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.

In order to define the term GMO, different scientific definitions and legal explanations are available. In the regulation process of GM foods, the US and EU legal frameworks are based on the methodologies themselves. Currently, for the production of GMOs, several genome editing tools are available. Along with different site-directed nucleases (ZFN, TALENs, etc.), RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 have proven to be the very effective tools for genome editing. According to the current EU legislative, introduced in 2018, CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi techniques are regulated as methods that produce GMOs, because the methodology of the process itself resembles the traditional breeding methods. In the past few years, a large number of scientific publications have confirmed that CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi technology produce GMOs, supporting and suggesting that the legislation policies in the EU and especially in the USA have to be elaborated. Besides, a huge public pressure makes it difficult to develop and implement new methodologies for GMO production. For this reason, ELSI society is responsible to investigate and question whether the new genetic engineering techniques produce GMO food that is safe for human consumption.

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.

Histone acetylation is an important posttranslational modification correlated with gene activation. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the histone acetyltransferase 1 (AtHAC1) is homologous to animal p300/CREB (cAMPresponsive element-binding protein)-binding proteins, which are the main histone acetyltransferases participating in many physiological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study the 3-D structure of the HAC1 protein in Arabidopsis thaliana was predictedusing 4 homology-based prediction servers: ESyPred3D, 3D-JIGSAW, SWISS-MODEL and PHYRE2. The homology modeled structureswere evaluated and stereochemical analysis done by Ramachadran plot analysis. The amino acid sequences of Arabidopsis thaliana HAC1protein are highly similar to the sequence of the homologous human p300/CREB. SWISS MODEL and Phyre2 servers computed the identical 3D structures. Validation and verification methods, using Z-score and 3D-1D score, showed that these 3D models are of good and acceptable quality.

Histone acetylation is an important posttranslational modification correlated with gene activation. In Arabidopsis thaliana the histone acetyltransferase (HAC) proteins of the CBP family are homologous to animal p300/CREB (cAMP-responsive element-binding proteins, which are important histone acetyltransferases participating in many physiological processes, including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study the 3-D structure of all HAC protein subunits in Arabidopsis thaliana: HAC1, HAC2, HAC4, HAC5 and HAC12 is predicted by homology modeling and confirmed by Ramachandran plot analysis. The amino acid sequences HAC family members are highly similar to the sequences of the homologous human p300/CREB protein. Conservation of p300/CBP domains among the HAC proteins was examined further by sequence alignment and pattern search. The domains of p300/CBP required for the HAC function, such as PHD, TAZ and ZZ domains, are conserved in all HAC proteins. Interactome analysis revealed that HAC1, HAC5 and HAC12 proteins interact with S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase domaincontaining protein that shows methyltransferase activity, suggesting an additional function of the HAC proteins. Additionally, HAC5 has a strong interaction value for the putative c-myb-like transcription factor MYB3R-4, which suggests that it also may have a function in regulation of DNA replication.

Microtubules are essential components of cytoskeleton, rigid hollow rods approximately 25 nm in diameter. Microtubules are dynamic structures being continuously assembled and disassembled within the cell. The basic building blocks of microtubules are heterodimers of globular α- and β-tubulin subunits In Arabidopsis thaliana tubulin subunits are encoded by small gene families, six for α-tubulin and nine for β-tubulin.Both αand β-tubulin bind GTP, which functions analogously to the ATP bound to actin to regulate polymerization. It is shown that tubulin alpha forms hydrogen bonds with the GTPase domain of b-tubulin. Multiple sequence alignment revealed highsimilarity between the family subunits. Due to the missing of three dimensional structuresin A. thaliana, structural models were predicted and validated. Additionally, protein domains search revealed that all tubulin α family subunits contain GTPase domain as the tubulin C terminal domain, confirming previous research. Finally the interactome analysis revealed several interactomes.AtTUA6 shows strong interaction with embryosac development arrest 10 protein (EDA10), involved in stimulating the exchange of guanyl nucleotides, enabling the replacement of GDP by GTP in association with a GTPases.

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.

DNA stress can causes potentially spontaneous genome damage during DNA replication process. Proteins involved in this process are DNA-dependent ATPases, required for replication and repair. In this study the 3-D structure of RFC protein subunits in Arabidopsis thaliana: RFC1, RFC2, RFC3, RFC4 and RFC5 are predicted and confirmed by Ramachadran plot. The amino acid sequences are highly similar to the sequences of the homologous human RFC 140-, 37-, 36-, 40-, and 38 kDa subunits, respectively, and also show amino acid sequence similarity to functionally homologous proteins from E. coli. All five subunits show conserved regions characteristic of ATP/GTP-binding proteins and have significant degree of similarity among each other. The segments of conserved amino acid sequences that define a family of related proteins have been identified. RFC1 is identical to CDC44, a gene identified as a cell division cycle gene encoding a protein involved in DNA metabolism. Subcellular localization and interactions of each protein RFC protein subunit is determined. It subsequently became clear that RFC proteins and their interactome have functions in cell cycle regulation and/or DNA replication and repair processes. In addition, AtRFC subunits are controlling the biosynthesis of salicylic and salicylic acid-mediated defense responses in Arabidopsis.

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 HbA1c 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, HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured in both groups. HbA1c levels are found much more in MS group than the control group, 8,7% and 6,2%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of HbA1c 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 HbA1c may be a marker for metabolic syndrome and may identify in a certain degree insulin resistance subjects.

Aquaporins are channel proteins found in plasma membranes and intercellular membranes of different cellular compartments, facilitate the water flux, solutes and gases across the cellular plasma membranes. The present study highlights the sub-family plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) predicting the 3-D structure and analyzing the functional interactome of it homologs. PIP1 homologs integrate with many proteins with different plant physiological roles in Arabidopsis thaliana including; PIP1A and PIP1B: facilitate the transport of water, diffusion of amino acids and/or peptides from the vacuolar compartment to the cytoplasm, play a role in the control of cell turgor and cell expansion and involved in root water uptake respectively. In addition we found that PIP1B plays a defensive role against Pseudomonas syringae infection through the interaction with the plasma membrane Rps2 protein. Another substantial function of PIP1C via the interaction with PIP2E is the response to nematode infection. Generally, PIP1 sub-family interactome controlling many physiological processes in plant cell like; osmoregulation in plants under high osmotic stress such as under a high salt, response to nematode, facilitate the transport of water across cell membrane and regulation of floral initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana.