Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a major international public health concern. Because of very similar amino acid sequences of the seven domain names, SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the Coronavirinae subfamily of the family Coronaviridae, order Nidovirales, and realm Riboviria, placed in exceptional clusters, but categorized as a SARS-like species. As the RNA virus family with the longest genome, the Coronaviridae genome consists of a single strand of positive RNA (25–32 kb in length). Four major structural proteins of this genome include the spike (S), membrane (M), envelope (E), and the nucleocapsid (N) protein, all of which are encoded within the 3′ end of the genome. By engaging with its receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells. According to the most recent epidemiological data, as the illness spread globally, several genetic variations of SARS-CoV-2 appeared quickly, with the World Health Organization (WHO) naming 11 of them. Among these, seven SARS-CoV-2 subtypes have received the most attention. Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.617.2) are now designated as variations of concern (VOC) (B.1.1.529). Lambda (C.37) and Mu are variations of interest (VOI) (B.1.621). The remaining six are either being monitored or are no longer considered a threat. On the basis of studies done so far, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, glucocorticoids, recombinant intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma therapy, and IFN-α2b have been used to treat patients. Moreover, full vaccination is associated with lower infection and helps prevent transmission, but the risk of infection cannot be eliminated completely in vaccinated people.
Metastatic breast cancer is the most lethal cancer in women that involved various molecular mechanisms. Nav1.5, a voltage-gated sodium channels, is overexpressed in high metastatic breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of a new Na+ channel blocker, IOD-NaTx toxin from scorpion. IOD-NaTx toxin contains 66 amino acids that forms three disulfide bonds, converse with other Na+ channels. It was expressed recombinantly in E.coli and purified by nickel affinity chromatography. The cancer cell cytotoxicity was investigated by MTT assay and IC50 of rIOD-NaTx was determined 8µM. Morphological properties of apoptotic cells were observed following toxin treatment. Cell cycle arrest in sub-G1 and increasing amount of p53 mRNA expression also confirmed apoptosis induction in toxin treated cells. IOD-NaTx significantly inhibited mRNA expression of several critical genes involved in breast cancer progression, AKT1, VEGF, LIF, TNF-α. The association of these genes with Nav1.5 channel and PI3K/AKT pathway suggests that IOD-NaTx may affect dufferent pathways through inhibittion of this channel. Fluorescent microscopy analysis showed IOD-NaTx interacte with cancer cells and could penetrate to cells. Therfore, recombinant IOD-NaTx can be considered as an therapeutic cell penetrating peptide for targeting breast cancer cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.