scholarly journals Adaptations and plastic phenotypic responses of marine animals to the environmental challenges of the high intertidal zone

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robine Helena Jannigje Leeuwis ◽  
Anthony Kurt Gamperl
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Freezing Stress ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Cross Tolerance ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Animal Phyla ◽  
High Intertidal Zone ◽  
Phenotypic Responses

The high intertidal zone is home to an incredible variety of marine animals, as it offers an escape from low intertidal/subtidal predation and competition, among other advantages. However, this area of the shore also comes with many tide-driven and emersion-associated environmental stressors, such as desiccation, high temperatures and freezing stress, hypoxia, salinity fluctuations, nitrogenous waste accumulation, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wave and ice disturbance, and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) toxicity. This review explores the diversity of evolutionary adaptations and plastic phenotypic responses that high intertidal animals use to cope with these challenges. Examples are provided of behavioural, morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptations/responses, along with some of the underlying molecular mechanisms that have been elucidated to date. Adaptations of many different worms, anemones, molluscs, crustaceans and fishes are highlighted. Many adaptations and mechanisms of plasticity are universal among animal phyla, and some are multifunctional (serve more than one function) or provide tolerance to multiple stressors (i.e., ‘cross-tolerance’). High intertidal animals have received considerable attention by scientists, given their accessibility and that they can provide valuable insights in the transition from a marine to a terrestrial lifestyle. Nevertheless, further research is needed to understand the adaptations/responses of these animals more thoroughly, and the future holds great promise for accomplishing this with recent advances in epigenetics, transcriptomics, protein biochemistry and other molecular tools.

scholarly journals Deciphering the Mounting Complexity of the p53 Regulatory Network in Correlation to Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Ovarian Cancer

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Pal ◽  
Manoj Garg ◽  
Amit Kumar Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Disease Biology ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation

Amongst the various gynecological malignancies affecting female health globally, ovarian cancer is one of the predominant and lethal among all. The identification and functional characterization of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are made possible with the advent of RNA-seq and the advancement of computational logarithm in understanding human disease biology. LncRNAs can interact with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), proteins and their combinations. Moreover, lncRNAs regulate orchestra of diverse functions including chromatin organization and transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. LncRNAs have conferred their critical role in key biological processes in human cancer including tumor initiation, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, and metastasis. The interwoven function of tumor-suppressor protein p53-linked lncRNAs in the ovarian cancer paradigm is of paramount importance. Several lncRNAs operate as p53 regulators or effectors and modulates a diverse array of functions either by participating in various signaling cascades or via interaction with different proteins. This review highlights the recent progress made in the identification of p53 associated lncRNAs while elucidating their molecular mechanisms behind the altered expression in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. Moreover, the development of novel clinical and therapeutic strategies for targeting lncRNAs in human cancers harbors great promise.

scholarly journals The Winding Road of Cardiac Regeneration—Stem Cell Omics in the Spotlight

Cells ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miruna Mihaela Micheu ◽  
Alina Ioana Scarlatescu ◽  
Alexandru Scafa-Udriste ◽  
Maria Dorobantu
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Cardiac Regeneration ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Omics Data

Despite significant progress in treating ischemic cardiac disease and succeeding heart failure, there is still an unmet need to develop effective therapeutic strategies given the persistent high-mortality rate. Advances in stem cell biology hold great promise for regenerative medicine, particularly for cardiac regeneration. Various cell types have been used both in preclinical and clinical studies to repair the injured heart, either directly or indirectly. Transplanted cells may act in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner to improve the myocyte survival and migration of remote and/or resident stem cells to the site of injury. Still, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac protection and repair are poorly understood. Stem cell fate is directed by multifaceted interactions between genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Decoding stem cells’ “panomic” data would provide a comprehensive picture of the underlying mechanisms, resulting in patient-tailored therapy. This review offers a critical analysis of omics data in relation to stem cell survival and differentiation. Additionally, the emerging role of stem cell-derived exosomes as “cell-free” therapy is debated. Last but not least, we discuss the challenges to retrieve and analyze the huge amount of publicly available omics data.

scholarly journals Proteases as therapeutics

2011 ◽  
Vol 435 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S. Craik ◽  
Michael J. Page ◽  
Edwin L. Madison
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Application ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Disease Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Class ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Plasma Fractions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Delivery Options

Proteases are an expanding class of drugs that hold great promise. The U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved 12 protease therapies, and a number of next generation or completely new proteases are in clinical development. Although they are a well-recognized class of targets for inhibitors, proteases themselves have not typically been considered as a drug class despite their application in the clinic over the last several decades; initially as plasma fractions and later as purified products. Although the predominant use of proteases has been in treating cardiovascular disease, they are also emerging as useful agents in the treatment of sepsis, digestive disorders, inflammation, cystic fibrosis, retinal disorders, psoriasis and other diseases. In the present review, we outline the history of proteases as therapeutics, provide an overview of their current clinical application, and describe several approaches to improve and expand their clinical application. Undoubtedly, our ability to harness proteolysis for disease treatment will increase with our understanding of protease biology and the molecular mechanisms responsible. New technologies for rationally engineering proteases, as well as improved delivery options, will expand greatly the potential applications of these enzymes. The recognition that proteases are, in fact, an established class of safe and efficacious drugs will stimulate investigation of additional therapeutic applications for these enzymes. Proteases therefore have a bright future as a distinct therapeutic class with diverse clinical applications.

A new genus and species of polyclad flatworm found in the mantle cavities of gastropod molluscs in the high-intertidal zone of the Pacific coast of Central America

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anno Faubel ◽  
Ronald Sluys ◽  
David G. Reid
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Upper Eulittoral ◽  
High Intertidal Zone ◽  
Commensal Relationship

A commensal relationship is described between the polyclad flatworm Paraprostatum echinolittorinae Faubel & Sluys gen. et sp. nov. and gastropod molluscs living on the Pacific coast of central America. Although the worms are relatively large in comparison with their hosts, the latter sustained no apparent damage. Considering the fact that the molluscs live in the upper eulittoral zone and littoral fringe of the shore, it is unlikely that the polyclads could survive for long outside the hosts. Diagnostic characters for the new genus and species are a long penial stylet joined to the proximal vesicle and absence of Lang's vesicle. It is pointed out that Aprostatum clippertoni Bock, 1913 and A. longipenis (Kato, 1943) have been incorrectly transferred to the genus Euplana Girard, 1893 and that Discoplana malagensis Doignon, Artois & Deheyn, 2003 should be transferred to the genus Ilyella Faubel, 1983.

Defining the role of glucocorticoids in inflammation

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (14) ◽  
pp. 1529-1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Ronchetti ◽  
Graziella Migliorati ◽  
Stefano Bruscoli ◽  
Carlo Riccardi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

An established body of knowledge and clinical practice has argued in favor of the use of glucocorticoids in various chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the very well-known adverse effects associated with their treatment hampers continuation of therapy with glucocorticoids. Analyses of the molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of glucocorticoids have led to the discovery of several mediators that add complexity and diversity to the puzzling world of these hormones and anti-inflammatory drugs. Such mediators hold great promise as alternative pharmacologic tools to be used as anti-inflammatory drugs with the same properties as glucocorticoids, but avoiding their metabolic side effects. This review summarizes findings about the molecular targets and mediators of glucocorticoid function.

scholarly journals Responses of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii to aerial exposure: implications on growth and physiological condition

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 612-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Eugenia Torroglosa ◽  
Juliana Giménez
Keyword(s):  
Shell Length ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Physiological Condition ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Aerial Exposure ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
The North ◽  
Calcein Am ◽  
High Intertidal Zone

The length of aerial exposure (i.e., environmental conditions) of an organism, due to daily tides, induces physiological responses. A mark–recapture field experiment was conducted in two intertidal zones (low tide and high tide) using the stain calcein AM to determine growth, as measured by shell length, of the mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii (d’Orbigny, 1842) along its vertical distribution off the north Argentinean coast. In the high intertidal zone, B. rodriguezii exhibited slower growth in shell length because of the physiological stress resulting from aerial exposure during low tides. In the low intertidal zone and during spring, B. rodriguezii exhibited faster growth in shell length. It is suggested that growth of B. rodriguezii relies on several environmental factors (temperature, photoperiod, and aerial exposure) that fluctuate according to tidal height.

Quantitative analyses of decapod crustaceans at a rocky intertidal shore in the Gulf of Oman, Iran: diversity, zonation and monsoonal fluctuations

2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-459
Author(s):  
Saeed Ebrahimnezhad ◽  
Reza Naderloo
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
New Records ◽  
Decapod Crustaceans ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
South West ◽  
South West Monsoon ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
High Intertidal Zone

This paper provides data on diversity, zonation and seasonal fluctuations of decapod crustaceans at the northern Gulf of Oman coast, based on quantitative and qualitative samplings. A total of 75 species belonging to four infraorders, 27 families and 48 genera were identified. These species include 20 new records for the entire Gulf of Oman and 13 new records for its Iranian coast. The mid-intertidal zone showed a higher mean diversity and abundance than high- and low-intertidal zones. The mean diversity and abundance in the high-intertidal zone showed significant differences with the mid- and low-intertidal zones. The indices of species richness (Margalef), diversity (Shannon) and evenness (Pielou) showed significant differences among the intertidal zones. Most of the identified species (>60%) that had high values in their frequency of occurrence and relative abundance showed an overlapping vertical distribution, and were present in all three or just in two of the three defined zones. Other species were found only in one of the three zones (non-overlapping vertical distribution). The decapod community in the mid-intertidal zone showed a higher dissimilarity with the high-intertidal zone than with the low-intertidal. Both abundance and diversity were found to be lowest and highest during south-west and north-east monsoons, respectively. During south-west monsoon, the abundance of decapods declined dramatically, but species diversity and ecological indices did not show any statistically significant difference among the sampling periods.

Insights into Responses to Extreme Environmental Conditions in Humans from Studies on Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
Ramesh C. Meena ◽  
Amitabha Chakrabarti
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Gene Expression Data ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Expression Data ◽  
Environmental Stress Response ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Pathways Analysis

<p>The versatility of the yeast experimental model has aided in innumerable ways in the understanding of fundamental cellular functions and has also contributed towards the elucidation of molecular mechanisms underlying several pathological conditions in humans. Genome-wide expression, functional, localization and interaction studies on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to various stressors have made profound contributions towards the understanding of stress response pathways. Analysis of gene expression data from S. cerevisiae cells indicate that the expression of a common set of genes is altered upon exposure to all the stress conditions examined. This common response to multiple stressors is known as the Environmental stress response. Knowledge gained from studies on the yeast model has now become helpful in understanding stress response pathways and associated disease conditions in humans. Cross-species microarray experiments and analysis of data with ever improving computational methods has led to a better comparison of gene expression data between diverse organisms that include yeast and humans.</p>

Littoral Stratification in Growth form and Fecundity of the Rock Barnacle, Semibalanus Balanoides

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Rangeley ◽  
M. L. H. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Base Length ◽  
Nucella Lapillus ◽  
Semibalanus Balanoides ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
Density Dependent ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
High Intertidal Zone

The population dynamics of rock barnacles, Semibalanus balanoides (L.), residing in low and high intertidal zones are affected by conspicuously different factors. The barnacle population in the high intertidal zone tends to show longterm stability due to a low incidence of both predation and interspecific competition. Wave exposure, desiccation and intraspecific competition are more important factors affecting abundance and size distribution in this zone (Menge, 1976). In the low intertidal zone, barnacle predation by the dogwhelk, Nucella lapillus (L.) is intense (Menge, 1976) and both the adults and larvae are smaller than in the high intertidal zone (Barnes, 1953). The growth form of S. balanoides is density dependent with taller, more columnar individuals predominating at high densities and short conical barnacles at low densities. Lower fecundity of conical individuals may be due to lower internal shell volume compared with columnar forms (Wethey, 1984). Fecundity increases both with increasing age and base length (Arnold, 1977) and is positively density dependent (Wethey, 1984).

scholarly journals A combined field and modeling study of groundwater flow in a tidal marsh

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 5123-5163
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Tidal River ◽  
High Permeability ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Intertidal Zones ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Groundwater Circulation ◽  
High Intertidal Zone

Abstract. Bald mud beaches were found among the mangrove marshes in Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve, Hainan, China. To investigate the possible reasons for this phenomenon, the intertidal zones of a mangrove transect and a bald beach transect with similar topography and same tidal actions were selected for comparison study. Along both transects, observed water table variations were significant in the high and low intertidal zones and negligible in the middle intertidal zones. Field investigations and observations invite two speculations: (1) existence of a high-permeability zone on each transect which underlies the low-permeability surface mud sediments and outcrops in the high intertidal zone, and (2) considerable inland freshwater recharge along the mangrove transect but negligible freshwater recharge along the bald beach transect. Two-dimensional numerical simulations based on these speculations gave results in line with the observed water table. The bald beach is most probably due to the lack of enough freshwater for generating a brackish beach soil condition essential to mangrove growth. It is also indicated that seawater infiltrated the high-permeability zone through its outcrop near the high intertidal zone, and discharged from the tidal river bank in the vicinity of the low tide line, thereby forming a tide-induced seawater-groundwater circulation which may provide considerable contribution to the total submarine groundwater discharge.

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