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Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 30302

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Prof. Dr. Bartosz Płachno

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Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 9 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Cracow, Poland
Interests: plant biology; cell ultrastructure; pollination; carnivorous plants; plant anatomy; cell wall structure and function
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Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Kotula-Balak

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University Center of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
Interests: physiology; pathology; endocrine tissues; reproductive system; hormones; cell biology; receptor signaling
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Prof. Dr. Petr Babula

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Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
Interests: reactive oxygen and nitrogen species; apoptosis; cell deaths
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cell, subcellular and extracellular component organization at structural, molecular and biophysical levels including the grouping and interrelations of cells in tissues and organs in health and desease still needs investigations. In this special issue, article on various aspects of cell biology e.g. cell compartments, organella and membrane biogenesis and dynamics, macromolecules and their intracellular transport, whole-cell locomotion, cytoskeleton organization, signaling and regulatory cascades, the cell-cycle and cell-to-cell communication are especially welcome. Novel insights into structure, specialization, function and physiology of cells, tissues and organs together with medical aspects of cell biology are invited. Environmental and toxicologic effects on tissue and organ function will be of special interest. Integrative actions of gene and their products, regulatory mechnisms as well as their impact on the development, regeneration of tissue structural and functional status including the use of newly described and advanced methods/techniques will be especially accepted.

Therefore, in this Special Issue of IJMS, we invite you to submit both review and original papers on the topic of widely understood cell biology.

Prof. Dr. Bartosz Jan Płachno
Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Kotula-Balak
Prof. Dr. Petr Babula
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

Plant and animal cell
Ultrastructure
Cell biology
Cell development
Cell regeneration
Cell signaling
Tissue histology
Tissue physiology and pathology
Environemtal effects
Toxicology

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 4557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cellular and Gene Expression Response to the Combination of Genistein and Kaempferol in the Treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I

by Magdalena Węsierska, Anna Kloska, Diego L. Medina, Joanna Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka, Magdalena Gabig-Cimińska, Marta Radzińska, Marta Moskot and Marcelina Malinowska

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031058 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1634

Abstract

Flavonoids are investigated as therapeutics for mucopolysaccharidosis, a metabolic disorder with impaired glycosaminoglycan degradation. Here we determined the effects of genistein and kaempferol, used alone or in combination, on cellular response and gene expression in a mucopolysaccharidosis type I model. We assessed the cell cycle, viability, proliferation, subcellular localization of the translocation factor EB (TFEB), number and distribution of lysosomes, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis after exposure to flavonoids. Global gene expression was analysed using DNA microarray and quantitative PCR. The type and degree of flavonoid interaction were determined based on the combination and dose reduction indexes. The combination of both flavonoids synergistically inhibits glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates TFEB localization, lysosomal number, and distribution. Genistein and kaempferol in a 1:1 ratio regulate the expression of 52% of glycosaminoglycan metabolism genes. Flavonoids show synergy, additivity, or slight antagonism in all analysed parameters, and the type of interaction depends on the concentration and component ratios. With the simultaneous use of genistein and kaempferol in a ratio of 4:1, even a 10-fold reduction in the concentration of kaempferol is possible. Flavonoid mixtures, used as the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis, are effective in reducing glycosaminoglycan production and storage and show a slight cytotoxic effect compared to single-flavonoid usage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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15 pages, 2844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Different Patterns of mRNA Nuclear Retention during Meiotic Prophase in Larch Microsporocytes

by Karolina Majewska, Patrycja Wróblewska-Ankiewicz, Magda Rudzka, Malwina Hyjek-Składanowska, Marcin Gołębiewski, Dariusz Jan Smoliński and Agnieszka Kołowerzo-Lubnau

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 8501; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22168501 - 07 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2070

Abstract

Recent studies show a crucial role of post-transcriptional processes in the regulation of gene expression. Our research has shown that mRNA retention in the nucleus plays a significant role in such regulation. We studied larch microsporocytes during meiotic prophase, characterized by pulsatile transcriptional activity. After each pulse, the transcriptional activity is silenced, but the transcripts synthesized at this time are not exported immediately to the cytoplasm but are retained in the cell nucleus and especially in Cajal bodies, where non-fully-spliced transcripts with retained introns are accumulated. Analysis of the transcriptome of these cells and detailed analysis of the nuclear retention and transport dynamics of several mRNAs revealed two main patterns of nuclear accumulation and transport. The majority of studied transcripts followed the first one, consisting of a more extended retention period and slow release to the cytoplasm. We have shown this in detail for the pre-mRNA and mRNA encoding RNA pol II subunit 10. In this pre-mRNA, a second (retained) intron is posttranscriptionally spliced at a precisely defined time. Fully mature mRNA is then released into the cytoplasm, where the RNA pol II complexes are produced. These proteins are necessary for transcription in the next pulse to occur.mRNAs encoding translation factors and SERRATE followed the second pattern, in which the retention period was shorter and transcripts were rapidly transferred to the cytoplasm. The presence of such a mechanism in various cell types from a diverse range of organisms suggests that it is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of gene regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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14 pages, 4034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The G-Protein-Coupled Membrane Estrogen Receptor Is Present in Horse Cryptorchid Testes and Mediates Downstream Pathways

by Maciej Witkowski, Laura Pardyak, Piotr Pawlicki, Anna Galuszka, Magdalena Profaska-Szymik, Bartosz J. Plachno, Samuel Kantor, Michal Duliban and Malgorzata Kotula-Balak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(13), 7131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22137131 - 01 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2452

Abstract

Cryptorchidism in horses is a commonly occurring malformation. The molecular basis of this pathology is not fully known. In addition, the origins of high intratesticular estrogen levels in horses remain obscure. In order to investigate the role of the G-protein-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (GPER) and establish histological and biochemical cryptorchid testis status, healthy and cryptorchid horse testes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy analysis, histochemical staining for total protein (with naphthol blue black; NBB), acid content (with toluidine blue O; TBO), and polysaccharide content (with periodic acid–Schiff; PAS). The expression of GPER was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. GPER-mediated intracellular cAMP and calcium (Ca2+) signaling were measured immunoenzymatically or colorimetrically. Our data revealed changes in the distribution of polysaccharide content but not the protein and acid content in the cryptorchid testis. Polysaccharides seemed to be partially translocated from the interstitial compartment to the seminiferous tubule compartment. Moreover, the markedly decreased expression of GPER and GPER downstream molecules, cAMP and Ca2+, suggests their potential role in testis pathology. Increased estrogen levels in cryptorchid conditions may be linked to disturbed GPER signaling. We postulate that GPER is a prominent key player in testis development and function and may be used as a new biomarker of horse testis in health and disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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16 pages, 4996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Cell Wall Components in the Placentas, Ovules and Female Gametophytes of Utricularia during Pollination

by Bartosz Jan Płachno, Małgorzata Kapusta, Piotr Świątek, Krzysztof Banaś, Vitor F. O. Miranda and Anna Bogucka-Kocka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(11), 5622; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115622 - 25 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2696

Abstract

In most angiosperms, the female gametophyte is hidden in the mother tissues and the pollen tube enters the ovule via a micropylar canal. The mother tissues play an essential role in the pollen tube guidance. However, in Utricularia, the female gametophyte surpasses the entire micropylar canal and extends beyond the limit of the integument. The female gametophyte then invades the placenta and a part of the central cell has direct contact with the ovary chamber. To date, information about the role of the placenta and integument in pollen tube guidance in Utricularia, which have extra-ovular female gametophytes, has been lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the placenta, central cell and integument in pollen tube pollen tube guidance in Utricularia nelumbifolia Gardner and Utricularia humboldtii R.H. Schomb. by studying the production of arabinogalactan proteins. It was also determined whether the production of the arabinogalactan proteins is dependent on pollination in Utricularia. In both of the examined species, arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) were observed in the placenta (epidermis and nutritive tissue), ovule (integument, chalaza), and female gametophyte of both pollinated and unpollinated flowers, which means that the production of AGPs is independent of pollination; however, the production of some AGPs was lower after fertilization. There were some differences in the production of AGPs between the examined species. The occurrence of AGPs in the placental epidermis and nutritive tissue suggests that they function as an obturator. The production of some AGPs in the ovular tissues (nucellus, integument) was independent of the presence of a mature embryo sac. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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13 pages, 1831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Temperature Alters Secondary Metabolites and Photosynthetic Efficiency in Heracleum sosnowskyi

by Anna Rysiak, Sławomir Dresler, Agnieszka Hanaka, Barbara Hawrylak-Nowak, Maciej Strzemski, Jozef Kováčik, Ireneusz Sowa, Michał Latalski and Magdalena Wójciak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(9), 4756; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094756 - 30 Apr 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2290

Abstract

Due to global warming, invasive species have spread across the world. We therefore studied the impact of short-term (1 day or 2 days) and longer (7 days) heat stress on photosynthesis and secondary metabolites in Heracleum sosnowskyi, one of the important invasive species in the European Union. H. sosnowskyi leaves exposed to short-term heat stress (35 °C/1 d) showed a decrease in chlorophyll and maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) compared to control, 35 °C/2 d, or 30 °C/7 d treatments. In turn, the high level of lipid peroxidation and increased H₂O₂ accumulation indicated that the 30 °C/7 d stress induced oxidative damage. The contents of xanthotoxin and bergapten were elevated in the 2 d and 7 d treatments, while isopimpinellin was detected only in the heat-stressed plants. Additionally, the levels of free proline and anthocyanins significantly increased in response to high temperature, with a substantially higher increase in the 7 d (30 °C) treatment. The results indicate that the accumulation of proline, anthocyanins, and furanocoumarins, but not of phenolic acids or flavonols, contributes to protection of H. sosnowskyi plants against heat stress. Further studies could focus on the suppression of these metabolites to suppress the spread of this invasive species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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28 pages, 4078 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Transcriptomic Differences between Lower Extremities Arterial Disease, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Chronic Venous Disease in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Specimens

by Daniel P. Zalewski, Karol P. Ruszel, Andrzej Stępniewski, Dariusz Gałkowski, Jacek Bogucki, Przemysław Kołodziej, Jolanta Szymańska, Bartosz J. Płachno, Tomasz Zubilewicz, Marcin Feldo, Janusz Kocki and Anna Bogucka-Kocka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(6), 3200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22063200 - 21 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2858

Abstract

Several human tissues are investigated in studies of molecular biomarkers associated with diseases development. Special attention is focused on the blood and its components due to combining abundant information about systemic responses to pathological processes as well as high accessibility. In the current study, transcriptome profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to compare differentially expressed genes between patients with lower extremities arterial disease (LEAD), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and chronic venous disease (CVD). Gene expression patterns were generated using the Ion S5XL next-generation sequencing platform and were analyzed using DESeq2 and UVE-PLS methods implemented in R programming software. In direct pairwise analysis, 21, 58 and 10 differentially expressed genes were selected from the comparison of LEAD vs. AAA, LEAD vs. CVD and AAA vs. CVD patient groups, respectively. Relationships between expression of dysregulated genes and age, body mass index, creatinine levels, hypertension and medication were identified using Spearman rank correlation test and two-sided Mann–Whitney U test. The functional analysis, performed using DAVID website tool, provides potential implications of selected genes in pathological processes underlying diseases studied. Presented research provides new insight into differences of pathogenesis in LEAD, AAA and CVD, and selected genes could be considered as potential candidates for biomarkers useful in diagnosis and differentiation of studied diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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27 pages, 17607 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Comprehensive Analysis of Correlations in the Expression of miRNA Genes and Immune Checkpoint Genes in Bladder Cancer Cells

by Przemysław A. Stempor, Dror Avni, Raya Leibowitz, Yechezkel Sidi, Maria Stępień, Tomasz Dzieciątkowski and Paula Dobosz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2553; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052553 - 04 Mar 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3014

Abstract

Personalised medicine is the future and hope for many patients, including those with cancers. Early detection, as well as rapid, well-selected treatment, are key factors leading to a good prognosis. MicroRNA mediated gene regulation is a promising area of development for new diagnostic and therapeutic methods, crucial for better prospects for patients. Bladder cancer is a frequent neoplasm, with high lethality and lacking modern, advanced therapeutic modalities, such as immunotherapy. MicroRNAs are involved in bladder cancer pathogenesis, proliferation, control and response to treatment, which we summarise in this perspective in response to lack of recent review publications in this field. We further performed a correlation-based analysis of microRNA and gene expression data in bladder cancer (BLCA) TCGA dataset. We identified 27 microRNAs hits with opposite expression profiles to genes involved in immune response in bladder cancer, and 24 microRNAs hits with similar expression profiles. We discuss previous studies linking the functions of these microRNAs to bladder cancer and assess if they are good candidates for personalised medicine therapeutics and diagnostics. The discussed functions include regulation of gene expression, interplay with transcription factors, response to treatment, apoptosis, cell proliferation and angiogenesis, initiation and development of cancer, genome instability and tumour-associated inflammatory reaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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Review

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0 pages, 929 KiB

Open AccessReview

An Overview on Single-Cell Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnosis

by Sheik Aliya, Hoomin Lee, Munirah Alhammadi, Reddicherla Umapathi and Yun Suk Huh

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031402 - 26 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4586

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary liver cancer caused by the accumulation of genetic mutation patterns associated with epidemiological conditions. This lethal malignancy exhibits tumor heterogeneity, which is considered as one of the main reasons for drug resistance development and failure of clinical trials. Recently, single-cell technology (SCT), a new advanced sequencing technique that analyzes every single cell in a tumor tissue specimen, aids complete insight into the genetic heterogeneity of cancer. This helps in identifying and assessing rare cell populations by analyzing the difference in gene expression pattern between individual cells of single biopsy tissue which normally cannot be identified from pooled cell gene expression pattern (traditional sequencing technique). Thus, SCT improves the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma as the limitations of other techniques impede this cancer research progression. Application of SCT at the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic levels to promote individualized hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and therapy. The current review has been divided into ten sections. Herein we deliberated on the SCT, hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis, tumor microenvironment analysis, single-cell genomic sequencing, single-cell transcriptomics, single-cell omics sequencing for biomarker development, identification of hepatocellular carcinoma origination and evolution, limitations, challenges, conclusions, and future perspectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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14 pages, 8302 KiB

Open AccessReview

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Inhibitors of MMPs in the Avian Reproductive System: An Overview

by Anna Hrabia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(15), 8056; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22158056 - 28 Jul 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3497

Abstract

Many matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are produced in the mammalian reproductive system and participate in the regulation of its functions. In birds, the limited information available thus far indicates that MMPs are significant regulators of avian ovarian and oviductal functions, too. Some MMPs and inhibitors of MMPs are present in the hen reproductive tissues and their abundances and/or activities change according to the physiological state. The intraovarian role of MMPs likely includes the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during folliculogenesis, follicle atresia, and postovulatory regression. In the oviduct, MMPs are also involved in ECM turnover during oviduct development and regression. This study provides a review of the current knowledge on the presence, activity, and regulation of MMPs in the female reproductive system of birds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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27 pages, 17760 KiB

Open AccessReview

Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Modulators of Endothelium Functions

by Anna Bartáková and Marie Nováková

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(5), 2533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052533 - 03 Mar 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3078

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. They may be caused by various factors or combinations of factors. Frequently, endothelial dysfunction is involved in either development of the disorder or results from it. On the other hand, the endothelium may be disordered for other reasons, e.g., due to infection, such as COVID-19. The understanding of the role and significance of the endothelium in the body has changed significantly over time—from a simple physical barrier to a complex system encompassing local and systemic regulation of numerous processes in the body. Endothelium disorders may arise from impairment of one or more signaling pathways affecting dilator or constrictor activity, including nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate activation, prostacyclin–cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation, phosphodiesterase inhibition, and potassium channel activation or intracellular calcium level inhibition. In this review, plants are summarized as sources of biologically active substances affecting the endothelium. This paper compares individual substances and mechanisms that are known to affect the endothelium, and which subsequently may cause the development of cardiovascular disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal and Plant Cell–Tissue, Organ Specialization and Function: Investigational, Experimental and Medical Aspects 2.0)

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