Transcriptomic and microRNAomic profiling reveals molecular mechanisms to cope with silver nanoparticle exposure in the ciliate Euplotes vannus

A comprehensive insight into how a benthic ciliate copes with AgNPs by integrated analysis of transcriptomic, microRNAomic and biochemical approaches.

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Clinical Candidates Targeting the ATR–CHK1–WEE1 Axis in Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13040795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 795

Author(s):

Lukas Gorecki ◽

Martin Andrs ◽

Jan Korabecny

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Patient Survival ◽

Current Status ◽

Future Perspectives ◽

Phase Ii Trials ◽

Anticancer Treatment ◽

Positive Outlook ◽

Insight Into

Selective killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy ones is the principle of the perfect cancer treatment and the primary aim of many oncologists, molecular biologists, and medicinal chemists. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that distinguish cancer cells from healthy ones. Accordingly, several clinical candidates that use particular mutations in cell-cycle progressions have been developed to kill cancer cells. As the majority of cancer cells have defects in G1 control, targeting the subsequent intra‑S or G2/M checkpoints has also been extensively pursued. This review focuses on clinical candidates that target the kinases involved in intra‑S and G2/M checkpoints, namely, ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 inhibitors. It provides insight into their current status and future perspectives for anticancer treatment. Overall, even though CHK1 inhibitors are still far from clinical establishment, promising accomplishments with ATR and WEE1 inhibitors in phase II trials present a positive outlook for patient survival.

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Molecular Pathways Involved in the Development of Congenital Erythrocytosis

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12081150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 1150

Author(s):

Jana Tomc ◽

Nataša Debeljak

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

Iron Homeostasis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Oxygen Affinity ◽

Molecular Pathways ◽

Disease Development ◽

Post Translational Modifications ◽

Hemoglobin Oxygen Affinity ◽

Insight Into ◽

Idiopathic Erythrocytosis

Patients with idiopathic erythrocytosis are directed to targeted genetic testing including nine genes involved in oxygen sensing pathway in kidneys, erythropoietin signal transduction in pre-erythrocytes and hemoglobin-oxygen affinity regulation in mature erythrocytes. However, in more than 60% of cases the genetic cause remains undiagnosed, suggesting that other genes and mechanisms must be involved in the disease development. This review aims to explore additional molecular mechanisms in recognized erythrocytosis pathways and propose new pathways associated with this rare hematological disorder. For this purpose, a comprehensive review of the literature was performed and different in silico tools were used. We identified genes involved in several mechanisms and molecular pathways, including mRNA transcriptional regulation, post-translational modifications, membrane transport, regulation of signal transduction, glucose metabolism and iron homeostasis, which have the potential to influence the main erythrocytosis-associated pathways. We provide valuable theoretical information for deeper insight into possible mechanisms of disease development. This information can be also helpful to improve the current diagnostic solutions for patients with idiopathic erythrocytosis.

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Pathomechanisms in the Kidneys in Selected Protozoan Parasitic Infections

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22084209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 4209

Author(s):

Karolina Kot ◽

Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk ◽

Michał Ptak ◽

Aleksandra Łanocha ◽

Elżbieta Kalisińska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Injury Mechanisms ◽

Kidney Involvement ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

Apoptosis Process ◽

Insight Into

Leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, and acanthamoebiasis are protozoan parasitic infections. They remain important contributors to the development of kidney disease, which is associated with increased patients’ morbidity and mortality. Kidney injury mechanisms are not fully understood in protozoan parasitic diseases, bringing major difficulties to specific therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review is to present the biochemical and molecular mechanisms in kidneys infected with Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Acanthamoeba spp. We present available mechanisms of an immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis process, hypoxia, biomarkers of renal injury in the serum or urine, and the histopathological changes of kidneys infected with the selected parasites. Pathomechanisms of Leishmania spp. and Plasmodium spp. infections have been deeply investigated, while Toxoplasma gondii and Acanthamoeba spp. infections in the kidneys are not well known yet. Deeper knowledge of kidney involvement in leishmaniasis and malaria by presenting their mechanisms provides insight into how to create novel and effective treatments. Additionally, the presented work shows gaps in the pathophysiology of renal toxoplasmosis and acanthamoebiasis, which need further research.

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The apple C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor MdZAT10 positively regulates JA-induced leaf senescence by interacting with MdBT2

Horticulture Research ◽

10.1038/s41438-021-00593-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kuo Yang ◽

Jian-Ping An ◽

Chong-Yang Li ◽

Xue-Na Shen ◽

Ya-Jing Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Leaf Senescence ◽

Transcriptional Activity ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Zinc Finger Transcription Factor ◽

Insight Into

AbstractJasmonic acid (JA) plays an important role in regulating leaf senescence. However, the molecular mechanisms of leaf senescence in apple (Malus domestica) remain elusive. In this study, we found that MdZAT10, a C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor (TF) in apple, markedly accelerates leaf senescence and increases the expression of senescence-related genes. To explore how MdZAT10 promotes leaf senescence, we carried out liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry screening. We found that MdABI5 physically interacts with MdZAT10. MdABI5, an important positive regulator of leaf senescence, significantly accelerated leaf senescence in apple. MdZAT10 was found to enhance the transcriptional activity of MdABI5 for MdNYC1 and MdNYE1, thus accelerating leaf senescence. In addition, we found that MdZAT10 expression was induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which accelerated JA-induced leaf senescence. We also found that the JA-responsive protein MdBT2 directly interacts with MdZAT10 and reduces its protein stability through ubiquitination and degradation, thereby delaying MdZAT10-mediated leaf senescence. Taken together, our results provide new insight into the mechanisms by which MdZAT10 positively regulates JA-induced leaf senescence in apple.

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Comprehensive Analysis of Transcriptome and Metabolome Reveals the Flavonoid Metabolic Pathway Is Associated with Fruit Peel Coloration of Melon

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26092830 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (9) ◽

pp. 2830

Author(s):

Aiai Zhang ◽

Jing Zheng ◽

Xuemiao Chen ◽

Xueyin Shi ◽

Huaisong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Comprehensive Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Integrated Analysis ◽

Fruit Peel ◽

External Quality ◽

Color Formation ◽

Peel Color ◽

Dark Green

The peel color is an important external quality of melon fruit. To explore the mechanisms of melon peel color formation, we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome with three different fruit peel samples (grey-green ‘W’, dark-green ‘B’, and yellow ‘H’). A total of 40 differentially expressed flavonoids were identified. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that flavonoid biosynthesis was associated with the fruit peel coloration of melon. Twelve differentially expressed genes regulated flavonoids synthesis. Among them, nine (two 4CL, F3H, three F3′H, IFS, FNS, and FLS) up-regulated genes were involved in the accumulation of flavones, flavanones, flavonols, and isoflavones, and three (2 ANS and UFGT) down-regulated genes were involved in the accumulation of anthocyanins. This study laid a foundation to understand the molecular mechanisms of melon peel coloration by exploring valuable genes and metabolites.

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Cold-Active β-Galactosidases: Insight into Cold Adaption Mechanisms and Biotechnological Exploitation

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md19010043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Marco Mangiagalli ◽

Marina Lotti

Keyword(s):

Low Temperature ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Building Blocks ◽

Cold Active ◽

Cold Adaption ◽

Glycosyl Donor ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries ◽

Biotechnological Processes ◽

Hydrolysis Of ◽

Insight Into

β-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) catalyze the hydrolysis of β-galactosidic bonds in oligosaccharides and, under certain conditions, transfer a sugar moiety from a glycosyl donor to an acceptor. Cold-active β-galactosidases are identified in microorganisms endemic to permanently low-temperature environments. While mesophilic β-galactosidases are broadly studied and employed for biotechnological purposes, the cold-active enzymes are still scarcely explored, although they may prove very useful in biotechnological processes at low temperature. This review covers several issues related to cold-active β-galactosidases, including their classification, structure and molecular mechanisms of cold adaptation. Moreover, their applications are discussed, focusing on the production of lactose-free dairy products as well as on the valorization of cheese whey and the synthesis of glycosyl building blocks for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

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Early alterations of neurovascular unit in the retina in mouse models of tauopathy

Acta Neuropathologica Communications ◽

10.1186/s40478-021-01149-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fan Xia ◽

Yonju Ha ◽

Shuizhen Shi ◽

Yi Li ◽

Shengguo Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transgenic Mice ◽

Mouse Models ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Early Stage ◽

Leukocyte Adhesion ◽

Neurovascular Unit ◽

Integrated Analysis ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Retinal Ganglion ◽

Potential Biomarker

AbstractThe retina, as the only visually accessible tissue in the central nervous system, has attracted significant attention for evaluating it as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, most of studies focus on characterizing the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and degeneration of their axons. There is no integrated analysis addressing temporal alterations of different retinal cells in the neurovascular unit (NVU) in particular retinal vessels. Here we assessed NVU changes in two mouse models of tauopathy, P301S and P301L transgenic mice overexpressing the human tau mutated gene, and evaluated the therapeutic effects of a tau oligomer monoclonal antibody (TOMA). We found that retinal edema and breakdown of blood–retina barrier were observed at the very early stage of tauopathy. Leukocyte adhesion/infiltration, and microglial recruitment/activation were constantly increased in the retinal ganglion cell layer of tau transgenic mice at different ages, while Müller cell gliosis was only detected in relatively older tau mice. Concomitantly, the number and function of RGCs progressively decreased during aging although they were not considerably altered in the very early stage of tauopathy. Moreover, intrinsically photosensitive RGCs appeared more sensitive to tauopathy. Remarkably, TOMA treatment in young tau transgenic mice significantly attenuated vascular leakage, inflammation and RGC loss. Our data provide compelling evidence that abnormal tau accumulation can lead to pathology in the retinal NVU, and vascular alterations occur more manifest and earlier than neurodegeneration in the retina. Oligomeric tau-targeted immunotherapy has the potential to treat tau-induced retinopathies. These data suggest that retinal NVU may serve as a potential biomarker for diagnosis and staging of tauopathy as well as a platform to study the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

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Integrated Insight into the Molecular Mechanisms of Spontaneous Abortion during Early Pregnancy in Pigs

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22126644 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. 6644

Author(s):

Xupeng Zang ◽

Ting Gu ◽

Wenjing Wang ◽

Chen Zhou ◽

Yue Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Spontaneous Abortion ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Gene Set ◽

Cerna Network ◽

Major Interest ◽

End Stage ◽

Insight Into

Due to the high rate of spontaneous abortion (SAB) in porcine pregnancy, there is a major interest and concern on commercial pig farming worldwide. Whereas the perturbed immune response at the maternal–fetal interface is an important mechanism associated with the spontaneous embryo loss in the early stages of implantation in porcine, data on the specific regulatory mechanism of the SAB at the end stage of the implantation remains scant. Therefore, we used high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics tools to analyze the healthy and arresting endometrium on day 28 of pregnancy. We identified 639 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and 2357 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the end stage of implantation, and qRT-PCR was used to verify the sequencing data. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated weaker immune response activities in the arresting endometrium compared to the healthy one. Using the lasso regression analysis, we screened the DELs and constructed an immunological competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network related to SAB, including 4 lncRNAs, 11 miRNAs, and 13 genes. In addition, Blast analysis showed the applicability of the constructed ceRNA network in different species, and subsequently determined HOXA-AS2 in pigs. Our study, for the first time, demonstrated that the SAB events at the end stages of implantation is associated with the regulation of immunobiological processes, and a specific molecular regulatory network was obtained. These novel findings may provide new insight into the possibility of increasing the litter size of sows, making pig breeding better and thus improving the efficiency of animal husbandry production.

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