Article
Microbiology
Bifang Hao, Wenbin Nan, Ying Xu, Lin Liu, Na Liu, Jinshan Huang
Summary: The study revealed that uncleaved signal peptide (SP) in Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) GP64 is a key determinant for infection, enhancing virulence and depending on cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus domain 1 (CRAC1) and CRAC2. In contrast, recombinant viruses with cleaved GP64 have reduced infectivity and only require CRAC2 for infection, indicating the importance of SP retention in BmNPV GP64 for infection and cholesterol interactions.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Virology
Congyue Yao, Shijia Pan, Ying Xu, Mengze Lu, Yating Zhao, Jiayao Huo, Bifang Hao, Jinshan Huang
Summary: BmNPV is a severe pathogen that infects Bombyx mori, causing significant economic losses. This study identifies an alternative pathway for BmNPV BV assembly and release through cellular exosomal pathway, which produces virions with relatively lower infectivity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Zixuan Yuan, Mahmud Arif Pavel, Hao Wang, Jerome C. Kwachukwu, Sonia Mediouni, Joseph Anthony Jablonski, Kendall W. Nettles, Chakravarthy B. Reddy, Susana T. Valente, Scott B. Hansen
Summary: The study reveals that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus through two distinct mechanisms, which are influenced by tissue cholesterol levels. This finding provides new insights into the potential use of HCQ in clinical settings.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Taylor P. Light, Delphine Brun, Pablo Guardado-Calvo, Riccardo Pederzoli, Ahmed Haouz, Frank Neipel, Felix A. Rey, Kalina Hristova, Marija Backovic
Summary: The study reveals that the HHV-8 envelope glycoprotein complex H and L binds to EphA2 by mimicking the receptor's cellular ligands, ephrins, and triggers receptor signaling for cytoskeleton remodeling. This provides novel insight into the entry mechanism of HHV-8 and potential therapeutic targets for HHV-8-related diseases.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles B. Trelford, Gianni M. Di Guglielmo
Summary: The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) and autophagy are crucial mechanisms for maintaining cellular homeostasis by degrading proteins and organelles. Autophagy can be classified into three types: microautophagy, chaperone mediated autophagy, and macroautophagy. Recent research indicates that autophagy is a selective degradation process.
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shikha Prakash, Anjali Krishna, Durba Sengupta
Summary: The study investigates the interactions of caveolin-1 (cav-1) with complex membrane bilayers and reveals its role in inducing membrane curvature and forming cholesterol-rich domains. It shows direct interactions between specific lipid types and suggests an interplay between membrane topology and lipid species.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michal Michalski, Piotr Setny
Summary: Influenza virus enters host cells through membrane fusion, which is facilitated by the viral hemagglutinin protein (HA). Our computational study reveals the important role of the HA C-terminal domain in fusion, shedding light on its structural and functional interdependencies.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aldo R. Camacho-Zarco, Sissy Kalayil, Damien Maurin, Nicola Salvi, Elise Delaforge, Sigrid Milles, Malene Ringkjobing Jensen, Darren J. Hart, Stephen Cusack, Martin Blackledge
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Jesus Zepeda-Cervantes, Josue Orlando Ramirez-Jarquin, Luis Vaca
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Hematology
Paola Leon-Mimila, Hugo Villamil-Ramirez, Luis R. Macias-Kauffer, Leonor Jacobo-Albavera, Blanca E. Lopez-Contreras, Rosalinda Posadas-Sanchez, Carlos Posadas-Romero, Sandra Romero-Hidalgo, Sofia Moran-Ramos, Mayra Dominguez-Perez, Marisol Olivares-Arevalo, Priscilla Lopez-Montoya, Roberto Nieto-Guerra, Victor Acuna-Alonzo, Gaston Macin-Perez, Rodrigo Barquera-Lozano, Blanca E. Del-Rio-Navarro, Israel Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Francisco Campos-Perez, Francisco Gomez-Perez, Victor J. Valdes, Alicia Sampieri, Juan G. Reyes-Garcia, Miriam Del C. Carrasco-Portugal, Francisco J. Flores-Murrieta, Carlos A. Aguilar-Salinas, Gilberto Vargas-Alarcon, Diana Shih, Peter J. Meikle, Anna C. Calkin, Brian G. Drew, Luis Vaca, Aldons J. Lusis, Adriana Huertas-Vazquez, Teresa Villarreal-Molina, Samuel Canizales-Quinteros
Summary: The study identified a genetic variant in the SIDT2 gene associated with HDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk in Mexicans, with implications for cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. The SIDT2/Val636Ile variant was more common in Native American populations and linked to lower LDL-C and ApoB levels. Further investigation showed that the variant affects cholesterol transport function, highlighting SIDT2 as a new player in human lipid metabolism.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karina Sanchez-Alegria, Carlos Ernesto Bastian-Eugenio, Luis Vaca, Clorinda Arias
Summary: The study revealed that neurons exposed to high but non-toxic concentrations of palmitic acid generate ATP through mitochondrial metabolism, leading to increased cytosolic Ca2+ and reduced insulin signaling, which may impact neuronal vulnerability and metabolic diseases.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jared A. Tangeman, Agustin Luz-Madrigal, Sutharzan Sreeskandarajan, Erika Grajales-Esquivel, Lin Liu, Chun Liang, Panagiotis A. Tsonis, Katia Del Rio-Tsonis
Summary: This study explored the mechanisms of embryonic RPE reprogramming through RNA-seq analysis, revealing that FGF2 and the MAPK cascade are crucial drivers. Key processes involved cell cycle progression, injury response, migration, and ECM regulation, highlighting the important roles of ECM and EMT dynamics in the reprogramming process.
Review
Immunology
Daniel Martinez-Flores, Jesus Zepeda-Cervantes, Adolfo Cruz-Resendiz, Sergio Aguirre-Sampieri, Alicia Sampieri, Luis Vaca
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, affects the respiratory system and has resulted in over 2 million deaths worldwide. Vaccines targeting the S glycoprotein have been developed, but the emergence of new variants could impact their effectiveness.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
David Silverio Moreno-Gutierrez, Jesus Zepeda-Cervantes, Luis Vaca, Armando Hernandez-Garcia
Summary: The study demonstrates that artificial virus-like particles can overcome the immunogenicity limitations of viral vectors for in vivo gene therapy, with potential to be used as stealth non-viral gene delivery systems.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Virology
Jesus Zepeda-Cervantes, Daniel Martinez-Flores, Josue Orlando Ramirez-Jarquin, angeles C. Tecalco-Cruz, Noe Santiago Alavez-Perez, Luis Vaca, Rosa Elena Sarmiento-Silva
Summary: This article discusses the genetic factors of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its association with severe COVID-19 in hosts, with a focus on viral entry and immune system molecules involved in viral infection. Additionally, it analyzes the structural characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants related to their binding to polymorphic angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2). Furthermore, it reviews other polymorphisms and epigenetic factors involved in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luiza Mamigonian Bessa, Serafima Guseva, Aldo R. Camacho-Zarco, Nicola Salvi, Damien Maurin, Laura Marino Perez, Maiia Botova, Anas Malki, Max Nanao, Malene Ringkjobing Jensen, Rob W. H. Ruigrok, Martin Blackledge
Summary: The genome replication and transcription processes of SARS-CoV-2 are important targets for inhibiting the virus. The interaction between the nucleoprotein (N) and the amino-terminal ubiquitin-like domain of nsp3 (Ubl1), which is a cofactor of the replication-transcription complex, has been described at the atomic level. This interaction involves two linear motifs in the linker domain of N, which fold N around Ubl1 to regulate binding to RNA. The identification of these motifs provides future targets for developing innovative strategies against COVID-19.
Review
Cell Biology
Carlos Bastian, Alicia Sampieri, Manuel Ortinez Benavides, Adan Guerrero, Luis Vaca
Summary: The use of super-resolution microscopy techniques has revealed a close and complex relationship between cytoskeleton reorganization and SOCE, and has identified many new proteins involved in SOCE regulation. Although there are still many unanswered questions in this dynamic field, recent developments in super-resolution microscopy promise to provide new answers soon.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aldo R. Camacho-Zarco, Vincent Schnapka, Serafima Guseva, Anton Abyzov, Wiktor Adamski, Sigrid Milles, Malene Ringkjobing Jensen, Lukas Zidek, Nicola Salvi, Martin Blackledge
Summary: This review introduces the applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in understanding the structure, dynamic behavior, and interaction trajectories of intrinsically disordered proteins. NMR provides ensemble averaged structural and dynamic parameters for each assigned resonance, revealing the importance of these parameters in the kinetics and thermodynamics of cellular and extracellular reactions. Furthermore, NMR can uncover the mechanistic basis of functional disordered molecular assemblies that are crucial for human health.
Review
Virology
Aaron Pavel Rodriguez-Hernandez, Daniel Martinez-Flores, Adolfo Cruz-Resendiz, Teresa Padilla-Flores, Rodrigo Gonzalez-Flores, Kenia Estrada, Alicia Sampieri, Aldo Roman Camacho-Zarco, Luis Vaca
Summary: Baculoviridae is a large family of viruses that infect arthropods. Recombinant baculoviruses have various applications, including large-scale protein production in insect cell cultures and protein display in medicine. This review analyzes different strategies for protein and peptide display on recombinant baculoviruses and provides examples of proteins displayed. The commercially available systems for recombinant baculovirus production and display are briefly discussed, along with the future prospects of this emerging technology.
Article
Cell Biology
Jonathan Pacheco, Alicia Sampieri, Luis Vaca
Summary: STIM1 and Orai1 are the core genes of Store Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE). The activation of Gq protein-coupled receptors at the plasma membrane triggers this calcium influx mechanism. The activation of phospholipase C by these receptors leads to the production of Inositol triphosphate (IP3), which diffuses throughout the cytosol and activates IP3 receptors (IP3R), causing calcium efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. STIM1 senses the calcium depletion in the ER and forms ER-PM junctions, accumulating at these junctions.
Article
Cell Biology
Alicia Sampieri, Teresa Padilla-Flores, Aditya R. Thawani, Pui-Ying Lam, Matthew J. Fuchter, Randall Peterson, Luis Vaca
Summary: This study investigated the lateral mobility and channel gating of zebrafish TRPA1 channel using a method that combines single channel electrophysiological and optical recordings. The results suggest that the open conformation of TRPA1 modulates channel lateral mobility probably by facilitating the insertion of the channel into cholesterol-enriched domains at the plasma membrane.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aldo R. Camacho-Zarco, Vincent Schnapka, Serafima Guseva, Anton Abyzov, Wiktor Adamski, Sigrid Milles, Malene Ringkjobing Jensen, Lukas Zidek, Nicola Salvi, Martin Blackledge
Summary: Intrinsically disordered proteins play essential roles in cellular and extracellular biochemistry. Nuclear magnetic resonance is a powerful tool for studying their structural and dynamic behavior, providing insights into reaction kinetics and thermodynamics essential for function. Recent applications of NMR have helped uncover the mechanistic basis of functional disordered molecular assemblies important for human health.