scholarly journals Exploring the Role of Rhodtestolin, A Cardio-Inhibitor from the Testes of Rhodnius prolixus, in Relation to the Structure and Function of Reproductive Organs in Insect Vectors of Chagas Disease

Insects ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 593-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralem Chiang ◽  
Jennifer Chiang ◽  
Hugh Hoogendoorn ◽  
Marli Lima
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Insect Vectors ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Analysis of the testicle’s transcriptome of the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jovino C. Cardoso ◽  
Jose M. C. Ribeiro ◽  
Daniela V. dos Santos ◽  
Marcos H. Pereira ◽  
Ricardo N. Araújo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Male Reproductive Organs ◽  
Different Tissues

AbstractRhodnius prolixus is amongst the most important vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in the Americas, putting thousands of people at risk of contracting Chagas Disease. This insect is also one of the most important models in insect physiology, especially regarding the blood-feeding process. However, studies on R. prolixus genetics lagged, and our understanding on the regulation of gene expression is incipient. Transcriptomes have the power to study the expression of thousands of genes in a single experiment. A comprehensive R. prolixus transcriptome was performed in 2014, sequencing RNA from different tissues (anterior gut, midgut, posterior gut, rectum, ovaries, fat body, maphigian tubules, and testicles). However, on that occasion, only the gut transcriptome was deeply analysed. Here we evaluated the results of the testicles transcriptome of R. prolixus with the objective to find and understand genes that could have an important role in male reproduction. We found, that from the 25,673 transcripts assembled in the whole transcriptome, 5,365 have a testicle specific expression pattern. As expected, amongst the most abundant families of transcripts, are those related to spermatogenesis and male fertility, such as myosins, actins, and dyneins. To our surprise, lipocalins, serine protease inhibitors (serpins), and lysozymes also were highly abundant in testicles. The role of these classes of genes are well known in other tissues, such as salivary glands and gut, but very little is known on their role in male reproduction (and we proposed here a few hypothesis that could be tested to address the role of these genes in male fertility). It would be interesting to study further the role of these genes on R. prolixus male fertility. Finally, as a reflection of the lack of knowledge on triatomine genetics, we found that almost half of the transcripts in R. prolixus testicles have no similarities to any other genes on reference databases. Our study shows that we still have a lot to know and to understand about reproduction in triatomine, especially in males. Besides the large number of genes without described function (possibly novel genes), there are those in which the function is known for other tissues, and we can only guess, at best, the role and importance of such genes for triatomine male fertility.Author SummaryThe understanding of the biology of insect’s vectors of parasitic diseases is key to the development of strategies of public health. For decades, the studies on the biology of male insects’ vectors of diseases was neglected, since in many cases female insects are those with relevant role in the spread of diseases. With the development of genomics, large scale studies to compare differential gene expression (transcriptomics) among different tissues, developmental stages, and sex became accessible. In this study, we looked at the physiology of the male reproductive organs of the vector of Chagas disease Rhodnius prolixus. This is a first glimpse, from a perspective of genes differentially expressed in male gonads, in such insects. We also performed an effort to link all identified genes with the insect genome published in 2015. We found ~14,000 genes expressed in the testicles, from which 5,635 genes are expressed exclusively in male reproductive organs. From the ~14,000 genes, we were able to attribute putative biological functions to 6,372 genes, which allowed us to draw a bigger picture on how these genes contribute to male fertility. This study now opens the door for further in-depth studies to find key genes for R. prolixus reproductive biology.

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS

1975 ◽  
Vol 80 (2_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S77-S95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Variable Region ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Constant Region ◽  
Antigen Specificity ◽  
Basic Subunit ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT There are five major classes of immunoglobulins – IgG, M, A, D and E. Each is made of two heavy and two light chains or polymers of this basic subunit. The structure of each heavy and light chain consists of a variable region involved in antigen specificity and binding and a constant region which is involved in the class specific properties. The different classes of immunoglobulins differ in the biological properties. Of particular interest is the IgA fraction which provides antibodies in all the external secretions – including the reproductive organs. A few speculations are offered as to the possible role of IgA in reproductive biology.

scholarly journals Essential Role of Septin 7 in Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function

2020 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 258a
Author(s):  
Laszlo Csernoch ◽  
Mónika Gönczi ◽  
Zsolt Ráduly ◽  
László Szabó ◽  
Nóra Dobrosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Muscle Structure ◽  
And Function

Comparative effects of Orchis anatolica vs. the red Korean Panax ginseng treatments on testicular structure and function of adult male mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil A. Khouri ◽  
Haytham M. Daradka ◽  
Mohammed Z. Allouh ◽  
Ahmad S. Alkofahi
Keyword(s):  
Panax Ginseng ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Virgin Female ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Fertility Potential ◽  
And Function

Abstract: The effects of: Both plants were administered orally to two separate mice groups at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day for 35 days and compared with control group. After treatment, 5 mice of each group were sacrificed and total mice weights, reproductive organs’ weights, spermatogenesis, and androgenic serum markers were investigated. The remaining mice from all groups were allowed to mate with virgin female mice to explore male fertility potential.: Results indicated that body and organs’ weights were increased significantly in mice treated with: We can conclude that

scholarly journals Effects of Dysbiosis and Dietary Manipulation on the Digestive Microbiota of a Detritivorous Arthropod

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Marius Bredon ◽  
Elisabeth Depuydt ◽  
Lucas Brisson ◽  
Laurent Moulin ◽  
Ciriac Charles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crucial Role ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Dietary Manipulation ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
And Function ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Over Time

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.

scholarly journals Neuroplacentology in congenital heart disease: placental connections to neurodevelopmental outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Leon ◽  
Imran N. Mir ◽  
Christina L. Herrera ◽  
Kavita Sharma ◽  
Catherine Y. Spong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Fetal Brain ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Brain Growth ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes ◽  
Fetal Brain Development ◽  
And Function

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.

scholarly journals Endogenous Mammalian Cardiotonic Steroids—A New Cardiovascular Risk Factor?—A Mini-Review

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 727
Author(s):  
Natalia Słabiak-Błaż ◽  
Grzegorz Piecha
Keyword(s):  
Adenosine Triphosphatase ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Sodium Potassium ◽  
Sodium Homeostasis ◽  
Cardiovascular Tissue ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
And Function ◽  
Regulation Of Blood Pressure

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.

The role of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function in epilepsy

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mizielinska ◽  
S. Greenwood ◽  
C.N. Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptor ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Synaptic Targeting ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Normal Brain Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

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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