In silico discovery and anti-tumor bioactivities validation of an algal lectin from Kappaphycus alvarezii genome.

Lectins are proteins that bind specifically and reversibly to carbohydrates, and some of them have significant anti-tumor activities. Compared to those of lectins from land plants, there are far fewer studies on algal lectins, despite of the high biodiversity of algae. However, canonical strategies based on chromatographic feature-oriented screening cannot satisfy the requirement for algal lectin discovery. In this study, prospecting for novel OAAH family lectins throughout 358 genomes of red algae and cyanobacteria was conducted. Then 35 candidate lectins and 1843 of their simulated mutated forms were virtually screened based on predicted binding specificities to characteristic carbohydrates on cancer cells inferred by a deep learning model. A new lectin, named Siye, was discovered in Kappaphycus alvarezii genome and further verified on different cancer cells. Without causing agglutination of erythrocytes, Siye showed significant cytotoxicity to four human cancer cell lines (IC50 values ranging from 0.11 to 3.95 µg/mL), including breast adenocarcinoma HCC1937, lung carcinoma A549, liver cancer HepG2 and romyelocytic leukemia HL60. And the cytotoxicity was induced through promoting apoptosis by regulating the caspase and the p53 pathway within 24 h. This study testifies the feasibility and efficiency of the genome mining guided by evolutionary theory and artificial intelligence in the discovery of algal lectins.

Genome-wide analysis of lectins in cyanobacteria: from evolutionary mode to motif patterns.

Lectins are glycoproteins that can bind to specific carbohydrates, and different lectin families exhibit different biological activities. They are also present in the cyanobacteria and many of them have shown excellent therapeutic effect, which deserve for bioprospecting. However, in comparison to those from terrestrial plants, the current knowledge on cyanobacterial lectins is very limited. To this end, genome-wide analyses were performed to find out their evolutionary mode and motif patterns in 316 genomes of representative taxa. In results, 196 putative cyanobacterial lectins were dig out and 105 of them were classified into known families. Seven lectins were found to be belonged to distinct two lectin families, and they may have the potential activities of both lectin families. Whereas no MFP-2, Chitin, and Nictaba family lectins were found. What's more, the Legume lectin-like lectin family was found to be the richest and most complex in cyanobacteria, which could be a main research direction for future cyanobacterial lectin bioprospecting and development. Our classification and prediction of cyanobacteria lectins is expected to provide assistance in the development of lectin-based medicine and provide solutions to the current thorny viral and tumor diseases in humans.

[Retinal examination with ophthalmic endoscopy in forensic autopsy].

Autopsy by forensic pathologist is a main mean currently to determine the cause of sudden unexpected death. Retinal examination is important but seldom performed during a forensic autopsy for various reasons. The value of retina examination has not been recognized. With invention of ophthalmic endoscopy and its subsequent application in postmortem retina examination, it has proved to be useful adjunct to determine the cause of death and to estimate the postmortem interval.

[The prospect of application of toxicogenetics/pharmcogenetics theory and methods in forensic practice].

Individual response to drugs, toxicants, environmental chemicals and allergens varies with genotype. Some respond well to these substances without significant consequences, while others may respond strongly with severe consequences and even death. Toxicogenetics and toxicogenomics as well as pharmacogenetics explain the genetic basis for the variations of individual response to toxicants by sequencing the human genome and large-scale identification of genome polymorphism. The new disciplines will provide a new route for forensic specialists to determine the cause of death.

[The application of cerebral angiography in the forensic postmortem examination].

As a "Gold Standard" in clinical diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, cerebral angiography also plays an important role in forensic postmortem examination. The key roles of identifying the site of cerebrovascular disease and the cause of death as well as providing guidance for autopsy and postmortem sampling and the broad future application of cerebral angiography in forensic practice are reviewed.