Article
Genetics & Heredity
Guangping Yu, Leihong Lu, Zaihong Ma, Shouhai Wu
Summary: This study using Mendelian randomization analysis found that longer telomeres were associated with a lower risk of AD. Similar results were obtained using weighted median approaches, MR-Egger regression, and weighted mode approaches. The evidence suggests a causal association between shorter telomere length and a higher risk of AD.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juyoung Kim, Gohta Goshima
Summary: Mitosis is a fundamental process in eukaryotes, and its essential genes can be bypassed through genetic or environmental changes. This study discovered the bypass of essentiality of a mitosis regulator, Polo-like kinase, through specific mutations and down-regulation of glucose uptake. The study also identified casein kinase I as an alternative mechanism for microtubule nucleation. The findings have implications for understanding mitosis and selecting chemotherapeutic compounds.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Ericka Mendez-Chacon
Summary: Stress is associated with telomere length, with gender differences observed. The findings are important for understanding why certain populations with socioeconomic disadvantages have remarkably high life expectancy.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bradley Benjamin, Yehuda Goldgur, Nikolaus Jork, Henning J. J. Jessen, Beate Schwer, Stewart Shuman
Summary: The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe phosphate regulon is sensitive to the level of the inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecule 1,5-IP8. The enzyme Asp1, consisting of a kinase domain and a pyrophosphatase domain, plays a crucial role in determining the dynamics of IP8. Crystal structures of the Asp1 kinase domain reveal its conformational changes upon ligand binding and its substrate specificity. Wild-type Asp1 kinase can utilize N-6-benzyl-ATP as a phosphate donor.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Reine U. Protacio, Mari K. Davidson, Wayne P. Wahls
Summary: Meiosis is a crucial process in the sexual life cycle of eukaryotes, contributing to genetic diversity through independent chromosome assortment and meiotic recombination. Recent studies have shown significant changes in the frequency distribution of recombination between closely related species, subspecies, and isolated populations of the same species. Analysis of recombination plasticity in fission yeast has provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying these rapid evolutionary changes, with different classes of hotspots acting as independently controlled rheostats. This dynamic modulation can rapidly and dramatically alter the global frequency distribution of recombination, contributing to the evolutionarily rapid changes in the recombination landscape.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Rui Yao, Rongrong Li, Ying Huang
Summary: This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of maintaining zinc homeostasis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The transcription factor Loz1 plays a key role in regulating zinc acquisition genes and the transport of excess zinc. When zinc levels are limited, Loz1 is inactivated and zinc is released from the secretory pathway for cellular use.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jun Liu, Xiaojing Hong, Lihui Wang, Chao-Ya Liang, Jun-Ping Liu
Summary: Telomere shortening leads to cellular senescence, and this study reveals a dual opposing control mechanism of sub-telomeric Y' element recombination by Sir3/4 and Rif1, regulating telomere length and cell senescence in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sir4 repression of Y' element recombination is negatively regulated by Rif1, mediating senescence-evasion induced by Sir4 deficiency.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Io Yamamoto, Hidenori Nakaoka, Masahiro Takikawa, Sanki Tashiro, Junko Kanoh, Tomoichiro Miyoshi, Fuyuki Ishikawa
Summary: The telomere binding protein Stn1 plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of repetitive DNAs at subtelomeres and rDNA regions. Lack of Stn1 results in dynamic rearrangements in telomere-proximal regions of subtelomere and ribosomal DNA repeats. Additionally, Stn1 is involved in the maintenance of arrested replication forks in coordination with the replication fork barrier-forming protein Reb1.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolin Wevers, Mona Hoehler, Abel R. Alcazar-Roman, Johannes H. Hegemann, Ursula Fleig
Summary: Bacterial pathogens have evolved complex mechanisms to manipulate their hosts and support infection. This study systematically assessed the importance of the microtubule cytoskeleton in Chlamydiae infection. The elimination of microtubules significantly reduced the efficiency of C. pneumoniae infection, indicating the essential role of microtubules in the early stages of infection. A screen in yeast identified multiple chlamydial proteins that modulate microtubule dynamics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mitsunori Higa, Yukihiro Matsuda, Jumpei Fujii, Nozomi Sugimoto, Kazumasa Yoshida, Masatoshi Fujita
Summary: TRF2-mediated recruitment of ORC contributes to the suppression of telomere instability, while the biological significance of the TRF2-ORC interaction for telomere maintenance remains largely elusive.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Ono, Kenta Katayama, Tomoki Onuma, Kento Kubo, Hayato Tsuyuzaki, Michiaki Hamada, Masamitsu Sato
Summary: This study focuses on identifying functional non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe through a combination of computational and biological screening. By screening for ncRNAs with conserved sequences and secondary structures, the researchers identified several novel functional ncRNAs, including one that inhibited untimely initiation of sexual differentiation. This study demonstrates the power of in silico selection based on conservation of secondary structures in identifying novel functional ncRNAs.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugene Shakirov, Julian J-L Chen, Dorothy E. Shippen
Summary: This review summarizes the recent advances in plant telomere biology and compares it to telomere and telomerase research in other eukaryotic lineages. Despite the divergence between plants and animals over a billion years ago, the knowledge gained from plants has continued to contribute to the understanding of telomere biology and its implications for human health, aging, and stress responses. Studies of plant telomeres have revealed unexpected divergence in telomere sequence and architecture, and have provided new insights into the evolution and core components of telomerase across major eukaryotic kingdoms. Additionally, the cataloging of natural variation in plants like Arabidopsis thaliana and maize has provided valuable information on the genetic networks governing telomere length and its interactions with environmental factors and plant physiology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiajia He, Ke Liu, Shengnan Zheng, Yifan Wu, Chenhui Zhao, Shuaijie Yan, Ling Liu, Ke Ruan, Xiaopeng Ma, Chuanhai Fu
Summary: This study reveals the important roles of acyl-CoA-binding protein Acb1 in maintaining tubular mitochondrial morphology, proper mitochondrial respiration, and regulating lipid droplets in nutrient-rich conditions in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The absence of Acb1 leads to severe mitochondrial fragmentation and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Moreover, Acb1 promotes cell survival in nutrient-rich medium.
Article
Cell Biology
Beatriz C. D. de Oliveira, Mark E. Shiburah, Stepany C. Paiva, Marina R. Vieira, Edna Gicela O. Morea, Marcelo Santos da Silva, Cristiane de Santis Alves, Marcela Segatto, Fernanda Gutierrez-Rodrigues, Julio C. Borges, Rodrigo T. Calado, Maria Isabel N. Cano
Summary: The length of Leishmania telomeres varies among different life stages, with shorter telomeres in the immature amastigotes being more vulnerable to potential drugs. Inhibitors of Hsp90 disrupt parasite growth, induce cell cycle arrest and telomere shortening, indicating a crucial role of Hsp90 in telomere length maintenance. Moreover, the interaction between LHsp90 and the telomerase component TERT suggests a novel role for LHsp90 in controlling telomere length maintenance and parasite lifespan.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahisa Maki, Genevieve Thon, Hiroshi Iwasaki
Summary: A haploid of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe expresses either the P or M mating-type through gene conversion, which is determined by the active mat1 cassette. The Swi2-Swi5 complex plays a crucial role in this process by selecting a preferred donor in a cell-type specific manner. Two important motifs in Swi2, a Swi6-binding site and two DNA-binding AT-hooks, have been identified and shown to be essential for its localization to the recombination enhancers in order to promote gene conversion.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Filip Cervenak, Regina Sepsiova, Jozef Nosek, Lubomir Tomaska
Summary: Telomeres in eukaryotic species protect the ends of nuclear chromosomes, with diverse telomeric repeat sequences across different species. The evolutionary origin and co-evolutionary mechanisms between telomeric repeats and telomere-binding proteins remain unclear.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Brona Brejova, Kristina Borsova, Viktoria Hodorova, Viktoria Cabanova, Lenka Reizigova, Evan D. Paul, Pavol Cekan, Boris Klempa, Jozef Nosek, Tomas Vinar
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 mutants with H69/V70 deletion emerged in six lineages, including the B.1.1.7 variant. Samples from Slovakia showed a significant presence of the B.1.258 variant, which circulated in Central Europe before the arrival of B.1.1.7.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Zuzana Brzacova, Maria Pet'kova, Katarina Veljacikova, Terezia Zajickova, L'ubomir Tomaska
Summary: The evolution of eukaryotic organisms involved lineage-specific expansion of gene families, as demonstrated in a study exploring protein specialization through gene duplication. The research outlined various exercises to enhance students' skills in genomic analysis and experimental design for functional analysis of human genes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Branislav Kovacech, Lubica Fialova, Peter Filipcik, Rostislav Skrabana, Monika Zilkova, Natalia Paulenka-Ivanovova, Andrej Kovac, Denisa Palova, Gabriela Paulikova Rolkova, Katarina Tomkova, Natalia Turic Csokova, Karina Markova, Michaela Skrabanova, Kristina Sinska, Neha Basheer, Petra Majerova, Jozef Hanes, Vojtech Parrak, Michal Prcina, Ondrej Cehlar, Martin Cente, Juraj Piestansky, Michal Fresser, Michal Novak, Monika Slavikova, Kristina Borsova, Viktoria Cabanova, Bronislava Brejova, Tomas Vinar, Jozef Nosek, Boris Klempa, Ludek Eyer, Vaclav Honig, Martin Palus, Daniel Ruzek, Tereza Vyhlidalova, Petra Strakova, Blanka Mrazkova, Dagmar Zudova, Gizela Koubkova, Vendula Novosadova, Jan Prochazka, Radislav Sedlacek, Norbert Zilka, Eva Kontsekova
Summary: This study developed second-generation antibodies using hybridoma technology, ELISA-based assays, and authentic virus neutralization assays to target new variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2. AX290 and AX677 showed excellent neutralizing capabilities against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, reducing viral burden and inflammation in the lungs, and preventing disease in a mouse model of infection.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Veronica Mixao, Valentina del Olmo, Eva Hegedusova, Ester Saus, Leszek Pryszcz, Andrea Cillingova, Jozef Nosek, Toni Gabaldon
Summary: This study indicates the presence of additional hybrid species in the complex of Candida parapsilosis and multiple independent occurrences of linear configuration in mitochondrial genomes of Candida species. These findings reinforce the hypothesis that hybridization is widespread among Candida species and potentially contributes to the emergence of lineages with opportunistic pathogenic behavior.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Andrea Cillingova, Renata Toth, Anna Mojakova, Igor Zeman, Romana Vrzonova, Barbara Sivakova, Peter Barath, Martina Nebohacova, Zuzana Klepcova, Filip Brazdovic, Hana Lichancova, Viktoria Hodorova, Brona Brejova, Tomas Vinar, Sofia Mutalova, Veronika Vozarikova, Giacomo Mutti, Lubomir Tomaska, Atilla Gacser, Toni Gabaldon, Jozef Nosek
Summary: Many fungal species utilize hydroxyderivatives of benzene and benzoic acid as carbon sources. In this study, the yeast Candida parapsilosis was investigated and it was found that the genes involved in the 3-oxoadipate and gentisate pathways are highly upregulated and their expression is regulated by transcriptional activators. It was also proposed that bicarbonate ions resulting from decarboxylation of hydroxybenzoates contribute to differences in the cell responses to hydroxybenzoates and hydroxybenzenes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Katarina Jurikova, Regina Sepsiova, Andrea Sevcovicova, Lubomir Tomaska, Vladimira Dzugasova
Summary: CRISPR-Cas9, a widely adopted genome-editing technique, has been included in biology curricula. This perspective summarizes existing CRISPR-Cas courses that focus on baker's yeast, providing a detailed example of a hands-on, flexible, and cost-efficient practical course. These courses not only teach experimental skills and theoretical knowledge, but also offer a platform for discussing the ethical implications of democratizing biology.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
L'ubomir Tomaska
Summary: Games and play are effective means for children to learn, and they can also be used for university teaching.
Article
Cell Biology
Ciaran J. McCoy, Humbeline Paupelin-Vaucelle, Peter Gorilak, Tom Beneke, Vladimir Varga, Eva Gluenz
Summary: ULK kinase family proteins are involved in the function of motile cilia. Knockout mutants of ULK4 and Fused genes in Leishmania mexicana showed structural defects in the flagellum cytoskeleton. The interaction between ULK4 and Fused proteins suggests that ULK4 acts as a positive regulator of Fused kinase in the assembly of motile cilia.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bronislava Brejova, Veronika Vozarikova, Ivan Agarsky, Hana Derkova, Matej Fedor, Dominika Harmanova, Lukas Kiss, Andrej Korman, Martin Pasen, Filip Brazdovic, Tomas Vinar, Jozef Nosek, Lubomir Tomaska
Summary: One strategy to increase the complexity of cellular proteomes is through posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of proteins. A yeast mitochondrial posttranslational modification (y-mtPTM) database has been built, listing nearly 20,000 positions on mitochondrial proteins affected by various PTMs. This database serves as a comprehensive platform for yeast mitochondrial researchers to investigate the functional significance of PTMs in mitochondrial proteins.
Letter
Microbiology
Filip Cervenak, Regina Sepsiova, Vratislav Peska, Jozef Nosek, Lubomir Tomaska
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Brona Brejova, Viktoria Hodorova, Hana Lichancova, Eunika Perickova, Veronika Anna Soucova, Matthias Sipiczki, Tomas Vinar, Jozef Nosek
Summary: This article reports the genome sequence of Candida verbasci, an anamorphic ascomycetous yeast. The nuclear genome assembly consists of seven chromosome-sized contigs with a total size of 12.1 Mbp and has a relatively low G+C content (28.1%).
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Romana Vrzonova, Renata Toth, Barbara Sivakova, Anna Motovska, Katarina Gaplovska-Kysela, Peter Barath, Lubom Tomaska, Attila Gacser, Toni Gabaldon, Jozef Nosek, Martina Nebohacova
Summary: In this study, the function and localization of Oct1p, an ortholog of 3-oxoadipyl-CoA thiolase from Candida parapsilosis, was investigated, confirming its presence in mitochondria. Phylogenetic profiling of Oct1p revealed an intricate evolutionary pattern indicating multiple horizontal gene transfers among different fungal groups.
FEMS YEAST RESEARCH
(2021)