Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fei Jin, Yichen Huang, Motoyuki Hattori
Summary: Magnesium ions play vital roles in various physiological processes and their homeostasis is tightly regulated by channels and transporters. This review provides an overview of magnesium ion channels and transporters and discusses the prospects of structural biology in this field.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Margherita Festa, Velia Minicozzi, Anna Boccaccio, Laura Lagostena, Antonella Gradogna, Tianwen Qi, Alex Costa, Nina Larisch, Shin Hamamoto, Emanuela Pedrazzini, Stefan Milenkovic, Joachim Scholz-Starke, Matteo Ceccarelli, Alessandro Vitale, Petra Dietrich, Nobuyuki Uozumi, Franco Gambale, Armando Carpaneto
Summary: This review focuses on current methods used to unravel the functional properties of lysosomal ion channels and transporters, evaluating their advantages, disadvantages, and fields of applicability.
Review
Cell Biology
Ruoxi Zhang, Rui Kang, Daniel J. Klionsky, Daolin Tang
Summary: Ion exchange between intracellular and extracellular spaces is crucial for cell metabolism and signal transduction. Autophagy, as a lysosomal-dependent degradation pathway, regulates cellular homeostasis through recycling of components and is influenced by ion channels and transporters. ATG proteins are central to the formation of autophagy-related structures, while the regulation of autophagy in mammalian cells involves ion channels and transporters.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sifan Chen, Changjia Zhu, Weipeng Xian, Xinyu Liu, XiaoLong Liu, Qinghua Zhang, Shengqian Ma, Qi Sun
Summary: The study presents a facile strategy to fabricate angstrom-sized functional pores by incorporating ionic elements into three-dimensional covalent organic framework channels. The resulting membranes exhibit excellent permselectivity and low membrane resistance, showing potential for harvesting salinity gradient energy. Additionally, a reverse electrodialysis device coupled with positive and negative dye encapsulated COF membranes achieved a power density of up to 51.4 W m(-2), surpassing the commercialization benchmark.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Georgina To'a Salazar, Ziyi Huang, Ningyan Zhang, Xue-Guang Zhang, Zhiqiang An
Summary: Analysis of protein families shows membrane-associated GPCRs as dominant drug targets, with challenges in developing specific antibodies due to complexity and uniqueness of amino acid sequences. Addressing these challenges requires design of antigens, antibody generation strategies, lead optimization technologies, and antibody modalities, but approved biologics for targeting complex membrane proteins are limited.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peipei Zuo, Ziang Xu, Qing Zhu, Jin Ran, Liang Ge, Xiaolin Ge, Liang Wu, Zhengjin Yang, Tongwen Xu
Summary: Ion exchange membranes play a crucial role in various applications, but there is a tradeoff between their performance and selectivity, hindering their development. To overcome this, extensive research efforts are focused on constructing and tuning ion transport channels. This review outlines and summarizes strategies in this regard, and discusses future research directions.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Paola Alberti, Sara Semperboni, Guido Cavaletti, Arianna Scuteri
Summary: Neurons are permanent cells that rely on finely tuned homeostasis for proper function, with microtubules playing a key role in cellular equilibrium by mobilizing molecular cargos. Alterations in cytoskeletal dynamics can impact neuronal excitability, highlighting the importance of understanding these processes in human diseases and neuronal functioning. Microscopic approaches for visualizing and assessing the cytoskeleton, particularly in mitochondrial trafficking, are essential for further research in this area.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrei L. Lomize, Spencer C. Todd, Irina D. Pogozheva
Summary: PPM 3.0 is a method and web tool for positioning proteins in curved or planar membranes, particularly those with significant intrinsic curvature in cellular membranes. These proteins are commonly found in mitochondria, plasma membranes, and endosomes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sioned F. Jones, Himanshu Joshi, Stephen J. Terry, Jonathan R. Burns, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Ulrike S. Eggert, Stefan Howorka
Summary: Equipping DNA with hydrophobic anchors enables targeted interaction with lipid bilayers for various applications. Through experiments and molecular dynamics simulations, the study reveals the complex structure and energetics of hydrophobically tagged DNA within lipid membranes. Fundamental insight gained on DNA-bilayer interactions will guide the rational design of membrane-targeting nanostructures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Willy Carrasquel-Ursulaez, Mahzad Dehghany, Corey L. Jones, Vinaykumar Idikuda, Brian Lu, Jennifer M. Schomaker, Baron Chanda
Summary: In this study, two new families of benzo(crown-ether) compounds, termed monoacylated and monoalkylated benzo(crown-ethers) (MABCE), were synthesized and characterized. These compounds can inhibit bacterial growth and transport ions across biological membranes. The results show that the preference of these compounds for specific ions is not achieved through ion-selective transport, but rather through the regulation of assembly of ion-conducting supramolecular complexes or its membrane insertion by cations. Additionally, the formation of these assemblies in the membrane does not require hydrogen bonding network.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ankita Mohanty, Koushik Chakraborty, Subhankar Mondal, Priyanka Jena, Rajendra K. Panda, Kailash C. Samal, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay
Summary: This study investigates the variability of rice tolerance to salinity stress at the seedling and reproductive stages, and the influence of ion exclusion and tissue tolerance on salt tolerance. The results reveal that ion exclusion alone is sufficient for seedling stage tolerance, while a balance between ion exclusion and tissue tolerance is crucial for prolonged salt tolerance at the reproductive stage.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Simone Mazzaferro, John R. Strikwerda, Steven M. Sine
Summary: Modulation of the alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR by divalent cations depends on the ACh concentration, the type of cation and the subunit stoichiometry.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joana N. Martins, Beatriz Raimundo, Alicia Rioboo, Yeray Folgar-Camean, Javier Montenegro, Nuno Basilio
Summary: In this study, photoswitchable calixarenes were introduced to activate the transport of cationic peptide cargos across lipid membranes. The calixarenes, equipped with a hydrophobic azobenzene arm, can recognize cationic peptide sequences at the nanomolar range. The activation of membrane peptide transport was confirmed in synthetic vesicles and living cells by using calixarene activators with the azobenzene arm in the E configuration. This method allows the modulation of transmembrane transport of peptide cargos through the Z-E photoisomerization of functionalized calixarenes using 500 nm visible light.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kyung-Hyeon Yoo, Yong-Il Kim, Seog-Young Yoon
Summary: This study investigated the effects of magnesium ion on calcium silicate cement, showing that magnesium ion can improve hydration properties and reduce setting time, but deteriorate mechanical properties with increasing amounts. However, 3 mol% magnesium-doped calcium silicate cement achieved a balance between mechanical and biological properties, making it an optimal condition for endodontic repair.
Article
Microbiology
Andreza de Freitas Nunes Oliveira, Lara Isensee Saboya deSousa, Vanessa Ariane Silva da Costa, Joao Victor Teixeira deAndrade, Lara Andrade Lucena Lima, Pedro Amaral Fontes de Sales, Danilo Ferreira da Silva, Arthur Prudencio de Araujo Pereira, Vania Maria Maciel Melo
Summary: Soil degradation is a global issue that affects plant productivity and human life. Intensive grazing practices can accelerate this process by rapidly removing biomass from the soil surface. A study in the Caatinga biome found that grazing exclusion areas had better soil properties and bacterial community structure compared to areas affected by overgrazing, demonstrating the potential effectiveness of grazing exclusion in restoring soil fertility.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeeshan Fazal, Ratnakar Singh, Fang Fang, Emmanuel Bikorimana, Hannah Baldwin, Andrea Corbet, Megan Tomlin, Cliff Yerby, Nabil Adra, Costantine Albany, Sarah Lee, Sarah J. Freemantle, Kenneth P. Nephew, Brock C. Christensen, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: The study suggests that the global remodelling of DNA methylation is a key factor in mediating cisplatin hypersensitivity and resistance in TGCTs, emphasizing the potential for hypomethylation therapy in refractory TGCT patients.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Caitlin M. Taylor, Laura Pritschet, Emily G. Jacobs
Summary: The translation raises concerns about the blind spots and neglect in neuroimaging research on women's health, pointing out the current lack of attention to this issue. To address the problem, the suggestion is made for systematic research on the impact of endocrine factors on the brain and highlighting the role of the University of California Women's Brain Initiative.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Ratnakar Singh, Zeeshan Fazal, Sarah J. Freemantle, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: This minireview focuses on the role of epigenetics in testicular cancer, suggesting that epigenetic pathways may be utilized to tackle chemoresistance. The main genetic drivers of TGCT remain largely unknown, but there is increasing recognition of the important role of epigenetics in the etiology and chemosensitivity of TGCT.
Article
Oncology
Ratnakar Singh, Zeeshan Fazal, Emmanuel Bikorimana, Raya Boyd, Cliff Yerby, Megan Tomlin, Hannah Baldwin, Doha Shokry, Andrea K. Corbet, Khadeeja Shahid, Aleyah Hattab, Sarah J. Freemantle, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: TGCTs exhibit reciprocal sensitivity to hypomethylating agents and cisplatin, with resistant cells showing opposite responses. The downregulation of polycomb target gene expression in hypomethylating agent resistant cells contrasts with the upregulation in cisplatin resistant cells, indicating a complex relationship between epigenetic changes and drug sensitivity in TGCTs.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Laura Pritschet, Caitlin M. Taylor, Tyler Santander, Emily G. Jacobs
Summary: This review summarizes recent evidence of sex hormones' influence on the structural and functional properties of the human brain, highlighting the effects of estradiol on brain functional network topology and progesterone on medial temporal lobe morphology. The use of dense-sampling neuroimaging provides a unique ability to further explore the dynamic interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems.
CURRENT OPINION IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Orlando Arguello-Miranda, Ashley J. Marchand, Taylor Kennedy, Marielle A. X. Russo, Jungsik Noh
Summary: Cellular quiescence is a nonproliferative state that allows cell survival under stress and during development. This study investigates the stress pathways associated with high-Cdk1 quiescent states triggered by starvation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is found that both low- and high-Cdk1 quiescent states involve stress-associated processes, but differ in the nuclear accumulation of stress transcription factors. The decision between low- or high-Cdk1 quiescence is controlled by cell cycle-independent accumulation of Xbp1.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Eleonora De Filippi, Carme Uribe, Daniela S. Avila-Varela, Noelia Martinez-Molina, Venera Gashaj, Laura Pritschet, Tyler Santander, Emily G. Jacobs, Morten L. Kringelbach, Yonatan Sanz Perl, Gustavo Deco, Anira Escrichs
Summary: Recent studies have shown that female brain dynamics are modulated by rhythmic changes in sex hormone concentrations across the menstrual cycle. Using a novel turbulent dynamic framework, researchers found that the luteal phase is characterized by significantly higher information transmission across spatial scales compared to the follicular phase. Additionally, differences in turbulence levels were observed in various brain regions between the two phases.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Wenzhi Feng, Orlando Arguello-Miranda, Suhong Qian, Fei Wang
Summary: The coordination of autophagy activity during meiosis progression is regulated by the phosphatase Cdc14, which stimulates autophagy initiation and facilitates meiotic divisions.
Article
Cell Biology
Wenzhi Feng, Orlando Arguello-Miranda, Suhong Qian, Fei Wang
Summary: In this study, a meiosis-specific autophagy mechanism was discovered and the molecular regulatory mechanism of this mechanism was elucidated. The results showed that cells with higher levels of autophagy complete meiosis faster and have increased efficiency in sporulation.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biophysics
Jessy Pamela Acuna-Rodriguez, Jean Paul Mena-Vega, Orlando Argueello-Miranda
Summary: This review provides a straightforward description of the evolution of spectral unmixing algorithms for fluorescence live-cell imaging and outlines potential future trends on combining fluorescence spectral imaging with label-free detection methods, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and deep learning image analysis.
BIOPHYSICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Raya Boyd, Saeed Ahmad, Ratnakar Singh, Zeeshan Fazal, Gail S. Prins, Zeynep Madak Erdogan, Joseph Irudayaraj, Michael J. Spinella
Summary: This review summarizes the molecular research on the potential carcinogenic mechanisms of PFAS, focusing on the three major pathways of metabolism, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic perturbation. It discusses how these interdependent pathways may explain the pro-carcinogenic effects of PFAS and highlights testicular and prostate cancer as models to validate this concept.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Julian A. Delgado, Vered Wineman-Fisher, Sagar Pandit, Sameer Varma
Summary: The study suggests that recalibrating the polarization models of amino acid coordinating functional groups in protein FF can significantly improve predictions and reduce errors in ion-protein interactions. While recalibration enhances the accuracy of ion-protein interactions, there is still room for further improvement.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Andrea K. Corbet, Emmanuel Bikorimana, Raya I. Boyd, Doha Shokry, Kelly Kries, Ayush Gupta, Anneliese Paton, Zhengyang Sun, Zeeshan Fazal, Sarah J. Freemantle, Erik R. Nelson, Michael J. Spinella, Ratnakar Singh
Summary: G0/G1 switch gene 2 (G0S2) plays different roles in ER+ and ER- breast cancer, inhibiting lipolysis by suppressing adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Overexpression of G0S2 promotes cell proliferation in ER- cells but inhibits cell proliferation in ER+ cells. G0S2 has distinct transcriptional responses in ER- and ER+ cells, affecting genes associated with epithelial phenotype and estrogen signaling. G0S2 overexpression also affects genes involved in fat utilization and steroid hormone biosynthesis. High expression of G0S2 and HSD17B11 is associated with improved survival in breast cancer patients.
TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yi Wen, Faizan Rashid, Zeeshan Fazal, Ratnakar Singh, Michael J. Spinella, Joseph Irudayaraj
Summary: The study showed that PFOS accumulated in mouse kidneys in a dose-dependent manner, leading to significant increase in kidney injury markers, affecting transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. The decrease in global DNA methylation levels suggests potential implications of PFOS on kidney fibrosis and carcinogenesis.
ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Ratnakar Singh, Emmanuel Bikorimana, Zeeshan Fazal, Cliff Yerby, Hannah Baldwin, Aleyah Destiny Hattab, Megan Tomlin, Andrea K. Corbet, Raya Iman Boyd, Khadeeja Shahid, Doha Naguib Ahmed Mohamed Shokry, Sarah Joy Spinella, Michael J. Spinella