Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Celine Duc, Christophe Thiriet
Summary: The review focuses on the remodeling of chromatin during DNA replication in the S-phase, including the eviction of nucleosomes and the assembly of newly synthesized histones. The recycling of parental histones and the nuclear import of histones are also discussed in relation to epigenetic inheritance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Maria Luiza S. Mello
Summary: Valproic acid/sodium valproate can affect chromatin remodeling by inducing histone acetylation and altering gene expression, ultimately modulating gene expression levels.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alberto de la Iglesia, Paula Jauregi, Meritxell Jodar, Ferran Barrachina, Lukas Ded, Carme Mallofre, Leonardo Rodriguez-Carunchio, Juan Manuel Corral, Josep Lluis Ballesca, Katerina Komrskova, Judit Castillo, Rafael Oliva
Summary: The study reveals the dual behavior of H4K5bu and H4K5ac in human spermatogenesis, with both modifications present at different stages of sperm development. These modifications remain stable under different testicular pathologies and are retained in ejaculated sperm. However, no direct association between these modifications and sperm quality was observed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Anna Torok, Martin J. G. Brown, Jordina C. Vilar, Indu Patwal, Timothy Q. DuBuc, Erwan Atcheson, Uri Frank, Sebastian G. Gornik, Andrew Flaus
Summary: Many animals use sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs) to compact and stabilize sperm chromatin during spermatogenesis. Hydrozoan cnidarians and echinoid sea urchins have evolved a unique family of sperm-specific histone H2Bs (spH2Bs) to regulate sperm packaging and buoyancy. In this study, we found that the sperm chromatin of Hydractinia echinata and H. symbiolongicarpus has higher stability than somatic chromatin, with reduced accessibility to transposase Tn5 integration and endonucleases. The expression of spH2Bs in these species leads to downregulation of transcription and cell cycle arrest in embryos, without affecting nuclear density. These findings suggest that spH2Bs contribute to chromatin stability and transcriptional silencing in Hydractinia sperm, potentially playing a role in sperm buoyancy as a reproductive adaptation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
XueXia Liu, ZhiXin Wang, Fujun Liu
Summary: Mice treated with BPA exhibited decreased sperm quality, lower serum testosterone levels, and a sub-fertile phenotype, mainly due to impaired germ cell proliferation. BPA had a concentration-dependent inhibition effect on germ cell proliferation, leading to reduced male fertility.
Review
Andrology
Leonti Grin, Eliezer Girsh, Avi Harlev
Summary: Male fertility preservation has been on the rise in the past two decades, with advancements in treatment modalities and a growing demand for future parenthood. Sperm cryopreservation is considered the gold standard for fertility preservation, while experimental techniques like testicular tissue and spermatogonial stem cell autotransplantation show promise as alternatives for pre-pubertal patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuwen Shan, Fangzheng Xu, Marc Hirschfeld, Bertram Brenig
Summary: Sperm plasma membrane lipids play a crucial role in maintaining the function and integrity of mammalian spermatozoa. Different types of lipids are involved in key steps of fertilization in a coordinated manner, with balanced lipid metabolism being essential for physiological cellular processes, especially for sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and fusion. Studies suggest that male reproductive function is influenced by the homeostasis of sperm lipids.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Sylwia Prochowska, Skarlet Napierkowska, Bartosz Czech, Wojciech Nizanski
Summary: Computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis is an advanced tool that accurately measures sperm head parameters and distinguishes morphometric subpopulations. This study aims to evaluate the differences in morphometric parameters of spermatozoa from non-pedigree and purebred domestic cats and to check the relationship between sperm morphometry and fertility.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patience E. Castleton, Joshua C. Deluao, David J. Sharkey, Nicole O. McPherson
Summary: Oxidative stress and elevated levels of sperm ROS are major contributors to male infertility, with the potential to affect fetal development. Current clinically available tests for semen ROS have limitations in terms of decision limits and lack of studies on their effects on reproductive outcomes.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bruno Garcia Montagnini, Simone Forcato, Karine Vandressa Pernoncine, Mariana Cunha Monteiro, Marina Rangel Ferro Pereira, Nathalia Orlandini Costa, Estefania Gastadello Moreira, Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci, Daniela Cristina Ceccatto Gerardin
Summary: The study found that TCS may act as an endocrine disruptor for the reproductive system. Exposure to TCS was shown to decrease sperm viability and motility, potentially related to the programming of reproductive cells during fetal/neonatal development.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jordi Ribas-Maynou, Ariadna Delgado-Bermudez, Yentel Mateo-Otero, Estel Vinolas, Carlos O. Hidalgo, W. Steven Ward, Marc Yeste
Summary: This study analyzed cryopreserved bovine sperm after thawing and found that DNA damage and sperm degradation are influenced by oxidative stress. Evaluating chromatin integrity can help predict bull fertility.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Barbagallo, Sandro La Vignera, Rossella Cannarella, Laura M. Mongioi, Vincenzo Garofalo, Claudia Leanza, Marta Marino, Aldo E. Calogero, Rosita A. Condorelli
Summary: Obesity is closely related to male reproductive dysfunction, and SIRTs may play a significant role in this relationship. SIRTs regulate energy balance, lipid balance, glucose metabolism, and adipogenesis, but most studies have been conducted in animal models with limited research on humans. Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of obesity on male fertility and explore strategies to improve reproductive function in overweight/obese individuals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Channa N. Jayasena, Anu Sironen
Summary: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a disease caused by malfunction of motile cilia, leading to chronic respiratory infections and male infertility. Studies have shown that PCD genes may impact sperm development and male fertility, but further research is needed to understand their specific roles.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Godia, Yu Lian, Marina Naval-Sanchez, Inma Ponte, Joan Enric Rodriguez-Gil, Armand Sanchez, Alex Clop
Summary: Research reveals that retained nucleosomes in pig sperm can mark regulatory elements or genes expressed during spermatogenesis linked to semen quality and fertility, as well as act as transcriptional guides during early embryogenesis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriella Chieffi Baccari, Giuseppe Iurato, Alessandra Santillo, Brian Dale
Summary: Male infertility is correlated with the shortening of sperm telomeres, which regulate the reproductive lifespan. Telomeres are composed of DNA repeats and are coupled to proteins and RNA. Telomerase activity in male germ cells maintains telomere length during spermatogenesis, despite DNA replication and genotoxic factors. Exposure to pollutants has been associated with male infertility, but few consider telomeric DNA as a parameter for sperm function. This review aims to provide comprehensive data on the structure and function of telomeres in spermatogenesis and the influence of environmental pollutants.
Review
Oncology
Sara Proietti, Alessandra Cucina, Andrea Pensotti, Andrea Fuso, Cinzia Marchese, Andrea Nicolini, Mariano Bizzarri
Summary: Cancer cells can revert to a benign phenotype by changing their gene regulatory network pattern, involving structural and epigenetic changes and bypassing genetic abnormalities. Embryonic tissues and oocytes have the ability to reprogram cancer cells and revert their malignant phenotype. This study provides new perspectives in understanding cancer biology and potential therapeutic options.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Manuela Sterrantino, Andrea Fuso, Silvia Pierandrei, Sabina Maria Bruno, Giancarlo Testino, Giuseppe Cimino, Antonio Angeloni, Marco Lucarelli
Summary: Genetic analysis in cystic fibrosis (CF) is challenging due to gaps in understanding the functional effects of most DNA variants in the CFTR gene. A real-time method for quantifying CFTR mRNA from nasal brushings has been proposed, offering a fast, cost-effective, and easy-to-implement solution.
Review
Oncology
Valentina Fragliasso, Annalisa Tameni, Giorgio Inghirami, Valentina Mularoni, Alessia Ciarrocchi
Summary: Defects in cytoskeleton functions play a crucial role in tumorigenesis by promoting aberrant proliferation, migratory behavior, and invasive features. Research has shown significant alterations targeting the cytoskeleton in peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL), indicating its importance in malignant cell division. Aberrant signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT3, NPM-ALK, RhoGTPase, and Aurora Kinase also contribute to lymphomagenesis by modifying the structure and signaling properties of the cytoskeleton.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Roberto Verna, Walter Alallon, Masami Murakami, Catherine P. M. Hayward, Abdel Halim Harrath, Saleh H. Alwasel, Nairo M. Sumita, Ozkan Alatas, Valeria Fedeli, Praveen Sharma, Andrea Fuso, Daniela Maria Capuano, Maria Capalbo, Antonio Angeloni, Mariano Bizzarri
Summary: The use of RT-PCR techniques in managing the COVID-19 epidemic has limitations, including issues with false-positive and false-negative results, as well as susceptibility to pre-analytical biases and time dependency. Current data casts doubt on the reliability of using RT-PCR swabs as a screening procedure for tracking virus transmission, highlighting the need to refine analytical tests to control and prevent large outbreaks.
Review
Neurosciences
Maria Teresa Fiorenza, Piergiorgio La Rosa, Sonia Canterini, Robert P. Erickson
Summary: Selective neuronal vulnerability is a common feature in degenerative disorders. This article focuses on the vulnerability of the cerebellum in Niemann-Pick C (NPC), discussing the impact of altered intracellular cholesterol trafficking on the development and functional maturation of cerebellar cells. The article also addresses the progression of cerebellar defects and the persistence of these defects in mouse models despite genetic manipulations.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Federica Rinaldi, Jacopo Forte, Giada Pontecorvi, Patrizia Nadia Hanieh, Alessandra Care, Maria Bellenghi, Valentina Tirelli, Maria Grazia Ammendolia, Gianfranco Mattia, Carlotta Marianecci, Rossella Puglisi, Maria Carafa
Summary: This study focused on the development of nanoemulsions and niosomes containing oleic acid for the treatment of melanoma, aiming to improve drug delivery efficiency and reduce toxicity. Results showed that these new nanostructures exhibited stability, pH-sensitivity, efficient cellular uptake, and no cell toxicity, indicating their potential as a powerful strategy for metastatic melanoma therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Samira Tarashi, Morteza Karimipoor, Seyed Davar Siadat, Andrea Fuso
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Bellenghi, Giovanna Talarico, Laura Botti, Rossella Puglisi, Claudio Tabolacci, Paola Portararo, Annamaria Piva, Giada Pontecorvi, Alessandra Care, Mario P. Colombo, Gianfranco Mattia, Sabina Sangaletti
Summary: Dysregulated fatty acid metabolism interacts with oncogenic signals, worsening tumor aggressiveness. Overexpression of SCD5 gene reduces SPARC secretion, leading to decreased aggressiveness and reversal of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) status in the metastatic clone of 4T1.
Article
Cell Biology
Alessandro Rava, Piergiorgio La Rosa, Giampiero Palladino, Jessica Dragotto, Antonio Totaro, Jessica Tiberi, Sonia Canterini, Sergio Oddi, Maria Teresa Fiorenza
Summary: The loss of NPC1 or NPC2 function leads to dysregulation of lipid metabolism, affecting brain development and causing pathological symptoms. Microglia activation is a key event in NPC1 disease progression, but the mechanisms of how microglia respond to neurodevelopmental changes are still not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Vincenza Di Paola, Martina Morrone, Valentina Poli, Andrea Fuso, Esterina Pascale, Walter Adriani
Summary: A working hypothesis was proposed based on methylation patterns in the 5'-UTR of the DAT1 gene. The study analyzed CpG pairs on the main-gene strand and the complementary opposite strand (COS) and found significant pair-to-pair correlations between them. Graphic representations suggested that DNA could fold into looping conformations with interactions between specific cytosines on both strands. The simultaneous methylation of main-strand and COS DNA (methylation dynamics) was proposed as a potential biomarker.
Article
Neurosciences
Micaela Lucarelli, Serena Camuso, Chiara Di Pietro, Francesco Bruno, Piergiorgio La Rosa, Daniela Marazziti, Maria Teresa Fiorenza, Sonia Canterini
Summary: Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is a lysosomal lipid storage disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene, leading to cholesterol accumulation. The disease is characterized by progressive Purkinje cell degeneration and ataxia. In a mouse model, impaired Sonic hedgehog signaling was found to affect cerebellar morphogenesis, and it is hypothesized that altered BDNF signaling may contribute to cerebellar alterations in NPC1 disease.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Tiberi, Marco Segatto, Maria Teresa Fiorenza, Piergiorgio La Rosa
Summary: Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of frataxin activity, leading to mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress. The GAA expansion in the FXN gene inhibits transcription and disrupts iron metabolism. The defective NRF2 functionality further contributes to the disease progression. Antioxidant therapies have shown conflicting results in preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting the need for further research and understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sabina Maria Bruno, Giovanna Blacona, Stefania Lo Cicero, Germana Castelli, Mariarita Virgulti, Giancarlo Testino, Silvia Pierandrei, Andrea Fuso, Giuseppe Cimino, Giampiero Ferraguti, Adriana Eramo, Marco Lucarelli
Summary: In the precision medicine era of cystic fibrosis (CF), accurate quantification of CFTR gene expression is crucial for personalized therapeutic approaches. This paper compares two methods for quantifying CFTR gene expression and discusses their advantages and limitations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiziana Raia, Federica Armeli, Rosaria A. Cavallaro, Giampiero Ferraguti, Rita Businaro, Marco Lucarelli, Andrea Fuso
Summary: DNA methylation, the main epigenetic modification, influences neurodegeneration. In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) supplementation during the perinatal period on the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms in TgCRND8 mice. They found that both post-weaning and perinatal SAM supplementation effectively reduced PSEN1 expression and amyloid deposition in adult mice. These findings emphasize the role of early-life epigenetic memory and methyl donor availability in promoting healthy aging.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Giada Pontecorvi, Maria Bellenghi, Sabrina Tait, Valentina Tirelli, Paola Matarrese, Gianfranco Mattia, Alessandra Care, Rossella Puglisi
Summary: Gender differences in melanoma incidence and survival have been observed, with women showing better outcomes than men. Sex hormones, specifically estrogen receptors (ERs), may play a key role in these disparities. This study investigated how the ER beta agonist LY500307 affects melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. The results suggest that LY500307 has the potential to reduce melanoma malignancy and could be used in personalized combined therapy.