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Volume 42, Nº 6 (2025)
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The Role of Cx43 in the Survival and Death of Neurons and Glial Cells in Injuries of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System
Resumo
Connexin 43 (Cx43), a key protein of gap-junctional channels, plays a dual role in regulating the survival and death of neurons and glial cells during injuries to the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS). It supports neuroprotection by maintaining cellular homeostasis but can exacerbate secondary damage by promoting inflammation and apoptosis. This review examines in detail the role of Cx43 in these processes, emphasizing its ambivalent impact, which depends on cell type, injury phase, and molecular microenvironment. Additionally, mechanisms of intercellular communication and prospects for therapeutic modulation of Cx43 to optimize rehabilitation after neurotransmitter are discussed.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):441–464
441–464
Articles
Functional Role of Piezo1 Channels in Smooth Muscle Cells of Rat Cerebral Arteries in Normal Conditions and in Chronic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Resumo
In arterial smooth muscle cells, Piezo1 channels participate in the regulation of vascular tone and remodeling in various diseases. They are non-selective cation channels, the activation of which can lead to depolarization of the smooth muscle cell membrane, the entry of Ca2+ through voltage-gated channels and the development of contraction. This study tested the hypothesis that Piezo1 channels participate in the regulation of smooth muscle cell tone in small cerebral arteries and their functional contribution change in chronic stenosis of the carotid arteries. Rats obtained constrictor clips on both common carotid arteries (reduction in blood flow velocity by at least 70%). After 4 weeks, the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was isolated for wire myography (after removal of endothelium) and quantitative PCR. The basal tone of the MCA was lower in the Stenosis group than in the control, and contractile responses to thromboxane A2 receptor agonist U46619 were not changed. Incubation with Dooku1 (Piezo1 blocker, 30 μM) resulted in a decrease in basal tone and contractile responses to U46619 in the MCA of control rats, but had no such effect in the MCA of the Stenosis group. The mRNA content of Piezo1 and L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav1.2) did not differ between the groups, whereas the mRNA content of T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav3.1) was reduced in the MCA of the Stenosis group compared to the control one. Thus, Piezo1 channels have a pro-contractile effect in the smooth muscle cells of rat cerebral arteries, and we have shown for the first time that such an effect decreases in chronic stenosis of the carotid arteries. The decrease in the pro-contractile effect of Piezo1 in the MCA of the Stenosis rats may be associated with the changes in not the Piezo1 channels themselves, but in the subsequent stages of signal transduction to the contractile apparatus of smooth muscle cells.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):465-474
465-474
Morphofunctional Evaluation of Rat Leg Muscles under the Influence of Hindlimb Unloading, Tenotomy, and Denervation
Resumo
Skeletal muscle atrophy can develop under the influence of various factors related to their disuse, such as immobilization, denervation, or exposure to microgravity. The aim of this work was to conduct a morphological and functional assessment of skeletal muscles in disuse models in rats. The rats were randomly assigned to a control group and groups that underwent denervation, tenotomy, and hindlimb unloading. During the experiments, a decrease in the diameter of muscle fibers was revealed in all experimental groups. During tenotomy, there was a decrease in dystrophin immunosuppression. During hindlimb unloading, the dystrophin level decreased, but by day 35, recovery was observed in the gastrocnemius and anterior tibial muscles, while in the soleus it continued to fall. After denervation, the dystrophin content also decreased, but then increased, reaching control values for the soleus muscle by day 35. The level of neuronal NO-synthase significantly decreased in all experimental groups. The effects of denervation and tenotomy lead to pronounced changes in the contractile function of the soleus muscle in rats, which are in direct correlation with the development of atrophic processes.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):475-487
475-487
Influence of Microsomal Rafts on DNA Import into Mitochondria of Potato Tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.)
Resumo
The influence of microsomes and lipid rafts isolated from them on DNA import into potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) mitochondria was studied. Ultracentrifugation of microsomes treated with Triton X-100 revealed three opalescence zones containing rafts in 15%, 25%, and 35% sucrose gradients. When individual raft fractions were added to the mitochondrial DNA import system in organello, their ability to enhance DNA import activity to varying degrees (from 4 to 23 times, depending on their membrane origin) was established.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):488–494
488–494
Antioxidant Mito-TEMPO Partially Prevents Rat Soleus Muscle Atrophy after 7 Days of Functional Unloading
Resumo
Functional unloading of skeletal muscles is observed during spaceflight, prolonged bed rest, or limb immobilization. In this case, skeletal muscle atrophy develops, which is a serious consequence for health and a noticeable decrease in quality of life. In addition, during functional unloading, mitochondrial dysfunction is observed and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria increases. It is known that some antioxidants can reduce the manifestation of atrophy during functional unloading. We hypothesized that the mitochondrial-specific antioxidant Mito-TEMPO would block the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS, which would lead to the prevention of an increase in ubiquitin ligase mRNA expression and prevent a decrease in anabolic parameters during 7-day functional unloading, which together could inhibit atrophy development. To test the hypothesis, we used a 7-day rat hindlimb suspension model of functional unloading. In our study, animals treated with Mito-TEMPO during 7-day suspension partially prevented the decrease in soleus muscle fiber cross-sectional area, the increase in the expression of in MuRF-1 and Atrogin mRNA expression, and the decrease in the content of rRNA. In addition, Mito-TEMPO reduced ROS-dependent oxidation of tropomyosin during 7-day suspension in the rat soleus muscle. Thus, the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS in the soleus muscle during 7-day functional unloading affects both protein synthesis and degradation, which is reflected in a decrease in muscle fiber cross-sectional area in the rat soleus muscle.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):495–503
495–503
X-Domain of nsp-3 Protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Is Capable of Deforming Membranes and Initiating of the Double-Membrane Vesicle Formation Depending on the Cholesterol Content
Resumo
Coronaviruses, including the pandemic SARS-CoV-2, encode 16 non-structural proteins that regulate various stages of virus reproduction inside the infected cell but are not part of the virion structure. Some of these proteins are responsible for the formation of viroplasm, which is necessary for the reproduction of the viral genome. A characteristic feature of viroplasm is the formation of double-membrane vesicles, the physicochemical mechanisms of which are still unclear. At the same time, it is known that the non-structural protein 3 (nsp-3) plays an important role in this process. In this work, for the X macrodomain (X-domain) of the nsp-3 protein of SARS-CoV-2, we showed that it is capable of binding only to membranes containing acidic lipids. This domain forms various membrane tubulations, from filamentous to spherical, depending on the cholesterol content. Thus, X-domain of the nsp-3 protein of SARS-CoV-2 can be the initiator of the formation of double-membrane vesicles due to predominantly electrostatic interactions with membranes of cellular organelles.
Membrane and Cell Biology. 2025;42(6):504-512
504-512