Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834)
<i>Triatoma infestans</i> (Klug) is an insect recognized as not only an important vector of South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) but also a model of specific cellular morphofunctional organization and epigenetic characteristics. The purpose of the present review is to highligh...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/8/1030 |
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| author | Maria Luiza S. Mello |
| author_facet | Maria Luiza S. Mello |
| author_sort | Maria Luiza S. Mello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Triatoma infestans</i> (Klug) is an insect recognized as not only an important vector of South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) but also a model of specific cellular morphofunctional organization and epigenetic characteristics. The purpose of the present review is to highlight certain cellular processes that are particularly unveiled in <i>T. infestans</i>, such as the following: (1) somatic polyploidy involving nuclear and cell fusions that generate giant nuclei; (2) diversification of nuclear phenotypes in the Malpighian tubules during insect development; (3) heterochromatin compartmentalization into large bodies with specific spatial distribution and presumed mobility in the cell nuclei; (4) chromatin remodeling and co-occurrence of necrosis and apoptosis in the Malpighian tubules under stress conditions; (5) epigenetic markers; and (6) response of heterochromatin to valproic acid, an epidrug that inhibits histone deacetylases and induces DNA demethylation in other cell systems. These cellular processes and epigenetic characteristics emphasize the role of <i>T. infestans</i> as an attractive model for cellular research. A limitation of these studies is the availability of insect supply by accredited insectaries. For studies that require the injection of drugs, the operator’s dexterity to perform insect manipulation is necessary, especially if young nymphs are used. For studies involving in vitro cultivation of insect organs, the culture medium should be carefully selected to avoid inconsistent results. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:40:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5699cedccb714a1da6db328a941a8b55 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T23:40:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-5699cedccb714a1da6db328a941a8b552023-11-19T02:32:31ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172023-08-01128103010.3390/pathogens12081030Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834)Maria Luiza S. Mello0Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-862, SP, Brazil<i>Triatoma infestans</i> (Klug) is an insect recognized as not only an important vector of South American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) but also a model of specific cellular morphofunctional organization and epigenetic characteristics. The purpose of the present review is to highlight certain cellular processes that are particularly unveiled in <i>T. infestans</i>, such as the following: (1) somatic polyploidy involving nuclear and cell fusions that generate giant nuclei; (2) diversification of nuclear phenotypes in the Malpighian tubules during insect development; (3) heterochromatin compartmentalization into large bodies with specific spatial distribution and presumed mobility in the cell nuclei; (4) chromatin remodeling and co-occurrence of necrosis and apoptosis in the Malpighian tubules under stress conditions; (5) epigenetic markers; and (6) response of heterochromatin to valproic acid, an epidrug that inhibits histone deacetylases and induces DNA demethylation in other cell systems. These cellular processes and epigenetic characteristics emphasize the role of <i>T. infestans</i> as an attractive model for cellular research. A limitation of these studies is the availability of insect supply by accredited insectaries. For studies that require the injection of drugs, the operator’s dexterity to perform insect manipulation is necessary, especially if young nymphs are used. For studies involving in vitro cultivation of insect organs, the culture medium should be carefully selected to avoid inconsistent results.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/8/1030insect vectorsomatic polyploidychromocentersMalpighian tubulesepigeneticsvalproic acid |
| spellingShingle | Maria Luiza S. Mello Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) Pathogens insect vector somatic polyploidy chromocenters Malpighian tubules epigenetics valproic acid |
| title | Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) |
| title_full | Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) |
| title_fullStr | Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) |
| title_short | Nuclear Morphofunctional Organization and Epigenetic Characteristics in Somatic Cells of <i>T. infestans</i> (Klug, 1834) |
| title_sort | nuclear morphofunctional organization and epigenetic characteristics in somatic cells of i t infestans i klug 1834 |
| topic | insect vector somatic polyploidy chromocenters Malpighian tubules epigenetics valproic acid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/8/1030 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marialuizasmello nuclearmorphofunctionalorganizationandepigeneticcharacteristicsinsomaticcellsofitinfestansiklug1834 |