Article
Virology
Yu Wang, Ke Zhao, Yifei Zhao, Zihan Zhao, Shaohua Wang, Juan Du
Summary: The Nef protein expressed by HIV inhibits LINE-1 retrotransposition through two distinct mechanisms. It suppresses the promoter activity of LINE-1 59-UTR and reduces the expression levels of LINE-1 RNA and proteins. Additionally, it compromises the interaction between ORF1p and LINE-1 RNA. The G2A mutation can suppress the inhibitory effects of Nef, suggesting that membrane attachment is essential for Nef to suppress LINE-1.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yongjun Li, Paula Haynes, Shirley L. Zhang, Zhifeng Yue, Amita Sehgal
Summary: Steroid hormones, specifically ecdysone, act as long-range signals that enter the brain more at night through nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) and regulate sleep in Drosophila. The ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its downstream NHR Eip75B (E75) were found to function in glia to affect the rhythm and amount of sleep. This suggests that ecdysone acts as a systemic secreted factor that modulates sleep by stimulating lipid metabolism in cortex glia.
Article
Biology
Soumajit Dutta, Diwakar Shukla
Summary: Designing selective ligands for cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) is challenging due to their high sequence and structural similarities. In this study, we propose that the subtype selectivity can be explained by the binding of ligands to distinct conformational states between these receptors. By analyzing unbiased simulations using Markov state models and VAMPnets, we identify similarities and differences in the activation mechanism of CB1 and CB2. Our findings reveal the distinction in binding pocket volume changes during CB1 and CB2 activation and provide mechanistic insights into the subtype selectivity of agonists.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ahmet Acar, Ana Hidalgo-Sastre, Michael K. Leverentz, Christopher G. Mills, Simon Woodcock, Martin Baron, Giovanna M. Collu, Keith Brennan
Summary: Notch and Wnt are two essential signaling pathways in animals, with typically opposing effects on cell fate decisions. Notch can limit Wnt signaling through mechanisms at the cell membrane and in the cell nucleus, contributing to the robustness of cell fate decisions by sharpening the distinction between opposing Notch/Wnt responses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jeffrey Cockburn, Vincent Man, William A. Cunningham, John P. O'Doherty
Summary: This study aims to unravel the influence of novelty and uncertainty on the balance between exploration and exploitation. The study identifies separate mechanisms through which exploration is directed, showing that uncertainty-directed exploration is sensitive to the potential benefit of new information, while novelty-directed exploration is maintained regardless of potential advantages. Furthermore, using fMRI and computational framework, the study reveals that uncertainty-directed choice is rooted in an adaptive bias, while novelty persistently promotes exploration by inflating reward expectations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Petracovici, Roberto Bonasio
Summary: In the process of differentiation from ESCs to NPCs, PRC2 subunits MTF2 and JARID2 play distinct roles in Polycomb silencing, indicating that PRC2.1 and PRC2.2 have unique functions in maintaining and establishing Polycomb repression.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sarah Mackinnon, Viviane Page, Jennifer J. Chen, Ali Shariat-Panahi, Ryan D. Martin, Terence E. Hebert, Jason C. Tanny
Summary: Heterochromatin is a condensed chromatin structure that represses transcription, and its establishment requires transcription of heterochromatic sequences. In the model eukaryote Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the RNA polymerase II processivity factor Spt5 negatively regulates heterochromatin through its C-terminal domain. The phosphorylation and length of the Spt5 C-terminal domain have distinct regulatory effects on heterochromatin formation.
Article
Biology
Daniel A. Kramer, Heidy Y. Narvaez-Ortiz, Urval Patel, Rebecca Shi, Kang Shen, Brad J. Nolen, Julien Roche, Baoyu Chen, Alphee Michelot
Summary: Dendrite morphogenesis is critical for neural circuit formation, and the molecular mechanisms regulating complex dendrite branching are not well understood. Previous studies on Caenorhabditis elegans PVD sensory neurons have identified a membrane co-receptor complex that links extracellular signals to intracellular actin remodeling machinery, promoting high-order dendrite branching. In this study, the researchers conducted biochemical and structural analysis and found that the intracellular domain of the transmembrane protein HPO-30 plays a key role in regulating actin dynamics through both dimerization-dependent recruitment of the WAVE regulatory complex and direct binding to actin filaments. These findings provide insights into how membrane proteins integrate different mechanisms to fine-tune local actin dynamics.
Article
Developmental Biology
Valerie J. Robert, Matthieu Caron, Loic Gely, Annie Adrait, Victoria Pakulska, Yohann Coute, Manon Chevalier, Christian G. Riedel, Cecile Bedet, Francesca Palladino
Summary: The transcriptional co-regulator SIN3 plays a crucial role in regulating the germline transcriptome in Caenorhabditis elegans. Loss of SIN3 leads to maternal-effect sterility and de-silencing of X-linked genes. Different SIN3 complexes are identified, and SIN3 is found to be involved in silencing the X chromosome.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Florian Muckel, Stephan von Malottki, Christian Holl, Benjamin Pestka, Marco Pratzer, Pavel F. Bessarab, Stefan Heinze, Markus Morgenstern
Summary: Magnetic skyrmions have potential applications in memory, logic, and neuromorphic computing due to their topological protection caused by swirling spin textures. Understanding the microscopic mechanism of unwinding is crucial for enhancing the stability of skyrmions.
Article
Ophthalmology
Mandy K. Biles, Marcello Maniglia, Ishant S. Yadav, Jason E. Vice, Kristina M. Visscher
Summary: Participants with healthy vision were trained to develop a trained retinal locus (TRL) analogous to the preferred retinal locus (PRL) in patients with macular degeneration. Results showed retinotopically specific improvements in visual crowding only at the TRL, while visual acuity improved in both the TRL and an untrained retinal locus.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Georgii Pobegalov, Lee-Ya Chu, Jan-Michael Peters, Maxim I. Molodtsov
Summary: The spatial organization of DNA is facilitated by cohesin protein complexes, which move on DNA and extrude DNA loops. However, the mechanistic functioning of cohesin as a molecular machine is not well understood. In this study, we measured the mechanical forces generated by conformational changes in single cohesin molecules and found that bending of SMC coiled coils is driven by random thermal fluctuations, while ATPase head engagement occurs through an ATP dependent head-head movement. Our findings shed light on the force-generating mechanisms of cohesin and provide insights into the cohesin-DNA interaction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gabriel Mitchell, Melanie R. Silvis, Kelsey C. Talkington, Jonathan M. Budzik, Claire E. Dodd, Justin M. Paluba, Erika A. Oki, Kristine L. Trotta, Daniel J. Licht, David Jimenez-Morales, Seemay Chou, Paul B. Savage, Carol A. Gross, Michael A. Marletta, Jeffery S. Cox
Summary: The study found that although E. coli responded similarly to CAMPs and ceragenins, ceragenins have a unique mode of action, mainly modulating functions related to phosphate transport. Using the CRISPRi method, essential genes in the E. coli genome were identified that modify sensitivity to ceragenins, revealing the unique antimicrobial mechanism of ceragenins.
Article
Microbiology
Gabriel Mitchell, Melanie R. Silvis, Kelsey C. Talkington, Jonathan M. Budzik, Claire E. Dodd, Justin M. Paluba, Erika A. Oki, Kristine L. Trotta, Daniel J. Licht, David Jimenez-Morales, Seemay Chou, Paul B. Savage, Carol A. Gross, Michael A. Marletta, Jeffery S. Cox
Summary: This study compares the bacterial responses to CAMPs and ceragenins, revealing that these two classes of molecules have distinct mechanisms of action. While both induce envelope stress response in Escherichia coli, ceragenins specifically regulate functions related to phosphate transport. Essential genes that modify sensitivity to ceragenins were identified using CRISPRi interference. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the design principles for optimizing synthetic CAMPs.
Review
Hematology
Alexis L. Caulier, Vijay G. Sankaran
Summary: This article provides an overview of the complex process of erythropoiesis and the various mechanisms of regulation involved. It highlights the importance of both extrinsic and intrinsic regulation, as well as posttranscriptional regulation and gatekeeping mechanisms. The article also discusses the insights gained from studying genetic variation and the discovery of BCL11A as a regulator of hemoglobin switching. It concludes by discussing the potential for therapeutic modulation of erythropoiesis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abelardo Modrego, Taras Pasternak, Moutasem Omary, Alfonso Albacete, Antonio Cano, Jose Manuel Perez-Perez, Idan Efroni
Summary: The removal of the root system triggers the formation of new roots from the remaining shoot, a process primarily regulated by the phytohormone auxin. In this study, the tomato mutation rosette (ro) was found to have a deficiency in shoot-borne root formation and reduced auxin transport rates. The ro gene was identified as the tomato ortholog of BIG and UBR4/p600 genes, which are known to regulate auxin transport in Arabidopsis thaliana and calcium homeostasis in mammals. The study suggests that the RO/BIG protein maintains auxin flow by stabilizing the membrane localization of the auxin transporter PIN1, potentially through attenuating the inhibitory effect of calcium on cytoplasmic streaming.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Taras Pasternak, Klaus Palme, Jose Manuel Perez-Perez
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in plant biology, acting as important signal transduction molecules and as toxic byproducts of aerobic metabolism that accumulate in cells upon exposure to different stressors and lead to cell death. In this study, it was found that ROS is an important modulator of auxin distribution and response in plant roots. Genetic alterations in ROS balance led to defective auxin distribution and growth-related responses in roots.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zhengbao Zhu, Daoxia Guo, Kaixin Zhang, Pinni Yang, Yiming Jia, Mengyao Shi, Yanbo Peng, Jing Chen, Aili Wang, Tan Xu, Yonghong Zhang, Jiang He
Summary: Plasma osteoprotegerin is associated with poor prognosis of ischemic stroke. High levels of plasma osteoprotegerin are associated with increased risk of death and major disability. Genetically determined high plasma osteoprotegerin is associated with an increased risk of primary outcome.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shoujiang You, Yucong Bi, Mengyuan Miao, Anran Bao, Jigang Du, Tan Xu, Chun-Feng Liu, Yonghong Zhang, Jiang He, Yongjun Cao, Chongke Zhong
Summary: This study investigated the association between plasma soluble DPP4 (sDPP4) levels and poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The results showed that higher plasma sDPP4 levels were associated with decreased risk of cognitive impairment after noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. Adding sDPP4 to the basic model significantly improved risk reclassification for PSCI. Therefore, plasma sDPP4 levels play an important predictive role in the development of cognitive impairment after noncardioembolic ischemic stroke.
Article
Immunology
Qiongyu Chen, Yan Zhao, Yonghong Zhang, Jianbo Zhang, Wenshu Lu, Chih-Hao Chang, Shisong Jiang
Summary: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global pandemic with no cure identified yet. HIV-induced death of lymphocytes involves both necrosis and apoptosis. A pro-apoptotic TNF peptide (P13) inhibits HIV-related cell death and viral transmission, while a pro-necrotic TNF peptide (P16) has little effect. Understanding cell death mechanisms may provide drug targets to reduce CD4(+) cell loss and viral reservoir formation in HIV infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yonghong Zhang, Zhaozhao Liu, Haixiang Sun
Summary: A successful human pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate the semi-allogeneic fetus. Dysfunctional maternal-fetal interactions might be associated with the development of pregnancy complications. This review elaborates the interactions between trophoblasts and decidual immune cells, and the role of commensal bacteria in promoting pregnancy progression.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhuo Wang, Wenjie Ge, Yonghong Zhang, Bo Liu, Bin Liu, Shikai Jin, Yuzhu Li
Summary: Animal joint motion is a combination of rotation and translational motion, bringing advantages such as high stability and energy utilization. However, the simple motion characteristic of the hinge joint limits the improvement of the robot's motion performance. In this paper, a new bionic geared five-bar knee joint mechanism based on the kangaroo knee joint is proposed to improve energy utilization and reduce power demand.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Taras Pasternak, Jose Manuel Perez-Perez, Benedetto Ruperti, Tatiana Aleksandrova, Klaus Palme
Summary: Arabidopsis thaliana research often relies on in vitro culture media for studying plant responses to various signals. This study describes an optimized and nutritionally balanced culture medium that enables the growth and propagation of A. thaliana mutants, even those lacking a root system. The use of this protocol can avoid bias in phenotypic characterization during stress experiments.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Taras Pasternak, Stefan Kircher, Klaus Palme, Jose Manuel Perez-Perez
Summary: Root development is regulated by sucrose and light. Carbohydrate starvation during skotomorphogenesis leads to compaction of nuclei in the root apical meristem, hindering cell cycle progression and causing irreversible root differentiation. Adding carbohydrates promotes seedling growth. Transferring carbohydrate-grown seedlings from light to dark promotes cell elongation and reduces root meristem size. Carbohydrates are essential for cell cycle activity and auxin-regulated response in the root apical meristem.
Article
Oncology
Hao Peng, Helena Palma-Gudiel, Carolina Soriano-Tarraga, Jordi Jimenez-Conde, Mingzhi Zhang, Yonghong Zhang, Jinying Zhao
Summary: Altered DNA methylation of TRIM6, FLRT2, SOX1, SOX17, AGBL4, and FAM84A genes (increased) and TLN2 gene (decreased) were found to be associated with ischemic stroke in Chinese populations. Experimental evidence suggests these genes may be involved in endothelial cell adhesion and atherosclerosis.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Fanghua Liu, Pinni Yang, Yinan Wang, Mengyao Shi, Ruirui Wang, Qingyun Xu, Yanbo Peng, Jing Chen, Jintao Zhang, Aili Wang, Tan Xu, Yonghong Zhang, Jiang He
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between baseline platelet count and HS-CRP on clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke. The results showed an interaction effect between platelet count and HS-CRP on adverse clinical outcomes. Elevated platelet count was significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with high HS-CRP levels. Strategies for anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet therapy should be developed based on platelet and HS-CRP testing results.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yonghong Zhang, Huiyan Wang, Panpan Qiu, Jingwen Jiang, Xuhong Wu, Jie Mei, Haixiang Sun
Summary: Placental trophoblasts play a role in the regulation of regulatory T cells through the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, and decreased expression of PD-L1 in trophoblasts is associated with Treg deficiency in pregnancy failure. YY1 modulates the expression of PD-L1 in trophoblasts, and elevated levels of NO from M1 macrophages may lead to reduced YY1 expression in recurrent miscarriage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Immunology
Yonghong Zhang, Zhaozhao Liu, Haixiang Sun
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yonghong Zhang
Article
Oncology
Yu Wang, Fanghua Liu, Lulu Sun, Yiming Jia, Pinni Yang, Daoxia Guo, Mengyao Shi, Aili Wang, Guo-Chong Chen, Yonghong Zhang, Zhengbao Zhu
Summary: This study conducted a systematic Mendelian randomization analysis to identify potential causal mediators for breast cancer. The findings suggest that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and acetate may play a role in the risk of developing breast cancer. Furthermore, the analysis of side effects indicates that lowering HDL-C may have negative effects on the circulatory system and foreign body injury, while lowering acetate may have negative effects on mental disorders disease.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)