scholarly journals Cryptochrome 1 in Retinal Cone Photoreceptors Suggests a Novel Functional Role in Mammals

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Nießner ◽  
Susanne Denzau ◽  
Erich Pascal Malkemper ◽  
Julia Christina Gross ◽  
Hynek Burda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Retinal Cell ◽  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Mammalian Retina ◽  
Cryptochrome 1 ◽  
Retinal Cone

Abstract Cryptochromes are a ubiquitous group of blue-light absorbing flavoproteins that in the mammalian retina have an important role in the circadian clock. In birds, cryptochrome 1a (Cry1a), localized in the UV/violet-sensitive S1 cone photoreceptors, is proposed to be the retinal receptor molecule of the light-dependent magnetic compass. The retinal localization of mammalian Cry1, homologue to avian Cry1a, is unknown and it is open whether mammalian Cry1 is also involved in magnetic field sensing. To constrain the possible role of retinal Cry1, we immunohistochemically analysed 90 mammalian species across 48 families in 16 orders, using an antiserum against the Cry1 C-terminus that in birds labels only the photo-activated conformation. In the Carnivora families Canidae, Mustelidae and Ursidae and in some Primates, Cry1 was consistently labeled in the outer segment of the shortwave-sensitive S1 cones. This finding would be compatible with a magnetoreceptive function of Cry1 in these taxa. In all other taxa, Cry1 was not detected by the antiserum that likely also in mammals labels the photo-activated conformation, although Western blots showed Cry1 in mouse retinal cell nuclei. We speculate that in the mouse and the other negative-tested mammals Cry1 is involved in circadian functions as a non-light-responsive protein.

scholarly journals Author Correction: Cryptochrome 1 in Retinal Cone Photoreceptors Suggests a Novel Functional Role in Mammals

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Nießner ◽  
Susanne Denzau ◽  
Erich Pascal Malkemper ◽  
Julia Christina Gross ◽  
Hynek Burda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Role ◽  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Cryptochrome 1 ◽  
Retinal Cone

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Factor Xa Enhances the Binding of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor to Acidic Phospholipids

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (05) ◽  
pp. 796-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Valentin ◽  
Inger Schousboe
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Microtitre Plate ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Microtitre Plate Assay ◽  
Kunitz Domain ◽  
Tissue Factor Pathway ◽  
Acidic Phospholipids

SummaryIn the present study, the interaction between tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and phospholipids has been characterized using a microtitre plate assay. TFPI was shown to bind calcium-independently to an acidic phospholipid surface composed of phosphatidylserine, but not a surface composed of the neutral phosphatidylcholine. The interaction was demonstrated to be dependent on the presence of the TFPI C-terminus. The presence of heparin (1 U/ml, unfractionated) was able to significantly reduce the binding of TFPI to phospholipid. The interaction of TFPI with phosphatidylserine was significantly decreased in the presence of calcium, but this was counteracted, and even enhanced, following complex formation of TFPI with factor Xa prior to incubation with the phospholipid surface. Moreover, a TFPI variant, not containing the third Kunitz domain and the C-terminus, was unable to bind to phospholipid. However, following the formation of a TFPI/factor Xa-complex this TFPI variant was capable of interacting with the phospholipid surface. This indicates that the role of factor Xa as a TFPI cofactor, at least in part, is to mediate the binding of TFPI to the phospholipid surface.

scholarly journals Pannexins and Connexins: Their Relevance for Oocyte Developmental Competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5918
Author(s):  
Paweł Kordowitzki ◽  
Gabriela Sokołowska ◽  
Marta Wasielak-Politowska ◽  
Agnieszka Skowronska ◽  
Mariusz T. Skowronski
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Protein Group ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

The oocyte is the major determinant of embryo developmental competence in all mammalian species. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies in the past three decades, researchers and clinicians are still trying to elucidate molecular factors and pathways, which could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence. The cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communications are crucial not only for oocytes but also for multicellular organisms in general. This latter mentioned communication is among others possibly due to the Connexin and Pannexin families of large-pore forming channels. Pannexins belong to a protein group of ATP-release channels, therefore of high importance for the oocyte due to its requirements of high energy supply. An increasing body of studies on Pannexins provided evidence that these channels not only play a role during physiological processes of an oocyte but also during pathological circumstances which could lead to the development of diseases or infertility. Connexins are proteins that form membrane channels and gap-junctions, and more precisely, these proteins enable the exchange of some ions and molecules, and therefore they do play a fundamental role in the communication between the oocyte and accompanying cells. Herein, the role of Pannexins and Connexins for the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and fertilization will be discussed and, at the end of this review, Pannexin and Connexin related pathologies and their impact on the developmental competence of oocytes will be provided.

scholarly journals A CACNA1A variant associated with trigeminal neuralgia alters the gating of Cav2.1 channels

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eder Gambeta ◽  
Maria A. Gandini ◽  
Ivana A. Souza ◽  
Laurent Ferron ◽  
Gerald W. Zamponi
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Missense Mutation ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Trigeminal System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Dependent Inactivation

AbstractA novel missense mutation in the CACNA1A gene that encodes the pore forming α1 subunit of the CaV2.1 voltage-gated calcium channel was identified in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia. This mutation leads to a substitution of proline 2455 by histidine (P2455H) in the distal C-terminus region of the channel. Due to the well characterized role of this channel in neurotransmitter release, our aim was to characterize the biophysical properties of the P2455H variant in heterologously expressed CaV2.1 channels. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings of wild type and mutant CaV2.1 channels expressed in tsA-201 cells reveal that the mutation mediates a depolarizing shift in the voltage-dependence of activation and inactivation. Moreover, the P2455H mutant strongly reduced calcium-dependent inactivation of the channel that is consistent with an overall gain of function. Hence, the P2455H CaV2.1 missense mutation alters the gating properties of the channel, suggesting that associated changes in CaV2.1-dependent synaptic communication in the trigeminal system may contribute to the development of trigeminal neuralgia.

scholarly journals Tumor Suppressive Role of miR-342-5p in Human Chondrosarcoma Cells and 3D Organoids

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5590
Author(s):  
Clément Veys ◽  
Abderrahim Benmoussa ◽  
Romain Contentin ◽  
Amandine Duchemin ◽  
Emilie Brotin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Functional Screening ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Egfr Expression ◽  
Reporter Assays ◽  
Direct Target ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
First Time

Chondrosarcomas are malignant bone tumors. Their abundant cartilage-like extracellular matrix and their hypoxic microenvironment contribute to their resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and no effective therapy is currently available. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be an interesting alternative in the development of therapeutic options. Here, for the first time in chondrosarcoma cells, we carried out high-throughput functional screening using impedancemetry, and identified five miRNAs with potential antiproliferative or chemosensitive effects on SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells. The cytotoxic effects of miR-342-5p and miR-491-5p were confirmed on three chondrosarcoma cell lines, using functional validation under normoxia and hypoxia. Both miRNAs induced apoptosis and miR-342-5p also induced autophagy. Western blots and luciferase reporter assays identified for the first time Bcl-2 as a direct target of miR-342-5p, and also Bcl-xL as a direct target of both miR-342-5p and miR-491-5p in chondrosarcoma cells. MiR-491-5p also inhibited EGFR expression. Finally, only miR-342-5p induced cell death on a relevant 3D chondrosarcoma organoid model under hypoxia that mimics the in vivo microenvironment. Altogether, our results revealed the tumor suppressive activity of miR-342-5p, and to a lesser extent of miR-491-5p, on chondrosarcoma lines. Through this study, we also confirmed the potential of Bcl-2 family members as therapeutic targets in chondrosarcomas.

scholarly journals Silencing of MEG3 attenuated the role of lipopolysaccharides by modulating the miR-93-5p/PTEN pathway in Leydig cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhou ◽  
Jingliang He ◽  
Jinbo Chen ◽  
Yu Cui ◽  
Zhenyu Ou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Viability ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Pten Expression ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Lps Treatment

Abstract Background Leydig cells reflect the activation of inflammation, decrease of androgen production, inhibition of cell growth and promotion of cell apoptosis under orchitis. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) exerts a crucial role in various human diseases, but under orchitis, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of MEG3 in Leydig cells remain unclear. Methods Lipofectamine 2000 was used for the cell transfections. qPCR and western blots assay were applied to assess the gene expression. ELISA assay was used to measure the TNFα, IL6 and testosterone secretion. CCK8 and EdU assay was employ to test the cell viability and proliferation respectively. Luciferase reporter and RIP assay were introduced to detect the binding of miR-93-5p with MEG3 and PTEN. Results Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced TNFα and IL6 secretion, lowered testosterone production, inhibited cell viability and proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis in Leydig cells. MEG3 was upregulated in Leydig cells treated with LPS and that knockdown of MEG3 inhibited the role of LPS in Leydig cells. MEG3 absorbed miR-93-5p and that suppression of miR-93-5p restored the role of silenced MEG3 in Leydig cells under LPS treatment. miR-93-5p inhibited PTEN expression and that over-expressed PTEN alleviated the effect of miR-93-5p in Leydig cells treated with LPS. LPS activated the MEG3/miR-93-5p/PTEN signalling pathway in Leydig cells. Conclusions This study revealed that MEG3 serves as a molecular sponge to absorb miR-93-5p, thus leading to elevation of PTEN expression in Leydig cells under LPS treatment, offering a theoretical basis on which to establish potential new treatment strategies for orchitis.

The role of the C-terminus and Kpn loop in the quaternary structure stability of nucleoside diphosphate kinase from Leishmania parasites

2015 ◽  
Vol 192 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Plínio Salmazo Vieira ◽  
Priscila Oliveira de Giuseppe ◽  
Arthur Henrique Cavalcante de Oliveira ◽  
Mario Tyago Murakami
Keyword(s):  
Quaternary Structure ◽  
Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase ◽  
Structure Stability ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Leishmania Parasites

Two opposite effects of ATP on the apparent sensitivity of the cGMP-gated channel of the carp retinal cone

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Ichi Watanabe ◽  
Jing Shen
Keyword(s):  
Cone Photoreceptors ◽  
Apparent Affinity ◽  
Enhancing Effect ◽  
Cyclic Monophosphate ◽  
Maximum Current ◽  
Gated Channel ◽  
Retinal Cone ◽  
A Current

AbstractEffects of ATP on the activity of cGMP-gated channels from carp cone photoreceptors were studied. In 29% of the patches examined (N = 45), ATP (1 mM) enhanced a current evoked by cGMP (20 μM, up to about 100%), in 33%, ATP suppressed it by up to about 90%, and in the remaining 38%, ATP had no effect. ATP showed similar effects on a current evoked by 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (2 μM, enhancing in 42% of the patches, suppressing in 25%, no effect in 33%, N = 12), suggesting that the effects were not through modulation of the phosphodiesterase. Both of the effects, enhancement and suppression, were produced by a change in apparent affinity for cGMP, since (1) the maximum current evoked by cGMP of the saturating concentration (≥1 mM) was not affected, and (2) the A1/2 value decreased by approximately 45% (N = 2) or increased by approximately 25% (N = 2). A lower pH (approximately 6) facilitated the enhancing effect. ATP-γ-S (1 mM) showed a suppressing effect in 80% of the patches and no effect in 20% of the patches (N = 10). However, ATP-γ-S did not show an enhancing effect. Thus, ATP had two opposite effects through different mechanisms on the apparent sensitivity of the channel to cGMP; increasing and decreasing.

Detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase inSchistosoma japonicumandS. mansoni

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-C. Long ◽  
M. Bahgat ◽  
K. Chlichlia ◽  
A. Ruppel ◽  
Y.-L. Li
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Apparent Molecular Weight ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Oxide Synthase ◽  
Host Tissues ◽  
Inducible Nitric Oxide

AbstractSchistosoma japonicumandS. mansoniwere tested for reactivity with an anti-inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) antibody and the distribution of iNOS was studied by immunofluorescent tests in different stages of the parasites. Reactivity was associated with the tegument in both larval schistosomes (sporocysts and cercariae) and eggs. With adult worms, the majority of the immunofluorescence was predominantly subtegumental inS. japonicumand parenchymal inS. mansoni. Fluorescence was also observed in host tissues (snails and mouse liver). In Western blots, the enzyme ofS. japonicumhad an apparent molecular weight of about 210 kDa. The possible role of worm and host iNOS in the parasite–host interrelation remains to be clarified.

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