AMA1-RON2 complex formation towards combating toxoplasmosis.

Draft genome sequence of blaVeb-1, blaoxa-10 producing multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain VRFPA09 recovered from bloodstream infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteremia causes significant mortality rate due to emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. We report the draft genome sequence of P. aeruginosa strain VRFPA09, a human bloodstream isolate, phenotypically proven as MDR strain. Whole genome sequencing on VRFPA09, deciphered betalactamase encoding blav(eb-1) and bla(OXA-10) genes and multiple drug resistance, virulence factor encoding genes.

Draft genome sequence of blaVeb-1, blaoxa-10producing multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosastrain VRFPA09 recovered from bloodstream infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteremia causes significant mortality rate due to emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. We report the draft genome sequence of P. aeruginosa strain VRFPA09, a human bloodstream isolate, phenotypically proven as MDR strain. Whole genome sequencing on VRFPA09, deciphered betalactamase encoding bla_veb-1 and bla_OXA-10genes and multiple drug resistance, virulence factor encoding genes.

Homozygosity Mapping in Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa in South Indian Families.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are retinal degenerative diseases which cause severe retinal dystrophy affecting the photoreceptors. LCA is predominantly inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and contributes to 5% of all retinal dystrophies; whereas RP is inherited by all the Mendelian pattern of inheritance and both are leading causes of visual impairment in children and young adults. Homozygosity mapping is an efficient strategy for mapping both known and novel disease loci in recessive conditions, especially in a consanguineous mating, exploiting the fact that the regions adjacent to the disease locus will also be homozygous by descent in such inbred children. Here we have studied eleven consanguineous LCA and one autosomal recessive RP (arRP) south Indian families to know the prevalence of mutations in known genes and also to know the involvement of novel loci, if any. Complete ophthalmic examination was done for all the affected individuals including electroretinogram, fundus photograph, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography. Homozygosity mapping using Affymetrix 250K HMA GeneChip on eleven LCA families followed by screening of candidate gene(s) in the homozygous block identified mutations in ten families; AIPL1 - 3 families, RPE65- 2 families, GUCY2D, CRB1, RDH12, IQCB1 and SPATA7 in one family each, respectively. Six of the ten (60%) mutations identified are novel. Homozygosity mapping using Affymetrix 10K HMA GeneChip on the arRP family identified a novel nonsense mutation in MERTK. The mutations segregated within the family and was absent in 200 control chromosomes screened. In one of the eleven LCA families, the causative gene/mutation was not identified but many homozygous blocks were noted indicating that a possible novel locus/gene might be involved. The genotype and phenotype features, especially the fundus changes for AIPL1, RPE65, CRB1, RDH12 genes were as reported earlier.