Malaysian Journal of Biochemistry
& Molecular Biology
(E-ISSN: 2600-9005)
The Official Publication of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (MSBMB)
Indexed by SCOPUS and Malaysian Citation Index (MYCITE)
NEW ANNOUNCEMENT
The MJBMB will be revising its publication fee for accepted papers from MYR250 to MYR300 effective 1st January 2026.
New submissions received from 1st January 2026 onwards will pay the new rate.
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About the MJBMB
Malaysian Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MJBMB) was founded by the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB) in the year 1997. It was published two times a year prior to 2010. From 2016 onwards, the journal will be published ONLINE 3 times per year, in April, August and December. The journal publishes research papers in all areas of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, which include DNA and RNA biology, gene expression, glycobiology, enzymology, protein structure and function, lipid chemistry, membranes, immunology, plant biochemistry and physiology, microbiology, immunology, natural product chemistry, biomedical science, research methods and bioinformatics.
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Indexing
​SCOPUS & ​​MyCITE (Malaysian Citation Index)​​​​​​​​​
Current Issue
December 2025
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2025) 28 (3)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1- 9
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Rafidah Saaduna, Chia Suet Lin, Heera Rajandas, Muhammad Asyraf Md Hatta and Tan Geok Hun*
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CLONING, EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RECOMBINANT ENDOLYSIN FROM XANTHOMONAS PHAGE N1
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Abstract
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The evolving resistance of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causing Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in Malaysian rice crops, demands innovative biological solutions. In addressing the Xoo evolution, this study explores the prospects of phage-encoded endolysin, produced as a recombinant protein. The endolysin gene was isolated from phage N1 targeting Xoo that showed lytic activity through plaque formation on double-layer agar (DLA) plate. The phage lysate was purified using PEG 8000/NaCl precipitation and genomic DNA was obtained from cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) extraction at a concentration of 170.4 ng/μL and purity of 1.8. The 558 bp of phage-encoded endolysin gene, namely EN1, was amplified by PCR and cloned into the T7 expression vector pETite to form the recombinant plasmid pETite-EN1. The nucleotide sequencing of the positive clones revealed a high similarity to the endolysin gene of Xanthomonas phage N1 (Accession No: MZ666966). Transformation into E. coli BL21 (DE3) cell enabled the expression of the recombinant endolysin protein LysEN1 with a molecular weight of approximately 19.5 kDa. Optimal expression of LysEN1 protein was observed at 25°C after 3 hrs of induction with 0.5 mM IPTG, as revealed by SDS-PAGE. Rapid growth inhibition of host cells was observed in all tested conditions but slower decline at 25 °C. The solubility analysis showed that LysEN1 protein was present in soluble and insoluble fractions. While the expression of LysEN1 recombinant protein poses challenges and holds potential for improvement, the LysEN1 can be a prospect for managing BLB disease in rice, thereby supporting food security.
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Page 10-19
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Nur Shadrina Mohd Shahrel, Noor Hydayaty Md Yusuf and Vijay Subbiah Kumar*
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IDENTIFICATION OF MICRORNA-DIRECTED CLEAVAGE OF TARGETS IN PINEAPPLE (ANANAS COMOSUS) FRUIT DEVELOPMENT USING DEGRADOME SEQUENCING
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Abstract
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A large number of microRNAs (miRNA) have been previously discovered in pineapple (Ananas comosus), which is a model organism for tropical non-climacteric fruits. These miRNAs are believed to be involved in the regulation of many endogenous genes. In silico computational analysis can provide predictive identification of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their putative target genes. However, the main criterion used to distinguish between regulated and non-regulated genes in pineapple is that the targeted transcripts (mRNA) will undergo degradation. Therefore, by using degradome sequencing we aim to provide first hand empirical data to identify gene targets that are regulated by miRNA in MD2 pineapple by identifying mRNA transcripts that have been expressed and subsequently degraded by these small RNA molecules. We first performed degradome sequencing, which is likened to a modified 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) with next generation sequencing (NGS) which allows the identification of over-represented 5'-ends (miRNA cleavage sites) within mRNAs. Subsequently, we discovered 144 targets which were mapped to at least 21 miRNA families and were consistently expressed in all three biological replicates. Among them, seven miRNAs associated with plant development along with eight target mRNAs (including auxin response factor, squamosa promoter-binding-like protein, transport inhibitor response 1 protein, growth-regulating factor 5 and transcription factor GAMYB were detected in MD2 pineapple using RT-qPCR. Furthermore, to confirm and validate the cleavage sites of the target genes cleaved by miR159, miR160 and miR408, a modified 5’ RACE PCR was conducted followed by DNA sequencing. The results showed that the predominant cleavage site in the miRNA target genes were at position 11 from the 5’ end of the miRNA complementary region. The findings here provided validation of miRNA targets through clear empirical data. Our findings shows that miRNA play a key role in regulating the expression of target genes and will assist towards understanding the mechanisms of MD2 pineapple fruit development.
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August 2025
Malay. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. (2025) 28 (2)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1- 13
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Md Shaekh Forid, Amit Dubey, Miah Roney, Aisha Tufail, A. K. M. Moyeenul Huq , Mohd Hamzah Bin Mohd Nasir, Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi Mohd Aluwi , Muhammad Saupi Azuri , Wan Maznah Binti Wan Ishak*
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INSIGHTS FROM COMPUTATIONAL EXPLORATION OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF COMBRETUM INDICUM TARGETING TGF-β1 TO TREAT WOUND HEALING: MOLECULAR DOCKING AND DFT APPROACHES
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Abstract
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Transforming growth factor-beta type-1 (TGF-β1), a protein that is a druggable target for inflammation, has been identified to be associated with wound healing. Dysregulation of the wound-healing process can result in the development of chronic ulcers or excessive inflammation. Despite the availability of the TGF-β1 inhibitor drug, there is an urgent requirement for additional therapeutic treatment options to effectively manage wound healing in the expanding global population. In this study, the molecular docking and Density-Functional Theory (DFT) approach were used to discover wound healing agents that can target TGF-β1. Seventeen compounds detected via UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis of Combretum indicum were selected from our previous report to obtain the hit compound(s) that exhibit inhibition of TGF-β1. The molecular docking findings revealed that actinidioionoside (-56.2999 kcal/ mol) binding affinity is stronger than the studied compound as well as the co-crystal ligand (-43.016 kcal/ mol), indicating a potentially more substantial interaction with the target. Moreover, actinidioionoside interacted with four amino acid residues, namely, Ly337, Lys232, Asp351, and Leu278, while a co-crystal ligand interacted with His283, which formed a hydrogen bond. Furthermore, DFT and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MESP) findings emerged as the most promising hit with all the above favorable properties of actinidioionoside. Based on the results, it can be concluded that actinidioionoside is a promising prospective agent against TGF-β1 for regulating wound healing. However, further in vitro and in vivo research on C.indicum are needed.
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Page 14 - 24
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Nur Hanisah Azmi,*, Mohamad Norisham Mohamad Rosdi, Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria, Norsharina Ismail, Mustapha Umar Imam and Ramlah Mohamad Ibrahim
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MULTIFACETED NEUROPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF GERMINATED BROWN RICE: A REVIEW
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Abstract
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Germinated brown rice (GBR) has garnered attention for its potential neuroprotective effects, especially concerning neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The bioactive compounds in GBR have shown promise in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing neuronal survival. Studies indicate that GBR extracts, rich in antioxidants, can mitigate oxidative damage in neuronal cells. This review highlights on the neuroprotective properties of GBR are attributed to its modulation of signalling pathways such as Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), in addition to modulation of antioxidant enzymes and amyloid processing pathways. Compounds like γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and phenolics contribute to GBR's neuroprotective effects, and improvements in cognitive function and memory have also been associated with GBR consumption. Furthermore, this review demonstrated that GBR offers various health benefits, including antihyperlipidaemia, antihypertension, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Future research should explore multi-omics approaches, including metabolomics, proteomics, and microbiome research, to provide deeper mechanistic insights into GBR’s neuroprotective properties. . In conclusion, GBR emerges as a promising natural product with potential to safeguard neuronal health and combat neurodegenerative diseases. Continued research efforts are essential to fully unlock the therapeutic potential of GBR and translate its neuroprotective properties into clinical applications for improved brain health and disease management.
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