scholarly journals Reorganization of the Vimentin Network in Smooth Muscle

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale D. Tang ◽  
Guoning Liao ◽  
Brennan D. Gerlach
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Force Transmission ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Contractile Activation ◽  
P21 Activated Kinase ◽  
Structural Base

Vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) link to desmosomes (intercellular junctions) on the membrane and dense bodies in the cytoplasm, which provides a structural base for intercellular and intracellular force transmission in smooth muscle. There is evidence to suggest that the vimentin framework plays an important role in mediating smooth muscle mechanical properties such as tension and contractile responses. Contractile activation induces vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56 and vimentin network reorientation, facilitating contractile force transmission among and within smooth muscle cells. p21-activated kinase 1 and polo-like kinase 1 catalyze vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56, whereas type 1 protein phosphatase dephosphorylates vimentin at this residue. Vimentin filaments are also involved in other cell functions including migration and nuclear positioning. This review recapitulates our current knowledge how the vimentin network modulates mechanical and biological properties of smooth muscle.

The pseudomalachite-ludjibaite-reichenbachite conundrum: OD description

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 571-581
Author(s):  
Emil Makovicky
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structures ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Crystal Chemical ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Coordination Polyhedra

Abstract Crystal structures of the three polymorphs of Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4, namely pseudomalachite, ludjibaite, and reichenbachite, can be described as being composed of rods perpendicular to their crystal-chemical layering. Two different sorts of rods can be defined. Type 1 rods share rows of Cu coordination polyhedra, forming a series of slabs. Slab boundaries and slab interiors represent alternating geometric OD layers of two kinds, with layer symmetries close to P21/m and , which make up two different stacking schemes of geometric OD layers in the structures of ludjibaite and pseudomalachite. Such OD layers, however, are not developed in reichenbachite. Type 2 rods are defined as having columns of PO4 tetrahedra in the corners of the rods. In the Type 2 slabs composed of these rods, geometric Pg OD layers of glide-arrayed tetrahedra alternate with more complex OD layers; in ludjibaite this system of layers is oriented diagonally with respect to the Type 1 OD layer system. Two different OD stackings of Type 2 OD layers form the ludjibaite and reichenbachite structures but not that of pseudomalachite. Thus, ludjibaite might form disordered intergrowths with either of the other two members of the triplet but reichenbachite and pseudomalachite should not form oriented intergrowths. Current knowledge concerning formation of the three polymorphs is considered.

Neuropharmacological Screening of Chiral and Non-chiral Phthalimide- Containing Compounds in Mice: in vivo and in silico Experiments

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Campos-Rodríguez ◽  
José G. Trujillo-Ferrara ◽  
Ameyali Alvarez-Guerra ◽  
Irán M. Cumbres Vargas ◽  
Roberto I. Cuevas-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Chiral Molecules ◽  
Chiral Compounds ◽  
Plus Maze ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Background: Thalidomide, the first synthesized phthalimide, has demonstrated sedative- hypnotic and antiepileptic effects on the central nervous system. N-substituted phthalimides have an interesting chemical structure that confers important biological properties. Objective: Non-chiral (ortho and para bis-isoindoline-1,3-dione, phthaloylglycine) and chiral phthalimides (N-substituted with aspartate or glutamate) were synthesized and the sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects were tested. Method: Homology modeling and molecular docking were employed to predict recognition of the analogues by hNMDA and mGlu receptors. The neuropharmacological activity was tested with the open field test and elevated plus maze (EPM). The compounds were tested in mouse models of acute convulsions induced either by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 90 mg/kg) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 10 mg/kg). Results: The ortho and para non-chiral compounds at 562.3 and 316 mg/kg, respectively, decreased locomotor activity. Contrarily, the chiral compounds produced excitatory effects. Increased locomotor activity was found with S-TGLU and R-TGLU at 100, 316 and 562.3 mg/kg, and S-TASP at 316 and 562.3 mg/kg. These molecules showed no activity in the EPM test or PTZ model. In the 4-AP model, however, S-TGLU (237.1, 316 and 421.7 mg/kg) as well as S-TASP and R-TASP (316 mg/kg) lowered the convulsive and death rate. Conclusion: The chiral compounds exhibited a non-competitive NMDAR antagonist profile and the non-chiral molecules possessed selective sedative properties. The NMDAR exhibited stereoselectivity for S-TGLU while it is not a preference for the aspartic derivatives. The results appear to be supported by the in silico studies, which evidenced a high affinity of phthalimides for the hNMDAR and mGluR type 1.

Contributory factors in Juvenile Diabetes manifestation from Ayurvedic View - A Cohort Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hetal S. Gusai ◽  
V. K. Kori ◽  
Rajagopala S. ◽  
K. S. Patel ◽  
Ronakgiri V. Gosai
Keyword(s):  
Life Style ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Juvenile Diabetes ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Dependent Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Contributory Factors ◽  
Type 1 Dm

Over the period of time, human race has evolved and till date the development is going on. There is continuous civilization and change in life style of human being. Due to these changes in life style, human being is constantly struggling against the changing environmental conditions to maintain optimum health and vigor throughout the life. These changes have lead to increase in the disease burden in the society. Juvenile Diabetes is also such condition which is going to increase day by day in children. Children are the most vulnerable community in society. Juvenile diabetes (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus – IDDM/ Type 1 DM / T1DM) is the most common endocrine/metabolic disorder of childhood and adolescence. The high prevalence data of Juvenile Diabetes is also alarming. Globally, the incidence of Type 1 DM is increasing in children and youth by about 3% per annum. It is characterized by deficient insulin production and requires daily parenteral administration of insulin, otherwise may prove fatal. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not preventable with current knowledge. So a survey of 50 diagnosed juvenile diabetes patients in Jamnagar city of Gujarat state was conducted. With this survey study an effort has been done to find out some contributory factors in the manifestation of the disease from an Ayurvedic perspective.

scholarly journals Plant Species of Sub-Family Valerianaceae—A Review on Its Effect on the Central Nervous System

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Gitishree Das ◽  
Han-Seung Shin ◽  
Rosa Tundis ◽  
Sandra Gonçalves ◽  
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Food Species ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

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.

scholarly journals Role of miR-24 in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1: A Potential Target for Molecular Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7352
Author(s):  
Francesca Marini ◽  
Maria Luisa Brandi
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ◽  
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Neuroendocrine Cells ◽  
Molecular Therapy ◽  
Multiple Cancer ◽  
Men1 Gene ◽  
Endocrine Neoplasia ◽  
Endocrine Neoplasia Type

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited multiple cancer syndrome of neuroendocrine tissues. Tumors are caused by an inherited germinal heterozygote inactivating mutation of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene, followed by a somatic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the MEN1 gene in target neuroendocrine cells, mainly at parathyroids, pancreas islets, and anterior pituitary. Over 1,500 different germline and somatic mutations of the MEN1 gene have been identified, but the syndrome is completely missing a direct genotype-phenotype correlation, thus supporting the hypothesis that exogenous and endogenous factors, other than MEN1 specific mutation, are involved in MEN1 tumorigenesis and definition of individual clinical phenotype. Epigenetic factors, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are strongly suspected to have a role in MEN1 tumor initiation and development. Recently, a direct autoregulatory network between miR-24, MEN1 mRNA, and menin was demonstrated in parathyroids and endocrine pancreas, showing a miR-24-induced silencing of menin expression that could have a key role in initiation of tumors in MEN1-target neuroendocrine cells. Here, we review the current knowledge on the post-transcriptional regulation of MEN1 and menin expression by miR-24, and its possible direct role in MEN1 syndrome, describing the possibility and the potential approaches to target and silence this miRNA, to permit the correct expression of the wild type menin, and thereby prevent the development of cancers in the target tissues.

An In Vitro Study of Nano-fiber Polymers for Guided Vascular Regeneration

2001 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derick C. Miller ◽  
Anil Thapa ◽  
Karen M. Haberstroh ◽  
Thomas J. Webster
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cell ◽  
Muscle Cell ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Arterial Smooth Muscle Cell ◽  
Arterial Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Fiber Dimensions

ABSTRACTBiomaterials that successfully integrate into surrounding tissue should match not only the tissue's mechanical properties, but also the dimensions of the associated nano-structured extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components. The goal of this research was to use these ideals to develop a synthetic, nano-structured, polymeric biomaterial that has cytocompatible and mechanical behaviors similar to that of natural vascular tissue. In a novel manner, poly-lactic acid/polyglycolic acid (PLGA) (50/50 wt.% mix) and polyurethane were separately synthesized to possess a range of fiber dimensions in the micron and nanometer regime. Preliminary results indicated that decreasing fiber diameter on both PLGA and PU enhanced arterial smooth muscle cell adhesion; specifically, arterial smooth muscle cell adhesion increased 23% when PLGA fiber dimensions decreased from 500 to 50 nm and increased 76% on nano-structured, compared to conventional structured, polyurethane. However, nano-structured PLGA decreased endothelial cell adhesion by 52%, whereas adhesion of these same cells was increased by 50% on polyurethane. For these reasons, the present in vitro study provides the first evidence that polymer fiber dimensions can be used to selectively control cell functions for vascular prosthesis.

Functional role of miRNA-34A in smooth muscle cell functions and neointima formation

2016 ◽  
Vol 244 ◽  
pp. e3-e4 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Yang ◽  
Q. Chen ◽  
G. Wen ◽  
C. Zhang ◽  
L.A. Luong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cell ◽  
Muscle Cell ◽  
Functional Role ◽  
Neointima Formation ◽  
Cell Functions
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