Article
Cell Biology
Dong Li, Ying Ge, Ze Zhao, Rui Zhu, Xiang Wang, Xiaolin Bi
Summary: The study analyzed the expression profiles of miRNAs and piRNAs in Drosophila during development and DNA damage response, revealing dynamic expression patterns and the key roles of E2f1 and p53 in regulating small ncRNAs. E2f1 may play a major role in modulating miRNAs during development and after X-ray irradiation, showcasing new insights into small ncRNA biology.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ananya Chakravarti, Heshani N. Thirimanne, Savanna Brown, Brian R. Calvi
Summary: Using Drosophila as a model, this study found that p53 isoforms in fruit flies have functions specific to DNA damage and cell types, similar to mammalian p53 family members in the genotoxic stress response and oocyte quality control.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga V. Andreenkova, Olga D. Shishkina, Alexandra I. Klimenko, Aleksandra E. Korenskaia, Margarita A. Bobrovskikh, Natalja V. Shatskaya, Gennady V. Vasiliev, Nataly E. Gruntenko
Summary: Several methods for extracting Wolbachia DNA from insect hosts have been described, but the low quantity of the bacteria made these techniques labor-intensive. This paper proposes a simplified and accelerated method for isolating high-purity Wolbachia DNA from Drosophila melanogaster, using centrifugation, filtration, and a modified version of the Livak buffer protocol. The proportion of Wolbachia DNA in total DNA was quantified using sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Matthew W. Parker, Jonchee A. Kao, Alvin Huang, James M. Berger, Michael R. Botchan
Summary: Researchers demonstrate that phase separation is driven by a synergy between electrostatic DNA-bridging interactions and hydrophobic inter-IDR contacts, dependent on sequence composition but not order. These interactions are resistant to 1,6-hexanediol and independent of aromaticity, revealing distinct mechanisms underlying condensate formation and specificity in different phase-separating systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Bochynska, Alexander T. Stenzel, Roksaneh Sayadi Boroujeni, Chao-Chung Kuo, Mirna Barsoum, Weili Liang, Philip Bussmann, Ivan G. Costa, Juliane Luescher-Firzlaff, Bernhard Luescher
Summary: The expression of genes is regulated by the post-translational modifications of core histones. Loss of Ash2l leads to downregulation of H3K4 methylation and gene expression, inhibiting cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and inducing senescence.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Brandt Warecki, Ian Bast, Matthew Tajima, William Sullivan
Summary: There is a mechanism in normally dividing cells that uses connections between telomeres to rescue lagging chromosome fragments. This mechanism stabilizes the connections through the recruitment of specific proteins, aiding in the rescue of the fragments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Mangoni, Francesco Petrizzelli, Niccolo Liorni, Salvatore Daniele Bianco, Tommaso Biagini, Alessandro Napoli, Marta Adinolfi, Pietro Hiram Guzzi, Antonio Novelli, Viviana Caputo, Tommaso Mazza
Summary: The process of aging involves a decline in physiological functions and mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a significant role. In this study, Drosophila melanogaster was used as a model organism to study aging, and graph theory was employed to analyze gene expression patterns. Mitochondrial genes, including UQCR-C1, ND-B17.2, ND-20, and Pdhb, were found to be important in aging and age-related diseases. These findings demonstrate the role of mitochondrial genes in the aging process and the usefulness of Drosophila melanogaster and graph theory in aging research.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sneh M. Toprani, Dimitrios Bitounis, Qiansheng Huang, Nathalia Oliveira, Kee Woei Ng, Chor Yong Tay, Zachary D. Nagel, Philip Demokritou
Summary: The potential genotoxic effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on DNA repair pathways have been investigated using a fluorescence multiplex-host-cell reactivation (FM-HCR) assay. Results showed that some ENMs may enhance DNA repair capacity while others suppress it. This method can be a valuable part of a multitier, in vitro hazard assessment of ENMs, providing insights into the interplay between ENM properties, DNA repair efficiency, and genomic stability.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Manuel Rueda, Roberto Ariosa, Mauricio Moldes, Jordi Rambla
Summary: Beacon v2 is an API specification that defines a standard for federated discovery of genomic and phenotypic data. B2RI is a set of open-source software tools that allow quick setup of a local Beacon instance.
Article
Biology
Florian Schueder, Pierre Mangeol, Eunice HoYee Chan, Renate Rees, Juergen Schuenemann, Ralf Jungmann, Dirk Goerlich, Frank Schnorrer
Summary: Sarcomeres, the force-producing units of striated muscles, depend on the titin protein for their nanoarchitecture. This study used nanobodies and super-resolution microscopy to determine the location of two Drosophila titin homologs in flight muscles. The findings reveal the presence of these titin homologs and their role in muscle structure, providing insights into the organization of sarcomeres in non-vertebrates.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alison H. Nguyen, Weixiang Wang, Emily Chong, Kamalakar Chatla, Doris Bachtrog
Summary: By studying the Y chromosomes in fruit flies, it was found that the differences between Y chromosomes are mainly caused by a few active transposable elements, which have recently expanded on the largest Y chromosome. Different elements are responsible for the expansion of Y on differently sized chromosomes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Seung Hun Lee, Tae-Won Goo, Eun-Young Yun
Summary: ADL extract significantly increased the survival rate of DSS-fed Drosophila, reduced gut cell apoptosis and permeability, and maintained gut tissue homeostasis. Furthermore, ADL extract restored the original membrane localization of disrupted E-cadherin.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Stefanny Villalobos-Cantor, Ruth M. Barrett, Alec F. Condon, Alicia Arreola-Bustos, Kelsie M. Rodriguez, Michael S. Cohen, Ian Martin
Summary: Controlled protein synthesis is crucial for regulating gene expression in a cell type-specific manner. We developed a new method to specifically label and visualize newly-synthesized proteins in targeted cell populations in the fly brain, allowing for quantitative analysis of protein synthesis states in vivo.
Article
Developmental Biology
Ryan S. O'Neill, Nasser M. Rusan
Summary: This study identified the involvement of the TRAIP gene homolog, traip, in Drosophila, with microcephaly specifically affecting the mushroom body. traip mutation led to smaller mushroom bodies with fewer neurons, attributed to premature loss of neuroblasts and the presence of chromosome bridges during mitosis. TRAIP's role in repairing chromosome bridges during mitosis is essential for promoting proper mushroom body development.
Article
Cell Biology
Peiwei Chen, Alexei A. Kotov, Baira K. Godneeva, Sergei S. Bazylev, Ludmila Olenina, Alexei A. Aravin
Summary: Small noncoding piRNAs guide repression of complementary targets in Metazoa. Previous studies in fruit fly ovaries have shown the function of the piRNA pathway in transposon silencing and genome defense. In fruit fly testes, piRNA programs exhibit sexual dimorphism and are used differently between sexes to combat sex-specific transposon landscapes.
GENES & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Giannina Alarcon-Aravena, Erico R. Carmona, Gonzalo Recio-Sanchez, Aixa Gonzalez Ruiz, Josefa Domenech, Ricard Marcos, Karla Garrido
Summary: In this study, Fe(3)O(4)NPs were successfully synthesized using leaf extracts of the Peumo tree. The nanoparticles showed good stability in aqueous suspension and demonstrated the potential to reduce COD levels and lower concentrations of phosphates and nitrates in wastewater.
CURRENT NANOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nelson Naveas, Miguel Manso-Silvan, Erico Carmona, Karla Garrido, Jacobo Hernandez-Montelongo, Gonzalo Recio-Sanchez
Summary: In this study, nanostructured porous silicon thin films were used as a substrate for the deposition of green synthesized silver nanoparticles. The hybrid layers nPSi/AgNPs showed high catalytic activity in the reduction of organic dyes in water, and they demonstrated reusability after multiple cycles, making them promising for wastewater management.
GREEN CHEMISTRY LETTERS AND REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Barguilla, Josefa Domenech, Laura Rubio, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: The widespread presence of plastic waste and its derivatives, micro- and nanoplastics, raises concerns about potential health risks. This study examines the interaction between arsenic and polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs) and their joint effects. The results show that continuous co-exposure to both pollutants enhances DNA damage and aggressive features of cell transformation. This study highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of emerging contaminants like MNPLs and the behavior of mixtures in risk assessment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Alaraby, Doaa Abass, Aliro Villacorta, Alba Hernandez, Ricard Marcos
Summary: This study found that coexposure of silver compounds and polystyrene nanoplastics can alleviate the delayed fly emergence and cellular oxidative stress induced by silver compounds. Polystyrene nanoplastics can transport silver compounds across the intestinal barrier and deliver them into the hemolymph of Drosophila larvae. The antagonistic effect may be attributed to the confinement of silver by polystyrene nanoplastics, reducing its bioavailability.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Paula Cortes, Marina Castroagudin, Victor Kesternich, Marcia Perez-Fehrmann, Erico Carmona, Guillermo Zaragoza, Arnoldo Vizcarra, Lucas Patricio Hernandez-Saravia, Ronald Nelson
Summary: In this study, Cu(ii) triazole complexes (Cu(L)(2)) were electrocatalytically evaluated to develop a sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection. Three electronically differentiated copper(ii) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Cu(L-OMe)(2)/GC, Cu(L-Br)(2)/GC, and Cu(L-NO2)(2)/GC sensors were prepared. The optimal sensor exhibited a response at -0.5 V, a linear range of 1-32 μM, high reproducibility and repeatability, low detection and quantification limits, and good selectivity. The Cu(L-NO2)(2)/GC sensor was also successfully applied to commercial substances such as mouthwash, milk, and tea.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Balasubramanyam Annangi, Aliro Villacorta, Montserrat Lopez-Mesas, Victor Fuentes-Cebrian, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: This study found that nanoplastics can be absorbed by human nasal epithelial cells, leading to cellular effects such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and abnormal autophagy pathway. It is the first study to reveal the autophagy pathway as a possible target for adverse effects induced by nanoplastics in nasal epithelial cells. Therefore, this research has significant value for the respiratory risk assessment of nanoplastics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Aliro Villacorta, Gooya Banaei, Joan Martin, Susana Pastor, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: The presence of micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment is a concern for both the environment and human health. The toxicological profile of MNPLs can be influenced by their size and the ability of cells to internalize them. In this study, different sizes of polystyrene MNPLs were tested on human hematopoietic cell lines, and it was found that cell type and size can modulate the toxicological profile of MNPLs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Balasubramanyam Annangi, Aliro Villacorta, Lourdes Vela, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: In order to investigate the impact of plastic micro/nanoparticles on the human body, lab-made PETNPLs were used in this study. The experiment evaluated cell uptake, reactive oxygen species induction, mitochondrial functionality, and modulation of the autophagy pathway. The results showed that PETNPLs significantly affected cell uptake, increased levels of reactive oxygen species, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and altered the autophagy pathway in human nasal epithelial cells.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Barguilla, Veronique Maguer-Satta, Boris Guyot, Susana Pastor, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: One important environmental/health challenge is to determine the potential carcinogenic risk associated with environmental agents/exposures. Long-term trials with rodents are inefficient when testing thousands of agents, so a battery of assays covering most of the hallmarks of the carcinogenesis process is proposed. This structured battery could be useful for in vitro studies using human cell lines to detect potential carcinogenic risks of environmental agents/exposures.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lourdes Vela, Aliro Villacorta, Tom Venus, Irina Estrela-Lopis, Susana Pastor, Alba Garcia-Rodriguez, Laura Rubio, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: The presence of plastic waste in the environment is a growing concern due to the degradation of plastic into micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs). Digestion was found to affect the characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs), leading to higher cell uptake but no difference in toxicity except at high exposures. Further analysis should be conducted on other MNPLs with varying sizes and chemical compositions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gooya Banaei, Alba Garcia-Rodriguez, Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Juan Martin-Perez, Aliro Villacorta, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: This study investigated the release of MNPLs from commercially available teabags and their effects on cellular cultures and a model of the intestinal barrier. The MNPLs were found to be in the nano-range and composed of polylactic acid (PLA-NPLs). They were taken up by cells, particularly mucus-secretor cells, and persisted in the tissue after exposure. Although no significant cytotoxicity was observed, there was evidence of slight barrier disruption. This study provides new insights into the safety and behavior of polymer-based teabags in the human body.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Alaraby, Aliro Villacorta, Doaa Abass, Alba Hernandez, Ricard Marcos
Summary: Micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs), resulting from plastic waste degradation, are emerging environmental pollutants with potential risks to human health. This study used titanium-doped PET NPLs as a true-to-life model and found that they induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in a Drosophila model.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irene Barguilla, Vicente Candela-Noguera, Patrick Oliver, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Paula Diez, Elena Aznar, Ramon Martinez-Manez, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez, Maria Dolores Marcos
Summary: This study evaluated the genotoxicity and transforming ability of different functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles on human lung epithelial cells. The results showed that functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles induced some measurable adverse effects associated with tumorigenesis, but the toxicity was lower compared to other nanomaterials and certain drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Burcin Yalcin, Merve Gunes, Aysen Yagmur Kursun, Nuray Kaya, Ricard Marcos, Bulent Kaya
Summary: The use of metal oxide nanoparticles can lead to increased exposure and potential genotoxic risks. In this study, the genotoxic effects of cerium oxide (CeO(2)NPs) and magnesium oxide (MgONPs) nanoparticles were evaluated using Drosophila as an in vivo assay model. The results showed that CeO(2)NPs did not increase the frequency of mutations in the wing-spot assay, while MgONPs induced mutations at the highest dose. Moreover, CeO(2)NPs exposure increased the expression levels of Mlh1 and Brca2 genes involved in double-strand break repair, while decreasing the expression levels of MCPH1 and Rad51D genes. MgONPs exposure increased the expression levels of Ercc1, Brca2, Rad1, mu2, and stg genes, while decreasing Mlh1 and MCPH1 gene expression levels. This study demonstrates the usefulness of evaluating changes in gene expression levels to detect mild genotoxic effects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamed Alaraby, Doaa Abass, Josefa Domenech, Alba Hernandez, Ricard Marcos
Summary: Both primary and secondary micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) contribute to the emergence of pollutants in the environment. The potential biological effects of plastics on human health, as well as the association between these effects and MNPL size, need to be thoroughly understood. Using a Drosophila larvae model, this study investigated the journey and interactions of three nanopolystyrene plastics of different sizes (50, 200, and 500 nm) after ingestion, as well as their effects on gene expression, ROS production, and DNA damage. The results showed a size-dependent molecular response, with smaller MNPLs inducing higher responses.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2022)
