Biology subjects

Tran, S. V.

Publications and source records attributed to Tran, S. V..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Identification of molecular pathways involved in the anti-liver cancer activity of madecassic acid

Natural products are a time-tested source of medicinal compounds, and there is huge interest in discovery of new drugs from plant sources. However, in many cases the effects are not as well understood, strong, or selective, as would be hoped. An example of this is madecassic acid (MA), which has promising activity against liver cancer, activity which can be improved through chemical modifications, although a molecular understanding of its mechanism of action is unknown. In this report we have used chemical proteomics to identify the proteins with which madecassic interacts in liver cancer cells, and used RNAseq to support those findings, as well as showing more precisely how chemical modifications can focus and amplify MA activity. Our results show that madecassic acid interacts with a number of proteins relating to metabolism, nucleic acid processing, and protein folding, which have been previously identified as linked to liver cancer. This provides a route from phenotypic- to target based-drug discovery and develop new potential treatments for a globally challenging disease.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2025

Regioselectively Acetylated Silybin Derivatives and their Cytotoxic Activity in Liver Cancer Cells

O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=48 SRC="FIGDIR/small/638106v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (11K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13744c8org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@184bb9borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@138f442org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2c45ca_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Natural products continue to serve as a valuable source of starting points for therapeutic agents. Six silybin derivatives have been synthesized and tested in vitro for their cytotoxic effect on the human hepatocellular carcinoma line HepG2 using the MTT assay. Results indicate that the 3,5,7,20,23-penta-O-acetyl-2,3-dehydrosilybin possesses a stronger cytotoxic effect than that of the parent silybin by a factor of 12. This compound was further evaluated for its cytotoxic activity on Hep3B, Huh7, and Huh7R hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, giving similar potencies, arresting the cell cycle at S phase and causing apoptosis. These results illustrate the potential of silybin derivatives as therapeutics against liver cancer.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2024

Unraveling the Genetic Complexity of Invasive Lonicera spp.: Evidence of Hybridization from Nuclear and Chloroplast Genome Analysis

Members of the Lonicera genus, commonly known as honeysuckles, encompass both native and invasive species in North America, the latter posing significant ecological challenges. Invasive honeysuckles can disrupt native ecosystems by outcompeting local flora, altering habitats, and affecting wildlife populations. Effective management and control of these species are critical but hindered by the difficulty of accurate identification due to overlapping morphological traits. Traditional control measures recommended by government agencies, such as cutting, burning, and chemical treatments, have proven only partially effective, sometimes complicated by misidentification of species. The morphological identification of invasive honeysuckles is notoriously challenging. Key distinguishing features are often subtle, variable, and sometimes only discernible during specific developmental stages, complicating field identification efforts. This taxonomic ambiguity underscores the urgent need for more precise identification methods that transcend conventional morphological assessments. In this study, we explore the molecular identity of a Lonicera isolate collected from the Finger Lakes region of Western New York. Through detailed genetic analysis, we demonstrate that the specimen likely possesses maternal inheritance from Lonicera tatarica while the majority of its nuclear genome is associated with Lonicera insulara. Both species are prevalent in the region and known for their invasive potential. Our findings highlight the utility of molecular techniques as a complementary tool for species identification within the Lonicera genus. By providing a clearer genetic framework for distinguishing between morphologically similar species, this approach can enhance conservation strategies, inform management decisions, and improve ecological restoration efforts. As invasive species continue to threaten biodiversity, integrating molecular diagnostics with traditional methods offers a promising path toward more effective environmental stewardship.

ecology↗