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Biochemistry and Cell Biology =... Jun 2024Insects are the largest group of animals when it comes to the number and diversity of species. Yet, with the exception of , no information is currently available on the...
Insects are the largest group of animals when it comes to the number and diversity of species. Yet, with the exception of , no information is currently available on the primary structure of their sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs). This paper represents the first attempt in this regard and provides information about six species of Neoptera: , and . The SNBPs of these species were characterized by acetic acid urea gel electrophoresis (AU-PAGE) and high-performance liquid chromatography fractionated. Protein sequencing was obtained using a combination of mass spectrometry sequencing, Edman N-terminal degradation sequencing and genome mining. While the SNBPs of several of these species exhibit a canonical arginine-rich protamine nature, a few of them exhibit a protamine-like composition. They appear to be the products of extensive cleavage processing from a precursor protein which are sometimes further processed by other post-translational modifications that are likely involved in the chromatin transitions observed during spermiogenesis in these organisms.
Topics: Animals; Male; Amino Acid Sequence; Protamines; Nuclear Proteins; Insect Proteins; Insecta; Molecular Sequence Data; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 38408323
DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2023-0363 -
Nucleus (Austin, Tex.) Dec 2024Species' continuity depends on gametogenesis to produce the only cell types that can transmit genetic information across generations. Spermiogenesis, which encompasses... (Review)
Review
Species' continuity depends on gametogenesis to produce the only cell types that can transmit genetic information across generations. Spermiogenesis, which encompasses post-meiotic, haploid stages of male gametogenesis, is a process that leads to the formation of sperm cells well-known for their motility. Spermiogenesis faces three major challenges. First, after two rounds of meiotic divisions, the genome lacks repair templates (no sister chromatids, no homologous chromosomes), making it incredibly vulnerable to any genomic insults over an extended time (typically days-weeks). Second, the sperm genome becomes transcriptionally silent, making it difficult to respond to new perturbations as spermiogenesis progresses. Third, the histone-to-protamine transition, which is essential to package the sperm genome, counterintuitively involves DNA break formation. How spermiogenesis handles these challenges remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss each challenge and their intersection with the biology of protamines. Finally, we discuss the implication of protamines in the process of evolution.
Topics: Male; Humans; Semen; Spermatogenesis; Histones; Spermatozoa; Protamines
PubMed: 38594652
DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2339220 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its low-molecular-weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood...
Unfractionated heparin (UFH) and its low-molecular-weight fragments (LMWH) are widely used as anticoagulants for surgical procedures and extracorporeal blood purification therapies such as cardiovascular surgery and dialysis. The anticoagulant effect of heparin is essential for the optimal execution of extracorporeal blood circulation. However, at the end of these procedures, to avoid the risk of bleeding, it is necessary to neutralize it. Currently, the only antidote for heparin neutralization is protamine sulphate, a highly basic protein which constitutes a further source of serious side events and is ineffective in neutralizing LMWH. Furthermore, dialysis patients, due to the routine administration of heparin, often experience serious adverse effects, among which HIT (heparin-induced thrombocytopenia) is one of the most severe. For this reason, the finding of new heparin antagonists or alternative methods for heparin removal from blood is of great interest. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a set of biocompatible macroporous cryogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and -lysine with strong filtering capability and remarkable neutralization performance with regard to UFH and LMWH. These properties could enable the design and creation of a filtering device to rapidly reverse heparin, protecting patients from the harmful consequences of the anticoagulant.
Topics: Heparin; Humans; Cryogels; Anticoagulants; Lysine; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Heparin Antagonists
PubMed: 38928208
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126503 -
RSC Advances Nov 2023We prepared a protamine-monododecyl phosphate composite by mixing protamine (P) and a monododecyl phosphate (MDP). This P-MDP composite formed an acid-base complex by...
We prepared a protamine-monododecyl phosphate composite by mixing protamine (P) and a monododecyl phosphate (MDP). This P-MDP composite formed an acid-base complex by the electrostatic interaction between cationic protamine and the negatively charged phosphate group. Additionally, according to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, the composite formed a self-assembled lamellar structure with an interaction between the long alkyl chains of MDP. As a result, the P-MDP composite showed the proton conductivity of 9.5 × 10 S cm at 120-130 °C under anhydrous conditions. Furthermore, the activation energy of the proton conduction of the P-MDP composite was approximately 0.18 eV. These results suggested that the proton conduction of the P-MDP composite was based on an anhydrous proton conductive mechanism. In contrast, the anhydrous proton conduction of the P-methanediphosphonic acid (MP) composite, which did not form the self-assembled lamellar structure, was 3 × 10 S cm at 120-130 °C and this value was one order of magnitude lower than that of the P-MDP composite. Therefore, the two-dimensional self-assembled proton conductive pathway of the P-MDP composite plays a role in the anhydrous proton conduction.
PubMed: 38035249
DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07191j -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Spermatogenesis is one of the most dramatic changes in cell differentiation. Remarkable chromatin condensation of the nucleus is observed in animal, plant, and algal...
Spermatogenesis is one of the most dramatic changes in cell differentiation. Remarkable chromatin condensation of the nucleus is observed in animal, plant, and algal sperm. Sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs), such as protamine and sperm-specific histone, are involved in chromatin condensation of the sperm nucleus. Among brown algae, sperm of the oogamous Fucales algae have a condensed nucleus. However, the existence of sperm-specific SNBPs in Fucales algae was unclear. Here, we identified linker histone (histone H1) proteins in the sperm and analyzed changes in their gene expression pattern during spermatogenesis in Sargassum horneri. A search of transcriptomic data for histone H1 genes in showed six histone H1 genes, which we named ShH1.1a, ShH1b, ShH1.2, ShH1.3, ShH1.4, and ShH1.5. Analysis of SNBPs using SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS showed that sperm nuclei contain histone ShH1.2, ShH1.3, and ShH1.4 in addition to core histones. Both ShH1.2 and ShH1.3 genes were expressed in the vegetative thallus and the male and female receptacles (the organs producing antheridium or oogonium). Meanwhile, the ShH1.4 gene was expressed in the male receptacle but not in the vegetative thallus and female receptacles. From these results, ShH1.4 may be a sperm-specific histone H1 of S. horneri.
Topics: Animals; Male; Histones; Sargassum; Chromatography, Liquid; Semen; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Cell Nucleus; Chromatin; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 38336896
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53729-2 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2023This study aimed to analyze various alterations in the morphology of the sperm head and its association with nucleus instability and insufficient sperm protamine....
This study aimed to analyze various alterations in the morphology of the sperm head and its association with nucleus instability and insufficient sperm protamine. Frozen-thawed semen from twenty local Indonesian bulls was used for all stages in this study. The results of sperm head defect assessments are used for bull grouping, high (HD) and low (LD). Sperm DNA damage was assessed using Acridine Orange and Halomax. The PRM1 protein abundance was carried out using an enzyme immunoassay, while PRM1 gene expression was carried out using the RT-qPCR. PRM deficiency was performed using CMA. Several kinds of sperm head defects in the HD were significantly higher ( < 0.05) than in the LD bulls. Sperm DNA damage showed a significant ( < 0.05) difference between the HD and LD bulls. PRM1 abundance was significantly ( < 0.05) decreased in HD bulls. PRM deficiency was significantly ( < 0.05) higher in HD bulls than in LD bulls. PRM deficiency in bulls correlated significantly ( < 0.01) with sperm head defects, DNA damage, and PRM1 abundance. The lack of sperm protamine might affect the sperm nucleus's stability and induce morphological alterations in the sperm head.
PubMed: 37570242
DOI: 10.3390/ani13152433 -
Research and Practice in Thrombosis and... Nov 2023Anti-Xa assays are used for unfractionated heparin (UFH) monitoring. Dextran sulfate (DS) is used in some assays to overcome the artifactual preanalytical release of...
BACKGROUND
Anti-Xa assays are used for unfractionated heparin (UFH) monitoring. Dextran sulfate (DS) is used in some assays to overcome the artifactual preanalytical release of platelet factor 4. However, the practical implications of this test modification have not been studied extensively.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the impact of the presence of DS in the anti-Xa assay for UFH laboratory monitoring.
METHODS
We studied factor Xa inhibition, using an assay without DS (Stago Liquid Anti-Xa), in normal pool plasma spiked with various concentrations of UFH (up to 1 IU/mL) in the presence of increasing concentrations of DS (up to 2560 μg/mL). We also investigated the effect of DS on FXa inhibition measured after the addition of UFH and heparin antagonists (protamine and Polybrene; Sigma Aldrich). Eventually, we compared the anti-Xa levels measured using the assay without DS to those measured with an assay containing DS (BIOPHEN Heparin LRT, Hyphen BioMed).
RESULTS
DS per se had a detectable anti-Xa effect. FXa inhibition in UFH-spiked plasma linearly increased with increasing concentrations of added DS, with a plateau at approximately 160 μg/mL DS, at which the apparent anti-Xa level had almost doubled. In the presence of heparin antagonists, the addition of DS increased anti-Xa levels, corresponding to the dissociation of the UFH-antagonists complexes . With the anti-Xa assay containing DS, UFH inhibition was not detected.
CONCLUSION
In the presence of high concentrations of DS, FXa inhibition was much higher than that predicted from added UFH amounts, presumably related to the greater availability of UFH for interaction with antithrombin. While the relevance of measuring this "masked" heparin has not been demonstrated, the presence of DS renders the result inaccurate in the presence of protamine or Polybrene.
PubMed: 38193053
DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.102257 -
The Journal of Extra-corporeal... Jun 2024The Perfusion Measures and Outcomes (PERForm) registry was established in 2010 to advance cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) practices and outcomes. The registry is maintained...
BACKGROUND
The Perfusion Measures and Outcomes (PERForm) registry was established in 2010 to advance cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) practices and outcomes. The registry is maintained through the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons Quality Collaborative and is the official registry of the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology.
METHODS
This first annual PERForm registry report summarizes patient characteristics as well as CPB-related practice patterns in adult (≥18 years of age) patients between 2019 and 2022 from 42 participating hospitals. Data from PERForm are probabilistically matched to institutional surgical registry data. Trends in myocardial protection, glucose, anticoagulation, temperature, anemia (hematocrit), and fluid management are summarized. Additionally, trends in equipment (hardware/disposables) utilization and employed patient safety practices are reported.
RESULTS
A total of 40,777 adult patients undergoing CPB were matched to institutional surgical registry data from 42 hospitals. Among these patients, 54.9% underwent a CABG procedure, 71.6% were male, and the median (IQR) age was 66.0 [58.0, 73.0] years. Overall, 33.1% of the CPB procedures utilized a roller pump for the arterial pump device, and a perfusion checklist was employed 99.6% of the time. The use of conventional ultrafiltration decreased over the study period (2019 vs. 2022; 27.1% vs. 24.9%) while the median (IQR) last hematocrit on CPB has remained stable [27.0 (24.0, 30.0) vs. 27.0 (24.0, 30.0)]. Pump sucker termination before protamine administration increased over the study period: (54.8% vs. 75.9%).
CONCLUSION
Few robust clinical registries exist to collect data regarding the practice of CPB. Although data submitted to the PERForm registry demonstrate overall compliance with published perfusion evidence-based guidelines, noted opportunities to advance patient safety and outcomes remain.
Topics: Humans; Registries; Male; Aged; Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Middle Aged; Female; Michigan; Adult
PubMed: 38888548
DOI: 10.1051/ject/2024006 -
Increased Apoptosis in Subcortical Regions of The Visual Pathway in Offspring Born to Diabetic Rats.Cell Journal Aug 2023Diabetes in pregnancy is a prevalent disease that can affect the central nervous system of the fetus by hyperglycemia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of...
OBJECTIVE
Diabetes in pregnancy is a prevalent disease that can affect the central nervous system of the fetus by hyperglycemia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal diabetes on neuronal apoptosis in the superior colliculus (SC) and the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in male neonates born to diabetic mothers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this experimental study, female adult rats were separated into three groups: control, diabetic (induced using an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin), and insulin-treated diabetic [diabetes controlled by subcutaneous neutral protamine hagedorn (NPH)-insulin injection]. Male neonates from each group were euthanized on 0, 7, and 14 postnatal days (P0, P7, and P14, respectively), and apoptotic cells were identified using TUNEL staining.
RESULTS
The numerical density per unit area (NA) of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in SC and the dorsal LGN (dLGN) in neonates born to the diabetic rats compared to the control group at P0, P7, and P14. However, insulin treatment normalized the number of apoptotic cells.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated that maternal diabetes increased apoptosis in dLGN and SC of male neonates at P0, P7, and P14.
PubMed: 37641418
DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2023.1989649.1232 -
The American Journal of Cardiology Jul 2023Acute bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT) is considered a rare complication and has seldom been described. Moreover, acute intraoperative BPVT is exceedingly rare, and...
Acute bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT) is considered a rare complication and has seldom been described. Moreover, acute intraoperative BPVT is exceedingly rare, and its management remains a major clinical challenge. Here, we report a case of acute intraoperative BPVT that occurred immediately after protamine administration. Major resolution of the thrombus and significant improvement of bioprosthetic function were observed after the resumption of cardiopulmonary bypass support for approximately 1 hour. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is important for a prompt diagnosis. Our case describes the spontaneous resolution of BPVT after reheparinization, which might assist in the management of acute intraoperative BPVT.
Topics: Humans; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Protamines; Bioprosthesis; Thrombosis; Echocardiography, Transesophageal
PubMed: 37198074
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.04.018