Article
Biology
Yanyan Liu, Pu Ke, Yi-Chun Kuo, Yuxiao Wang, Xuewu Zhang, Chen Song, Yibing Shan
Summary: RND1 reinforces the plexin dimerization interface while RhoD destabilizes it due to their differential interaction with the cell membrane. This differential membrane interaction results in opposite effects on the dimerization interface via an allosteric network involving the RBD, RBD linkers, and a buttress segment adjacent to the dimerization interface.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander Fonin, Iuliia A. Antifeeva, Olesya G. Shpironok, Olesya Stepanenko, Sergey A. Silonov, Olga Stepanenko, Ivan E. Antifeev, Anna E. Romanovich, Irina M. Kuznetsova, Jeong-Il Kim, Vladimir N. Uversky, Konstantin K. Turoverov
Summary: Plant photobodies are membrane-less organelles generated by protein interactions, regulating plant photomorphogenesis. In mammalian cells, the assembly and disassembly of photo-inducible MLOs follow concentration-dependent phase separation, suggesting a potential mechanism for control of intracellular processes. The developed chimeric proteins can be utilized to manipulate the formation and disassembly of these organelles in mammalian cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryunosuke Hayashi, Shohei Tashiro, Masahiro Asakura, Shinya Mitsui, Mitsuhiko Shionoya
Summary: The structure of porous molecular crystals can be controlled allosterically by the adsorption of effectors within low-symmetry nanochannels with multiple molecular recognition sites, leading to diverse framework structure conversion and switchable molecular affinity at different recognition sites. These findings may provide guidance for the development of supramolecular materials with flexible and highly-ordered three-dimensional structures for biological applications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Efrosini Artikis, Allison Kraus, Byron Caughey
Summary: The structures of infectious prion fibrils have been revealed using cryo-EM, providing insights into the structural features that contribute to pathogenicity. Variations in the conformation and sequence of PrP fibrils likely contribute to strain-dependent effects, while posttranslational modifications may play a role in membrane binding and pathogenesis.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah R. Bridges, James N. Blaza, Zhan Yin, Injae Chung, Michael N. Pollak, Judy Hirst
Summary: We have characterized the molecular mode of action of biguanides by studying the drug-target interaction with cryo-electron microscopy and enzyme kinetics. Our results explain the selectivity of biguanide binding to different enzyme states and provide a structural basis for their action. This research also opens new opportunities for the rational design of medicinal biguanides.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vadim Molodtsov, Chengyuan Wang, Emre Firlar, Jason T. T. Kaelber, Richard H. H. Ebright
Summary: This study reports the preparation and cryogenic electron microscopy structures of functional complexes involved in factor-dependent transcription termination from a ring-shaped hexameric ATP-dependent molecular motor called Rho. The structures reveal the mechanism of Rho-mediated transcription termination and its interaction with other factors. This research has significant implications in understanding the function of Rho in transcription and translation coupling.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lejla Zubcevic
Summary: Temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential vanilloid ion channel subtypes 1-4 (thermoTRPV1-thermoTRPV4) play important roles in various physiological processes and can be modulated by natural product compounds. Understanding their activation mechanisms and mapping the binding sites for modulatory compounds is crucial for drug development.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ila A. Marathe, Stella M. Lai, Walter J. Zahurancik, Michael G. Poirier, Vicki H. Wysocki, Venkat Gopalan
Summary: The ribonucleoprotein form of archaeal RNase P consists of one catalytic RNA and five protein cofactors, which work together to recognize and cleave tRNA in a Mg2+-dependent manner. The addition of RPPs decreases the Mg2+ requirement and improves cleavage efficiency. Mg2+ and RPP proteins play essential roles in enhancing activity by inducing structural changes in RNA.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biology
Marta Ripamonti, Nicolas Liaudet, Latifeh Azizi, Daniel Bouvard, Vesa P. Hytonen, Bernhard Wehrle-Haller
Summary: The study provides insights into the molecular organization of beta 3 integrin-FAs, showing the specific contributions of individual Paxillin LIM domains in targeting and maintaining the structural integrity of focal adhesions (FAs). Ripamonti et al. demonstrate the importance of mechanical coupling of paxillin in the FA to the plasma membrane or integrin for FA stability and integrin-talin linkage.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian Fuehrer, Jana Unterhauser, Ricarda Zeindl, Reiner Eidelpes, Monica L. Fernandez-Quintero, Klaus R. Liedl, Martin Tollinger
Summary: PR-10 proteins are a major cause of food allergic reactions. This study analyzes the structural flexibility of thirteen PR-10 proteins from prevalent plant food sources and reveals that they have inherently flexible protein backbones in solution, with protein-specific extent of flexibility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Zapletal, Eliska Taborska, Josef Pasulka, Radek Malik, Karel Kubicek, Martina Zanova, Christian Much, Marek Sebesta, Valeria Buccheri, Filip Horvat, Irena Jenickova, Michaela Prochazkova, Jan Prochazka, Matyas Pinkas, Jiri Novacek, Diego F. Joseph, Radislav Sedlacek, Carrie Bernecky, Donal O'Carroll, Richard Stefl, Petr Svoboda
Summary: The DExD/H domain of Dicer plays a crucial structural role in mammalian miRNA biogenesis. It locks Dicer in a closed state, facilitating miRNA precursor selection. Absence or mutations of the DExD/H domain unlock Dicer and activate RNAi.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Sabzali Javadov, Sehwan Jang, Xavier R. Chapa-Dubocq, Zaza Khuchua, Amadou K. S. Camara
Summary: Mitochondria are the main source of ATP for cellular energy demands, and the study of ETC complexes has been focused on solid-state and fluid-state models. Respiratory supercomplexes, according to the solid-state model, play a potential role in maintaining energy balance within the cell.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shukun Luo, Bruna G. Coutinho, Prikshat Dadhwal, Yasuhiro Oda, Jiahong Ren, Amy L. Schaefer, E. Peter Greenberg, Caroline S. Harwood, Liang Tong
Summary: Some plant-associated proteobacteria have LuxR family transcription factors known as PipR subfamily members that play important roles in interactions with plant hosts and bacterial virulence of plants. The ethanolamine derivative, HEHEAA, was identified as an effective effector of PipR-mediated gene regulation in the plant endophyte Pseudomonas GM79. Crystallization of a HEHEAA-responsive SBP revealed the molecular basis of PipR system responses to plant factors, showing that different PipR-associated SBPs bind different effectors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas Schmidt, Jaekyun Jeon, Wai-Ming Yau, Charles D. Schwieters, Robert Tycko, G. Marius Clore
Summary: Recent advances in rapid mixing and freeze quenching have allowed for the study of protein-substrate interactions using time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-based double electron-electron resonance (DEER) and solid-state NMR. These methods provide valuable information on the kinetic and structural pathways of protein-substrate binding.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biology
Joseph M. Kelich, Harry Papaioannou, Emmanuel Skordalakes
Summary: The human CST complex plays a critical role in telomere maintenance and homeostasis, with its dynamic intracellular localization being cell cycle-dependent. The CST complex lacks a nuclear localization signal and relies on Pol alpha-primase for nuclear import. Mutations affecting CST nuclear import are associated with telomere syndromes and cancer, underscoring the importance of this process in health.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Tortolani, Camilla Di Meo, Sara Standoli, Francesca Ciaramellano, Salam Kadhim, Eric Hsu, Cinzia Rapino, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: Rare cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids (pCBs) have therapeutic potential in skin disorders and their anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in this study. The experiment involved using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and measuring the levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins. The results showed that pCBs significantly reduced the release of pro-inflammatory interleukins and modulated MAPK signaling, suggesting their potential as a treatment for inflammation-related skin pathologies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Standoli, Cinzia Rapino, Camilla Di Meo, Agnes Rudowski, Nicole Kaempfer-Kolb, Luisa Michelle Volk, Dominique Thomas, Sandra Trautmann, Yannick Schreiber, Dagmar Meyer zu Heringdorf, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: Microglia, the immune cells of the central nervous system, have important roles in brain homeostasis and various neurological diseases. This study investigates the interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate system in microglia. The results reveal that inhibiting the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme and activating the cannabinoid 2 receptor have anti-inflammatory effects and prevent the transcription of pro-inflammatory SphK1 and SphK2 in microglia cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide. The findings suggest the development of inhibitors for these enzymes as potential treatments for neuroinflammatory diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annamaria Tisi, Giulia Carozza, Alessandro Leuti, Rita Maccarone, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: The study investigates the alterations of RvE1 metabolism and signaling in an animal model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and suggests a potentially relevant role of this pathway in AMD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mauro Maccarrone, Vincenzo Di Marzo, Jurg Gertsch, Uwe Grether, Allyn C. Howlett, Tian Hua, Alexandros Makriyannis, Daniele Piomelli, Natsuo Ueda, Mario van der Stelt
Summary: Marijuana, a widely used recreational drug, has seen a change in risk perception due to its legalization and medical use. Research has shown the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for various diseases, and our body's endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in this. Understanding the components and functions of this system can lead to new treatment opportunities.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Giulia Leanza, Caterina Conte, Francesca Cannata, Camilla Isgro, Alessandra Piccoli, Rocky Strollo, Carlo Cosimo Quattrocchi, Rocco Papalia, Vincenzo Denaro, Mauro Maccarrone, Nicola Napoli, Anna Maria Sardanelli
Summary: In this study, the oxidative stress states were compared between postmenopausal women with and without obesity. The results showed that women with obesity had doubled levels of oxidative stress markers compared to women of normal weight. The severity of oxidative stress was correlated with body mass index, visceral fat mass, and trunk fat percentage, but not with fasting glucose levels. These findings suggest that obesity and visceral fat increase oxidative stress in postmenopausal women, potentially increasing the risks of cardiometabolic and cancer diseases.
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Eleonora Nicolai
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paola Cerini, Francesca Rita Meduri, Flaminia Tomassetti, Isabella Polidori, Marta Brugneti, Eleonora Nicolai, Sergio Bernardini, Massimo Pieri, Francesco Broccolo
Summary: The World Health Organization has identified three categories of pathogens based on the need for new antibiotics: critical, high, and medium priority. The prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as CPO, MRSA, and VRE, has increased from 2019 to 2022 in both nosocomial and community patients. This highlights the importance of implementing preventive and control measures to reduce the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Article
Optics
Roberto Pizzoferrato, Yuliu Li, Eleonora Nicolai
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are a new and widespread environmental pollutant with potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Existing identification methods rely on manual visual counting by trained operators, which is time-consuming and subjective. This study presents an automatic, fast, portable, and inexpensive method for quantitative detection of MPs in water using a fluorescence confocal microscope. The system uses a low-power laser to count dye-stained MPs in flowing liquid based on fluorescence pulses, which are processed using a pattern recognition algorithm. The method was calibrated and showed agreement with theoretical predictions, although further investigation is needed for quantitative results in real water samples.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Salma Younes, Eleonora Nicolai, Duaa W. Al-Sadeq, Nadin Younes, Nader Al-Dewik, Haissam Abou-Saleh, Bushra Y. Abo-Halawa, Ali Hussein Eid, Massimo Pieri, Na Liu, Hanin I. Daas, Hadi M. Yassine, Parveen B. Nizamuddin, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Gheyath K. Nasrallah
Summary: This study compared antibody responses between vaccinated individuals and naturally infected individuals over a 10-month period. The vaccinated individuals showed significantly higher antibody responses in the first 6 months compared to the naturally infected individuals. However, antibody responses started to decline after the 7th month in the vaccinated group. These findings have important implications for the development of long-lasting protection strategies.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annamaria Tisi, Sakthimala Palaniappan, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: This article presents the application of advanced omics techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, in cochlear research. The article also introduces the latest technologies, including single-cell omics and spatial omics, for investigating molecular events at a single-cell resolution with spatial information.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michele Basilicata, Massimo Pieri, Giulia Marrone, Eleonora Nicolai, Manuela Di Lauro, Vincenza Paolino, Flaminia Tomassetti, Ilaria Vivarini, Patrizio Bollero, Sergio Bernardini, Annalisa Noce
Summary: Saliva is a complex fluid that plays a crucial role in various physiological processes and functions, including oral health, taste, digestion, and immunological defenses. The composition of saliva and the oral microbiome can be influenced by factors such as diet and smoking habits, and changes in these factors can lead to the development of systemic illnesses. This review explores the potential of saliva as a new tool for early detection of conditions such as oral diseases and chronic non-communicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease. The correlation between oral and systemic diseases as well as oral and gut microbiota dysbiosis is also examined. Salivary parameters could serve as a new device for detecting oral and systemic pathologies, and modulating oral and gut microbiota through prebiotics, postbiotics, or symbiotics may offer a new approach for managing oral diseases and chronic kidney disease.
Article
Neurosciences
Michela Bossa, Ornella Argento, Chiara Piacentini, Nicola Manocchio, Lucia Scipioni, Sergio Oddi, Mauro Maccarrone, Ugo Nocentini
Summary: This project aims to evaluate the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of oral administration of N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through cognitive evaluation and biochemical analyses. The specific objectives are to determine whether PEA can affect neuropsychological and behavioral scores, change inflammatory and neuronal damage markers in MCI subjects, and if these changes correlate with clinical scores.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonora Nicolai, Flaminia Tomassetti, Martina Pelagalli, Serena Sarubbi, Marilena Minieri, Alberto Nisini, Marzia Nuccetelli, Marco Ciotti, Massimo Pieri, Sergio Bernardini
Summary: This study evaluated the level of neutralizing antibodies in individuals who received a three-vaccination series and found that after six months, the antibody titer significantly increased. Participants who received three vaccine doses had an antibody level of over 1000 BAU/mL five months after the third dose, indicating a low risk of infection.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Eleonora Nicolai, Serena Sarubbi, Martina Pelagalli, Valerio Basile, Alessandro Terrinoni, Marilena Minieri, Oreste Cennamo, Sandro Grelli, Sergio Bernardini, Massimo Pieri
Summary: Infectious diseases like HIV and HBV have a global impact on public health and healthcare costs. Timely diagnosis plays a central role in controlling the spread of these infections. This study compared the performance of the Abbott system and the new analyser Mindray 1200i in detecting HBV and HIV infections. Clinical serum samples from randomly selected patients were tested and compared with the routine instrument, Abbott Architect. The results showed that the Mindray CL-1200i platform offers high-level performance with accurate and consistent test results, making it a valuable tool for routine analysis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eleonora Nicolai, Malgorzata Wrzesien
Summary: This article reviews the risk factors associated with radiation cataract in workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation, especially nuclear medicine workers. It highlights the specific issues in nuclear medicine and the difficulties in monitoring eye lens exposure. The article also discusses other risk factors that may play a key role in cataract damage. The review serves as a foundation for the development of new studies to introduce protocols based on specific nutrient intake to reduce the absorbed dose and onset of cataracts in nuclear medicine workers.
RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
(2024)