Review
Neurosciences
Angela Maria Casaril, Robert Dantzer, Carlos Bas-Orth
Summary: Depression is a leading cause of disability globally, and peripheral inflammation may increase the risk of depressive episodes and impact brain function. In neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, inflammation negatively affects mitochondrial health, potentially leading to oxidative stress, energy deficits, and neuronal death. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and bioenergetic failure in inflammation-associated depression.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Eduardo G. Aguilar, Gabrielle Paniccia, Carolina Adura, Zakary S. Singer, Alison W. Ashbrook, Brandon S. Razooky, Charles M. Rice, Margaret R. MacDonald
Summary: Viral macrodomains are conserved in several virus families and have the potential to be targeted by drugs. These macrodomains remove posttranslational modifications on host or viral proteins to enhance replication. This study demonstrates the importance of poly-ADP-ribosylhydrolase (ARH) activity in efficient viral infection and replication.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xing Liu, Yijie Ma, Kathleen Voss, Michiel van Gent, Ying Kai Chan, Michaela U. Gack, Michael Gale, Bin He
Summary: This study demonstrates that the HSV-1-encoded γ(1)34.5 protein inactivates RIG-I, a key RNA sensor in host cells, to dampen antiviral innate immunity. By targeting RIG-I, HSV-1 inhibits its interaction with the chaperone protein 14-3-3 epsilon, ultimately blocking the cytosol-to-mitochondrial translocation of RIG-I. The viral evasion of cytosolic RNA sensing is highlighted as a crucial factor in the evolutionary arms race between a large DNA virus and its host.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Siti Muslihah Abd Radzak, Siti Zulaikha Nashwa Mohd Khair, Farizan Ahmad, Azim Patar, Zamzuri Idris, Abdul Aziz Mohamed Yusoff
Summary: Mitochondria play a critical role in cellular functions, and their quantity and composition have an impact on cellular pathways and diseases such as cancer. This review provides an overview of mtDNA copy number variations in human cancers and summarizes the existing knowledge on the regulation and machinery of mtDNA copy number.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Plamena R. Angelova, Annarein J. C. Kerbert, Abeba Habtesion, Andrew Hall, Andrey Y. Abramov, Rajiv Jalan
Summary: This study revealed that hyperammonaemia, a common condition in patients with liver cirrhosis, severely impacts brain mitochondrial function, leading to neuronal injury and death. The findings suggest a novel mechanism of ammonia-induced brain injury in liver failure.
Article
Cell Biology
Laszlo Pecze, Csaba Szabo
Summary: Individuals with Down syndrome have a significant upregulation of genes located on chromosome 21 compared to control subjects, while genes on other chromosomes also show significant alterations. Upregulated genes encode important components of bioenergetic pathways, while genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation are mostly downregulated, potentially leading to metabolic disturbances in DS cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ram Kumar, Yogesh Chander, Nitin Khandelwal, Assim Verma, Krishan Dutt Rawat, Brij N. Shringi, Yash Pal, Bhupendra N. Tripathi, Sanjay Barua, Naveen Kumar
Summary: The ROCK1/MLC2 signaling pathway promotes buffalo pox virus replication by preventing viral mRNA decay. Inhibitors targeting this pathway may have therapeutic effects against buffalopox.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hui-Chung Lin, Der-Jiang Chiao, Chang-Chi Lin, Szu-Cheng Kuo
Summary: The study demonstrates efficient delivery of CHIKV replicons into cells using a baculovirus, verifying its efficacy through experiments, offering insights into virus replication mechanisms and potential for antiviral development.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryosuke Nomura, Nobumasa Takasugi, Hideki Hiraoka, Yuta Iijima, Takao Iwawaki, Yoshito Kumagai, Masatake Fujimura, Takashi Uehara
Summary: Exposure to methylmercury can induce oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, leading to neuronal cell death. This study investigates the time course signaling alterations of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the most affected brain areas, revealing a potential therapeutic target for treating neuropathy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lorissa J. Smulan, Nuria Martinez, Michael C. Kiritsy, Chido Kativhu, Kelly Cavallo, Christopher M. Sassetti, Amit Singhal, Heinz G. Remold, Hardy Kornfeld
Summary: The study demonstrates that SIRT3 modulation is a key event in M. tuberculosis-induced metabolic reprogramming in macrophages, leading to mitochondrial stress and cell death.
Article
Pediatrics
Stephanie Nault, Sophie Tremblay, Roqaya Imane, Sally Al-Omar, Charlene Nadeau, Nathalie Samson, Vincent Creuze, Guy Carrault, Patrick Pladys, Jean-Paul Praud
Summary: This study used a full-term newborn lamb model to investigate the cardiorespiratory consequences of injecting Poly I:C to induce systemic inflammation similar to viral sepsis. The results showed that Poly I:C injection led to a biphasic increase in rectal temperature and heart rate, along with a decrease in heart-rate variability. Interestingly, there was no change in respiratory-rate variability. Additionally, brainstem inflammation was observed in the areas related to cardiorespiratory control centers.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Kyu Kim, Hyobin Jeong, Jingi Bae, Moon-Yong Cha, Moonkyung Kang, Dongjin Shin, Shinwon Ha, Seung Jae Hyeon, Hokeun Kim, Kyujin Suh, Mi-Sun Choi, Hoon Ryu, Seong-Woon Yu, Jong-Il Kim, Yeon-Soo Kim, Sang-Won Lee, Daehee Hwang, Inhee Mook-Jung
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of mitochondria in neural progenitors and their association with the protein amyloid-beta, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction inhibits neuronal differentiation, leading to deficits in adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function. The research suggests that lysine demethylase 5A epigenetically suppresses differentiation in response to mitochondrial damage.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ludovica Congiu, Viviana Granato, Igor Jakovcevski, Ralf Kleene, Luciana Fernandes, Sandra Freitag, Matthias Kneussel, Melitta Schachner, Gabriele Loers
Summary: Adhesion molecules are crucial in various processes in the development and functioning of the nervous system. The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 plays a significant role in development, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity after trauma. Mutations in L1 can lead to brain malformations and mental disabilities. In this study, mice with disruption of specific sequences in L1 showed alterations in behavior and brain structure, suggesting that disruption of L1 can result in behavioral abnormalities and impaired brain function.
Article
Biology
Nunzia Mollo, Matteo Esposito, Miriam Aurilia, Roberta Scognamiglio, Rossella Accarino, Ferdinando Bonfiglio, Rita Cicatiello, Maria Charalambous, Claudio Procaccini, Teresa Micillo, Rita Genesio, Gaetano Cali, Agnese Secondo, Simona Paladino, Giuseppe Matarese, Gabriella De Vita, Anna Conti, Lucio Nitsch, Antonella Izzo
Summary: Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, is associated with mental retardation and defects in neuronal development potentially due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Stem cells derived from individuals with Down syndrome showed a propensity towards developing as glial cells and exhibited early mitochondrial defects. This model can be used to further study the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on neuronal development.
Article
Virology
Mazigh Fares, Kamila Gorna, Noemie Berry, Marielle Cochet-Bernoin, Francois Piumi, Odile Blanchet, Nadia Haddad, Jennifer Richardson, Muriel Coulpier
Summary: TBEV infection can lead to neurological symptoms that may cause permanent disability or death. Using a pathological model based on human neuronal/glial cells and transcriptomic approaches, the study found that neuronal death in TBEV-infected cells may occur through multiple mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liliane O. Ortlieb, Icaro P. Caruso, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Andrea T. Da Poian, Elaine da C. Petronilho, Jose Daniel Figueroa-Villar, Claudia J. Nascimento, Fabio C. L. Almeida
Summary: A study synthesised and screened 18 aromatic derivatives of guanylhydrazones and oximes aromatic for their ability to bind to dengue virus capsid protein. Results showed that five compounds were able to bind to a specific region of the capsid protein, inhibiting the virus infectivity.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lana Monteiro Meuren, Elisa Beatriz Prestes, Michelle Premazzi Papa, Luiza Rachel Pinheiro de Carvalho, Yasmin Mucuna Mustafa, Leandro Silva da Costa, Andrea T. Da Poian, Marcelo Torres Bozza, Luciana Barros Arruda
Summary: Infection with DENV induces ROS production in HBMECs through activation of mitochondrial function and NADPH oxidase, impacting cell physiology and leading to increased cell death and endothelial permeability. Inhibiting ROS generation by targeting mitochondrial or NOX pathways can reduce virus replication, cell death, and inflammation, presenting potential therapeutic targets for preventing dengue pathogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Icaro Putinhon Caruso, Vitor dos Santos Almeida, Mariana Juliani do Amaral, Guilherme Caldas de Andrade, Gabriela Rocha de Araujo, Talita Stelling de Araujo, Jessica Moreira de Azevedo, Glauce Moreno Barbosa, Leonardo Bartkevihi, Peter Reis Bezerra, Katia Maria dos Santos Cabral, Isabella Otenio de Lourenco, Clara L. F. Malizia-Motta, Aline de Luna Marques, Nathane Cunha Mebus-Antunes, Thais Cristtina Neves-Martins, Jessica Marostica de Sa, Karoline Sanches, Marcos Caique Santana-Silva, Ariana Azevedo Vasconcelos, Marcius da Silva Almeida, Gisele Cardoso de Amorim, Cristiane Dinis Anobom, Andrea T. Da Poian, Francisco Gomes-Neto, Anderson S. Pinheiro, Fabio C. L. Almeida
Summary: This study investigates the binding characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein with nucleic acid sequences and reveals its role in RNA transcription and liquid-liquid phase separation. The findings suggest that the binding of the nucleocapsid protein to a specific sequence can induce DNA melting, which is crucial for viral infection. Additionally, the study shows a preference for the nucleocapsid protein to form liquid condensates with specific sequences, providing insights for the design of drugs targeting the nucleocapsid protein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Wellington S. Ferreira, Glauce M. Barbosa, Thais C. Neves-Martins, Gilberto Weissmuller, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Andrea T. Da Poian
Summary: This study establishes the conditions for in vitro assembly of DENV nucleocapsid-like particles (NCLPs) using recombinant DENVC. The assembly process is concentration-dependent and involves DENVC charge neutralization. The results shed light on the assembly mechanism of DENV and have important implications for understanding the virus.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Toni Todorovski, Diogo A. Mendonca, Lorena O. Fernandes-Siqueira, Christine Cruz-Oliveira, Giuseppina Guida, Javier Valle, Marco Cavaco, Fernanda I. Limas, Vera Neves, Iris Cadima-Couto, Sira Defaus, Ana Salome Veiga, Andrea T. Da Poian, Miguel A. R. B. Castanho, David Andreu
Summary: Viral disease outbreaks pose a serious threat to global health, particularly the Zika virus, which can cause severe complications during pregnancy. There is currently no effective treatment, but peptide-porphyrin conjugation shows promise as a strategy for filling this treatment gap.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katie L. Davies, Danielle J. Smith, Tatiana El-Bacha, Peter F. P. Wooding, Alison J. Forhead, Andrew J. Murray, Abigail L. Fowden, Emily J. Camm
Summary: Glucocorticoids play a role in regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and preparing the fetus for postnatal energy demands. This study showed that physiological increases in cortisol concentration in fetal sheep can affect cerebral mitochondrial capacity and morphology, with implications for infants born preterm or exposed to excess glucocorticoids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorena O. Fernandes-Siqueira, Fabiana A. P. Ferreira, Bruna G. Sousa, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Thais C. Neves-Martins, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Gustavo C. Ferreira, Didier Salmon, Luciana S. Wermelinger, Andrea T. Da Poian
Summary: This study optimized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for detecting antibodies against various proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The test was applied to a cohort of individuals and showed potential for customization and valuable applications in understanding immune responses and vaccine coverage.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hannes Berg, Maria A. Wirtz Martin, Nadide Altincekic, Islam Alshamleh, Jasleen Kaur Bains, Julius Blechar, Betul Ceylan, Vanessa de Jesus, Karthikeyan Dhamotharan, Christin Fuks, Santosh L. Gande, Bruno Hargittay, Katharina F. Hohmann, Marie T. Hutchison, Sophie Marianne Korn, Robin Krishnathas, Felicitas Kutz, Verena Linhard, Tobias Matzel, Nathalie Meiser, Anna Niesteruk, Dennis J. Pyper, Linda Schulte, Sven Trucks, Kamal Azzaoui, Marcel J. J. Blommers, Yojana Gadiya, Reagon Karki, Andrea Zaliani, Philip Gribbon, Marcius da Silva Almeida, Cristiane Dinis Anobom, Anna L. Bula, Matthias Butikofer, Icaro Putinhon Caruso, Isabella Caterina Felli, Andrea T. Da Poian, Gisele Cardoso de Amorim, Nikolaos K. Fourkiotis, Angelo Gallo, Dhiman Ghosh, Francisco Gomes-Neto, Oksana Gorbatyuk, Bing Hao, Vilius Kurauskas, Lauriane Lecoq, Yunfeng Li, Nathane Cunha Mebus-Antunes, Miguel Mompean, Thais Cristtina Neves-Martins, Marti Ninot-Pedrosa, Anderson S. Pinheiro, Letizia Pontoriero, Yulia Pustovalova, Roland Riek, Angus J. Robertson, Marie Jose Abi Saad, Miguel A. Trevino, Aikaterini C. Tsika, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Ad Bax, Katherine Henzler-Wildman, Jeffrey C. Hoch, Kristaps Jaudzems, Douglas Laurents, Julien Orts, Roberta Pierattelli, Georgios A. Spyroulias, Elke Duchardt-Ferner, Jan Ferner, Boris Furtig, Martin Hengesbach, Frank Lohr, Nusrat Qureshi, Christian Richter, Krishna Saxena, Andreas Schlundt, Sridhar Sreeramulu, Anna Wacker, Julia E. Weigand, Julia Wirmer-Bartoschek, Jens Wohnert, Harald Schwalbe
Summary: This study explores novel drug design against SARS-CoV-2 through NMR screening and computational mapping. They identified multiple molecules that bind to SARS-CoV-2 proteins and studied their structural and chemical properties, providing new insights for drug development.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Glauce M. Barbosa, Maria A. Morando, Andrea T. Da Poian, Fabio C. L. Almeida
Summary: Dengue virus, an enveloped virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family, is responsible for an endemic arboviral disease in humans. The capsid protein of Dengue virus forms homodimers in solution, consisting of 4 alpha-helices and an intrinsically disordered N-terminal region. The N-terminal region is involved in binding membranous structures in host cells and nucleotide recognition.
BIOMOLECULAR NMR ASSIGNMENTS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Fabricia L. Fontes-Dantas, Gabriel G. Fernandes, Elisa G. Gutman, Emanuelle V. De Lima, Leticia S. Antonio, Mariana B. Hammerle, Hannah P. Mota-Araujo, Lilian C. Colodeti, Suzana M. B. Araujo, Gabrielle M. Froz, Talita N. da Silva, Larissa A. Duarte, Andreza L. Salvio, Karina L. Pires, Luciane A. A. Leon, Claudia Cristina F. Vasconcelos, Luciana Romao, Luiz Eduardo B. Savio, Jerson L. Silva, Robson da Costa, Julia R. Clarke, Andrea T. Da Poian, Soniza V. Alves-Leon, Giselle F. Passos, Claudia P. Figueiredo
Summary: Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 syndrome may be caused by the release of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, which can lead to neuroinflammation, synapse elimination, and memory dysfunction mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. Infusing Spike protein into the brains of mice reproduced cognitive impairment similar to post-COVID-19 syndrome. In a group of 86 mild COVID-19 patients, a specific TLR4 genotype was associated with poor cognitive outcome. These findings highlight TLR4 as a key target for investigating long-term cognitive dysfunction after COVID-19 infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thais C. Neves-Martins, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Carlos H. G. Neto, Glauce M. Barbosa, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Icaro P. Caruso, Andrea T. Da Poian
Summary: The researchers designed a mutant of the dengue virus capsid protein (DENVC) by replacing a positively charged spot with a cysteine residue, resulting in the self-assembly of capsid-like particles (CLP) in solution without nucleic acids.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Isis N. O. Souza, Brenda S. Andrade, Paula S. Frost, Romulo L. S. Neris, Daniel Gavino-Leopoldino, Andrea T. Da Poian, Iranaia Assuncao-Miranda, Claudia P. Figueiredo, Julia R. Clarke, Gilda A. Neves
Summary: In this study, different outcomes were observed in mice infected with Zika virus (ZIKV) based on age and sex: neonatally infected animals showed an increase in prepulse inhibition (PPI) and delayed startle latency, while adult-infected male mice had lower startle amplitude and both sexes showed PPI impairment 14 days after infection. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the functional impacts of ZIKV on the nervous system and provide insight into the behavioral and cognitive alterations caused by the virus. The study supports the use of startle reflex testing in ZIKV-exposed patients, especially infants, for early detection of functional neuromotor damage and early intervention.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos C. C. Gama-Almeida, Gabriela D. A. Pinto, Livia Teixeira, Eugenio D. D. Hottz, Paula Ivens, Hygor Ribeiro, Rafael Garrett, Alexandre G. G. Torres, Talita I. A. Carneiro, Bianca de O. Barbalho, Christian Ludwig, Claudio J. J. Struchiner, Iranaia Assuncao-Miranda, Ana Paula C. Valente, Fernando A. A. Bozza, Patricia T. Bozza, Gilson C. C. dos Santos Jr, Tatiana El-Bacha
Summary: Brazil has the second-highest COVID-19 death rate worldwide, with Rio de Janeiro being one of the states with the highest rate in the country. Despite vaccine coverage, COVID-19 is expected to become an endemic disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of the disease and the development of long COVID-19 are still not fully understood.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lorena O. Fernandes-Siqueira, Bruna G. Sousa, Carlos E. Cleto, Luciana S. Wermelinger, Beatriz L. L. Caetano, Agatha R. Pacheco, Simone M. Costa, Fabio C. L. Almeida, Gustavo C. Ferreira, Didier Salmon, Ada M. B. Alves, Andrea T. Da Poian
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum antibody seroconversion and neutralizing antibody titers in individuals who received a complete initial vaccination schedule. The results showed that although IgG titers were high in all individuals after vaccination, the amounts of neutralizing antibodies varied among the groups. Serum neutralizing antibody concentrations were more comparable to IgA levels, suggesting that these antibodies have a major neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY PLUS
(2022)