Review
Genetics & Heredity
Mauricio Flores, David W. Goodrich
Summary: This article reviews relevant data from human cancer genome sequencing studies and functional studies in genetically engineered mice to reexamine whether RBL1 and RBL2 genes are important tumor suppressor genes and how their tumor suppressor activity overlaps or differs from RB1. The conclusion is that RBL1 and RBL2 do have important tumor suppressor activity in some contexts, but RB1 remains the dominant tumor suppressor gene in the family.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sidian Feng, Chaitanya Rastogig, Ryan Loker, William J. Glassford, H. Tomas Rube, Harmen J. Bussemaker, Richard S. Mann
Summary: In eukaryotes, members of transcription factor families often exhibit similar DNA binding properties in vitro, yet orchestrate paralog-specific gene regulatory networks in vivo. The serially homologous first (T1) and third (T3) thoracic legs of Drosophila, which are specified by the Hox proteins Scr and Ubx, respectively, offer a unique opportunity to address this paradox in vivo. This study reveals how Hox paralogs, and perhaps paralogs of other transcription factor families, orchestrate alternative downstream gene regulatory networks with the help of multiple, context-specific cofactors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lisa Donker, Ronja Houtekamer, Marjolein Vliem, Francois Sipieter, Helena Canever, Manuel Gomez-Gonzalez, Miquel Bosch-Padros, Willem-Jan Pannekoek, Xavier Trepat, Nicolas Borghi, Martijn Gloerich
Summary: Epithelial cells adapt their rate of cell division by sensing changes in cell number through mechanosensitive E-cadherin adhesions, which control G2/M cell-cycle progression.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Zhi Yan, Megan L. Smith, Peng Du, Matthew W. Hahn, Luay Nakhleh
Summary: Recent phylogenetic methods have focused on accurately inferring species trees in the presence of gene tree discordance due to incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Most of these methods assume that data for each locus consist of orthologous, single-copy sequences, excluding loci with more than one copy in any of the studied genomes. This study examines the consequences of running such methods on data with paralogs, with or without ILS. Through simulations and analysis of biological data sets, the researchers demonstrate that these methods can still provide accurate results when paralogs are present. The findings have significant implications for expanding the data available for phylogenetic inference.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Shih-Hui Chiu, Wen-Lin Ho, Yung-Chen Sun, Jean-Cheng Kuo, Jie-rong Huang
Summary: The intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) among paralogs have different physicochemical properties but converge on the same biophysical function. The diversity of IDRs can lead to different traits, but they ultimately evolve to achieve a converged function.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jihan K. Osborne, Melissa A. Kinney, Areum Han, Kemi E. Akinnola, Alena Yermalovich, Linda T. Vo, Daniel S. Pearson, Patricia M. Sousa, Sutheera Ratanasirintrawoot, Kaloyan M. Tsanov, Jessica Barragan, Trista E. North, Ross J. Metzger, George Q. Daley
Summary: Lin28a and Lin28b play critical roles in regulating early embryonic lung development by controlling post-transcriptional processing of mRNAs. Their functional interactions can bypass branching defects and coordinate lung development. The study highlights the importance of timing in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs and miRNAs during distinct stages of organogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mari Suzuki, Kazunori Sango, Yoshitaka Nagai
Summary: Alpha-synuclein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, and fruit fly models expressing alpha-synuclein contribute to the understanding of disease-associated factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Liang Liu, Huazhong Ma, Juan Yu, Yimin Fan
Summary: Partially deacetylated nanochitin (NCh)/glycerophosphate (GP) composite hydrogels were prepared for prolonged release of microemulsions (ME) under in vitro physiological conditions. The addition of different components balanced the mechanical and release performance of the composite hydrogels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Robert Adamski, Dorota Siuta
Summary: Novel bioactive composites based on chitosan and non-organic silica were fabricated using the sol-gel method, reinforced with calcium beta-glycerophosphate, sodium beta-glycerophosphate pentahydrate, and hydroxyapatite powder. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were analyzed, microstructure visualized by SEM, molecular interactions examined with FTIR analysis, and biocompatibility evaluated. The developed composite showed well-developed surface porosity that positively influenced cell proliferation and growth, as well as mechanical properties suitable for tissue engineering applications.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Colin Kenny, Ramile Dilshat, Hannah E. Seberg, Eric Van Otterloo, Gregory Bonde, Annika Helverson, Christopher M. Franke, Eirikur Steingrimsson, Robert A. Cornell
Summary: This study reveals how TFAP2 and MITF interact to regulate the differentiation, proliferation, and cell-cell adhesion of melanocytes and melanoma cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jean-Noel Arsac, Marianne Sedru, Mireille Dartiguelongue, Johann Vulin, Nathalie Davoust, Thierry Baron, Bertrand Mollereau
Summary: Parkinson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of alpha-Synuclein in neuronal cells, induced by exposure to herbicide Paraquat. This exposure also leads to increased levels of alpha Syn in the brain of fruit flies and synergistically induces mortality. Furthermore, Paraquat causes the accumulation of toxic soluble and misfolded forms of alpha-Synuclein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Caroline Gomes Lucas, Riley M. Sullivan, Caroline A. Pfeiffer, Paula R. Chen, Jaewoo Kim, Mariana Sponchiado, Alan J. Conley, Randall S. Prather, Kevin D. Wells, Rodney D. Geisert
Summary: In this study, we identified the gene expression profiles of three porcine aromatase isoforms in reproduction. We found distinct transcriptional regulation for the three functional Cyp19 paralogs, and a potential role for Cyp17a1 in controlling estrogen secretion from the conceptus and the placenta.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Eiji Inoue, Takahiro Suzuki, Yasuharu Shimizu, Keiichi Sudo, Haruhisa Kawasaki, Norio Ishida
Summary: Saffron and its constituent crocetin have been found to inhibit the progression of PD in animal models, showing effects such as improving climbing ability, extending lifespan, and providing cytoprotection.
Article
Developmental Biology
Olga Zaytseva, Naomi C. Mitchell, Damien Muckle, Caroline Delandre, Zuqin Nie, Janis K. Werner, John T. Lis, Eduardo Eyras, Ross D. Hannan, David L. Levens, Owen J. Marshall, Leonie M. Quinn
Summary: FUBP1 and Psi, members of the FUSE Binding Protein family, regulate gene transcription by binding to single-stranded DNA and RNA, promoting cell growth and division. Psi activates Myc and stg to promote cell proliferation, while repressing the transcription of tok, a growth inhibitor.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Shivaani Krishna, Marijn G. J. Ford
Summary: Krishna and Ford discuss recent insights into the regulation and coordination of atlastins, which are necessary for the fusion of homotypic ER tubules. New research has revealed that the tethering and fusion of the three mammalian atlastin paralogs are regulated differently due to their variable N- and C-terminal extensions. These findings have significant implications for maintaining the homeostasis of the tubular ER network through atlastin-mediated processes.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)