Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Veronique Noe, Eva Aubets, Alex J. Felix, Carlos J. Ciudad
Summary: PPRHs are DNA hairpins formed by intramolecular reverse Hoogsteen bonds that can bind to polypyrimidine stretches in dsDNA, leading to gene silencing, gene expression inhibition, point mutation correction, and applications as biosensor probes. They have high stability and lack immunogenicity, hepatotoxicity, or nephrotoxicity in vitro, making them a promising biotechnological tool with diverse biomedical applications.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Aubets, Miguel Chillon, Carlos J. Ciudad, Veronique Noe
Summary: This study demonstrated that PPRHs, as RNA species, can reduce the expression of specific target genes through different pathways, leading to a decrease in cell viability. Viral vectors showed potential as a delivery system for PPRHs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronique Noe, Carlos J. Ciudad
Summary: The study demonstrated that editing PPRHs can induce exon skipping in NB6 cells carrying a duplication of exon 2 of the DHFR gene, leading to the restoration of DHFR activity, suggesting a potential new approach for the treatment of rare diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ali Qusay Khalid, Saatheeyavaane Bhuvanendran, Kasthuri Bai Magalingam, Premdass Ramdas, Mangala Kumari, Ammu Kutty Radhakrishnan
Summary: The research in the past decade has shown that tocotrienols have potent anti-cancer properties, particularly in the field of oncology, and may have important therapeutic effects on various cancers such as colorectal cancer. Bioactive natural compounds like tocotrienols show promise in preventing tumor and cancer progression. Studies on tocotrienols and human CRC cells have focused on exploring their modulation of gene expression and encoded proteins, as well as their mechanisms in intervening cancer progression.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaoming Dong, Qiwei Yang, Zhenwu Du, Guizhen Zhang, Chuankai Shi, Xuyuan Qin, Yang Song
Summary: This study aimed to identify the optimal reference genes for gene expression analysis in osteosarcoma cell lines. Through standardization research, it was found that the combination of PUM1 and PPIA + ALAS1 was recommended as the best reference genes in these four different sources of human osteosarcoma cell lines.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Gowthami Somepalli, Sarthak Sahoo, Arashdeep Singh, Sridhar Hannenhalli
Summary: This research utilizes a machine learning model called FUGUE to predict tissue-relevant genes across 30 human tissues by combining transcriptional and network features. FUGUE outperforms conventional methods and accurately distinguishes tissue-specific genes in independent datasets. The study also reveals interesting properties of tissue-relevant genes in terms of genomic organization, cancer links, and tissue evolution.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xue Wang, An Xu, Yun Liu
Summary: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and heavy metals, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni), coexist in the environment and can interact to affect cytotoxicity in different cell lines. The antagonistic effects of AgNPs on the toxicity of As and Cd were observed in various non-cancerous cell lines, while the effects on Ni toxicity were minimal. These biological effects are related to the physicochemical properties of heavy metals and the specific cell lines tested.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alireza Tavakolpournegari, Balasubramanyam Annangi, Aliro Villacorta, Gooya Banaei, Joan Martin, Susana Pastor, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernandez
Summary: The presence of micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment is a concern for both the environment and human health. The toxicological profile of MNPLs can be influenced by their size and the ability of cells to internalize them. In this study, different sizes of polystyrene MNPLs were tested on human hematopoietic cell lines, and it was found that cell type and size can modulate the toxicological profile of MNPLs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Halina Jurkowska, Maria Wrobel, Ewa Jasek-Gajda, Leszek Rydz
Summary: This study investigated the expression of sulfurtransferases and cystathionine beta-synthase in human leukemia cell lines. The results revealed significant differences in the mRNA and protein levels of these enzymes among different leukemia cells. These findings contribute to understanding the variations in sulfur compound metabolism and provide potential targets for inhibiting leukemic cell proliferation.
Article
Virology
Yuta Kanai, Misa Onishi, Takahiro Kawagishi, Pimfhun Pannacha, Jeffery A. Nurdin, Ryotaro Nouda, Moeko Yamasaki, Tina Lusiany, Pattara Khamrin, Shoko Okitsu, Satoshi Hayakawa, Hirotaka Ebina, Hiroshi Ushijima, Takeshi Kobayashi
Summary: Reverse genetics has been used to develop a new vaccine platform capable of generating recombinant rotaviruses carrying specific VP4 and VP7 genes, providing a promising approach for rapid vaccine production.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mayukh Banerjee, Kavitha Yaddanapudi, J. Christopher States
Summary: This study demonstrates that environmentally relevant exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) can disrupt the cell cycle and induce mitotic accumulation of cells. This effect may be mediated by the displacement of zinc from the RING finger subunit of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (ANAPC11), leading to the stabilization of cyclin B1 and securin. Zinc supplementation can prevent this cell cycle disruption caused by iAs exposure.
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qingrong Li, Qiang Ma, Lei Xu, Chuanli Gao, Lihua Yao, Jilin Wen, Miyuan Yang, Jibing Cheng, Xi Zhou, Jiang Zou, Xiaowu Zhong, Xiaolan Guo
Summary: hTERT is significantly upregulated in esophageal squamous cancer, promoting proliferation and migration of cancer cells. DHA inhibits proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells by down-regulating hTERT expression through the ROS/SP1 pathway.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Karthikeyan Subbarayan, Kamatchi Ulagappan, Claudia Wickenhauser, Michael Bachmann, Barbara Seliger
Summary: The study revealed that immune system process genes are associated with SARS-CoV-2 targets in cancer and diabetes patients, and further analysis using STRING and STITCH identified functional protein associations among these genes and potential druggable targets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marina Farkas, Hideharu Hashimoto, Yingtao Bi, Ramana V. Davuluri, Lois Resnick-Silverman, James J. Manfredi, Erik W. Debler, Steven B. McMahon
Summary: The tumor suppressor p53 is a master regulator of cellular stress response pathways, including cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The authors identify molecular mechanisms of p53 binding to high- and low-affinity p53 response elements in the genome, linked to cell cycle arrest and pro-apoptotic genes, respectively.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jianxia Jiang, Pengfei Xu, Yajie Li, Yanli Li, Xirong Zhou, Meiyan Jiang, Junying Zhang, Jifeng Zhu, Weirong Wang, Liyong Yang
Summary: Our study identified a total of 46 known miRNAs, 27 novel miRNAs, and 44 new conserved miRNAs in two pairs of dominant and recessive GMS lines. A total of 35 novel miRNA-3p/miRNA-5p pairs were found. Among the identified miRNAs, 15 differentially expressed miRNAs between sterile and fertile lines were identified, with 257 candidate target genes predicted. The results provide new insights into miRNAs potentially involved in GMS and pollen development in Brassica napus.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Maria Psaras, Simonas Valiuska, Veronique Noe, Carlos J. Ciudad, Tracy A. Brooks
Summary: In this study, three putative G4-forming sequences were identified within the KRAS gene, and oligonucleotides targeting these sequences were developed. These oligonucleotides were found to downregulate transcription of KRAS and inhibit cell proliferation, showing potential as novel therapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Adria Botet-Carreras, Manel Bosch Marimon, Ruben Millan-Solsona, Eva Aubets, Carlos J. Ciudad, Veronique Noe, M. Teresa Montero, Oscar Domenech, Jordi H. Borrell
Summary: This study assessed the ability of an engineered liposomal formulation to fuse and function as a nanocarrier in cells. Physicochemical changes on the cell surface and liposome-cell membrane interactions were observed using atomic force microscopy and confocal microscopy. The results confirmed the potential of the engineered liposomal formulation as a nanocarrier.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Laura G. Rodriguez, Ana Delgado, Carlos J. Ciudad, Veronique Noe, Josep Bonjoch, Ben Bradshaw
Summary: A two-step reaction was developed to synthesize a ring system found in natural products. The reaction was explored with eight substituted nitrobenzenes, achieving yields of up to 87%. One of the benzazocine compounds, 4h, exhibited high cytotoxicity and was active against eight cancer cell lines.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Delgado, Rosa Griera, Nuria Llor, Ester Lopez-Aguilar, Maria Antonia Busquets, Veronique Noe, Carlos J. J. Ciudad
Summary: The article describes the synthesis and characterization of a compound called TROPY, which can efficiently deliver oligonucleotides and plasmid DNA into mammalian cells. The experiments show that TROPY can reduce cell viability, increase apoptosis, and decrease survivin mRNA and protein levels in human cancer cells.
Article
Hematology
Afaf E. G. Osman, Nuria Mencia-Trinchant, Caner Saygin, Luke Moma, Aelin Kim, Genevieve Housman, Matthew Pozsgai, Eti Sinha, Pooja Chandra, Duane C. Hassane, Andrea Sboner, Kishan Sangani, Nick DiNardi, Christopher Johnson, Sara S. Wallace, Bana Jabri, Hue Luu, Monica L. Guzman, Pinkal Desai, Lucy A. Godley
Summary: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) refers to the clonal expansion of mutated hematopoietic stem cells detectable in the peripheral blood or bone marrow through next generation sequencing. This study showed that patients with osteoarthritis have a high prevalence of CH, which involves genes encoding epigenetic modifiers and DNA damage repair pathway proteins. Importantly, it was found that CH can be confined to specific bone marrow spaces and may be eliminated through surgical excision.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Lopez-Aguilar, Patricia Fernandez-Nogueira, Gemma Fuster, Neus Carbo, Carlos J. Ciudad, Veronique Noe
Summary: Therapeutic oligonucleotides targeting the overexpressed ERBB2 gene in positive HER-2 breast tumors showed inhibitory effects in cell viability, mRNA and protein levels. Combination with trastuzumab enhanced the therapeutic effects in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. These findings provide preclinical evidence for the potential use of PPRHs as a therapeutic tool for breast cancer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simonas Valiuska, Alexandra Maria Psaras, Veronique Noe, Tracy A. Brooks, Carlos J. Ciudad
Summary: The oncogene MYC plays multiple key roles in cancer, and targeting its expression or function is a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs) were used to target GC-rich regions, including a G-quadruplex-forming region, in the MYC promoter and intronic regions. Two lead PPRHs were found to have high potential for further development as a novel approach for stabilizing the G4 structure and modulating MYC expression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Oncology
Alexandra Maria Psaras, Simonas Valiuska, Veronique Noe, Carlos J. Ciudad, Tracy A. Brooks
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Avino, Carlos Cuestas-Ayllon, Manuel Gutierrez-Capitan, Lluisa Vilaplana, Valeria Grazu, Veronique Noe, Eva Balada, Antonio Baldi, Alex J. Felix, Eva Aubets, Simonas Valiuska, Arnau Dominguez, Raimundo Gargallo, Ramon Eritja, M-Pilar Marco, Cesar Fernandez-Sanchez, Jesus Martinez de la Fuente, Carlos J. Ciudad
Summary: An innovative analytical approach based on sandwich oligonucleotide hybridization has been developed, which can be adapted to multiple biosensing devices for the rapid detection of pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Abhay Singh, Nuria Mencia-Trinchant, Elizabeth A. Griffiths, Alaa Altahan, Mahesh Swaminathan, Medhavi Gupta, Matthew Gravina, Rutaba Tajammal, Mark G. Faber, LunBiao Yan, Eti Sinha, Duane C. Hassane, David Neil Hayes, Monica L. Guzman, Renuka Iyer, Eunice S. Wang, Swapna Thota
Summary: This study found that PRRT may lead to persistent cytopenias in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, with approximately 62% of patients having CH at baseline. Clonal expansion of mutant DNA damage response genes and development of cytopenias were observed in three out of four patients during PRRT exposure.
JCO PRECISION ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
David Tamborero, Rodrigo Dienstmann, Maan Haj Rachid, Jorrit Boekel, Adria Lopez-Fernandez, Markus Jonsson, Ali Razzak, Irene Brana, Luigi De Petris, Jeffrey Yachnin, Richard D. Baird, Yohann Loriot, Christophe Massard, Patricia Martin-Romano, Frans Opdam, Richard F. Schlenk, Claudio Vernieri, Michele Masucci, Xenia Villalobos, Elena Chavarria, Judith Balmana, Giovanni Apolone, Carlos Caldas, Jonas Bergh, Ingemar Ernberg, Stefan Frohling, Elena Garralda, Claes Karlsson, Josep Tabernero, Emile Voest, Jordi Rodon, Janne Lehtio
Summary: This article presents the implementation of the Molecular Tumor Board Portal, a system that integrates and interprets genomics and clinical data to support clinical decision-making in precision oncology. The system automates the interpretation and reporting of sequencing results, reducing errors and promoting consistent decision-making and data capture. It also facilitates collaborative discussion through information-rich patient reports and interactive content.