Article
Biochemical Research Methods
MacLean G. Kohlmeier, Ben A. Bailey-Elkin, Brian L. Mark, Ivan J. Oresnik
Summary: Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021 is a Gram-negative alphaproteobacterium with a strong capacity for carbohydrate metabolism. The study of its enzyme SmoS suggests a preference for sorbitol despite a higher affinity for galactitol. X-ray diffraction experiments confirm SmoS as a tetramer, and computational experiments indicate a more energetically favorable binding of tagatose to the protein.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lydia Steffens, Eugenio Pettinato, Thomas M. Steiner, Achim Mall, Simone Koenig, Wolfgang Eisenreich, Ivan A. Berg
Summary: In Deltoproteobacterium Hippea maritima, the TCA cycle can be reversed by high CO2 partial pressures for autotrophic carbon fixation. This reversed oxidative TCA cycle could have functioned in autotrophic CO2 fixation in a primordial atmosphere rich in CO2.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franklin Harris, John Dobbs, David Atkins, James A. Ippolito, Jane E. Stewart
Summary: The study found that inoculated groups had greater biomass compared to uninoculated groups, with similar effects of Sinorhizobium meliloti on both potting soil and regolith; additionally, NH4 production in soil was mainly controlled by plant uptake, and the symbiotic plant-bacteria relationships differed slightly between regolith and potting mix.
Article
Biology
Omar Farssi, Rabie Saih, Ahmed El Moukhtari, Aziz Oubenali, Mohammed Mouradi, Mohamed Lazali, Cherki Ghoulam, Abdelaziz Bouizgaren, Hicham Berrougui, Mohamed Farissi
Summary: This study demonstrated that under limited phosphorus availability, Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 can synergistically enhance alfalfa growth with Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41, significantly improving plant physiological and biochemical traits.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Blaz Lupse, Nick Heise, Kathrin Maedler, Amin Ardestani
Summary: PHLPPs play a role in restoring beta-cell function and survival in diabetes. Their upregulation and activation are associated with beta-cell dysfunction, affecting the cell's ability to survive through control mechanisms.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Md Abdullah Al Baki, Jin Kyo Jung, Yonggyun Kim
Summary: In the legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata, both ILP1 and ILP2 play similar roles in regulating physiological processes such as hemolymph sugar levels, larval development, and adult reproduction. Lack of ILP1 or ILP2 leads to delayed immature development and impaired adult reproduction.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhicheng Huang, Qing Wang, Irshad Ali Khan, Yan Li, Jing Wang, Jiaoyu Wang, Xiaohong Liu, Fucheng Lin, Jianping Lu
Summary: The methylcitrate cycle and the glyoxylate cycle are important carbon metabolic pathways in fungi, which not only convert toxic intermediates into usable substances, but also play important roles in fungal growth, development, and pathogenic processes.
Article
Dermatology
Xiangguang Shi, Yahui Chen, Kai Yang, Yifei Zhu, Yanyun Ma, Qingmei Liu, Ji'an Wang, Chunya Ni, Yue Zhang, Haiyang Li, Jinran Lin, Jiucun Wang, Wenyu Wu
Summary: The study reveals that citric acid (CA) metabolism plays a crucial role in promoting hair growth. CA inhibits hair growth and causes scalp damage by activating inflammatory response and apoptosis signaling. Additionally, CA hampers the proliferation rate of hair follicle cells. Citrate synthase serves as an important mediator of CA metabolism and hair growth.
JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin Zhao, Hangming Bai, Xiaoyu Li, Jie Yan, Gengyi Zou, Longlong Wang, Xiru Li, Ze Liu, Rong Xiang, Xiang-Lei Yang, Yi Shi
Summary: This study uncovers a pathway where SerRS translocates into the nucleus in a manner dependent on glucose, suppressing key genes involved in de novo lipid biosynthesis in breast cancer cells, leading to the inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura Croteau, Clement Mercier, Etienne Fafard-Couture, Alexandre Nadeau, Stephanie Robillard, Valerie Breton, Andreanne Guay, Farah Lizotte, Marc-Antoine Despatis, Pedro Geraldes
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the role of PKC delta in endothelial cell function and VEGF signaling. Results showed that deletion of PKC delta in ECs in diabetic mice improved blood flow reperfusion and capillary density, restored the VEGF signaling pathway, and prevented diabetes-induced VEGF unresponsiveness.
DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
S. L. Adjiakhmetova, D. Pozdnyakov, N. M. Chervonnaya, E. O. Kulichenko, E. T. Oganesyan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between mitochondrial enzyme activity and antioxidant activity of secondary polyphenolic metabolites in hemiparasite Viscum Album L. leaves. The results showed that the 50% ethanol extract had the highest content of total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidants, and exhibited significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Additionally, a high activity of aconitase was strongly correlated with changes in flavonoid concentration in Viscum Album L. leaves.
PHARMACY & PHARMACOLOGY-FARMATSIYA I FARMAKOLOGIYA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Diego M. Roldan, Andres Costa, Stanislava Kralova, Hans-Juergen Busse, Vanesa Amarelle, Elena Fabiano, Rodolfo Javier Menes
Summary: Based on the study of strain UY79(T), it is considered to be a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus and is named Paenibacillus farraposensis sp. nov.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matias Preza, Sven Van Bael, Liesbet Temmerman, Ines Guarnaschelli, Estela Castillo, Uriel Koziol
Summary: This study characterized the neuropeptide complement of the model cestode Hymenolepis microstoma, validating previously predicted neuropeptide precursor genes and discovering novel neuropeptides conserved in parasitic flatworms. It also identified cryptic features and a new population of peripheral peptidergic cells in the nervous system. Additionally, this study characterized Attachin, a SIFamide homolog, and found that it stimulates motility and attachment in larvae of different flatworm species.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ann-Kathrin Lederer, Maximilian Andreas Storz, Roman Huber, Luciana Hannibal, Elena Neumann
Summary: Short-term intervention with a vegan diet can improve concentrations of adiponectin and leptin, but the effects may vary depending on sex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Dominique Endres, Luciana Hannibal, Benjamin Zaltenbach, Miriam A. Schiele, Kimon Runge, Kathrin Nickel, Benjamin Berger, Katharina Domschke, Nils Venhoff, Harald Pruess, Ludger Tebartz van Elst
Summary: This article presents a rare case of postpartum autoimmune obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). MRI revealed multiple juxtacortical hyperintensities that may have resulted from post-inflammatory processes. Tissue-based assays showed the presence of novel anti-nucleoli autoantibodies in cerebellar Purkinje cells and cortical neurons in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF concentrations of dopamine and glutamate were dysregulated. The clinical course and diagnostic findings are consistent with a potential autoimmune etiology for postpartum OCD.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ali Niklewicz, A. David Smith, Alison Smith, Andre Holzer, Andrew Klein, Andrew McCaddon, Anne M. Molloy, Bruce H. R. Wolffenbuttel, Ebba Nexo, Helene McNulty, Helga Refsum, Jean-Louis Gueant, Marie-Joe Dib, Mary Ward, Michelle Murphy, Ralph Green, Kourosh R. Ahmadi, Luciana Hannibal, Martin J. Warren, P. Julian Owen
Summary: Vitamin B-12 deficiency is common among vegetarians and vegans, especially pregnant women or women of child-bearing age. It is associated with increased risk of neuro, vascular, immune, and inflammatory disorders. However, the current recommended nutrient intake for vitamin B-12 does not adequately consider the needs of individuals choosing a plant-based diet.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Javier Calvelo, Klaus Brehm, Andres Iriarte, Uriel Koziol
Summary: Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is a crucial process in mRNA maturation of eukaryotes, and it is involved in resolving poly-cistronic transcripts in flatworms. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SL trans-splicing in the cestode Hymenolepis microstoma, identifying four different SL-RNAs that are trans-spliced to 622 gene models. The results suggest that trans-splicing in H. microstoma is enriched in constitutively expressed genes and is not regulated throughout the life cycle. Operons represent a significant portion of trans-spliced gene models and show conservation with those of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lennart Moritz, Katharina Klotz, Sarah Catharina Gruenert, Luciana Hannibal, Ute Spiekerkoetter
Summary: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a common inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). PKU patients have elevated levels of phenylalanine and may experience intellectual disability. This study found distinct differences in metabolite profiles between PKU patients and healthy controls, as well as altered concentrations of metabolites in treated patients. The PKU submetabolome identified in this study reflects the effects of dietary adherence, compensatory metabolic pathways, and metabolic disturbances that cannot be corrected with diet. Potential therapeutic targets may be discovered to approximate the submetabolome of PKU patients to that of healthy controls and prevent long-term organ damage.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anke Schumann, Marion Brutsche, Monique Havermans, Sarah C. Gruenert, Stefan Koelker, Olaf Gross, Luciana Hannibal, Ute Spiekerkoetter
Summary: Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA-uria) is a condition caused by a lack of the enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT) in mitochondria. It affects energy generation from certain amino acids, fatty acids, and cholesterol. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a known complication of MMA-uria. Research has shown that MMA-uria cells have increased creatinine levels and decreased antioxidant defense. Mitochondrial homeostasis is disrupted, with changes in metabolites and impaired energy generation from fatty acid oxidation. Potentially toxic metabolite methylcitrate is increased under high protein and isoleucine/valine conditions. Mitophagy is disabled, while autophagy is active, especially under high protein and isoleucine/valine conditions. Mitochondrial dynamics shift towards fission and the stress-resistance protein Sirtuin1 is down-regulated. Overall, these findings highlight the role of protein toxicity and provide insight into how accumulating toxic organic acids may contribute to CKD in MMA-uria.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marc Kaethner, Kerstin Epping, Peter Bernthaler, Kilian Rudolf, Irena Thomann, Nadine Leitschuh, Monika Bergmann, Markus Spiliotis, Uriel Koziol, Klaus Brehm
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the TGF beta/BMP signaling pathway in anterior pole formation and protoscolex development of Echinococcus. Both host-derived TGF beta/BMP ligands and parasite-derived TGF beta homolog EmACT promote protoscolex development, while inhibition of TGF beta/BMP receptors hinders protoscolex differentiation.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Kimon Runge, Marco Reisert, Bernd Feige, Kathrin Nickel, Horst Urbach, Nils Venhoff, Andreas Tzschach, Miriam A. A. Schiele, Luciana Hannibal, Harald Pruess, Katharina Domschke, Ludger Tebartz van Elst, Dominique Endres
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether a comprehensive screening approach such as the Freiburg-Diagnostic-Protocol for patients with OCD (FDP-OCD) is effective in detecting organic OCD forms. Results showed that out of the 61 patients analyzed, 5 were suspected to have organic OCD, including 3 with autoimmune OCD and 2 with newly diagnosed genetic syndromes. The study also revealed the presence of immunological abnormalities, particularly decreased neurovitamin levels and increased streptococcal and antinuclear antibodies, in the entire patient group.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joerg Buescher, Luciana Hannibal
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Maximilian Andreas Storz, Alexander Mueller, Lisa Niederreiter, Amy M. Zimmermann-Klemd, Martin Suarez-Alvarez, Stefanie Kowarschik, Monique Strittmatter, Evelyn Schlachter, Cristian Pasluosta, Roman Huber, Luciana Hannibal
Summary: The study found that even among homogeneously healthy individuals, different diets led to measurable differences in dietary intake and health biomarkers. Plant-based diets, especially the vegan diet, showed the most favorable patterns of lipid metabolism and glycemic control, but had the lowest food intake of vitamin B12.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Frances Winkler, Anna Hipp, Carlos Ramirez, Bianca Martin, Matteo Villa, Emilia Neuwirt, Oliver Gorka, Jeroen Aerssens, Susanne E. Johansson, Nisha Rana, Sian Llewellyn-Lacey, David A. Price, Marcus Panning, Olaf Gross, Erika L. Pearce, Carl M. Hermann, Kathrin Schumann, Luciana Hannibal, Christoph Neumann-Haefelin, Tobias Boettler, Percy Knolle, Maike Hofmann, Dirk Wohlleber, Robert Thimme, Bertram Bengsch
Summary: Exhausted T cells with limited function are common in chronic HBV and HCV infection, but the relationship between metabolism and exhaustion states, the impact of antiviral therapy, and the role of metabolic checkpoints in dysfunction are not fully understood.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Julian Herter, Ann-Kathrin Lederer, Alvaro Luis Ronco, Luciana Hannibal, Roman Huber, Maximilian Andreas Storz
Summary: Chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis is a common occurrence in the Western world due to high intake of sulfur-containing amino acids from processed meats. This excess acid release leads to increased ammonia production by the kidneys, resulting in the breakdown of muscle tissue. A secondary data analysis from a dietary intervention study suggests that high dietary acid load is associated with higher serum concentrations of lysine and 1-methyl-histidine, while glutamine and glycine levels are reduced.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fatemeh Mirzadeh Azad, Eduard A. Struys, Victoria Wingert, Luciana Hannibal, Ken Mills, Joop H. Jansen, Daniel B. Longley, Hendrik G. Stunnenberg, Yaser Atlasi
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in ESCs is crucial for stem cell and developmental biology. In this study, the identification of Spic as a marker of ground state pluripotency and its role in controlling 1C metabolism and histone marks highlight the importance of auxiliary TFs in linking cellular metabolism to epigenetic regulation in ESCs.