Article
Biology
John Sebastiani, Allyson Sabatelli, M. Danielle McDonald
Summary: Mild hypoxia in toadfish results in increased 5-HT uptake and degradation in peripheral tissues, leading to reduced plasma 5-HT levels. The gill appears to play a major role in the clearance of 5-HT.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Di Ye, Huanji Xu, Hongwei Xia, Chenliang Zhang, Qiulin Tang, Feng Bi
Summary: This study elucidated a novel mechanism in colon cancer involving targeting the serotonin transporter to promote the uptake and catabolism of extracellular tryptophan, leading to serotonin biosynthesis and production of oncogenic metabolites. Inhibition of serotonin transporter induced a compensatory effect by promoting tryptophan uptake and catabolism, ultimately enhancing the anti-tumor effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Sepand Riyahi, Jose G. Carrillo-Ortiz, Francesc Uribe, Francesc Calafell, Juan Carlos Senar
Summary: The SNP290 polymorphism of the SERT gene is strongly associated with risk-taking behaviors in great tits. Birds with the CT genotype exhibit faster response to the flag, higher distress calling rate, and fewer hissing calls compared to birds with the CC genotype. Hissing behavior should be considered as fear-induced shy behavior.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vadim Yuferov, Eduardo R. Butelman, Matthew Randesi, Wim van den Brink, Peter Blanken, Jan M. van Ree, Mary Jeanne Kreek
Summary: The functional SERT promoter tandem repeat genotype may be associated with heavy cocaine exposure and more rapid escalation of cocaine use, in persons with and without opioid dependence diagnosis.
NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISEASE AND TREATMENT
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Yu-Chia Ku, Yu-Chi Chen, Chih-Ming Hung, Chen Siang Ng
Summary: This study investigated the genetic factors associated with the expansion of African Sacred Ibises in Taiwan and found that genetic variation in behavior-related genes may not have played a significant role in the successful invasion of these birds. Despite inbreeding effects, the behavior-related genes showed high levels of genetic variation.
Article
Parasitology
Michaela Herz, Klaus Brehm
Summary: The study reveals the important role of serotonin in E. multilocularis development and proliferation, with evidence that serotonin is crucial for parasite integrity and survival. Serotonin also stimulates parasite metacestode development and proliferation, potentially contributing to parasite formation and growth in the liver.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Daniel Szollosi, Thomas Stockner
Summary: The serotonin transporter (SERT) plays a crucial role in terminating neurotransmission and its altered function is linked to various neurological diseases. Through molecular dynamics simulations, researchers identified a well-defined pathway for sodium entry into SERT, shedding light on the initial step of the serotonin transport cycle. The induced-fit mechanism accompanying sodium binding leads to new conformations and reduced local dynamics, providing insights into the transport process.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Long-Quan Cheng, Fang-Qi Shu, Min Zhang, Yuan-Zhong Kai, Zheng-Quan Tang
Summary: Prolonged or excessive exposure to noise can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound. This study found that noise exposure caused a significant increase in hearing thresholds and a significant reduction of SERT in the cochlear nucleus, inferior colliculus, and primary auditory cortex. Resveratrol treatment attenuated noise exposure-induced hearing loss and loss of SERT in the central auditory system.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachel A. Davies, Vy T. Nguyen, Jose M. Eltit, Richard A. Glennon
Summary: a-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (a-PHP) is a synthetic cathinone central stimulant that is structurally similar to a-PVP. It is a potent dopamine transporter (DAT) reuptake inhibitor. In this study, a series of 4-substituted a-PHP analogues were examined, and most showed selective DAT reuptake inhibition with a narrow range of potency. The 4-CF3 analogue was an outlier with reduced potency and selectivity. QSAR study was not possible due to limited empirical results.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bryony N. Thorne, Bart A. Ellenbroek, Darren J. Day
Summary: Serotonergic signaling is important in neuropsychiatric disorders, with SERT playing a crucial role. Animal models have highlighted sex differences in SERT function and brain development, but there is a bias in representation of sexes.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Taeseon Woo, Candice King, Nick I. Ahmed, Madison Cordes, Saatvika Nistala, Matthew J. Will, Clark Bloomer, Nataliya Kibiryeva, Rocio M. Rivera, Zohreh Talebizadeh, David Q. Beversdorf
Summary: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is influenced by a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. A study found that prenatal stress exposure and maternal SERT genotype can affect offspring behavior, and maternal miRNA expression in late pregnancy may serve as a potential marker for a specific subtype of ASD pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Thomas Blom, Rutger Meinsma, Franca di Summa, Emile van den Akker, Andre B. P. van Kuilenburg, Marten Hansen, Godelieve A. M. Tytgat
Summary: The study found that human megakaryocytes cultured in vitro can selectively uptake MIBG, and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram can inhibit the uptake of MIBG. This research provides a promising strategy of concomitant administration of citalopram during [I-131]MIBG therapy to prevent thrombocytopenia.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jakub Staron, Wojciech Pietrus, Ryszard Bugno, Rafal Kurczab, Grzegorz Satala, Dawid Warszycki, Tomasz Lenda, Anna Wantuch, Adam S. Hogendorf, Agata Hogendorf, Beata Duszynska, Andrzej J. Bojarski
Summary: The study investigated the binding of fluoxetine and fluvoxamine analogs to SERT, revealing that compounds with heavier halogen atoms bind to SERT through a different binding mode. XSAR analysis showed that E493 and T497 were involved in the formation of the most halogen bonds.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Chae Won Chung, Eun Young Mo, Gyung Seo Jung, Yoo Hyung Kim, Sun Wook Cho, Do Joon Park, Jeong Mo Bae, Young Joo Park
Summary: In this rare case, a 22-year-old female patient exhibited sustained hypothyroidism despite medication with 7.8 μg/kg of LT4. Tests ruled out pseudomalabsorption and organic gastrointestinal disorders, but showed decreased membranous expression of LAT1 and LAT2 in the patient's distal ileum and ascending colon. Further research is needed to understand the functional relevance of these changes in intestinal transporters affecting LT4 absorption.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Bryony N. Thorne, Bart A. Ellenbroek, Darren J. Day
Summary: This study investigates the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders and finds that reduced expression of the serotonin transporter affects mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP production in the brain. The sexual dimorphism in mitochondrial abundance and gene expression may contribute to the sex bias found in conditions such as major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria De Pasquale, Michele Costanzo, Rosa Anna Siciliano, Maria Fiorella Mazzeo, Valeria Pistorio, Laura Bianchi, Emanuela Marchese, Margherita Ruoppolo, Luigi Michele Pavone, Marianna Caterino
Article
Microbiology
Francesco Prisco, Davide De Biase, Giuseppe Piegari, Francesco Oriente, Ilaria Cimmino, Valeria De Pasquale, Michele Costanzo, Pasquale Santoro, Manuela Gizzarelli, Serenella Papparella, Orlando Paciello
Summary: Leishmania spp. infection in dogs is associated with an inflammatory myopathy (IM) with immune-mediated myositis. This study identified circulating autoantibodies targeting skeletal muscle antigens in leishmania-infected dogs, with the main autoantigen being SERCA1. Antigen mimicry is hypothesized as the underlying mechanism for the production of these autoantibodies in leishmania-infected dogs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria De Pasquale, Miriam Shasa Quiccione, Simona Tafuri, Luigi Avallone, Luigi Michele Pavone
Summary: Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are a group of glycoproteins with diverse structures, capable of interacting with various ligands to regulate cellular processes; they also assist many viruses in invading host cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gianluca Scerra, Valeria De Pasquale, Luigi Michele Pavone, Maria Gabriella Caporaso, Andreas Mayer, Maurizio Renna, Massimo D'Agostino
Summary: This study demonstrates how the acute accumulation of a single substrate leads to rapid redistribution of lysosomes, causing their expansion and reducing secretion by inhibiting organelle motility towards the plasma membrane. Furthermore, evidence suggests that these defects may be due to extensive contacts between enlarged lysosomes and the intertwined membrane structures of the endoplasmic reticulum, potentially leading to secondary defects observed in LSD models and patients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria De Pasquale, Gianluca Scerra, Melania Scarcella, Massimo D'Agostino, Luigi Michele Pavone
Summary: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiency of lysosomal enzymes, leading to glycosaminoglycan accumulation and tissue dysfunction. Current treatments for MPS III do not cure the disease, but NK1 treatment shows potential in improving neurological symptoms by reducing lysosomal pathology and promoting neuronal differentiation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria De Pasquale, Melania Scarcella, Luigi Michele Pavone
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melania Scarcella, Danila d'Angelo, Mariangela Ciampa, Simona Tafuri, Luigi Avallone, Luigi Michele Pavone, Valeria De Pasquale
Summary: Cathepsins are a family of proteases involved in protein degradation and turnover. Their dysregulation has been associated with various human diseases. In viral infections, cathepsins play crucial roles and their inhibitors have potential therapeutic applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Valeria De Pasquale, Anna Esposito, Gianluca Scerra, Melania Scarcella, Mariangela Ciampa, Antonietta Luongo, Daniele D'Alonzo, Annalisa Guaragna, Massimo D'Agostino, Luigi Michele Pavone
Summary: Sanfilippo syndrome is a group of genetic diseases characterized by the accumulation of heparan sulfate (HS) in lysosomes and other cellular compartments, leading to tissue and organ dysfunctions. This study found that N-substituted L-iminosugars can reduce substrate storage and lysosomal dysfunctions in Sanfilippo fibroblasts and a neuronal cellular model of Sanfilippo B subtype. These compounds also increase the levels of defective enzyme alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and correct its sorting, as well as reduce HS accumulation by downregulating protein levels of exostosin glycosyltransferases.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giuseppe Piegari, Valeria De Pasquale, Ilaria d'Aquino, Davide De Biase, Giulia Caccia, Carlo Pietro Campobasso, Simona Tafuri, Valeria Russo, Orlando Paciello
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of desmin and dystrophin in muscle tissue after death in dogs, and found that dystrophin degrades at a faster rate than desmin. This provides a reference basis for better estimating the postmortem interval in dogs.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Valeria De Pasquale, Anna Esposito, Gianluca Scerra, Melania Scarcella, Mariangela Ciampa, Antonietta Luongo, Daniele D'Alonzo, Annalisa Guaragna, Massimo D'Agostino, Luigi Michele Pavone
Summary: Sanfilippo syndrome is a group of genetic diseases caused by a lack or decreased activity of enzymes involved in heparan sulfate catabolism. This leads to the accumulation of heparan sulfate in cells, resulting in tissue and organ dysfunctions, including severe neurodegeneration. In this study, N-substituted L-iminosugars were found to significantly reduce substrate storage and lysosomal dysfunctions in Sanfilippo fibroblasts and a neuronal cellular model of Sanfilippo B subtype. They also corrected the sorting of defective alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase and reduced heparan sulfate accumulation by downregulating exostosin glycosyltransferases. These findings suggest a promising pharmacological potential for these glycomimetics in treating Sanfilippo syndrome.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)