Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Expression and 2-Methoxyestradiol Affect Microtubule Dynamics and Modify Steroid Receptor Signaling in Leiomyoma Cells

CONTEXT: Development of optimal medicinal treatments of uterine leiomyomas represents a significant challenge. 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME) is an endogenous estrogen metabolite formed by sequential action of CYP450s and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Our previous study demonstrated that 2ME is a potent antiproliferative, proapoptotic, antiangiogenic, and collagen synthesis inhibitor in human leiomyomas cells (huLM). OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were to investigate whether COMT expression, by the virtue of 2ME formation, affects the growth of huLM, and to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby COMT expression or treatment with 2ME affect these cells. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated that E(2)-induced proliferation was less pronounced in cells over-expressing COMT or treated with 2ME (500 nM). This effect on cell proliferation was associated with microtubules stabilization and diminution of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and progesterone receptor (PR) transcriptional activities, due to shifts in their subcellular localization and sequestration in the cytoplasm. In addition, COMT over expression or treatment with 2ME reduced the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor -1alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and the basal level as well as TNF-alpha-induced aromatase (CYP19) expression. CONCLUSIONS: COMT over expression or treatment with 2ME stabilize microtubules, ameliorates E(2)-induced proliferation, inhibits ERalpha and PR signaling, and reduces HIF-1 alpha and CYP19 expression in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Thus, microtubules are a candidate target for treatment of uterine leiomyomas. In addition, the naturally occurring microtubule-targeting agent 2ME represents a potential new therapeutic for uterine leiomyomas

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is involved in anxiety-related behaviors.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is a unique example of structural plasticity, the functional role of which has been a matter of intense debate. New transgenic models have recently shown that neurogenesis participates in hippocampus-mediated learning. Here, we show that transgenic animals, in which adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been specifically impaired, exhibit a striking increase in anxiety-related behaviors. Our results indicate that neurogenesis plays an important role in the regulation of affective states and could be the target of new treatments for anxiety disorders

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is involved in anxiety-related behaviors

International audienceAdult hippocampal neurogenesis is a unique example of structural plasticity, the functional role of which has been a matter of intense debate. New transgenic models have recently shown that neurogenesis participates in hippocampus-mediated learning. Here, we show that transgenic animals, in which adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been specifically impaired, exhibit a striking increase in anxiety-related behaviors. Our results indicate that neurogenesis plays an important role in the regulation of affective states and could be the target of new treatments for anxiety disorders

Contextualising feminisms in the Nordic region:Neoliberalism, nationalism, and decolonial critique

In understanding feminism as a floating signifier, the chapter seeks to explore how feminism as an idea, a project, and a community of belonging is produced and given meaning to by actors inside and outside of feminisms, but also how feminism is acted upon in different contexts in the Nordic region. The chapter outlines the book’s contribution to the study of the intersections between feminism, neoliberalism, and ethno-nationalism. In order to understand the rapid rise of right-wing populism and increasingly aggressive anti-immigration online campaigns that capitalise on racist and exclusionary nationalism, it is important to contextualise them in the long histories of racial and colonial power relations embedded in the Nordic societies. The chapter makes the link between antiracism and decolonising critiques of feminisms, as well as linking the struggles of migrant and refugee persons to those of indigenous activists, placing these in the sightlines of changing hegemonic forms of feminism throughout the region

Conservation Genetic Studies in Bats

International audienceLiving organisms today face conservation challenges as never before. Anthropogenic pollution, climate change and habitat modifications combine to exert strong pressures on species survival. This is especially the case for bats due to their slow rate of reproduction, high metabolism and longevity. Bats account for ~20% of mammalian diversity and play a key role in ecosystem services by controlling pests and disease vectors, pollinating crops, and dispersing seeds.Molecular markers have the potential to powerfully inform and assess conservation measures in a number of ways. Typically the methods used borrow heavily from population and landscape genetics as well as phylogeography and phylogenetics. Several of the areas where conservation genetic methods have proved informative in bat studies are discussed using a selection of case studies in: phylogeography, designations of Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), taxonomy and species delimitation, connectivity assessments, non-invasive genetics (population size estimates, rare species identification), and the study of swarming siteshotspots of geneflow and potentially hybridization.The future directions and needs for conservation genetic studies in bats are discussed and will hopefully include greater utilisation of high-throughput techniques due to methodological improvements and greater cost efficiency. This in turn should enable broader applications for non-invasive genetics, which have clear benefits for conservation studies. Finally, a need for better communication and utilisation of genetic results in conservation policy is needed as well as follow-up assessments of any measures taken.</div