The dark side of melanin exposed Sun worshippers may have more to worry about than the DNA damage that occurs while they're relaxing on beach. It seems photoproducts responsible for cancer-causing mutations in skin cells continue be generated hours after sunlight exposure. Premi et al. find a key mediator this delayed is melanin, pigment thought protect against cancer (see Perspective by Taylor). They propose “chemiexcitation” model which reactive oxygen and nitrogen species induced...

The function of α-synuclein (α-syn) has been long debated, and two seemingly divergent views have emerged. In one, α-syn binds to VAMP2, acting as a SNARE chaperone—but with no effect on neurotransmission—while another posits that attenuates neurotransmitter release by restricting synaptic vesicle mobilization recycling. Here, we show α-syn–VAMP2 interactions are necessary for α-syn–induced attenuation. Our data connect suggest unified model function.

If the genome contains outlier sequences extraordinarily sensitive to environmental agents, these would be sentinels for monitoring personal carcinogen exposure and might drive direct changes in cell physiology rather than acting through rare mutations. New methods, adductSeq freqSeq, provided statistical resolution quantify lesions at single-base across genome. Primary human melanocytes, but not fibroblasts, carried spontaneous apurinic sites TG sequence more frequent ultraviolet...

UV-like DNA damage is created in the dark by chemiexcitation, which UV-activated enzymes generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that create a dioxetane on melanin. Thermal cleavage creates an electronically excited triplet-state carbonyl whose high energy transfers to DNA. Screening natural compounds for ability quench this identified polyenes, polyphenols, mycosporine-like amino acids, related better known as antioxidants. To eliminate false positives such ROS RNS scavengers, we then...

In DNA, electron excitation allows adjacent pyrimidine bases to dimerize by [2 + 2] cycloaddition, creating chemically stable but lethal and mutagenic cyclobutane dimers (CPDs). The usual cause is ultraviolet radiation. Alternatively, CPDs can be made in the dark (dCPDs) via mediated of skin pigment melanin, after it oxidized peroxynitrite formed from stress-induced radicals superoxide nitric oxide. We now show that process not limited unusual structural molecule melanin: signaling...

Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) are ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced carcinogenic DNA photoproducts that lead to UV signature mutations in melanoma. Previously, we discovered that, addition their incident formation (iCPDs), exposure induces melanin chemiexcitation (MeCh), where generates peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which oxidizes into melanin-carbonyls (MCs) excited triplet state. Chronic MeCh and energy transfer by MCs CPDs for several hours after ends (dark CPD, dCPDs). We hypothesized...

Recent research has shown that significant levels of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) in DNA continue to form melanocytes for several hours the dark after exposure ultraviolet radiation (UVR) ends. We document utility a new multifunctional ingredient, 3-(4-hydroxy, 3-methoxybenzyl)-pentane-2,4-dione (INCI acetyl zingerone (AZ)), protect against CPD formation UVR ends.The use AZ as an intervention reduce irradiation was assessed vitro by comparing kinetic profiles cells were untreated or...

Mutations in the SRY gene encompassing HMG box have been well characterized gonadal dysgenesis, male infertility and other types of sex chromosome related anomalies (SCRA). However, no information is available on copy number status this under such abnormal conditions. Employing 'Taqman Probe Assay' specific to gene, we screened 16 DNA samples from patients with SCRA 36 males exposed high levels natural background radiation (HNBR). Patients showed 2–16 copies which, one, Oxen (49, XYYYY) had...

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) instantaneously generates cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Paradoxically, we recently observed that UV enables the protective pigment melanin to create CPDs in dark long after exposure ends. UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize carbonyls a high-energy quantum state. These energetic transfer their energy DNA dark, creating absence of UVR.

We assessed genomic instability of 3.4 kb DYZ1 repeat arrays in patients encompassing prostate cancer (PC), cases repeated abortion (RA) and males exposed to natural background radiation (NBR) using real-time PCR fluorescence situ hybridization (FISH). Normal showed copies ranging from 3000 4300, RA, 0–2237; PC, 550; NBR, 1577–5700. FISH organizational variation these samples substantiating the data obtained PCR. Of 10 RA samples, 7 were found be affected which, 5 deletion 265 bp nt 25 290...

The most frequently observed major consequences of ionizing radiation are chromosomal lesions and cancers, although the entire genome may be affected. Owing to its haploid status absence recombination, human Y chromosome is an ideal candidate assessed for possible genetic alterations induced by radiation. We studied in 390 males from South Indian state Kerala, where level natural background (NBR) ten-fold higher than worldwide average, that 790 unexposed as control.We random microdeletions...

Presence of the human Y-chromosome in females with Turner Syndrome (TS) enhances risk development gonadoblastoma besides causing several other phenotypic abnormalities. In present study, we have analyzed Y chromosome 15 clinically diagnosed patients and detected high level mosaicisms ranging from 45,XO:46,XY = 100:0% 4; 45,XO:46,XY:46XX 4:94:2 8; 50:30:20 cells 3 TS patients, unlike previous reports showing 5-8% Y- material. Also, no ring, marker or di-centric was observed any cases. Of two...

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of GACA/GATA have been implicated with differentiation sex-chromosomes and speciation. However, the organization these within genomes transcriptomes, even in best characterized organisms including human, remains unclear. The main objective this study was to explore buffalo transcriptome for its association repeats, structural differential expression repeat tagged transcripts. Moreover, distribution GACA GATA prokaryotic eukaryotic studied highlight their...

We conducted minisatellite-associated sequence amplification (MASA) with an oligo (5' CACCTCTCCACCTGCC 3') based on consensus of 33.15 repeat loci using cDNA from the testis, ovary, spleen, kidney, heart, liver, and lung water buffalo Bubalus bubalis uncovered 25 amplicons six different sizes (1263, 846/847, 602, 576, 487, 324 base pairs). These fragments, cloned sequenced, were found to represent several functional, regulatory, structural genes. Blast search all showed homologies 43...

Higher eukaryotes contain a wide variety of repetitive DNA, although their functions often remain unknown. We describe cloning, chromosomal localization, copy number assessment, and transcriptional status 1378- 673-bp repeat fractions in the buffalo genome. The pDS5, representing 1378-bp fragment, showed FISH signals centromeric region acrocentric chromosomes only, whereas pDS4, corresponding to 673 bp, detected regions all chromosomes. Crosshybridization studies pDS5 pDS4 with genomic DNA...

Abstract Background Transcriptionally quiescent spermatozoa have been established to be a repository of mRNA coding for several functionally essential cellular proteins. This entourage is envisaged involved in post-fertilization and early embryogenesis. Minisatellites tagged with transcripts implicated gene organization, regulation function. However, the organization expression minisatellite transcript diversity, particularly spermatozoa, remains unclear. Results In present study, we...

Abstract Background Secreted modular calcium binding protein-1 ( Smoc -1) belongs to the BM-40 family which has been implicated with tissue remodeling, angiogenesis and bone mineralization. Besides its anticipated role in embryogenesis, -1 characterized only a few mammalian species. We made use of consensus sequence (5' CACCTCTCCACCTGCC 3') 33.15 repeat loci explore buffalo transcriptome uncovered transcript tagged this repeat. The main objective study was gain an insight into structural...