Mechanisms of assembly and genome packaging in an RNA virus revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM

Cowpea mosaic virus is a plant-infecting member of the Picornavirales and is of major interest in the development of biotechnology applications. Despite the availability of >100 crystal structures of Picornavirales capsids, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of capsid assembly and genome encapsidation. Here we have determined cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions for the wild-type virus and an empty virus-like particle, to 3.4 Å and 3.0 Å resolution, respectively, and built de novo atomic models of their capsids. These new structures reveal the C-terminal region of the small coat protein subunit, which is essential for virus assembly and which was missing from previously determined crystal structures, as well as residues that bind to the viral genome. These observations allow us to develop a new model for genome encapsidation and capsid assembly

Dietary Crocin is Protective in Pancreatic Cancer while Reducing Radiation-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Damage.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the fatal causes of global cancer-related deaths. Although surgery and chemotherapy are standard treatment options, post-treatment outcomes often end in a poor prognosis. In the present study, we investigated anti-pancreatic cancer and amelioration of radiation-induced oxidative damage by crocin. Crocin is a carotenoid isolated from the dietary herb saffron, a prospect for novel leads as an anti-cancer agent. Crocin significantly reduced cell viability of BXPC3 and Capan-2 by triggering caspase signaling via the downregulation of Bcl-2. It modulated the expression of cell cycle signaling proteins P53, P21, P27, CDK2, c-MYC, Cyt-c and P38. Concomitantly, crocin treatment-induced apoptosis by inducing the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Microarray analysis of the expression signature of genes induced by crocin showed a substantial number of genes involved in cell signaling pathways and checkpoints (723) are significantly affected by crocin. In mice bearing pancreatic tumors, crocin significantly reduced tumor burden without a change in body weight. Additionally, it showed significant protection against radiation-induced hepatic oxidative damage, reduced the levels of hepatic toxicity and preserved liver morphology. These findings indicate that crocin has a potential role in the treatment, prevention and management of pancreatic cancer

Introduction to Sensor Nanotechnology and Flexible Electronics

The inspiration for miniature, high-quality, lightweight, and intricately linked technologies has come from traditional electric devices made of rigid crystalline semiconductor wafers. A concurrent investigation that progresses quickly for emerging electronics combines functionality and extensibility to produce user-friendly applications. A variety of studies have already been reported on the manufacture of sensors and smart gadgets for stretchable, foldable, and composite materials, such as polyurethane sponge, polyimide, cellulose paper, natural rubber, etc. The nanomaterials are highly suited to producing broadband photodetectors, temperature, pressure, and stress sensor applications in the fields of optoelectronic devices, cameras, drugs, protection, and surveillance. Like consumer electronics, robots, prevention, medical care, security equipment, environmental monitoring, domestic defense, and space travel, modular sensors can also be used as promising components for smart sensing applications. Sensors are typically created with flexible substrates. Wearable smart sensors and technology essentially hold tremendous potential for monitoring a person’s physiological parameters to prevent body malfunctions. This chapter classifies the research according to the materials used to make the device, networking technologies, and various control tasks. Also, throughout the chapter, obstacles for current sensing systems as well as emerging prospects for versatile wearables concerning their market prices are briefly explained

Innovative Applications of Plant Viruses in Drug Targeting and Molecular Imaging- A review.

BackgroundNature had already engineered various types of nanoparticles (NPs), especially viruses, which can deliver their cargo to the host/targeted cells. The ability to selectively target specific cells offers a significant advantage over the conventional approach. Numerous organic NPs, including native protein cages, virus-like pieces, polymeric saccharides, and liposomes, have been used for the preparation of nanoparticulate. Such nanomaterials have demonstrated better performance and as well as improved biocompatible, devoid of side effects, and stable without any deterioration.ObjectiveThis review discusses current clinical and scientific research on naturally occurring nanomaterials. The review illustrates and updates the tailor-made approaches for selective delivery and targeted medications that require a highaffinity interconnection to the targeted cells.MethodA comprehensive search was performed using keywords for viral nanoparticles, viral particles for drug delivery, viral nanoparticles for molecular imaging, theranostics applications of viral nanoparticles and plant viruses in nanomedicine. We searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, Medline, and Elsevier from 2000 to till date and by the bibliographic review of all identified articles.ResultsThe findings demonstrated that structures dependent on nanomaterials might have potential applications in diagnostics, cell marking, comparing agents (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), and antimicrobial drugs, as well as drug delivery structures. However, measures should be taken in order to prevent or mitigate in pharmaceutical or medical applications the toxic impact or incompatibility of nanoparticle-based structures with biological systems.ConclusionThe review provided an overview of the latest advances in nanotechnology, outlining the difficulties and the advantages of in vivo and in vitro structures that are focused on a specific subset of the natural nanomaterials