scholarly journals Unexplored Potentials of Epigenetic Mechanisms of Plants and Animals–-Theoretical Considerations

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. GEG.S11752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Istvan Seffer ◽  
Zoltan Nemeth ◽  
Gyula Hoffmann ◽  
Robert Matics ◽  
A. Gergely Seffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Animal Cell ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Morphological and functional changes of cells are important for adapting to environmental changes and associated with continuous regulation of gene expressions. Genes are regulated–in part–by epigenetic mechanisms resulting in alternating patterns of gene expressions throughout life. Epigenetic changes responding to the environmental and intercellular signals can turn on/off specific genes, but do not modify the DNA sequence. Most epigenetic mechanisms are evolutionary conserved in eukaryotic organisms, and several homologs of epigenetic factors are present in plants and animals. Moreover, in vitro studies suggest that the plant cytoplasm is able to induce a nuclear reassembly of the animal cell, whereas others suggest that the ooplasm is able to induce condensation of plant chromatin. Here, we provide an overview of the main epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression and discuss fundamental epigenetic mechanisms and factors functioning in both plants and animals. Finally, we hypothesize that animal genome can be repro-grammed by epigenetic factors from the plant protoplast.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Regulation of Inflammatory Responses in the Context of Physical Activity

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1313
Author(s):  
Maciej Tarnowski ◽  
Patrycja Kopytko ◽  
Katarzyna Piotrowska
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Physiological Stress ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Tissue Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Milieu ◽  
Immunological System

Epigenetic modifications occur in response to environmental changes and play a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression. PA is found to elicit an inflammatory response, both from the innate and adaptive divisions of the immunological system. The inflammatory reaction is considered a vital trigger of epigenetic changes that in turn modulate inflammatory actions. The tissue responses to PA involve local and general changes. The epigenetic mechanisms involved include: DNA methylation, histone proteins modification and microRNA. All of them affect genetic expression in an inflammatory milieu in physical exercise depending on the magnitude of physiological stress experienced by the exerciser. PA may evoke acute or chronic biochemical and physiological responses and have a positive or negative immunomodulatory effect.

Epigenetics

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Gay ◽  
Michel Neidhart
Keyword(s):  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Pathological Process ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Therapeutic Concept ◽  
Methyl Donors ◽  
Chromatin Folding ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms

In higher eukaryotic organisms epigenetic modifications are crucial for proper chromatin folding and thereby proper regulation of gene expression. Epigenetics include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs. First described in tumors, the involvement of aberrant epigenetic modifications has been reported also in other diseases, i.e. metabolic, psychiatric, inflammatory, and autoimmune. Deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms occurred in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma. Many questions remain: e.g. what is the cause of these epigenetic changes and how can we interfere in the pathological process? Here we discuss whether supplementation with methyl donors could represent a novel therapeutic concept for such diseases.

scholarly journals The role of epigenetic factors in descendants from Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
Vasilios Pergialiotis ◽  
Anastasia Prodromidou ◽  
Evangelia Dimitroulia ◽  
Dimitrios Loutradis
Keyword(s):  
Potential Effect ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Techniques ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Epigenetic Factors ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Reproductive Techniques ◽  
Art Research

Altogether, Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) are likely to cause some epigenetic changes in the offspring, which might consist the molecular basis of complex characteristics and diseases. The present review contributes a large biochemical dataset of a well-defined group of pre- pubertal in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) conceived children in order to detect the potential effect in the offspring’s health. Additionally, the relevant usefulness of metabolomics and proteomics are also investigated. The outcomes indicate early insulin resistance in ICSI-offspring which can set the basis for further research in the field so as to identify the respective pathophysiological pathways and mechanisms of action. The data support that metabolomics may unravel metabolic variances before they become clinically or biochemically evident, underlining its utility in the ART research.

scholarly journals Enzymatic complexes across scales

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis L. Kastritis ◽  
Anne-Claude Gavin
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Associate Form ◽  
Cellular Biochemistry ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements ◽  
Different Levels

An unprecedented opportunity to integrate ~100 years of meticulous in vitro biomolecular research is currently provided in the light of recent advances in methods to visualize closer-to-native architectures of biomolecular machines, and metabolic enzymes in particular. Traditional views of enzymes, namely biomolecular machines, only partially explain their role, organization and kinetics in the cellular milieu. Enzymes self- or hetero-associate, form fibers, may bind to membranes or cytoskeletal elements, have regulatory roles, associate into higher order assemblies (metabolons) or even actively participate in phase-separated membraneless organelles, and all the above in a transient, temporal and spatial manner in response to environmental changes or structural/functional changes of their assemblies. Here, we focus on traditional and emerging concepts in cellular biochemistry and discuss new opportunities in bridging structural, molecular and cellular analyses for metabolic pathways, accumulated over the years, highlighting functional aspects of enzymatic complexes discussed across different levels of spatial resolution.

EPEGENTIC TOXICOLOGY: PERSPECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
G. A. Sofronov ◽  
E. L. Patkin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Mechanism Of Formation ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Time Periods

One of the complex problems of modern experimental toxicology remains the molecular mechanism of formation of human health disorders separated at different time periods from acute or chronic exposure to toxic environmental pollutants (ecotoxicants). Identifying and understanding what epigenetic changes are induced by the environment, and how they can lead to unfavorable outcome, are vital for protecting public health. Therefore, we consider it important a modern understanding of epigenetic mechanisms involved in the life cycle of mammals and assess available data on the environmentally caused epigenetic toxicity and, accordingly fledging epigenenomic (epigenetic) regulatory toxicology.

Epigenetics, Nutrition, Disease and Drug Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Lundstrom
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Nutritional Requirements ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Disease Development ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Novel Drug

Epigenetic mechanisms comprising of DNA methylation, histone modifications and gene silencing by RNA interference have been strongly linked to the development and progression of various diseases. These findings have triggered research on epigenetic functions and signal pathways as targets for novel drug discovery. Dietary intake has also presented significant influence on human health and disease development and nutritional modifications have proven important in prevention, but also the treatment of disease. Moreover, a strong link between nutrition and epigenetic changes has been established. Therefore, in attempts to develop novel safer and more efficacious drugs, both nutritional requirements and epigenetic mechanisms need to be addressed.

COVID-19 Epigenetics and Implications for Public Health

Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verda Tunalıgil ◽  
Gülsen Meral ◽  
Ahmet Katı ◽  
Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay ◽  
Amit Kumar Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

Abstract:: Epigenetic changes in COVID-19 host, a pandemic-causing infectious agent that globally incapacitated communities in varying complexities and capacities are discussed, proposing an analogy that epigenetic processes contribute to disease severity and elevate the risk for death from infection. Percentages of hospitalization, with and without intensive care, in the presence of diseases with increased ACE2 expression, were compared, based on the best available data. Further analysis compared two different age groups, 19-64 and ≥65 years of age. The COVID-19 disease is observed to be the most severe in the 65-and-higher-age group with preexisting chronic conditions. This observational study is a non-experimental empirical investigation of the outcomes of COVID-19 in different patient groups. Results are promising for conducting clinical trials with intervention groups. To ultimately succeed in disease prevention, researchers and clinicians must integrate epigenetic mechanisms to generate valid prescriptions for global well-being.

scholarly journals Solvent Exposure and Ionic Condensation Drive Fuzzy Dimerization of Disordered Heterochromatin Protein Sequence

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 915
Author(s):  
Jazelli Mueterthies ◽  
Davit A. Potoyan
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Solvent Exposure ◽  
Ion Release ◽  
Dimer Formation ◽  
Eukaryotic Organisms

Proteins with low complexity, disordered sequences are receiving increasing attention due to their central roles in the biogenesis and regulation of membraneless organelles. In eukaryotic organisms, a substantial fraction of disordered proteins reside in the nucleus, thereby facilitating the formation of nuclear bodies, nucleolus, and chromatin compartmentalization. The heterochromatin family of proteins (HP1) is an important player in driving the formation of gene silenced mesoscopic heterochromatin B compartments and pericentric regions. Recent experiments have shown that the HP1a sequence of Drosophila melanogaster can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, induced by changes of the monovalent salt concentration. While the phase separation of HP1a is thought to be the mechanism underlying chromatin compartmentalization, the molecular level mechanistic picture of salt-driven phase separation of HP1a has remained poorly understood. The disordered hinge region of HP1a is seen as the driver of salt-induced condensation because of its charge enriched sequence and post-translational modifications. Here, we set out to decipher the mechanisms of salt-induced condensation of HP1a through a systematic study of salt-dependent conformations of single chains and fuzzy dimers of disordered HP1a hinge sequences. Using multiple independent all-atom simulations with and without enhanced sampling, we carry out detailed characterization of conformational ensembles of disordered HP1a chains under different ionic conditions using various polymeric and structural measures. We show that the mobile ion release, enhancement of local transient secondary structural elements, and side-chain exposure to solvent are robust trends that accompany fuzzy dimer formation. Furthermore, we find that salt-induced changes in the ensemble of conformations of HP1a disordered hinge sequence fine-tune the inter-chain vs. self-chain interactions in ways that favor fuzzy dimer formation under low salt conditions in the agreement with condensation trends seen in experiments.

scholarly journals In Vitro Compression Model for Orthodontic Tooth Movement Modulates Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblast Proliferation, Apoptosis and Cell Cycle

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 932
Author(s):  
Julia Brockhaus ◽  
Rogerio B. Craveiro ◽  
Irma Azraq ◽  
Christian Niederau ◽  
Sarah K. Schröder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Periodontal Ligament ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Tooth Movement ◽  
Orthodontic Tooth Movement ◽  
Compressive Force ◽  
Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts ◽  
Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts

Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts (hPDLF), as part of the periodontal apparatus, modulate inflammation, regeneration and bone remodeling. Interferences are clinically manifested as attachment loss, tooth loosening and root resorption. During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), remodeling and adaptation of the periodontium is required in order to enable tooth movement. hPDLF involvement in the early phase-OTM compression side was investigated for a 72-h period through a well-studied in vitro model. Changes in the morphology, cell proliferation and cell death were analyzed. Specific markers of the cell cycle were investigated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The study showed that the morphology of hPDLF changes towards more unstructured, unsorted filaments under mechanical compression. The total cell numbers were significantly reduced with a higher cell death rate over the whole observation period. hPDLF started to recover to pretreatment conditions after 48 h. Furthermore, key molecules involved in the cell cycle were significantly reduced under compressive force at the gene expression and protein levels. These findings revealed important information for a better understanding of the preservation and remodeling processes within the periodontium through Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts during orthodontic tooth movement. OTM initially decelerates the hPDLF cell cycle and proliferation. After adapting to environmental changes, human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts can regain homeostasis of the periodontium, affecting its reorganization.

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