Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health burden, and many patients do not achieve durable glycemic control despite modern pharmacotherapy. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on plant-derived strategies that may complement standard care, focusing on two clinically aligned domains: glucose-lowering medicinal plants and plant-based sugar substitutes that reduce dietary glycemic load. We summarize key mechanistic pathways, including inhibition of α-amylase/α-glucosidase, reduced intestinal glucose entry and absorption kinetics, glucose-dependent insulinotropic effects, improved insulin signaling, suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and microbiota-linked effects. We critically appraise human evidence for selected botanicals (cinnamon, fenugreek, mulberry, gymnema, gynura, rosehip, and Jerusalem artichoke) and plant sweeteners (stevia and monk fruit). Overall, clinical effects are modest and heterogeneous; the most reproducible signals are observed for mulberry leaf in blunting postprandial glucose excursions, and for cinnamon, fenugreek, and gymnema, where meta-analyses suggest modest improvements in glycemic markers. Stevia and monk fruit are best supported as glycemically neutral sucrose substitutes, while inulin-type fructans show small-to-moderate benefits with sustained intake, limited by gastrointestinal tolerability at higher doses. Key gaps include a shortage of long-term randomized trials using standardized preparations and durable endpoints such as glycated hemoglobin. Plant-derived interventions are therefore best positioned as adjuncts within individualized, evidence-based glycemic management.

Yeasts are remarkably versatile microorganisms whose applications reach far beyond their traditional roles in fermentation. In recent years, they have also emerged as valuable tools in areas related to biosecurity and civilian protection. This paper explores how both conventional and non-conventional yeast can contribute to the detection, neutralisation, and prevention of biological and chemical threats. We review the use of recombinant yeast cells in biosensors for heavy metals, organic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting compounds, as well as their role in bioremediation and toxin removal. Special attention is given to the development of yeast-based vaccine platforms, including RNA and antigen-display systems using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Komagataella phaffii. These technologies illustrate how yeast can bridge biotechnology and security, offering low-cost, scalable and sustainable solutions. However, practical deployment still faces challenges such as biosensor stability, regulatory barriers for genetically modified strains and the need for standardised calibration. Altogether, yeast biotechnology is positioned as a promising and resilient component of future biodefense and environmental protection strategies, strengthening preparedness in the face of hybrid biological and chemical threats.

This study presents the generation of synthetically tractable N-acyl sulfonamide chemical space using a two-step parallel synthetic methodology, providing structurally diverse compounds with high efficiency. The key reaction included the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) combined with primary sulfonamide N-acylation, which proved to be highly effective in generating structurally diverse N-acyl sulfonamides with typically good synthesis success rates (up to 85%) and average yields (up to 61%). The approach demonstrated reliability across different substrates, supporting the efficient construction of a 256-member compound library (out of 73,331 possible combinations) with minor synthetic limitations. Biological evaluations of the synthesized library identified promising inhibitors of human carbonic anhydrase isoforms hCA-IX and hCA-II. Differential scanning fluorimetry and enzymatic assay revealed potent and selective compounds, with some derivatives exhibiting low micromolar IC50 values and noticeable selectivity toward hCA-II. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations provided further insights into binding interactions, confirming the stability of ligand-protein complexes. Thus, this work highlights the synthetic efficiency and pharmacological relevance of 1,2,3-triazole-containing N-acyl sulfonamides, expanding the accessible chemical space for drug discovery.

Abstract During gestation, the human placenta develops as a fetal organ in direct contact with maternal cells and tissues. Most pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, have their roots early in pregnancy, most probably in dysregulation of placental development and/or disturbances in the interaction with maternal (immune) cells. Here, we applied an integrative analysis of open-access gene expression data on the human placenta, comparing expression levels between the first and second trimesters of healthy pregnancy, with a focus on differentially expressed genes related to immune processes. The holistic approach of our study revealed differentially expressed genes involved in the recognition and elimination of potential PAMPs and DAMPs, transendothelial cell migration, cytokine production, transplacental IgG transport, and maintenance of immune tolerance during the transition from the first to the second trimester of placental development. Most DEGs show an increased expression. Only a few genes, DEFB1 , SLPI , and LCN2, which encode antimicrobial proteins, homeostatic chemokines, and a pleiotropic PAEP that maintains tolerance, display maximal expression in the first trimester, followed by further down-regulation. The cell types deconvolutions revealed the typical representation of placental cells.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a block of myeloid differentiation, finally resulting in the uncontrolled expansion of CML stem cells in a phase of blast crisis of the disease. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are effective in delaying CML progression for a long time. Nevertheless, CML cells become resistant to TKI over time. Therefore, the search for alternative and complementary therapies, including differentiation therapy, is currently in the limelight. The aim of the study was to explore the differentiation potential of alpha-tocopherol and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) by analyzing the gene expression of several factors critical for myeloid differentiation of K562 CML cells, as well as some key leukemic stemness transcription factors. The mRNA expression of C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha), neutrophil-granulocytic factor TNAP (tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase), E-cadherin, SNAIL, OCT4, and PLAP (placental-like alkaline phosphatase) was studied by qRT-PCR in K562 cells exposed to alpha-tocopherol or G-CSF. K562 cell exposure to alpha-tocopherol or G-CSF resulted in the CEBPB, CDH1, and ALPL gene upregulation. At the same time, down-regulation of EMT-associated markers SNAIL, PLAP, and OCT4 (SNAI1, ALPP, and POU5F1 genes) was demonstrated. The inverse relationship between expression of the genes of leukemic stemness cell markers SNAIL, OCT4, and PLAP and the genes of myeloid differentiation markers C/EBPα, TNAP, and E-cadherin in K562 cells exposed to alpha-tocopherol or G-CSF suggests the activation of the molecular pattern of myeloid differentiation in this setting.

In this work, an amperometric pyruvate‐sensitive biosensor was developed and optimized. A platinum disk electrode was used as an amperometric transducer. The bioselective element of the biosensor is based on the pyruvate oxidase enzyme immobilized with PVA‐SbQ polymer by photopolymerization. The optimal immobilization conditions (enzyme and photopolymer concentrations, duration, and intensity of photopolymerization) were selected. The optimal concentrations of cofactors and cosubstrates (phosphate ions, thiamine pyrophosphate, and magnesium ions (Mg 2+ ) were chosen to ensure the best sensitivity of the developed biosensor to pyruvate. After optimizing the design of the bioselective element and the immobilization process, the reproducibility of the biosensor manufacturing procedure was investigated (RSD = 12.5%). To assess the prospects of the developed biosensor, its main analytical characteristics were analyzed. The linear range of the biosensor was from 10 to 500 μM pyruvate, and the sensitivity was 66 nA/mM. The minimum detection threshold was 1.57 μM pyruvate. The obtained data indicate the technical feasibility and prospects of using the developed biosensor for determining the concentration of pyruvate in real multicomponent biological samples.

Aim.The aim of the work is the study of a spectral-fluorescent response of a series of dioxaborine dyes in the presence of serum albumins.Methods.UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.Results.The fluorescent response of eight polymethine dyes (six of them being dioxaborine-based) in the presence of human, bovine, and equine serum albumins was studied and compared to the response in the presence of DNA and ovalbumin.It was shown that dianionic dioxaborine A74 and thiobarbituric-based merocyanine In4tb demonstrated the most promising properties as fluorescent probes for human serum albumin detection, with fluorescence intensity increasing by 62-and 56-fold, respectively.Meanwhile, A74 shows the highest selectivity to HSA among other serum albumins: in the presence of ESA and BSA, the signal increased by only 28-fold and 7.9-fold, respectively.Thus, one can suppose that A74 may be sensitive to slight variations in the globular conformation of serum albumins.Besides, dioxaborine merocyanines B33 and B36 demonstrated nearly 10-fold fluorescence intensity increase in the presence of serum albumins.Conclusions.The most promising dyes A74 and In4tb can be further studied for various applications that require fluorescent detection or imaging of HSA, and, in the case of A74, as a probe sensitive to minor changes in the HSA globular structure.