Article
Cell Biology
Yan-Li Li, Yan-Xue Li, Xiao-Pei Wang, Xin-Le Kang, Ke-Qin Guo, Du-Juan Dong, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiao-Fan Zhao
Summary: This study identified GPCRs that are upregulated at the metamorphic stage in Helicoverpa armigera and confirmed their roles in pupation using RNA interference and binding assays. The results showed that different GPCRs are involved in the regulation of gene expression by 20E hormone, integrating growth and development processes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Gui-Jie Wang, Wen-Wen Wang, Yu Liu, Lian-Qin Chai, Guo-Xiu Wang, Xu-Sheng Liu, Yu-Feng Wang, Jia-Lin Wang
Summary: In this study, a protein involved in the recognition of Ovomermis sinensis, a mermithid nematode, was identified and characterized, revealing its role in modulating cellular immunity against parasitic nematodes. The 20-hydroxyecdysone-HaEcR-HaUSP complex was found to play a crucial role in regulating this process, providing insights into host defense mechanisms against mermithid nematodes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julien Bous, Aurelien Fouillen, Helene Orcel, Stefano Trapani, Xiaojing Cong, Simon Fontanel, Julie Saint-Paul, Josephine Lai-Kee-Him, Serge Urbach, Nathalie Sibille, Remy Sounier, Sebastien Granier, Bernard Mouillac, Patrick Bron
Summary: Recent structural studies have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of GPCR-arrestin coupling, but it is unclear whether this process is conserved among different GPCRs. In this study, the cryo-electron microscopy active structure of the wild-type arginine-vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R) in complex with beta-arrestin1 was determined, revealing a unique arrangement of beta-arrestin1 and an interface involving all receptor intracellular loops. These findings suggest a significant structural variability among GPCR-arrestin signaling complexes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Angus Li, Samuel Liu, Rennica Huang, Seungkirl Ahn, Robert J. Lefkowitz
Summary: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate cellular signaling pathways by coupling to G proteins and beta-arrestins. SII, an analog of AngII, activates cellular signaling through beta-arrestin-2-dependent mechanisms but fails to activate G protein. However, overexpression of the receptor can distort the bias of ligands and may not accurately reflect their signaling profile in physiologically relevant contexts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya Zhuo, Valeria L. Robleto, Adriano Marchese
Summary: beta-arrestins are versatile adaptor proteins that regulate various aspects of G protein-coupled receptor signaling. By using APEX-based proximity labeling, potential novel beta-arrestin interacting partners were discovered. Our study demonstrates that beta arr1-APEX can interact with known interacting proteins and label known beta arr1-interacting partners upon agonist stimulation. This study highlights the value of beta arr1-APEX-based proximity labeling in identifying novel players involved in GPCR signaling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li-Hua Zhao, Jingyu Lin, Su-Yu Ji, X. Edward Zhou, Chunyou Mao, Dan-Dan Shen, Xinheng He, Peng Xiao, Jinpeng Sun, Karsten Melcher, Yan Zhang, Xiao Yu, H. Eric Xu
Summary: This study presents the structures of CRF2R bound to UCN1 and coupled to G proteins G(11) and G(o), and compares them with the structure of CRF2R bound to G(s), uncovering the structural differences that determine the selective coupling of G protein subtypes by CRF2R.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiao Min, Ningning Sun, Shujie Wang, Xiaohan Zhang, Kyeong-Man Kim
Summary: In addition to the conventional mechanism of desensitization, this study reveals that there is another desensitization pathway involving nuclear trafficking. This pathway is mediated by Src, PDK1, Akt, and USP33, and it attenuates receptor signaling.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Sheng-Yu Zhang, Han Gao, Ankarjan Askar, Xing-Peng Li, Guo-Cai Zhang, Tian-Zhong Jing, Hang Zou, Hao Guan, Yun-He Zhao, Chuan-Shan Zou
Summary: This study reveals that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) disrupts lipid metabolism in the fat body of Hyphantria cunea larvae, accelerating fatty acid beta-oxidation and promoting lipolysis. However, it negatively regulates gluconeogenesis.
Review
Immunology
Yi Wang, Cheng-long Zhu, Peng Li, Qiang Liu, Hui-ru Li, Chang-meng Yu, Xiao-ming Deng, Jia-feng Wang
Summary: Sepsis is a life-threatening dysfunction caused by an uncontrolled host response to infection, leading to respiratory dysfunction and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Neutrophils, the first line of defense against infection, play a major role in sepsis. However, studies have shown that despite high levels of chemokines at the site of infection, neutrophils cannot migrate properly and instead accumulate in the lungs, causing tissue damage and ARDS. Dysregulation of chemokine receptors, particularly G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), is implicated in impaired neutrophil migration. This review summarizes the signaling pathways and mechanisms by which GPCR dysfunction in sepsis leads to impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and proposes potential targets for intervention to improve neutrophil chemotaxis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya-Zhou He, Yike Ding, Xueli Wang, Zhen Zou, Alexander S. Raikhel
Summary: The transcription factor E93 plays a critical role in promoting blood meal digestion in female mosquitoes, with its upregulation in the midgut after a blood meal leading to the activation of key proteins involved in digestion and inhibition of others. This process is regulated by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, highlighting important mechanisms in disease-transmitting mosquitoes.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arun K. Shukla
Summary: This Special Issue of The FEBS Journal presents a series of review articles focusing on recent developments in the field of GPCR biology, with particular emphasis on novel paradigms of their activation, signaling, and regulation. These articles cover a wide range of cellular, physiological, and structural aspects related to GPCRs and their interactions with signal transducers, allosteric modulation, and emerging technologies for studying receptor signaling and regulation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue Gao, Suning Liu, Qiangqiang Jia, Lixian Wu, Dongwei Yuan, Emma Y. Li, Qili Feng, Guirong Wang, Subba R. Palli, Jian Wang, Sheng Li
Summary: The study reveals that JH membrane signaling phosphorylates USP at Ser35 through PKC activation, enhancing the regulation of 20E on fruit fly development. The uspS35A mutant with Ala substitution at Ser35 shows reduced body size and delayed developmental timing.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew J. Varney, Wouter Steyaert, Paul J. Coucke, Joris R. Delanghe, David E. Uehling, Babu Joseph, Richard Marcellus, Rima Al-awar, Jeffrey L. Benovic
Summary: A missense mutation in the GRK6 gene is associated with type 2 diabetes. GRK6 regulates insulin processing and secretion in a glucose-dependent manner and affects convertase expression and activity.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew J. Varney, Wouter Steyaert, Paul J. Coucke, Joris R. Delanghe, David E. Uehling, Babu Joseph, Richard Marcellus, Rima Al-awar, Jeffrey L. Benovic
Summary: Recent studies have found a link between a specific mutation in the GRK6 gene and type 2 diabetes. In the study, researchers used pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockdown to investigate the role of GRK6 in insulin dynamics. They found that inhibition of GRK5 and GRK6 increased insulin secretion but reduced insulin processing, while knockdown of GRK6 resulted in defects in insulin processing and reduced levels of cellular insulin. The study also explored how the specific mutation GRK6-P384S found in T2D patients affects insulin processing and found that it has a different distribution pattern in cells compared to normal GRK6. The findings suggest that GRK6 plays a role in regulating insulin processing and secretion, providing a better understanding of its contribution to T2D.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gizem Kayki-Mutlu, Walter J. Koch
Summary: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a crucial role in cell signaling, including heart functions such as myocyte contraction and coronary blood flow regulation. GPCRs are important drug targets for cardiovascular disorders, and their activity is regulated by GPCR kinases (GRKs). GRK2 and GRK5 are primarily expressed in the heart and contribute to cardiac pathology. Inhibiting the actions of these kinases can provide cardioprotective effects against cardiac dysfunction. The inhibition of GRKs has been extensively studied in heart failure, and this review summarizes the research focusing on GRK2 and GRK5, as well as other cardiac subtypes and their roles in heart disease.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yu-Xuan Zhang, Jin-Xing Wang, Xian-Wei Wang
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Fisheries
Li-Jie Huo, Ming-Chong Yang, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiu-Zhen Shi
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Yu-Qin Di, Xiao-Lin Han, Xin-Le Kang, Di Wang, Cai-Hua Chen, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiao-Fan Zhao
Summary: CTSD has dual functions in promoting cell proliferation and apoptosis, with its secretion determined by N233 glycosylation and expression promoted by 20E hormone. Autophagy triggers its maturation and localization inside cells, leading to activation of CASP3 and apoptosis. Its differential expression in tissues plays a role in determining cell fates during lepidopteran metamorphosis.
Review
Fisheries
Zhe Lin, Jia-Lin Wang, Yang Cheng, Jin-Xing Wang, Zhen Zou
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Fisheries
Jin-Xing Wang, Gerardo R. Vasta
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Review
Fisheries
Xian-Wei Wang, Gerardo R. Vasta, Jin-Xing Wang
DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Developmental Biology
Xin-Le Kang, Yan-Xue Li, Yan-Li Li, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiao-Fan Zhao
Summary: Animal steroid hormones can initiate signaling through G protein-coupled receptors. A newly discovered ecdysone-responsive GPCR, ErGPCR-3, plays a crucial role in the lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera. Under 20E induction, ErGPCR-3 forms a homotetramer to facilitate 20E entry into cells, transmitting the 20E signal and promoting metamorphosis.
Article
Immunology
Cang Li, Ming-Chong Yang, Pan-Pan Hong, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: The study revealed that after infection with White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the content of linoleic acid significantly increased in shrimp, suggesting its involvement in the shrimp's antiviral response. Further experiments demonstrated that oral administration of linoleic acid reduced WSSV proliferation in shrimp and increased shrimp survival rate.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Cang Li, Pan-Pan Hong, Ming-Chong Yang, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: This study identified the involvement of FOXO in systemic and cellular immunity regulation in invertebrates, specifically in shrimp. FOXO plays a critical role in maintaining hemolymph and intestinal microbiota homeostasis by promoting the expression of antimicrobial peptides and enhancing phagocytosis of hemocytes against pathogens. The study revealed the different functions of FOXO in mucosal and systemic antibacterial immunity of invertebrates, providing insights for disease prevention and control in aquaculture.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiao-Pei Wang, Zhen Huang, Yan-Li Li, Ke-Yan Jin, Du-Juan Dong, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiao-Fan Zhao
Summary: The regulation of glycometabolism homeostasis is crucial for maintaining health and development. This study used insects as a model and found that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) upregulated the expression of the transcription factor Klf15 to promote autophagy, apoptosis, and gluconeogenesis, thus maintaining glucose homeostasis.
Article
Virology
Peng-Yuan Lu, Guo-Juan Niu, Pan-Pan Hong, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: In shrimp, the LOXL protein plays a crucial role in antiviral and antibacterial innate immunity by enhancing the expression of antimicrobial peptides.
Article
Microbiology
Pan-Pan Hong, Cang Li, Guo-Juan Niu, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the mTORC1 signaling pathway in the replication of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Marsupenaeus japonicus. WSSV activates calmodulin, leading to the activation of mTORC1 and its downstream effector S6Ks for viral protein translation. This finding suggests that mTORC1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for controlling WSSV in shrimp aquaculture.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiu-Zhen Shi, Ming-Chong Yang, Xin-Le Kang, Yan-Xue Li, Pan-Pan Hong, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Gerardo R. Vasta, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: The activation of the IMD pathway, critical for host immunity, is mediated by the receptor SRB2 in crustaceans. Depletion of SRB2 leads to increased bacterial proliferation, shrimp mortality, and decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides. This previously unrecognized SRB2-IMD axis provides insight into the innate immune response in crustaceans and has implications for prevention and treatment strategies against shrimp diseases.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Peng Zhang, Hai-Jing Fu, Li-Xia Lv, Chen-Fei Liu, Chang Han, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: AMPK is found to play a significant role in the response of shrimp to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The study demonstrates that WSSV infection leads to upregulation of AMPK expression and phosphorylation. The findings suggest that WSSV exploits the host CaMKK-AMPK-mTORC2 pathway for its proliferation.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Pan-Pan Hong, Cang Li, Guo-Juan Niu, Xiao-Fan Zhao, Jin-Xing Wang
Summary: Previous studies have shown that the mTORC1 signaling pathway plays a role in antiviral functions or benefits viral replication, but the detailed mechanisms by which mTORC1 enhances viral infection are unclear. Our study reveals that WSSV utilizes the mTORC1 pathway for replication in shrimp, suggesting a potential clinical target for controlling WSSV in shrimp aquaculture.
Article
Cell Biology
Ke Mi, Lizhong Zeng, Yang Chen, Jingya Ning, Siyuan Zhang, Peilin Zhao, Shuanying Yang
Summary: In this study, the researchers explored the role of DHX38 in NSCLC and its underlying molecular mechanism. They found that DHX38 was overexpressed in NSCLC and patients with high DHX38 expression had poor prognosis. DHX38 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC and activated the MAPK pathway. The researchers also identified G3BP1 as a target protein that interacted with DHX38 and showed that DHX38 regulated the expression of G3BP1. Silencing G3BP1 reversed the effects of DHX38 overexpression on tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited the MAPK pathway activation.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Tiina A. Jokela, Mark A. Dane, Rebecca L. Smith, Kaylyn L. Devlin, Sundus Shalabi, Jennifer C. Lopez, Masaru Miyano, Martha R. Stampfer, James E. Korkola, Joe W. Gray, Laura M. Heiser, Mark A. Labarge
Summary: Microenvironment signals have a significant impact on cell fate and tissue homeostasis. Understanding how different microenvironment factors regulate cellular phenotype has been challenging. In this study, a high-throughput microenvironment microarray was used to identify factors that support the proliferation and maintenance of primary human mammary luminal epithelial cells. Multiple factors that modulate luminal cell number were identified and their effects were confirmed using RNA sequencing and cell-based functional studies. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was found to be robust to individual variation and played a role in expanding luminal cells. Our approach demonstrates the power of high-dimensional cell-based approaches in dissecting microenvironmental signals.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chao He, Yongfeng Ding, Yan Yang, Gang Che, Fei Teng, Haohao Wang, Jing Zhang, Donghui Zhou, Yanyan Chen, Zhan Zhou, Haiyong Wang, Lisong Teng
Summary: This study categorized gastric cancer patients into three stemness subtypes, each demonstrating distinct prognoses, components of tumor microenvironment (TME) infiltration, and varying sensitivity or resistance to treatment. A stemness risk model was constructed to predict treatment response and prognosis.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Haile Zhao, Lijuan Feng, Rui Cheng, Man Wu, Xiaozhou Bai, Lifei Fan, Yaping Liu
Summary: miR-29c-3p is overexpressed in benign and malignant ovarian carcinoma and is associated with poor prognosis. Its overexpression modulates tumorigenesis in ovarian cancer cells, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, migration, and invasion, through the regulation of DNMT3A, TET1, and HBP1. miR-29c-3p may serve as a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis or co-diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Haiyan Zhao, Fangfang Bi, Mengyuan Li, Yuhan Diao, Chen Zhang
Summary: This study confirmed the tumor suppressor effect of RNF180 on ovarian cancer, elucidated the mechanism of the molecule network related to RNF180 and IPO4 in ovarian cancer, and identified a new therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chu Chen, Guanhua Xu, Jiajia Chen, Chunshuai Wu, Jinlong Zhang, Jiawei Jiang, Hongxiang Hong, Zhiming Cui
Summary: This study investigated the role of transcription factor FoxO1 in facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) and found that FoxO1 deletion led to severe osteoarthritic changes. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and potential key contributors to FJOA. Additionally, over-expression of certain genes and inhibition of others were shown to counteract the impairments caused by FoxO1 deletion in chondrocyte migration and extracellular matrix synthesis. These findings help unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying FJOA and open up promising therapeutic avenues for its treatment.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Wen Deng, Ru Chen, Situ Xiong, Jianqiang Nie, Hailang Yang, Ming Jiang, Bing Hu, Xiaoqiang Liu, Bin Fu
Summary: This study demonstrates that circFSCN1 is upregulated in bladder cancer and associated with cancer-specific survival. CircFSCN1 promotes tumor progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer through enhancing MDM2-mediated silencing of p53 by sponging miR-145-5p.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Jun Wu, Weibin Hu, Wenhui Yang, Yihao Long, Kaizhao Chen, Fugui Li, Xiaodong Ma, Xun Li
Summary: Cholesterol biosynthesis and metabolism play critical roles in tumor development and microenvironmental conditions. Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE), the second rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, is found to be uniquely expressed in various cancers, and its expression level is closely associated with tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability. SQLE expression is negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration. Inhibition of SQLE alters the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, protein metabolism and translation are identified as main binding factors with SQLE.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhihong Zhang, Mingyue Li, Yi Tai, Yue Xing, Hongxiang Zuo, Xuejun Jin, Juan Ma
Summary: ZNF70 plays an important role in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) by regulating macrophages IL-1 beta secretion to promote HCT116 proliferation. It may serve as a promising target for treating CAC.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zenghong Wu, Gangping Li, Weijun Wang, Kun Zhang, Mengke Fan, Yu Jin, Rong Lin
Summary: This study comprehensively explored the role of immune checkpoints and tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer patients based on genomic data. It constructed an ICIs signature and ICI score to evaluate patient prognosis and heterogeneity.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Yantong Wan, Jieshu Zhou, Panpan Zhang, Xuemei Lin, Hao Li
Summary: This study found that Rac1 plays a role in astrocyte activation and attenuates chronic inflammatory pain by blocking the phosphorylation of NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-kappa B.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhen Wang, Diankun She, Lei Liu, Xianming Hua, Hao Zhu, Lingfeng Yu, Han Wang, Yan Zhu, Gentao Fan, Yicun Wang, Meng Xu, Guangxin Zhou
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that play a role in the regulation of various cancers, including osteosarcoma (OS). This study identified circSATB2 as a highly expressed circRNA in OS tissues and cell lines, and demonstrated its involvement in promoting OS proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, circSATB2 was found to regulate the progression of OS by sponging miR-661 and FUS to regulate ZNFX1 mRNA. These findings suggest that circSATB2 could serve as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Kenichi Ogata, Masafumi Moriyama, Tatsuya Kawado, Hiroki Yoshioka, Aiko Yano, Mayu Matsumura-Kawashima, Seiji Nakamura, Shintaro Kawano
Summary: This study found that extracellular vesicles released by induced pluripotent stem cells can reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, increase saliva volume, and decrease the production of antibodies associated with Sjogren's syndrome in a mouse model. The let-7 family in these vesicles may suppress the expression of TLR4 and NF-kappa B, which leads to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production through the MAPK pathway.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Mikayla R. Erdelsky, Sarah A. Groves, Charmi Shah, Samantha B. Delios, M. Bibiana Umana, Donald H. Maurice
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that cAMP signaling within the primary cilium plays a crucial role in promoting adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In this study, the researchers identified the specific cAMP phosphodiesterases expressed by these cells and found that inhibition of PDE4 promotes FFAR4-mediated adipogenesis. This work could potentially lead to the discovery of more targeted therapeutic approaches for controlling adipogenesis and differentiation of other stem cells.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Chun-Hui Liu, Jun-Jie Zhang, Qian-Jin Zhang, Yang Dong, Zhen-Duo Shi, Si-Hao Hong, Hou-Guang He, Wei Wu, Cong-Hui Han, Lin Hao
Summary: Bladder cancer, the most common malignant tumor in the urinary system, is associated with significantly up-regulated expression of P3H4, which is regulated by METTL3 and plays a crucial role in the proliferation, metastasis, and EMT progression of bladder cancer. Targeting this METTL3-P3H4 pathway may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2024)
