Article
Biology
Sven Dennerlein, Sabine Poerschke, Silke Oeljeklaus, Cong Wang, Ricarda Richter-Dennerlein, Johannes Sattmann, Diana Bauermeister, Elisa Hanitsch, Stefan Stoldt, Thomas Langer, Stefan Jakobs, Bettina Warscheid, Peter Rehling
Summary: TMEM223 and SMIM4 were identified as ribosome-associated proteins involved in complex IV and III biogenesis, respectively. They stimulate mRNA translation and support early assembly steps, linking translation machinery to the biogenesis of OXPHOS complexes.
Article
Biology
Margherita Protasoni, Jan-Willem Taanman
Summary: Mitochondrial defects are often the cause of neurological diseases. However, when skin cells are fed with glucose, they rely less on mitochondria to generate energy, making it difficult to study these diseases. In this study, researchers investigated the use of galactose and fructose as alternative sugars to feed skin cells, and found that they can stimulate mitochondria to generate energy. They recommend using fructose as the preferred sugar for studying mitochondrial defects in skin cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catherine A. Makarewich, Amir Z. Munir, Svetlana Bezprozvannaya, Aaron M. Gibson, Soo Young Kim, Misty S. Martin-Sandoval, Thomas P. Mathews, Luke I. Szweda, Rhonda Bassel-Duby, Eric N. Olson
Summary: New evidence suggests that certain noncoding RNA molecules actually code for microproteins. By using comparative genomics, researchers identified a microprotein called Mtlbn that is abundantly expressed in the heart. Mtlbn localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane and interacts with subunits of the electron transport chain and respiratory supercomplexes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Arvinder Kapur, Pooja Mehta, Aaron D. Simmons, Spencer S. Ericksen, Geeta Mehta, Sean P. Palecek, Mildred Felder, Zach Stenerson, Amruta Nayak, Jose Maria Ayuso Dominguez, Manish Patankar, Lisa M. Barroilhet
Summary: The Warburg effect, characterized by high glucose uptake and lactate release, is a hallmark of most cancers. Atovaquone, a mitochondrial complex III inhibitor, has been found to slow ovarian cancer growth and inhibit the proliferation of cancer stem cells both in vitro and in vivo. The drug is able to inhibit oxygen consumption and ATP production, and it alters several metabolic pathways. These findings provide mechanistic insights and preclinical data to support further investigation of atovaquone as a potential therapy for gynecologic cancers.
Article
Neurosciences
Bruna L. Zampieri, Alberto C. S. Costa
Summary: In this study, it was found that astrocytes play an active role in the pathology of Down syndrome, contrary to previous belief that they had only a passive role. The study showed that there was an increase in oxidative phosphorylation in astrocytes derived from Down syndrome patients, suggesting disturbances in astrocytic energy metabolism may contribute to cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration associated with this condition.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiazhen Bao, Kaili Ai, Xuehui Cao, Dongping Chen, Bo Zhou, Congde Huo
Summary: Bioactive small molecules HClO and SO2 are crucial for maintaining normal physiological function. A newly developed dual-site and dual-turn-on fluorescence probe PTBI can simultaneously monitor these molecules in mitochondria, with fast response and low detection limits, providing a powerful tool for studying their physiological and pathological roles.
Review
Cell Biology
Katarzyna Glombik, Jan Detka, Boguslawa Budziszewska
Summary: Hormones play a crucial role in regulating neuronal and synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and metabolic activity in the brain, ensuring proper communication between the brain and the body. The influence of hormones on energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the brain has gained significant attention, as excess or deficiency of hormones is associated with cell damage and loss of function in mitochondria.
Article
Oncology
Cameron A. Schmidt, Kelsey L. McLaughlin, Ilya N. Boykov, Rafiq Mojalagbe, Arthi Ranganathan, Katherine A. Buddo, Chien-Te Lin, Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman, P. Darrell Neufer
Summary: The study investigated metabolic adaptations in HCC-derived cells under aglycemic growth conditions using a multilevel systems approach, finding that aglycemic growth did not induce adaptive changes in mitochondrial content, network complexity, or intrinsic functional capacity/efficiency. Instead, it enhanced fermentative glycolytic substrate-level phosphorylation and responsiveness of both fermentation and oxidative phosphorylation to stimulated energy demand, as well as increased sensitivity to a provitamin at a lower dose compared to control cells. These findings highlight the substantial effects of growth media conditions on the energy metabolism of tumor-derived cells, with implications for chemotherapeutic sensitivity and potential application in IOX screening practices.
CANCER & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Stavroula Giannoulis, Meghan J. Chenoweth, Paulo Saquilayan, Rachel F. Tyndale, Caryn Lerman, James L. Kennedy, Laurie Zawertailo, Vanessa Goncalves
Summary: This study suggests that mitochondrial genetic variation may contribute to variability in smoking phenotypes, but replication in larger samples is required.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Donnell White, Lothar Lauterboeck, Parnia Mobasheran, Tetsuya Kitaguchi, Antoine H. Chaanine, Qinglin Yang
Summary: A new fluorescent ATP indicator called smacATPi has been developed, allowing real-time visualization of ATP levels and dynamics in both the cytosol and mitochondria. This concept provides valuable insights into cellular metabolism and its response to metabolic changes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Peng Xiao, Xuan Liu, He Zhang, Wenhua Li
Summary: Chronic exposure to isoflucypram is associated with reproductive and intestinal dysfunction in adult zebrafish. Isoflucypram exposure causes irregular swelling of intestinal villi and alterations in the ultrastructure of intestinal mitochondria in zebrafish.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yang Xu, Colin K. L. Phoon, Mindong Ren, Michael Schlame
Summary: Cardiolipin helps reduce packing stress in the inner mitochondrial membrane, alleviating issues caused by protein crowding. Patients with Barth syndrome are unable to concentrate oxidative phosphorylation proteins to a high surface density in the inner mitochondrial membrane, leading to an inability to meet peak energy demands.
JOURNAL OF INHERITED METABOLIC DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Zeng, Wen-Cheng Li, Hui Zhang, Ping Cao, Chun-Xiang Ai, Bing Hu, Wei Song
Summary: This research found that pre-hypoxia exposure improved the mitochondrial energy metabolism of large yellow croaker under Cu stress, reducing ROS production and enhancing OXPHOS efficiency for adaptive responses.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew Zorkau, Christin A. Albus, Rolando Berlinguer-Palmini, Zofia M. A. Chrzanowska-Lightowlers, Robert N. Lightowlers
Summary: The majority of mitochondrial protein synthesis in human cells occurs at the cristae membranes, spatially separated from the sites of RNA processing and maturation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yicheng Wang, Pengwei Wang, Cong Li
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) lead to the progressive degeneration of neurons, with mitochondrial dysfunction playing a crucial role in neuronal loss. Visualizing mitochondrial abnormalities using fluorescence microscopy can help understand ND progression and develop new therapeutic strategies.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Merckx, Boel De Paepe
Summary: Taurine plays a crucial role in muscle functioning, and its regulation is altered in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Taurine supplementation has the potential to reduce inflammation and improve muscle strength in patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Merckx, Gwenny Cosemans, Jana Zschuentzsch, Robrecht Raedt, Jens Schmidt, Boel De Paepe, Jan L. De Bleecker
Summary: The study revealed differential regulation of osmolyte pathway members in mdx muscle, suggesting their complex involvement in DMD pathogenesis. Osmolyte pathway members may be a research interest and future therapeutic target in dystrophinopathy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Krishna Chaitanya Pavani, Tim Meese, Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini, Xuefeng Guan, Xiaoyuan Lin, Luc Peelman, Joachim Hamacher, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Dieter Deforce, Annekatrien Boel, Bjorn Heindryckx, Kelly Tilleman, Ann Van Soom, Bart M. Gadella, An Hendrix, Katrien Smits
Summary: The miRNA bta-miR-378a-3p in extracellular vesicles plays a crucial role in blastocyst hatching in bovine embryos, improving blastocyst quality and regulating embryo hatching.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Olivier Tytgat, Sonja Skevin, Maarten Fauvart, Tim Stakenborg, Dieter Deforce, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
Summary: A hybridization-based genotyping assay called QueSTR probes was developed for miniaturized lab-on-a-chip STR profiling. The QueSTR probes rely on the recognition and cleavage of an RNA:DNA duplex to achieve genotyping. The study demonstrated that the QueSTR probes have high accuracy in genotyping three core loci.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Lorie De Mare, Berit Boshuizen, Carmen Vidal Moreno de Vega, Constance de Meeus, Lukas Plancke, Yannick Gansemans, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Dieter Deforce, Jean Eduardo de Oliveira, Guilherme Hosotani, Maarten Oosterlinck, Catherine Delesalle
Summary: Objective external training load prescription and performance capacity evaluation are crucial in equestrian disciplines. This study compares a modified lactate minimum speed (LMS) test with an incremental standardised exercise test (SET), and evaluates the effect of training on LMS-test parameters and curve shape. The results suggest that the LMS-test provides more reliable individual performance capacity assessment at lower speed and blood lactate levels compared to SETs.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Pediatrics
Boel De Paepe, Joel Smet, Robert Kopajtich, Holger Prokisch, Rudy Van Coster, Arnaud Vanlander
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Merckx, Jana Zschuentzsch, Stefanie Meyer, Robrecht Raedt, Hanne Verschuere, Jens Schmidt, Boel De Paepe, Jan L. De Bleecker
Summary: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle disorder that requires long-term use of glucocorticoids, which have unfavorable side effects. This study evaluated the use of ectoine as an alternative to taurine for alleviating muscle inflammation in DMD. The results showed that both ectoine and taurine had beneficial effects in reducing cell death and inflammation in vitro, but only ectoine mitigated histopathological features in mdx mice. Osmolyte treatment also led to a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers. However, functional performance was not improved by osmolyte treatment and ectoine-treated mice exhibited reduced body weight.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Steven Vermeulen, Bart Van Puyvelde, Laura Bengtsson del Barrio, Ruben Almey, Bernard K. K. van der Veer, Dieter Deforce, Maarten Dhaenens, Jan de Boer
Summary: This study investigates how surface topography influences nuclear morphology, histone modifications, and gene expression. The authors find that micro-topographies result in a loss of histone acetylation and nucleoli abundance, as well as a reduction in gene expression associated with chromosome organization. They also show that micro-topographies can influence the proliferation and phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells, and this effect is reversible.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Federica Conte, Angel Ashikov, Rachel Mijdam, Eline G. P. van de Ven, Monique van Scherpenzeel, Raisa Veizaj, Seyed P. Mahalleh-Yousefi, Merel A. Post, Karin Huijben, Daan M. Panneman, Richard J. T. Rodenburg, Nicol C. Voermans, Alejandro Garanto, Werner J. H. Koopman, Hans J. C. T. Wessels, Marek J. Noga, Dirk J. Lefeber
Summary: Phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) is a key enzyme involved in energy metabolism and its deficiency causes a wide range of symptoms. D-galactose supplementation has been shown to improve some symptoms, but its effects on skeletal muscle and heart remain unclear. In this study, a muscle cell model for PGM1 deficiency was established, which revealed that D-galactose failed to restore the reduced energy production capacity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annelies Raes, Eline Wydooghe, Krishna Chaitanya Pavani, Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini, Katleen Van Steendam, Maarten Dhaenens, Annekatrien Boel, Sonia Heras, Bjorn Heindryckx, Luc Peelman, Dieter Deforce, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Geert Opsomer, Ann Van Soom, Katrien Smits
Summary: While animal models have shown that culturing embryos in groups improves blastocyst yield and quality, the identity of the responsible embryotrophins remains largely unknown. This study identified cathepsin-L as an important embryotrophin in bovine in vitro embryo production, and demonstrated that supplementation of cathepsin-L significantly improved blastocyst development and quality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Willem Desmedt, Maarten Ameye, Osvaldo Filipe, Evelien De Waele, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Dieter Deforce, Lieven Van Meulebroek, Lynn Vanhaecke, Tina Kyndt, Monica Hofte, Kris Audenaert
Summary: This study showed that Z-3-hexenyl acetate-induced resistance (Z-3-HAC-IR) in rice can effectively protect against rice blast, sheath blight, and brown spot diseases, while also increasing rice yield.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Ryan Malcolm Hum, James B. Lilleker, Janine A. Lamb, Alexander G. S. Oldroyd, Guochun Wang, Lucy R. Wedderburn, Louise P. Diederichsen, Jens Schmidt, Maria Giovanna Danieli, Paula Oakley, Zoltan Griger, Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong, Chanakya Kodishala, Monica Vazquez-Del Mercado, Helena Andersson, Boel De Paepe, Jan L. De Bleecker, Britta Maurer, Liza McCann, Nicolo Pipitone, Neil McHugh, Robert Paul New, William E. Ollier, Niels Steen Krogh, Jiri Vencovsky, Ingrid E. Lundberg, Hector Chinoy
Summary: This study compared the clinical characteristics of adult patients with anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS) and dermatomyositis (DM), including cutaneous and extramuscular manifestations and malignancy. The results showed that DM-type rashes were frequent in ASyS patients, but there were distinct clinical differences between the two groups. Skin involvement in ASyS did not require increased surveillance for malignancy.
Article
Neurosciences
Boel De Paepe, Ken R. Bracke, Jan L. De Bleecker
Summary: This retrospective study explores the potential of novel blood-based biomarkers CXCL10 and GDF15 in myositis patients and finds their effectiveness and relevance in diagnosis. The study suggests adding CXCL10 and GDF15 to the blood-based diagnostic toolkit for myositis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Boel De Paepe
Summary: This review focuses on the therapeutical potential of amino acid and derivative supplements in DMD. Promising compounds including L-arginine, N-acetylcysteine, and taurine have been identified, with beneficial effects on reducing damage to muscle tissues. Improvement in muscle strength and endurance has also been reported, but further clinical trials are needed.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Laura D. T. Vo Ngoc, Randy Osei, Katrin Dohr, Catharina Olsen, Sara Seneca, Alexander Gheldof
Summary: EDIR is a database containing the positions of interspersed repeats within the human exome. It has been calculated using an inductive strategy and can be queried through an R/Bioconductor package or a web interface.
