scholarly journals A conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of nociceptive sensory neurites

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Jeffrey P. Rasmussen ◽  
Joshua A. Clanton ◽  
Marci F. Rosenberg ◽  
Kory P. Luedke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Somatosensory Neurons ◽  
Sheath Formation ◽  
And Function

AbstractInteractions between epithelial cells and neurons influence a range of sensory modalities including taste, touch, and smell. Vertebrate and invertebrate keratinocytes/keratinocyte-like epidermal cells ensheath peripheral arbors of somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors, yet the developmental origins and functional roles of this ensheathment are largely unknown. Here, we describe an evolutionarily conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of somatosensory neurites. We found that somatosensory neurons in Drosophila and zebrafish induce formation of epidermal sheaths, which wrap neurites of different types of neurons to different extents. Neurites induce formation of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate microdomains at nascent sheaths, followed by a filamentous actin network, and recruitment of junctional proteins that likely form autotypic junctions to seal sheaths. Finally, blocking epidermal sheath formation destabilized dendrite branches and reduced nociceptive sensitivity in Drosophila. Epidermal somatosensory neurite ensheathment is thus a deeply conserved cellular process that contributes to the morphogenesis and function of nociceptive sensory neurons.

scholarly journals A conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of nociceptive sensory neurites

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Jeffrey P Rasmussen ◽  
Joshua A Clanton ◽  
Marci F Rosenberg ◽  
Kory P Luedke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Filamentous Actin ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Sensory Modalities ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Somatosensory Neurons ◽  
Sheath Formation ◽  
And Function

Interactions between epithelial cells and neurons influence a range of sensory modalities including taste, touch, and smell. Vertebrate and invertebrate epidermal cells ensheath peripheral arbors of somatosensory neurons, including nociceptors, yet the developmental origins and functional roles of this ensheathment are largely unknown. Here, we describe an evolutionarily conserved morphogenetic mechanism for epidermal ensheathment of somatosensory neurites. We found that somatosensory neurons in Drosophila and zebrafish induce formation of epidermal sheaths, which wrap neurites of different types of neurons to different extents. Neurites induce formation of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate microdomains at nascent sheaths, followed by a filamentous actin network, and recruitment of junctional proteins that likely form autotypic junctions to seal sheaths. Finally, blocking epidermal sheath formation destabilized dendrite branches and reduced nociceptive sensitivity in Drosophila. Epidermal somatosensory neurite ensheathment is thus a deeply conserved cellular process that contributes to the morphogenesis and function of nociceptive sensory neurons.

scholarly journals Colonized Niche, Evolution and Function Signatures of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum within Bifidobacterial Genus

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2284
Author(s):  
Yue Xiao ◽  
Jianxin Zhao ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Qixiao Zhai ◽  
Wei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
The Past ◽  
Metabolic Functions ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Species Evolution ◽  
And Function ◽  
Evolutionary Role

Background: Although genomic features of various bifidobacterial species have received much attention in the past decade, information on Bifidobacterium pseudolongum was limited. In this study, we retrieved 887 publicly available genomes of bifidobacterial species, and tried to elucidate phylogenetic and potential functional roles of B. pseudolongum within the Bifidobacterium genus. Results: The results indicated that B. pseudolongum formed a population structure with multiple monophyletic clades, and had established associations with different types of mammals. The abundance of B. pseudolongum was inversely correlated with that of the harmful gut bacterial taxa. We also found that B. pseudolongum showed a strictly host-adapted lifestyle with a relatively smaller genome size, and higher intra-species genetic diversity in comparison with the other tested bifidobacterial species. For functional aspects, B. pseudolongum showed paucity of specific metabolic functions, and enrichment of specific enzymes degrading complex plant carbohydrates and host glycans. In addition, B. pseudolongum possessed a unique signature of probiotic effector molecules compared with the other tested bifidobacterial species. The investigation on intra-species evolution of B. pseudolongum indicated a clear evolution trajectory in which considerable clade-specific genes, and variation on genomic diversity by clade were observed. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable information for explaining the host adaptability of B. pseudolongum, its evolutionary role, as well as its potential probiotic effects.

scholarly journals The Iroquois Homeobox Gene Irx2 Is Not Essential for Normal Development of the Heart and Midbrain-Hindbrain Boundary in Mice

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (22) ◽  
pp. 8216-8225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Lebel ◽  
Pooja Agarwal ◽  
Chi Wa Cheng ◽  
M. Golam Kabir ◽  
Toby Y. Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Development ◽  
Homeobox Gene ◽  
Mutant Mice ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Developing Heart ◽  
Dynamic Expression ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
And Function ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT The Iroquois homeobox (Irx) genes have been implicated in the specification and patterning of several organs in Drosophila and several vertebrate species. Misexpression studies of chick, Xenopus, and zebra fish embryos have demonstrated that Irx genes are involved in the specification of the midbrain-hindbrain boundary. All six murine Irx genes are expressed in the developing heart, suggesting that they might possess distinct functions during heart development, and a role for Irx4 in normal heart development has been recently demonstrated by gene-targeting experiments. Here we describe the generation and phenotypic analysis of an Irx2-deficient mouse strain. By targeted insertion of a lacZ reporter gene into the Irx2 locus, we show that lacZ expression reproduces most of the endogenous Irx2 expression pattern. Despite the dynamic expression of Irx2 in the developing heart, nervous system, and other organs, Irx2-deficient mice are viable, are fertile, and appear to be normal. Although chick Irx2 has been implicated in the development of the midbrain-hindbrain region, we show that Irx2-deficient mice develop a normal midbrain-hindbrain boundary. Furthermore, Irx2-deficient mice have normal cardiac morphology and function. Functional compensation by other Irx genes might account for the absence of a phenotype in Irx2-deficient mice. Further studies of mutant mice of other Irx genes as well as compound mutant mice will be necessary to uncover the functional roles of these evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulators in development and disease.

Computational Approaches to Predict the Non-canonical DNAs

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 470-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazia Parveen ◽  
Amen Shamim ◽  
Seunghee Cho ◽  
Kyeong Kyu Kim
Keyword(s):  
Computational Methods ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Computational Prediction ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Sequence Motifs ◽  
Computational Approaches ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
And Function ◽  
Genetic Events ◽  
Insight Into

Background: Although most nucleotides in the genome form canonical double-stranded B-DNA, many repeated sequences transiently present as non-canonical conformations (non-B DNA) such as triplexes, quadruplexes, Z-DNA, cruciforms, and slipped/hairpins. Those noncanonical DNAs (ncDNAs) are not only associated with many genetic events such as replication, transcription, and recombination, but are also related to the genetic instability that results in the predisposition to disease. Due to the crucial roles of ncDNAs in cellular and genetic functions, various computational methods have been implemented to predict sequence motifs that generate ncDNA. Objective: Here, we review strategies for the identification of ncDNA motifs across the whole genome, which is necessary for further understanding and investigation of the structure and function of ncDNAs. Conclusion: There is a great demand for computational prediction of non-canonical DNAs that play key functional roles in gene expression and genome biology. In this study, we review the currently available computational methods for predicting the non-canonical DNAs in the genome. Current studies not only provide an insight into the computational methods for predicting the secondary structures of DNA but also increase our understanding of the roles of non-canonical DNA in the genome.

scholarly journals Identification and Functional Analysis of Apoptotic Protease Activating Factor-1 (Apaf-1) from Spodoptera litura

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Haihao Ma ◽  
Xiumei Yan ◽  
Lin Yan ◽  
Jingyan Zhao ◽  
Jiping Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spodoptera Litura ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Titration Calorimetry ◽  
Apoptosis Pathway ◽  
Downstream Effector ◽  
Lepidopteran Insects ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Effector Caspases ◽  
And Function

Apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1) is an adaptor molecule, essential for activating initiator caspase and downstream effector caspases, which directly cause apoptosis. In fruit flies, nematodes, and mammals, Apaf-1 has been extensively studied. However, the structure and function of Apaf-1 in Lepidoptera remain unclear. This study identified a novel Apaf-1 from Spodoptera litura, named Sl-Apaf-1. Sl-Apaf-1 contains three domains: a CARD domain, as well as NOD and WD motifs, and is very similar to mammalian Apaf-1. Interference of Sl-apaf-1 expression in SL-1 cells blocked apoptosis induced by actinomycin D. Overexpression of Sl-apaf-1 significantly enhances apoptosis induced by actinomycin D in Sf9/SL-1/U2OS cells, suggesting that the function of Sl-Apaf-1 is evolutionarily conserved. Furthermore, Sl-Apaf-1 could interact with Sl-caspase-5 (a homologue of mammalian caspase-9) and yielded a binding affinity of 1.37 × 106 M–1 according isothermal titration calorimetry assay. Initiator caspase (procaspase-5) of S. litura could be activated by Sl-Apaf-1 (without WD motif) in vitro, and the activated Sl-caspase-5 could cleave Sl-procaspase-1 (a homologue of caspase-3 in mammals), which directly caused apoptosis. This study demonstrates the key role of Sl-Apaf-1 in the apoptosis pathway, suggesting that the apoptosis pathway in Lepidopteran insects and mammals is conserved.

scholarly journals The Evolving Roles of Cardiac Macrophages in Homeostasis, Regeneration, and Repair

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7923
Author(s):  
Santiago Alvarez-Argote ◽  
Caitlin C. O’Meara
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Cardiac Regeneration ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Cardiac Conduction ◽  
Cell Detection ◽  
Fate Mapping ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Macrophage Populations ◽  
And Function

Macrophages were first described as phagocytic immune cells responsible for maintaining tissue homeostasis by the removal of pathogens that disturb normal function. Historically, macrophages have been viewed as terminally differentiated monocyte-derived cells that originated through hematopoiesis and infiltrated multiple tissues in the presence of inflammation or during turnover in normal homeostasis. However, improved cell detection and fate-mapping strategies have elucidated the various lineages of tissue-resident macrophages, which can derive from embryonic origins independent of hematopoiesis and monocyte infiltration. The role of resident macrophages in organs such as the skin, liver, and the lungs have been well characterized, revealing functions well beyond a pure phagocytic and immunological role. In the heart, recent research has begun to decipher the functional roles of various tissue-resident macrophage populations through fate mapping and genetic depletion studies. Several of these studies have elucidated the novel and unexpected roles of cardiac-resident macrophages in homeostasis, including maintaining mitochondrial function, facilitating cardiac conduction, coronary development, and lymphangiogenesis, among others. Additionally, following cardiac injury, cardiac-resident macrophages adopt diverse functions such as the clearance of necrotic and apoptotic cells and debris, a reduction in the inflammatory monocyte infiltration, promotion of angiogenesis, amelioration of inflammation, and hypertrophy in the remaining myocardium, overall limiting damage extension. The present review discusses the origin, development, characterization, and function of cardiac macrophages in homeostasis, cardiac regeneration, and after cardiac injury or stress.

Functional Roles of Chelated Magnesium Ions in RNA Folding and Function

Biochemistry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota Yamagami ◽  
Jacob P. Sieg ◽  
Philip C. Bevilacqua
Keyword(s):  
Rna Folding ◽  
Magnesium Ions ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Species functional traits and abundance as drivers of multiplex ecological networks: first empirical quantification of inter-layer edge weights

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1939) ◽  
pp. 20202127
Author(s):  
S. Hervías-Parejo ◽  
C. Tur ◽  
R. Heleno ◽  
M. Nogales ◽  
S. Timóteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Traits ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Modular Organization ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Multilayer Network ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Natural Communities

Many vertebrate species act as both plant pollinators and seed-dispersers, thus interconnecting these processes, particularly on islands. Ecological multilayer networks are a powerful tool to explore interdependencies between processes; however, quantifying the links between species engaging in different types of interactions (i.e. inter-layer edges) remains a great challenge. Here, we empirically measured inter-layer edge weights by quantifying the role of individually marked birds as both pollinators and seed-dispersers of Galápagos plant species over an entire year. Although most species (80%) engaged in both functions, we show that only a small proportion of individuals actually linked the two processes, highlighting the need to further consider intra-specific variability in individuals' functional roles. Furthermore, we found a high variation among species in linking both processes, i.e. some species contribute more than others to the modular organization of the multilayer network. Small and abundant species are particularly important for the cohesion of pollinator seed-dispersal networks, demonstrating the interplay between species traits and neutral processes structuring natural communities.

scholarly journals Fabrication and function of polymer membranes

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Abetz ◽  
Torsten Brinkmann ◽  
Mustafa Sözbilir
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Polymer Membranes ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
High Significance ◽  
Different Types ◽  
And Function ◽  
Membrane Science

Abstract The paper gives an introduction to membrane science and technology, an area of research of high significance for the development of a sustainable life for human beings. It is therefore intended to be a guide for teachers in the areas of chemistry, physics, or biology, who can incorporate the presented materials in their respective courses. The paper gives some insights into the different types of membranes, their functions, production and use in some selected areas.

Influence fast or later: two types of influencers in social networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Zhou ◽  
Chang Su ◽  
Shuqi Xu ◽  
Linyuan Lü
Keyword(s):  
Final Stage ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Spreading Process ◽  
Spreading Effect ◽  
Local Structures ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Small Set ◽  
And Function

Abstract In real-world networks, there usually exist a small set of nodes that play an important role in the structure and function of networks. Those vital nodes can influence most other nodes in the network via a spreading process. While most of the existing works focused on vital nodes that can maximize the spreading size in the final stage, which we call final influencers, recent work proposed the idea of fast influencers, which emphasizes nodes’ spreading capacity at the early stage. Despite the recent surge of efforts in identifying these two types of influencers in networks, there remained limited research on untangling the differences between fast influencers and final influencers. In this paper, we first distinguish the two types of influencers: fast-only influencers and final-only influencers. The former is defined as individuals who can achieve a high spreading effect at the early stage but lose their superiority in the final stage, and the latter are those individuals that fail to exhibit a prominent spreading performance at the early stage but influence a large fraction of nodes at the final stage. Further experiments based on eight empirical datasets, we reveal the key differences between the two types of influencers concerning their spreading capacity and the local structures. We also analyze how network degree assortativity influences the fraction of the proposed two types of influencers. The results demonstrate that with the increase of degree assortativity, the fraction of the fast-only influencers decreases, which indicates that more fast influencers tend to keep their superiority at the final stage. Our study provides insights into the differences and evolution of different types of influencers and has important implications for various empirical applications, such as advertisement marketing, and epidemic suppressing.

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