Cognitive decline during aging may be influenced by peripheral factors, including neuroproteins and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, body composition, and physical fitness. However, the specific asso Show more
Cognitive decline during aging may be influenced by peripheral factors, including neuroproteins and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, body composition, and physical fitness. However, the specific associations between these factors and cognitive performance remain underexplored. A comprehensive assessment, including peripheral cytokine and neuroprotein levels, body composition, physical performance (aerobic fitness and muscle strength), and cognitive function was performed in a cohort of 87 older adults (mean age: 69.3 ± 3.4 years; 66 females, 21 males) with a range of Body Mass Index (BMI): 19.7 - 41.9. Elevated blood levels of N-lactoyl-phenylalanine (Lac-Phe) were associated with better psychomotor speed (r = -0.223, p = 0.034) as measured by the Trial Making Test-A (TMT-A). Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-12) and peripheral clusterin concentrations were also associated with poorer cognitive performance. No significant associations were found between cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive function. BMI and fat mass (kg) were positively associated with performance on the Stroop Test, suggesting a negative effect of increased adipose tissue on inhibitory control. In contrast, greater skeletal muscle mass was positively associated with better memory. Physical fitness parameters, including VO Show less
Adenovirus penton base protein is involved in virus internalization. Searching for the cellular partners of this protein, we used dodecahedra, adenovirus subviral particles composed of 12 bases, for s Show more
Adenovirus penton base protein is involved in virus internalization. Searching for the cellular partners of this protein, we used dodecahedra, adenovirus subviral particles composed of 12 bases, for screening a human lung expression library. This screen yielded three ubiquitin-protein ligases, WWP1, WWP2, and AIP4, all of which belong to the HECT family and contain multiple WW domains. The xPPxY motif, known to interact with WW domains in partner proteins occurs twice in the N-terminal part of the base polypeptide chain. The recruitment of three ubiquitin-protein ligases was shown for two distinct virus serotypes, Ad2 and Ad3. The first N-terminal xPPxY motif in the base protein sequence is indispensable for the interaction. The association in vitro was shown by the protein overlay technique and in vivo by cotransfection followed by immunoprecipitation. The binding parameters studied by surface plasmon resonance confirmed the interaction of base protein with three ubiquitin-protein ligases. In case of WWP1 when the saturation of binding was achieved, the apparent dissociation constant of 65nM was calculated. This is the first demonstration of the interaction of nonenveloped viruses with ubiquitin-protein ligases of host cells. Show less