Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jameel M. Abduljalil, Abdo A. Elfiky, El-Sayed T. A. Sayed, Maha M. AlKhazindar
Summary: This study predicted the structure of the L protein of Nipah virus and identified potential inhibitors for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Norov-29 showed the highest binding affinity and purine nucleotide analogs were found to be a potential scaffold for effective antiviral drugs against Nipah virus.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ting Zheng, Guo Wu, Xiang Tao, Bing He
Summary: This study found that SIZ1 positively regulates plant cadmium tolerance. The loss-of-function siz1-2 mutant showed impaired resistance to cadmium exposure and accumulated more reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further analysis revealed that the higher cadmium sensitivity of the siz1-2 mutant was partially restored by overexpression of GSH1.
Review
Virology
Alan N. Engelman
Summary: Integration of retroviral reverse transcripts into host chromosomes is crucial for efficient viral gene expression and inheritance. Different virus-host interactions impact the non-random integration sites, with lentiviruses like HIV evolving to infect cells efficiently by usurping cellular nuclear import mechanisms. Specific interactions between HIV capsid protein and host proteins play a key role in dictating integration site targeting, highlighting potential antiviral drug targets.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Xu, Yuchen Yang, Aishwarya Chandrashekar, Kirin D. Gada, Meghan Masotti, Austin M. Baggetta, Jenna G. Connolly, Takeharu Kawano, Leigh D. Plant
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, and acute hypoxia disrupts cardiac electrophysiology, leading to heart diseases. Research has found that acute hypoxia activates the SUMO pathway in cardiomyocytes, causing inhibition of the Kir2.1 potassium channel and reducing its activation by PPI2, leading to cardiovascular diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Song Cai, Aubin Moutal, Jie Yu, Lindsey A. Chew, Jorg Isensee, Reena Chawla, Kimberly Gomez, Shizhen Luo, Yuan Zhou, Aude Chefdeville, Cynthia Madura, Samantha Perez-Miller, Shreya Sai Bellampalli, Angie Dorame, David D. Scott, Liberty Francois-Moutal, Zhiming Shan, Taylor Woodward, Vijay Gokhale, Andrea G. Hohmann, Todd W. Vanderah, Marcel Patek, May Khanna, Tim Hucho, Rajesh Khanna
Summary: Blocking SUMO modification on CRMP2 can inhibit NaV1.7 function and provide analgesic effects in rodents. Compound 194, a first-in-class protein-protein inhibitor targeting CRMP2-NaV1.7 regulation, shows analgesic effects in acute and chronic pain models.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yirong Zhang, Yajie Shen, Weiqing Wei, Wenhan Wang, Daiji Jiang, Yizhuo Ren, Zijing Peng, Qiuju Fan, Jinke Cheng, Jiao Ma
Summary: SIRT3 SUMOylation plays a critical role in regulating chemoresistance in AML by modulating HES1-dependent FAO. Targeted interventions towards SIRT3 SUMOylation and FAO may improve chemotherapies for AML.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alice Sosic, Giulia Olivato, Caterina Carraro, Richard Goettlich, Dan Fabris, Barbara Gatto
Summary: The research demonstrates a method to inhibit HIV-1 nucleocapsid through RNA targeting, utilizing bis-3-chloropiperidines to impair RNA melting, thereby blocking the functions of the nucleocapsid.
Article
Microbiology
Lulu Lin, Xingbo Wang, Zhen Chen, Tingjuan Deng, Yan Yan, Weiren Dong, Yu Huang, Jiyong Zhou
Summary: In this study, we found that TRIM21 in mammals directly bound to M1 R-95 site and inhibited the replication of IAV by degrading M1 via K48-linked ubiquitination at K-242. This resulted in inhibitory pressure for host adaptive mutation of IAVs at R-95 of M1. The findings highlight the association between host restriction factor and virus evolution.
Article
Virology
Yuan Fang, Chang Wang, Chong Wang, Ruyi Yang, Peng Bai, Xue-Yi Zhang, Jing Kong, Lei Yin, Yang Qiu, Xi Zhou
Summary: Enteroviruses, including important human pathogens like EV-A71, coxsackieviruses, and echoviruses, pose a significant threat to global public health. Targeting the helicase activity of Enteroviral 2C with designed peptides, such as 2CL and B-2CL, show promising potential as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs against enteroviruses, offering strong in vitro and in vivo antiviral efficacy.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Franck Amblard, Julia C. LeCher, Ramyani De, Shu Ling Goh, Chengwei Li, Mahesh Kasthuri, Nicolas Biteau, Longhu Zhou, Zahira Tber, Jessica Downs-Bowen, Keivan Zandi, Raymond F. Schinazi
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel NHC analogs for the treatment of early SARS-CoV-2 infections, among which Molnupiravir is approved for emergency use.
Review
Microbiology
Phuong Thi Hoang, Quynh Xuan Thi Luong, Ramadhani Qurrota Ayun, Yongjun Lee, Thuy Thi Bich Vo, Taehyun Kim, Sukchan Lee
Summary: Outbreaks of viral diseases are increasing annually worldwide, demanding the development of rapid and broad-spectrum therapeutics. This article highlights the novel approach of degrading viral genomes for developing antiviral drugs and introduces a promising candidate, a single-chain variable fragment, for broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
Article
Virology
Maike Sperk, Anoop T. Ambikan, Shilpa Ray, Kamal Singh, Flora Mikaeloff, Rafael Cena Diez, Ashwathy Narayanan, Jan Vesterbacka, Piotr Nowak, Anders Sonnerborg, Ujjwal Neogi
Summary: HIV-1 elite controllers are a rare group of individuals who can naturally control viral replication, and this study found an enrichment of dipeptides in their feces with anti-HIV-1 properties. These dipeptides supported the growth of Prevotella bacteria, suggesting a distinct mechanism influencing host metabolism in elite controllers.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nereida Jimenez de Oya, Ana San-Felix, Mireia Casasampere, Ana-Belen Blazquez, Patricia Mingo-Casas, Estela Escribano-Romero, Eva Calvo-Pinilla, Teresa Poderoso, Josefina Casas, Juan-Carlos Saiz, Maria-Jesus Perez-Perez, Miguel A. Martin-Acebes
Summary: Polyphenols like gallic acid and its derivatives have the potential to be used as new therapeutic agents due to their ability to modify lipid metabolism. Through evaluation, two polyphenols, N,N '-(dodecane-1,12-diyl)bis(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzamide) and its 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzamide regioisomer, were found to have selective antiviral activity against West Nile virus, as well as other flaviviruses, with low cytotoxicity. The mechanism of action involves the alteration of sphingolipid metabolism.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wanwisa Promsote, Ling Xu, Jason Hataye, Giulia Fabozzi, Kylie March, Cassandra G. Almasri, Megan E. DeMouth, Sarah E. Lovelace, Chloe Adrienna Talana, Nicole A. Doria-Rose, Krisha McKee, Sabrina Helmold Hait, Joseph P. Casazza, David Ambrozak, Jochen Beninga, Ercole Rao, Norbert Furtmann, Joerg Birkenfeld, Elizabeth McCarthy, John-Paul Todd, Constantinos Petrovas, Mark Connors, Andrew T. Hebert, Jeremy Beck, Junqing Shen, Bailin Zhang, Mikhail Levit, Ronnie R. Wei, Zhi-yong Yang, Amarendra Pegu, John R. Mascola, Gary J. Nabel, Richard A. Koup
Summary: Researchers have developed a trispecific antibody that can activate and target latently HIV-1 infected cells for elimination by T cells, providing an alternative strategy for curing HIV.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marta Ruiz-Santaquiteria, Beatriz M. Illescas, Rana Abdelnabi, Arnaud Boonen, Alberto Mills, Olaia Marti-Mari, Sam Noppen, Johan Neyts, Dominique Schols, Federico Gago, Ana San-Felix, Maria-Jose Camarasa, Nazario Martin
Summary: Novel 3D hexa-adducts of [60]fullerene decorated with twelve tryptophan or tyrosine residues exhibit potent antiviral activity against HIV and EV71. The results emphasize the importance of the 3D presentation and length of peripheral amino acid residues for viral interaction. These functionalized fullerenes represent a versatile class of compounds with promising applications in biomedicine.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aileen Y. Alontaga, Nigus D. Ambaye, Yi-Jia Li, Ramir Vega, Chih-Hong Chen, Krzysztof P. Bzymek, John C. Williams, Weidong Hu, Yuan Chen
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2015)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Du, Yi-Jia Li, Marwan Fakih, Rebecca L. Wiatrek, Marjun Duldulao, Zhenbin Chen, Peiguo Chu, Julio Garcia-Aguilar, Yuan Chen
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nigus Ambaye, Chih-Hong Chen, Swati Khanna, Yi-Jia Li, Yuan Chen
Article
Cell Biology
Tianyi Wang, Johannes Francois Fahrmann, Heehyoung Lee, Yi-Jia Li, Satyendra C. Tripathi, Chanyu Yue, Chunyan Zhang, Veronica Lifshitz, Jieun Song, Yuan Yuan, George Somlo, Rahul Jandial, David Ann, Samir Hanash, Richard Jove, Hua Yu
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Jia Li, Li Du, Grace Aldana-Masangkay, Xiuli Wang, Ryan Urak, Stephen J. Forman, Steven T. Rosen, Yuan Chen
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Cell Biology
Chunyan Zhang, Chanyu Yue, Andreas Herrmann, Jieun Song, Colt Egelston, Tianyi Wang, Zhifang Zhang, Wenzhao Li, Heehyoung Lee, Maryam Aftabizadeh, Yi Jia Li, Peter P. Lee, Stephen Forman, George Somlo, Peiguo Chu, Laura Kruper, Joanne Mortimer, Dave S. B. Hoon, Wendong Huang, Saul Priceman, Hua Yu
Review
Oncology
Antons Martincuks, Pei-Chuan Li, Qianqian Zhao, Chunyan Zhang, Yi-Jia Li, Hua Yu, Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maryam Aftabizadeh, Yi-Jia Li, Qianqian Zhao, Chunyan Zhang, Nigus Ambaye, Jieun Song, Toshikage Nagao, Christoph Lahtz, Marwan Fakih, David K. Ann, Hua Yu, Andreas Herrmann
Summary: This study has developed therapeutic peptides that effectively and specifically block challenging cancer targets, resulting in antitumor effects through both direct tumor cell killing and indirectly through antitumor immune responses.
Article
Oncology
Antons Martincuks, Jieun Song, Adrian Kohut, Chunyan Zhang, Yi-Jia Li, Qianqian Zhao, Edward Mak, Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Hua Yu, Mihaela Cristea
Summary: The study demonstrates that PARPi treatment promotes STAT3 activation in ovarian cancer cells, tumor-associated immune cells, and fibroblasts, resulting in PARPi resistance and immunosuppression.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yi-Jia Li, Johannes Francois Fahrmann, Maryam Aftabizadeh, Qianqian Zhao, Satyendra C. Tripathi, Chunyan Zhang, Yuan Yuan, David Ann, Samir Hanash, Hua Yu
Summary: This study demonstrates a critical mechanism underlying chemoresistance in tumors, showing that elevated fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) activates STAT3, leading to upregulation of ACSL4 and increased phospholipid synthesis, resulting in enhanced mitochondrial integrity and overcoming chemotherapy-induced tumor cell apoptosis.
Article
Oncology
Qianqian Zhao, Adrian Kohut, Yi-Jia Li, Antons Martincuks, Theresa Austria, Chunyan Zhang, Nicole Lugo Santiago, Rosemarie Martinez Borrero, Xuan Thuy Phan, Laleh Melstrom, Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Hua Yu
Summary: Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) have emerged as a promising therapy for ovarian, breast, and pancreatic cancer. This study found that the PARPi Niraparib effectively inhibits the growth of ovarian and pancreatic cancer cells, regardless of their BRCA mutational status. Niraparib inhibits STAT3 activity and induces tumor cell apoptosis, suggesting its potential use for treating pancreatic cancer patients regardless of BRCA status.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Yi-Jia Li, Chunyan Zhang, Antons Martincuks, Andreas Herrmann, Hua Yu
Summary: Reprogrammed metabolism is a key feature of cancer, and it involves a variety of distinct cellular metabolic pathways. This review focuses on the roles of STAT proteins, particularly STAT3, STAT5, STAT6, and STAT1, in regulating the dynamic metabolism of cancer cells, immune cells, and adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment. STAT proteins have the ability to shape different metabolic processes that regulate tumor progression and therapy resistance, including transducing signals from metabolites, cytokines, growth factors, and their receptors; defining genetic programs that control metabolism in cancer and immune cells; and regulating mitochondrial activity. Targeting STAT proteins could be a potential therapeutic strategy for altering metabolic reprogramming in cancer.
NATURE REVIEWS CANCER
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Andreas Herrmann, Toshikage Nagao, Chunyan Zhang, Christoph Lahtz, Yi-jia Li, Chanyu Yue, Ronja Mulfarth, Hua Yu
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yi-Jia Li, Li Du, Jianghai Wang, Ramir Vega, Terry D. Lee, Yunan Miao, Grace Aldana-Masangkay, Eric R. Samuels, Baozong Li, S. Xiaohu Ouyang, Sharon A. Colayco, Ekaterina Bobkova, Daniela B. Divlianska, Eduard Sergienko, Thomas D. Y. Chung, Marwan Fakih, Yuan Chen
CELL CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aileen Y. Alontaga, Nigus D. Ambaye, Yi-Jia Li, Ramir Vega, Chih-Hong Chen, Krzysztof P. Bzymek, John C. Williams, Weidong Hu, Yuan Chen