Biology subjects

Asenjo, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Asenjo, J. A..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies

BackgroundPremature ovarian insufficiency (POI) affects approximately 1% of women under 40 and is characterized by elevated levels of gonadotropins, reduced estradiol, impaired folliculogenesis, and infertility. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-based therapy has emerged as a promising regenerative strategy in preclinical POI models. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated BM-MSC-based interventions, including cell transplantation and secretome/extracellular vesicle administration, in animal models of POI. MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to February 19, 2025. Preclinical studies assessing BM-MSC-based interventions in animal models of POI were included. ResultsThirty-four studies comprising 1,357 animals were included. Compared with controls, BM-MSC-based therapy increased serum estradiol (standardized mean difference [SMD] 3.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.38-3.84) and anti-Mullerian hormone (SMD 1.86; 95% CI 1.03-2.69), while reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (SMD -3.54; 95% CI -4.37 to -2.71) and luteinizing hormone (SMD -3.44; 95% CI -5.17 to -1.70). Follicular counts increased across developmental stages, with fewer atretic follicles. Reproductive outcomes improved, including normal estrous cycles (risk ratio [RR] 7.80; 95% CI 3.15-19.34), pregnancy occurrence (RR 3.72; 95% CI 2.14-6.44), and offspring number (SMD 1.57; 95% CI 1.04-2.09). ConclusionBM-MSC-based therapy consistently improved hormonal, follicular, and reproductive outcomes in preclinical POI models. More well-designed, standardized, and adequately controlled studies to confirm these findings are warranted. Systematic review registration: CRD42023449053

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Protein language models accelerate the discovery of Plastic-Degrading Enzymes

Plastic pollution presents a critical environmental challenge, necessitating innovative and sustainable solutions. In this context, biodegradation using microorganisms and enzymes offers an environmentally friendly alternative. This work introduces an AI-driven frame-work that integrates machine learning (ML) and generative models to accelerate the discovery and design of plastic-degrading enzymes. By leveraging pre-trained protein language models and curated datasets, we developed seven ML-based binary classification models to identify enzymes targeting specific plastic substrates, achieving an average accuracy of 89%. The framework was applied to over 6,000 enzyme sequences from the RemeDB to classify enzymes targeting diverse plastics, including PET, PLA, and Nylon. Besides, generative learning strategies combined with trained classification models in this work were applied for de novo generation of PET-degrading enzymes. Structural bioinformatics validated potential candidates through in-silico analysis, highlighting differences in physicochemical properties between generated and experimentally validated enzymes. Moreover, generated sequences exhibited lower molecular weights and higher aliphatic indices, features that may enhance interactions with hydrophobic plastic substrates. These findings highlight the utility of AI-based approaches in enzyme discovery, providing a scalable and efficient tool for addressing plastic pollution. Future work will focus on experimental validation of promising candidates and further refinement of generative strategies to optimize enzymatic performance.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2020

Iron-meditated fungal starvation by Lupine rhizosphere-associated and extremotolerant Streptomyces sp. S29 desferrioxamine production

Siderophores are iron-chelating compounds that aid iron uptake, one of the key strategies for microorganisms to carve out ecological niches in microbially diverse environments. Desferrioxamines are the principal siderophores produced by Streptomyces spp. Their biosynthesis has been well studied and as a consequence, the chemical potential of the pathway continues to expand. With all of this in mind, our study aimed to explore extremotolerant and Lupine rhizosphere-derived Streptomyces sp. S29 for its potential antifungal capabilities. Cocultivation of isolate S29 was carried out with Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea, both costly fungal phytopathogens in the wine industry, to simulate their interaction within the rhizosphere. The results indicate that not only is Streptomyces sp. S29 extraordinary at producing hydroxamate siderophores but uses siderophore production as a means to starve the fungi of iron. High resolution LC-MS/MS followed by GNPS molecular networking was used to observe the datasets for desferrioxamines and guided structure elucidation of new desferrioxamine analogues. Comparing the new chemistry, using tools like molecular networking and MS2LDA, with the known biosynthesis, we show that the chemical potential of the desferrioxamine pathway has further room for exploration.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

openPFGE: An open source and low cost pulsed-field gel electrophoresis equipment

DNA electrophoresis is a fundamental technique in molecular biology that allows the separation of DNA molecules up to ~50 Kbp. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE] is a variation of the conventional DNA electrophoresis technique that allows the separation of very large DNA molecules up to ~10 Mbp. PFGE equipment is very expensive and it becomes an access barrier to many laboratories. Also, just a few privative designs of the equipment are available and it becomes difficult for the community to improve or customize their functioning. Here, we provide an open source PFGE equipment capable of the separation of DNA molecules up to, at least, ~2 Mbp and at low cost: USD$850, about 3% of the price of typical commercial equipment. Specifications table O_TBL View this table: org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3e8d8eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bf96fforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@525546org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15c6aeeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@705b0a_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_TBL C_TBL

biochemistry↗