Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Matthew R. Dent, Anthony W. DeMartino, Jesus Tejero, Mark T. Gladwin
Summary: Interdisciplinary research has revealed the essential roles of nitric oxide (NO) as a signaling molecule in various physiological pathways relevant to human health and disease. Hemeproteins, including hemoglobin and myoglobin, play central roles in generating and maintaining NO as well as serving as a stable reservoir for NO in the form of nitrite. These pathways involve complex chemical and biochemical reactions that govern NO and nitrite signaling in vivo, presenting potential therapeutic targets for treating a wide range of diseases.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karem Arriaza, Constanza Cuevas, Eduardo Pena, Patricia Siques, Julio Brito
Summary: This review investigates the relationship between altered zinc (Zn2+) levels and oxidative stress in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) under hypobaric hypoxic conditions. The results suggest that elevated Zn2+ levels are associated with increased mitochondrial ROS, nitric oxide, metallothionein, zinc-regulated iron-regulated transporter-like protein, and NADPH oxidase-induced PKC ε activation in the development of HPV.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kha Wai Hon, Syafiq Asnawi Zainal Abidin, Iekhsan Othman, Rakesh Naidu
Summary: Colorectal cancer is characterized by metabolic reprogramming, which plays a crucial role in promoting tumor progression by modulating core metabolic pathways. Activation of oncogenes and loss of tumor suppressor genes regulate metabolic reprogramming, with protein kinases serving as integral components in facilitating interactions between signaling pathways and metabolic pathways in CRC.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yagmur Azbazdar, Nydia Tejeda-Munoz, Julia C. Monka, Alex Dayrit, Grace Binder, Gunes Ozhan, Edward M. De Robertis
Summary: Activation of Wnt signaling leads to macropinocytosis, which promotes tumor progression. Addition of the second messenger lipid sn-1,2 DAG induces macropinocytosis rapidly. Moreover, DAG addition enhances the effects of Wnt3a recombinant protein and GSK3 inhibitor LiCl in luciferase transcriptional reporter assays. In colorectal carcinoma cells with constitutive Wnt signaling, DAG addition increases nuclear beta-catenin levels, which can be partially inhibited by a macropinocytosis inhibitor. DAG also expands multivesicular bodies marked by CD63 protein. In vivo, microinjection of DAG induces Wnt-like twinned body axes in Xenopus embryos when co-injected with small amounts of LiCl.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Justin F. Creeden, Zachary A. Kipp, Mei Xu, Robert M. Flight, Hunter N. B. Moseley, Genesee J. Martinez, Wang-Hsin Lee, Khaled Alganem, Ali S. Imami, Megan R. McMullen, Sanjoy Roychowdhury, Atta M. Nawabi, Jennifer A. Hipp, Samir Softic, Steven A. Weinman, Robert McCullumsmith, Laura E. Nagy, Terry D. Hinds
Summary: This study explores the similarities in fibrotic signaling networks in humans and rodents, identifying potential antifibrotic effects that may improve outcomes in liver diseases. The activation of certain protein kinases, such as the insulin receptor, is found to be hyperactive in fibrotic liver disease in both species. The findings establish a comprehensive kinase atlas for liver fibrosis, identifying analogous signaling events conserved among humans and rodents.
Article
Biology
Nadiatou T. Miningou Zobon, Joanna Jedrzejewska-Szmek, Kim T. Blackwell
Summary: Different temporal patterns select different signaling pathways for ERK activation. Calcium and cAMP work synergistically to activate ERK, with stimuli given with large intertrial intervals activating more ERK than shorter intervals. These pathways contribute to different dynamics of ERK activation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Heather C. Murray, Kasey Miller, Joshua S. Brzozowski, Richard G. S. Kahl, Nathan D. Smith, Sean J. Humphrey, Matthew D. Dun, Nicole M. Verrills
Summary: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly aggressive form of leukemia with a poor prognosis. Mutations in kinases, such as FLT3 and KIT, are common in AML patients and are associated with treatment resistance. This study identified DNA-PK as a potential therapeutic target in AML and demonstrated that DNA-PK inhibition sensitizes AML cells with FLT3 and KIT mutations to standard treatments. The findings suggest that targeting DNA-PK could improve the outcomes of AML patients with these mutations.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xian Jiang, Richard Sando, Thomas C. Sudhof
Summary: The study revealed that interference with microtubules or actin filaments, JNKs, PKA, or AKT signaling pathways can affect heterologous synapse formation, with JNK and PKA inhibitors suppressing both pre- and postsynaptic specialization formation, while AKT inhibitors only impairing postsynaptic specialization formation. By targeting PTEN, an enzyme regulating AKT activation, to postsynaptic sites, a decrease in excitatory synapse function was observed, indicating a multifaceted and multistage kinase network underlying heterologous synapse formation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Carriba, Alun M. Davies
Summary: CD40-activated CD40L reverse signaling promotes axon and dendrite growth from developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons by activating proteins in PKC, ERK, and JNK signaling pathways. These pathways interact and depend on each other to regulate growth in an interconnected network.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianfeng Mei, Xia Wu, Sujing Zheng, Yu Yi, Xudong Wang, Guoqing Ying
Summary: Bilirubin, a valuable Chinese medicine, is currently produced from pig bile, but due to raw material shortage, its price has increased. This study explores the use of biotransformation to produce bilirubin using recombinant E. coli expressing biliverdin reductase. With optimized conditions, the conversion yield reached 72.3%. This provides a potential alternative process for bilirubin production.
BIOPROCESS AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelsie J. Anson, Giulia A. Corbet, Amy E. Palmer
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated how changes in intracellular zinc ion levels affect kinase signaling pathways using fluorescent biosensors and cell perturbations. The results showed that zinc ion fluctuations are not toxic and do not activate stress-dependent kinase signaling. Additionally, the study demonstrated that while zinc ions can inhibit phosphatases, ERK and Akt are primarily activated through upstream signaling pathways.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Margaux Richter, Enzo Lalli, Carmen Ruggiero
Summary: The secreted protein augurin, derived from the tumor suppressor gene Ecrg4, was identified as a peptide hormone in the human proteome in 2007. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted to understand its structure, processing, and potential roles in various physiological and pathological processes. However, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of augurin's biological effects remain poorly understood. This article provides a comprehensive overview of augurin-dependent signal transduction pathways, emphasizing the potential for therapeutic targeting of augurin and its derived peptides.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara G. de Freitas, Natalia G. Hoesch, Leandro M. Pereira, Tereza C. Barbosa, Gisele Picolo, Yara Cury, Vanessa O. Zambelli
Summary: Crotalphine, a peptide from the venom of South American rattlesnake, induces potent and long-lasting antinociceptive effect through the activation of peripheral opioid receptors. This effect is dependent on the PKC zeta-ERK signaling pathway, inhibition of which blocks the analgesic effect of Crotalphine. These findings suggest the PKC zeta-MAPK axis as a potential target for pain control.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Megan M. Allyn, Maria A. Rincon-Benavides, Heather L. Chandler, Natalia Higuita-Castro, Andre F. Palmer, Katelyn E. Swindle-Reilly
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the third most common visual impairment globally, with limited treatment options. A novel anti-inflammatory protein complex has been discovered to reduce oxidative stress caused by AMD and provide sustained therapeutic delivery.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sadettin Demirel, Serdar Sahinturk, Naciye Isbil, Fadil Ozyener
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of irisin on vascular smooth muscle contractility in rat thoracic aorta and the role of protein kinase C (PKC). The results showed that irisin induced relaxation responses in the thoracic aorta rings, and these effects were likely regulated via activating signaling pathways implicating PKC.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
