Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zuoneng Wang, Qingyang Zhang, Carsten Mim
Summary: Cryo electron microscopy has become the most important method in structural biology, with single particle analysis and electron tomography being the main approaches, while sub-tomogram averaging has matured. Current resolution ranges from 2 to 5 angstrom, showing promise for future developments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yifei Ma, Ying Zheng, Ying Zhou, Ningna Weng, Qing Zhu
Summary: Mitophagy plays a crucial role in cell protection and disease progression, but its impact on endocrine hormones remains unclear.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael R. Lawson, Laura N. Lessen, Jinfan Wang, Arjun Prabhakar, Nicholas C. Corsepius, Rachel Green, Joseph D. Puglisi
Summary: Through single-molecule fluorescence assays, researchers found that in the termination process of yeast translation, the two release factors eRF1 and eRF3 bind together to rapidly recognize stop codons and induce termination through a tightly regulated, multistep process that resembles transfer RNA selection during translation elongation.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Talita Kuijpers, Burgert Blom
Summary: This article provides a detailed survey of bimetallic platinum and palladium complexes investigated as potential anticancer agents, focusing on the synthesis, characterisation, and biological studies of a specific sub-class of these agents. The in vitro and in vivo activities, as well as the mechanistic anticancer studies of these complexes, are reviewed with the aim of delineating patterns in biological activity and structure-activity relationships.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing Liu, Mengyu Guo, Chunying Chen
Summary: Controllable nano-assembly with stimuli-responsive groups is a powerful strategy for generating theranostic nanosystems in modern medicine. However, the understanding of complex interactions between nanoassemblies and biosystems is still lacking, which limits the development of this field. In this review, the authors propose a 4W1H principle to describe the dynamic biological processes, behavior, and fate of nano-assemblies, and summarize key parameters that govern effective nano-bio interactions. The effects of these parameters on ADMET processes are discussed, and challenges in evaluating nano-bio interactions of assembled nanodrugs are highlighted.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yihao Zhou, Jinyi Dong, Qiangbin Wang
Summary: DNA origami technology allows the precise assembly of nanostructures using DNA as a biocompatible material. These structures can be used to fabricate larger higher-order structures with other biomolecules and engineer them with nanometer precision. Over the past decade, these structures have shown potential as powerful tools for studying biological processes at various levels. This article highlights four emerging areas of bioapplications of higher-order DNA origami structures and discusses current challenges and opportunities in their fabrication and application.
NPG ASIA MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victoria G. Mason, Martin W. Skov, Jan Geert Hiddink, Mark Walton
Summary: This study used meta-analysis to reveal the negative impacts of microplastics on seabed invertebrates, including feeding, survival, and energetics. The organisms exposed to microplastics showed negative responses compared to control groups, with embryos being the most strongly affected. Six out of seven biological processes were negatively impacted, and survival decreased significantly. The findings indicate that plastic pollution could have significant and enduring effects on the functioning of the ocean.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhourun Wu, Qing Liao, Bin Liu
Summary: Protein complexes are key units for studying a cell system, and high-throughput approaches have enabled the determination of PPI data. The proposed mutual important interacting partner relation and the new algorithm idenPC-MIIP show improved performance in identifying protein complexes compared to existing methods.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Ullrich, Philip Jonas Goehmann, Anne Zemella, Stefan Kubic
Summary: In this study, we successfully synthesized a heteromeric GPCR - GABA(B) using cell-free protein synthesis technology. Our results provide evidence for colocalization and heterodimerization of the heteromeric receptor and demonstrate the feasibility of synthesizing heteromeric GPCRs using CFPS. Additionally, we showed the binding of a fluorescent orthosteric antagonist, indicating the potential for combining CFPS with pharmacological applications.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mainak Das Gupta, Yannick Flaskamp, Robin Roentgen, Hannes Juergens, Jorge Armero-Gimenez, Frank Albrecht, Johannes Hemmerich, Zulfaquar Ahmad Arfi, Jakob Neuser, Holger Spiegel, Stefan Schillberg, Alexei Yeliseev, Lusheng Song, Ji Qiu, Charles Williams, Ricarda Finnern
Summary: Tobacco cell culture-derived lysate has been developed as a scalable and efficient platform for high-yield expression and analysis of complex proteins. The system maintains native post-translational modifications and can be scaled up to large volumes. Various difficult-to-express proteins, including virus-like particles and important drug targets, have been successfully produced using this system, demonstrating its potential in accelerating the development of high-value proteins and biologics.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Horticulture
Yunjie Wang, Zhi Luo, Xuan Zhao, Haonan Cao, Lihu Wang, Shiyan Liu, Chenyu Wang, WangWang, Mengjun Liu, Lixin Wang, Zhiguo Liu
Summary: Plant miRNAs are important in regulating biological processes and stress response through post-transcriptional regulation. Among them, miR156 has attracted significant attention in recent years. It is involved in various plant processes and stress responses. However, its specific regulatory mechanism and biological functions have not been systematically reviewed. Therefore, reviewing the role of miR156 in plant biological processes and stress response can provide references for future studies on its regulatory mechanism.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard C. Brewster, Eva Klemencic, Amanda G. Jarvis
Summary: Palladium-catalysed reactions are widely used in organic chemistry, including in biological settings for protein modification and drug decaging. Overcoming challenges such as catalyst poisons and milder reaction conditions in biological media is crucial for successful application of palladium catalysis in biological systems.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Luisa D. Burgers, Robert Fuerst
Summary: This review highlights the importance of eukaryotic protein synthesis, the role of natural products in research and drug development, and the interactions of bacterial-, marine- and plant-derived compounds with mRNA translation. It emphasizes the diversity of natural products in targeting different steps of translation and their potential as drug leads.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhourun Wu, Qing Liao, Shixi Fan, Bin Liu
Summary: A novel computational method idenPC-CAP was developed to identify protein complexes from the RNA-protein heterogeneous interaction network, reducing the false positive proteins ratio and outperforming other state-of-the-art methods in this field as demonstrated by experimental results.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Sarai Castro-Bustos, Israel Maruri-Lopez, Maria Azucena Ortega-Amaro, Mario Serrano, Cesare Ovando-Vazquez, Juan Francisco Jimenez-Bremont
Summary: This study analyzed the subcellular localization and potential interactors of the Arabidopsis thaliana glycine-rich domain protein 2 (AtGRDP2). It was found that the AtGRDP2 protein is localized in the cytosol and nucleus, and the DUF1399 or RRM domains are sufficient for nuclear localization. Furthermore, heterodimeric interactions between AtGRDP2 and specific proteins were observed in different compartments, suggesting the involvement of AtGRDP2 in post-transcriptional processes.
CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
David de Gonzalo-Calvo, Christian Baer
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sandor Batkai, Celina Genschel, Janika Viereck, Steffen Rump, Christian Baer, Tobias Borchert, Denise Traxler, Martin Riesenhuber, Andreas Spannbauer, Dominika Lukovic, Katrin Zlabinger, Ena Hasimbegovic, Johannes Winkler, Rita Garamvolgyi, Sonja Neitzel, Mariann Gyoengyoesi, Thomas Thum
Summary: In a chronic model of post-myocardial infarction heart failure, monthly administration of CDR132L improved cardiac function, reversed cardiac remodelling, and ameliorated diastolic function, indicating its safety and therapeutic efficacy for chronic heart failure treatment.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ankita Garg, Benjamin Seeliger, Anselm A. Derda, Ke Xiao, Anika Gietz, Kristian Scherf, Kristina Sonnenschein, Isabell Pink, Marius M. Hoeper, Tobias Welte, Johann Bauersachs, Sascha David, Christian Bar, Thomas Thum
Summary: Elevated levels of cardiovascular and inflammatory microRNAs were observed in critically ill COVID-19 patients, suggesting a specific response and cardiac involvement of COVID-19. MiR profiles showed potential for differentiating between severe COVID-19 and Influenza-ARDS patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Katharina Schimmel, Stevan D. Stojanovic, Cheng-Kai Huang, Mira Jung, Martin H. Meyer, Ke Xiao, Lea Grote-Levi, Christian Baer, Angelika Pfanne, Saskia Mitzka, Annette Just, Robert Geffers, Katharina Bock, Franziska Kenneweg, Felix Kleemiss, Christine S. Falk, Jan Fiedler, Thomas Thum
Summary: This study identified miR-20a-5p and miR-132-3p as crucial regulators of cardiac fibrosis pathways in an in vitro model. Functional screening and deep sequencing revealed their pro-fibrotic nature and involvement in pathways related to autophagy and detoxification of reactive oxygen species.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shambhabi Chatterjee, Teresa Hofer, Alessia Costa, Dongchao Lu, Sandor Batkai, Shashi Kumar Gupta, Emiliano Bolesani, Robert Zweigerdt, Diego Megias, Katrin Streckfuss-Boemeke, Christina Brandenberger, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer
Summary: Telomerase overexpression can serve as a therapeutic strategy for preventing doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, protecting the heart from doxorubicin-induced damage and restoring cardiac function. Telomerase in cells has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, and achieves protection by regulating mitochondrial morphology and function.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Moritz Biener, Evangelos Giannitsis, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer, Alessia Costa, Thomas Andrzejewski, Kiril M. Stoyanov, Mehrshad Vafaie, Benjamin Meder, Hugo A. Katus, David de Gonzalo-Calvo, Matthias Mueller-Hennessen
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic value of 11 microRNAs for NSTEMI, finding that a panel of three microRNAs could be associated with NSTEMI diagnosis, but did not improve diagnostic accuracy compared to the hs-cTnT reference standard.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-ACUTE CARDIOVASCULAR CARE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hannah J. Hunkler, Sonja Gross, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer
Summary: Myocardial infarction leads to the loss of cardiomyocytes and heart failure. The only curative treatment for heart failure currently is heart transplantation, but it has limitations. Cellular reprogramming and defined differentiation protocols offer new possibilities for cell therapy, and non-coding RNAs have been shown to regulate these processes.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Moritz Biener, Evangelos Giannitsis, Thomas Thum, Christian Bar, Kiril M. Stoyanov, Christian Salbach, David De Gonzalo-Calvo, Norbert Frey, Matthias Mueller-Hennessen
Summary: The study found that miR-21-5p and miR-122-5p can predict the survival rate of patients with cardiovascular diseases in the emergency department, but do not add prognostic information to hs-cTnT.
CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alessia Costa, Sarah Cushman, Bernhard J. Haubner, Anselm A. Derda, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer
Summary: Myocardial injury often leads to heart failure due to the loss and insufficient regeneration of resident cardiomyocytes. The low regenerative potential of the mammalian heart is one of the main drivers of heart failure progression. Newborn mice serve as a valuable model for studying cardiac regeneration as they retain full regenerative capacity. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of cardiac regeneration in animal models is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.
BASIC RESEARCH IN CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Elisa Mohr, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer
Summary: In vitro modeling of the heart is a challenging task in cardiovascular research. Three-dimensional cultivation methods have emerged as a solution to overcome the limitations of traditional two-dimensional cultivation. These methods aim to study the fundamental features of the heart and have great potential in disease research, drug screening, and regenerative therapy. However, there is a need for continuous improvement and adaptation to address limitations such as cardiomyocyte maturation and vascularization.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nadire Duru, Nisha R. Pawar, Erik W. Martin, Marguerite S. Buzza, Gregory D. Conway, Rena G. Lapidus, Shihui Liu, Jocelyn Reader, Gautam G. Rao, Dana M. Roque, Stephen H. Leppla, Toni M. Antalis
Summary: This study presents a novel anticancer strategy using engineered anthrax toxin that can selectively activate malignant tumor cells and induce cell death. The toxin exhibits cytotoxicity towards ovarian tumor cell lines and tumor spheroids derived from patient ascites. Preclinical studies demonstrate tumor regression in various in vivo ovarian cancer models without adverse side effects, supporting its potential for clinical evaluation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dimyana Neufeldt, Sarah Cushman, Christian Baer, Thomas Thum
Summary: Considerable progress has been made in managing cancer, but the discovery of previously unknown adverse events poses challenges to treatment. The close relationship between cardiovascular diseases and cancer underscores the need for interdisciplinary study. Non-coding RNAs, particularly circular RNAs, are emerging as potential targets for the simultaneous treatment of cardiac dysfunction and cancer in the field of cardio-oncology.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zehua Zuo, Jie Liu, Zhihao Sun, Yu-Wei Cheng, Michael Ewing, Thomas H. Bugge, Toren Finkel, Stephen H. Leppla, Shihui Liu
Summary: The current antitumor microenvironment strategies have limited efficacy due to poor understanding of the roles and contributions of tumor stromal cells in tumor development. Researchers have developed a versatile in vivo delivery system for an anthrax toxin protein, which allows for clear genetic evaluation of individual tumor stromal elements. The findings reveal the specific contribution of tumor endothelial cells (ECs) to the antitumor activity of the toxin, highlighting the importance of the MEK-ERK-c-Myc central metabolic axis in tumor ECs for tumor progression.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Sinje Biss, Marc Teschler, Melina Heimer, Thomas Thum, Christian Baer, Frank C. Mooren, Boris Schmitz
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of EMS on circulating miRNA levels. The results showed that a single EMS session induces specific long-lasting changes in miR-206 and miR-133a involved in muscle proliferation and differentiation, but does not affect cardiovascular miRNAs.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zehua Zuo, Jie Liu, Zhihao Sun, Rachel Silverstein, Meijuan Zou, Toren Finkel, Thomas H. Bugge, Stephen H. Leppla, Shihui Liu
Summary: This article introduces a reengineered anthrax toxin-based tumor-selective MEK inactivator that exhibits potent activity against solid tumors and has a high therapeutic index. The specificity of the inactivator has been improved to only target the ERK pathway, greatly reducing off-target toxicity. Engineered bacterial toxins can be modified to have significant therapeutic effects with high therapeutic index.