scholarly journals Function of membrane domains in Rho-Of-Plant signaling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Smokvarska ◽  
Yvon Jaillais ◽  
Alexandre Martinière

Abstract In a crowded environment, establishing interactions between different molecular partners can take a long time. Biological membranes have solved this issue, as they simultaneously are fluid and possess compartmentalized domains. This nanoscale organization of the membrane is often based on weak, local and multivalent interactions between lipids and proteins. However, from local interactions at the nanoscale, different functional properties emerge at the higher scale, and these are critical to regulate and integrate cellular signaling. Rho of Plant (ROP) proteins are small guanosine triphosphate hydrolase enzymes (GTPases) involved in hormonal, biotic, and abiotic signaling, as well as fundamental cell biological properties such as polarity, vesicular trafficking and cytoskeleton dynamics. Association with the membrane is essential for ROP function, as well as their precise targeting within micrometer-sized polar domains (i.e. microdomains) and nanometer-sized clusters (i.e. nanodomains). Here, we review our current knowledge about the formation and the maintenance of the ROP domains in membranes. Furthermore, we propose a model for ROP membrane targeting and discuss how the nano-scale organization of ROPs in membranes could determine signaling parameters like signal specificity, amplification and integration.

2015 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 177-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N. Byrum ◽  
William Rodgers

Since the inception of the fluid mosaic model, cell membranes have come to be recognized as heterogeneous structures composed of discrete protein and lipid domains of various dimensions and biological functions. The structural and biological properties of membrane domains are represented by CDM (cholesterol-dependent membrane) domains, frequently referred to as membrane ‘rafts’. Biological functions attributed to CDMs include signal transduction. In T-cells, CDMs function in the regulation of the Src family kinase Lck (p56lck) by sequestering Lck from its activator CD45. Despite evidence of discrete CDM domains with specific functions, the mechanism by which they form and are maintained within a fluid and dynamic lipid bilayer is not completely understood. In the present chapter, we discuss recent advances showing that the actomyosin cytoskeleton has an integral role in the formation of CDM domains. Using Lck as a model, we also discuss recent findings regarding cytoskeleton-dependent CDM domain functions in protein regulation.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Gitishree Das ◽  
Han-Seung Shin ◽  
Rosa Tundis ◽  
Sandra Gonçalves ◽  
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco ◽  
...  

Valerianaceae, the sub-family of Caprifoliaceae, contains more than 300 species of annual and perennial herbs, worldwide distributed. Several species are used for their biological properties while some are used as food. Species from the genus Valeriana have been used for their antispasmodic, relaxing, and sedative properties, which have been mainly attributed to the presence of valepotriates, borneol derivatives, and isovalerenic acid. Among this genus, the most common and employed species is Valerianaofficinalis. Although valerian has been traditionally used as a mild sedative, research results are still controversial regarding the role of the different active compounds, the herbal preparations, and the dosage used. The present review is designed to summarize and critically describe the current knowledge on the different plant species belonging to Valerianaceae, their phytochemicals, their uses in the treatment of different diseases with particular emphasis on the effects on the central nervous system. The available information on this sub-family was collected from scientific databases up until year 2020. The following electronic databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, Sci Finder, Web of Science, Science Direct, NCBI, and Google Scholar. The search terms used for this review included Valerianaceae, Valeriana, Centranthus, Fedia, Patrinia, Nardostachys, Plectritis, and Valerianella, phytochemical composition, in vivo studies, Central Nervous System, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antinociceptive, anxiolytic, anxiety, preclinical and clinical studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mega ◽  
Edite Teixeira-de-Lemos ◽  
Rosa Fernandes ◽  
Flávio Reis

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is now the single commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide and one of the main causes of death in diabetic patients. It is also acknowledged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since sitagliptin was approved, many studies have been carried out revealing its ability to not only improve metabolic control but also ameliorate dysfunction in various diabetes-targeted organs, especially the kidney, due to putative underlying cytoprotective properties, namely, its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Despite overall recommendations, many patients spend a long time well outside the recommended glycaemic range and, therefore, have an increased risk for developing micro- and macrovascular complications. Currently, it is becoming clearer that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management must envision not only the improvement in glycaemic control but also, and particularly, the prevention of pancreatic deterioration and the evolution of complications, such as DN. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge in the field of renoprotective actions of sitagliptin, namely, improvement in diabetic dysmetabolism, hemodynamic factors, renal function, diabetic kidney lesions, and cytoprotective properties.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joey Schyns ◽  
Fabrice Bureau ◽  
Thomas Marichal

For a long time, investigations about the lung myeloid compartment have been mainly limited to the macrophages located within the airways, that is, the well-known alveolar macrophages specialized in recycling of surfactant molecules and removal of debris. However, a growing number of reports have highlighted the complexity of the lung myeloid compartment, which also encompass different subsets of dendritic cells, tissue monocytes, and nonalveolar macrophages, called interstitial macrophages (IM). Recent evidence supports that, in mice, IM perform important immune functions, including the maintenance of lung homeostasis and prevention of immune-mediated allergic airway inflammation. In this article, we describe lung IM from a historical perspective and we review current knowledge on their characteristics, ontogeny, and functions, mostly in rodents. Finally, we emphasize some important future challenges for the field.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11097
Author(s):  
Ana Lima ◽  
Filipe Arruda ◽  
Jorge Medeiros ◽  
José Baptista ◽  
João Madruga ◽  
...  

The scientific community is paying increasing attention to plant waste valorization, and also to “greener” practices in the agriculture, food and cosmetic sectors. In this context, unused forest biomass (e.g., leaves, seed cones, branches/twigs, bark and sapwood) of Cryptomeria japonica, a commercially important tree throughout Asia and the Azores Archipelago (Portugal), is currently waste/by-products of wood processing that can be converted into eco-friendly and high added-value products, such as essential oils (EOs), with social, environmental and economic impacts. Plant-derived EOs are complex mixtures of metabolites, mostly terpenes and terpenoids, with valuable bioactivities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiviral and pesticide), which can find applications in several industries, such as pharmaceutical, medical, aromatherapy, food, cosmetic, perfumery, household and agrochemical (e.g., biopesticides), with manifold approaches. The EOs components are also of value for taxonomic investigations. It is known that the variation in EOs chemical composition and, consequently, in their biological activities and commercial use, is due to different exogenous and endogenous factors that can lead to ecotypes or chemotypes in the same plant species. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the chemical composition, biological properties and proposals of valorization of C. japonica EO from several countries, and also to indicate gaps in the current knowledge.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyu Ge ◽  
Luming Yang ◽  
Fang Xiao ◽  
Yani Wu ◽  
Tingting Yu ◽  
...  

Graphene family nanomaterials, with superior mechanical, chemical, and biological properties, have grabbed appreciable attention on the path of researches seeking new materials for future biomedical applications. Although potential applications of graphene had been highly reviewed in other fields of medicine, especially for their antibacterial properties and tissue regenerative capacities, in vivo and in vitro studies related to dentistry are very limited. Therefore, based on current knowledge and latest progress, this article aimed to present the recent achievements and provide a comprehensive literature review on potential applications of graphene that could be translated into clinical reality in dentistry.


This lecture is an attempt to review current knowledge about certain terrestrial phenomena with the twofold purpose: ( a ) to discover the extent to which the behaviour of the Earth may be influenced by fluctuations in its astronomical environment, ( b ) to see if new knowledge of that environment may be gained from its influence on the Earth. Fluctuations in geomagnetism, climate, glaciation, biological extinctions, etc., are surveyed with special regard to datings and characteristic time-intervals; correlations between such fluctuations are discussed. Astronomical phenomena, within the Solar System and elsewhere in the Galaxy, that might cause terrestrial effects are reviewed. As regards astronomical effects on Earth: (i) There is a good case - not yet overwhelming - for the currently widely accepted view that fluctuations of glaciation within an ice-epoch result from changes of insolation accompanying fluctuations of the Earth’s motion relative to the Sun. Some evidence suggests that an ice-epoch may be triggered by variations of the astronomical environment encountered in the Sun’s motion relative to the Galaxy; but tectonic changes on Earth may be the main trigger. (ii) Impacts of planetesimals may be more important than hitherto recognized. Among astronomical results regarding the Sun, while the intensity of solar ‘activity’ is variable, terrestrial effects provide no confirmation that the Sun is a ‘variable star’. Regarding the Galaxy, impacting planetesimals may originate in interstellar clouds, and so provide on Earth samples of interstellar matter. Some unsolved problems emphasized by the review are listed; certain concepts that would call for consideration in any extended review are mentioned.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 5051
Author(s):  
Ewa Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Stefańska ◽  
Maciej Zieliński ◽  
Justyna Sakowska ◽  
Martyna Jankowiak ◽  
...  

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder that affects 3–5% of normal pregnancies. It was believed for a long time that the kidney, similarly to all vessels in the whole system, only sustained endothelial damage. The current knowledge gives rise to a presumption that the main role in the development of proteinuria is played by damage to the podocytes and their slit diaphragm. The podocyte damage mechanism in preeclampsia is connected to free VEGF and nitric oxide (NO) deficiency, and an increased concentration of endothelin-1 and oxidative stress. From national cohort studies, we know that women who had preeclampsia in at least one pregnancy carried five times the risk of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when compared to women with physiological pregnancies. The focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the dominant histopathological lesion in women with a history of PE. The kidney’s podocytes are not subject to replacement or proliferation. Podocyte depletion exceeding 20% resulted in FSGS, which is a reason for the later development of ESRD. In this review, we present the mechanism of kidney (especially podocytes) injury in preeclampsia. We try to explain how this damage affects further changes in the morphology and function of the kidneys after pregnancy.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Klimek ◽  
Grazyna Ginalska

Polymer scaffolds constitute a very interesting strategy for tissue engineering. Even though they are generally non-toxic, in some cases, they may not provide suitable support for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, which decelerates tissue regeneration. To improve biological properties, scaffolds are frequently enriched with bioactive molecules, inter alia extracellular matrix proteins, adhesive peptides, growth factors, hormones, and cytokines. Although there are many papers describing synthesis and properties of polymer scaffolds enriched with proteins or peptides, few reviews comprehensively summarize these bioactive molecules. Thus, this review presents the current knowledge about the most important proteins and peptides used for modification of polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. This paper also describes the influence of addition of proteins and peptides on physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of polymer scaffolds. Moreover, this article sums up the major applications of some biodegradable natural and synthetic polymer scaffolds modified with proteins and peptides, which have been developed within the past five years.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
Найденов ◽  
E. Naydenov

This work is devoted to the development of technology and special equipment for the cultivation of spontaneously developing functioning endothelial capillary networks in vitro as the basis of artificial cloth-like structures with desired biological properties. It is the scientific and engineering projects RFBR №94-04-13544 «Structural analysis of microvascular bifurcations" and №96-04-50991 «Cell and Tissue Engineering endothelium (formation in endothelial culture in vitro the functioning self-developing capillary networks)." The proposed technology allows the author to form three-dimensional capillary endothelial network around micro-fluidic arrays, immersed in a specially designed dynamic gel. In 2013, the Korean research team under the lea-dership Noo Li Jeon has reproduced, using a similar approach, the phenomenon of self-developing functioning endothelial capillary networks with mass transfer in vitro. It has fully confirmed the validity of the concept pro-posed in the listed projects. Using system of the mathematical modeling Matlab & Simulink and system engi-neering design Cadence Orcad it was developed simulation mathematical model and circuit diagrams experimental reactor modules, it allows to saving considerable financial resources allocated to research and de-velopment of this kind. The resulting model contains 5.4 million basic Simulink blocks and performs more than 7,000 different mathematical functions, reflecting the behavior of devices in stationary and non-stationary conditions. Device control is based on neural network technology. Portable stand-alone microcomputers cyber platform includes microfluidic matrix, generators of microflows liquid phase nutrient medium, life-support systems of endothelial culture system of automatic digital imaging process of angiogenesis, the transmission system of encrypted data over a secure radio, digital control systems. All systems are backed up multiple times, allowing the product to operate in stand-alone mode for a long time (up to a year or more).


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