1
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Lee MB, Blue B, Muir M, Kaeberlein M. The million-molecule challenge: a moonshot project to rapidly advance longevity intervention discovery. GeroScience 2023; 45:3103-3113. [PMID: 37432607 PMCID: PMC10643437 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00867-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting aging is the future of twenty-first century preventative medicine. Small molecule interventions that promote healthy longevity are known, but few are well-developed and discovery of novel, robust interventions has stagnated. To accelerate longevity intervention discovery and development, high-throughput systems are needed that can perform unbiased drug screening and directly measure lifespan and healthspan metrics in whole animals. C. elegans is a powerful model system for this type of drug discovery. Combined with automated data capture and analysis technologies, truly high-throughput longevity drug discovery is possible. In this perspective, we propose the "million-molecule challenge", an effort to quantitatively assess 1,000,000 interventions for longevity within five years. The WormBot-AI, our best-in-class robotics and AI data analysis platform, provides a tool to achieve the million-molecule challenge for pennies per animal tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell B Lee
- Ora Biomedical, Inc., 12101 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 210, Seattle, WA, 98168, USA.
| | - Benjamin Blue
- Ora Biomedical, Inc., 12101 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 210, Seattle, WA, 98168, USA
| | - Michael Muir
- Ora Biomedical, Inc., 12101 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 210, Seattle, WA, 98168, USA
| | - Matt Kaeberlein
- Ora Biomedical, Inc., 12101 Tukwila International Blvd Suite 210, Seattle, WA, 98168, USA
- Optispan Geroscience, Seattle, WA, USA
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2
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Ganner A, Philipp A, Lagies S, Wingendorf L, Wang L, Pilz F, Welte T, Grand K, Lienkamp SS, Klein M, Kammerer B, Frew IJ, Walz G, Neumann-Haefelin E. SCD5 Regulation by VHL Affects Cell Proliferation and Lipid Homeostasis in ccRCC. Cells 2023; 12:835. [PMID: 36980176 PMCID: PMC10047146 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common histological subtype of renal cancer, and inactivation of the VHL tumor suppressor gene is found in almost all cases of hereditary and sporadic ccRCCs. CcRCC is associated with the reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism, and stearoyl-CoA desaturases (SCDs) are the main enzymes controlling fatty acid composition in cells. In this study, we report that mRNA and protein expression of the stearoyl-CoA desaturase SCD5 is downregulated in VHL-deficient cell lines. Similarly, in C. elegans vhl-1 mutants, FAT-7/SCD5 activity is repressed, supporting an evolutionary conservation. SCD5 regulation by VHL depends on HIF, and loss of SCD5 promotes cell proliferation and a metabolic shift towards ceramide production. In summary, we identify a novel regulatory function of VHL in relation to SCD5 and fatty acid metabolism, and propose a new mechanism of how loss of VHL may contribute to ccRCC tumor formation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Ganner
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Antonia Philipp
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Lagies
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura Wingendorf
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lu Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Pilz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Welte
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kelli Grand
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Soeren S. Lienkamp
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marinella Klein
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Kammerer
- Core Competence Metabolomics, Hilde-Mangold-Haus, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS, Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ian J. Frew
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerd Walz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elke Neumann-Haefelin
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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3
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Dow JAT, Simons M, Romero MF. Drosophila melanogaster: a simple genetic model of kidney structure, function and disease. Nat Rev Nephrol 2022; 18:417-434. [PMID: 35411063 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-022-00561-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although the genetic basis of many kidney diseases is being rapidly elucidated, their experimental study remains problematic owing to the lack of suitable models. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster provides a rapid, ethical and cost-effective model system of the kidney. The unique advantages of D. melanogaster include ease and low cost of maintenance, comprehensive availability of genetic mutants and powerful transgenic technologies, and less onerous regulation, as compared with mammalian systems. Renal and excretory functions in D. melanogaster reside in three main tissues - the transporting renal (Malpighian) tubules, the reabsorptive hindgut and the endocytic nephrocytes. Tubules contain multiple cell types and regions and generate a primary urine by transcellular transport rather than filtration, which is then subjected to selective reabsorption in the hindgut. By contrast, the nephrocytes are specialized for uptake of macromolecules and equipped with a filtering slit diaphragm resembling that of podocytes. Many genes with key roles in the human kidney have D. melanogaster orthologues that are enriched and functionally relevant in fly renal tissues. This similarity has allowed investigations of epithelial transport, kidney stone formation and podocyte and proximal tubule function. Furthermore, a range of unique quantitative phenotypes are available to measure function in both wild type and disease-modelling flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian A T Dow
- Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Matias Simons
- INSERM UMR1163, Laboratory of Epithelial Biology and Disease, Imagine Institute, Université de Paris, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael F Romero
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, USA
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4
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Ganner A, Gehrke C, Klein M, Thegtmeier L, Matulenski T, Wingendorf L, Wang L, Pilz F, Greidl L, Meid L, Kotsis F, Walz G, Frew IJ, Neumann-Haefelin E. VHL suppresses RAPTOR and inhibits mTORC1 signaling in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14827. [PMID: 34290272 PMCID: PMC8295262 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivation of the tumor suppressor von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene is a key event in hereditary and sporadic clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCC). The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a fundamental regulator of cell growth and proliferation, and hyperactivation of mTOR signaling is a common finding in VHL-dependent ccRCC. Deregulation of mTOR signaling correlates with tumor progression and poor outcome in patients with ccRCC. Here, we report that the regulatory-associated protein of mTOR (RAPTOR) is strikingly repressed by VHL. VHL interacts with RAPTOR and increases RAPTOR degradation by ubiquitination, thereby inhibiting mTORC1 signaling. Consistent with hyperactivation of mTORC1 signaling in VHL-deficient ccRCC, we observed that loss of vhl-1 function in C. elegans increased mTORC1 activity, supporting an evolutionary conserved mechanism. Our work reveals important new mechanistic insight into deregulation of mTORC1 signaling in ccRCC and links VHL directly to the control of RAPTOR/mTORC1. This may represent a novel mechanism whereby loss of VHL affects organ integrity and tumor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Ganner
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christina Gehrke
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marinella Klein
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lena Thegtmeier
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Matulenski
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura Wingendorf
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lu Wang
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Pilz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lars Greidl
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Meid
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Fruzsina Kotsis
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerd Walz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ian J Frew
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elke Neumann-Haefelin
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
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5
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Buechner M, Yang Z, Al-Hashimi H. A Series of Tubes: The C. elegans Excretory Canal Cell as a Model for Tubule Development. J Dev Biol 2020; 8:jdb8030017. [PMID: 32906663 PMCID: PMC7557474 DOI: 10.3390/jdb8030017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation and regulation of properly sized epithelial tubes is essential for multicellular life. The excretory canal cell of C. elegans provides a powerful model for investigating the integration of the cytoskeleton, intracellular transport, and organismal physiology to regulate the developmental processes of tube extension, lumen formation, and lumen diameter regulation in a narrow single cell. Multiple studies have provided new understanding of actin and intermediate filament cytoskeletal elements, vesicle transport, and the role of vacuolar ATPase in determining tube size. Most of the genes discovered have clear homologues in humans, with implications for understanding these processes in mammalian tissues such as Schwann cells, renal tubules, and brain vasculature. The results of several new genetic screens are described that provide a host of new targets for future studies in this informative structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Buechner
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA;
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6
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An Overview of In Vivo and In Vitro Models for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Journey from 3D-Cysts to Mini-Pigs. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124537. [PMID: 32630605 PMCID: PMC7352572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inheritable cause of end stage renal disease and, as of today, only a single moderately effective treatment is available for patients. Even though ADPKD research has made huge progress over the last decades, the precise disease mechanisms remain elusive. However, a wide variety of cellular and animal models have been developed to decipher the pathophysiological mechanisms and related pathways underlying the disease. As none of these models perfectly recapitulates the complexity of the human disease, the aim of this review is to give an overview of the main tools currently available to ADPKD researchers, as well as their main advantages and limitations.
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7
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Molinari E, Sayer JA. Disease Modeling To Understand the Pathomechanisms of Human Genetic Kidney Disorders. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2020; 15:855-872. [PMID: 32139361 PMCID: PMC7274277 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.08890719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The class of human genetic kidney diseases is extremely broad and heterogeneous. Accordingly, the range of associated disease phenotypes is highly variable. Many children and adults affected by inherited kidney disease will progress to ESKD at some point in life. Extensive research has been performed on various different disease models to investigate the underlying causes of genetic kidney disease and to identify disease mechanisms that are amenable to therapy. We review some of the research highlights that, by modeling inherited kidney disease, contributed to a better understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms, leading to the identification of novel genetic causes, new therapeutic targets, and to the development of new treatments. We also discuss how the implementation of more efficient genome-editing techniques and tissue-culture methods for kidney research is providing us with personalized models for a precision-medicine approach that takes into account the specificities of the patient and the underlying disease. We focus on the most common model systems used in kidney research and discuss how, according to their specific features, they can differentially contribute to biomedical research. Unfortunately, no definitive treatment exists for most inherited kidney disorders, warranting further exploitation of the existing disease models, as well as the implementation of novel, complex, human patient-specific models to deliver research breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Molinari
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - John A. Sayer
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Renal Services, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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8
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Markaki M, Tavernarakis N. Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system for human diseases. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 63:118-125. [PMID: 31951916 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans offers unique advantages that enable a comprehensive delineation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying devastating human pathologies such as stroke, ischemia and age-associated neurodegenerative disorders. Genetic models of human diseases that closely simulate several disease-related phenotypes have been established in the worm. These models allow the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, in addition to large-scale genetic and pharmacological screenings, designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms mediating pathogenesis and to identify targets and drugs for emergent therapeutic interventions. Such strategies have already provided valuable insights, highly relevant to human health and quality of life. This article considers the potential of C. elegans as a versatile platform for systematic dissection of the molecular basis of human disease, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Markaki
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Crete, Greece
| | - Nektarios Tavernarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Crete, Greece; Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion 70013, Crete, Greece.
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9
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Martorell P, Llopis S, Gil JV, Genovés S, Ramón D, Zacarías L, Rodrigo MJ. Evaluation of Carotenoids Protection Against Oxidative Stress in the Animal Model Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2083:387-401. [PMID: 31745937 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9952-1_29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a versatile and powerful model organism for animal experimental research and, despite being an invertebrate, displays remarkably similar molecular bases and conserved cellular pathways to those of humans. Oxidative stress is an etiological factor that influences numerous diseases, degenerative processes and aging. C. elegans has revealed as an opportune and feasible organism to investigate the antioxidant effects of different bioactives or complex food matrices, and a number of protocols have been developed by using different oxidative stressors. Carotenoids are recognized as quenchers and scavengers of reactive oxygen species, and many of their related health benefits attributed in the diet are tightly linked to their antioxidant properties. In this chapter, we report a simple and rapid assay to evaluate the protection capacity of pure carotenoids or complex carotenoid extracts against oxidative stress in the model system C. elegans. The protocol describes a representative feeding experiment by adding carotenoids to the nematode growth medium and after an incubation period, the C. elegans populations fed with carotenoids are exposed to an acute oxidative stress by using H2O2 as oxidative agent. The protection against oxidative stress is evaluated as the survival rate of the nematodes fed with the carotenoid prior to receiving oxidative treatment compared with the survival rate of control nematode population. In order to confirm the carotenoid intake by the nematodes during the feeding experiment a bioassimilation experiment is also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Martorell
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Food Biotechnology Department, Biópolis SL/Archer Daniels Midland, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Silvia Llopis
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Food Biotechnology Department, Biópolis SL/Archer Daniels Midland, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Vicente Gil
- Food Technology Area, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Salvador Genovés
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Food Biotechnology Department, Biópolis SL/Archer Daniels Midland, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Daniel Ramón
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Food Biotechnology Department, Biópolis SL/Archer Daniels Midland, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Zacarías
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Jesús Rodrigo
- Food Biotechnology Department, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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10
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Genomic Analyses Identify Novel Molecular Signatures Specific for the Caenorhabditis and other Nematode Taxa Providing Novel Means for Genetic and Biochemical Studies. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10100739. [PMID: 31554175 PMCID: PMC6826867 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The phylum Nematoda encompasses numerous free-living as well as parasitic members, including the widely used animal model Caenorhabditis elegans, with significant impact on human health, agriculture, and environment. In view of the importance of nematodes, it is of much interest to identify novel molecular characteristics that are distinctive features of this phylum, or specific taxonomic groups/clades within it, thereby providing innovative means for diagnostics as well as genetic and biochemical studies. Using genome sequences for 52 available nematodes, a robust phylogenetic tree was constructed based on concatenated sequences of 17 conserved proteins. The branching of species in this tree provides important insights into the evolutionary relationships among the studied nematode species. In parallel, detailed comparative analyses on protein sequences from nematodes (Caenorhabditis) species reported here have identified 52 novel molecular signatures (or synapomorphies) consisting of conserved signature indels (CSIs) in different proteins, which are uniquely shared by the homologs from either all genome-sequenced Caenorhabditis species or a number of higher taxonomic clades of nematodes encompassing this genus. Of these molecular signatures, 39 CSIs in proteins involved in diverse functions are uniquely present in all Caenorhabditis species providing reliable means for distinguishing this group of nematodes in molecular terms. The remainder of the CSIs are specific for a number of higher clades of nematodes and offer important insights into the evolutionary relationships among these species. The structural locations of some of the nematodes-specific CSIs were also mapped in the structural models of the corresponding proteins. All of the studied CSIs are localized within the surface-exposed loops of the proteins suggesting that they may potentially be involved in mediating novel protein–protein or protein–ligand interactions, which are specific for these groups of nematodes. The identified CSIs, due to their exclusivity for the indicated groups, provide reliable means for the identification of species within these nematodes groups in molecular terms. Further, due to the predicted roles of these CSIs in cellular functions, they provide important tools for genetic and biochemical studies in Caenorhabditis and other nematodes.
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11
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Barnett LMA, Cummings BS. Nephrotoxicity and Renal Pathophysiology: A Contemporary Perspective. Toxicol Sci 2019; 164:379-390. [PMID: 29939355 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The kidney consists of numerous cell types organized into the nephron, which is the basic functional unit of the kidney. Any stimuli that induce loss of these cells can induce kidney damage and renal failure. The cause of renal failure can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic causes include cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, sepsis, and lung and liver failure. Intrinsic causes include glomerular nephritis, polycystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, tubular cell death, and stones. The kidney plays a prominent role in mediating the toxicity of numerous drugs, environmental pollutants and natural substances. Drugs known to be nephrotoxic include several cancer therapeutics, drugs of abuse, antibiotics, and radiocontrast agents. Environmental pollutants known to target the kidney include cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, trichloroethylene, bromate, brominated-flame retardants, diglycolic acid, and ethylene glycol. Natural nephrotoxicants include aristolochic acids and mycotoxins such as ochratoxin, fumonisin B1, and citrinin. There are several common characteristics between mechanisms of renal failure induced by nephrotoxicants and extrinsic causes. This common ground exists primarily due to similarities in the molecular mechanisms mediating renal cell death. This review summarizes the current state of the field of nephrotoxicity. It emphasizes integrating our understanding of nephrotoxicity with pathological-induced renal failure. Such approaches are needed to address major questions in the field, which include the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of both acute and chronic renal failure, and the progression of acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian S Cummings
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program.,Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
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12
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Skouloudaki K, Papadopoulos DK, Tomancak P, Knust E. The apical protein Apnoia interacts with Crumbs to regulate tracheal growth and inflation. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007852. [PMID: 30645584 PMCID: PMC6333334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most organs of multicellular organisms are built from epithelial tubes. To exert their functions, tubes rely on apico-basal polarity, on junctions, which form a barrier to separate the inside from the outside, and on a proper lumen, required for gas or liquid transport. Here we identify apnoia (apn), a novel Drosophila gene required for tracheal tube elongation and lumen stability at larval stages. Larvae lacking Apn show abnormal tracheal inflation and twisted airway tubes, but no obvious defects in early steps of tracheal maturation. apn encodes a transmembrane protein, primarily expressed in the tracheae, which exerts its function by controlling the localization of Crumbs (Crb), an evolutionarily conserved apical determinant. Apn physically interacts with Crb to control its localization and maintenance at the apical membrane of developing airways. In apn mutant tracheal cells, Crb fails to localize apically and is trapped in retromer-positive vesicles. Consistent with the role of Crb in apical membrane growth, RNAi-mediated knockdown of Crb results in decreased apical surface growth of tracheal cells and impaired axial elongation of the dorsal trunk. We conclude that Apn is a novel regulator of tracheal tube expansion in larval tracheae, the function of which is mediated by Crb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassiani Skouloudaki
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- * E-mail: (EK); (KS)
| | | | - Pavel Tomancak
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Knust
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- * E-mail: (EK); (KS)
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13
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Howe DG, Blake JA, Bradford YM, Bult CJ, Calvi BR, Engel SR, Kadin JA, Kaufman TC, Kishore R, Laulederkind SJF, Lewis SE, Moxon SAT, Richardson JE, Smith C. Model organism data evolving in support of translational medicine. Lab Anim (NY) 2018; 47:277-289. [PMID: 30224793 PMCID: PMC6322546 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-018-0150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Model organism databases (MODs) have been collecting and integrating biomedical research data for 30 years and were designed to meet specific needs of each model organism research community. The contributions of model organism research to understanding biological systems would be hard to overstate. Modern molecular biology methods and cost reductions in nucleotide sequencing have opened avenues for direct application of model organism research to elucidating mechanisms of human diseases. Thus, the mandate for model organism research and databases has now grown to include facilitating use of these data in translational applications. Challenges in meeting this opportunity include the distribution of research data across many databases and websites, a lack of data format standards for some data types, and sustainability of scale and cost for genomic database resources like MODs. The issues of widely distributed data and application of data standards are some of the challenges addressed by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable) data principles. The Alliance of Genome Resources is now moving to address these challenges by bringing together expertly curated research data from fly, mouse, rat, worm, yeast, zebrafish, and the Gene Ontology consortium. Centralized multi-species data access, integration, and format standardization will lower the data utilization barrier in comparative genomics and translational applications and will provide a framework in which sustainable scale and cost can be addressed. This article presents a brief historical perspective on how the Alliance model organisms are complementary and how they have already contributed to understanding the etiology of human diseases. In addition, we discuss four challenges for using data from MODs in translational applications and how the Alliance is working to address them, in part by applying FAIR data principles. Ultimately, combined data from these animal models are more powerful than the sum of the parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas G Howe
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | | | - Yvonne M Bradford
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | | | - Brian R Calvi
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Stacia R Engel
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ranjana Kishore
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stanley J F Laulederkind
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Suzanna E Lewis
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sierra A T Moxon
- The Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
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14
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From genetics to personalized nephrology: kidney research at a tipping point. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 369:1-4. [PMID: 28577188 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2637-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Lee MB, Kaeberlein M. Translational Geroscience: From invertebrate models to companion animal and human interventions. TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE OF AGING 2018; 2:15-29. [PMID: 32368707 PMCID: PMC7198054 DOI: 10.1016/j.tma.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational geroscience is an interdisciplinary field descended from basic gerontology that seeks to identify, validate, and clinically apply interventions to maximize healthy, disease-free lifespan. In this review, we describe a research pipeline for the identification and validation of lifespan extending interventions. Beginning in invertebrate model systems, interventions are discovered and then characterized using other invertebrate model systems (evolutionary translation), models of genetic diversity, and disease models. Vertebrate model systems, particularly mice, can then be utilized to validate interventions in mammalian systems. Collaborative, multi-site efforts, like the Interventions Testing Program (ITP), provide a key resource to assess intervention robustness in genetically diverse mice. Mouse disease models provide a tool to understand the broader utility of longevity interventions. Beyond mouse models, we advocate for studies in companion pets. The Dog Aging Project is an exciting example of translating research in dogs, both to develop a model system and to extend their healthy lifespan as a goal in itself. Finally, we discuss proposed and ongoing intervention studies in humans, unmet needs for validating interventions in humans, and speculate on how differences in survival among human populations may influence intervention efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell B. Lee
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Matt Kaeberlein
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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