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Cordeiro A, Gomes C, Bicker J, Fortuna A. Aging and cognitive resilience: Molecular mechanisms as new potential therapeutic targets. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104093. [PMID: 38992420 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104093] [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: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
As the global population ages, the need to prolong lifespan and healthspan becomes increasingly imperative. Understanding the molecular determinants underlying cognitive resilience, together with changes during aging and the (epi)genetic factors that predispose an individual to decreased cognitive resilience, open avenues for researching novel therapies. This review provides a critical and timely appraisal of the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive resilience, framed within a critical analysis of emerging therapeutic strategies to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Significant insights from both animals and human subjects are discussed herein, directed either toward active pharmaceutical ingredients (drug repositioning or macromolecules), or, alternatively, advanced cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Gomes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Bicker
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Fortuna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Zhu K, He H, Guo H, Liu B, He X, Zhang N, Xian L, Zhang D. Identification of two MEF2s and their role in inhibiting the transcription of the mstn2a gene in the yellowfin seabream, Acanthopagrus latus (Hottuyn, 1782). Gene 2024; 909:148322. [PMID: 38423140 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor 2 (MEF2), which belongs to the MADS superfamily, is a pivotal and conserved transcription factor that combines with the E-box motif to control the expression of muscle genes. Myostatin (mstn), a muscle growth inhibitor, is a vital member of the TGF-β superfamily. Currently, an understanding of the mechanisms of A. latus mstn (Almstn) transcriptional regulation mediated by MEF2 in fish muscle development is lacking. In the present study, two AlMEF2s (AlMEF2A and AlMEF2B) and Almstn2a were characterized from Acanthopagrus latus. AlMEF2A and AlMEF2B had 456 and 315 amino acid (aa) residues, respectively. Two typical regions, a MADS-box, MEF2, and transcriptionally activated (TAD) domains, are present in both AlMEF2s. The expression profiles of the two AlMEF2 genes were similar. The AlMEF2 genes were mainly expressed in the brain, white muscle, and liver, while Almstn2a expression was higher in the brain than in other tissues. Moreover, the expression trends of AlMEF2s and Almstn2a were significantly changed after starvation and refeeding in the five groups. Additionally, truncation experiments showed that -987 to +168 and -105 to +168 were core promoters of Almstn2a that responded to AlMEF2A and AlMEF2B, respectively. The point mutation experiment confirmed that Almstn2a transcription relies on the mutation binding sites 1 or 5 (M1/5) and mutation binding sites 4 or 5 (M4/5) for AlMEF2A and AlMEF2B regulation, respectively. The electrophoretic mobile shift assay (EMSA) further verified that M1 (-527 to -512) was a pivotal site where AlMEF2A acted on the Almstn2a gene. Furthermore, a siRNA interference gene expression experiment showed that reduced levels of AlMEF2A or AlMEF2B could prominently increase Almstn2a transcription. These results provide new information about the regulation of Almstn2a transcriptional activity by AlMEF2s and a theoretical basis for the regulatory mechanisms involved in muscle development in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China
| | - Hongxi He
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Huayang Guo
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China
| | - Baosuo Liu
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China
| | - Xin He
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China
| | - Lin Xian
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China
| | - Dianchang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 510300 Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Engineer Technology Research Center of Marine Biological Seed Industry, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, PR China; Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, Hainan Province, PR China.
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Chang J, Xu Y, Fu Y, Liu J, Jiang D, Pan J, Ouyang H, Liu W, Xu J, Tian Y, Huang Y, Ruan J, Shen X. The dynamic landscape of chromatin accessibility and active regulatory elements in the mediobasal hypothalamus influences the seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in the male quail under long light exposure. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:197. [PMID: 38373887 PMCID: PMC10877898 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10097-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In cold and temperate zones, seasonal reproduction plays a crucial role in the survival and reproductive success of species. The photoperiod influences reproductive processes in seasonal breeders through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, in which the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) serves as the central region responsible for transmitting light information to the endocrine system. However, the cis-regulatory elements and the transcriptional activation mechanisms related to seasonal activation of the reproductive axis in MBH remain largely unclear. In this study, an artificial photoperiod program was used to induce the HPG axis activation in male quails, and we compared changes in chromatin accessibility changes during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. RESULTS Alterations in chromatin accessibility occurred in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and stabilized at LD7 during the activation of the HPG axis. Most open chromatin regions (OCRs) are enriched mainly in introns and distal intergenic regions. The differentially accessible regions (DARs) showed enrichment of binding motifs of the RFX, NKX, and MEF family of transcription factors that gained-loss accessibility under long-day conditions, while the binding motifs of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily and BZIP family gained-open accessibility. Retinoic acid signaling and GTPase-mediated signal transduction are involved in adaptation to long days and maintenance of the HPG axis activation. According to our footprint analysis, three clock-output genes (TEF, DBP, and HLF) and the THRA were the first responders to long days in LD3. THRB, NR3C2, AR, and NR3C1 are the key players associated with the initiation and maintenance of the activation of the HPG axis, which appeared at LD7 and tended to be stable under long-day conditions. By integrating chromatin and the transcriptome, three genes (DIO2, SLC16A2, and PDE6H) involved in thyroid hormone signaling showed differential chromatin accessibility and expression levels during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. TRPA1, a target of THRB identified by DAP-seq, was sensitive to photoactivation and exhibited differential expression levels between short- and long-day conditions. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that trans effects were the main factors affecting gene expression during the seasonal activation of the HPG axis. This study could lead to further research on the seasonal reproductive behavior of birds, particularly the role of MBH in controlling seasonal reproductive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianye Chang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Yanglong Xu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jiaxin Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Danli Jiang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jianqiu Pan
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Hongjia Ouyang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Jin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yunbo Tian
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China
| | - Yunmao Huang
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
| | - Jue Ruan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China.
| | - Xu Shen
- College of Animal Science & Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China.
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