Biology subjects

Hegedus, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Hegedus, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Deciphering Species-Specific and Conserved Regulation of Human UCP1 Gene Expression: Insights from Predicted Homeodomain Family Transcription Factor Binding Sites

Adipocyte thermogenesis is a promising target for treating metabolic disorders, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates transcription factors (TFs) and regulatory elements that may control the human UCP1 gene, which is essential for thermogenesis and the formation of the adipocyte phenotype. Using the Eukaryota Promoter Database, we performed computational analyses of the UCP1, UCP2 and UCP3 promoter sequences in humans, mice and rats to identify conserved and species-specific elements. We also used transcriptome data from human neck-derived adipocytes and databases (Contra v3, ChiPBase, TFlink, AdipoNet, ISMARA, etc.) to narrow potential regulatory TFs. Our results show that mouse and rat UCP1 enhancers lack large segments, primarily due to the insertion of repetitive elements that are already lost in some clades. We identified key TFs such as PPARA, PPARG, THR, RARE, RXR, JUN, TFAP2 and SREBF1 as general regulators of UCPs. Additionally, human-specific UCP1 regulatory hotspots (e.g. 5-TCTAATTAGA-3) recognised by homeodomain TFs (e.g. EN1, PAX4, HOXA5 and PRRX2) and NFIL3 were detected. Phylogenetically conserved regulatory elements suggest common TFs in human UCP1 paralogues (MAX, MYCN, MNT, HES1) and cross-species (POU6F1). These results improve our understanding of thermogenic adipocyte development and provide new therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=198 SRC="FIGDIR/small/594487v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (82K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1fe65a3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c2c6e5org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1900abborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b09883_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

Repurposed nystatin to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and mutants in the GI tract

The SARS-CoV-2 infections are considered as respiratory system diseases, mostly. In COVID-19, it might also be the infection of gastrointestinal (GI) tract too, especially at patients in severe clinical condition. SARS-CoV-2 can destroy the intestinal barrier, capable to spread into internal organs via blood and/or lymphatic circulation, and to cause serious damage there. Infected GI tract of COVID-19 patients is ideal environment for the coronavirus infection, replication and as virus reservoir might be the major source of pandemic reinfections, too. The process of virus budding is dependent on the host cell lipid rafts containing membrane-sterols, mainly cholesterol. The viral envelope may be challenged by polyene antibiotics, such as nystatin, which has strong affinity to sterols. Nystatin may block the establishment of the virus-host cell connection, too. In this study, the nystatin was investigated, as antiviral agent to SARS-CoV-2. We demonstrated by tests in Vero E6 cell based cytopathic assay, nystatin blocked the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in concentration 62.5 g/ml (IC50) at Wuhan and British mutant strains. No efficient SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agent is known so far to alleviate pandemic, to disinfect GI tract, where vaccines might have limited effect, only. Nystatin might be the first one with emergency use authorization, either, as a safe and efficient non-systemic antiviral drug, with well-established use, since decades.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2021

ELICE16INDURES (R): a plant immune-priming activator targeting jasmonate metabolism via TIFY and RHOMBOID proteins in Hordeum vulgare

Priming activity of plant-based allelochemicals is advanced research nowadays meaning a high potential in sustainable agriculture. The ELICE16INDURES(R) (RIMPH LTD, Hungary) plant conditioner of CO2 botanical extracts is rich in plant-active ingredients such as phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and flavonoids formulated in small multilamellar liposomes. This product was investigated in autumn barley (Hordeum vulgare). Field experiments of ELICE16INDURES showed augmented NDVI values interconnected with higher photosynthetic activity and yield increase. Background of the better vitality of plants was investigated by whole genomic gene expression profiling and showed an enhanced response to wounding, jasmonic acid, oxidative detoxification, and chloroplast activity. Among top50 differentially expressed genes the TIFY domain protein TIFY11B and RHOMBOID-like protein 2 related to JA signaling were up-regulated in field-collected samples. Phytotron experiments of barley were set up to validate and evaluate the transcriptomic effect of ELICE16INDURES. Well-studied priming active agents such as salicylic acid and beta-aminobutyric acid were compared with ELICE16INDURES and confirmed as priming inducer material with positive regulation of TIFY11B, TIFY3B, TIFY9, TIF10A, and RHOMBOID like protein 2 by using NGS GEx and RT-qPCR methods. One-sentence summaryELICE16INDURES(R) is a plant conditioner agent with a high amount of allelochemicals encapsulated into small multilamellar liposomes and found as an immune priming activator tested in H. vulgare field and phytotron cultures.

plant biology↗