Article
Entomology
Huanhuan Chen, Guangshuo Zhang, Guiling Ding, Jiaxing Huang, Hong Zhang, Mayra C. Vidal, Richard T. Corlett, Cong Liu, Jiandong An
Summary: The decline of bumblebees has raised concerns about ecosystem stability. Understanding the factors that shape bumblebees' pathogen community composition is important for predicting infectious diseases and conservation policies. The study found that host specificity was the most important variable in predicting pathogen occurrences and community composition in bumblebees.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asahiro Morishita, Kyoko Oura, Tomoko Tadokoro, Koji Fujita, Joji Tani, Tsutomu Masaki
Summary: The liver is a non-immunological organ involved in metabolic activities, nutrient storage, and detoxification. Resident immune cells in the liver drive immunological reactions and certain microRNAs are associated with the immune response to pathogens, although the exact mechanism of miRNA interference in these interactions remains unclear.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Timothy L. Friesen, Justin D. Faris
Summary: Significant progress has been made in understanding plant defense responses to biotrophic fungal and bacterial pathogens. Effector-triggered immunity (ETI) and PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) play crucial roles in recognizing and combating pathogens. The article highlights how necrotrophic pathogens such as Zymoseptoria tritici, Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, and Parastagonospora nodorum can evade or manipulate ETI and PTI pathways to cause disease.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, VOL 59, 2021
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Abdul Arif Khan, Yasmin Bano
Summary: The study found that Salmonella interacts with multiple human proteins involved in gallbladder carcinoma, with MAPK and RAC1 being the most important based on node degree value among all identified interactors. Functional over-representation analysis reveals that Salmonella can induce adenocarcinoma, which constitutes 85% of gallbladder cancer.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Paula M. Tribelli, Nancy Lopez
Summary: This review provides an overview of temperature-response mechanisms in Pseudomonas species and highlights their relevance to human and animal health as well as agricultural applications.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Jonathan J. Giacomini, Nicholas Moore, Lynn S. Adler, Rebecca E. Irwin
Summary: A study has found that the consumption of sunflower pollen can significantly reduce gut infection by a protozoan pathogen in bumble bees and alter the physiological function of the gut, resulting in faster and increased excretion.
JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Johannes Westman, Sergio Grinstein
Summary: The ability of phagosomes to halt microbial growth is closely linked to their ability to acidify their luminal pH, but certain pathogens can survive and replicate inside phagosomes by targeting the pH-regulatory machinery of host cells to survive or escape.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Vera Vozandychova, Pavla Stojkova, Kamil Hercik, Pavel Rehulka, Jiri Stulik
Summary: Ubiquitination, similar to phosphorylation and acetylation, plays a crucial role in regulating various cell processes. Understanding how pathogens manipulate host ubiquitination processes is important for vaccine development and disease treatment. Pathogenic bacteria encode effector proteins targeting the host ubiquitin machinery to disrupt host defense processes.
Review
Biology
Hajarooba Gnanagobal, Javier Santander
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between marine Gram-positive pathogens and fish hosts, which cause economic losses in global marine fish aquaculture. Understanding these host-pathogen interactions is crucial for developing effective prophylactic measures and treatments.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rene Lemcke, Elisabet Sjoekvist, Stefano Visentin, Manoj Kamble, Euan K. James, Rasmus Hjortshoj, Kathryn M. Wright, Anna Avrova, Adrian C. Newton, Neil D. Havis, Simona Radutoiu, Michael F. Lyngkjaer
Summary: Ramularia collo-cygni is the causal agent of Ramularia leaf spot disease on barley, posing an increasing threat to farmers worldwide. Analysis of barley cultivars with different tolerance to RLS infected by aggressive or mild R. collo-cygni isolates revealed that fungal biomass does not correlate with tolerance, and both cultivars exhibit cell wall reinforcement at the point of contact with fungal hyphae. Transcriptome analysis showed significant transcriptional differences between cultivars early in fungal colonization, particularly in kinases, calmodulins, and defense proteins, while metabolite analysis identified defense compounds correlating with responses at transcriptome and morphological levels. These comprehensive responses provide molecular tools for improving barley tolerance to R. collo-cygni.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Rukmini Mukherjee, Ivan Dikic
Summary: Ubiquitination is an important posttranslational modification that regulates cellular functions. Pathogens have evolved mechanisms to evade or counteract host responses regulated by ubiquitin, and even exploit the ubiquitin system for their own benefit. Host cellular signaling networks undergo significant changes upon pathogen attack to protect the cell and limit pathogen growth. Mechanistic insights into ubiquitin regulation of host-pathogen interactions provide valuable information on bacterial and viral pathogenesis and host cell organization and response.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Easter Ndlovu, Lucas Malpartida, Taranum Sultana, Tanya E. S. Dahms, Etienne Dague
Summary: Candida is a common opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans, and its adhesion to host cells is crucial for parasitic and pathogenic processes. Studies have shown an increased risk of candidiasis when tissue barriers are weakened or immune defenses are compromised, such as during cancer treatment. Using atomic force microscopy, researchers found that there was significant adhesion between Candida and human cells, with a stronger adhesion to cancer cells due to their different mechanical properties. The disruption of cell cytoskeleton affected the adhesion between Candida and human cells, suggesting the manipulation of cell properties as a potential therapeutic strategy.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pankaj Chandley, Ravikant Ranjan, Sudhir Kumar, Soma Rohatgi
Summary: Malaria is a global infectious disease with significant morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The outcomes of malaria are influenced by various environmental, host, and parasite factors. The immune response against Plasmodium is complex and differs between humans and mosquitoes. The Plasmodium parasite's ability to evade the host's immune response contributes to its virulence. Drug resistance poses a challenge, necessitating the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Hannah P. Berguson, Lauren W. Caulfield, Michael S. Price
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the mutants in carbon metabolism and their effect on the host immune response of Cryptococcus neoformans. Understanding these critical interactions will provide fresh perspectives on potential treatments and the natural history of cryptococcal disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Mian Muhammad Awais, Muhammad Shakeel, Jingchen Sun
Summary: miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides that have been reported to regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, involved in various biological processes such as immunity, development, metabolism, and host-pathogen interactions. Both cellular and viral miRNAs may play vital roles in host-pathogen interactions, with viral infections altering host miRNA expression profiles.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
M. Rocha, A. Serronha, M. Rodrigues, P. C. Alves, P. Monterroso
Summary: The study found that Iberian rabbits exhibit a bimodal activity pattern, with an average of 9.15 hours of activity per day, and their diel activity levels are negatively affected by extreme environmental temperatures and density dependence. Predator activity and abundance have near-negligible effects on the activity levels of this key prey species, suggesting that perceived risk may play a more important role than realized risk in shaping their activity levels.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. S. Oud, R. M. Smits, H. E. Smith, F. K. Mastrorosa, G. S. Holt, B. J. Houston, P. F. de Vries, B. K. S. Alobaidi, L. E. Batty, H. Ismail, J. Greenwood, H. Sheth, A. Mikulasova, G. D. N. Astuti, C. Gilissen, K. McEleny, H. Turner, J. Coxhead, S. Cockell, D. D. M. Braat, K. Fleischer, K. W. M. D'Hauwers, E. Schaafsma, L. Nagirnaja, D. F. Conrad, C. Friedrich, S. Kliesch, K. I. Aston, A. Riera-Escamilla, C. Krausz, C. Gonzaga-Jauregui, M. Santibanez-Koref, D. J. Elliott, L. E. L. M. Vissers, F. Tuettelmann, M. K. O'Bryan, L. Ramos, M. J. Xavier, G. W. van der Heijden, J. A. Veltman
Summary: This study examines the role of de novo mutations in severe male infertility. Through trio-based exome sequencing, the researchers identified a significant enrichment of loss-of-function de novo mutations in infertile men. They also identified a new candidate gene, RBM5, which is associated with male infertility. This study provides evidence for the importance of de novo mutations in male infertility and identifies potential genetic causes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Eduarda Mendes, Israa M. Aljnadi, Barbara Bahls, Bruno L. Victor, Alexandra Paulo
Summary: Organic small molecules that can recognize and bind to G-quadruplex and i-Motif nucleic acids have great potential in selective drug development and medical diagnostic nanodevice applications. This article surveys the major achievements in the therapeutic potential of these quadruplex ligands, their binding modes, effects on quadruplex interactions, and explores the opportunities and challenges in drug discovery.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Pedro R. Magalhaes, Pedro B. P. S. Reis, Diogo Vila-Vicosa, Miguel Machuqueiro, Bruno L. Victor
Summary: This study optimized an in silico protocol using umbrella sampling/molecular dynamics simulations to discriminate between compounds with different membrane PAINS behaviors. The method was sensitive to membrane thickness fluctuations, but this was mitigated by changing the reference position and adjusting the umbrellas in the protocol. The study confirmed distinct membrane PAINS characteristics for resveratrol and curcumin, and indicated a misclassification of nothofagin in previous research.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Miriam Cervan-Martin, Lara Bossini-Castillo, Andrea Guzman-Jimenez, Rocio Rivera-Egea, Nicolas Garrido, Saturnino Lujan, Gema Romeu, Samuel Santos-Ribeiro, Jose A. Castilla, M. Carmen Gonzalvo, Ana Clavero, F. Javier Vicente, Vicente Maldonado, Sara Gonzalez-Munoz, Inmaculada Rodriguez-Martin, Miguel Burgos, Rafael Jimenez, Maria Graca Pinto, Isabel Pereira, Joaquim Nunes, Josvany Sanchez-Curbelo, Olga Lopez-Rodrigo, Iris Pereira-Caetano, Patricia Isabel Marques, Filipa Carvalho, Alberto Barros, Lluis Bassas, Susana Seixas, Joao Goncalves, Sara Larriba, Alexandra M. Lopes, F. David Carmona, Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the role of common genetic variants in the PIN1 gene locus in the genetic risk of male infertility. The study found that certain non-coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms in PIN1 were associated with the Sertoli cell-only syndrome in male infertility patients.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Claudia Istrate, Jessica Marques, Pedro Bule, Silvia Correia, Frederico Aires-da-Silva, Marlene Duarte, Ana Luisa Reis, Miguel Machuqueiro, Alexandre Leitao, Bruno L. Victor
Summary: This study focuses on the structural protein p10 of African swine fever virus, identifying motifs and residues that regulate its interaction with DNA. A helix-turn-helix motif at the C-terminal region was found to be crucial for binding to dsDNA, while serine and lysine-rich regions in the helices played key roles in DNA recognition, as confirmed by experimental binding assays.
Letter
Respiratory System
M. J. V. Silva, S. Seixasb, M. J. Canotilhoa, S. FeijOa
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Paccetti-Alves, Marta S. P. Batista, Catarina Pimpao, Bruno L. Victor, Graca Soveral
Summary: The natural polyphenolic compound Rottlerin (RoT) has shown potential as an anticancer agent by inhibiting target molecules implicated in tumorigenesis. It has been found to inhibit human AQP3 activity with an IC50 in the micromolar range. Molecular docking and simulations have revealed the structural determinants of RoT that explain its ability to inhibit AQP3. This multidisciplinary approach provides new information for aquaporin research and future drug design.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sandra Oliveira, Cesar Capinha, Jorge Rocha
Summary: The highly invasive Aedes albopictus mosquito continues to spread worldwide, driven by international trade and its role as a vector for diseases such as Zika and dengue. A model based on trade volumes, climate similarity, and geographic distance predicts that this species might enter all assessed countries by 2035.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tiina J. Ahonen, Choa P. Ng, Beatriz Farinha, Barbara Almeida, Bruno L. Victor, Christopher Reynolds, Eija Kalso, Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma, Jennifer Greaves, Vania M. Moreira
Summary: This study identified a class of highly selective inhibitors that can differentiate the inhibition of one enzyme from another. The structure-activity relationships presented here may inspire future drug discovery efforts in this field.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sonia Zacarias, Marta S. P. Batista, Sofia S. Ramalho, Bruno L. Victor, Carlos M. Farinha
Summary: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) channel. The approval of modulators that act on mutant CFTR protein, correcting its molecular defect and thus alleviating the burden of the disease, revolutionized the field of CF. However, these drugs do not apply to all patients with CF, especially those with rare mutations. In this study, the impact of rare mutations on CFTR expression, processing, and response to modulators was evaluated, and it was found that mutations in different locations have different effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
J. Chorostowska-Wynimko, I. Belmonte, M. Balduyck, T. P. Carroll, T. Greulich, N. G. Mcelvaney, M. Miravitlles, F. Rodriguez-Frias, M. Odou, S. Ottaviani, A. Rozy, S. Seixas, G. Orriols Torras, M. Veith, F. Zerimech, A. G. Corsico, I. Ferrarotti
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Respiratory System
J. Chorostowska-Wynimko, M. Balduyck, T. P. Carroll, T. Greulich, N. G. Mcelvaney, M. Miravitlles, F. Rodriguez-Frias, M. Odou, S. Ottaviani, D. Parr, A. Rozy, S. Seixas, G. Orriols Torras, M. Veith, F. Zerimech, A. G. Corsico, I. Ilaria Ferrarotti
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Anthropology
Anne-Maria Fehn, Beatriz Amorim, Jorge Rocha
Summary: The diversity of southern African populations is the result of three major pre-historic settlement layers associated with different linguistic groups: early foragers speaking Kx'a and Tuu languages, Late Stone Age pastoralists associated with Khoe-Kwadi languages, and Iron Age Bantu-speaking farmers. By combining linguistic and genetic data, this review provides evidence for the origins, migration routes, and internal diversification patterns of these three layers. The study highlights the impact of admixture and social interactions in shaping southern Africa as a zone of high contact between different communities, leading to the formation of new ethnic identities.
JOURNAL OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hannah E. Smith, Manon S. Oud, Roos M. Smits, Francesco K. Mastrorosa, Giles S. Holt, Brendan J. Houston, Petra F. de Vries, Bilal K. S. Alobaidi, Lois Batty, Hadeel Ismail, Jackie Greenwood, Harsh Sheth, Aneta Mikulasova, Galuh Astuti, Christian Gilissen, Kevin McEleny, Helen Turner, Jonathan Coxhead, Simon Cockell, Didi D. M. Braat, Kathrin Fleischer, Kathleen W. M. D'Hauwers, E. Schaafsma, Don Conrad, Corinna Friedrich, Sabine Kliesch, Kenneth I. Aston, Antoni Riera-Escamilla, Csilla Krausz, Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui, Mauro Santibanez-Koref, David J. Elliott, Lisenka E. L. M. Vissers, Frank Tuettelmann, Moira K. O'Bryan, Liliana Ramos, Miguel J. Xavier, Godfried W. van der Heijden, Joris A. Veltman
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS
(2022)