Article
Biology
Eider Nunez, Frederick Jones, Arantza Muguruza-Montero, Janire Urrutia, Alejandra Aguado, Covadonga Malo, Ganeko Bernardo-Seisdedos, Carmen Domene, Oscar Millet, Nikita Gamper, Alvaro Villarroel, Henry M. Colecraft
Summary: Neuronal K(V)7 channels are highly sensitive to reactive oxygen species, and the S2S3 linker of the voltage sensor plays a crucial role in redox modulation of the channels. Recent structural studies have revealed interactions between this linker and the Ca2+-binding loop of calmodulin, specifically the EF3 hand, which is essential for the signaling. Disrupting Ca2+ binding to EF3 abolishes the oxidation-induced enhancement of K(V)7.4 currents. Furthermore, the loading of EF3 with Ca2+ is critical for the reorientation of the AB fork, which translates the Ca2+ signals.
Article
Microbiology
Nijia Ke, Joseph E. Kumka, Mingxu Fang, Brian Weaver, Judith N. Burstyn, Carl E. Bauer
Summary: The RedB and FnrL regulatory proteins co-regulate 199 genes, primarily through indirect regulation. RedB functions to limit energy production, while FnrL enhances energy production.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Shao-Yu Liang, Shih-Chih Wan, Yen-Peng Ho, Yu-Tze Horng, Po-Chi Soo, Wen-Ping Peng
Summary: A new approach using LIRFP CD QIT-MS to rapidly quantify PHB content is presented in this study. Compared to GC, LIRFP CD QIT-MS offers advantages of shorter analysis time and no use of hazardous chemicals. This method has the potential for routine monitoring of PHB production.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Adrian Alvarez, Dimitris Georgellis
Summary: Bacterial two-component systems (TCS) are versatile signaling mechanisms that govern cellular responses to diverse environmental cues. The diversity of TCS is shaped by the ecological niche of the bacterium, resulting in significant variations in population level. Understanding the adaptive responses of TCS in bacteria with different lifestyles can provide insights into the evolution and fine-tuning of TCS signaling mechanisms.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adeline Espinasse, Manibarsha Goswami, Junshu Yang, Onanong Vorasin, Yinduo Ji, Erin E. Carlson
Summary: The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has led to the need for novel approaches and targets to combat this challenge. Bacterial two-component systems (TCSs) are important in bacterial adaptive responses and are linked to antibiotic resistance and virulence. A study developed maleimide-based compounds and evaluated them against a model histidine kinase, resulting in the identification of a molecule that decreased the lesion size caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus skin infection by 65% in a murine model.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lucia Trevisan, Istvan Kocsis, Christopher A. Hunter
Summary: The transmission of chemical signals across lipid bilayer membranes was achieved by using membrane-anchored molecules and an external redox signal delivered by ascorbic acid to trigger membrane translocation in a synthetic transduction system.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huan Liu, Xiuhui Tian, Xianghong Gong, Dianfeng Han, Lihua Ren, Yanmei Cui, Fang Jiang, Junqiang Zhao, Jianqiang Chen, Lisheng Jiang, Yingjiang Xu, Huanjun Li
Summary: In this study, transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to investigate the genetic and metabolite changes and functional physiological disturbances in scallops exposed to inorganic arsenic. The omics results were supported by physiological indicators and cell apoptosis analysis, confirming the toxic effects of inorganic arsenic. The study reveals that inorganic arsenic disrupts the physiological functions of bivalves by interfering with cell growth and small molecule metabolism, providing new insights into the toxic effects of environmental pollutants on marine organisms.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Steven Didik, Hao Wang, Adewale Segun James, Lily Slotabec, Ji Li
Summary: Hypertension is a complex condition affecting millions of individuals globally, with its prevalence projected to increase. This review explores the development of hypertension and highlights the potential of using the antioxidative protein Sestrin2 (Sesn2) as a therapeutic target. The review also discusses the various sources of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in hypertension and presents the structural and functional characteristics of Sesn2.
Article
Microbiology
Alberto J. Martin-Rodriguez, Shawn M. Higdon, Kaisa Thorell, Christian Tellgren-Roth, Asa Sjoling, Michael Y. Galperin, Tino Krell, Ute Romling
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the c-di-GMP and chemosensory signal transduction pathways in S. algae, revealing its strong signaling capacities and describing six novel sensory domains. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the ecophysiology of S. algae and establish it as a promising model for the analysis of metabolic and signaling pathways within the genus Shewanella.
Article
Microbiology
Elizabet Monteagudo-Cascales, David Martin-Mora, Wenhao Xu, Victor Sourjik, Miguel A. Matilla, Alvaro Ortega, Tino Krell
Summary: Demonstration of the pH robustness of extracytoplasmic sensing reveals a previously undescribed evolutionary mechanism that enables bacteria to monitor environmental changes under changing conditions. This mechanism includes the maintenance of the dimeric state of four-helixbundle ligand-binding domains (LBDs). Bacteria have evolved several strategies, including the robustness of periplasmic LBDs, to cope with extreme pH conditions.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Livia Stanger, Michael Holinstat
Summary: Platelets are small, anucleate cells in the blood that have a significant impact on both hemostasis and cardiovascular disease. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to play a crucial role in platelet function and regulation. The oxygenase enzymes COX-1, 5-LOX, 12-LOX, and 15-LOX metabolize PUFAs into oxidized lipids (oxylipins) with either pro-thrombotic or anti-thrombotic effects. This review summarizes the known oxylipins, their activity in platelets, and current therapeutics targeting oxylipin signaling.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Ruta, Vittoria Pagliarini, Claudio Sette
Summary: This review explores how signal transduction pathways regulate factors involved in RNA processing events and highlights the impact of various post-translational modifications on RNA-binding proteins. It also illustrates examples of how common signal transduction pathways can modulate biological processes through changes in RNA processing regulation.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Long-Hui Huang, Xue-Jing Li, Yi-Tong Wang, Shi-Ru Jia, Bo Xin, Cheng Zhong
Summary: This study utilized FNR and ArcA to enhance oxygen signaling efficiency in K. xylinus, aiming to improve BC production. Results showed that overexpression of ArcA significantly increased BC production. Transcriptome analysis indicated that overexpression of FNR and ArcA enhanced the BC synthesis pathway.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Masao Saitoh
Summary: The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process where epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, which is associated with invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in cancer. Transcription factors, such as ZEB1/ZEB2, SNAIL, and TWIST, play important roles in driving the EMT process. This review focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that sustain high levels of these transcription factors in aggressive carcinomas and their upregulation by transforming growth factor-β during cancer progression.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Wanjun Liu, Ying Zhang, Li Wang, Bilal Ahmad, Xiaoxin Shi, Yan Ren, Chen Liang, Xiangkun Zhang, Yuxing Zhang, Guoqiang Du
Summary: The aroma quality of 'Yali' pear fruits can be significantly improved through xenia effect, which involves the regulation of aroma biosynthesis genes, hormone levels, and transcription factors.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
A. Correa, E. S. Santos, A. C. Gavioli, G. L. Sassaki, M. F. P. S. Machado, C. A. Mangolin, J. E. Goncalves, R. A. C. Goncalves, A. J. B. Oliveira
Summary: The study found that somaclones extracted did not contain soluble polysaccharides, but alkaline extracts showed the presence of starch, type I arabinogalactan, and arabinoxylan, while somaclones showed type I arabinogalactan and arabinoxylan in both morphologies, indicating that their hemicelluloses are not much different from in vivo cultivated plants.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Fatima Zattoni, Thales Kronenberger, Diogo Henrique Kita, Lais Danciguer Guanaes, Matheus Murmel Guimaraes, Larissa de Oliveira Prado, Melanie Ziasch, Luis C. Vesga, Fabiane Gomes de Moraes Rego, Geraldo Picheth, Marcos Brown Goncalves, Miguel D. Noseda, Diogo R. B. Ducatti, Antti Poso, Robert W. Robey, Suresh Ambudkar, Vivian Rotuno Moure, Alan Guilherme Goncalves, Glaucio Valdameri
Summary: A newly discovered porphyrin derivative (4B) was identified as an inhibitor of the ABCG2 transporter, capable of overcoming multidrug resistance in vitro and showing selective inhibition towards ABCG2 without being transported by it.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diogo Henrique Kita, Gisele Alves de Andrade, Juliana Morais Missina, Kahoana Postal, Viktor Kalbermatter Boell, Francielli Sousa Santana, Ingrid Fatima Zattoni, Isadora da Silva Zanzarini, Vivian Rotuno Moure, Fabiane Gomes de Moraes Rego, Geraldo Picheth, Emanuel Maltempi de Souza, David A. Mitchell, Suresh Ambudkar, Giovana Gioppo Nunes, Glaucio Valdameri
Summary: The study found that polyoxovanadates can serve as inhibitors of ABC drug transporters, selectively inhibiting P-glycoprotein with V-10 and V-18 being the most promising compounds.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Timothy Lyndon Haskett, Ramakrishnan Karunakaran, Marcelo Bueno Batista, Ray Dixon, Philip Simon Poole
Summary: In this study, the researchers successfully controlled nitrogen fixation and NH3 excretion by manipulating the regulation of glutamine synthetase (GS) under specific conditions. This has significant implications for targeted delivery of fixed nitrogen to crops and prevention of interaction with non-target plants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qin Li, Haowei Zhang, Yi Song, Minyang Wang, Chongchong Hua, Yashi Li, Sanfeng Chen, Ray Dixon, Jilun Li
Summary: Paenibacillus sabinae T27 exhibits an unusual nitrogen regulation pattern, and the alanine dehydrogenase ald1 plays a key role in nitrogen fixation at high ammonium concentrations.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isadora da Silva Zanzarini, Gustavo Barbosa, Larissa de Oliveira Prado, Ingrid Fatima Zattoni, Gustavo Da Paz, Ademir Luiz Prado, Waldemar Volanski, Marcos Dinis Lavarda, Fabiane Gomes de Moraes Rego, Geraldo Picheth, Vivian Rotuno Moure, Glaucio Valdameri
Summary: This paper introduces a novel, simple, and low-cost device for in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) assays. The device utilizes conventional programmable LEDs, an LCD module, and a light sensor connected to a commercial microcontroller board. Experimental results demonstrate that the device enhances the cytotoxic effect of the photosensitizer verteporfin through reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated mechanism. The prototype described in this work is validated by comparing the results with a commercial PDT device, showing its potential as an alternative for in vitro studies of PDT.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Mycology
Nickolas Menezes da Silva, Guilherme Fonseca Reis, Flavia de Fatima Costa, Maria Eduarda Grisolia, Marlon Roger Geraldo, Bruno Paulo Rodrigues Lustosa, Bruna Jacomel Favoreto de Souza Lima, Vinicius Almir Weiss, Emanuel Maltempi de Souza, Ruoyu Li, Yinggai Song, Mariana Machado Fidelis Nascimento, Diogo Robl, Renata Rodrigues Gomes, G. Sybren de Hoog, Vania Aparecida Vicente
Summary: This study focused on the sequencing, assembly, and description of the whole genome of Cladophialophora exuberans, a black yeast related fungus, with an emphasis on genes and pathways related to carbon and toxin management, tolerance and bioremediation of lead and copper, and metal homeostasis. The results showed that the strain exhibited growth inhibition at minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of copper and lead, and could grow at higher concentrations in agar tests. In addition, the strain demonstrated uptake capacities of copper and lead in heavy metal bioremediation assays. This study contributed to the annotation of genes involved in heavy metal homeostasis and provided insights into the mechanisms of tolerance and adaptation to extreme conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marianna Barros Silva, Livia de Lourdes de Sousa Pinto, Luiz Henrique Medeiros, Airton Araujo Souza Jr, Suely Ferreira Chavante, Luciana Guimaraes Alves Filgueira, Rafael Barros Gomes Camara, Guilherme Lanzi Sassaki, Hugo Alexandre Oliveira Rocha, Giulianna Paiva Viana Andrade
Summary: Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia) is a commonly cultivated fish species, and its farming generates organic waste. In this study, tilapia viscera were processed to obtain chondroitin sulfate (CST), a biomolecule that showed potential as an anti-inflammatory drug. The CST obtained from tilapia waste significantly reduced leukocyte migration in an acute peritonitis model, indicating its pharmacological activity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Glaucio Valdameri, Diogo Henrique Kita, Julia de Paula Dutra, Diego Lima Gomes, Arun Kumar Tonduru, Thales Kronenberger, Bruno Gavinho, Izadora Volpato Rossi, Mariana Mazetto de Carvalho, Basile Peres, Ingrid Fatima Zattoni, Fabiane Gomes de Moraes Rego, Geraldo Picheth, Rilton Alves de Freitas, Antti Poso, Suresh V. Ambudkar, Marcel Ramirez, Ahcene Boumendjel, Vivian Rotuno Moure
Summary: Inhibition of ABC transporters is a promising strategy to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer. This study identified a potent ABCG2 inhibitor called chromone 4a (C4a) that exhibits selectivity towards ABCG2. C4a effectively inhibited the efflux of different substrates mediated by ABCG2 and showed potential for drug delivery using liposomes and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in overcoming poor water solubility.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Gustavo Martins, Helena R. Galeski, Gabrielle A. Andrade, Marcia G. P. Valenga, Maria K. Ramos, Aldo J. G. Zarbin, Bruno C. Janegitz, Marcelo Mueller-Santos, Emanuel M. de Souza, Luiz Humberto Marcolino-Junior, Marcio F. Bergamini
Summary: Researchers proposed a new method for assembling an electrochemical immunosensor based on a one-step approach for selective layer formation, which is crucial for rapid and reliable diagnostic tests for new viruses and diseases. This method successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein in different matrices with low detectable values, and demonstrated selectivity against interferents. The proposed assembly strategy reduces cost, analysis time, and waste generation, making it a suitable and reliable alternative for healthcare diagnostics.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yara Campanelli-Morais, Cynthia Haynara Ferreira Silva, Marina Rocha do Nascimento Dantas, Diego Araujo Sabry, Guilherme Lanzi Sassaki, Susana Margarida Gomes Moreira, Hugo Alexandre Oliveira Rocha
Summary: The objective of this study was to generate blends containing SPGb and ChrPic that exhibit enhanced antioxidant activity compared to SPGb or ChrPic alone. B5 was identified as the best antioxidant blend, which showed no cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. These findings suggest that B5 could be further tested in vivo to confirm its antioxidant action and potentially used as a nutraceutical agent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathaniel R. Boyer, Monika Tokmina-Lukaszewska, Marcelo Bueno Batista, Florence Mus, Ray Dixon, Brian Bothner, John W. Peters
Summary: NifL is a crucial flavoprotein responsible for regulating the transcription of nitrogen fixation genes. Understanding its structural changes under different conditions can provide insights into the regulatory mechanism of nitrogen fixation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Jessica Pereira de Souza, Fabiane Machado Vezzani, Tatiana Suzin Lazeris, Glaciela Kaschuk, Emanuel Maltempi de Souza, Eduardo Balsanelli, Deborah Pinheiro Dick, Helio Antonio Wood Joris, Cimelio Bayer
Summary: Crop system plays a crucial role in shaping soil microbial communities and organic matter content. This study investigates the long-term effects of different crop systems on soil composition and microbial diversity in subtropical soil. The results show that the current crop species significantly influence microbial community structure and diversity, while the long-term history of crop rotation has a relatively smaller impact. Crop rotation increases the proportion of carbohydrate-derived organic matter, while crop succession increases the proportion of alkyl-C and N/O alkyl-C. Crop species richness in rotation maintains soil functions and enhances the formation of biochemically labile organic matter, contributing to soil ecosystem functioning.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo Belmonte-Lopes, Carlos E. R. Barquilha, Caroline Kozak, Demian S. Barcellos, Barbara Z. Leite, Fernanda J. O. Gomes da Costa, William L. Martins, Pamela E. Oliveira, Edy H. R. A. Pereira, Cesar R. Mota Filho, Emanuel M. de Souza, Gustavo R. C. Possetti, Vania A. Vicente, Ramiro G. Etchepare
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the collapse of healthcare systems and the emergence of wastewater-based epidemiology. This study conducted SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Curitiba, Brazil, and found a correlation between viral loads and reported cases. The approach used proved to be a robust early warning system that can aid public decision-making and health interventions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)