scholarly journals Network-based approaches to quantify multicellular development

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (135) ◽  
pp. 20170484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. B. Jackson ◽  
Salva Duran-Nebreda ◽  
George W. Bassel

Multicellularity and cellular cooperation confer novel functions on organs following a structure–function relationship. How regulated cell migration, division and differentiation events generate cellular arrangements has been investigated, providing insight into the regulation of genetically encoded patterning processes. Much less is known about the higher-order properties of cellular organization within organs, and how their functional coordination through global spatial relations shape and constrain organ function. Key questions to be addressed include: why are cells organized in the way they are? What is the significance of the patterns of cellular organization selected for by evolution? What other configurations are possible? These may be addressed through a combination of global cellular interaction mapping and network science to uncover the relationship between organ structure and function. Using this approach, global cellular organization can be discretized and analysed, providing a quantitative framework to explore developmental processes. Each of the local and global properties of integrated multicellular systems can be analysed and compared across different tissues and models in discrete terms. Advances in high-resolution microscopy and image analysis continue to make cellular interaction mapping possible in an increasing variety of biological systems and tissues, broadening the further potential application of this approach. Understanding the higher-order properties of complex cellular assemblies provides the opportunity to explore the evolution and constraints of cell organization, establishing structure–function relationships that can guide future organ design.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Hirooka ◽  
Kenji Yokoyama ◽  
Kana Tokumo ◽  
Yoshiaki Kiuchi

Purpose: To investigate the association between macular inner retinal layer thickness and macula visual field (VF) mean deviation as measured by the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) or macular function as measured by focal macular electroretinograms (ERGs) in patients with glaucoma.Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 71 patients with glaucoma and 10 healthy controls. Macular inner retinal layer thickness and function were measured in all participants using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and HFA or focal macular ERGs, respectively. Macular OCT images were segmented into the macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), macular ganglion cell layer/inner plexiform layer (GCL/IPL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC). Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between macular inner retinal layer thickness and function.Results: Focal macular ERGs were composed of a negative wave (N1), a positive wave (P1), and a slow negative wave (N2). The N2 response density was significantly reduced in eyes with glaucoma, and was significantly associated with the thickness of the mRNFL (R = 0.317), GCL/IPL (R = 0.372), or GCC (R = 0.367). The observed structure–function relationship was also significantly correlated with the HFA VF mean deviation for each thickness [mRNFL (R = 0.728), GCL/IPL (R = 0.603), or GCC (R = 0.754)].Conclusions: Although a significant correlation was found between the N2 response density and the thickness of the macular inner layer, the observed structure–function relationship with the mean deviation of the HFA VF was higher than that of the N2 response density.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Ha Chai ◽  
Young Ran Kim ◽  
Jun-Sang Ham ◽  
Tae-Hun Kim ◽  
Dajeong Lim

Abstract Background: The OppA receptor as a ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter plays key roles in protecting host organism and transport nutrients across the intestine by the oligopeptide transporter from symbiotic bacteria directs maturation of the host immune system. Among lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum KACC91563, isolated from fecal samples of healthy Korean neonates, has the capability to alleviate food allergy effects. The extracellular OppA receptor from gram-positive Bifidobacterium longum KACC91563 translocate nutrients-peptides from the outside environment of intestinal tract to the inside of the symbiotic cell, as a peptide importer. Hence, it was attempting to explicate the relationship between the substrate’s specificity from the OppA importer and the probiotic effects of B. logum KACC91563 in the host intestine. The probiotic effects of B. logum KACC91563 were attributed to the enhancement of the epithelial barrier by several different strain sepcific ways to prevent the strong adhesion of pathogens. The specialized structure-function relationship from the OppA importer could provide the abstract of substrate specificity into unique immunological properties of that the host organism.Results: In the study, we characterized the extracellular OppA importer from B. longum KACC91563 of intestinal microbiome by various protein structure-based modelings in silico. Structural characterization by conserved 5 patches and 4 functional motifs from specific trace residues of the OppA importer. The hydrate surface of the binding site had been decipted by specific trace residues of the OppA that trace residues of Thr58, Lys185, Trp443, and Tyr447, which were characterized in highly exposed hydrophobic binding pocket by its aggregation prones. Therefore, the spatial aggregation propensity in the binding site of the extracellular OppA importer plays a vital role in the specific interaction determinant for peptide binding. In addition, alanine mutation energy values allowed for the virtual determination of the relationships between the energy effects of the peptide binding site mutation on the transporter structural stability, the peptide binding affinity, and the transporter-related peptide substrate selectivity from OppA importer. In particular, distinctive seven pharmacophoric features comprised of two H-bonding donor(P1), three H-bonding acceptor(P8), and two hydrophobic points (P5 and P8) matched the the OppA receptor-peptide ligand interactions within their binding pocket structure. There are distinct interactions to fix the positions of the N(P1) and C(P8) termini of the complex of OppA-peptide from B. longum KACC91563 such as side chain-specific interactions with the OppA, compared to that of the Lactococcus latis (L. lactics) OppA.Conclusions: The specialized structure-function relationship from the OppA import could provide the abstract of substrate specificity into unique immunological properties of the host organism by stucutre-based molecular modeling. In the current study, we attempted explication of the relationship between the substrate’s specificity from the OppA importer and the probiotic effects of B. longum KACC91563 in the host intestine based on the structure-function perspectives of the OppA importer. Moreover, functional characterization of solute-binding proteins (such as 15 cell wall proteins and 20 extracellular proteins) on the B. longum KACC91563 genome will lead to insight of key switch for substate’s metabolism into reprogramming immune responses in the host intestine.


2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Salzberg

The relationship between structure and function is explored via a system of labeled directed graph structures upon which a single elementary read/write rule is applied locally. Boundaries between static (information-carrying) and active (information-processing) objects, imposed by mandate of the rules or physics in earlier models, emerge instead as a result of a structure-function dynamic that is reflexive: objects may operate directly on their own structure. A representation of an arbitrary Turing machine is reproduced in terms of structural constraints by means of a simple mapping from tape squares and machine states to a uniform medium of nodes and links, establishing computation universality. Exploiting flexibility of the formulation, examples of other unconventional “self-computing” structures are demonstrated. A straightforward representation of a kinematic machine system based on the model devised by Laing is also reproduced in detail. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of their relation to other formal models of computation and construction. It is argued that reflexivity of the structure-function relationship is a critical informational dynamic in biochemical systems, overlooked in previous models but well captured by the proposed formulation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 268-281
Author(s):  
Ş. Ebru OKUYUCU ◽  
Gamze ÇOBAN

Space syntax is a model that has been developed based on spatial formation characteristics. The theory of space syntax indicates a strong relationship between spaces and social structures. The concept of space syntax in this study served as a basis for the assessment of the new function displayed by the architectural structure named “Millet Hamamı (Public Hammam)” in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. The spatial use of another architectural structure named “Kültür ve Semt Evi (Local House of Culture)” that was transformed from Millet Hamamı was analyzed in this study. The purpose of this paper is to constitute space organization of Cultural and District Centre, daily use of space, user movement, defining the relation between space and function, analysis of the spatial provision of the existing building-new function relationship. Graphs used in order to make analysis of the space formation and space organization corresponding to the new function of Millet Hamam which has been transformed into Cultural and District Centre constitute the whole set of techniques of the space syntax in the study. The face-to-face interviews performed with the users of the building contributed to the study. As a result of the analysis made through using numerical data, locations of the spaces belonging to refunctioned Cultural and District Centre within the building, the compatibility of all the spaces with their new functions, the usage potential of the spaces and the spatial experiences of the users have been interpreted with respect to existing building-new function scale. In the study, positive and negative outcomes have been evaluated in line with the spatial relations by discussing the spatial provision of the new functions in the Cultural and District Centre and suggestions have been made regarding use of the spaces. As a result of the study, it was stated that the correct choice of function in historical buildings that are planned to be re-functional is possible by analyzing the organization of spaces using the graf method and supporting the data obtained with the views of the building users. This study is important in terms of increasing the usage potential of spaces within a newly-functionalized building, which is different compared to other relevant studies.


Author(s):  
Kathryn Dempsey ◽  
Benjamin Currall ◽  
Richard Hallworth ◽  
Hesham Ali

Understanding the structure-function relationship of proteins offers the key to biological processes, and can offer knowledge for better investigation of matters with widespread impact, such as pathological disease and drug intervention. This relationship is dictated at the simplest level by the primary protein sequence. Since useful structures and functions are conserved within biology, a sequence with known structure-function relationship can be compared to related sequences to aid in novel structure-function prediction. Sequence analysis provides a means for suggesting evolutionary relationships, and inferring structural or functional similarity. It is crucial to consider these parameters while comparing sequences as they influence both the algorithms used and the implications of the results. For example, proteins that are closely related on an evolutionary time scale may have very similar structure, but entirely different functions. In contrast, proteins which have undergone convergent evolution may have dissimilar primary structure, but perform similar functions. This chapter details how the aspects of evolution, structure, and function can be taken into account when performing sequence analysis, and proposes an expansion on traditional approaches resulting in direct improvement of said analysis. This model is applied to a case study in the prestin protein and shows that the proposed approach provides a better understanding of input and output and can improve the performance of sequence analysis by means of motif detection software.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
Hui-Jun Wu ◽  
Yang-Yu Liu ◽  
Linyuan Lu

Despite a relatively fixed anatomical structure, the human brain can support rich cognitive functions, triggering particular interest in investigating structure-function relationships. Myelin is a vital brain microstructure marker, yet the individual microstructure-function relationship is poorly understood. Here, we explore the brain microstructure-function relationships using a higher-order framework. Global (network-level) higher-order microstructure-function relationships negatively correlate with male participants' personality scores and decline with aging. Nodal (node-level) higher-order microstructure-function relationships are not aligned uniformly throughout the brain, being stronger in association cortices and lower in sensory cortices, showing gender differences. Notably, higher-order microstructure-function relationships are maintained from the whole-brain to local circuits, which uncovers a compelling and straightforward principle of brain structure-function interactions. Additionally, targeted artificial attacks can disrupt these higher-order relationships, and the main results are robust against several factors. Together, our results increase the collective knowledge of higher-order structure- function interactions that may underlie cognition, individual differences, and aging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 268-281
Author(s):  
Ş. Ebru OKUYUCU ◽  
Gamze ÇOBAN

Space syntax is a model that has been developed based on spatial formation characteristics. The theory of space syntax indicates a strong relationship between spaces and social structures. The concept of space syntax in this study served as a basis for the assessment of the new function displayed by the architectural structure named “Millet Hamamı (Public Hammam)” in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. The spatial use of another architectural structure named “Kültür ve Semt Evi (Local House of Culture)” that was transformed from Millet Hamamı was analyzed in this study. The purpose of this paper is to constitute space organization of Cultural and District Centre, daily use of space, user movement, defining the relation between space and function, analysis of the spatial provision of the existing building-new function relationship. Graphs used in order to make analysis of the space formation and space organization corresponding to the new function of Millet Hamam which has been transformed into Cultural and District Centre constitute the whole set of techniques of the space syntax in the study. The face-to-face interviews performed with the users of the building contributed to the study. As a result of the analysis made through using numerical data, locations of the spaces belonging to refunctioned Cultural and District Centre within the building, the compatibility of all the spaces with their new functions, the usage potential of the spaces and the spatial experiences of the users have been interpreted with respect to existing building-new function scale. In the study, positive and negative outcomes have been evaluated in line with the spatial relations by discussing the spatial provision of the new functions in the Cultural and District Centre and suggestions have been made regarding use of the spaces. As a result of the study, it was stated that the correct choice of function in historical buildings that are planned to be re-functional is possible by analyzing the organization of spaces using the graf method and supporting the data obtained with the views of the building users. This study is important in terms of increasing the usage potential of spaces within a newly-functionalized building, which is different compared to other relevant studies.


Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Shinya Hanashima ◽  
Takanori Nakane ◽  
Eiichi Mizohata

Membrane proteins reside in the lipid bilayer of biomembranes and the structure and function of these proteins are closely related to their interactions with lipid molecules. Structural analyses of interactions between membrane proteins and lipids or detergents that constitute biological or artificial model membranes are important for understanding the functions and physicochemical properties of membrane proteins and biomembranes. Determination of membrane protein structures is much more difficult when compared with that of soluble proteins, but the development of various new technologies has accelerated the elucidation of the structure-function relationship of membrane proteins. This review summarizes the development of heavy atom derivative detergents and lipids that can be used for structural analysis of membrane proteins and their interactions with detergents/lipids, including their application with X-ray free-electron laser crystallography.


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