International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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22 pages, 2268 KiB

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Electro-Metabolic Coupling of Cumulus–Oocyte Complex

by Diletta Del Bianco, Rosaria Gentile, Luana Sallicandro, Andrea Biagini, Paola Tiziana Quellari, Elko Gliozheni, Paola Sabbatini, Francesco Ragonese, Antonio Malvasi, Antonio D’Amato, Giorgio Maria Baldini, Giuseppe Trojano, Andrea Tinelli and Bernard Fioretti

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105349 - 14 May 2024

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Abstract

Oocyte–cumulus cell interaction is essential for oocyte maturation and competence. The bidirectional crosstalk network mediated by gap junctions is fundamental for the metabolic cooperation between these cells. As cumulus cells exhibit a more glycolytic phenotype, they can provide metabolic substrates that the oocyte [...] Read more.

Oocyte–cumulus cell interaction is essential for oocyte maturation and competence. The bidirectional crosstalk network mediated by gap junctions is fundamental for the metabolic cooperation between these cells. As cumulus cells exhibit a more glycolytic phenotype, they can provide metabolic substrates that the oocyte can use to produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. The impairment of mitochondrial activity plays a crucial role in ovarian aging and, thus, in fertility, determining the success or failure of assisted reproductive techniques. This review aims to deepen the knowledge about the electro-metabolic coupling of the cumulus–oocyte complex and to hypothesize a putative role of potassium channel modulators in order to improve fertility, promote intracellular Ca²⁺ influx, and increase the mitochondrial biogenesis and resulting ATP levels in cumulus cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular and Cellular Biology 2024)

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16 pages, 3079 KiB

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Potential Exosome Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Ka Young Kim, Ki Young Shin and Keun-A Chang

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105307 - 13 May 2024

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Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Given its prevalence, reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis are required. Exosomal proteins within extracellular nanovesicles are promising candidates for diagnostic, screening, prognostic, and disease monitoring purposes in neurological diseases such as PD. [...] Read more.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Given its prevalence, reliable biomarkers for early diagnosis are required. Exosomal proteins within extracellular nanovesicles are promising candidates for diagnostic, screening, prognostic, and disease monitoring purposes in neurological diseases such as PD. This review aims to evaluate the potential of extracellular vesicle proteins or miRNAs as biomarkers for PD. A comprehensive literature search until January 2024 was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, to identify relevant studies reporting exosome biomarkers in blood samples from PD patients. Out of 417 articles screened, 47 studies were selected for analysis. Among exosomal protein biomarkers, α-synuclein, tau, Amyloid β 1-42, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) were identified as significant markers for PD. Concerning miRNA biomarkers, miRNA-24, miR-23b-3p, miR-195-3p, miR-29c, and mir-331-5p are promising across studies. α-synuclein exhibited increased levels in PD patients compared to control groups in twenty-one studies, while a decrease was observed in three studies. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in total exosomal α-synuclein levels between PD patients and healthy controls (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.369, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.893 to 1.846, p < 0.001), although these results are limited by data availability. Furthermore, α-synuclein levels significantly differ between PD patients and healthy controls (SMD = 1.471, 95% CI = 0.941 to 2.002, p < 0.001). In conclusion, certain exosomal proteins and multiple miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis prediction, and assessment of disease progression in PD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular and Cellular Biology 2024)

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15 pages, 560 KiB

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Essential Role of Astrocytes in Learning and Memory

by Paula Escalada, Amaia Ezkurdia, María Javier Ramírez and Maite Solas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(3), 1899; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031899 - 5 Feb 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3069

Abstract

One of the most biologically relevant functions of astrocytes within the CNS is the regulation of synaptic transmission, i.e., the physiological basis for information transmission between neurons. Changes in the strength of synaptic connections are indeed thought to be the cellular basis of [...] Read more.

One of the most biologically relevant functions of astrocytes within the CNS is the regulation of synaptic transmission, i.e., the physiological basis for information transmission between neurons. Changes in the strength of synaptic connections are indeed thought to be the cellular basis of learning and memory. Importantly, astrocytes have been demonstrated to tightly regulate these processes via the release of several gliotransmitters linked to astrocytic calcium activity as well as astrocyte–neuron metabolic coupling. Therefore, astrocytes seem to be integrators of and actors upon learning- and memory-relevant information. In this review, we focus on the role of astrocytes in learning and memory processes. We delineate the recognized inputs and outputs of astrocytes and explore the influence of manipulating astrocytes on behaviour across diverse learning paradigms. We conclude that astrocytes influence learning and memory in various manners. Appropriate astrocytic Ca²⁺ dynamics are being increasingly identified as central contributors to memory formation and retrieval. In addition, astrocytes regulate brain rhythms essential for cognition, and astrocyte–neuron metabolic cooperation is required for memory consolidation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Molecular and Cellular Biology 2024)

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