scholarly journals microRNAs involved in the control of toxicity on locomotion behavior induced by simulated microgravity stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingmei Sun ◽  
Wenjie Li ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Dayong Wang

Abstract microRNAs (miRNAs) post-transcriptionally regulate the expression of targeted genes. We here systematically identify miRNAs in response to simulated microgravity based on both expressions and functional analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans. After simulated microgravity treatment, we observed that 19 miRNAs (16 down-regulated and 3 up-regulated) were dysregulated. Among these dysregulated miRNAs, let-7, mir-54, mir-67, mir-85, mir-252, mir-354, mir-789, mir-2208, and mir-5592 were required for the toxicity induction of simulated microgravity in suppressing locomotion behavior. In nematodes, alteration in expressions of let-7, mir-67, mir-85, mir-252, mir-354, mir-789, mir-2208, and mir-5592 mediated a protective response to simulated microgravity, whereas alteration in mir-54 expression mediated the toxicity induction of simulated microgravity. Moreover, among these candidate miRNAs, let-7 regulated the toxicity of simulated microgravity by targeting and suppressing SKN-1/Nrf protein. In the intestine, a signaling cascade of SKN-1/Nrf-GST-4/GST-5/GST-7 required for the control of oxidative stress was identified to act downstream of let-7 to regulate the toxicity of simulated microgravity. Our data demonstrated the crucial function of miRNAs in regulating the toxicity of simulated microgravity stress in organisms. Moreover, our results further provided an important molecular basis for epigenetic control of toxicity of simulated microgravity.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peidang Liu ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Wenjie Li ◽  
Dayong Wang

Abstract Caenorhabditis elegans is useful for assessing biological effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity. The molecular response of organisms to simulated microgravity is still largely unclear. Mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mt UPR) mediates a protective response against toxicity from environmental exposure in nematodes. Using HSP-6 and HSP-60 as markers of mt UPR, we observed a significant activation of mt UPR in simulated microgravity exposed nematodes. The increase in HSP-6 and HSP-60 expression mediated a protective response against toxicity of simulated microgravity. In simulated microgravity treated nematodes, mitochondria-localized ATP-binding cassette protein HAF-1 and homeodomain-containing transcriptional factor DVE-1 regulated the mt UPR activation. In the intestine, a signaling cascade of HAF-1/DVE-1-HSP-6/60 was required for control of toxicity of simulated microgravity. Therefore, our data suggested the important role of mt UPR activation against the toxicity of simulated microgravity in organisms.


Chemosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 129642
Author(s):  
Haibo Chen ◽  
Xin Hua ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Yao Dang ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Mani Iyer Prasanth ◽  
James Michael Brimson ◽  
Dicson Sheeja Malar ◽  
Anchalee Prasansuklab ◽  
Tewin Tencomnao

BACKGROUND: Streblus asper Lour., has been reported to have anti-aging and neuroprotective efficacies in vitro. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective efficacies of S. asper in Caenorhabditis elegans. METHODS: C. elegans (wild type and gene specific mutants) were treated with S. asper extract and analyzed for lifespan and other health benefits through physiological assays, fluorescence microscopy, qPCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The plant extract was found to increase the lifespan, reduce the accumulation of lipofuscin and modulate the expression of candidate genes. It could extend the lifespan of both daf-16 and daf-2 mutants whereas the pmk-1 mutant showed no effect. The activation of skn-1 was observed in skn-1::GFP transgenic strain and in qPCR expression. Further, the extract can extend the lifespan of UV-A exposed nematodes along with reducing ROS levels. Additionally, the extract also extends lifespan and reduces paralysis in Aβ transgenic strain, apart from reducing Aβ expression. CONCLUSIONS: S. asper was able to extend the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans which was independent of DAF-16 pathway but dependent on SKN-1 and MAPK which could play a vital role in eliciting the anti-aging, anti-photoaging and neuroprotective effects, as the extract could impart oxidative stress resistance and neuroprotection.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Burr ◽  
James A. Stewart

Cardiovascular disease, specifically heart failure, is a common complication for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Heart failure can arise with stiffening of the left ventricle, which can be caused by “active” cardiac fibroblasts (i.e., myofibroblasts) remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). Differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts has been demonstrated to be an outcome of AGE/RAGE signaling. Hyperglycemia causes advanced glycated end products (AGEs) to accumulate within the body, and this process is greatly accelerated under chronic diabetic conditions. AGEs can bind and activate their receptor (RAGE) to trigger multiple downstream outcomes, such as altering ECM remodeling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Previously, our lab has identified a small GTPase, Rap1a, that possibly overlaps the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade to affect the downstream outcomes. Rap1a acts as a molecular switch connecting extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that Rap1a crosses the AGE/RAGE cascade to alter the expression of AGE/RAGE associated signaling proteins in cardiac fibroblasts in type 2 diabetic mice. To delineate this cascade, we used genetically different cardiac fibroblasts from non-diabetic, diabetic, non-diabetic RAGE knockout, diabetic RAGE knockout, and Rap1a knockout mice and treated them with pharmacological modifiers (exogenous AGEs, EPAC, Rap1a siRNA, and pseudosubstrate PKC-ζ). We examined changes in expression of proteins implicated as markers for myofibroblasts (α-SMA) and inflammation/oxidative stress (NF-κB and SOD-1). In addition, oxidative stress was also assessed by measuring hydrogen peroxide concentration. Our results indicated that Rap1a connects to the AGE/RAGE cascade to promote and maintain α-SMA expression in cardiac fibroblasts. Moreover, Rap1a, in conjunction with activation of the AGE/RAGE cascade, increased NF-κB expression as well as hydrogen peroxide concentration, indicating a possible oxidative stress response. Additionally, knocking down Rap1a expression resulted in an increase in SOD-1 expression suggesting that Rap1a can affect oxidative stress markers independently of the AGE/RAGE signaling cascade. These results demonstrated that Rap1a contributes to the myofibroblast population within the heart via AGE/RAGE signaling as well as promotes possible oxidative stress. This study offers a new potential therapeutic target that could possibly reduce the risk for developing diabetic cardiovascular complications attributed to AGE/RAGE signaling.


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