A 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein gene ofSpirometra erinaceiplerocercoid induced by chemical and physiological stresses

Parasitology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 129 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.-H. YUN ◽  
Y.-A. BAE ◽  
J.-Y. CHUNG ◽  
S.-Y. KANG ◽  
I. KANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Shift ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
New Host ◽  
Peptide Cleavage ◽  
Atp Binding Site ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum Retention Signal ◽  
Spirometra Erinacei ◽  
Glucose Regulated Protein

To adapt to different environmental conditions between poikilothermic and homeothermic hosts, the plerocercoid ofSpirometra erinacei(sparganum) might express a variety of biologically active molecules. We have identified a 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein of the sparganum (SpGrp78) by differential display of mRNA, employing RNAs each from sparganum adjusted at 9 °C and 37 °C. A full-length cDNA of 2148 bp encodes for a protein of 651 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 71 610 Da and shares molecular characteristics with heat-shock protein 70, including a putative ATP binding site, signal peptide cleavage site and endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SpGrp78 was mostly related to those ofEchinococcus multilocularisandE. granulosus. Expression of SpGrp78 mRNA increased approximately 7-fold by inhibition of glycosylation by tunicamycin, 2-fold by temperature-shift from 9 °C to 37 °C and slightly by pH-shift to 4·0 or 5·5. These results suggested that induction of SpGrp78 mRNA is related to the functional role of SpGrp78 as a molecular chaperone when the parasite adapts to a new host environment.

Anti-Hypertensive Potential and Epigenetics of Angiotensin II type 2 Receptor (AT2R)

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayank Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Blood Pressure Regulation ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pressure Regulation ◽  
Tissue Remodelling ◽  
Critical Pathway

Background:: Renin angiotensin system (RAS) is a critical pathway involved in blood pressure regulation. Octapeptide, angiotensin II (Ang aII), is biologically active compound of RAS pathway which mediates its action by binding to either angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R). Binding of Ang II to AT1R facilitates blood pressure regulation whereas AT2R is primarily involved in wound healing and tissue remodelling. Objective:: Recent studies have highlighted additional role of AT2R to counter balance detrimental effects of AT1R. Activation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor using AT2R agonist has shown effect on natriuresis and release of nitric oxide. Additionally, AT2R activation has been found to inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and enhance angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) activity. These findings highlight the potential of AT2R as novel therapeutic target against hypertension. Conclusion:: The potential role of AT2R highlights the importance of exploring additional mechanisms that might be crucial for AT2R expression. Epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modification have been explored vastly with relation to cancer but role of such mechanisms on expression of AT2R has recently gained interest.

scholarly journals Reconstitution in Proteoliposomes of the Recombinant Human Riboflavin Transporter 2 (SLC52A2) Overexpressed in E. coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Console ◽  
Maria Tolomeo ◽  
Matilde Colella ◽  
Maria Barile ◽  
Cesare Indiveri
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Native Protein ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Riboflavin Transport

Background: the SLC52A2 gene encodes for the riboflavin transporter 2 (RFVT2). This transporter is ubiquitously expressed. It mediates the transport of Riboflavin across cell membranes. Riboflavin plays a crucial role in cells since its biologically active forms, FMN and FAD, are essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Mutation of the Riboflavin transporters is a risk factor for anemia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration. Inborn mutations of SLC52A2 are associated with Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by infancy onset. In spite of the important metabolic and physio/pathological role of this transporter few data are available on its function and regulation. Methods: the human recombinant RFVT2 has been overexpressed in E. coli, purified and reconstituted into proteoliposomes in order to characterize its activity following the [3H]Riboflavin transport. Results: the recombinant hRFVT2 showed a Km of 0.26 ± 0.07 µM and was inhibited by lumiflavin, FMN and Mg2+. The Riboflavin uptake was also regulated by Ca2+. The native protein extracted from fibroblast and reconstituted in proteoliposomes also showed inhibition by FMN and lumiflavin. Conclusions: proteoliposomes represent a suitable model to assay the RFVT2 function. It will be useful for screening the mutation of RFVT2.

scholarly journals The Potential of Nail Mini-Organ Stem Cells in Skin, Nail and Digit Tips Regeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2864
Author(s):  
Anna Pulawska-Czub ◽  
Tomasz D. Pieczonka ◽  
Paula Mazurek ◽  
Krzysztof Kobielak
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Nail Plate ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Morphogenetic Protein ◽  
Slow Cycling ◽  
Bifunctional Properties

Nails are highly keratinized skin appendages that exhibit continuous growth under physiological conditions and full regeneration upon removal. These mini-organs are maintained by two autonomous populations of skin stem cells. The fast-cycling, highly proliferative stem cells of the nail matrix (nail stem cells (NSCs)) predominantly replenish the nail plate. Furthermore, the slow-cycling population of the nail proximal fold (nail proximal fold stem cells (NPFSCs)) displays bifunctional properties by contributing to the peri-nail epidermis under the normal homeostasis and the nail structure upon injury. Here, we discuss nail mini-organ stem cells’ location and their role in skin and nail homeostasis and regeneration, emphasizing their importance to orchestrate the whole digit tip regeneration. Such endogenous regeneration capabilities are observed in rodents and primates. However, they are limited to the region adjacent to the nail’s proximal area, indicating the crucial role of nail mini-organ stem cells in digit restoration. Further, we explore the molecular characteristics of nail mini-organ stem cells and the critical role of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wnt signaling pathways in homeostatic nail growth and digit restoration. Finally, we investigate the latest accomplishments in stimulating regenerative responses in regeneration-incompetent injuries. These pioneer results might open up new opportunities to overcome amputated mammalian digits and limbs’ regenerative failures in the future.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: Novel Opportunities to Understand and Detect Neoplastic Diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582199932
Author(s):  
Laura Bongiovanni ◽  
Anneloes Andriessen ◽  
Marca H. M. Wauben ◽  
Esther N. M. Nolte-’t Hoen ◽  
Alain de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Veterinary Pathology ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Intercellular Communications

With a size range from 30 to 1000 nm, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one of the smallest cell components able to transport biologically active molecules. They mediate intercellular communications and play a fundamental role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis in several types of diseases. In particular, EVs actively contribute to cancer initiation and progression, and there is emerging understanding of their role in creation of the metastatic niche. This fact underlies the recent exponential growth in EV research, which has improved our understanding of their specific roles in disease and their potential applications in diagnosis and therapy. EVs and their biomolecular cargo reflect the state of the diseased donor cells, and can be detected in body fluids and exploited as biomarkers in cancer and other diseases. Relatively few studies have been published on EVs in the veterinary field. This review provides an overview of the features and biology of EVs as well as recent developments in EV research including techniques for isolation and analysis, and will address the way in which the EVs released by diseased tissues can be studied and exploited in the field of veterinary pathology. Uniquely, this review emphasizes the important contribution that pathologists can make to the field of EV research: pathologists can help EV scientists in studying and confirming the role of EVs and their molecular cargo in diseased tissues and as biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

Role of Platelet-Activating Factor in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1669-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Montrucchio ◽  
Giuseppe Alloatti ◽  
Giovanni Camussi
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Endothelial Cell Migration

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator that belongs to a family of biologically active, structurally related alkyl phosphoglycerides. PAF acts via a specific receptor that is coupled with a G protein, which activates a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. In this review we focus on the aspects that are more relevant for the cell biology of the cardiovascular system. The in vitro studies provided evidence for a role of PAF both as intercellular and intracellular messenger involved in cell-to-cell communication. In the cardiovascular system, PAF may have a role in embryogenesis because it stimulates endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis and may affect cardiac function because it exhibits mechanical and electrophysiological actions on cardiomyocytes. Moreover, PAF may contribute to modulation of blood pressure mainly by affecting the renal vascular circulation. In pathological conditions, PAF has been involved in the hypotension and cardiac dysfunctions occurring in various cardiovascular stress situations such as cardiac anaphylaxis and hemorrhagic, traumatic, and septic shock syndromes. In addition, experimental studies indicate that PAF has a critical role in the development of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Indeed, PAF cooperates in the recruitment of leukocytes in inflamed tissue by promoting adhesion to the endothelium and extravascular transmigration of leukocytes. The finding that human heart can produce PAF, expresses PAF receptor, and is sensitive to the negative inotropic action of PAF suggests that this mediator may have a role also in human cardiovascular pathophysiology.

scholarly journals MiR-146a Regulates Migration and Invasion by Targeting NRP2 in Circulating-Tumor Cell Mimicking Suspension Cells

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Yeojin Do ◽  
Jin Gu Cho ◽  
Ji Young Park ◽  
Sumin Oh ◽  
Doyeon Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Metastasis ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Molecular Networks ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Suspension Cells

Cancer metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related death and metastatic cancer has circulating-tumor cells (CTCs), which circulate in the bloodstream before invading other organs. Thus, understanding the precise role of CTCs may provide new insights into the metastasis process and reduce cancer mortality. However, the molecular characteristics of CTCs are not well understood due to a lack of number of CTCs. Therefore, suspension cells were generated from MDA-MB-468 cells to mimic CTCs, and we investigate the microRNA (miRNA)-dependent molecular networks and their role in suspension cells. Here, we present an integrated analysis of mRNA and miRNA sequencing data for suspension cell lines, through comparison with adherent cells. Among the differentially regulated miRNA–mRNAs axes, we focus on the miR-146a-Neuropilin2 (NRP2) axis, which is known to influence tumor aggressiveness. We show that miR-146a directly regulates NRP2 expression and inhibits Semaphorin3C (SEMA3C) signaling. Functional studies reveal that miR-146a represses SEMA3C-induced invasion and proliferation by targeting NRP2. Finally, high-NRP2 is shown to be associated with poor outcomes in breast cancer patients. This study identifies the key role of the miR-146a–NRP2 signaling axis that is critical for the regulation of migration and invasion in CTC-mimicking cells.

Dynamics of epigenetic modifiers and environmentally sensitive proteins in a reptile with temperature induced sex reversal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Whiteley ◽  
Robert D McCuaig ◽  
Clare E Holleley ◽  
Sudha Rao ◽  
Arthur Georges
Keyword(s):  
Sex Reversal ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Environmental Response ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Epigenetic Modifiers ◽  
Cellular Localisation ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive ◽  
Pogona Vitticeps

Abstract The mechanisms by which sex is determined, and how a sexual phenotype is stably maintained during adulthood, has been the focus of vigorous scientific inquiry. Resources common to the biomedical field (automated staining and imaging platforms) were leveraged to provide the first immunofluorescent data for a reptile species with temperature induced sex reversal. Two four-plex immunofluorescent panels were explored across three sex classes (sex reversed ZZf females, normal ZWf females, and normal ZZm males). One panel was stained for chromatin remodelling genes JARID2 and KDM6B, and methylation marks H3K27me3, and H3K4me3 (Jumonji Panel). The other CaRe panel stained for environmental response genes CIRBP and RelA, and H3K27me3 and H3K4me3. Our study characterised tissue specific expression and cellular localisation patterns of these proteins and histone marks, providing new insights to the molecular characteristics of adult gonads in a dragon lizard Pogona vitticeps. The confirmation that mammalian antibodies cross react in P. vitticeps paves the way for experiments that can take advantage of this new immunohistochemical resource to gain a new understanding of the role of these proteins during embryonic development, and most importantly for P. vitticeps, the molecular underpinnings of sex reversal.

Significance of C-terminal cysteine modifications to the biological activity of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae a-factor mating pheromone

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3603-3612
Author(s):  
S Marcus ◽  
G A Caldwell ◽  
D Miller ◽  
C B Xue ◽  
F Naider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Biological Activity ◽  
Methyl Ester ◽  
Total Synthesis ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Mating Pheromone ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

We have undertaken total synthesis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae a-factor (NH2-YIIKGVFWDPAC[S-farnesyl]-COOCH3) and several Cys-12 analogs to determine the significance of S-farnesylation and carboxy-terminal methyl esterification to the biological activity of this lipopeptide mating pheromone. Replacement of either the farnesyl group or the carboxy-terminal methyl ester by a hydrogen atom resulted in marked reduction but not total loss of bioactivity as measured by a variety of assays. Moreover, both the farnesyl and methyl ester groups could be replaced by other substituents to produce biologically active analogs. The bioactivity of a-factor decreased as the number of prenyl units on the cysteine sulfur decreased from three to one, and an a-factor analog having the S-farnesyl group replaced by an S-hexadecanyl group was more active than an S-methyl a-factor analog. Thus, with two types of modifications, a-factor activity increased as the S-alkyl group became bulkier and more hydrophobic. MATa cells having deletions of the a-factor structural genes (mfal1 mfa2 mutants) were capable of mating with either sst2 or wild-type MAT alpha cells in the presence of exogenous a-factor, indicating that it is not absolutely essential for MATa cells to actively produce a-factor in order to mate. Various a-factor analogs were found to partially restore mating to these strains as well, and their relative activities in the mating restoration assay were similar to their activities in the other assays used in this study. Mating was not restored by addition of exogenous a-factor to a cross of a wild-type MAT alpha strain and a MATaste6 mutant, indicating a role of the STE6 gene product in mating in addition to its secretion of a-factor.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document