Small but effective: light-weight additives modulate prenucleation clusters by specific interactions on the molecular level

Small-molecular-weight (MW) additives can strongly impact amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), playing an elusive role in biogenic, geologic, and industrial calcification. Here, we present molecular mechanisms by which additives regulate stability and composition of solid ACC and CaCO3 solutions simultaneously. Effective precipitation inhibition arises from pronounced interaction of additives with prenucleation clusters (PNC). Potent antiscalants specifically trigger and integrate into PNCs. Only PNC-interacting additives are traceable in solid ACC, considerably stabilizing ACC against transformation. This co-precipitation specificity facilitates a chemical labeling of PNCs, evidencing ACC as a molecular precipitate of PNCs. Our results reveal additive-cluster interactions that operate beyond established mechanistic conceptions and thus reassess the role of small-MW molecules in crystallization and especially in biomineralization while breaking grounds for new sustainable antiscalants.

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Molecular Mechanisms of Oxytocin Signaling at the Synaptic Connection

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2018/4864107 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jan Bakos ◽

Annamaria Srancikova ◽

Tomas Havranek ◽

Zuzana Bacova

Keyword(s):

Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Neuronal Excitability ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Short Term ◽

Oxytocin Receptors ◽

Potential Therapeutic Intervention ◽

Early Alteration

Aberrant regulation of oxytocin signaling is associated with the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Synaptic dysfunctions in neurodevelopmental disorders are becoming increasingly known, and their pathogenic mechanisms could be a target of potential therapeutic intervention. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the role of oxytocin and its receptor in synapse structure, function, and neuron connectivity. An early alteration in oxytocin signaling may disturb neuronal maturation and may have short-term and long-term pathological consequences. At the molecular level, neurodevelopmental disorders include alterations in cytoskeletal rearrangement and neuritogenesis resulting in a diversity of synaptopathies. The presence of oxytocin receptors in the presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes and the direct effects of oxytocin on neuronal excitability by regulating the activity of ion channels in the cell membrane implicate that alterations in oxytocin signaling could be involved in synaptopathies. The ability of oxytocin to modulate neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and certain parameters of cytoskeletal arrangement is discussed in the present review.

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Epigenetic Influences on Plant Responses to the Environment [University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh]

Journal of Student Research ◽

10.47611/jsr.vi.624 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Angela L Vickman ◽

Travis Smith ◽

Hayley Vandenboom ◽

Lisa A. Dorn

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Phenotypic Plasticity ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Physical Structure ◽

Plant Responses ◽

Appropriate Behavior ◽

Stressful Environment ◽

University Of Wisconsin

Plants and animals may respond to changes in the environment at the molecular level by changing the amount of a gene product (a protein) to generate the appropriate behavior or physical structure (a phenotype) for that environment. For example, an extremely stressful environment can cause plants to reproduce immediately rather than waiting for conditions to improve. The molecular mechanisms for changing phenotype with environment (phenotypic plasticity) are not clear, however previous studies have shown plasticity may be the result of failing to change expression to maintain a phenotype or a deliberate change in expression altering the phenotype. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity, I am using a minION sequencing apparatus to re-sequence three inbred lines of Arabidopsis thaliana with extreme phenotypic plasticity differences and gene expression differences with the environment. I will specifically explore the role of methylated cytosines and adenines in gene expression.

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Endometritis and pyometra in bitches: a review

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/6864-vetmed ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 58 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 289-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

B. Kempisty ◽

D. Bukowska ◽

M. Wozna ◽

H. Piotrowska ◽

M. Jackowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Basis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Altered Expression ◽

Expression Of Genes ◽

Clinical Stages ◽

Compound Process ◽

Immunological Changes

Endometritis-pyometra is the most frequent and complex pathology in domestic bitches. This process involves several immunological changes as well as molecular mechanisms responsible for inflammation in the female uterus. The various clinical stages of pyometra are associated with various symptoms. In this review, several aspects are described, including physiological and pathological mechanisms as well as molecular changes which take place during induction of endometritis-pyometra. The authors also highlight the important role of growth factors and their receptors in this process. It is well known that pyometra is a compound process which mainly involves immunological changes during inflammation. However, this review presents a new overview of this process, which includes changes at the molecular level, e.g., the altered expression of genes crucial for the development of this disease. Although pyometra is the most frequent disease of the reproductive tract in bitches, the molecular basis of this process is still not entirely understood.  

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Chaperones, Canalization, and Evolution of Animal Forms

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19103029 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 3029 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Atsuko Sato

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Bet Hedging ◽

Evolutionary Processes ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Developmental Biologist ◽

It Impacts ◽

Organismal Development ◽

Developmental Buffering

Over half a century ago, British developmental biologist Conrad Hal Waddington proposed the idea of canalization, that is, homeostasis in development. Since the breakthrough that was made by Rutherford and Lindquist (1998), who proposed a role of Hsp90 in developmental buffering, chaperones have gained much attention in the study of canalization. However, recent studies have revealed that a number of other molecules are also potentially involved in canalization. Here, I introduce the emerging role of DnaJ chaperones in canalization. I also discuss how the expression levels of such buffering molecules can be altered, thereby altering organismal development. Since developmental robustness is maternally inherited in various organisms, I propose that dynamic bet hedging, an increase in within-clutch variation in offspring phenotypes that is caused by unpredictable environmental challenges to the mothers, plays a key role in altering the expression levels of buffering molecules. Investigating dynamic bet hedging at the molecular level and how it impacts upon morphological phenotypes will help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of canalization and evolutionary processes.

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Absorbance or organization into ankylosis: a microarray analysis of haemarthrosis in a sheep model of temporomandibular joint trauma

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-02033-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mai-Ning Jiao ◽

Tong-Mei Zhang ◽

Kun Yang ◽

Zhao-Yuan Xu ◽

Guan-Meng Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Contralateral Side ◽

Sheep Model ◽

Tmj Ankylosis ◽

Protein Protein Interaction ◽

Ppi Networks ◽

Or Organization ◽

Joint Trauma

Abstract Background Traumatic haemarthrosis was hypothesized to be the etiology of temporomandibular (TMJ) ankylosis. Here, taking haematoma absorbance as a control, we aimed to reveal the molecular mechanisms involved in haematoma organizing into ankylosis using transcriptome microarray profiles. Material/methods Disk removal was performed to building haematoma absorbance (HA) in one side of TMJ, while removal of disk and articular fibrous layers was performed to induced TMJ ankylosis through haematoma organization (HO) in the contralateral side in a sheep model. Haematoma tissues harvested at days 1, 4 and 7 postoperatively were examined by histology, and analyzed by Affymetrix OviGene-1_0-ST microarrays. The DAVID were recruited to perform the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis for the different expression genes (DEGs). The DEGs were also typed into protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks to get the interaction data. Six significant genes screened from PPI analysis, were confirmed by real-time PCR. Results We found 268, 223 and 17 DEGs at least twofold at days 1, 4 and 7, respectively. At day 1, genes promoting collagen ossification (POSTN, BGN, LUM, SPARC), cell proliferation (TGF-β), and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (BMP-2) were up-regulated in the HO side. At day 4, several genes involved in angiogenesis (KDR, FIT1, TEK) shower higher expression in the HO side. While HA was characterized by a continuous immune and inflammatory reaction. Conclusions Our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of haematoma in the onset and progress of TMJ ankylosis. The study will contribute to explaining why few injured TMJs ankylose and most do not from the molecular level.

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Molecular and Immunological Mechanisms Underlying the Various Pharmacological Properties of the Potent Bioflavonoid, Rutin

Endocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871530320666200503053846 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (10) ◽

pp. 1590-1596

Author(s):

David O.C. Yong ◽

Sanggetha R. Saker ◽

Dinesh K. Chellappan ◽

Thiagarajan Madheswaran ◽

Jithendra Panneerselvam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Ancient History ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Herbal Products ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Immunological Mechanisms ◽

Therapeutic Properties

The application of medicinal plants has captured the interest of researchers in recent times due to their potent therapeutic properties and a better safety profile. The prominent role of herbal products in treating and preventing multiple diseases dates back to ancient history and most of the modern drugs today originated from their significant sources owing to their ability to control multiple targets via different signalling pathways. Among them, flavonoids consist of a large group of polyphenols, which are well known for their various therapeutic benefits. Rutin is considered one of the attractive phytochemicals and important flavonoids in the pharmaceutical industry due to its diverse pharmacological activities via various underlying molecular mechanisms. It is usually prescribed for various disease conditions such as varicosities, haemorrhoids and internal haemorrhage. In this review, we have discussed and highlighted the different molecular mechanisms attributed to the various pharmacological activities of rutin, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-allergic and antidiabetic. This review will be beneficial to herbal, biological and molecular scientists in understanding the pharmacological relevance of rutin at the molecular level.

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May Diet and Dietary Supplements Improve the Wellness of Multiple Sclerosis Patients? A Molecular Approach

Autoimmune Diseases ◽

10.4061/2010/249842 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Paolo Riccio ◽

Rocco Rossano ◽

Grazia Maria Liuzzi

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Molecular Basis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Nutritional Intervention ◽

Autoimmune Processes ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽

Ms Therapy

Multiple sclerosis is a complex and multifactorial neurological disease, and nutrition is one of the environmental factors possibly involved in its pathogenesis. At present, the role of nutrition is unclear, and MS therapy is not associated to a particular diet. MS clinical trials based on specific diets or dietary supplements are very few and in some cases controversial. To understand how diet can influence the course of MS and improve the wellness of MS patients, it is necessary to identify the dietary molecules, their targets and the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of the disease. The aim of this paper is to provide a molecular basis for the nutritional intervention in MS by evaluating at molecular level the effect of dietary molecules on the inflammatory and autoimmune processes involved in the disease.

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How do histone modifications contribute to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in C. elegans?

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20190944 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 1019-1034 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rachel M. Woodhouse ◽

Alyson Ashe

Keyword(s):

Histone Modifications ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Epigenetic Inheritance ◽

Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Histone Methyltransferases ◽

Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance ◽

C Elegans ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Gene Regulatory

Gene regulatory information can be inherited between generations in a phenomenon termed transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI). While examples of TEI in many animals accumulate, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has proven particularly useful in investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. In C. elegans and other animals, the modification of histone proteins has emerged as a potential carrier and effector of transgenerational epigenetic information. In this review, we explore the contribution of histone modifications to TEI in C. elegans. We describe the role of repressive histone marks, histone methyltransferases, and associated chromatin factors in heritable gene silencing, and discuss recent developments and unanswered questions in how these factors integrate with other known TEI mechanisms. We also review the transgenerational effects of the manipulation of histone modifications on germline health and longevity.

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Mesophyll conductance: the leaf corridors for photosynthesis

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20190312 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 429-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jorge Gago ◽

Danilo M. Daloso ◽

Marc Carriquí ◽

Miquel Nadal ◽

Melanie Morales ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Main Role ◽

Mesophyll Conductance ◽

Future Studies ◽

Cell Structures ◽

Leaf Tissues ◽

Change Framework ◽

Chloroplast Stroma

Besides stomata, the photosynthetic CO2 pathway also involves the transport of CO2 from the sub-stomatal air spaces inside to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplast stroma, where Rubisco is located. This pathway is far to be a simple and direct way, formed by series of consecutive barriers that the CO2 should cross to be finally assimilated in photosynthesis, known as the mesophyll conductance (gm). Therefore, the gm reflects the pathway through different air, water and biophysical barriers within the leaf tissues and cell structures. Currently, it is known that gm can impose the same level of limitation (or even higher depending of the conditions) to photosynthesis than the wider known stomata or biochemistry. In this mini-review, we are focused on each of the gm determinants to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms driving gm from anatomical to metabolic and biochemical perspectives. Special attention deserve the latest studies demonstrating the importance of the molecular mechanisms driving anatomical traits as cell wall and the chloroplast surface exposed to the mesophyll airspaces (Sc/S) that significantly constrain gm. However, even considering these recent discoveries, still is poorly understood the mechanisms about signaling pathways linking the environment a/biotic stressors with gm responses. Thus, considering the main role of gm as a major driver of the CO2 availability at the carboxylation sites, future studies into these aspects will help us to understand photosynthesis responses in a global change framework.

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The Role of the Endothelium in Premature Atherosclerosis: Molecular Mechanisms

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867326666190911141951 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1041-1051 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Spartalis ◽

Eleftherios Spartalis ◽

Antonios Athanasiou ◽

Stavroula A. Paschou ◽

Christos Kontogiannis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Critical Role ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Number Of Genes ◽

Causes Of Mortality ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽

Made In

Atherosclerotic disease is still one of the leading causes of mortality. Atherosclerosis is a complex progressive and systematic artery disease that involves the intima of the large and middle artery vessels. The inflammation has a key role in the pathophysiological process of the disease and the infiltration of the intima from monocytes, macrophages and T-lymphocytes combined with endothelial dysfunction and accumulated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are the main findings of atherogenesis. The development of atherosclerosis involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. Although a large number of genes, genetic polymorphisms, and susceptible loci have been identified in chromosomal regions associated with atherosclerosis, it is the epigenetic process that regulates the chromosomal organization and genetic expression that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Despite the positive progress made in understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the knowledge about the disease remains scarce.

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