scholarly journals Self-organized optimal packing of kinesin-5 driven microtubule asters scale with cell size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Khetan ◽  
Gérard Pruliere ◽  
Celine Hebras ◽  
Janet Chenevert ◽  
Chaitanya A. Athale
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Circle Packing ◽  
Packing Problem ◽  
Packing Fraction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Pattern Forming ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements

Radial microtubule (MT) arrays or asters determine cell geometry in animal cells. Multiple asters interacting with motors such as in syncytia form intracellular patterns, but the mechanical principles are not clear. Here, we report oocytes of the marine ascidian Phallusia mammillata treated with a drug BI-D1870 spontaneously form cytoplasmic MT asters, or cytasters. These asters form steady state segregation patterns in a shell just under the membrane. Cytaster centers tessellate the oocyte cytoplasm, i.e. divide it into polygonal structures, dominated by hexagons in a kinesin-5 dependent manner, while inter-aster MTs form ‘mini-spindles’. A computational model of multiple asters interacting with kinesin-5 can reproduce both tessellation patterns and mini-spindles in a manner specific to MTs per aster, MT lengths and kinesin-5 density. Simulations predict the hexagonal tessellation patterns scale with increasing cell size, when the packing fraction of asters in cells∼1.6. This self-organized in vivo tessellation by cytasters is comparable to the ‘circle packing problem’, suggesting an intrinsic mechanical pattern forming module potentially relevant to understand the role of collective mechanics of cytoskeletal elements in embryogenesis.

scholarly journals Actin-dependent vacuolar occupancy of the cell determines auxin-induced growth repression

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 452-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Scheuring ◽  
Christian Löfke ◽  
Falco Krüger ◽  
Maike Kittelmann ◽  
Ahmed Eisa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Cellular Life ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Genetic Interference ◽  
Main Components

The cytoskeleton is an early attribute of cellular life, and its main components are composed of conserved proteins. The actin cytoskeleton has a direct impact on the control of cell size in animal cells, but its mechanistic contribution to cellular growth in plants remains largely elusive. Here, we reveal a role of actin in regulating cell size in plants. The actin cytoskeleton shows proximity to vacuoles, and the phytohormone auxin not only controls the organization of actin filaments but also impacts vacuolar morphogenesis in an actin-dependent manner. Pharmacological and genetic interference with the actin–myosin system abolishes the effect of auxin on vacuoles and thus disrupts its negative influence on cellular growth. SEM-based 3D nanometer-resolution imaging of the vacuoles revealed that auxin controls the constriction and luminal size of the vacuole. We show that this actin-dependent mechanism controls the relative vacuolar occupancy of the cell, thus suggesting an unanticipated mechanism for cytosol homeostasis during cellular growth.

scholarly journals Cell size homeostasis is maintained by a circuitry involving a CDK4-determined target size that programs the cell size-dependent activation of p38

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ceryl Tan ◽  
Miriam B. Ginzberg ◽  
Rachel Webster ◽  
Seshu Iyengar ◽  
Shixuan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Characteristic Size ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Target Size ◽  
Size Determination ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Conceptual Distinction

SUMMARYWhile molecules that promote the growth of animal cells have been identified, the following question remains: How are growth promoting pathways regulated to specify a characteristic size for each of the different cell types? In 1975, Hartwell and Nurse suggested that in eukaryotes, cell size is determined by size checkpoints – mechanisms that restrict cell cycle progression from cells that are smaller than their target size. Curiously, such checkpoint mechanisms imply a conceptual distinction between a cell’s actual size and cell’s target size. In the present study, we materialize this conceptual distinction by describing experimental assays that discriminately quantify a cell’s target size value. With these assays, we show that a cell’s size and target size are distinct phenotypes that are subject to different upstream regulators. While mTORC1 promotes growth in cell size, our data suggests that a cell’s target size value is regulated by other pathways including FGFR3, ROCK2, and CDK4. For example, while rapamycin (an mTORC1 inhibitor) decreases cell size, rapamycin does not change the target size that is required for the G1/S transition. The CDK4/Rb pathway has been previously proposed as a putative regulator of target size. Yet, in lacking experimental means that discriminate perturbations of cell growth from perturbations that reprogram target size, such claims on target size were not validated. To investigate the functions of CDK4 in target size determination, we used genetic and chemical means to ‘dial’ higher and lower levels of CDK4 activity. These measurements identified functions of CDK4 on target size that are distinct from other G1 CDKs. Using C. elegans, we further demonstrate that these influences of CDK4 on size determination function in vivo. Finally, we propose a model whereby mTORC1, p38, and CDK4 cooperate in a manner that is analogous to the function of a thermostat. While mTORC1 promotes cellular growth as prompted by p38, CDK4 is analogous to the thermostat dial that sets the critical target size associated with cell size homeostasis.

Three-Dimensional Subcellular Organization of Hepatocytes in Intact Liver: Simultaneous Visualization of Cytoskeletal and Membrane Markers by Confocal Microscopy

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 288-289
Author(s):  
Greg V. Martin ◽  
Ann L. Hubbard
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Integral Membrane Proteins ◽  
Polarized Secretion ◽  
Microscope Images ◽  
Computer Aided ◽  
Intracellular Organelles ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Simultaneous Visualization

The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton is necessary for many of the polarized functions of hepatocytes. Among the functions dependent on the MT-based cytoskeleton are polarized secretion of proteins, delivery of endocytosed material to lysosomes, and transcytosis of integral plasma membrane (PM) proteins. Although microtubules have been shown to be crucial to the establishment and maintenance of functional and structural polarization in the hepatocyte, little is known about the architecture of the hepatocyte MT cytoskeleton in vivo, particularly with regard to its relationship to PM domains and membranous organelles. Using an in situ extraction technique that preserves both microtubules and cellular membranes, we have developed a protocol for immunofluorescent co-localization of cytoskeletal elements and integral membrane proteins within 20 µm cryosections of fixed rat liver. Computer-aided 3D reconstruction of multi-spectral confocal microscope images was used to visualize the spatial relationships among the MT cytoskeleton, PM domains and intracellular organelles.

Spindle scaling mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-396
Author(s):  
Lara K. Krüger ◽  
Phong T. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Protein Gradients ◽  
Spindle Structure

Abstract The mitotic spindle robustly scales with cell size in a plethora of different organisms. During development and throughout evolution, the spindle adjusts to cell size in metazoans and yeast in order to ensure faithful chromosome separation. Spindle adjustment to cell size occurs by the scaling of spindle length, spindle shape and the velocity of spindle assembly and elongation. Different mechanisms, depending on spindle structure and organism, account for these scaling relationships. The limited availability of critical spindle components, protein gradients, sequestration of spindle components, or post-translational modification and differential expression levels have been implicated in the regulation of spindle length and the spindle assembly/elongation velocity in a cell size-dependent manner. In this review, we will discuss the phenomenon and mechanisms of spindle length, spindle shape and spindle elongation velocity scaling with cell size.

Effects of NO-Donors on Thrombus Formation and Microcirculation in Cerebral Vessels of the Rat

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (01) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuto Sasaki ◽  
Junji Seki ◽  
John C Giddings ◽  
Junichiro Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Blood Flow ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Cell Velocity ◽  
Red Cell Velocity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wall Shear ◽  
Dose Dependent

SummarySodium nitroprusside (SNP) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), are known to liberate nitric oxide (NO). In this study the effects of SNP and SIN-1 on thrombus formation in rat cerebral arterioles and venules in vivo were assessed using a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser. SNP infused at doses from 10 Μg/kg/h significantly inhibited thrombus formation in a dose dependent manner. This inhibition of thrombus formation was suppressed by methylene blue. SIN-1 at a dose of 100 Μg/kg/h also demonstrated a significant antithrombotic effect. Moreover, treatment with SNP increased vessel diameter in a dose dependent manner and enhanced the mean red cell velocity measured with a fiber-optic laser-Doppler anemometer microscope (FLDAM). Blood flow, calculated from the mean red cell velocity and vessel diameters was increased significantly during infusion. In contrast, mean wall shear rates in the arterioles and venules were not changed by SNP infusion. The results indicated that SNP and SIN-1 possessed potent antithrombotic activities, whilst SNP increased cerebral blood flow without changing wall shear rate. The findings suggest that the NO released by SNP and SIN-1 may be beneficial for the treatment and protection of cerebral infarction

The Effect of Active Site-inhibited Factor VIIa on Tissue Factor-initiated Coagulation Using Platelets before and after Aspirin Administration

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (04) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kjalke ◽  
Julie A Oliver ◽  
Dougald M Monroe ◽  
Maureane Hoffman ◽  
Mirella Ezban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Factor Viia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Antithrombotic Agent ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ic50 Values

SummaryActive site-inactivated factor VIIa has potential as an antithrombotic agent. The effects of D-Phe-L-Phe-L-Arg-chloromethyl ketone-treated factor VIla (FFR-FVIIa) were evaluated in a cell-based system mimicking in vivo initiation of coagulation. FFR-FVIIa inhibited platelet activation (as measured by expression of P-selectin) and subsequent large-scale thrombin generation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 1.4 ± 0.8 nM (n = 8) and 0.9 ± 0.7 nM (n = 7), respectively. Kd for factor VIIa binding to monocytes ki for FFR-FVIIa competing with factor VIIa were similar (11.4 ± 0.8 pM and 10.6 ± 1.1 pM, respectively), showing that FFR-FVIIa binds to tissue factor in the tenase complex with the same affinity as factor VIIa. Using platelets from volunteers before and after ingestion of aspirin (1.3 g), there were no significant differences in the IC50 values of FFR-FVIIa [after aspirin ingestion, the IC50 values were 1.7 ± 0.9 nM (n = 8) for P-selectin expression, p = 0.37, and 1.4 ± 1.3 nM (n = 7) for thrombin generation, p = 0.38]. This shows that aspirin treatment of platelets does not influence the inhibition of tissue factor-initiated coagulation by FFR-FVIIa, probably because thrombin activation of platelets is not entirely dependent upon expression of thromboxane A2.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

The Natural Flavonoid Naringenin Inhibits the Cell Growth of WilmsTumorinChildren by Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongtao Li ◽  
Peng Chen ◽  
Lei Chen ◽  
Xinning Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Wilms Tumor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Tlr4 Expression ◽  
Protein Levels

Background: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is usually activated in Wilms tumor (WT) cells and plays a critical role in WT development. Objective: The study purpose was to screen a NF-κB inhibitor from natural product library and explore its effects on WT development. Methods: Luciferase assay was employed to assess the effects of natural chemical son NF-κB activity. CCK-8 assay was conducted to assess cell growth in response to naringenin. WT xenograft model was established to analyze the effect of naringenin in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of relative genes, respectively. Results: Naringenin displayed significant inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation in SK-NEP-1 cells. In SK-NEP-1 and G-401 cells, naringenin inhibited p65 phosphorylation. Moreover, naringenin suppressed TNF-α-induced p65 phosphorylation in WT cells. Naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in WT cells. CCK-8 staining showed that naringenin inhibited cell growth of the two above WT cells in dose-and time-dependent manner, whereas Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) over expression partially reversed the above phenomena. Besides, naringenin suppressed WT tumor growth in dose-and time-dependent manner in vivo. Western blot found that naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression and p65 phosphorylation in WT xenograft tumors. Conclusion: Naringenin inhibits WT development viasuppressing TLR4/NF-κB signaling

Ethanol Extract of Achillea fragrantissima Enhances Angiogenesis through Stimulation of VEGF Production

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana M. Hammad ◽  
Amer Imraish ◽  
Maysa Al-Hussaini ◽  
Malek Zihlif ◽  
Amani A. Harb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Aortic Ring ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Achillea Fragrantissima

Objective: Achillea fragrantissima L. (Asteraceae) is a traditionally used medicinal herb in the rural communities of Jordan. Methods: The present study evaluated the efficacy of the ethanol extract of this species on angiogenesis in both, ex vivo using rat aortic ring assay and in vivo using rat excision wound model. Results: In concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml, the ethanol extract showed angiogenic stimulatory effect and significantly increased length of capillary protrusions around aorta rings of about 60% in comparison to those of untreated aorta rings. In MCF-7 cells, the ethanol extract of A. fragrantissima stimulates the production of VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. 1% and 5% of ethanol extract of A. fragrantissima containing vaseline based ointment was applied on rat excision wounds for six days and was found to be effective in wound healing and maturation of the scar. Both preparations resulted in better wound healing when compared to the untreated control group and vaseline-treated group. This effect was comparable to that induced by MEBO, the positive control. Conclusion: The results indicate that A. fragrantissima has a pro-angiogenic effect, which may act through the VEGF signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Flow-dependent regulation of endothelial Tie2 by GATA3 in vivo

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Temitayo O. Idowu ◽  
Valerie Etzrodt ◽  
Thorben Pape ◽  
Joerg Heineke ◽  
Klaus Stahl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Common Denominator ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pulmonary Endothelium ◽  
Delivery Platform ◽  
Transient Overexpression ◽  
Plasmid Delivery

Abstract Background Reduced endothelial Tie2 expression occurs in diverse experimental models of critical illness, and experimental Tie2 suppression is sufficient to increase spontaneous vascular permeability. Looking for a common denominator among different critical illnesses that could drive the same Tie2 suppressive (thereby leak inducing) phenotype, we identified “circulatory shock” as a shared feature and postulated a flow-dependency of Tie2 gene expression in a GATA3 dependent manner. Here, we analyzed if this mechanism of flow-regulation of gene expression exists in vivo in the absence of inflammation. Results To experimentally mimic a shock-like situation, we developed a murine model of clonidine-induced hypotension by targeting a reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) of approximately 50% over 4 h. We found that hypotension-induced reduction of flow in the absence of confounding disease factors (i.e., inflammation, injury, among others) is sufficient to suppress GATA3 and Tie2 transcription. Conditional endothelial-specific GATA3 knockdown (B6-Gata3tm1-Jfz VE-Cadherin(PAC)-cerERT2) led to baseline Tie2 suppression inducing spontaneous vascular leak. On the contrary, the transient overexpression of GATA3 in the pulmonary endothelium (jet-PEI plasmid delivery platform) was sufficient to increase Tie2 at baseline and completely block its hypotension-induced acute drop. On the functional level, the Tie2 protection by GATA3 overexpression abrogated the development of pulmonary capillary leakage. Conclusions The data suggest that the GATA3–Tie2 signaling pathway might play a pivotal role in controlling vascular barrier function and that it is affected in diverse critical illnesses with shock as a consequence of a flow-regulated gene response. Targeting this novel mechanism might offer therapeutic opportunities to treat vascular leakage of diverse etiologies.

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