Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonie Unterholzner
Summary: The DNA sensor cGAS and its adaptor STING form an ancient pathogen detection mechanism, but its conservation across the animal kingdom is uncertain. In this article in Cell, Kranzusch and colleagues identify numerous cGAS-like receptors and uncover networks of second messengers that activate innate immune responses in animals.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shubhanjali Minhas, Alex S. Holehouse
Summary: The study reveals a conserved viral mechanism in which herpesvirus tegument proteins suppress cGAS:DNA phase separation, thereby subverting the innate immune system.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul Tawa, Lei Zhang, Essam Metwally, Yan Hou, Mark A. McCoy, W. Michael Seganish, Rumin Zhang, Emily Frank, Payal Sheth, Jennifer Hanisak, Christopher Sondey, David Bauman, Aileen Soriano
Summary: cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is an important drug target for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, a novel series of activators were identified that can directly bind and enhance the kinase activity of PKG1. These activators mimic the effect of cGMP on PKG1 by modulating its kinetic parameters and binding affinity for cGMP. They act by binding to an allosteric site near the regulatory domain of PKG1.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Youzhou Tang, Xinyu Li, Yafang Wei, Yongchao Sun, Yeyi Yang, Xianming Zhang, Zhihao Gao, Jishi Liu, Quan Zhuang
Summary: This study identified significant differential expression of eight acetyltransferase and deacetylase family members in SLE, with KAT2A being upregulated and positively correlated with disease activity index. KAT2A was found to modulate cGAS pathway through increasing expression and post-translational modification, specifically in certain immune cell subsets in SLE.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alexandra Petraina, Cristian Nogales, Thomas Krahn, Hermann Mucke, Thomas F. Luscher, Rodolphe Fischmeister, David A. Kass, John C. Burnett, Adrian J. Hobbs, Harald H. H. W. Schmidt
Summary: Mechanism-based therapy focused on understanding disease pathways at the molecular level is still rare in cardiovascular medicine, but recent drug developments centered around cGMP offer promising personalized treatment options. By modulating cGMP synthesis or breakdown, these drugs show potential for protective effects across various cardiac conditions.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jordi Soler, Pedro Paiva, Maria J. Ramos, Pedro A. Fernandes, Marie Brut
Summary: This study utilizes Molecular Dynamics to investigate the activation of cGAS, focusing on the motion of the activation loop and its role in cGAMP production. Insights into the reaction resulting in cGAMP synthesis are provided, with two possible catalytic routes proposed based on active site occupancy. This paves the way towards further exploration of the reaction mechanism.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Zheng-Yu Jiang, Qi-Dong You, Xiao-Li Xu, Nan-Nan Chen, Han Zhang, Qiang-Sheng Zhu, Ting Zeng, Wei Dai, Ye-Ling Zhou, Guo-Feng Xin, Bei-Duo Wu, Si-Jia Gong
Summary: By modifying and optimizing the structure of mono-aminobenzimidazole (ABZI), nanomolar STING agonists were obtained. Compounds D59 and D61 significantly increased the transcription of IFN-beta and CXCL10, and induced phosphorylation of STING downstream proteins in THP1 cells. Furthermore, compound D61 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties and effectively inhibited tumor growth in a mouse tumor model.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Susana S. Correia, Rajesh R. Iyengar, Peter Germano, Kim Tang, Sylvie G. Bernier, Chad D. Schwartzkopf, Jenny Tobin, Thomas W. -H. Lee, Guang Liu, Sarah Jacobson, Andrew Carvalho, Glen R. Rennie, Joon Jung, Paul A. Renhowe, Elisabeth Lonie, Christopher J. Winrow, John R. Hadcock, Juli E. Jones, Mark G. Currie
Summary: Effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are urgently needed as the global population ages. CY6463, a brain-penetrant sGC stimulator, has shown promise in preclinical models by improving neuronal activity, mediating neuroprotection, and enhancing cognitive performance.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yineng Han, Qiaolin Yang, Yiping Huang, Pengfei Gao, Lingfei Jia, Yunfei Zheng, Weiran Li
Summary: Compressive force regulates orthodontic tooth movement by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibiting autophagy.
Article
Biology
Yakun Wu, Kun Song, Wenzhuo Hao, Jack Li, Lingyan Wang, Shitao Li
Summary: This study demonstrates that HSV-1 infection causes the release of cGAS from the chromatin into the nuclear soluble fraction. The nuclear soluble cGAS acts as a nuclear DNA sensor and can detect nuclear-replicating DNA viruses, leading to an interferon response and limiting viral infection.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
A. T. Duarte-Silva, L. G. R. Ximenes, M. Guimaraes-Souza, I. Domith, R. Paes-de-Carvalho
Summary: The communication and interaction between developing neurons and neurotransmitters play crucial roles in the regulation of signaling pathways during central nervous system development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erika L. Poitras, Stephen L. Gust, Paul M. Kerr, Frances Plane
Summary: Nitric oxide activates enzyme soluble guanylate cyclase to produce cGMP, which plays a key role in regulating intracellular calcium levels. PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil prolong cGMP availability, making them first-line treatments for erectile dysfunction and approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Inhaled NO is currently used for neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension, but alternative approaches are needed for unresponsive cases.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Davoud Ahmadimoghaddam, Mohammad Zarei, Saeed Mohammadi, Zohreh Izadidastenaei, Iraj Salehi
Summary: In Iranian folkloric medicine, Bupleurum falcatum L. has been used as a selective analgesic remedy. The research investigated the anti-nociceptive and anti-allodynic action of Bupleurum falcatum L. roots essential oil in Swiss mice. Results showed that BFEO exhibited significant antinociceptive effects and could effectively alleviate allodynia in CSC mice by activating specific pathways and receptors.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lukas Menges, Jan Giesen, Kerem Yilmaz, Evanthia Mergia, Annette Fuechtbauer, Ernst-Martin Fuechtbauer, Doris Koesling, Michael Russwurm
Summary: The presence of NO/cGMP signaling in cardiac cells is still disputed. Recent experiments have shown that NO can induce cGMP signals in cardiac fibroblasts, but not in cardiomyocytes. However, in a co-culture model, cGMP produced in fibroblasts in response to NO can enter cardiomyocytes through gap junctions. In intact tissue, we demonstrate that cGMP produced in cardiac fibroblasts can be transferred to cardiomyocytes via gap junctions.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Jeremy Astier, Jordan Rossi, Pauline Chatelain, Agnes Klinguer, Angelique Besson-Bard, Claire Rosnoblet, Sylvain Jeandroz, Valerie Nicolas-Frances, David Wendehenne
Summary: The study of nitric oxide in embryophytes and algae has deepened our understanding of its biological functions, including its production pathways, signaling networks, and regulated proteins. Interestingly, while some algae have a conserved nitric oxide synthase, the typical NO-cyclic GMP signaling module is not found in algae or embryophytes, showing a divergent acquisition of NO signaling between green and animal lineages.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Roloff, Hannah Scheiblich, Carola Dewitz, Silke Dempewolf, Michael Stern, Gerd Bicker
Article
Neurosciences
Torben Stemme, Michael Stern, Gerd Bicker
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE NEUROLOGY
(2017)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Hannah Wasser, Michael Stern
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Neurosciences
Hannah Scheiblich, Frank Roloff, Vikramjeet Singh, Martin Stangel, Michael Stern, Gerd Bicker
Article
Zoology
Hendrik Langeloh, Hannah Wasser, Nicole Richter, Gerd Bicker, Michael Stern
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karsten Bode, Lena Nolte, Hannes Kamin, Michael Desens, Arthur Ulmann, Gregor A. Bergmann, Philine Betker, Jennifer Reitmeier, Tammo Ripken, Michael Stern, Heiko Meyer, Gerd Bicker
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Toxicology
Karsten Bode, Maja Bohn, Jennifer Reitmeier, Philine Betker, Michael Stern, Gerd Bicker
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Physiology
Gerd Bicker, Michael Stern
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne Schmitz, Silke Dempewolf, Saime Tan, Gerd Bicker, Michael Stern
Summary: The study found that fipronil and its main metabolic product, fipronil sulfone, exhibit specific developmental neurotoxicity on developing human model neurons in vitro. Both compounds significantly inhibited cell migration and neuronal differentiation, but had minimal effect on neurite outgrowth. Fipronil sulfone showed a stronger effect than fipronil, emphasizing the importance of testing both the original pesticides and their metabolic products.
NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maximilian F. Bolder, Klaus Jung, Michael Stern
Summary: This study investigates the effects of hibernation on serotonin-immunoreactivity in the visual information processing centers of ant brains and discovers these seasonal activity variations using machine learning techniques.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Stella Bergmann, Jan-Phillipp Gerhards, Anne Schmitz, Stefanie C. Becker, Michael Stern
Summary: Insects lack adaptive immune system like vertebrates but relies on innate immune system to respond to a broad variety of pathogens. The study evaluated cytotoxic gaseous radical nitric oxide (NO) production in response to immune stimuli in Locusta migratoria, showing an influence on the central nervous system. The findings contribute to understanding neuroimmune interactions in insects.
Article
Virology
Mareike Heinig-Hartberger, Fanny Hellhammer, David D. J. A. Zoeller, Susann Dornbusch, Stella Bergmann, Katerina Vocadlova, Sandra Junglen, Michael Stern, Kwang-Zin Lee, Stefanie C. Becker
Summary: Mosquitoes are vectors of diseases and controlling their populations is crucial for preventing outbreaks. In this study, the insect-specific virus CYV was characterized, showing dipteran specificity and the potential to destabilize arbovirus vector populations.
Article
Microbiology
Stella Bergmann, Maja C. Bohn, Susann Dornbusch, Stefanie C. Becker, Michael Stern
Summary: This study demonstrates that Rift Valley Fever Virus infection can transiently reduce olfactory perception and attraction towards food-related odors in Drosophila flies, while effects on activity and immune effector gene expression persist.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Gregor A. Bergmann, Sarah Froembling, Nina Joseph, Karsten Bode, Gerd Bicker, Michael Stern
ALTEX-ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Hannah Wasser, Alexandra Biller, Georgios Antonopoulos, Heiko Meyer, Gerd Bicker, Michael Stern
CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Yang Gao, Ya-Nan Ou, Yi-Ming Huang, Zhi-Bo Wang, Yan Fu, Ya-Hui Ma, Qiong-Yao Li, Li-Yun Ma, Rui-Ping Cui, Yin-Chu Mi, Lan Tan, Jin-Tai Yu
Summary: Liver function may play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that as AD progressed, certain liver function markers increased while others decreased. The relationship between liver function and CSF AD biomarkers indicates a potential mediation effect on cognition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2024)