Histone acetylation and methylation marks in chromatin of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

Panstrongylus megistus, a potential vector of Chagas disease, currently occupies a wider geographic distribution in Brazil than Triatoma infestans, another member of the hemipteran Reduviidae family and a vector of the same disease. A small heterochromatic body (chromocenter) formed by the Y chromosome is evident in the somatic cells of P. megistus, differing in size and chromosome type contribution from the well-studied chromocenters present in T.

Carvacryl acetate, a novel semisynthetic monoterpene ester, binds to the TRPA1 receptor and is effective in attenuating irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis in mice.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether carvacryl acetate acts as a TRPA1 receptor agonist and its effects against irinotecan (CPT-11) induced intestinal mucositis in mice.

Methods: TRPA1 structure was obtained from a protein databank, and the 3D structure of carvacryl acetate was determined. Appropriate binding conformations were discovered via automatic docking simulations.

Carvacrol reduces irinotecan-induced intestinal mucositis through inhibition of inflammation and oxidative damage via TRPA1 receptor activation.

Intestinal mucositis is an inflammatory process occurring in the intestinal mucosa and is a common side effect of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) based anticancer regimens. The transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1) receptor is highly expressed in the intestinal mucosa and has the ability to identify cell damage signaling indicates its possible association with intestinal mucositis. Carvacrol is an agonist of the TRPA1 receptor and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Histone epigenetic marks in heterochromatin and euchromatin of the Chagas' disease vector, Triatoma infestans.

Triatoma infestans, a vector of Chagas' disease, shows several particular cell biology characteristics, including the presence of conspicuous heterochromatic bodies (chromocenters) where DNA methylation has not been previously detected. Whether histone modifications contribute to the condensed state of these bodies has not yet been studied. Here, we investigated epigenetic modifications of histones H3 and H4 and presence of the non-histone heterochromatin protein (HP1-α) in the chromocenters and euchromatin of T.

Contribution of AT-, GC-, and methylated cytidine-rich DNA to chromatin composition in Malpighian tubule cell nuclei of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

The Malpighian tubule cell nuclei of male Panstrongylus megistus, a vector of Chagas disease, contain one chromocenter, which is composed solely of the Y chromosome. Considering that different chromosomes contribute to the composition of chromocenters in different triatomini species, the aim of this study was to determine the contribution of AT-, GC-, and methylated cytidine-rich DNA in the chromocenter as well as in euchromatin of Malpighian tubule cell nuclei of P. megistus in comparison with published data for Triatoma infestans.

Spatial distribution of AT- and GC-rich DNA within interphase cell nuclei of Triatoma infestans Klug.

Heterochromatin bodies in single- and multichromocentered interphase cell nuclei of Triatoma infestans, a vector of Chagas disease, have been suggested to contain AT-rich DNA, based on their positive response to Q-banding and Hoechst 33248 treatment. No information exists on whether GC-rich DNA is also present in these nuclei and whether it plays a role on chromatin condensation. Considering that methodologies more precise than those previously used to determine DNA base composition in situ are currently available, and that the spatial distribution of chromatin areas differing in composition in interphase cell nuclei of different species is a matter of interest, the localization of AT- and GC-rich DNA in T.

Chromatin supraorganization, mitotic abnormalities and proliferation in cells with increased or down-regulated lox expression: Indirect evidence of a LOX-histone H1 interaction in vivo.

Lysyl oxidases (LOXs) are enzymes that permit the covalent crosslinking of the component chains of collagen and elastin. These enzymes are present inside the nuclei of certain mammalian cells. Previous studies have proposed LOX binding to histone H1 in vitro, and histone H1 is known to control global chromatin compaction and mitotic chromosome architecture.