Review
Neurosciences
Proshanta Roy, Daniele Tomassoni, Giulio Nittari, Enea Traini, Francesco Amenta
Summary: This study analyzes the roles of choline and choline-containing phospholipids (CCPLs) in maintaining and progressing the integrity of the neurovascular unit (NVU). The loss of CCPLs contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Some CCPLs, particularly alpha-GPC, show promising results and may be reconsidered as potential therapeutic compounds in larger controlled studies. This study also highlights the importance of defining the role of the NVU in brain disorders characterized by vascular impairment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Siyoung Kim, Myong In Oh, Jessica M. J. Swanson
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between neutral lipids and phospholipids during LD expansion, finding that neutral lipids play a dynamic role in creating surface-oriented TG molecules. The research also demonstrates that the autoinhibitory helix of a specific protein preferentially associates with large packing defects, facilitating protein recognition and binding.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Clemence Simon, Antonino Asaro, Suihan Feng, Howard Riezman
Summary: Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) metabolism is essential in eukaryotic cells but its complexity has hindered complete investigation. In this study, a photoactivation method targeting specific organelles was used to study PE metabolism in living cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) released PE participate in phospholipid remodeling, while PE methylation could only be detected under specific conditions. Thus, this method provides a framework to study phospholipid metabolism at subcellular resolution.
Article
Cell Biology
Masaki Tsuchiya, Nobuhiko Tachibana, Kohjiro Nagao, Tomonori Tamura, Itaru Hamachi
Summary: This study used the O-ClickFC technique for genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens and identified genes associated with PC synthesis, vesicular membrane trafficking, and non-vesicular transport. It also discovered previously unknown roles of FLVCR1, CHEK1, and CDC50A in cellular lipid metabolism regulation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qiong Xiao, Xue Pan, Yang Xu, Stacy D. Singer, Guanqun Chen
Summary: This study investigated the evolution and diversity of CCTs in the green lineage and provided insights into the association between the biochemical and structural properties of the enzyme and its function. The findings expanded our understanding of the importance of CCT at the genome-wide level.
Article
Neurosciences
Iris Hardege, Julia Morud, Amy Courtney, William R. Schafer
Summary: This study identifies multiple new inhibitory ion channels with diverse ligand activation properties in Caenorhabditis elegans. These channels have inhibitory effects on acetylcholine and also show both excitatory and inhibitory effects on other major neurotransmitters. The findings shed light on the important role of diverse ligand-gated ion channels in generating complexity in a compact anatomical nervous system.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Anthea Van Parys, Maria Sandvik Braekke, Therese Karlsson, Kathrine J. Vinknes, Grethe S. Tell, Teresa R. Haugsgjerd, Per Magne Ueland, Jannike Oyen, Jutta Dierkes, Ottar Nygard, Vegard Lysne
Summary: This study investigated the dietary intake of choline and its association with one-carbon metabolites and lipids in community-dwelling adults in Norway. The findings suggest that choline intake is correlated with the concentration of most metabolites involved in one-carbon and lipid metabolism.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinghua Zhou, Jie Li, Xiaowei Zhang, Caiqin Zhang, Juan Bai, Yansheng Zhao, Ying Zhu, Jiayan Zhang, Xiang Xiao
Summary: Exposure to BPS can lead to increased fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans, mainly through affecting lipid metabolism and regulating the expression of certain genes.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Jonathan J. Froehlich, Bora Uyar, Margareta Herzog, Kathrin Theil, Petar Glazar, Altuna Akalin, Nikolaus Rajewsky
Summary: Understanding how regulatory sequences control gene expression is crucial for explaining phenotypes in health and disease. This study used inducible Cas9 and multiplexed guide RNAs to create mutations in enhancers/promoters and 3'UTRs of multiple genes in C. elegans, showing the impact on expression and fitness. The approach enabled parallel analysis of regulatory sequences directly in animals, providing insights into how specific binding sites can independently regulate gene expression.
Article
Immunology
Yue Zhou, Chelsi D. Cassilly, Todd B. Reynolds
Summary: This study identified the role of the CAPT motif in phosphatidylserine synthesis and a unique motif related to serine binding in fungal PS synthases, through alanine substitution mutagenesis. The results suggest that specific residues within these motifs are essential for Cho1 function, and mutants like L184A and R189A show contrasting impacts on PS synthase activity, providing insights for potential Cho1 inhibitors development.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Xiang Xiao, Xiaowei Zhang, Juan Bai, Jie Li, Caiqin Zhang, Yansheng Zhao, Ying Zhu, Jiayan Zhang, Xinghua Zhou
Summary: The study found that BPS can increase fat accumulation and affect the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism using the C. elegans model. Low dose of BPS showed a stronger impact, promoting fat synthesis through specific genes and inhibiting fatty acid oxidation.
Article
Biology
Michael Sean Mauro, Gunta Celma, Vitaly Zimyanin, Magdalena M. Magaj, Kimberley H. Gibson, Stefanie Redemann, Shirin Bahmanyar
Summary: During the formation and growth of the nuclear envelope, the membrane-associated nucleoporin Ndc1 plays a crucial role in coordinating the assembly of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and regulating NPC density, in parallel with the inner ring component Nup53 and membrane biogenesis. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying NE formation and growth.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Natalia Rubtsova, Michael C. Hart, Alejandro D. Arroyo, Sofya A. Osharovich, Benjamin K. Liebov, Joann Miller, Min Yuan, Jeffrey M. Cochran, Sanghoon Chong, Arjun G. Yodh, Theresa M. Busch, E. James Delikatny, Nadia Anikeeva, Anatoliy Popov
Summary: A novel nanocomposite NIR fluorescent imaging probe was introduced and tested for its potency as a photosensitizing agent against triple-negative breast cancer cells by targeting abnormal choline metabolism. The probe was shown to have higher activation levels in cancer cells compared to normal cells in vitro, suggesting its potential as a theranostic agent. Additionally, the ability of the nanocomposite to function as a sensitizer in PDT experiments implies promising applications in cancer therapy.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Gilberto Garcia, Hanlin Zhang, Sophia Moreno, C. Kimberly Tsui, Brant Michael Webster, Ryo Higuchi-Sanabria, Andrew Dillin, Randy Y. Hampton
Summary: Changes in lipid metabolism are associated with aging and age-related diseases, including proteopathies. This study identified let-767 as an essential gene for both lipid and ER protein homeostasis in Caenorhabditis elegans. Knockdown of let-767 affects lipid stores, ER morphology, and the induction of the UPRER. A reduction in lipogenic pathways restores UPRER induction in animals with reduced let-767 by blocking the metabolite 3-oxoacyl.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raffaella Spina, Ian Mills, Fahim Ahmad, Chixiang Chen, Heather M. Ames, Jeffrey A. Winkles, Graeme F. Woodworth, Eli E. Bar
Summary: Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are sensitive to perturbations in de novo pyrimidine synthesis, and EGFR amplification confers resistance. BAY2402234, an inhibitor of DHODH, effectively inhibits GSC proliferation and induces apoptosis and DNA damage. Clinical testing of BAY2402234 in primary glioblastoma patients lacking EGFR amplification is warranted.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuri Nagaoka, Kotone Oshiro, Yuta Yoshino, Toshiyuki Matsunaga, Satoshi Endo, Akira Ikari
Summary: This study investigated the effect of intercellular adhesion molecule CLDN1 on the anticancer drug sensitivity of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. It was found that overexpression of CLDN1 decreased the sensitivity of SCLC cells to anticancer drugs and enhanced their migratory capacity through the activation of the TGF-81/EMT signaling pathway. Treatment with EMT inhibitors showed potential in overcoming the reduced sensitivity to anticancer drugs in CLDN1-overexpressing SCLC cells.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2024)