Article
Microbiology
Nicholas Rinkenberger, Alex Rosenberg, Joshua B. Radke, Jaya Bhushan, Tadakimi Tomita, Louis M. Weiss, L. David Sibley
Summary: Autophagy plays a role in innate immunity by targeting intracellular pathogens for elimination. Genetic differences in LC3 recruitment between resistant and susceptible strains of Toxoplasma gondii were investigated, revealing a new mechanism for cell-autonomous restriction of intracellular pathogens.
Review
Oncology
Angelika Merkel, Manel Esteller
Summary: Aberrations in DNA methylation patterns play a critical role in cancer development. In this article, we provide an overview of genome-wide approaches for analyzing DNA methylation, which are essential for cancer research. We review both experimental and bioinformatic methods and discuss the challenges associated with data analysis. The understanding of DNA methylation is crucial for the development of biomarkers and the advancement of cancer biology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jack Houghton-Gisby, Rachel Kerslake, Emmanouil Karteris, Kefah Mokbel, Amanda J. Harvey
Summary: Overexpression of ACBD3 is associated with worse prognosis in breast cancer patients. ACBD3 is highly expressed in breast cancer and its overexpression leads to reduced survival and metastasis-free survival for patients. The expression of ACBD3 varies based on hormone receptor status, making it a potential biomarker for poor prognosis in breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Yuan Lin, Jian Zheng, Dongxin Lin
Summary: piRNAs, a class of small regulatory RNAs, are mainly involved in transposon control in germ cells and have been implicated in various malignant tumors and cancer hallmarks, demonstrating potential as cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic tools.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Jun Hao, Xinpei Ci, Yong Wang, Stephen Yiu Chuen Choi, Sarah E. Sullivan, Hui Xue, Rebecca Wu, Xin Dong, Anne M. Haegert, Colin C. Collins, Dong Lin, Yuzhuo Wang
Summary: The study revealed a reciprocal feedback between GRB10 and AR signaling, indicating the importance of GRB10 in the progression of prostate cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuai Huang, Bihui Cao, Jinling Zhang, Yunfei Feng, Lu Wang, Xiaopei Chen, Hang Su, Shengrong Liao, Jinggong Liu, Jun Yan, Baoxia Liang
Summary: CuB has cytotoxicity towards nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and may induce ferroptosis as a potential mechanism.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sumirtha Balaratnam, Mohammed Enamul Hoque, Nicole West, Soumitra Basu
Summary: This study reveals that the degradation of human piRNAs primarily relies on the 5'-3' exoribonuclease pathway. The presence of 3'-end 2'-O-methylation in piRNAs reduces their degradation through the exosome-mediated decay pathway. The accumulation of piRNAs in XRN1 and XRN2 exoribonuclease-depleted cells further supports the 5'-3' exoribonuclease-mediated decay of piRNAs. Additionally, stable secondary structures in piRNAs slow down the rate of XRN1-mediated degradation. These findings establish a framework for understanding the degradation mechanism of piRNAs and provide crucial insights into maintaining the basal level concentration of piRNAs in cells.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Jialin Zhou, Han Xie, Jun Liu, Ruixiang Huang, Yufei Xiang, Dasheng Tian, Erbao Bian
Summary: P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small regulatory RNAs that regulate transposons in germ cells and are associated with various malignant tumors. The functions and mechanisms of piRNAs in cancer are still unclear. This review summarizes the current findings on the biogenesis, function, and mechanisms of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in cancer, discusses their clinical significance as biomarkers and therapeutic tools, and presents critical questions for future research.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xing Zhang, Jing Zhou, Yongping Zhu, Yin Kwan Wong, Dandan Liu, Peng Gao, Qingsong Lin, Jianbin Zhang, Xiao Chen, Jigang Wang
Summary: This study comprehensively identified the protein targets of Cel in HCT116 cells and elucidated the mechanism of Cel's anti-cancer activity. Multiple pathways were identified as potential effectors of Cel based on the specific targets.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rasoul Shahbazi, Davoud Jafari-Gharabaghlou, Zohreh Mirjafary, Hamid Saeidian, Nosratollah Zarghami
Summary: In this study, PEGylated niosomal nanoparticles loaded with ART-MET were synthesized and characterized. The results showed that these nanoparticles can inhibit the growth of A549 lung cancer cells and induce apoptotic gene expression.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tianyu Ren, Xiaofei Xue, Xiaogang Wang, Xingtong Zhou, Shengchun Dang
Summary: This study aimed to identify key genes in pancreatic cancer by analyzing gene expression profiling data. Through enrichment analysis, it was found that these genes were involved in important biological processes such as endodermal cell differentiation, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. ITGA2 and ITGB6 were identified as key genes impacting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer, with experimental results showing that silencing ITGB6 can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Pei Dai, Xiangying Deng, Peng Liu, Lingling Li, Dan Luo, Yating Liao, Yanhua Zeng
Summary: Mycoplasma genitalium is a newly recognized pathogen associated with sexually transmitted diseases, and its adhesion protein MgPa plays a key role in interacting with host cells. Through proteome quantitative analysis, it was found that the interaction between MgPa and RPL35 can enhance the expression of translation-related proteins, leading to cell proliferation. These findings provide insights into a new biological function of MgPa and shed light on the survival mechanism of M. genitalium in the host.
Review
Oncology
Edmund Ui-Hang Sim, Choon-Weng Lee, Kumaran Narayanan
Summary: Ribosomal protein genes encode essential products for cellular protein biosynthesis and are crucial components of ribosomes; some ribosomal proteins have unique physiological activities that can affect cell growth and differentiation, potentially leading to organogenesis; dysregulation of ribosomal proteins may be linked to oncogenesis, with specific ribosomal proteins' dysfunctional activities tied to the molecular pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal cancer.
BIOMARKER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Aastha Sobti, Christina Sakellariou, Johan S. Nilsson, David Askmyr, Lennart Greiff, Malin Lindstedt
Summary: This study used multiplex tissue analysis and digital spatial profiling to map the immune heterogeneity of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The findings revealed higher expression of protein markers related to B cells, NK cells, macrophages, and regulatory T cells in immune-rich cancer cell islets compared to the surrounding stromal leukocyte regions. In contrast, markers associated with suppressive populations of myeloid cells and exhausted T cells were overexpressed in the surrounding stromal leukocyte regions. The study also highlighted different immune phenotypes of NPC.
Article
Oncology
Shaochong Lin, Junpeng Du, Jun Hao, Xiaohua Luo, Han Wu, Huifang Zhang, Xinxin Zhao, Lida Xu, BaoJin Wang
Summary: The study revealed that in ovarian cancer, the mRNA levels of FAM83A/D/E/F/H were significantly elevated, where the upregulation of FAM83D/H was associated with poor prognosis and might affect the survival outcomes of patients with ovarian cancer. Additionally, FAM83D/H were found to be involved in ovarian cancer progression through the cell cycle signaling pathway, with significant co-expression relationships with cell cycle-related genes.
CANCER MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eman H. Reda, Nesrine M. Hegazi, Mona Marzouk, Zienab T. Abdel Shakour, Ali M. El-Halawany, El-Sayeda A. El-Kashoury, Tarik A. Mohamed, Mahmoud A. A. Ibrahim, Khaled A. Shams, Nahla S. Abdel-Azim, Christopher J. Kampf, Thomas Efferth, Paul. W. Pare, Mohamed-Elamir F. Hegazy
Summary: LC-MS/MS analysis was used to investigate the metabolome of Centaurea lipii and identified cinnamic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and lignans as the major chemical classes. Bioassay-guided fractionation confirmed that sesquiterpene lactones were responsible for the cytotoxic activity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nadire Oezenver, Thomas Efferth
Summary: Oxidative stress is crucial in carcinogenesis and treatment response, and antioxidant genes play important roles in chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance. This study investigated the role of 205 antioxidant genes in 21 different tumor types and identified 84 genes whose expression was significantly correlated with overall survival. Renal clear cell carcinoma, renal papillary cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma were the tumor types most frequently associated with antioxidant gene expression and worse overall survival. Additionally, 17 genes were found to be overexpressed in tumors and may serve as druggable targets.
Article
Oncology
Eva-Maria Hartinger, Anne Mahringer, Soumitra Kumar Choudhuri, Gert Fricker, Thomas Efferth
Summary: Copper N-(2hydroxy acetophenone) glycinate (CuNG) has shown anticancer activity and modulates drug resistance. This study investigated the modulatory effects of CuNG on four ABC transporters (MRP1, MRP1, BCRP, and P-glycoprotein). Results showed that CuNG increased sensitivity to doxorubicin and efflux activity in cells over-expressing MRP1 and hBCRP, but increased resistance and decreased efflux activity in Caco-2 cells.
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jun Li, Nasir Tajuddeen, Doris Feineis, Virima Mudogo, Marcel Kaiser, Ean-Jeong Seo, Thomas Efferth, Gerhard Bringmann
Summary: A new dimeric naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid, jozibrevine D (4e), was isolated from the liana Ancistrocladus ileboensis in Central Africa. It has potent antiprotozoal activity against P. falciparum and exhibits good cytotoxic activities against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and their multidrug-resistant subline. The absolute stereostructure of the new compound was determined using various methods including NMR, oxidative degradation, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Min Zhou, Joelle C. Boulos, Sabine M. Klauck, Thomas Efferth
Summary: This study investigates the cytotoxicity and molecular mode of action of the synthetic cardenolide ZINC253504760 on multidrug-resistant cancer cells. The results show that ZINC253504760 induces cell death and inhibits cell proliferation through the induction of parthanatos and inhibition of MEK phosphorylation.
CELL BIOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Rosellini, Petri Turunen, Thomas Efferth
Summary: Plastic in oceans degrades into microplastics and nanoplastics, posing various problems for marine organisms. Recent findings show that microplastics can be found in human blood, breast milk, and placenta, suggesting their ability to enter the human body with unknown effects. Additionally, plastic contains compounds with potential impact on human health, such as plasticizers and antioxidants. This study investigates the interaction between plastic-related compounds and two cellular transporters involved in detoxification of xenobiotics. The results provide evidence that certain plastic compounds can inhibit these transporters and increase their toxic potential.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luay. J. J. Rashan, Nadire Oezenver, Joelle. C. C. Boulos, Mona Dawood, Wynand. P. P. Roos, Katrin Franke, Ioannis Papasotiriou, Ludger. A. A. Wessjohann, Heinz-Herbert Fiebig, Thomas Efferth
Summary: A study found that a cold-water leaf extract called Breastin from Nerium oleander L. has potential as an anticancer agent, inhibiting the growth of multiple cancer cell lines and bypassing some traditional drug resistance mechanisms. The study also showed that protein expression profiles can be used to predict the sensitivity of tumor cells to Breastin constituents.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuan-Qing Qu, Lin-Lin Song, Su-Wei Xu, Margaret Sum Yee Yu, Onat Kadioglu, Francesco Michelangeli, Betty Yuen Kwan Law, Thomas Efferth, Christopher Wai- Kei Lam, Vincent Kam Wai Wong
Summary: In this study, pomiferin, a natural product from Osage Orange, was found to activate autophagy and inhibit drug efflux to overcome innate and acquired drug resistance in cancer cells. It also exhibited tumor suppression and anti-metastatic effects in animal models. Pomiferin could serve as a novel effective agent for circumventing drug resistance in clinical applications.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yue Jia, Juzhao Liu, Qin Yang, Wanjiang Zhang, Thomas Efferth, Siguo Liu, Xin Hua
Summary: A natural compound called cajanin stilbene acid (CSA) has been found to effectively restore the sensitivity of polymyxin B to MCR-1 positive Escherichia coli (E. coli). CSA can bind to the key amino acids of the MCR-1 protein, inhibiting its enzymatic activity and thus restoring the sensitivity of polymyxin B.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhiwei Xu, Xiaojie Zhou, Xiao Hong, Sichen Wang, Jiale Wei, Junhao Huang, Liting Ji, Yuanxiao Yang, Thomas Efferth, Chunlan Hong, Changyu Li
Summary: In this study, it was found that Shi chang pu (SCP-oil) can improve cognitive impairment, reduce pathological damage, and inhibit neuroinflammation in AD mice. This neuroprotective effect is achieved through the inhibition of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway and reduced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Review
Biology
Janani Manochkumar, Aswani Kumar Cherukuri, Raju Suresh Kumar, Abdulrahman I. Almansour, Siva Ramamoorthy, Thomas Efferth
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the -omics and multi-omics approaches used for characterizing marine metabolites, along with the need for data integration and machine learning algorithms. It also discusses the challenges and recommendations for conducting multi-omics studies.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Zhou, Joelle C. Boulos, Ejlal A. Omer, Sabine M. Klauck, Thomas Efferth
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular modes of action of a 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivative (ZINC15675948) as a c-MYC inhibitor. It was found that ZINC15675948 strongly bound to c-MYC and downregulated its expression. In both leukemia and breast cancer cells, ZINC15675948 affected signaling pathways downstream of c-MYC through inducing DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Rosellini, Alicia Schulze, Ejlal A. Omer, Nadeen T. Ali, Federico Marini, Jan-Heiner Kuepper, Thomas Efferth
Summary: In recent years, plastic and microplastic in the oceans have caused problems to marine flora and fauna, and have also been found in human blood and milk, suggesting their ability to enter the human body. This study examined the interactions between plastic-related compounds and the cytochrome CYP2C19, and identified candidates that can interact with this protein. These compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity and affected various metabolic pathways, suggesting a potential for liver damage.
Review
Plant Sciences
Ressin Varghese, Thomas Efferth, Siva Ramamoorthy
Summary: Lung cancer, a leading malignancy worldwide, has been mitigated through the use of phytopigments such as carotenoids. While in vitro and animal studies have shown promising results, clinical trials have yielded contradictory outcomes, highlighting the need for further verification.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Valaire Y. Matieta, Armelle T. Mbaveng, Guy R. Sado Nouemsi, Simplice B. Tankeo, Gabriel T. Kamsu, Paul Nayim, Alain M. Lannang, Ilhami Celik, Thomas Efferth, Victor Kuete
Summary: This study found that Bauhinia thonningii and its constituents have promising cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines, without causing toxicity in rats.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE AND THERAPIES
(2023)