Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Soghra Bagheri, Mahdie Rahban, Fatemeh Bostanian, Fatemeh Esmaeilzadeh, Arash Bagherabadi, Samaneh Zolghadri, Agata Stanek
Summary: Prostate cancer, when it spreads to the bone, is known as metastatic bone cancer. Currently, effective treatment options are still lacking for advanced/metastatic PC. However, understanding the molecular events that contribute to PC progression provides hope for the development of new treatment strategies. Protein kinases play crucial roles in the growth, proliferation, and metastases of prostatic tumors, making combinatorial therapy with PK inhibitors a potential treatment approach. Additionally, epigenetic pathways are also involved in PC, suggesting another potential combination treatment strategy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lijuan Chen, Jiahui Xiao, You Li, Yuxiao Song, Jun Liu, Qi Zhou, Ting Sun, Hong-Bin Wang, Bing Liu
Summary: Plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens can be regulated through jasmonate response and chitin signaling, specifically by the Raf-like MAPKKKs STY8, STY17, and STY46, as discovered in this study. Interaction with MKK7, a MAPKK component, also plays a role in resistance to Botrytis cinerea and chitin signaling. The accumulation of MKK7 is negatively affected by the homologs of STY8, STY17, and STY46, which have opposite effects on defense against B. cinerea.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Han, Lin Zhong, Fuli Ren
Summary: This study established a simple and broad-spectrum system for preparing phosphorylation-positive samples, which were then validated in cells from different species and tissues, demonstrating effectiveness in evaluating the quality of phosphorylation-specific antibodies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yang Han, Lin Zhong, Fuli Ren
Summary: This study established a simple and broad-spectrum system for evaluating the quality of phosphorylation-specific antibodies, which was validated in multiple experiments and shown to be effective and applicable in various biomedical fields.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea Piserchio, Kimberly J. Long, Luke S. Browning, Amanda L. Bohanon, Eta A. Isiorho, Kevin N. Dalby, Ranajeet Ghose
Summary: Protein translation, a high-energy process, requires robust regulation under energy-deprived conditions. The eEF-2K plays a crucial role in this regulation by suppressing translational elongation through phosphorylation of eEF-2. It has been suggested that eEF-2K's response to energy levels is mediated by AMPK and the mTOR pathway.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Zhengnian Li, Ryosuke Ishida, Yan Liu, Jinhua Wang, Yina Li, Yang Gao, Jie Jiang, Jianwei Che, Jason M. Sheltzer, Matthew B. Robers, Tinghu Zhang, Kenneth D. Westover, Behnam Nabet, Nathanael S. Gray
Summary: This study describes a medicinal chemistry campaign to identify a CDK11 inhibitor. Through structure-guided medicinal chemistry modifications, a CDK11 probe ZNL-05-044 with improved selectivity was identified, which can arrest cell cycle and impact CDK11-dependent gene splicing in cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Laurence Don Wai Luu, Ling Zhong, Sandeep Kaur, Mark J. Raftery, Ruiting Lan
Summary: The Bordetella genus is divided into classical and non-classical groups. Phosphorylation plays a key role in regulating metabolism and virulence pathways in Bordetella. The phosphorylation of key virulence regulator BvgA may be important in fine-tuning virulence gene expression and distinguishing classical from non-classical Bordetella species.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhi-Da Zhang, Bing Wen, Da-Jia Li, Dan-Xia Deng, Xiao-Dong Wu, Yin-Wei Cheng, Lian-Di Liao, Lin Long, Geng Dong, Li-Yan Xu, En-Min Li
Summary: In this study, we identified a novel phosphorylation site in Fascin and confirmed AKT2 as the kinase for this site. Phosphorylation of Fascin Threonine 403 suppresses the behavior of esophageal cancer cells, actin-bundling activity, and filopodia formation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ting Lu, Yujie Lu, Lei Wang, Zhipei Liu, Shiyuan Miao, Yajie Tai, Binbin Yang
Summary: The Akt gene plays an important role in regulating female reproduction in Liposcelis entomophila by affecting the juvenile hormone signaling pathway and vitellogenesis.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vinayak Walhekar, Chandrakant Bagul, Dileep Kumar, Amol Muthal, Garlapati Achaiah, Ravindra Kulkarni
Summary: Cytosolic PIM kinases play a crucial role in cancer progression, but there are currently no drugs targeting these kinases on the market. Many PIM kinase inhibitors have been developed in recent years, but have not passed clinical trials.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-REVIEWS ON CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Laura Bownes, Adele P. Williams, Raoud Marayati, Colin H. Quinn, Sara C. Hutchins, Jerry E. Stewart, Trung Vu, Juliet L. Easlick, Elizabeth Mroczek-Musulman, David K. Crossman, Joshua C. Anderson, Christopher D. Willey, Pran K. Datta, Elizabeth A. Beierle
Summary: Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood tumor, continues to have a poor prognosis with less than 50% five-year survival rate. The study shows that STRAP, a protein associated with tumor growth, plays a crucial role in neuroblastoma development and stemness maintenance.
Article
Microbiology
Qiao Hu, Lun Yao, Xia Liao, Liang-Sheng Zhang, Hao-Tian Li, Ting-Ting Li, Qing-Gen Jiang, Mei-Fang Tan, Lu Li, Roger R. Draheim, Qi Huang, Rui Zhou
Summary: A comparative study on STK/STP in Streptococcus suis revealed that STK plays a more critical role in cell division, energy metabolism, and protein translation, while STP primarily impacts bacterial growth. Deletion of stk or stp had significant effects on protein expression, with more virulence factors downregulated in increment stk strains. Overall, both STP and STK are essential regulatory proteins for S. suis, with STK playing a more prominent role in growth, cell division, and pathogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. J. Yanez, F. Campos, T. Marin, A. D. Klein, A. H. Futerman, A. R. Alvarez, S. Zanlungo
Summary: This study reveals that c-Abl tyrosine kinase participates upstream of RIPK3 in Gaucher disease, with its inhibition showing potential therapeutic benefits. The interaction and phosphorylation of RIPK3 by c-Abl was reduced with pharmacological intervention, highlighting c-Abl signaling as a novel pathway for potential GD treatment.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Jenny Nancy Gomez-Sandoval, Alma Reyna Escalona-Montano, Abril Navarrete-Mena, M. Magdalena Aguirre-Garcia
Summary: Protein phosphatases in parasites exhibit diverse functions and characteristics, some of which could serve as potential targets for therapy or diagnostic markers. Understanding their involvement in parasite cell cycle, metabolism, virulence, and immune response evasion is crucial for medical and veterinary purposes.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiyuan Yin, Danyu Shen, Yaning Zhao, Hao Peng, Jinding Liu, Daolong Dou
Summary: Transmembrane kinases (TMKs) play important roles in cellular signaling. The kinase domains of most metazoan and plant TMKs belong to the S/T/Y-kinase superfamily. TMKs in protists have diverse origins and functional diversity. Despite belonging to different kinase subfamilies, protist LRR and GPCR-type TMKs share similar sensory domain architectures with plant and animal TMKs.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingjing Zhao, Sarah Turpin-Nolan, Mark A. Febbraio
Summary: Metabolic diseases are common and using gp130 receptor ligands as a therapeutic strategy can be effective in treating them.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Zhou, Peter J. Little, Suowen Xu, Danielle Kamato
Summary: Curcumin, a natural compound widely used in Asian countries, has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Researchers have found that curcumin can prevent atherosclerosis by blocking ROCK signaling pathway.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
K. Watt, D. C. Henstridge, M. Ziemann, C. B. Sim, M. K. Montgomery, D. Samocha-Bonet, B. L. Parker, G. T. Dodd, S. T. Bond, T. M. Salmi, R. S. Lee, R. E. Thomson, A. Hagg, J. R. Davey, H. Qian, R. Koopman, A. El-Osta, J. R. Greenfield, M. J. Watt, M. A. Febbraio, B. G. Drew, A. G. Cox, E. R. Porrello, K. F. Harvey, P. Gregorevic
Summary: Reduced levels of Yap in muscle contribute to the development of obesity and metabolic disease, while increasing Yap abundance in skeletal muscle enhances energy expenditure and reduces adiposity in obese mice.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kang-Yu Peng, Christopher K. Barlow, Helene Kammoun, Natalie A. Mellett, Jacquelyn M. Weir, Andrew J. Murphy, Mark A. Febbraio, Peter J. Meikle
Summary: Excessive free fatty acid can significantly alter rat hepatocyte phospholipid composition, particularly by lowering the phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine ratio.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Suowen Xu, Iqra Ilyas, Peter J. Little, Hong Li, Danielle Kamato, Xueying Zheng, Sihui Luo, Zhuoming Li, Peiqing Liu, Jihong Han, Ian C. Harding, Eno E. Ebong, Scott J. Cameron, Alastair G. Stewart, Jianping Weng
Summary: The endothelium, a cellular monolayer lining the blood vessel wall, plays a critical role in maintaining multiorgan health and homeostasis. Dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is associated with various diseases and is implicated in severe coronavirus disease 2019. Therapeutic approaches targeting endothelial dysfunction may have potential for treatment of cardiovascular and many other diseases.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lisa S. Chow, Robert E. Gerszten, Joan M. Taylor, Bente K. Pedersen, Henriette van Praag, Scott Trappe, Mark A. Febbraio, Zorina S. Galis, Yunling Goo, Jacob M. Haus, Ian R. Lanza, Carl J. Lavie, Chih-Hao Lee, Alejandro Lucia, Cedric Moro, Ambarish Pandey, Jeremy M. Robbins, Kristin Stanford, Alice E. Thackray, Saul Villeda, Matthew J. Watt, Ashley Xia, Juleen R. Zierath, Bret H. Goodpaster, Michael P. Snyder
Summary: This Review summarizes the importance and current state of exerkine research, highlighting the potential roles of exerkines in improving cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neurological health. Exerkines are signaling molecules released during exercise, which have the potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and to facilitate healthy aging.
NATURE REVIEWS ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takashi Umehara, Yasmyn E. Winstanley, Eryk Andreas, Atsushi Morimoto, Elisha J. Williams, Kirsten M. Smith, John Carroll, Mark A. Febbraio, Masayuki Shimada, Darryl L. Russell, Rebecca L. Robker
Summary: Ovarian fibrosis is identified as the underlying mechanism for impaired oocyte release, with antifibrosis drugs potentially restoring ovulation function in reproductively old or obese mice. Targeting mitochondrial metabolism with such drugs could be a viable therapeutic strategy for women with metabolic disorders or advancing age.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Danielle Kamato, Iqra Ilyas, Suowen Xu, Peter J. Little
Summary: Cardiovascular disease, primarily caused by atherosclerosis, is the leading cause of disease-related mortality worldwide. Current therapeutic agents have limited efficacy in lowering plasma lipid levels and reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease. Suitable animal models that accurately reproduce human atherosclerosis are essential for pre-clinical research on novel cardiovascular drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gideon G. Kang, Natalie L. Trevaskis, Andrew J. Murphy, Mark A. Febbraio
Summary: Sucrose, a primary sugar in plants, contains equal fructose and glucose. Excessive energy intake leads to obesity and liver diseases like NAFLD and NASH. A high-caloric diet disrupts gut microbiota, causing intestinal inflammation and leaky gut. This can result in hepatic inflammation and ER stress, leading to NASH. This review focuses on the metabolic connections between diet-induced gut changes and NASH, as well as therapeutic intervention to restore the gut-liver axis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Cable, Jeffrey C. Rathmell, Erika L. Pearce, Ping-Chih Ho, Marcia C. Haigis, Murad R. Mamedov, Meng-Ju Wu, Susan M. Kaech, Lydia Lynch, Mark A. Febbraio, Sagar P. Bapat, Hanna S. Hong, Weiping Zou, Yasmine Belkaid, Zuri A. Sullivan, Andrea Keller, Stefanie K. Wculek, Douglas R. Green, Catherine Postic, Ido Amit, Salvador Aznar Benitah, Russell G. Jones, Miguel Reina-Campos, Santiago Valle Torres, Semir Beyaz, Donal Brennan, Luke A. J. O'Neill, Rachel J. Perry, Dirk Brenner
Summary: Immunometabolism studies the relationship between metabolism and immunity, with a focus on the metabolic pathways within immune cells and the impact of immune cells on systemic metabolism. In the Keystone symposium on Immunometabolism at the Crossroads of Obesity and Cancer, experts presented recent research on the complex interplay between metabolism, immunity, and cancer, highlighting metabolic links between tumor cells and immune cells, the effects of diet, the microbiome, and obesity on immune system function and cancer, and new technologies to study the immune system and uncover novel metabolic pathways.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jacqueline Kaiser, Kevin Nay, Christopher R. Horne, Luke M. Mcaloon, Oliver K. Fuller, Abbey G. Muller, Douglas G. Whyte, Anthony R. Means, Ken Walder, Michael Berk, Anthony J. Hannan, James M. Murphy, Mark A. Febbraio, Andrew L. Gundlach, John W. Scott
Summary: Current pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder are inadequate and lack revolutionary therapies due to limited efficacy, burdensome side-effects, and a poor understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. Targeting the CaMKK2 enzyme shows promise as a new treatment strategy for bipolar disorder, as it is associated with the disease and its behaviors can be ameliorated by increasing CaMKK2 activity with lithium.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ebru Boslem, Saskia Reibe, Rodrigo Carlessi, Benoit Smeuninx, Surafel Tegegne, Casey L. Egan, Emma Mclennan, Lauren V. Terry, Max Nobis, Andre Mu, Cameron Nowell, Neil Horadagoda, Natalie A. Mellett, Paul Timpson, Matthew Jones, Elena Denisenko, Alistair R. R. Forrest, Janina E. E. Tirnitz-Parker, Peter J. Meikle, Stefan Rose-John, Michael Karin, Mark A. Febbraio
Summary: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing due to obesity-related nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In a mouse model mimicking NASH-driven HCC, activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation was observed in hepatocytes. Treatment with an ER stress inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory drug reversed NASH and reduced NASH-driven HCC.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiumei Wu, Mengyun Xu, Mengya Geng, Shuo Chen, Peter J. Little, Suowen Xu, Jianping Weng
Summary: The increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has become a significant global public health burden. Metabolic diseases, the most common form of NCDs, have life-threatening cardiovascular complications and affect people of all ages. Protein posttranslational modification (PTM) greatly enhances the functional diversity of proteins and plays a crucial role in common metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of PTMs in metabolic diseases will provide new insights for therapeutic intervention and improvement of therapies.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Rodrigo Carlessi, Elena Denisenko, Ebru Boslem, Julia Kohn-Gaone, Nathan Main, N. Dianah B. Abu Bakar, Gayatri D. Shirolkar, Matthew Jones, Aaron B. Beasley, Daniel Poppe, Benjamin J. Dwyer, Connie Jackaman, M. Christian Tijam, Ryan Lister, Michael Karin, Jonathan A. Fallowfield, Timothy J. Kendall, Stuart J. Forbes, Elin S. Gray, John K. Olynyk, George Yeoh, Alistair R. R. Forrest, Grant A. Ramm, Mark A. Febbraio, Janina E. E. Tirnitz-Parker
Summary: By using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, researchers identified a disease-associated hepatocyte transcriptional state that is increasingly prevalent in chronic liver disease and associated with structural variants. Integrated analysis of human data confirmed this finding and revealed a correlation between high levels of this hepatocyte transcriptional state and an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development.
Review
Immunology
Andrew J. Murphy, Mark A. Febbraio
Summary: This Perspective reflects on the advances made in the past 20 years in developing immune-based therapies for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, highlighting the central role of the immune system in these disorders and the potential impact of immune-based interventions in reducing death and disability from cardiometabolic disorders.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)