The genetics of sleep

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sousek ◽  
Mehdi Tafti
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Sleep Loss ◽  
Genetic Variations ◽  
Genetic Contribution ◽  
Individual Pattern ◽  
Individual Variations ◽  
The Individual

Although there is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to inter-individual variations in sleep, the underlying factors and their interaction remain largely elusive. Much effort has been expended in studying genetic variations contributing to circadian and sleep phenotypes, the individual pattern of the human sleep EEG, reactions to sleep loss, and the pathophysiology of sleep-related disorders. Certain sleep-related diseases may be caused by single genes, while the etiology of others seems to be variable and complex. This is especially the case when the immune system is involved. This chapter reports on twin and familial studies, genetic variations and mutations affecting neurotransmitters and other signaling pathways and thereby affecting sleep, and impacts of gene expression processes and the immune system on sleep. Although much knowledge has been gained, further research is needed to elucidate the all-embracing mechanisms and their interactions that regulate sleep.

scholarly journals Independent Contributions of Polyomavirus Middle T and Small T to the Regulation of Early and Late Gene Expression and DNA Replication

2006 ◽  
Vol 80 (15) ◽  
pp. 7295-7307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
Xiaoyu Wang ◽  
Michele M. Fluck
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Viral Gene Expression ◽  
Viral Gene ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase ◽  
Late Gene Expression ◽  
Respective Contribution ◽  
Mouse Cells ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACT We previously showed that murine polyomavirus mutants that lack both middle T (MT) and small T (ST) functions have a severe pleiotropic defect in early and late viral gene expression as well as genome amplification. The respective contribution of MT and ST to this phenotype was unclear. This work separates the roles of MT and ST in both permissive mouse cells and nonpermissive rat cells. It demonstrates for the first time a role for both proteins. To gain insight into the signaling pathways that might be required, we focused on MT and its mutants. The results show that each of the major MT signaling connections, Shc, phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase, and phospholipase C γ1, could contribute in an additive way. Unexpectedly, a mutant lacking all these connections because the three major tyrosines had been converted to phenylalanine retained some activity. A mutant in which all six MT C-terminal tyrosines had been mutated was inactive. This suggests a novel signaling pathway for MT that uses the minor tyrosines. What is common to ST and the individual MT signaling pathways is the ability to signal to the polyomavirus enhancer, in particular to the crucial AP-1 and PEA3/ets binding sites. This connection explains the pleiotropy of MT and ST effects on transcription and DNA replication.

scholarly journals Signaling pathways of heat- and hypersalinity-induced polyp bailout in Pocillopora acuta

Coral Reefs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Gösser ◽  
Arne Raulf ◽  
Axel Mosig ◽  
Ralph Tollrian ◽  
Maximilian Schweinsberg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Qpcr Assay ◽  
Growth Factor Signaling ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
General Response

AbstractPolyp bailout is a drastic response to acute stress where coral coloniality breaks down and polyps detach. We induced polyp bailout in Pocillopora acuta with heat stress and tested for differential gene expression using RNAseq and a qPCR assay. Furthermore, we induced polyp bailout with hypersalinity and compared the results to identify stressor-independent signals and pathways active during polyp bailout. Both stressors led to the onset of polyp bailout and the detachment of vital polyps. We observed activation of microbe-associated molecular pattern receptors and downstream signaling pathways of the innate immune system. Further, we detected growth factors and genes active during Wnt-signaling potentially contributing to wound healing, regeneration, and proliferation. Upregulation of several genes encoding for matrix metalloproteinases and the fibroblast growth factor signaling pathway are the most likely involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, as well as in the detachment of polyps from the calcareous skeleton during polyp bailout. Expression of genes of interest in our qPCR assay of vital polyps from our heat-stress experiment, showed a trend for a normalization of gene expression after polyp bailout. Our results provide new insights into the signaling cascades leading to the observed physiological responses during polyp bailout. Comparison between the two stressors showed that certain signaling pathways are independent of the stressor and suggested that polyp bailout is a general response of corals to acute stress. Furthermore, immune system responses during polyp bailout indicate that microbe-associated partners of corals may lead to the polyp bailout response.

Immunomodulatory Effect of “Dr. M.S. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy” to Cure or Prevent Hospital Acquired (Nosocomial) Infections due to Clostridium difficile (C. diff), other Pathogenic Bacteria, and Autoimmune Diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 3937-3949
Author(s):  
Malireddy S Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
The World ◽  
Probiotic Strains ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Hospital Acquired

The worldwide popularity of Dr. M.S. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy to treat or prevent the hospital acquired infections (nosocomial infections) arose a great interest in the medical community around the world (Reddy and Reddy, 2016; 2017). The following questions were raised on this subject: Does Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotics directly inhibit the pathogenic bacteria (C. diff) in the gastrointestinal tract or indirectly through modulation of the host immune system or both? To be more specific, what is the exact and/or hypothetical mechanism at molecular level behind the breakthrough discovery of Dr. M.S. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy?  To answer these questions, the specific immunomodulation regulatory functions of the individual Probiotic strains (on host) have beenresearched, investigated andoutlined in this article.  A detailed explanation(s) and hypotheses have been proposed outlining the possible cumulativedirect bacteriological and indirect immunomodulatory effects (at the molecular level) of the Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotics used in Dr. M.S. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy to successfully treat C. diff infection.  A detailed scientific and research attempts were made to correlate the Probiotic induced immune activities in relation to the reduction of the symptoms associated with the hospital acquired Clostridium difficile infection during and after the Multiple Mixed Strain Probioitc Therapy.  Results of the clinical trials, microbiological tests on feces, and the clinical blood tests significantly revealed that the reasons for the success of Dr. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy are multifold. Presumably, it is predominantly due to the immunomodulatory effect they have exerted on the host immune system along with the direct inhibition of C. diff bacteria by multiple Probiotics, due to the production of bacteriocins, lactic acid and nutritional competency.In addition, the size of the individual cells of the Probiotic strains in the Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotics and their significant effect on immunomodulation has been thoroughly discussed. Results clearly proved that if Probiotics are absent in the GI tract during C. diff infection, the chances of patient survival is zero.  This is because of the excess immune stimulation and incurable damage to the epithelial cell barrier of the gastrointestinal tract caused by C. diff bacteria.  The results also revealed, without any doubt, as of to-datethe latest discovery of Dr. M.S. Reddy’s Multiple Mixed Strain Probiotic Therapy is the best way to cure the deadly hospital acquired infections affecting millions of people around the world, with high degree of mortality.  This has been attested by several practicng medical professionals and scientists around the world (Reddy and Reddy, 2017).

Natural Products: Experimental Efficient Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (46) ◽  
pp. 4893-4913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Cao ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Bing-Xian Sha ◽  
Hai-Feng Pan
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Intestinal Epithelia ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
The Individual

: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, elusive disorder resulting in relapsing inflammation of intestine with incompletely elucidated etiology, whose two representative forms are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Accumulating researches have revealed that the individual genetic susceptibility, environmental risk elements, intestinal microbial flora, as well as innate and adaptive immune system are implicated in the pathogenesis and development of IBD. Despite remarkable progression of IBD therapy has been achieved by chemical drugs and biological therapies such as aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, anti-integrin agents, etc., healing outcome still cannot be obtained, along with inevitable side effects. Consequently, a variety of researches have focused on exploring new therapies, and found that natural products (NPs) isolated from herbs or plants may serve as promising therapeutic agents for IBD through antiinflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects, which implicates the modulation on nucleotide- binding domain (NOD) like receptor protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome, gut microbiota, intestinal microvascular endothelial cells, intestinal epithelia, immune system, etc. In the present review, we will summarize the research development of IBD pathogenesis and current mainstream therapy, as well as the therapeutic potential and intrinsic mechanisms of NPs in IBD.

Autosomal Recessive Non-syndromic Keratoconus: Homozygous Frameshift Variant in the Candidate Novel Gene GALNT14

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 683-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tawfiq Froukh ◽  
Ammar Hawwari
Keyword(s):  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Initial Reaction ◽  
Genetic Contribution ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Consanguineous Family ◽  
Truncated Protein ◽  
Threonine Residue ◽  
Whole Exome

Background: Keratoconus (KC) is usually bilateral, noninflammatory progressive corneal ectasia in which the cornea becomes progressively thin and conical. Despite the strong evidence of genetic contribution in KC, the etiology of KC is not understood in most cases. Methods: In this study, we used whole-exome sequencing to identify the genetic cause of KC in two sibs in a consanguineous family. The Homozygous frameshift variant NM_001253826.1:c.60delC;p.Leu21Cysfs*6 was identified in the gene Nacetylgalactosaminyltransferase 14 (GALNT14). The variant does not exist in all public databases neither in our internal exome database. Moreover, no database harbours homozygous loss of function variants in the candidate gene. Result: GALNT14 catalyses the initial reaction in O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis, the transfer of an N-acetyl-D- galactosamine residue to a serine or threonine residue on target proteins especially Mucins. Conclusion: As alterations of mucin’s glycosylation are linked to a number of eye diseases, we demonstrate in this study an association between the truncated protein GALNT14 and KC.

scholarly journals Molecular Pathogenesis of Hodgkin Lymphoma: Past, Present, Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bienz ◽  
Salima Ramdani ◽  
Hans Knecht
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Targeted Therapy ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma ◽  
The Past

Our understanding of the tumorigenesis of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and the formation of Reed–Sternberg cells (RS-cells) has evolved drastically in the last decades. More recently, a better characterization of the signaling pathways and the cellular interactions at play have paved the way for new targeted therapy in the hopes of improving outcomes. However, important gaps in knowledge remain that may hold the key for significant changes of paradigm in this lymphoma. Here, we discuss the past, present, and future of cHL, and review in detail the more recent discoveries pertaining to genetic instability, anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, the tumoral microenvironment, and host-immune system evasion in cHL.

scholarly journals Challenges with Methods for Detecting and Studying the Transcription Factor Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) in the Central Nervous System

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1335
Author(s):  
Marina Mostafizar ◽  
Claudia Cortes-Pérez ◽  
Wanda Snow ◽  
Jelena Djordjevic ◽  
Aida Adlimoghaddam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Nuclear Factor Kappa B ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Nuclear Factor Kappa ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor Nuclear Factor

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is highly expressed in almost all types of cells. NF-κB is involved in many complex biological processes, in particular in immunity. The activation of the NF-κB signaling pathways is also associated with cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and even memory. Hence, NF-κB is a central factor for understanding not only fundamental biological presence but also pathogenesis, and has been the subject of intense study in these contexts. Under healthy physiological conditions, the NF-κB pathway promotes synapse growth and synaptic plasticity in neurons, while in glia, NF-κB signaling can promote pro-inflammatory responses to injury. In addition, NF-κB promotes the maintenance and maturation of B cells regulating gene expression in a majority of diverse signaling pathways. Given this, the protein plays a predominant role in activating the mammalian immune system, where NF-κB-regulated gene expression targets processes of inflammation and host defense. Thus, an understanding of the methodological issues around its detection for localization, quantification, and mechanistic insights should have a broad interest across the molecular neuroscience community. In this review, we summarize the available methods for the proper detection and analysis of NF-κB among various brain tissues, cell types, and subcellular compartments, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. We also summarize the flexibility and performance of these experimental methods for the detection of the protein, accurate quantification in different samples, and the experimental challenges in this regard, as well as suggestions to overcome common challenges.

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