Rabbit Anti-Syn monoclonal antibody, clone TO74-15

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is a widespread regulatory mechanism of post-translational modification (PTM) that induces rapid and reversible changes in protein function and stability. Using SUMO conjugase Ubc9-overexpressing or knock-down cells in Parkinson's disease (PD) models, we demonstrate that SUMOylation protects dopaminergic cells against MPP+ or preformed fibrils (PFFs) of alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn)-induced toxicities in cell viability and cytotoxicity assays. In the mechanism of protection, Ubc9 overexpression significantly suppressed the MPP+ or PFF-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, while Ubc9-RNAi enhanced the toxicity-induced ROS production. Further, PFF-mediated protein aggregation was exacerbated by Ubc9-RNAi in thioflavin T staining, compared with NC1 controls. In cycloheximide (Chx)-based protein stability assays, higher protein level of alpha-syn was identified in Ubc9-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) than in EGFP cells. Since there was no difference in endogenous mRNA levels of alpha-syn between Ubc9 and EGFP cells in quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we assessed the mechanisms of SUMO-mediated delayed alpha-syn degradation via MG132, proteasomal inhibitor, and PMA, lysosomal degradation inducer. Ubc9-mediated SUMOylated alpha-syn avoided PMA-induced lysosomal degradation because of its high solubility. Our results suggest that Ubc9 enhances the levels of SUMO1 and ubiquitin on alpha-syn and interrupts SUMO1 removal from alpha-syn. In immunohistochemistry, dopaminergic axon tips in the striatum and cell bodies in the substantia nigra from Ubc9-overexpressing transgenic mice were protected from MPTP toxicities compared with wild-type (WT) siblings. Our results support that SUMOylation can be a regulatory target to protect dopaminergic neurons from oxidative stress and protein aggregation, with the implication that high levels of SUMOylation in dopaminergic neurons can prevent the pathologic progression of PD.

Plant interactions with endophytic bacteria produce mutual benefits and contribute to environmental sustainability.Handroanthus impetiginosus(Mart. ex DC.) Mattos 'pink lapacho' (syn.Tabebuia impetiginosa, Bignoniaceae) is a medicinal, ornamental and forestal native tree from South and Mesoamerica. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from pink lapacho are scarcely described. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize native endophytic bacteria from pink lapacho. Ten bacterial strains were isolated from leaves and six from roots of naturally growing trees in Lujan (Central-Eastern region of Argentina). Endophytes were identified asBacillus,Paenibacillus,Pseudomonas,Rhizobium,RummeliibacillusandMethylobacteriumgenera, according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In the present study, a strain of theRummelibacillusgenus (L14) has been first ever reported as endophyte. This strain was capable of growing in Nfb medium and exhibited zinc solubilization ability. A high percentage of strains showed PGPB traits; namely 88% fixed nitrogen, 63% solubilized zinc, 69% solubilized phosphate and 63% produced indole compounds such as IAA. Most strains were salt tolerant that confer them a potential competitive advantage to survive in saline conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting an approach to assess the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria ofH. impetiginosustree and its plant growth promoting capacity. The knowledge about this kind of associations could contribute to environmental sustainability by developing effective biofertilizers that minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.