Lipopeptides from Bacillus Probiotics Can Target Transmembrane Receptors NOX4, EGFR, PDGFR, and OCTN2 Involved in Oxidative Stress and Oncogenesis Evgeniya Prazdnova, Fadi Amirdzhanov, Anuj Ranjan, Radomir Skripnichenko Biotech, 2026 Bacillus-derived lipopeptides are known to possess diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial and anticancer properties, though the mechanisms of such effects at the molecular level remain incompletely understood. We investigated whether non-ribosomal peptide metabolites from Bacillus can directly interact with transmembrane receptors implicated in oxidative stress regulation and cancer progression (NOX4, EGFR, PDGFR, and OCTN2) using molecular docking and 200 ns molecular dynamics simulations of 11 lipopeptide metabolites. Molecular docking revealed several strong ligand–protein interactions, with plipastatin and fengycin emerging as lead compounds demonstrating the highest binding affinities to multiple receptors. For NOX4, iturin D showed the strongest docking score of −7.85 kcal/mol. Fengycin demonstrated a high docking score of −7.38 kcal/mol for PDGFR and −8.1 kcal/mol for EGFR. Plipastatin showed the strongest docking scores of −11.12 kcal/mol for EGFR and −8.7 kcal/mol for OCTN2. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed complex stability for these lead compounds, with protein RMSD remaining stable at ~1.5 Å and ligand RMSD between 1.9 and 6 Å over 200 ns. Our findings suggest that plipastatin and fengycin may act as modulators of key receptors involved in oxidative stress and cancer-related signaling. However, those in silico predictions require experimental validation. This work provides the first computational evidence of potential lipopeptide–receptor interactions and establishes a foundation for future experimental investigation of probiotic-derived therapeutics.
Nanomaterial-Augmented Rhizoremediation: A Sustainable Strategy for Soil Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons Sarieh Tarigholizadeh, Mahdieh Houshani, Zahra Alizadeh, Anuj Ranjan, Sudhir S. Shende, et al. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2025 Intensive agriculture and industrialization have caused soil contamination, deterioration, and reduced productivity, threatening agricultural sustainability. Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) from natural and human‐made sources have caused significant soil pollution and health hazards, prompting advanced research. However, due to cost and practical limitations, existing approaches have fallen short in effectively restoring soil health and productivity. Recent advancements in nanotechnology offer promising opportunities to enhance soil quality indicators, increase crop yield, and ensure environmental sustainability. Nanotechnology has gained attention in agriculture for developing sustainable technologies and strategies for environmental remediation. By utilizing nanomaterials, nanotechnology enables the creation of improved materials and products, particularly for remediation. Emerging approaches, like combining nanomaterials with biological processes, are recognized as effective for removing contaminants. Integrating nanomaterials with microorganisms enhances their functionality and promotes plant nutrient availability, thereby improving soil health. Nano‐enhanced bioremediation is a successful method for addressing PHC contamination, enhancing the absorption and breakdown of pollutants, and reducing their accumulation and dispersion. This paper explores the role of nanomaterials in augmenting rhizoremediation of PHC‐polluted soils. It examines the rhizosphere involvement in bioremediation and highlights the potential of nanotechnology in improving soil health. The interactions between nanomaterials and microbes are discussed, along with their mechanisms and applications.
The Effect of Plastoquinone Derivatives on Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Tolerance to Zinc Oxide Particles of Different Dispersion N. G. Duplii, A. V. Usatov, K. V. Azarin, A. Ranjan, E. V. Prazdnova Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, 2025 The plastoquinone derivatives 10-(6’-plastoquinonyl) decyl triphenylphosphonium (SkQ1) and 10-(6’-methyl-plastoquinonyl) decyl triphenylphosphonium (SkQ3) are lipophilic cationic antioxidants which can effectively penetrate cell membranes, targeting mitochondria to provide antioxidant defense in cells. In this study, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NPs) stress treated with SkQ1 and SkQ3 to observe the growth rate and level of expression of oxidative stress-related genes in barley seedlings. The study reported that a concentration of 300 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs inhibits the growth and development of the root system, while the addition of larger ZnO NPs in a similar concentration did not affect the development of the root. With the addition of SkQ1 and SkQ3, the length and weight of roots of the plants grown treated with 300 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs remain at the control level, while without the antioxidant, root length, and weight decrease by 14% and 12%, respectively, compared to the control indicating an increase in plant resistance under NPs induced stress conditions. In the case of 2000 mg.L-1 of ZnO concentration, size-dependent effects were observed on the length of the roots, which decreased by 41.5% and 53.8%, and the weight of the roots by 23.3% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to the control. When plants are grown with 2000 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs along with SkQ1 and SkQ3 treatment, an increase in root length is observed by 14.6% and 17.4%, and dry weight increases by 12.2% and 13.2%, respectively, compared to the control. When a similar concentration of ZnO in the form of NPs is added, similar indicators increase by 15.5% and 14.3% in root length and 16.0% and 17.1% in root dry weight, respectively. The level of expression of antioxidant system genes in roots decreases by 10-18 times, and in leaves, it changes only slightly, which proves the effect of plastoquinone derivatives on mitochondria, which in the roots are the main suppliers of ROS.
Nanomaterials-assisted decontamination of heavy metal from water resources Nano Bioremediation for Water and Soil Treatment an Eco Friendly Approach, 2024
Introductory overview of nanobioremediation Nano Bioremediation for Water and Soil Treatment an Eco Friendly Approach, 2024
Nanoremediation: A promising reclamation method for the removal of organic pollutants from different environmental sites Nano Bioremediation for Water and Soil Treatment an Eco Friendly Approach, 2024
New dimensions into the removal of pesticides using an innovative ecofriendly technique: Nanoremediation Nano Bioremediation for Water and Soil Treatment an Eco Friendly Approach, 2024
Nanotoxicity to soil ecosystems Sudhir S. Shende, Vishnu D. Rajput, Anuj Ranjan, Saglara S. Mandzhieva, Svetlana N. Sushkova, et al. Nanotoxicology for Agricultural and Environmental Applications, 2024
Radio frequency EMF exposure due to mobile tower base stations: Measurements and analysis in delhinational capital region, India Pollution Research, 2019
Bio-efficacy of indian weed plants lantana camara on cotton mealy bug (phenacoccus solenopsis) Plant Archives, 2019
Lantana camara as an alternative for biological control of pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, 2016
A Lysimeter Study to Access the Risk of Chlorpyrifos Contaminated Groundwater in a Sandy Loam Soil With Different pH Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, 2015
Assessment Of groundwater quality: Leachabilty Of the contaminants from soil near unlined drain site of Delhi, India Pollution Research, 2015
Leaching of overloaded and unlined drains through the ground water in Delhi Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013
Leaching of overloaded and unlined drains through the ground water in Delhi Indian Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013
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Nanomaterial‐Augmented Rhizoremediation: A Sustainable Strategy for Soil Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons S Tarigholizadeh, M Houshani, Z Alizadeh, A Ranjan, SS Shende, ... Advanced Sustainable Systems 9 (12), e00558 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
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The Effect of Plastoquinone Derivatives on Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Tolerance to Zinc Oxide Particles of Different Dispersion. NG Duplii, AV Usatov, KV Azarin, A Ranjan, EV Prazdnova Nature Environment & Pollution Technology 24 (3) , 2025 2025
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