Article
Immunology
Pietro Ghezzi, Giamila Fantuzzi, Charles A. A. Dinarello
Summary: This Perspective highlights the work of Dr. Daniela Novick on cytokine biology, specifically her identification of soluble receptors and binding proteins for various cytokines using affinity chromatography. Her findings have been crucial in the development of monoclonal antibodies against interferons and cytokines. The Perspective also discusses her recent review on this topic.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Petra A. Tsuji, Didac Santesmasses, Byeong J. Lee, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Dolph L. Hatfield
Summary: Selenium is an essential element in the diet and has many health benefits, such as preventing heart disease and cancer, supporting male reproduction, and boosting the immune system. It plays important roles in the molecular biology of organisms and its incorporation into proteins is a unique feature. Research has focused on selenium's role in cancer prevention and its potential involvement in various diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Aikaterini A. Zompra, Styliani A. Chasapi, Matthew S. Twigg, Karina Salek, Ioannis Anestopoulos, Alex Galanis, Aglaia Pappa, Tony Gutierrez, Ibrahim M. Banat, Roger Marchant, Stephen R. Euston, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis, Georgios A. Spyroulias
Summary: Synthetic surfactants, commonly used in various industries, have a negative impact on the environment due to their synthetic preparation. As a result, there is a growing interest in exploring natural sources of surfactants, which can be produced through environmentally friendly processes. Microbial production of such chemicals, however, often results in crude materials composed of multiple complex bioproducts. Therefore, advanced analytical methods are required for the extraction, identification, and characterization of biosurfactants.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
John M. Coffin
Summary: The simultaneous discovery of reverse transcriptase in retroviruses by Howard Temin and David Baltimore in 1970 led to a paradigm shift in molecular biology and laid the foundation for the discovery of HIV.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Areum Park, Seongsoon Park
Summary: This study improved the (S)-selectivity of PBE towards sec-alcohols by rational redesign based on molecular modeling. Substituting Ser381 with larger residues significantly enhanced the (S)-selectivity of PBE towards all explored sec-alcohols, including substrates that exhibit (R)-selectivity with wild-type PBE.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hong-Yi Zhao, Hai-Peng Wang, Yu-Ze Mao, Hao Zhang, Minhang Xin, Xiao-Xiao Xi, Hao Lei, Shuai Mao, Dong-Hui Li, San-Qi Zhang
Summary: This study developed proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) targeting EGFR mutants by optimizing covalent EGFR ligands to overcome drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The covalent PROTAC CP17 was discovered to be a highly potent degrader against EGFRL858R/T790M and EGFRdel19 with excellent selectivity. Mechanism investigation showed that the lysosome was involved in the degradation process. Importantly, the covalent binding strategy was proven to be effective for designing PROTACs targeting EGFRL858R/T790M.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Laurine Darcel, Sanjit Das, Isabelle Bonnard, Bernard Banaigs, Nicolas Inguimbert
Summary: Lipopeptides, such as cyanobacterial-produced laxaphycins, are compounds synthesized by microorganisms through hybrid biosynthetic pathways. Technological advances have aided in the synthesis and characterization of these compounds, as well as in deciphering their biosynthesis. The article attempts to summarize existing knowledge on laxaphycins and examine their ecological role.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Andre C. Carpentier
Summary: Insulin plays a significant role in regulating adipose tissue fatty acid metabolism by inhibiting NEFA flux. Insulin resistance in adipose tissue may lead to various metabolic abnormalities and complications of diabetes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Michael F. F. Holick
Summary: McCollum discovered a fat-soluble nutrient with antirachitic activity and no vitamin A activity, which he named vitamin D. This vitamin has had significant health benefits for children and adults. This review explores the evolution and importance of vitamin D in land vertebrates, beginning with the connection between sunlight, vitamin D production, and the prevention of rickets.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Geetha Durairaj, Ozlem Demir, Bryant Lim, Robert Baronio, Delia Tifrea, Linda V. Hall, Jacob C. DeForest, Linda Lauinger, Maryam M. Jebril Fallatah, Clinton Yu, Hosung Bae, Da-Wei Lin, Jin Kwang Kim, Faezeh Salehi, Cholsoon Jang, Feng Qiao, Richard H. Lathrop, Lan Huang, Robert Edwards, Scott Rychnovsky, Rommie E. Amaro, Peter Kaiser
Summary: This study utilized a virtual screening approach to identify small molecules that can reactivate the tumor suppressor p53. The UCI-LC0023 compound series was explored in depth and shown to restore the function of mutant p53, prevent tumor progression in cells carrying mutant p53, and induce transcription programs dependent on p53 activity.
CELL CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Bogdan Skwarzec, Alicja Borylo, Jaroslaw Wieczorek, Klaudia Lanczewska
Summary: The article narrates the discovery of polonium chemistry, including its properties and uses, both beneficial and criminal. It also provides biographical information about its discoverers and the scientists who systematically unraveled its mysteries.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Noriyuki Isobe, Yuko Ono, Yoshiharu Nishiyama, Denis Roux, Akira Isogai
Summary: Hydrolysis of cellulose in concentrated phosphoric acid can produce two distinct monodisperse cello-oligomers, with degrees of polymerization (DP) of 7 and 15. By monitoring the DP transition during phosphoric hydrolysis using size-exclusion chromatography and multiangle laser-light scattering analyses, it was found that the hydrolysis process is likely to be random instead of specific length hydrolysis. The hydrolysis rate slows down when the DP reaches around 40, and a pool of cello-oligomers appears after 35 days. Monodisperse cello-oligomers are then recovered from this pool through fractionation based on solubility difference.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Niraj Shende, Abhijeet Karale, Prashant Bore, Sudhakar Bhagade, Ashishkumar Gulhane, Asha D. Mallya, Rajeev M. Dhere
Summary: Polysaccharide activation evaluation is crucial for conjugate vaccine quality. Pneumococcal polysaccharides of serotypes 5, 6B, 14, 19A, and 23F were cyanylated for 3 and 8 minutes, and their activation was assessed through methanolysis and derivatization. The results showed controlled conjugation kinetics in serotype 6B (22% and 27%) and serotype 23F Ps (11% and 36%) at 3 and 8 minutes, respectively. The GC-MS analysis of structural modifications provides important information for consistent conjugate vaccine manufacturing.
CARBOHYDRATE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hartmut Beck, Michael Haerter, Bastian Hass, Carsten Schmeck, Lars Baerfacker
Summary: This article discusses the 125th anniversary of the Bayer Chemical Research Laboratory in Germany and highlights the significant contributions it has made to the development of small-molecule drugs. It also explores current and future trends in drug discovery, with a specific focus on small molecules.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
Gengxin Chen, Weiqing Han, Dongxiao Wang, Lei Zhang, Xiaoqing Chu, Yunkai He, Ju Chen
Summary: The South Equatorial Current in the south Indian Ocean plays an important role in the water exchange among the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. This study examines its seasonal structure and interannual variability using satellite and in situ observations. The results show that the current follows straight and meandering routes in different time periods and exhibits obvious interannual variability. The study also reveals that the abnormal routes are primarily caused by extreme positive Indian Ocean Dipole events.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Janina Laborenz, Yury S. Bykov, Katharina Knoeringer, Markus Raeschle, Sabine Filker, Cristina Prescianotto-Baschong, Anne Spang, Takashi Tatsuta, Thomas Langer, Zuzana Storchova, Maya Schuldiner, Johannes M. Herrmann
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of the endoplasmic reticulum protein Ema19 in mitochondrial protein targeting, promoting the degradation of nonproductive precursor proteins. Deletion of Ema19 improves the growth of respiration-deficient cells, indicating a competitive relationship between Ema19-mediated degradation and productive protein import into mitochondria. Ema19, a member of a conserved protein family, also has a human homologue known as sigma 2 receptor or TMEM97.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hirohisa Chiyoda, Masahiko Kume, Carla Cadena del Castillo, Kenji Kontani, Anne Spang, Toshiaki Katada, Masamitsu Fukuyama
Summary: The PTR-18 protein plays a critical role in clearing extracellular hedgehog-related proteins and maintaining quiescence of progenitor cells. Both PTR-18 and GRL-7 proteins are localized around the apical membrane of cells in late embryonic stages and targeted for degradation before hatching.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Bottanelli, Anne Spang, Chris Stefan, Christian Ungermann
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
David Z. Kochan, Julia S. P. Mawer, Jennifer Massen, Kiril Tishinov, Swati Parekh, Martin Graef, Anne Spang, Peter Tessarz
Summary: The study reveals that Puf5 plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional buffering, helping to balance the dysregulation of chromatin structure and transcription to maintain optimal mRNA levels.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carla E. Cadena del Castillo, J. Thomas Hannich, Andres Kaech, Hirohisa Chiyoda, Jonathan Brewer, Masamitsu Fukuyama, Nils J. Faergeman, Howard Riezman, Anne Spang
Summary: The study reveals that the hedgehog signaling receptor PTCH functions as a cholesterol transporter. Reduction in PTCH activity leads to cellular cholesterol accumulation, resulting in changes in nuclear hormone receptor activity and fatty acid metabolism. This sheds light on the role of PTCH in maintaining organelle structure and fat metabolism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jennifer D. Cohen, Carla E. Cadena del Castillo, Nicholas D. Serra, Andres Kaech, Anne Spang, Meera Sundaram
Summary: The study focused on the role of PTR-4, a Patched-related protein, in Caenorhabditis elegans, revealing its involvement in the assembly of the precuticle matrix and its localization at the apical side of certain epithelial cells. Defects in PTR-4 lead to abnormalities in cuticle and molting, possibly due to earlier disorganization in the precuticle layer.
Article
Biology
Anna L. L. Matos, Fabian Keller, Tristan Wegner, Carla Elizabeth Cadena del Castillo, David Grill, Sergej Kudruk, Anne Spang, Frank Glorius, Andreas Heuer, Volker Gerke
Summary: The study characterizes previously developed cholesterol analogues, named CHIMs, which can replace cholesterol functionally in cell membranes, visualize cholesterol dynamics in cells, and follow cholesterol trafficking pathways in live organisms.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Kiril Tishinov, Anne Spang
Summary: Translation repressor Scd6 and decapping stimulator Edc3 partially redundantly regulate P-body assembly by sequestering the Dcp1/2 decapping complex in the cytoplasm. Nuclear Dcp1/2 is not involved in mRNA decay and might be stored as a releasable pool, indicating a dynamic equilibrium between cytoplasmic and nuclear Dcp1/2.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maria Podinovskaia, Cristina Prescianotto-Baschong, Dominik P. Buser, Anne Spang
Summary: This study introduces a novel live-cell imaging assay for monitoring endosome maturation process, applicable to various types of mammalian cells. It was found that different endosome conversion processes and acidification relied on different factors. This assay serves as a powerful tool to further unravel various aspects of endosome maturation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jachen Solinger, Harun-Or Rashid, Anne Spang
Summary: Cellular organization, compartmentalization, and cell-to-cell communication rely on endosomal pathways, and FERARI plays a crucial role in coordinating these pathways and regulating cargo flow through sorting endosomes via a kiss-and-run mechanism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jachen A. Solinger, Anne Spang
Summary: Intercellular communication is a necessary process in multicellular organisms, where molecules secreted by one cell bind to a receptor on another cell. The fate of the receptor-ligand complex and other endocytosed proteins is determined by the cell, with the majority being recycled back to the plasma membrane and the rest being degraded in the lysosome. This review summarizes the current understanding of the mechanism behind recycling cargo sorting and proposes a model of differential affinities between cargo and cargo receptors/adaptors for iterative sorting in endosomes.
Article
Cell Biology
Viktoria Szentgyoergyi, Anne Spang
Summary: Cargo delivery in cellular organelles relies on the fusion of vesicles with the help of tethering factors. Recent studies show that tethers play a significant role in membrane fusion, and the discovery of novel tether FERARI complex has changed our understanding of cargo transport.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Dominik P. Buser, Anne Spang
Summary: Retrograde transport is crucial for recycling protein and lipid cargoes, including receptors, enzymes, and transporters, from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. Different sorting machineries are involved in this process, selectively recognizing and concentrating the cargo molecules. Understanding and analyzing these transport pathways are essential for studying intracellular trafficking.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Biology
Anna L. L. Matos, Fabian Keller, Tristan Wegner, Carla Elizabeth Cadena del Castillo, David Grill, Sergej Kudruk, Anne Spang, Frank Glorius, Andreas Heuer, Volker Gerke
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Anne Spang
Summary: Eukaryotic cells are complex factories that have developed intracellular communication systems to ensure productivity and functionality, as well as communication with their environment. In recent years, there has been a shift in the understanding of intracellular communication towards a more holistic view, with touching, kissing, fusing emerging as general principles of communication between organelles.