Project description:Crocodiles are remarkable animals that have the ability to endure extremely harsh conditions and can survive up to a 100 years while being exposed to noxious agents that are detrimental to Homo sapiens. Besides their immunity, we postulate that the microbial gut flora of crocodiles may produce substances with protective effects. In this study, we isolated and characterized selected bacteria colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of Crocodylusporosus and demonstrated their inhibitory effects against three different cancerous cell lineages. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, several molecules were identified. For the first time, we report partial analyses of crocodile's gut bacterial molecules.
Project description:BackgroundCancer remains a global threat resulting in significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in therapeutic interventions, suggesting urgency for identification of anticancer agents. Crocodiles thrive in polluted habitat, feed on germ-infested meat, are exposed to carcinogenic heavy metals, are the very few species to survive the catastrophic Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, yet have a prolonged lifespan and rarely been reported to develop cancer. Therefore, we hypothesised that animals living in polluted environments such as crocodiles possess anticancer molecules/mechanisms.MethodsCrocodylus porosus was procured, blood collected, dissected and lysates prepared from internal organs. Organ lysates and sera were tested for growth inhibition, cytotoxic effects and cell survival against HeLa, PC3 and MCF7 cells and subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. RNA transcriptome analysis and differential gene analysis were performed using Galaxy Bioinformatics.ResultsSera exhibited potent growth inhibition and cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. 80 molecules were detected from C. porosus and 19 molecules were putatively identified. Additionally, more than 100 potential anticancer peptides were identified from sera using bioinformatics based on peptide amino acid composition, binary profile, dipeptide composition and pseudo-amino acid composition. Following transcriptome analysis, 14 genes in treated HeLa cells, 51 genes in treated MCF7 cells and 2 genes in treated PC3 cells, were found to be expressed, compared with untreated controls.ConclusionAnimals residing in polluted milieus are an unexploited source for prospective pharmaceutical drugs, and could lead to identification of novel antitumour compound(s) and/or further understanding of the mechanisms of cancer resistance.
Project description:Method development for protein extraction from microscopic biominerals. The method was developed using Hong Kong oyster larval shells
Project description:Shell proteins were extracted from larval Hong Kong oysters (Magallana hongkongensis) after exposure to control (pH 8.1) and adverse carbonate chemistry (pH 7.4).
Project description:We have worked on skin explants and activated T cells locally with a CD3 antibody, whole biopsies were activated, then epidermal and dermal RNA was sequenced. Sequencing was performed by BGI (Hong Kong) as well as the group analysis.
Project description:Here we reported 226 sperm proteins from the Hong Kong oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis. Proteins extracted from three sperm samples were separated by SDS-PAGE, analyzed by LC-MS/MS and identified using Mascot.
