The function of slime from Physarum flavicomum in the control of cell division

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1866-1876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry R. Henney Jr. ◽  
Mortaza Asgari

A haploid cell of the myxomycete Physarum flavicomum undergoes cytokinesis, producing a large population of cells. However, after syngamy, cytokinesis no longer occurs but karyokinesis does and subsequent growth results in the formation of a diploid syncytial Plasmodium. Slime, which is produced by the Plasmodium but not the haploid cells, was aseptically isolated and purified, and tested for its effect as a cytokinetic regulator. Slime (a viscous, high molecular weight, acidic glycoprotein) affected cytokinesis of the haploid myxamoebae growing in pure culture in soluble media, and the effect was concentration dependent. In simple media, a slime concentration of about 6 × 10−5 μg protein per cell suppressed cytokinesis about 50%, unequally inhibited the synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA, but stimulated respiration. The biological activity of slime was not species specific and it also affected the bacterium Bacillus subtilis by inhibiting cytokinesis, stimulating oxygen uptake, and producing an aberrant cell morphology. Slime was inactivated by heat, fragmentation, and incubation with dithiothreitol, mercaptoethanol, and the proteolytic enzyme papain (EC 3.4.22.2). The inhibitory effect of slime on cell division of haploid cells could not be achieved using mucin or various polyanions. The possible role of slime in the production of the diploid syncytium is discussed.

2000 ◽  
Vol 348 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörg P. MÜLLER ◽  
Jörg OZEGOWSKI ◽  
Stefan VETTERMANN ◽  
Jelto SWAVING ◽  
Karel H. M. VAN WELY ◽  
...  

CsaA from the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis has been identified previously as a suppressor of the growth and protein-export defect of Escherichia coli secA(Ts) mutants. CsaA has chaperone-like activities in vivo and in vitro. To examine the role of CsaA in protein export in B. subtilis, expression of the csaA gene was repressed. While export of most proteins remained unaffected, export of at least two proteins was significantly reduced upon CsaA depletion. CsaA co-immunoprecipitates and co-purifies with the SecA proteins of E. coli and B. subtilis, and binds the B. subtilis preprotein prePhoB. Purified CsaA stimulates the translocation of prePhoB into E. coli membrane vesicles bearing the B. subtilis translocase, whereas it interferes with the SecB-mediated translocation of proOmpA into membrane vesicles of E. coli. The specific interaction with the SecA translocation ATPase and preproteins suggests that CsaA acts as a chaperone that promotes the export of a subset of preproteins in B. subtilis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
O. E. Nipot ◽  
◽  
O. O. Shapkina ◽  
P. M. Zubov ◽  
N. V. Orlova ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess the level of damage to mammalian erythrocytes under post-hypertonic shock depending on the concentration of NaCl in the dehydration medium and to determine the effect of hypertonic NaCl solutions on the condition of mammalian erythrocytes by flow cytometry. To achieve this goal, spectrophotometric and cytometry research methods were used. The data obtained showed that post-hypertonic lysis of mammalian erythrocytes depends on the concentration of NaCl in the dehydration medium. The most sensitive to the effects of post-hypertonic shock are rat erythrocytes, the least sensitive are rabbit cells. Cytometry studies revealed significant changes in the histograms of the distribution of erythrocytes of all mammalian species with increasing salt concentration in the dehydration medium. These changes are species-specific and are probably related to changes in cell volume and morphology. The data revealed a relationship between the level of post-hypertonic hemolysis and the values of such indicators as the median distribution and the coefficient of variation. Thus, an increase in the sensitivity of mammalian erythrocytes to post-hypertonic shock with increasing salt concentration in dehydration medium was usually accompanied by a decrease in the median cell division, and higher values of the coefficient of variation are characteristic of mammalian erythrocytes resistant to post-hypertonic shock.


1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (02) ◽  
pp. 744-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
A R Saniabadi ◽  
G D O Lowe ◽  
J C Barbenel ◽  
C D Forbes

SummarySpontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) was studied in human whole blood at 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes after venepuncture. Using a whole blood platelet counter, SPA was quantified by measuring the fall in single platelet count upon rollermixing aliquots of citrated blood at 37° C. The extent of SPA increased with the time after venepuncture, with a correlation coefficient of 0.819. The inhibitory effect of dipyridamole (Dipy) on SPA was studied: (a) 10 μM at each time interval; (b) 0.5-100 μM at 3 and 30 minutes and (c) 15 μM in combination with 100 μM adenosine, 8 μM 2-chloroadenosine (2ClAd, an ADP receptor blocker) and 50 μM aspirin. There was a rapid decrease in the inhibitory effect of Dipy with the time after venepuncture; the correlation coefficient was -0.533. At all the concentrations studied, Dipy was more effective at 3 minutes than at 30 minutes after venepuncture. A combination of Dipy with adenosine, 2ClAd or aspirin was a more effective inhibitor of SPA than either drug alone. However, when 15 μM Dipy and 10 μM Ad were added together, the inhibitory effect of Dipy was not increased significantly, suggesting that Dipy inhibits platelet aggregation independent of Ad. The increase in SPA with the time after venepuncture was abolished when blood was taken directly into the anticoagulant containing 5 μM 2ClAd. It is suggested that ADP released from the red blood cells is responsible for the increased platelet aggregability with the time after venepuncture and makes a serious contribution to the artifacts of in vitro platelet function studies.


1995 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ettore C degli Uberti ◽  
Maria R Ambrosio ◽  
Marta Bondanelli ◽  
Giorgio Transforini ◽  
Alberto Valentini ◽  
...  

degli Uberti EC, Ambrosio MR, Bondanelli M, Trasforini G, Valentini A, Rossi R, Margutti A, Campo M. Effect of human galanin on the response of circulating catecholamines to hypoglycemia in man. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;133:723–8. ISSN 0804–4643 Human galanin (hGAL) is a neuropeptide with 30 amino acid residues that has been found in the peripheral and central nervous system, where it often co-exists with catecholamines. In order to clarify the possible role of hGAL in the regulation of sympathoadrenomedullary function, the effect of a 60 min infusion of hGAL (80 pmol·kg−1 · min−1) on plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in nine healthy subjects was investigated. Human GAL administration significantly reduced both the release of basal norepinephrine and the response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, whereas it attenuated the epinephrine response by 26%, with the hGAL-induced decrease in epinephrine release failing to achieve statistical significance. Human GAL significantly increased the heart rate in resting conditions and clearly exaggerated the heart rate response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, whereas it had no effect on the blood pressure. We conclude that GAL receptor stimulation exerts an inhibitory effect on basal and insulin-induced hypoglycemia-stimulated release of norepinephrine. These findings provide further evidence that GAL may modulate sympathetic nerve activity in man but that it does not play an important role in the regulation of adrenal medullary function. Ettore C degli Uberti, Chair of Endocrinology, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola 9, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy


Author(s):  
Md. Junaid ◽  
Yeasmin Akter ◽  
Syeda Samira Afrose ◽  
Mousumi Tania ◽  
Md. Asaduzzaman Khan

Background: AKT/PKB is an important enzyme with numerous biological functions, and its overexpression is related to the carcinogenesis. AKT stimulates different signaling pathways that are downstream of activated tyrosine kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, hence functions as an important target for anti-cancer drugs. Objective: In this review article, we have interpreted the role of AKT signaling pathways in cancer and natural inhibitory effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) in AKT and its possible mechanism. Method: We have collected the updated information and data on AKT, their role in cancer and inhibitory effect of TQ in AKT signaling pathway from google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Scopus and many more. Results: There are many drugs already developed, which can target AKT, but very few among them have passed clinical trials. TQ is a natural compound, mainly found in black cumin, which has been found to have potential anti-cancer activities. TQ targets numerous signaling pathways, including AKT, in different cancers. In fact, many studies revealed that AKT is one of the major targets of TQ. The preclinical success of TQ suggests its clinical studies on cancer. Conclusion: This review article summarizes the role of AKT in carcinogenesis, its potent inhibitors in clinical trials, and how TQ acts as an inhibitor of AKT and TQ’s future as a cancer therapeutic drug.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Farhang ◽  
Laleh Sharifi ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Soltan Dallal ◽  
Mona Moshiri ◽  
Zahra Norouzbabaie ◽  
...  

Background: The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play crucial role in the controlling of inflammatory diseases. Due to the vast side effects of NSAIDs, its use is limited. G2013 or &amp;#945;-L-Guluronic Acid is a new NSAID with immunomodulatory features. Objectives: Considering the leading role of TLRs in inflammatory responses, in this study, we aimed to evaluate G2013 cytotoxicity and its effect on the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 molecules. Methods: HEK293-TLR2 and HEK293-TLR4 cells were cultured and seeded on 96-well cell plate, and MTT assay was performed for detecting the viability of the cells after treatment with different concentrations of G2013. HT29 cells were grown and treated with low and high doses of G2013. After total RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, quantitative real-time PCR were performed to assess the TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA synthesis. Results: We found that concentrations of ≤125 &amp;#181;g/ml of G2013 had no apparent cytotoxicity effect on the HEK293-TLR2 and -TLR4 cells. Our results indicated that after G2013 treatment (5 &amp;#181;g/ml) in HT29 cells, TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression decreased significantly compared with the untreated control group (p=0.02 and p=0.001 respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that G2013 can down regulate the TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression and exerts its inhibitory effect. Our findings are parallel to our previous finding which showed G2013 ability to down regulate the signaling pathway of TLRs. However, further studies are needed to identify the molecular mechanism of G2013.<p&gt;


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2036
Author(s):  
Luigi Marongiu ◽  
Markus Burkard ◽  
Sascha Venturelli ◽  
Heike Allgayer

Natural compounds such as essential oils and tea have been used successfully in naturopathy and folk medicine for hundreds of years. Current research is unveiling the molecular role of their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Nevertheless, the effect of these compounds on bacteriophages is still poorly understood. The application of bacteriophages against bacteria has gained a particular interest in recent years due to, e.g., the constant rise of antimicrobial resistance to antibiotics, or an increasing awareness of different types of microbiota and their potential contribution to gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory and malignant conditions. Thus, a better knowledge of how dietary products can affect bacteriophages and, in turn, the whole gut microbiome can help maintain healthy homeostasis, reducing the risk of developing diseases such as diverse types of gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or even cancer. The present review summarizes the effect of dietary compounds on the physiology of bacteriophages. In a majority of works, the substance class of polyphenols showed a particular activity against bacteriophages, and the primary mechanism of action involved structural damage of the capsid, inhibiting bacteriophage activity and infectivity. Some further dietary compounds such as caffeine, salt or oregano have been shown to induce or suppress prophages, whereas others, such as the natural sweeter stevia, promoted species-specific phage responses. A better understanding of how dietary compounds could selectively, and specifically, modulate the activity of individual phages opens the possibility to reorganize the microbial network as an additional strategy to support in the combat, or in prevention, of gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammation and cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Nabil ◽  
Entesar E. Hassan ◽  
Neven S. Ghaly ◽  
Fawzia A. Aly ◽  
Farouk R. Melek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The genus Albizia (Leguminoseae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. Recently, saponins from plant origin have attracted much attention. Saponins are recorded to have a broad range of biological and pharmacological activities. This study was performed to evaluate the protective role of Albizia chinensis bark methanolic extract (MEAC) against the genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) using different mutagenic parameters. Results The results showed that MEAC induced an inhibitory effect against chromosomal aberrations of CP in mouse bone marrow and spermatocytes. Such effect was found to be significant (p < 0.01) with a dose of 100 mg/kg treated once for 24 h and also after repeated treatment at a dose of 25 mg/kg for 7 days. In sperm abnormalities, the protective effect of Albizia extract showed a dose-related relationship. Different doses of MEAC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) ameliorated sperm abnormalities induced by CP dose-dependently. The percentage of sperm abnormalities was decreased to 5.14 ± 0.72 in the group of animals treated with CP plus MEAC (100 mg/kg) indicating an inhibitory effect of about 50%. Conclusion MEAC at the doses examined was non-genotoxic compared to control (negative) and exhibited a protective role against CP genotoxicity.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Gustavo Cernera ◽  
Marika Comegna ◽  
Monica Gelzo ◽  
Marcella Savoia ◽  
Dario Bruzzese ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: ischemic stroke (IS) is among the most frequent causes of death worldwide; thus, it is of paramount relevance to know predisposing factors that may help to identify and treat the high-risk subjects. Materials and Methods:we tested nine variants in genes involved in thrombotic pathway in 282 patients that experienced IS and 87 that had transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in comparison to 430 subjects from the general population (GP) of the same geographic area (southern Italy). We included cases of young and child IS to evaluate the eventual differences in the role of the analyzed variants. Results: we did not observe significant differences between TIA and the GP for any of the variants, while the allele frequencies of methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A and factor (FXIII) V34L were significantly higher in patients with IS than in the subjects from the GP. No significant interaction was observed with sex. Conclusions: the present data argue that some gene variants have a role in IS and this appears to be an interesting possibility to be pursued in large population studies to help design specific strategies for IS prevention.


1982 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. A. MEIJS-ROELOFS ◽  
P. KRAMER ◽  
L. GRIBLING-HEGGE

A possible role of 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-androstanediol) in the control of FSH secretion was studied at various ages in ovariectomized rats. In the rat strain used, vaginal opening, coincident with first ovulation, generally occurs between 37 and 42 days of age. If 3α-androstanediol alone was given as an ovarian substitute, an inhibitory effect on FSH release was evident with all three doses tested (50, 100, 300 μg/100 g body wt) between 13 and 30 days of age; at 33–35 days of age only the 300 μg dose caused some inhibition of FSH release. Results were more complex if 3α-androstanediol was given in combined treatment with oestradiol and progesterone. Given with progesterone, 3α-androstanediol showed a synergistic inhibitory action on FSH release between 20 and 30 days of age. However, when 3α-androstanediol was combined with oestradiol a clear decrease in effect, as compared to the effect of oestradiol alone, was found between 20 and 30 days of age. Also the effect of combined oestradiol and progesterone treatment was greater than the effect of combined treatment with oestradiol, progesterone and 3α-androstanediol. At all ages after day 20 none of the steroid combinations tested was capable of maintaining FSH levels in ovariectomized rats similar to those in intact rats. It is concluded that 3α-androstanediol might play a role in the control of FSH secretion in the immature rat, but after day 20 the potentially inhibitory action of 3α-androstanediol on FSH secretion is limited in the presence of oestradiol.


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