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Morishita R, Sowa K, Kitazumi Y, Shirai O. Directional propagation of action potential within a single cell and intercellular conduction within a cell aggregate using model cell systems. ANAL SCI 2023; 39:945-955. [PMID: 36840856 DOI: 10.1007/s44211-023-00302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of directional propagation of action potential throughout a single cell was examined using a liquid-membrane model cell system. In the experiments on the liquid-membrane model cell system, liquid-membrane cells were constructed to mimic the function of K+ and voltage-gated Na+ channels, which play important roles in action potential propagation. These channel-mimicking cells were connected electrically, and a model cell system was composed of four parts within the one cell. When one voltage-gated Na+ channel-mimicking cell was connected to form the action potential and generated the inflow current at the one part, action potential occurred in the surrounding area due to the local circulating current and propagated to the other parts. The action potential propagation throughout the cell by a brief electrical stimulus (10 ms) was easier than that by a long electrical stimulus (2 s). The long electric stimulus thus caused hyperpolarized region within the cell. Moreover, the increase in resistance corresponding to the extracellular fluid weakened the action potential propagation. In the simulation experiments using the software LTspice, the characteristics of K+ and Na+ channel-mimicking cells were reproduced in the electrical circuit also. A model cell aggregate consisting of closely packed three model cells and the extracellular fluid was constructed in the electric circuit. When one cell fired, the electrical signal propagated to the neighboring cells through the intercellular and extracellular fluids. This result suggests that electrical propagation can occur between independent cells in closely packed tissues without chemical transmission or direct propagation across the gap junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Morishita
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-Cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Keisei Sowa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-Cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yuki Kitazumi
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-Cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Osamu Shirai
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-Cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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Reber AS, Baluška F. Where minds begin: a commentary on Joseph LeDoux’s the deep history of ourselves. PHILOSOPHICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2022.2160700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S. Reber
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - František Baluška
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Bonn, Germany
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Richter F, Bindschedler S, Calonne-Salmon M, Declerck S, Junier P, Stanley CE. Fungi-on-a-Chip: microfluidic platforms for single-cell studies on fungi. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2022; 46:6674677. [PMID: 36001464 PMCID: PMC9779915 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuac039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review highlights new advances in the emerging field of 'Fungi-on-a-Chip' microfluidics for single-cell studies on fungi and discusses several future frontiers, where we envisage microfluidic technology development to be instrumental in aiding our understanding of fungal biology. Fungi, with their enormous diversity, bear essential roles both in nature and our everyday lives. They inhabit a range of ecosystems, such as soil, where they are involved in organic matter degradation and bioremediation processes. More recently, fungi have been recognized as key components of the microbiome in other eukaryotes, such as humans, where they play a fundamental role not only in human pathogenesis, but also likely as commensals. In the food sector, fungi are used either directly or as fermenting agents and are often key players in the biotechnological industry, where they are responsible for the production of both bulk chemicals and antibiotics. Although the macroscopic fruiting bodies are immediately recognizable by most observers, the structure, function, and interactions of fungi with other microbes at the microscopic scale still remain largely hidden. Herein, we shed light on new advances in the emerging field of Fungi-on-a-Chip microfluidic technologies for single-cell studies on fungi. We discuss the development and application of microfluidic tools in the fields of medicine and biotechnology, as well as in-depth biological studies having significance for ecology and general natural processes. Finally, a future perspective is provided, highlighting new frontiers in which microfluidic technology can benefit this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Richter
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Saskia Bindschedler
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Maryline Calonne-Salmon
- Laboratory of Mycology, Université catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Declerck
- Laboratory of Mycology, Université catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 2, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of Microbiology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Claire E Stanley
- Corresponding author: Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom. E-mail:
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Herrera-Rincon C, Murciano-Brea J, Geuna S. Can we promote neural regeneration through microbiota-targeted strategies? Introducing the new concept of neurobiotics. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:1965-1966. [PMID: 35142677 PMCID: PMC8848601 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.335149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Celia Herrera-Rincon
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, and Modeling, Data Analysis & Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Biomathematics Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Murciano-Brea
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, and Modeling, Data Analysis & Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Biomathematics Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefano Geuna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, and Cavalieri Ottolenghi Neuroscience Institute, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Winlow W, Johnson AS. Nerve Impulses Have Three Interdependent Functions: Communication, Modulation, and Computation. Bioelectricity 2021. [DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2021.0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William Winlow
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II, Napoli, Italia
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Diseases, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew S. Johnson
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II, Napoli, Italia
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Murciano-Brea J, Garcia-Montes M, Geuna S, Herrera-Rincon C. Gut Microbiota and Neuroplasticity. Cells 2021; 10:2084. [PMID: 34440854 PMCID: PMC8392499 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulating evidence linking bacteria in the gut and neurons in the brain (the microbiota-gut-brain axis) has led to a paradigm shift in the neurosciences. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms supporting the relevance of actions mediated by the gut microbiota for brain physiology and neuronal functioning is a key research area. In this review, we discuss the literature showing how the microbiota is emerging as a key regulator of the brain's function and behavior, as increasing amounts of evidence on the importance of the bidirectional communication between the intestinal bacteria and the brain have accumulated. Based on recent discoveries, we suggest that the interaction between diet and the gut microbiota, which might ultimately affect the brain, represents an unprecedented stimulus for conducting new research that links food and mood. We also review the limited work in the clinical arena to date, and we propose novel approaches for deciphering the gut microbiota-brain axis and, eventually, for manipulating this relationship to boost mental wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Murciano-Brea
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, Biomathematics Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.M.-B.); (M.G.-M.)
- Modeling, Data Analysis and Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin Garcia-Montes
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, Biomathematics Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.M.-B.); (M.G.-M.)
- Modeling, Data Analysis and Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Stefano Geuna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy;
| | - Celia Herrera-Rincon
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution, Biomathematics Unit, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (J.M.-B.); (M.G.-M.)
- Modeling, Data Analysis and Computational Tools for Biology Research Group, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Cognition in some surprising places. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 564:150-157. [PMID: 32950231 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The most widely accepted view in the biopsychological sciences is that the cognitive functions that are diagnostic of mental operations, sentience or, more commonly, consciousness emerged fairly late in evolution, most likely in the Cambrian period. Our position dovetails with James's below - subjectivity, feeling, consciousness has a much longer evolutionary history, one that goes back to the first appearance of life. The Cellular Basis of Consciousness (CBC) model is founded on the presumption that sentience and life are coterminous; that all organisms, based on inherent cellular activities via processes that take place in excitable membranes of their cells, are sentient, have subjective experiences and feelings. These, in turn, guide the context-relevant behaviors essential for their survival in often hostile environments in constant flux. The CBC framework is reductionistic, mechanistic, and calls for bottom-up research programs into the evolutionary origin of biological consciousness.
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A journey in the complex interactions between electrochemistry and bacteriology: From electroactivity to electromodulation of bacterial biofilms. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 131:107401. [PMID: 31707278 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the term bioelectrochemistry tends to be associated with animal and human tissues, bioelectric currents exist also in plants and bacteria. Especially the latter, when agglomerated in the form of biofilms, can exhibit electroactivity and susceptibility to electrical stimulation. Therefore, electrochemical methods appear to become powerful techniques to expand the conventional strategies of biofilm characterization and modification. In this review, we aim to provide the insight into the electrochemical behaviour of bacteria and present the variety of electrochemical techniques that can be used either for the non-destructive monitoring of bacterial communities or modulation of their growth. The most common applications of electrical stimulation on biofilms are presented, including the prevention of bacterial growth by charging the surface of the materials, changing the direction of bacterial movement under the influence of the electric field and increasing of the potency of antibiotics when bactericides are coupled with the electric field. Also, the industrial applications of microbial electro-technologies are described, such as bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and microbial fuel cells. Consequently, we are showing the complexity of interactions that exist between electrochemistry and bacteriology that can be used for the benefit of these two disciplines.
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Xie J, Han X, Wang W, Zhou X, Lin J. Effects of humic acid concentration on the microbially-mediated reductive solubilization of Pu(IV) polymers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 339:347-353. [PMID: 28668752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The role of humic acid concentration in the microbially-mediated reductive solubilization of Pu(IV) polymers remains unclear until now. The effects of humic concentration (0-150.5mg/L) on the rate and extent of reduction of polymeric Pu(IV) were studied under anaerobic and pH 7.2 conditions. The results show that Shewanella putrefaciens, secreting flavins as endogenous electron shuttles, cannot notably stimulate the reduction of polymeric Pu(IV). In the presence of humic acids, the reduction rate of polymeric Pu(IV) increased with increasing humic concentrations (0-15.0mg/L): e.g., a 102-fold increase from 4.1×10-15 (HA=0) to 4.2×10-13mol Pu(III)aq/h (HA=15.0mg/L). The bioreduced humic acids by S. putrefaciens facilitated the extracellular electron transfer to Pu(IV) polymers and thus the reduction of polymeric Pu(IV) to Pu(III)aq became thermodynamically favorable. However, the reduction rate did not increase but decrease with increasing humic concentrations from 15.0 to 150.5mg/L. Humic coatings formed on the polymer surfaces at relatively high humic concentrations limited the electron transfer to the polymers and thus decreased the reduction rate. The finding of the dynamic role of humic acids in the bioreductive solubilization may be helpful in evaluating Pu mobility in the geosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchuan Xie
- Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, P. O. Box 69-14, Xi'an City, Shanxi Province 710024, PR China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Han
- Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, P. O. Box 69-14, Xi'an City, Shanxi Province 710024, PR China
| | - Weixian Wang
- Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, P. O. Box 69-14, Xi'an City, Shanxi Province 710024, PR China
| | - Xiaohua Zhou
- Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, P. O. Box 69-14, Xi'an City, Shanxi Province 710024, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Lin
- Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, P. O. Box 69-14, Xi'an City, Shanxi Province 710024, PR China
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Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) underlies memory, perception, decision-making, and behavior in numerous organisms. However, neural networks have no monopoly on the signaling functions that implement these remarkable algorithms. It is often forgotten that neurons optimized cellular signaling modes that existed long before the CNS appeared during evolution, and were used by somatic cellular networks to orchestrate physiology, embryonic development, and behavior. Many of the key dynamics that enable information processing can, in fact, be implemented by different biological hardware. This is widely exploited by organisms throughout the tree of life. Here, we review data on memory, learning, and other aspects of cognition in a range of models, including single celled organisms, plants, and tissues in animal bodies. We discuss current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms at work in these systems, and suggest several hypotheses for future investigation. The study of cognitive processes implemented in aneural contexts is a fascinating, highly interdisciplinary topic that has many implications for evolution, cell biology, regenerative medicine, computer science, and synthetic bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Baluška
- Department of Plant Cell Biology, IZMB, University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Levin
- Biology Department, Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology, Tufts University Medford, MA, USA
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