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Basal expression of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) improves mitochondrial metabolism, Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, and overall fitness of immune and non-immune cells. We investigated P2X7R contribution to energy metabolism and subcellular localization in fibroblasts (mouse embryo fibroblasts and HEK293 human fibroblasts), mouse microglia (primary brain microglia, and the N13 microglia cell line), and heart tissue. The P2X7R localizes to mitochondria, and its lack (1) decreases basal respiratory rate, ATP-coupled respiration, maximal uncoupled respiration, resting mitochondrial potential, mitochondrial matrix Ca level, (2) modifies expression pattern of oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, and (3) severely affects cardiac performance. Hearts from -deleted versus wild-type mice are larger, heart mitochondria smaller, and stroke volume, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and cardiac output, are significantly decreased. Accordingly, the physical fitness of P2X7R-null mice is severely reduced. Thus, the P2X7R is a key modulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism and a determinant of physical fitness.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/function/zqab005 | DOI Listing |
Biol Lett
September 2025
Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.
In the past decades, several authors have investigated the possibility that genome size is correlated with metabolic rates, obtaining conflicting results. The main biological explanation among the supporters of this correlation was related to the nucleotypic effect of the genome size, which, determining the cellular volume and hence the surface area-to-volume ratio, influences cellular metabolism. In the present study, I tested a different hypothesis: genome size, influencing red blood cell (RBC) volume, is correlated with capillary density and diameter.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
August 2025
Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Phytophthora root rot caused by the hemibiotrophic oomycete, is a major biotic hindrance in meeting the ever-increasing demand for avocados. In addition, the pathogen is a global menace to agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Phosphite trunk injections and foliar sprays remain the most effective chemical management strategy used in commercial avocado orchards against the pathogen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Neurosci
August 2025
Beijing Life Science Academy, Beijing, China.
Hypocretin, also known as orexin, is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that regulates essential physiological processes including arousal, energy metabolism, feeding behavior, and emotional states. Through widespread projections and two G-protein-coupled receptors-HCRT-1R and HCRT-2R-the hypocretin system exerts diverse modulatory effects across the central nervous system. The role of hypocretin in maintaining wakefulness is well established, particularly in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), where loss of hypocretin neurons leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Genet
August 2025
Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.
Introduction: Aging is accompanied by systemic metabolic changes that contribute to disease susceptibility and functional decline. Sex differences in aging have been reported in humans, yet their mechanistic basis remains poorly understood. Due to their physiological similarity to humans, rhesus macaques are a powerful translational model to investigate sex-specific metabolomic aging under controlled conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Oral Health
August 2025
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Nitte (deemed to be) University, Mangalore, India.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate (C2), propionate (C3), and butyrate (C4), are crucial microbial metabolites formed by the fermentation of dietary fibers by gut microbiota in the colon. These SCFAs, characterized by fewer than six carbon atoms, serve as an essential energy source for colonic epithelial cells and contribute approximately 10% of the body's total energy requirement. They are central to maintaining gut health through multiple mechanisms, including reinforcing intestinal barrier function, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, and influencing host immune responses.
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