Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Alcalde, Mads Munk, Maria Gonzalez-Munoz, Svetlana Panina, Martin W. Berchtold, Antonio Villalobo
Summary: In this study, a novel genetic system using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene deletion and conditional CaM expression was introduced to investigate the function of CaM in HeLa cells. The results showed that CaM downregulation inhibited both 2D and 3D migration in HeLa cells, with an impact on 2D migration in the presence of EGF. Additionally, downregulation of CaM decreased the expression of Racl, Cdc42, and RhoA, known to play crucial roles in cell migration.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Isabel Espinosa-Medina, Daniel Feliciano, Carla Belmonte-Mateos, Rosa Linda Miyares, Jorge Garcia-Marques, Benjamin Foster, Sarah Lindo, Cristina Pujades, Minoru Koyama, Tzumin Lee
Summary: During development, regulatory factors determine cell fates in a precise order. However, current strategies for tracing cell lineages lack access to sequentially produced cells. In this study, the authors present TEMPO, a genetic tool based on CRISPR that allows sequential labeling and manipulation of cell generations in vertebrates. TEMPO enables visualization and manipulation of molecular factors crucial for studying cell-type specification.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yu Jiang, Biao-jie Qin, Jin-ying Hu, Nan Wang, Li-li Gao
Summary: In this study, a mouse model with lung-specific conditional knockout of Fut8 gene was created, which may be useful for studying the relationship between Fut8 and lung diseases.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Teruhiko Suzuki, Satoko Takagi, Takahiko Hara
Summary: This article reviews the recent advances in generating conditional knockout clones in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), including two new methods developed in the authors' laboratory and other methods developed by other labs. The advantages, remaining issues, and challenges of each approach are discussed.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristina Martinez-Hernandez, Mariana del Carmen Aguilera-Puga, Fabien Plisson
Summary: Current cancer treatments have undesirable side effects on healthy cells and tissues, thus there is a need for new treatments that are more selective towards cancer cells and can overcome multidrug resistance. Membranolytic anticancer peptides (mACPs) show promise in this regard and their interactions with cell membranes, as well as their overall inhibition of cancer cells, are influenced by their amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, and net charge. In order to design mACPs that are selective towards specific cell lines, this study investigates the relationships between amino acid composition, physicochemical properties, sequence motifs, sequence homology, and their potency and selectivity towards healthy and cancer cell lines. It is found that sequence length and net charge play a role in the selectivity of mACPs between cancer and healthy cell lines, and increasing the net charge or flexibility of the peptides affects their selectivity among cancer cell lines with similar lipid compositions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kechang Dai, Zhihao Ye, Liang Chen
Summary: A fault line selection method for single-phase grounding faults in 380 V three-phase AC power systems is proposed in this paper. The method considers the zero sequence current ratio method, the zero sequence current phase ratio method, and the dual frequency method to comprehensively consider fault information. By using continuous comprehensive line selection and D-S evidence theory fusion, the accuracy of line selection is greatly improved.
Article
Oncology
Na Qin, Yuancheng Li, Cheng Wang, Meng Zhu, Juncheng Dai, Tongtong Hong, Demetrius Albanes, Stephen Lam, Adonina Tardon, Chu Chen, Gary Goodman, Stig E. Bojesen, Maria Teresa Landi, Mattias Johansson, Angela Risch, H-Erich Wichmann, Heike Bickeboller, Gadi Rennert, Susanne Arnold, Paul Brennan, John K. Field, Sanjay Shete, Loic Le Marchand, Olle Melander, Hans Brunnstrom, Geoffrey Liu, Rayjean J. Hung, Angeline Andrew, Lambertus A. Kiemeney, Shan Zienolddiny, Kjell Grankvist, Mikael Johansson, Neil Caporaso, Penella Woll, Philip Lazarus, Matthew B. Schabath, Melinda C. Aldrich, Victoria L. Stevens, Guangfu Jin, David C. Christiani, Zhibin Hu, Christopher I. Amos, Hongxia Ma, Hongbing Shen
Summary: This study integrated genotype data of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cases to analyze susceptibility variants for non-small cell lung cancer, revealing differences between AD and SqCC genes in pathways and functions. The results shed light on the genetic heterogeneity between AD and SqCC in NSCLC.
FRONTIERS OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Christina Scherer, Jack Knowles, Vattipally B. Sreenu, Anthony C. Fredericks, Janina Fuss, Kevin Maringer, Ana Fernandez-Sesma, Andres Merits, Margus Varjak, Alain Kohl, Esther Schnettler
Summary: Mosquitoes are important vectors of many arthropod-borne viruses that cause diseases in humans, with the exogenous small interfering RNA pathway playing a key role in antiviral defense. Double-stranded RNAs formed during viral replication and infection are cleaved into virus-specific short RNAs, which target and cleave viral RNA.
Article
Immunology
Jun-Hong Wang, Chun-Wei Shi, Yi-Yuan Lu, Yan Zeng, Ming-Yang Cheng, Ru-Yu Wang, Yu Sun, Yan-Long Jiang, Wen-Tao Yang, Dan-Dan Zhao, Hai-Bin Huang, Li-Ping Ye, Xin Cao, Gui-Lian Yang, Chun-Feng Wang
Summary: By using CRISPR-Cas9 technique to construct Zbtb1-deleted EL4 cell lines, this study identified a significant number of differentially expressed microRNA and circRNA between normal and gene deletion groups. Further analysis revealed regulatory relationships between miRNA and circRNA. This research provides potential targets for drug development and clinical treatment of T-cell lymphoma.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xue Zhang, Lihua Zhao, Runbing Jin, Min Li, Mei-Shuang Li, Rongfeng Li, Xiubin Liang
Summary: The CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique was used to knockout the alpha-ENaC gene in murine pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in significant increases in cell viability and insulin content in the alpha-ENaC-/- MIN6 cells. This provides a new tool to study the biological function of alpha-ENaC in pancreatic beta-cells.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lei Shi, Yuran Chen, Guangdong Fang, Keyu Chen, Hui Zhang
Summary: This paper proposes a bird's nest recognition method that combines visual saliency and depth learning. The method achieves accurate identification and robustness, providing guidance for the operation and maintenance of transmission lines.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daniel Heinzelmann, Benjamin Lindner, Benjamin Renner, Simon Fischer, Patrick Schulz, Moritz Schmidt
Summary: PCR-based methods, especially droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), have important applications in cell line development. This study demonstrates the use of ddPCR for precise quantification of transgene copies and prediction of assembly and homogeneity of difficult-to-express proteins. The implementation of ddPCR-based assays improves the robustness and comparability of genomic characterization.
Article
Cell Biology
Indrajit Nanda, Claus Steinlein, Thomas Haaf, Eva M. Buhl, Domink G. Grimm, Scott L. Friedman, Steffen K. Meurer, Sarah K. Schroeder, Ralf Weiskirchen
Summary: Immortalized hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are valuable tools for liver biology research, but their use has some drawbacks, such as genetic drift and cell misidentification. This study characterizes the genetic features of the rat HSC line HSC-T6 and proposes cell line authentication.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rashid Houshdarpour, Farangis Ataei, Saman Hosseinkhani
Summary: This study focused on identifying proteins that reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment, with survivin showing promise in regulating cell death and survival. Overexpression of survivin in HEK cells led to increased resistance to apoptotic stimuli and decreased caspase activity. Furthermore, survivin decreased ROS levels, increased ATP content, and reduced apoptosis rates, suggesting its potential for cancer treatment applications.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiqi Lin, Song Wu, Wei Zhao, Zhanjie Fang, Hongen Kang, Xinxuan Liu, Siyu Pan, Fudong Yu, Yiming Bao, Peilin Jia
Summary: TargetGene is a comprehensive database that reports target genes for human genetic variants using multiple analytical tools and multi-omics data. This resource helps researchers study the regulatory mechanisms of genetic variants in complex human traits.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ciaran G. Morrison
Summary: In this study, the co-crystallized structures revealed the molecular mechanism of CEP164 recruiting TTBK2 to the distal end of centrioles and how ciliopathy mutations in CEP164 disrupt the CEP164-TTBK2 complex.
Article
Cell Biology
Suzanna L. Prosser, Johnny Tkach, Ladan Gheiratmand, Jaeyoun Kim, Brian Raught, Ciaran G. Morrison, Laurence Pelletier
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that centriolar satellite and centrosomal proteins are crucial for the formation of aggresomes and the aggregation of disease-relevant proteins. They showed that satellites are required for the growth of aggresomal structure and this growth depends on the centrosomal proteins CP110, CEP97, and CEP290.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ricardo Celestino, Jose B. Gama, Artur F. Castro-Rodrigues, Daniel J. Barbosa, Helder Rocha, Ennio A. d'Amico, Andrea Musacchio, Ana Xavier Carvalho, Joao H. Morais-Cabral, Reto Gassmann
Summary: The MAP kinase and motor scaffold JIP3 plays a role in preventing excessive accumulation of lysosomes in axons. The interaction between JIP3 and dynein and kinesin-1 is important for organelle clearance, but the specific mechanisms are not fully understood.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ana Marta Silva, Fung-Yi Chan, Michael J. Norman, Ana Filipa Sobral, Esther Zanin, Reto Gassmann, Julio Monti Belmonte, Ana Xavier Carvalho
Summary: Silva et al. demonstrate the distinct contributions of plastin/PLST-1 and beta-heavy-spectrin/SMA-1 to cytokinetic contractile ring constriction. PLST-1 promotes F-actin connectivity and cortical tension, counteracting ring constriction, while beta-heavy-spectrin protects fragile rings and facilitates ring repair. The loss of PLST-1 reduces cortical tension and makes fragile rings less prone to ruptures and regressions, while the loss of SMA-1 exacerbates structural defects, leading to frequent ruptures and cytokinesis failure. Beta-heavy-spectrin stabilizes the constricting ring and plays a crucial role in network connectivity at low F-actin density.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Helder Rocha, Patricia A. Simoes, Jacqueline Budrewicz, Pablo Lara-Gonzalez, Ana Xavier Carvalho, Julien Dumont, Arshad Desai, Reto Gassmann
Summary: This study demonstrates that PP4 protein phosphatase is a crucial factor for robust assembly of the microtubule-coupling outer kinetochore prior to nuclear envelope breakdown in mitotic cells. Absence of PP4 leads to extended monopolar orientation of chromosomes after nuclear envelope breakdown and subsequent mis-segregation. Defective sister chromatid resolution is also observed due to diminished outer kinetochore assembly.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ines C. Santos, Ana M. Silva, Reto Gassmann, Ana X. Carvalho
Summary: Cytokinesis is the process in which one cell physically divides into two cells. It is driven by an equatorial contractile ring and signals from microtubule bundles. The bundling of microtubules is essential for cytokinesis. A mechanism involving the joint action of anillin and PRC1 ensures the completion of cytokinesis.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
M. I. A. Barbosa, J. Belinha, R. M. Natal Jorge, A. X. Carvalho
Summary: Cell proliferation is crucial for the development and stability of the human body. However, disruptions in the cell cycle can lead to severe problems, such as tumor development. Mathematical and computational models are used to understand and study these biological mechanisms, including cell proliferation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Mikhail Lebedev, Fung-Yi Chan, Anna Lochner, Jennifer Bellessem, Daniel S. Osorio, Elisabeth Rackles, Tamara Mikeladze-Dvali, Ana Xavier Carvalho, Esther Zanin
Summary: This study reveals a compensatory mechanism involving linear structures formed by anillin and membrane-bound NMY-2 that promotes furrowing when unbranched F-actin polymerization is compromised.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ying Tian, Yiquan Zhang, Jiawei Zhao, Fuxiao Luan, Yingjie Wang, Fan Lai, Defang Ouyang, Yong Tao
Summary: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common ocular disorder characterized by inflammation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Researchers have developed a novel treatment approach by growing cerium oxide nanocrystals on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSCExos). This approach promotes corneal cell growth, scavenges ROS, and effectively suppresses inflammation. The findings highlight the potential of MSCExo-Ce as a promising therapeutic candidate for DES.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
M. I. A. Barbosa, J. Belinha, R. M. Natal Jorge, A. Carvalho
Summary: This article investigates the simulation of cell proliferation using a new algorithm and obtaining results through a meshless method. The research demonstrates that the algorithm is capable of simulating cell proliferation under different conditions.
COMPUTER METHODS, IMAGING AND VISUALIZATION IN BIOMECHANICS AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING II
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ana R. G. De-Castro, Diogo R. M. Rodrigues, Maria J. G. De-Castro, Neide Vieira, Carmen Vieira, Ana X. Carvalho, Reto Gassmann, Carla M. C. Abreu, Tiago J. Dantas
Summary: The study identified WDR-60 as a key player in the recruitment and dynamics of dynein-2, with its loss leading to reduced and slower retrograde IFT trains. Disrupting the NPHP module at the transition zone almost fully restored ciliary exit of underpowered retrograde trains in wdr-60 mutants.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)