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The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Sep 2015
PubMed: 26269269
DOI: 10.1038/jid.2015.274 -
Protein Science : a Publication of the... Aug 2021Cryptochromes (CRYs) function as blue light photoreceptors in diverse physiological processes in nearly all kingdoms of life. Over the past several decades, they have... (Review)
Review
Cryptochromes (CRYs) function as blue light photoreceptors in diverse physiological processes in nearly all kingdoms of life. Over the past several decades, they have emerged as the most likely candidates for light-dependent magnetoreception in animals, however, a long history of conflicts between in vitro photochemistry and in vivo behavioral data complicate validation of CRYs as a magnetosensor. In this review, we highlight the origins of conflicts regarding CRY photochemistry and signal transduction, and identify recent data that provides clarity on potential mechanisms of signal transduction in magnetoreception. The review primarily focuses on examining differences in photochemistry and signal transduction in plant and animal CRYs, and identifies potential modes of convergent evolution within these independent lineages that may identify conserved signaling pathways.
Topics: Animals; Cryptochromes; Magnetic Phenomena; Models, Molecular; Photobiology; Photochemistry; Plants; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33993574
DOI: 10.1002/pro.4124 -
Biophysical Reviews Oct 2023This special issue of Biophysical Reviews contains the materials presented at the VII Congress of Biophysicists of Russia, held from 17 to 23 April in Krasnodar. We...
This special issue of Biophysical Reviews contains the materials presented at the VII Congress of Biophysicists of Russia, held from 17 to 23 April in Krasnodar. We believe that we have managed to prepare a selection of articles that well reflects the current state of biophysical science in Russia and its place in the world science. The VII Russian Congress on Biophysics was held in Krasnodar in April 2023, continuing the tradition of the series of biophysics conferences held every 4 years. The congress discussed physical principles and mechanisms of biological processes occurring at different life levels-from molecular to cellular and population levels. The results of fundamental and applied research in molecular biophysics, cell biophysics, and biophysics of complex systems were presented at plenary, sectional, and poster sessions. The works in the field of medical biophysics and neurobiology were especially widely presented. The structure and dynamics of biopolymers and fundamental mechanisms underlying the effects of physicochemical factors on biological systems, membrane, and transport processes were actively discussed. Much attention was paid to new experimental methods of biophysical research, methods of bioinformatics, computer, and mathematical modeling as necessary tools of the research at all levels of living systems. Along with fundamental problems of studying biophysical mechanisms of regulation of processes at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels, much attention was paid to applied research in the field of biotechnology and environmental monitoring. The Congress has formed the National Committee of Russian biophysicists.
PubMed: 37975012
DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01164-4 -
Drug Delivery and Translational Research Aug 2023Light-responsive biomaterials can be used for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and nucleic acids, where the tunable/precise delivery of payload highlights the potential... (Review)
Review
Light-responsive biomaterials can be used for the delivery of therapeutic drugs and nucleic acids, where the tunable/precise delivery of payload highlights the potential of such biomaterials for treating a variety of conditions. The translucency of eyes and advances of laser technology in ophthalmology make light-responsive delivery of drugs feasible. Importantly, light can be applied in a non-invasive fashion; therefore, light-triggered drug delivery systems have great potential for clinical impact. This review will examine various types of light-responsive polymers and the chemistry that underpins their application as ophthalmic drug delivery systems.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Drug Delivery Systems; Polymers
PubMed: 35751001
DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01196-5 -
Photochemistry and Photobiology Mar 2022This article is a highlight of the paper by Ivanic and Schnermann et al. in this issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology (Daly et al. Photochem. Photobiol. 2022). The...
This article is a highlight of the paper by Ivanic and Schnermann et al. in this issue of Photochemistry and Photobiology (Daly et al. Photochem. Photobiol. 2022). The collaborative team utilized computational approaches to investigate the influence of electron-withdrawing groups at the 10' position of tetramethylrhodamine (TMR). Leveraging this information, the team was able to extend the emission of the TMR scaffold into the shortwave-infrared region (SWIR, 1000-2500 nm) by incorporation of a ketone functional group at the 10' position (Daly et al. Photochem. Photobiol. 2022). This work provides the first example of a TMR derivative with peak SWIR emission (λ : 862 nm, λ : 1058 nm). The authors utilize the ketone rhodamine scaffold to generate fluorogenic, pH-responsive reporters. This work demonstrates the potential of the classic xanthene scaffold for use as a SWIR reporter, an important step in the ultimate expansion of the repertoire of small-molecule organic fluorophore scaffolds available for deep-tissue imaging applications.
Topics: Fluorescent Dyes; Ionophores; Ketones; Xanthenes
PubMed: 34953073
DOI: 10.1111/php.13578 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2020
PubMed: 33193546
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.591445 -
Biochemistry Feb 2019Microplate readers are foundational instruments in experimental biology and bioengineering that enable multiplexed spectrophotometric measurements. To enhance their...
Microplate readers are foundational instruments in experimental biology and bioengineering that enable multiplexed spectrophotometric measurements. To enhance their accessibility, we here report the design, construction, validation, and benchmarking of an open-source microplate reader. The system features full-spectrum absorbance and fluorescence emission detection, in situ optogenetic stimulation, and stand-alone touch screen programming of automated assay protocols. The total system costs less than $3500, a fraction of the cost of commercial plate readers, and can detect the fluorescence of common dyes at concentrations as low as ∼10 nM. Functional capabilities were demonstrated in the context of synthetic biology, optogenetics, and photosensory biology: by steady-state measurements of ligand-induced reporter gene expression in a model of bacterial quorum sensing and by flavin photocycling kinetic measurements of a LOV (light-oxygen-voltage) domain photoreceptor used for optogenetic transcriptional activation. Fully detailed guides for assembling the device and automating it using the custom Python-based API (Application Program Interface) are provided. This work contributes a key technology to the growing community-wide infrastructure of open-source biology-focused hardware, whose creation is facilitated by rapid prototyping capabilities and low-cost electronics, optoelectronics, and microcomputers.
Topics: Animals; Biosensing Techniques; Cell Physiological Phenomena; High-Throughput Screening Assays; Humans; Optogenetics; Photobiology; Synthetic Biology
PubMed: 30511843
DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00952 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2021Rapid technology development in controlled environment (CE) plant production has been applied to a large variety of plants. In recent years, strawberries have become a... (Review)
Review
Rapid technology development in controlled environment (CE) plant production has been applied to a large variety of plants. In recent years, strawberries have become a popular fruit for CE production because of their high economic and nutritional values. With the widespread use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in the produce industry, growers can manipulate strawberry growth and development by providing specific light spectra. Manipulating light intensity and spectral composition can modify strawberry secondary metabolism and highly impact fruit quality and antioxidant properties. While the impact of visible light on secondary metabolite profiles for other greenhouse crops is well documented, more insight into the impact of different light spectra, from UV radiation to the visible light spectrum, on strawberry plants is required. This will allow growers to maximize yield and rapidly adapt to consumer preferences. In this review, a compilation of studies investigating the effect of light properties on strawberry fruit flavonoids is provided, and a comparative analysis of how light spectra influences strawberry's photobiology and secondary metabolism is presented. The effects of pre-harvest and post-harvest light treatments with UV radiation and visible light are considered. Future studies and implications for LED lighting configurations in strawberry fruit production for researchers and growers are discussed.
PubMed: 33633764
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.611893 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Jul 2022Pigment-producing melanocytes overcome frequent oxidative stress in their physiological role of protecting the skin against the deleterious effects of solar UV...
Pigment-producing melanocytes overcome frequent oxidative stress in their physiological role of protecting the skin against the deleterious effects of solar UV irradiation. This is accomplished by the activity of several endogenous antioxidant systems, including the thioredoxin antioxidant system, in which thioredoxin reductase 1 (TR1) plays an important part. To determine whether TR1 contributes to the redox regulation of melanocyte homeostasis, we have generated a selective melanocytic Txnrd1-knockout mouse model (Txnrd1), which exhibits a depigmentation phenotype consisting of variable amelanotic ventral spotting and reduced pigmentation on the extremities (tail tip, ears, and paws). The antioxidant role of TR1 was further probed in the presence of acute neonatal UVB irradiation, which stimulates melanocyte activation and introduces a spike in oxidative stress in the skin microenvironment. Interestingly, we observed a significant reduction in overall melanocyte count and proliferation in the absence of TR1. Furthermore, melanocytes exhibited an elevated level of UV-induced DNA damage in the form of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine after acute UVB treatment. We also saw an engagement of compensatory antioxidant mechanisms through increased nuclear localization of transcription factor NRF2. Altogether, these data indicate that melanocytic TR1 positively regulates melanocyte homeostasis and pigmentation during development and protects against UVB-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Melanocytes; Mice; Photobiology; Pigmentation; Thioredoxin Reductase 1; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 35031135
DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.11.030 -
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology Jul 1976The history and origin of the science of photobiology are reviewed. Interest in the biologic effects of light gradually increased, beginning with the discovery of... (Review)
Review
The history and origin of the science of photobiology are reviewed. Interest in the biologic effects of light gradually increased, beginning with the discovery of ultraviolet and infrared radiation early in the 19th century. The basis of experimental photobiology was laid by the studies of Raab and Tappeiner on photodynamic action and the early uses of phototherapy by Finsen and Dorno. The discovery of the association of porphyrins with some light-related skin diseases and of the capability of chemical agents such as coal tar and bergamot to induce phototoxic contact dermatitis resulted in a flurry of clinical investigations leading to better understanding of the processes of phototoxicity and photoallergy. The early epidemiologic studies of Unna and Dubreuilh relating solar radiation exposure to the formation of actinic keratoses and non-melanoma skin cancer were experimentally confirmed in animals by Findlay, Roffo, and Blum. In the most recent quarter century (1950-1975), cellular and molecular photobiology has been refined. The studies on photochemistry of nucleic acid and of damage and repair mechanisms in DNA have set the stage for understanding the basic processes of biologic effects of light and promise the development of useful applications of specifically directed phototherapy and prevention of such light-induced diseases as skin cancer.
Topics: Animals; DNA; DNA Repair; Erythema; Europe; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; International Cooperation; Light; Molecular Biology; Photochemistry; Photosensitivity Disorders; Phototherapy; RNA; Skin; Skin Diseases; Skin Neoplasms; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Skin Pigmentation; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 778294
DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12513042