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Climate change is affecting fungal communities and their function in terrestrial ecosystems. Despite making progress in the understanding of how the fungal community responds to global change drivers in natural ecosystems, little is known on how fungi respond at the species level. Understanding how fungal species respond to global change drivers, such as warming, is critical, as it could reveal adaptation pathways to help us to better understand ecosystem functioning in response to global change. Here, we present a model study to track species-level responses of fungi to warming-and associated drying-in a decade-long global change field experiment; we focused on two free-living saprotrophic fungi which were found in high abundance in our site, Mortierella and Penicillium. Using microbiological isolation techniques, combined with whole genome sequencing of fungal isolates, and community level metatranscriptomics, we investigated transcription-level differences of functional categories and specific genes involved in catabolic processes, cell homeostasis, cell morphogenesis, DNA regulation and organization, and protein biosynthesis. We found that transcription-level responses were mostly species-specific but that under warming, both fungi consistently invested in the transcription of critical genes involved in catabolic processes, cell morphogenesis, and protein biosynthesis, likely allowing them to withstand a decade of chronic stress. Overall, our work supports the idea that fungi that invest in maintaining their catabolic rates and processes while growing and protecting their cells may survive under global climate change.

The Rab family of guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) includes key regulators of intracellular transport and membrane trafficking targeting specific steps in exocytic, endocytic, and recycling pathways. DENND5B (Rab6-interacting Protein 1B-like protein, R6IP1B) is the longest isoform of DENND5, an evolutionarily conserved DENN domain-containing guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is highly expressed in the brain. Through exome sequencing and international matchmaking platforms, we identified five de novo variants in DENND5B in a cohort of five unrelated individuals with neurodevelopmental phenotypes featuring cognitive impairment, dysmorphism, abnormal behavior, variable epilepsy, white matter abnormalities, and cortical gyration defects. We used biochemical assays and confocal microscopy to assess the impact of DENND5B variants on protein accumulation and distribution. Then, exploiting fluorescent lipid cargoes coupled to high-content imaging and analysis in living cells, we investigated whether DENND5B variants affected the dynamics of vesicle-mediated intracellular transport of specific cargoes. We further generated an in silico model to investigate the consequences of DENND5B variants on the DENND5B-RAB39A interaction. Biochemical analysis showed decreased protein levels of DENND5B mutants in various cell types. Functional investigation of DENND5B variants revealed defective intracellular vesicle trafficking, with significant impairment of lipid uptake and distribution. Although none of the variants affected the DENND5B-RAB39A interface, all were predicted to disrupt protein folding. Overall, our findings indicate that DENND5B variants perturb intracellular membrane trafficking pathways and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with variable epilepsy and white matter involvement. [Display omitted] In this study, we identify de novo missense variants in DENND5B as the cause of a neurodevelopmental disorder with dysmorphism and epilepsy. We show that these variants impair intracellular vesicle trafficking, lipid uptake and intracellular distribution, and protein folding, leading to complex neurological manifestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human angiogenin (hANG) is the most studied stress-induced ribonuclease (RNase). In physiological conditions it performs its main functions in nucleoli, promoting cell proliferation by rDNA transcription, whereas it is strongly limited by its inhibitor (RNH1) throughout the rest of the cell. In stressed cells hANG dissociates from RNH1 and thickens in the cytoplasm where it manages the translational arrest and the recruitment of stress granules, thanks to its propensity to cleave tRNAs and to induce the release of active halves. Since it exists a clear connection between hANG roles and its intracellular routing, starting from our recent findings on heterologous ANG (ANG) properties in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), here we designed a variant unable to translocate into the nucleus with the aim of thoroughly verifying its potentialities under stress. This variant, widely characterized for its structural features and biological attitudes, shows more pronounced aid properties than unmodified protein. The collected evidence thus fully prove that ANG stress-induced skills in assisting cellular homeostasis are strictly due to its cytosolic localization. This study opens an interesting scenario for future studies regarding both the strengthening of skin defences and in understanding the mechanism of action of these special enzymes potentially suitable for any cell type.

Aberrant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from dysfunctional mitochondria leads to oxidative stress and DNA damage, which induces the cellular senescence stress response pathway. This, while exerting strong beneficial suppressive effects on the development of cancer, also contributes to aging and different age-related disorders. Mitophagy is a key mechanism to constantly eliminate old and damaged mitochondria, strongly contributing to keep low levels of intracellular ROS. Here, we discuss our recent findings showing the involvement of the atypical MAP kinase family member MAPK15 in controlling the mitophagic process, thereby preventing ROS accumulation, extensive DNA damage and activation of the cellular senescence phenotype.

Two-component systems (TCSs) are essential for bacteria to sense, respond, and adapt to changing environments, such as elevation of Cu(I)/Ag(I) ions in the periplasm. In Escherichia coli, the CusS-CusR TCS up-regulates the cusCFBA genes under increased periplasmic Cu(I)/Ag(I) concentrations to help maintain metal ion homeostasis. The CusS histidine kinase is a homodimeric integral membrane protein that binds to periplasmic Cu(I)/Ag(I) and transduces a signal to its cytoplasmic kinase domain. However, the mechanism of how metal binding in the periplasm activates autophosphorylation in the cytoplasm is unknown. Here, we report that only one of the two metal ion-binding sites in CusS enhances dimerization of the sensor domain. Utilizing nanodisc technology to study full-length CusS, we show that metal-induced dimerization in the sensor domain triggers kinase activity in the cytoplasmic domain. We also investigated autophosphorylation in the cytoplasmic domain of CusS and phosphotransfer between CusS and CusR. In vitro analyses show that CusS autophosphorylates its conserved H271 residue at the N1 position of the histidine imidazole. The phosphoryl group is removed by the response regulator CusR in a reaction that requires a conserved aspartate at position 51. Functional analyses in vivo of CusS and CusR variants with mutations in the autophosphorylation or phosphoacceptor residues suggest that the phosphotransfer event is essential for metal resistance in E. coli Biochemical analysis shows that the CusS dimer autophosphorylates using a cis mechanism. Our results support a signal transduction model in which rotation and bending movements in the cytoplasmic domain maintain the mode of autophosphorylation.

Climate change is affecting fungal communities and their function in terrestrial ecosystems. Despite making progress in the understanding of how the fungal community responds to global change drivers in natural ecosystems, little is known on how fungi respond at the species level. Understanding how fungal species respond to global change drivers, such as warming, is critical, as it could reveal adaptation pathways to help us to better understand ecosystem functioning in response to global change. Here, we present a model study to track species-level responses of fungi to warming—and associated drying—in a decade-long global change field experiment; we focused on two free-living saprotrophic fungi which were found in high abundance in our site, Mortierella and Penicillium. Using microbiological isolation techniques, combined with whole genome sequencing of fungal isolates, and community level metatranscriptomics, we investigated transcription-level differences of functional categories and specific genes involved in catabolic processes, cell homeostasis, cell morphogenesis, DNA regulation and organization, and protein biosynthesis. We found that transcription-level responses were mostly species-specific but that under warming, both fungi consistently invested in the transcription of critical genes involved in catabolic processes, cell morphogenesis, and protein biosynthesis, likely allowing them to withstand a decade of chronic stress. Overall, our work supports the idea that fungi that invest in maintaining their catabolic rates and processes while growing and protecting their cells may survive under global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian cells utilize over 1000 different lipid species to maintain cell and organelle membrane properties, control cell signaling and processes, and store energy. Lipid synthesis and metabolism are mediated by highly interconnected and spatiotemporally regulated networks of lipid-metabolizing enzymes and supported by vesicle trafficking and lipid-transfer at membrane contact sites. However, the regulatory mechanisms that achieve lipid homeostasis are largely unknown. Phosphatidic acid (PA) serves as the central hub for phospholipid biosynthesis, acting as a key intermediate in both the Kennedy pathway and the CDP-DAG pathway. Additionally, PA is a potent signaling molecule involved in various cellular processes. This dual role of PA, both as a critical intermediate in lipid biosynthesis and as a significant signaling molecule, suggests that it is tightly regulated within cells. This minireview will summarize the functional diversity of PA molecules based on their acyl tail structures and subcellular localization, highlighting recent tools and findings that shed light on how the physical, chemical, and spatial properties of PA species contribute to their differential metabolic fates and functions. Dysfunctional effects of altered PA metabolism as well as the strategies cells employ to maintain PA regulation and homeostasis will also be discussed. Furthermore, this review will explore the differential regulation of PA metabolism across distinct subcellular membranes. Our recent proximity labeling studies highlight the possibility that substrate cycling between PA and DAG may be location-dependent and have functional significance in cell signaling and lipid homeostasis., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

The beneficial roles of resveratrol (RES) in affecting proliferation of multiple cancer cells have attracted intensive attention. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating RES-induced growth inhibition of HeLa cells. Our work focuses on the metergasis of mitochondria in the RES-exposed cells. Therefore, HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of RES for 30 min and 24 h, respectively. As a result, concentration-dependent increases in cell growth inhibition, ROS (reactive oxygen species) triggering, and LC3-II (light chain 3-II) expression were detected in the HeLa cells exposed to RES for 24 h. Interestingly, a specific concentration-dependent effect was observed in the HeLa cells exposed to RES for 30 min, that is, low concentration RES (≤ 25 μmol/L) reduced ROS levels, inhibited transcription and expression levels of LC3-II, and stimulated mitochondrial respiratory capacities. In contrast, high concentration RES (50 and 100 μmol/L) induced ROS over-production and autophagy in the cells, resulting in decreased levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, and mitochondrial respiratory capacities. Together, our data concluded that RES inhibited HeLa cell proliferation through perturbation of mitochondrial structure and function, and ROS-induced autophagy also played a critical role in the process.

Previous studies show that bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs induce oxidative stress and promote inflammatory response. However, the key molecules in regulating this process remain unclear. Here, we report significant inductive effects of BPA and bisphenol AF (BPAF) on a newly found long non-coding RNA linc-93.2 accompanied by oxidative stress and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in treated fish and fish primary macrophages. Silencing linc-93.2 in fish primary macrophages in vitro or fish in vivo significantly promotes the expression of anti-oxidative stress-related genes and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, showing cell status disruption towards to M2 polarization. Followed by exposure to BPA or BPAF, silencing linc-93.2 in vitro or in vivo significantly attenuates the increased production of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde level aroused by bisphenol treatment, possibly owing to the enhancement of total antioxidant capacity observed in cells and tissue after linc-93.2 knockdown. RNA-sequencing further revealed regulation of nuclear factor-kappa b (NF-κB) in linc-93.2 's downstream network, combining with our previous observation on the upstream regulation of linc-93.2 via NF-κB, which together suggest a critical role of linc-93.2 in promoting NF-κB positive feedback loop that may be an important molecular event initiating the immunotoxicity of bisphenols. [Display omitted] • Bisphenol significantly induced a novel lncRNA (linc-93.2), which activated oxidative stress and proinflammatory pathways. • Silencing linc-93.2 transformed the cell state to M2 polarization. • Silencing linc-93.2 promoted the expression of anti-oxidative stress-related genes and anti-inflammatory cytokines. • Silencing linc-93.2 in vitro or in vivo attenuated bisphenol-induced oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notch signaling regulates cartilage formation and homeostasis. Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an endemic osteochondropathy, is characterized by severe cartilage degradation. The etiology of KBD is related to the exposure of HT-2 toxin, a mycotoxin and primary metabolite of T-2 toxin. This study aims to explore the role of HT-2 toxin in the Notch signaling regulation and extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism of hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were employed to investigate the expression of Notch pathway molecules in KBD articular cartilage and primary chondrocytes. hiPSCs-Chondrocytes, derived from hiPSCs, were treated with 100 ng/mL HT-2 toxin and the γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT) for 48h, respectively. The markers related to the Notch signaling pathway and ECM were assessed using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Notch pathway dysregulation was prominent in KBD cartilage. HT-2 toxin exposure caused cytotoxicity in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes, and activated Notch signaling by increasing the mRNA and protein levels of NOTCH1 and HES1. HT-2 toxin also upregulated ECM catabolic enzymes and downregulated ECM components (COL2A1 and ACAN), indicating ECM degradation. DAPT-mediated Notch signaling inhibition suppressed the mRNA and protein level of ADAMTS5 expression while enhancing ECM component expression in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. This study suggests that HT-2 toxin may induce ECM degradation in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes through activating Notch signaling. • Notch pathway dysregulation was prominent in cartilage from patients with Kashin-beck disease. • HT-2 toxin activates Notch pathway, degrading extracellular matrix in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. • Notch signaling inhibition enhances extracellular matrix expression in hiPSCs-Chondrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs or VGCCs) are fundamental regulators of intracellular calcium homeostasis. When electrical activity induces their activation, the influx of calcium that they mediate or their interaction with intracellular players leads to changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels which regulate many processes such as contraction, secretion and gene expression, depending on the cell type. The essential component of the pore channel is the CaVα1 subunit. However, the fine-tuning of Ca2+-dependent signals is guaranteed by the modulatory role of the auxiliary subunits β, α2δ, and γ of the CaVs. In particular, four different CaVβ proteins (CaVβ1, CaVβ2, CaVβ3, and CaVβ4) are encoded by four different genes in mammalians, each of them displaying several splice variants. Some of these isoforms have been described in regulating CaVα1 docking and stability at the membrane and controlling the channel complex’s conformational changes. In addition, emerging evidences have highlighted other properties of the CaVβ subunits, independently of α1 and non-correlated to its channel or voltage sensing functions. This review summarizes the recent findings reporting novel roles of the auxiliary CaVβ subunits and in particular their direct or indirect implication in regulating gene expression in different cellular contexts.

Preharvest application of hormetic doses of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) generates beneficial effects in plants. In this study, within 1 week, four UV-C treatments of 0.4 kJ/m2 were applied to 3-week-old lettuce seedlings. The leaves were inoculated with a virulent strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians (Xcv) 48 h after the last UV-C application. The extent of the disease was tracked over time and a transcriptomic analysis was performed on lettuce leaf samples. Samples of lettuce leaves, from both control and treated groups, were taken at two different times corresponding to T2, 48 h after the last UV-C treatment and T3, 24 h after inoculation (i.e., 72 h after the last UV-C treatment). A significant decrease in disease severity between the UV-C treated lettuce and the control was observed on days 4, 8, and 14 after pathogen inoculation. Data from the transcriptomic study revealed, that in response to the effect of UV-C alone and/or UV-C + Xcv, a total of 3828 genes were differentially regulated with fold change (|log2-FC|) > 1.5 and false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05. Among these, of the 2270 genes of known function 1556 were upregulated and 714 were downregulated. A total of 10 candidate genes were verified by qPCR and were generally consistent with the transcriptomic results. The differentially expressed genes observed in lettuce under the conditions of the present study were associated with 14 different biological processes in the plant. These genes are involved in a series of metabolic pathways associated with the ability of lettuce treated with hormetic doses of UV-C to resume normal growth and to defend themselves against potential stressors. The results indicate that the hormetic dose of UV-C applied preharvest on lettuce in this study, can be considered as an eustress that does not interfere with the ability of the treated plants to carry on a set of key physiological processes namely: homeostasis, growth and defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: After osteoarthritis, chondrocyte autophagy is inhibited. Autophagy is an important physiological mechanism to maintain cell homeostasis, which reduces injury of macromolecules and organelles. Improving autophagy may alleviate the progression of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of chondrocyte autophagy in osteoarthritis and the regulation of related factors in chondrocyte autophagy. METHODS: Relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, CNKI, and WanFang from January 2001 to present, using the keywords of “osteoarthritis, chondrocyte, autophagy, treatment, signaling pathways, traditional Chinese medicine, miRNA.” RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The progression of osteoarthritis is related to the changes of autophagy in chondrocytes. In the early stage of cartilage degeneration, autophagy in chondrocytes is activated to protect chondrocytes against various environmental changes. However, with the aggravation of cartilage degeneration, autophagy in chondrocytes cannot maintain, resulting in cell damage and even death. Protein kinases such as mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κB, p53 and signaling pathways are involved in autophagy and its related processes. Rapamycin, diazoxide, resveratrol and microRNAs can increase the autophagy activity of chondrocytes, which is a feasible method to inhibit the progression of osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preharvest application of hormetic doses of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) generates beneficial effects in plants. In this study, within 1 week, four UV-C treatments of 0.4 kJ/m2 were applied to 3-week-old lettuce seedlings. The leaves were inoculated with a virulent strain of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians (Xcv) 48 h after the last UV-C application. The extent of the disease was tracked over time and a transcriptomic analysis was performed on lettuce leaf samples. Samples of lettuce leaves, from both control and treated groups, were taken at two different times corresponding to T2, 48 h after the last UV-C treatment and T3, 24 h after inoculation (i.e., 72 h after the last UV-C treatment). A significant decrease in disease severity between the UV-C treated lettuce and the control was observed on days 4, 8, and 14 after pathogen inoculation. Data from the transcriptomic study revealed, that in response to the effect of UV-C alone and/or UV-C + Xcv, a total of 3828 genes were differentially regulated with fold change (|log2-FC|) > 1.5 and false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05. Among these, of the 2270 genes of known function 1556 were upregulated and 714 were downregulated. A total of 10 candidate genes were verified by qPCR and were generally consistent with the transcriptomic results. The differentially expressed genes observed in lettuce under the conditions of the present study were associated with 14 different biological processes in the plant. These genes are involved in a series of metabolic pathways associated with the ability of lettuce treated with hormetic doses of UV-C to resume normal growth and to defend themselves against potential stressors. The results indicate that the hormetic dose of UV-C applied preharvest on lettuce in this study, can be considered as an eustress that does not interfere with the ability of the treated plants to carry on a set of key physiological processes namely: homeostasis, growth and defense.

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), a commercially important fruit crop worldwide, faces several challenging conditions during its growth cycle. Among many abiotic stresses, heat and moisture stresses have major impact on grapevine productivity and fruit quality. Transcriptome analysis of heat stress response of grape variety 'Fantasy Seedless' grown under different irrigation regimens identified large number of differentially expressed genes. Genes belonging to chaperone mediated protein folding and cell-wall modification pathways were found to play a significant role in plant response to heat as well as moisture stress. Subsurface irrigation helped minimize the adverse effects of stress through modulation of genes involved in cell homeostasis. The study has given critical insight into grapevine response to heat stress arising due to aberrant weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Antioxidant enzyme activity can be used to measure heat stress and predict the tolerance of a species to heat stress. This study investigated the effects of temperature on germination and antioxidant enzyme activity in Dalbergia spruceana Benth. seeds. Seeds were incubated at constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C for ten days; and germination percentage, germination speed index, antioxidant enzyme activity, and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Temperature affected the seed germination process but not antioxidant enzyme activity. Germination percentage and germination speed index were higher at 25 and 35 °C and lower at 20 and 40 °C. Superoxide dismutase activity was not affected by temperature. Catalase and peroxidase activities were too low to be used as indicators of temperature stress. The pattern of increasing electrolyte leakage manifested a trend toward loss of cell membrane semipermeability at higher temperatures.

Changes in the abundance of protein and RNA molecules can impair the formation of complexes in the cell leading to toxicity and death. Here we exploit the information contained in protein, RNA and DNA interaction networks to provide a comprehensive view of the regulation layers controlling the concentration‐dependent formation of assemblies in the cell. We present the emerging concept that RNAs can act as scaffolds to promote the formation ribonucleoprotein complexes and coordinate the post‐transcriptional layer of gene regulation. We describe the structural and interaction network properties that characterize the ability of protein and RNA molecules to interact and phase separate in liquid‐like compartments. Finally, we show that presence of structurally disordered regions in proteins correlate with the propensity to undergo liquid‐to‐solid phase transitions and cause human diseases. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/kfpqibsNfS0 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidant enzyme activity can be used to measure heat stress and predict the tolerance of a species to heat stress. This study investigated the effects of temperature on germination and antioxidant enzyme activity in Dalbergia spruceana Benth. seeds. Seeds were incubated at constant temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C for ten days; and germination percentage, germination speed index, antioxidant enzyme activity, and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Temperature affected the seed germination process but not antioxidant enzyme activity. Germination percentage and germination speed index were higher at 25 and 35 °C and lower at 20 and 40 °C. Superoxide dismutase activity was not affected by temperature. Catalase and peroxidase activities were too low to be used as indicators of temperature stress. The pattern of increasing electrolyte leakage manifested a trend toward loss of cell membrane semipermeability at higher temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a transcriptomic approach, we performed a pilot study in healthy subjects to evaluate the changes in gene expression induced by grape consumption. Blood from twenty subjects was collected at baseline (T0), after 21 days of grape-rich diet (T1) and after one-month washout (T2). Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from six subjects identified 930 differentially expressed transcripts. Gene functional analysis revealed changes (at T1 and/or T2) suggestive of antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects, confirming and extending previous finding on the same subjects. Moreover, we observed several other favourable changes in the transcription of genes involved in crucial processes such as immune response, DNA and protein repair, autophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, we detected significant changes in many long non-coding RNAs genes, whose regulatory functions are being increasingly appreciated. Altogether, our data suggest that a grape diet may exert its beneficial effects by targeting different strategic pathways.

The mammalian circadian clock regulates a wide variety of physiological and behavioral processes. In turn, its disruption is associated with sleep deficiency, metabolic syndrome, neurological and psychiatric disorders, and cancer. At the turn of the century, the circadian clock was determined to be regulated by a transcriptional negative feedback mechanism composed of a dozen core clock genes. More recently, large-scale genomic studies have expanded the clock into a complex network composed of thousands of gene outputs and inputs. A major task of circadian research is to utilize systems biological approaches to uncover the governing principles underlying cellular oscillatory behavior and advance understanding of biological functions at the genomic level with spatiotemporal resolution. This review focuses on the genes and pathways that provide inputs to the circadian clock. Several emerging examples include AMP-activated protein kinase AMPK, nutrient/energy sensor mTOR, NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT1, hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1α, oxidative stress-inducible factor NRF2, and the proinflammatory factor NF-κB. Among others that continue to be revealed, these input pathways reflect the extensive interplay between the clock and cell physiology through the regulation of core clock genes and proteins. While the scope of this crosstalk is well-recognized, precise molecular links are scarce, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. Future research must leverage genetic and genomic tools and technologies, network analysis, and computational modeling to characterize additional modifiers and input pathways. This systems-based framework promises to advance understanding of the circadian timekeeping system and may enable the enhancement of circadian functions through related input pathways. Image 1 • The mammalian circadian clock is integrated with a variety of physiological and metabolic pathways. • Systems biology offers a novel interpretation of the interplay in this complex network. • Well-characterized input genes and pathways include AMPK, mTOR, and HIF1α, among others. • Input pathways present a possible means of perturbation of the circadian clock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a ubiquitous 32-kDa protein expressed in many tissues and highly inducible. They catalyze the degradation of the heme group and the release of free iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin; the latter converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Its role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis is widely documented. Studying regulation of HO-1 expression is important not only to understand the life of healthy cells but also the unbalances in cell metabolism that lead to disease. Recent Advances: The regulation of its enzymatic activity depends heavily upon changes in expression studied mainly at the transcriptional level. Current knowledge regarding HO-1 gene expression focuses primarily on transcription factors such as Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), AP-1 (activator protein-1), and hypoxia-inducible factor, which collect signal transduction pathway information at the HO-1 gene promoter. Understanding of gene expression regulation is not limited to transcription factor activity but also involves an extended range of post- or cotranscriptional regulated events. Critical Issues: In addition to the regulation of gene promoter activity, alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation, and regulation of messenger RNA stability play critical roles in changes in HO-1 gene expression levels, involving specific factors, proteins, and microRNAs. All potential targets for diagnosis or treatment of diseases are related to HO-1 dysregulation. Future Directions: Unbalances in the tightly regulated gene expression mechanisms lead to cell transformation and cancer development. Knowledge of these events and signal transduction cascades triggered by oncogenes in which HO-1 plays a critical role is of upmost importance for research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytocannabinoids are a structurally diverse class of bioactive naturally occurring compounds found in angiosperms, fungi, and liverworts and produced in several plant organs such as the flower and glandular trichrome of Cannabis sativa, the scales in Rhododendron, and oil bodies of liverworts such as Radula species; they show a diverse role in humans and plants. Moreover, phytocannabinoids are prenylated polyketides, i.e., terpenophenolics, which are derived from isoprenoid and fatty acid precursors. Additionally, targeted productions of active phytocannabinoids have beneficial properties via the genes involved and their expression in a heterologous host. Bioactive compounds show a remarkable non-hallucinogenic biological property that is determined by the variable nature of the side chain and prenyl group defined by the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis. Phytocannabinoids possess therapeutic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties; thus, they are used in treating several human diseases. This review gives the latest knowledge on their role in the amelioration of abiotic (heat, cold, and radiation) stress in plants. It also aims to provide synthetic and biotechnological approaches based on combinatorial biochemical and protein engineering to synthesize phytocannabinoids with enhanced properties.

Human angiogenin (hANG) is the most studied stress-induced ribonuclease (RNase). In physiological conditions it performs its main functions in nucleoli, promoting cell proliferation by rDNA transcription, whereas it is strongly limited by its inhibitor (RNH1) throughout the rest of the cell. In stressed cells hANG dissociates from RNH1 and thickens in the cytoplasm where it manages the translational arrest and the recruitment of stress granules, thanks to its propensity to cleave tRNAs and to induce the release of active halves. Since it exists a clear connection between hANG roles and its intracellular routing, starting from our recent findings on heterologous ANG (ANG) properties in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), here we designed a variant unable to translocate into the nucleus with the aim of thoroughly verifying its potentialities under stress. This variant, widely characterized for its structural features and biological attitudes, shows more pronounced aid properties than unmodified protein. The collected evidence thus fully prove that ANG stress-induced skills in assisting cellular homeostasis are strictly due to its cytosolic localization. This study opens an interesting scenario for future studies regarding both the strengthening of skin defences and in understanding the mechanism of action of these special enzymes potentially suitable for any cell type., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Signaling molecules in cellular responses to foreign stimuli are described as static up- or down-concentration changes during signal transduction. This is because analytical methods for transducing molecules are much slower than the signaling events. In this study, we develop a dynamic cell model and reveal the temporal regulation of signal transduction events in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The model contained a set of 10 batches of redox-modified cells that mimic the temporal ROS accumulation events. Validating this dynamic cell model, we discover that cells survive early ROS attacks by activating the Nrf2/polysulfide/p62/CDK1 pathway. Nearly all signaling molecules exhibit time-dependent V-shape or inverse V-shape activation/feedback regulation dynamics in response to ROS accumulation. The results show that the dynamic cell model approach is invaluable for revealing complex signal intensity- and time-dependent cell signaling events., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of National Academy of Sciences.)

Lactic acid is the primary inhibitor of the growth and ethanol production of yeasts in Baijiu fermentation. Certain amino acids have been found to be related to stress tolerance in yeasts. This study explored the effect of lactic acid stress on the ethanol-producing yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii and evaluated the ability of serine to increase the lactic acid tolerance of Z. bailii in vitro . Serine significantly improved Z. bailii viability by 16.5% and ethanol production by 226.6% under lactic acid stress. Under lactic acid stress, serine supplementation led to an increase of 41.9% in cell wall integrity, 31.9% in cell membrane integrity, 296.6% in intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and 18.4% in the mitochondrial membrane potential. Finally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) indicated that serine supplementation maintained the cell shape and reduced cell leakage. This study revealed a novel lactic acid tolerance mechanism of core functional yeasts during Jiang-flavor Baijiu fermentation.

The sorting and distribution to different final destinations of roughly a third of the membrane and secreted proteins occurs at the level of the trans‐Golgi network (TGN). This TGN mission involves efficient mechanisms of cargo recognition and activation of specific signalling pathways. This is important because protein localization is strictly connected with function, and many aberrant phenotypes may occur when a protein is missorted to the wrong cellular compartment. In this review, we briefly summarize the principal players known to be involved in TGN functions, highlighting the importance of regulatory signalling pathways and also the pathological outcomes of aberrant sorting and export events from the TGN compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroautophagy/autophagy is vital for intracellular quality control and homeostasis. Therefore, careful regulation of autophagy is very important. In the past 10 years, a number of studies have reported that estrogenic effectors affect autophagy. However, some results, especially those regarding the modulatory effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on autophagy seem inconsistent. Moreover, several clinical trials are already in place combining both autophagy inducers and autophagy inhibitors with endocrine therapies for breast cancer. Not all patients experience benefit, which further confuses and complicates our understanding of the main effects of autophagy in estrogen-related cancer. In view of the importance of the crosstalk between estrogen signaling and autophagy, this review summarizes the estrogenic effectors reported to affect autophagy, subcellular distribution and translocation of estrogen receptors, autophagy-targeted transcription factors (TFs), miRNAs, and histone modifications regulated by E2. Upon stimulation with estrogen, there will always be opposing functional actions, which might occur between different receptors, receptors on TFs, TFs on autophagy genes, or even histone modifications on transcription. The huge signaling network downstream of estrogen can promote autophagy and reduce overstimulated autophagy at the same time, which allows autophagy to be regulated by estrogen in a restricted range. To help understand how the estrogenic regulation of autophagy affects cell fate, a hypothetical model is presented here. Finally, we discuss some exciting new directions in the field. We hope this might help to better understand the multiple associations between estrogen and autophagy, the pathogenic mechanisms of many estrogen-related diseases, and to design novel and efficacious therapeutics. Abbreviations: AP-1, activator protein-1; HATs, histone acetyltransferases; HDAC, histone deacetylases; HOTAIR, HOX transcript antisense RNA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammation process represents of a dynamic series of phenomena that manifest themselves with an intense vascular reaction. Neuroinflammation is a reply from the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to a changed homeostasis. There are two cell systems that mediate this process: the glia of the CNS and the lymphocites, monocytes, and macrophages of the hematopoietic system. In both the peripheral and central nervous systems, neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and in neuropsychiatric illnesses, such as depression and autism spectrum disorders. The resolution of neuroinflammation is a process that allows for inflamed tissues to return to homeostasis. In this process the important players are represented by lipid mediators. Among the naturally occurring lipid signaling molecules, a prominent role is played by the N-acylethanolamines, namely N-arachidonoylethanolamine and its congener N-palmitoylethanolamine, which is also named palmitoylethanolamide or PEA. PEA possesses a powerful neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory power but has no antioxidant effects per se. For this reason, its co-ultramicronization with the flavonoid luteolin is more efficacious than either molecule alone. Inhibiting or modulating the enzymatic breakdown of PEA represents a complementary therapeutic approach to treating neuroinflammation. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of ultramicronized PEA and co-ultramicronized PEA with luteolin in several neurological diseases using preclinical and clinical approaches.

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a ubiquitous zinc peptidase of the inverzincin family, which has been initially discovered as the enzyme responsible for insulin catabolism; therefore, its involvement in the onset of diabetes has been largely investigated. However, further studies on IDE unraveled its ability to degrade several other polypeptides, such as β-amyloid, amylin, and glucagon, envisaging the possible implication of IDE dys-regulation in the “aggregopathies” and, in particular, in neurodegenerative diseases. Over the last decade, a novel scenario on IDE biology has emerged, pointing out a multi-functional role of this enzyme in several basic cellular processes. In particular, latest advances indicate that IDE behaves as a heat shock protein and modulates the ubiquitin–proteasome system, suggesting a major implication in proteins turnover and cell homeostasis. In addition, recent observations have highlighted that the regulation of glucose metabolism by IDE is not merely based on its largely proposed role in the degradation of insulinin vivo. There is increasing evidence that improper IDE function, regulation, or trafficking might contribute to the etiology of metabolic diseases. In addition, the enzymatic activity of IDE is affected by metals levels, thus suggesting a role also in the metal homeostasis (metallostasis), which is thought to be tightly linked to the malfunction of the “quality control” machinery of the cell. Focusing on the physiological role of IDE, we will address a comprehensive vision of the very complex scenario in which IDE takes part, outlining its crucial role in interconnecting several relevant cellular processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are essential components of the innate immune system that play both homeostatic roles in healthy organs, and host defence functions against pathogens after tissue injury. To accomplish their physiological role, macrophages display different profiles of gene expression, immune function, and metabolic phenotypes that allow these cells to participate in different steps of the inflammatory reaction, from the initiation to the resolution phase. In addition, significant differences exist in the phenotype of macrophages depending on the tissue in which they are present and on the mammalian species. From a metabolic point of view, macrophages are essentially glycolytic cells; however, their metabolic fluxes are dependent on the functional polarisation of these cells. This metabolic and cellular plasticity offers the possibility to interfere with the activity of macrophages to avoid harmful effects due to persistent activation or the release of molecules that delay tissue recovery after injury., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

In our human society, would you not want to know if your neighbor suddenly passed away? Tissues and cells are not that different. Cell death is an inevitable part of tissue homeostasis and comes in different flavors that can either be a consequence of an injury or a regulated phenomenon (such as programed cell death). Historically, cell death was viewed as a way to discard cells, without functional consequences. Today, this view has evolved and recognizes an extra layer of complexity: dying cells can provide physical or chemical signals to notify their neighbors. Like any type of communication, signals can only be read if surrounding tissues have evolved to recognize them and functionally adapt. This short review aims to provide a summary of recent work interrogating the messenger functions and consequences of cell death in various model organisms., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

X-Intrinsic Proteins (XIP) were recently identified in a narrow range of plants as a full clade within the aquaporins. These channels reportedly facilitate the transport of a wide range of hydrophobic solutes. The functional roles of XIP in planta remain poorly identified. In this study, we found three XIP genes ( HbXIP1;1, HbXIP2;1 and HbXIP3;1) in the Hevea brasiliensis genome. Comprehensive bioinformatics, biochemical and structural analyses were used to acquire a better understanding of this AQP subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HbXIPs clustered into two major groups, each distributed in a specific lineage of the order Malpighiales. Tissue-specific expression profiles showed that only HbXIP2;1 was expressed in all the vegetative tissues tested (leaves, stem, bark, xylem and latex), suggesting that HbXIP2;1 could take part in a wide range of cellular processes. This is particularly relevant to the rubber-producing laticiferous system, where this isoform was found to be up-regulated during tapping and ethylene treatments. Furthermore, the XIP transcriptional pattern is significantly correlated to latex production level. Structural comparison with SoPIP2;1 from Spinacia oleracea species provides new insights into the possible role of structural checkpoints by which HbXIP2;1 ensures glycerol transfer across the membrane. From these results, we discuss the physiological involvement of glycerol and HbXIP2;1 in water homeostasis and carbon stream of challenged laticifers. The characterization of HbXIP2;1 during rubber tree tapping lends new insights into molecular and physiological response processes of laticifer metabolism in the context of latex exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a catabolic process that is essential for cellular homeostasis. How autophagosomal vesicle forms in a spatio-temporally regulated manner remains elusive. Our recent study revealed that small GTPase, RAB37 (RAB37, member RAS oncogene family), functions as a key organizer of autophagosomal membrane biogenesis. RAB37 interacts with ATG5 (autophagy related 5) and promotes autophagosome formation by modulating ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex assembly. These findings provide new insights into autophagy regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The dynamic formation process of S. putrefaciens biofilms was delayed by CO 2. • CO 2 did not damage the cell integrity. • The cellular surface characteristics were inhibited by CO 2. • The cellular metabolic properties were inhibited by CO 2. Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens), which is a common specific spoilage organism (SSO) of marine fish, has strong spoilage ability even under low-temperature conditions. Carbon dioxide (CO 2) was widely applied to control microorganisms in aquatic products package. To explore the regulation mechanism of CO 2 on biofilm formation and cell properties of S. putrefaciens , the dynamic formation process of biofilms, cellular surface properties, and cellular metabolic characteristics of S. putrefaciens at both 30 °C and 4 °C in pure CO 2 gas were evaluated. As evidenced by the crystal violet staining method, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) observation, dynamic formation process of S. putrefaciens biofilms was apparently delayed by CO 2 with integral cellular morphology. The number and viability of sessile cells in S. putrefaciens biofilms was significantly lower than those in normal air composition. The changes in cellular surface properties, such as decreased auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity, might be one of the reasons why biofilms were inhibited by CO 2. Inhibition of swimming and swarming motility ability by CO 2 could also be observed with significantly shorter bacterial halo diameter. What's more, cellular metabolism was significantly decreased by CO 2 according to the results of ATP content, ATPase activity and extracellular proteolytic activity. The influence of CO 2 could be both observed whether combined with 30 °C or 4 °C. However, the inhibition produced by CO 2 was more pronounced at the incubation temperature of 4 °C. In summary, it could be concluded that the dynamic formation process of S. putrefaciens biofilms and cellular metabolic properties could be inhibited by CO 2. This research provided a theoretical basis for better application of CO 2 to regulate spoilage microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotine, one of the active components in cigarette smoke, has been described to contribute to the protective effect of smoking in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Furthermore, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit (α7nAChR) expressed on immune cells, is an essential regulator of inflammation. As intestinal epithelial cells also express α7nAChR, we investigated how nicotine could participate in the homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cells. First, using the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29, we revealed that nicotine, which triggers an influx of extracellular Ca 2+ following α7nAChR stimulation, induces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production associated with a disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This results in caspase-3 activation, which in turn induces apoptosis. Additionally, we have shown that nicotine induces a PI3-K dependent up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2 ) production. In this context, we suggest that this key mediator participates in the cytoprotective effects of nicotine against apoptosis by stimulating autophagy in colon cancer cells. Our results provide new insight into one potential mechanism by which nicotine could protect from UC and suggest an anti-inflammatory role for the cholinergic pathway at the epithelial cell level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial 18kDa Translocation Protein (TSPO) was first identified in 1977 by its capability to bind benzodiazepines in peripheral tissues. It is more commonly known after its previous name - peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) as opposed to the central benzodiazepine receptor (CBR), from which it differs by location, structure and function. It is ubiquitous with highest expression in steroid-producing tissues, like adrenal cortex, ovaries, testicles, and placenta. The role of TSPO is crucial for living; its inactivation results in early embryonic-lethal phenotype in mice. TSPO has been implicated in various functions of cell, including steroidogenesis, cellular respiration, reactive oxygen species production, heme biosynthesis, immunomodulation, apoptosis, and cellular proliferation. TSPO has been shown to interact with other cellular proteins: 32 kDa voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), 30 kDa adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), cyclophilin D, hexokinase, creatinine kinase, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), phosphate carrier and Bcl-2 family. They are - involved in the formation and regulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) at the junction of the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. While the function and characteristics of the mPTP are known, its well defined, but its structure remains speculative. Changes in TSPO expression are associated with multiple disorders, including cancer, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders, atheromatosis, and others. - TSPO is able to bind cholesterol, porphyrins and other ligands with different affinity. The current knowledge of TSPO implicates its potential use as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in different diseases and their therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]