Phoenixin-14 stimulates differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes via cAMP/Epac-dependent mechanism

Phoenixin-14 (PNX) is a newly discovered peptide produced by proteolytic cleavage of the small integral membrane protein 20 (Smim20). Previous studies showed that PNX is involved in controlling reproduction, pain, anxiety and memory. Furthermore, in humans, PNX positively correlates with BMI suggesting a potential role of PNX in controlling fat accumulation in obesity. Since the influence of PNX on adipose tissue formation has not been so far demonstrated, we investigated the effects of PNX on proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes using 3T3-L1 and rat primary preadipocytes. We detected Smim20 and Gpr173 mRNA in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as in rat primary preadipocytes. Furthermore, we found that PNX peptide is produced and secreted from 3T3-L1 and rat primary adipocytes. PNX increased 3T3-L1 preadipocytes proliferation and viability. PNX stimulated the expression of adipogenic genes (Pparγ, C/ebpβ and Fabp4) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes differentiated in the presence of PNX had increased lipid content. Stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation by PNX was also confirmed in rat preadipocytes. PNX failed to induce AKT phosphorylation, however, PNX increased cAMP levels in 3T3-L1 cells. Suppression of Epac signalling attenuated PNX-induced Pparγ expression without affecting cell proliferation. Our data show that PNX stimulates differentiation of 3T3-L1 and rat primary preadipocytes into mature adipocytes via cAMP/Epac-dependent pathway. In conclusion our data shows that phoenixin promotes white adipogenesis, thereby may be involved in controlling body mass regulation.     

The size at reproduction of canopy tree species in central Africa

Size at reproduction is a key aspect of species life history that is relatively understudied for long‐lived tropical trees. Here, we quantified reproductive diameter for 31 major timber species across 11 sites in Cameroon, Congo, and Central African Republic. Specifically, we examined whether (1) between‐species variability is correlated with other species traits; (2) reproductive diameter varies within‐species among sites; (3) reproductive status varies with crown exposure; and (4) the minimum cutting diameter limits (MCDL) imposed by national forest regulations enable seed trees to persist after logging operations. Consistent with studies conducted elsewhere in the tropics, we found great variability in diameter at reproduction among species, which correlated with adult stature (maximum diameter and height). For some species, reproductive diameter thresholds substantially varied between sites, and crown exposure had a significant positive effect on reproductive status. Most MCDLs were found to be suitable, with trees having a high probability of being seed trees at MCDL. Our findings have implications for the sustainable management of production forests, and they highlight questionable MCDLs for some species and between‐site variation in reproductive diameter. The study also highlights the need for long‐term phenological monitoring of tree species spanning a large range of ecological strategies to address both theoretical (species life history, allocation trade‐offs) and practical questions (MCDL).     

TGF-b Superfamily Cytokine MIC-1/GDF15 Is a Physiological Appetite and Body Weight Regulator

The TGF-b superfamily cytokine MIC-1/GDF15 circulates in all humans and when overproduced in cancer leads to anorexia/cachexia, by direct action on brain feeding centres. In these studies we have examined the role of physiologically relevant levels of MIC-1/GDF15 in the regulation of appetite, body weight and basal metabolic rate. MIC-1/GDF15 gene knockout mice (MIC-1^−/−) weighed more and had increased adiposity, which was associated with increased spontaneous food intake. Female MIC-1^−/− mice exhibited some additional alterations in reduced basal energy expenditure and physical activity, possibly owing to the associated decrease in total lean mass. Further, infusion of human recombinant MIC-1/GDF15 sufficient to raise serum levels in MIC-1^−/− mice to within the normal human range reduced body weight and food intake. Taken together, our findings suggest that MIC-1/GDF15 is involved in the physiological regulation of appetite and energy storage.     

Analysis of the effect of swimmer's head position on swimming performance using computational fluid dynamics

The aim of this numerical work is to analyze the effect of the position of the swimmer's head on the hydrodynamic performances in swimming. In this initial study, the problem was modeled as 2D and in steady hydrodynamic state. The geometry is generated by the CAD software CATIA and the numerical simulation is carried out by the use of the CFD Fluent code. The standard k-epsilon turbulence model is used with a specific wall law. Three positions of the head were studied, for a range of Reynolds numbers about 10(6). The obtained numerical results revealed that the position of the head had a noticeable effect on the hydrodynamic performances, strongly modifying the wake around the swimmer. The analysis of these results made it possible to propose an optimal position of the head of a swimmer in underwater swimming.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of native and non-native Pinus and Quercus species in a common garden of 35-year-old trees

Non-native tree species have been widely planted or have become naturalized in most forested landscapes. It is not clear if native trees species collectively differ in ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) diversity and communities from that of non-native tree species. Alternatively, EMF species community similarity may be more determined by host plant phylogeny than by whether the plant is native or non-native. We examined these unknowns by comparing two genera, native and non-native Quercus robur and Quercus rubra and native and non-native Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra in a 35-year-old common garden in Poland. Using molecular and morphological approaches, we identified EMF species from ectomycorrhizal root tips and sporocarps collected in the monoculture tree plots. A total of 69 EMF species were found, with 38 species collected only as sporocarps, 18 only as ectomycorrhizas, and 13 both as ectomycorrhizas and sporocarps. The EMF species observed were all native and commonly associated with a Holarctic range in distribution. We found that native Q. robur had ca. 120% higher total EMF species richness than the non-native Q. rubra, while native P. sylvestris had ca. 25% lower total EMF species richness than non-native P. nigra. Thus, across genera, there was no evidence that native species have higher EMF species diversity than exotic species. In addition, we found a higher similarity in EMF communities between the two Pinus species than between the two Quercus species. These results support the naturalization of non-native trees by means of mutualistic associations with cosmopolitan and novel fungi.     

Synthesis and evaluation of substituted hexahydronaphthalenes as novel inhibitors of the Mcl-1/BimBH3 interaction

Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family, is overexpressed in a broad range of human cancers and plays a critical role in conferring resistance to chemotherapy. In the course of screening a natural product-like library of sesquiterpenoid analogs, we identified substituted hexahydronaphthalenes that showed activity against the Mcl-1/BimBH3 interaction in vitro. Here, we describe the synthesis of a small library of analogs and their biological evaluation. The most potent inhibitor in the series (19) exhibits an IC(50) of 8.3μM by ELISA and disrupts the interaction between endogenously expressed Mcl-1 and Bim in cultured MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells.     

Molecular regulation of both dietary vitamin A and fatty acid absorption and metabolism associated with larval morphogenesis of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The present study aimed to deepen the understanding of molecular mechanisms governing the absorption and metabolism of some nutrients, growth and development in larvae of Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) fed with Artemia enriched with Easy Selco© (ES, INVE) or Aquagrow Gold© (AGG, ABN), which mainly differed in their vitamin A (VA) content and fatty acid composition. The expression profile of genes involved in VA metabolism (crbp2, rbp, crabp1), lipid transport (i-fabp, l-fabp), nuclear receptors for VA and fatty acids (rarα1, rxrα, pparβ), growth (igf1, igf2 and their receptor igf1r) and development (bgp) was analyzed at 22, 30 and 38 days post hatching. The main results suggested that the amount of VA absorbed by larvae is controlled at the intestinal level by crbp2 in both groups, preventing excessive accumulation of this vitamin in the target tissues. The stable expression of i-fabp in the ES group with age could cause an excessive fat accumulation in the intestine inducing, in turn, the steatosis found in the liver and vascular system of these specimens. In liver, the regulation of rbp and fabp expression reflected the status of the physiological functions demanding VA and lipids. The findings revealed that dietary composition induced different strategies for VA and lipid absorption and metabolism affecting, in turn, larval development, growth and health.