International Journal of Molecular Sciences

9 pages, 342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fine Physical Bin Mapping of the Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene Pm21 Based on Chromosomal Structural Variations in Wheat

by Shanying Zhu^1,2, Yaoyong Ji¹, Jian Ji¹, Tongde Bie³, Anli Gao^4,* and Huagang He^1,*

¹ School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

² School of Environment, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

³ Yangzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou 225007, China

⁴ School of life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020643 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4705

Abstract

Pm21, derived from wheat wild relative Dasypyrum villosum, is one of the most effective powdery mildew resistance genes and has been widely applied in wheat breeding in China. Mapping and cloning Pm21 are of importance for understanding its resistance mechanism. In [...] Read more.

Pm21, derived from wheat wild relative Dasypyrum villosum, is one of the most effective powdery mildew resistance genes and has been widely applied in wheat breeding in China. Mapping and cloning Pm21 are of importance for understanding its resistance mechanism. In the present study, physical mapping was performed using different genetic stocks involving in structural variations of chromosome 6VS carrying Pm21. The data showed that 6VS could be divided into eight distinguishable chromosomal bins, and Pm21 was mapped to the bin FLb4–b5/b6 closely flanked by the markers 6VS-08.6 and 6VS-10.2. Comparative genomic mapping indicated that the orthologous regions of FLb4–b5/b6 carrying Pm21 were narrowed to a 117.7 kb genomic region harboring 19 genes in Brachypodium and a 37.7 kb region harboring 5 genes in rice, respectively. The result was consistent with that given by recent genetic mapping in diploid D. villosum. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that physical mapping based on chromosomal structural variations is an efficient method for locating alien genes in wheat background. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)

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17 pages, 3337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Refining the Results of a Classical SELEX Experiment by Expanding the Sequence Data Set of an Aptamer Pool Selected for Protein A

by Regina Stoltenburg^1,*

and Beate Strehlitz²

¹ UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Soil Ecology, 06120 Halle, Germany

² UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental and Biotechnology Centre, 04318 Leipzig, Germany

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020642 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6975

Abstract

New, as yet undiscovered aptamers for Protein A were identified by applying next generation sequencing (NGS) to a previously selected aptamer pool. This pool was obtained in a classical SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) experiment using the FluMag-SELEX procedure followed [...] Read more.

New, as yet undiscovered aptamers for Protein A were identified by applying next generation sequencing (NGS) to a previously selected aptamer pool. This pool was obtained in a classical SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) experiment using the FluMag-SELEX procedure followed by cloning and Sanger sequencing. PA#2/8 was identified as the only Protein A-binding aptamer from the Sanger sequence pool, and was shown to be able to bind intact cells of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, we show the extension of the SELEX results by re-sequencing of the same aptamer pool using a medium throughput NGS approach and data analysis. Both data pools were compared. They confirm the selection of a highly complex and heterogeneous oligonucleotide pool and show consistently a high content of orphans as well as a similar relative frequency of certain sequence groups. But in contrast to the Sanger data pool, the NGS pool was clearly dominated by one sequence group containing the known Protein A-binding aptamer PA#2/8 as the most frequent sequence in this group. In addition, we found two new sequence groups in the NGS pool represented by PA-C10 and PA-C8, respectively, which also have high specificity for Protein A. Comparative affinity studies reveal differences between the aptamers and confirm that PA#2/8 remains the most potent sequence within the selected aptamer pool reaching affinities in the low nanomolar range of K_D = 20 ± 1 nM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

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21 pages, 776 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Protein Insertion

by Renuka Kolli¹, Jürgen Soll^1,2 and Chris Carrie^1,*

¹ Department of Biology I, Botany, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Strasse 2-4, D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany

² Munich Center for Integrated Protein Science, CiPSM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020641 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 9233

Abstract

During the biogenesis of the mitochondrial inner membrane, most nuclear-encoded inner membrane proteins are laterally released into the membrane by the TIM23 and the TIM22 machinery during their import into mitochondria. A subset of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane proteins and all the mitochondrial-encoded [...] Read more.

During the biogenesis of the mitochondrial inner membrane, most nuclear-encoded inner membrane proteins are laterally released into the membrane by the TIM23 and the TIM22 machinery during their import into mitochondria. A subset of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial inner membrane proteins and all the mitochondrial-encoded inner membrane proteins use the Oxa machinery—which is evolutionarily conserved from the endosymbiotic bacterial ancestor of mitochondria—for membrane insertion. Compared to the mitochondria from other eukaryotes, plant mitochondria have several unique features, such as a larger genome and a branched electron transport pathway, and are also involved in additional cellular functions such as photorespiration and stress perception. This review focuses on the unique aspects of plant mitochondrial inner membrane protein insertion machinery, which differs from that in yeast and humans, and includes a case study on the biogenesis of Cox2 in yeast, humans, two plant species, and an algal species to highlight lineage-specific similarities and differences. Interestingly, unlike mitochondria of other eukaryotes but similar to bacteria and chloroplasts, plant mitochondria appear to use the Tat machinery for membrane insertion of the Rieske Fe/S protein. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Mitochondria)

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18 pages, 3383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Native Conformational Isomers of the Catalytic Domain of PCSK9 Induce an Immune Response, Reduce Lipids and Increase LDL Receptor Levels

by Chuantao Jiang^1,†, Hersharan Nischal^1,†, Hua Sun^1,†, Li Li², Ying Cao³, Peng Wei³, Jui-Yoa Chang^1,‡ and Ba-Bie Teng^1,4,5,*

¹ Research Center for Human Genetics at Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1825 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA

² Research Center for Precision Biomedicine at Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1825 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA

³ Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA

⁴ Consortium on Aging, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA

⁵ The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77225, USA

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

^‡ This author retired.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020640 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4902

Abstract

PCSK9 (Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) increases plasma cholesterol levels by promoting LDL receptor degradation. Current antibody inhibitors block the interaction between PCSK9 and LDL receptors, significantly decrease plasma cholesterol levels, and provide beneficial clinical outcomes. To reduce the action of PCSK9 in [...] Read more.

PCSK9 (Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) increases plasma cholesterol levels by promoting LDL receptor degradation. Current antibody inhibitors block the interaction between PCSK9 and LDL receptors, significantly decrease plasma cholesterol levels, and provide beneficial clinical outcomes. To reduce the action of PCSK9 in plasma, a novel strategy that will produce a panel of non-native, conformationally-altered isomers of PCSK9 (X-PCSK9) to develop active immunotherapy targeting of native PCSK9 and inhibiting/blocking the interaction of PCSK9 with LDL receptor, thus decreasing plasma cholesterol levels is proposed. The authors used the scrambled disulfide bond technique to generate conformationally-altered isomers of the catalytic domain of mouse PCSK9. The focus was on the immune response of four X-isomers and their effects on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both C57BL/6J and Apoe?/? mice. The authors showed that the four immunogens produced significant immunogenicity against native PCSK9 to day 120 after immunization of C57BL/6J and Apoe?/? mice. This resulted in significantly decreased plasma cholesterol levels in C57BL/6J mice, and to a lesser degree in Apoe?/? mice. The X-PCSK9-B1 treated mice had increased LDL receptor mRNA and protein levels at day 120 after treatment. Thus, this study provides a new, potentially promising approach that uses long-term immunotherapy for a treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cholesterol and Lipoprotein Metabolism)

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12 pages, 677 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ten Prominent Host Proteases in Plant-Pathogen Interactions

by Emma L. Thomas and Renier A. L. Van der Hoorn^*

The Plant Chemetics Laboratory, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020639 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 8138

Abstract

Proteases are enzymes integral to the plant immune system. Multiple aspects of defence are regulated by proteases, including the hypersensitive response, pathogen recognition, priming and peptide hormone release. These processes are regulated by unrelated proteases residing at different subcellular locations. In this review, [...] Read more.

Proteases are enzymes integral to the plant immune system. Multiple aspects of defence are regulated by proteases, including the hypersensitive response, pathogen recognition, priming and peptide hormone release. These processes are regulated by unrelated proteases residing at different subcellular locations. In this review, we discuss 10 prominent plant proteases contributing to the plant immune system, highlighting the diversity of roles they perform in plant defence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Defense Genes Against Biotic Stresses)

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21 pages, 3002 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arabidopsis RETICULON-LIKE3 (RTNLB3) and RTNLB8 Participate in Agrobacterium-Mediated Plant Transformation

by Fan-Chen Huang^1,2, Bi-Ju Fu¹, Yin-Tzu Liu¹, Yao-Ren Chang¹, Shin-Fei Chi¹, Pei-Ru Chien¹, Si-Chi Huang¹ and Hau-Hsuan Hwang^1,3,4,*

¹ Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan

² Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan

³ Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan

⁴ Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020638 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 8822 | Correction

Abstract

Agrobacterium tumefaciens can genetically transform various eukaryotic cells because of the presence of a resident tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid. During infection, a defined region of the Ti plasmid, transfer DNA (T-DNA), is transferred from bacteria into plant cells and causes plant cells to abnormally [...] Read more.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens can genetically transform various eukaryotic cells because of the presence of a resident tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid. During infection, a defined region of the Ti plasmid, transfer DNA (T-DNA), is transferred from bacteria into plant cells and causes plant cells to abnormally synthesize auxin and cytokinin, which results in crown gall disease. T-DNA and several virulence (Vir) proteins are secreted through a type IV secretion system (T4SS) composed of T-pilus and a transmembrane protein complex. Three members of Arabidopsis reticulon-like B (RTNLB) proteins, RTNLB1, 2, and 4, interact with VirB2, the major component of T-pilus. Here, we have identified that other RTNLB proteins, RTNLB3 and 8, interact with VirB2 in vitro. Root-based A. tumefaciens transformation assays with Arabidopsis rtnlb3, or rtnlb5-10 single mutants showed that the rtnlb8 mutant was resistant to A. tumefaciens infection. In addition, rtnlb3 and rtnlb8 mutants showed reduced transient transformation efficiency in seedlings. RTNLB3- or 8 overexpression transgenic plants showed increased susceptibility to A. tumefaciens and Pseudomonas syringae infection. RTNLB1-4 and 8 transcript levels differed in roots, rosette leaves, cauline leaves, inflorescence, flowers, and siliques of wild-type plants. Taken together, RTNLB3 and 8 may participate in A. tumefaciens infection but may have different roles in plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Innate Immunity 2.0)

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12 pages, 2811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phosphate-Catalyzed Succinimide Formation from Asp Residues: A Computational Study of the Mechanism

by Ryota Kirikoshi, Noriyoshi Manabe

and Ohgi Takahashi^*

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 4-4-1 Komatsushima, Aoba-ku, Sendai 981-8558, Japan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020637 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5374

Abstract

Aspartic acid (Asp) residues in proteins and peptides are prone to the non-enzymatic reactions that give biologically uncommon l-?-Asp, d-Asp, and d-?-Asp residues via the cyclic succinimide intermediate (aminosuccinyl residue, Suc). These abnormal Asp residues are known to have relevance [...] Read more.

Aspartic acid (Asp) residues in proteins and peptides are prone to the non-enzymatic reactions that give biologically uncommon l-?-Asp, d-Asp, and d-?-Asp residues via the cyclic succinimide intermediate (aminosuccinyl residue, Suc). These abnormal Asp residues are known to have relevance to aging and pathologies. Despite being non-enzymatic, the Suc formation is thought to require a catalyst under physiological conditions. In this study, we computationally investigated the mechanism of the Suc formation from Asp residues that were catalyzed by the dihydrogen phosphate ion, H₂PO₄^?. We used Ac–l-Asp–NHMe (Ac = acetyl, NHMe = methylamino) as a model compound. The H₂PO₄^? ion (as a catalyst) and two explicit water molecules (as solvent molecules stabilizing the negative charge) were included in the calculations. All of the calculations were performed by density functional theory with the B3LYP functional. We revealed a phosphate-catalyzed two-step mechanism (cyclization–dehydration) of the Suc formation, where the first step is predicted to be rate-determining. In both steps, the reaction involved a proton relay mediated by the H₂PO₄^? ion. The calculated activation barrier for this mechanism (100.3 kJ mol^?1) is in reasonable agreement with an experimental activation energy (107 kJ mol^?1) for the Suc formation from an Asp-containing peptide in a phosphate buffer, supporting the catalytic mechanism of the H₂PO₄^? ion that is revealed in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biophysics)

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19 pages, 3085 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phytochemical Analysis by HPLC–HRESI-MS and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tabernaemontana catharinensis

by José Ivan Marques^1,*, Jovelina Samara Ferreira Alves¹, Manoela Torres-Rêgo²

, Allanny Alves Furtado², Emerson Michell da Silva Siqueira¹, Eder Galinari¹, Daline Fernandes de Souza Araújo³

, Gerlane Coelho Bernardo Guerra⁴, Eduardo Pereira de Azevedo⁵, Matheus De Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa²

and Silvana Maria Zucolotto^1,*

¹ Laboratory of Pharmacognosy (PNBio), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N, Petrópolis 59012-570, Natal, Brazil

² Laboratory of Technology and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Tecbiofar), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida General Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, S/N, Petrópolis 59012-570, Natal, Brazil

³ Faculty of Health Sciences of Trairí, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Trairí, S/N, Centro 59200-000, Santa Cruz, Brazil

⁴ Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Senador Salgado Filho, 3000, Lagoa Nova 59072-970, Natal, Brazil

⁵ Graduate Program of Biotechnology, Laureate Universities, Universidade Potiguar (UnP), Avenida Senador Salgado Filho, 1610, Lagoa Nova 59056-000, Natal, Brazil

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020636 - 24 Feb 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6732

Abstract

Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) has been popularly used by folk medicine because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiophidic properties. This study aims to analyze the flavonoids composition of the hydroethanolic extract and of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) fractions of T. catharinensis [...] Read more.

Tabernaemontana catharinensis (Apocynaceae) has been popularly used by folk medicine because of its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiophidic properties. This study aims to analyze the flavonoids composition of the hydroethanolic extract and of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and butanol (BuOH) fractions of T. catharinensis leaves, as well as to evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity using in vivo models. The phytochemical profile, determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–High-Resolution Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC–HRESI-MS), showed the presence of flavonoids mainly having an isorhamnetin nucleus. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw edema (pre- and post-treatment) with oral administration of a T. catharinensis hydroethanolic extract (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg) and of organic fractions (50 mg/kg). The extract and fractions showed antiedematogenic activity by decreasing myeloperoxidase (MPO) production. In the zymosan-air-pouch model, the extract and fractions inhibited leukocyte migration and significantly decreased the levels of various proteins, such as MPO, interleukin (IL)-1?, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-?. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, which revealed no cytotoxicity of the extract and the fractions. These results suggest that the hydroethanolic extract and organic fractions of T. catharinensis leaves have sufficient anti-inflammatory activity to support the popular use of this plant in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

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21 pages, 9573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The In Vitro Effects of Enzymatic Digested Gliadin on the Functionality of the Autophagy Process

by Federico Manai¹, Alberto Azzalin¹

, Fabio Gabriele¹, Carolina Martinelli¹, Martina Morandi¹, Marco Biggiogera¹

, Mauro Bozzola²

and Sergio Comincini^1,*

¹ Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

² Pediatrics and Adolescentology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020635 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5825

Abstract

Gliadin, the alcohol-soluble protein fraction of wheat, contains the factor toxic for celiac disease (CD), and its toxicity is not reduced by digestion with gastro-pancreatic enzymes. Importantly, it is proved that an innate immunity to gliadin plays a key role in the development [...] Read more.

Gliadin, the alcohol-soluble protein fraction of wheat, contains the factor toxic for celiac disease (CD), and its toxicity is not reduced by digestion with gastro-pancreatic enzymes. Importantly, it is proved that an innate immunity to gliadin plays a key role in the development of CD. The immune response induces epithelial stress and reprograms intraepithelial lymphocytes into natural killer (NK)-like cells, leading to enterocyte apoptosis and an increase in epithelium permeability. In this contribution, we have reported that in Caco-2 cells the administration of enzymatically digested gliadin (PT-gliadin) reduced significantly the expression of the autophagy-related marker LC3-II. Furthermore, electron and fluorescent microscope analysis suggested a compromised functionality of the autophagosome apparatus. The rescue of the dysregulated autophagy process, along with a reduction of PT-gliadin toxicity, was obtained with a starvation induction protocol and by 3-methyladenine administration, while rapamycin, a well-known autophagy inducer, did not produce a significant improvement in the clearance of extra- and intra-cellular fluorescent PT-gliadin amount. Altogether, our results highlighted the possible contribution of the autophagy process in the degradation and in the reduction of extra-cellular release of gliadin peptides and suggest novel molecular targets to counteract gliadin-induced toxicity in CD. Full article

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20 pages, 2722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sinus Bradycardia in Carriers of the SCN5A-1795insD Mutation: Unraveling the Mechanism through Computer Simulations

by Ronald Wilders

Department of Medical Biology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020634 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5397

Abstract

The SCN5A gene encodes the pore-forming ?-subunit of the ion channel that carries the cardiac fast sodium current (I_Na). The 1795insD mutation in SCN5A causes sinus bradycardia, with a mean heart rate of 70 beats/min in mutation carriers vs. 77 [...] Read more.

The SCN5A gene encodes the pore-forming ?-subunit of the ion channel that carries the cardiac fast sodium current (I_Na). The 1795insD mutation in SCN5A causes sinus bradycardia, with a mean heart rate of 70 beats/min in mutation carriers vs. 77 beats/min in non-carriers from the same family (lowest heart rate 41 vs. 47 beats/min). To unravel the underlying mechanism, we incorporated the mutation-induced changes in I_Na into a recently developed comprehensive computational model of a single human sinoatrial node cell (Fabbri–Severi model). The 1795insD mutation reduced the beating rate of the model cell from 74 to 69 beats/min (from 49 to 43 beats/min in the simulated presence of 20 nmol/L acetylcholine). The mutation-induced persistent I_Na per se resulted in a substantial increase in beating rate. This gain-of-function effect was almost completely counteracted by the loss-of-function effect of the reduction in I_Na conductance. The further loss-of-function effect of the shifts in steady-state activation and inactivation resulted in an overall loss-of-function effect of the 1795insD mutation. We conclude that the experimentally identified mutation-induced changes in I_Na can explain the clinically observed sinus bradycardia. Furthermore, we conclude that the Fabbri–Severi model may prove a useful tool in understanding cardiac pacemaker activity in humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Transporters and Channels in Physiology and Pathophysiology)

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17 pages, 852 KiB

Open AccessReview

On the Metal Cofactor in the Tyrosinase Family

by Francisco Solano

Department Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B and Immunology, School of Medicine and LAIB-IMIB, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020633 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 85 | Viewed by 8598

Abstract

The production of pigment in mammalian melanocytes requires the contribution of at least three melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase and two other accessory enzymes called the tyrosinase-related proteins (Trp1 and Trp2), which regulate the type and amount of melanin. The last two proteins are paralogues [...] Read more.

The production of pigment in mammalian melanocytes requires the contribution of at least three melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase and two other accessory enzymes called the tyrosinase-related proteins (Trp1 and Trp2), which regulate the type and amount of melanin. The last two proteins are paralogues to tyrosinase, and they appeared late in evolution by triplication of the tyrosinase gene. Tyrosinase is a copper-enzyme, and Trp2 is a zinc-enzyme. Trp1 has been more elusive, and the direct identification of its metal cofactor has never been achieved. However, due to its enzymatic activity and similarities with tyrosinase, it has been assumed as a copper-enzyme. Recently, recombinant human tyrosinase and Trp1 have been expressed in enough amounts to achieve for the first time their crystallization. Unexpectedly, it has been found that Trp1 contains a couple of Zn(II) at the active site. This review discusses data about the metal cofactor of tyrosinase and Trps. It points out differences in the studied models, and it proposes some possible points accounting for the apparent discrepancies currently appearing. Moreover, some proposals about the possible flexibility of the tyrosinase family to uptake copper or zinc are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Melanins and Melanogenesis: From Nature to Applications)

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20 pages, 1828 KiB

Open AccessReview

Alternative mRNA Splicing in the Pathogenesis of Obesity

by Chi-Ming Wong^1,2,*, Lu Xu² and Mabel Yin-Chun Yau³

¹ Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China

² The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

³ School of Medical and Health Sciences, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020632 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 8972

Abstract

Alternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism in expansion of proteome diversity by production of multiple protein isoforms. However, emerging evidence indicates that only a limited number of annotated protein isoforms by alternative splicing are detected, and the coding sequence of alternative splice [...] Read more.

Alternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism in expansion of proteome diversity by production of multiple protein isoforms. However, emerging evidence indicates that only a limited number of annotated protein isoforms by alternative splicing are detected, and the coding sequence of alternative splice variants usually is only slightly different from that of the canonical sequence. Nevertheless, mis-splicing is associated with a large array of human diseases. Previous reviews mainly focused on hereditary and somatic mutations in cis-acting RNA sequence elements and trans-acting splicing factors. The importance of environmental perturbations contributed to mis-splicing is not assessed. As significant changes in exon skipping and splicing factors expression levels are observed with diet-induced obesity, this review focuses on several well-known alternatively spliced metabolic factors and discusses recent advances in the regulation of the expressions of splice variants under the pathophysiological conditions of obesity. The potential of targeting the alternative mRNA mis-splicing for obesity-associated diseases therapies will also be discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre-mRNA Splicing 2017)

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16 pages, 2945 KiB

Open AccessReview

Temporospatial Analysis and New Players in the Immunology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

by Abhirami K. Iyer^1,2

, Kathryn J. Jones^1,2, Virginia M. Sanders³ and Chandler L. Walker^1,2,4,*

¹ Anatomy and Cell Biology Department, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

² Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

³ Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

⁴ Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020631 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6742

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of lower and upper motor neurons (MN) leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually death. Although a highly varied etiology results in ALS, it broadly manifests itself as sporadic and familial [...] Read more.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of lower and upper motor neurons (MN) leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually death. Although a highly varied etiology results in ALS, it broadly manifests itself as sporadic and familial forms that have evident similarities in clinical symptoms and disease progression. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge on molecular mechanisms leading to loss of MNs and neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) as major determinants of disease onset, severity and progression in ALS. Specifically, two main opposing hypotheses, the dying forward and dying back phenomena, exist to account for NMJ denervation. The former hypothesis proposes that the earliest degeneration occurs at the central MNs and proceeds to the NMJ, whereas in the latter, the peripheral NMJ is the site of precipitating degeneration progressing backwards to the MN cell body. A large body of literature strongly indicates a role for the immune system in disease onset and progression via regulatory involvement at the level of both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS). In this review, we discuss the earliest reported immune responses with an emphasis on newly identified immune players in mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) transgenic mice, the gold standard mouse model for ALS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Strategies 2022)

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15 pages, 2406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Modeling Study for the Design of Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Agonists Using 3D-QSAR and Molecular Docking

by Yaning Jian^1,2, Yuyu He^1,2, Jingjing Yang^1,2, Wei Han^1,2, Xifeng Zhai³, Ye Zhao^1,2 and Yang Li^1,2,*

¹ Biomedicine Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province, The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China

² Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China

³ School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 630; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020630 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5756

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is becoming a global pandemic disease. As an important target for the generation and development of diabetes mellitus, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) has been widely studied. PPAR? agonists have been designed as potential anti-diabetic agents. The advanced development of [...] Read more.

Type 2 diabetes is becoming a global pandemic disease. As an important target for the generation and development of diabetes mellitus, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) has been widely studied. PPAR? agonists have been designed as potential anti-diabetic agents. The advanced development of PPAR? agonists represents a valuable research tool for diabetes therapy. To explore the structural requirements of PPAR? agonists, three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) and molecular docking studies were performed on a series of N-benzylbenzamide derivatives employing comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA), and surflex-dock techniques. The generated models of CoMFA and CoMSIA exhibited a high cross-validation coefficient (q²) of 0.75 and 0.551, and a non-cross-validation coefficient (r²) of 0.958 and 0.912, respectively. The predictive ability of the models was validated using external validation with predictive factor (r²_pred) of 0.722 and 0.682, respectively. These results indicate that the model has high statistical reliability and good predictive power. The probable binding modes of the best active compounds with PPAR? active site were analyzed, and the residues His323, Tyr473, Ser289 and Ser342 were found to have hydrogen bond interactions. Based on the analysis of molecular docking results, and the 3D contour maps generated from CoMFA and CoMSIA models, the key structural features of PPAR? agonists responsible for biological activity could be determined, and several new molecules, with potentially higher predicted activity, were designed thereafter. This work may provide valuable information in further optimization of N-benzylbenzamide derivatives as PPAR? agonists. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue PPARs in Cellular and Whole Body Energy Metabolism)

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26 pages, 2217 KiB

Open AccessReview

Indispensable Role of Proteases in Plant Innate Immunity

by Anastasia V. Balakireva¹ and Andrey A. Zamyatnin, Jr.^1,2,*

¹ Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 8, Trubetskaya Str., Moscow 119991, Russia

² Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020629 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 62 | Viewed by 11228

Abstract

Plant defense is achieved mainly through the induction of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP)-triggered immunity (MTI), effector-triggered immunity (ETI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), induced systemic resistance (ISR), and RNA silencing. Plant immunity is a highly complex phenomenon with its own unique features that have [...] Read more.

Plant defense is achieved mainly through the induction of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMP)-triggered immunity (MTI), effector-triggered immunity (ETI), systemic acquired resistance (SAR), induced systemic resistance (ISR), and RNA silencing. Plant immunity is a highly complex phenomenon with its own unique features that have emerged as a result of the arms race between plants and pathogens. However, the regulation of these processes is the same for all living organisms, including plants, and is controlled by proteases. Different families of plant proteases are involved in every type of immunity: some of the proteases that are covered in this review participate in MTI, affecting stomatal closure and callose deposition. A large number of proteases act in the apoplast, contributing to ETI by managing extracellular defense. A vast majority of the endogenous proteases discussed in this review are associated with the programmed cell death (PCD) of the infected cells and exhibit caspase-like activities. The synthesis of signal molecules, such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene, and their signaling pathways, are regulated by endogenous proteases that affect the induction of pathogenesis-related genes and SAR or ISR establishment. A number of proteases are associated with herbivore defense. In this review, we summarize the data concerning identified plant endogenous proteases, their effect on plant-pathogen interactions, their subcellular localization, and their functional properties, if available, and we attribute a role in the different types and stages of innate immunity for each of the proteases covered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Innate Immunity 2.0)

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15 pages, 4206 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epigallocatechin Gallate Reduces Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Isolated Perfused Rabbit Hearts

by Aida Salameh^1,*, Roxana Schuster¹, Ingo Dähnert¹, Johannes Seeger² and Stefan Dhein³

¹ Heart Centre Clinic for Paediatric Cardiology, University of Leipzig, 04289 Leipzig, Germany

² Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

³ Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020628 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5421

Abstract

Cardioplegic arrest during heart operations is often used in cardiac surgery. During cardioplegia, the heart is subjected to a global ischemia/reperfusion-injury. (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the main ingredients of green tea, seems to be beneficial in various cardiac diseases. Therefore, the aim [...] Read more.

Cardioplegic arrest during heart operations is often used in cardiac surgery. During cardioplegia, the heart is subjected to a global ischemia/reperfusion-injury. (?)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the main ingredients of green tea, seems to be beneficial in various cardiac diseases. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate EGCG in a rabbit model of cardioplegic arrest. Twenty four mature Chinchilla rabbits were examined. Rabbit hearts were isolated and perfused according to Langendorff. After induction of cardioplegia (without and with 20 µmol/L EGCG, n = 6 each) the hearts maintained arrested for 90-min. Thereafter, the hearts were re-perfused for 60 min. During the entire experiment hemodynamic and functional data were assessed. At the end of each experiment, left ventricular samples were processed for ATP measurements and for histological analysis. Directly after cessation of cardioplegia, all hearts showed the same decline in systolic and diastolic function. However, hearts of the EGCG-group showed a significantly faster and better hemodynamic recovery during reperfusion. In addition, tissue ATP-levels were significantly higher in the EGCG-treated hearts. Histological analysis revealed that markers of nitrosative and oxidative stress were significantly lower in the EGCG group. Thus, addition of EGCG significantly protected the cardiac muscle from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mechanism of Action of Food Components in Disease Prevention 2017)

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11 pages, 3133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Nano-Ginseng” for Enhanced Cytotoxicity AGAINST Cancer Cells

by Lin Dai^1,*

, Weiyan Zhu¹, Chuanling Si¹ and Jiandu Lei^2,*

¹ Tianjin Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper, College of Papermaking Science and Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China

² Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, College of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020627 - 23 Feb 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5703

Abstract

Panax ginseng has high medicinal and health values. However, the various and complex components of ginseng may interact with each other, thus reducing and even reversing therapeutic effects. In this study, we designed and fabricated a novel “nano-ginseng” with definite ingredients, ginsenoside Rb1/protopanaxadiol [...] Read more.

Panax ginseng has high medicinal and health values. However, the various and complex components of ginseng may interact with each other, thus reducing and even reversing therapeutic effects. In this study, we designed and fabricated a novel “nano-ginseng” with definite ingredients, ginsenoside Rb1/protopanaxadiol nanoparticles (Rb1/PPD NPs), completely based on the protopanaxadiol-type extracts. The optimized nano-formulations demonstrated an appropriate size (~110 nm), high drug loading efficiency (~96.8%) and capacity (~27.9 wt %), long half-time in systemic circulation (nine-fold longer than free PPD), better antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, higher accumulation at the tumor site and reduced damage to normal tissues. Importantly, this process of “nano-ginseng” production is a simple, scalable, green economy process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Nanoparticles)

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13 pages, 3022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Peptide Liposome Incorporated Citron Extracts in an in Vitro System

by Xiaowei Zhang^1,†, Hee Jeong Yoon^1,†, Min Gyeong Kang¹, Gyeong Jin Kim¹, Sun Young Shin², Sang Hong Baek², Jung Gyu Lee³, Jingjing Bai³, Sang Yoon Lee³, Mi Jung Choi³

, Kwonho Hong⁴ and Hojae Bae^4,*

¹ Department of Bioindustrial Technologies, College of Animal Bioscience and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

² Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Division of Cardiology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea School of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea

³ Department of Food Science and Biotechnology of Animal Resources, Sanghuh College of Life Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 02841, Korea

⁴ Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea

^† These authors equally contributed to this work.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020626 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 9260

Abstract

Citrons have been widely used for medicinal purposes for a long time, but the application of citron in the food industry is still restricted. The extensive advantages of nanotechnology in the food industry have greatly broadened the application of foods. In this study, [...] Read more.

Citrons have been widely used for medicinal purposes for a long time, but the application of citron in the food industry is still restricted. The extensive advantages of nanotechnology in the food industry have greatly broadened the application of foods. In this study, by employing nanotechnology, we prepared citron-extract nanoparticle with an average size of 174.11 ± 3.89 nm, containing protein peptide and/or liposome. In order to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles and to ensure food safety, biological cytotoxicity at the cell and genomic levels was also identified to examine the toxicity of citron extracts by using an in vitro system. Our results demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of citron_liposome was dependent on cell type in high concentrations (1 and 5 mg/mL), selectively against primary human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs), and human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) in MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Interestingly, for the NIH-3T3 and H9C2 cell lines, cell cytotoxicity was observed with slight genotoxicity, especially from citron_peptide extract for both cell lines. Taken together, our study provides cytotoxicity data on nanoengineered citron extracts according to different cell type as is crucial for further applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro-Assisted Regenerative Medicine)

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18 pages, 6095 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Altered Expression of Ganglioside Metabolizing Enzymes Results in GM3 Ganglioside Accumulation in Cerebellar Cells of a Mouse Model of Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

by Aleksandra Somogyi^1,†,‡, Anton Petcherski^1,†,§

, Benedikt Beckert², Mylene Huebecker³, David A. Priestman³, Antje Banning², Susan L. Cotman⁴, Frances M. Platt³, Mika O. Ruonala^1,*,|| and Ritva Tikkanen^2,*

¹ Center for Membrane Proteomics, Goethe University of Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

² Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35292 Giessen, Germany

³ Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK

⁴ Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA

^‡ Present Address: School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, BioSciences Insitute, University College Cork, Cork T12YT20, Ireland.

^§ Present Address: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles E Young Drive S, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

^|| Present Address: Image Computing & Information Technologies, Kapersburgstrasse, 12 60437 Frankfurt, Germany.

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020625 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7713

Abstract

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. Most JNCL patients exhibit a 1.02 kb genomic deletion removing exons 7 and 8 of this gene, which results in a truncated CLN3 protein carrying an aberrant C-terminus. A genetically [...] Read more.

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. Most JNCL patients exhibit a 1.02 kb genomic deletion removing exons 7 and 8 of this gene, which results in a truncated CLN3 protein carrying an aberrant C-terminus. A genetically accurate mouse model (Cln3^?ex7/8 mice) for this deletion has been generated. Using cerebellar precursor cell lines generated from wildtype and Cln3^?ex7/8 mice, we have here analyzed the consequences of the CLN3 deletion on levels of cellular gangliosides, particularly GM3, GM2, GM1a and GD1a. The levels of GM1a and GD1a were found to be significantly reduced by both biochemical and cytochemical methods. However, quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed a highly significant increase in GM3, suggesting a metabolic blockade in the conversion of GM3 to more complex gangliosides. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed a significant reduction in the transcripts of the interconverting enzymes, especially of ?-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 1 (GM2 synthase), which is the enzyme converting GM3 to GM2. Thus, our data suggest that the complex a-series gangliosides are reduced in Cln3^?ex7/8 mouse cerebellar precursor cells due to impaired transcription of the genes responsible for their synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Features of Lysosomal Storage Disorders)

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9 pages, 1202 KiB

Open AccessReview

Neurophysiological Assessment of Abnormalities of the Neuromuscular Junction in Children

by Matthew Pitt

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020624 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5424

Abstract

The function of the neuromuscular junction in children is amenable to electrophysiological testing. Of the two tests available, repetitive nerve stimulation is uncomfortable and has a reduced sensitivity compared with single-fibre methodology. The latter is the method of choice, recording the variability in [...] Read more.

The function of the neuromuscular junction in children is amenable to electrophysiological testing. Of the two tests available, repetitive nerve stimulation is uncomfortable and has a reduced sensitivity compared with single-fibre methodology. The latter is the method of choice, recording the variability in neuromuscular transmission as a value called jitter. It can be performed by voluntary activation of the muscle being examined, which is not suitable in children, or by stimulation techniques. A modification of these techniques, called Stimulated Potential Analysis with Concentric needle Electrodes (SPACE), is well tolerated and can be performed while the child is awake. It has a high sensitivity (84%) for the diagnosis of neuromuscular transmission disorders, the majority of which are myasthenic syndromes, and a moderate specificity (70%). The latter can be improved by the exclusion of neurogenic causes and the determination of the degree of jitter abnormality. Minor jitter abnormalities, under 115% of the upper limit of normal, are usually caused by myopathies with an associated neuromuscular transmission disorder, whereas levels higher than this value are usually associated with one of the myasthenic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Neuromuscular Synapse in Health and Disease)

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25 pages, 2251 KiB

Open AccessReview

Articular Cartilage Aging-Potential Regenerative Capacities of Cell Manipulation and Stem Cell Therapy

by Magdalena Krajewska-Włodarczyk^1,2,3,*

, Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek⁴

, Waldemar Placek⁴, Adam Osowski³

and Joanna Wojtkiewicz^3,5

¹ Department of Rheumatology, Municipal Hospital in Olsztyn, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland

² Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland

³ Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland

⁴ Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Clinical Immunology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland

⁵ Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-900 Olsztyn, Poland

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020623 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 10054

Abstract

Changes in articular cartilage during the aging process are a stage of natural changes in the human body. Old age is the major risk factor for osteoarthritis but the disease does not have to be an inevitable consequence of aging. Chondrocytes are particularly [...] Read more.

Changes in articular cartilage during the aging process are a stage of natural changes in the human body. Old age is the major risk factor for osteoarthritis but the disease does not have to be an inevitable consequence of aging. Chondrocytes are particularly prone to developing age-related changes. Changes in articular cartilage that take place in the course of aging include the acquisition of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype by chondrocytes, a decrease in the sensitivity of chondrocytes to growth factors, a destructive effect of chronic production of reactive oxygen species and the accumulation of the glycation end products. All of these factors affect the mechanical properties of articular cartilage. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms in the process of articular cartilage aging may help to create new therapies aimed at slowing or inhibiting age-related modifications of articular cartilage. This paper presents the causes and consequences of cellular aging of chondrocytes and the biological therapeutic outlook for the regeneration of age-related changes of articular cartilage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Aging and Age-Related Disorders)

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16 pages, 4292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Belowground Interactions Impact the Soil Bacterial Community, Soil Fertility, and Crop Yield in Maize/Peanut Intercropping Systems

by Qisong Li^1,2,3, Jun Chen^2,3, Linkun Wu^2,3, Xiaomian Luo^1,2,3, Na Li^2,3, Yasir Arafat^2,3, Sheng Lin^1,2,3,* and Wenxiong Lin^1,2,3,*

¹ College of crop Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

² Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processing and Safety Monitoring, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

³ Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University), Fujian Province University, Fuzhou 35002, China

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020622 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 111 | Viewed by 8944

Abstract

Intercropping has been widely used to control disease and improve yield in agriculture. In this study, maize and peanut were used for non-separation intercropping (NS), semi-separation intercropping (SS) using a nylon net, and complete separation intercropping (CS) using a plastic sheet. In field [...] Read more.

Intercropping has been widely used to control disease and improve yield in agriculture. In this study, maize and peanut were used for non-separation intercropping (NS), semi-separation intercropping (SS) using a nylon net, and complete separation intercropping (CS) using a plastic sheet. In field experiments, two-year land equivalent ratios (LERs) showed yield advantages due to belowground interactions when using NS and SS patterns as compared to monoculture. In contrast, intercropping without belowground interactions (CS) showed a yield disadvantage. Meanwhile, in pot experiments, belowground interactions (found in NS and SS) improved levels of soil-available nutrients (nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and enzymes (urease and acid phosphomonoesterase) as compared to intercropping without belowground interactions (CS). Soil bacterial community assay showed that soil bacterial communities in the NS and SS crops clustered together and were considerably different from the CS crops. The diversity of bacterial communities was significantly improved in soils with NS and SS. The abundance of beneficial bacteria, which have the functions of P-solubilization, pathogen suppression, and N-cycling, was improved in maize and peanut soils due to belowground interactions through intercropping. Among these bacteria, numbers of Bacillus, Brevibacillus brevis, and Paenibacillus were mainly increased in the maize rhizosphere. Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, and Rhizobium were mainly increased in the peanut rhizosphere. In conclusion, using maize and peanut intercropping, belowground interactions increased the numbers of beneficial bacteria in the soil and improved the diversity of the bacterial community, which was conducive to improving soil nutrient (N and P) supply capacity and soil microecosystem stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Microbe Interaction 2017)

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14 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessReview

Major Histocompatibility Complex and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Beyond the Classical HLA Polymorphism

by Alice Bertaina^1,2,* and Marco Andreani³

¹ Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, IRCCS, Ospedale Bambino Gesu’, 00165 Rome, Italy

² Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

³ Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Transplant Biology, IME Foundation, Policlinic of the University of Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020621 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6483

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a curative treatment for many patients with hematological malignant or non-malignant disorders. Evaluation of potential donors for HSCT includes a rigorous assessment of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) match status of family members, and the identification [...] Read more.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) represents a curative treatment for many patients with hematological malignant or non-malignant disorders. Evaluation of potential donors for HSCT includes a rigorous assessment of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) match status of family members, and the identification of suitable unrelated donors. Genes encoding transplantation antigens are placed both within and outside the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The human MHC is located on the short arm of chromosome 6 and contains a series of genes encoding two distinct types of highly polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins. Donors for HSCT are routinely selected based on the level of matching for HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 loci. However, disease relapse, graft-versus-host-disease, and infection remain significant risk factors of morbidity and mortality. In the same breath, in high-risk patients, graft-versus-leukemia effects inherent in HLA mismatching play a substantial immunological role to limit the recurrence of post-transplant disease. The definition of a suitable donor is ever changing, shaped not only by current typing technology, but also by the specific transplant procedure. Indeed, a more complete understanding of permissible HLA mismatches and the role of Killer Immunoglobulin-like receptors’ genes increases the availability of HLA-haploidentical and unrelated donors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

12 pages, 1812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

3,5,6,7,8,3?,4?-Heptamethoxyflavone, a Citrus Flavonoid, Inhibits Collagenase Activity and Induces Type I Procollagen Synthesis in HDFn Cells

by Hong-Il Kim^†, Yong-Un Jeong^†, Jong-Hyeon Kim and Young-Jin Park^*

¹ Department of Biomedical Chemistry, Research Institute for Biomedical & Health Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, 268 Chungwon-daero, Chungju-si 27478, Korea

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020620 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6138

Abstract

Citrus fruits contain various types of flavonoids with powerful anti-aging and photoprotective effects on the skin, and have thus been attracting attention as potential, efficacious skincare agents. Here, we aimed to investigate the chemical composition of Citrus unshiu and its protective effects on [...] Read more.

Citrus fruits contain various types of flavonoids with powerful anti-aging and photoprotective effects on the skin, and have thus been attracting attention as potential, efficacious skincare agents. Here, we aimed to investigate the chemical composition of Citrus unshiu and its protective effects on photoaging. We isolated and identified a bioactive compound, 3,5,6,7,8,3?,4?-heptamethoxyflavone (HMF), from C. unshiu peels using ethanol extraction and hexane fractionation. HMF inhibited collagenase activity and increased type I procollagen content in UV-induced human dermal fibroblast neonatal (HDFn) cells. HMF also suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1 (MMP-1) and induced the expression of type I procollagen protein in UV-induced HDFn cells. Additionally, HMF inhibited ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade signaling components—ERK, JNK, and c-Jun—which are involved in the induction of MMP-1 expression. Furthermore, HMF affected the TGF-?/Smad signaling pathway, which is involved in the regulation of type I procollagen expression. In particular, HMF induced Smad3 protein expression and suppressed Smad7 protein expression in UV-induced HDFn cells in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest a role for Citrus unshiu in the preparation of skincare products in future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Phenolics and Polyphenols 2018)

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21 pages, 2561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stroke-Like Episodes and Cerebellar Syndrome in Phosphomannomutase Deficiency (PMM2-CDG): Evidence for Hypoglycosylation-Driven Channelopathy

by Mercè Izquierdo-Serra^1,†

, Antonio F. Martínez-Monseny^2,†, Laura López³, Julia Carrillo-García¹, Albert Edo¹, Juan Darío Ortigoza-Escobar^4,5, Óscar García⁶, Ramón Cancho-Candela⁷

, M Llanos Carrasco-Marina⁸, Luis G. Gutiérrez-Solana³, Daniel Cuadras⁹

, Jordi Muchart^4,5, Raquel Montero^4,5, Rafael Artuch^4,5, Celia Pérez-Cerdá¹⁰, Belén Pérez¹⁰, Belén Pérez-Dueñas^4,5, Alfons Macaya¹¹, José M. Fernández-Fernández^1,*

and Mercedes Serrano^2,4,5,*

¹ Laboratori de Fisiologia Molecular, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

² Genetic Medicine and Rare Diseases Pediatric Institute, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

³ Unit of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús de Madrid, 28009 Madrid, Spain

⁴ Neuropediatric, Radiology and Clinical Biochemistry Departments, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

⁵ U-703 Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

⁶ Pediatric Department, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, 45004 Toledo, Spain

⁷ Pediatric Neurology Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Universitario Rio Hortega, 47012 Valladolid, Spain

⁸ Neuropediatric Department, Pediatric Service, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Leganés, 28009 Madrid, Spain

⁹ Statistics Department, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

¹⁰ Centro de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Moleculares (CEDEM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), U-746 Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER) Madrid, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, IdiPAZ, 28009 Madrid, Spain

¹¹ Grup de Recerca en Neurologia Pediàtrica, Institut de Recerca Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Secció de Neurologia Pediàtrica, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

^† Both authors contributed equally to this work.

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Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020619 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 8024

Abstract

Stroke-like episodes (SLE) occur in phosphomannomutase deficiency (PMM2-CDG), and may complicate the course of channelopathies related to Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) caused by mutations in CACNA1A (encoding Ca_V2.1 channel). The underlying pathomechanisms are unknown. We analyze clinical variables to detect risk [...] Read more.

Stroke-like episodes (SLE) occur in phosphomannomutase deficiency (PMM2-CDG), and may complicate the course of channelopathies related to Familial Hemiplegic Migraine (FHM) caused by mutations in CACNA1A (encoding Ca_V2.1 channel). The underlying pathomechanisms are unknown. We analyze clinical variables to detect risk factors for SLE in a series of 43 PMM2-CDG patients. We explore the hypothesis of abnormal Ca_V2.1 function due to aberrant N-glycosylation as a potential novel pathomechanism of SLE and ataxia in PMM2-CDG by using whole-cell patch-clamp, N-glycosylation blockade and mutagenesis. Nine SLE were identified. Neuroimages showed no signs of stroke. Comparison of characteristics between SLE positive versus negative patients’ group showed no differences. Acute and chronic phenotypes of patients with PMM2-CDG or CACNA1A channelopathies show similarities. Hypoglycosylation of both Ca_V2.1 subunits (?_1A and ?_2?) induced gain-of-function effects on channel gating that mirrored those reported for pathogenic CACNA1A mutations linked to FHM and ataxia. Unoccupied N-glycosylation site N283 at ?_1A contributes to a gain-of-function by lessening Ca_V2.1 inactivation. Hypoglycosylation of the ?₂? subunit also participates in the gain-of-function effect by promoting voltage-dependent opening of the Ca_V2.1 channel. Ca_V2.1 hypoglycosylation may cause ataxia and SLEs in PMM2-CDG patients. Aberrant Ca_V2.1 N-glycosylation as a novel pathomechanism in PMM2-CDG opens new therapeutic possibilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Calcium Signaling in Human Health and Diseases)

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14 pages, 4622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Fish Skin Gelatin-Based Nanofibers Incorporating Cinnamaldehyde by Solution Blow Spinning

by Fei Liu^1,2, Furkan Türker Saricaoglu³

, Roberto J. Avena-Bustillos⁴, David F. Bridges⁴, Gary R. Takeoka⁴, Vivian C. H. Wu⁴, Bor-Sen Chiou⁴, Delilah F. Wood⁴

, Tara H. McHugh^4,* and Fang Zhong^1,2,*

¹ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China

² School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China

³ Department of Food Engineering, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun 55139, Turkey

⁴ Western Regional Research Center, ARS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Albany, CA 94710, USA

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020618 - 22 Feb 2018

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 6549

Abstract

Cinnamaldehyde, a natural preservative that can non-specifically deactivate foodborne pathogens, was successfully incorporated into fish skin gelatin (FSG) solutions and blow spun into uniform nanofibers. The effects of cinnamaldehyde ratios (5–30%, w/w FSG) on physicochemical properties of fiber-forming emulsions (FFEs) and [...] Read more.

Cinnamaldehyde, a natural preservative that can non-specifically deactivate foodborne pathogens, was successfully incorporated into fish skin gelatin (FSG) solutions and blow spun into uniform nanofibers. The effects of cinnamaldehyde ratios (5–30%, w/w FSG) on physicochemical properties of fiber-forming emulsions (FFEs) and their nanofibers were investigated. Higher ratios resulted in higher values in particle size and viscosity of FFEs, as well as higher values in diameter of nanofibers. Loss of cinnamaldehyde was observed during solution blow spinning (SBS) process and cinnamaldehyde was mainly located on the surface of resultant nanofibers. Nanofibers all showed antibacterial activity by direct diffusion and vapor release against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. Inhibition zones increased as cinnamaldehyde ratio increased. Nanofibers showed larger inhibition effects than films prepared by casting method when S. typhimurium was exposed to the released cinnamaldehyde vapor, although films had higher remaining cinnamaldehyde than nanofibers after preparation. Lower temperature was favorable for cinnamaldehyde retention, and nanofibers added with 10% cinnamaldehyde ratio showed the highest retention over eight-weeks of storage. Results suggest that FSG nanofibers can be prepared by SBS as carriers for antimicrobials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Signaling and Nanobiotechnology: Prospects for Future Antimicrobial Therapy)

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16 pages, 714 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Metabolomic Approach to Predict Breast Cancer Behavior and Chemotherapy Response

by Marcella Regina Cardoso¹, Juliana Carvalho Santos^1,*, Marcelo Lima Ribeiro²

, Maria Cecília Ramiro Talarico¹, Lais Rosa Viana¹

and Sophie Françoise Mauricette Derchain¹

¹ Hospital da Mulher Prof. Dr. José Aristodemo Pinotti—Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (CAISM), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 13083-881, Brazil

² Clinical Pharmacology and Gastroenterology Unit, São Francisco University, Bragança Paulista, São Paulo 13083-881, Brazil

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020617 - 21 Feb 2018

Cited by 38 | Viewed by 7170

Abstract

Although the classification of breast carcinomas into molecular or immunohistochemical subtypes has contributed to a better categorization of women into different therapeutic regimens, breast cancer nevertheless still progresses or recurs in a remarkable number of patients. Identifying women who would benefit from chemotherapy [...] Read more.

Although the classification of breast carcinomas into molecular or immunohistochemical subtypes has contributed to a better categorization of women into different therapeutic regimens, breast cancer nevertheless still progresses or recurs in a remarkable number of patients. Identifying women who would benefit from chemotherapy could potentially increase treatment effectiveness, which has important implications for long-term survival. Metabolomic analyses of fluids and tissues from cancer patients improve our knowledge of the reprogramming of metabolic pathways involved in resistance to chemotherapy. This review evaluates how recent metabolomic approaches have contributed to understanding the relationship between breast cancer and the acquisition of resistance. We focus on the advantages and challenges of cancer treatment and the use of new strategies in clinical care, which helps us comprehend drug resistance and predict responses to treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tumor Microenvironment)

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16 pages, 2361 KiB

Open AccessReview

Expression of Lectins in Heterologous Systems

by Dania Martínez-Alarcón¹, Alejandro Blanco-Labra¹ and Teresa García-Gasca^2,*

¹ Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León, Irapuato 36824, Guanajuato, Mexico

² Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Av. de las Ciencias s/n, Juriquilla, Santiago de Querétaro 76230, Querétaro, Mexico

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020616 - 21 Feb 2018

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5445

Abstract

Lectins are proteins that have the ability to recognize and bind in a reversible and specific way to free carbohydrates or glycoconjugates of cell membranes. For these reasons, they have been extensively used in a wide range of industrial and pharmacological applications. Currently, [...] Read more.

Lectins are proteins that have the ability to recognize and bind in a reversible and specific way to free carbohydrates or glycoconjugates of cell membranes. For these reasons, they have been extensively used in a wide range of industrial and pharmacological applications. Currently, there is great interest in their production on a large scale. Unfortunately, conventional techniques do not provide the appropriate platform for this purpose and therefore, the heterologous production of lectins in different organisms has become the preferred method in many cases. Such systems have the advantage of providing better yields as well as more homogeneous and better-defined properties for the resultant products. However, an inappropriate choice of the expression system can cause important structural alterations that have repercussions on their biological activity since the specificity may lay in their post-translational processing, which depends largely on the producing organism. The present review aims to examine the most representative studies in the area, exposing the four most frequently used systems (bacteria, yeasts, plants and animal cells), with the intention of providing the necessary information to determine the strategy to follow in each case as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recombinant Proteins)

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15 pages, 795 KiB

Open AccessReview

Sarcoma Spheroids and Organoids—Promising Tools in the Era of Personalized Medicine

by Gianluca Colella¹, Flavio Fazioli², Michele Gallo², Annarosaria De Chiara³, Gaetano Apice⁴, Carlo Ruosi¹, Amelia Cimmino^5,† and Filomena De Nigris^6,*,†

¹ Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Human Health, Federico II University of Naples, 80133 Naples, Italy

² Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Pascale Foundation, 80131 Naples, Italy

³ Division of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Pascale Foundation, 80131 Naples, Italy

⁴ Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Pascale Foundation, 80131 Naples, Italy

⁵ Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy

⁶ Department of Biochemistry Biophysics and General Pathology, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy

^† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020615 - 21 Feb 2018

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 11462

Abstract

Cancer treatment is rapidly evolving toward personalized medicine, which takes into account the individual molecular and genetic variability of tumors. Sophisticated new in vitro disease models, such as three-dimensional cell cultures, may provide a tool for genetic, epigenetic, biomedical, and pharmacological research, and [...] Read more.

Cancer treatment is rapidly evolving toward personalized medicine, which takes into account the individual molecular and genetic variability of tumors. Sophisticated new in vitro disease models, such as three-dimensional cell cultures, may provide a tool for genetic, epigenetic, biomedical, and pharmacological research, and help determine the most promising individual treatment. Sarcomas, malignant neoplasms originating from mesenchymal cells, may have a multitude of genomic aberrations that give rise to more than 70 different histopathological subtypes. Their low incidence and high level of histopathological heterogeneity have greatly limited progress in their treatment, and trials of clinical sarcoma are less frequent than trials of other carcinomas. The main advantage of 3D cultures from tumor cells or biopsy is that they provide patient-specific models of solid tumors, and they overcome some limitations of traditional 2D monolayer cultures by reflecting cell heterogeneity, native histologic architectures, and cell–extracellular matrix interactions. Recent advances promise that these models can help bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research by providing a relevant in vitro model of human cancer useful for drug testing and studying metastatic and dormancy mechanisms. However, additional improvements of 3D models are expected in the future, specifically the inclusion of tumor vasculature and the immune system, to enhance their full ability to capture the biological features of native tumors in high-throughput screening. Here, we summarize recent advances and future perspectives of spheroid and organoid in vitro models of rare sarcomas that can be used to investigate individual molecular biology and predict clinical responses. We also highlight how spheroid and organoid culture models could facilitate the personalization of sarcoma treatment, provide specific clinical scenarios, and discuss the relative strengths and limitations of these models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma)

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20 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessReview

Can Plant Defence Mechanisms Provide New Approaches for the Sustainable Control of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae?

by Blas Agut^1,2, Victoria Pastor¹

, Josep A. Jaques^2,*

and Victor Flors^1,*

¹ Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural. Campus del Riu Sec, Metabolic Integration and Cell Signalling Group, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), E-12071-Castelló de la Plana, Spain

² Departament de Ciències Agràries i del Medi Natural, Unitat Associada d’Entomologia IVIA-UJI, Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Campus del Riu Sec; E-12071-Castelló de la Plana, Spain

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020614 - 21 Feb 2018

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 12632

Abstract

Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae) Koch is a cosmopolitan, polyphagous mite which causes economic losses in both agricultural and ornamental plants. Some traits of T. urticae hamper its management, including a short life cycle, arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, its haplodiploid sex determination system, and [...] Read more.

Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae) Koch is a cosmopolitan, polyphagous mite which causes economic losses in both agricultural and ornamental plants. Some traits of T. urticae hamper its management, including a short life cycle, arrhenotokous parthenogenesis, its haplodiploid sex determination system, and its extraordinary ability to adapt to different hosts and environmental conditions. Currently, the use of chemical and biological control are the major control methods used against this mite. In recent years, some studies have focused on plant defence mechanisms against herbivores. Various families of plant compounds (such as flavonoids, glucosinolates, or acyl sugars) have been shown to behave as acaricides. Plants can be induced upon appropriate stimuli to increase their resistance against spider mites. This knowledge, together with the understanding of mechanisms by which T. urticae detoxifies and adapts to pesticides, may complement the control of this pest. Herein, we describe plant volatile compounds (VOCs) with repellent activity, and new findings about defence priming against spider mites, which interfere with the T. urticae performance. The use of VOCs and defence priming can be integrated into current management practices and reduce the damage caused by T. urticae in the field by implementing new, more sustainable crop management tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Defense Genes Against Biotic Stresses)

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Int. J. Mol. Sci., Volume 19, Issue 2 (February 2018) – 327 articles

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