Exposure to Exogenous Enkephalins Disrupts Reproductive Development in the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Enkephalins play a major role in reproductive physiology in crustaceans; however their role in reproductive development in insects is largely unknown. We investigated the effect of exposure to exogenous leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk), methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk), and the opioid antagonist naloxone on gonad development in the Eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. Injection of either Leu-Enk or naloxone alone significantly increased the testicular index and testicular follicular diameter in males, and the ovarian index, oocyte length, and oocyte diameter in females. In contrast, injection of Met-Enk inhibited all measures of reproductive development in both sexes. Surprisingly, co-injection of naloxone with either enkephalin enhanced the effect associated with administration of the enkephalin alone. This study clearly demonstrates the ability of enkephalins to disrupt insect sexual development and also suggests the existence of conserved enkephaline-dependent regulatory mechanisms in insects and crustaceans

FAK activation is required for IGF1R-mediated regulation of EMT, migration, and invasion in mesenchymal triple negative breast cancer cells

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic disease that currently lacks effective prevention and treatment strategies. The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathways function in numerous developmental processes, and alterations in both are linked with a number of common pathological diseases. Overexpression of IGF1R and FAK are closely associated with metastatic breast tumors. The present study investigated the interrelationship between IGF1R and FAK signaling in regulating the malignant properties of TNBC cells. Using small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated IGF1R silencing methods, we showed that IGF1R is essential for sustaining mesenchymal morphologies of TNBC cells and modulates the expression of EMT-related markers. We further showed that IGF1R overexpression promotes migratory and invasive behaviors of TNBC cell lines. Most importantly, IGF1R-driven migration and invasion is predominantly mediated by FAK activation and can be suppressed using pharmacological inhibitors of FAK. Our findings in TNBC cells demonstrate a novel role of the IGF1R/FAK signaling pathway in regulating critical processes involved in the metastatic cascade. These results may improve the current understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of TNBC metastasis and provide a strong rationale for co-targeting of IGF1R and FAK as therapy for mesenchymal TNBCs

Exposure to exogenous enkephalins disrupts reproductive development in the Eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Insecta: Orthoptera).

Enkephalins play a major role in reproductive physiology in crustaceans; however their role in reproductive development in insects is largely unknown. We investigated the effect of exposure to exogenous leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk), methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk), and the opioid antagonist naloxone on gonad development in the Eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. Injection of either Leu-Enk or naloxone alone significantly increased the testicular index and testicular follicular diameter in males, and the ovarian index, oocyte length, and oocyte diameter in females. In contrast, injection of Met-Enk inhibited all measures of reproductive development in both sexes. Surprisingly, co-injection of naloxone with either enkephalin enhanced the effect associated with administration of the enkephalin alone. This study clearly demonstrates the ability of enkephalins to disrupt insect sexual development and also suggests the existence of conserved enkephaline-dependent regulatory mechanisms in insects and crustaceans

Research Article Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant potential of Plagiochasma appendiculatum Lehm. & Lindenb. and Sphagnum fimbriatum Wilson

In recent time bryophytes are gaining attention in terms of their unique phytochemistry. They can generate a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals. Though many of the bryophytes have been evaluated for this aspect yet majority of them are unexplored regarding their phytochemistry and bioactive potential. Hence, in present attempt 2 commonly growing species of bryophytes, viz., Plagiochasma appendiculatum (thalloid liverwort) and Sphagnum fimbriatum (moss) were evaluated for their phytochemical profiling using Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium colorimetric methods. While antioxidant activity of selected species was evaluated by DPPH and NOSA. It was found that these species have higher levels of total phenols and flavonoids and have good antioxidant potential. Further, to check their possible role as antimicrobial agents, the plant extracts were tested against selected fungal and bacterial strains. The results suggested that these 2 bryophyte species have substantial antifungal and antibacterial activities. Based on this study, these plants appear as a good contender to evaluate further for future herbal formulations

Effect of enkephalins alone, naloxone alone or combinations on ovarian index (A), average oocyte diameter (B), average oocyte length (C) of female grasshoppers, and average testicular index (D) and average testicular follicular diameter (E) of male grasshoppers.

<p>‘ns’ indicates statistical non-significance (<i>p</i>>0.05) compared to the control and the letters indicate that the effects of various doses were significantly (<i>p</i><0.05) different from each other and the control.</p

Dose dependent effects of Leu-Enk (A), Met-Enk (B), and naloxone (C) on average ovarian index in female and average testicular index in male grasshoppers.

<p>The left y-axis indicates ovarian index while the right y-axis indicates testicular index. ‘ns’ indicates statistical non-significance (<i>p</i>>0.05) compared to the control (not shown). The measurements for the control was 26.15±0.46% for ovarian index and 5.05±0.2% for testicular index. The letters indicate statistical significance from the control (<i>p</i><0.05). ‘A’ and ‘B’ are also statistically different from each other at <i>p</i><0.05.</p