Defects in mesoderm, neural tube and vascular development in mouse embryos lacking fibronectin

Development ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 1079-1091 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.L. George ◽  
E.N. Georges-Labouesse ◽  
R.S. Patel-King ◽  
H. Rayburn ◽  
R.O. Hynes

To examine the role of fibronectin in vivo, we have generated mice in which the fibronectin gene is inactivated. Heterozygotes have one half normal levels of plasma fibronectin, yet appear normal. When homozygous, the mutant allele causes early embryonic lethality, proving that fibronectin is required for embryogenesis. However, homozygous mutant embryos implant and initiate gastrulation normally including extensive mesodermal movement. Neural folds also form but the mutant embryos subsequently display shortened anterior-posterior axes, deformed neural tubes and severe defects in mesodermally derived tissues. Notochord and somites are absent; the heart and embryonic vessels are variable and deformed, and the yolk sac, extraembryonic vasculature and amnion are also defective. These abnormalities can be interpreted as arising from fundamental deficits in mesodermal migration, adhesion, proliferation or differentiation as a result of the absence of fibronectin. The nature of these embryonic defects leads to reevaluation of suggested roles for fibronectin during early development based on results obtained in vitro and in embryos of other species.

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 916-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larisa Nonn ◽  
Ryan R. Williams ◽  
Robert P. Erickson ◽  
Garth Powis

ABSTRACT Thioredoxin 2 (Trx-2) is a small redox protein containing the thioredoxin active site Trp-Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys that is localized to the mitochondria by a mitochondrial leader sequence and encoded by a nuclear gene (Trx-2). Trx-2 plays an important role in cell viability and the regulation of apoptosis in vitro. To investigate the role of Trx-2 in mouse development, we studied the phenotype of mice that have the Trx-2 gene silenced by mutational insertion. Homozygous mutant embryos do not survive to birth and die after implantation at Theiler stage 15/16. The homozygous mutant embryos display an open anterior neural tube and show massively increased apoptosis at 10.5 days postcoitus and are not present by 12.5 days postcoitus. The timing of the embryonic lethality coincides with the maturation of the mitochondria, since they begin oxidative phosphorylation during this stage of embryogenesis. In addition, embryonic fibroblasts cultured from homozygous Trx-2-null embryos were not viable. Heterozygous mice are fertile and have no discernible phenotype visible by external observation, despite having decreased Trx-2 mRNA and protein. These results show that the mitochondrial redox protein Trx-2 is required for normal development of the mouse embryo and for actively respiring cells.


2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (12) ◽  
pp. 10356-10366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianying Xiao ◽  
Chao Liu ◽  
Junjie Hou ◽  
Cheng Cui ◽  
Didi Wu ◽  
...  

It is well documented that protein kinase A (PKA) acts as a negative regulator of M phase promoting factor (MPF) by phosphorylating cell division cycle 25 homolog B (Cdc25B) in mammals. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we identified PKA phosphorylation sites in vitro by LC-MS/MS analysis, including Ser149, Ser229, and Ser321 of Cdc25B, and explored the role of Ser149 in G2/M transition of fertilized mouse eggs. The results showed that the overexpressed Cdc25B-S149A mutant initiated efficient MPF activation by direct dephosphorylation of Cdc2-Tyr15, resulting in triggering mitosis prior to Cdc25B-WT. Conversely, overexpression of the phosphomimic Cdc25B-S149D mutant showed no significant difference in comparison with the control groups. Furthermore, we found that Cdc25B-Ser149 was phosphorylated at G1 and S phases, whereas dephosphorylated at G2 and M phases, and the phosphorylation of Cdc25B-Ser149 was modulated by PKA in vivo. In addition, we examined endogenous and exogenous Cdc25B, which were expressed mostly in the cytoplasm at the G1 and S phases and translocated to the nucleus at the G2 phase. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that Ser149 may be another potential PKA phosphorylation target of Cdc25B in G2/M transition of fertilized mouse eggs and Cdc25B as a direct downstream substrate of PKA in mammals, which plays important roles in the regulation of early development of mouse embryos.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Giuseppa Morabito

Dietary polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals, modulating cellular redox transcription factors in different in vitro and ex vivo models. Dietary intervention studies have shown that consumption of plant foods modulates plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC), a biomarker of the endogenous antioxidant network, in human subjects. However, the identification of the molecules responsible for this effect are yet to be obtained and evidences of an antioxidant in vivo action of polyphenols are conflicting. There is a clear discrepancy between polyphenols (PP) concentration in body fluids and the extent of increase of plasma NEAC. The low degree of absorption and the extensive metabolism of PP within the body have raised questions about their contribution to the endogenous antioxidant network. This work will discuss the role of polyphenols from galenic preparation, food extracts, and selected dietary sources as modulators of plasma NEAC in humans.


Planta Medica ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
HM Lee ◽  
TG Ahn ◽  
CW Kim ◽  
HJ An
Keyword(s):  

1987 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Selvaraj ◽  
M. R. Suresh ◽  
G. McLean ◽  
D. Willans ◽  
C. Turner ◽  
...  

The role of glycoconjugates in tumor cell differentiation has been well documented. We have examined the expression of the two anomers of the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen on the surface of human, canine and murine tumor cell membranes both in vitro and in vivo. This has been accomplished through the synthesis of the disaccharide terminal residues in both a and ß configuration. Both entities were used to generate murine monoclonal antibodies which recognized the carbohydrate determinants. The determination of fine specificities of these antibodies was effected by means of cellular uptake, immunohistopathology and immunoscintigraphy. Examination of pathological specimens of human and canine tumor tissue indicated that the expressed antigen was in the β configuration. More than 89% of all human carcinomas tested expressed the antigen in the above anomeric form. The combination of synthetic antigens and monoclonal antibodies raised specifically against them provide us with invaluable tools for the study of tumor marker expression in humans and their respective animal tumor models.


1971 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 558-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Burke

ABSTRACT A long-acting thyroid stimulator (LATS), distinct from pituitary thyrotrophin (TSH), is found in the serum of some patients with Graves' disease. Despite the marked physico-chemical and immunologic differences between the two stimulators, both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that LATS and TSH act on the same thyroidal site(s) and that such stimulation does not require penetration of the thyroid cell. Although resorption of colloid and secretion of thyroid hormone are early responses to both TSH and LATS, available evidence reveals no basic metabolic pathway which must be activated by these hormones in order for iodination reactions to occur. Cyclic 3′, 5′-AMP appears to mediate TSH and LATS effects on iodination reactions but the role of this compound in activating thyroidal intermediary metabolism is less clear. Based on the evidence reviewed herein, it is suggested that the primary site of action of thyroid stimulators is at the cell membrane and that beyond the(se) primary control site(s), there exists a multifaceted regulatory system for thyroid hormonogenesis and cell growth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Diep Do Thi Hong ◽  
Duong Le Phuoc ◽  
Hoai Nguyen Thi ◽  
Serra Pier Andrea ◽  
Rocchitta Gaia

Background: The first biosensor was constructed more than fifty years ago. It was composed of the biorecognition element and transducer. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples Glutamate is important biochemicals involved in energetic metabolism and neurotransmission. Therefore, biosensors requires the development a new approach exhibiting high sensibility, good reproducibility and longterm stability. The first-generation enzyme biosensors play important role in monitoring neurotransmitter and determine small quantities of substances in complex matrices of the samples. The aims of this work: To find out which concentration of polyethylenimine (PEI) exhibiting the most high sensibility, good reproducibility and long-term stability. Methods: We designed and developed glutamate biosensor using different concentration of PEI ranging from 0% to 5% at Day 1 and Day 8. Results: After Glutamate biosensors in-vitro characterization, several PEI concentrations, ranging from 0.5% to 1% seem to be the best in terms of VMAX, the KM; while PEI content ranging from 0.5% to 1% resulted stable, PEI 1% displayed an excellent stability. Conclusions: In the result, PEI 1% perfomed high sensibility, good stability and blocking interference. Furthermore, we expect to develop and characterize an implantable biosensor capable of detecting glutamate, glucose in vivo. Key words: Glutamate biosensors, PEi (Polyethylenimine) enhances glutamate oxidase, glutamate oxidase biosensors


The role of vitamin D is implicated in carcinogenesis through numerous biological processes like induction of apoptosis, modulation of immune system inhibition of inflammation and cell proliferation and promotion of cell differentiation. Its use as additional adjuvant drug with cancer treatment may be novel combination for improved outcome of different cancers. Numerous preclinical, epidemiological and clinical studies support the role of vitamin D as an anticancer agent. Anticancer properties of vitamin D have been studied widely (both in vivo and in vitro) among various cancers and found to have promising results. There are considerable data that indicate synergistic potential of calcitriol and antitumor agents. Possible mechanisms for modulatory anticancer activity of vitamin D include its antiproliferative, prodifferentiating, and anti-angiogenic and apoptic properties. Calcitriol reduces invasiveness and metastatic potential of many cancer cells by inhibiting angiogenesis and regulating expression of the key molecules involved in invasion and metastasis. Anticancer activity of vitamin D is synergistic or additive with the antineoplastic actions of several drugs including cytotoxic chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel, docetaxel, platinum base compounds and mitoxantrone. Benefits of addition of vitamin D should be weighed against the risk of its toxicity.


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