scholarly journals CHEMISTRY OF THE FILAMENTS AND TUBULES OF BRAIN

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL L. SHELANSKI

In this paper the main fibrous proteins of the nervous system are discussed from a biochemical standpoint. The biochemical properties of the proteins making up the neurofilaments and neurotubules are briefly reviewed and attention is turned to the assembly of supramolecular structures from tubulin, the microtubular protein. Vinblastine-induced assembly is surveyed as a model for assembly and the role of guanosine 5'-triphosphate in this is noted. The in vitro assembly conditions for microtubules recently introduced by Weisenberg are recounted and the role of calcium in controlling this is noted. The role of guanosine 5'-triphosphate and the roles it may and may not play are discussed in some detail as is the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The evidence presented does not support a role for phosphorylation of the protein subunit in microtubule assembly A tentative model for the in vivo control of microtubule assembly and the possible relation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and hormones such as insulin and nerve growth factor are presented.

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
T. Fanti ◽  
N. M. Ortega ◽  
R. Garaguso ◽  
M. J. Franco ◽  
C. Herrera ◽  
...  

In vitro embryo production systems (IVP) try to emulate and enhance molecular events that occur in in vivo reproductive systems in order to increase, not only the number of embryos generated, but also their quality. Despite advances, IVP processes are still inefficient compared with in vivo systems. Several studies have attributed this deficiency to a lack of oocyte competence due to spontaneous premature resumption of meiotic maturation in the oocyte following the removal from its follicular environment. Therefore, our objective was to increase oocyte competence avoiding premature resumption of meiosis by using cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulators. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were obtained from ovaries of slaughterhouses, washed, and randomly allocated in 2 culture systems. Oocytes in the control group (IVM) were cultured for a period of 24 h in basal medium TCM-199 with EGF (1 µg mL–1) supplemented with rhFSH (25 mIU mL–1). Oocytes in the biphasic in vitro maturation (b-IVM) group were cultured for 2 h in a basal medium supplemented with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 500 µM), and an activator of adenylate cyclase (forskolin, 100 µM). Subsequently, COC were washed and cultured in basal medium supplemented with cilostamide (20 µM) and rhFSH (25 mIU mL–1) for 24 h. Maturation rates were analysed and IVF was performed with a dose of 1 × 106 sperm cells mL–1 in IVF-SOF medium. The presumptive zygotes were cultured in continuous-single-culture medium (Irvine) supplemented with 8 mg mL–1 of BSA until they reached the blastocyst stage. No significant differences in maturation, cleavage, and cryotolerance were observed between b-IVM and IVM groups (P > 0.05; Table 1). This study showed that b-IVM produced a significant increase in IVP compared with the control (IVM) at Days 7 and 8 (P < 0.01). Blastocyst hatching rate was significant (P < 0.05) for both treatment and day of analysis. The b-IVM group yielded an increase of 10 and 7.5% at Days 7 and 8, respectively, of IVP. The biphasic maturation showed an improvement in quality regarding the control group, in the timing analysis of production, and hatching percentages, and these results show that the use of cyclic adenosine monophosphate modulators in the oocyte maturation process enhances oocyte competence, which is reflected in increased productivity and embryo quality. We propose this treatment as an alternative to the standard protocols currently used in IVP of bovine embryos. Table 1.Effect of treatment on maturation, cleavage, and cryotolerance


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
R. Appeltant ◽  
J. Beek ◽  
D. Maes ◽  
A. Van Soom

When using modern maturation conditions for in vitro maturation, pig oocytes yield ~20% blastocysts only. One problem is that cumulus cells, which are normally connected with the immature oocyte by cellular projections penetrating through the zona pellucida and with the oolemma via gap junctions, are prematurely losing these connections after the cumulus–oocyte complex is removed from the follicle. The oocyte possesses a type 3 phosphodiesterase, which degrades 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and this activity is inhibited by supply of 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) to the oocyte via the cumulus cells. Consequently, cAMP levels, which are typically high during early stages of oocyte maturation in vivo, decrease, leading to spontaneous nuclear maturation and oocytes of low developmental competence. Therefore, the maintenance of these cumulus-oocyte connections is important to keep cAMP high and the oocyte under meiotic arrest. One way to prevent this drop in cAMP is using N6, 2′-o-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium (dbcAMP) that causes an arrest at germinal vesicle (GV) stage II (Funahashi et al. 1997 Biol. Reprod. 57, 49–53). Another option is collecting the oocytes in a medium containing the phoshodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX. The present study investigated the influence of IBMX on the progression of the GV of the oocyte after collection, just before the start of the maturation procedure. The GV stage was defined according to Sun et al. (2004 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69, 228–234). In parallel with the findings on dbcAMP, we hypothesised an arrest at GV II by the presence of IBMX during collection. One group of oocytes were collected in HEPES-buffered TALP without IBMX (n = 375) and another group in the same medium containing 0.5 mM IBMX (n = 586). An average incubation time of 140 min was applied in both groups, and 3 replicates were performed. The proportions of oocytes before or at GV II and beyond GV II were compared in both groups using logistic regression analysis. The proportion of oocytes was included as dependent variable and group (IBMX addition or not) as independent variable. Replicate was also included in the model. The proportion of oocytes before or at GV II was not statistically significant between the group without and the group with IBMX (59.2 v. 58.7% respectively; P > 0.05). In conclusion, the use of IBMX during oocyte collection did not influence the state of the germinal vesicle of the oocyte during collection, indicating that IBMX did not cause a meiotic arrest in the oocytes during collecting in vitro.


1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Schliwa

Low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions have been shown to influence microtubule assembly in vitro. To test whether these cations also have an effect on microtubules in vivo, specimens of Actinosphaerium eichhorni were exposed to different concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Experimental degradation and reformation of axopodia were studied by light and electron microscopy. In the presence of Ca++ and the ionophore axopodia gradually shorten, the rate of shortening depending on the concentrations of Ca++ and the ionophore used. Retraction of axopodia was observed with a concentration of Ca++ as low as 0.01 mM. After transfer to a Ca++-free solution containing EGTA, axopodia re-extend; the initial length is reached after about 2 h. Likewise, reformation of axopodia of cold-treated organisms is observed only in solutions of EGTA or Mg++, whereas it is completely inhibited in a Ca++ solution. Electron microscope studies demonstrate degradation of the axonemal microtubular array in organisms treated with Ca++ and A23187. No alteration was observed in organisms treated with Mg++ or EGTA plus ionophore. The results suggest that, in the presence of the ionophore, formation of axonemal microtubules can be regulated by varying the Ca++ concentration in the medium. Since A23187 tends to equilibrate the concentrations of divalent cations between external medium and cell interior, it is likely that microtubule formation invivo is influenced by micromolar concentrations of Ca++. These concentrations are low enough to be of physiological significance for a role in the regulation of microtubule assembly in vivo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (6) ◽  
pp. G655-G667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Lei ◽  
Meihong Deng ◽  
Zhongjie Yi ◽  
Qian Sun ◽  
Richard A. Shapiro ◽  
...  

Liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs through induction of oxidative stress and release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including cytosolic DNA released from dysfunctional mitochondria or from the nucleus. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS) is a cytosolic DNA sensor known to trigger stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and downstream type 1 interferon (IFN-I) pathways, which are pivotal innate immune system responses to pathogen. However, little is known about the role of cGAS/STING in liver I/R injury. We subjected C57BL/6 (WT), cGAS knockout (cGAS−/−), and STING-deficient (STINGgt/gt) mice to warm liver I/R injury and that found cGAS−/− mice had significantly increased liver injury compared with WT or STINGgt/gt mice, suggesting a protective effect of cGAS independent of STING. Liver I/R upregulated cGAS in vivo and also in vitro in hepatocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R). We confirmed a previously published finding that hepatocytes do not express STING under normoxic conditions or after A/R. Hepatocytes and liver from cGAS−/− mice had increased cell death and reduced induction of autophagy under hypoxic conditions as well as increased apoptosis. Protection could be restored in cGAS−/− hepatocytes by overexpression of cGAS or by pretreatment of mice with autophagy inducer rapamycin. Our findings indicate a novel protective role for cGAS in the regulation of autophagy during liver I/R injury that occurs independently of STING. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our studies are the first to document the important role of cGAS in the acute setting of sterile injury induced by I/R. Specifically, we provide evidence that cGAS protects liver from I/R injury in a STING-independent manner.


2021 ◽  
pp. 501-508
Author(s):  
Nikola Chomanicova ◽  
Andrea Gazova ◽  
Adriana Adamickova ◽  
Simona Valaskova ◽  
Jan Kyselovic

Metformin (MTF) is a widely used drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and frequently used as an adjuvant therapy for polycystic ovarian syndrome, metabolic syndrome, and in some cases also tuberculosis. Its protective effect on the cardiovascular system has also been described. Recently, MTF was subjected to various analyzes and studies that showed its beneficial effects in cancer treatment such as reducing cancer cell proliferation, reducing tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, reducing cancer risk in diabetic patients, or reducing likelihood of relapse. One of the MTF’s mechanisms of action is the activation of adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Several studies have shown that AMPK/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has anticancer effect in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this review is to present the anticancer activity of MTF highlighting the importance of the AMPK/mTOR pathway in the cancer process.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Ya Tseng ◽  
Hsien-Yuan Chang ◽  
Yi-Heng Li ◽  
Ting-Hsing Chao

Abstract Background: Cilostazol is an antiplatelet agent with vasodilating effects that functions by increasing the intracellular concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. However, the effect of cilostazol on adiponectin is still unclear. Purpose: We investigated the effects of cilostazol on adiponectin/adiponectin receptors and the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway to prevent high glucose (HG)-induced impairment of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were cocultured in HG conditions. Adiponectin concentrations in the supernatant were significantly increased when HASMCs were treated with cilostazol but not significantly changed when only HUVECs were treated with cilostazol. Cilostazol treatment restored the expression of the adipoR1 and SIRT1 proteins and upregulated the phosphorylation of AMPKa1 in the HUVECs treated with HG but not adipoR2. Cilostazol prevented apoptosis and stimulated proliferation, chemotactic motility and capillary-like tube formation in HG-treated HUVECs through the adipoR1/AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway. In cilostazol-treated mice, recovery of the blood flow ratio after hindlimb ischemia and circulating CD34+CD45dim cells were significantly attenuated by adipoR1 knockdown but not adipoR2 knockdown. The expression of SIRT1, phosphorylation of AMPKa1/acetyl-CoA carboxylase and Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ischemic muscles were significantly attenuated by gene knockdown of adipoR1. Conclusions: Cilostazol prevents HG-induced endothelial dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells and enhances angiogenesis in hyperglycemic mice by upregulating the expression of adiponectin/adipoR1 and its SIRT1/AMPK downstream signaling pathway.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 1626-1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanh N. Cottrell ◽  
Venkataraman Deepak ◽  
Jessica B. Spencer ◽  
Neil Sidell ◽  
Augustine Rajakumar

Objective: Supraphysiologic estradiol (E2) levels associated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in high in vitro fertilization (IVF) responders may alter implantation and placentation and increase the risk of preeclampsia. Our hypothesis is that elevated E2 levels in vitro significantly alter endometrial decidualization, sFlt1, and HOXA10 expression. Methods: Human endometrial stromal cells were treated with a decidualization cocktail of medroxyprogesterone, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and 3 concentrations of E2 10 nM (standard), 100 nM (intermediate), or 1000 nM E2 (high). Effects on sFlt1, prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and HOXA10 were studied. Results: Prolactin, IGFBP-1, and VEGF significantly increased at all 3 E2 concentrations. While IGFBP-1 and VEGF did not change with increasing E2, PRL was less with high E2 (6.0 ng/mL ± 1.4 standard error of the mean) compared to standard (21.4 ± 3.2) and intermediate (19.8 ± 3.8). sFlt1 decrease was similar at all E2 concentrations. HOXA10 was lower at standard (10%) and intermediate (30%) as expected, but did not change with high E2. Conclusions: Supraphysiologic E2 levels associated with high IVF responders that exceed in vivo levels may impair in vitro endometrial decidualization. Although PRL did increase with high E2, the levels were, however, attenuated and 3.4-fold lower than standard and intermediate E2. sFlt1 was decreased under all 3 conditions with no differences between concentrations. Reduced HOXA10 was not observed with high E2. These findings suggest that elevated E2 levels in vitro may alter endometrial decidualization and subsequently affect implantation and placentation.


Author(s):  
Hao Yang ◽  
Yulong Zhao ◽  
Ning Chen ◽  
Yanpei Liu ◽  
Shaoyu Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract In plants, 3´,5´-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an important second messenger with varied functions; however, only a few adenylyl cyclases (ACs) that synthesize cAMP have been identified. Moreover, the biological roles of ACs/cAMP in response to stress remain largely unclear. In this study, we used quantitative proteomics techniques to identify a maize heat-induced putative disease-resistance RPP13-like protein 3 (ZmRPP13-LK3), which has three conserved catalytic AC centres. The AC activity of ZmRPP13-LK3 was confirmed by in vitro enzyme activity analysis, in vivo RNAi experiments, and functional complementation in the E. coli cyaA mutant. ZmRPP13-LK3 is located in the mitochondria. The results of in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that ZmRPP13-LK3 interacts with ZmABC2, a possible cAMP exporter. Under heat stress, the concentrations of ZmRPP13-LK3 and cAMP in the ABA-deficient mutant vp5 were significantly less than those in the wild-type, and treatment with ABA and an ABA inhibitor affected ZmRPP13-LK3 expression in the wild-type. Application of 8-Br-cAMP, a cAMP analogue, increased heat-induced expression of heat-shock proteins in wild-type plants and alleviated heat-activated oxidative stress. Taken together, our results indicate that ZmRPP13-LK3, a new AC, can catalyse ATP for the production of cAMP and may be involved in ABA-regulated heat resistance.


Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Grossert ◽  
Narges Zare Mehrjardi ◽  
Sarah J. Bailey ◽  
Mark A. Lindsay ◽  
Jürgen Hescheler ◽  
...  

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine offers promising perspectives for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Although ketamine demonstrates rapid and long-lasting effects, even in treatment-resistant patients, to date, the underlying mode of action remains elusive. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of ketamine at clinically relevant concentrations by establishing an in vitro model based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Notably, ketamine increased the proliferation of NPCs independent of the NMDA receptor, while transcriptome analysis revealed significant upregulation of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and p11, a member of the S100 EF-hand protein family, which are both implicated in the pathophysiology of depression, 24 h after ketamine treatment. Ketamine (1 µM) was able to increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling in NPCs within 15 min and cell proliferation, while ketamine-induced IGF2 expression was reduced after PKA inhibition with cAMPS-Rp. Furthermore, 24 h post-administration of ketamine (15 mg/kg) in vivo confirmed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus in C57BL/6 mice. In conclusion, ketamine promotes the proliferation of NPCs presumably by involving cAMP-IGF2 signaling.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
E. Stachowiak ◽  
K. Papis ◽  
J. Karasiewicz ◽  
J. A. Modlinski

The efficiency of in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine oocytes remains inferior compared with maturation in vivo. Recently, some modifications of in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures have been proposed, such as simulated physiological maturation (Gilchrist 2011 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 23, 23–31). In our experiment, a comparison of the traditional IVM efficiency with maturation after oocyte meiosis inhibition using roscovitine or with a modified two-step maturation using forskolin (cyclic adenosine monophosphate stimulator) and milrinone (type-3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor) was performed. Control oocytes obtained from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries were subjected to the traditional 24-h maturation in TCM-199 medium supplemented with sodium pyruvate, l-glutamine, gentamicin, 10% FCS, and hormones (pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin and hCG, PG 600, Intervet, Kenilworth, NJ, USA). The roscovitine (50 µM, 24 h) inhibitory treatment was accomplished in the same medium (without hormones) and subsequently, traditional 24-h IVM was performed. The same TCM-199 medium (with hormones) supplemented with forskolin (100 µM) and milrinone (50 µM) was used for the first step (17 h) of the two-step maturation, whereas the second step (7 h) was performed in the same TCM-199 medium devoid of forskolin and milrinone. Fertilization with frozen sperm processed using TALP media was performed in TALP supplemented with heparin, penicillamine, hypotaurine, epinephrine, and BSA. In vitro culture of presumptive zygotes was performed in CR1aa medium. Portions of oocytes from all treatments after maturation and after fertilization procedures were stained and subjected to microscopic analysis. There were no differences in terms of maturation and fertilization rates between treatments. However, roscovitine-mediated inhibition of maturation performed in our experimental conditions was efficient and reversible, but harmful for subsequent embryo development. On the other hand, two-step maturation was equally as efficient as (but not better than) traditional IVM in all aspects examined in the present study (Table 1). In conclusion, the forskolin and milrinone combined treatment during the IVM procedure gives hope for fully efficient IVM. However, to achieve this goal, more research is necessary. Table 1.Development of embryos after different oocyte maturation procedures1


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