bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A cell-permeable dominant-negative survivin protein induces apoptosis and sensitizes prostate cancer cells to TNF-α therapy
Authors: Cheung Chun Hei Antonio , Sun Xueying , Kanwar Jagat R , Bai Ji-Zhong , Cheng LiTing , Krissansen Geoffrey W 
Published: October 2010

Abstract

Background
Survivin is a member of the inhibitor-of-apoptosis (IAP) family which is widely expressed by many different cancers. Overexpression of survivin is associated with drug resistance in cancer cells, and reduced patient survival after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Agents that antagonize the function of survivin hold promise for treating many forms of cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a cell-permeable dominant-negative survivin protein would demonstrate bioactivity against prostate and cervical cancer cells grown in three dimensional culture.

Results
A dominant-negative survivin (C84A) protein fused to the cell penetrating peptide poly-arginine (R9) was expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. Western blot analysis revealed that dNSurR9-C84A penetrated into 3D-cultured HeLa and DU145 cancer cells, and a cell viability assay revealed it induced cancer cell death. It increased the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and rendered DU145 cells sensitive to TNF-α via by a mechanism involving activation of caspase-8.

Conclusions
The results demonstrate that antagonism of survivin function triggers the apoptosis of prostate and cervical cancer cells grown in 3D culture. It renders cancer cells sensitive to the proapoptotic affects of TNF-α, suggesting that survivin blocks the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Combination of the biologically active dNSurR9-C84A protein or other survivin antagonists with TNF-α therapy warrants consideration as an approach to cancer therapy.
Drosophilatype II neuroblast lineages keep Prospero levels low to generate large clones that contribute to the adult brain central complex
Authors: Bayraktar Omer Ali , Boone Jason Q , Drummond Michael L , Doe Chris Q 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Tissue homeostasis depends on the ability of stem cells to properly regulate self-renewal versus differentiation. Drosophila neural stem cells (neuroblasts) are a model system to study self-renewal and differentiation. Recent work has identified two types of larval neuroblasts that have different self-renewal/differentiation properties. Type I neuroblasts bud off a series of small basal daughter cells (ganglion mother cells) that each generate two neurons. Type II neuroblasts bud off small basal daughter cells called intermediate progenitors (INPs), with each INP generating 6 to 12 neurons. Type I neuroblasts and INPs have nuclear Asense and cytoplasmic Prospero, whereas type II neuroblasts lack both these transcription factors. Here we test whether Prospero distinguishes type I/II neuroblast identity or proliferation profile, using several newly characterized Gal4 lines. We misexpress prospero using the R19H09-Gal4 line (expressed in type II neuroblasts but no adjacent type I neuroblasts) or R9D11-Gal4 line (expressed in INPs but not type II neuroblasts). We find that differential prospero expression does not distinguish type I and type II neuroblast identities, but Prospero regulates proliferation in both type I and type II neuroblast lineages. In addition, we use R9D11 lineage tracing to show that type II lineages generate both small-field and large-field neurons within the adult central complex, a brain region required for locomotion, flight, and visual pattern memory.
Hypertonic stress regulates T cell function via pannexin-1 hemichannels and P2X receptors
Authors: Woehrle Tobias , Yip Linda , Manohar Monali , Sumi Yuka , Yao Yongli , Chen Yu , Junger Wolfgang G 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Hypertonic stress activates T cells by inducing the controlled release of ATP through pannexin-1 hemichannels and activation of ATP-gated ion channels P2X1, P2X4, and P2X7.
Hypertonic saline (HS) resuscitation increases T cell function and inhibits posttraumatic T cell anergy, which can reduce immunosuppression and sepsis in trauma patients. We have previously shown that HS induces the release of cellular ATP and enhances T cell function. However, the mechanism by which HS induces ATP release and the subsequent regulation of T cell function by ATP remain poorly understood. In the present study, we show that inhibition of the gap junction hemichannel pannexin-1 (Panx1) blocks ATP release in response to HS, and HS exposure triggers significant changes in the expression of all P2X-type ATP receptors in Jurkat T cells. Blocking or silencing of Panx1 or of P2X1, P2X4, or P2X7 receptors blunts HS-induced p38 MAPK activation and the stimulatory effects of HS on TCR/CD28-induced IL-2 gene transcription. Moreover, treatment with HS or agonists of P2X receptors overcomes T cell suppression induced by the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These findings indicate that Panx1 hemichannels facilitate ATP release in response to hypertonic stress and that P2X1, P2X4, and P2X7 receptor activation enhances T cell function. We conclude that HS and P2 receptor agonists promote T cell function and thus, could be used to improve T cell function in trauma patients.
Synergism of NOD2 and NLRP3 activators promotes a unique transcriptional profile in murine dendritic cells
Authors: Conforti-Andreoni Cristina , Beretta Ottavio , Licandro Ginevra , Qian Hong Liang , Urbano Matteo , Vitulli Federico , Ricciardi-Castagnoli Paola , Mortellaro Alessandra 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The NLR pathways activated by monosodium urate and muramyl dipeptide at a transcriptional level lead to a specific pro-inflammatory signatures.
NLRs are cytoplasmic proteins that sense cellular stress and intracellular damage resulting from pathogen uptake. To date, the role of NLRs has been studied using combinations of NLR and TLR agonists, but the interplay between two different NLRs remains uncharacterized. In this study, we employed microarrays to investigate in DCs the regulation of gene transcription mediated by activation of NOD2 and NLRP3 pathways using MDP and MSU. MDP and MSU co-stimulation of murine BMDCs up-regulated the expression of genes encoding molecules for antigen presentation and co-stimulation (MHC class II, CD80, CD86), integrins (ITGB3, ITGAV), cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, IL-23p19, IL-12p40), and chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL2). Transcription of the cytokine genes induced by MDP and MSU partially depended on NOD2 but was independent of NLRP3. Finally, we showed that ERK1 and c-JUN activation increased upon MDP and MSU co-stimulation. As a whole, the results indicate that two different NLR activators synergize at the transcriptional level, leading to unique differential expression of genes involved in the innate immune response.
How the owl tracks its prey – II
Authors: Takahashi Terry T. 
Published: October 2010

Summary
Barn owls can capture prey in pitch darkness or by diving into snow, while homing in on the sounds made by their prey. First, the neural mechanisms by which the barn owl localizes a single sound source in an otherwise quiet environment will be explained. The ideas developed for the single source case will then be expanded to environments in which there are multiple sound sources and echoes – environments that are challenging for humans with impaired hearing. Recent controversies regarding the mechanisms of sound localization will be discussed. Finally, the case in which both visual and auditory information are available to the owl will be considered.
The proteomic response of the mussel congenersMytilus galloprovincialisandM. trossulusto acute heat stress: implications for thermal tolerance limits and metabolic costs of thermal stress
Authors: Tomanek Lars , Zuzow Marcus J. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYThe Mediterranean blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, an invasive species in California, has displaced the more heat-sensitive native congener, Mytilus trossulus, from its former southern range, possibly due to climate change. By comparing the response of their proteomes to acute heat stress we sought to identify responses common to both species as well as differences that account for greater heat tolerance in the invasive. Mussels were acclimated to 13°C for four weeks and exposed to acute heat stress (24°C, 28°C and 32°C) for 1 h and returned to 13°C to recover for 24 h. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry we identified 47 and 61 distinct proteins that changed abundance in M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus, respectively. The onset temperatures of greater abundance of some members of the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 and small Hsp families were lower in M. trossulus. The abundance of proteasome subunits was lower in M. galloprovincialis but greater in M. trossulus in response to heat. Levels of several NADH-metabolizing proteins, possibly linked to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), were lower at 32°C in the cold-adapted M. trossulus whereas proteins generating NADPH, important in ROS defense, were higher in both species. The abundance of oxidative stress proteins was lower at 32°C in M. trossulus only, indicating that its ability to combat heat-induced oxidative stress is limited to lower temperatures. Levels of NAD-dependent deacetylase (sirtuin 5), which are correlated with lifespan, were lower in M. trossulus in response to heat stress. In summary, the expression patterns of proteins involved in molecular chaperoning, proteolysis, energy metabolism, oxidative damage, cytoskeleton and deacetylation revealed a common loci of heat stress in both mussels but also showed a lower sensitivity to high-temperature damage in the warm-adapted M. galloprovincialis, which is consistent with its expanding range in warmer waters.
Dipole source encoding and tracking by the goldfish auditory system
Authors: Coombs Sheryl , Fay Richard R. , Elepfandt Andreas 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYIn goldfish and other otophysans, the Weberian ossicles mechanically link the saccule of the inner ear to the anterior swimbladder chamber (ASB). These structures are correlated with enhanced sound-pressure sensitivity and greater sensitivity at high frequencies (600–2000 Hz). However, surprisingly little is known about the potential impact of the ASB on other otolithic organs and about how auditory responses are modulated by discrete sources that change their location or orientation with respect to the ASB. In this study, saccular and lagenar nerve fiber responses and conditioned behaviors of goldfish were measured to a small, low-frequency (50 Hz) vibrating sphere (dipole) source as a function of its location along the body and its orientation with respect to the ASB. Conditioned behaviors and saccular nerve fiber activity exhibited response characteristics nearly identical to those measured from a hydrophone in the same relative position as the ASB. By contrast, response patterns from lagena fibers could not be predicted by pressure inputs to the ASB. Deflation of the ASB abolished the characteristic spatial response pattern of saccular but not lagena fibers. These results show that: (1) the lagena is not driven by ASB-mediated pressure inputs to the ear; (2) the ASB–saccule pathway dominates behavioral responsiveness, operating effectively at frequencies as low as 50 Hz; and (3) behavioral and neural (saccular) responses are strongly modulated by the position and orientation of the dipole with respect to the ASB.
Olfactory morphology and physiology of elasmobranchs
Authors: Meredith Tricia L. , Kajiura Stephen M. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYElasmobranch fishes are thought to possess greater olfactory sensitivities than teleost fishes due in part to the large amount of epithelial surface area that comprises their olfactory organs; however, direct evidence correlating the size of the olfactory organ to olfactory sensitivity is lacking. This study examined the olfactory morphology and physiology of five distantly related elasmobranch species. Specifically, we quantified the number of lamellae and lamellar surface area (as if it were a flat sheet, not considering secondary lamellae) that comprise their olfactory organs. We also calculated the olfactory thresholds and relative effectiveness of amino acid odorants for each species. The olfactory organs varied in both the number of lamellae and lamellar surface area, which may be related to their general habitat, but neither correlated with olfactory threshold. Thresholds to amino acid odorants, major olfactory stimuli of all fishes, ranged from 10–9.0 to 10–6.9 mol l–1, which indicates that these elasmobranch species demonstrate comparable thresholds with teleosts. In addition, the relative effectiveness of amino acid stimuli to the olfactory organ of elasmobranchs is similar to that previously described in teleosts with neutral amino acids eliciting significantly greater responses than others. Collectively, these results indicate parallels in olfactory physiology between these two groups of fishes.
Identification and characterization of visual pigments in caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), an order of limbless vertebrates with rudimentary eyes
Authors: Mohun S. M. , Davies W. L. , Bowmaker J. K. , Pisani D. , Himstedt W. , Gower D. J. , Hunt D. M. , Wilkinson M. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY
In comparison with the other amphibian orders, the Anura (frogs) and Urodela (salamanders), knowledge of the visual system of the snake-like Gymnophiona (caecilians) is relatively sparse. Most caecilians are fossorial with, as far as is known any surface activity occurring mainly at night. They have relatively small, poorly developed eyes and might be expected to possess detectable changes in the spectral sensitivity of their visual pigments. Microspectrophotometry was used to determine the spectral sensitivities of the photoreceptors in three species of caecilian, Rhinatrema bivittatum, Geotrypetes seraphini and Typhlonectes natans. Only rod opsin visual pigment, which may be associated with scotopic (dim light) vision when accompanied by other ‘rod-specific’ components of the phototransduction cascade, was found to be present. Opsin sequences were obtained from the eyes of two species of caecilian, Ichthyophis cf. kohtaoensis and T. natans. These rod opsins were regenerated in vitro with 11-cis retinal to give pigments with spectral sensitivity peaks close to 500 nm. No evidence for cone photoreception, associated with diurnal and colour vision, was detected using molecular and physiological methods. Additionally, visual pigments are short-wavelength shifted in terms of the maximum absorption of light when compared with other amphibian lineages.
Transcriptomic responses to heat stress in invasive and native blue mussels (genusMytilus): molecular correlates of invasive success
Authors: Lockwood Brent L. , Sanders Jon G. , Somero George N. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYInvasive species are increasingly prevalent in marine ecosystems worldwide. Although many studies have examined the ecological effects of invasives, little is known about the physiological mechanisms that might contribute to invasive success. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a native of the Mediterranean Sea, is a successful invader on the central and southern coasts of California, where it has largely displaced the native congener, Mytilus trossulus. It has been previously shown that thermal responses of several physiological traits may underlie the capacity of M. galloprovincialis to out-compete M. trossulus in warm habitats. To elucidate possible differences in stress-induced gene expression between these congeners, we developed an oligonucleotide microarray with 8874 probes representing 4488 different genes that recognized mRNAs of both species. In acute heat-stress experiments, 1531 of these genes showed temperature-dependent changes in expression that were highly similar in the two congeners. By contrast, 96 genes showed species-specific responses to heat stress, functionally characterized by their involvement in oxidative stress, proteolysis, energy metabolism, ion transport, cell signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization. The gene that showed the biggest difference between the species was the gene for the molecular chaperone small heat shock protein 24, which was highly induced in M. galloprovincialis and showed only a small change in M. trossulus. These different responses to acute heat stress may help to explain – and predict – the invasive success of M. galloprovincialis in a warming world.
Evolution of anatomical and physiological specialization in the compound eyes of stomatopod crustaceans
Authors: Porter Megan L. , Zhang Yunfei , Desai Shivani , Caldwell Roy L. , Cronin Thomas W. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYStomatopod crustaceans have complex and diverse visual systems. Among their many unique features are a specialized ommatidial region (the midband) that enables the eye to have multiple overlapping visual fields, as well as sets of spectral filters that are intercalated at two levels between tiers of photoreceptors involved in polychromatic color vision. Although the physiology and visual function of stomatopod eyes have been studied for many years, how these unique visual features originated and diversified is still an open question. In order to investigate how stomatopods have attained the current complexity in visual function, we have combined physiological and morphological information (e.g. number of midband rows, number of filters in the retina, and the spectral properties of filters) with new phylogenetic analyses of relationships among species based on nucleotide sequence data from two nuclear (18S and 28S rDNA) and two mitochondrial [16S and cytochrome oxidase I (COI)] genes. Based on our recovered phylogenetic relationships among species, we propose two new superfamilies within the Stomatopoda: Hemisquilloidea and Pseudosquillodea. Maximum likelihood ancestral state reconstructions indicate that ancestral stomatopod eyes contained six midband rows and four intrarhabdomal filters, illustrating that the visual physiological complexity originated early in stomatopod evolutionary history. While the two distal filters contain conservative sets of filter pigments, the proximal filters show more spectral diversity in filter types, particularly in midband row 2, and are involved in tuning the color vision system to the photic environment. In particular, a set of related gonodactyloid families (Gonodactylidae, Protosquillidae, Takuidae) inhabiting shallow, brightly lit coral reef waters contain the largest diversity of filter pigments, which are spectrally placed relative to the underlying photoreceptors to take advantage of the broad spectrum of light available in the environment.
Ritualized fighting and biological armor: the impact mechanics of the mantis shrimp's telson
Authors: Taylor J. R. A. , Patek S. N. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY
Resisting impact and avoiding injury are central to survival in situations ranging from the abiotic forces of crashing waves to biotic collisions with aggressive conspecifics. Although impacts and collisions in biology are ubiquitous, most studies focus on the material properties of biological structures under static loading. Here, we examine the mechanical impact properties of the mantis shrimp's telson, a piece of abdominal armor that withstands repeated, intense impacts from the potent hammer-like appendages used by conspecifics during ritualized fighting. We measured the coefficient of restitution, an index of elasticity, of the telson and compared it with that of an adjacent abdominal segment that is not impacted. We found that the telson behaves more like an inelastic punching bag than an elastic trampoline, dissipating 69% of the impact energy. Furthermore, although the abdominal segment provides no mechanical correlates with size, the telson's coefficient of restitution, displacement and impact duration all correlate with body size. The telson's mineralization patterns were determined through micro-CT (Computed Tomography) and correspond to the mechanical behavior of the telson during impact. The mineralized central region of the telson ‘punched’ inward during an impact whereas the surrounding areas provided elasticity owing to their reduced mineralization. Thus, the telson effectively dissipates impact energy while potentially providing the size-related information crucial to its role in conspecific assessment. This study reveals the mechanical infrastructure of impact resistance in biological armor and opens a new window to the biomechanical underpinnings of animal behavior and assessment.
Biosilicification of loricate choanoflagellate: organic composition of the nanotubular siliceous costal strips of Stephanoeca diplocostata
Authors: Gong Ningping , Wiens Matthias , Schröder Heinz C. , Mugnaioli Enrico , Kolb Ute , Müller Werner E. G. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY
Loricate choanoflagellates (unicellular, eukaryotic flagellates; phylum Choanozoa) synthesize a basket-like siliceous lorica reinforced by costal strips (diameter of approximately 100 nm and length of 3 μm). In the present study, the composition of these siliceous costal strips is described, using Stephanoeca diplocostata as a model. Analyses by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), coupled with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), indicate that the costal strips comprise inorganic and organic components. The organic, proteinaceous scaffold contained one major polypeptide of mass 14 kDa that reacted with wheat germ agglutinin. Polyclonal antibodies were raised that allowed mapping of the proteinaceous scaffold, the (glyco)proteins, within the costal strips. Subsequent in vitro studies revealed that the organic scaffold of the costal strips stimulates polycondensation of ortho-silicic acid in a concentration- and pH-dependent way. Taken together, the data gathered indicate that the siliceous costal strips are formed around a proteinaceous scaffold that supports and maintains biosilicification. A scheme is given that outlines that the organic template guides both the axial and the lateral growth of the strips.