Stimuli-dependent cleavage of Dicer during apoptosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 412 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Matskevich ◽  
Karin Moelling

miRNAs (microRNAs) play important roles in diverse physiological processes, including stress response, apoptosis and carcinogenesis. Even though the role of individual miRNAs has been demonstrated, expression of proteins involved in miRNA production in response to acute stress or harmful agents has not been extensively investigated. Here, we have studied the role of Dicer, one of the central proteins of the miRNA processing machinery during apoptosis, and show that down-regulation of Dicer results in accelerated apoptosis of HeLa cells, triggered by TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α). We have also investigated the integrity of Dicer, and provide evidence that Dicer is a target for caspases during apoptosis. The cleavage of Dicer is stimulidependent and more pronounced when apoptosis is induced by PKC (protein kinase C) inhibitors, and can also be observed in HIV-1-infected cells at late stages of infection. Thus the apoptotic machinery may regulate the miRNA pathway by affecting individual proteins, such as Dicer.

2011 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Christopher D John ◽  
Julia C Buckingham ◽  
◽  

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the end products of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis (HPA) and, via activation of the ubiquitously expressed GC receptor, influence numerous physiological processes. GCs are also involved in the regulation of basal homeostasis as well as mediating adaptive responses to stress that act to restore homeostasis. This article discusses the various factors that are important in regulating plasma and intracellular GC concentrations and describes the genomic and non-genomic mechanisms used by GCs to influence cellular processes. We describe the concept of allostatic overload associated with chronic HPA activation and the subsequent development of tissue dysfunction and disease. While allostasis is associated with acute stress and a restoration of homeostasis, chronic stress is likely to induce allostatic overload owing to the sustained activation of adaptive processes. Increased wear and tear in GC-sensitive tissues can eventually lead to tissue dysfunction and disease. Chronic elevations in GCs can also induce dysfunction or disease associated with decreased tissue function owing to the prolonged inhibitory effects of GCs or the redistribution of metabolic resource away from physiological systems not involved in restoring homeostasis. Numerous endocrine-related disorders are associated with aberrant GC levels and in terms of pathophysiology may be linked with chronic tissue-specific alterations in GC actions.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Lada Purvinsh ◽  
Andrey Gorshkov ◽  
Aleksandra Brodskaia ◽  
Andrey Vasin

Secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a fundamental property of living cells. EVs are known to transfer biological signals between cells and thus regulate the functional state of recipient cells. Such vesicles mediate the intercellular transport of many biologically active molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, specific lipids) and participate in regulation of key physiological processes. In addition, EVs are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases: infectious, neurodegenerative, and oncological. The current EV classification into microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes is based on their size, pathways of cellular biogenesis, and molecular composition. This review is focused on analysis of the role of EVs (mainly exosomes) in the pathogenesis of viral infection. We briefly characterize the biogenesis and molecular composition of various EV types. Then, we consider EV-mediated pro- and anti-viral mechanisms. EV secretion by infected cells can be an important factor of virus spread in target cell populations, or a protective factor limiting viral invasion. The data discussed in this review, on the effect of EV secretion by infected cells on processes in neighboring cells and on immune cells, are of high significance in the search for new therapeutic approaches and for design of new generations of vaccines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin G. Scherm ◽  
Carolin Daniel

The important role of microRNAs as major modulators of various physiological processes, including immune regulation and homeostasis, has been increasingly recognized. Consequently, aberrant miRNA expression contributes to the defective regulation of T cell development, differentiation, and function. This can result in immune activation and impaired tolerance mechanisms, which exert a cardinal function for the onset of islet autoimmunity and the progression to T1D. The specific impact of miRNAs for immune regulation and how miRNAs and their downstream targets are involved in the pathogenesis of islet autoimmunity and T1D has been investigated recently. These studies revealed that increased expression of individual miRNAs is involved in several layers of tolerance impairments, such as inefficient Treg induction and Treg instability. The targeted modulation of miRNAs using specific inhibitors, resulting in improved immune homeostasis, as well as improved methods for the targeting of miRNAs, suggest that miRNAs, especially in T cells, are a promising target for the reestablishment of immune tolerance.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Christopher D John ◽  
Julia C Buckingham ◽  
◽  

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the end products of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis (HPA) and, via activation of the ubiquitously expressed GC receptor, influence numerous physiological processes. GCs are also involved in the regulation of basal homeostasis as well as mediating adaptive responses to stress that act to restore homeostasis. This article discusses the various factors that are important in regulating plasma and intracellular GC concentrations and describes the genomic and non-genomic mechanisms used by GCs to influence cellular processes. We describe the concept of allostatic overload associated with chronic HPA activation and the subsequent development of tissue dysfunction and disease. While allostasis is associated with acute stress and a restoration of homeostasis, chronic stress is likely to induce allostatic overload owing to the sustained activation of adaptive processes. Increased wear and tear in GC-sensitive tissues can eventually lead to tissue dysfunction and disease. Chronic elevations in GCs can also induce dysfunction or disease associated with decreased tissue function owing to the prolonged inhibitory effects of GCs or the redistribution of metabolic resource away from physiological systems not involved in restoring homeostasis. Numerous endocrine-related disorders are associated with aberrant GC levels and in terms of pathophysiology may be linked with chronic tissue-specific alterations in GC actions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 800-818
Author(s):  
Zujian Xiong ◽  
Xuejun Li ◽  
Qi Yang

Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene (PTTG) of human is known as a checkpoint gene in the middle and late stages of mitosis, and is also a proto-oncogene that promotes cell cycle progression. In the nucleus, PTTG works as securin in controlling the mid-term segregation of sister chromatids. Overexpression of PTTG, entering the nucleus with the help of PBF in pituitary adenomas, participates in the regulation of cell cycle, interferes with DNA repair, induces genetic instability, transactivates FGF-2 and VEGF and promotes angiogenesis and tumor invasion. Simultaneously, overexpression of PTTG induces tumor cell senescence through the DNA damage pathway, making pituitary adenoma possessing the potential self-limiting ability. To elucidate the mechanism of PTTG in the regulation of pituitary adenomas, we focus on both the positive and negative function of PTTG and find out key factors interacted with PTTG in pituitary adenomas. Furthermore, we discuss other possible mechanisms correlate with PTTG in pituitary adenoma initiation and development and the potential value of PTTG in clinical treatment.


Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 155932582094979
Author(s):  
Aliah R. Alshanwani ◽  
Sameerah Shaheen ◽  
Laila M. Faddah ◽  
Ahlam M. Alhusaini ◽  
Hanaa M. Ali ◽  
...  

Hypoxia may lead to inflammatory responses by numerous signaling pathways. This investigation intended to inspect the defensive role of Quercetin (Quer) and/ or Melatonin (Mel) against reno toxicity induced by Sodium nitrite (Sod ntr). Sod ntr injection significantly decreased blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb) with a concurrent increase in serum tumor necrosis factor- α, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and urea levels. Over protein-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and heat shock, protein-70 and mRNA of HIF-1α were also observed. Pretreatment of the Sod ntr- injected rats with the aforementioned antioxidants; either alone or together significantly improved such parameters. Histopathological examination reinforced the previous results. It was concluded that the combined administration of Quer and Mel may be useful as a potential therapy against renal injury induced by Sod ntr. HIF-1α and HSP-70 are implicated in the induction of hypoxia and its treatment.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Domenico Ribatti ◽  
Francesco Pezzella

Angiogenesis is a crucial event in the physiological processes of embryogenesis and wound healing. During malignant transformation, dysregulation of angiogenesis leads to the formation of a vascular network of tumor-associated capillaries promoting survival and proliferation of the tumor cells. Starting with the hypothesis formulated by Judah Folkman that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent, this area of research has a solid scientific foundation and inhibition of angiogenesis is a major area of therapeutic development for the treatment of cancer. Over this period numerous authors published data of vascularization of tumors, which attributed the cause of neo-vascularization to various factors including inflammation, release of angiogenic cytokines, vasodilatation, and increased tumor metabolism. More recently, it has been demonstrated that tumor vasculature is not necessarily derived by endothelial cell proliferation and sprouting of new capillaries, but alternative vascularization mechanisms have been described, namely vascular co-option and vasculogenic mimicry. In this article, we have analyzed the mechanisms involved in tumor vascularization in association with classical angiogenesis, including post-natal vasculogenesis, intussusceptive microvascular growth, vascular co-option, and vasculogenic mimicry. We have also discussed the role of these alternative mechanism in resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy and potential therapeutic approaches to overcome resistance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5918
Author(s):  
Paweł Kordowitzki ◽  
Gabriela Sokołowska ◽  
Marta Wasielak-Politowska ◽  
Agnieszka Skowronska ◽  
Mariusz T. Skowronski

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.


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