Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephen P. Burr, Florian Klimm, Angelos Glynos, Malwina Prater, Pamella Sendon, Pavel Nash, Christopher A. Powell, Marie-Lune Simard, Nina A. Bonekamp, Julia Charl, Hector Diaz, Lyuba V. Bozhilova, Yu Nie, Haixin Zhang, Michele Frison, Maria Falkenberg, Nick Jones, Michal Minczuk, James B. Stewart, Patrick F. Chinnery
Summary: Mitochondrial activity varies between organs, and lineage-specific expression profiles of essential mitochondrial genes emerge early in mouse development. Disrupting intra-mitochondrial protein synthesis with mtDNA mutations induces cell lineage-specific compensatory responses, including novel molecular pathways not previously associated with organellar maintenance. These compensatory pathways, regulated by transcription factors promoting organelle resilience, contribute to tissue specificity in mitochondrial diseases and may be potential targets for organ-directed treatments.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Sophia Hsin-Jung Li, Michel Nofal, Lance R. Parsons, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Zemer Gitai
Summary: The study provides an optimized ribosome profiling protocol (MitoRiboSeq) for investigating mitochondrial translation in mammalian cells, highlighting the importance of studying translation within mitochondria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irene Vercellino, Leonid A. Sazanov
Summary: The enzymes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain play a vital role in cell metabolism, forming supercomplexes in vivo. The assembly factor SCAF1 is crucial in mediating the assembly of CIII2CIV, but not involved in the assembly of the respirasome. Assembling into supercomplexes enhances the catalytic efficiency of CIII2 and CIV, potentially fine tuning the electron transfer efficiency in the electron transport chain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ying Wang, Frederick S. Yen, Xiphias Ge Zhu, Rebecca C. Timson, Ross Weber, Changrui Xing, Yuyang Liu, Benjamin Allwein, Hanzhi Luo, Hsi-Wen Yeh, Soren Heissel, Gokhan Unlu, Eric R. Gamazon, Michael G. Kharas, Richard Hite, Kivanc Birsoy
Summary: SLC25A39 is identified as a regulator of GSH transport into mitochondria, and its loss affects mitochondrial GSH import and abundance without impacting cellular GSH levels. Its absence also leads to defects in the activity and stability of proteins containing iron-sulfur clusters, and mitochondrial GSH import is found to be essential for cell proliferation and red blood cell development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyeonjin Cha, Ju-Hyun Park
Summary: The addition of 30Kc19 alpha protein was found to enhance the production of EPO in CHO cell culture, with potential advantages in downstream purification process. 30Kc19 alpha could be mass-produced as a recombinant protein and delivered intracellularly to improve EPO production through metabolic pathways. The results suggest that 30Kc19 alpha has promising potential for manufacturing biopharmaceutical proteins.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinke Gu, Tianya Liu, Runyu Guo, Laixing Zhang, Maojun Yang
Summary: Cryo-EM structures of the porcine respiratory complex I reveal the binding and reduction mechanism of Q10 in the Q chamber. The study proposes a 'two-Q' model for the coupling mechanism of complex I. The findings overturn the widely accepted previous proposal and provide new insights into the structure and function of complex I.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shiyi Lin, Meng Ke, Yuqi Zhang, Zhen Yan, Jianping Wu
Summary: The CatSpermasome is a complex structure consisting of multiple components essential for sperm motility and fertility. The organization of this complex includes pore-forming proteins and auxiliary subunits, forming a pavilion-like structure that stabilizes the entire complex. The detailed assembly and organization of the CatSpermasome provide a foundation for the development of treatments related to male infertility and non-hormonal contraceptives.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jina Ryu, Sung Jae Yang, Boram Son, Haein Lee, Jongmin Lee, Jinmyoung Joo, Hee Ho Park, Tai Hyun Park
Summary: The fusion protein ASNase-LK-30Kc19 showed enhanced stability, cell-penetrating property, and anti-cancer activity, with potential applications in the treatment of ALL. The protein demonstrated high selectivity towards cancer cells and was able to effectively deplete intracellular Asn, performing high anti-cancer activity. Additionally, releasable ASNase from ASNase-LK-30Kc19 reached the same half-maximal inhibitory concentration at a concentration five times lower than non-releasable ASNase-30Kc19.
ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Oliver Rackham, Aleksandra Filipovska
Summary: The mitochondrial genome encodes core subunits essential for energy conversion. New technologies and disease models provide deeper insights into mitochondrial genome organization and expression, as well as diseases caused by impaired energy conversion.
NATURE REVIEWS GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Dalen Zuidema, Alexis Jones, Won-Hee Song, Michal Zigo, Peter Sutovsky
Summary: The degradation of sperm-borne mitochondria after fertilization, known as post-fertilization sperm mitophagy, ensures exclusive maternal inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. This process involves the ubiquitin-proteasome system and other autophagic cofactors. The study used mass spectrometry and a porcine cell-free system to identify proteins involved in post-fertilization sperm mitophagy. The findings confirm the involvement of known determinants and provide a list of candidate cofactors for future studies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Boram Son, Hyungro Yoon, Jina Ryu, Haein Lee, Jinmyoung Joo, Hee Ho Park, Tai Hyun Park
Summary: This study aimed to improve the efficiency of human iPSC generation by introducing the reprogramming factor Lin28. The researchers used a soluble Lin28-30Kc19 fusion protein to deliver Lin28 into the cells, resulting in an increased number and size of generated AP-positive hiPSC colonies. This recombinant protein could potentially be used as a valuable material for enhancing hiPSC generation efficiency and as an alternative to conventional methods.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mian Wei, Chun-Liu Mi, Chang-Qin Jing, Tian-Yun Wang
Summary: In recent years, mammalian cells have been widely used for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins. However, the expression of these proteins is influenced by the stability and efficiency of gene integration. Transposon vector system can facilitate the integration of the gene of interest into transcriptionally active sites, leading to high-level expression of recombinant therapeutic proteins in mammalian cells.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Jiyan Ma, Jingjing Zhang, Runchuan Yan
Summary: The generation of recombinant prions has provided valuable insights into the characteristics and effects of prions. Recombinant prions can exist in various misfolded conformations and have different outcomes when inoculated into wild-type animals. The ability to seed alone is not sufficient to determine prion activity, as authentic prions need to be both heritable and pathogenic. Research on recombinant prions is important for understanding the pathogenesis of prion diseases and the role of misfolded proteins in other neurodegenerative disorders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Fang, Yusuke Kimura, Tadahiro Shimazu, Takehiro Suzuki, Ayumi Yamada, Naoshi Dohmae, Shintaro Iwasaki, Yoichi Shinkai
Summary: In this study, HEMK1 was found to be an active methyltransferase for the glutamine residue in the GGQ motif of all four mtRFs in human cells. However, under fermentative culture conditions in HeLa cells, GGQ motif glutamine methylation seems mostly dispensable for cell growth and mitochondrial protein homeostasis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gustavo Carvalho, Bruno Marcal Repoles, Isabela Mendes, Paulina H. Wanrooij
Summary: Research has focused on maintenance and instability of mitochondrial DNA, exploring the role of DNA repair factors in mitochondria and the connection between mtDNA damage and immune response. Future studies should delve into mechanisms by which mitochondria maintain mtDNA, the balance between repair and degradation, as well as the release of mtDNA into the cytosol.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kyeongsoo Jeong, Seunga Jeong, Jeong Ah Kim, Won Jong Rhee
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chae Rin Park, Won Jong Rhee, Kyu Won Kim, Byeong Hee Hwang
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Jeongyeon Heo, Hee Cheol Yang, Won Jong Rhee, Hara Kang
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anandrao Ashok Patil, Sachin Ashok Bhor, Won Jong Rhee
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hee Cheol Yang, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: A method for single step in situ detection of EV surface proteins and inner miRNAs using a flow cytometer was developed, allowing for the differentiation of cancer cell-derived EVs. This approach offers a simple, time- and labor-saving, non-invasive liquid biopsy method for diagnosing various diseases, including cancer.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hee Cheol Yang, Yoo Min Ham, Jeong Ah Kim, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: A novel single-step, equipment-free EV concentration method using super absorbent polymer (SAP) beads was developed in this study, which efficiently concentrates EVs while maintaining high purity of the EV solution. The method was shown to successfully enrich EVs in human urine samples and culture medium, outperforming conventional ultrafiltration methods.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Thuy Giang Nguyen Cao, Ji Hee Kang, Jae Young You, Han Chang Kang, Won Jong Rhee, Young Tag Ko, Min Suk Shim
Summary: Utilizing exosomes as nanocarriers, this study effectively delivered the sonosensitizer ICG to tumor tissues, with surface modification using the cancer-targeting ligand FA to enhance ROS production in breast cancer cells and inhibit tumor growth. The active cancer-targeted FA-ExoICG showed superior tumor accumulation, pharmacokinetic properties, and sonotoxicity against cancer cells compared to ExoICG and free ICG, demonstrating its potential as an effective nanosonosensitizer for safe and targeted cancer treatment.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Do Kyung Kim, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: The study isolated Carex nanovesicles from carrots as a novel biomaterial with antioxidative function for cardiomyoblasts and neuroblastoma cells. Carex exhibited low cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited ROS generation and apoptosis, showing potential as a drug candidate for myocardial infarction and Parkinson's disease treatment.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jae Young You, Su Jin Kang, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: Studies on plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles from cabbage and red cabbage have shown promising biological functions and potential applications, demonstrating their wide utilization as novel therapeutic biomaterials.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haneul Lee, Su Jin Kang, Jimin Lee, Kyong Hwa Park, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy among men in developed countries, with high survival rates for early-stage diagnosis and low survival rates for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Current biomarkers for CRPC prognosis, such as prostate-specific antigens, have limitations. Therefore, it is important to identify new biomarkers. This study found that urinary extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as potential markers for CRPC prognosis, with miR-21-5p, miR-574-3p, and miR-6880-5p showing promise as biomarkers. The analysis of urinary EVs contributes to fast and convenient prognosis of diseases, including CRPC, in the clinical setting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Thuy Giang Nguyen Cao, Ji Hee Kang, Su Jin Kang, Quan Truong Hoang, Han Chang Kang, Won Jong Rhee, Yu Shrike Zhang, Young Tag Ko, Min Suk Shim
Summary: This study utilized brain endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles as a nano-carrier to transport photosensitizers into brain tumors, thereby enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Ji Yoon Lee, Soye Lee, Haneul Lee, Tham Truong Phuong Tran, Byoung Choul Kim, Won Jong Rhee
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in liquid biopsy for cancer, as they carry multiple biomarkers and circulate throughout the body. This study developed a method for simultaneous detection of EV surface proteins and internal miRNA in breast cancer liquid biopsy, which increased the detection signals by inducing the formation of EV clusters. This contributes to the sensitivity and accuracy of EV-based liquid biopsy for cancer.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Islam Seder, Hyomin Moon, Su Jin Kang, Sehyun Shin, Won Jong Rhee, Sung-Jin Kim
Summary: This study introduces a microfluidic device that can isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) with multiple size intervals in a simple and automated manner. By adjusting plunger speed, using a vertically movable plunger, and rotationally movable chip, high separation resolution and high-purity EVs were obtained. The device has potential applications in molecular analysis and EV-based biomarker discovery using various biofluids.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Sumin Kim, Ji Hee Kang, Thuy Giang Nguyen Cao, Su Jin Kang, Kyeongsoo Jeong, Han Chang Kang, Young Jik Kwon, Won Jong Rhee, Young Tag Ko, Min Suk Shim
Summary: In this study, a novel nanocarrier based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) was developed for safe and effective cancer treatment. The results showed that this nanoplatform, through combination chemo/photothermal/photodynamic therapy, exhibited enhanced anticancer activity and improved drug accumulation.
BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kyeongsoo Jeong, Yeong Jun Yu, Jae Young You, Won Jong Rhee, Jeong Ah Kim