Molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cholesterol on neuronal cell membrane function and drug-membrane interactions.

1997 ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Preston Mason
Author(s):  
A. C. Enders

The alteration in membrane relationships seen at implantation include 1) interaction between cytotrophoblast cells to form syncytial trophoblast and addition to the syncytium by subsequent fusion of cytotrophoblast cells, 2) formation of a wide variety of functional complex relationships by trophoblast with uterine epithelial cells in the process of invasion of the endometrium, and 3) in the case of the rabbit, fusion of some uterine epithelial cells with the trophoblast.Formation of syncytium is apparently a membrane fusion phenomenon in which rapid confluence of cytoplasm often results in isolation of residual membrane within masses of syncytial trophoblast. Often the last areas of membrane to disappear are those including a desmosome where the cell membranes are apparently held apart from fusion.


2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-252

In this review, we outline critical molecular processes that have been implicated by discovery of genetic mutations in autism. These mechanisms need to be mapped onto the neurodevelopment step(s) gone awry that may be associated with cause in autism. Molecular mechanisms include: (i) regulation of gene expression; (ii) pre-mRNA splicing; (iii) protein localization, translation, and turnover; (iv) synaptic transmission; (v) cell signaling; (vi) the functions of cytoskeletal and scaffolding proteins; and (vii) the function of neuronal cell adhesion molecules. While the molecular mechanisms appear broad, they may converge on only one of a few steps during neurodevelopment that perturbs the structure, function, and/or plasticity of neuronal circuitry. While there are many genetic mutations involved, novel treatments may need to target only one of few developmental mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimra Javaid ◽  
Muhammad Ajmal Shah ◽  
Azhar Rasul ◽  
Zunera Chauhdary ◽  
Uzma Saleem ◽  
...  

: Neurodegeneration is a multifactorial process involved the different cytotoxic pathways that lead towards neuronal cell death. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a persistent neurodegenerative disorder that normally has a steady onset yet later on it worsens. The documented evidence of AD neuropathology manifested the neuro-inflammation, increased reactive oxygen, nitrogen species and decreased antioxidant protective process; mitochondrial dysfunction as well as increased level of acetylcholinesterase activity. Moreover, enhanced action of proteins leads towards neural apoptosis which have a vital role in the degeneration of neurons. The inability of commercial therapeutic options to treat AD with targeting single mechanism leads the attraction towards organic drugs. Ellagic acid is a dimer of gallic acid, latest studies expressed that ellagic acid can initiate the numerous cell signaling transmission and decrease the progression of disorders, involved in the degeneration of neurons. The influential property of ellagic acid to protect the neurons in neurodegenerative disorders is due to its antioxidant effect, iron chelating and mitochondrial protective effect. The main goal of this review is to critically analyze the molecular mode of action of ellagic acid against neurodegeneration.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunkyoung Lee ◽  
Hee-Sook Jun ◽  
Yoon Sin Oh

The extract of Psoralea corylifolia seeds (PCE) has been widely used as a herbal medicine because of its beneficial effect on human health. In this study, we investigated the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of PCE on palmitate- (PA-) induced toxicity in PC12 cells, a neuron-like cell line. PCE significantly increased cell viability in PA-treated PC12 cells and showed antiapoptotic effects, as evidenced by decreased expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and bax protein as well as increased expression of bcl-2 protein. In addition, PCE treatment reduced PA-induced reactive oxygen species production and upregulated mRNA levels of antioxidant genes such as nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 and heme oxygenase 1. Moreover, PCE treatment recovered the expression of autophagy marker genes such as beclin-1 and p62, which was decreased by PA treatment. Treatment with isopsoralen, one of the major components of PCE extract, also recovered the expression of autophagy marker genes and reduced PA-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, PCE exerts protective effects against lipotoxicity via its antioxidant function, and this effect is mediated by activation of autophagy. PCE might be a potential pharmacological agent to protect against neuronal cell injury caused by oxidative stress or lipotoxicity.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Martina Nicoletti ◽  
Letizia Chiodo ◽  
Alessandro Loppini

Mechanosensing is a key feature through which organisms can receive inputs from the environment and convert them into specific functional and behavioral outputs. Mechanosensation occurs in many cells and tissues, regulating a plethora of molecular processes based on the distribution of forces and stresses both at the cell membrane and at the intracellular organelles levels, through complex interactions between cells’ microstructures, cytoskeleton, and extracellular matrix. Although several primary and secondary mechanisms have been shown to contribute to mechanosensation, a fundamental pathway in simple organisms and mammals involves the presence of specialized sensory neurons and the presence of different types of mechanosensitive ion channels on the neuronal cell membrane. In this contribution, we present a review of the main ion channels which have been proven to be significantly involved in mechanotransduction in neurons. Further, we discuss recent studies focused on the biological mechanisms and modeling of mechanosensitive ion channels’ gating, and on mechanotransduction modeling at different scales and levels of details.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsui-Wen Chou ◽  
Nydia P. Chang ◽  
Medha Krishnagiri ◽  
Aisha P. Patel ◽  
Marissa Lindman ◽  
...  

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of midbrain dopamine neurons. The pathogenesis of PD is poorly understood, though misfolded and/or aggregated forms of the protein α-synuclein have been implicated in several neurodegenerative disease processes, including neuroinflammation and astrocyte activation. Astrocytes in the midbrain play complex roles during PD, initiating both harmful and protective processes that vary over the course of the disease. However, despite their significant regulatory roles during neurodegeneration, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote pathogenic astrocyte activity remain mysterious. Here, we show that α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) induce pathogenic activation of human midbrain astrocytes, marked by inflammatory transcriptional responses, downregulation of phagocytic function, and conferral of neurotoxic activity. These effects required the necroptotic kinases RIPK1 and RIPK3, but were independent of MLKL and necroptosis. Instead, both transcriptional and functional markers of astrocyte activation occurred via RIPK-dependent activation of NF-κB signaling. Our study identifies a previously unknown function for α-synuclein in promoting neurotoxic astrocyte activation, as well as new cell death-independent roles for RIP kinase signaling in the regulation of glial cell biology and neuroinflammation. Together, these findings highlight previously unappreciated molecular mechanisms of pathologic astrocyte activation and neuronal cell death with implications for Parkinsonian neurodegeneration.


1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (7) ◽  
pp. 1749-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Soussi-Yanicostas ◽  
J.P. Hardelin ◽  
M.M. Arroyo-Jimenez ◽  
O. Ardouin ◽  
R. Legouis ◽  
...  

The KAL gene is responsible for the X-chromosome linked form of Kallmann's syndrome in humans. Upon transfection of CHO cells with a human KAL cDNA, the corresponding encoded protein, KALc, was produced. This protein is N-glycosylated, secreted in the cell culture medium, and is localized at the cell surface. Several lines of evidence indicate that heparan-sulfate chains of proteoglycan(s) are involved in the binding of KALc to the cell membrane. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the purified KALc were generated. They allowed us to detect and characterize the protein encoded by the KAL gene in the chicken central nervous system at late stages of embryonic development. This protein is synthesized by definite neuronal cell populations including Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, mitral cells in the olfactory bulbs and several subpopulations in the optic tectum and the striatum. The protein, with an approximate molecular mass of 100 kDa, was named anosmin-1 in reference to the deficiency of the sense of smell which characterizes the human disease. Anosmin-1 is likely to be an extracellular matrix component. Since heparin treatment of cell membrane fractions from cerebellum and tectum resulted in the release of the protein, we suggest that one or several heparan-sulfate proteoglycans are involved in the binding of anosmin-1 to the membranes in vivo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J. Fox ◽  
Robert M. Richardson ◽  
Wuge H. Briscoe

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