Differential Regulation of Hemichannels and Gap Junction Channels by RhoA GTPase and Actin Cytoskeleton: A Comparative Analysis of Cx43 and Cx26.

Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins that assemble into gap junction channels (GJCs) and hemichannels (HCs). Previous researches support the involvement of Rho GTPases and actin microfilaments in the trafficking of Cxs, formation of GJCs plaques, and regulation of channel activity. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether distinct types of Cxs HCs and GJCs respond differently to Rho GTPases or changes in actin polymerization/depolymerization dynamics. Our investigation revealed that inhibiting RhoA, a small GTPase that controls actin polymerization, or disrupting actin microfilaments with cytochalasin B (Cyto-B), resulted in reduced GJCs plaque size at appositional membranes and increased transport of HCs to non-appositional plasma membrane regions. Notably, these effects were consistent across different Cx types, since Cx26 and Cx43 exhibited similar responses, despite having distinct trafficking routes to the plasma membrane. Functional assessments showed that RhoA inhibition and actin depolymerization decreased the activity of Cx43 GJCs while significantly increasing HC activity. However, the functional status of GJCs and HCs composed of Cx26 remained unaffected. These results support the hypothesis that RhoA, through its control of the actin cytoskeleton, facilitates the transport of HCs to appositional cell membranes for GJCs formation while simultaneously limiting the positioning of free HCs at non-appositional cell membranes, independently of Cx type. This dynamic regulation promotes intercellular communications and reduces non-selective plasma membrane permeability through a Cx-type dependent mechanism, whereby the activity of Cx43 HCs and GJCs are differentially affected but Cx26 channels remain unchanged.

Participation of actin filaments, myosin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the formation and polarisation of tetraspore germ tube of Gelidium floridanum (Rhodophyta, Florideophyceae).

This study aimed to examine the evidence of direct interaction among actin, myosin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the polarisation and formation of the tetraspore germ tube of Gelidium floridanum. After release, tetraspores were exposed to cytochalasin B, latrunculin B, LY294002 and BDM for a period of 6 h. In control samples, formation of the germ tube occurred after the experimental period, with cellulose formation and elongated chloroplasts moving through the tube region in the presence of F-actin. In the presence of cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of F-actin, latrunculin B, an inhibitor of G-actin, and BDM, a myosin inhibitor, tetraspores showed no formation of the germ tube or cellulose. Spherical-shaped chloroplasts were observed in the central region with a few F-actin filaments in the periphery of the cytoplasm. Tetraspores treated with LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, showed no formation of the tube at the highest concentrations. Polarisation of cytoplasmic contents did not occur, only cellulose formation. It was concluded that F-actin directs the cell wall components and contributes to the maintenance of chloroplast shape and elongation during germ tube formation. PI3K plays a fundamental role in signalling for the asymmetric polarisation of F-actin. Thus, F-actin regulates the polarisation and germination processes of tetraspores of G. floridanum.

Chemical and physical methods of triploidy induction in Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) / Métodos químico e físico de indução à triploidia em Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793)

Three methods of triploidy (3N) induction were tested in diploid (2N) oysters Crassostrea gigas: two chemical methods cytochalasin-B (CB) and 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), and one physical method with temperature shock. The objective was to evaluate the triploidy induction technology using flow cytometry as a tool to check the results of induction. The experiments were performed in separate and a seawater temperature in the tanks was maintained at 25 C for all experiments. In the experiment I, the efficacy of triploidy induction was evaluated using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and 6-DMAP (390 mols L-1). In the experiment II, the efficiency of triploidy induction was tested using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and 6-DMAP (450 mols L-1). In the experiment III, the efficiency of triploidy induction was evaluated using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and temperature shock (25 to 36 C). In all three experiments, viable triploid larvae were obtained. However, in the experiments I and II (with chemical methods), high mortality of larvae was observed, especially for the treatment CB. From these results, it is suggested the replacement of CB by other methods of triploidy induction, due to its high cost and high toxicity to humans and to the environment.

Três métodos de indução à triploidia (3N) foram testados em ostras diplóides (2N) (Crassostrea gigas); dois métodos químicos, citocalasina-B (CB) e 6-dimetilaminopurina (6-DMAP), e um método físico, com choque de temperatura. O objetivo foi avaliar a tecnologia de indução à triploidia, utilizando a técnica de citometria de fluxo como ferramenta para verificação dos resultados de indução. Os experimentos foram realizados em separado, sendo que a temperatura da água do mar foi mantida em 25 C em todos os tanques. No experimento I, foi avaliada a eficácia da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e 6-DMAP (390 mols L-1). No experimento II, foi testada a eficiência da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e 6-DMAP (450 mols L-1). No experimento III, foi avaliada a eficiência da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e choque de temperatura (25-36 C). Nos três experimentos, foram obtidas larvas triplóides viáveis. Entretanto, nos experimentos I e II (com métodos químicos), observou-se elevada mortalidade das larvas, especialmente para o tratamento CB. A partir destes resultados, a substituição de CB por outros métodos de indução à triploidia é sugerida, devido ao seu elevado custo e elevada toxicidade para os seres humanos e para o meio ambiente.

Chemical and physical methods of triploidy induction in Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793) / Métodos químico e físico de indução à triploidia em Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793)

Three methods of triploidy (3N) induction were tested in diploid (2N) oysters Crassostrea gigas: two chemical methods cytochalasin-B (CB) and 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), and one physical method with temperature shock. The objective was to evaluate the triploidy induction technology using flow cytometry as a tool to check the results of induction. The experiments were performed in separate and a seawater temperature in the tanks was maintained at 25 C for all experiments. In the experiment I, the efficacy of triploidy induction was evaluated using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and 6-DMAP (390 mols L-1). In the experiment II, the efficiency of triploidy induction was tested using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and 6-DMAP (450 mols L-1). In the experiment III, the efficiency of triploidy induction was evaluated using CB (0.5 mg L-1) and temperature shock (25 to 36 C). In all three experiments, viable triploid larvae were obtained. However, in the experiments I and II (with chemical methods), high mortality of larvae was observed, especially for the treatment CB. From these results, it is suggested the replacement of CB by other methods of triploidy induction, due to its high cost and high toxicity to humans and to the environment.(AU)

Três métodos de indução à triploidia (3N) foram testados em ostras diplóides (2N) (Crassostrea gigas); dois métodos químicos, citocalasina-B (CB) e 6-dimetilaminopurina (6-DMAP), e um método físico, com choque de temperatura. O objetivo foi avaliar a tecnologia de indução à triploidia, utilizando a técnica de citometria de fluxo como ferramenta para verificação dos resultados de indução. Os experimentos foram realizados em separado, sendo que a temperatura da água do mar foi mantida em 25 C em todos os tanques. No experimento I, foi avaliada a eficácia da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e 6-DMAP (390 mols L-1). No experimento II, foi testada a eficiência da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e 6-DMAP (450 mols L-1). No experimento III, foi avaliada a eficiência da indução à triploidia com CB (0,5 mg L-1) e choque de temperatura (25-36 C). Nos três experimentos, foram obtidas larvas triplóides viáveis. Entretanto, nos experimentos I e II (com métodos químicos), observou-se elevada mortalidade das larvas, especialmente para o tratamento CB. A partir destes resultados, a substituição de CB por outros métodos de indução à triploidia é sugerida, devido ao seu elevado custo e elevada toxicidade para os seres humanos e para o meio ambiente.(AU)

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. on HepG2 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Euphorbia hyssopifolia L. is a weed with recognized antimicrobial potential employed in Indian, Asian and Latin-American popular medicine. However, little is known with regard to its toxic potential. The present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of ethanolic extract of E. hyssopifolia in HepG2 cell culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract was carried out to determine the presence of active secondary plant metabolites. Six concentrations (0.00001, 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0mg/mL) of ethanolic extract were tested by the MTT assay to verify cytotoxicity. Then, genotoxic evaluations (alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay - CBMN) were carried out in HepG2 cells with extract concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0mg/mL. RESULTS: Mono and sesquiterpenes, triterpenes and steroids, and flavonoids were the main classes found in the phytochemical screening. Extract concentrations used in the MTT assay showed no cytotoxic activity. On the other hand, genotoxic activity was verified at 0.1 and 1.0mg/mL in the alkaline comet assay. Additionally, the 1.0mg/mL concentration induced severe cell damage leading to death in the CBMN assay, indicating a cytotoxic effect for this concentration in the latter method. CONCLUSION: The use of E. hyssopifolia extract for medicinal purposes should be avoided, because concentrations above 0.01mg/mL may pose risk to human health due to cytotoxic and/or genotoxic effects.

High resolution measurement of the glycolytic rate.

The glycolytic rate is sensitive to physiological activity, hormones, stress, aging, and malignant transformation. Standard techniques to measure the glycolytic rate are based on radioactive isotopes, are not able to resolve single cells and have poor temporal resolution, limitations that hamper the study of energy metabolism in the brain and other organs. A new method is described in this article, which makes use of a recently developed FRET glucose nanosensor to measure the rate of glycolysis in single cells with high temporal resolution. Used in cultured astrocytes, the method showed for the first time that glycolysis can be activated within seconds by a combination of glutamate and K(+), supporting a role for astrocytes in neurometabolic and neurovascular coupling in the brain. It was also possible to make a direct comparison of metabolism in neurons and astrocytes lying in close proximity, paving the way to a high-resolution characterization of brain energy metabolism. Single-cell glycolytic rates were also measured in fibroblasts, adipocytes, myoblasts, and tumor cells, showing higher rates for undifferentiated cells and significant metabolic heterogeneity within cell types. This method should facilitate the investigation of tissue metabolism at the single-cell level and is readily adaptable for high-throughput analysis.

Effects of the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on mouse oocyte activation and development

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors acting as trophic suppliers, but little is known regarding the effects of conditioned medium (CM) of MSCs isolated from femurs and tibias of mouse on the artificial activation of mouse oocytes and on the developmental competence of the parthenotes. In the current study, we investigated the effect of CM on the events of mouse oocyte activation, namely oscillations of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²+]i), meiosis resumption, pronucleus formation, and parthenogenetic development. The surface markers of MSCs were identified with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The dynamic changes of the spindle and formation of pronuclei were examined by laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Exposure of cumulus-oocyte complexes to CM for 40 min was optimal for inducing oocyte parthenogenetic activation and evoking [Ca²+]i oscillations similar to those evoked by sperm (95 vs 100 percent; P > 0.05). Parthenogenetically activated oocytes immediately treated with 7.5 µg/mL cytochalasin B (CB), which inhibited spindle rotation and second polar body extrusion, were mostly diploid (93 vs 6 percent, P < 0.01) while CB-untreated oocytes were mostly haploid (5 vs 83 percent, P < 0.01). Consequently, the blastocyst rate was higher in the CB-treated than in the CB-untreated oocytes. There was no significant difference in developmental rate between oocytes activated with CM and 7 percent ethanol (62 vs 62 percent, P > 0.05), but the developmental competence of the fertilized oocytes was superior to that of the parthenotes (88 vs 62 percent, P < 0.05). The present results demonstrate that CM can effectively activate mouse oocytes, as judged by the generation of [Ca²+]i oscillations, completion of meiosis and parthenogenetic development.

Vitrification of oocytes and in vitro produced bovine embryos exposed to cytochalasin B / Vitrificação de oócitos e embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro e expostos à citocalasina B

In this study, the influence of cytochalasin B on the survival and development after vitrification of oocytes and in vitro produced (IVP) bovine blastocysts was evaluated. In the Experiment I, 956 oocytes were matured for 22h and were immediately vitrified (Vitri treatment) or exposed for 15-20 minutes, to 7.5µg/ml (CB7.5Vitri treatment) or 45µg/ml (CB45Vitri treatment) cytochalasin B solutions, before vitrification. After 30 seconds of exposure to SV1 [400µl TCM-Hepes with 10% fetal serum (SF), 50µl ethylene glycol (EG) and 50µl DMSO], and 20 seconds to SV2 (300µl trehalose 1,0M + 20% SF, 100µl EG and 100µl DMSO) solutions, the oocytes were vitrified in Open Pulled Straws (OPS). The rewarming was performed at 37-38ºC in two steps of 5 minutes each, into 0.3 and 0.15M trehalose solutions, respectively. There was no difference (P>;0.05) in the cleavage and embryo rates between Vitri, Cito7.5Vitri and Cito45Vitri treatments, which were inferior to control group (P;0.05), which were lower than those observed in the Control group (P 0.05). The results show that, independently of dose studied (7.5 or 45mg/ml), cytochalasin B has not a beneficial effect to the vitrification of oocytes and IVP bovine blastocysts.

Foi avaliada a influência da citocalasina B na vitrificação de oócitos e embriões bovinos produzidos in vitro. No Experimento I, 956 oócitos foram maturados por 22h, sendo imediatamente vitrificados (tratamento Vitri) ou expostos por 15 a 20 minutos, à solução com 7,5µg/mL (tratamento CB7,5Vitri) ou 45µg/mL (tratamento CB45Vitri) de citocalasina B, antes da vitrificação. Após 30 segundos de exposição à SV1 [400µl TCM-Hepes com 10% soro fetal (SF), 50µl etilenoglicol (EG) e 50µl DMSO], e 20 segundos à SV2 (300µl trealose 1,0M + 20% SF, 100µl EG e 100µl DMSO), os oócitos foram vitrificados em palhetas estiradas (OPS). O reaquecimento foi realizado a 37-38ºC em duas etapas de 5 minutos cada, em trealose 0,3M e 0,15M. Não houve diferenças (P>;0,05) nos percentuais de clivagem e desenvolvimento embrionário entre os tratamentos Vitri, Cito7,5Vitri e Cito45Vitri, os quais foram inferiores (P;0,05) no percentual de re-expansão e eclosão entre os grupos Vitri e CB45Vitri, os quais foram inferiores (P 0,05) ao grupo controle. Os resultados indicam que, independentemente da dose utilizada, a exposição a citocalasina B não produz efeito benéfico na vitrificação de oócitos ou blastocistos bovinos produzidos in vitro.