Cellular Modifications Research Articles

A brain proteome profile in rats exposed to methylmercury or thimerosal (ethylmercury)

ABSTRACTExposure to organomercurials has been associated with harmful effects on the central nervous system (CNS). However, the mechanisms underlying organomercurial-mediated neurotoxic effects need to be elucidated. Exposure to toxic elements may promote cellular modifications such as alterations in protein synthesis in an attempt to protect tissues and organs from damage. In this context, the use of a “proteomic profile” is an important tool to identify potential early biomarkers or targets indicative of neurotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate potential modifications in rat cerebral cell proteome following exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) or ethylmercury (EtHg). For MeHg exposure, animals were administered by gavage daily 140 µg/kg/d of Hg (as MeHg) for 60 d and sacrificed 24 h after the last treatment. For EtHg exposure, 800 µg/kg/d of Hg (as EtHg) was given intramuscularly (im) in a single dose and rats were sacrificed after 4 h. Control groups received saline either by gavage or im. After extraction of proteins from whole brain samples and separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), 26 differentially expressed proteins were identified from exposed animals by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Both MeHg and EtHg exposure induced an overexpression of calbindin, a protein that acts as a neuroprotective agent by (1) adjusting the concentration of Ca2+ within cells and preventing neurodegenerative diseases and (2) decreasing expression of glutamine synthetase, a crucial protein involved in regulation of glutamate concentration in synaptic cleft. In contrast, expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a protein involved in antioxidant defense, was elevated in brain of MeHg-exposed animals. Taken together, our data provide new valuable information on the possible molecular mechanisms associated with MeHg- and EtHg-mediated toxicity in cerebral tissue. These observed protein alterations may be considered as biomarkers candidates for biological monitoring of organomercurial poisoning.

Effects of silicon treatment and inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum on cellular defences in root tissues of two cotton cultivars.

Silicon has been shown to enhance the resistance of plants to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Here, the effect of potassium silicate was assessed on two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivars subsequently inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov). Sicot 189 is moderately resistant whilst Sicot F-1 is the second most resistant commercial cultivar presently available in Australia. Transmission and light microscopy were used to compare cellular modifications in root cells after these different treatments. The accumulation of phenolic compounds and lignin was measured. Cellular alterations including the deposition of electron-dense material, degradation of fungal hyphae and occlusion of endodermal cells were more rapidly induced and more intense in endodermal and vascular regions of Sicot F-1 plants supplied with potassium silicate followed by inoculation with Fov than in similarly treated Sicot 189 plants or in silicate-treated plants of either cultivar not inoculated with Fov. Significantly more phenolic compounds were present at 7 d post-infection (dpi) in root extracts of Sicot F-1 plants treated with potassium silicate followed by inoculation with Fov compared with plants from all other treatments. The lignin concentration at 3 dpi in root material from Sicot F-1 treated with potassium silicate and inoculated with Fov was significantly higher than that from water-treated and inoculated plants. This study demonstrates that silicon treatment can affect cellular defence responses in cotton roots subsequently inoculated with Fov, particularly in Sicot F-1, a cultivar with greater inherent resistance to this pathogen. This suggests that silicon may interact with or initiate defence pathways faster in this cultivar than in the less resistant cultivar.

Discriminating Self and Non-Self by RNA: Roles for RNA Structure, Misfolding, and Modification in Regulating the Innate Immune Sensor PKR.

Pathogens are recognized by the innate immune system in part via their unique and complex RNA signatures. A key sensor in human innate immunity is the RNA-activated protein kinase, protein kinase R (PKR), which has two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding motifs (dsRBMs) at its N-terminus. Early studies described PKR as being activated potently by long stretches of perfect dsRNA, a signature typical of viruses. More recently, we and others have found that PKR is also activated by RNAs having structural defects such as bulges and internal loops. This Account describes advances in our understanding of the ability of PKR to detect diverse foreign RNAs and how that recognition plays significant roles in discriminating self from non-self. The experiments discussed employ a wide range of techniques including activation assays, native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), protein footprinting, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). We discuss how misfolding and dimerization of RNA lead to activation of PKR. We also present recent findings on the activation of PKR by varied bacterial functional RNAs including ribozymes and riboswitches, which are among the few structured RNAs known to interact with PKR in a site-specific manner. Molecular models for how these structured RNAs activate PKR are provided. Studies by SAXS revealed that PKR straightens bent RNAs. Most external and internal RNA cellular modifications introduced in vitro and found naturally, such as the m7G cap and m6A group, abrogate activation of PKR, but other modifications, such as 5'-ppp and 2'-fluoro groups, are immunostimulatory and potential anticancer agents. Genome-wide studies of RNA folding in vitro and in vivo have provided fresh insights into general differences in RNA structure among bacteria, viruses, and human. These studies suggest that in vivo, cellular human RNAs are less folded than once thought, unwound by helicases, destabilized by m6A modifications, and often bound up with proteins, all conditions known to abrogate activation of PKR. It thus appears that non-self RNAs are detected as unmodified, naked RNAs with appreciable secondary and tertiary structure. Observation that PKR is activated by structured but otherwise diverse RNAs is consistent both with the broad-spectrum nature of innate immunity and the nonspecific recognition of RNA by the dsRBM family. These findings provide a possible explanation for the apparent absence of protein-free structured human RNAs, such as ribozymes and riboswitches.

The transcriptome of metamorphosing flatfish.

BackgroundFlatfish metamorphosis denotes the extraordinary transformation of a symmetric pelagic larva into an asymmetric benthic juvenile. Metamorphosis in vertebrates is driven by thyroid hormones (THs), but how they orchestrate the cellular, morphological and functional modifications associated with maturation to juvenile/adult states in flatfish is an enigma. Since THs act via thyroid receptors that are ligand activated transcription factors, we hypothesized that the maturation of tissues during metamorphosis should be preceded by significant modifications in the transcriptome. Targeting the unique metamorphosis of flatfish and taking advantage of the large size of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) larvae, we determined the molecular basis of TH action using RNA sequencing.ResultsDe novo assembly of sequences for larval head, skin and gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) yielded 90,676, 65,530 and 38,426 contigs, respectively. More than 57 % of the assembled sequences were successfully annotated using a multi-step Blast approach. A unique set of biological processes and candidate genes were identified specifically associated with changes in morphology and function of the head, skin and GI-tract. Transcriptome dynamics during metamorphosis were mapped with SOLiD sequencing of whole larvae and revealed greater than 8,000 differentially expressed (DE) genes significantly (p < 0.05) up- or down-regulated in comparison with the juvenile stage. Candidate transcripts quantified by SOLiD and qPCR analysis were significantly (r = 0.843; p < 0.05) correlated. The majority (98 %) of DE genes during metamorphosis were not TH-responsive. TH-responsive transcripts clustered into 6 groups based on their expression pattern during metamorphosis and the majority of the 145 DE TH-responsive genes were down-regulated.ConclusionsA transcriptome resource has been generated for metamorphosing Atlantic halibut and over 8,000 DE transcripts per stage were identified. Unique sets of biological processes and candidate genes were associated with changes in the head, skin and GI-tract during metamorphosis. A small proportion of DE transcripts were TH-responsive, suggesting that they trigger gene networks, signalling cascades and transcription factors, leading to the overt changes in tissue occurring during metamorphosis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2699-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

High-pressure processing effects on foodborne bacteria by mid-infrared spectroscopy analysis

High pressure processing is an emergent technology for food preservation that causes minimal changes in the characteristics of the foods, preventing food spoilage and foodborne diseases.In this work, 12 different foodborne bacteria were submitted to high pressure (300 MPa, 15 min, room temperature) in order to assess the bacterial reduction and the alterations induced with this processing in cellular components. It was observed that all the Gram-negative bacteria were inactivated to undetectable levels while Gram-positive showed resistance to pressure, being Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus the most resistant, decreasing only 2 logs. Listeria monocytogenes decreased about 5 logs. IR spectroscopy was used to investigate the differences in the spectra of the cells after the pressurization. Regarding cellular modifications, it was possible to notice that changes in hydrogen bounds appear to be on the basis of the modifications observed in the spectra after high pressure processing.

Beyond transcription factors: how oncogenic signalling reshapes the epigenetic landscape.

Cancer, once thought to be caused largely by genetic alterations, is now considered to be a mixed genetic and epigenetic disease. The epigenetic landscape, which is dictated by covalent DNA and histone modifications, is profoundly altered in transformed cells. These abnormalities may arise from mutations in, or altered expression of, chromatin modifiers. Recent reports on the interplay between cellular signalling pathways and chromatin modifications add another layer of complexity to the already complex regulation of the epigenome. In this Review, we discuss these new studies and how the insights they provide can contribute to a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of neoplasia.

Lectin staining of the uterovaginal junction and sperm-storage tubule epithelia in broiler hens

Mammalian sperm bind to terminal carbohydrates associated with glycoconjugates on the apical surface of oviduct epithelial cells in the caudal region of the oviduct and undergo cellular and molecular modifications associated with capacitation prior to ovulation. In contrast, chicken sperm are stored for up to 23 d in sperm-storage tubules (SST) localized in the uterovaginal junction (UVJ). Little is known of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate sperm storage in and release from the SST. The purpose of this study was to identify glycoconjugates associated with the SST epithelial cell surface using lectins. Virgin hens and hens of higher and lower fertility in egg production for 6 to 16 wk were used in this study. Sections of UVJ mucosa containing SST were stained with fluorescent conjugated lectins and examined by confocal microscopy. Carbohydrate moieties associated with the UVJ and SST epithelia differed in their lectin binding patterns. No differences in the lectin binding patterns within the 2 epithelia were discernible between the virgin and younger and older hens. Minor differences were observed between the higher and lower fertility hens. Only lectins specific for galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine moieties were localized to the luminal surface of the SST. While resident sperm may be closely apposed to the SST epithelial cell apical microvilli, it is unlikely that sperm binding to the microvilli via terminal carbohydrates associated with glycoconjugates is a requisite for prolonged storage. However, the possibility of SST epithelial cell communication with resident sperm via shedding microvillous vesicles characterized by surface glycoconjugates with terminal galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine moieties is currently being investigated.

ISCHEMIC CONDITIONING PROTECTS THE MICROCIRCULATION, PRESERVES ORGAN FUNCTION, AND PROLONGS SURVIVAL IN SEPSIS.

Ischemic conditioning induces a series of cellular modifications that may prevent injury from further hypoxic episodes, but there are few data in sepsis. In this randomized controlled study, we evaluated the effects of ischemic conditioning on the microcirculation, organ function, and survival time in an ovine model of septic shock.Sepsis was induced in 14 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated adult sheep by injecting autologous feces into the abdominal cavity. Animals were then randomized to ischemic pre- and post-conditioning or no conditioning (both n = 7). Remote ischemic conditioning was performed by inflating the balloon of a catheter in the aortic bifurcation for 2 min, followed by a 4-min deflation period. The procedure was performed four times before sepsis induction and 4-hourly afterward. Animals were followed until death or for a maximum of 30 h. Hemodynamic, oxygenation, and microcirculatory variables were monitored. The conditioned group had higher mixed venous oxygen saturation from 8 h after randomization, higher cardiac index, and oxygen delivery from 16 h, and higher mean arterial pressure and lower lactate levels from 20 h. They also had greater renal blood flow, urine output, and creatinine clearance. Microcirculatory variables were better preserved in the conditioned than in the control group from 6 h after randomization: the median proportion of perfused vessels was 91 (89-93)% versus 89 (86-90)% (P = 0.024) and there was less heterogeneity. Oliguria, hypotension, and death occurred later in the conditioned than in the control group. In this sepsis model, remote ischemic pre- and post-conditioning therefore decreased organ dysfunction, preserved the microcirculation, and prolonged survival.

Effects of Long-Term Exposure of Exogenous Advanced Glycation Endproducts on Vertebral Bone Microarchitecture; Sex-Differences on Structure Derived Mechanical Properties

Introduction Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) are commonly associated with diabetic complications, including increased painful intervertebral disc pathologies, osteoporosis, and bone fracture risk. Exogenous AGEs develop by processing food at high temperatures and can accumulate in bone where they crosslink collagen. A clinical study reported association of increased serum AGE levels with vertebral fracture risk in women but not in men, highlighting gender effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sex-dependent effects of exogenous AGEs on vertebral bone quantity, quality, and mechanical behavior. Material and Methods C57BL/6 mice (female, n = 8/group; male, n = 4/group) were pair-fed isocaloric diets containing low AGE amounts (LAGE, 7.6 μg/mg chow) or high AGE amounts (HAGE, 40.9 μg/mg chow) for 6 months; after euthanasia, blood glucose and serum AGEs were analyzed. Lumbar spines were μCT-scanned (resolution=4.9μm; SkyScan 1172, Bruker Corp., Belgium). Hydroxyapatite phantoms were similarly scanned for density calibration. Cortical bone analysis included tissue mineral density (TMD), BMD, cross sectional thickness (Ct.Th), bone surface are (BSA) and porosity. Trabecular bone analysis included trabecular thickness, separation (Tb.Sp), number (Tb.Nm), TMD, BMD, BVF, bone surface to volume ratio (BS/BV), Structure Model Index (SMI) and fabric anisotropy. A validated analytical model was used to calculate trabecular bone anisotropic compressive and shear moduli. Male/female and HAGE/LAGE differences were analyzed via Student's t-tests ( p &lt; 0.05). All experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Results Serum AGE levels were significantly increased in female HAGE mice compared with LAGE mice ( p &lt; 0.01). No differences were observed between blood glucose levels among groups. Dietary comparisons indicated that female trabecular BS/BV and porosity were significantly increased by HAGE-diet whereas trabecular BMD, compressive and shear moduli, and cortical BMD were decreased. In males dietary comparisons revealed only a significant increase in trabecular porosity. Male cortical bone remained unchanged. Sex comparisons within LAGE-diet group revealed that female trabecular bone had significantly reduced Tb.Nm, BMD, degree of anisotropy, compressive and shear moduli, and significantly increased Tb.Sp, porosity, and SMI compared with LAGE males. LAGE females also had significantly decreased cortical BSA and significantly increased Ct.Th compared with LAGE males. Sex comparisons of female versus male HAGE-diet groups revealed no significant differences. Conclusion Results indicated more pronounced detrimental effects on cortical and trabecular bone in females on HAGE-diet than in males. These sex-dependent effects suggest that AGEs effects on vertebral bone may be hormonally mediated. This work showed for the first time significant alterations to the elastic compressive and shear properties of vertebra following variations in dietary AGE levels. Changes in trabecular architecture and density manifested as functional changes, especially in females, warranting further post-yield and fracture analysis. Importantly, this study investigated the sex dependent effects of AGEs on vertebral bone quality and quantity independent from serum glucose (diabetes). Further research of AGE effects on cell turnover and cellular modifications to bone microarchitecture and mineralization is necessary to validate the link between changes in bone quality, quantity and function.

Donor variation effect on red blood cell storage lesion: a multivariable, yet consistent, story.

Previous studies have shown that baseline hematologic characteristics concerning or influencing red blood cell (RBC) properties might affect storage lesion development in individual donors. This study was conducted to evaluate whether variation in hemolysis, microparticle accumulation, phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, and other storage lesion-associated variables might be a function of the prestorage hematologic and biologic profiles of the donor. Ten eligible, regular blood donors were paired and studied before donation (fresh blood) and during storage of RBCs in standard blood banking conditions. Plasma and cellular characteristics and modifications were evaluated by standard laboratory and biochemical or biologic analyses as well as by statistical and network analysis tools. Nitrate/nitrite and other bioactive factors exhibited high interdonor variability, which further increased during storage in a donor-specific manner. Storage lesion evaluators, including RBC fragility and PS exposure, fluctuated throughout the storage period in proportion to their values in fresh blood. Donors' levels of phosphatidylserine exposure and hemoglobin F correlated with stored cells' mean cell (RBC) Hb concentration, oxidative stress markers, and cellular fragility. Storage lesion indicators change in an orderly fashion, namely, by following donor-related prestorage attributes. These correlations are illustrated for the first time in "prestorage versus storage" biologic networks, which might help determine the best candidates for in vivo biomarkers of storage quality and provide deeper insight into the apparently complex donor variation effect on the RBC storage lesion.

MP68-06 FORMATION OF DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA ACTIVATES STRESS KINASES AND INITIATES CYTOSKELETON ORGANIZATION AND CELL DEGENERATION IN BLADDER ISCHEMIA

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) is RNA with two complementary strands, which is not readily detected in normal tissues but is produced as a replicative intermediate in cellular stress conditions. By binding to and activating stress kinases and inducing mRNA degradation, ds-RNA can serve as a potent stimulus to cellular and subcellular structural modifications. We examined the formation and structural consequences of ds-RNA in chronic bladder ischemia. METHODS: A rat bladder ischemia model was developed by creating aorto-iliac arteries atherosclerosis. After 8 weeks, the animals underwent metabolic cage studies then hemodynamic measurements and cystometrograms (CMG) were obtained. Bladder tissues were processed for RT-PCR of ds-RNA precursor Alu-RNA, dot blot analysis of ds-RNA formation, western blotting of ds-RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), mass spectrometry, ELISA of stress markers, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Chronic bladder ischemia increased micturition frequency, decreased voided volume and led to detrusor instability. Ischemia upregulated Alu-RNA expression and led to the formation of ds-RNA and activation of the stress kinase PKR in the bladder. These changes were associated with cellular lipid and protein stress markers. Accumulation of ds-RNA and phosphorylation of PKR resulted in DNA damage, loss of proteins, and activation of degenerative pathways. Mass spectrometry and Gen Ontology analysis suggested cytoskeleton organization and degenerative activities mediated by ubiquitination and increased proteolysis, peptidase and hydrolase activities. EM confirmed cytoskeleton organization and cell degeneration characterized by swollen mitochondria with disrupted membrane and decreased granules, swollen elongated ER, collagen invasion of smooth muscle cells and nerve fibers, sporadic loss of epithelial mucosal membrane, twisted smooth muscle cells, diffused vacuolization, and loss of neural structural integrity. CONCLUSIONS: We report the formation of ds-RNA and subsequent phosphorylation of PKR in bladder ischemia. Activation of dsRNA/PKR pathway in the bladder resulted in widespread structural modifications via mechanisms involving DNA damage, mRNA degradation and loss of proteins. Our data suggest a close link between dsRNA/PKR pathway, proteolysis, cytoskeleton organization and loss of cellular structural integrity. Formation of ds-RNA and activation of PKR may precede cellular ultrastructural deterioration and play a central role in loss of smooth muscle cells and neurodegeneration in the ischemic overactive bladder.

Inflammatory microenvironment and human papillomavirus-induced carcinogenesis

More than 15% of the global cancer burden is attributable to infectious agents. Pathogens that cause persistent infections are strongly associated with cancer, inflammation being a major component of the chronic infections as revealed by basic, clinical and epidemiological studies.Persistent infection and viral oncoproteins induce specific cellular pathways modifications that promote tumorigenesis. Deregulated and continuous immune response leads to severe tissue and systemic damage, impaired tumor surveillance and consequent carcinogenesis promotion by selecting for metastatic and therapeutically resistant tumor phenotypes.In this review, the role of inflammatory microenvironment in the HPV-induced carcinogenesis is addressed, with a specific focus on the involvement of the immune molecules and microRNAs as well as their delivery through the microvesicle cargo.

Glutathionylation of the Bacterial Hsp70 Chaperone DnaK Provides a Link between Oxidative Stress and the Heat Shock Response

DnaK is the major bacterial Hsp70, participating in DNA replication, protein folding, and the stress response. DnaK cooperates with the Hsp40 co-chaperone DnaJ and the nucleotide exchange factor GrpE. Under non-stress conditions, DnaK binds to the heat shock transcription factor σ32 and facilitates its degradation. Oxidative stress results in temporary inactivation of DnaK due to depletion of cellular ATP and thiol modifications such as glutathionylation until normal cellular ATP levels and a reducing environment are restored. However, the biological significance of DnaK glutathionylation remains unknown, and the mechanisms by which glutathionylation may regulate the activity of DnaK are also unclear. We investigated the conditions under which Escherichia coli DnaK undergoes S-glutathionylation. We observed glutathionylation of DnaK in lysates of E. coli cells that had been subjected to oxidative stress. We also obtained homogeneously glutathionylated DnaK using purified DnaK in the apo state. We found that glutathionylation of DnaK reversibly changes the secondary structure and tertiary conformation, leading to reduced nucleotide and peptide binding ability. The chaperone activity of DnaK was reversibly down-regulated by glutathionylation, accompanying the structural changes. We found that interaction of DnaK with DnaJ, GrpE, or σ32 becomes weaker when DnaK is glutathionylated, and the interaction is restored upon deglutathionylation. This study confirms that glutathionylation down-regulates the functions of DnaK under oxidizing conditions, and this down-regulation may facilitate release of σ32 from its interaction with DnaK, thus triggering the heat shock response. Such a mechanism provides a link between oxidative stress and the heat shock response in bacteria.

Campylobacter Jejuni Increases Transcribed Il-1 B and Causes Morphometric Changes in the Ileal Enterocytes of Chickens

Campylobacteriosis is a worldwide foodborne zoonosis disease caused by Campylobacter jejuni. This microorganism is considered a commensal bacterium in chicken hosts. C. jejuni produces epithelial cell modifications and induces a cytokine gene transcription innate immunity repertoire. In the present study, we describe the invasiveness, morphological cellular modifications, and transcript level expressions of innate immune cytokines from C. jejuni-inoculated chicken ileum explants. C. jejuni was internalized by epithelial ileum cells at 15 minutes postinoculation (p.i.) and was detected intracellularly for 4hs (p.i.). Inoculated explants displayed significant increases in cell height. C. jejuni induced a significant elevation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 3 (TGF-b3) and Interleukin-1b (IL-1b) transcripts. In conclusion, C. jejuni is internalized in explanted epithelial ileum cells, produces morphological cell modifications, and induces gene transcription of both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Simultaneous detection of five one-carbon metabolites in plasma using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Disturbance in one-carbon (1-C) cycle occurs due to nutritional deficiencies (vitamin B12/folate) or specific genetic polymorphisms. This leads to altered levels of key 1-C metabolites such as SAM (s-adenosyl methionine), SAH (s-adenosyl homocysteine), methionine, homocysteine and MMA (methyl malonic acid). These 1-C metabolites are determinants of cellular methylation potential and epigenetic modifications of DNA which impairs metabolic pathways in several pathological diseases and developmental programming. Though methods were able to measure these analytes only independently, none of the methods detect simultaneously. Therefore we developed a method to measure these five 1-C metabolites in a single run using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We used stable isotopes dilution LC-MS/MS to measure the 1-C metabolites in human plasma. Blood samples were collected from pregnant women (n=30) at early gestation in the ongoing, multicentre, prospective PRiDE study. Linearity exhibited across the calibration range for all the analytes with the limit of detection (LOD) of 1.005nmol/l for SAM, 0.081nmol/l for SAH, 0.002μmol/l for methionine, 0.046μmol/l for homocysteine and 3.920nmol/l for MMA. The average recovery for SAM was 108%, SAH-110%, methionine-97%, homocysteine-91% and MMA-102%. The inter-assay CV for SAM was 7.3, SAH-5.6%, methionine-3.5%, homocysteine-7.0% and MMA-4.0%. The intra-assay CV for SAM was 8.7%, SAH-4.7%, methionine-5.4%, homocysteine-8.1% and MMA-6.1%. Pregnant women at early gestation with low B12 levels had significantly higher homocysteine, MMA, lower levels of methionine, SAM and SAM:SAH ratio and higher triglycerides. We developed a simple and rapid method to simultaneously quantify 1-C metabolites such as SAM, SAH, methionine, homocysteine and MMA in plasma by stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS which would be useful to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms related in the gene-nutrient interactions.

Ex vivo assessment of testicular toxicity induced by carbendazim and iprodione, alone or in a mixture-suppl1.

To measure the testicular toxicity of two fungicides (carbendazim and iprodione), alone or in a mixture, we used a rat ex vivo model of seminiferous tubules, greatly reducing the number of rodents used, in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This model allows the representation of puberty, a critical life period with regard to endocrine disruptors. The cellular modifications were followed for three weeks through transcriptomic and proteomic profiling analysis. A quantitative and comparative method was developed to estimate how known pathways were disturbed by each substance. This pathway-driven analysis revealed a strong alteration of steroidogenesis and an impairment of meiosis in all cases, albeit the initial molecular events were different for both substances. The ex vivo cytogenetic analysis confirmed that both fungicides alter the course of the first meiotic prophase. In addition, the mixture of both substances triggered effects greater than the sum of their cumulative effects and compromised future sperm motility after a shorter time of exposure compared with the fungicides tested separately. The alliance of an ex vivo culture with omics strategies complemented with a physiological examination is a powerful combination of tools for testing substances, separately or in a mixture, for their testicular toxicity. In particular, proteomics allowed the iden­tification of systematically differentially expressed proteins in the secretomes of exposed cultures, such as FUCO and PEBP1, two proteins linked with the motility and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, respectively. These proteins may be potential biomarkers of testicular dysfunction and infertility.

Ex vivo assessment of testicular toxicity induced by carbendazim and iprodione, alone or in a mixture-suppl4

To measure the testicular toxicity of two fungicides (carbendazim and iprodione), alone or in a mixture, we used a rat ex vivo model of seminiferous tubules, greatly reducing the number of rodents used, in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This model allows the representation of puberty, a critical life period with regard to endocrine disruptors. The cellular modifications were followed for three weeks through transcriptomic and proteomic profiling analysis. A quantitative and comparative method was developed to estimate how known pathways were disturbed by each substance. This pathway-driven analysis revealed a strong alteration of steroidogenesis and an impairment of meiosis in all cases, albeit the initial molecular events were different for both substances. The ex vivo cytogenetic analysis confirmed that both fungicides alter the course of the first meiotic prophase. In addition, the mixture of both substances triggered effects greater than the sum of their cumulative effects and compromised future sperm motility after a shorter time of exposure compared with the fungicides tested separately. The alliance of an ex vivo culture with omics strategies complemented with a physiological examination is a powerful combination of tools for testing substances, separately or in a mixture, for their testicular toxicity. In particular, proteomics allowed the iden­tification of systematically differentially expressed proteins in the secretomes of exposed cultures, such as FUCO and PEBP1, two proteins linked with the motility and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, respectively. These proteins may be potential biomarkers of testicular dysfunction and infertility.

Ex vivo assessment of testicular toxicity induced by carbendazim and iprodione, alone or in a mixture-suppl5

To measure the testicular toxicity of two fungicides (carbendazim and iprodione), alone or in a mixture, we used a rat ex vivo model of seminiferous tubules, greatly reducing the number of rodents used, in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This model allows the representation of puberty, a critical life period with regard to endocrine disruptors. The cellular modifications were followed for three weeks through transcriptomic and proteomic profiling analysis. A quantitative and comparative method was developed to estimate how known pathways were disturbed by each substance. This pathway-driven analysis revealed a strong alteration of steroidogenesis and an impairment of meiosis in all cases, albeit the initial molecular events were different for both substances. The ex vivo cytogenetic analysis confirmed that both fungicides alter the course of the first meiotic prophase. In addition, the mixture of both substances triggered effects greater than the sum of their cumulative effects and compromised future sperm motility after a shorter time of exposure compared with the fungicides tested separately. The alliance of an ex vivo culture with omics strategies complemented with a physiological examination is a powerful combination of tools for testing substances, separately or in a mixture, for their testicular toxicity. In particular, proteomics allowed the iden­tification of systematically differentially expressed proteins in the secretomes of exposed cultures, such as FUCO and PEBP1, two proteins linked with the motility and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, respectively. These proteins may be potential biomarkers of testicular dysfunction and infertility.

Ex vivo assessment of testicular toxicity induced by carbendazim and iprodione, alone or in a mixture.

To measure the testicular toxicity of two fungicides (carbendazim and iprodione), alone or in a mixture, we used a rat ex vivo model of seminiferous tubules, greatly reducing the number of rodents used, in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This model allows the representation of puberty, a critical life period with regard to endocrine disruptors. The cellular modifications were followed for three weeks through transcriptomic and proteomic profiling analysis. A quantitative and comparative method was developed to estimate how known pathways were disturbed by each substance. This pathway-driven analysis revealed a strong alteration of steroidogenesis and an impairment of meiosis in all cases, albeit the initial molecular events were different for both substances. The ex vivo cytogenetic analysis confirmed that both fungicides alter the course of the first meiotic prophase. In addition, the mixture of both substances triggered effects greater than the sum of their cumulative effects and compromised future sperm motility after a shorter time of exposure compared with the fungicides tested separately. The alliance of an ex vivo culture with "omics" strategies complemented with a physiological examination is a powerful combination of tools for testing substances, separately or in a mixture, for their testicular toxicity. In particular, proteomics allowed the identification of systematically differentially expressed proteins in the secretomes of exposed cultures, such as FUCO and PEBP1, two proteins linked with the motility and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, respectively. These proteins may be potential biomarkers of testicular dysfunction and infertility.

Ex vivo assessment of testicular toxicity induced by carbendazim and iprodione, alone or in a mixture-suppl2

To measure the testicular toxicity of two fungicides (carbendazim and iprodione), alone or in a mixture, we used a rat ex vivo model of seminiferous tubules, greatly reducing the number of rodents used, in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This model allows the representation of puberty, a critical life period with regard to endocrine disruptors. The cellular modifications were followed for three weeks through transcriptomic and proteomic profiling analysis. A quantitative and comparative method was developed to estimate how known pathways were disturbed by each substance. This pathway-driven analysis revealed a strong alteration of steroidogenesis and an impairment of meiosis in all cases, albeit the initial molecular events were different for both substances. The ex vivo cytogenetic analysis confirmed that both fungicides alter the course of the first meiotic prophase. In addition, the mixture of both substances triggered effects greater than the sum of their cumulative effects and compromised future sperm motility after a shorter time of exposure compared with the fungicides tested separately. The alliance of an ex vivo culture with omics strategies complemented with a physiological examination is a powerful combination of tools for testing substances, separately or in a mixture, for their testicular toxicity. In particular, proteomics allowed the iden­tification of systematically differentially expressed proteins in the secretomes of exposed cultures, such as FUCO and PEBP1, two proteins linked with the motility and fertilizing ability of spermatozoa, respectively. These proteins may be potential biomarkers of testicular dysfunction and infertility.