Dynamic centriolar localization of Polo and Centrobin in early mitosis primes centrosome asymmetry.

Centrosomes, the main microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) of metazoan cells, contain an older "mother" and a younger "daughter" centriole. Stem cells either inherit the mother or daughter-centriole-containing centrosome, providing a possible mechanism for biased delivery of cell fate determinants. However, the mechanisms regulating centrosome asymmetry and biased centrosome segregation are unclear. Using 3D-structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM) and live-cell imaging, we show in fly neural stem cells (neuroblasts) that the mitotic kinase Polo and its centriolar protein substrate Centrobin (Cnb) accumulate on the daughter centriole during mitosis, thereby generating molecularly distinct mother and daughter centrioles before interphase. Cnb's asymmetric localization, potentially involving a direct relocalization mechanism, is regulated by Polo-mediated phosphorylation, whereas Polo's daughter centriole enrichment requires both Wdr62 and Cnb. Based on optogenetic protein mislocalization experiments, we propose that the establishment of centriole asymmetry in mitosis primes biased interphase MTOC activity, necessary for correct spindle orientation.

Spatiotemporally Controlled Myosin Relocalization and Internal Pressure Generate Sibling Cell Size Asymmetry.

Metazoan cells can generate unequal-sized sibling cells during cell division. This form of asymmetric cell division depends on spindle geometry and Myosin distribution, but the underlying mechanics are unclear. Here, we use atomic force microscopy and live cell imaging to elucidate the biophysical forces involved in the establishment of physical asymmetry in Drosophila neural stem cells. We show that initial apical cortical expansion is driven by hydrostatic pressure, peaking shortly after anaphase onset, and enabled by a relief of actomyosin contractile tension on the apical cell cortex. An increase in contractile tension at the cleavage furrow combined with the relocalization of basally located Myosin initiates basal and sustains apical extension. We propose that spatiotemporally controlled actomyosin contractile tension and hydrostatic pressure enable biased cortical expansion to generate sibling cell size asymmetry. However, dynamic cleavage furrow repositioning can compensate for the lack of biased expansion to establish physical asymmetry.

An intensified training schedule in recreational male runners is associated with increases in erythropoiesis and inflammation and a net reduction in plasma hepcidin.

Background: Iron status is a determinant of physical performance, but training may induce both low-grade inflammation and erythropoiesis, exerting opposing influences on hepcidin and iron metabolism. To our knowledge, the combined effects on iron absorption and utilization during training have not been examined directly in humans. Objective: We hypothesized that 3 wk of exercise training in recreational male runners would decrease oral iron bioavailability by increasing inflammation and hepcidin concentrations. Design: In a prospective intervention, nonanemic, iron-sufficient men (n = 10) completed a 34-d study consisting of a 16-d control phase and a 22-d exercise-training phase of 8 km running every second day. We measured oral iron absorption and erythroid iron utilization using oral 57Fe and intravenous 58Fe tracers administered before and during training. We measured hemoglobin mass (mHb) and total red blood cell volume (RCV) by carbon monoxide rebreathing. Iron status, interleukin-6 (IL-6), plasma hepcidin (PHep), erythropoietin (EPO), and erythroferrone were measured before, during, and after training. Results: Exercise training induced inflammation, as indicated by an increased mean ± SD IL-6 (0.87 ± 1.1 to 5.17 ± 2.2 pg/mL; P < 0.01), while also enhancing erythropoiesis, as indicated by an increase in mean EPO (0.66 ± 0.42 to 2.06 ± 1.6 IU/L), mHb (10.5 ± 1.6 to 10.8 ± 1.8 g/kg body weight), and mean RCV (30.7 ± 4.3 to 32.7 ± 4.6 mL/kg) (all P < 0.05). Training tended to increase geometric mean iron absorption by 24% (P = 0.083), consistent with a decreased mean ± SD PHep (7.25 ± 2.14 to 5.17 ± 2.24 nM; P < 0.05). The increase in mHb and erythroid iron utilization were associated with the decrease in PHep (P < 0.05). Compartmental modeling indicated that iron for the increase in mHb was obtained predominantly (>80%) from stores mobilization rather than from increased dietary absorption. Conclusions: In iron-sufficient men, mild intensification of exercise intensity increases both inflammation and erythropoiesis. The net effect is to decrease hepcidin concentrations and to tend to increase oral iron absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01730521.

Spatio-temporally separated cortical flows and spindle geometry establish physical asymmetry in fly neural stem cells.

Asymmetric cell division, creating sibling cells with distinct developmental potentials, can be manifested in sibling cell size asymmetry. This form of physical asymmetry occurs in several metazoan cells, but the underlying mechanisms and function are incompletely understood. Here we use Drosophila neural stem cells to elucidate the mechanisms involved in physical asymmetry establishment. We show that Myosin relocalizes to the cleavage furrow via two distinct cortical Myosin flows: at anaphase onset, a polarity induced, basally directed Myosin flow clears Myosin from the apical cortex. Subsequently, mitotic spindle cues establish a Myosin gradient at the lateral neuroblast cortex, necessary to trigger an apically directed flow, removing Actomyosin from the basal cortex. On the basis of the data presented here, we propose that spatiotemporally controlled Myosin flows in conjunction with spindle positioning and spindle asymmetry are key determinants for correct cleavage furrow placement and cortical expansion, thereby establishing physical asymmetry.

The effect of lipids, a lipid-rich ready-to-use therapeutic food, or a phytase on iron absorption from maize-based meals fortified with micronutrient powders.

Background: Ready-to-use-therapeutic foods (RUTFs) high in lipid, protein, and iron are used to treat malnutrition. Lipids increase gastric residence time, which could increase iron absorption, particularly from poorly soluble iron compounds and in combination with phytase.Objectives: The objectives were to 1) assess the effect on iron absorption of a lipid emulsion given 20 min before or together with an iron-fortified maize meal and 2) assess iron absorption from a micronutrient powder (MNP) given with a nutrient-dense RUTF and/or a microbial phytase.Design: A total of 41 women participated in 3 studies. They consumed a maize meal fortified with isotopically labeled ferrous sulfate (FeSO4; study 1) or ferric pyrophosphate (FePP; study 2). In studies 1 and 2, a lipid emulsion was given with or 20 min before the meal. In study 3, with the use of a 2 × 2 factorial design, subjects consumed a maize meal fortified with an MNP containing labeled FeSO4 (MNP) given with an RUTF (MNP+RUTF), with a phytase (MNP+phytase), or both (MNP+RUTF+phytase). Iron absorption was assessed by isotope incorporation in erythrocytes 14 d after the test meals.Results: The lipid emulsion given either before or with the meal significantly increased iron absorption from FePP by 2.55-fold (95% CI: 1.48-, 4.37-fold; P = 0.001) but not from FeSO4 There was a trend to increase iron absorption with the MNP+RUTF meal, which did not reach significance (1.21-fold; 95% CI: 0.92-, 1.61-fold; P = 0.060). The addition of phytase to MNP and MNP+RUTF significantly increased iron absorption by 1.85-fold (95% CI: 1.49-, 2.29-fold; P < 0.001), with no interaction between phytase and RUTF.Conclusions: In iron-fortified maize-based meals, the addition of lipids more than doubles iron absorption from FePP. Our results suggest the possibility of an enhancing effect on iron absorption of lipid-rich RUTFs, but more research is needed to determine this. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01991626.

The prion protein is an agonistic ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor Adgrg6.

Ablation of the cellular prion protein PrP(C) leads to a chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy affecting Schwann cells. Neuron-restricted expression of PrP(C) prevents the disease, suggesting that PrP(C) acts in trans through an unidentified Schwann cell receptor. Here we show that the cAMP concentration in sciatic nerves from PrP(C)-deficient mice is reduced, suggesting that PrP(C) acts via a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). The amino-terminal flexible tail (residues 23-120) of PrP(C) triggered a concentration-dependent increase in cAMP in primary Schwann cells, in the Schwann cell line SW10, and in HEK293T cells overexpressing the GPCR Adgrg6 (also known as Gpr126). By contrast, naive HEK293T cells and HEK293T cells expressing several other GPCRs did not react to the flexible tail, and ablation of Gpr126 from SW10 cells abolished the flexible tail-induced cAMP response. The flexible tail contains a polycationic cluster (KKRPKPG) similar to the GPRGKPG motif of the Gpr126 agonist type-IV collagen. A KKRPKPG-containing PrPC-derived peptide (FT(23-50)) sufficed to induce a Gpr126-dependent cAMP response in cells and mice, and improved myelination in hypomorphic gpr126 mutant zebrafish (Danio rerio). Substitution of the cationic residues with alanines abolished the biological activity of both FT(23-50) and the equivalent type-IV collagen peptide. We conclude that PrP(C) promotes myelin homeostasis through flexible tail-mediated Gpr126 agonism. As well as clarifying the physiological role of PrP(C), these observations are relevant to the pathogenesis of demyelinating polyneuropathies--common debilitating diseases for which there are limited therapeutic options.

Melanin-concentrating hormone is necessary for olanzapine-inhibited locomotor activity in male mice.

Olanzapine (OLZ), an atypical antipsychotic, can be effective in treating patients with restricting type anorexia nervosa who exercise excessively. Clinical improvements include weight gain and reduced pathological hyperactivity. However the neuronal populations and mechanisms underlying OLZ actions are not known. We studied the effects of OLZ on hyperactivity using male mice lacking the hypothalamic neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCHKO) that are lean and hyperactive. We compared the in vivo effects of systemic or intra-accumbens nucleus (Acb) OLZ administration on locomotor activity in WT and MCHKO littermates. Acute systemic OLZ treatment in WT mice significantly reduced locomotor activity, an effect that is substantially attenuated in MCHKO mice. Furthermore, OLZ infusion directly into the Acb of WT mice reduced locomotor activity, but not in MCHKO mice. To identify contributing neuronal mechanisms, we assessed the effect of OLZ treatment on Acb synaptic transmission ex vivo and in vitro. Intraperitoneal OLZ treatment reduced Acb GABAergic activity in WT but not MCHKO neurons. This effect was also seen in vitro by applying OLZ to acute brain slices. OLZ reduced the frequency and amplitude of GABAergic activity that was more robust in WT than MCHKO Acb. These findings indicate that OLZ reduced Acb GABAergic transmission and that MCH is necessary for the hypolocomotor effects of OLZ.