Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Zhifeng Jiang, Feiyu Yang, Jingbo Qie, Chaoyuan Jin, Feng Zhang, Jie Shen, Lin Zhang
Summary: Intestinal barrier dysfunction, characterized by increased intestinal permeability to endotoxins and predisposition to immune enteropathy and colorectal cancer, is associated with TNF-α. This study demonstrated that TNF-α upregulates miR-21-3p expression through the NF-κB pathway, and miR-21-3p targets MTDH mRNA to regulate the Wnt pathway, potentially impacting intestinal barrier dysfunction.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Keshava K. Datta, Parthiban Periasamy, Sonali V. Mohan, Rebekah Ziegman, Harsha Gowda
Summary: The study identified mechanisms by which cancer cells adapt and survive in oxygen-poor environments, providing novel avenues for treatment. Cancer cells in hypoxic environments are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, and identifying proteins and pathways regulating their survival could improve anticancer therapy efficacy. The study's proteomic profiling revealed metabolic reprogramming and novel phosphorylation changes, indicating potential vulnerabilities that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
Article
Immunology
Isabel Castro, Patricia Carvajal, Daniela Jara, Sergio Aguilera, Benjamin Heathcote, Maria-Jose Barrera, Victor Aliaga-Tobar, Vinicius Maracaja-Coutinho, Ulises Urzua, Andrew F. G. Quest, Sergio Gonzalez, Claudio Molina, Marcela Hermoso, Maria-Julieta Gonzalez
Summary: This study characterized the global profile of sRNAs in labial salivary glands (LSG) from SS-patients and identified hsa-miR-181d-5p as a potential miRNA candidate implicated in glandular inflammation. Downregulation of hsa-miR-181d-5p in LSG could contribute to the pro-inflammatory environment by deregulating its direct target TNF-alpha.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Imtiyaz Ahmed Bhat, Ishfaq Rashid Mir, Gawharul Haq Malik, Javid Iqbal Mir, Taief Ahmad Dar, Syed Nisar, Niyaz Ahmad Naik, Zia-Ul Sabah, Zafar Amin Shah
Summary: This study compared the role of TNF-alpha and vitamin D in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results showed that TNF-alpha is associated with an increased risk of NSCLC, as well as increased expression in tumor tissues. This suggests that TNF-alpha could be a potential therapeutic marker in NSCLC. In contrast, vitamin D showed no significance in NSCLC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Wang, Jing Wang, Min Wang, Renyun Hong, Shanshan Tang, Yuanhua Xu, Xia Zhao, Tao Zhou, Zibin Wang, Shaoping Huang
Summary: The study constructed a quantitative phosphoproteome to investigate changes in phosphorylated sites during sperm cryopreservation, identifying key regulated sites associated with sperm motility. Through kinase enrichment analysis, glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha (GSK3A) was identified as a key kinase potentially regulating sperm motility. The findings provide important insights into understanding the regulation of sperm functions and optimizing cryopreservation techniques.
BIOSCIENCE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jiao Lv, Xudong Shan, Haoxuan Yang, Yuting Wen, Xueguang Zhang, Hanxiao Chen, Hengli Li, Dongmei Tian, Chi Chiu Wang, Ruizhe Zhang, Tin Chiu Li, Xiaohu Zhang, Xiaomiao Zhao, Yao Lu, Lang Qin, Minghui Zhu, Wenming Xu
Summary: This study reveals that embryo-secreted TNF-alpha plays a critical role in embryo implantation, and its level may serve as a predictor for assessing the development potential of embryos in IVF patients.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
James S. Bent, Zachary T. Clark, Jonathan A. Collins
Summary: The substrate specificity of RDD benzoate dioxygenase (BZDO) in Ralstonia eutropha B9 cells was investigated using H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The enzyme showed higher activity towards benzoates with smaller substituents, particularly at the 3-position. Substrates with larger partial charge at the C-2 position also exhibited elevated activity. The regioselectivity of the reaction correlated positively with increasing substituent size. These findings expand the pool of cis-diol metabolites available for synthesis and provide insight into the substrate features that govern specificity for BZDO.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Casper Wilkens, Marlene Vuillemin, Bo Pilgaard, Igor Polikarpov, Jens Preben Morth
Summary: Xylan is an important component of plant cell walls and has potential as a biomaterial source. Xylanases that catalyze the hydrolysis of xylan face challenges due to steric hindrance caused by sugar moieties substituents. This study focuses on understanding the molecular interactions between a xylan-specific alpha-glucuronidase (GH115) and xylan backbone, as well as the involvement of divalent ions in the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Hematology
Johanna Stachelscheid, Qu Jiang, Christoph Aszyk, Kathrin Warner, Nadine Bley, Tony Mueller, Olga Vydzhak, Konstantinos Symeonidis, Giuliano Crispatzu, Petra Mayer, Stuart James Blakemore, Gudrun Goehring, Sebastian Newrzela, Stephanie Hippler, Sandra Robrecht, Karl-Anton Kreuzer, Christian Pallasch, Marcus Krueger, Axel Lechner, Kirsten Fischer, Stephan Stilgenbauer, Dirk Beutner, Michael Hallek, Daniel Auguin, Stefan Huettelmaier, Johannes Bloehdom, Elena Vasyutina, Marco Herling
Summary: Upregulation of TCL1A is associated with various B-cell and T-cell malignancies. It exerts a strong transforming impact via nuclear topography. TCL1A interacts with cell cycle and DNA repair regulators, particularly CDC20, leading to accelerated cell cycle transition, chromosome missegregation, and cellular aneuploidy.
Editorial Material
Hematology
Brendan J. O'Brien, Kathleen A. Martin, Stefan Offermanns
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Soni Deshwal, Mashun Onishi, Takashi Tatsuta, Tim Bartsch, Eileen Cors, Katharina Ried, Kathrin Lemke, Hendrik Nolte, Patrick Giavalisco, Thomas Langer
Summary: The cytosolic lipid transfer protein STARD7 is identified as a critical factor for intracellular coenzyme Q transport and suppresses ferroptosis. Dual localization of STARD7 to mitochondria and cytosol ensures the synthesis of coenzyme Q and its transport to the plasma membrane. PARL-mediated STARD7 processing is necessary for coordinating coenzyme Q synthesis and cellular distribution and could be targeted to interfere with ferroptosis.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Carolina Montoro-Gamez, Hendrik Nolte, Thibaut Molinie, Giovanna Evangelista, Simon E. Troeder, Esther Barth, Milica Popovic, Aleksandra Trifunovic, Branko Zevnik, Thomas Langer, Elena Rugarli
Summary: Montoro-Gamez et al. have developed a new mouse model for hereditary spastic paraplegia caused by mutations in the SPG7 gene. The model reproduces the phenotypic features of the disease and demonstrates a cerebellar-specific role for SARM1 in triggering axonal degeneration and neuroinflammation. The study reveals that the lack of SPG7 rewires the mitochondrial proteome, leading to decreased mito-ribosomal subunits and remodelling of mitochondrial solute carriers and transporters. Deletion of SARM1 delays the onset of symptoms, rescues mitochondrial swelling and axonal degeneration, and dampens neuroinflammation in a neuron-specific manner.
Article
Cell Biology
Weiyi Chen, Oliver Mehlkop, Alexandra Scharn, Hendrik Nolte, Paul Klemm, Sinika Henschke, Lukas Steuernagel, Tamara Sotelo-Hitschfeld, Ecem Kaya, Claudia Maria Wunderlich, Thomas Langer, Natalia L. Kononenko, Patrick Giavalisco, Jens Claus Bruening
Summary: This study found that fasting activates autophagy in the liver and AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus of mice. Activation of AgRP neurons induce autophagy, alter phosphorylation of autophagy regulators, and promote ketogenesis. The induction of liver autophagy by AgRP neurons relies on NPY release in the PVH via inhibition of NPY1R-expressing neurons to activate PVHCRH neurons. This study reveals a fundamental regulatory principle of liver autophagy in controlling metabolic adaptation during nutrient deprivation.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcus Krueger
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Martin R. Spaeth, K. Johanna R. Hoyer-Allo, Lisa Seufert, Martin Hoehne, Christina Lucas, Theresa Bock, Lea Isermann, Susanne Brodesser, Jan-Wilm Lackmann, Katharina Kiefer, Felix C. Koehler, Katrin Bohl, Michael Ignarski, Petra Schiller, Marc Johnsen, Torsten Kubacki, Franziska Grundmann, Thomas Benzing, Aleksandra Trifunovic, Marcus Krueger, Bernhard Schermer, Volker Burst, Roman-Ulrich Mueller
Summary: By studying the kidneys of mice under conditions of hypoxia and caloric restriction (CR), researchers discovered the significant role of the KYNU gene in the nephroprotective effect of CR. They also found that CR induces a novel pathway for NAD+ synthesis, which was also observed in humans.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Pablo Rivera-Mejias, Alvaro Jesus Narbona-Perez, Lidwina Hasberg, Lara Kroczek, Amir Bahat, Steffen Lawo, Kat Folz-Donahue, Anna-Lena Schumacher, Sofia Ahola, Fiona Carola Mayer, Patrick Giavalisco, Hendrik Nolte, Sergio Lavandero, Thomas Langer
Summary: The flexibility of mitochondria metabolism is crucial for cell development, differentiation, and survival. The enzyme OMA1 is involved in regulating mitochondrial morphology and stress signaling, impacting tumorigenesis and cell survival in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. This study reveals that OMA1-dependent cell survival relies on metabolic cues. By conducting a metabolism-focused CRISPR screen and analyzing human gene expression data, it was found that OMA1 protects against DNA damage. The deficiency of nucleotides induced by chemotherapeutic agents leads to p53-dependent apoptosis in cells lacking OMA1. The protective effect of OMA1 is not dependent on its activation or its role in the processing of OPA1 and DELE1. OMA1-deficient cells exhibit reduced glycolysis and accumulate oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins following DNA damage. Inhibition of OXPHOS restores glycolysis and provides resistance against DNA damage. Thus, OMA1 plays a role in balancing cell death and survival through the control of glucose metabolism, shedding light on its involvement in cancerogenesis.
Editorial Material
Oncology
Marcus Krueger, Sascha Kopp
Review
Cell Biology
Thomas J. Corydon, Herbert Schulz, Peter Richter, Sebastian M. Strauch, Maik Boehmer, Dario A. Ricciardi, Markus Wehland, Marcus Krueger, Gilmar S. Erzinger, Michael Lebert, Manfred Infanger, Petra M. Wise, Daniela Grimm
Summary: Microgravity has a significant impact on the health of space explorers, affecting cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. With the planning of deep space exploration and the commercialization of space travel, researchers are focusing on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real and simulated microgravity. Cancer and metastasis research in particular benefit from these findings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiang Li, Fan Wu, Stefan Guenther, Mario Looso, Carsten Kuenne, Ting Zhang, Marion Wiesnet, Stephan Klatt, Sven Zukunft, Ingrid Fleming, Gernot Poschet, Astrid Wietelmann, Ann Atzberger, Michael Potente, Xuejun Yuan, Thomas Braun
Summary: This study reveals that inhibition of fatty acid oxidation in cardiomyocytes promotes cardiomyocyte proliferation and enables heart regeneration. Metabolic studies contribute to understanding the importance of metabolic reprogramming and epigenetic remodeling in this process.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvana Miranda, Shannon Marchal, Lina Cumps, Jenne Dierckx, Marcus Kruger, Daniela Grimm, Sarah Baatout, Kevin Tabury, Bjorn Baselet
Summary: The lunar dust problem arose from NASA's Apollo missions in 1969, as exposure to lunar dust became unavoidable. Several astronauts suffered allergy-like symptoms due to lunar dust inhalation. Research into the toxic effects of lunar dust gained significant interest and expanded to include other organ systems. With plans for future moon missions and potentially Mars missions, dust mitigation strategies are crucial for sustainable space exploration.
Article
Oncology
Boris Shorning, Neil Trent, David F. Griffiths, Thomas Worzfeld, Stefan Offermanns, Matthew J. Smalley, Magali Williamson
Summary: Metastatic prostate cancer is a fatal disease, and the mechanisms behind it are poorly understood. This study identified a mutant form of Plexin-B1 (P1597L) in metastatic deposits of prostate cancer patients, which greatly increased metastasis in transgenic mouse models. In contrast, wild-type Plexin-B1 significantly decreased metastasis. The study also revealed the involvement of the Rho/ROCK pathway in the phenotypic switch and suggested Plexin-B1 as a potential therapeutic target to block the spread of the disease.
CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Dermatology
T. Leibing, C. Manta, J. Krzistetzko, M. Adrian, C. Kirkamm, C. Sticht, S. Tonack, H. Nolte, M. Krueger, S. Offermanns, K. Schledzewski, S. Goerdt, C. Geraud
EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Helga Balla, Kinga Borsodi, Petra Orsy, Bela Horvath, Peter Jozsef Molnar, Adam Lenart, Monika Kosztelnik, Eva Ruisanchez, Juergen Wess, Stefan Offermanns, Peter Nyirady, Zoltan Benyo
Summary: Acetylcholine plays an essential role in bladder muscle contractions, and antimuscarinics are commonly used for overactive bladder syndrome. This study found that both M-2 and M-3 receptors, as well as G(i) proteins, mediate acetylcholine-induced bladder contractions and RhoA activation, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for bladder dysfunctions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)