Felis Catus is a small carnivorous mammal and it is considered to be the only domesticated species among Felidae family. The purpose of this work is to genetically characterize cat breeds from Bosnia and Herzegovina and to compare them to one unknown completely different cat. To achieve this, samples of 20 cats that belong to the European Shorthair Cat (ESH) breed have been collected, plus the target subject. Further, for the genetic microsatellite characterization, the DNA material was isolated from each cat, in order to compare them to the sample taken from an unknown cat breed that will be referred to as the subject of this research. Genetic diversities within and between populations were be analyzed using 5 microsatellite markers.  The obtained results showed that the subject cat genetically differs from other ESH breed cats, where the observed heterozygosity patterns within the cat breeds showed minimum but expected genetic variety among the analyzed cat species.

Background: Metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL) family protein belongs to the oligopeptide heavy metal transporter group, as characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. Oligopeptide transporters (OPTs) are a group of membrane-localized proteins, involved in different transport mechanisms, contributing to nitrogen mobilization, glutathione transport and long-distance metal distribution. Metal-nicotianamine transporter gene 3 (YSL3) incorporates the oligopeptide transporter domain, found to transfer several heavy metals in diverse plant species, and among them cadmium transport in Brassica oleracea. Objective: To evaluate and confirm the expression of Metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL3) under cadmium stress. Studied species: Brassica oleracea var. acephala Study site and dates: Brassica oleracea var. acephala samples were collected from Blagaj region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods: Through a simple bioinformatic approach the interactome partner of Metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL3) was discovered and annotated. Oligopeptide transporter 3 (OPT3) and Metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL3) genes were checked for expression levels under cadmium stress. Results: We have identified a strong interacting partner of YSL3, later confirmed as Oligopeptide transporter 3 (OPT3) protein in Brassica oleracea. The in vitro expression analysis by using a qRT-PCR revealed a significant upregulation of YSL3 and OPT3, during Cd stress. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the represented in-silico approach, followed by in vitro gene expression study, successfully confirmed YSL3 and identified OPT3 as a new gene, in correlation to cadmium stress.

Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala ABA biosynthesis genes (NCED2 and NCED3) in silico interactome analysis

Heavy metal ATPases (HMAs) are the most important proteins involved in heavy metal accumulation process. Brassica oleracea has 5 HMA (1-5) homologues whose 3D structure has been predicted and validated in this study by different bioinformatics tools. Phylogenetic and multiple sequence alignment analyses showed high relationship between HMA2 and HMA4, while two same domains were identified in all five HMA proteins: E1-E2 ATPase and haloacid dehydrogenase (HAD) domain. Four HMA (2-5) proteins were identified to be localized in the plasma membrane, while HMA1 localization is predicted to be in plastid. Interactome analysis revealed high interaction of all HMA (1-5) proteins with many metal ion binding proteins and chaperones. Among these, interesting and strong interaction is observed between all HMA (1-5) proteins and ATX1, while HMA1, HMA2 and HMA4 have been found to strongly interact with FP3 (farnesylated protein 3) and FP6 (farnesylated protein 6) proteins. Docking site predictions and electrostatic potentials between HMA2/HMA4 and the interactome proteins were explained and discussed in this study.

Nanoparticles are molecules with size depended chemical and pyhsical characteristics, enabling interesting and correlated approaches while dealing with fundamental biological questions. Nanoparticles are capable of strong and important interaction with other molecules. Many different nanoparticles are produced, with variety of different roles, but Gold nanoparticle as metal based beads, have specific importance due to their attractive physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, and facile surface modification. In general, nanoparticles have the ability to interact with whole physiological surrounding once when they enter human body. In most of the cases, first molecule they interact with are proteins, which are the main constituens of human body and the driving force of most of the biological processes. This understanding of interaction between nanoparticles and proteins represents an important essence for secure and efficient application of nanoparticles. In this regards, several methods for nanoparticle-protein interaction were developed and analysed in this review. Further, this paper reviews the current scientific development in nanoparticle-protein interactions.

With the metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus increase in the recent decade, the importance of early detection of insulin resistance is essential. However, a simple method is not currently available for precise measurements. Therefore the aim of this study was to elucidate the association of HbA 1c with metabolic syndrome as a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors. The study population consisted of 45 subjects with metabolic syndrome and 45 free of metabolic syndrome (control group).Total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, HbA 1c , body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured in both groups. HbA 1c levels are found much more in MS group than the control group, 8,7% and 6,2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of HbA 1c is significantly higher in metabolic syndrome patients, 86,7% and 46,67%, respectively. Additionally, subjects with metabolic syndrome exhibited significantly higher blood glucose, triglyceride, systolic/diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol. Our results suggest that HbA 1c may be a marker for metabolic syndrome and may identify in a certain degree insulin resistance subjects.