Epigenetic mechanisms regulating seed germination rate

Changes in epigenetic polymorphism degree within wheat seedlings’ population under radiation stimulating exposure of germination were investigated. Variations in seeds sample allocations by germination rate in both control and chronically exposed variants were estimated. Changes in DNA methylation patterns of seedlings from seeds with different germination rate were studied. Variations in epigenetic polymorphism–“distance” between DNA methylation patterns of “fast” and “slow” seedlings of different wheat varieties under radiation exposure were assessed. Indicated, that increased germination rate of seeds sample was associated with decreasing degree of epigenetic polymorphism. Issue concerning both role of epigenetic polymorphism in plant population stability and its decreasing degree that could initiate less effectiveness of production process was discussed.     

Epigenetic mechanisms regulating fate specification of neural stem cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) possess the ability to self-renew and to differentiate along neuronal and glial lineages. These processes are defined by the dynamic interplay between extracellular cues including cytokine signalling and intracellular programmes such as epigenetic modification. There is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms involving, for example, changes in DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA expression are closely associated with fate specification of NSCs. These epigenetic alterations could provide coordinated systems for regulating gene expression at each step of neural cell differentiation. Here we review the roles of epigenetics in neural fate specification in the mammalian central nervous system.     

甲基法尼酯在甲壳动物中的生理作用及其机制的研究进展

甲基法尼酯是一种类倍半萜烯激素,与昆虫的保幼激素在结构和功能上相似,是重要的内分泌调控因子。MF与甲壳动物的蜕皮、形态建成、渗透压调节、卵巢发育等生理活动的调控密切相关。主要就甲基法尼酯在甲壳动物中的生理功能、分子作用机制及其合成代谢等方面的研究进展进行综述,为进一步深入探讨甲基法尼酯的作用机制和解决虾蟹类养殖实践中的性早熟与亲本发育不良等难题奠定基础。     

Epigenetic mechanisms and their role in plant development

This paper considers molecular mechanisms of DNA methylation and histone modifications in plants. The role of these epigenetic processes in plant development is discussed.     

Distinct mechanisms for regulating the tumor suppressor and antiapoptotic functions of Rb

The retinoblastoma protein, Rb, suppresses tumorigenesis by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting senescence and differentiation. Paradoxically, Rb also inhibits apoptosis, which would seem to oppose its tumor suppressor function. Further, most human cancer cells inactivate Rb by hyperphosphorylation and demonstrate increased proliferative capacity but not high levels of apoptosis. As a potential explanation for these findings, we show here that the tumor suppressor and antiapoptotic functions of Rb are regulated by distinct phosphorylation events. Phosphorylation of sites in the C terminus occurs efficiently every cell cycle and regulates proliferation. Phosphorylation of Ser567 is inefficient and does not occur during the normal cell cycle. However, high cyclin-dependent kinase activity promotes phosphorylation of Ser567 by inducing an intramolecular interaction that leads to release of E2F, degradation of Rb, and susceptibility to apoptosis. Thus, phosphorylation of Ser567 may limit excessive proliferation by triggering cell death under hyperproliferative conditions. These findings suggest that the antiproliferative and antiapoptotic activities of Rb may represent complementary functions that work in concert to maintain the proliferation rate of cells within certain limits. As a survival strategy, some cancer cells may exploit this dual role of Rb by phosphorylating sites that regulate tumor suppression but avoiding phosphorylation of Ser567 and consequent apoptotic stimulus.     

Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ regulating growth, puberty, and other physiological functions.

There are reports on some patients with clearly manifested specific features of genotype and phenotype similar to those of ob/ob and db/db mice. Three patients from Turkey were described who had a homozygous mutation in the gene of leptin identical to the mutation in C57BL6J ob/ob mice. This mutation is a C --> T substitution in codon 105 of the amino acid sequence of leptin. In mice this mutation generates a stop-codon; in humans it substitutes Arg-105 with Trp. The mutant human leptin cannot be secreted by the cells and thus has no effect on the hypothalamus. Patients with a homozygous mutation of the leptin receptor resulting in the G --> T substitution in the splice donor site of exon 16 were studied in a family of Kabilian origin. Exon 16 was not included in the mature mRNA molecule, and a truncated leptin receptor was synthesized which lacked the transmembrane and intracellular domains; this receptor was unable to transduce the hormonal signal. Both groups of patients suffered from obesity, delayed linear growth, infertility, increased blood insulin level, and other disorders. Leptin influences lipid metabolism by stimulating the expression of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene in melanocortinergic neurons of the hypothalamus. POMC is the precursor of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), which binds to the melanocortin receptor MC4-R in the brain, decreases appetite, and activates lipid metabolism. Patients with mutations in MC4-R suffered only from obesity, but their growth and puberty were not affected. Thus, leptin apparently stimulates growth and puberty not through its binding to the receptors on melanocortinergic neurons, but through its binding to receptors on other hypothalamic neurons; this effect of leptin is not affected by mutations in the MC4-R gene.     

Difructose anhydrides: their mass-production and physiological functions

Difructose anhydrides (DFAs) are the smallest cyclic disaccharides consisting of two fructose residues, and are expected to have novel physiological functions from their unique structures and properties. For mass-production of alpha-D-fructofuranose-beta-D-fructofuranose-2',1:2,3'-dianhydride (DFA III) and beta-D-fructofuranose-beta-D-fructofuranose-2',6:2,6'-dianhydride (DFA IV), Arthrobacter sp. H65-7 and A. nicotinovorans GS-9 were selected as the best producers of inulase II, which produced DFA III from inulin and LFTase, which produced DFA IV from levan. The enzymes were purified and their genes were subsequently cloned and expressed in E. coli at higher levels than in the original bacteria. Thus, it became possible to provide a large amount of DFA III and DFA IV for evaluating their physiological properties. DFA III and DFA IV have half the sweetness of sucrose, but cannot be digested by the digestive system of rats. Their use by the intestinal microorganisms was observed in vivo even though their assimilation could not be detected in vitro. This implied that they were degraded by an unknown system in the intestine. It was also found that they affected calcium absorption mainly in the small intestine through mechanisms different from the known stimulants such as fructooligosaccharides and raffinose.     

Liquid-liquid phase separation in biology: mechanisms,physiological functions and human diseases

Cells are compartmentalized by numerous membrane-enclosed organelles and membraneless compartments to ensure that a wide variety of cellular activities occur in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. The molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamics of membrane-bound organelles, such as their fusion and fission, vesicle-mediated trafficking and membrane contactmediated inter-organelle interactions, have been extensively characterized. However, the molecular details of the assembly and functions of membraneless compartments remain elusive. Mounting evidence has emerged recently that a large number of membraneless compartments, collectively called biomacromolecular condensates, are assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS). Phase-separated condensates participate in various biological activities, including higher-order chromatin organization,gene expression, triage of misfolded or unwanted proteins for autophagic degradation, assembly of signaling clusters and actin-and microtubule-based cytoskeletal networks, asymmetric segregations of cell fate determinants and formation of pre-and post-synaptic density signaling assemblies. Biomacromolecular condensates can transition into different material states such as gel-like structures and solid aggregates. The material properties of condensates are crucial for fulfilment of their distinct functions, such as biochemical reaction centers, signaling hubs and supporting architectures. Cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to ensure that biomacromolecular condensates are assembled and disassembled in a tightly controlled manner. Aberrant phase separation and transition are causatively associated with a variety of human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. This review summarizes recent major progress in elucidating the roles of LLPS in various biological pathways and diseases.     

Presynaptic glutamate receptors: physiological functions and mechanisms of action

Glutamate acts on postsynaptic glutamate receptors to mediate excitatory communication between neurons. The discovery that additional presynaptic glutamate receptors can modulate neurotransmitter release has added complexity to the way we view glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Here we review evidence of a physiological role for presynaptic glutamate receptors in neurotransmitter release. We compare the physiological roles of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors in short- and long-term regulation of synaptic transmission. Furthermore, we discuss the physiological conditions that are necessary for their activation, the source of the glutamate that activates them, their mechanisms of action and their involvement in higher brain function.     

HuR and post-transcriptional regulation in vascular aging

HuR(ELAV11(embryonic lethal,abnormal vision)-like 1),a ubiquitously expressed member of the ELAV-like RNA-binding protein family,has been shown to regulate the stability and translation of mRNAs that encode factors regulating cellular senescence,thereby impacting on aging.In this review,we discuss the current knowledge of HuR’s role in vascular cell senescence and vascular aging.     

Epigenetic mechanisms in the endosperm and their consequences for the evolution of flowering plants

The sudden rise of angiosperms to ecological dominance was an "abominable mystery" to Charles Darwin, and understanding the underlying evolutionary driving force has remained a scientific challenge since then. The recognition of polyploidization as an important factor for plant speciation is likely to hold a key to this mystery and we will discuss possible mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Polyploidization raises an immediate reproductive barrier in the endosperm, pointing towards an important but greatly underestimated role of the endosperm in preventing interploidy hybridizations. Parent-of-origin-specific gene expression is largely restricted to the endosperm, providing an explanation for the dosage sensitivity of the endosperm. Here, we review epigenetic mechanisms causing endosperm dosage sensitivity, their possible consequences for raising interploidy and interspecies hybridization barriers and their impact on flowering plant evolution. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Epigenetic Control.     

Epigenetic regulation of immune cell functions during post-septic immunosuppression

Studies in humans and animal models indicate that profound immunosuppression is one of the chronic consequences of severe sepsis. This immune dysfunction encompasses deficiencies in activation of cells in both the myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages. As a result, survivors of severe sepsis are at risk of succumbing to infections perpetrated by opportunistic pathogens that are normally controlled by a fully functioning immune system. Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic mechanisms may be one driving force behind this immunosuppression, through suppression of proinflammatory gene production and subsequent immune cell activation, proliferation and effector function. A better understanding of epigenetics and post-septic immunosuppression can improve our diagnostic tools and may be an important potential source of novel molecular targets for new therapies. This review will discuss important pathways of immune cell activation affected by severe sepsis, and highlight pathways of epigenetic regulation that may be involved in post-septic immunosuppression.     

Enzymatic deglycation of Amadori products in bacteria: mechanisms,occurrence and physiological functions

Amadori products (fructosamines)—ubiquitously occurring in nature—are precursors of the toxic and cell damaging ‘advanced glycation endproducts’; thus, it is not surprising that numerous organisms have developed systems to degrade such compounds. The deglycating enzymes differ with respect to their mechanisms as well as to their substrate specificities. Furthermore, different physiological functions are proposed for the different enzymes. The fructosamine 3-kinases of mammals and homologous proteins (fructosamine 3-kinase related proteins), which are common to all taxa, are thought to focus on intracellular repair functions. In contrast, in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli, the cooperative action of a kinase and a deglycase facilitates Amadori degradation. As genes encoding these enzymes are co-transcribed with ABC transporter genes, it is thought that these genes facilitate the utilisation of extracellular Amadori products. Indeed, it has been shown that fructosamines can serve as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources. Here, we provide an overview of known deglycating systems with the emphasis on Amadori product degradation in bacteria.