Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ann Collier, Angela Liu, Jessica Torkelson, Jillian Pattison, Sadhana Gaddam, Hanson Zhen, Tiffany Patel, Kelly McCarthy, Hana Ghanim, Anthony E. Oro
Summary: This study identifies a protein called Gibbin as a key regulator of early epithelial morphogenesis. Gibbin interacts with multiple sequence-specific transcription factors and methyl-CpG-binding proteins to regulate the expression of mesoderm genes. The loss of Gibbin leads to increased DNA methylation at GATA3-dependent mesodermal genes, resulting in a loss of signaling between dermal and epidermal cell types.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Yu, Pierre Raia, Chloe M. Ghent, Tobias Raisch, Yashar Sadian, Simone Cavadini, Pramod M. Sabale, David Barford, Stefan Raunser, David O. Morgan, Andreas Boland
Summary: The structures of separase in complex with either securin or cyclin B-CDK1 reveal the diverse array of mechanisms by which they bind and inhibit separase, shedding light on the regulation of chromosome separation during the cell cycle.
Article
Biology
Adnan Mahly, Krishnanand Padmanabhan, Arad Soffer, Jonathan Cohen, Jana Omar, Ronit Sagi-Eisenberg, Chen Luxenburg
Summary: This study identifies a crucial role for anillin in orchestrating epidermal morphogenesis and reveals a novel role for anillin in mitotic rounding, a process that governs cell shape, fate, and tissue morphogenesis.
Article
Cell Biology
Ximena Contreras, Nicole Amberg, Amarbayasgalan Davaatseren, Andi H. Hansen, Johanna Sonntag, Lill Andersen, Tina Bernthaler, Carmen Streicher, Anna Heger, Randy L. Johnson, Lindsay A. Schwarz, Liqun Luo, Thomas Ruelicke, Simon Hippenmeyer
Summary: MADM technology allows genetic marking and analysis of single cells in mice, but currently only applicable to a subset of genes. Researchers have successfully generated transgenic mice with MADM components, allowing for single-cell genetic mosaic analysis of almost the entire mouse genome.
Article
Cell Biology
Nolan K. Maier, Jun Ma, Michael A. Lampson, Iain M. Cheeseman
Summary: The protease separase rewires key cell division processes by cleaving the meiosis-specific protein Meikin at the meiosis I/II transition. This cleavage alters the function of Meikin and plays a distinct role in controlling meiosis, ultimately leading to defective chromosome alignment in oocytes. Multiple regulatory events irreversibly modulate Meikin activity during successive meiotic divisions.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Meng Zhu, Clifford J. Tabin
Summary: Heterochrony refers to changes in the timing of developmental processes relative to an ancestral state. Limb development is a suitable system to study the contribution of heterochrony to morphological evolution. We demonstrate how timing mechanisms have been utilized to establish the correct limb pattern and present cases where natural variations in timing have resulted in changes in limb morphology.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Jennifer A. Urban, Rajesh Ranjan, Xin Chen
Summary: The discovery of biased histone inheritance in male germline stem cells of Drosophila melanogaster demonstrates a mechanism to produce two distinct daughter cells with identical genetic material. This phenomenon may be widespread and involve three steps: establishing histone asymmetry during DNA replication, recognizing sister chromatids carrying asymmetric histone information during mitosis, and executing this asymmetry in the resulting daughter cells. This review comprehensively details known factors and mechanisms involved in each step and discusses their potential contributions to cell fate decisions in multicellular organisms.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuyu Chen, Taifeng Zhou, Zhiheng Liao, Wenjie Gao, Jinna Wu, Shun Zhang, Yongyong Li, Hengyu Liu, Hang Zhou, Caixia Xu, Peiqiang Su
Summary: This study reveals that hnRNPK is crucial for limb bud development. Its absence leads to limbless forelimbs and severe hindlimb deformities. Mechanistically, hnRNPK functions as a transcription activator for key genes involved in limb bud development and coordinates with CTCF to maintain chromatin architecture. The loss of hnRNPK weakens CTCF binding, resulting in loose topologically associating domains (TADs), decreased interactions between promoters and enhancers, and reduced transcription of developmental genes.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Raul E. Diaz, Elizabeth A. Taylor-Diaz, Paul A. Trainor, Rui Diogo, Julia L. Molnar
Summary: The study reveals a conserved early muscle development pattern among different species of lizards, with variations concentrated in distal regions, particularly in the specialized autopodia of chameleons where differentiation of muscles associated with the digits is delayed.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Melanie L. Bailey, David Tieu, Andrea Habsid, Amy Hin Yan Tong, Katherine Chan, Jason Moffat, Philip Hieter
Summary: Despite the complexity of cohesin function, our study revealed that STAG1 was the only negative genetic interaction shared across different cellular backgrounds, and uncovered a paralogous synthetic lethal mechanism between STAG2 and the iron regulatory gene IREB2. Additionally, investigation of a strong context-dependent genetic interaction in HAP1 cells provided insights into factors important for alleviating cohesin loading stress.
LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Rio Tsutsumi, Mototsugu Eiraku
Summary: Building limbs in vitro would allow for research and applications in appendage development. While limb-like tissues can be derived from pluripotent stem cells, recreating limb morphogenesis in vitro is still a challenge. Understanding the modular nature and external tissue dependency of limb development is crucial for formulating a method. By studying the guidance of the body axis and the contribution of external tissues, limb-like tissues can be derived from pluripotent stem cells. Further advancements can enhance the understanding of limb morphogenesis and interspecies differences, as well as aid in drug development and potential limb transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Jeremy Salle, Nicolas Minc
Summary: Early cellular patterning is crucial for embryonic development and relies on rapid reductive divisions and cell fate specification. The positioning of cell divisions plays a significant role in cell behavior, cellular decisions, and morphogenesis.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shifaan Thowfeequ, Matthew J. Stower, Shankar Srinivas
Summary: In this review, the authors focus on the dynamic processes that emergent epithelial cells undergo during the first seven days of mouse development and speculate on the future understanding of the mechanistic bases for these processes through integrative approaches.
CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Victor H. Ferreira, Queenie Hu, Alexandra Kurtesi, Javier T. Solera, Matthew Ierullo, Anne -Claude Gingras, Deepali Kumar, Atul Humar
Summary: Mutations in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 allow Omicron subvariants to evade neutralizing antibodies, and this phenomenon in transplant recipients is not well understood. This study examined crossneutralizing responses in transplant recipients who previously recovered from BA.1 infection. The results showed that neutralizing antibody responses against BA.4/5 were significantly lower than those against BA.1, and these responses declined over time.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Transplantation
Caitriiona M. McEvoy, Queenie Hu, Kento T. T. Abe, Kevin Yau, Matthew J. J. Oliver, Adeera Levin, Anne-Claude Gingras, Michelle A. A. Hladunewich, Darren A. A. Yuen
Summary: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have a diminished response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and over 50% of KTRs lack Omicron-specific neutralization capacity one month after receiving the third mRNA vaccine dose. Antibody levels of responders were well preserved at three months. Anti receptor binding domain antibody titers may be a key indicator for detecting patients with a detectable Omicron-neutralizing antibody response.
TRANSPLANTATION DIRECT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sima Khazaei, Carol C. L. Chen, Augusto Faria Andrade, Nisha Kabir, Pariya Azarafshar, Shahir M. Morcos, Josiane Alves Franca, Mariana Lopes, Peder J. Lund, Geoffroy Danieau, Samantha Worme, Lata Adnani, Nadine Nzirorera, Xiao Chen, Gayathri Yogarajah, Caterina Russo, Michele Zeinieh, Cassandra J. Wong, Laura Bryant, Steven Hebert, Bethany Tong, Tianna S. Sihota, Damien Faury, Evan Puligandla, Wajih Jawhar, Veronica Sandy, Mitra Cowan, Emily M. Nakada, Loydie A. Jerome-Majewska, Benjamin Ellezam, Carolina Cavalieri Gomes, Jonas Denecke, Davor Lessel, Marie T. McDonald, Carolyn E. Pizoli, Kathryn Taylor, Benjamin T. Cocanougher, Elizabeth J. Bhoj, Anne-Claude Gingras, Benjamin A. Garcia, Chao Lu, Eric I. Campos, Claudia L. Kleinman, Livia Garzia, Nada Jabado
Summary: Germline histone H3.3 amino acid substitutions, including H3.3G34R/V, cause severe neurodevelopmental syndromes. In this study, knock-in mice with H3.3G34R/V/W mutations were generated to investigate their impact on brain development. The H3.3G34R mutation led to progressive microcephaly, neurodegeneration, and abnormal accumulation of disease-associated microglia, along with neuronal depletion.
Article
Immunology
Victor H. Ferreira, Matthew Ierullo, Faranak Mavandadnejad, Alexandra Kurtesi, Queenie Hu, W. Rod Hardy, Victoria G. Hall, Natalia Pinzon, Demitra Yotis, Anne-Claude Gingras, Sara Belga, Sarah Shalhoub, Marie-Josee Hebert, Atul Humar, Dima Kabbani, Deepali Kumar
Summary: This multicenter cohort study found that organ transplant recipients had suboptimal neutralization to the booster vaccine against BA.4/5. Age, mycophenolate, and prednisone use were factors that impacted the neutralization response. However, vaccination did induce T-cell responses in the majority of patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Eirini Tsekitsidou, Cassandra J. Wong, Idil Ulengin-Talkish, Angela I. M. Barth, Tim Stearns, Anne-Claude Gingras, Jennifer T. Wang, Martha S. Cyert
Summary: By combining rapid proximity-dependent labeling with cell cycle synchronization, researchers mapped the spatial distribution of calcineurin in different cell cycle stages and found that it consistently associated with centrosomal and/or ciliary proteins. They also discovered that calcineurin directly associates with POC5 at the centriole and that calcineurin inhibitors alter POC5 distribution within the centriole lumen. These findings highlight a new role for calcineurin in the maintenance of cilia length.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Camila M. Aprosoff, Boris J. A. Dyakov, Vivian H. W. Cheung, Cassandra J. Wong, Mikaela Palandra, Anne-Claude Gingras, Haley D. M. Wyatt
Summary: The DNA repair scaffold SLX4 plays a pivotal role in maintaining genome stability, particularly in homologous recombination. Germline mutations in SLX4 are associated with Fanconi anemia, chromosome instability, and cancer susceptibility. By using BioID and AP-MS techniques, we identified 221 unique high-confidence interactors of SLX4, most of which are novel SLX4-binding proteins. This comprehensive SLX4 interactome provides insights into its role in DNA repair and reveals new cellular processes that may involve SLX4.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kevin W. Cormier, Brett Larsen, Anne-Claude Gingras, James R. Woodgett
Summary: The functional differences between the two isoforms of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a protein-serine/threonine kinase, are still not fully understood. While the isoforms are structurally similar and redundant, there is evidence for specific roles. This study aimed to identify novel GSK-3 interaction partners and compare the interactomes of the two isoforms using affinity purification and proximity-dependent biotinylation mass spectrometry methods. The results showed that the interactomes of the isoforms were highly similar in HEK293 cells, but there were differences in HeLa cells, suggesting isoform-specific associations with certain proteins.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Virology
Jonah Lin, Ryan Law, Chapin S. S. Korosec, Christine Zhou, Wan Hon Koh, Mohammad Sajjad Ghaemi, Philip Samaan, Hsu Kiang Ooi, Vitaliy Matveev, FengYun Yue, Anne-Claude Gingras, Antonio Estacio, Megan Buchholz, Patti Lou Cheatley, Avid Mohammadi, Rupert Kaul, Katerina Pavinski, Samira Mubareka, Allison J. J. McGeer, Jerome A. A. Leis, Jane M. M. Heffernan, Mario Ostrowski
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dmitri Segal, Stefan Maier, Giovanni J. Mastromarco, Wesley Wei Qian, Syed Nabeel-Shah, Hyunmin Lee, Gaelen Moore, Jessica Lacoste, Brett Larsen, Zhen-Yuan Lin, Abeeshan Selvabaskaran, Karen Liu, Craig Smibert, Zhaolei Zhang, Jack Greenblatt, Jian Peng, Hyun O. Lee, Anne-Claude Gingras, Mikko Taipale
Summary: This study maps the interactomes of all human 14-3-3 paralogs and characterizes their effect on client protein localization. It reveals that 14-3-3 proteins function as chaperone-like molecules and negatively regulate the localization and activity of certain proteins. These findings reshape our understanding of the function of 14-3-3 proteins.
Article
Microbiology
Yi-Chan J. Lin, David H. Evans, Ninette F. Robbins, Guillermo Orjuela, Kento T. Abe, Bhavisha Rathod, Karen Colwill, Anne-Claude Gingras, Ashleigh Tuite, Qi-Long Yi, Sheila F. O'Brien, Steven J. Drews
Summary: The study found that vaccinated individuals have a higher neutralizing capacity against Omicron BA.1 compared to unvaccinated individuals. Neutralization assays showed that plasma with a higher level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provides protection against Omicron BA.1 infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lucie Richard, Rosane Nisenbaum, Michael Brown, Michael Liu, Cheryl Pedersen, Jesse I. R. Jenkinson, Sharmistha Mishra, Stefan Baral, Karen Colwill, Anne-Claude Gingras, Allison McGeer, Stephen W. Hwang
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the incident infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 among people experiencing homelessness in Toronto in 2021 and 2022, and to assess factors associated with infection. The study found that the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 was high among homeless individuals, especially after the emergence of the Omicron variant. The study suggests the need for increased focus on homelessness prevention to better protect these communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sharon L. Walmsley, Leah Szadkowski, Bradly Wouters, Rosemarie Clarke, Karen Colwill, Paula Rochon, Michael Brudno, Rizanni Ravindran, Janet Raboud, Allison McGeer, Amit Oza, Christopher Graham, Amanda Silva, Dorin Manase, Peter Maksymowsky, Laura Parente, Roaya Monica Dayam, Jacqueline Simpson, Adrian Pasculescu, Anne-Claude Gingras
Summary: This study is a decentralized prospective cohort study that examines adverse events and antibody responses to COVID vaccines using dried blood spots. The study includes 911 older participants and 375 younger participants followed for 48 weeks. The results show that both age and the type of vaccine received influenced antibody responses, with higher levels seen in the older cohort and those who received mRNA-1273 vaccine.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tanya J. Murphy, Hanna Swail, Jaspreet Jain, Maureen Anderson, Philip Awadalla, Lesley Behl, Patrick E. Brown, Carmen L. Charlton, Karen Colwill, Steven J. Drews, Anne-Claude Gingras, Deena Hinshaw, Prabhat Jha, Jamil N. Kanji, Victoria A. Kirsh, Amanda L. S. Lang, Marc-Andre Langlois, Stephen Lee, Antoine Lewin, Sheila F. O'Brien, Chantale Pambrun, Kimberly Skead, David A. Stephens, Derek R. Stein, Graham Tipples, Paul G. Van Caeseele, Timothy G. Evans, Olivia Oxlade, Bruce D. Mazer, David L. Buckeridge
Summary: During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, less than 6% of reported cases in Canada were COVID-19. Despite high vaccine coverage achieved by fall 2021, the Omicron variant caused a surge in infections, overwhelming testing capacity and making it difficult to determine population immunity trajectory.
CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION JOURNAL
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claire Martin, James Knight, Kento Abe, Bhavish Rathod, Cassandra Wong, Brett Larson, Anne-Claude Gingras
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ci Wu, Jiao Lei, Fei Meng, Xingyao Wang, Cassandra J. Wong, Jiaxi Peng, Ge Lin, Anne-Claude Gingras, Junfeng Ma, Shen Zhang
Summary: This study explores the applicability of turboDDA for quantitative proteomics of trace samples and finds that turboDDA exhibits better sensitivity. The accuracy and reproducibility of iTRAQ-labeled trace samples are evaluated, showing improved quantification accuracy and reproducibility with turboDDA.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
