Article
Plant Sciences
Yuting Liu, Guangxia Wu, Yongping Zhao, Hu Hailing Wang, Zhouyan Dai, Weicong Xue, Juan Yang, Hongbin Wei, Rongxin Shen, Haiyang Wang
Summary: The study identified the maize gene ZmD53 and demonstrated its interaction with SL receptors, playing a crucial role in regulating multiple developmental processes in maize. It was also found that ZmD53 interacts with SPL transcription factors to promote tillering and forms a positive feedback loop, shedding light on the integration of SL signaling and miR156/SPL molecular module in maize development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aaron N. Brooks, Amanda L. Hughes, Sandra Clauder-Muenster, Leslie A. Mitchell, Jef D. Boeke, Lars M. Steinmetz
Summary: This study investigates the effects of sequence features and transcriptional context on RNA transcript isoform expression. Using synthetic yeast strains with rearranged genes, the researchers discovered that neighboring transcription also influences gene expression levels and transcript isoform boundaries. They identified features of transcriptional context that can predict these alterations and successfully engineered a synthetic circuit where transcript length is controlled by neighboring transcription.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jong Hoon Won, Jacob S. Choi, Joon-Il Jun
Summary: This study reveals that the matricellular protein CCN1 is a niche factor for intestinal stem cells, regulating their proliferation and differentiation through integrin signaling. CCN1 interacts with integrins alpha(v)beta(3)/alpha(v)beta(5) to activate distinct downstream pathways, leading to Notch activation for differentiation via NF-kappaB and Wnt signaling control for proliferation via Src-mediated YAP activation and Dkk1 expression. Moreover, CCN1 and YAP amplify each other's activities in a regulatory loop.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yasuhiro Saito, Shiori Matsuda, Naomi Ohnishi, Keiko Endo, Sanae Ashitani, Maki Ohishi, Ayano Ueno, Masaru Tomita, Koji Ueda, Tomoyoshi Soga, Senthil K. Muthuswamy
Summary: The study reveals that the complex involving polarity protein SCRIB and the leucine amino acid transporter SLC7A5 promotes cell proliferation and tamoxifen resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaixin Lyu, Shuo-Bin Chen, Eugene Yui-Ching Chow, Haizhou Zhao, Jia-Hao Yuan, Meng Cai, Jiahai Shi, Ting-Fung Chan, Jia-Heng Tan, Chun Kit Kwok
Summary: RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) structure in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of ADAR1 mRNA has been identified and characterized. This structure functions as an inhibitory element in translation and interacts with the helicase DHX36 to modulate translation. These findings illustrate the significance of the rG4 structure in controlling ADAR1 translation.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhen Wang, Zai Zheng, Yumin Zhu, Shuyao Kong, Dong Liu
Summary: To understand the molecular mechanism of plant transcriptional responses to phosphate (Pi) starvation, this study investigated the function of PHR1 and its homologs PHL1, PHL2, and PHL3 in Arabidopsis. The results showed that PHR1/PHL1 and PHL2/PHL3 function as two separate modules in regulating plant development and transcriptional responses to Pi starvation. PHR1 plays a dominant role in the PHR1/PHL1 module, while PHL2 and PHL3 contribute similarly in the PHL2/PHL3 module. The study also identified the common and specific targets of these PHR proteins and revealed their role as both positive and negative regulators of Pi starvation-responsive gene expression.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruiqi Li, Zhifeng Wei, Yan Li, Xudong Shang, Ying Cao, Liusheng Duan, Ligeng Ma
Summary: The development of the shoot apical meristem is regulated by the interaction between the transcription factor SHOOT MERISTEMLESS and the protein SKI-INTERACTING PROTEIN. This study identifies SKIP as a component of the STM transcriptional complex and reveals the mechanism underlying SKIP-mediated shoot apical meristem formation in Arabidopsis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tabata Rosas-Diaz, Pepe Cana-Quijada, Mengshi Wu, Du Hui, Gemma Fernandez-Barbero, Alberto P. Macho, Roberto Solano, Araceli G. Castillo, Xiao-Wei Wang, Rosa Lozano-Duran, Eduardo R. Bejarano
Summary: Jasmonates (JAs) are plant hormones that regulate plant development and defense. In this study, the interaction between C2 proteins from tomato-infecting geminiviruses and the transcriptional repressor JAZ8 was investigated, revealing an anti-geminiviral effect of JAZ8.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manon Watzky, Solene Huard, Ludmila Juricek, Julien Dairou, Caroline Chauvet, Xavier Coumoul, Anne Letessier, Benoit Miotto
Summary: This study reveals that the metabolic enzyme HK2, which fuels cancer cell growth, is a transcriptional target and modulator of AHR. In addition, high HK2 expression and low AHR methylation in tumors are associated with a worse overall survival in patients.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ravi V. Desai, Xinyue Chen, Benjamin Martin, Sonali Chaturvedi, Dong Woo Hwang, Weihan Li, Chen Yu, Sheng Ding, Matt Thomson, Robert H. Singer, Robert A. Coleman, Maike M. K. Hansen, Leor S. Weinberger
Summary: The DNA repair protein Apex1 amplifies transcriptional noise to facilitate cellular reprogramming, originating from shorter-duration, higher-intensity transcriptional bursts generated by Apex1-mediated DNA supercoiling. This mechanism, known as discordant transcription through repair (DiThR), potentiates cellular reprogramming and differentiation by maintaining mean expression levels.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katarzyna M. Sitnik, Fran Krstanovic, Natascha Goedecke, Ulfert Rand, Tobias Kubsch, Henrike Maass, Yeonsu Kim, Ilija Brizic, Luka Cicin-Sain
Summary: To date, no herpesvirus has been found to persist in fibroblastic cells, but this study reveals that murine cytomegalovirus can persist in PDGFR alpha-positive fibroblastic cells for a long time and across organs. These cells not only support latent infection but also productive virus replication, and the presence of STAT1 is required for the virus to persist in vivo. This study highlights the dual role of fibroblastic cells as both a reservoir for latent virus and a site for replication.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jian Sun, Jaeho Yoon, Moonsup Lee, Hyun-Kyung Lee, Yoo-Seok Hwang, Ira O. Daar
Summary: The Zic5 transcription factor is critical for the differentiation of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and the rod photoreceptor layer by suppressing Hedgehog signaling. Zic5 interacts with Gli3 and disrupts its homodimerization, resulting in Gli3 protein stabilization. This study provides insights into the role of Zic5 in regulating Gli3 stability for proper eye development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Riyao Yang, Linlin Sun, Ching-Fei Li, Yu-Han Wang, Jun Yao, Hui Li, Meisi Yan, Wei-Chao Chang, Jung-Mao Hsu, Jong-Ho Cha, Jennifer L. Hsu, Cheng-Wei Chou, Xian Sun, Yalan Deng, Chao-Kai Chou, Dihua Yu, Mien-Chie Hung
Summary: The study reveals that PD-1 contributes to exhausted T cell survival by binding to TIM-3 ligand Gal-9 and inhibiting Gal-9/TIM-3 induced cell death. Anti-Gal-9 therapy selectively expands intratumoral TIM-3(+) cytotoxic CD8 T cells and T-reg cells, while combination treatment with anti-Gal-9 and GITR agonist shows synergistic antitumor activity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ji-Seon Lee, Seongchan Kim, Sungchul Kim, Kwangseog Ahn, Dal-Hee Min
Summary: Early and accurate diagnosis of HCMV infection is crucial due to its potential risks, and conventional diagnosis methods rely on serology, antigen testing, and nucleic acid detection. However, a graphene oxide nanocolloid and fluorescent peptide nucleic acid probe biosensor offers a simpler and more efficient way to detect HCMV infection by monitoring the virally encoded microRNA.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel G. Chawla, Antonio Cappuccio, Andrea Tamminga, Stuart C. Sealfon, Elena Zaslavsky, Steven H. Kleinstein
Summary: Identification of host transcriptional response signatures is important for infection diagnosis. A framework was developed to evaluate the performance of infection signatures using a large dataset and standardized methodology. The analysis showed that the signatures were generally robust in detecting viral and bacterial infections, but performed less well for asymptomatic and chronic infections, and had cross-reactivity with unintended infections and aging.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew B. Reeves
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rebecca Mason, Ian J. Groves, Mark R. Wills, John H. Sinclair, Matthew B. Reeves
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Saima Siddiqui, Sarah Hackl, Hamid Ghoddusi, Megan R. McIntosh, Ariane C. Gomes, Joshua Ho, Matthew B. Reeves, Gary R. McLean
Summary: This study compared IgG and IgA responses to gB and the AD-2 epitope in naturally exposed individuals and those receiving a recombinant gB/MF59 adjuvant vaccine. Vaccination improved pre-existing gB-specific IgA and IgG levels in sero-positive individuals, while inducing de novo gB-specific IgA and IgG responses in sero-negative recipients. Pre-existing AD-2 IgG and IgA responses were boosted with vaccination, but new AD-2 responses were not detected.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Dimitra Peppa, Matthew Reeves
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Matthew J. Murray, Megan McIntosh, Claire Atkinson, Tabitha Mahungu, Edward Wright, Wendy Chatterton, Michael Gandy, Matthew B. Reeves
Summary: The study evaluated a commercially available ELISA-based surrogate neutralisation assay for measuring SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation by human sera, and confirmed the diagnostic utility of measuring responses against the RBD of S as a proxy for responses against the whole S protein. Results demonstrated a strong positive correlation between responses observed in the surrogate neutralisation assay and pseudotyped virus assays.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sarah E. Jackson, Kevin C. Chen, Ian J. Groves, George X. Sedikides, Amar Gandhi, Charlotte J. Houldcroft, Emma L. Poole, Inmaculada Montanuy, Gavin M. Mason, Georgina Okecha, Matthew B. Reeves, John H. Sinclair, Mark R. Wills
Summary: HCMV infection persists in the host and manipulates cellular protein secretion, leading to cell migration and potentially facilitating local virus dissemination in peripheral tissue sites.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Paul Griffiths, Matthew Reeves
Summary: HCMV infection is usually controlled by a vigorous immune response, but can cause serious organ diseases when the immune system is compromised. Significant progress has been made in understanding HCMV infection and disease, including defining the dynamics of viral replication and evaluating new antiviral drugs and vaccines.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hannah Rafferty, Matthew J. Murray, Jerry C. H. Tam, Alastair Macfarlane, Colette Smith, Sheila F. Lumley, Sowsan Atabani, Jane A. McKeating, Dinesh Sharma, Matthew Reeves, David Whitmore, Paul Griffiths
Summary: Using a large data set on preemptive cytomegalovirus therapy for solid-organ transplant recipients, the study found no association between time of day of transplantation and CMV viremia, but observed increased viremia in recipients of deceased-donor transplants compared with live-donor transplants. These findings provide important insights into the factors influencing CMV infection after transplantation.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego Cantoni, Matthew J. Murray, Mphatso D. Kalemera, Samuel J. Dicken, Lenka Stejskal, Georgina Brown, Spyros Lytras, Jonathon D. Coey, James McKenna, Stephen Bridgett, David Simpson, Derek Fairley, Lucy G. Thorne, Ann-Kathrin Reuschl, Calum Forrest, Maaroothen Ganeshalingham, Luke Muir, Machaela Palor, Lisa Jarvis, Brian Willett, Ultan F. Power, Laura E. McCoy, Clare Jolly, Greg J. Towers, Katie J. Doores, David L. Robertson, Adrian J. Shepherd, Matthew B. Reeves, Connor G. G. Bamford, Joe Grove
Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the spike glycoprotein, particularly in the N-terminal domain (NTD) flexible loops, has significant implications for viral transmission and immune response. Variations in NTD loop length can impact virus entry and may provide a mechanism for the virus to adapt and optimize its functionality in a complex selection environment.
Article
Immunology
Emma L. Davies, Mahlaqua Noor, Eleanor Y. Lim, Charlotte J. Houldcroft, Georgina Okecha, Claire Atkinson, Matthew B. Reeves, Sarah E. Jackson, Mark R. Wills
Summary: Research has shown that older individuals have a poorer ability to control Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, possibly due to changes in immune modulation caused by lifelong viral carriage. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that older individuals are less capable of controlling viral dissemination compared to young individuals. The study suggests that there are defects in the antiviral immune responses of older individuals.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ariane C. Gomes, Ilona A. Baraniak, Megan R. McIntosh, Isabella Sodi, Toby Langstone, Saima Siddiqui, Claire Atkinson, Gary R. McLean, Paul D. Griffiths, Matthew B. Reeves
Summary: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of mortality in immune-compromised transplant patients and congenitally infected individuals. Vaccines targeting glycoprotein B (gB) have shown success in generating immune responses, including the induction of non-neutralizing antibodies. A modified neutralization assay reveals the presence of neutralizing antibodies in sera from gB-vaccinated patients that cannot be detected using standard assays. These specific antibody responses may be important for future vaccine strategies.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Calum Forrest, Thomas J. G. Chase, Antonia O. Cuff, Dionas Maroulis, Reza Motallebzadeh, Amir Gander, Brian Davidson, Paul Griffiths, Victoria Male, Matthew Reeves
Summary: This study reveals that liver resident natural killer cells have an altered phenotype in individuals infected with cytomegalovirus and exhibit increased anti-viral activity against multiple viruses in vitro. The authors also identify a subset of natural killer cells responsible for controlling cytomegalovirus replication in the liver. These findings suggest that virally induced expansion of tissue resident natural killer cells can reduce the risk of post-transplant viremia.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
A. C. Gomes, I. A. Baraniak, A. Lankina, Z. Moulder, P. Holenya, C. Atkinson, G. Tang, T. Mahungu, F. Kern, P. D. Griffiths, M. B. Reeves
Summary: Vaccination against CMV infection is highly prioritized, and a recombinant form of gB protein with MF59 adjuvant has shown partial protection in a clinical trial. However, neutralizing responses against known antigenic domains of gB were limited. We discovered that vaccination induces an antibody response against a region of gB called AD-6, which is detected in a majority of vaccine recipients but a minority of naturally infected individuals. The AD-6 antibody binds to gB and infected cells, preventing cell-cell spread of CMV but not directly neutralizing the virus. This finding has the potential to explain part of the protection provided by gB vaccines against CMV following transplantation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rebecca Mason, Eleanor Bradley, Mark Wills, John Sinclair, Matthew Reeves
Summary: This study demonstrates that inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) has a minor impact on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) lytic infection but plays a role in viral reactivation during latency. Specifically, the HAT inhibitor C646 transiently represses the expression of major immediate early (MIE) genes via inhibition of the MIE promoter (MIEP), but gene expression is rescued by compensatory activation of an alternative IE promoter. Moreover, the silencing of the MIEP promotes alternative promoter activity in lytic infection. These findings suggest the importance of multiple promoters in driving HCMV reactivation.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Emma Poole, Jonathan Lau, Ian Groves, Kate Roche, Eain Murphy, Maria Carlan da Silva, Matthew Reeves, John Sinclair
Summary: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can result in either lytic or latent infection, depending on the regulation of the viral major immediate early promoter (MIEP). LUNA, a latent viral transcript, has been shown to play a key role in HCMV latency and efficient reactivation. This study reveals that LUNA enhances latency-associated viral gene expression and is required for the establishment and/or maintenance of an open chromatin configuration around latency-associated gene promoters.