Recent Developments in Trace Element Metabolism and Function: Role of Metallothionein in Copper and Zinc Metabolism

1989 ◽  
Vol 119 (7) ◽  
pp. 1062-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark P. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Zinc Metabolism ◽  
Copper And Zinc ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Trace Element Metabolism ◽  
And Function

New functions for old factors: the role of polyamines during the establishment of pregnancy

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1228
Author(s):  
Jane C. Fenelon ◽  
Bruce D. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Polyamine Synthesis ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Function ◽  
Implantation Period ◽  
Synthesis Regulation

Implantation is essential for the establishment of a successful pregnancy, and the preimplantation period plays a significant role in ensuring implantation occurs in a timely and coordinated manner. This requires effective maternal–embryonic signalling, established during the preimplantation period, to synchronise development. Although multiple factors have been identified as present during this time, the exact molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. Polyamines are small cationic molecules that are ubiquitously expressed from prokaryotes to eukaryotes. Despite being first identified over 300 years ago, their essential roles in cell proliferation and growth, including cancer, have only been recently recognised, with new technologies and interest resulting in rapid expansion of the polyamine field. This review provides a summary of our current understanding of polyamine synthesis, regulation and function with a focus on recent developments demonstrating the requirements for polyamines during the establishment of pregnancy up to the implantation stage, in particular the role of polyamines in the control of embryonic diapause and the identification of an alternative pathway for their synthesis in sheep pregnancy. This, along with other novel discoveries, provides new insights into the control of the peri-implantation period in mammals and highlights the complexities that exist in regulating this critical period of pregnancy.

Root hairs: the villi of plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Désirée Bienert ◽  
Lena M. Werner ◽  
Monika A. Wimmer ◽  
Gerd Patrick Bienert
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Transport ◽  
Root Hairs ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Transport Proteins ◽  
Tubular Structures ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Function ◽  
Development Structure ◽  
Efficient Transfer

Strikingly, evolution shaped similar tubular structures at the µm to mm scale in roots of sessile plants and in small intestines of mobile mammals to ensure an efficient transfer of essential nutrients from ‘dead matter' into biota. These structures, named root hairs (RHs) in plants and villi in mammals, numerously stretch into the environment, and extremely enlarge root and intestine surfaces. They are believed to forage for nutrients, and mediate their uptake. While the conceptional understanding of plant RH function in hydromineral nutrition seems clear, experimental evidence presented in textbooks is restricted to a very limited number of reference-nutrients. Here, we make an element-by-element journey through the periodic table and link individual nutrient availabilities to the development, structure/shape and function of RHs. Based on recent developments in molecular biology and the identification of mutants differing in number, length or other shape-related characteristics of RHs in various plant species, we present comprehensive advances in (i) the physiological role of RHs for the uptake of specific nutrients, (ii) the developmental and morphological responses of RHs to element availability and (iii) RH-localized nutrient transport proteins. Our update identifies crucial roles of RHs for hydromineral nutrition, mostly under nutrient and/or water limiting conditions, and highlights the influence of certain mineral availabilities on early stages of RH development, suggesting that nutritional stimuli, as deficiencies in P, Mn or B, can even dominate over intrinsic developmental programs underlying RH differentiation.

scholarly journals An acetylation rheostat for the control of muscle energy homeostasis

2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. T101-T113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keir Menzies ◽  
Johan Auwerx
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Cellular Stress ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
The Body ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Function

In recent years, the role of acetylation has gained ground as an essential modulator of intermediary metabolism in skeletal muscle. Imbalance in energy homeostasis or chronic cellular stress, due to diet, aging, or disease, translate into alterations in the acetylation levels of key proteins which govern bioenergetics, cellular substrate use, and/or changes in mitochondrial content and function. For example, cellular stress induced by exercise or caloric restriction can alter the coordinated activity of acetyltransferases and deacetylases to increase mitochondrial biogenesis and function in order to adapt to low energetic levels. The natural duality of these enzymes, as metabolic sensors and effector proteins, has helped biologists to understand how the body can integrate seemingly distinct signaling pathways to control mitochondrial biogenesis, insulin sensitivity, glucose transport, reactive oxygen species handling, angiogenesis, and muscle satellite cell proliferation/differentiation. Our review will summarize the recent developments related to acetylation-dependent responses following metabolic stress in skeletal muscle.

scholarly journals Meeting Review: 2018 International Workshop on Structure and Function of the Lentiviral gp41 Cytoplasmic Tail

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Fernandez ◽  
Eric Freed
Keyword(s):  
International Workshop ◽  
Cytoplasmic Tail ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Host Factors ◽  
Host Protein ◽  
Hiv Replication ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Function

Recent developments in defining the role of the lentiviral envelope glycoprotein (Env) cytoplasmic tail (CT) in Env trafficking and incorporation into virus particles have advanced our understanding of viral replication and transmission. To stimulate additional progress in this field, the two-day International Workshop on Structure and Function of the Lentiviral gp41 Cytoplasmic Tail, co-organized by Eric Freed and James Hoxie, was held at the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, MD (26–27 April 2018). The meeting served to bring together experts focused on the role of gp41 in HIV replication and to discuss the emerging mechanisms of CT-dependent trafficking, Env conformation and structure, host protein interaction, incorporation, and viral transmission. The conference was organized around the following three main hot topics in gp41 research: the role of host factors in CT-dependent Env incorporation, Env structure, and CT-mediated trafficking and transmission. This review highlights important topics and the advances in gp41 research that were discussed during the conference.

2.2 Genetic Variation in Trace Element Metabolism

1983 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
G. Wiener ◽  
J. A. Woolliams
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Alternative Strategy ◽  
Animal Nutrition ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Trace Element Deficiency ◽  
Trace Element Metabolism

This paper reviews evidence showing that heredity is involved in the utilization of trace elements by animals. Underwood (1981) has stressed the importance of achieving dietary balance in the provision of minerals in animal nutrition and Howell (1983) has emphasized that although a small amount of a trace element may be essential for health a larger amount could be injurious. In these circumstances, information which can be used to meet the essential requirements for trace elements more precisely is likely to help in optimizing animal performance and avoiding risks to health and life. An understanding of the role of heredity in influencing trace element requirements is important in this context. Genetic variation in requirements also suggests the possibility that genetic solutions to trace element deficiency or toxicity problems may provide an alternative strategy to prophylaxis and other nutritional and management aids.

scholarly journals The synapse in traumatic brain injury

Brain ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimun A B Jamjoom ◽  
Jonathan Rhodes ◽  
Peter J D Andrews ◽  
Seth G N Grant
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Secondary Injury ◽  
Synapse Loss ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Mechanical Insult ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide and is a risk factor for dementia later in life. Research into the pathophysiology of TBI has focused on the impact of injury on the neuron. However, recent advances have shown that TBI has a major impact on synapse structure and function through a combination of the immediate mechanical insult and the ensuing secondary injury processes, leading to synapse loss. In this review, we highlight the role of the synapse in TBI pathophysiology with a focus on the confluence of multiple secondary injury processes including excitotoxicity, inflammation and oxidative stress. The primary insult triggers a cascade of events in each of these secondary processes and we discuss the complex interplay that occurs at the synapse. We also examine how the synapse is impacted by traumatic axonal injury and the role it may play in the spread of tau after TBI. We propose that astrocytes play a crucial role by mediating both synapse loss and recovery. Finally, we highlight recent developments in the field including synapse molecular imaging, fluid biomarkers and therapeutics. In particular, we discuss advances in our understanding of synapse diversity and suggest that the new technology of synaptome mapping may prove useful in identifying synapses that are vulnerable or resistant to TBI.

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