scholarly journals Morphological, Gene, and Hormonal Changes in Gonads and In-Creased Micrococcal Nuclease Accessibility of Sperm Chromatin Induced by Mercury

Biomolecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Gennaro Lettieri ◽  
Nadia Carusone ◽  
Rosaria Notariale ◽  
Marina Prisco ◽  
Alessia Ambrosino ◽  
...  

Mercury is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants. In this work, we analysed the effects of exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis to 1, 10 and 100 pM HgCl2 for 24 h on the gonadal morphology and on the expression level of three stress genes: mt10, hsp70 and πgst. In this tissue we also evaluated the level of steroidogenic enzymes 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD and the expression of PL protein genes. Finally, we determined difference in sperm chromatin accessibility to micrococcal nuclease. We found alterations in gonadal morphology especially after exposure to 10 and 100 pM HgCl2 and hypo-expression of the three stress genes, particularly for hsp70. Furthermore, decreased labelling with both 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD antibodies was observed following exposure to 1 and 10 pM HgCl2 and complete absence at 100 pM HgCl2 exposure. Gonads of mussels exposed to all HgCl2 doses showed decreased expression of PL protein genes especially for PLIII. Finally, micrococcal nuclease digestions showed that all doses of HgCl2 exposure resulted in increased sperm chromatin accessibility to this enzyme, indicative of improper sperm chromatin structure. All of these changes provide preliminary data of the potential toxicity of mercury on the reproductive health of this mussel.

1985 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
A USCHEWA ◽  
C PATRIOTIS ◽  
Z AVRAMOVA

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 451-458
Author(s):  
Troy A.A. Harkness

Biochemical studies using highly condensed Xenopus sperm chromatin and protein extracts prepared from multiple systems have lead to the identification of conserved proteins involved in chromosome decondensation. However, mutations to these proteins are unavailable as the systems used are not amenable to genetic studies. We took a genetic approach to isolating chromosome decondensation mutants by incubating Xenopus sperm chromatin with whole-cell extracts prepared from the Hartwell library of random temperature sensitive (ts) yeast cells. We show that decondensation of Xenopus sperm chromatin using wild type yeast extracts was rapid, ATP- and extract-dependent, and resistant to heat, N-ethylmaleimide, protease K, RNase A, and micrococcal nuclease. From 100 mutant extracts screened, we obtained one strain, referred to as rmc4, that was chromosome decondensation defective. The mutant was slow growing and exhibited germination defects. Low concentrations of rmc4 extract would eventually decondense sperm heads, and fractionation of the mutant extract produced a decondensation competent fraction, suggesting the presence of an overactive inhibitor in rmc4 cells. We performed a multicopy suppressor screen that identified PDE2, a gene encoding a protein that inhibits protein kinase A (PKA) activity. As PKA was previously shown in human cells to maintain condensed chromatin, our results suggest that PKA activity is elevated in rmc4 cells, causing a decondensation defect. Thus, our experiments reveal that yeast encodes an evolutionarily conserved chromosome decondensation activity that can be genetically manipulated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Pequeno ◽  
Joana Antunes ◽  
Viren Dhimmer ◽  
Filipa Bessa ◽  
Paula Sobral

Microplastics (MP) have been confirmed as emerging pollutants in the marine environment due to their ubiquity, bioavailability, persistence and potential toxicity. This study contributes with valuable data regarding the abundance and characteristics of the MP found in five species collected from Portugal. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (n = 140) was collected from the Tagus estuary and Porto Covo coastal area, the peppery furrow shell Scrobicularia plana (n = 140) and the polychaete Marphysa sanguinea (n = 30) both from the Sado estuary, and Trachurus trachurus (n = 82) and Scomber colias (n = 82) fished off Figueira da Foz and Sesimbra. Soft tissues of all individuals were digested using a KOH (10%) solution, which allowed the extraction of MP. All studied species presented MP. In a total of 502 MP observed from all samples, 80% were fibers and 20% were fragments, with a size range of 73 μm–4,680 μm and blue was the most common color recorded (46%). The frequency of occurrence of MP was higher in T. trachurus (70%) and lowest in M. sanguinea (17%). MP abundance ranged from 0.30 ± 0.63 MP. ind−1 in S. plana, to 2.46 ± 4.12 MP. ind−1 in S. colias. No significant correlation was found between the individual biometric parameters and total MP, fibers and fragments ingested by each species. The FTIR analysis revealed that polyester and polyethylene were the most common polymers present. These results can be used as a reference for future studies regarding the use of indicator species for monitoring MP pollution in the coast of Portugal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (26) ◽  
pp. 8725-8735
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Safgren ◽  
Rachel L. O. Olson ◽  
Anne M. Vrabel ◽  
Luciana L. Almada ◽  
David L. Marks ◽  
...  

The transcription factor GLI1 (GLI family zinc finger 1) plays a key role in the development and progression of multiple malignancies. To date, regulation of transcriptional activity at target gene promoters is the only molecular event known to underlie the oncogenic function of GLI1. Here, we provide evidence that GLI1 controls chromatin accessibility at distal regulatory regions by modulating the recruitment of SMARCA2 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 2) to these elements. We demonstrate that SMARCA2 endogenously interacts with GLI1 and enhances its transcriptional activity. Mapping experiments indicated that the C-terminal transcriptional activation domain of GLI1 and SMARCA2's central domains, including its ATPase motif, are required for this interaction. Interestingly, similar to SMARCA2, GLI1 overexpression increased chromatin accessibility, as indicated by results of the micrococcal nuclease assay. Further, results of assays for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) after GLI1 knockdown supported these findings, revealing that GLI1 regulates chromatin accessibility at several regions distal to gene promoters. Integrated RNA-seq and ATAC-seq data analyses identified a subset of differentially expressed genes located in cis to these regulated chromatin sites. Finally, using the GLI1-regulated gene HHIP (Hedgehog-interacting protein) as a model, we demonstrate that GLI1 and SMARCA2 co-occupy a distal chromatin peak and that SMARCA2 recruitment to this HHIP putative enhancer requires intact GLI1. These findings provide insights into how GLI1 controls gene expression in cancer cells and may inform approaches targeting this oncogenic transcription factor to manage malignancies.


Adolescents (10-19 years) population in India is 253 million (Census 2011), and the country needs to see them physically, mentally healthy, and socially valuable people. A significant period of transition from childhood to adulthood for biological and psychological development. A phase of puberty represents a time of dramatic transformation, and hormonal changes were the testosterone sex hormone plays an essential role in the body. In men, it's thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm [1]. Adolescents are sexually active in unique aspects exploring knowledge in diverse aspects of early life experiences. Also, developmental trauma disorder will harm their attachments, social, self-regulation skills, low self-esteem, and the development of harmful sexual behaviour. During the phase, male adolescents are addicted to drugs, which causes' Psychosocial Risks (Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Loneliness) among adolescents, shaping one's future. The study analysis the knowledge, awareness of sexuality, masturbation, sexually transmitted infection, adolescent's sexual behaviour, information-seeking behaviour, and interpersonal communication during adolescence among arts and science University male students in Coimbatore who come from the various rural and urban backgrounds. Igniting the information-seeking action and discussion will help build a strong structure of health communication to influence individuals. The interpersonal communication between the adolescent parents and the dissemination of sex education through proper communication channels will develop a positive attitude of their body functions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Leonardo Monteiro Nesello ◽  
Fábio Pasqualotto

INTRODUÇÃO: A saúde reprodutora masculina pode ser influenciada devida à prática de atividade física, e com isso tem-se aumentado o número de estudos que analisam o efeito da atividade física na qualidade seminal. Descobertas apontam que mudanças significativas na qualidade do sêmen podem ocorrer com a prática de atividade física, que pode alterar sua qualidade de acordo com o tipo de atividade física, a intensidade e a duração. OBJETIVO: Neste contexto, o presente estudo realizou uma análise detalhada da literatura atual com o objetivo de verificar o efeito de diferentes atividades físicas sobre a saúde reprodutora masculina. MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática feita nas bases de dados do PubMed. Utilizou-se os itens propostos pelo PRISMA para a busca, seleção e extração de dados. De acordo com o fluxograma proposto, 244 artigos foram identificados e, destes, 12 foram selecionados. RESULTADOS: Apoiada por fortes evidências clínicas, esta revisão sugere que a atividade física intensa pode provocar fortes alterações hormonais e prejudicar a qualidade seminal. Já a atividade física moderada parece ter um efeito neutro ou benéfico para a qualidade do sêmen. Além disso, o efeito da atividade física na qualidade do sêmen pode ser diferente de acordo com o tipo de atividade física. CONCLUSÃO: Frente às evidências, ainda existe falta de conclusões sólidas sobre esse assunto, devido ao fato de existir muita contradição entre os estudos existentes e da atividade física não ser facilmente quantificada. ABSTRACT. Effect of physical activity on seminal quality, BACKGROUND: Male reproductive health may be influenced by physical activity, and this has increased the number of studies that analyze the effect of physical activity on seminal quality. Findings indicate that significant changes in semen quality can occur due to the practice of physical activity, which can alter its quality according to the type of physical activity, intensity and duration. OBJECTIVE: In this context, the present study performed a detailed analysis of the current literature with the objective of verifying the effect of different physical activity on male reproductive health. METHODS: A systematic review performed on the PubMed databases. The items proposed by PRISMA were used for searching, selecting and extracting data. According to the proposed flowchart, 244 articles were indentified and, of these, 12 were selected. RESULTS: Supported by strong clinical evidence, this review shows that intense physical activity can cause strong hormonal changes and impair seminal quality. On the other hand, moderate physical activity seems to have a neutral or beneficial effect on semen quality. In addition, the effect of physical activity on semen quality may differ according to the type of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Faced with the evidence, there is still a lack of solid conclusions on this subject, due to the fact that there is a lot of contradiction between the existing studies and that physical activity can not be easily quantified.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Bernadeta Verawati ◽  
Kenik SW

range of 10 to 19 years. Adolescents are the population in the age range of 10-18 years. Rapid physical changes and hormonal changes are triggers for sexual motivation. Stimulation from the environment such as TV and the internet about sexual behavior and nutritional factors causes sexual hormones to appear earlier so that adolescents tend to experience sexual development more quickly. The rise of adolescent sexual behavior at this time is increasingly concerning and tends to increase both in terms of the quantity and sharpness of cases that occur.Method: This type of research is an observational analytic with a cross-sectional study design, to analyze the exposure to reproductive health information on adolescent sexual behavior in Sleman Regency. Samples were taken from adolescents who were in class XI SMAN 2 Ngaglik with a purposive sampling technique of 198 students. Data collection using a questionnaire via google form. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyzes.Results: There is a relationship between reproductive health information from parents with adolescent sexual behavior (P value 0.00), there is a relationship between information from peers and adolescent sexual behavior (P value 0.00), there is a relationship between media access and adolescent sexual behavior ( P value 0.06) Adjusted RSquare value = 0.541.Conclusion: Of the three variables, information from parents and from peers has the same relationship with sexual behavior in adolescents, and media access is smaller than the other two variables.


2016 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 184-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Altuğ Yavaşoğlu ◽  
Dilara Özkan ◽  
Adem Güner ◽  
Selma Katalay ◽  
Fatih Oltulu ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 156-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filomena Fiorito ◽  
Maria Grazia Amoroso ◽  
Sara Lambiase ◽  
Francesco Paolo Serpe ◽  
Teresa Bruno ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 5453-5462
Author(s):  
Mattia Lion ◽  
Brejnev Muhire ◽  
Yuka Namiki ◽  
Michael Y. Tolstorukov ◽  
Marjorie A. Oettinger

Developing lymphocytes diversify their antigen receptor (AgR) loci by variable (diversity) joining (V[D]J) recombination. Here, using the micrococcal nuclease (MNase)-based chromatin accessibility (MACC) assay with low-cell count input, we profile both small-scale (kilobase) and large-scale (megabase) changes in chromatin accessibility and nucleosome occupancy in primary cells during lymphoid development, tracking the changes as different AgR loci become primed for recombination. The three distinct chromatin structures identified in this work define unique features of immunoglobulin H (IgH), Igκ, and T cell receptor-α (TCRα) loci during B lymphopoiesis. In particular, we find locus-specific temporal changes in accessibility both across megabase-long AgR loci and locally at the recombination signal sequences (RSSs). These changes seem to be regulated independently and can occur prior to lineage commitment. Large-scale changes in chromatin accessibility occur without significant change in nucleosome density and represent key features of AgR loci not previously described. We further identify local dynamic repositioning of individual RSS-associated nucleosomes at IgH and Igκ loci while they become primed for recombination during B cell commitment. These changes in chromatin at AgR loci are regulated in a locus-, lineage-, and stage-specific manner during B lymphopoiesis, serving either to facilitate or to impose a barrier to V(D)J recombination. We suggest that local and global changes in chromatin openness in concert with nucleosome occupancy and placement of histone modifications facilitate the temporal order of AgR recombination. Our data have implications for the organizing principles that govern assembly of these large loci as well as for mechanisms that might contribute to aberrant V(D)J recombination and the development of lymphoid tumors.


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