scholarly journals Plumage redness signals mitochondrial function in the House Finch

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey E. Hill ◽  
Wendy R. Hood ◽  
Zhiyuan Ge ◽  
Rhys Grinter ◽  
Chris Greening ◽  
...  

AbstractCarotenoid coloration is widely recognized as a signal of individual condition in various animals, but despite decades of study, the mechanisms that link carotenoid coloration to condition remain unresolved. Most birds with red feathers convert yellow dietary carotenoids to red carotenoids in an oxidation process requiring the gene encoding the putative cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2J19. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the process of carotenoid oxidation and feather pigmentation is functionally linked to mitochondrial performance. Consistent with this hypothesis, we observed high levels of red ketolated carotenoids associated with the hepatic mitochondria of molting wild house finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), and upon fractionation, we found the highest concentration of ketolated carotenoids in the inner mitochondrial membrane. We further found that the redness of growing feathers was positively related to the performance of liver mitochondria. Structural modeling of CYP2J19 supports a direct role of this protein in carotenoid ketolation that may be functionally linked to cellular respiration. These observations suggest that feather coloration serves as a signal of core functionality through inexorable links to cellular respiration in the mitochondria.

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1911) ◽  
pp. 20191354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey E. Hill ◽  
Wendy R. Hood ◽  
Zhiyuan Ge ◽  
Rhys Grinter ◽  
Chris Greening ◽  
...  

Carotenoid coloration is widely recognized as a signal of individual condition in various animals, but despite decades of study, the mechanisms that link carotenoid coloration to condition remain unresolved. Most birds with red feathers convert yellow dietary carotenoids to red carotenoids in an oxidation process requiring the gene encoding the putative cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2J19. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the process of carotenoid oxidation and feather pigmentation is functionally linked to mitochondrial performance. Consistent with this hypothesis, we observed high levels of red ketolated carotenoids associated with the hepatic mitochondria of moulting wild house finches ( Haemorhous mexicanus ), and upon fractionation, we found the highest concentration of ketolated carotenoids in the inner mitochondrial membrane. We further found that the redness of growing feathers was positively related to the performance of liver mitochondria. Structural modelling of CYP2J19 supports a direct role of this protein in carotenoid ketolation that may be functionally linked to cellular respiration. These observations suggest that feather coloration serves as a signal of core functionality through inexorable links to cellular respiration in the mitochondria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. eaav5495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianing Wei ◽  
Wenbo Shao ◽  
Minmin Cao ◽  
Jin Ge ◽  
Pengcheng Yang ◽  
...  

Many aggregating animals use aposematic signals to advertise their toxicity to predators. However, the coordination between aposematic signals and toxins is poorly understood. Here, we reveal that phenylacetonitrile (PAN) acts as an olfactory aposematic signal and precursor of hypertoxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to protect gregarious locusts from predation. We found that PAN biosynthesis from phenylalanine is catalyzed byCYP305M2, a novel gene encoding a cytochrome P450 enzyme in gregarious locusts. The RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown ofCYP305M2increases the vulnerability of gregarious locusts to bird predation. By contrast, the elevation of PAN levels through supplementation with synthetic PAN increases the resistance of solitary locusts to predation. When locusts are attacked by birds, PAN is converted to HCN, which causes food poisoning in birds. Our results indicate that locusts develop a defense mechanism wherein an aposematic compound is converted to hypertoxic cyanide in resistance to predation by natural enemies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (03) ◽  
pp. 5297
Author(s):  
Vedangi Aaren* ◽  
Godi Sudhakar ◽  
Girinadh L.R.S.

In both developed and developing countries, overuse of alcohol is a considered as the major cause of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Prolonged overconsumption of alcohol for 5–10 years typically precedes the initial attack of acute alcoholic pancreatitis. It is observed that only a minority (around 5%) of alcoholics develop pancreatitis. It is now established that the pancreas has the capacity to metabolize ethanol. Previous studies have shown that there are two major pathways of ethanol metabolism, oxidative and non-oxidative. Oxidative ethanol metabolism involves the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde, a reaction that is catalysed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ADH) with contributions from cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP2E1) and possibly also catalase. Genetic factors regulating alcohol metabolism could predispose in developing alcoholic pancreatitis (AP). We investigated the association of polymorphisms in ADH enzymes with the alcoholic pancreatitis in North coastal Andhra Pradesh. Patients with alcoholic pancreatitis (AP; n = 100), alcoholic controls (AC; n = 100), and healthy controls (HC; n = 100) were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from the subjects in EDTA coated vials. DNA was extracted and genotyping for ADH2 and ADH3 was done by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism). The products were analysed by gel electrophoresis. The frequency distribution of ADH3*1/*1 genotype was significantly higher in AP group (54%) compared with AC (35%), and HC (42%), and was found to be associated with increased risk of alcoholic pancreatitis. There was no statistically significant difference between the frequency distribution of ADH3*1/*1, ADH3*1/*2, and ADH3*2/*2 genotypes between AC and HC. There was no statistically significant difference between the frequency distribution of ADH2*1/*1, ADH2*1/*2, and ADH2*2/*2 genotypes in AP compared with AC and HC. This study shows that carriers of ADH3*1/*1 individuals consuming alcohol are at higher risk for alcoholic pancreatitis than those with other genotypes such as ADH3*1/*2 and ADH3*2/*2. 


1977 ◽  
Vol 32 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 786-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Köhrle ◽  
Joachim Lüstorff ◽  
Eckhard Schlimme

Abstract 1. P1, P5-Bis-(5′-adenosyl)pentaphosphate (Ap5A) inhibits “soluble” adenylate kinase even when this enzyme is an integral part of the complete mitochondrion. The Ki is 10-5м , i. e. about two orders of magnitude higher than the inhibitor constants determined for the purified adenylate kinase of rabbit muscle and an enzyme preparation separated from the mitochondrial intermembrane space. The weaker inhibitory effect is due to a lower accessibility of the enzyme.2. As to be expected Ap5A which is of the “multisubstrate analogue”-type does not affect mito­ chondrial nucleoside diphosphate kinase.3. Though Ap5A owns the structural elements of both ATP and ADP it is not a substrate of the adenine nucleotide carrier, i.e. neither it is exchanged across the inner mitochondrial membrane nor specifically bound.4. Ap5A is not metabolized by rat liver mitochondria.


Author(s):  
E. Heinonen ◽  
M. Blennow ◽  
M. Blomdahl-Wetterholm ◽  
M. Hovstadius ◽  
J. Nasiell ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of the most commonly used antidepressant during pregnancy. Plasma sertraline concentrations vary markedly between individuals, partly explained by variability in hepatic drug metabolizing cytochrome P450-enzyme activity. Our purpose was to study the variability in the plasma concentrations in pregnant women and the passage to their infants. Method Pregnant women with moderate untreated depression were recruited in 2016–2019 in Stockholm Region and randomized to treatment with sertraline or placebo. All received Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy as non-medical treatment. Sertraline plasma concentrations were measured around pregnancy weeks 21 and 30, at delivery, 1-month postpartum, in cord blood and at 48 h of age in the infant. The clinical course of the infants was followed. Results Nine mothers and 7 infants were included in the analysis. Median dose-adjusted sertraline concentration in second trimester was 0.15(ng/mL) /(mg/day), in third trimester and at delivery 0.19 and 1-month postpartum 0.25, with a 67% relative difference between second trimester and postpartum. The interindividual variation was 10-fold. Median concentrations in the infants were 33% and 25% of their mothers’, measured in cord blood, and infant plasma, respectively. Only mild and transient adverse effects were seen on the infants. Conclusion Placental passage of sertraline to the infant is low. However, the interindividual variation in maternal concentrations during pregnancy is huge, why therapeutic drug monitoring might assist in finding the poor metabolizers at risk for adversity and increase the safety of the treatment. Trial registration The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov July 9, 2014 with TRN: NCT02185547.


Author(s):  
Maxim Kuzin ◽  
Franziskos Xepapadakos ◽  
Isabel Scharrer ◽  
Marc Augsburger ◽  
Chin‐Bin Eap ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Dong Ho Jung ◽  
Joo Tae Hwang ◽  
Bo-Jeong Pyun ◽  
Song Yi Yu ◽  
Byoung Seob Ko

Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens, is an important drug target for hormone-dependent diseases. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the aromatase inhibitory effects of Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT), a traditional Korean herbal medicine prescription, and to identify its active ingredients. In this study, the inhibitory effect of MHT on aromatase activity was observed using dibenzylfluorescein (DBF) and KGN cells, and the dose-dependent effect of MHT was verified (IC50 values of 251 μg/mL and 246 μg/mL as determined by the two methods, respectively). Furthermore, among the six herbal medicines that constitute MHT, Ephedrae Herba, Cinnamomi Ramulus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed the most potent inhibition of aromatase activity. Furthermore, upon identification of the active MHT compounds, three markers from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, liquiritin (5), liquiritin apioside (6), and liquiritigenin (7), were verified (IC50 values of 530 μM, 508 μM, and 1.611 mM and 499 μM, 522 μM, and 1.41 mM as determined by the two methods, respectively). In addition, their contents were confirmed to be 15.58, 19.80, and 2.22 mg/g, respectively, by HPLC/DAD analysis. These results indicate that the aromatase inhibitory effect of MHT results from the synergistic action of its active components and that MHT has potential as a preventive agent against aromatase activity.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 555-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Machala ◽  
Pavel Soucek ◽  
Jir� Neca ◽  
Robert Ulrich ◽  
Jir� Lamka ◽  
...  

Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 140 (5) ◽  
pp. 713-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Mossa ◽  
F Jimenez-Krassel ◽  
J K Folger ◽  
J L H Ireland ◽  
G W Smith ◽  
...  

Androgens have an important role in ovarian follicular growth and function, but circulating androgen concentrations are also associated with ovarian dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders in women. The extent and causes of the variation in androgen production in individuals, however, are unknown. Because thecal cells of follicles synthesize androstenedione and testosterone, variation in production of these androgens is hypothesized to be directly related to the inherently high variation in number of healthy growing follicles in ovaries of individuals. To test this hypothesis, we determined whether thecal CYP17A1 mRNA (codes for a cytochrome P450 enzyme involved in androgen synthesis), LH-induced thecal androstenedione production, androstenedione concentrations in follicular fluid, and circulating testosterone concentrations were lower in cattle with relatively low versus high number of follicles growing during follicular waves and whether ovariectomy reduced serum testosterone concentrations. Results demonstrated that cattle with a low follicle number had lower (P<0.05) abundance of CYP17A1 mRNA in thecal cells, reduced (P<0.01) capacity of thecal cells to produce androstenedione in response to LH, lower (P<0.01) androstenedione concentrations in ovulatory follicles, and lower (P<0.02) circulating testosterone concentrations during estrous cycles compared with animals with high follicle number. Also, serum testosterone in cattle with low or high follicle number was reduced by 63 and 70%, respectively, following ovariectomy. In conclusion, circulating androgen concentrations are lower in cattle with low versus high number of follicles growing during follicular waves, possibly because of a reduced responsiveness of thecal cells to LH.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
Cahit Kural ◽  
Arzu Kaya Kocdogan ◽  
Gulcin Güler Şimşek ◽  
Serpil Oğuztüzün ◽  
Pınar Kaygın ◽  
...  

Objective: Intracranial tumors are one of the most frightening and difficult-to-treat tumor types. In addition to surgery, protocols such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy also take place in the treatment. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are prominent drug-metabolizing enzymes in the human body. The aim of this study is to show the expression of GSTP1, GSTM1, CYP1A1, and CYP1B1 in different types of brain tumors and compare our results with those in the literature. Subjects and Methods: The expression of GSTP1, GSTM1, CYP1A1, and CYP1B1 was analyzed using immunostaining in 55 patients with intracranial tumors in 2016–2017. For GST and CYP expression in normal brain tissue, samples of a portion of surrounding normal brain tissue as well as a matched far neighbor of tumor tissue were used. The demographic features of the patients were documented and the expression results compared. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.72 years; 29 patients were female and 26 were male. Fifty-seven specimens were obtained from 55 patients. Among them, meningioma was diagnosed in 12, metastases in 12, glioblastoma in 9, and pituitary adenoma in 5. The highest GSTP1, GSTM1, and CYP­1A1 expressions were observed in pituitary adenomas. The lowest GSTP1 expression was detected in glioblastomas and the lowest CYP1B1 expression in pituitary adenomas. Conclusion: GSTP1 and CYP expression is increased in intracranial tumors. These results should be confirmed with a larger series and different enzyme subtypes.


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