scholarly journals Exploring the Regulatory Role of Circular RNAs in Neurodegenerative Disorders

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora D’Ambra ◽  
Davide Capauto ◽  
Mariangela Morlando
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Exact Function ◽  
Modulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Development And Aging ◽  
And Function ◽  
Regulatory Functions

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a distinctive class of regulatory non-coding RNAs characterised by the presence of covalently closed ends. They are evolutionary conserved molecules, and although detected in different tissues, circRNAs resulted specifically enriched in the nervous system. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs are dynamically modulated during neuronal development and aging, that circRNAs are enriched at synaptic levels and resulted modulated after synaptic plasticity induction. This has suggested that circRNAs might play an important role in neuronal specification and activity. Despite the exact function of circRNAs is still poorly understood, emerging evidence indicates that circRNAs have important regulatory functions that might extensively contribute to the dynamic modulation of gene expression that supports neuronal pathways. More interestingly, deregulation of circRNAs expression has been linked with various pathological conditions. In this review, we describe current advances in the field of circRNA biogenesis and function in the nervous system both in physiological and in pathological conditions, and we specifically lay out their association with neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the opportunity to exploit circRNAs for innovative therapeutic approaches and, due to their high stability, to use circRNAs as suitable biomarkers for diagnosis and disease progression.

Neurovascular Interactions in the Nervous System

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 615-635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Segarra ◽  
Maria R. Aburto ◽  
Jasmin Hefendehl ◽  
Amparo Acker-Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Neurovascular Interactions ◽  
And Function

Molecular cross talk between the nervous and vascular systems is necessary to maintain the correct coupling of organ structure and function. Molecular pathways shared by both systems are emerging as major players in the communication of the neuronal compartment with the endothelium. Here we review different aspects of this cross talk and how vessels influence the development and homeostasis of the nervous system. Beyond the classical role of the vasculature as a conduit to deliver oxygen and metabolites needed for the energy-demanding neuronal compartment, vessels emerge as powerful signaling systems that control and instruct a variety of cellular processes during the development of neurons and glia, such as migration, differentiation, and structural connectivity. Moreover, a broad spectrum of mild to severe vascular dysfunctions occur in various pathologies of the nervous system, suggesting that mild structural and functional changes at the neurovascular interface may underlie cognitive decline in many of these pathological conditions.

scholarly journals The Emerging Regulatory Role of Circular RNAs in Periodontal Tissues and Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4636
Author(s):  
Kexin Jiao ◽  
Laurence J. Walsh ◽  
Sašo Ivanovski ◽  
Pingping Han
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Alveolar Bone ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Periodontal Tissues ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
A Cell ◽  
And Function ◽  
Regulatory Functions

Periodontitis is a chronic complex inflammatory disease associated with a destructive host immune response to microbial dysbiosis, leading to irreversible loss of tooth-supporting tissues. Regeneration of functional periodontal soft (periodontal ligament and gingiva) and hard tissue components (cementum and alveolar bone) to replace lost tissues is the ultimate goal of periodontal treatment, but clinically predictable treatments are lacking. Similarly, the identification of biomarkers that can be used to accurately diagnose periodontitis activity is lacking. A relatively novel category of molecules found in oral tissue, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded endogenous, long, non-coding RNA molecules, with covalently circular-closed structures without a 5’ cap and a 3’ tail via non-classic backsplicing. Emerging research indicates that circRNAs are tissue and disease-specific expressed and have crucial regulatory functions in various diseases. CircRNAs can function as microRNA or RNA binding sites or can regulate mRNA. In this review, we explore the biogenesis and function of circRNAs in the context of the emerging role of circRNAs in periodontitis pathogenesis and the differentiation of periodontal cells. CircMAP3K11, circCDK8, circCDR1as, circ_0062491, and circ_0095812 are associated with pathological periodontitis tissues. Furthermore, circRNAs are expressed in periodontal cells in a cell-specific manner. They can function as microRNA sponges and can form circRNA–miRNA–mRNA networks during osteogenic differentiation for periodontal-tissue (or dental pulp)-derived progenitor cells.

Mitochondrial contributions to neuronal development and function

2018 ◽  
Vol 399 (7) ◽  
pp. 723-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Princz ◽  
Konstantinos Kounakis ◽  
Nektarios Tavernarakis
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Neuronal Function ◽  
Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Technical Advances ◽  
And Function

AbstractMitochondria are critical to tissues and organs characterized by high-energy demands, such as the nervous system. They provide essential energy and metabolites, and maintain Ca2+balance, which is imperative for proper neuronal function and development. Emerging findings further underline the role of mitochondria in neurons. Technical advances in the last decades made it possible to investigate key mechanisms in neuronal development and the contribution of mitochondria therein. In this article, we discuss the latest findings relevant to the involvement of mitochondria in neuronal development, placing emphasis on mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics. In addition, we survey the role of mitochondrial energy metabolism and Ca2+homeostasis in proper neuronal function, and the involvement of mitochondria in axon myelination.

scholarly journals Implication of Contactins in Demyelinating Pathologies

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Ilias Kalafatakis ◽  
Maria Savvaki ◽  
Theodora Velona ◽  
Domna Karagogeos
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Myelinated Axon ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Myelinated Axons ◽  
And Function

Demyelinating pathologies comprise of a variety of conditions where either central or peripheral myelin is attacked, resulting in white matter lesions and neurodegeneration. Myelinated axons are organized into molecularly distinct domains, and this segregation is crucial for their proper function. These defined domains are differentially affected at the different stages of demyelination as well as at the lesion and perilesion sites. Among the main players in myelinated axon organization are proteins of the contactin (CNTN) group of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of cell adhesion molecules, namely Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 (CNTN1, CNTN2). The two contactins perform their functions through intermolecular interactions, which are crucial for myelinated axon integrity and functionality. In this review, we focus on the implication of these two molecules as well as their interactors in demyelinating pathologies in humans. At first, we describe the organization and function of myelinated axons in the central (CNS) and the peripheral (PNS) nervous system, further analyzing the role of CNTN1 and CNTN2 as well as their interactors in myelination. In the last section, studies showing the correlation of the two contactins with demyelinating pathologies are reviewed, highlighting the importance of these recognition molecules in shaping the function of the nervous system in multiple ways.

scholarly journals From Exosome Glycobiology to Exosome Glycotechnology, the Role of Natural Occurring Polysaccharides

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-338
Author(s):  
Giulia Della Rosa ◽  
Clarissa Ruggeri ◽  
Alessandra Aloisi
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Personalized Medicine ◽  
Innate Ability

Exosomes (EXOs) are nano-sized informative shuttles acting as endogenous mediators of cell-to-cell communication. Their innate ability to target specific cells and deliver functional cargo is recently claimed as a promising theranostic strategy. The glycan profile, actively involved in the EXO biogenesis, release, sorting and function, is highly cell type-specific and frequently altered in pathological conditions. Therefore, the modulation of EXO glyco-composition has recently been considered an attractive tool in the design of novel therapeutics. In addition to the available approaches involving conventional glyco-engineering, soft technology is becoming more and more attractive for better exploiting EXO glycan tasks and optimizing EXO delivery platforms. This review, first, explores the main functions of EXO glycans and associates the potential implications of the reported new findings across the nanomedicine applications. The state-of-the-art of the last decade concerning the role of natural polysaccharides—as targeting molecules and in 3D soft structure manufacture matrices—is then analysed and highlighted, as an advancing EXO biofunction toolkit. The promising results, integrating the biopolymers area to the EXO-based bio-nanofabrication and bio-nanotechnology field, lay the foundation for further investigation and offer a new perspective in drug delivery and personalized medicine progress.

scholarly journals The Recent Understanding of the Neurotrophin's Role in Skeletal Muscle Adaptation

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunihiro Sakuma ◽  
Akihiko Yamaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
Muscle Fibers ◽  
Brain Disorders ◽  
Muscle Adaptation ◽  
Bdnf Mrna ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Development And Differentiation ◽  
And Function

This paper summarizes the various effects of neurotrophins in skeletal muscle and how these proteins act as potential regulators of the maintenance, function, and regeneration of skeletal muscle fibers. Increasing evidence suggests that this family of neurotrophic factors influence not only the survival and function of innervating motoneurons but also the development and differentiation of myoblasts and muscle fibers. Muscle contractions (e.g., exercise) produce BDNF mRNA and protein in skeletal muscle, and the BDNF seems to play a role in enhancing glucose metabolism and may act for myokine to improve various brain disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and major depression). In adults with neuromuscular disorders, variations in neurotrophin expression are found, and the role of neurotrophins under such conditions is beginning to be elucidated. This paper provides a basis for a better understanding of the role of these factors under such pathological conditions and for treatment of human neuromuscular disease.

scholarly journals Current Evidence for a Role of Neuropeptides in the Regulation of Autophagy

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Catalani ◽  
Clara De Palma ◽  
Cristiana Perrotta ◽  
Davide Cervia
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Intercellular Signalling ◽  
Physiological Homeostasis ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Autophagic Process ◽  
Regulatory Functions

Neuropeptides drive a wide diversity of biological actions and mediate multiple regulatory functions involving all organ systems. They modulate intercellular signalling in the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as the cross talk among nervous and endocrine systems. Indeed, neuropeptides can function as peptide hormones regulating physiological homeostasis (e.g., cognition, blood pressure, feeding behaviour, water balance, glucose metabolism, pain, and response to stress), neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. We aim here to describe the recent advances on the role exerted by neuropeptides in the control of autophagy and its molecular mechanisms since increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of autophagic process is related to different pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, metabolic disorders, and cancer.

scholarly journals Relevance of Fatty Acids to Sperm Maturation and Quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Collodel ◽  
Cesare Castellini ◽  
Jetty Chung-Yung Lee ◽  
Cinzia Signorini
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Profile ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Dietary Fatty Acids ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Sperm Membrane ◽  
And Function

Almost 50% of infertility cases are associated with human male infertility. The sperm membrane is a key structure influencing sperm morphology and function in normal and pathological conditions. The fatty acid profile determines the performance not only of sperm motility but also of acrosomal reaction and sperm-oocyte fusion. This review presents available knowledge on the role of fatty acid composition in human sperm and spermatogenesis and discusses the influence of dietary fatty acids on the sperm fatty acid profile. Recent studies in biological sciences and clinical researches in this field are also reported. The topic object of this review has potential application in medicine by identifying potential causes of infertility.

miRNAs in development and pathogenesis of the nervous system

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 815-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub S. Nowak ◽  
Gracjan Michlewski
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
And Function ◽  
Human Nervous System

The human nervous system expresses approximately 70% of all miRNAs (microRNAs). Changing levels of certain ubiquitous and brain-specific miRNAs shape the development and function of the nervous system. It is becoming clear that misexpression of some miRNAs can contribute towards neurodevelopmental disorders. In the present article, we review the current knowledge of the role of miRNAs in development and pathogenesis of the nervous system.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs Regulate Multiple Aspects of Locomotor Behavior in Drosophila

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-55
Author(s):  
Nathan C. Donelson ◽  
Richa Dixit ◽  
Israel Pichardo-Casas ◽  
Eva Y. Chiu ◽  
Robert T. Ohman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Locomotor Behavior ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Motor Circuits ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Function ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Movement Tracking

Locomotion is an ancient and fundamental output of the nervous system required for animals to perform many other complex behaviors. Although the formation of motor circuits is known to be under developmental control of transcriptional mechanisms that define the fates and connectivity of the many neurons, glia and muscle constituents of these circuits, relatively little is known about the role of post-transcriptional regulation of locomotor behavior. MicroRNAs have emerged as a potentially rich source of modulators for neural development and function. In order to define the microRNAs required for normal locomotion in Drosophila melanogaster, we utilized a set of transgenic Gal4-dependent competitive inhibitors (microRNA sponges, or miR-SPs) to functionally assess ca. 140 high-confidence Drosophila microRNAs using automated quantitative movement tracking systems followed by multiparametric analysis. Using ubiquitous expression of miR-SP constructs, we identified a large number of microRNAs that modulate aspects of normal baseline adult locomotion. Addition of temperature-dependent Gal80 to identify microRNAs that act during adulthood revealed that the majority of these microRNAs play developmental roles. Comparison of ubiquitous and neural-specific miR-SP expression suggests that most of these microRNAs function within the nervous system. Parallel analyses of spontaneous locomotion in adults and in larvae also reveal that very few of the microRNAs required in the adult overlap with those that control the behavior of larval motor circuits. These screens suggest that a rich regulatory landscape underlies the formation and function of motor circuits and that many of these mechanisms are stage and/or parameter-specific.

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