scholarly journals Bidirectional Regulatory Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Porcine Coronary Tone In Vitro

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 1621-1626
Author(s):  
Shu-Zhi Zhou ◽  
Zhi-Ming Li ◽  
Xue-Ru Liu ◽  
Jun Zhou ◽  
Xiao-Qiu Tan ◽  
...  
2015 ◽  
Vol 197 (18) ◽  
pp. 2908-2919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony O. Gaca ◽  
Pavel Kudrin ◽  
Cristina Colomer-Winter ◽  
Jelena Beljantseva ◽  
Kuanqing Liu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThe bacterial stringent response (SR) is a conserved stress tolerance mechanism that orchestrates physiological alterations to enhance cell survival. This response is mediated by the intracellular accumulation of the alarmones pppGpp and ppGpp, collectively called (p)ppGpp. InEnterococcus faecalis, (p)ppGpp metabolism is carried out by the bifunctional synthetase/hydrolaseE. faecalisRel (RelEf) and the small alarmone synthetase (SAS) RelQEf. Although Rel is the main enzyme responsible for SR activation inFirmicutes, there is emerging evidence that SASs can make important contributions to bacterial homeostasis. Here, we showed that RelQEfsynthesizes ppGpp more efficiently than pppGpp without the need for ribosomes, tRNA, or mRNA. In addition to (p)ppGpp synthesis from GDP and GTP, RelQEfalso efficiently utilized GMP to form GMP 3′-diphosphate (pGpp). Based on this observation, we sought to determine if pGpp exerts regulatory effects on cellular processes affected by (p)ppGpp. We found that pGpp, like (p)ppGpp, strongly inhibits the activity ofE. faecalisenzymes involved in GTP biosynthesis and, to a lesser extent, transcription ofrrnBbyEscherichia coliRNA polymerase. Activation ofE. coliRelA synthetase activity was observed in the presence of both pGpp and ppGpp, while RelQEfwas activated only by ppGpp. Furthermore, enzymatic activity of RelQEfis insensitive to relacin, a (p)ppGpp analog developed as an inhibitor of “long” RelA/SpoT homolog (RSH) enzymes. We conclude that pGpp can likely function as a bacterial alarmone with target-specific regulatory effects that are similar to what has been observed for (p)ppGpp.IMPORTANCEAccumulation of the nucleotide second messengers (p)ppGpp in bacteria is an important signal regulating genetic and physiological networks contributing to stress tolerance, antibiotic persistence, and virulence. Understanding the function and regulation of the enzymes involved in (p)ppGpp turnover is therefore critical for designing strategies to eliminate the protective effects of this molecule. While characterizing the (p)ppGpp synthetase RelQ ofEnterococcus faecalis(RelQEf), we found that, in addition to (p)ppGpp, RelQEfis an efficient producer of pGpp (GMP 3′-diphosphate).In vitroanalysis revealed that pGpp exerts complex, target-specific effects on processes known to be modulated by (p)ppGpp. These findings provide a new regulatory feature of RelQEfand suggest that pGpp may represent a new member of the (pp)pGpp family of alarmones.


2011 ◽  
Vol 441 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine A. McCary ◽  
Youngdae Yoon ◽  
Candace Panagabko ◽  
Wonhwa Cho ◽  
Jeffrey Atkinson ◽  
...  

Vitamin E isoforms have opposing regulatory effects on leucocyte recruitment during inflammation. Furthermore, in vitro, vitamin E isoforms have opposing effects on leucocyte migration across endothelial cells by regulating VCAM (vascular cell-adhesion molecule)-1 activation of endothelial cell PKCα (protein kinase Cα). However, it is not known whether tocopherols directly regulate cofactor-dependent or oxidative activation of PKCα. We report in the present paper that cofactor-dependent activation of recombinant PKCα was increased by γ-tocopherol and was inhibited by α-tocopherol. Oxidative activation of PKCα was inhibited by α-tocopherol at a 10-fold lower concentration than γ-tocopherol. In binding studies, NBD (7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole)-tagged α-tocopherol directly bound to full-length PKCα or the PKCα-C1a domain, but not PKCζ. NBD-tagged α-tocopherol binding to PKCα or the PKCα-C1a domain was blocked by diacylglycerol, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and retinol, but not by cholesterol or PS (phosphatidylserine). Tocopherols enhanced PKCα-C2 domain binding to PS-containing lipid vesicles. In contrast, the PKCα-C2 domain did not bind to lipid vesicles containing tocopherol without PS. The PKCα-C1b domain did not bind to vesicles containing tocopherol and PS. In summary, α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol bind the diacylglycerol-binding site on PKCα-C1a and can enhance PKCα-C2 binding to PS-containing vesicles. Thus the tocopherols can function as agonists or antagonists for differential regulation of PKCα.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Li ◽  
Ismatullah Soufiany ◽  
Xiao Lyu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Chenfei Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mounting evidences have shown the importance of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. LBX2-AS1 is an oncogenic lncRNA that has been found abnormally expressed in gastric cancer and lung cancer samples. Nevertheless, the biological function of LBX2-AS1 in glioblastoma (GBM) and potential molecular mechanism are largely unclear. Methods: Relative levels of LBX2-AS1 in GBM samples and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR and FISH. In vivo and in vitro regulatory effects of LBX2-AS1 on cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in GBM were examined through xenograft models and functional experiments, respectively. The interaction between Sp1 and LBX2-AS1 was assessed by ChIP. Through bioinformatic analyses, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP and Western blot, the regulation of LBX2-AS1 and miR-491-5p on the target gene leukemia Inhibitory factor (LIF) was identified. Results: LBX2-AS1 was upregulated in GBM samples and cell lines, and its transcription was promoted by binding to the transcription factor Sp1. As a lncRNA mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, LBX2-AS1 upregulated LIF, and activated the LIF/STAT3 signaling by exerting the miRNA sponge effect on miR-491-5p, thus promoting cell proliferation, EMT and angiogenesis in GBM. Besides, LBX2-AS1 was unfavorable to the progression of glioma and the survival. Conclusion: Upregulated by Sp1, LBX2-AS1 promotes the progression of GBM by targeting the miR-491-5p/LIF axis. It is suggested that LBX2-AS1 may be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of GBM.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najat Dzaki ◽  
Woo Wai Kan ◽  
Ghows Azzam

AbstractCTPsyn is a crucial metabolic enzyme which synthesizes CTP molecules through the de novo or salvage pathway. It has the extraordinary ability to compartmentalize into filaments termed cytoophidia. Although this property is retained amongst orthologues, and cytoophidia are therefore found across kingdoms, the mechanisms behind their formation remain unknown. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded RNA with length of 20 – 22 nucleotides, capable of exerting mRNA silencing and degradation as a form of regulation. D. melanogaster itself has a high total gene count to miRNA gene number ratio, alluding to the possibility that CTPsyn may too come under the regulatory effects of these small RNAs. A thorough miRNA overexpression involving 123 UAS-miRNA lines, followed by staining of ovarian cytoophidia dme-egg chambers, revealed a small group of candidates which confer either a lengthening or truncating effect on the structure. Prime candidates are identified on the basis of consistency. MiR-975 and miR-1014 are both cytoophidia-elongating, whereas miR-190 and miR-932 are cytoophidia-shortening. Though target prediction shows that miR-975 and miR-932 do indeed have binding sites on CTPsyn mRNA, in vitro assays instead revealed that none of the four candidates may actually do so. This suggests that the effects asserted by overexpressed miRNAs indirectly reach CTPsyn and its cytoophidia through the actions of middling elements. In silico target prediction and qPCR quantification indicated that, at least for miR-932 and miR-1014, these undetermined elements may be players in fat metabolism. This is the first study to thoroughly investigate miRNAs in connection to CTPsyn expression and activity in any species. The findings presented could serve as a basis for further queries into not only the fundamental aspects of the enzyme’s regulation, but may uncover new facets of closely related pathways as well.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Chen ◽  
Yaqin Wang ◽  
Feiya Yang ◽  
Adili Keranmu ◽  
Qingxin Zhao ◽  
...  

An increasing number of studies have shown that circRNAs are closely related to the carcinogenesis and development of prostate cancer (PCa). However, little is known about the effect of the biological functions of circRNAs on the enzalutamide resistance of PCa. Through bioinformatic analysis and experiments, we investigated the expression pattern of circRNAs in enzalutamide-resistant PCa cells. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of circRAB3IP, and plasmids that knock down or overexpress circRAB3IP were used to evaluate its effect on the enzalutamide sensitivity of PCa cells. Mechanistically, we explored the potential regulatory effects of eIF4A3 and LEF1 on the biogenesis of circRAB3IP. Our in vivo and in vitro data indicated that increased expression of circRAB3IP was found in enzalutamide-resistant PCa, and knockdown of circRAB3IP significantly enhanced enzalutamide sensitivity in PCa cells. However, upregulation of circRAB3IP resulted in the opposite effects. Further mechanistic research demonstrated that circRAB3IP could regulate the expression of serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) by serving as a sponge that directly targets miR-133a-3p/miR-133b. Then, we showed that circRAB3IP partially exerted its biological functions via SGK1 signaling. Furthermore, we discovered that eIF4A3 and LEF1 might increase circRAB3IP expression in PCa.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice Scazzocchio ◽  
Luisa Minghetti ◽  
Massimo D’Archivio

Curcumin, a lipophilic polyphenol contained in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric), has been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine, and nowadays it is widely used in food as dietary spice worldwide. It has received considerable attention for its pharmacological activities, which appear to act primarily through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. For this reason, it has been proposed as a tool for the management of many diseases, among which are gastrointestinal and neurological diseases, diabetes, and several types of cancer. However, the pharmacology of curcumin remains to be elucidated; indeed, a discrepancy exists between the well-documented in vitro and in vivo activities of curcumin and its poor bioavailability and chemical instability that should limit any therapeutic effect. Recently, it has been hypothesized that curcumin could exert direct regulative effects primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, where high concentrations of this polyphenol have been detected after oral administration. Consequently, it might be hypothesized that curcumin directly exerts its regulatory effects on the gut microbiota, thus explaining the paradox between its low systemic bioavailability and its wide pharmacological activities. It is well known that the microbiota has several important roles in human physiology, and its composition can be influenced by a multitude of environmental and lifestyle factors. Accordingly, any perturbations in gut microbiome profile or dysbiosis can have a key role in human disease progression. Interestingly, curcumin and its metabolites have been shown to influence the microbiota. It is worth noting that from the interaction between curcumin and microbiota two different phenomena arise: the regulation of intestinal microflora by curcumin and the biotransformation of curcumin by gut microbiota, both of them potentially crucial for curcumin activity. This review summarizes the most recent studies on this topic, highlighting the strong connection between curcumin and gut microbiota, with the final aim of adding new insight into the potential mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its effects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 190271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changliang Liu ◽  
Huan Huang ◽  
Lilusi Ma ◽  
Xiaocui Fang ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
...  

Misfolding and abnormal aggregation of β-amyloid peptide is associated with the onset and progress of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, modulating β-amyloid aggregation is critical for the treatment of AD. Herein, we studied the regulatory effects and mechanism of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on 1–42 β-amyloid (Aβ 1–42 ) aggregation. GQDs displayed significant regulatory effects on the aggregation of Aβ 1–42 peptide as detected by thioflavin T (ThT) assay. Then, the changes of confirmations and structures induced by GQDs on the Aβ 1–42 aggregation were monitored by circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The in vitro cytotoxicity experiments further demonstrated the feasibility of GQDs on the regulation of Aβ 1–42 aggregation. Meanwhile, the structural changes of a Aβ 1–42 /GQDs mixture in different pH revealed that electrostatic interaction was the major driving force in the co-assembly process of Aβ 1–42 and GQDs. The proposed mechanism of the regulatory effects of GQDs on the Aβ 1–42 aggregation was also deduced reasonably. This work not only demonstrated the potential feasibility of GQDs as therapeutic drug for AD but also clarified the regulatory mechanism of GQDs on the Aβ 1–42 aggregation.


Inflammasome ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuesong Sang ◽  
Hongbin Wang ◽  
Yihui Chen ◽  
Qiuhong Guo ◽  
Ailing Lu ◽  
...  

AbstractInflammasomes are intracellular protein complexes that mediate maturation and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Inflammasomes have been connected with various diseases, therefore the regulation of inflammasome activation is important for the development of novel therapies for many inflammatory syndromes. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and has regulatory effects on immune cells. Here we report that vitamin C has an inhibitory effect on the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this inhibition is through scavenging mitochondrial ROS but not through NF-κB inhibition. Moreover, specificity tests show that the AIM2 inflammasome and the NLRC4 inflammasome can also be inhibited by vitamin C. Our results have thus identified a new inflammasome regulator and provide therapeutic potential for inflammasome-associated diseases.


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