Bioproducts of Pseudomonas chlororaphis suppress DMI fungicide-induced CsCYP51A and CsCYP51B gene expression in Colletotrichum siamense and generate synergistic effects with metconazole and propiconazole.

Mixtures of fungicides with different modes of action are commonly used as disease and resistance management tools, but little is known of mixtures of natural and synthetic products. In this study, mixtures of metabolites from the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain ASF009 formulated as Howler EVO with below label rates (50 µg/ml) of conventional sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides were investigated for control of anthracnose of cherry (Prunus avium) caused by Colletotrichum siamense. Howler mixed with metconazole or propiconazole synergistically reduced disease severity through lesion growth. Realtime PCR showed that difenoconazole, flutriafol, metconazole, and propiconazole induced the expression of DMI target genes CsCYP51A and CsCYP51B in C. siamense. The addition of Howler completely suppressed the DMI fungicide-induced expression of both CYP51 genes. We hypothesize that the downregulation of DMI fungicide-induced expression of the DMI target genes may, at least in part, explain the synergism observed in detached fruit assays.

Efficacy of calcium propionate against fungicide-resistant fungal plant pathogens and suppression of botrytis blight of ornamental flowers.

Conventional fungicides are used in IPM programs to manage fungal plant pathogens, but there are concerns about resistance development in target organisms, environmental contamination, and human health risks. This study explored the potential of calcium propionate (CaP), a common food preservative generally recognized as safe (GRAS) to control fungicide-resistant plant pathogens, mainly Botrytis cinerea, and botrytis blight in ornamentals. In-vitro experiments using mycelium growth inhibition indicated a mean EC50 value for CaP (pH 6.0) of 527 mg/L for six isolates of Botrytis cinerea as well as 618, 1354, and 1310 mg/L for six isolates each of Monilinia fructicola, Alternaria alternata, and Colletotrichum acutatum. In vitro efficacy tests indicated CaP equally inhibited mycelium growth of fungal isolates sensitive and resistant to FRAC codes 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 17 fungicides. CaP at 0.1% (pH 6.0-6.5) reduced infection cushion (IC) formation in vitro, botrytis blight on petunia flowers, and botrytis blight of cut flower roses with little to no visible phytotoxicity. Although higher concentrations strongly inhibited infection cushion formation, they did not improve efficacy and exhibited phytotoxicity. We hypothesize that high concentrations may create tissue damage that facilitates direct fungal penetration without the need for infection cushion and subsequent appressoria formation. This study indicates the potential usefulness of CaP for blossom blight disease management in ornamentals if applied at concentrations low enough to avoid phytotoxicity.

Profilin-Mediated Actin Allocation Regulates the Growth of Epithelial Microvilli.

Transporting epithelial cells, like those that line the intestinal tract, are specialized for solute processing and uptake. One defining feature is the brush border, an array of microvilli that serves to amplify apical membrane surface area and increase functional capacity. During differentiation, upon exit from stem-cell-containing crypts, enterocytes build thousands of microvilli, each supported by a parallel bundle of actin filaments several microns in length. Given the high concentration of actin residing in mature brush borders, we sought to determine whether enterocytes were resource (i.e., actin monomer) limited in assembling this domain. To examine this possibility, we inhibited Arp2/3, the ubiquitous branched actin nucleator, to increase G-actin availability during brush border assembly. In native intestinal tissues, Arp2/3 inhibition led to increased microvilli length on the surface of crypt, but not villus, enterocytes. In a cell culture model of brush border assembly, Arp2/3 inhibition accelerated the growth and increased the length of microvilli; it also led to a redistribution of F-actin from cortical lateral networks into the brush border. Effects on brush border growth were rescued by treatment with the G-actin sequestering drug, latrunculin A. G-actin binding protein, profilin-1, colocalized in the terminal web with G-actin, and knockdown of this factor compromised brush border growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, the acceleration in brush border assembly induced by Arp2/3 inhibition was abrogated by profilin-1 knockdown. Thus, brush border assembly is limited by G-actin availability, and profilin-1 directs unallocated actin monomers into microvillar core bundles during enterocyte differentiation.

Loss of myosin Vb promotes apical bulk endocytosis in neonatal enterocytes.

In patients with inactivating mutations in myosin Vb (Myo5B), enterocytes show large inclusions lined by microvilli. The origin of inclusions in small-intestinal enterocytes in microvillus inclusion disease is currently unclear. We postulated that inclusions in Myo5b KO mouse enterocytes form through invagination of the apical brush border membrane. 70-kD FITC-dextran added apically to Myo5b KO intestinal explants accumulated in intracellular inclusions. Live imaging of Myo5b KO-derived enteroids confirmed the formation of inclusions from the apical membrane. Treatment of intestinal explants and enteroids with Dyngo resulted in accumulation of inclusions at the apical membrane. Inclusions in Myo5b KO enterocytes contained VAMP4 and Pacsin 2 (Syndapin 2). Myo5b;Pacsin 2 double-KO mice showed a significant decrease in inclusion formation. Our results suggest that apical bulk endocytosis in Myo5b KO enterocytes resembles activity-dependent bulk endocytosis, the primary mechanism for synaptic vesicle uptake during intense neuronal stimulation. Thus, apical bulk endocytosis mediates the formation of inclusions in neonatal Myo5b KO enterocytes.

An actin-based protrusion originating from a podosome-enriched region initiates macrophage fusion.

Macrophage fusion resulting in the formation of multinucleated giant cells occurs in a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, yet the mechanism responsible for initiating this process is unknown. Here, we used live cell imaging to show that actin-based protrusions at the leading edge initiate macrophage fusion. Phase-contrast video microscopy demonstrated that in the majority of events, short protrusions (∼3 µm) between two closely apposed cells initiated fusion, but occasionally we observed long protrusions (∼12 µm). Using macrophages isolated from LifeAct mice and imaging with lattice light sheet microscopy, we further found that fusion-competent protrusions formed at sites enriched in podosomes. Inducing fusion in mixed populations of GFP- and mRFP-LifeAct macrophages showed rapid spatial overlap between GFP and RFP signal at the site of fusion. Cytochalasin B strongly reduced fusion and when rare fusion events occurred, protrusions were not observed. Fusion of macrophages deficient in Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and Cdc42, key molecules involved in the formation of actin-based protrusions and podosomes, was also impaired both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, inhibiting the activity of the Arp2/3 complex decreased fusion and podosome formation. Together these data suggest that an actin-based protrusion formed at the leading edge initiates macrophage fusion.

Interaction between the integrin Mac-1 and signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) mediates fusion in heterologous cells.

Macrophage fusion leading to the formation of multinucleated giant cells is a hallmark of chronic inflammation. Several membrane proteins have been implicated in mediating cell-cell attachment during fusion, but their binding partners remain unknown. Recently, we demonstrated that interleukin-4 (IL-4)-induced fusion of mouse macrophages depends on the integrin macrophage antigen 1 (Mac-1). Surprisingly, the genetic deficiency of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), an established ligand of Mac-1, did not impair macrophage fusion, suggesting the involvement of other counter-receptors. Here, using various approaches, including signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα) knockdown, recombinant proteins, adhesion and fusion assays, biolayer interferometry, and peptide libraries, we show that SIRPα, which, similar to ICAM-1, belongs to the Ig superfamily and has previously been implicated in cell fusion, interacts with Mac-1. The following results support the conclusion that SIRPα is a ligand of Mac-1: (a) recombinant ectodomain of SIRPα supports adhesion of Mac-1-expressing cells; (b) Mac-1-SIRPα interaction is mediated through the ligand-binding αMI-domain of Mac-1; (c) recognition of SIRPα by the αMI-domain conforms to general principles governing binding of Mac-1 to many of its ligands; (d) SIRPα reportedly binds CD47; however, anti-CD47 function-blocking mAb produced only a limited inhibition of macrophage adhesion to SIRPα; and (e) co-culturing of SIRPα- and Mac-1-expressing HEK293 cells resulted in the formation of multinucleated cells. Taken together, these results identify SIRPα as a counter-receptor for Mac-1 and suggest that the Mac-1-SIRPα interaction may be involved in macrophage fusion.

Brush border protocadherin CDHR2 promotes the elongation and maximized packing of microvilli in vivo.

Transporting epithelial cells optimize their morphology for solute uptake by building an apical specialization: a dense array of microvilli that serves to increase membrane surface area. In the intestinal tract, individual cells build thousands of microvilli, which pack tightly to form the brush border. Recent studies implicate adhesion molecule CDHR2 in the regulation of microvillar packing via the formation of adhesion complexes between the tips of adjacent protrusions. To gain insight on how CDHR2 contributes to brush border morphogenesis and enterocyte function under native in vivo conditions, we generated mice lacking CDHR2 expression in the intestinal tract. Although CDHR2 knockout (KO) mice are viable, body weight trends lower and careful examination of tissue, cell, and brush border morphology revealed several perturbations that likely contribute to reduced functional capacity of KO intestine. In the absence of CDHR2, microvilli are significantly shorter, and exhibit disordered packing and a 30% decrease in packing density. These structural perturbations are linked to decreased levels of key solute processing and transporting factors in the brush border. Thus, CDHR2 functions to elongate microvilli and maximize their numbers on the apical surface, which together serve to increase the functional capacity of enterocyte.

Fabricating Optical-quality Glass Surfaces to Study Macrophage Fusion.

Visualizing the formation of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) from living specimens has been challenging due to the fact that most live imaging techniques require propagation of light through glass, but on glass macrophage fusion is a rare event. This protocol presents the fabrication of several optical-quality glass surfaces where adsorption of compounds containing long-chain hydrocarbons transforms glass into a fusogenic surface. First, preparation of clean glass surfaces as starting material for surface modification is described. Second, a method is provided for the adsorption of compounds containing long-chain hydrocarbons to convert non-fusogenic glass into a fusogenic substrate. Third, this protocol describes fabrication of surface micropatterns that promote a high degree of spatiotemporal control over MGC formation. Finally, fabricating glass bottom dishes is described. Examples of use of this in vitro cell system as a model to study macrophage fusion and MGC formation are shown.

Development of fusogenic glass surfaces that impart spatiotemporal control over macrophage fusion: Direct visualization of multinucleated giant cell formation.

Implantation of synthetic material, including vascular grafts, pacemakers, etc. results in the foreign body reaction and the formation of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) at the exterior surface of the implant. Despite the long-standing premise that fusion of mononucleated macrophages results in the formation of MGCs, to date, no published study has shown fusion in context with living specimens. This is due to the fact that optical-quality glass, which is required for the majority of live imaging techniques, does not promote macrophage fusion. Consequently, the morphological changes that macrophages undergo during fusion as well as the mechanisms that govern this process remain ill-defined. In this study, we serendipitously identified a highly fusogenic glass surface and discovered that the capacity to promote fusion was due to oleamide contamination. When adsorbed on glass, oleamide and other molecules that contain long-chain hydrocarbons promoted high levels of macrophage fusion. Adhesion, an essential step for macrophage fusion, was apparently mediated by Mac-1 integrin (CD11b/CD18, αMß2) as determined by single cell force spectroscopy and adhesion assays. Micropatterned glass further increased fusion and enabled a remarkable degree of spatiotemporal control over MGC formation. Using these surfaces, we reveal the kinetics that govern MGC formation in vitro. We anticipate that the spatiotemporal control afforded by these surfaces will expedite studies designed to identify the mechanism(s) of macrophage fusion and MGC formation with implication for the design of novel biomaterials.

A Facile Method for Separating and Enriching Nano and Submicron Particles from Titanium Dioxide Found in Food and Pharmaceutical Products.

Recent studies indicate the presence of nano-scale titanium dioxide (TiO2) as an additive in human foodstuffs, but a practical protocol to isolate and separate nano-fractions from soluble foodstuffs as a source of material remains elusive. As such, we developed a method for separating the nano and submicron fractions found in commercial-grade TiO2 (E171) and E171 extracted from soluble foodstuffs and pharmaceutical products (e.g., chewing gum, pain reliever, and allergy medicine). Primary particle analysis of commercial-grade E171 indicated that 54% of particles were nano-sized (i.e., < 100 nm). Isolation and primary particle analysis of five consumer goods intended to be ingested revealed differences in the percent of nano-sized particles from 32%‒58%. Separation and enrichment of nano- and submicron-sized particles from commercial-grade E171 and E171 isolated from foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals was accomplished using rate-zonal centrifugation. Commercial-grade E171 was separated into nano- and submicron-enriched fractions consisting of a nano:submicron fraction of approximately 0.45:1 and 3.2:1, respectively. E171 extracted from gum had nano:submicron fractions of 1.4:1 and 0.19:1 for nano- and submicron-enriched, respectively. We show a difference in particle adhesion to the cell surface, which was found to be dependent on particle size and epithelial orientation. Finally, we provide evidence that E171 particles are not immediately cytotoxic to the Caco-2 human intestinal epithelium model. These data suggest that this separation method is appropriate for studies interested in isolating the nano-sized particle fraction taken directly from consumer products, in order to study separately the effects of nano and submicron particles.

High glucose impairs acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in isolated arteries from Mourning doves (Z. macroura).

Normal avian plasma glucose levels are 1.5-2 times greater than mammals of similar size. In mammals, hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Prior work has shown that mourning doves have high levels of antioxidants and isolated vessels have low endogenous oxidative stress. Therefore, the hypothesis was that endothelium-dependent vasodilation of isolated avian arteries would not be impaired following acute exposure to high glucose. Isolated small resistance cranial tibial arteries (c. tibial) were cannulated and pressurized in a vessel chamber then incubated with either normal or high glucose (20mM vs. 30mM) for 1h at 41°C. Vessels were then pre-constricted to 50% of resting inner diameter with phenylephrine (PE) followed by increasing doses of acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-9) to 10(-5)M, 5min per step). Percent vasodilation was measured by tracking the inner diameter with edge-detection software. Contrary to our hypothesis, ACh-induced vasodilation was impaired with acute exposure to high glucose (p=0.013). The impairment was not related to increased osmolarity since vasodilation of arteries exposed to an equimolar combination of 20mM d-glucose and 10mM l-glucose was not different from controls (p=0.273). Rather, the impaired vasodilation was attributed to oxidative stress since superoxide levels were elevated 168±42% (p=0.02) and pre-exposure of arteries to the superoxide dismutase mimetic tiron (10mM) improved vasodilation (p<0.05). Therefore, isolated arteries from doves do not have endogenous mechanisms to prevent impaired vasodilation resulting from high glucose-mediated increases in oxidative stress.

Genistein supplementation prevents weight gain but promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in the vasculature of female obese ob/ob mice.

Obesity, a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, is strongly associated with the development of hypertension and diabetes. Superoxide, a free radical elevated in obese individuals, promotes hypertension through scavenging the endogenous vasodilator nitric oxide. The hypothesis was a genistein-enriched diet would promote weight loss and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the vasculature of intact female ob/ob mice. Aortas and mesenteric arteries were isolated from female ob/ob mice fed genistein-free (0mg genistein/kg diet; n=6), standard chow (200-300mg genistein/kg diet; n=11) or genistein-enriched (600mg genistein/kg diet; n=9) diets for 4weeks. Sections of isolated vessels were labeled with the superoxide indicator dihydroethidium and fluorescence was measured by confocal microscopy. Protein expression of the inflammatory marker inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured in the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding each vessel and plasma concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were quantified. Genistein-enriched diet promoted less weight gain compared to animals fed standard chow (P=.008). Standard chow promoted increased superoxide in the aorta (P=.030) and mesenteric arteries (P=.024) compared to a diet devoid of genistein. At all tested concentrations, genistein significantly increased iNOS expression in mesenteric artery PVAT (vs. standard chow, P<.001; vs. genistein-enriched, P=.002) and tended to increase iNOS within the aortic PVAT (standard chow, P=.075) compared to the genistein-free group. Plasma SOD activity was significantly downregulated in genistein-enriched animals as compared to those fed a genistein-free diet (P=.028). In summary, although genistein prevents weight gain, it promotes vascular oxidative stress and inflammation in obese ovarian-intact female mice.

The Role of Integrins αMß2 (Mac-1, CD11b/CD18) and αDß2 (CD11d/CD18) in Macrophage Fusion.

The subfamily of ß2 integrins is implicated in macrophage fusion, a hallmark of chronic inflammation. Among ß2 family members, integrin Mac-1 (αMß2, CD11b/CD18) is abundantly expressed on monocyte/macrophages and mediates critical adhesive reactions of these cells. However, the role of Mac-1 in macrophage fusion leading to the formation of multinucleated giant cells remains unclear. Moreover, the role of integrin αDß2 (CD11d/CD18), a receptor with recognition specificity overlapping that of Mac-1, is unknown. We found that multinucleated giant cells are formed in the inflamed mouse peritoneum during the resolution phase of inflammation, and their numbers were approximately twofold higher in wild-type mice than in Mac-1(-/-) mice. Analyses of isolated inflammatory peritoneal macrophages showed that IL-4-induced fusion of Mac-1-deficient cells was strongly reduced compared with wild-type counterparts. The examination of adhesive reactions known to be required for fusion showed that spreading, but not adhesion and migration, was reduced in Mac-1-deficient macrophages. Fusion of αDß2-deficient macrophages was also significantly decreased, albeit to a smaller degree. Deficiency of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, a counter-receptor for Mac-1 and αDß2, did not alter the fusion rate. The results indicate that both Mac-1 and αDß2 support macrophage fusion with Mac-1 playing a dominant role and suggest that Mac-1 may mediate cell-cell interactions with a previously unrecognized counter-receptor(s).

Survey of food-grade silica dioxide nanomaterial occurrence, characterization, human gut impacts and fate across its lifecycle.

There is increasing recognition of the importance of transformations in nanomaterials across their lifecycle, yet few quantitative examples exist. We examined food-grade silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanomaterials from its source (bulk material providers), occurrence in food products, impacts on human gastrointestinal tract during consumption, and fate at wastewater treatment plants. Based upon XRD, XPS and TEM analysis, pure SiO2 present in multiple food-grade stock SiO2 exhibited consistent morphologies as agglomerates, ranging in size from below 100nm to >500nm, with all primary particle size in the range of 9-26nm and were most likely amorphous SiO2 based upon high resolution TEM. Ten of 14 targeted foods purchased in the USA contained SiO2 of the same morphology and size as the pristine bulk food-grade SiO2, at levels of 2 to 200mg Si per serving size. A dissolution study of pristine SiO2 showed up to 7% of the dissolution of the silica, but the un-dissolved SiO2 maintained the same morphology as the pristine SiO2. Across a realistic exposure range, pristine SiO2 exhibited adverse dose-response relationships on a cell model (microvilli) of the human gastro-intestinal tract, association onto microvilli and evidence that SiO2 lead to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also observed accumulation of amorphous nano-SiO2 on bioflocs in tests using lab-cultured activated sludge and sewage sludges from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Nano-scale SiO2 of the same size and morphology as pristine food-grade SiO2 was observed in raw sewage at a WWTP, but we identified non-agglomerated individual SiO2 particles with an average diameter of 21.5±4.7nm in treated effluent from the WWTP. This study demonstrates an approach to track nanomaterials from source-to-sink and establishes a baseline occurrence of nano-scale SiO2 in foods and WWTPs.

Food grade titanium dioxide disrupts intestinal brush border microvilli in vitro independent of sedimentation.

Bulk- and nano-scale titanium dioxide (TiO2) has found use in human food products for controlling color, texture, and moisture. Once ingested, and because of their small size, nano-scale TiO2 can interact with a number of epithelia that line the human gastrointestinal tract. One such epithelium responsible for nutrient absorption is the small intestine, whose constituent cells contain microvilli to increase the total surface area of the gut. Using a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy it was found that food grade TiO2 (E171 food additive coded) included ∼25% of the TiO2 as nanoparticles (NPs; <100 nm), and disrupted the normal organization of the microvilli as a consequence of TiO2 sedimentation. It was found that TiO2 isolated from the candy coating of chewing gum and a commercially available TiO2 food grade additive samples were of the anatase crystal structure. Exposure to food grade TiO2 additives, containing nanoparticles, at the lowest concentration tested within this experimental paradigm to date at 350 ng/mL (i.e., 100 ng/cm(2) cell surface area) resulted in disruption of the brush border. Through the use of two independent techniques to remove the effects of gravity, and subsequent TiO2 sedimentation, it was found that disruption of the microvilli was independent of sedimentation. These data indicate that food grade TiO2 exposure resulted in the loss of microvilli from the Caco-2BBe1 cell system due to a biological response, and not simply a physical artifact of in vitro exposure.

Engineered nanoparticles induced brush border disruption in a human model of the intestinal epithelium.

Nanoparticles hold great promise in cell biology and medicine due to the inherent physico-chemical properties when these materials are synthesized on the nanoscale. Moreover, their small size, and the ability to functionalize the outer nanoparticle surface makes them an ideal vector suited to traverse a number of physical barriers in the human body. While nanoparticles hold great promise for applications in cell biology and medicine, their downfall is the toxicity that accompanies exposure to biological systems. This chapter focuses on exposure via the oral route since nanomaterials are being engineered to act as carriers for drugs, contrast agents for specialized imaging techniques, as well as ingested pigments approved by regulatory agencies for human food products. After these nanomaterials are ingested they have the potential to interact with a number of biologically significant tissues, one of which is the epithelium of the small intestine. Within the small intestine exists enterocytes whose principal function is nutrient absorption. The absorptive process is aided by microvilli that act to increase the surface area of the epithelium. Dense arrays of microvilli, referred to as the brush border, have recently been shown to undergo disruption as a consequence of exposure to nanomaterials. This chapter aims to set the stage for detailed mechanistic studies at the cell biology level concerning this newly emerging nanotoxicity research paradigm, as the underlying structural characterization responsible for the existence of microvilli have been elucidated.

Alpha-Fe(2)O(3) elicits diameter-dependent effects during exposure to an in vitro model of the human placenta.

Iron oxide nanoparticles offer unique possibilities due to the change in their physico-chemical parameters when synthesized on the nanoscale (10(-9) m) compared to their bulk forms. While novel uses exist for these materials when synthesized as nanoparticles, their unintended effects on the human body and specifically during pregnancy remain ill defined. In this study, an iron oxide nanoparticle, α-Fe2O3, was employed and the potential toxicity due to exposure was assessed in the widely used model human placental cell line BeWo b30. These cells were grown as epithelia, and subsequently assessed for their epithelial integrity, reactive oxygen species production and cellular viability, ultrastructural and morphological disruption, and genotoxicity as a result of exposure to α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Transepithelial electrical resistance indicated that exposure to the large (50 and 78 nm), but not small (15 nm) diameter particles of α-Fe2O3 nanomaterial resulted in leakiness of the epithelium. Exposure to the large diameters of 50 and 78 nm resulted in increases in cell death and reactive oxygen species. Disruption of junctional integrity as monitored by immunolocalization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 was found to occur as a consequence of exposure to large diameter NPs. It was found that there was reduction in the number of microvilli responsible for increased surface area for nutrient absorption after exposing the epithelia to large diameter NPs. Finally, genotoxicity as assessed by DNA microarray and confirmed by QPCR indicated that the large diameter particles (78 nm) induce apoptosis in these cells. These data indicate that large (50 and 78 nm), but not small (15 nm) α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles disrupt the barrier function of this epithelium as assessed by in vitro analysis.

Multifunctional scaffolds in eggs: sites for localization, signal transduction and meiotic spindle polarity.

Molecular scaffolds in the mammalian egg are capable of tethering specific proteins involved in regulation of early development. Scaffolds can take the form of cytoskeletal elements, or involve proteins such as MARCKs or RACKSs during important cellular transitions in the egg. Moreover, with each cellular transition (i.e. germinal vesicle breakdown, meiosis I, meiosis II, etc) comes an extensive rearrangement of architectural elements within the cell. To accomplish this regulatory elements in signaling pathways should be in close molecular proximity to other discrete signaling pathways both to increase the speed of chemical reactions and to promote crosstalk. Crosstalk between signaling pathways is essential to modulate downstream effectors as one pathway can trigger activation/inhibition of another. It also is important to sequester or restrict access to various signaling enzymes for later use. These requirements create both morphological and biochemical heterogeneity, and likely necessitate the use of molecular scaffolds. This review examines the body of literature suggesting cytoskeletal elements serve to meet the aforementioned requirements in the mammalian egg.

Commenting on the effects of surface treated- and non-surface treated TiO(2) in the Caco-2 cell model.

In a recent work published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology by Fisichella and coworkers investigating surface-modified TiO2 nanoparticle exposure in a model human intestinal epithelium (Caco-2), albeit degraded to mimic conditions in the gut and exposure to natural sunlight, purportedly resulted in no toxic effects. The authors (Fisichella et al.) claim to have confirmed the results of a 2010 report by Koeneman et al. However, the study by Koeneman and colleagues revealed significant effects of unmodified TiO2 nanoparticles. These contradicting data warrant further investigation into the possible effects of aluminum hydroxide, as these nanoparticles appear to have resulted in an abnormal apical surface in Caco-2 cells.

Involvement of the PKC family in regulation of early development.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes have been implicated in a number of key steps during gametogenesis, fertilization, and early development. The 11-member family of PKC isotypes, many with different cofactor requirements for activation, can provide for differential activation of the specific kinases. In addition the enrichment of particular PKC isotypes to unique locations within gametes, zygotes, and early embryos likely promotes specific substrate interactions. Evidence exists to indicate involvement of PKC isotypes during sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction, during resumption of meiosis in the oocytes, regulating the spindle organization in meiosis I and II, at fertilization, in the pronuclei, in the mitotically dividing blastomeres of the embryo, and at the plasma membranes of blastomeres at the time of embryonic compaction. Evidence also exists for crosstalk with other signaling pathways and one or more isotypes of PKC appear to be active at each major developmental transition.