Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Lisetto, Mariagiulia Fattorini, Andrea Lanza, Marco Gerdol, Martin Griffin, Zhuo Wang, Fortunato Ferrara, Daniele Sblattero
Summary: Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Its role in these processes is controversial due to different effects depending on localization, cell type, or experimental conditions. This study characterized the enzymatic and functional properties of TG2 proteins in zebrafish and demonstrated their similarities to the human ortholog.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher Mendoza, Dario Mizrachi
Summary: Decades of evidence suggest that alterations in cell adhesion properties contribute to the invasive and migratory phenotype of neoplastic cells. The role of tight junction proteins in the tumor microenvironment is crucial. Reprogramming immune cells using CAR-T cells to target and eliminate tumors has been approved as a therapy. Researchers have developed a new biologic that specifically targets cancer cells and reduces proliferation and metastasis.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Qian Wu, Rui Li, Qing-Xiang Wang, Meng-Yu Zhang, Ting-Ting Liu, Yi-Qing Qu
Summary: Our study revealed the oncogenic role of JAML in LUAD, showing that elevated JAML expression is positively correlated with pT and pTNM. Silencing JAML significantly inhibited malignant behaviors of LUAD cells, induced cell cycle arrest at G(0)/G(1) phase, and promoted apoptosis, possibly through inactivation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in LUAD cells. Rescue experiments confirmed the effects of JAML could be reversed by Wnt/beta-catenin pathway activator in A549 cells. This suggests that JAML may serve as a predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target for LUAD.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Connor J. Thompson, Vinh H. Vu, Deborah E. Leckband, Daniel K. Schwartz
Summary: Cadherin transmembrane proteins play important roles in intercellular adhesion and tissue morphogenesis. Experimental evidence shows mutual cooperativity between lateral cis and adhesive trans interactions, leading to the assembly of large intermembrane junctions. This cooperativity is primarily due to allostery and provides insights into how weak cis and trans interactions work together to create strong cell adhesions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mate Kiss, Els Lebegge, Aleksandar Murgaski, Helena Van Damme, Daliya Kancheva, Jan Brughmans, Isabelle Scheyltjens, Ali Talebi, Robin Maximilian Awad, Yvon Elkrim, Pauline M. R. Bardet, Sana M. Arnouk, Cleo Goyvaerts, Johan Swinnen, Frank Aboubakar Nana, Jo A. Van Ginderachter, Damya Laoui
Summary: This study found that cancer-associated inflammation can enhance the expression of JAM-A on circulating monocytes, but the function of JAM-A in tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells is little understood. Through gene knockout mouse experiments and RNA sequencing, we found that JAM-A is dispensable for the recruitment and transcriptional reprogramming of myeloid cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Duygu Sari-Ak, Alvaro Torres-Gomez, Yavuz-Furkan Yazicioglu, Anthos Christofides, Nikolaos Patsoukis, Esther M. Lafuente, Vassiliki A. Boussiotis
Summary: This review discusses the structural and molecular properties of RIAM and the functional role of the Rap1/RIAM module in hematopoietic cells.
BIOMEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Qian Wu, Yong-bin Wang, Xiao-wen Che, Hui Wang, Wei Wang
Summary: JAML protein is an oncogenic protein in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and may serve as a novel therapeutic target. The flavonoid kaempferol inhibits JAML, leading to suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells, and partially inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. These findings suggest that JAML is a new target for kaempferol in LUAD cells.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suhyun Kim, Dong-Won Lee, Melitta Schachner, Hae-Chul Park
Summary: Demyelination causes neuron loss leading to compromised locomotor function and underlying diseases like multiple sclerosis, with potential treatment options like tacrine and duloxetine showing promise for remyelination. Zebrafish models offer easier testing of promotive compounds compared to mammalian models, presenting novel avenues for research and potential therapeutic interventions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Chih-Wei Zeng, Jin-Chuan Sheu, Huai-Jen Tsai
Summary: We identified and characterized a novel member of the ZBED protein family in zebrafish, named ZBEDX protein. It is encoded by the Zgc:161969 gene and contains a DNA-binding BED domain and a catalytic domain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed its close relation to specific clades of zebrafish ZBED4-like isoforms and ZBED isoform 2. Additionally, Zgc:161969 transcripts showed maternal inheritance and exhibited differential expression in the brain and eyes during early developmental stages and in the telencephalon ventricular zone during late developmental stages.
Article
Oncology
Miki Yamaguchi, Sachie Hirai, Masashi Idogawa, Toshiyuki Sumi, Hiroaki Uchida, Naoki Fujitani, Motoko Takahashi, Yuji Sakuma
Summary: There is a need for novel and effective treatments for small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). This study investigated the use of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting junctional adhesion molecule 3 (JAM3) as a potential therapy for SCLC. The results showed that JAM3 mRNA was expressed at higher levels in SCLC cell lines and tissues compared to lung adenocarcinoma. The ADC specifically targeting JAM3 exhibited dose- and time-dependent antitumor effects on SCLC cells. Silencing JAM3 alone suppressed the growth of SCLC cells. These findings suggest that targeting JAM3 with an ADC could be a promising approach for treating SCLC.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Chie-Pein Chen, Liang-Kai Wang, Chen-Yu Chen, Chia-Yu Chen, Yi-Hsiu Kuo, Yi-Hsin Wu
Summary: The protein JAM3 is involved in the structure and regulation of placental cells, affecting their fusion, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and motility. Dysregulation of JAM3 expression is crucial in the development of preeclampsia.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Yuying Fang, Jianmin Yang, Guohong Zu, Changsheng Cong, Shuai Liu, Fei Xue, Shuzhen Ma, Jie Liu, Yuping Sun, Meili Sun
Summary: JAML, a newly discovered junctional adhesion molecule, plays a critical role in promoting gastric cancer cell migration and proliferation, potentially serving as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Miguel S. Marques, Ana C. Costa, Hugo Osorio, Marta L. Pinto, Sandra Relvas, Mario Dinis-Ribeiro, Fatima Carneiro, Marina Leite, Ceu Figueiredo
Summary: Helicobacter pylori infects approximately half of the world's population and is a major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. It disrupts epithelial integrity by targeting the junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) and uses a unique strategy to do so. This study identified PqqE (HP1012) as the virulence factor responsible for cleaving JAM-A, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of this infection.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jie Zhang, Hongming Chen
Summary: This paper proposes a novel molecular deep generative model that adopts a recurrent neural network architecture and ligand-protein interaction fingerprint as constraints for generating compounds with similar binding modes.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wei Gu, Xing Wang, Huanfen Zhao, Jianlin Geng, Xiaolong Li, Kunjie Zheng, Yunpeng Guan, Xiaoyu Hou, Chao Wang, Guangyao Song
Summary: Diabetic kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes, and lipid deposits in the kidneys contribute to kidney damage. This study found that abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to diabetic kidney disease in patients. Additionally, the administration of resveratrol in mice with high-fat diet-induced renal abnormalities reduced lipid deposition, improved renal function, and regulated lipid synthesis pathways.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ismael Lamas-Toranzo, Julieta G. Hamze, Enrica Bianchi, Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes, Serafin Perez-Cerezales, Ricardo Laguna-Barraza, Raul Fernandez-Gonzalez, Pat Lonergan, Alfonso Gutierrez-Adan, Gavin J. Wright, Maria Jimenez-Movilla, Pablo Bermejo-Alvarez
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sumana Sharma, Cansu Dincer, Paula Weidemueller, Gavin J. Wright, Evangelia Petsalaki
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Julia Knockel, Kirsten Dundas, Annie S. P. Yang, Francis Galaway, Tom Metcalf, Geert-Jan Van Gemert, Robert W. Sauerwein, Julian C. Rayner, Oliver Billker, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: The research revealed the important role of the p24 complex in the interactions between sporozoites and host cells, involving the trafficking of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. These findings provide a valuable resource for further investigating the biology of Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jarrod Shilts, Thomas W. M. Crozier, Edward J. D. Greenwood, Paul J. Lehner, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: Recent studies suggest that basigin may not be the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 virus to invade human cells, and removing basigin from the surface of human lung epithelial cells does not affect susceptibility to the virus. These findings provide more information for a better understanding and treatment of COVID-19.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Georgina Awuah-Mensah, Jennifer McDonald, Pieter C. Steketee, Delphine Autheman, Sarah Whipple, Simon D'Archivio, Cordelia Brandt, Simon Clare, Katherine Harcourt, Gavin J. Wright, Liam J. Morrison, Catarina Gadelha, Bill Wickstead
Summary: Animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) is a severe, wasting disease affecting domestic livestock and diverse wildlife, predominantly caused by Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax. However, due to challenges in genetic modifications, research on the pathogenic stages is limited, hindering the understanding of these parasites' biology. The development of tools for T. congolense, including gene tagging, knockout, transgene expression, and inducible gene knockdown, will greatly aid in further research on AAT and T. congolense biology.
Article
Biology
Francois Kroll, Gareth T. Powell, Marcus Ghosh, Gaia Gestri, Paride Antinucci, Timothy J. Hearn, Hande Tunbak, Sumi Lim, Harvey W. Dennis, Joseph M. Fernandez, David Whitmore, Elena Dreosti, Stephen W. Wilson, Ellen J. Hoffman, Jason Rihel
Summary: A new method has been developed to rapidly knockout genes and shorten the experimental time from gene to behavioral phenotype in zebrafish from months to one week.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enrica Bianchi, Yi Sun, Alexandra Almansa-Ordonez, Michael Woods, David Goulding, Nadia Martinez-Martin, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: Dysfunction of embryo transport can lead to ectopic pregnancy. Research shows that female mice lacking Adgrd1 are infertile due to dysregulated oviductal fluid flow, resulting in embryo retention in the ampulla.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Delphine Autheman, Cecile Crosnier, Simon Clare, David A. Goulding, Cordelia Brandt, Katherine Harcourt, Charlotte Tolley, Francis Galaway, Malhar Khushu, Han Ong, Alessandra Romero-Ramirez, Craig W. Duffy, Andrew P. Jackson, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: A systematic genome-led approach identified protective invariant subunit vaccine antigens for Trypanosoma vivax, providing a vaccine candidate for the important parasitic disease that has constrained socioeconomic development in sub-Saharan Africa. The study showed that highly protective vaccines against trypanosome infections can be achieved, despite the parasite's sophisticated immunoprotective mechanisms.
Article
Microbiology
Adam Roberts, Rupa Nagar, Cordelia Brandt, Katherine Harcourt, Simon Clare, Michael A. J. Ferguson, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: This study identified the noncatalytic subunit LdPBN1 of the L. donovani GPI-mannosyltransferase I (GPI-MT I) complex and demonstrated its essentiality for infection in a murine model of visceral leishmaniasis. The LdPBN1 mutant showed potential as an attenuated live vaccine.
Article
Microbiology
Adam J. Roberts, Han B. Ong, Simon Clare, Cordelia Brandt, Katherine Harcourt, Susanne U. Franssen, James A. Cotton, Nicole Mueller-Sienerth, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: This study aims to discover essential proteins for in vitro growth and host infection of Leishmania spp., with the goal of identifying subunit vaccine candidates. Through in silico analysis and genome editing, potential subunit vaccine candidates have been identified. Preclinical trials in a murine model showed significant levels of protection against splenic infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jarrod Shilts, Yannik Severin, Francis Galaway, Nicole Mueller-Sienerth, Zheng-Shan Chong, Sophie Pritchard, Sarah Teichmann, Roser Vento-Tormo, Berend Snijder, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: In this study, we systematically mapped the direct protein interactions across a recombinant library that includes most of the surface proteins on human leukocytes, providing a high-confidence and quantitative view of the receptor wiring that connects human immune cells. By integrating our interactome with expression data, we identified trends in the dynamics of immune interactions and constructed a mathematical model that predicts cellular connectivity. We also developed an interactive multi-tissue single-cell atlas to infer immune interactions throughout the body and linked our receptor interactions to functional roles through protein stimulation and microscopy.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alessandra Romero-Ramirez, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Delphine Autheman, Craig W. Duffy, Cordelia Brandt, Simon Clare, Katherine Harcourt, Marcos Rogerio Andre, Kayo Jose Garcia de Almeida Castilho Neto, Marta M. G. Teixeira, Rosangela Zacharias Machado, Janine Coombes, Robin J. Flynn, Gavin J. Wright, Andrew P. Jackson
Summary: The study examines the immune responses to unique parasite antigens in hosts infected with Trypanosoma vivax and identifies potential vaccine candidates. A gene family called Vivaxin is found to encode transmembrane glycoproteins that elicit a consistent antibody response. Vaccination with a particular antigen, VIV beta 8, delays parasite proliferation but does not prevent disease. Vivaxin, besides being a source of vaccine antigens, is important for host-parasite interactions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Enrica Bianchi, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: Brukman and colleagues provide evidence that the sperm surface protein IZUMO1, which is essential for mammalian fertilization, can induce membrane fusion in cultured cells. This finding sheds light on the long-standing mystery of the molecular mechanism of sperm-egg fusion.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jarrod Shilts, Thomas W. M. Crozier, Ana M. Teixeira-Silva, Ildar M. Gabaev, Pehuen Pereyra Gerber, Edward J. D. Greenwood, Samuel James A. Watson, Brian M. Ortmann, Christian M. J. Gawden-Bone, Tekle J. Pauzaite, Markus J. Hoffmann, James A. Nathan, Stefan Pohlmann, Nicholas J. Matheson, Paul J. Lehner, Gavin J. Wright
Summary: In addition to ACE2, LRRC15 has been identified as a protein that interacts with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. The expression of LRRC15 is common in human lung vasculature cells and fibroblasts. Inflammatory signals greatly increase the levels of LRRC15 in the lungs of COVID-19 patients. Although LRRC15 alone is not sufficient for viral entry, it may modulate infection of human cells. Further investigation is needed to understand how SARS-CoV-2 exploits host LRRC15 and its role in COVID-19.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Enrica Bianchi, Gavin J. Wright