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Special Issue "How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0"

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A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2023 | Viewed by 15788

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Prof. Dr. Jacek Z. Kubiak

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Dynamics and Mechanics of Epithelia Group, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, University of Rennes, CNRS, UMR 6290, 35043 Rennes, France
Interests: embryo development; cell cycle; gene regulation; cancer; stem cells; gonads; genetic diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Malgorzata Kloc

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Transplant Immunology, The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Interests: macrophages; actin cytoskeleton; RhoA pathway; chronic rejection; transplantation; germ cells; Xenopus laevis; development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The correct timing of molecular and cellular events is critical for embryo development, cell/tissue homeostasis, and functions in all organisms. One example of this importance is the temporal regulation of cell cycle events. The cell cycle has to proceed in a well-defined time frame to assure, for example, the coordination between cell proliferation and the embryo developmental program. The checkpoint mechanisms monitor if the necessary processes have been completed before starting the new ones. Thus, the precise timely coordination between molecular pathways and their specific regulation in different conditions allows the harmonious functioning of cells, tissues, and organs. Another example is a circadian rhythm, which refers to any biological process occurring with an approximately 24-hour oscillation. As all aspects of cell physiology require a precise time control, the defects in this control may contribute to a number of diseases, including cancers, diabetes, and metabolic or behavioral disorders, and many more.

For this Special Issue, we invite research articles and review articles on all aspects of temporal regulation in cells and tissues, and particularly those which contribute to our understanding of the role of the time-dependent coordination between molecular pathways in physiological vs. pathological conditions. We hope that colleagues from many different fields of biology and medicine who are interested in the research question “How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0” will contribute to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Jacek Z Kubiak
Prof. Dr. Malgorzata Kloc
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

timing regulation
molecular processes
cellular processes
cell cycle
circadian rhythm
embryo development
metabolism
cancer
diabetes

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How the Timing of Biological Processes is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? in Biology (5 articles)

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Open AccessArticle

Modeling the Circadian Control of the Cell Cycle and Its Consequences for Cancer Chronotherapy

Courtney Leung

Claude Gérard

and

Didier Gonze

Biology 2023, 12(4), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040612 - 18 Apr 2023

Viewed by 784

Abstract

The mammalian cell cycle is governed by a network of cyclin/Cdk complexes which signal the progression into the successive phases of the cell division cycle. Once coupled to the circadian clock, this network produces oscillations with a 24 h period such that the progression into each phase of the cell cycle is synchronized to the day–night cycle. Here, we use a computational model for the circadian clock control of the cell cycle to investigate the entrainment in a population of cells characterized by some variability in the kinetic parameters. Our numerical simulations showed that successful entrainment and synchronization are only possible with a sufficient circadian amplitude and an autonomous period close to 24 h. Cellular heterogeneity, however, introduces some variability in the entrainment phase of the cells. Many cancer cells have a disrupted clock or compromised clock control. In these conditions, the cell cycle runs independently of the circadian clock, leading to a lack of synchronization of cancer cells. When the coupling is weak, entrainment is largely impacted, but cells maintain a tendency to divide at specific times of day. These differential entrainment features between healthy and cancer cells can be exploited to optimize the timing of anti-cancer drug administration in order to minimize their toxicity and to maximize their efficacy. We then used our model to simulate such chronotherapeutic treatments and to predict the optimal timing for anti-cancer drugs targeting specific phases of the cell cycle. Although qualitative, the model highlights the need to better characterize cellular heterogeneity and synchronization in cell populations as well as their consequences for circadian entrainment in order to design successful chronopharmacological protocols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

HN1 Is Enriched in the S-Phase, Phosphorylated in Mitosis, and Contributes to Cyclin B1 Degradation in Prostate Cancer Cells

and

Biology 2023, 12(2), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12020189 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1303

Abstract

HN1 has previously been shown as overexpressed in various cancers. In Prostate cancer, it regulates AR signaling and centrosome-related functions. Previously, in two different studies, HN1 expression has been observed as inversely correlated with Cyclin B1. However, HN1 interacting partners and the role of HN1 interactions in cell cycle pathways have not been completely elucidated. Therefore, we used Prostate cancer cell lines again and utilized both transient and stable inducible overexpression systems to delineate the role of HN1 in the cell cycle. HN1 characterization was performed using treatments of kinase inhibitors, western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, cellular fractionation, and immunoprecipitation approaches. Our findings suggest that HN1 overexpression before mitosis (post-G2), using both transient and stable expression systems, leads to S-phase accumulation and causes early mitotic exit after post-G2 overexpression. Mechanistically, HN1 interacted with Cyclin B1 and increased its degradation via ubiquitination through stabilized Cdh1, which is a co-factor of the APC/C complex. Stably HN1-expressing cells exhibited a reduced Cdt1 loading onto chromatin, demonstrating an exit from a G1 to S phenotype. We found HN1 and Cdh1 interaction as a new regulator of the Cyclin B1/CDK1 axis in mitotic regulation which can be explored further to dissect the roles of HN1 in the cell cycle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

The Dynamics of miR-449a/c Expression during Uterine Cycles Are Associated with Endometrial Development

and

Biology 2023, 12(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010055 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1177

Abstract

The human endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue. Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRs) play essential roles in human endometrium development. Our previous assay, based on small RNA-sequencing (sRNA-seq) indicated the complexity and dynamics of numerous sequence variants of miRs (isomiRs) that can act together to control genes of functional relevance to the receptive endometrium (RE). Here, we used a greater average depth of sRNA-seq to detect poorly expressed small RNAs. The sequencing data confirmed the up-regulation of miR-449c and uncovered other members of the miR-449 family up-regulated in RE—among them miR-449a, as well as several isoforms of both miR-449a and miR-449c, while the third family member, miR-449b, was not identified. Stem-looped RT-qPCR analysis of miR expression at four-time points of the endometrial cycle verified the increased expression of the miR-449a/c family members in RE, among which the 5′ isoform of miR-449c–miR-449c.1 was the most strongly up-regulated. Moreover, we found in a case study that the expression of miR-449c.1 and its precursor correlated with the histological assessment of the endometrial phase and patient age. We believe this study will promote the clinical investigation and application of the miR-449 family in the diagnosis and prognosis of human reproductive diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

eIF4B mRNA Translation Contributes to Cleavage Dynamics in Early Sea Urchin Embryos

and

Biology 2022, 11(10), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11101408 - 27 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1075

Abstract

During the first steps of sea urchin development, fertilization elicits a marked increase in protein synthesis essential for subsequent cell divisions. While the translation of mitotic cyclin mRNAs is crucial, we hypothesized that additional mRNAs must be translated to finely regulate the onset into mitosis. One of the maternal mRNAs recruited onto active polysomes at this stage codes for the initiation factor eIF4B. Here, we show that the sea urchin eIF4B orthologs present the four specific domains essential for eIF4B function and that Paracentrotus lividus eIF4B copurifies with eIF4E in a heterologous system. In addition, we investigated the role of eIF4B mRNA de novo translation during the two first embryonic divisions of two species, P. lividus and Sphaerechinus granularis. Our results show that injection of a morpholino directed against eIF4B mRNA results in a downregulation of translational activity and delays cell division in these two echinoids. Conversely, injection of an mRNA encoding for P. lividus eIF4B stimulates translation and significantly accelerates cleavage rates. Taken together, our findings suggest that eIF4B mRNA de novo translation participates in a conserved regulatory loop that contributes to orchestrating protein synthesis and modulates cell division rhythm during early sea urchin development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessArticle

Magnetic Fluctuations Entrain the Circadian Rhythm of Locomotor Activity in Zebrafish: Can Cryptochrome Be Involved?

and

Biology 2022, 11(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040591 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1912

Abstract

In the 1960s, it was hypothesized that slow magnetic fluctuations could be a secondary zeitgeber for biological circadian rhythms. However, no comprehensive experimental research has been carried out to test the entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by this zeitgeber. We studied the circadian patterns of the locomotor activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) under different combinations of light regimes and slow magnetic fluctuations, based on a record of natural geomagnetic variation. A rapid synchronization of activity rhythms to an unusual 24:12 light/dark cycle was found under magnetic fluctuations with a period of 36 h. Under constant illumination, significant locomotor activity rhythms with 26.17 h and 33.07 h periods were registered in zebrafish exposed to magnetic fluctuations of 26.8 h and 33.76 h, respectively. The results reveal the potential of magnetic fluctuations for entrainment of circadian rhythms in zebrafish and genuine prospects to manipulate circadian oscillators via magnetic fields. The putative mechanisms responsible for the entrainment are discussed, including the possible role of cryptochromes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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CDC6 as a Key Inhibitory Regulator of CDK1 Activation Dynamics and the Timing of Mitotic Entry and Progression

and

Biology 2023, 12(6), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12060855 - 14 Jun 2023

Viewed by 821

Abstract

Timely mitosis is critically important for early embryo development. It is regulated by the activity of the conserved protein kinase CDK1. The dynamics of CDK1 activation must be precisely controlled to assure physiologic and timely entry into mitosis. Recently, a known S-phase regulator CDC6 emerged as a key player in mitotic CDK1 activation cascade in early embryonic divisions, operating together with Xic1 as a CDK1 inhibitor upstream of the Aurora A and PLK1, both CDK1 activators. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms that underlie the control of mitotic timing, with special emphasis on how CDC6/Xic1 function impacts CDK1 regulatory network in the Xenopus system. We focus on the presence of two independent mechanisms inhibiting the dynamics of CDK1 activation, namely Wee1/Myt1- and CDC6/Xic1-dependent, and how they cooperate with CDK1-activating mechanisms. As a result, we propose a comprehensive model integrating CDC6/Xic1-dependent inhibition into the CDK1-activation cascade. The physiological dynamics of CDK1 activation appear to be controlled by the system of multiple inhibitors and activators, and their integrated modulation ensures concomitantly both the robustness and certain flexibility of the control of this process. Identification of multiple activators and inhibitors of CDK1 upon M-phase entry allows for a better understanding of why cells divide at a specific time and how the pathways involved in the timely regulation of cell division are all integrated to precisely tune the control of mitotic events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Giant Multinucleated Cells in Aging and Senescence—An Abridgement

and

Biology 2022, 11(8), 1121; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11081121 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2067

Abstract

This review introduces the subject of senescence, aging, and the formation of senescent multinucleated giant cells. We define senescence and aging and describe how molecular and cellular senescence leads to organismal senescence. We review the latest information on senescent cells’ cellular and molecular phenotypes. We describe molecular and cellular features of aging and senescence and the role of multinucleated giant cells in aging-related conditions and cancer. We explain how multinucleated giant cells form and their role in aging arteries and gonads. We also describe how multinucleated giant cells and the reversibility of senescence initiate cancer and lead to cancer progression and metastasis. We also describe molecules and pathways regulating aging and senescence in model systems and their applicability to clinical therapies in age-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessReview

S Phase Duration Is Determined by Local Rate and Global Organization of Replication

Avraham Greenberg

and

Itamar Simon

Biology 2022, 11(5), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11050718 - 07 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2003

Abstract

The duration of the cell cycle has been extensively studied and a wide degree of variability exists between cells, tissues and organisms. However, the duration of S phase has often been neglected, due to the false assumption that S phase duration is relatively constant. In this paper, we describe the methodologies to measure S phase duration, summarize the existing knowledge about its variability and discuss the key factors that control it. The local rate of replication (LRR), which is a combination of fork rate (FR) and inter-origin distance (IOD), has a limited influence on S phase duration, partially due to the compensation between FR and IOD. On the other hand, the organization of the replication program, specifically the amount of replication domains that fire simultaneously and the degree of overlap between the firing of distinct replication timing domains, is the main determinant of S phase duration. We use these principles to explain the variation in S phase length in different tissues and conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Open AccessReview

Multi-Modal Regulation of Circadian Physiology by Interactive Features of Biological Clocks

Yool Lee

and

Jonathan P. Wisor

Biology 2022, 11(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11010021 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3419

Abstract

The circadian clock is a fundamental biological timing mechanism that generates nearly 24 h rhythms of physiology and behaviors, including sleep/wake cycles, hormone secretion, and metabolism. Evolutionarily, the endogenous clock is thought to confer living organisms, including humans, with survival benefits by adapting internal rhythms to the day and night cycles of the local environment. Mirroring the evolutionary fitness bestowed by the circadian clock, daily mismatches between the internal body clock and environmental cycles, such as irregular work (e.g., night shift work) and life schedules (e.g., jet lag, mistimed eating), have been recognized to increase the risk of cardiac, metabolic, and neurological diseases. Moreover, increasing numbers of studies with cellular and animal models have detected the presence of functional circadian oscillators at multiple levels, ranging from individual neurons and fibroblasts to brain and peripheral organs. These oscillators are tightly coupled to timely modulate cellular and bodily responses to physiological and metabolic cues. In this review, we will discuss the roles of central and peripheral clocks in physiology and diseases, highlighting the dynamic regulatory interactions between circadian timing systems and multiple metabolic factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue How the Timing of Biological Processes Is Controlled and Modified at the Molecular and Cellular Level? 2.0)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Multi-modal Regulation of Circadian Physiology by Interactive Features of Biological Clocks
Authors: Yool Lee
Affiliation: Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA.
Abstract: Circadian clock is a fundamental biological timing mechanism that generates nearly 24-hour rhythms of physiology and behaviors including sleep/wake cycles, hormone secretion, and metabolism. Evolutionarily, the endogenous clock is thought to confer living organisms including human with survival benefits by adapting the internal rhythms to the day and night cycles of the environments. Mirroring the life fitness bestowed by the circadian clock, the daily mismatch between the internal body clock and environmental cycles such as irregular work (e.g. night shift) and life schedules (e.g, jet lag, mistimed eating) has been recognized to increase the risk of cardiac, metabolic, and neurological diseases. Increasing studies with cellular and animal models have unraveled the presence of functional circadian oscillators in multiple levels ranging from individual neurons and fibroblasts to brain and peripheral tissues. The circadian oscillators are tightly-coupled to timely modulate the cellular and bodily responses to physiological and metabolic cues. In this review, we discuss the roles of central and peripheral clocks in physiology and diseases, highlighting the dynamic regulatory interactions between circadian timing systems and multiple metabolic factors.

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