scholarly journals Body coloration and mechanisms of colour production in Archelosauria: The case of deirocheline turtles

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindřich Brejcha ◽  
José Vicente Bataller ◽  
Zuzana Bosáková ◽  
Jan Geryk ◽  
Martina Havlíková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Nano Structure ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Dermal Collagen ◽  
Visual Signalling ◽  
Pteridine Derivatives

AbstractAnimal body coloration is a complex trait resulting from the interplay of multiple colour-producing mechanisms. Increasing knowledge of the functional role of animal coloration stresses the need to study the proximate causes of colour production. Here we present a description of colour and colour producing mechanisms in two non-avian archelosaurs, the freshwater turtles Trachemys scripta and Pseudemys concinna. We compare reflectance spectra; cellular, ultra-, and nano-structure of colour-producing elements; and carotenoid/pteridine derivatives contents in the two species. In addition to xanthophores and melanocytes, we found abundant iridophores which may play a role in integumental colour production. We also found abundant dermal collagen fibres that may serve as thermoprotection but possibly also play role in colour production. The colour of yellow-red skin patches results from an interplay between carotenoids and pteridine derivatives. The two species differ in the distribution of pigment cell types along the dorsoventral head axis, as well as in the diversity of pigments involved in colour production, which may be related to visual signalling. Our results indicate that archelosaurs share some colour production mechanisms with amphibians and lepidosaurs, but also employ novel mechanisms based on the nano-organization of the extracellular protein matrix that they share with mammals.

scholarly journals Body coloration and mechanisms of colour production in Archelosauria: the case of deirocheline turtles

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 190319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindřich Brejcha ◽  
José Vicente Bataller ◽  
Zuzana Bosáková ◽  
Jan Geryk ◽  
Martina Havlíková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Nano Structure ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Dermal Collagen ◽  
Visual Signalling ◽  
Orbital Region

Animal body coloration is a complex trait resulting from the interplay of multiple mechanisms. While many studies address the functions of animal coloration, the mechanisms of colour production still remain unknown in most taxa. Here we compare reflectance spectra, cellular, ultra- and nano-structure of colour-producing elements, and pigment types in two freshwater turtles with contrasting courtship behaviour, Trachemys scripta and Pseudemys concinna . The two species differ in the distribution of pigment cell-types and in pigment diversity. We found xanthophores, melanocytes, abundant iridophores and dermal collagen fibres in stripes of both species. The yellow chin and forelimb stripes of both P. concinna and T. scripta contain xanthophores and iridophores, but the post-orbital regions of the two species differ in cell-type distribution. The yellow post-orbital region of P. concinna contains both xanthophores and iridophores, while T. scripta has only xanthophores in the yellow-red postorbital/zygomatic regions. Moreover, in both species, the xanthophores colouring the yellow-red skin contain carotenoids, pterins and riboflavin, but T. scripta has a higher diversity of pigments than P. concinna . Trachemys s. elegans is sexually dichromatic. Differences in the distribution of pigment cell types across body regions in the two species may be related to visual signalling but do not match predictions based on courtship position. Our results demonstrate that archelosaurs share some colour production mechanisms with amphibians and lepidosaurs (i.e. vertical layering/stacking of different pigment cell types and interplay of carotenoids and pterins), but also employ novel mechanisms (i.e. nano-organization of dermal collagen) shared with mammals.

scholarly journals Identification ofkit-ligand aas the Gene Responsible for the Medaka Pigment Cell Mutantfew melanophore

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Otsuki ◽  
Yuki Okuda ◽  
Kiyoshi Naruse ◽  
Hideyuki Saya
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Cell Specification ◽  
Kit Ligand ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Pigmentation Disorders

ABSTRACTThe body coloration of animals is due to pigment cells derived from neural crest cells, which are multipotent and differentiate into diverse cell types. Medaka (Oryzias latipes) possesses four distinct types of pigment cells known as melanophores, xanthophores, iridophores, and leucophores. Thefew melanophore(fm) mutant of medaka is characterized by reduced numbers of melanophores and leucophores. We here identifykit-ligand a(kitlga) as the gene whose mutation gives rise to thefmphenotype. This identification was confirmed by generation ofkitlgaknockout medaka and the findings that these fish also manifest reduced numbers of melanophores and leucophores and fail to rescue thefmmutant phenotype. We also found that expression ofsox5,pax7a,pax3a, andmitfagenes is down-regulated in bothfmandkitlgaknockout medaka, implicating c-Kit signaling in regulation of the expression of these genes as well as the encoded transcription factors in pigment cell specification. Our results may provide insight into the pathogenesis of c-Kit–related pigmentation disorders such as piebaldism in humans, and ourkitlgaknockout medaka may prove useful as a tool for drug screening.

scholarly journals Cell-Specific DNA Methylation Signatures in Asthma

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrée-Anne Hudon Thibeault ◽  
Catherine Laprise
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Complex Trait ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Global Status ◽  
A Minor

Asthma is a complex trait, often associated with atopy. The genetic contribution has been evidenced by familial occurrence. Genome-wide association studies allowed for associating numerous genes with asthma, as well as identifying new loci that have a minor contribution to its phenotype. Considering the role of environmental exposure on asthma development, an increasing amount of literature has been published on epigenetic modifications associated with this pathology and especially on DNA methylation, in an attempt to better understand its missing heritability. These studies have been conducted in different tissues, but mainly in blood or its peripheral mononuclear cells. However, there is growing evidence that epigenetic changes that occur in one cell type cannot be directly translated into another one. In this review, we compare alterations in DNA methylation from different cells of the immune system and of the respiratory tract. The cell types in which data are obtained influences the global status of alteration of DNA methylation in asthmatic individuals compared to control (an increased or a decreased DNA methylation). Given that several genes were cell-type-specific, there is a great need for comparative studies on DNA methylation from different cells, but from the same individuals in order to better understand the role of epigenetics in asthma pathophysiology.

scholarly journals Identification of kit-ligand a as the Gene Responsible for the Medaka Pigment Cell Mutant few melanophore

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 311-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Otsuki ◽  
Yuki Okuda ◽  
Kiyoshi Naruse ◽  
Hideyuki Saya
Keyword(s):  
Pigment Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pigment Cells ◽  
Cell Mutant ◽  
Cell Specification ◽  
Kit Ligand ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Pigmentation Disorders

The body coloration of animals is due to pigment cells derived from neural crest cells, which are multipotent and differentiate into diverse cell types. Medaka (Oryzias latipes) possesses four distinct types of pigment cells known as melanophores, xanthophores, iridophores, and leucophores. The few melanophore (fm) mutant of medaka is characterized by reduced numbers of melanophores and leucophores. We here identify kit-ligand a (kitlga) as the gene whose mutation gives rise to the fm phenotype. This identification was confirmed by generation of kitlga knockout medaka and the findings that these fish also manifest reduced numbers of melanophores and leucophores and fail to rescue the fm mutant phenotype. We also found that expression of sox5, pax7a, pax3a, and mitfa genes is down-regulated in both fm and kitlga knockout medaka, implicating c-Kit signaling in regulation of the expression of these genes as well as the encoded transcription factors in pigment cell specification. Our results may provide insight into the pathogenesis of c-Kit–related pigmentation disorders such as piebaldism in humans, and our kitlga knockout medaka may prove useful as a tool for drug screening.

Effect of Calcium on the Growth and Differentiation of Cultured Rat Esophageal Epithelial Cells

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 132-133
Author(s):  
W.T. Gunning ◽  
M.R. Marino ◽  
M.S. Babcock ◽  
G.D. Stoner
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Replication Rate ◽  
Enzymatic Dissociation ◽  
Growth Assay ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Fetal Bovine ◽  
Esophageal Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cellular Replication

The role of calcium in modulating cellular replication and differentiation has been described for various cell types. In the present study, the effects of Ca++ on the growth and differentiation of cultured rat esophageal epithelial cells was investigated.Epithelial cells were isolated from esophagi taken from 8 week-old male CDF rats by the enzymatic dissociation method of Kaighn. The cells were cultured in PFMR-4 medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/ml dialyzed fetal bovine serum, 5 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 10-6 M hydrocortisone 10-6 M phosphoethanolamine, 10-6 M ethanolamine, 5 pg/ml insulin, 5 ng/ml transferrin, 10 ng/ml cholera toxin and 50 ng/ml garamycin at 36.5°C in a humidified atmosphere of 3% CO2 in air. At weekly intervals, the cells were subcultured with a solution containing 1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.01% EGTA, and 0.05% trypsin. After various passages, the replication rate of the cells in PFMR-4 medium containing from 10-6 M to 10-3 M Ca++ was determined using a clonal growth assay.

Role of PKC isozymes in water transport in toad urinary bladder

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 302-303
Author(s):  
A.J. Mia ◽  
L.X. Oakford ◽  
T. Yorio
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Toad Urinary Bladder ◽  
Pkc Isozymes ◽  
Antibody Labeling

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, when activated, are translocated to particulate membrane fractions for transport to the apical membrane surface in a variety of cell types. Evidence of PKC translocation was demonstrated in human megakaryoblastic leukemic cells, and in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, using FTTC immunofluorescent antibody labeling techniques. Recently, we reported immunogold localizations of PKC subtypes I and II in toad urinary bladder epithelia, following 60 min stimulation with Mezerein (MZ), a PKC activator, or antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Localization of isozyme subtypes I and n was carried out in separate grids using specific monoclonal antibodies with subsequent labeling with 20nm protein A-gold probes. Each PKC subtype was found to be distributed singularly and in discrete isolated patches in the cytosol as well as in the apical membrane domains. To determine if the PKC isozymes co-localized within the cell, a double immunogold labeling technique using single grids was utilized.

Role of the 807 C/T Polymorphism of the α2 Gene in Platelet GP Ia Collagen Receptor Expression and Function

1999 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 951-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Corral ◽  
R. González-Conejero ◽  
J. Rivera ◽  
F. Ortuño ◽  
P. Aparicio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Platelet Surface ◽  
Vitro Analysis ◽  
And Function ◽  
In Vitro Analysis

SummaryThe variability of the platelet GP Ia/IIa density has been associated with the 807 C/T polymorphism (Phe 224) of the GP Ia gene in American Caucasian population. We have investigated the genotype and allelic frequencies of this polymorphism in Spanish Caucasians. The T allele was found in 35% of the 284 blood donors analyzed. We confirmed in 159 healthy subjects a significant association between the 807 C/T polymorphism and the platelet GP Ia density. The T allele correlated with high number of GP Ia molecules on platelet surface. In addition, we observed a similar association of this polymorphism with the expression of this protein in other blood cell types. The platelet responsiveness to collagen was determined by “in vitro” analysis of the platelet activation and aggregation response. We found no significant differences in these functional platelet parameters according to the 807 C/T genotype. Finally, results from 3 case/control studies involving 302 consecutive patients (101 with coronary heart disease, 104 with cerebrovascular disease and 97 with deep venous thrombosis) determined that the 807 C/T polymorphism of the GP Ia gene does not represent a risk factor for arterial or venous thrombosis.

Role of Transcriptional Read-Through in PRE Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Acta Naturae ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. Elizar’ev ◽  
D. V. Lomaev ◽  
D. A. Chetverina ◽  
P. G. Georgiev ◽  
M. M. Erokhin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Transcription Terminator ◽  
Response Elements ◽  
Polycomb Response Elements ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Main Factor

Maintenance of the individual patterns of gene expression in different cell types is required for the differentiation and development of multicellular organisms. Expression of many genes is controlled by Polycomb (PcG) and Trithorax (TrxG) group proteins that act through association with chromatin. PcG/TrxG are assembled on the DNA sequences termed PREs (Polycomb Response Elements), the activity of which can be modulated and switched from repression to activation. In this study, we analyzed the influence of transcriptional read-through on PRE activity switch mediated by the yeast activator GAL4. We show that a transcription terminator inserted between the promoter and PRE doesnt prevent switching of PRE activity from repression to activation. We demonstrate that, independently of PRE orientation, high levels of transcription fail to dislodge PcG/TrxG proteins from PRE in the absence of a terminator. Thus, transcription is not the main factor required for PRE activity switch.

Role of inflammation in the development of colorectal cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sridhar Muthusami ◽  
R. Ileng Kumaran ◽  
Kokelavani Nampalli Babu ◽  
Sneha Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Akash Guruswamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Chronic Inflammation ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Cytokine Gene Expression ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Proinflammatory Molecules

: Chronic inflammation can lead to the development of many diseases including cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that includes both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) are risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Many cytokines produced primarily by the gut immune cells either during or in response to localized inflammation in the colon and rectum are known to stimulate the complex interactions between the different cell types in the gut environment resulting in acute inflammation. Subsequently, chronic inflammation together with genetic and epigenetic changes has been shown to lead to the development and progression of CRC. Various cell types present in the colon such as enterocytes, Paneth cells, goblet cells and macrophages express receptors for inflammatory cytokines and respond to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6 and other cytokines. Among the several cytokines produced, TNF-α and IL-1β are the key proinflammatory molecules that play critical roles in the development of CRC. The current review is intended to consolidate the published findings to focus on the role of proinflammatory cytokines, namely TNF-α and IL-1β, on inflammation (and the altered immune response) in the gut, to better understand the development of CRC in IBD, using various experimental model systems, preclinical and clinical studies. Moreover, this review also highlights the current therapeutic strategies available (monotherapy and combination therapy), to alleviate the symptoms or treat inflammationassociated CRC by using monoclonal antibodies or aptamers to block proinflammatory molecules, inhibitors of tyrosine kinases in inflammatory signaling cascade, competitive inhibitors of proinflammatory molecules, and the nucleic acid drugs like small activating RNAs (saRNAs) or microRNA (miRNA) mimics to activate tumor suppressor or repress oncogene/proinflammatory cytokine gene expression.

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