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Maia LA, Velloso I, Abreu JG. Advances in the use ofXenopusfor successful drug screening. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2017; 12:1153-1159. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2017.1367281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena A. Maia
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ian Velloso
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jose G. Abreu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Schlegel V, Thieme M, Holzmann C, Witt M, Grittner U, Rolfs A, Wree A. Pharmacologic Treatment Assigned for Niemann Pick Type C1 Disease Partly Changes Behavioral Traits in Wild-Type Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1866. [PMID: 27834854 PMCID: PMC5133866 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Niemann-Pick Type C1 (NPC1) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids. Previously, we demonstrated that BALB/c-npc1nihNpc1-/- mice treated with miglustat, cyclodextrin and allopregnanolone generally performed better than untreated Npc1-/- animals. Unexpectedly, they also seemed to accomplish motor tests better than their sham-treated wild-type littermates. However, combination-treated mutant mice displayed worse cognition performance compared to sham-treated ones. To evaluate effects of these drugs in healthy BALB/c mice, we here analyzed pharmacologic effects on motor and cognitive behavior of wild-type mice. For combination treatment mice were injected with allopregnanolone/cyclodextrin weekly, starting at P7. Miglustat injections were performed daily from P10 till P23. Starting at P23, miglustat was embedded in the chow. Other mice were treated with miglustat only, or sham-treated. The battery of behavioral tests consisted of accelerod, Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, open field and hot-plate tests. Motor capabilities and spontaneous motor behavior were unaltered in both drug-treated groups. Miglustat-treated wild-type mice displayed impaired spatial learning compared to sham- and combination-treated mice. Both combination- and miglustat-treated mice showed enhanced anxiety in the elevated plus maze compared to sham-treated mice. Additionally, combination treatment as well as miglustat alone significantly reduced brain weight, whereas only combination treatment reduced body weight significantly. Our results suggest that allopregnanolone/cyclodextrin ameliorate most side effects of miglustat in wild-type mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Schlegel
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Markus Thieme
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Carsten Holzmann
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Martin Witt
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Grittner
- Department for Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Arndt Rolfs
- Albrecht-Kossel Institute for Neuroregeneration, Rostock University Medical Center, 18147 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Andreas Wree
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
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Reis AH, Moreno MM, Maia LA, Oliveira FP, Santos AS, Abreu JG. Cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains modulate Wnt/β-catenin morphogen gradient during Xenopus development. Mech Dev 2016; 142:30-39. [PMID: 27687541 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin has been described as crucial for dorsal-ventral and antero-posterior patterning, playing multiple roles at different stages of development. Cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains (CRMMs), cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched domains of the plasma membrane, are known as platforms for signaling pathways. Although we have demonstrated the importance of the CRMMs for head development, how they participate in prechordal plate formation and embryo axis patterning remains an open question. Moreover, the participation of the CRMMs in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activity in vivo is unclear, particularly during embryonic development. In this study, we demonstrated that CRMMs disruption by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) potentiates the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo during embryonic development, causing head defects by expanding the Wnt expression domain. Furthermore, we also found that the action of CRMMs depends on the microenvironmental context because it also works in conjunction with dkk1, when dkk1 is overexpressed. Thus, we propose CRMMs as a further mechanism of prechordal plate protection against the Wnt signals secreted by posterolateral cells, complementing the action of secreted antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice H Reis
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Marcela M Moreno
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Lorena A Maia
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Fernanda P Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Andressa S Santos
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - José Garcia Abreu
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil.
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Amado NG, Predes D, Fonseca BF, Cerqueira DM, Reis AH, Dudenhoeffer AC, Borges HL, Mendes FA, Abreu JG. Isoquercitrin suppresses colon cancer cell growth in vitro by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:35456-67. [PMID: 25359775 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.621599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Flavonoids are plant-derived polyphenolic molecules that have potential biological effects including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-tumoral effects. These effects are related to the ability of flavonoids to modulate signaling pathways, such as the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway controls many aspects of embryonic development and tissue maintenance and has been found to be deregulated in a range of human cancers. We performed several in vivo assays in Xenopus embryos, a functional model of canonical Wnt signaling studies, and also used in vitro models, to investigate whether isoquercitrin affects Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our data provide strong support for an inhibitory effect of isoquercitrin on Wnt/β-catenin, where the flavonoid acts downstream of β-catenin translocation to the nuclei. Isoquercitrin affects Xenopus axis establishment, reverses double axes and the LiCl hyperdorsalization phenotype, and reduces Xnr3 expression. In addition, this flavonoid shows anti-tumoral effects on colon cancer cells (SW480, DLD-1, and HCT116), whereas exerting no significant effect on non-tumor colon cell (IEC-18), suggesting a specific effect in tumor cells in vitro. Taken together, our data indicate that isoquercitrin is an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin and should be further investigated as a potential novel anti-tumoral agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathália G Amado
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Danilo Predes
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Barbara F Fonseca
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Débora M Cerqueira
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Alice H Reis
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Ana C Dudenhoeffer
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Helena L Borges
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Fábio A Mendes
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Jose G Abreu
- From the Program of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
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Cerqueira DM, Tran U, Romaker D, Abreu JG, Wessely O. Sterol carrier protein 2 regulates proximal tubule size in the Xenopus pronephric kidney by modulating lipid rafts. Dev Biol 2014; 394:54-64. [PMID: 25127994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Revised: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The kidney is a homeostatic organ required for waste excretion and reabsorption of water, salts and other macromolecules. To this end, a complex series of developmental steps ensures the formation of a correctly patterned and properly proportioned organ. While previous studies have mainly focused on the individual signaling pathways, the formation of higher order receptor complexes in lipid rafts is an equally important aspect. These membrane platforms are characterized by differences in local lipid and protein compositions. Indeed, the cells in the Xenopus pronephric kidney were positive for the lipid raft markers ganglioside GM1 and Caveolin-1. To specifically interfere with lipid raft function in vivo, we focused on the Sterol Carrier Protein 2 (scp2), a multifunctional protein that is an important player in remodeling lipid raft composition. In Xenopus, scp2 mRNA was strongly expressed in differentiated epithelial structures of the pronephric kidney. Knockdown of scp2 did not interfere with the patterning of the kidney along its proximo-distal axis, but dramatically decreased the size of the kidney, in particular the proximal tubules. This phenotype was accompanied by a reduction of lipid rafts, but was independent of the peroxisomal or transcriptional activities of scp2. Finally, disrupting lipid micro-domains by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis using Mevinolin phenocopied the defects seen in scp2 morphants. Together these data underscore the importance for localized signaling platforms in the proper formation of the Xenopus kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora M Cerqueira
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lerner Research Institute, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/NC10 Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas-CCS, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 bloco F2 sala 15, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Uyen Tran
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lerner Research Institute, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/NC10 Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Daniel Romaker
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lerner Research Institute, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/NC10 Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - José G Abreu
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas-CCS, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 bloco F2 sala 15, Rio de Janeiro 21949-590, Brazil
| | - Oliver Wessely
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Lerner Research Institute, Department Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue/NC10 Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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Bargar TA, Garrison VH, Alvarez DA, Echols KR. Contaminants assessment in the coral reefs of Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 70:281-288. [PMID: 23566560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Coral, fish, plankton, and detritus samples were collected from coral reefs in Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (VICR) to assess existing contamination levels. Passive water sampling using polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) and semi-permeable membrane devices found a few emerging pollutants of concern (DEET and galaxolide) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Very little persistent organic chemical contamination was detected in the tissue or detritus samples. Detected contaminants were at concentrations below those reported to be harmful to aquatic organisms. Extracts from the POCIS were subjected to the yeast estrogen screen (YES) to assess potential estrogenicity of the contaminant mixture. Results of the YES (estrogen equivalency of 0.17-0.31 ng/L 17-β-estradiol) indicated a low estrogenicity likelihood for contaminants extracted from water. Findings point to low levels of polar and non-polar organic contaminants in the bays sampled within VICR and VIIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Bargar
- Southeast Ecological Science Center, US Geological Survey, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
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