Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin Kono, Masakatsu Ueda, Atsushi Sengiku, Sylvia O. Suadicani, Osamu Ogawa, Hiromitsu Negoro
Summary: The study suggests that urothelial Cx43 mediated ATP signaling and coordination of urothelial activity are essential for proper perception and regulation of responses to bladder distension in the animals' awake, active phase. This research highlights the significant role of Cx43 in bladder function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Aline Schuetz, Christin Richter, Petra Weissgerber, Volodymyr Tsvilovskyy, Michael Hesse, Roger Ottenheijm, Frank Zimmermann, Stefanie Buchholz, Rebekka Medert, Sascha Dlugosz, Vladimir Kuryshev, Vladimir Benes, Veit Flockerzi, Bernd K. Fleischmann, Adolfo Cavalie, Marc Freichel
Summary: Early embryogenesis relies on proper regulation of intracellular ion homeostasis, including Ca2+ and Mg2+. Deletion of the TRPM7 channel conducting Ca2+ and Mg2+ is lethal in mouse embryos, with Trpm7(-/-) embryos failing to expand trophoblast cells and not being identifiable in utero at E6.5 or later. The critical role of TRPM7 in trophectoderm cells and their failure during implantation may explain the developmental arrest of Trpm7-deficient mouse embryos.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhe Chen, Ming Li, Hao Zhu, Guangshuo Ou
Summary: Cilia have distinct subdomains with variable axonemal structures that perform diverse functions in cell motility and signaling. In sensory cilia, the axoneme differentiates into a middle segment with nine microtubule doublets and a distal segment with nine microtubule singlets extending from the A tubules of the doublets. This study investigates axoneme differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans and identifies the role of the flagellar inner junction protein FAP20 and PCRG1 in connecting A and B tubules. Loss of CFAP-20 disconnects the A and B tubules, while the absence of PCRG-1 does not disrupt cilia. Ectopic introduction of PCRG-1 into cilia leads to abnormal MT doublets in the distal segment and impairs intraflagellar transport and animal sensation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreja Erman, Urska Kamensek, Urska Dragin Jerman, Mojca Pavlin, Maja Cemazar, Peter Veranic, Rok Romih
Summary: The study investigated the fate of cancer cells applied intravesically after transurethral resection of bladder tumors, revealing that these cells initially adhere to and migrate through the traumatized epithelium before reaching the basal lamina; E-cadherin and desmoplakin 1/2 were identified as potential immunohistochemical markers of tumor margins based on the labeling of various junctional proteins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Neha Gupta, Cristina Soriano-Ubeda, Paula Stein, Virginia Savy, Brian N. Papas, Goli Ardestani, Ingrid Carvacho, Dominique Alfandari, Carmen J. Williams, Rafael A. Fissore
Summary: TRPM7 is a crucial chanzyme for embryo development. It maintains magnesium (Mg2+) homeostasis, prevents oxidative stress, and promotes gene expression necessary for developmental progression and cell-lineage specification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroshi Matsuoka, Alice Yamaoka, Takahiro Hamashima, Akiho Shima, Marin Kosako, Yuma Tahara, Jun Kamishikiryo, Akihiro Michihara
Summary: In this study, it was found that EGF-dependent activation of ELK1 contributes to the induction of CLDND1 expression. The EGFR inhibitor gefitinib significantly suppresses the increase in CLDND1, opening avenues for the development of new anticancer agents targeting CLDND1.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Martinez-Gil, Oksana Kutsyr, Laura Fernandez-Sanchez, Xavier Sanchez-Saez, Henar Albertos-Arranz, Carla Sanchez-Castillo, Lorena Vidal-Gil, Nicolas Cuenca, Pedro Lax, Victoria Maneu
Summary: This study analyzed the role of transient receptor potential channel 7 (TRPM7) in retinal dysfunction associated with ischemia. Using an experimental model, the researchers observed a decrease in retinal responsiveness to light stimuli, reactive gliosis, and an increase in TRPM7 expression in Muller cells during ischemia. The findings suggest that TRPM7 could be a potential drug target for retinal pathologies related to ischemia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomoko Higuchi, Daisuke Suzuki, Takafumi Watanabe, Kanda Fanhchaksai, Keiko Ota, Kazuhisa Yokoo, Hiroshi Furukawa, Hideto Watanabe
Summary: The study found that mice lacking versican expression developed knee joint swelling and impaired formation of anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. Immunostaining revealed decreased scleraxis-positive cells, spotty patterns of type I collagen, and the presence of type II collagen in the absence of versican expression in the joint.
Article
Microbiology
Zhenyu Tian, Yun Zhang, Zhijian Zheng, Meng Zhang, Tao Zhang, Jiajia Jin, Xinjie Zhang, Guixiang Yao, Danxia Kong, Cheng Zhang, Zhe Wang, Qunye Zhang
Summary: This study reveals significant abnormalities in the gut microbe composition of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients and confirms that gut microbiota dysbiosis is an important cause of AAA. The researchers found that a specific bacterium and its metabolite can alleviate AAA development.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingxue Ma, Haozheng Li, Zhou Gong, Shuai Yang, Ping Wang, Chun Tang
Summary: This study found that RNA molecules can self-assemble into different forms of droplets in the presence of Mg2+, accompanied by the clustering of nucleobases and the loss of canonical base-paired structure. The droplets first expand and then shrink to adopt hollow vesicle-like structures as the RNA/Mg2+ ratio changes.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jianqiu Pei, Lin Cai, Fang Wang, Chuansheng Xu, Shengqiang Pei, Hongwei Guo, Xiaogang Sun, Jerold Chun, Xiangfeng Cong, Weiquan Zhu, Zhe Zheng, Xi Chen
Summary: This study found that the level of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) was increased in the peripheral blood of mice after myocardial infarction (MI), and the expression of its receptor LPA(2) was also increased in the heart. Deficiency of Lpar2 led to impaired heart function, increased scar size, and reduced vascular density. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that LPA-LPA(2) signaling promoted angiogenesis and maintained vascular homeostasis through multiple signaling pathways.
CIRCULATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Kazuaki Miyagawa, Hirofumi Tenshin, Patrick L. Mulcrone, Jesus Delgado-Calle, Mark A. Subler, Jolene J. Windle, John M. Chirgwin, G. David Roodman, Noriyoshi Kurihara
Summary: This study found that osteocytes play an important role in the development of Paget disease, characterized by decreased sclerostin expression and increased RANKL expression. Furthermore, the experimental results showed that increased IGF1 expression alone, in the absence of MVNP, is sufficient to induce Paget disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shimeng Zhang, Feifei Cao, Wei Li, Nashat Abumaria
Summary: Research found that alterations in abundance or activity of TRPM7 protein are linked to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Toxic aggregation of Aβ in neurons is associated with AD pathology. The kinase activity of TRPM7 was found to be important in stimulating Aβ degradation. The decrease in TRPM7 expression was observed in AD patient samples and mouse models of AD, and overexpression of the functional kinase domain of TRPM7 prevented synapse loss induced by exogenous Aβ.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin Kono, Masakatsu Ueda, Atsushi Sengiku, Sylvia O. Suadicani, Je Tae Woo, Takashi Kobayashi, Osamu Ogawa, Hiromitsu Negoro
Summary: In this study, the preventive potential and mechanism of action of nobiletin (NOB), a polymethoxylated flavone found in citrus fruit peel, was investigated in a mouse model of bladder inflammation and human urothelial cells. The results showed that NOB can attenuate bladder inflammation and urinary symptoms by reducing the upregulation of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the bladder mucosa. The study also demonstrated that urothelial Cx43 plays a role in the development of bladder inflammation and urinary symptoms, as evidenced by the findings in uCx43KO mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Kazuaki Maruyama, Sachiko Miyagawa-Tomita, Yuka Haneda, Mayuko Kida, Fumio Matsuzaki, Kyoko Imanaka-Yoshida, Hiroki Kurihara
Summary: Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and immune responses in vertebrates. Recent studies have identified two major sources of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs): venous sprouting (lymphangiogenesis) and de novo production from non-venous origins (lymphvasculogenesis). This research using genetic lineage tracing in mice reveals that a subset of cardiopharyngeal mesoderm cells, known as Isl1-expressing cells, give rise to LECs in the craniofacial and cardiac regions. These findings enhance our understanding of lymphatic vessel development and may provide insights into the pathogenesis of lymphatic malformations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiroyuki Imachi, Masaru K. Nobu, Nozomi Nakahara, Yuki Morono, Miyuki Ogawara, Yoshihiro Takaki, Yoshinori Takano, Katsuyuki Uematsu, Tetsuro Ikuta, Motoo Ito, Yohei Matsui, Masayuki Miyazaki, Kazuyoshi Murata, Yumi Saito, Sanae Sakai, Chihong Song, Eiji Tasumi, Yuko Yamanaka, Takashi Yamaguchi, Yoichi Kamagata, Hideyuki Tamaki, Ken Takai
Article
Biology
Fusamichi Akita, Ryo Nagao, Koji Kato, Yoshiki Nakajima, Makio Yokono, Yoshifumi Ueno, Takehiro Suzuki, Naoshi Dohmae, Jian-Ren Shen, Seiji Akimoto, Naoyuki Miyazaki
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Kimio Sugaya, Saori Nishijima, Katsumi Kadekawa, Katsuhiko Noguchi, Je T. Woo, Hideyuki Yamamoto, Seiji Matsumoto
Summary: The study found that vanilla scent inhalation reduced urination frequency and serum catecholamine levels in rats under light urethane anesthesia. This suggests that vanilla scent may be effective in reducing nocturia.
LUTS-LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takeshi Matsui, Nanako Kadono-Maekubo, Yoshiro Suzuki, Yuki Furuichi, Keiichiro Shiraga, Hiroyuki Sasaki, Azusa Ishida, Sonoko Takahashi, Takaharu Okada, Kiminori Toyooka, Jafar Sharif, Takaya Abe, Hiroshi Kiyonari, Makoto Tominaga, Atsushi Miyawaki, Masayuki Amagai
Summary: This study used intravital imaging and intracellular probes to reveal the crucial processes of SG1 cell death, showing that intracellular Ca2* elevation and acidification induction are essential for corneocyte formation, regulated by the transient receptor potential cation channel V3.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Sachiko Kasamo, Seiji Matsumoto, Yohei Kawasaki, Hiroyasu Inoue, Yoshikazu Tasaki
Summary: In Japan, the proportion of children receiving pharmacotherapy for nocturnal enuresis has been increasing, with a shift towards sublingual desmopressin as the most commonly prescribed medication, both annually and as the initial choice for newly diagnosed cases.
WORLD JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Koji Kato, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Tasuku Hamaguchi, Yoshiki Nakajima, Fusamichi Akita, Koji Yonekura, Jian-Ren Shen
Summary: The study reveals the structure of Photosystem II in solution at 1.95 angstrom resolution using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, with a visible PsbY subunit and reduced electron beam damage by lowering the dosage, providing valuable insights for determining damage-free cryo-EM structures.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takao Arimori, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Emiko Mihara, Mamoru Takizawa, Yukimasa Taniguchi, Carlos Cabanas, Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi, Junichi Takagi
Summary: Recognition of laminin by integrin receptors mediates epithelial cell adhesion to basement membrane. The interface between laminin and integrin is composed of multiple binding sites on different subunits, with the gamma 1 chain of laminin playing a key role in bridging interactions between integrin alpha 6 and beta 1 subunits. The alpha 5 chain of laminin also enhances affinity and specificity by electrostatic interactions with the beta -propeller domain of integrin alpha 6.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kunio Nakata, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Mika Hirose, Tatsuki Kashiwagi, Nidamarthi H. Kutumbarao, Osamu Miyashita, Florence Tama, Hiroshi Miyano, Toshimi Mizukoshi, Kenji Iwasaki
Summary: The three-dimensional structure of phosphoketolase (PKT) from Bifidobacterium longum was determined using cryo-EM single-particle analysis. The study observed interesting structural features and multiple conformations of amino acid residues, as well as the presence of water molecules. The conformational changes of the QN-loop were found to be related to the enzymatic function of PKT.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryosuke Kamiya, Jumpei Uchiyama, Shigenobu Matsuzaki, Kazuyoshi Murata, Kenji Iwasaki, Naoyuki Miyazaki
Summary: The acid-stable capsid structures of Helicobacter pylori phages KHP30 and KHP40 were solved using cryoelectron microscopy, revealing their unique composition and role in maintaining stability. The study provides insights into the possible mechanisms of phage adaptation to the human gastric environment.
Article
Cell Biology
Huascar Pedro Ortuste Quiroga, Massimo Ganassi, Shingo Yokoyama, Kodai Nakamura, Tomohiro Yamashita, Daniel Raimbach, Arisa Hagiwara, Oscar Harrington, Jodie Breach-Teji, Atsushi Asakura, Yoshiro Suzuki, Makoto Tominaga, Peter S. Zammit, Katsumasa Goto
Summary: Piezo1 plays a crucial role in myogenic differentiation, with its activation enhancing myoblast fusion and its knockout suppressing fusion. These findings suggest that Piezo1 deregulation may impact muscle aging and degenerative diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Atsuko Matsushita, Finlay Stewart, Marko Ilic, Pei-Ju Chen, Daiki Wakita, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Kazuyoshi Murata, Michiyo Kinoshita, Gregor Belusic, Kentaro Arikawa
Summary: While both the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the butterfly Papilio xuthus are studied, comparative research reveals significant differences in their color vision abilities.
Article
Virology
Naoyuki Miyazaki, Chihong Song, Tomoichiro Oka, Motohiro Miki, Kosuke Murakami, Kenji Iwasaki, Kazuhiko Katayama, Kazuyoshi Murata
Summary: SaV and norovirus are common causes of acute gastroenteritis in humans and animals, posing public health problems worldwide. The genetically diverse HuSaV has hindered the development of vaccines and therapeutics due to the lack of viral replication system and structural information. This study successfully produced a virus-like particle from HuSaV and determined its atomic structure, providing important insights for medical treatment and vaccine development.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryo Nagao, Koji Kato, Minoru Kumazawa, Kentaro Ifuku, Makio Yokono, Takehiro Suzuki, Naoshi Dohmae, Fusamichi Akita, Seiji Akimoto, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Jian-Ren Shen
Summary: The structure of Fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs) in diatoms has been successfully identified using cryo-electron microscopy, revealing their positions and the complexity of the pigment network. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy also provides insights into the excitation-energy transfer process from FCPs to photosystem II.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Koji Kato, Ryo Nagao, Yoshifumi Ueno, Makio Yokono, Takehiro Suzuki, Tian-Yi Jiang, Naoshi Dohmae, Fusamichi Akita, Seiji Akimoto, Naoyuki Miyazaki, Jian-Ren Shen
Summary: This study provides insights into the tetrameric structure of PSI from a glaucophyte alga, revealing evolutionary changes in subunit composition and excitation-energy transfer.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takahiro Shimizu, Takuto Fujii, Keisuke Hanita, Ryo Shinozaki, Yusaku Takamura, Yoshiro Suzuki, Teppei Kageyama, Mizuki Kato, Hisao Nishijo, Makoto Tominaga, Hideki Sakai
Summary: Bitterness is a crucial response to toxic foods, mediated by taste receptor 2 in Type II taste cells. However, a novel sensor called PKD2L1 channel has been identified for bitter aftertaste perception in Type III taste cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)