Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacinta I. Kalisch-Smith, Nikita Ved, Dorota Szumska, Jacob Munro, Michael Troup, Shelley E. Harris, Helena Rodriguez-Caro, Aimee Jacquemot, Jack J. Miller, Eleanor M. Stuart, Magda Wolna, Emily Hardman, Fabrice Prin, Eva Lana-Elola, Rifdat Aoidi, Elizabeth M. C. Fisher, Victor L. J. Tybulewicz, Timothy J. Mohun, Samira Lakhal-Littleton, Sarah De Val, Eleni Giannoulatou, Duncan B. Sparrow
Summary: Congenital heart disease is a common human birth defect with many cases potentially caused by maternal iron deficiency, which can be prevented by iron administration in early pregnancy. Genetic predisposition and environmental factors may interact to impact the development of heart disease.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
John T. Benjamin, Erin J. Plosa, Jennifer M. S. Sucre, Riet van der Meer, Shivangi Dave, Sergey Gutor, David S. Nichols, Peter M. Gulleman, Christopher S. Jetter, Wei Han, Matthew Xin, Peter C. Dinella, Ashley Catanzarite, Seunghyi Kook, Kalsang Dolma, Charitharth V. Lal, Amit Gaggar, J. Edwin Blalock, Dawn C. Newcomb, Bradley W. Richmond, Jonathan A. Kropski, Lisa R. Young, Susan H. Guttentag, Timothy S. Blackwell
Summary: Emerging evidence suggests that early life events may increase the risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with neutrophilic inflammation potentially contributing to early-life predisposition to COPD. Mechanistic studies reveal a critical role for NE in the expression of elastic fiber components.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yifei Yang, Liang Chi, Chih-wei Liu, Yun-Chung Hsiao, Kun Lu
Summary: This study investigates the effect of arsenic exposure on gut microbiota and bile acid homeostasis. The results show that arsenic exposure alters the composition of major unconjugated primary bile acids and consistently decreases secondary bile acids in the serum and liver. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes is associated with bile acid levels. It suggests that arsenic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis may contribute to arsenic-perturbed bile acid homeostasis.
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Daisuke Yamada, Simon Vu, Xuesong Wu, Zhenrui Shi, Desiree Morris, Joshua D. Bloomstein, Mindy Huynh, Jie Zheng, Samuel T. Hwang
Summary: This study investigated the pathological mechanisms of progressive symmetric erythrokeratodermia (PSEK) caused by gain-of-function (GoF) mutations in transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4). The TRPM4 mutant mice showed increased susceptibility to psoriasiform dermatitis (PsD) and enhanced inflammation. The study also suggested a possible therapeutic application of TRPM4 inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Abdolamir Allameh, Nico Huettmann, Edouard Charlebois, Angeliki Katsarou, Wen Gu, Konstantinos Gkouvatsos, Elisa Pasini, Mamatha Bhat, Zoran Minic, Maxim Berezovski, Maria Guido, Carine Fillebeen, Kostas Pantopoulos
Summary: HJV has a hepatoprotective function and its deficiency in mice leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocarcinogenesis.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julia Harms, Simona Mareike Luettgenau, Christin Emming, Justine Guske, Katrin Weber, Thomas Wagner, Larissa Schowe, Pavel Nedvetsky, Michael P. P. Krahn
Summary: The downregulation of tight junction adapter protein Pals1 in colorectal cancer cells leads to increased cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The researchers found a redundancy between Arf6-GAP SMAP1 and Pals1 in regulating the activation of Arf6/Rac1 and controlling cell migration. Furthermore, the downregulation of both SMAP1 and Pals1 results in enhanced cell migration and invasion.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandra Santillo, Sara Falvo, Massimo Venditti, Anna Di Maio, Gabriella Chieffi Baccari, Francesco Errico, Alessandro Usiello, Sergio Minucci, Maria Maddalena Di Fiore
Summary: The depletion of D-aspartate (D-Asp) levels in the testes of knockin mice with the Ddo gene leads to a reduction in testosterone levels and the enzyme involved in testosterone biosynthesis. This deficiency also affects spermatogenesis and leads to increased apoptosis. Additionally, abnormal levels of proteins involved in cytoskeletal organization suggest an overall disorganization of the cytoskeleton due to the lack of D-Asp.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ling-Li Chen, Jia-Qiang Huang, Yuan-Yuan Wu, Liang-Bing Chen, Shu-Ping Li, Xu Zhang, Sen Wu, Fa-Zheng Ren, Xin-Gen Lei
Summary: Selenoprotein V (SELENOV) knockout in mice resulted in increased body weight and fat mass accumulation, along with decreased energy expenditure. SELENOV interacted with O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), leading to decreased OGT protein levels and activity, potentially impacting fat metabolism through O-GlcNAcylation regulation.
Article
Immunology
Taeko K. Noah, Jee-Boong Lee, Christopher A. Brown, Amnah Yamani, Sunil Tomar, Varsha Ganesan, Rodney D. Newberry, Gary B. Huffnagle, Senad Divanovic, Simon P. Hogan
Summary: Food allergy is a growing epidemic, and research shows that housing mice at thermoneutrality can alter the cellular patterning of intestinal antigen passages, leading to sensitization and allergic reactions to dietary antigens.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonore Bertin, Audrey Martinez, Anne Fayoux, Kevin Carvalho, Sara Carracedo, Pierre-Olivier Fernagut, Friedrich Koch-Nolte, David Blum, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Eric Boue-Grabot
Summary: This study reveals the abnormal expression of P2X4 receptor in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting its potential as a candidate early biomarker for ALS. The study also uncovers how misfolded proteins related to ALS impact the trafficking of P2X4, providing important clues for a better understanding of the pathological mechanism of ALS.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katherine M. Stefanski, Geoffrey C. Li, Justin T. Marinko, Bruce D. Carter, David C. Samuels, Charles R. Sanders
Summary: Cellular and biophysical studies were conducted to investigate the effects of the T118M PMP22 variation leading to CMT disease. It was found that T118M PMP22 reduces surface-trafficked PMP22 without forming toxic intracellular aggregates, explaining the incomplete disease penetrance and mild neuropathy observed in WT/T118M CMT cases. Additionally, a statistically significant association between the T118M mutation and the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome was identified.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jialu Tu, Haiyang Zhang, Ting Yang, Yun Liu, Solomon Kibreab, Yunpeng Zhang, Liangcai Gao, Robb E. Moses, Bert W. O'Malley, Jianru Xiao, Xiaotao Li
Summary: The REG gamma-20S proteasome is involved in the degradation of tau protein and plays a crucial role in regulating aging. Decreased levels of REG gamma contribute to reduced turnover of tau, leading to tauopathy. REG gamma deficiency results in increased accumulation of tau, loss of neurons, reduction of dendrites, and activation of microglia. Overexpression of REG gamma alleviates degenerative neuronal lesions and abnormal behaviors associated with tauopathy. This study provides insights into the regulatory mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for tau-related neurodegenerative diseases.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ka-Chung Tong, Pui-Ki Wan, Chun-Nam Lok, Chi-Ming Che
Summary: Platinum(ii) complexes can self-assemble into nanostructures, induce cancer cell death, and demonstrate anti-tumor activity.
Article
Cell Biology
Ping Luo, Wenbo Feng, Shanshan Ma, Antao Dai, Kai Wu, Xianyue Chen, Qingning Yuan, Xiaoqing Cai, Dehua Yang, Ming-Wei Wang, H. Eric Xu, Yi Jiang
Summary: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are regulated by accessory proteins such as melanocortin receptor accessory protein 1 (MRAP1), which plays a crucial role in the regulation of melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2R). The activation of MC2R by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and its involvement in glucocorticoid biogenesis have significant effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and related disorders. This study presents the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the ACTH-bound MC2R-G(s)-MRAP1 complex, revealing the unique structure and stabilizing effect of MRAP1 on ACTH binding and MC2R activation. The findings provide insights into GPCR regulation and the design of therapeutic agents targeting MC2R.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Zimmermann, Marta C. Antonelli, Ritika Sharma, Alexander Mueller, Camilla Zelgert, Bibiana Fabre, Natasha Wenzel, Hau-Tieng Wu, Martin G. Frasch, Silvia M. Lobmaier
Summary: This study reveals the adverse effects of maternal prenatal stress on fetal iron homeostasis and neurodevelopment. Specifically, the study found lower transferrin saturation and a 15% decrease in fetal ferritin in stressed male neonates. Additionally, the study showed higher fetal stress index in the stressed group compared to the control group, suggesting the potential for early intervention strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tomoyuki Shimazu, Mai Suzuki, Ryo Takasaki, Asuka Besshi, Yuna Suzuki, Yoichiro Iwakura
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and innate immune receptors. The researchers found that C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are involved in the immune-stimulating function of LAB. The interaction between LAB and CLRs can reduce the levels of certain cytokines and is only observed in heat-killed LAB. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of LAB.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Hideki Makishima, Ryunosuke Saiki, Yasuhito Nannya, Sophia Korotev, Carmelo Gurnari, June Takeda, Yukihide Momozawa, Steve Best, Pramila Krishnamurthy, Tetsuichi Yoshizato, Yoshiko Atsuta, Yusuke Shiozawa, Yuka Iijima-Yamashita, Kenichi Yoshida, Yuichi Shiraishi, Yasunobu Nagata, Nobuyuki Kakiuchi, Makoto Onizuka, Kenichi Chiba, Hiroko Tanaka, Ayana Kon, Yotaro Ochi, Masahiro M. Nakagawa, Rurika Okuda, Takuto Mori, Akinori Yoda, Hidehiro Itonaga, Yasushi Miyazaki, Masashi Sanada, Takayuki Ishikawa, Shigeru Chiba, Hisashi Tsurumi, Senji Kasahara, Carsten Mueller-Tidow, Akifumi Takaori-Kondo, Kazuma Ohyashiki, Toru Kiguchi, Fumihiko Matsuda, Joop H. Jansen, Chantana Polprasert, Piers Blombery, Yoichiro Kamatani, Sator Miyano, Luca Malcovati, Torsten Haferlach, Michiaki Kubo, Mario Cazzola, Austin G. Kulasekararaj, Lucy A. Godley, Jaroslaw P. Maclejewski, Seishi Ogawa
Summary: DDX41 gene mutations play an important role in late-onset myeloid neoplasms, but many crucial features of DDX41-mutated neoplasms still need to be elucidated. This study comprehensively characterized DDX41-mutated neoplasms and found that DDX41 risk variants accounted for 80% of known genetic predispositions to myeloid neoplasms in adults. Additionally, DDX41 risk alleles were significantly enriched in Japanese cases and more prominent in males compared to females.
Review
Oncology
Takahiko Yasuda, Masashi Sanada, Shinobu Tsuzuki, Fumihiko Hayakawa
Summary: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a genetically heterogeneous disease that can be classified into different molecular subtypes based on genetic alterations. Recent advances in sequencing technology have uncovered B-ALL molecular subtypes prevalent in adolescents and adults. These findings provide more precise prognostic estimations and personalized treatment options, as well as a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of B-ALL in these age groups.
Letter
Oncology
Kentaro Ohki, Ellie R. Butler, Nobutaka Kiyokawa, Shinsuke Hirabayashi, Anke K. Bergmann, Anja Moericke, Judith M. Boer, Helene Cave, Giovanni Cazzaniga, Allen Eng Juh Yeoh, Masashi Sanada, Toshihiko Imamura, Hiroto Inaba, Charles G. Mullighan, Mignon L. Loh, Ulrika Noren-Nystrom, Lee-Yung Shih, Marketa Zaliova, Ching-Hon Pui, Oskar A. Haas, Christine J. Harrison, Anthony V. Moorman, Atsushi Manabe
Article
Oncology
Koya Odaira, Takahiko Yasuda, Kentaro Okada, Takuya Shimooka, Yukino Kojima, Mina Noura, Shogo Tamura, Shingo Kurahashi, Eisuke Iwamoto, Masashi Sanada, Itaru Matsumura, Yasushi Miyazaki, Tetsuhito Kojima, Hitoshi Kiyoi, Shinobu Tsuzuki, Fumihiko Hayakawa
Summary: This study found that the fusion gene CEBPA-IGH suppresses the target genes of MEF2s, promoting the development of CEBPA-IGH-positive B-ALL.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thao Thu Thi Nguyen, Yoichi Tanaka, Masashi Sanada, Masumi Hosaka, Minori Tamai, Keiko Kagami, Chiaki Komatsu, Shinpei Somazu, Daisuke Harama, Shin Kasai, Atsushi Watanabe, Koushi Akahane, Kumiko Goi, Takeshi Inukai
Summary: 6-mercaptopurine is an essential component in the maintenance therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Recent sequencing analysis has identified relapse-specific mutations in the NT5C2 and PRPS1 genes, which are involved in thiopurine metabolism. The development of human leukemia models with these mutations is urgently needed to establish new therapeutic strategies for overcoming 6-mercaptopurine resistance in relapsed ALL.
MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Oncology
Chunyan Yu, Xiulong Niu, Yongrui Du, Yan Chen, Xiaomei Liu, Lingling Xu, Yoichiro Iwakura, Xiaoxia Ma, Yan Li, Zhi Yao, Weimin Deng
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Takashi Ashino, Yuki Nakamura, Hirokazu Ohtaki, Yoichiro Iwakura, Satoshi Numazawa
Summary: Sepsis affects drug metabolism and the expression of cytochrome P450s. The study shows that cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induces the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and leads to decreased survival in IL-6(-/-) mice. CLP also downregulates the expression of Cyp2c and Cyp3a11 genes, but this effect is abolished by IL-6 depletion.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Mohamed Gaber Abdallah, Vania Swee Imm Teoh, Bibek Dutta, Tomomasa Yokomizo, Motomi Osato
Summary: Cancer is rare at the cellular level but common at the body level, with one third of humans dying from it. A small subset of cells in the body have the features that allow genetic changes to induce cancer. By introducing RUNX1-ETO into childhood hematopoietic stem cells, we successfully induced AML with clinical features similar to human patients, suggesting that childhood HSCs constitute the permissive window for RUNX1-ETO leukemogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takehisa Nakanishi, Shohei Iida, Junko Maruyama, Hayato Urushima, Masako Ichishi, Yoshiaki Matsushima, Kento Mizutani, Yuichi Nakayama, Kyoko Sugioka, Mai Nishimura, Ai Umaoka, Yoichiro Iwakura, Makoto Kondo, Koji Habe, Daisuke Tsuruta, Osamu Yamamoto, Yasutomo Imai, Keiichi Yamanaka
Summary: The skin is a major immune organ that produces inflammatory cytokines in response to stimuli, leading to systemic inflammation. Inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis can cause vascular disorders like arteriosclerosis. However, the mechanism of arteriosclerosis in dermatitis and the role of cytokines are not fully understood. This study investigates the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis and treatment options for inflammatory skin conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Miwa Tanaka, Mizuki Homme, Yasuyo Teramura, Kohei Kumegawa, Yukari Yamazaki, Kyoko Yamashita, Motomi Osato, Reo Maruyama, Takuro Nakamura
Summary: This study aimed to clarify the functional role of HEY1-NCOA2 in the development and progression of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. They found that introducing HEY1-NCOA2 into mouse embryonic cells successfully induced subcutaneous tumors with biphasic morphologies and the expression of chondrogenic differentiation marker Sox9. The interaction between HEY1-NCOA2 and Runx2 was observed, and treatment with the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat suppressed tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moong Yan Leong, Yeo Lee Kong, Kevin Burgess, Won Fen Wong, Gautam Sethi, Chung Yeng Looi
Summary: Nano-engineered medical products have emerged in the past decade. Current research focuses on developing safe drugs with minimal adverse effects. Transdermal drug delivery offers convenience, local targeting, and reduced toxicity. Nanomaterials provide alternatives to conventional methods and this article reviews the recent research and emphasizes the mechanisms and nano-formulations in use.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vaisnevee Sugumar, Maan Hayyan, Priya Madhavan, Won Fen Wong, Chung Yeng Looi
Summary: The use of transdermal delivery system as an alternative to conventional oral or injectable routes has gained recognition due to its non-invasive and easily adaptable nature. However, the stratum corneum of the skin poses a barrier for large molecules like insulin. Various chemical enhancers have been proposed to increase the permeability of the stratum corneum or the full epidermis. This review discusses the recent progress in the development of chemical enhancers for transdermal insulin delivery and compares them to other therapeutical drugs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yee Teng Chan, Yi Ying Cheok, Heng Choon Cheong, Ting Fang Tang, Sofiah Sulaiman, Jamiyah Hassan, Chung Yeng Looi, Kim-Kee Tan, Sazaly AbuBakar, Won Fen Wong
Summary: The resurgence of Zika virus infection has become a serious global health threat. Although most infected individuals do not show symptoms or only experience mild symptoms, Zika virus infection can lead to severe complications in adults and birth defects in newborns. The host immune system recognizes Zika virus primarily through certain receptors and triggers an immune response to limit viral survival. However, Zika virus is able to evade the host immune system through various strategies such as suppressing immune receptors and pathways, viral protein mutation, RNA modulation, and altering cellular pathways. Understanding the interaction between the host immune system and Zika virus provides valuable insights for developing new preventive and therapeutic strategies against Zika virus infection.
Review
Microbiology
Heng Choon Cheong, Sofiah Sulaiman, Chung Yeng Looi, Li-Yen Chang, Won Fen Wong
Summary: Chlamydia infection is a global public health concern with various complications in females. As a obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia relies on host cell metabolism and apoptotic pathway molecules for survival and propagation. This review explores the strategies employed by Chlamydia in manipulating host cell metabolism for its own benefit.