Review
Cell Biology
Yoichi Shinkai, Masahiro Kuramochi, Takamitsu Miyafusa
Summary: Phase separation in cells is mainly driven by the condensation and compartmentalization of biomacromolecules, with intrinsically disordered proteins containing FG repeat domain playing a key role. FG-NUPs, a type of nucleoporins, are known to form meshwork structures that regulate nucleo-cytoplasmic exchange, highlighting their importance in this process.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maria J. Donde, Adam M. Rochussen, Saksham Kapoor, Alexander Taylor
Summary: Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) offer a wealth of therapeutic targets for a range of diseases, but their secondary structures and sequence similarities pose challenges for specific knockdown. Researchers have engineered a series of artificial oligonucleotide enzymes (XNAzymes) composed of a modified nucleic acid that can specifically or preferentially cleave individual ncRNA members under physiological conditions. These XNAzymes can self-assemble into a stable nanostructure and target cancer-associated microRNAs, offering a potential platform for precise knockdown of specific non-coding RNAs with reduced off-target effects compared to other nucleic acid technologies.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Brian S. Muntean, Subhi Marwari, Xiaona Li, Douglas C. Sloan, Brian D. Young, James A. Wohlschlegel, Kirill A. Martemyanov
Summary: This study reveals that KCTD proteins, particularly the dominant isoform KCTD5, are major regulators of neuronal cAMP signaling through diverse mechanisms, including modulating Zn2+ influx and G β γ-mediated AC regulation. KCTD5 haploinsufficiency in mice leads to motor deficits that can be reversed by chelating Zn2+.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Li-Li An, Xiang Zhao, Xiu-Ying Gong, Yi-Lin Li, Zi-Ling Qu, Hao-Yu Sun, Wen-Hao Guo, Cheng Dan, Jian-Fang Gui, Yi-Bing Zhang
Summary: The study reveals the regulatory roles of zebrafish IRF family members in interferon response, which are influenced by their subcellular localization and promoter binding. Zebrafish IRF family members display three distinctive patterns of constitutive localization and can act as activators or repressors of interferon gene transcription.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Smaldone, Daniela Caruso, Annamaria Sandomenico, Emanuela Iaccarino, Annalia Foca, Alessia Ruggiero, Menotti Ruvo, Luigi Vitagliano
Summary: The three members of the GADD45 protein family are involved in diverse cellular functions, with GADD45 beta and GADD45 gamma showing marginal stability at physiological temperatures and GADD45 alpha demonstrating a higher stability and presence of amyloid-like aggregate properties. These unique characteristics may have important implications for their cytotoxicity and functions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Emily A. Largent, Maramawit Abera, Kristin Harkins, Sara J. Feldman, Wendy R. Uhlmann, J. Scott Roberts, Jason Karlawish
Summary: The study found that most participants understood and valued the AD dementia risk information they received. Positive risk information elicited feelings of happiness and relief, while negative information led to disappointment and increased awareness of cognitive changes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raquel Coronel, Adela Bernabeu-Zornoza, Charlotte Palmer, Rosa Gonzalez-Sastre, Andreea Rosca, Patricia Mateos-Martinez, Victoria Lopez-Alonso, Isabel Liste
Summary: This study investigates the effects of amyloid precursor protein (APP) overexpression on human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and identifies differentially expressed genes related to neuronal and glial differentiation processes, as well as signaling pathways such as Notch, Wnt, PI3K-AKT, and JAK-STAT.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Shelby H. Wanser, Megan MacDonald, Monique A. R. Udell
Summary: Research on dog social cognition has predominantly focused on dogs' interactions with adult humans, but a recent study found that family dogs also exhibit behavioral synchrony with child family members. This may shed light on how dogs perceive familiar children and how they respond to their behavior. While similarities were found between dog-child and dog-adult human interactions, some differences were also observed in the study outcomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Paschou, Danai Liaropoulou, Vasileia Kalaitzaki, Spiros Efthimiopoulos, Panagiota Papazafiri
Summary: In this study, the downregulation of APP in SH-SY5Y cells altered the expression of ion channels and signaling proteins involved in synaptic and Ca2+ signaling. The levels of GluR2 and GluR4 subunits of AMPAR were increased, as well as the expression of ER-residing proteins. Changes in phosphorylation states of AKT, PP2A, CaMKIV, GSK, ERK1/2, CaMKII, and CREB were observed, indicating an interconnection between Ca2+ signaling from the plasma membrane and ER to the nucleus. Interestingly, reduced responses to physiological stimuli, particularly in mobilizing Ca2+ from the ER, were detected in APP knockdown cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oliver Meisenberg, Udo C. Gerstmann
Summary: The study investigates the exposure of German hunters and their family members to Cs-137 and finds significantly higher body activities in this group compared to the general population. The higher activities are associated with mushroom picking and the frequency of consuming boar meat in the diet.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Bruno Biagianti, Silvana Zito, Chiara Fornoni, Valeria Ginex, Marcella Bellani, Cinzia Bressi, Paolo Brambilla
Summary: A remote psychotherapy program was developed to address the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of patients and their families. The 8-session model, drawing inspiration from constructivist and hermeneutic-phenomenological therapies, is designed to be flexible and customizable to the needs of individuals at different stages of illness or grieving. Preliminary studies are ongoing to test the efficacy of this approach, with potential for larger scale tele-psychology interventions in the future.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Atsushi Kaida, Tomoo Iwakuma
Summary: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that assist various cellular activities, including protein folding, intracellular transportation, and stabilization or degradation of misfolded proteins. HSP40, the largest family in HSPs, interacts functionally with tumor suppressor protein p53 and plays a role in regulation of its activities in cancer signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ryosuke Hiwa, Hailyn Nielsen, James L. Mueller, Ravi Mandla, Julie Zikherman
Summary: The NR4A family of orphan nuclear receptors plays redundant roles in establishing and maintaining Treg identity, and deletion of family members leads to Treg deficiency and severe inflammatory diseases. Through a competitive bone marrow chimera strategy, it was discovered that DKO bone marrow chimeras developed autoantibodies and inflammatory diseases despite having a Treg compartment mostly from WT origin. This study highlights the essential cell intrinsic roles of the NR4A family in central and peripheral T cell tolerance, demonstrating their importance in immune homeostasis.
Article
Microbiology
Iwona Wojciechowska-Koszko, Pawel Kwiatkowski, Paulina Roszkowska, Barbara Krasnodebksa-Szponder, Michal Slawinski, Artur Gabrych, Stefania Giedrys-Kalemba, Barbara Dolegowska, Edward Kowalczyk, Monika Sienkiewicz
Summary: A wide range of options for studying Candida species are available through genetic methods. This study aimed to analyze the strain relatedness among commensal yeasts isolated from the bodies of healthy people and found that yeasts can be transmitted between individuals. The genetic similarity between Candida strains isolated from the same individual and their family members was more remarkable compared to other strains.
Review
Cell Biology
John J. Peluso
Summary: This review discusses how PGRMC1 and PGRMC2 mediate signaling that influences ovarian follicle growth. The evidence shows that members of the PGRMC family promote follicle growth by regulating granulosa cell proliferation and viability.