Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhanar Narmuratova, Faiez Hentati, Jean-Michel Girardet, Meyramkul Narmuratova, Celine Cakir-Kiefer
Summary: This article investigates the antioxidant properties of purified lactoferrin from Kazakhstan mare's milk, revealing its ability to scavenge free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and chelate divalent pro-oxidant metals.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentyn Dzyhovskyi, Kamila Stokowa-Soltys
Summary: Transition metal ions, such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel, play essential roles in various biological processes. Bacteria have developed mechanisms for acquiring and transporting these ions involving proteins and smaller molecules. FeoB is a representative protein belonging to the Feo family involved in ferrous iron transport, which is poorly described in Gram-positive pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. This study characterized the binding modes of Cu(II), Fe(II), and Zn(II) to FeoB fragments using potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques, and found that all studied ligands can form stable complexes with transition metal ions, with Ac-ETSHDKY-NH2 peptide showing the most effective metal ion binding.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ilaria Armenia, Jesus G. Ovejero, Nicoll Zeballos Lema, Fernando Lopez-Gallego, F. Javier Palomares, Sabino Veintemillas-Verdaguer, Jesus M. de la Fuente, M. Puerto Morales, Valeria Grazu
Summary: This article describes an innovative procedure to functionalize MNPs by growing a thin layer of TM2+ hydroxides on the MNP surface, which enhances the surface interaction with the protein and achieves oriented protein binding. The one-step Co coated MNPs showed the highest selectivity and specificity towards His-tags compared to the conventional NTA-TM2+ coating. This coating reduces the functionalization steps and increases the immobilization yields of His-tagged proteins.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sukwasa Chakniramol, Andreas Wierschem, Man-Gi Cho, Khawaja Muhammad Imran Bashir
Summary: Biological molecules in nutraceuticals and functional foods have physiological properties to treat chronic diseases and prevent food spoilage. Marine animal-derived bioactive peptides have potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries and are known for their high bioactivities against human diseases. However, there is a lack of systematic study on the physiological and clinical significance of these peptides.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lifei He, Hanhan Ma, Wenhua Song, Zhongle Zhou, Chunjie Ma, Haiyan Zhang
Summary: Copper acquisition and delivery are important processes, but cellular levels of copper must be controlled due to its potential toxicity. The COPT1 protein is involved in high affinity copper uptake in Arabidopsis cells, and the residue His43 in its extracellular domain is critical for this activity. Substitution of His43 with certain amino acids almost inactivated the transport function of COPT1, indicating that it does not serve as a copper ligand. Deletion of all extracellular metal-binding residues blocked copper-stimulated degradation but did not affect the subcellular distribution and multimerization of COPT1. Mutation of His43 to certain amino acids retained transporter activity but led to protein instability and degradation in Arabidopsis cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Carolyn D. Ruppel, Thomas C. Weber, Erica R. Staaterman, Stanley J. Labak, Patrick E. Hart
Summary: This study describes the quantitative factors that affect marine species in addition to received sound levels, divides marine acoustic sources into four tiers based on physical criteria, and provides evaluation methods.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher B. Ball, Mrutyunjaya Parida, Juan F. Santana, Benjamin M. Spector, Gustavo A. Suarez, David H. Price
Summary: This study investigates the functional characterization of Gdown1 in human cells. It is found that Gdown1 predominantly resides in the cytoplasm of interphase cells and enters the nucleus at the onset of mitosis. Depletion of Gdown1 is associated with de-repression of mitotic transcription, aberrant mitoses, and activation of the p53 pathway.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario Garcia-Risco, Sara Calatayud, Michael Niederwanger, Ricard Albalat, Oscar Palacios, Merce Capdevila, Reinhard Dallinger
Summary: Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins responsible for metal homeostasis and detoxification. The apple snail Pomacea bridgesii has two structurally divergent MTs, PbrMT1 and PbrMT2, which show unspecific metal-binding character and great ability to cope with different metal ions. PbrMT1 has a more pronounced Zn-thionein character, while PbrMT2 has a stronger Cu-thionein character. The study supports the loss of metal-binding specificity in the evolution of Ampullariid family MTs and suggests an evolutionary link with the adaptation to metal-poor freshwater habitats.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Tomomitsu Hatakeyama, Hideaki Unno
Summary: Due to their remarkable structural diversity, glycans play important roles as recognition molecules on cell surfaces. On the other hand, lectins recognize and bind to the diverse structures of glycans and induce various biological reactions. However, our understanding of lectins in marine animals, particularly marine invertebrates, remains limited.
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoxiao Ouyang, Xueyun Wang, Pan Li, Qin Huang, Li Zhou, Jingxiang Li, Li Gao, Qi Sun, Fangni Chai, Shupan Guo, Zhihui Zhou, Xin Liu, Lunzhi Dai, Wei Cheng, Haiyan Ren
Summary: In this study, the host protein ZPR1 was identified as an interacting partner of the EPEC effector NleE through protein crosslinking. It was found that ZPR1 regulates CHOP-mediated UPRER at the transcriptional level through liquid-liquid phase separation. Interestingly, NleE disrupts the binding ability of ZPR1 with K63-ubiquitin chains, which promotes its liquid-liquid phase separation. Further analysis showed that EPEC restricts host UPRER pathways at the transcription level in a cascade-dependent manner between NleE and ZPR1. Overall, this study reveals the mechanism by which EPEC interferes with CHOP-UPRER through regulating ZPR1 to facilitate immune evasion.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shiping Bai, Sumei Cao, Xuelian Ma, Xiaofei Li, Xiudong Liao, Liyang Zhang, Minhong Zhang, Rijun Zhang, Shuisheng Hou, Xugang Luo, Lin Lu
Summary: Organic Fe sources with stronger chelation strength showed higher Fe absorption in broilers in vivo. The mRNA expression of Fe and amino acid transporters varied along with the extension of the small intestine. The absorption of Fe as organic Fe chelates was not mediated by the amino acid transporters.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shuming Mo, Bing Yan, Tingwei Gao, Jinhui Li, Muhammad Kashif, Jingjing Song, Lirong Bai, Dahui Yu, Jianping Liao, Chengjian Jiang
Summary: Shotgun metagenome sequencing allows for the exploration of underexplored rare populations and difficult-to-elucidate biochemical pathways. The SMDB database provides a curated collection of sulfur genes obtained through an in-depth review of scientific literature, which can be used to analyze microbial diversity and sulfur metabolism in different habitats.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zoe A. Doubleday, Jasmin C. Martino, Clive Trueman
Summary: This article discusses the use of natural chemical markers as universally applicable provenancing tools for marine animals. It demonstrates the concept using stable oxygen isotopes bound within calcium carbonate biominerals and suggests integrating this concept within a spatial modelling framework to tackle seafood provenance challenges.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Xingqi Chen, Yuanchun Zhao, Yuqing Zhong, Jiajia Chen, Xin Qi
Summary: The role of transporters in subcellular metal transport is of great significance for plants in coping with heavy metal stress and maintaining their proper growth and development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Clara Navarro, Anais Janc, Geraldine Lassalle, Patrick Lambert, Chloe Dambrine
Summary: The study developed marine species distribution models for Allis shad and European flounder, highlighting the importance of understanding their use of the marine environment. Current marine habitats of these species are mainly in coastal areas but are expected to experience minimal changes by mid-century, with potential new habitats at higher latitudes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Chie Umatani, Nagisa Yoshida, Eri Yamamoto, Yasuhisa Akazome, Yasutaka Mori, Shinji Kanda, Kataaki Okubo, Yoshitaka Oka
Summary: Animals use multiple sensory cues to perform sexual behaviors, but the neural mechanisms behind integrating these cues and regulating motivation for sexual behaviors are not well understood. This study focuses on TN-GnRH neurons, which co-express NPFF and GnRH3, and demonstrates their role in modulating certain neuronal circuits for controlling behavioral motivation. Specifically, NPFF activates neurons in the preoptic area, leading to an increase in motivation for male sexual behaviors. These findings contribute to our understanding of the functional significance of peptidergic neuromodulation in response to sensory information from the external environments.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kana Ikegami, Sho Kajihara, Chie Umatani, Mikoto Nakajo, Shinji Kanda, Yoshitaka Oka
Summary: Using a non-mammalian model of medaka, it was found that 17 beta-estradiol could promote the upregulation of GnRH1 neuronal activity, triggering the GnRH surge, and the combined action of estrogen and time signals is crucial for triggering ovulation at the appropriate time.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Yoshioka, Hiroshi Yamashita, Go Suzuki, Chuya Shinzato
Summary: Research found that Acropora corals tend to select a single species of symbiont, Symbiodinium microadriaticum, in early life stages, even though this species is rarely found in mature colonies. When coral larvae were exposed to native symbionts, the gene expression gradually changed, with upregulation of pattern recognition receptor-like and transporter genes, and suppression of cellular function genes related to immunity and apoptosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Suhaila Rusni, Mieko Sassa, Toshiyuki Takagi, Masato Kinoshita, Yusuke Takehana, Koji Inoue
Summary: This study knocked out the important enzyme gene Cyp1a using the CRISPR/Cas 9 system and found that the metabolites transformed by Cyp1a may have lower toxicity, providing a better understanding of the degradation and metabolism of environmental pollutants in fish.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shingo Hiroki, Hikari Yoshitane, Hinako Mitsui, Hirofumi Sato, Chie Umatani, Shinji Kanda, Yoshitaka Fukada, Yuichi Iino
Summary: This study reveals the synaptic plasticity-based migration mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans, where the experienced and currently perceived salt concentration difference is encoded by the salt-sensing neuron ASER, affecting the postsynaptic response of reorientation-initiating neurons and guiding animals towards the experienced concentration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kodai Gibu, Eri Ikeuchi, Tomoko Bell, Takashi Nakamura, Yuki Yoshioka, Atsushi Suzuki, Akira Iguchi
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of symbiotic algae in coral colonies with different calcification rates. The results suggest that coral calcification rates may be attributed to genetic factors of coral hosts themselves and/or within symbiont genotypes.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suppakarn Jandang, Voranop Viyakarn, Yuki Yoshioka, Chuya Shinzato, Suchana Chavanich
Summary: This study conducted the first annual investigation of the density and diversity of Symbiodiniaceae associated with two coral species in the Gulf of Thailand. The results showed that the density of zooxanthellae differed between the coral species and was negatively correlated with light intensity. Each coral species was found to associate with different genera/species of Symbiodiniaceae, indicating their adaptation to local environmental stressors.
Article
Microbiology
Toshiyuki Takagi, Kako Aoyama, Keisuke Motone, Shunsuke Aburaya, Hideyuki Yamashiro, Natsuko Miura, Koji Inoue
Summary: The study developed a method to manipulate the microbiome of corals, favoring the growth of pigmented bacteria. The presence of these bacteria helped the microalgae maintain better photosynthetic function under light stress. The study also discovered a symbiotic relationship between dinoflagellates and bacteria, where they mutually reduce environmental stress.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reo Yokokawa, Kana Watanabe, Shinji Kanda, Yoshihide Nishino, Shigeki Yasumasu, Kaori Sano
Summary: Teleost oocytes are surrounded by a structure called chorion or egg envelopes, which is composed of zona pellucida (ZP) proteins. In teleost, the expression site of the zp genes, coding the major component protein of egg envelopes, changed from the ovary to the maternal liver. Ovary-expressed zp genes are conserved in all teleosts and are essential for the initiation of egg envelope formation.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Naohisa Wada, Akira Iguchi, Yuta Urabe, Yuki Yoshioka, Natsumi Abe, Kazuki Takase, Shuji Hayashi, Saeko Kawanabe, Yui Sato, Sen-Lin Tang, Nobuhiro Mano
Summary: Black band disease (BBD) in corals is characterized by a band-like microbial mat that spreads and kills infected colonies. The microbial mat contains cyanobacteria, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB), sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and other microbes. The migration rate of BBD varies with environmental conditions and is correlated with the relative abundance of potential SOBs within the mat. This study highlights the importance of the microbial composition in BBD in determining its virulence.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hiroki Kise, Akira Iguchi, Naoki Saito, Yuki Yoshioka, Koji Uda, Tomohiko Suzuki, Atsushi J. Nagano, Atsushi Suzuki, Nozomu Iwasaki
Summary: The genetic population structure of Corallium japonicum in the Northwest Pacific was examined using RAD-seq. Gene flow was found to be widespread, but larval dispersal simulations revealed limited gene flow between certain populations. The findings of this study provide valuable information for the effective management of C. japonicum.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Taiga Uchida, Yuki Yoshioka, Yu Yoshida, Manabu Fujie, Ayuta Yamaki, Akira Sasaki, Koji Inoue, Chuya Shinzato
Summary: In this study, the genome and gene models of Lamellibrachia satsuma were analyzed to gain insights into the unique lifestyle of vestimentiferan tubeworms. Tissue-specific transcriptome sequencing revealed the importance of Toll-like receptor genes and bacteriolytic enzyme genes in defense against pathogens, and the role of globin subunit genes in haemoglobin biosynthesis. Expanded gene families, such as chitinases, ion channels, and C-type lectins, were also discovered, highlighting their significance in vestimentiferans.
Article
Biology
Yuki Yoshioka, Yi-Ling Chiu, Taiga Uchida, Hiroshi Yamashita, Go Suzuki, Chuya Shinzato
Summary: This study investigates the transcriptomic responses of coral during early life stages after inoculation with symbiotic algae and identifies possible symbiosis-related genes. Genes involved in immune regulation, protection against oxidative stress, and metabolic interactions are particularly important for symbiosis during early life stages. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggests that gene duplication may have played a role in establishing stable mutualism in coral, and symbiotic molecular mechanisms may vary among different coral lineages.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Megumi Matsuo, Makoto Matsuyama, Tomoe Kobayashi, Shinji Kanda, Satoshi Ansai, Taichi Kawakami, Erika Hosokawa, Yutaka Daido, Takehiro G. Kusakabe, Kiyoshi Naruse, Shoji Fukamachi
Summary: The study aimed to assess the effects of SWS1 deficiency on retinal structure using sws1-mutant medaka. The results showed that the deletion of SWS1 did not cause retinal degeneration and had no impact on the expression of long wavelength sensitive opsin.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Yuki Yoshioka, Go Suzuki, Yuna Zayasu, Hiroshi Yamashita, Chuya Shinzato
Summary: Lineage-specific gene families played an important role in the establishment of the genus Montipora, particularly genes expressed throughout early life stages, which under positive selection, gave rise to unique biological traits in Montipora. These findings provide insights into the evolution of symbiosis in stony corals and the physiological basis of coral reefs.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)