Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Crystal M. Vincent, Marc S. Dionne
Summary: Male and female animals show differences in infection outcomes, with potential sources of sexually dimorphic immunity being the sex-specific costs of immune activity or pathology. This study found that males and females exhibit differential immune activity but similar bacteria-derived metabolic pathology, with females having a female-specific immune-inducible expression of PGRP-LB which plays a critical role in reducing immune activity in response to bacterial reductions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Erez Cohen, Nora G. Peterson, Jessica K. Sawyer, Donald T. Fox
Summary: The study reveals that the developing Drosophila hindgut can regenerate by accelerating the mitotic cell cycle, which is achieved through specific signaling pathways and must be completed within a certain timeframe.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alison H. Nguyen, Weixiang Wang, Emily Chong, Kamalakar Chatla, Doris Bachtrog
Summary: By studying the Y chromosomes in fruit flies, it was found that the differences between Y chromosomes are mainly caused by a few active transposable elements, which have recently expanded on the largest Y chromosome. Different elements are responsible for the expansion of Y on differently sized chromosomes.
Article
Biology
Yang Joon Kim, Kaitlin Rhee, Jonathan Liu, Selene Jeammet, Meghan A. Turner, Stephen J. Small, Hernan G. Garcia
Summary: A challenge in quantitative biology is to predict gene expression patterns using knowledge of transcription factor patterns and binding sites on regulatory DNA. By studying transcriptional repression in early fruit fly embryos, researchers found that higher-order cooperativity between multiple molecular players is required, which cannot be determined from simpler regulatory architectures. This highlights the challenges in understanding transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes and calls for quantitative approaches to dissect their molecular nature.
Article
Cell Biology
Frank Macabenta, Hsuan-Te Sun, Angelike Stathopoulos
Summary: Through regulating the FGF and BMP signaling pathways, collectively migrating Drosophila muscle precursors promote cell homeostasis and prevent anoikis. The BMP signaling pathway drives cell-cycle regulation and apoptosis to maintain tissue homeostasis.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eliane Arez, Cecilia Mezzera, Ricardo M. Neto-Silva, Marcia M. Aranha, Sophie Dias, Marta A. Moita, Maria Luisa Vasconcelos
Summary: Research shows that courtship song in male fruit flies not only prompts female receptivity, but also suppresses females' escape responses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Elena A. Yushkova
Summary: This study investigated the response to irradiation for the offspring of Drosophila melanogaster with increased activity of inherited functional I elements. The results showed that maternal exposure to irradiation reduces the reproductive potential and viability of female offspring with high activity of functional I retrotransposons, while paternal exposure to irradiation can increase the lifespan of SF-sterile females. Additionally, radiation stress in the range of 1-100 Gy increases DNA fragmentation in both somatic and germ cells of the ovaries with high I-retrotransposition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonella Porrazzo, Giuseppe Esposito, Daniela Grifoni, Giovanni Cenci, Patrizia Morciano, Maria Antonella Tabocchini
Summary: Evidence from studies conducted in deep underground laboratories suggests that environmental radiation may trigger biological mechanisms to cope with genotoxic stress. Our study found that Drosophila neuroblasts are more sensitive to radiation-induced DNA breaks in the reduced radiation background of the LNGS underground laboratory, but this sensitivity can be rescued by increasing the underground gamma dose rate.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jace A. Willis, Vsevolod Cheburkanov, Vladislav V. Yakovlev
Summary: The detection and evaluation of tau proteins and fibrillary tangles are of great importance in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, a novel approach using photodynamic therapy (PDT) on fruit fly models was developed to induce and assess the accumulation of tau proteins. The results showed significant physical property changes in the brains treated with PDT, as well as an increased presence of tau proteins. This research provides a potential neurodegenerative disease model and a viable screening method for early detection.
IEEE JOURNAL OF SELECTED TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Ayman A. Abdelaziz, Hyun-Ha Kim, Yoshiyuki Teramoto, Nozomi Takeuchi
Summary: This study aims to address the challenges of obtaining a stable, uniform, and wide plasma jet from a single tube with a diameter of up to 30 mm. By controlling the dynamic flow of the effluent gas, factors influencing jet formation in wide tubes were identified. A new approach using a sponge as a gas diffuser was proposed to launch a stable, uniform plasma jet from a wide tube at relatively low flow rates.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
K. Shameema, P. P. Anand, Y. Shibu Vardhanan
Summary: This study evaluates the concentration-dependent responses of the organochlorine insecticide endosulfan and its isomers on Drosophila melanogaster, finding that the alpha isomer is more toxic than the other two.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TROPICAL INSECT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Amalaraj, Jeyasingam Jeyasugiththan, Duminda Satharasinghe, A. S. Pallewatte
Summary: This study aimed to establish dose reference level (NDRLSSDE) based on size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) derived using effective diameter (D-eff) for adult chest and abdomen computed tomography (CT) procedures. The results showed strong correlation between mAs(z) and D-eff, suggesting that mAs(z) can accurately predict D(eff). The NDRLSSDE suggested in this study can serve as a reference for size-dependent dose optimisation in Sri Lanka.
JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sunitha Byri, Tvisha Misra, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Tilmann Baetz, Jimit Shah, Lukas Boril, Jade Glashauser, Tinri Aegerter-Wilmsen, Till Matzat, Bernard Moussian, Anne Uv, Stefan Luschnig
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2015)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Torleif Hard, Anne Uv, Iris F. van Dijk-Hard
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liping Zhang, Zulfeqhar Ali Syed, Iris van Dijk Hard, Jae-Min Lim, Lance Wells, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2014)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolyn May, Zulfeqhar Syed, Liping Zhang, Kelly Ten Hagen
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolyn May, Suena Ji, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Leslie Revoredo, Earnest James Paul Daniel, Thomas A. Gerken, Lawrence A. Tabak, Nadine L. Samara, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Liping Zhang, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
Summary: The mucus layer that protects epithelial cells is made up of mucin proteins, which are heavily decorated with O-linked sugars. These mucins can form gel-like structures that coat surfaces. Understanding the synthesis and function of mucus is important for the protection and health of internal epithelia.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Byung-Chul Lee, Yifan Zhou, Erica Bresciani, Neval Ozkaya, Alina Dulau-Florea, Blake Carrington, Tae-Hoon Shin, Valentina Baena, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, So Gun Hong, Tao Zhen, Katherine R. Calvo, Paul Liu, Cynthia E. Dunbar
Summary: Germ line loss-of-function heterozygous mutations in the RUNX1 gene cause familial platelet disorder with associated myeloid malignancies (FPDMM). A preclinical model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 editing in the RUNX1 gene to study the relative fitness of mutation-corrected and RUNX1-heterozygous mutant hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vivo long term. The lack of a competitive advantage for wildtype or control-edited HSPCs over RUNX1 heterozygous-mutated HSPCs suggests that gene correction approaches for FPDMM will be challenging.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Liping Zhang, Duy T. Tran, Christopher K. E. Bleck, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
Summary: Mucins are large, highly glycosylated proteins that protect epithelial surfaces. This study reveals that multiple mucins undergo restructuring during secretory granule maturation, forming unique structures within the same granule. Temporally-regulated genes, such as those controlling pH, Ca(2+)ions, and Cl- ions, influence mucin restructuring. Altering mucin glycosylation affects secretory granule morphology. Understanding how mucins are packaged and secreted may provide insight into diseases related to mucin secretion.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah B. Nyenhuis, Xufeng Wu, Marie-Paule Strub, Yang-In Yim, Abigail E. Stanton, Valentina Baena, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Bertram Canagarajah, John A. Hammer, Jenny E. Hinshaw
Summary: It has been found that dominant optic atrophy, a leading cause of childhood blindness, is caused by gene mutations in OPA1. OPA1 encodes a protein that plays a key role in mitochondrial membrane fusion and remodelling. Using cryo-electron microscopy, researchers have been able to solve the helical structures of OPA1 on lipid membrane tubes and have discovered the importance of nucleotide in the dimerization of the GTPase domains. The study also revealed unique secondary structures in OPA1 that enhance its association with membranes. These findings provide insight into the effects of pathogenic mutations on protein folding, inter-protein assembly, and membrane interactions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Zhang, Weichun Tang, Eduardo Stancanelli, Eunkyung Jung, Zulfeqhar Syed, Vijayakanth Pagadala, Layla Saidi, Catherine Z. Chen, Peng Gao, Miao Xu, Ivan Pavlinov, Bing Li, Wenwei Huang, Liqiang Chen, Jian Liu, Hang Xie, Wei Zheng, Yihong Ye
Summary: Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes fusion of infected cells with ACE2 positive neighboring cells through cell surface heparan sulfate, forming syncytia. Using chemical genetics and 4D confocal imaging, they identified heparan sulfate as a critical factor that stimulates spike-induced cell-cell fusion. Heparan sulfate binds to spike and promotes ACE2 clustering, facilitating fusion pore formation between ACE2-expressing and spike-transfected cells. Inhibition of heparan sulfate mitigates ACE2 clustering and syncytium formation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Tian, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Matthew L. Edin, Darryl C. Zeldin, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
Summary: The study focuses on the role of highly O-glycosylated mucins in protecting the respiratory system and their impact on viral infectivity. It identifies specific genes involved in mucin-type O-glycosylation in the mouse respiratory system and investigates their expression changes during infection or injury. The study also reveals the abundant expression of certain mucins and Galnt family members in respiratory tissues and their unique patterns of O-glycosylation. Furthermore, it examines the altered expression of Galnts and mucins in lung infection and injury, including the SARS-CoV-2 infection model.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liping Zhang, Matthew Mann, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Hayley M. Reynolds, E. Tian, Nadine L. Samara, Darryl C. Zeldin, Lawrence A. Tabak, Kelly G. Ten Hagen
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has a novel furin cleavage site in its spike protein, and O-glycosylation near this site is mediated by GALNT enzymes. Mutations in the proline at position 681 can disrupt O-glycosylation and lead to increased furin cleavage and syncytia formation. Host O-glycosylation may impact viral infectivity by modulating furin cleavage of the spike protein.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liping Zhang, Hayley Reynolds, Matthew Mann, Zulfeqhar Syed, Negin Martin, E. Tian, Darryl Zeldin, Lawrence Tabak, Nadine Samara, Kelly Ten Hagen
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadine L. Samara, Suena Ji, Carolyn May, Earnest James Paul Daniel, Leslie Revoredo, Zulfeqhar A. Syed, Duy T. Tran, Liping Zhang, Kayla Muirhead, Thomas A. Gerken, Lawrence A. Tabak, Kelly G. Ten Hagen