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Copper excess detoxification is mediated by a coordinated and complementary induction of glutathione, phytochelatins and metallothioneins in the green seaweed Ulva compressa Brown, MT

Estradiol (E2) is a steroid hormone whose physiological actions are mainly mediated by its interaction with intracellular estrogen receptors (ER) leading to modification on the mRNA and protein synthesis in its target cells. However, estrogens can also activate several intracellular signal transduction cascades by non-genomic mechanisms. Estrogens must be inactivated and removed from blood through its conversion to soluble compounds with an apparent low estrogenic activity and decreased affinity for ER. In this context, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is generated by a sequential hydroxylation of E2 via the enzyme cytochrome P450 isoform 1A1 to produce 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE2) followed by a conjugation reaction catalyzed by the enzyme Catechol-O-Methyltransferase generating 2ME2 from 2OHE2. Recent evidence indicates that physiological concentration of 2ME2 may regulate several biological processes while high concentrations of this metabolite may induce pathophysiological alterations in several tissues. In the last years, 2ME2 has also been described as a promising anticancer drug although its cellular and molecular mechanisms are still being disclosed. Herein, we will review the available literature concerning the role of 2ME2 in health and disease. We will focus on to describing the intracellular mechanisms by which 2ME2 exerts its effects on reproductive and non-reproductive tissues. The promising anticancer effects of 2ME2 and its synthetic derivatives will also be discussed. Finally, a group of 2ME2-target genes that could be used as biomarkers of 2ME2 under physiological or pathophysiological conditions will be reviewed.

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There is currently no information regarding the role that whole mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways play in counteracting environmental stress in photosynthetic organisms. To address this gap, we exposed Ulva compressa to chronic levels of copper (10 µM) specific inhibitors of Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNK), and Cytokinin Specific Binding Protein (p38) MAPKs alone or in combination. Intracellular copper accumulation and photosynthetic activity (in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence) were measured after 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 6 days of exposure. By day 6, when one (except JNK) or more of the MAPK pathways were inhibited under copper stress, there was a decrease in copper accumulation compared with algae exposed to copper alone. When at least two MAPKs were blocked, there was a decrease in photosynthetic activity expressed in lower productivity (ETRmax), efficiency (αETR), and saturation of irradiance (EkETR), accompanied by higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQmax), compared to both the control and copper-only treatments. In terms of accumulation, once the MAPK pathways were partially or completely blocked under copper, there was crosstalk between these and other signaling mechanisms to enhance metal extrusion/exclusion from cells. Crosstalk occurred among MAPK pathways to maintain photosynthesis homeostasis, demonstrating the importance of the signaling pathways for physiological performance. This study is complemented by a parallel/complementary article Rodríguez-Rojas et al. on the role of MAPKs in copper-detoxification.

BackgroundOne of the unique characteristics of the female genital tract is the extensive tissue remodeling observed throughout the menstrual cycle. Multiple components of the extracellular matrix take part in this tissue rebuilding; however, the individual components involved have not been identified.MethodsIn the present study, the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and selected matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities in Fallopian tubes (FT) throughout the menstrual cycle were examined by PCR array, immunocytochemistry, zymography and bioinformatics.ResultsOf the eighty-four genes analyzed, eighty-three were expressed in the FT during at least one stage of the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant increase (>/=2-fold) in ADAMTS1, ADAMTS13, COL7A1, MMP3, MMP9, PECAM1, and THBS3 in the periovulatory phase compared to the follicular phase. Meanwhile, we observed a significant decrease (>/= 2-fold) in COL7A1, ICAM1, ITGA8, MMP16, MMP9, CLEC3B, SELE and TIMP2 in the lutheal phase compared to the periovulatory phase. Immunocytochemistry showed that MMP-3 and MMP-9 were localized in the endosalpinx during all phases of the menstrual cycle. Gelatin zymograms detected non-cycle-dependent protease activity.ConclusionsSeveral extracellular matrix components were regulated throughout the menstrual cycle in a cyclic pattern, suggesting a possible steroid regulation and a role in tissue remodeling and FT functions.

Following the physiological complementary/parallel Celis-Plá et al., by inhibiting extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), and cytokinin specific binding protein (p38), we assessed the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway in detoxification responses mediated by chronic copper (10 µM) in U. compressa. Parameters were taken at 6, 24, and 48 h, and 6 days (d). H2O2 and lipid peroxidation under copper and inhibition of ERK, JNK, or p38 alone increased but recovered by the sixth day. By blocking two or more MAPKs under copper, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation decayed even below controls. Inhibition of more than one MAPK (at 6 d) caused a decrease in total glutathione (reduced glutathione (GSH) + oxidised glutathione (GSSG)) and ascorbate (reduced ascorbate (ASC) + dehydroascorbate (DHA)), although in the latter it did not occur when the whole MAPK was blocked. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thioredoxin (TRX) ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and glutathione synthase (GS), were downregulated when blocking more than one MAPK pathway. When one MAPK pathway was blocked under copper, a recovery and even enhancement of detoxification mechanisms was observed, likely due to crosstalk within the MAPKs and/or other signalling processes. In contrast, when more than one MAPK pathway were blocked under copper, impairment of detoxification defences occurred, demonstrating that MAPKs were key signalling mechanisms for detoxification in macroalgae.

ResumoDiversas cepas de Xanthomonas campestris são capazes de produzir um biopolímero bacteriano denominado xantana, o qual é amplamente utilizado na indústria alimentícia. Para uma efetiva aplicação da xantana na indústria fazem-se necessários conhecimentos relacionados às propriedades químicas e à adição de eletrólitos, bem como seus efeitos nas características reológicas da solução de xantana. A cada novo biopolímero bacteriano sintetizado, surgem novos comportamentos reológicos, assim se faz necessário sua avaliação para posterior aplicação industrial. O presente trabalho tem como propósito revisar aspectos da estrutura química da xantana, efeitos da adição de eletrólitos e suas influências sobre a viscosidade apresentada por suas soluções. Palavras-chave: Xantana. Eletrólito. Viscosidade. AbstractSeveral strains of Xanthomonas campestris are able to produce a bacterial biopolymer called xanthan which is widely used in the food industry. In order to have an effective use of the xanthan in the industry, not only the studies concerning the chemical properties of the xanthan should be considered, but also the studies related to its addition of electrolytes, and its effects in the rheological behaviour. When a new bacterial biopolymer is sinthetized, new rheological behaviours appear. This study aims at review the influence of the chemical structural and addition of salts to the rheological behaviour of the xanthan aqueous solution.