scholarly journals Sperm competition and sperm cooperation: the potential role of diploid and haploid expression

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Immler
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Competition ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Selective Force ◽  
Potential Conflict ◽  
Evolutionary Response ◽  
And Function ◽  
Diploid Organism

Sperm competition is a powerful selective force driving the evolution of sperm shape and function. Recent findings suggest that sperm cooperation is a potential evolutionary response to sperm competition. Sperm cooperation may enhance the performance of the ejaculate increasing a male's chance to outcompete rival males in competition for fertilisation. Whether and how sperm cooperation may evolve is the focal point of this review. The relative importance of haploid and diploid gene expression for the evolution of sperm cooperation and the potential conflict of interest between (i) haploid sperm and diploid male and (ii) among sibling sperm, since sibling sperm only share an average of 50% of their genes in a diploid organism, are discussed. Furthermore, sperm cooperation is defined and the literature for empirical evidence of sperm cooperation is reviewed in light of the author's definitions.

POPDC proteins and cardiac function

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brand
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
And Function

Abstract The Popeye domain-containing gene family encodes a novel class of cAMP effector proteins in striated muscle tissue. In this short review, we first introduce the protein family and discuss their structure and function with an emphasis on their role in cyclic AMP signalling. Another focus of this review is the recently discovered role of POPDC genes as striated muscle disease genes, which have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and muscular dystrophy. The pathological phenotypes observed in patients will be compared with phenotypes present in null and knockin mutations in zebrafish and mouse. A number of protein–protein interaction partners have been discovered and the potential role of POPDC proteins to control the subcellular localization and function of these interacting proteins will be discussed. Finally, we outline several areas, where research is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Endocrine Significance of SARS-CoV-2’s Reliance on ACE2

Endocrinology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 161 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Lazartigues ◽  
Mirza Muhammad Fahd Qadir ◽  
Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Converting Enzyme ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽  
Global Impact ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Function ◽  
Endocrine Tissues

Abstract The current COVID-19 pandemic is the most disruptive event in the past 50 years, with a global impact on health care and world economies. It is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a coronavirus that uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry point to the cells. ACE2 is a transmembrane carboxypeptidase and member of the renin-angiotensin system. This mini-review summarizes the main findings regarding ACE2 expression and function in endocrine tissues. We discuss rapidly evolving knowledge on the potential role of ACE2 and SARS coronaviruses in endocrinology and the development of diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, and pituitary and thyroid diseases.

scholarly journals The Potential Role of Seminal Plasma in the Fertilization Outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Szczykutowicz ◽  
Anna Kałuża ◽  
Maria Kaźmierowska-Niemczuk ◽  
Mirosława Ferens-Sieczkowska
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Healthy Pregnancy ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
And Function

For human infertility both male and female factors may be equally important. Searching for molecular biomarkers of male infertility, neglected for decades, and the attempts to explain regulatory mechanisms of fertilization become thus extremely important. Apart from examination of the structure and function of male gametes, also the possible importance of seminal plasma components should be considered. In this article we discuss data that indicate for the substantial significance of active seminal plasma components for conception and achievement of healthy pregnancy. Seminal plasma impact on the storage and cryopreservation of human and animal sperm and regulatory role of glycodelin on human sperm capacitation as well as hypothesized course of female immune response to allogenic sperm and conceptus has been discussed. The possible involvement of carbohydrates in molecular mechanism of fetoembryonic defense has been also mentioned.

Ablation of adipose-HO-1 expression increases white fat over beige fat through inhibition of mitochondrial fusion and of PGC1α in female mice

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shailendra P. Singh ◽  
Ilana Grant ◽  
Aliza Meissner ◽  
Attallah Kappas ◽  
Nader G. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Knockout Mouse ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Mitochondrial Quality Control ◽  
Knockout Mouse Model ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Beige Fat ◽  
And Function ◽  
White Fat

AbstractBackgroundHmox1 plays an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics and function by regulating cellular heme-derived CO and bilirubin. Previous studies have demonstrated that global disruption of HO-1 in humans and mice resulted in severe organ dysfunction.MethodsWe investigated the potential role of adipose-specific-HO-1 genetic ablation on adipose tissue function, mitochondrial quality control and energy expenditure by generating an adipo-HO-1 knockout mouse model (Adipo-HO-1ResultsAdipo-HO-1ConclusionAblation of adipose tissue-HO-1 abridged PGC1 expression promoted mitochondrial dysfunction and contributed to an increase of pro-inflammatory visceral fat and abrogated beige-cell like phenotype.

scholarly journals The Role of Phosphotyrosine Signaling Pathway in Parotid Gland Proliferation and Function

1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.R. Purushotham ◽  
M.G. Humphreys-Beher
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Secretory Function ◽  
Phosphotyrosine Signaling ◽  
And Function ◽  
Active Proliferation

Tyrosine phosphorylation and the intracellular signaling processes associated with it have been the focus of intense study due to its importance in the regulation of biological processes as diverse as cell proliferation and cell differentiation. While much of what we now understand has been derived from the study of cell lines and tumor cells, the salivary glands provide a model to examine the effects of tyrosine kinases and tyrosine phosphatases in a normal differentiated tissue. This review will focus, therefore, on the role tyrosine kinases and phosphatases play in inducing the transition from stasis to active proliferation and their potential role in mediating secretory function of the salivary glands.

scholarly journals Targeting the Interleukin-6/Jak/Stat Pathway in Human Malignancies

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Sansone ◽  
Jacqueline Bromberg
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Metastatic Progression ◽  
And Function ◽  
Principal Pathway ◽  
Stat Pathway

The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak/Stat) pathway was discovered 20 years ago as a mediator of cytokine signaling. Since this time, more than 2,500 articles have been published demonstrating the importance of this pathway in virtually all malignancies. Although there are dozens of cytokines and cytokine receptors, four Jaks, and seven Stats, it seems that interleukin-6–mediated activation of Stat3 is a principal pathway implicated in promoting tumorigenesis. This transcription factor regulates the expression of numerous critical mediators of tumor formation and metastatic progression. This review will examine the relative importance and function of this pathway in nonmalignant conditions as well as malignancies (including tumor intrinsic and extrinsic), the influence of other Stats, the development of inhibitors to this pathway, and the potential role of inhibitors in controlling or eradicating cancers.

The Role of Financial Bootstrapping in Handling the Liability of Newness in Incubator Businesses

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joakim Winborg
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Entrepreneurship Research ◽  
New Business ◽  
Financial Bootstrapping

Recent research in entrepreneurship has examined factors that could reduce the challenges facing new businesses (the so-called ‘liabilities of newness’). Seeking to contribute to this research, this study examines the potential role of a financial bootstrapping approach (finding ways of securing resources on favourable terms). Even though financial bootstrapping has received increased attention in entrepreneurship research, our understanding of the relative importance of financial bootstrapping is undeveloped. This study focuses on new businesses established in Swedish university incubators and is based on data from a questionnaire sent to 120 new business founders. Given the role of incubators to provide resources and contacts on favourable terms, it can be argued that they represent an institutionalized arena in which new businesses can identify bootstrapping possibilities. The findings show that the possession of a financial bootstrapping approach is beneficial for handling the external liability of newness, whereas no significant effects were found on the internal liability of newness.

scholarly journals Activity and Function of the PRMT8 Protein Arginine Methyltransferase in Neurons

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1132
Author(s):  
Rui Dong ◽  
Xuejun Li ◽  
Kwok-On Lai
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Protein Arginine Methyltransferases ◽  
Synapse Maturation ◽  
Membrane Bound ◽  
And Function ◽  
Neuronal Functions ◽  
Mammalian Protein

Among the nine mammalian protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), PRMT8 is unusual because it has restricted expression in the nervous system and is the only membrane-bound PRMT. Emerging studies have demonstrated that this enzyme plays multifaceted roles in diverse processes in neurons. Here we will summarize the unique structural features of PRMT8 and describe how it participates in various neuronal functions such as dendritic growth, synapse maturation, and synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence suggesting the potential role of PRMT8 function in neurological diseases will also be discussed.

scholarly journals Regulation of adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis by miR-132

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Hu ◽  
Wen-Jun Shen ◽  
Fredric B Kraemer ◽  
Salman Azhar
Keyword(s):  
Target Gene ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Adrenal Cells ◽  
Mecp2 Protein ◽  
Direct Target ◽  
Steroidogenic Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
Camp Stimulation

miR-132 is hormonally regulated in steroidogenic cells of the adrenal gland, ovary and testis. Here, we examined the potential role of miR-132 in the control of steroidogenesis. Transfection of Y1 adrenal cells with miR-132 increased mRNAs of 3β-HSD and 20α-HSD enzymes, which catalyze the sequential conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone to biologically inactive 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP). Overexpression of miR-132 reduced MeCP2 and StAR protein expression, basal progestin (progesterone and 20α-OHP) production, but enhanced their production in response to cAMP stimulation. Use of [3H] pregnenolone and free-diffusible 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol further confirmed that miR-132 promotes the production of 20α-OHP by upregulating 3β-HSD and 20α-HSD. Evidence is also presented that StAR is a direct target of miR-132. Transient transfection of Y1 cells with miR-132 demonstrated that miR-132 induction of 3β-HSD and 20α-HSD was accompanied by significant suppression of one of its target gene products, MeCP2. In contrast, co-expression of miR-132 plus MeCP2 protein partially blocked the ability of miR-132 to upregulate the expression and function of 3β-HSD and 20α-HSD. Moreover, suppression of MeCP2 protein with siRNA resulted in increased expression of 3β-HSD and 20α-HSD, further demonstrating that miR-132 induces the expression of these two enzymes via inhibition of MeCP2. Likewise, overexpression of miR-132 increased 20α-OHP production with and without HDL loading, while knockdown of miR-132 resulted in a significant decrease of 20α-OHP production by granulosa cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that miR-132 attenuates steroidogenesis by repressing StAR expression and inducing 20α-HSD via inhibition of MeCP2 to generate a biologically inactive 20α-OHP.

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