Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
2.7
3.2
Journals
Life
Special Issues
Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization
share announcement

Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 November 2021) | Viewed by 11964

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Irina V. Ogneva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Cell Biophysics Laboratory, State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia
2. Medical and Biological Physics Department, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
Interests: cell mechanosensitivity; microgravity; embryogenesis; electromagnetic field; cytoskeleton

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The exploration of deep space inevitably confronts the need to develop countermeasures. Among the factors in space flight, especially beyond the Earth’s magnetosphere, weightlessness, ionizing radiation, and the hypomagnetic effect are usually distinguished. This Special Issue is devoted to the influence of these factors on the structure and function of various types of cells. The focus of attention has turned out to be the cytoskeleton, as the most widespread cellular structure that connects various parts of the cell, participating in the regulation of the functioning of each of them. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that changes in the structure of the cytoskeleton, protein content, and expression of the genes encoding them occur under microgravity conditions, including assessing epigenetic events such as DNA and histone methylation, acetylation, etc. When analyzing the role of ionizing radiation, much attention is paid to changes in the structure of DNA, in particular, the formation of single- and double-stranded breaks, induction of apoptosis, and peroxidation. There are significantly fewer similar studies on the role of hypomagnetic and/or altered electromagnetic background on the structure and function of the cell and, in particular, the cytoskeleton. Thus, in this Special Issue, it is proposed to integrate the results of studies of the influence of various factors of space flight on the structure of the cytoskeleton and cell functioning. We invite research articles and reviews on this topic.

Dr. Irina V. Ogneva
Guest Editor

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. Life 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 2600 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

  • space flight
  • microgravity
  • lonizing radiation
  • hypomagnetism
  • cytoskeleton

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 2529 KiB  
Article
Cytoskeleton Markers in the Spinal Cord and Mechanoreceptors of Thick-Toed Geckos after Prolonged Space Flights
by Alexandra Proshchina, Victoria Gulimova, Anastasia Kharlamova, Yuliya Krivova, Valeriy Barabanov and Sergey Saveliev
Life 2022, 12(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12010100 - 11 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2591
Abstract
Spaceflight may cause hypogravitational motor syndrome (HMS). However, the role of the nervous system in the formation of HMS remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of space flights on the cytoskeleton of the neuronal and glial [...] Read more.
Spaceflight may cause hypogravitational motor syndrome (HMS). However, the role of the nervous system in the formation of HMS remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of space flights on the cytoskeleton of the neuronal and glial cells in the spinal cord and mechanoreceptors in the toes of thick-toed geckos (Chondrodactylus turneri GRAY, 1864). Thick-toed geckos are able to maintain attachment and natural locomotion in weightlessness. Different types of mechanoreceptors have been described in the toes of geckos. After flight, neurofilament 200 immunoreactivity in mechanoreceptors was lower than in control. In some motor neurons of flight geckos, nonspecific pathomorphological changes were observed, but they were also detected in the control. No signs of gliosis were detected after spaceflight. Cytoskeleton markers adequately reflect changes in the cells of the nervous system. We suggest that geckos’ adhesion is controlled by the nervous system. Our study revealed no significant disturbances in the morphology of the spinal cord after the prolonged space flight, supporting the hypothesis that geckos compensate the alterations, characteristic for other mammals in weightlessness, by tactile stimulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Review

Jump to: Research

10 pages, 14349 KiB  
Review
Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, and Ocular Health in Space
by Victoria Ly, Suhas Rao Velichala and Alan R. Hargens
Life 2022, 12(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/life12020268 - 11 Feb 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2855
Abstract
Life on Earth has evolved continuously under Earth’s 1 G force and the protection of the magnetosphere. Thus, astronauts exhibit maladaptive physiological responses during space travel. Exposure to harmful cosmic radiation and weightlessness are unique conditions to the deep-space environment responsible for several [...] Read more.
Life on Earth has evolved continuously under Earth’s 1 G force and the protection of the magnetosphere. Thus, astronauts exhibit maladaptive physiological responses during space travel. Exposure to harmful cosmic radiation and weightlessness are unique conditions to the deep-space environment responsible for several spaceflight-associated risks: visual impairment, immune dysfunction, and cancer due to cosmic radiation in astronauts. The evidence thus reviewed indicates that microgravity and cosmic radiation have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and vision systems of astronauts on long-duration space missions. The mechanisms responsible for the decline in these systems are potentially due to cytoskeletal filament rearrangement, endothelial dysfunction, and muscular atrophy. These factors may alter fluid hemodynamics within cardiovascular and lymphatic vasculatures such that greater fluid filtration causes facial and intracranial edema. Thus, microgravity induces cephalad fluid shifts contributing to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Moreover, visual impairment via retinal ischemia and altered nitric oxide production may alter endothelial function. Based on rodent studies, cosmic radiation may exacerbate the effects of microgravity as observed in impaired endothelium and altered immunity. Relevant findings help understand the extent of these risks associated with spaceflight and suggest relevant countermeasures to protect astronaut health during deep-space missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1049 KiB  
Review
The Role of the CREB Protein Family Members and the Related Transcription Factors in Radioresistance Mechanisms
by Gianmarco Stati, Francesca Passaretta, Florelle Gindraux, Lucia Centurione and Roberta Di Pietro
Life 2021, 11(12), 1437; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11121437 - 20 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3606
Abstract
In the framework of space flight, the risk of radiation carcinogenesis is considered a “red” risk due to the high likelihood of occurrence as well as the high potential impact on the quality of life in terms of disease-free survival after space missions. [...] Read more.
In the framework of space flight, the risk of radiation carcinogenesis is considered a “red” risk due to the high likelihood of occurrence as well as the high potential impact on the quality of life in terms of disease-free survival after space missions. The cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is overexpressed both in haematological malignancies and solid tumours and its expression and function are modulated following irradiation. The CREB protein is a transcription factor and member of the CREB/activating transcription factor (ATF) family. As such, it has an essential role in a wide range of cell processes, including cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Among the CREB-related nuclear transcription factors, NF-κB and p53 have a relevant role in cell response to ionising radiation. Their expression and function can decide the fate of the cell by choosing between death or survival. The aim of this review was to define the role of the CREB/ATF family members and the related transcription factors in the response to ionising radiation of human haematological malignancies and solid tumours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 384 KiB  
Review
Cytoskeletal Tensegrity in Microgravity
by John Gardiner
Life 2021, 11(10), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/life11101091 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2106
Abstract
In order for Man to venture further into Space he will have to adapt to its conditions, including microgravity. Life as we know it has evolved on Earth with a substantial gravitational field. If they spend considerable time away from Earth, astronauts experience [...] Read more.
In order for Man to venture further into Space he will have to adapt to its conditions, including microgravity. Life as we know it has evolved on Earth with a substantial gravitational field. If they spend considerable time away from Earth, astronauts experience physiological, mental, and anatomical changes. It is not clear if these are pathological or adaptations. However, it is true that they experience difficulties on their return to stronger gravity. The cytoskeleton is a key site for the detection of gravitational force within the body, due to its tensegrity architecture. In order to understand what happens to living beings in space, we will need to unravel the role cytoskeletal tensegrity architecture plays in the building and function of cells, organs, the body, and mind. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Space Flight Factors and Cytoskeleton Organization)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop