Sea star axial organ: Ancestral lymphoid organ (2023)

Quote excerpt:

This leads to the assumption that the appearance of cells similar to protolymphocytes could have existed before the divergence of cyclostomes and gnathostomes or even before the appearance of vertebrates. In fact, some studies have identified cells morphologically similar to lymphocytes in amphioxus and Botryllus schlosseri, two subphyla of chordate invertebrates, and in the sea star Asteria rubens, a sister phylum of chordate (Leclerc et al., 1980, 1981). Whether these cells have the functions of lymphocytes awaits further investigation.

The cells of the axial organ of the sea star Asterias rubens were divided into two populations, adhesive and non-adhesive to the nylon wool. In both populations, an ultrastructural study revealed the presence of cells similar to vertebrate lymphocytes, as well as peroxidase-positive phagocytic cells. Lymphocyte-like cells in the nonadherent population (mean diameter 4 μ) have a high NCR and are morphologically similar to Th cells, while adherent cells (mean diameter 5.5 μ) are more similar to lymphocytes. Bm.

These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that there is a primitive immune system in the starfish with characteristics similar to those of the vertebrate immune system.

HePanax ginsengthe root proteome was investigated by capture using combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLL) at three different pH values. Proteomic characterization by SDS-PAGE and nLC-MS/MS analysis, through LTQ-Orbitrap XL, led to the identification of a total of 207 expressed proteins. This rather large number of identifications was achieved by querying two different plant databases:P ginsengiArabidopsis thaliana. The main groups of proteins identified were related to structural species (19.2%), oxidoreductase (19.5%), dehydrogenases (7.6%) and synthases (9.0%). For the first time, a study of protein-protein interactions was carried out by linking all recognized proteins and building an interactome map, characterized by 196 nodes and 1554 interactions. Finally, a peptide assay combining different in-silico enzymatic digestions was developed to simulate the human gastrointestinal process: out of 661 generated peptides, 95 were identified as potential bioactives and 6 in particular were characterized by antimicrobial activity. This report offers new insights for future research to elucidate the biological properties.P ginsengproteome and peptide.

Ginseng is a traditional oriental herbal medicine that is widely used throughout the world due to its numerous pharmacological effects. However, the exact mechanism of action of ginseng components, both ginsenosides and proteins, has not yet been identified. Therefore, the common use of ginseng requires rigorous research to assess its efficacy and safety. Although many reports have been published on the pharmacological effects of ginseng, little is known about the biochemical pathways of the root. Proteomic analysis could be useful to elucidate physiological pathways. In this manuscript, an integrated approach to proteomics and peptidomics will open up researchPanax ginsengproteolytic proteins and peptides, obtained by in-silico gastrointestinal digestion, characterized by antimicrobial activity. This research would pave the way for a better understanding of metabolic functions associated with the ginseng proteome and provide new information needed to better understand antimicrobial activity.P ginseng.

: As a confirmed human carcinogen, arsenic can cause skin cancer, lung cancer, etc. However, its carcinogenic mechanism is still unclear. In recent years, the oxidative stress hypothesis has become widely accepted. In mammals, arsenic has been found to be converted to dimethylarsinic acid (DMA^third) and dimethylmonothioarsinic acid (DMMTA^V) through a series of methylation reactions and redox reactions. WFD^thirdI DMMTA^Vthey are very toxic.

: Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were exposed to different concentrations of NaAsO₂(IA^third), DMMTA^VYo DMA^thirdfor 24 hours. Reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide), oxidative damage markers (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant markers (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) were measured. Furthermore, sulfane sulfides were measured in HaCaT cells and in a cell-free system.

:YDMMTA^VYo DMA^thirdtreatment groups, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide levels in HaCaT cells were higher than in AI^thirdtherapeutic groups at the same dose. 8−OHdG and MDA levels in DMMTA^VYo DMA^thirdtreatment groups were also higher than AI^thirdtherapeutic groups at the same dose. However, in DMMTA^VYo DMA^thirdtreatment groups, GSH and SOD activity levels were lower than those of IA^thirdtreatment groups. in DMMTA^V-HaCaT cells treated, sulfane sulfides were produced. Furthermore, it was found that DMMTA^Vcould react with DMDTA^Vfor persulfide formation in a cell-free system, which may explain the mechanism of formation of sulfane sulfides in DMMTA^Vtreated HaCaT cells.

: DMMTA^VYo DMA^thirdmore readily induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causes oxidative damage in HaCaT cells than inorganic arsenic. Furthermore, the persulfide formed by the DMMTA reaction^Vand DMDTA^Vis formed by the metabolism of DMMTA^Vmay induce a stronger reductive defense mechanism than GSH against the intracellular oxidative stress of DMMTA^V. However, cells exposed to arsenite are transformed by sustained nuclear translocation of Nrf2 due to oxidative stress, and dimethylthioarsenic persulfide can promote Nrf2 by combining with thiol groups, especially the key redox control protein, Keap1, which ultimately instance causes nuclear translocation of viable Nrf2.

A new neuroanatomical method to monitor connections in the central nervous system is described, which is based on the anterograde axonal transport of the bean lectin Phaseolus vulgaris-leukoagglutinin (PHA-L). The method, for which a detailed protocol is presented, offers several advantages over existing techniques. First, when the lectin is delivered by iontophoresis, PHA-L injection sites as small as 50 to 200 µm in diameter can be produced and are clearly demarcated because the neurons within the labeled area are completely filled. Second, many morphological features of such filled neurons are clearly shown, including their cell bodies, axons, dendritic arches, and even dendritic spines. Third, there is some evidence to suggest that only whole neurons at the injection site transmit detectable amounts of marker, raising the possibility that the effective injection site can be defined very precisely. Fourth, even with the most limited injections, the morphology of labeled axons and axon terminals is clearly shown; these include boutons en passant, fine collateral branches, and various terminal specializations, all of which can be visualized as in the best Golgi fast mounts. Fifth, when introduced iontophoretically, PHA-L appears to be preferentially transported in an antegrade direction; it is rarely transported retrograde. Sixth, PHA-L does not appear to be efficiently absorbed and transported by passing fibers. Seventh, there is no visible degradation of the transported PHA-L with a survival time of up to 17 days. Finally, since the carried marker can be demonstrated by peroxidase techniques or fluorescent antibodies, it can be used in conjunction with other neuroanatomical methods. For example, anterograde double labeling experiments can be performed by autoradiography in conjunction with localization of PHA-L with immunoperoxidase, and retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes can be visualized in the same tissue sections as PHA-L localized by immunofluorescence techniques. ©1984.

This article is part of a special edition titled SI: 50th Anniversary Edition.