Article
Developmental Biology
Pei Zhang, Jiwei Chen, Xiangchuan Wang, Yingchao Geng, Liangyu Sun, Hongjie Zhang
Summary: Organ morphogenesis requires coordination of cellular events, including cell division, shape change, rearrangement, and death. However, the regulatory mechanism of cytokinesis in organ size and shape remains unclear. This study demonstrates that the centralspindlin complex regulates cytokinesis and epithelial morphogenesis, affecting cell division and causing malformation in Caenorhabditis elegans spermatheca. Analysis shows that CYK-4 regulates cytokinesis of spermathecal cells in a GTPase activator activity-independent manner. Furthermore, the centralspindlin components CYK-4 and ZEN-4, along with RHO-1 and CDC-42, play crucial roles in a signaling network that guides spermathecal morphogenesis by enabling completion of cytokinesis.
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
Lei Sang, Rui Dong, Rui Liu, Qinggang Hao, Weiyu Bai, Jianwei Sun
Summary: Our study reveals that NHR-14/HNF4 alpha cooperates with CEP-1/p53 to regulate DNA damage-induced apoptosis.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Nikki Naim, Francis R. G. Amrit, Ramesh Ratnappan, Nicholas DelBuono, Julia A. Loose, Arjumand Ghazi
Summary: The Caenorhabditis elegans pro-longevity factor NHR-49 promotes resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but modulates immunity and longevity distinctly. NHR-49 is differentially regulated by interventions that bring about long-term changes (life span extension) versus short-term stress (pathogen exposure) and orchestrates discrete outputs, including pathogen-specific transcriptional programs.
Article
Biology
Kelsie R. S. Doering, Xuanjin Cheng, Luke Milburn, Ramesh Ratnappan, Arjumand Ghazi, Dana L. Miller, Stefan Taubert
Summary: NHR-49, a nuclear hormone receptor in Caenorhabditis elegans, regulates a hypoxia response pathway that acts in parallel with HIF-1. In hypoxia, NHR-49 regulates a set of genes independent of HIF-1, including autophagy genes that promote hypoxia survival. NHR-67 acts as a negative regulator and HPK-1 acts as a positive regulator of the NHR-49 pathway.
Article
Plant Sciences
Magali Charvin, Thierry Halter, Romain Blanc-Mathieu, Pierre Barraud, Magali Aumont-Nicaise, Francois Parcy, Lionel Navarro
Summary: DNA methylation decreases binding of Arabidopsis WRKY transcription factors to their genomic regions and binding sites in vitro. Methylation of a single cytosine in the W-box motif repels DNA binding of AtWRKY40 in vitro through steric hindrance. This methylation-dependent mechanism could potentially be widespread across different plant species.
Article
Developmental Biology
Londen C. Johnson, An A. Vo, John C. Clancy, Krista M. Myles, Murugesan Pooranachithra, Joseph Aguilera, Max T. Levenson, Chloe Wohlenberg, Andreas Rechtsteiner, James Matthew Ragle, Andrew D. Chisholm, Jordan D. Ward
Summary: Nematode molting is a remarkable process where animals repeatedly build a new extracellular matrix. The nuclear hormone receptor NHR-23 is an important regulator of molting in C. elegans. NHR-23 acts primarily in seam and hypodermal cells to coordinate factors involved in molting, lipid transport/metabolism, and ECM remodeling.
Article
Cell Biology
Stephen P. Methot, Jan Padeken, Giovanna Brancati, Peter Zeller, Colin E. Delaney, Dimos Gaidatzis, Hubertus Kohler, Alexander van Oudenaarden, Helge Grosshans, Susan M. Gasser
Summary: The deposition of H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 can repress lineage-specific and germline genes in terminally differentiated Caenorhabditis elegans tissues by restricting the activity of specific transcription factors. Changes in H3K9me during development affect gene regulation and the maintenance of cellular functions.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xin Hua, Dayong Wang
Summary: N- (1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N '-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6-PPD), a common additive in rubber, enters the environment through tire wear particles. Its derivative 6-PPDQ has been identified in water samples and has toxic effects on coho salmon. This study found that environmentally relevant concentrations of 6-PPDQ can reduce lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans, with dysregulation in the insulin signaling pathway as the underlying mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas J. Fuda, Katjusa Brejc, William S. Kruesi, Edward J. Ralston, Rachel Bigley, Aram Shin, Miki Okada, Barbara J. Meyer
Summary: The study identifies critical X-sequence motifs in Caenorhabditis elegans that act synergistically in hermaphrodites to direct X-specific recruitment of the dosage compensation complex (DCC), a condensin complex. The findings reveal that synergy in DCC binding via combinatorial clustering of motifs triggers DCC assembly specifically on X chromosomes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tianshi Yu, Chanin Nantasenamat, Supicha Kachenton, Nuttapat Anuwongcharoen, Theeraphon Piacham
Summary: This study used cheminformatic analysis and machine learning modeling to investigate the chemical space, scaffolds, structure-activity relationship, and landscape of human androgen receptor antagonists. The findings revealed differences in physicochemical properties between potent/active class molecules and intermediate/inactive class molecules. Low scaffold diversity was observed, especially in the potent/active class molecules, indicating the need for developing molecules with novel scaffolds. The study also identified significant activity cliff generators and provided insights and guidelines for the development of novel androgen receptor antagonists.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Hua, Dayong Wang
Summary: This study examines the effects of 6-PPDQ exposure on dopamine metabolism and related behaviors in Caenorhabditis elegans. The results show that 6-PPDQ decreases dopamine content and alters dopamine-related behaviors. It also affects the expression of genes involved in dopamine synthesis and transport. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the altered molecular basis for dopamine metabolism is associated with 6-PPDQ-induced toxicity. Treatment with dopamine can rescue the defects in dopamine-related behaviors and toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Qiming Yang, Te-Wen Lo, Katjusa Brejc, Caitlin Schartner, Edward J. Ralston, Denise M. Lapidus, Barbara J. Meyer
Summary: An evolutionary perspective reveals that the genetic regulatory hierarchy controlling sex determination and X-chromosome dosage compensation is conserved but with divergent mechanisms between Caenorhabditis briggsae and Caenorhabditis elegans. While the binding of the specialized condensin dosage compensation complex (DCC) to recruitment sites in Cbr is additive, DCC binding to Cel recruitment sites is synergistic. Rapid divergence of DCC target specificity, determined by motifs, has played a crucial role in establishing reproductive isolation between nematode species.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sawako Shindo, Satoru Kakizaki, Toshiyuki Sakaki, Yuki Kawasaki, Tsutomu Sakuma, Masahiko Negishi, Ryota Shizu
Summary: Nuclear receptors collectively regulate biological functions and have diverse roles beyond transcription activation. While most are activated by ligand binding, some are phosphorylated. The physiological relevance of phosphorylation in nuclear receptor activity has been confirmed, especially within conserved domains. This review focuses on estrogen and androgen receptors and highlights phosphorylation as a potential drug target.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hephzibah Cathryn R., George Priya Doss C.
Summary: In this study, the effect of mutations on P53 protein was investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that the mutations led to loss of hydrogen bonds between DNA binding bases and caused significant movements of the zinc-binding domain.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Jan Thomann, Marius C. Hoener, Matthias E. Liechti
Summary: Pyrovalerone cathinones are potent DAT and NET inhibitors with high selectivity, potentially leading to strong psychostimulant effects and high abuse liability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Claudia Milazzo, Edwin J. Mientjes, Ilse Wallaard, Soren Vestergaard Rasmussen, Kamille Dumong Erichsen, Tejaswini Kakunuri, A. S. Elise van der Sman, Thomas Kremer, Meghan T. Miller, Marius C. Hoener, Ype Elgersma
Summary: Research findings demonstrate that ASO-induced reactivation of UBE3A in AS mice can lead to positive effects on AS phenotypes, such as restored sensitivity to seizures and improvements in behavior, indicating therapeutic potential.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Dino Luethi, Daniel Trachsel, Marius C. Hoener, Matthias E. Liechti
Summary: The psychedelic alkaloids, scalines and 3C-scalines, were found to have similar effects to mescaline and could potentially be used as novel therapeutics for psychedelic-assisted therapy. These compounds interacted with various monoamine receptors, with higher affinity observed at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Paula Ducret, Daniel Trachsel, Marius C. Hoener, Matthias E. Liechti, Dino Luethi
Summary: This article examines the pharmacological properties of MDA analogs and related amphetamine-based compounds, including monoamine uptake inhibition and release, as well as transporter and receptor binding and activation properties. The study finds that some MDA analogs have similar pharmacological profiles to MDMA, while others have more pronounced dopaminergic activity. Further research on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs is needed to better evaluate their risks and therapeutic potential.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dino Luethi, Deborah Rudin, Marius C. Hoener, Mattias E. Liechti
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Rudin, Dino Luethi, Marius C. Hoener, Matthias E. Liechti
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniil Grinchii, Marius C. Hoener, Talah Khoury, Roman Dekhtiarenko, Reyhaneh Nejati Bervanlou, Daniela Jezova, Eliyahu Dremencov
Summary: Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has been identified as a potential target for future antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anti-addiction drugs. Studies have shown that TAAR1 agonists can produce antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anti-addiction behavioral effects in rodents and primates, and these effects are associated with the modulation of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
David A. Barnes, Marius C. Hoener, Craig S. Moore, Mark D. Berry
Summary: This study reveals the role of Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in modulating cytokine secretion and metabolic profiles in peripherally-derived macrophages. It also suggests a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory disorders. However, TAAR1 does not have the same effect in CNS-resident macrophages.
JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Adam L. Halberstadt, Dino Luethi, Marius C. Hoener, Daniel Trachsel, Simon D. Brandt, Matthias E. Liechti
Summary: This study investigated the structure-activity relationships of 4-thio-substituted phenylalkylamines and found that these compounds have psychedelic effects, supporting their classification as psychedelics.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bartosz Adam Frycz, Klaudia Nowicka, Anna Konopka, Marius Christian Hoener, Ewa Bulska, Leszek Kaczmarek, Marzena Stefaniuk
Summary: Alcohol dependence is characterized by abnormal dopamine release in the brain. TAAR1, a receptor that regulates dopamine neurotransmission, may be a target for treating addiction. This study examined the effects of TAAR1 activation on alcohol consumption in mice and found that activation of TAAR1 reduces alcohol drinking and preference. The findings suggest that TAAR1 is a promising target for treating alcohol abuse and relapse.
Review
Neurosciences
Ahmed Haider, Nehal H. Elghazawy, Alyaa Dawood, Catherine Gebhard, Thomas Wichmann, Wolfgang Sippl, Marius Hoener, Ernest Arenas, Steven H. Liang
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting the elderly. PD is characterized by nigrostriatal loss and the formation of misfolded alpha-synuclein protein aggregates. Motor symptoms can be managed with dopaminergic therapy initially, but ultimately become unresponsive. Molecular imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT can be used to study PD.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2023)
Correction
Neurosciences
Anushka V. Goonawardena, Stephen R. Morairty, Ryan Dell, Gabriel A. Orellana, Marius C. Hoener, Tanya L. Wallace, Thomas S. Kilduff
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
David Barnes, Marius Hoener, Craig Moore, Mark Berry
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jenna Caines, Marius Hoener, Mark Berry
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Nikhil J. Pandya, Congwei Wang, Veronica Costa, Paul Lopatta, Sonja Meier, F. Isabella Zampeta, A. Mattijs Punt, Edwin Mientjes, Philip Grossen, Tania Distler, Manuel Tzouros, Yasmina Marti, Balazs Banfai, Christoph Patsch, Soren Rasmussen, Marius Hoener, Marco Berrera, Thomas Kremer, Tom Dunkley, Martin Ebeling, Ben Distel, Ype Elgersma, Ravi Jagasia
Summary: Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the loss of maternal UBE3A, and studying neurons derived from patients with AS and neurotypical individuals have revealed the potential involvement of the protein PEG10 in AS pathophysiology. Further research on PEG10 and its interaction with RNA and certain proteins may shed light on the mechanisms underlying this disorder.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)