Article
Cell Biology
Pai Li, Ze Zhang, Yiying Tong, Bardees M. Foda, Brad Day
Summary: Li and Zhang et al. introduce Implicit Laplacian of Enhanced Edge (ILEE), an algorithm and toolbox for unbiased, quantitative, and cytoskeletal image analysis. ILEE solves historical challenges and improves the accuracy, stability, and robustness of cytoskeletal quantification, as well as extending the number of quantifiable cytoskeletal features.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sam Dunkley, Kathleen Scheffler, Binyam Mogessie
Summary: The actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in mammalian oocytes and zygotes have distinct forms at various subcellular locations, allowing for different functions within the same cell. Recent discoveries, aided by tools such as light-sensitive microscopy assays, have shed light on the form and function of these cytoskeletons in female reproductive cell biology. These findings include unexpected involvement of F-actin in oocyte chromosome segregation, oocyte-specific spindle self-organization modes, and the existence of nuclear actin polymers with emerging functions. Functional actin-microtubule interactions have also been identified as crucial for mammalian embryo development. Additionally, age-related changes in chromosome structure and dynamics that increase the risk of aneuploidy in mammalian eggs have been uncovered.
CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Komaki Ninomiya, Kai Ohta, Kazunari Yamashita, Kensaku Mizuno, Kazumasa Ohashi
Summary: PLEKHG4B plays a crucial role in epithelial cell-cell junction formation by regulating actin remodeling and modulating the activities of Cdc42 and RhoA. Knockdown of PLEKHG4B leads to open junctions and aberrant myosin activity.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shrikant Harne, Pananghat Gayathri
Summary: Fibril is a constitutive filament-forming cytoskeletal protein exclusive to Spiroplasma. The mechanism driving conformational changes in Fibril remains unknown. The purified Fibril filaments were found to consist of folded globular domains, rather than β-strand-based aggregation like amyloid fibrils.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liyuan Xu, Lingyan Cao, Jiejie Li, Christopher J. Staiger
Summary: By combining genetic and small molecule inhibitor approaches, this study reveals the roles of two classes of actin filament nucleator in maintaining the homeostatic cortical cytoskeleton array in Arabidopsis epidermal cells. The findings suggest that multiple actin nucleation mechanisms cooperate to generate and maintain the unique cytoskeletal arrays within a common cytoplasm.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Natalia Malek, Aleksandra Michrowska, Ewa Mazurkiewicz, Ewa Mrowczynska, Pawel Mackiewicz, Antonina J. Mazur
Summary: The newly discovered actbl2 forms complexes with gelsolin and can polymerize in human melanoma cells. It is considered the seventh actin isoform and plays a crucial role in cell motility. The divergence of actin groups started at the beginning of vertebrate evolution with actbl2 characterized by the largest number of non-conserved amino acid substitutions among all actins.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bhagyashree D. Rao, Parijat Sarkar, Amitabha Chattopadhyay
Summary: The mechanism of action of local anesthetics is not fully understood, with theories suggesting direct interaction with membrane proteins and modulation of membrane physical properties. The role of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in local anesthetic action is a new area of research. Results show that tetracaine has a pronounced effect on the serotonin(1A) receptor and F-actin levels, providing new insights into the action of local anesthetics.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Rashmi Yadav, Jyoti Oswalia, Anu Ghosh, Ranjana Arya
Summary: GNE myopathy is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the GNE gene. This study aims to understand and compare the effects of different GNE mutations from Indian origin on the regulation of the cytoskeletal network and cell migration. The quantitative and visualized experimental results reveal the functional differences of GNE mutations, offering potential therapeutic molecules for the treatment of the disease.
NEUROMOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Maryna Kapustina, Donna Li, James Zhu, Brittany Wall, Violetta Weinreb, Richard E. Cheney
Summary: Each cell possesses a substantial amount of cell surface excess (CSE) that can be deployed to cover cell extensions and allow rapid changes in morphology. Microtubules (MTs) play a significant role in regulating the storage and release of CSE, impacting cell dynamics and cell shape changes. This finding has implications for understanding cell biomechanics and cell migration.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Waring Trible, Vikram Chandra, Kip D. Lacy, Gina Limon, Sean K. McKenzie, Leonora Olivos-Cisneros, Samuel V. Arsenault, Daniel J. C. Kronauer
Summary: Most ant species have queens and workers, yet the mechanisms behind the developmental and genetic differences between these castes are not well understood. A study on a clonal ant discovered a variant strain that shows queen-like traits in individuals that would normally become workers. These variants rely on workers in wild-type colonies for survival and resemble obligately parasitic ants. This finding provides new insights into the evolution of ant social parasites and the molecular mechanisms of caste differentiation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Han-qing Liang, Toru Katoh, Kosei Sato, Daisuke Yamamoto, Shuo-yang Wen
Summary: While epigamic traits may evolve through sexual selection, the mechanism leading to the internal sexual dimorphism in fruit flies is still not fully understood. By comparing the abdominal musculature of different species, it was found that a sexually dimorphic muscle exists in 19 species. The ancestral state reconstruction showed that this neuromuscular sexual dimorphism was present in an ancient ancestor of the montium group but was lost in some more recent common ancestors before being regained in certain species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Ryota Sakamoto, Makito Miyazaki, Yusuke T. Maeda
Summary: This study reports the transition between different modes of cytoplasmic actomyosin networks: steady actin flow and periodic actin waves. The critical factors for this transition are contractility and actin polymerization rate. This study provides an integrative understanding of the distinct pattern formation of active gels confined in cell-sized spaces.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Ilario Puglia, Michele Balsamo, Marco Vukich, Valfredo Zolesi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Matteo Lulli, Francesca Cialdai, Leonardo Vignali, Monica Monici, Sara Luzzi, Alessandro Cicconi, Stefano Cacchione, Alberto Magi, Federico Di Gesualdo, Michele Balsamo, Marco Vukich, Gianluca Neri, Alessandro Donati, Sergio Capaccioli
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Silvia Bradamante, Damariz Rivero, Livia Barenghi, Michele Balsamo, Simone Paolo Minardi, Francesco Vitali, Duccio Cavalieri
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiziana Parisi, Michele Balsamo, Frank Gertler, Jacqueline A. Lees
MOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandra Gambacurta, Giulia Merlini, Cristina Ruggiero, Giacomo Diedenhofen, Natalia Battista, Monica Bari, Michele Balsamo, Sara Piccirillo, Giovanni Valentini, Gabriele Mascetti, Mauro Maccarrone
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Cristofaro, G. Pani, B. Pascucci, A. Mariani, M. Balsamo, A. Donati, G. Mascetti, G. Rea, A. M. Rizzo, L. Visai
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Amelia K. Pollard, Christopher J. Gaffney, Colleen S. Deane, Michele Balsamo, Michael Cooke, Rebecca A. Ellwood, Jennifer E. Hewitt, Beata E. Mierzwa, Alessandro Mariani, Siva A. Vanapalli, Timothy Etheridge, Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
Article
Microbiology
Rosa Santomartino, Annemiek C. Waajen, Wessel de Wit, Natasha Nicholson, Luca Parmitano, Claire-Marie Loudon, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Kai Finster, Ilse Coninx, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Valfredo Zolesi, Michele Balsamo, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano S. Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Natalie Leys, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Bernd Rattenbacher, Rene Demets, Charles S. Cockell
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Charles S. Cockell, Rosa Santomartino, Kai Finster, Annemiek C. Waajen, Natasha Nicholson, Claire-Marie Loudon, Lorna J. Eades, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Natalie Leys, Ilse Coninx, Jason Hatton, Luca Parmitano, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Jon Ochoa, Pia Sen, James A. J. Watt, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Bernd Rattenbacher, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Rene Demets
Summary: The study found that under different gravity conditions, Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Bacillus subtilis enhanced the leaching of vanadium by 184.92% to 283.22% compared to sterile controls. Gravity did not significantly affect the mean leaching rate, demonstrating the potential for biomining on Solar System objects.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Giada Graziana Genchi, Andrea Degl'Innocenti, Chiara Martinelli, Matteo Battaglini, Daniele De Pasquale, Mirko Prato, Sergio Marras, Giammarino Pugliese, Filippo Drago, Alessandro Mariani, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Gianni Ciofani
Summary: The study showed that cerium oxide nanoparticles may have a protective role against oxidative stress in space environments, with cosmic radiations having a stronger impact on gene expression than microgravity. Interestingly, the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiations at the transcriptional level appeared to be opposite, with cosmic radiations promoting increased cellular catabolism.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Cialdai, Davide Bolognini, Leonardo Vignali, Nicola Iannotti, Stefano Cacchione, Alberto Magi, Michele Balsamo, Marco Vukich, Gianluca Neri, Alessandro Donati, Monica Monici, Sergio Capaccioli, Matteo Lulli
Summary: This study aimed to explore the cellular and molecular effects of human retinal pigment ARPE-19 cells transferred to and living on board the ISS for 3 days, with a focus on the adaptations and dysfunction exhibited by the cells in response to the space environment. Results indicated that the cells showed cytoskeleton remodeling and transcriptomic profile changes, suggesting a cellular response to the unique conditions of space. Additionally, treatment with coenzyme Q10 showed potential for increasing cell resistance to damage.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Desire Pantalone, Giulia Satu Faini, Francesca Cialdai, Elettra Sereni, Stefano Bacci, Daniele Bani, Marco Bernini, Carlo Pratesi, PierLuigi Stefano, Lorenzo Orzalesi, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Monica Monici
Summary: As human space missions move towards deep space exploration and missions to other planets, new challenges have emerged in terms of crew health, such as the effects of weightlessness and radiation, behavioral health decrements, and communication latency. To address these challenges and provide better medical care for crew members, developing a multi-function surgical robot has become a key focus in research and space exploration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Cialdai, Stefano Bacci, Virginia Zizi, Aleandro Norfini, Michele Balsamo, Valerio Ciccone, Lucia Morbidelli, Laura Calosi, Chiara Risaliti, Lore Vanhelden, Desiree Pantalone, Daniele Bani, Monica Monici
Summary: This study investigated the influence of low gravity on the healing of sutured human skin and vein wounds. The results showed that the tissue explants remained viable for an extended period of time and exhibited typical events associated with wound repair. This validates the suitability of the ex vivo organ culture system for wound healing studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ester Sara Di Filippo, Sara Chiappalupi, Michele Balsamo, Marco Vukich, Guglielmo Sorci, Stefania Fulle
Summary: The study aims to investigate the effects of real microgravity on the differentiation capacity of human muscle precursor cells. The results will be helpful in preventing or counteracting muscle atrophy. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to instability in organs and tissues, including excessive muscle atrophy, and affect the functionality of satellite cells.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charles S. Cockell, Rosa Santomartino, Kai Finster, Annemiek C. Waajen, Lorna J. Eades, Ralf Moeller, Petra Rettberg, Felix M. Fuchs, Rob Van Houdt, Natalie Leys, Ilse Coninx, Jason Hatton, Luca Parmitano, Jutta Krause, Andrea Koehler, Nicol Caplin, Lobke Zuijderduijn, Alessandro Mariani, Stefano S. Pellari, Fabrizio Carubia, Giacomo Luciani, Michele Balsamo, Valfredo Zolesi, Natasha Nicholson, Claire-Marie Loudon, Jeannine Doswald-Winkler, Magdalena Herova, Bernd Rattenbacher, Jennifer Wadsworth, R. Craig Everroad, Rene Demets
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)