scholarly journals From Pheromones to Behavior

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 921-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Tirindelli ◽  
Michele Dibattista ◽  
Simone Pifferi ◽  
Anna Menini
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Standard View ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Pheromonal Communication ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
Molecular Aspects ◽  
Main Olfactory System ◽  
And Behavior

In recent years, considerable progress has been achieved in the comprehension of the profound effects of pheromones on reproductive physiology and behavior. Pheromones have been classified as molecules released by individuals and responsible for the elicitation of specific behavioral expressions in members of the same species. These signaling molecules, often chemically unrelated, are contained in body fluids like urine, sweat, specialized exocrine glands, and mucous secretions of genitals. The standard view of pheromone sensing was based on the assumption that most mammals have two separated olfactory systems with different functional roles: the main olfactory system for recognizing conventional odorant molecules and the vomeronasal system specifically dedicated to the detection of pheromones. However, recent studies have reexamined this traditional interpretation showing that both the main olfactory and the vomeronasal systems are actively involved in pheromonal communication. The current knowledge on the behavioral, physiological, and molecular aspects of pheromone detection in mammals is discussed in this review.

scholarly journals Strong links between genomic and anatomical diversity in both mammalian olfactory chemosensory systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1783) ◽  
pp. 20132828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva C. Garrett ◽  
Michael E. Steiper
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory System ◽  
Anatomical Variation ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Genomic Evolution ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Signature Of Selection ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
Main Olfactory System ◽  
Chemosensory Systems

Mammalian olfaction comprises two chemosensory systems: the odorant-detecting main olfactory system (MOS) and the pheromone-detecting vomeronasal system (VNS). Mammals are diverse in their anatomical and genomic emphases on olfactory chemosensation, including the loss or reduction of these systems in some orders. Despite qualitative evidence linking the genomic evolution of the olfactory systems to specific functions and phenotypes, little work has quantitatively tested whether the genomic aspects of the mammalian olfactory chemosensory systems are correlated to anatomical diversity. We show that the genomic and anatomical variation in these systems is tightly linked in both the VNS and the MOS, though the signature of selection is different in each system. Specifically, the MOS appears to vary based on absolute organ and gene family size while the VNS appears to vary according to the relative proportion of functional genes and relative anatomical size and complexity. Furthermore, there is little evidence that these two systems are evolving in a linked fashion. The relationships between genomic and anatomical diversity strongly support a role for natural selection in shaping both the anatomical and genomic evolution of the olfactory chemosensory systems in mammals.

scholarly journals Olfactory Sensitivity in Mammalian Species

2016 ◽  
pp. 369-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. WACKERMANNOVÁ ◽  
L. PINC ◽  
L. JEBAVÝ
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Olfactory Sensitivity ◽  
Vomeronasal System ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Olfactory Testing ◽  
Grueneberg Ganglion ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
Sensitivity Studies ◽  
Olfactory Detection ◽  
Main Olfactory System

Olfaction enables most mammalian species to detect and discriminate vast numbers of chemical structures called odorants and pheromones. The perception of such chemical compounds is mediated via two major olfactory systems, the main olfactory system and the vomeronasal system, as well as minor systems, such as the septal organ and the Grueneberg ganglion. Distinct differences exist not only among species but also among individuals in terms of their olfactory sensitivity; however, little is known about the mechanisms that determine these differences. In research on the olfactory sensitivity of mammals, scientists thus depend in most cases on behavioral testing. In this article, we reviewed scientific studies performed on various mammalian species using different methodologies and target chemical substances. Human and non-human primates as well as rodents and dogs are the most frequently studied species. Olfactory threshold studies on other species do not exist with the exception of domestic pigs. Olfactory testing performed on seals, elephants, and bats focused more on discriminative abilities than on sensitivity. An overview of olfactory sensitivity studies as well as olfactory detection ability in most studied mammalian species is presented here, focusing on comparable olfactory detection thresholds. The basics of olfactory perception and olfactory sensitivity factors are also described.

scholarly journals Neuronal Cytoskeleton in Intellectual Disability: From Systems Biology and Modeling to Therapeutic Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 6167
Author(s):  
Carla Liaci ◽  
Mattia Camera ◽  
Giovanni Caslini ◽  
Simona Rando ◽  
Salvatore Contino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Rho Gtpases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Hierarchical Arrangement ◽  
Worldwide Population ◽  
Id Genes ◽  
Effective Network ◽  
And Behavior

Intellectual disability (ID) is a pathological condition characterized by limited intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors. It affects 1–3% of the worldwide population, and no pharmacological therapies are currently available. More than 1000 genes have been found mutated in ID patients pointing out that, despite the common phenotype, the genetic bases are highly heterogeneous and apparently unrelated. Bibliomic analysis reveals that ID genes converge onto a few biological modules, including cytoskeleton dynamics, whose regulation depends on Rho GTPases transduction. Genetic variants exert their effects at different levels in a hierarchical arrangement, starting from the molecular level and moving toward higher levels of organization, i.e., cell compartment and functions, circuits, cognition, and behavior. Thus, cytoskeleton alterations that have an impact on cell processes such as neuronal migration, neuritogenesis, and synaptic plasticity rebound on the overall establishment of an effective network and consequently on the cognitive phenotype. Systems biology (SB) approaches are more focused on the overall interconnected network rather than on individual genes, thus encouraging the design of therapies that aim to correct common dysregulated biological processes. This review summarizes current knowledge about cytoskeleton control in neurons and its relevance for the ID pathogenesis, exploiting in silico modeling and translating the implications of those findings into biomedical research.

Mammalian mitochondrial translation — revealing consequences of divergent evolution

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1429-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawaa A. Z. Al-Faresi ◽  
Robert. N. Lightowlers ◽  
Zofia M. A. Chrzanowska-Lightowlers
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Divergent Evolution ◽  
Mitochondrial Translation ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Genetic Origin ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Encoded Proteins ◽  
Molecular Aspects

Abstract Mitochondria are ubiquitous organelles present in the cytoplasm of all nucleated eukaryotic cells. These organelles are described as arising from a common ancestor but a comparison of numerous aspects of mitochondria between different organisms provides remarkable examples of divergent evolution. In humans, these organelles are of dual genetic origin, comprising ∼1500 nuclear-encoded proteins and thirteen that are encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Of the various functions that these organelles perform, it is only oxidative phosphorylation, which provides ATP as a source of chemical energy, that is dependent on synthesis of these thirteen mitochondrially encoded proteins. A prerequisite for this process of translation are the mitoribosomes. The recent revolution in cryo-electron microscopy has generated high-resolution mitoribosome structures and has undoubtedly revealed some of the most distinctive molecular aspects of the mitoribosomes from different organisms. However, we still lack a complete understanding of the mechanistic aspects of this process and many of the factors involved in post-transcriptional gene expression in mitochondria. This review reflects on the current knowledge and illustrates some of the striking differences that have been identified between mitochondria from a range of organisms.

scholarly journals Pregnancy Changes the Response of the Vomeronasal and Olfactory Systems to Pups in Mice

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinta Navarro-Moreno ◽  
Maria Jose Sanchez-Catalan ◽  
Manuela Barneo-Muñoz ◽  
Rafael Goterris-Cerisuelo ◽  
Maria Belles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Piriform Cortex ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Bed Nucleus ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Pup Retrieval ◽  
Olfactory Systems ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Pregnancy Hormones

Motherhood entails changes in behavior with increased motivation for pups, induced in part by pregnancy hormones acting upon the brain. This work explores whether this alters sensory processing of pup-derived chemosignals. To do so, we analyse the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) in the vomeronasal organ (VNO; Egr1) and centers of the olfactory and vomeronasal brain pathways (cFos) in virgin and late-pregnant females exposed to pups, as compared to buttons (socially neutral control). In pup-exposed females, we quantified diverse behaviors including pup retrieval, sniffing, pup-directed attack, nest building and time in nest or on nest, as well as time off nest. Pups induce Egr1 expression in the VNO of females, irrespective of their physiological condition, thus suggesting the existence of VNO-detected pup chemosignals. A similar situation is found in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and posteromedial part of the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTMPM). By contrast, in the medial amygdala and posteromedial cortical amygdala (PMCo), responses to pups-vs-buttons are different in virgin and late-pregnant females, thus suggesting altered sensory processing during late pregnancy. The olfactory system also shows changes in sensory processing with pregnancy. In the main olfactory bulbs, as well as the anterior and posterior piriform cortex, buttons activate cFos expression in virgins more than in pregnant females. By contrast, in the anterior and especially posterior piriform cortex, pregnant females show more activation by pups than buttons. Correlation between IEGs expression and behavior suggests the existence of two vomeronasal subsystems: one associated to pup care (with PMCo as its main center) and another related to pup-directed aggression observed in some pregnant females (with the BSTMPM as the main nucleus). Our data also suggest a coactivation of the olfactory and vomeronasal systems during interaction with pups in pregnant females.

scholarly journals A MicroRNA Perspective on Cardiovascular Development and Diseases: An Update

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Islas ◽  
Jorge Moreno-Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Developmental Pathways ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Cardiovascular Development ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Personal Approach ◽  
Molecular Aspects ◽  
Heart Disorders

In this review, we summarize the latest research pertaining to MicroRNAs (miRs) related to cardiovascular diseases. In today’s molecular age, the key clinical aspects of diagnosing and treating these type of diseases are crucial, and miRs play an important role. Therefore, we have made a thorough analysis discussing the most important candidate protagonists of many pathways relating to such conditions as atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and congenital heart disorders. We approach miRs initially from the fundamental molecular aspects and look at their role in developmental pathways, as well as regulatory mechanisms dysregulated under specific cardiovascular conditions. By doing so, we can better understand their functional roles. Next, we look at therapeutic aspects, including delivery and inhibition techniques. We conclude that a personal approach for treatment is paramount, and so understanding miRs is strategic for cardiovascular health.

scholarly journals Functional Roles of O-Glycosylation

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 3063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Breloy ◽  
Franz-Georg Hanisch
Keyword(s):  
Protein Conformation ◽  
Cellular Communication ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Matrix Interaction ◽  
Cell Matrix ◽  
Targeted Transport ◽  
Molecular Aspects ◽  
Cell Cell

O-Glycosylation in general has impact on a diversity of biological processes covering cellular aspects (targeted transport of glycoproteins), molecular aspects (protein conformation, resistance to proteolysis), and aspects involved in cellular communication (cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction). [...]

scholarly journals Molecular pathogenetic aspects in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer

1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
Ye. A. Troshina ◽  
G. A. Gerasimov ◽  
G. F. Alexandrova
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Malignant Neoplasms ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Tumor Diseases ◽  
Exogenous Factors ◽  
Molecular Aspects ◽  
The One ◽  
Diagnosis Of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer accounts for 1 - 1.5% of all malignant neoplasms. In recent years, there has been a trend towards an increase in the prevalence of this disease. On the one hand, the frequency of detection of thyroid cancer is associated with the introduction of a number of modern methods of examining patients and the increased oncological alertness of doctors. On the other hand, there is evidence of an increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer associated with an unfavorable environmental situation. An example of this is an increase in the frequency of thyroid damage in people exposed to radiation after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. There is evidence that in Japan, thyroid cancer is detected 10 times more often among the population that has undergone nuclear bombing than among other residents of the country. Exogenous risk factors include external x-ray irradiation, previously carried out for medical purposes for various benign and non-tumor diseases of the head and neck. It is believed that exogenous factors are able to more or less affect the thyroid gland and cause a number of molecular changes in it that lead to the development of cancer. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the molecular aspects of thyroid cancer.

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