Article
Cell Biology
Laura A. Sherer, Naomi Courtemanche
Summary: The assembly of actin-based structures relies on both polymerization and crosslinking, which play interdependent roles in shaping the architectures of actin bundles. In this study, we investigated the impact of filament elongation on the formation of actin bundles by the crosslinking protein fascin. Our findings demonstrate that filament length affects the rate of bundle assembly, with longer filaments promoting bundle coalescence into interconnected networks. However, the connections formed between elongating bundles are short-lived and often followed by filament breakage. These results highlight the importance of maintaining precise control over filament length during the assembly of specialized actin structures.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Joseph A. Cirilo, Laura K. Gunther, Christopher M. Yengo
Summary: Cytoskeletal motors, particularly myosins, play crucial roles in various mechanical functions in cells, such as muscle contraction and cargo transport. Class III myosins, MYO3A and MYO3B, have been shown to regulate stereocilia lengths in auditory and vestibular inner ear hair cells, with mutations in these myosins leading to hearing loss. Research on these myosins and other stereocilia-associated myosins is important and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hearing loss.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tiecheng Zhong, Zonggui Wang, Sayeman Islam Niloy, Yue Shen, Stephen T. O'Rourke, Chengwen Sun
Summary: Cardiac hypertrophy is initially an adaptive response to cardiac overload, but can progress to decompensation, leading to heart failure and sudden cardiac death. This study found that both PI3KC1 and PI3KC3 are involved in Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, with PI3KC1 inhibiting autophagy activity leading to ROS accumulation and hypertrophy, while PI3KC3 activation improving autophagy activity, reducing ROS production, and providing a protective effect against Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leila Motiei, David Margulies
Summary: Fluorescent molecular sensors, known as turn-on or turn-off fluorescent probes, have limitations in detecting only a few analytes. However, the newly emerged pattern-generating ID-probes can generate unique ID fingerprints for various analytes, combining the qualities of array-based analytical devices and small-molecule-based fluorescent sensors. These ID-probes have applications in medical diagnosis, bioassay development, cell and chemical biology, and pharmaceutical quality assurance. They can also be used for user authorization, data protection, and information encryption.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haim Breitbart, Elina Grinshtein
Summary: Capacitation is a process in which mammalian sperm undergo a series of biochemical reactions in the female reproductive tract, protecting the sperm from spontaneous acrosome reaction and ensuring successful fertilization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad Al Hasan, Patricia E. Martin, Xinhua Shu, Steven Patterson, Chris Bartholomew
Summary: The research demonstrated the essential role of ColIII in adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the formation of actin stress fibers. Knocking out the Col3a1 gene significantly decreased adipogenesis and cell adhesion, leading to deregulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix gene transcripts.
Article
Microbiology
Ming-Hua Wu, Qin Yu, Tian-Yi Tao, Li-Xiao Sun, Hui Qian, Xue-Ming Zhu, Lin Li, Shuang Liang, Jian-Ping Lu, Fu-Cheng Lin, Xiao-Hong Liu
Summary: This study identified and analyzed the AGC kinases in Magnaporthe oryzae, a plant-pathogenic fungus. It revealed the important roles of AGC kinases in the growth, conidiation, germination, appressorium formation, and pathogenicity of the fungus. Furthermore, it discovered the specific functions of MoFpk1, a subfamily protein of AGC kinases, in cell wall integrity and lipid metabolism. The study also provided insights into the mechanisms of plasma membrane homeostasis and autophagy through lipid asymmetry maintenance.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Agnieszka Dreas, Katarzyna Kucwaj-Brysz, Karolina Pyziak, Urszula Kulesza, Ewelina Wincza, Charles-Henry Fabritius, Kinga Michalik, Ewelina Gabor-Worwa, Aniela Golas, Mariusz Milik, Magdalena Masiejczyk, Eliza Majewska, Kazimiera Pysniak, Urszula Wojcik-Trechcinska, Zuzanna Sandowska-Markiewicz, Krzysztof Brzozka, Jerzy Ostrowski, Tomasz Rzymski, Michal Mikula
Summary: The study suggests that inhibition of the MNKs/eIF4E pathway can potentially treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. Compounds 24 and 26, selective and metabolically stable MNK1/2 inhibitors, effectively reduce the phosphorylation levels of eIF4E in pathological conditions, leading to improved survival rates and reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels in mice models.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcelo Daniel Sciorra, Elisa Fantino, Cecilia Eugenia Maria Grossi, Rita Maria Ulloa
Summary: Four members of the potato calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) family exhibit structural and functional differences, with distinct expressions patterns regulated by various biotic stresses.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James A. Carroll, James F. Striebel, Chase Baune, Bruce Chesebro, Brent Race
Summary: This study found that microglia provide neuroprotection during prion disease through CD11c/CD18 signaling, but deletion of CD11c does not affect prion pathogenesis. Additionally, a notable phagocytosis pathway was identified in the central nervous system of infected mice during prion pathogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yujiao Yang, Siwei Zou, Kezhu Cai, Ningning Li, Zhongyue Li, Wei Tan, Wei Lin, Guo-Ping Zhao, Wei Zhao
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the activities of sirtuins in species from different domains and revealed distinct enzymatic activities and zymographs among different classifications. The findings support the hypothesis of divergent evolution of sirtuins.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Sequoyah Reynoso, Vanessa Castillo, Gajanan Dattatray Katkar, Inmaculada Lopez-Sanchez, Sahar Taheri, Celia Espinoza, Cristina Rohena, Debashis Sahoo, Pascal Gagneux, Pradipta Ghosh
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of GIV in maintaining normal sperm function and fertilization. GIV orchestrates different signaling programs in the sperm tail and head to enhance motility and prevent premature acrosomal reaction, shedding light on a previously unforeseen cause of male infertility.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wareerat Umnajvijit, Jariya Sangthong, Fabien Loison, Kulthida Vaeteewoottacharn, Mathurose Ponglikitmongkol
Summary: This study identifies the internal class III PBM of HPV16E6*I as a key element required for Dlg degradation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa te Molder, Maaike Kreft, Niels Heemskerk, Joyce Schuring, Jose M. de Pereda, Kevin Wilhelmsen, Arnoud Sonnenberg
Summary: In epithelial cancers, despite the synergistic activation of intracellular signaling pathways promoting cell proliferation and migration by EGFR and integrin alpha 6 beta 4, phosphorylated beta 4 does not enhance EGFR-mediated signaling in EGFR-overexpressing cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jasmin C. Lauer, Mischa Selig, Melanie L. Hart, Bodo Kurz, Bernd Rolauffs
Summary: Various stimuli and signaling pathways can modulate the chondrocyte phenotype, impacting their function. Manipulating the cytoskeleton and signaling processes offers a potential avenue for controlling and repairing chondrocytes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)