scholarly journals Effect of the neuropeptide phoenixin and its receptor GPR173 during folliculogenesis

Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Phuoc Nguyen ◽  
Tomoko Nakamura ◽  
Satoko Osuka ◽  
Bayasula Bayasula ◽  
Natsuki Nakanishi ◽  
...  

Folliculogenesis is a complex process, defined by the growth and development of follicles from the primordial population. Granulosa cells (GCs) play a vital role in every stage of follicular growth through proliferation, acquisition of gonadotropic responsiveness, steroidogenesis and production of autocrine/paracrine factors. A recently discovered hypothalamic neuropeptide phoenixin is involved in the regulation of the reproductive system. Phoenixin acts through its receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 173 (GPR173), to activate the cAMP/PKA pathway leading to the phosphorylation of CREB (pCREB). Here, we demonstrated the expression patterns of phoenixin and GPR173 in human ovary and explored its role in folliculogenesis. Phoenixin and GPR173 were both expressed in the human ovarian follicle, with increased expression in GCs as the follicle grows. Phoenixin treatment at 100 nM for 24 h induced the proliferation of human non-luteinized granulosa cell line, HGrC1 and significantly increased the expression levels of CYP19A1, FSHR, LHR and KITL, but decreased NPPC expression levels. These effects were suppressed by GPR173 siRNA. The expression level of CREB1, pCREB and estradiol (E2) production in the culture medium was significantly enhanced by phoenixin treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. Phoenixin also significantly increased the follicular area in a murine ovarian tissue culture model, leading to an increased number of ovulated oocytes with a higher level of maturation. Taken together, our data demonstrate that phoenixin is an intraovarian factor that promotes follicular growth through its receptor GPR173 by accelerating proliferation of GCs, inducing E2 production and increasing the expression of genes related to follicle development.

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Vollaro ◽  
Anna Esposito ◽  
Eliana Pia Esposito ◽  
Raffaele Zarrilli ◽  
Annalisa Guaragna ◽  
...  

Pregnadiene-11-hydroxy-16α,17α-epoxy-3,20-dione-1 (PYED-1), a heterocyclic corticosteroid derivative of deflazacort, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we investigated the effect of PYED-1 on the biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, an etiological agent of biofilm-based chronic infections such as osteomyelitis, indwelling medical device infections, periodontitis, chronic wound infections, and endocarditis. PYED-1 caused a strong reduction in biofilm formation in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, it was also able to completely remove the preformed biofilm. Transcriptional analysis performed on the established biofilm revealed that PYED-1 downregulates the expression of genes related to quorum sensing (agrA, RNAIII, hld, psm, and sarA), surface proteins (clfB and fnbB), secreted toxins (hla, hlb, and lukD), and capsular polysaccharides (capC). The expression of genes that encode two main global regulators, sigB and saeR, was also significantly inhibited after treatment with PYED-1. In conclusion, PYED-1 not only effectively inhibited biofilm formation, but also eradicated preformed biofilms of S. aureus, modulating the expression of genes related to quorum sensing, surface and secreted proteins, and capsular polysaccharides. These results indicated that PYED-1 may have great potential as an effective antibiofilm agent to prevent S. aureus biofilm-associated infections.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1181-1197 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Malmierca ◽  
S. P. McCormick ◽  
R. E. Cardoza ◽  
E. Monte ◽  
N. J. Alexander ◽  
...  

Trichoderma species are often used as biocontrol agents against plant-pathogenic fungi. A complex molecular interaction occurs among the biocontrol agent, the antagonistic fungus, and the plant. Terpenes and sterols produced by the biocontrol fungus have been found to affect gene expression in both the antagonistic fungus and the plant. The terpene trichodiene (TD) elicits the expression of genes related to tomato defense and to Botrytis virulence. We show here that TD itself is able to induce the expression of Botrytis genes involved in the synthesis of botrydial (BOT) and also induces terpene gene expression in Trichoderma spp. The terpene ergosterol, in addition to its role as a structural component of the fungal cell membranes, acts as an elicitor of defense response in plants. In the present work, using a transformant of T. harzianum, which is silenced in the erg1 gene and accumulates high levels of squalene, we show that this ergosterol precursor also acts as an important elicitor molecule of tomato defense-related genes and induces Botrytis genes involved in BOT biosynthesis, in both cases, in a concentration-dependent manner. Our data emphasize the importance of a balance of squalene and ergosterol in fungal interactions as well as in the biocontrol activity of Trichoderma spp.


Author(s):  
Vladan Bajić ◽  
Bo Su ◽  
Hyoung-Gon Lee ◽  
Wataru Kudo ◽  
Sandra Siedlak ◽  
...  

AbstractPost-mitotic neurons are typically terminally differentiated and in a quiescent status. However, in Alzheimer disease (AD), many neurons display ectopic re-expression of cell cycle-related proteins. Cyclin-dependent kinase 11 (CDK11) mRNA produces a 110-kDa protein (CDK11p110) throughout the cell cycle, a 58-kDa protein (CDK11p58) that is specifically translated from an internal ribosome entry site and expressed only in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and a 46-kDa protein (CDK11p46) that is considered to be apoptosis specific. CDK11 is required for sister chromatid cohesion and the completion of mitosis. In this study, we found that the expression patterns of CDK11 vary such that cytoplasmic CDK11 is increased in AD cellular processes, compared to a pronounced nuclear expression pattern in most controls. We also investigated the effect of amyloid precursor protein (APP) on CDK11 expression in vitro by using M17 cells overexpressing wild-type APP and APP Swedish mutant phenotype and found increased CDK11 expression compared to empty vector. In addition, amyloid-β25–35 resulted in increased CDK11 in M17 cells. These data suggest that CDK11 may play a vital role in cell cycle re-entry in AD neurons in an APP-dependent manner, thus presenting an intriguing novel function of the APP signaling pathway in AD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Xue Lv ◽  
Qianping Zhang ◽  
Bingfei Cheng ◽  
Ying Xin ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  

Ghrelin is a gastric endocrine peptide that has been found to be involved in the process of energy homeostasis and bone physiology in recent years. To explore the effects of ghrelin on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in MC3T3E1 cells and its possible mechanism, an ERS model was induced by tunicamycin (TM) in the osteoblast line MC3T3E1. TM at 1.5 μg/mL was selected as the experimental concentration found by CCK8 assay. Through the determination of apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related gene expression, we found that ERS induced by TM can be relieved by ghrelin in a concentration-dependent manner ( P < 0.001 ). Compared with the TM group, ghrelin reduced the expression of ERS-related marker genes induced by TM. Compared with the GSK621 + TM group without ghrelin pretreatment, the mRNA expression of genes in the ghrelin pretreatment group decreased significantly ( P < 0.001 ). The results of protein analysis showed that the levels of BIP, p-AMPK, and cleaved-caspase3 in the TM group increased significantly, while the levels decreased after ghrelin pretreatment. In group GSK621 + TM compared with group GSK621 + ghrelin+TM, ghrelin pretreatment significantly reduced the level of p-AMPK, which is consistent with the trend of the ERS-related proteins BIP and cleaved-caspase3. In conclusion, ghrelin alleviates the ERS induced by TM in a concentration-dependent manner and may or at least partly alleviate the apoptosis induced by ERS in MC3T3E1 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AMPK.


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 3264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Guo ◽  
Fangyuan Liu ◽  
Jie Qi ◽  
Jiahui Ma ◽  
Shiqi Lin ◽  
...  

10-oxo-5-(3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl) propyl)-5,10-dihydroindeno [1,2-b] indol-9-yl propionate (LS-2-3j) is a new chemically synthesized indole compound and some related analogues are known to be inhibitors (such as alectinib and Ko143) of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, especially the ABC transporter subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) and the ABC transporter subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2). This study aimed to evaluate the multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal effects and associated mechanisms of LS-2-3j in drug-resistant cancer cells. The inhibition of cell proliferation in tested agents was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Accumulation or efflux of chemotherapy drugs was analyzed by flow cytometry. The ATPase activity was measured using an ATPase activity assay kit. The mRNA transcripts and protein expression levels were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. In this connection, LS-2-3j significantly enhanced the activity of chemotherapeutic drugs in MDR cells and could significantly increase the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin (DOX) and mitoxantrone (MITX) by inhibiting the function of the efflux pumps in ABCB1- or ABCG2-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, reduced ATPase activity, mRNA transcription, and protein expression levels of ABCB1 and ABCG2 were observed in a concentration dependent manner in MDR cancer cells.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1452
Author(s):  
Hui Huang ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yan Tong ◽  
Yuhua Wang

Dendrobium catenatum is a member of epiphytic orchids with extensive range of pharmacological properties and ornamental values. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), a key member of antioxidant system, plays a vital role in protecting plants against oxidative damage caused by various biotic and abiotic stresses. So far, little is known about the SOD gene family in D. catenatum. In this study, eight SOD genes, including four Cu/ZnSODs, three FeSODs and one MnSOD, were identified in D. catenatum genome. Phylogenetic analyses of SOD proteins in D. catenatum and several other species revealed that these SOD proteins can be assigned to three subfamilies based on their metal co-factors. Moreover, the similarities in conserved motifs and gene structures in the same subfamily corroborated their classification and inferred evolutionary relationships. There were many hormone and stress response elements in DcaSODs, of which light responsiveness elements was the largest group. All DcaSODs displayed tissue-specific expression patterns and exhibited abundant expression levels in flower and leaf. According to public RNA-seq data and qRT-PCR analysis showed that the almost DcaSODs, except for DcaFSD2, were highly expressed under cold and drought treatments. Under heat, light, and salt stresses, DcaCSD1, DcaCSD2, DcaCSD3 were always significantly up-regulated, which may play a vital role in coping with various stresses. The expression levels of DcaFSD1 and DcaFSD2 were promoted by high light, suggesting their important roles in light response. These findings provided valuable information for further research on DcaSODs in D. catenatum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10054
Author(s):  
Ivan B. Filippenkov ◽  
Vasily V. Stavchansky ◽  
Natalya Yu. Glazova ◽  
Elena A. Sebentsova ◽  
Julia A. Remizova ◽  
...  

Natural melanocortins (MCs) have been used in the successful development of drugs with neuroprotective properties. Here, we studied the behavioral effects and molecular genetic mechanisms of two synthetic MC derivatives-ACTH(4–7)PGP (Semax) and ACTH(6–9)PGP under normal and acute restraint stress (ARS) conditions. Administration of Semax or ACTH(6–9)PGP (100 μg/kg) to rats 30 min before ARS attenuated ARS-induced behavioral alterations. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), we identified 1359 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus of vehicle-treated rats subjected to ARS, using a cutoff of >1.5 fold change and adjusted p-value (Padj) < 0.05, in samples collected 4.5 h after the ARS. Semax administration produced >1500 DEGs, whereas ACTH(6–9)PGP administration led to <400 DEGs at 4.5 h after ARS. Nevertheless, ~250 overlapping DEGs were identified, and expression of these DEGs was changed unidirectionally by both peptides under ARS conditions. Modulation of the expression of genes associated with biogenesis, translation of RNA, DNA replication, and immune and nervous system function was produced by both peptides. Furthermore, both peptides upregulated the expression levels of many genes that displayed decreased expression after ARS, and vice versa, the MC peptides downregulated the expression levels of genes that were upregulated by ARS. Consequently, the antistress action of MC peptides may be associated with a correction of gene expression patterns that are disrupted during ARS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 215s-215s
Author(s):  
S. Zhang ◽  
R. Feng ◽  
F. Yuan ◽  
X. Chen ◽  
N. Li ◽  
...  

Background: Studies showed that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has significant antitumor effects. However, there have been no relevant reports on gastric cancer resistance to DHA. Aim: To investigate the influence of DHA on the malignant behavior of cisplatin (DDP)-resistant gastric cancer cells SGC7901/DDP and the possible molecular mechanism. Methods: The IC50 of DHA against SGC7901/DDP cells at 48 h was obtained with CCK-8. DHA was used against SGC7901/DDP, with IC50 concentration at 0 µmol/L, 0.5-fold, onefold, and twofold respectively. Then the proliferation activity of SGC7901/DDP from day 1 to day 5 was detected by CCK-8. At 48 h after DHA treatment, we observed apoptosis, invasion, and migration, evaluated autophagy, and detected the expression level of protein related to the regulation of autophagy, apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis with Western blot. The influence of DHA on cisplatin resistance of SGC7901/DDP was detected through sensitization test and the evaluation of p-gp expression level. Results: The IC50 concentration of DHA against SGC7901/DDP cells at 48 h is 70 µmol/L. DHA significantly inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901/DDP, which was time- and concentration-dependent (all P < 0.05). After having been treated for 48 h by increasing concentrations of DHA (0, 35, 70 and 140 µmol/L), the apoptosis rate increased and the penetrating cell number and scratch healing rate significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). The expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-II/LC3-I which were corrected with autophagy, and the formation of autophagosomes and autophagous vacuoles increased in a concentration-dependent manner (all P < 0.05). The total PI3K, Akt, and mTOR expression levels did not significantly change, but their phosphorylated products (PI3P, p-Akt [Ser473], and p-mTOR) showed concentration-dependent decreases (all P < 0.05). The expression of caspases-8/9/3 protein significantly increased while the expression of VEGF-A、VEGF-C protein decreased (all P < 0.05). DHA could reverse the resistance of SGC7901/DDP cells to cisplatin after DHA treatment at a nontoxic dose (15.23 µg/mL) with a reversal rate of 2.95. After DHA treatment at different concentrations for 48 h, the expression of p-gp was significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: DHA significantly inhibited proliferation, promoted programmed death, and had anti-invasion and antimetastatic effects on SGC7901/DDP cells, probably by upregulating autophagy-related Beclin1 and LC3-II expression and by inhibiting the antiautophagy signaling pathway PI3K/AKT/mTOR, thus promoting autophagic death. In addition, DHA induced caspase-dependent and mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in SGC7901/DDP cells, and reduced VEGF-A and VEGF-C activity to promote antiangiogenesis and antilymphangiogenesis. Furthermore, DHA effectively reversed the cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer cell by inhibiting p-gp expression.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhou ◽  
Youwei Lu ◽  
Zhiming Zhao ◽  
Tongguo Shi ◽  
Hongya Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background B7-H4 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and plays important roles in tumour growth and immunosuppression. However, the exact mechanism that regulates B7-H4 expression remains largely unknown. Protein kinase δ (PKCδ) plays a significant role in a range of cancers, including CRC. Here, we investigated whether PKCδ regulates the expression of B7-H4 in CRC.Methods By using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence (IF) staining, we analysed the expression of B7-H4 and phospho-PKCδ (p-PKCδ) in 225 colorectal tumour samples, and the clinical significance of these expression patterns was determined. In vitro experiments were performed with the CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW620 to detect the effect of PKCδ activation on B7-H4 expression.Results B7-H4 expression was significantly correlated with p-PKCδ expression (r=0.378, P<0.001) in tumour tissues. The co-expression of p-PKCδ and B7-H4 was significantly associ­ated with moderate/poor differentiation (P=0.024), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001) and an advanced Dukes’ stage (P=0.002). Western blot analysis showed that TPA increased B7-H4 levels in a concentration-dependent manner and rottlerin also abrogated TPA-induced B7-H4 enhancement. The expression of B7-H4 and p-STAT3 were significantly reduced by PKCδ-specific siRNA. Moreover, STAT3 inhibitor cryptotanshinone significantly decreased B7-H4 protein levels in HCT116 cells. Knockdown of B7-H4 or PKCδ expression suppressed cell migration and mobility.Conclusion B7-H4 expression was significantly correlated with p-PKCδ expression in CRC samples. B7-H4 expression was upregulated by STAT3 activation via PKCδ and played roles in PKCδ-induced cancer cell mobility and metastasis.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5015-5015
Author(s):  
Wang Ying ◽  
Guo xiao Nan ◽  
Zhang xue Jun ◽  
Ren jin Hai ◽  
Qiao shu Kai ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 5015 Introduction: Studies have shown that abnormal activation of wnt signaling pathway is closely related to tumor genesis. Cell surface coil protein (frizzled, fzd) is a specific receptor for wnt pathway to activate its downstream signaling through β-catenin to stimulate the growth of a range of tumor cells. Secreted frizzled related proteins (sfrps) are the main antagonists of wnt pathway. sfrps can inhibit the function of wnt pathway via competing with fzd receptor. Recent studies have found that sfrps family memberes expressed at very low levels in a variety of tumor cells,which was closely related to the methylation of sfrps gene promoters. DNA methyltransferase (dnmts) are the key enzymes involved in DNA methylation, which can promote the methylation of tumor suppressor genes' promoters and inhibit transcription of these genes, and induce tumor genesis. Artesunate, a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, is very effective in antimalaria. Recent studies have shown that artesunate has anti-tumor functions. However, the effect of artesunate on the expression of sfrps- and dnmts- mRNAs and β-catenin protein are not clear. To evaluate the growth inhibition effect of Artesunate (at final concentrations of 0μg/ml, 4μg/ml, 10μg/ml, 20μg/ml and 40μg/ml) on K562 cells and to investigate its potential mechanism by detecting the expression levels of sfrps- and dnmts- mRNAs and β-catenin protein in K562 cells treated with artesunate. Methods: Cell growth inhibition rate and cell cycle distribution of K562 cells induced by artesunate treatment were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of sfrp1, sfrp2, sfrp4 and dnmt1, dnmt3a, dnmt3b in K562 cells which had been treated with or without artesunate for 48 hours were evaluated with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein expression level of β-catenin in K562 cells were detected by Western blot. Results: Artesunate treatment significantly induced growth inhibition of K562 cells in a concentration-dependent manner after the cells were treated with artesunate for 48 hours(p < 0.05). The inhibition rate of 4,10,20 and 40(μg/ml)artesunate exposure were 54.29%, 58.03%, 69.33% and 77.98% respectively. Flow cytometry analysis showed that K562 cells were arrested at G0/Gl and G2/M phase in concentration-dependent manner after 48 hours exposure of artesunate (p < 0.05). After treated with artesunate at the final concentrations of 0, 4, 10, 20 and 40μg/ml, the relative expression levels of sfrp1, sfrp2 and sfrp4 mRNA in K562 cells increased, while the expression levels of dnmtl, dnmt3a, dnmt3b mRNA decreased significantly compared with the control group. Results from Western blot showed that β-catenin protein levels decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared with that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Results from the present study indicated that artesunate could inhibite the mRNA expression of dnmts family and minimize the methylation of sfrps gene promoter. Therefore, sfrps could inhibit the function of wnt pathway through competing with fzd receptors. Meanwhile, artesunate could decrease the expression of β-catenin protein in K562 cells, and could further inhibit the function of wnt pathway. Therefore, data from the present experiment provides a new theoretical basis for clinical application of artesunate in leukemia treatment. Disclosures: Ying: Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Nan:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Jun:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Hai:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Kai:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Xu:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding. Pan:Nature science foundation of Hebei Province: Research Funding.


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