| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(author)
-
TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
-
In: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
|
|
| 3. |
- Almeida, Rafael M., et al.
(author)
-
High Primary Production Contrasts with Intense Carbon Emission in a Eutrophic Tropical Reservoir
- 2016
-
In: Frontiers in Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-302X. ; 7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent studies from temperate lakes indicate that eutrophic systems tend to emit less carbon dioxide (Co-2) and bury more organic carbon (OC) than oligotrophic ones, rendering them CO2 sinks in some cases. However, the scarcity of data from tropical systems is critical for a complete understanding of the interplay between eutrophication and aquatic carbon (C) fluxes in warm waters. We test the hypothesis that a warm eutrophic system is a source of both CO2 and CH4 to the atmosphere, and that atmospheric emissions are larger than the burial of OC in sediments. This hypothesis was based on the following assumptions: (i) OC mineralization rates are high in warm water systems, so that water column CO2 production overrides the high C uptake by primary producers, and (ii) increasing trophic status creates favorable conditions for CH4 production. We measured water-air and sediment-water CO2 fluxes, CH4 diffusion, ebullition and oxidation, net ecosystem production (NEP) and sediment OC burial during the dry season in a eutrophic reservoir in the semiarid northeastern Brazil. The reservoir was stratified during daytime and mixed during nighttime. In spite of the high rates of primary production (4858 +/- 934 mg C m(-2) d(-1)), net heterotrophy was prevalent due to high ecosystem respiration (5209 +/- 992 mg C m(-2) d(-1)). Consequently, the reservoir was a source of atmospheric CO2 (518 +/- 182 mg C m(-2) d(-1)). In addition, the reservoir was a source of ebullitive (17 +/- 10 mg C m(-2) d(-1)) and diffusive CH4 (11 +/- 6 mg C m(-2) d(-1)). OC sedimentation was high (1162 mg C m(-2) d(-1)), but our results suggest that the majority of it is mineralized to CO2 (722 +/- 182 mg C m(-2) d(-1)) rather than buried as OC (440 mg C m(-2) d(-1)). Although temporally resolved data would render our findings more conclusive, our results suggest that despite being a primary production and OC burial hotspot, the tropical eutrophic system studied here was a stronger CO2 and CH4 source than a C sink, mainly because of high rates of OC mineralization in the water column and sediments.
|
|
| 4. |
- Melo, Fabio R., et al.
(author)
-
Tryptase-catalyzed core histone truncation : A novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism in mast cells
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : MOSBY-ELSEVIER. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825. ; 140:2, s. 474-485
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mast cells are key effector cells in allergic reactions. When activated to degranulate, they release a plethora of bioactive compounds from their secretory granules, including mast cell-restricted proteases such as tryptase. In a previous study, we showed that tryptase, in addition to its intragranular location, can be found within the nuclei of mast cells where it truncates core histones at their N-terminal ends. Objective: Considering that the N-terminal portions of the core histones constitute sites for posttranslational modifications of major epigenetic impact, we evaluated whether histone truncation by tryptase could have an impact on epigenetic events in mast cells. Methods: Mast cells were cultured from wild-type and tryptase null mice, followed by an assessment of their profile of epigenetic histone modifications and their phenotypic characteristics. Results: We show that tryptase truncates nucleosomal histone 3 and histone 2B (H2B) and that its absence results in accumulation of the epigenetic mark, lysine 5-acetylated H2B. Intriguingly, the accumulation of lysine 5-acetylated H2B was cell age-dependent and was associated with a profound upregulation of markers of non-mast cell lineages, loss of proliferative control, chromatin remodeling as well as extensive morphological alterations. Conclusions: These findings introduce tryptase-catalyzed histone clipping as a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism, which in the mast cell context may be crucial for maintaining cellular identity.
|
|
| 5. |
- Alanazi, Sultan, et al.
(author)
-
Histone Methyltransferase Inhibition Has a Cytotoxic Impact on Transformed Mast Cells : Implications for Mastocytosis
- 2020
-
In: Anticancer Research. - : INT INST ANTICANCER RESEARCH. - 0250-7005 .- 1791-7530. ; 40:5, s. 2525-2536
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/Aim: Mast cell transformation, as manifested in mastocytosis, can be a serious condition for which there are limited therapeutic options. Mastocytosis cells can be sensitive to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, but their sensitivity to other histone-modifying enzymes has not been assessed. Here we addressed this issue.Materials and Methods: Inhibitors of histone methyl transferases, histone demethylases, histone acetyl transferases and HDACs were tested for their effects on growth, viability, caspase-3 activation and annexin V/DRAQ7 staining in transformed mast cells.Results: Transformed mast cells underwent cell death in response to histone methyl transferase and HDAC inhibition, but were not sensitive to histone demethylase or histone acetyl transferase inhibition. Histone methyl transferase inhibition led to cell death with characteristics of apoptosis, as judged by caspase-3 activation. However, DNA fragmentation was not apparent and Annexin V+/DRAQ7(-) cells were not predominant, suggesting a type of cell death differing from classical apoptosis.Conclusion: Histone methyl transferase inhibition could be developed as a novel regimen for targeting mastocytosis.
|
|
| 6. |
- Frisk, Jun Mei Hu, et al.
(author)
-
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Regulates Proteoglycan Composition of Mast Cell Secretory Granules
- 2018
-
In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 1664-3224. ; 9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mast cells (MCs) are characterized by an abundance of lysosome-like secretory granules filled with immunomodulatory compounds including histamine, cytokines, lysosomal hydrolases, MC-restricted proteases, and serglycin proteoglycans. The latter are essential for promoting the storage of other granule compounds and are built up of the serglycin core protein to which highly sulfated and thereby negatively charged glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of heparin or chondroitin sulfate type are attached. In the search for mechanisms operating in regulating MC granule homeostasis, we here investigated the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. We show that inhibition of MEK1/2 (a MAPK kinase) leads to increased metachromatic staining of MC granules, indicative of increased proteoglycan content. Indeed, MEK1/2 inhibition caused a profound increase in the expression of the gene coding for the serglycin core protein and of genes coding for various enzymes involved in the biosynthesis/sulfation of the GAGs attached to the serglycin core protein. This was accompanied by corresponding increases in the levels of the respective GAGs. Deletion of the serglycin core protein abrogated the induction of enzymes operative in proteoglycan synthesis, indicating that availability of the serglycin proteoglycan core protein has a regulatory function impacting on the expression of the various serglycin-modifying enzymes. MEK1/2 inhibition also caused a substantial increase in the expression of granule-localized, proteoglycan-binding proteases. Altogether, this study identifies a novel role for MAPK signaling in regulating the content of secretory granules in MCs.
|
|
| 7. |
- Lind, Thomas, Docent, 1965-, et al.
(author)
-
Mast cell chymase has a negative impact on human osteoblasts
- 2022
-
In: Matrix Biology. - : Elsevier. - 0945-053X .- 1569-1802. ; 112, s. 1-19
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mast cells have been linked to osteoporosis and bone fractures, and in a previous study we found that mice lacking a major mast cell protease, chymase, develop increased diaphyseal bone mass. These findings introduce the possibility that mast cell chymase can regulate bone formation, but the underlying mechanism(s) has not previously been investigated. Here we hypothesized that chymase might exert such effects through a direct negative impact on osteoblasts, i.e., the main bone-building cells. Indeed, we show that chymase has a distinct impact on human primary osteoblasts. Firstly, chymase was shown to have pronounced effects on the morphological features of osteoblasts, including extensive cell contraction and actin reorganization. Chymase also caused a profound reduction in the output of collagen from the osteoblasts, and was shown to degrade osteoblast-secreted fibronectin and to activate pro-matrix metallopeptidase-2 released by the osteoblasts. Further, chymase was shown to have a preferential impact on the gene expression, protein output and phosphorylation status of TGF beta-associated signaling molecules. A transcriptomic analysis was conducted and revealed a significant effect of chymase on several genes of importance for bone metabolism, including a reduction in the expression of osteoprotegerin, which was confirmed at the protein level. Finally, we show that chymase interacts with human osteoblasts and is taken up by the cells. Altogether, the present findings provide a functional link between mast cell chymase and osteoblast function, and can form the basis for a further evaluation of chymase as a potential target for intervention in metabolic bone diseases.
|
|
| 8. |
- Martin, Sebastin Santosh, et al.
(author)
-
The Absence of Tryptase Mcpt6 Causes Elevated Cellular Stress in Response to Modulation of the Histone Acetylation Status in Mast Cells
- 2019
-
In: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 8:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mast cells contain large amounts of proteases stored within their secretory granules. Previously we showed that one of these proteases, tryptase, in addition to its location within granules, can also be found within the mast cell nucleus, where it has the capacity to affect the acetylation profile of nucleosomal core histones in aging cells. Based on this notion, and on the known sensitivity of mast cells to modulation of histone acetylation, we here asked whether tryptase could impact on the responses against cellular stress caused by disturbed histone acetylation status. To address this, wild-type and tryptase-deficient (Mcpt6(-/-)) mast cells were subjected to cell stress caused by trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Wild-type and Mcpt6(-/-) mast cells were equally sensitive to TSA at an early stage of culture (similar to 8 weeks). However, in aging mast cells (>50 weeks), tryptase-deficiency led to increased sensitivity to cell death. To address the underlying mechanism, we assessed effects of tryptase deficiency on the expression of markers for proliferation and cell stress. These analyses revealed aberrant regulation of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, glutaredoxin, and glutathione reductase, as well as blunted upregulation of ribonucleotide reductase subunit R2 in response to TSA in aging cells. Moreover, the absence of tryptase led to increased expression of Psme4/PA200, a proteasome variant involved in the processing of acetylated core histones. Altogether, this study identifies a novel role for tryptase in regulating the manifestations of cell stress in aging mast cells.
|
|
| 9. |
- Melo, Fabio R., et al.
(author)
-
Exosome-mediated uptake of mast cell tryptase into the nucleus of melanoma cells : a novel axis for regulating tumor cell proliferation and gene expression
- 2019
-
In: Cell Death and Disease. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2041-4889. ; 10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is well established that mast cell accumulation accompanies most malignancies. However, the knowledge of how mast cells functionally impact on tumors is still rudimentary. Here we addressed this issue and show that mast cells have anti-proliferative activity on melanoma cells and that this effect is dependent on tryptase, a tetrameric protease stored in mast cell granules. Mechanistically, tryptase was found to be endocytosed by melanoma cells as cargo of DNA-coated exosomes released from melanoma cells, followed by transport to the nucleus. In the nucleus, tryptase executed clipping of histone 3 and degradation of Lamin B1, accompanied by extensive nuclear remodeling. Moreover, tryptase degraded hnRNP A2/B1, a protein involved in mRNA stabilization and interaction with non-coding RNAs. This was followed by downregulated expression of the oncogene EGR1 and of multiple non-coding RNAs, including oncogenic species. Altogether, these findings establish a new principle for regulation of tumor cell proliferation.
|
|
| 10. |
- Paivandy, Aida, et al.
(author)
-
Induction of Human Lung Mast Cell Apoptosis by Granule Permeabilization : A Novel Approach for Targeting Mast Cells
- 2017
-
In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mast cells are implicated as detrimental players in inflammatory lung diseases, particularly asthma. Mast cells respond to activating stimuli by releasing a wide panel of pro-inflammatory compounds that can contribute profoundly to the pathology, and there is currently an unmet need for strategies that efficiently ameliorate harmful effects of mast cells under such conditions. Here, we sought to evaluate a novel concept for targeting human lung mast cells, by assessing the possibility of selectively depleting the lung mast cells by induction of apoptosis. For this purpose, we used lysosomotropic agents, i.e., compounds that are known to permeabilize the secretory granules of mast cells, thereby releasing the contents of the granules into the cytosol. Either intact human lung tissue, purified human lung mast cells or mixed populations of human lung cells were incubated with the lysosomotropic agents mefloquine or siramesine, followed by measurement of apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and release of cytokines. We show that human lung mast cells were highly susceptible to apoptosis induced by this strategy, whereas other cell populations of the lung were largely refractory. Moreover, we demonstrate that apoptosis induced by this mode is dependent on the production of ROS and that the treatment of lung tissue with lysosomotropic agents causes a decrease in the release of pathogenic cytokines. We conclude that selective apoptosis of human lung mast cells can be accomplished by administration of lysosomotropic agents, thus introducing the possibility of using such drugs as novel therapeutics in the treatment of inflammatory lung disorders such as asthma.
|
|
