Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuddhanjali Roy, Tanushree Agarwal, Arup Das, Tanmoy Halder, Gouranga Upadhyaya, Binay Chaubey, Sudipta Ray
Summary: The C-terminal stretch in SbGPRP1 acts as an antimicrobial peptide by either binding to the bacterial membrane or targeting a specific protein on the membrane, causing membrane perturbation. The study shows the potential antimicrobial property of the C-terminal peptide against gram-positive bacteria and phytopathogen, and identifies a crucial 23 amino acid sequence for its antimicrobial activity. Further experiments demonstrate the interaction between C-SbGPRP1 and bacterial membrane protein, leading to membrane perturbation and antimicrobial activity.
PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lilin Feng, Liang Gao, Daniel F. Sauer, Yu Ji, Haiyang Cui, Ulrich Schwaneberg
Summary: This study presents a facile and reversible method to immobilize a wide range of His(6)-tagged proteins on the E. coli cell surface through Fe(iii)-metal complexes. Successfully, an eGFP and four enzymes with His(6)-tag were immobilized on the cell surface. Moreover, a hydrogel sheath around E. coli cells was generated by immobilizing the His(6)-tagged HRP.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Benoit Boulan, Charlotte Ravanello, Amandine Peyrel, Christophe Bosc, Christian Delphin, Florence Appaix, Eric Denarier, Alexandra Kraut, Muriel Jacquier-Sarlin, Alyson Fournier, Annie Andrieux, Sylvie Gory-Faure, Jean-Christophe Deloulme
Summary: Neurodevelopmental axonal pathfinding plays a crucial role in brain wiring and cognitive abilities. Sema3E, through its interaction with MAP6 and CRMP4, is shown to be important in promoting axonal growth and development of the fornix. The study highlights the role of CRMP4 in transducing Sema3E signaling and its importance in understanding psychiatric diseases affecting the fornix.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Indira Singaram, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Pant, Muyun Lihan, Mi-Jeong Park, Melissa Pergande, Pawanthi Buwaneka, Yusi Hu, Nadim Mahmud, You-Me Kim, Stephanie Cologna, Vladimir Gevorgyan, Irum Khan, Emad Tajkhorshid, Wonhwa Cho
Summary: Membrane lipids control the cellular activity of kinases containing the SH2 domain. In this study, new nonlipidic small molecule inhibitors of the lipid-SH2 domain interaction were developed to block the cellular activity of their host proteins. The research shows that targeting lipid-protein interaction is a powerful approach to developing new small molecule drugs.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kenta Shigetomi, Yumiko Ono, Kenji Matsuzawa, Junichi Ikenouchi
Summary: It has been found that cholesterol accumulation is essential for the formation of tight junctions, which are crucial for the epithelial barrier. Despite the absence of tight junctions, cholesterol still accumulates normally in the vicinity of the apical junctions. Moreover, a claudin mutant that cannot bind to Zonula Occludens (ZO) proteins can still form tight junction strands. ZO proteins are not only scaffolds for claudins, but also promote the formation of cholesterol-rich membrane domains at apical junctions through their effect on the junctional actomyosin cytoskeleton.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Vladimir Rudajev, Jiri Novotny
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the production and aggregation of amyloid beta, which leads to cell membrane disruption and cell death. Cholesterol, as a major component of cell membranes, plays a significant role in the progression of AD, although its effects are inconsistent.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shams Twafra, Chana G. Sokolik, Tal Sneh, Kolluru D. Srikanth, Tomer Meirson, Alessandro Genna, Jordan H. Chill, Hava Gil-Henn
Summary: The dissemination of cancer cells is a major cause of death in cancer patients, but there is currently no treatment to eradicate metastatic cancer. This study developed a peptide inhibitor that can block the formation and function of invadopodia, reducing the ability of tumor cells to spread and invade. These findings have important implications for the prevention of highly metastatic primary breast tumors and secondary tumors that have already spread to other parts of the body.
Article
Cell Biology
Michiyo Okamoto, Azusa Takahashi-Nakaguchi, Kengo Tejima, Kaname Sasamoto, Masashi Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Aoyama, Minoru Nagi, Kohichi Tanabe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki, Hironobu Nakayama, Chihiro Sasakawa, Susumu Kajiwara, Alistair J. P. Brown, Miguel C. Teixeira, Hiroji Chibana
Summary: The study demonstrates the essential role of the Candida glabrata ERG25 gene in cholesterol uptake from the host, leading to decreased lethality in infected mice. ERG25 knockdown impairs plasma membrane localization of the sterol importer Aus1p, suggesting a potential target for antifungal therapy. These findings highlight the importance of ERG25 in stabilizing sterol-rich lipid domains during infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aisa Hosseinnejad, Thorsten Fischer, Puja Jain, Christian Bleilevens, Felix Jakob, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Rolf Rossaint, Smriti Singh
Summary: The study introduced an antifouling microgel coating mimicking the function of enzyme glutathione peroxidase to address thrombus formation caused by contact between artificial surfaces and blood. The coating endogenously generates nitric oxide and efficiently inhibits platelet activation.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Renfei Qi, Junping Cao, Yufang Sun, Yanping Li, Zitong Huang, Dongsheng Jiang, Xing-Hong Jiang, Terrance P. Snutch, Yuan Zhang, Jin Tao
Summary: In neuropathic pain, miR-32-5p plays a functional role by regulating Cav3.2 channels. Nerve injury-induced histone methylation decreases miR-32-5p expression, leading to increased Cav3.2 protein expression and pain-related behaviors.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yue-Qing Wang, Cong Huang, Peng-Ju Ye, Jin-Rong Long, Cheng-Hu Xu, Ying Liu, Xiao-Li Ling, Shao-Yang Lv, Dong-Xiu He, Hua Wei, Cui-Yun Yu
Summary: The coating of nanoparticles with natural red blood cell membrane (RBCm) has been found to prolong the blood circulation time of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Through comparative experiments, researchers found that nanoparticles with RBCm coating exhibited significantly better anti-HCC effects in vivo compared to regular nanoparticles. This study contributes to the future design and development of more effective drug delivery systems for HCC.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Genya Gorshtein, Olivia Grafinger, Marc G. Coppolino
Summary: During metastasis, cancer cells invade extracellular matrix through invadopodia, which formation depends on intracellular signaling, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, and proteolytic matrix modification. SNAREs facilitate the transport of invadopodium-associated proteins and could be a possible target for disrupting metastatic progression.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
R. Jay Braun, Jessica M. J. Swanson
Summary: Lipid droplets are organelles that store and transport neutral lipids. The core of lipid droplets can undergo a phase transformation from amorphous to liquid-crystalline. This transformation affects the physical properties of lipid droplets and can influence protein association. The ordering in the core permeates into the lipid/phospholipid interface, changing the arrangement of lipids and inducing ordering in the phospholipid monolayer. These findings have implications for the recruitment of proteins to lipid droplets under different metabolic conditions.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Michele A. Rodrigues, Dawidson A. Gomes, Romina Fiorotto, Mateus T. Guerra, Jittima Weerachayaphorn, Tao Bo, William C. Sessa, Mario Strazzabosco, Michael H. Nathanson
Summary: Fluid and bicarbonate secretion in cholangiocytes is regulated by ITPR3, which localizes to the apical region. This localization is dependent on intact lipid rafts and interactions with CAV1 and MYH9. Disruption of lipid rafts or knockdown of CAV1 or MYH9 impairs ITPR3 localization and secretion.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhongjie Tang, Xiaoyou Wang, Mei Tang, Jin Wu, Jiexuan Zhang, Xinlong Liu, Feiyan Gao, Yu Fu, Peng Tang, Chong Li
Summary: An INDIRECT active targeting strategy, called INTACT, is proposed to address the problem of on-target toxicity in antibody-based therapies. By prebinding antibodies with cell membrane vesicles that have appropriate receptor expressions, this strategy filters out interactions on nontarget sites while ensuring release at the targets by competitive binding. The strategy is effective in alleviating hematotoxicity and achieving therapeutic effects in animal models, and it has broad applicability for various systems, providing a potential platform for improving the specificity of antibody-related therapies.
Article
Cell Biology
Binsheng Wang, Zukai Liu, Vicky P. Chen, Lichao Wang, Christina L. Inman, Yueying Zhou, Chun Guo, Tamar Tchkonia, David W. Rowe, George A. Kuchel, Paul Robson, James L. Kirkland, Ming Xu
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Liping Zhou, Ka-Ying Wong, Sisi Cao, Christina Chui-Wa Poon, Wenxuan Yu, Xiaoli Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim, Man-Sau Wong
Summary: The study found that Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) can selectively exert estrogenic activities and interact with tamoxifen in tissues, affecting bone, brain, uterus, and breast differently. DBT showed estrogenic effects in a tissue-selective manner, different from tamoxifen, but did not significantly change the effects of tamoxifen in OVX rats.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Maggie Suisui Guo, Qiyun Wu, Queenie Wing Sze Lai, Xiaoyang Wang, Panzhu Bai, Kelly Wing Chi Fung, Tina Tingxia Dong, Karl Wah Keung Tsim
Summary: Recent studies have revealed that Self-Growth Colony (SGC) can inhibit melanogenesis by reducing MITF expression, leading to decreased expression of melanogenic enzymes. Additionally, SGC may achieve this effect by activating the ERK signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yi-Teng Xia, Edwin Hok-Chi Cheng, Brody Zhong-Yu Zheng, Qi-Yun Wu, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Ran Duan, Qi-Wei Qin, Wen-Xiong Wang, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: The root of Scutellaria baicalensis has long been used as herbal medicine, while its stem and leaf are considered waste. A study found that water extract from the aerial part of S. baicalensis can replace antibiotics in fish feeding, leading to increased body length and weight in fish. Adding 1% SBA to fish feed altered the composition of amino acids and fatty acids in fish muscle, promoting growth and increasing nutritional value.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Maggie Suisui Guo, Xiong Gao, Weihui Hu, Xiaoyang Wang, Tina Tingxia Dong, Karl Wah Keung Tsim
Summary: Scutellarin enhances the regenerative function of SGC in promoting wound healing by binding to VEGF. Co-treatment of scutellarin and SGC on scratched keratinocyte cultures enhances the process of wound healing, and this enhancement is mediated by phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and MAPK signaling.
JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Alex Xiong Gao, Tracy Chen-Xi Xia, Marvin Shing-Hung Mak, Kevin Yue Zhu, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: This study aimed to develop an anti-depressant from a group of food/medicine called medicinal food homology. The herbal mixture of Sesami Semen Nigrum and Longan Arillus showed neurotrophic activity and improved symptoms of depression in cell culture and animal models.
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Hui Hu, Xiao-Yong Zhang, Ka-Wing Leung, Ran Duan, Ting-Xia (tina) Dong, Qi-Wei Qin, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: This study demonstrates that resveratrol, a natural compound, can effectively alleviate vascular distortion, permeability, and hyperplasia in oxygen-induced retinopathy mice. It inhibits the expression of VEGF, VEGFR, and CD31 in the retina and reduces damage caused by oxygen radicals. Resveratrol shows potential therapeutic benefits in angiogenic diseases like retinopathy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shengying Lin, Xiaoyang Wang, Hongsheng Guo, Niyu Dai, Roy Wai-Lun Tang, Hung Chun Lee, Ka Wing Leung, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Sarah E. E. Webb, Andrew L. L. Miller, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had devastating impacts since its outbreak in 2019, leading to millions of deaths and unprecedented socioeconomic damage. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have limitations and new viral mutations reduce their effectiveness, highlighting the urgent need for potent non-vaccine treatments. Researchers have identified the ethanolic extract of Evodiae Fructus and its component, rutaecarpine, as promising agents that inhibit the activity of 3C-like protease, block viral entry, and reduce inflammatory responses induced by SARS-CoV-2. These findings suggest that Evodiae Fructus extract and rutaecarpine could be considered for clinical applications in treating COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Sheyne S. A. Choi, Ho Hin Chan, Ching Man Chan, Xiaoyang Wang, Sarah E. Webb, Ka Wing Leung, Karl W. K. Tsim, Andrew. L. L. Miller
Summary: Using zebrafish embryos/larvae as an in vivo model, this study explored the mechanism of host cell entry of SARS-CoV-2. The endolysosomal system was found to be involved in viral entry, and TPC2 played a key role in the translocation of the virus through this system. The peripheral sensory organs were identified as a likely site for viral host cell entry.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Alex Xiong Gao, Tracy Chen-Xi Xia, Lish Sheng-Ying Lin, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: We aimed to investigate the neurotrophic activities of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) through its interaction with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the activation of tyrosine kinase receptor B (Trk B receptor). Our results showed that apigenin and BDNF synergistically enhanced the survival and neurite outgrowth of cultured neurons. Apigenin also potentiated the neurogenesis induced by BDNF and protected against amyloid-beta-induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction. These effects were mediated by the phosphorylation of Trk B receptor. In conclusion, apigenin can enhance the neurotrophic effects of BDNF and may have therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases and depression.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Guowei Gong, Yuzhong Zheng, Kumar Ganesan, Qingping Xiong, Karl Wah Keung Tsim
Summary: Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) can enhance the anticancer capabilities of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapy drug, and reduce its side effects, showing promising results in the treatment of colon cancer.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lin Ye, Huodai Chen, Karl Wah Keung Tsim, Xing Shen, Xiangmei Li, Xueling Li, Hongtao Lei, Yunle Liu
Summary: Through mouse experiments, it was found that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in AFB(1)-induced liver injury, as alterations in gut microbiota lead to colonic barrier dysfunction and liver pyroptosis, resulting in hepatic inflammation.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chen-Xi Xia, Alex Xiong Gao, Yue Zhu, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: Seabuckthorn, enriched with flavonoids, showed potential in treating major depressive disorder by improving depressive behaviors, regulating levels of neurotrophins, neurotransmitters, stress-related hormones, inflammation-related cytokines, and modulating gut microbiota.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alex Xiong Gao, Tracy Chen-Xi Xia, Marvin Shing-Hung Mak, Kenneth Kin-Leung Kwan, Brody Zhong-Yu Zheng, Jian Xiao, Tina Ting-Xia Dong, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim
Summary: The study demonstrated that luteolin can directly interact with nerve growth factor (NGF), enhancing NGF-induced neuronal differentiation and neurofilament expression in cultured PC12 cells. The co-treatment also activated key signaling pathways involved in neuronal growth, mimicking the effects of a high dose of NGF. These findings support the potential development of luteolin as a therapeutic agent for NGF insufficiency-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anqi Sun, Ben Zhong Tang, Karl Wah-Keung Tsim, Wen-Xiong Wang
Summary: This study focused on the interplay between Zn2+ and nZnO, revealing that nZnO's dissolution potential affects its toxicity in cells. The findings suggest that the contents and properties of nZnO play a more significant role in determining cellular stress than just its dissolution ability.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2021)