Metamorphosis of the perirectal Malpighian tubules in the mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae). II. Ultrastructure and role of autophagic vacuoles

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1185-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Byers

The perirectal Malpighian tubules of T. molitor are highly specialized for ion and fluid transport. Although they survive metamorphosis, being similar in structure and function in both larva and adult, they undergo a sequence of dramatic alterations in subcellular organization. In the early stages of metamorphosis there is a phase of dedifferentiation during which the perirectal tubule cells undergo degenerative changes. The highly specialized brush border, which in the larva is formed of closely packed microvilli containing mitochondria, is partially broken down and a large number of mitochondria undergo autophagic isolation and digestion. A conspicuous result of the autophagic processes is the accumulation of membrane lipid within autophagic vacuoles which are eventually transformed into 'osmiophilic bodies.' During the later stages of metamorphosis the cells progressively redifferentiate and the brush border is reconstituted. The number of osmiophilic bodies declines markedly, concomitant with an apparent increase in the number of mitochondria.

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 823-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Byers

The perirectal Malpighian tubules of both larva and adult T. molitor are highly specialized for a fluid transport role. Related to this function are a number of structural specializations, including a thick brush border which lines the lumen of the tubules. The brush border consists of closely packed microvilli containing mitochondria. Although the perirectal tubules survive the transformation from larva to adult they undergo at the cellular level a sequence of dramatic changes. During the early stages of metamorphosis there is a phase of dedifferentiation and autolysis involving the partial breakdown of the brush border and the destruction of large numbers of mitochondria. A conspicuous cytological manifestation of these processes is the transfer of membrane lipids from the brush border into intracellular osmiophilic bodies (autolysosomes). During the later stages of metamorphosis, i.e. adult development, the cells progressively redifferentiate. As the brush border is rebuilt there is an increase in the number of mitochondria concomitant with a decline in the number of osmiophilic bodies, indicating that the membrane lipid is reutilized for mitochondrial genesis.The results show that the processes of isolation and digestion of mitochondria, the accumulation and retention of valuable breakdown products, and their subsequent reutilization are integral parts of the economy of the perirectal tubule cells during metamorphosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 258a
Author(s):  
Laszlo Csernoch ◽  
Mónika Gönczi ◽  
Zsolt Ráduly ◽  
László Szabó ◽  
Nóra Dobrosi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Marius Bredon ◽  
Elisabeth Depuydt ◽  
Lucas Brisson ◽  
Laurent Moulin ◽  
Ciriac Charles ◽  
...  

The crucial role of microbes in the evolution, development, health, and ecological interactions of multicellular organisms is now widely recognized in the holobiont concept. However, the structure and stability of microbiota are highly dependent on abiotic and biotic factors, especially in the gut, which can be colonized by transient bacteria depending on the host’s diet. We studied these impacts by manipulating the digestive microbiota of the detritivore Armadillidium vulgare and analyzing the consequences on its structure and function. Hosts were exposed to initial starvation and then were fed diets that varied the different components of lignocellulose. A total of 72 digestive microbiota were analyzed according to the type of the diet (standard or enriched in cellulose, lignin, or hemicellulose) and the period following dysbiosis. The results showed that microbiota from the hepatopancreas were very stable and resilient, while the most diverse and labile over time were found in the hindgut. Dysbiosis and selective diets may have affected the host fitness by altering the structure of the microbiota and its predicted functions. Overall, these modifications can therefore have effects not only on the holobiont, but also on the “eco-holobiont” conceptualization of macroorganisms.


Author(s):  
Rachel L. Leon ◽  
Imran N. Mir ◽  
Christina L. Herrera ◽  
Kavita Sharma ◽  
Catherine Y. Spong ◽  
...  

Abstract Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are living longer due to effective medical and surgical management. However, the majority have neurodevelopmental delays or disorders. The role of the placenta in fetal brain development is unclear and is the focus of an emerging field known as neuroplacentology. In this review, we summarize neurodevelopmental outcomes in CHD and their brain imaging correlates both in utero and postnatally. We review differences in the structure and function of the placenta in pregnancies complicated by fetal CHD and introduce the concept of a placental inefficiency phenotype that occurs in severe forms of fetal CHD, characterized by a myriad of pathologies. We propose that in CHD placental dysfunction contributes to decreased fetal cerebral oxygen delivery resulting in poor brain growth, brain abnormalities, and impaired neurodevelopment. We conclude the review with key areas for future research in neuroplacentology in the fetal CHD population, including (1) differences in structure and function of the CHD placenta, (2) modifiable and nonmodifiable factors that impact the hemodynamic balance between placental and cerebral circulations, (3) interventions to improve placental function and protect brain development in utero, and (4) the role of genetic and epigenetic influences on the placenta–heart–brain connection. Impact Neuroplacentology seeks to understand placental connections to fetal brain development. In fetuses with CHD, brain growth abnormalities begin in utero. Placental microstructure as well as perfusion and function are abnormal in fetal CHD.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Natalia Słabiak-Błaż ◽  
Grzegorz Piecha

The role of endogenous mammalian cardiotonic steroids (CTS) in the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system and the kidneys has interested researchers for more than 20 years. Cardiotonic steroids extracted from toads or plants, such as digitalis, have been used to treat heart disease since ancient times. CTS, also called endogenous digitalis-like factors, take part in the regulation of blood pressure and sodium homeostasis through their effects on the transport enzyme called sodium–potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na/K-ATPase) in renal and cardiovascular tissue. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence showing deleterious effects of CTS on the structure and function of the heart, vasculature and kidneys. Understanding the role of CTS may be useful in the development of potential new therapeutic strategies.


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mizielinska ◽  
S. Greenwood ◽  
C.N. Connolly

Maintaining the correct balance in neuronal activation is of paramount importance to normal brain function. Imbalances due to changes in excitation or inhibition can lead to a variety of disorders ranging from the clinically extreme (e.g. epilepsy) to the more subtle (e.g. anxiety). In the brain, the most common inhibitory synapses are regulated by GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors, a role commensurate with their importance as therapeutic targets. Remarkably, we still know relatively little about GABAA receptor biogenesis. Receptors are constructed as pentameric ion channels, with α and β subunits being the minimal requirement, and the incorporation of a γ subunit being necessary for benzodiazepine modulation and synaptic targeting. Insights have been provided by the discovery of several specific assembly signals within different GABAA receptor subunits. Moreover, a number of recent studies on GABAA receptor mutations associated with epilepsy have further enhanced our understanding of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function.


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