scholarly journals The plasma membrane as a mechanochemical transducer

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1779) ◽  
pp. 20180221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anabel-Lise Le Roux ◽  
Xarxa Quiroga ◽  
Nikhil Walani ◽  
Marino Arroyo ◽  
Pere Roca-Cusachs
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Mechanical Response ◽  
Membrane Curvature ◽  
Mechanical Stresses ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Biochemical Responses ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
Mechanochemical Transduction

Cells are constantly submitted to external mechanical stresses, which they must withstand and respond to. By forming a physical boundary between cells and their environment that is also a biochemical platform, the plasma membrane (PM) is a key interface mediating both cellular response to mechanical stimuli, and subsequent biochemical responses. Here, we review the role of the PM as a mechanosensing structure. We first analyse how the PM responds to mechanical stresses, and then discuss how this mechanical response triggers downstream biochemical responses. The molecular players involved in PM mechanochemical transduction include sensors of membrane unfolding, membrane tension, membrane curvature or membrane domain rearrangement. These sensors trigger signalling cascades fundamental both in healthy scenarios and in diseases such as cancer, which cells harness to maintain integrity, keep or restore homeostasis and adapt to their external environment. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Forces in cancer: interdisciplinary approaches in tumour mechanobiology’.

scholarly journals High-intensity focused ultrasound-induced mechanochemical transduction in synthetic elastomers

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 10214-10222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gun Kim ◽  
Vivian M. Lau ◽  
Abigail J. Halmes ◽  
Michael L. Oelze ◽  
Jeffrey S. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Focal Spot ◽  
Color Change ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Mechanochemical Transduction

While study in the field of polymer mechanochemistry has yielded mechanophores that perform various chemical reactions in response to mechanical stimuli, there is not yet a triggering method compatible with biological systems. Applications such as using mechanoluminescence to generate localized photon flux in vivo for optogenetics would greatly benefit from such an approach. Here we introduce a method of triggering mechanophores by using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a remote energy source to drive the spatially and temporally resolved mechanical-to-chemical transduction of mechanoresponsive polymers. A HIFU setup capable of controlling the excitation pressure, spatial location, and duration of exposure is employed to activate mechanochemical reactions in a cross-linked elastomeric polymer in a noninvasive fashion. One reaction is the chromogenic isomerization of a naphthopyran mechanophore embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) network. Under HIFU irradiation evidence of the mechanochemical transduction is the observation of a reversible color change as expected for the isomerization. The elastomer exhibits this distinguishable color change at the focal spot, depending on ultrasonic exposure conditions. A second reaction is the demonstration that HIFU irradiation successfully triggers a luminescent dioxetane, resulting in localized generation of visible blue light at the focal spot. In contrast to conventional stimuli such as UV light, heat, and uniaxial compression/tension testing, HIFU irradiation provides spatiotemporal control of the mechanochemical activation through targeted but noninvasive ultrasonic energy deposition. Targeted, remote light generation is potentially useful in biomedical applications such as optogenetics where a light source is used to trigger a cellular response.

Cytoskeleton of intestinal goblet cells: role of actin filaments in baseline secretion

1990 ◽  
Vol 259 (6) ◽  
pp. G991-G997 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Oliver ◽  
R. D. Specian
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Goblet Cell ◽  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Apical Cell ◽  
Goblet Cells ◽  
Apical Plasma Membrane ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Cytochemical Localization

Although microtubules appear necessary to maintain mucin granule transport in intestinal goblet cells, the role of microfilaments in mucus secretion is unknown. To determine the functional significance of microfilaments in goblet cell secretion, fluorescent cytochemistry of microfilaments and autoradiographic studies on granule movement were performed on rabbit intestinal goblet cells, with and without the actin depolymerizing agents, cytochalasin D (cyto D), and dihydro-cytochalasin B (dihydro B). In normal goblet cells, cytochemical localization of F-actin with NBD-phallacidin demonstrated their restriction to the apical surface of the goblet cell. Visualization of the goblet cell apical surface by electron microscopy revealed the presence of a thin layer of cytoplasm overlying the granule mass. Treatment with cyto D and dihydro B eliminated NBD-phallacidin staining of the apical cell surface. Quantitative analysis of baseline granule translocation demonstrated that treatment with cyto D and dihydro B resulted in dramatic acceleration of granule movement through goblet cells. This cellular response results from an increase in baseline secretion and facilitation of secretion of newly synthesized mucins, not stimulation of an accelerated secretory event. These data imply that actin filaments fulfill a barrier function in baseline secretion by hindering granule access to the plasma membrane; once the granule contacts the plasma membrane, exocytosis occurs. Secretion is balanced by the translocation of subjacent granules. In contrast, an accelerated secretory event is not triggered by plasma membrane access alone; this event requires a regulatory signal. We hypothesize that, unlike accelerated secretion, baseline secretion is constitutive, with exocytosis limited solely by the physical constraint of secretory granule access to the apical plasma membrane.

Role of cytoskeleton in shear stress-induced endothelial nitric oxide production

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (1) ◽  
pp. H347-H355 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. L. Knudsen ◽  
J. A. Frangos
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Induced Response ◽  
No Production ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanochemical Transduction

To study the role of the cytoskeleton in mechanochemical transduction, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to cytoskeleton-disrupting or -stabilizing agents, and the flow-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) as monitored by intracellular levels of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) was examined. A shear stress of 20 dyn/cm2 elevated cGMP levels approximately twofold relative to basal (stationary) levels (1.9 +/- 0.1 pmol cGMP in stationary controls; P < 0.01). Treatment with 1 microM phalloidin and 0.5 microM cytochalasin D did not significantly affect the flow-induced response (1.77 +/- 0.23 and 2.89 +/- 0.18 pmol cGMP in stationary controls, respectively), whereas disruption of microtubules with 0.5 microM colchicine significantly elevated the response (3.64 +/- 0.18 pmol cGMP in stationary controls; P < 0.01). The NO synthase inhibitor NG-amino-L-arginine abrogated all flow-induced elevations of cGMP, indicating that increased cGMP levels were mediated by NO. Cytoskeletal disruption with 0.2 microM cytochalasin D or 0.5 microM colchicine did not alter cGMP levels in response to 10 nM bradykinin. The role of the plasma membrane in mechanochemical transduction was examined by treatment with cholesteryl hemisuccinate, which attenuated the flow-induced response in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the pathways of flow- and bradykinin-mediated NO production in endothelial cells did not require actin filament turnover or intact actin or microtubule cytoskeletons, and cholesterol, possibly by stiffening the plasma membrane, attenuated the flow response.

scholarly journals Neural Precursor Cells Expanded Inside the 3D Micro-Scaffold Nichoid Present Different Non-Coding RNAs Profiles and Transcript Isoforms Expression: Possible Epigenetic Modulation by 3D Growth

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1120
Author(s):  
Letizia Messa ◽  
Bianca Barzaghini ◽  
Federica Rey ◽  
Cecilia Pandini ◽  
Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Precursor Cells ◽  
Neural Precursor Cells ◽  
Functional Enrichment ◽  
Neural Precursor ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
3D Scaffold ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Non-coding RNAs show relevant implications in various biological and pathological processes. Thus, understanding the biological implications of these molecules in stem cell biology still represents a major challenge. The aim of this work is to study the transcriptional dysregulation of 357 non-coding genes, found through RNA-Seq approach, in murine neural precursor cells expanded inside the 3D micro-scaffold Nichoid versus standard culture conditions. Through weighted co-expression network analysis and functional enrichment, we highlight the role of non-coding RNAs in altering the expression of coding genes involved in mechanotransduction, stemness, and neural differentiation. Moreover, as non-coding RNAs are poorly conserved between species, we focus on those with human homologue sequences, performing further computational characterization. Lastly, we looked for isoform switching as possible mechanism in altering coding and non-coding gene expression. Our results provide a comprehensive dissection of the 3D scaffold Nichoid’s influence on the biological and genetic response of neural precursor cells. These findings shed light on the possible role of non-coding RNAs in 3D cell growth, indicating that also non-coding RNAs are implicated in cellular response to mechanical stimuli.

Caveolin-1, galectin-3 and lipid raft domains in cancer cell signalling

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 189-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Shankar ◽  
Cecile Boscher ◽  
Ivan R. Nabi
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Lipid Rafts ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Essential Feature ◽  
Cell Signalling ◽  
Coated Pits ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Raft Domains

Spatial organization of the plasma membrane is an essential feature of the cellular response to external stimuli. Receptor organization at the cell surface mediates transmission of extracellular stimuli to intracellular signalling molecules and effectors that impact various cellular processes including cell differentiation, metabolism, growth, migration and apoptosis. Membrane domains include morphologically distinct plasma membrane invaginations such as clathrin-coated pits and caveolae, but also less well-defined domains such as lipid rafts and the galectin lattice. In the present chapter, we will discuss interaction between caveolae, lipid rafts and the galectin lattice in the control of cancer cell signalling.

Role of Mechanical Stresses at Ion Implantation of CdHgTe Solid Solutions

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 872-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smirnov A.B. Smirnov A.B. ◽  
◽  
Lytvyn O.S. Lytvyn O.S. ◽  
Morozhenko V.A. Morozhenko V.A. ◽  
Savkina R.K. Savkina R.K. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ion Implantation ◽  
Solid Solutions ◽  
Mechanical Stresses

Role of Exosomes in the Exchange of Spermatozoa after Leaving the Seminiferous Tubule: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 330-338
Author(s):  
Luming Wu ◽  
Yuan Ding ◽  
Shiqiang Han ◽  
Yiqing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Seminiferous Tubule ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Multivesicular Bodies ◽  
Extensive Search ◽  
Neurological Research ◽  
The One

Background: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cells upon fusion of an intermediate endocytic compartment with the plasma membrane. They refer to the intraluminal vesicles released from the fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane. The contents and number of exosomes are related to diseases such as metabolic diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases. Exosomes have been used in neurological research as a drug delivery tool and also as biomarkers for diseases. Recently, exosomes were observed in the seminal plasma of the one who is asthenozoospermia, which can affect sperm motility and capacitation. Objective: The main objective of this review is to deeply discuss the role of exosomes in spermatozoa after leaving the seminiferous tubule. Methods: We conducted an extensive search of the literature available on relationships between exosomes and exosomes in spermatozoa on the bibliographic database. Conclusion: : This review thoroughly discussed the role that exosomes play in the exchange of spermatozoa after leaving the seminiferous tubule and its potential as a drug delivery tool and biomarkers for diseases as well.

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