Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ramona Matuseviciute, Egle Ignataviciute, Rokas Mickus, Sergio Bordel, Vytenis Arvydas Skeberdis, Vytautas Raskevicius
Summary: This study used molecular docking, QSAR, and 3D-QSAR to evaluate known Cx43 GJ inhibitors and identified a potential inhibitor - d-limonene. Experimental validation showed a good correlation between predicted and experimental inhibitory concentrations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ishika Basu, Hanjun Li, Andrew J. Trease, Paul L. Sorgen
Summary: T and B cell receptor signaling activates Akt, MAPKs, PKC, intracellular Ca2+, and calmodulin. This process involves Src and the phosphorylation of Cx43 residues Y247, Y265, and Y313 by BTK and ITK. Overexpression of BTK or ITK leads to increased Cx43 phosphorylation and decreased gap junction communication in HEK-293T cells. Activation of B cell receptor or T cell receptor enhances BTK and ITK activity, resulting in decreased Cx43 phosphorylation and altered gap junction function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miyuki Tauchi, Kensuke Oshita, Katharina Urschel, Roman Furtmair, Constanze Kuehn, Florian M. Stumpfe, Balazs Botos, Stephan Achenbach, Barbara Dietel
Summary: This study investigated the activation of endothelial cells under non-uniform shear stress, focusing on stress-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and downstream signaling, as well as their relation to gap junction proteins, Connexins (Cxs). The results showed that JNK1/2 and ERK were activated by non-uniform shear stress, and inhibiting JNK1/2 reduced THP-1 cell adhesion under non-uniform shear stress. In addition, the expression of Cx43 in human carotid plaques was found to be associated with plaque vulnerability, suggesting its contribution to plaque progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Irene Sargiannidou, Violetta Christophidou-Anastasiadou, Andreas Hadjisavvas, George A. Tanteles, Kleopas A. Kleopa
Summary: Oculodentodigital dysplasia syndrome is linked to pathogenic variants in GJA1 gene. A new in-frame deletion (p.Lys134del) was identified in a patient with typical dysmorphic features. Functional study showed reduction in gap junction plaques in cells, with many retained inside.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Paule Dagenais, Simon Blanchoud, David Pury, Catherine Pfefferli, Tinri Aegerter-Wilmsen, Christof M. Aegerter, Anna Jazwinska
Summary: Understanding how external factors modulate genetically encoded information to produce specific phenotypes is a key scientific interest. By manipulating the external environment of regenerating fish fins, researchers were able to induce structural and phenotypic responses. Mechanical forces were found to play a role in fine-tuning locomotory organs during fin morphogenesis.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Elvin Leonard, Sana Safatul Hasan, Arndt F. Siekmann
Summary: Blood vessels in the zebrafish caudal fin form through a stepwise process involving different morphogenetic processes, including artery generation from vein-derived endothelial cells, production of veins by veins, formation of distinct vascular plexuses, and angiogenesis. These processes are regulated by a combination of signaling pathways and local cues. The study provides insights into the diverse mechanisms underlying the assembly of mature vasculature.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rokas Mickus, Gintare Janciuke, Vytautas Raskevicius, Valeryia Mikalayeva, Inga Matulyte, Mindaugas Marksa, Kestutis Maciunas, Jurga Bernatoniene, Vytenis Arvydas Skeberdis
Summary: This study identified nutmeg essential oil (NEO) and its constituents as potent inhibitors of Cx43 gap junctions by a slow gating mechanism. Additionally, NEO was found to reduce Novikoff hepatoma cell viability, proliferation, and colony formation capability at higher doses, but this effect was unrelated to its impact on gap junction dependent intercellular communication.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Scott D. Barnett, Hazik Asif, Mitchell Anderson, Iain L. O. Buxton
Summary: The currently available tocolytics are ineffective at significantly delaying preterm birth due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms that drive spontaneous preterm labor (sPTL). However, this study has identified dysregulation of the contractile-associated protein connexin-43 (Cx43) in sPTL myometrium, and the pharmacological inhibition of Cx43 and its S-nitrosation with 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid and nebivolol provide a novel approach to significantly reduce contractions in human myometrial tissue. This new approach leverages maladjusted pathways in women who experience sPTL, offering potential for improved treatment strategies.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Niuben Cao, Xiaomeng Liu, Yubo Hou, Yu Deng, Yu Xin, Xirui Xin, Xinchen Xiang, Xinchan Liu, Weixian Yu
Summary: In this study, it was found that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) alleviates oxidative damage in periodontal tissues by inhibiting the Cx43/JNK/NF-κB pathway, thus reducing the progression of periodontitis.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Elena Ivanova, Carlo Corona, Cyril G. Eleftheriou, Randy F. Stout, Jakob Korbelin, Botir T. Sagdullaev
Summary: The study utilized a mouse retina model to identify distinct classes of endothelial cells and develop an inducible system for specific ectopic Connexin 43 expression. Targeting endothelial cells in the CNS with this system could provide a precise tool for treating microcirculation deficits, which are early pathologies in numerous diseases.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emre Yaksi, Ahmed Jamali, Carmen Diaz Verdugo, Nathalie Jurisch-Yaksi
Summary: Animal models, including zebrafish, have played a significant role in epilepsy research, providing mechanistic insights into the disease and potential strategies for prevention. Zebrafish, in particular, offer great untapped potential for expanding our understanding of epilepsy and developing new treatments.
Article
Cell Biology
Pia Niemann, Miriam Schiffer, Daniela Malan, Sabine Gruenberg, Wilhelm Roell, Caroline Geisen, Bernd K. Fleischmann
Summary: This study reports the establishment of a Cre-inducible Cx43 overexpression system in murine embryonic stem cells, which enables the investigation of the impact of Cx43 overexpression in somatic cells. The analysis reveals the formation of functional gap junctions and the differentiation of Cx43-overexpressing cells into viable cardiomyocytes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Cibelli, Randy Stout, Aline Timmermann, Laura de Menezes, Peng Guo, Karen Maass, Gerald Seifert, Christian Steinhaeuser, David C. Spray, Eliana Scemes
Summary: The neurovascular unit consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, with connexin 43 (Cx43) and Cx30 forming gap junctions in astrocyte endfeet, influencing blood-brain barrier integrity. The study shows that the distribution and mobility of gap junction proteins in astrocyte endfeet impact the organization of the unit and BBB integrity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian J. Malpica-Nieves, Yomarie Rivera, David E. Rivera-Aponte, Otto Phanstiel, Ruediger W. Veh, Misty J. Eaton, Serguei N. Skatchkov
Summary: This study investigated the impact of HIV-Tat on the uptake and release of N-acetylated spermine in astrocytes, showing that Cx43 hemichannels are not the main pathway. The preliminary findings suggest that polyamine uptake may proceed through other channels such as organic cation transporter.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Levin
Summary: Understanding cancer through the lens of developmental biology reveals it as a consequence of breakdown in cell communication, leading to morphogenetic disorders. Bioelectric signaling plays a crucial role in coordinating morphogenetic processes, with modulation of bioelectric states showing potential in preventing or normalizing tumors. The harnessing of bioelectrically-mediated information flows represents a promising avenue in cancer research.
PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Developmental Biology
Cheng Shi, Pengfei Jiao, Zhiyi Chen, Lan Ma, Siyue Yao
Summary: This review discusses the molecular etiology of congenital craniofacial abnormalities, with a focus on the role and mechanism of noncoding RNAs in regulating craniofacial development. Aberrant expression of noncoding RNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of craniofacial abnormalities, providing potential therapeutic targets.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hideru Togashi, Steven Ray Davis, Makoto Sato
Summary: Tile patterns, regulated by cell adhesion molecules, are regular arrangements of cells that play important functional roles in multicellular organisms. The physical constraints and cell adhesion regulate both cell shape and tissue morphogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Armen Khanbabei, Lina Segura, Cynthia Petrossian, Aaron Lemus, Ithan Cano, Courtney Frazier, Armen Halajyan, Donnie Ca, Mariano Loza-Coll
Summary: This article investigates the genetic regulatory mechanisms of Drosophila intestinal stem cells. The study found that most target genes co-regulated by Esg and STAT show a consistent gene expression pattern. However, manipulating these validated targets in vivo rarely replicated the effects of manipulating Esg and STAT, suggesting the presence of complex genetic interactions among the downstream targets of these two master regulator genes.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Bayley J. Waters, Zoe R. Birman, Matthew R. Wagner, Julia Lemanski, Barak Blum
Summary: Researchers found that conditional deletion of Robo2 in adult mice led to a significant loss of islet architecture without affecting beta cell identity or function, suggesting that Robo2 plays a role in actively maintaining adult islet architecture. Understanding the factors required for islet architecture maintenance is crucial for developing future diabetes therapies.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Rhiannon Clements, Tyler Smith, Luke Cowart, Jennifer Zhumi, Alan Sherrod, Aidan Cahill, Ginger L. Hunter
Summary: Cell protrusions play a crucial role in regulating cell activities during development. By studying the regulation mechanism in fruit fly sensory bristle patterning, it was found that Myosin XV is essential for the dynamics of signaling filopodia and promotes long-range Notch signaling.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Margaret Keating, Ryan Hagle, Daniel Osorio-Mendez, Anjelica Rodriguez-Parks, Sarah I. Almutawa, Junsu Kang
Summary: Knock-in reporter (KI) animals are essential for studying gene expression in biomedical research. This study developed a new strategy using minicircle technology and a minimal promoter to enhance knock-in events and establish stable KI transgenic reporter lines. The study also highlighted the importance of selecting the proper KI line due to potential inappropriate influence of genome editing on reporter gene expression.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Christian Altbuerger, Meta Rath, Daniel Armbruster, Wolfgang Driever
Summary: This study reveals that Neurog1 and Olig2 transcription factors have differential requirements for the development of dopaminergic neurons, and they integrate local patterning signals and Notch neurogenic selection signaling to specify the progenitor population and initiate neurogenesis and differentiation.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)