Perchlorates are present at high concentrations in Martian regolith and pose an additional challe... more Perchlorates are present at high concentrations in Martian regolith and pose an additional challenge to the survival of terrestrial life on Mars. Some microinvertebrates can resist extreme conditions (e.g. low temperatures, lack of oxygen and radiation), making them suitable model species for space experiments. Clarification of whether they can tolerate high levels of perchlorates is crucial for understanding the scope of application of small invertebrates in Mars exploration. We assessed the activity of some Crustacea, Nematoda, Rotifera and Tardigrada exposed to 0.25–1.00% magnesium perchlorate. The number of active specimens decreased with exposure time and perchlorate concentration. However, exposure of selected species to 0.25% perchlorate for 24 or 72 h showed activity in some specimens. Only Caenorhabditis elegans, Lecane inermis and Artemia salina exhibited activity after 24 h exposure to 1.00% perchlorate. Lecane inermis was the only species to remain active after 72 h of i...
The health problem of obesity and its related disorders highlights the need for understanding the... more The health problem of obesity and its related disorders highlights the need for understanding the components and pathways that regulate lipid metabolism. Because energy balance is maintained by a complex regulatory network, the use of a powerful genetic model like C. elegans can complement studies on mammalian physiology by offering new opportunities to identify genes and dissect complicated regulatory circuits. Many of the components that are central to governing human metabolism are conserved in the worm. Although the study of lipid metabolism in C. elegans is still relatively young, much progress has already been made in tracing out genetic pathways that regulate fat storage and in developing assays to explore different aspects of metabolic regulation and food sensation. This model system holds great promise for helping tease apart the complicated network of genes that maintain a proper energy balance.
Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes, Jan 30, 2018
Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricul... more Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricultural crops worldwide, and their control necessitates environmentally safe measures. We have studied the effects of plant secondary metabolites on M. incognita locomotion, as it is an important factor affecting host inoculation inside the soil. We compared the effects to the respective behavioral responses of the model saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The tested botanical nematicides, all reported to be active against Meloidogyne sp. in our previous works, are small molecular weight molecules (acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones). Here, we specifically report on the attractant or repellent properties of trans-anethole, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-decenal, fosthiazate, and 2-undecanone. The treatments for both nematode species were made at sublethal concentration levels, namely, 1 mM (<EC), and the chemical controls used for the experiments were the commercial nematicid...
Nicotine is biologically active. It competes with acetylcholine for binding to specific membrane ... more Nicotine is biologically active. It competes with acetylcholine for binding to specific membrane receptors, so-called nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs). They are widely expressed in the nervous system and skeletal muscle. Nicotinic receptors are also present in many cell types, e.g. epithelial, blood, and cancer cells. When nicotine binds to the nAChRs, the conformation of the receptor subunits changes, opening the receptor channel gate. This allows the influx of sodium and calcium ions into the cell, leading to membrane depolarization. It results in the activation of influx of calcium ions. These processes trigger a cascade of signal-dependent calcium ions. A very significant role of nicotinic receptor in the regulation of apoptosis, angiogenesis as well as in cell division and migration has been recently shown. Nicotine induces growth factors, such as BDNF, VEGF, TGF-a, HGF, VEGF-C, TGF-b, PDGF and has a mitogenic effect on cancer cells. A key role in these processes is pla...
Additional file 1: Table S1. Manufacturers of chemicals applied in the studies. Table S2. Results... more Additional file 1: Table S1. Manufacturers of chemicals applied in the studies. Table S2. Results of Factorial ANOVA. Table S3. Results of Factorial ANOVA. Table S4. Results for Linear Mixed Models developed to compare effects of BHAM and MitoTEMPO on animals' return to full activity after the tun stage of different duration. Figure S1. Bioinformatics analysis of the putative M. inceptum AOX amino acid sequence. Figure S2. Bioinformatic identification of M. inceptum AOX. Figure S3. Integration of the AOX gene into the yeast genome. Figure S4. The average numbers of tuns formed by M. inceptum specimens in the absence and in the presence of BHAM and MitoTEMPO.
Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight.... more Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight. To see whether similar phenomena could be observed in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans , we challenged drug-naive nematodes with a chronic low (0.01 mM) and high (1 mM) nicotine concentration for 55 h (from hatching to adulthood). After that, we recorded changes in their behavior in a nicotine gradient, where they could choose a desired nicotine concentration. By using a combination of behavioral and morphometric methods, we found that both nicotine and food modulate worm behavior. In the presence of food the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient, chose a similar nicotine concentration like C. elegans adapted to the high nicotine concentration. However, in the absence of food, the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient of this alkaloid, chose a similar nicotine concentration like naive worms. T...
Nicotine may affect cell function by rearranging protein complexes. We aimed to determine nicotin... more Nicotine may affect cell function by rearranging protein complexes. We aimed to determine nicotine-induced alterations of protein complexes in Caenorhabditis elegans cells, thereby revealing links between nicotine exposure and protein complex modulation. We compared the proteomic alterations induced by low and high nicotine concentrations (0.01 mM and 1 mM) with the control (no nicotine) in vivo by using mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques, specifically the CTAB discontinuous gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS and spectral counting. As a result, we identified dozens of C. elegans proteins that are present exclusively or in higher abundance in either nicotine-treated or untreated worms. Based on these results, we report a network that captures the key protein components of nicotine-induced protein complexes and speculate how the different protein modules relate to their distinct physiological roles. Using functional annotation of detected proteins, w...
Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight.... more Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight. To see whether similar phenomena could be observed in the model organism <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, we challenged drug-naïve nematodes with a chronic low (0.01 mM) and high (1 mM) nicotine concentration for 55 h (from hatching to adulthood). After that, we recorded changes in their behavior in a nicotine gradient, where they could choose a desired nicotine concentration. By using a combination of behavioral and morphometric methods, we found that both nicotine and food modulate worm behavior. In the presence of food (<i>E. coli</i> OP50) the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient, chose a similar nicotine concentration like <i>C. elegans</i> adapted to the high nicotine concentration. However, in the absence of food, the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient of th...
Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer ... more Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer (S) is a naturally occurring form. Nicotine enters the human body as a component of tobacco smoke. In alkaline environment the rate of nicotine permeation through biological membranes is increased. Almost 90% of nicotine absorbed by the body is metabolized in the liver. Nicotine may also be metabolized in the kidneys, lungs, brain, and respiratory epithelium membranes. The nicotine undergoes many transformations. Key role in the metabolism of nicotine is played by cytochrome P450 oxidases (mainly CYP2A6). Apart from them, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, cytosolic aldehyde oxidase, amine N-methyltransferase, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 are involved in the decomposition of nicotine. Six major metabolites of nicotine have been identified. One of the most important metabolite is cotinine, from which is formed of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine--the compound which is excreted in the larg...
Nicotine induces profound behavioral responses in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We t... more Nicotine induces profound behavioral responses in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We tested the effect of a broad range of concentrations of nicotine (from 0.001 mM to 30 mM in nematode growth medium) on C. elegans locomotor behavior. We also followed the time-course influence on the sensitivity of C. elegans to nicotine (from 0 min to 300 min). A low concentration (0.001 mM) of this alkaloid causes a reduction of the speed of movement. By contrast, moderate concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mM) induced acceleration of the mean speed of locomotion of C. elegans. High doses of nicotine (above 1 mM) induced slowing down of the movements and, finally, paralysis. Time-dependent analysis revealed that the stimulating effect of nicotine abolished the slowing down of C. elegans in control experiments after 30 min in the presence of 0.001, 0.1 and 10 mM nicotine. In the presence of 0.1 mM nicotine, the stimulation phase lasted up to 70 min. The evidence indicates that nicotine can hav...
Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part B - Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, Apr 30, 2018
Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricul... more Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricultural crops worldwide, and their control necessitates environmentally safe measures. We have studied the effects of plant secondary metabolites on M. incognita locomotion, as it is an important factor affecting host inoculation inside the soil. We compared the effects to the respective behavioral responses of the model saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The tested botanical nematicides, all reported to be active against Meloidogyne sp. in our previous works, are small molecular weight molecules (acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones). Here, we specifically report on the attractant or repellent properties of trans-anethole, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-decenal, fosthiazate, and 2-undecanone. The treatments for both nematode species were made at sublethal concentration levels, namely, 1 mM (&lt;EC), and the chemical controls used for the experiments were the commercial nematicides fosthiazate and oxamyl. According to our results, trans-anethole, decenal, and oxamyl attract C. elegans, while 2-undecanone strongly attracts M. incognita. These findings can be of use in the development of nematicidal formulations, contributing to the disruption of nematode chemotaxis to root systems.
Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer ... more Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer (S) is a naturally occurring form. Nicotine enters the human body as a component of tobacco smoke. In alkaline environment the rate of nicotine permeation through biological membranes is increased. Almost 90% of nicotine absorbed by the body is metabolized in the liver. Nicotine may also be metabolized in the kidneys, lungs, brain, and respiratory epithelium membranes. The nicotine undergoes many transformations. Key role in the metabolism of nicotine is played by cytochrome P450 oxidases (mainly CYP2A6). Apart from them, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, cytosolic aldehyde oxidase, amine N-methyltransferase, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 are involved in the decomposition of nicotine. Six major metabolites of nicotine have been identified. One of the most important metabolite is cotinine, from which is formed of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine--the compound which is excreted in the larg...
Perchlorates are present at high concentrations in Martian regolith and pose an additional challe... more Perchlorates are present at high concentrations in Martian regolith and pose an additional challenge to the survival of terrestrial life on Mars. Some microinvertebrates can resist extreme conditions (e.g. low temperatures, lack of oxygen and radiation), making them suitable model species for space experiments. Clarification of whether they can tolerate high levels of perchlorates is crucial for understanding the scope of application of small invertebrates in Mars exploration. We assessed the activity of some Crustacea, Nematoda, Rotifera and Tardigrada exposed to 0.25–1.00% magnesium perchlorate. The number of active specimens decreased with exposure time and perchlorate concentration. However, exposure of selected species to 0.25% perchlorate for 24 or 72 h showed activity in some specimens. Only Caenorhabditis elegans, Lecane inermis and Artemia salina exhibited activity after 24 h exposure to 1.00% perchlorate. Lecane inermis was the only species to remain active after 72 h of i...
The health problem of obesity and its related disorders highlights the need for understanding the... more The health problem of obesity and its related disorders highlights the need for understanding the components and pathways that regulate lipid metabolism. Because energy balance is maintained by a complex regulatory network, the use of a powerful genetic model like C. elegans can complement studies on mammalian physiology by offering new opportunities to identify genes and dissect complicated regulatory circuits. Many of the components that are central to governing human metabolism are conserved in the worm. Although the study of lipid metabolism in C. elegans is still relatively young, much progress has already been made in tracing out genetic pathways that regulate fat storage and in developing assays to explore different aspects of metabolic regulation and food sensation. This model system holds great promise for helping tease apart the complicated network of genes that maintain a proper energy balance.
Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes, Jan 30, 2018
Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricul... more Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricultural crops worldwide, and their control necessitates environmentally safe measures. We have studied the effects of plant secondary metabolites on M. incognita locomotion, as it is an important factor affecting host inoculation inside the soil. We compared the effects to the respective behavioral responses of the model saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The tested botanical nematicides, all reported to be active against Meloidogyne sp. in our previous works, are small molecular weight molecules (acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones). Here, we specifically report on the attractant or repellent properties of trans-anethole, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-decenal, fosthiazate, and 2-undecanone. The treatments for both nematode species were made at sublethal concentration levels, namely, 1 mM (<EC), and the chemical controls used for the experiments were the commercial nematicid...
Nicotine is biologically active. It competes with acetylcholine for binding to specific membrane ... more Nicotine is biologically active. It competes with acetylcholine for binding to specific membrane receptors, so-called nicotinic cholinergic receptors (nAChRs). They are widely expressed in the nervous system and skeletal muscle. Nicotinic receptors are also present in many cell types, e.g. epithelial, blood, and cancer cells. When nicotine binds to the nAChRs, the conformation of the receptor subunits changes, opening the receptor channel gate. This allows the influx of sodium and calcium ions into the cell, leading to membrane depolarization. It results in the activation of influx of calcium ions. These processes trigger a cascade of signal-dependent calcium ions. A very significant role of nicotinic receptor in the regulation of apoptosis, angiogenesis as well as in cell division and migration has been recently shown. Nicotine induces growth factors, such as BDNF, VEGF, TGF-a, HGF, VEGF-C, TGF-b, PDGF and has a mitogenic effect on cancer cells. A key role in these processes is pla...
Additional file 1: Table S1. Manufacturers of chemicals applied in the studies. Table S2. Results... more Additional file 1: Table S1. Manufacturers of chemicals applied in the studies. Table S2. Results of Factorial ANOVA. Table S3. Results of Factorial ANOVA. Table S4. Results for Linear Mixed Models developed to compare effects of BHAM and MitoTEMPO on animals' return to full activity after the tun stage of different duration. Figure S1. Bioinformatics analysis of the putative M. inceptum AOX amino acid sequence. Figure S2. Bioinformatic identification of M. inceptum AOX. Figure S3. Integration of the AOX gene into the yeast genome. Figure S4. The average numbers of tuns formed by M. inceptum specimens in the absence and in the presence of BHAM and MitoTEMPO.
Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight.... more Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight. To see whether similar phenomena could be observed in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans , we challenged drug-naive nematodes with a chronic low (0.01 mM) and high (1 mM) nicotine concentration for 55 h (from hatching to adulthood). After that, we recorded changes in their behavior in a nicotine gradient, where they could choose a desired nicotine concentration. By using a combination of behavioral and morphometric methods, we found that both nicotine and food modulate worm behavior. In the presence of food the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient, chose a similar nicotine concentration like C. elegans adapted to the high nicotine concentration. However, in the absence of food, the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient of this alkaloid, chose a similar nicotine concentration like naive worms. T...
Nicotine may affect cell function by rearranging protein complexes. We aimed to determine nicotin... more Nicotine may affect cell function by rearranging protein complexes. We aimed to determine nicotine-induced alterations of protein complexes in Caenorhabditis elegans cells, thereby revealing links between nicotine exposure and protein complex modulation. We compared the proteomic alterations induced by low and high nicotine concentrations (0.01 mM and 1 mM) with the control (no nicotine) in vivo by using mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques, specifically the CTAB discontinuous gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS and spectral counting. As a result, we identified dozens of C. elegans proteins that are present exclusively or in higher abundance in either nicotine-treated or untreated worms. Based on these results, we report a network that captures the key protein components of nicotine-induced protein complexes and speculate how the different protein modules relate to their distinct physiological roles. Using functional annotation of detected proteins, w...
Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight.... more Nicotine decreases food intake, and smokers often report that they smoke to control their weight. To see whether similar phenomena could be observed in the model organism <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>, we challenged drug-naïve nematodes with a chronic low (0.01 mM) and high (1 mM) nicotine concentration for 55 h (from hatching to adulthood). After that, we recorded changes in their behavior in a nicotine gradient, where they could choose a desired nicotine concentration. By using a combination of behavioral and morphometric methods, we found that both nicotine and food modulate worm behavior. In the presence of food (<i>E. coli</i> OP50) the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient, chose a similar nicotine concentration like <i>C. elegans</i> adapted to the high nicotine concentration. However, in the absence of food, the nematodes adapted to the low nicotine concentration, when placed in the gradient of th...
Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer ... more Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer (S) is a naturally occurring form. Nicotine enters the human body as a component of tobacco smoke. In alkaline environment the rate of nicotine permeation through biological membranes is increased. Almost 90% of nicotine absorbed by the body is metabolized in the liver. Nicotine may also be metabolized in the kidneys, lungs, brain, and respiratory epithelium membranes. The nicotine undergoes many transformations. Key role in the metabolism of nicotine is played by cytochrome P450 oxidases (mainly CYP2A6). Apart from them, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, cytosolic aldehyde oxidase, amine N-methyltransferase, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 are involved in the decomposition of nicotine. Six major metabolites of nicotine have been identified. One of the most important metabolite is cotinine, from which is formed of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine--the compound which is excreted in the larg...
Nicotine induces profound behavioral responses in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We t... more Nicotine induces profound behavioral responses in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We tested the effect of a broad range of concentrations of nicotine (from 0.001 mM to 30 mM in nematode growth medium) on C. elegans locomotor behavior. We also followed the time-course influence on the sensitivity of C. elegans to nicotine (from 0 min to 300 min). A low concentration (0.001 mM) of this alkaloid causes a reduction of the speed of movement. By contrast, moderate concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mM) induced acceleration of the mean speed of locomotion of C. elegans. High doses of nicotine (above 1 mM) induced slowing down of the movements and, finally, paralysis. Time-dependent analysis revealed that the stimulating effect of nicotine abolished the slowing down of C. elegans in control experiments after 30 min in the presence of 0.001, 0.1 and 10 mM nicotine. In the presence of 0.1 mM nicotine, the stimulation phase lasted up to 70 min. The evidence indicates that nicotine can hav...
Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part B - Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, Apr 30, 2018
Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricul... more Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, cause serious damage to various agricultural crops worldwide, and their control necessitates environmentally safe measures. We have studied the effects of plant secondary metabolites on M. incognita locomotion, as it is an important factor affecting host inoculation inside the soil. We compared the effects to the respective behavioral responses of the model saprophytic nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The tested botanical nematicides, all reported to be active against Meloidogyne sp. in our previous works, are small molecular weight molecules (acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones). Here, we specifically report on the attractant or repellent properties of trans-anethole, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, (E)-2-decenal, fosthiazate, and 2-undecanone. The treatments for both nematode species were made at sublethal concentration levels, namely, 1 mM (&lt;EC), and the chemical controls used for the experiments were the commercial nematicides fosthiazate and oxamyl. According to our results, trans-anethole, decenal, and oxamyl attract C. elegans, while 2-undecanone strongly attracts M. incognita. These findings can be of use in the development of nematicidal formulations, contributing to the disruption of nematode chemotaxis to root systems.
Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer ... more Nicotine is an alkaloid present in many plants of Solanaceae family. The levorotatory enantiomer (S) is a naturally occurring form. Nicotine enters the human body as a component of tobacco smoke. In alkaline environment the rate of nicotine permeation through biological membranes is increased. Almost 90% of nicotine absorbed by the body is metabolized in the liver. Nicotine may also be metabolized in the kidneys, lungs, brain, and respiratory epithelium membranes. The nicotine undergoes many transformations. Key role in the metabolism of nicotine is played by cytochrome P450 oxidases (mainly CYP2A6). Apart from them, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases, cytosolic aldehyde oxidase, amine N-methyltransferase, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 are involved in the decomposition of nicotine. Six major metabolites of nicotine have been identified. One of the most important metabolite is cotinine, from which is formed of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine--the compound which is excreted in the larg...
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Papers by Robert Sobkowiak