Article
Ecology
Marissa Fabrezi, Julio Cesar Cruz
Summary: Studies on the effects of thyroid hormones on larval development in frogs provide insights into the genetic and hormonal mechanisms driving growth and transitions throughout development. Mesocosm experiments offer realistic data on environmental conditions, critical for understanding anuran larval development and endocrine disruption. Thyroid axis disruption, specifically with methimazole and thyroxine, influences developmental rates and musculoskeletal morphogenesis in premetamorphic stages of tadpoles.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xingfeng Xu, Mao Li, Yan Su, Qi Wang, Peifang Qin, Haitao Huang, Yuting Zhang, Yali Zhou, Jianguo Yan
Summary: This article aimed to explore the potential mechanism of C9orf72 involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The study found that the expression level of C9orf72 protein was significantly reduced in PD models, while the mRNA expression level remains unchanged. The degradation of C9orf72 protein was mainly through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and its phosphorylation at the S9 site promoted its degradation. Knockdown of C9orf72 aggravated autophagy dysfunction and increased neuronal loss and motor dysfunction in PD mice, while overexpression of C9orf72 alleviated autophagy dysfunction in PD neurons. Interfering with Cdk5 phosphorylation at the S9 site of C9orf72 could alleviate autophagy dysfunction, neuronal death, and motor dysfunction caused by C9orf72 protein degradation.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mark Klein
Summary: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have important roles in normal cells and can be targeted for cancer therapy. CDK4 inhibitors have been approved for advanced breast cancer treatment. However, the development of selective inhibitors for individual CDKs is challenging due to the highly conserved ATP-binding site.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Faustova, Kaidi Moll, Ervin Valk, Mart Loog, Mihkel Ord
Summary: Cyclins not only activate CDK complexes, but also serve as docking scaffolds for CDK substrates and inhibitors. G1-cyclins in yeast play a specific role in promoting bud growth and polarization, essential for cell survival. The discovery of a specific docking motif in G1-cyclins expands our understanding of cyclin specificity mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gurjit Singh, Kenneth B. Storey
Summary: The study analyzed the regulation of the cell cycle in crayfish in response to oxygen deprivation and found overall upregulation of positive regulators and inhibitors at the G1/S barrier, as well as potential deceleration at the G2/M barrier despite higher activities of checkpoint kinases.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pim J. Huis in 't Veld, Sabine Wohlgemuth, Carolin Koerner, Franziska Muller, Petra Janning, Andrea Musacchio
Summary: During cell division into mitosis, CDK1 and Cyclin-B complex phosphorylate proteins, altering their conformations and functions; to study the mitotic protein machinery, a pure and active kinase complex must be reconstituted in vitro; high activity of CDK1:Cyclin-B complex can be achieved through the activation of a Threonine residue in the CDK1 activation loop.
Article
Cell Biology
Mallory I. Frederick, Tarana Siddika, Pengcheng Zhang, Nileeka Balasuriya, Matthew A. Turk, Patrick O'Donoghue, Ilka U. Heinemann
Summary: Research shows that in ovarian cancer cells, let-7 miRNAs can decrease the phosphorylation levels of AKT1, thereby inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, the transition from adherent to spheroid growth is accompanied by a significant increase in let-7 miRNAs' levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Muriel Rigolet, Nicolas Buisine, Marylou Scharwatt, Evelyne Duvernois-Berthet, Daniel R. Buchholz, Laurent M. Sachs
Summary: Thyroid hormones and glucocorticoids play a role in cell-cycle regulation through the joint regulation of genes in the liver of tadpoles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauris Evariste, Antoine Mottier, Eric Pinelli, Emmanuel Flahaut, Laury Gauthier, Florence Mouchet
Summary: The interest in graphene-based nanomaterials (GBMs) is increasing globally due to their innovative applications, but concerns about their potential adverse effects on the environment and endocrine disruption potential are also growing. A study found that graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have different effects on amphibian endocrine systems, with GBMs potentially increasing the bioavailability and toxicity of other pollutants through hormone adsorption. This highlights the need for further research on the environmental impact and potential risks associated with GBMs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Faustova, Luka Bulatovic, Frida Matiyevskaya, Ervin Valk, Mihkel Ord, Mart Loog
Summary: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are regulated by different cyclins throughout the cell cycle, with the NLxxxL docking motif playing a crucial role in the phosphorylation-dependent degradation of the CDK inhibitor Far1 at the G1/S stage in yeast. This motif is specifically recognized by the S-phase CDK (S-CDK) Clb5/6-Cdc28, indicating its importance in controlling cell cycle events. Additionally, the NLxxxL motif governs S-cyclin-specificity in multiple yeast CDK targets, suggesting its significance in fine-tuning cell cycle processes.
Review
Oncology
Ajay Dhaka, Carla Falkson, Ruth M. O'Regan
Summary: The use of CDK4/6 inhibitors has improved outcomes for patients with metastatic HR-positive breast cancer, but trials evaluating their use in the adjuvant setting have shown mixed results, highlighting the need for further research on patient selection and predictive biomarkers.
Article
Biology
Yaxin Shi, Yang Shi, Wenyao Ji, Xike Li, Zhiyi Shi, Jilun Hou, Wenjuan Li, Yuanshuai Fu
Summary: In this study, the role of thyroid hormones (TH) in visual remodeling during Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) metamorphosis was investigated through cellular molecular biology experiments. The results showed that the expression of the five opsin genes of the flounder were highest in eye tissue and varied with the metamorphosis process. The expression of rh1, sws2a beta and lws was positively regulated by exogenous TH, but inhibited by thiourea (TU) compared to the control group. Meanwhile, T3 levels in flounder larvae were increased by TH and decreased by TU. Based on the differences in the expression of the three isoforms of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) (Tr alpha a, Tr alpha b and Tr beta), it was further hypothesized that T3 may directly or indirectly regulate the expression of sws2a beta through Tr alpha a. This study demonstrates the regulatory role of TH in opsins during flounder metamorphosis and provides a basis for further investigation on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the retinal photoreceptor system in flounders.
Article
Toxicology
David T. Han, Weichen Zhao, Wade H. Powell
Summary: Frog metamorphosis is controlled by thyroid hormone and glucocorticoids, and is susceptible to disruption by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. The immediate early gene klf9 serves as a key regulator in the expression changes during metamorphosis, and can be synergistically induced by both the hormones. Binding of AHR to upstream AHREs represents an early key event in TCDD's disruption of klf9 expression and metamorphosis.
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amandine Aviles, Katrine Hulgard, John W. Green, Annette Duus, Bente Holbech, Jane E. Morthorst
Summary: Several chemicals have been found to disrupt the thyroid hormone system in mammals, resulting in neurodevelopmental impairments, as well as causing development and growth disorders in fish and amphibians. However, identifying these chemicals is challenging and current assessment methods only rely on in vivo tests with mammals and amphibians. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two model thyroid hormone disrupting chemicals on a native European amphibian species, and found differences in sensitivity compared to the commonly used African clawed frog Xenopus laevis/tropicalis.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Juri Kim, Eun-Ah Park, Mee Young Shin, Soon-Jung Park
Summary: This study investigated the functional roles of Giardia lamblia CDKs (GlCDKs) and their cognate cyclins. Using morpholino-mediated knockdown and coimmunoprecipitation, the functions of GlCDK1 and GlCDK2 were distinguished. GlCDK1 with Glcyclin 3977 plays a crucial role in flagellum formation and cell cycle control of G. lamblia, while GlCDK2 with Glcyclin 22394/6584 is involved in cell cycle control.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jody L. Heerema, Caren C. Helbing, Greg G. Pyle
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2018)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jody L. Heerema, Kevin W. Jackman, Rachel C. Miliano, Linda Li, Tristan S. M. Zaborniak, Nik Veldhoen, Graham van Aggelen, Wayne J. Parker, Gregory G. Pyle, Caren C. Helbing
HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jacob J. Imbery, Craig Buday, Rachel C. Miliano, Dayue Shang, Jessica M. Round, Honoria Kwok, Graham Van Aggelen, Caren C. Helbing
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jared Hobbs, Jessica M. Round, Michael J. Allison, Caren C. Helbing
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caren C. Helbing, S. Austin Hammond, Shireen H. Jackman, Simon Houston, Rene L. Warren, Caroline E. Cameron, Inanc Birol
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Agnieszka Fatalska, Natalia Rusetska, Elwira Bakula-Zalewska, Artur Kowalik, Sebastian Zieba, Agnieszka Wroblewska, Kamil Zalewski, Krzysztof Goryca, Dominik Domanski, Magdalena Kowalewska
Summary: Our study aimed to identify protein markers of VSCC tumors for patient stratification based on progression risk. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed immune response as the most over-represented category for differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in progVSCC vs. d-fVSCC tumors, with pathway profiling indicating bacterial infections linked to aggressive VSCC phenotypes. HMGA2 and PRTN3 were identified as proteins predicting VSCC progression and show promise as markers for patient stratification. Bacterial infections triggering an inflammatory response seem to contribute to cancer progression in VSCC, suggesting that targeted therapies should consider bacterial rather than viral infection status.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lorissa M. Corrie, Meaghan N. Kempe, Oxana Blajkevitch, Dayue Shang, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: The study shows that dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) can disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) signaling in American bullfrogs, affecting their developmental process. DOSS disrupted the expression of TH-responsive genes in liver and tail fin tissue of tadpoles, with different patterns of effects observed at various concentrations.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ethan A. Abbott, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: The study found that sucralose altered the expression of fundamental thyroid hormone-response genes in premetamorphic American bullfrog tadpoles, indicating potential impacts of environmental sucralose exposure on amphibian metamorphosis. Further investigations into the cumulative effects of sucralose exposure are warranted.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anita A. Thambirajah, Michael G. Wade, Jonathan Verreault, Nicolas Buisine, Veronica A. Alves, Valerie S. Langlois, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: This critical review highlights the complexity of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals interfering with Thyroid Hormone function through interactions with other hormonal axes, and emphasizes the lack of data generated in non-mammalian vertebrate classes. With the availability of more genomics-based resources, better identification and delineation of EDC effects, modes of action, and identification of effective biomarkers suitable for HPT disruption is possible. The effects of EDCs are likely to cascade into a plurality of complex physiological effects, beyond the few variables tested within research studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Diana Lin, Darcy Sutherland, Sambina Islam Aninta, Nathan Louie, Ka Ming Nip, Chenkai Li, Anat Yanai, Lauren Coombe, Rene L. Warren, Caren C. Helbing, Linda M. N. Hoang, Inanc Birol
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis, and alternative antimicrobial therapeutics are urgently needed. This study presents rAMPage, a bioinformatics discovery platform, to identify AMP sequences from RNA-seq datasets. The researchers used rAMPage on 84 publicly available RNA-seq datasets, identifying 1137 possible AMPs, with 1024 deemed novel. Testing 21 selected peptide sequences, seven of them showed high antimicrobial activity.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amelia Richter, Darcy Sutherland, Hossein Ebrahimikondori, Alana Babcock, Nathan Louie, Chenkai Li, Lauren Coombe, Diana Lin, Rene L. Warren, Anat Yanai, Monica Kotkoff, Caren C. Helbing, Fraser Hof, Linda M. N. Hoang, Inanc Birol
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising biological molecules for developing new therapeutics against antimicrobial resistance. In this study, 51 AMP candidates were bioinformatically identified and characterized. These AMPs demonstrated activity against bacterial pathogens and low toxicity to human cells. Sequence and structural analysis also predicted their antimicrobial activity.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anita A. Thambirajah, Rachel C. Miliano, Ethan A. Abbott, Craig Buday, Dayue Shang, Honoria Kwok, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: Oil spills in high traffic coastal environments have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and the dependent commercial and social interests. It is crucial to develop effective tools to monitor oil contamination and remediation in a timely manner due to the ongoing reliance on marine fuels. This study demonstrates the value of using the cyp1a1 transcript as a sensitive indicator for tracking exposure and recovery from oil contamination.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Morgan D. Hocking, Jeffrey C. MacAdams, Michael J. Allison, Lauren C. Bergman, Robert Sneiderman, Ben F. Koop, Brian M. Starzomski, Mary L. Lesperance, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: A current challenge in environmental DNA (eDNA) applications is accounting for environmental background in surveys. This study conducted two controlled experiments using a coho salmon eDNA assay, demonstrating a novel method to detect target species eDNA in the presence of background and providing a statistically robust assessment for eDNA surveys.
Article
Biology
Michael J. Allison, Jessica M. Round, Lauren C. Bergman, Ali Mirabzadeh, Heather Allen, Aron Weir, Caren C. Helbing
Summary: The study evaluated the quality of filter-immobilized eDNA desiccated with silica gel under different storage conditions for over a year using targeted quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assays. The results showed that silica gel outperformed ethanol preservation at preventing a decrease in eDNA sample quality at higher temperatures, and that long-term storage of eDNA filters with silica gel beads should be at -20 degrees C to maintain sample integrity.
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Grace Park, Pamela Brunswick, Honoria Kwok, Maxine Haberl, Jeffrey Yan, Ceara MacInnis, Marcus Kim, Caren Helbing, Graham van Aggelen, Dayue Shang
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2018)