Article
Entomology
Eva Sulkova, Branislav Kolena, Hana Sulakova, Henrieta Hlisnikova, Miroslava Nagyova, Zuzana Polacikova, Ramona Babosova, Maria Vondrakova, Ida Petrovicova
Summary: This study investigates the effects of DEHP and its metabolites on the larval stages of Calliphora vicina. The results show that direct exposure to DEHP leads to a decrease in larval length and width, while exposure to DEHP metabolites in mouse cadavers increases larval weight. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the disruptive effects of DEHP on the development of Calliphora vicina larvae.
JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael C. Jaskolka, Maureen Tarsio, Anne M. Smardon, Md Murad Khan, Patricia M. Kane
Summary: The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a proton pump responsible for acidifying organelles in cells. The RAVE complex plays a crucial role in the reassembly of V-ATPases through the rapid and reversible disassembly and reassembly processes. Native RAVE and RAVE-V1 complexes purified using an inducible overexpression system contain substoichiometric levels of subunit C, suggesting their importance in V-ATPase reassembly.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alaullah Sheikh, Brunda Tumala, Tim J. Vickers, John C. Martin, Bruce A. Rosa, Subrata Sabui, Supratim Basu, Rita D. Simoes, Makedonka Mitreva, Chad Storer, Erik Tyksen, Richard D. Head, Wandy Beatty, Hamid M. Said, James M. Fleckenstein
Summary: This study reveals that enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) enterotoxins can disrupt the structure and function of intestinal epithelial cells, leading to non-diarrheal sequelae. The researchers found that the heat-labile toxin (LT) produced by ETEC significantly alters gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells, suppresses critical factors for enterocyte differentiation, and disrupts microvillus architecture and nutrient transport. They also observed substantial brush border derangement in ETEC-challenged neonatal mice, which could be prevented by maternal vaccination with LT. These findings highlight the importance of studying the impacts of ETEC infections beyond acute diarrheal illness and may inform strategies for preventing major sequelae such as malnutrition in children.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Fang Huang, Trang T. T. Nguyen, Ignacia Echeverria, Rakesh Ramachandran, Daniele C. Cary, Hana Paculova, Andrej Sali, Arthur Weiss, Boris Matija Peterlin, Koh Fujinaga
Summary: Research has found that in quiescent and terminally differentiated cells, CycT1 not bound to CDK9 is rapidly degraded. Additionally, PKC-mediated phosphorylation of CycT1 increases productive CycT1:CDK9 interactions in human cells. Conversely, dephosphorylation of CycT1 by PP1 reverses this process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Cuevas-Navarro, Richard Van, Alice Cheng, Anatoly Urisman, Pau Castel, Frank McCormick
Summary: The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) functions as a sensor that delays mitotic progression until proper chromosome segregation is guaranteed. Disruptions to this mechanism can lead to genomic instability and aneuploidy, which are linked to various health conditions, including cancer. Understanding the interaction between signaling pathways and the SAC can provide insights into potential therapeutic targets for conditions related to chromosomal instability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaofang Tang, Wei Wei, John M. Snowball, Ernesto S. Nakayasu, Sheila M. Bell, Charles Ansong, Xinhua Lin, Jeffrey A. Whitsett
Summary: Eukaryotic cells go through the cell cycle to produce two daughter cells. Dys-regulation of the cell cycle can result in cell death or tumorigenesis. This study shows that EMC3, a subunit of the ER membrane complex, is a key regulator of the cell cycle. Its deficiency leads to defects in organ size and patterning, impaired cell proliferation, spindle assembly defects, chromosome mis-segregation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. EMC3 works together with VCP to regulate the levels and activity of Aurora A, an essential factor for centrosome function and mitotic spindle assembly.
Article
Physiology
Joachim Van Lommel, Michiel Holtof, Laurentijn Tilleman, Dorien Cools, Seppe Vansteenkiste, Daria Polgun, Rik Verdonck, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Jozef Vanden Broeck
Summary: This study compared the gene expression profiles in the midgut of desert locusts at different time points after feeding and identified genes associated with digestion, immunity, and xenobiotic metabolism. Additionally, two vital transcripts were found, and their knockdown resulted in increased mortality, indicating their potential as insecticidal targets.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Domenica Lovero, Damiano Porcelli, Luca Giordano, Claudio Lo Giudice, Ernesto Picardi, Graziano Pesole, Eugenia Pignataro, Antonio Palazzo, Rene Massimiliano Marsano
Summary: Gene and genome comparison offer a valuable tool for identifying evolutionarily conserved sequences with potential functional importance. In this study, we analyzed orthologous genes involved in the V-ATPase complex, which plays crucial roles in storage, recycling, and epithelial transport in various eukaryotic organisms including insects. Our analysis of 70 insect species from eight orders revealed the conservation of a short sequence within these genes, providing insights into the regulation of complex gene networks in organellar biogenesis and cellular organization from an evolutionary perspective.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose L. Escalona, Jose Bubis
Summary: Under glucose-deprived conditions, phosphorylation of TeqR-like protein is altered, leading to changes in protein structure, and this phosphorylation is reversible.