Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Luisa Monteiro dos Santos Martins, Alexia Borges Bernardes, Veronica Aparecida Ferreira, David Campos Wanderley, Stanley de Almeida Araujo, Jose Rodrigues do Carmo Neto, Crislaine Aparecida da Silva, Regia Caroline Peixoto Lira, Liliane Silvano Araujo, Marlene Antonia dos Reis, Juliana Reis Machado
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure worldwide. This study explored the potential of Mindin protein as a biomarker for DN by evaluating its expression in renal biopsies. The results suggest that Mindin may play a role in DN pathogenesis and serve as a promising biomarker for podocyte lesions.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Jingping Yang, Difei Zhang, Masaru Motojima, Tsutomu Kume, Qing Hou, Yu Pan, Aiping Duan, Mingchao Zhang, Song Jiang, Jinhua Hou, Jingsong Shi, Zhaohui Qin, Zhihong Liu
Summary: This study identified potential TFs in human glomerulus cells through analysis of superenhancer distribution, and elucidated the regulatory roles of FOXC1/2 in podocyte maintenance using transcriptomics and cistromics. The results suggest that FOXC1/2 maintain podocyte differentiation through transcriptional stabilization, with overexpression protecting podocytes from injury. The genome-wide chromatin resources support further investigation of TFs' regulatory roles in glomeruli transcription programs.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Owais R. Hakiem, Syed M. A. Rizvi, Cuper Ramirez, Ming Tan
Summary: In this study, we used DNA immunoprecipitation-seq and RNA-seq analyses to investigate the role of the transcription factor Euo in Chlamydia trachomatis. We found that Euo represses late chlamydial genes and activates a subset of midcycle genes, as well as regulating its own expression. Our findings highlight the important role of Euo as a developmental regulator in C. trachomatis and demonstrate a correlative approach that can be used to study transcription factors in other pathogenic bacteria.
Article
Microbiology
Cortney R. Halsey, Rochelle C. Glover, Maureen K. Thomason, Michelle L. Reniere
Summary: Listeriosis is a deadly foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes. The redox-responsive regulator Rex plays a crucial role in the growth and pathogenesis of L. monocytogenes, particularly in bacterial replication in peripheral organs. Redox sensing and Rex-dependent regulation are important for metabolic adaptation and virulence of L. monocytogenes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kamil Grubczak, Aleksandra Starosz, Barbara Makowska, Zuzanna Parfienowicz, Magdalena Kretowska, Beata Naumnik, Marcin Moniuszko
Summary: Minimal change disease (MCD) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome and affects podocyte function. This study investigated the effects of calcitriol (active vitamin D3) and steroids on podocyte function in an in vitro model. The results showed that neither calcitriol nor steroids affected cell viability, but they had different effects on podocyte-related proteins and morphology. Furthermore, the barrier function of the podocytes was improved with the use of vitamin D3 or steroid.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaobo Wei, Xia Li, Zefu Lu, Hui Zhang, Xiangyuan Ye, Yujie Zhou, Jing Li, Yanyan Yan, Hongcui Pei, Fengying Duan, Danying Wang, Song Chen, Peng Wang, Chao Zhang, Lianguang Shang, Yue Zhou, Peng Yan, Ming Zhao, Jirong Huang, Ralph Bock, Qian Qian, Wenbin Zhou
Summary: In this study, a photosynthesis-related transcription factor, OsDREB1C, was identified and found to regulate various functions such as photosynthetic capacity, nitrogen utilization, and flowering time in rice. Field trials with OsDREB1C-overexpressing rice showed increased yield, shortened growth duration, and improved nitrogen use efficiency.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Qiong Chen, Jianya Zhu, Xingwang Li, Ying Wen
Summary: The GntR family transcriptional regulator DasR was found to regulate the production of daptomycin and reddish pigment, as well as morphological development in Streptomyces roseosporus. DasR repressed the dpt structural genes and adpA gene to inhibit daptomycin production, while AdpA targeted the dpt structural genes and dptR2 gene to promote daptomycin production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evan O. Paull, Alvaro Aytes, Sunny J. Jones, Prem S. Subramaniam, Federico M. Giorgi, Eugene F. Douglass, Somnath Tagore, Brennan Chu, Alessandro Vasciaveo, Siyuan Zheng, Roel Verhaak, Cory Abate-Shen, Mariano J. Alvarez, Andrea Califano
Summary: Using a network-based approach, 407 master regulator proteins were identified to canalize individual cancer samples into 112 transcriptionally distinct tumor subtypes. These proteins were organized into 24 pan-cancer master regulator block modules regulating key cancer hallmarks and predictive of patient outcome. Genomic alterations were predicted to induce aberrant MR activity, providing insight into mechanisms linking tumor genetics and transcriptional identity.
Article
Immunology
Noam Kadouri, Tal Givony, Shir Nevo, Joschka Hey, Shifra Ben Dor, Golda Damari, Bareket Dassa, Jan Dobes, Dieter Weichenhan, Marion Bahr, Michelle Paulsen, Rebecca Haffner-Krausz, Marcus A. Mall, Christoph Plass, Yael Goldfarb, Jakub Abramson
Summary: This study reveals the importance of FOXN1 in the development of thymic epithelial cells and hair follicle cells, and identifies key regulatory regions and transcription factors involved in its expression.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Camilla Margaroli, Diego Moncada-Giraldo, Dalia Arafat Gulick, Brian Dobosh, Vincent D. Giacalone, Osric A. Forrest, Fangxu Sun, Chunhui Gu, Amit Gaggar, Haydn Kissick, Ronghu Wu, Greg Gibson, Rabindra Tirouvanziam
Summary: The study reveals that neutrophils recruited to the airways of cystic fibrosis patients exhibit rapid and broad transcriptional activity, leading to upregulation of anabolic genes and downregulation of antimicrobial genes. Inhibition of RNA polymerase II and III restores the expression of key antimicrobial genes, increasing the bactericidal capacity of neutrophils.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tabata Rosas-Diaz, Pepe Cana-Quijada, Mengshi Wu, Du Hui, Gemma Fernandez-Barbero, Alberto P. Macho, Roberto Solano, Araceli G. Castillo, Xiao-Wei Wang, Rosa Lozano-Duran, Eduardo R. Bejarano
Summary: Jasmonates (JAs) are plant hormones that regulate plant development and defense. In this study, the interaction between C2 proteins from tomato-infecting geminiviruses and the transcriptional repressor JAZ8 was investigated, revealing an anti-geminiviral effect of JAZ8.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hanmei Liu, Yongbin Wang, Lijun Liu, Bin Wei, Xieqin Wang, Qianlin Xiao, Yangping Li, Babatope Samuel Ajayo, Yubi Huang
Summary: This study identified 202 bHLH encoding genes in the maize genome, and found that the ZmICE1 gene is expressed in maize filling endosperm and is co-expressed with 14 starch biosynthesis genes. Comparative analyses revealed that the gene structures and protein domains of the ICE subfamily were conserved between monocots and dicots. Functional experiments showed that ZmICE1 has transcriptional activation activity and is localized in the nucleus. It was also found that ZmICE1 can directly bind to the promoters of ZmSSIIa and ZmGBSSI, positively regulating the expression of ZmSSIIa and inhibiting the expression of ZmGBSSI.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Paul M. Tyler, Molly L. Bucklin, Mengting Zhao, Timothy J. Maher, Andrew J. Rice, Weizhen Ji, Neil Warner, Jie Pan, Raffaella Morotti, Paul McCarthy, Anne Griffiths, Annemarie M. C. van Rossum, Iris H. I. M. Hollink, Virgil A. S. H. Dalm, Jason Catanzaro, Saquib A. Lakhani, Aleixo M. Muise, Carrie L. Lucas
Summary: Loss-of-function variants in the X-linked ETS transcription factor ELF4 were found in multiple unrelated male patients with early onset mucosal autoinflammation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-like features. ELF4 restricts inflammation and protects against mucosal disease, highlighting its potential translational relevance for human inflammatory disorders such as IBD.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina Kotecka, Adam Kawalek, Magdalena Modrzejewska-Balcerek, Jan Gawor, Karolina Zuchniewicz, Robert Gromadka, Aneta Agnieszka Bartosik
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA3973 is an uncharacterized transcriptional regulator that influences the survival ability and stress response of the pathogen by controlling the expression of other genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asma S. Khelifa, Cecilia Guillen Sanchez, Kevin M. Lesage, Ludovic Huot, Thomas Mouveaux, Pierre Pericard, Nicolas Barois, Helene Touzet, Guillemette Marot, Emmanuel Roger, Mathieu Gissot
Summary: Khelifa et al. identified a key transcriptional regulator, TgAP2IX-5, in the model Apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii, which controls the timing of daughter cell emergence and regulates the expression of necessary transcription factors for completion of the budding cycle. Additionally, TgAP2IX-5 acts as a limiting factor by promoting the inhibition of the differentiation pathway, ensuring the continuation of asexual proliferation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Huishi Tan, Jie Xu, Youhua Liu
Summary: This review summarizes the experimental evidence linking cellular senescence to the pathobiology of kidney ageing and CKD, and discusses strategies for targeting senescent cells in developing therapeutics for ageing-related kidney disorders.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaoli Sun, Youhua Liu
Summary: MMP-10 is an endopeptidase involved in degradation of extracellular matrices and plays different roles in kidney diseases. It is also a potential therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qian Yuan, Qian Ren, Li Li, Huishi Tan, Meizhi Lu, Yuan Tian, Lu Huang, Boxin Zhao, Haiyan Fu, Fan Fan Hou, Lili Zhou, Youhua Liu
Summary: Loss of Klotho protein is involved in the development of chronic kidney diseases. Researchers have discovered a peptide called KP1 derived from Klotho protein that protects the kidneys by targeting the TGF-beta signaling pathway. KP1 inhibits TGF-beta signaling, prevents fibrosis, and improves kidney function.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hongyan Mo, Qian Ren, Dongyan Song, Bo Xu, Dong Zhou, Xue Hong, Fan Fan Hou, Lili Zhou, Youhua Liu
Summary: This study found that CXCR4 and beta-catenin colocalized in glomerular podocytes and that the assembly of CXCR4/beta-arrestin-1/Src signalosome led to beta-catenin activation, promoting podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chunhong Wang, Jiafeng Liu, Xiaoyao Zhang, Qiyan Chen, Xiaoyan Bai, Xue Hong, Lili Zhou, Youhua Liu
Summary: miR-671-5p plays a crucial role in mediating beta-catenin-triggered podocyte injury by targeting Wilms tumor 1 (WT1). This study highlights the significance of miR-671-5p in proteinuric kidney disease.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Zhang, Yang Wang, Guoxun Zheng, Yang Liu, Jinhong Li, Huihui Huang, Chunhua Xu, Yelin Zeng, Xiaoyi Zhang, Jinzhong Qin, Chunsun Dai, Harald O. Hambrock, Ursula Hartmann, Bo Feng, Kingston Kinglun Mak, Youhua Liu, Hui-Yao Lan, Yu Huang, Zhi-Hua Zheng, Yin Xia
Summary: The study reveals that FSTL1 plays a promoting role in renal fibrosis by interacting with Wnt ligands and FZD receptors to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This finding is of great importance for a deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying kidney diseases.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Xiaowen Chen, Huishi Tan, Jie Xu, Yuan Tian, Qian Yuan, Yangyang Zuo, Qiyan Chen, Xue Hong, Haiyan Fu, Fan Fan Hou, Lili Zhou, Youhua Liu
Summary: The Klotho-derived peptide KP6 mimics the protective effects of Klotho in diabetic kidney disease, alleviating established proteinuria, glomerular hypertrophy, podocyte damage, glomerulosclerosis, and interstitial fibrotic lesions by blocking the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shuangqin Chen, Meijia Zhang, Jiemei Li, Jiewu Huang, Shan Zhou, Xiaotao Hou, Huiyun Ye, Xi Liu, Shaowei Xiang, Weiwei Shen, Jinhua Miao, Fan Fan Hou, Youhua Liu, Lili Zhou
Summary: The activation of beta-catenin in renal tubular cells leads to the release of exosomes containing osteopontin (OPN) that are then taken up by fibroblasts, promoting their proliferation and activation through binding with CD44. Deletion of beta-catenin or CD44 greatly improves renal fibrosis. N-terminal fragment of OPN is secreted into the urine and negatively correlated with kidney function in CKD patients. Urinary exosomes from CKD patients accelerate renal fibrosis, which can be blocked by CD44 deletion.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ying Yu, Hongyan Mo, Hui Zhuo, Chen Yu, Youhua Liu
Summary: High-fat diet can cause kidney injury, with Wnt signaling pathway playing a crucial role. Inhibiting Wnt signaling may help alleviate the kidney damage caused by high-fat diet, serving as a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity-related nephropathy.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiemei Li, Jing Niu, Wenjian Min, Jun Ai, Xu Lin, Jinhua Miao, Shan Zhou, Ye Liang, Shuangqin Chen, Qian Ren, Kunyu Shen, Qinyu Wu, Xiaolong Li, Weiwei Shen, Fan Fan Hou, Youhua Liu, Peng Yang, Lili Zhou
Summary: This study reveals that B7-1 plays a crucial role in podocyte injury and glomerulosclerosis, transmitting signals through Hsp90ab1 to activate the beta-catenin pathway. Additionally, B7-1 is identified as a downstream target of beta-catenin. These findings provide important insights into potential therapeutic strategies targeting B7-1.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2022)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Li Li, Haiyan Fu, Youhua Liu
Summary: Kidney fibrosis, the final outcome of chronic kidney diseases, is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). The fibrogenic niche, a unique tissue microenvironment, plays a crucial role in promoting fibroblast activation and organ fibrosis. Understanding the composition and mechanisms of the fibrogenic niche may lead to the development of non-invasive biomarkers and novel therapies for kidney diseases.
NATURE REVIEWS NEPHROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xi Liu, Zhao Liu, Cong Wang, Jinhua Miao, Shan Zhou, Qian Ren, Nan Jia, Lili Zhou, Youhua Liu
Summary: This study found that exosomes derived from stressed/injured tubules play a pivotal role in regulating fibroblast apoptosis and fate. Exosomal-TNFAIP8 promotes p53 degradation, thereby inhibiting fibroblast apoptosis and inducing their proliferation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Jianqing Liang, Youhua Liu
Summary: Kidney disease is a prevalent and serious health issue worldwide. Animal models play a vital role in understanding the mechanisms and testing new treatments for kidney diseases. This review focuses on commonly used animal models, such as rodents, and also discusses emerging models like mini pigs, salamanders, zebrafish, and drosophila, as well as human-derived kidney organoids and kidney-on-a-chip. Careful selection and utilization of appropriate animal models are crucial for advancing our understanding and developing effective treatments for human kidney diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Cao, Zhichen Yang, Xiaoting Liu, Siqiang Ren, Huanjuan Su, Bihui Yang, Youhua Liu, Christopher S. Wilcox, Fan Fan Hou
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) have a high prevalence and aggravate each other, leading to significant mortality. The study explores the neural pathway connecting kidney afferent nerves to the brain, and its impact on sympathetic outflow to the kidney and heart. The overactivation of this kidney-brain neural circuit accelerates disease progression in both organs. Targeting this circuit could provide novel therapies for CKD or HF.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Transplantation
Meizhi He, Zhao Liu, Li Li, Youhua Liu
Summary: Kidney fibrosis is a common outcome of chronic kidney diseases, and cell-cell communication plays a vital role in coordinating complex actions during renal fibrogenesis. Traditional cell-cell communication is mediated by direct contact or soluble factors, but recent evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles can also transfer biomolecules between cells.
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)