Article
Biology
Katherine A. Kiwimagi, Justin H. Letendre, Benjamin H. Weinberg, Junmin Wang, Mingzhe Chen, Leandro Watanabe, Chris J. Myers, Jacob Beal, Wilson W. Wong, Ron Weiss
Summary: Kiwimagi & Letendre et al. present a workflow to quantitatively define recombinase-based digitizer and predict responses to different input signals. With a mechanistic/phenotypic model that can predict circuit performance, they generate a synthetic cell-cell communication device that amplifies a synNotch output signal.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suk Joon Lee, Bart Lodder, Yao Chen, Tommaso Patriarchi, Lin Tian, Bernardo L. Sabatini
Summary: Dopamine modulates the PKA activity in spiny projection neurons during learning, with positive and negative effects occurring at different phases and being associated with different types of dopamine receptors.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rahul Kumar, Yun Mao, Sonika Patial, Yogesh Saini
Summary: This study investigated the effect of different Tamoxifen (TAM) regimens on whole-body gene deletion in mice using Tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase. The results demonstrated that a combination of TAM-diet with either TAM-injections or TAM-oral gavage showed the most efficient deletion of genes in the whole body.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Morsheda Nasrin, Osama Ahmed, Xujun Han, Md Nojebuzzaman, Ahmed Abo-Ahmed, Shigenobu Yazawa, Masatake Osawa
Summary: Conditional and inducible gene targeting using Cre/loxP-mediated recombination was achieved in melanocyte lineage by establishing the Pmel(P2A-TetON3G-TRE3G-iCre) mouse line, allowing temporal gene manipulation for studying gene functions. The efficiency of this mouse line was demonstrated by inducing Notch signaling ablation, resulting in premature hair graying. Additionally, unexpected PMEL-expressing cells were identified in non-pigmentary organs, suggesting unanticipated functions of PMEL.
PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chijung Hung, Akihiro Yamanaka
Summary: Orexin, a neuropeptide synthesized in the neurons of the lateral hypothalamus, regulates feeding behavior and is crucial for sleep/wakefulness regulation. It sends axons throughout the brain and spinal cord, integrating inputs from various brain regions and projecting to sleep/wakefulness-regulating neurons. Lack of orexin results in sleep fragmentation and cataplexy-like behavior similar to narcolepsy. Recent studies using optogenetics and chemogenetics have emphasized the role of orexin neuron activity in sleep/wakefulness regulation. Recording of orexin neuron activity using electrophysiological methods reveals specific activity patterns across sleep/wakefulness states. Other co-transmitters released from orexin neurons also contribute to sleep/wakefulness regulation.
Article
Biology
Shiri Kult, Tsviya Olender, Marco Osterwalder, Svetalana Markman, Dena Leshkowitz, Sharon Krief, Ronnie Blecher-Gonen, Shani Ben-Moshe, Lydia Farack, Hadas Keren-Shaul, Tomer-Meir Salame, Terence D. Capellini, Shalev Itzkovitz, Ido Amit, Axel Visel, Elazar Zelzer
Summary: The study found that murine tendon-to-bone attachment cells are bi-fated, expressing characteristics of both chondrocytes and tenocytes, regulated by KLFs transcription factors. These cells share accessible regions, exhibit enhancer signatures, and are regulated by KLFs in their differentiation process.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takeshi Yamamotoya, Shun Hasei, Yasuyuki Akasaka, Yukino Ohata, Yusuke Nakatsu, Machi Kanna, Midori Fujishiro, Hideyuki Sakoda, Hiraku Ono, Akifumi Kushiyama, Hidemi Misawa, Tomoichiro Asano
Summary: Loss of Trk-fused gene (TFG) in motor neurons leads to neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration and muscle atrophy, while lack of TFG in muscles may have additional effects. These findings are important for understanding the mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shin Fujimaki, Tomohiro Matsumoto, Masashi Muramatsu, Hiroshi Nagahisa, Naoki Horii, Daiki Seko, Shinya Masuda, Xuerui Wang, Yoko Asakura, Yukie Takahashi, Yuta Miyamoto, Shingo Usuki, Kei-Ichiro Yasunaga, Yasutomi Kamei, Ryuichi Nishinakamura, Takashi Minami, Takaichi Fukuda, Atsushi Asakura, Yusuke Ono
Summary: Soluble Dll4 from endothelial cells triggers muscle atrophy via Notch2 signaling. Inhibition of the Dll4-Notch2 axis prevents muscle atrophy and promotes muscle hypertrophy.
Article
Plant Sciences
Qian Yin, Ruyu Li, David W. Ow
Summary: Transgene integration usually occurs in easy-to-transform laboratory varieties before being introgressed into elite cultivars through backcrossing. In this study, a new feature of in planta gene-stacking scheme was described, where the Cre recombinase not only deletes unnecessary transgenic DNA, but also facilitates recombination between homologous or non-homologous chromosomes, enabling a linkage drag-free introgression of subsequent transgenes to field cultivars.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sun-Hee Hwang, Kevin Andrew White, Bandarigoda Nipunika Somatilaka, Baolin Wang, Saikat Mukhopadhyay
Summary: This study investigates how the primary cilium regulates tissue organization by signaling and reveals the different modes in which ciliary-generated activators and repressors coordinate tissue morphogenesis. The findings provide a conceptual framework for understanding the signaling modes mediated by the primary cilium in various tissues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katharina Kohm, Ekaterina Jalomo-Khayrova, Aileen Krueger, Syamantak Basu, Wieland Steinchen, Gert Bange, Julia Frunzke, Robert Hertel, Fabian M. Commichau, Laura Czech
Summary: The MrpR protein is a key player in maintaining the lysogenic state of SPβ phage in Bacillus subtilis. A single nucleotide exchange in the mrpR gene leads to heat-induced lytic cycle in SPβ c2 mutant. This mutation affects the DNA binding activity and higher-order structure of MrpR. MrpR functions as a master repressor by binding to the repeated element SPBRE in the SPβ genome to maintain lysogeny. The study also identifies a previously unknown component crucial for the induction of the lytic cycle.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Hongxin Li, Wendong Weng, Bin Zhou
Summary: As a powerful genetic tool, site-specific recombinases (SSRs) have been widely used in genomic manipulation to elucidate cell fate plasticity in vivo, advancing research in stem cell and regeneration medicine. However, the low resolution of conventional single-recombinase-mediated lineage tracing strategies has led to controversial conclusions in many scientific questions. This review discusses the recent advances in dual-recombinase-mediated genetic approaches and their applications in cell differentiation, proliferation, and genetic manipulation, highlighting their advantages over single-recombinase systems and their technical limitations.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Manuela Gonzalez-Aparicio, Maria Bunuales, Inaki Ortiz de Landazuri, Jesus Prieto, Ruben Hernandez-Alcoceba
Summary: This study improves the performance of packaging cells and increases the production efficiency of high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdV) by using a dimerizable Cre system. It also reduces the time and cost of HC-AdV production, contributing to the standardization of HC-AdV production.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Takanori Yamada, Kazuya Fukasawa, Tetsuhiro Horie, Takuya Kadota, Jiajun Lyu, Kazuya Tokumura, Shinsuke Ochiai, Sayuki Iwahashi, Akane Suzuki, Gyujin Park, Rie Ueda, Megumi Yamamoto, Tatsuya Kitao, Hiroaki Shirahase, Hiroki Ochi, Shingo Sato, Takashi Iezaki, Eiichi Hinoi
Summary: MSCsCDK8 plays a crucial role in bone resorption and homeostasis by extrinsically controlling osteoclastogenesis through the STAT1-RANKL axis. Inhibition of CDK8 effectively represses MSC-dependent osteoclastogenesis and prevents bone loss.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jiayi Yao, Xiuju Wu, Xiaojing Qiao, Daoqin Zhang, Li Zhang, Jocelyn A. Ma, Xinjiang Cai, Kristina Bostrom, Yucheng Yao
Summary: The study successfully guided ill-fated cell transitions toward normalization in vascular calcification by identifying SB216763 as an inducer of osteoblastic-endothelial transition and inhibiting GSK3. Inhibition of GSK3 promoted the transition of cells with osteoblastic characteristics to endothelial differentiation, thereby ameliorating vascular calcification.
Review
Oncology
Rayane Dennaoui, Hridaya Shrestha, Kay-Uwe Wagner
Summary: Pancreatic cancer research has made significant progress in understanding the molecular and developmental processes involved in the genesis of this highly malignant tumor type. Various models, including chemical carcingen-induced and genetically engineered animal models, are being developed and analyzed to study the biological significance of new molecular targets and mechanisms contributing to pancreatic cancer onset and progression.
CANCER AND METASTASIS REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Gabriel B. Mpilla, Md Hafiz Uddin, Mohammed N. Al-Hallak, Amro Aboukameel, Yiwei Li, Steve H. Kim, Rafic Beydoun, Gregory Dyson, Erkan Baloglu, William T. Senapedis, Yosef Landesman, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Nerissa T. Viola, Bassel F. El-Rayes, Philip A. Philip, Ramzi M. Mohammad, Asfar S. Azmi
Summary: The study highlights the need for more effective targeted approaches to sensitize PNETs to everolimus for better treatment outcomes. The dual inhibitor KPT-9274 targeting PAK4-NAMPT, when combined with everolimus, showed promising results in inhibiting PNET growth and formation.
MOLECULAR CANCER THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hyunji Byun, Sojung Kwon, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Hyejin Shin, Hyunjung Jade Lim
Summary: Deficiency of Tsg101 in uterine epithelium causes implantation failure and may be due to epithelial defects. The study found that UECs harbor a necroptotic machinery that responds to death-inducing signals.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick D. Radler, Barbara L. Wehde, Aleata A. Triplett, Hridaya Shrestha, Jonathan H. Shepherd, Adam D. Pfefferle, Hallgeir Rui, Robert D. Cardiff, Charles M. Perou, Kay-Uwe Wagner
Summary: Claudin-low breast cancer is an aggressive subtype mainly composed of triple-negative mammary tumor cells with stem cell-like and mesenchymal features. The consistent activation of oncogenic RAS signaling and regulators of EMT play crucial roles in maintaining the cellular plasticity and characteristics of claudin-low mammary cancer cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunguang Sun, Ning Yang, Fransiscus E. Utama, Sameer S. Udhane, Junling Zhang, Amy R. Peck, Alicia Yanac, Katherine Duffey, John F. Langenheim, Vindhya Udhane, Guanjun Xia, Jess F. Peterson, Julie M. Jorns, Marja T. Nevalainen, Romain Rouet, Peter Schofield, Daniel Christ, Christopher J. Ormandy, Anne L. Rosenberg, Inna Chervoneva, Shirng-Wern Tsaih, Michael J. Flister, Serge Y. Fuchs, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Hallgeir Rui
Summary: A humanized prolactin mouse model was developed to establish therapy-naive ER+ breast cancer tumors and study treatment resistance mechanisms, revealing new insights into precision medicine approaches for this type of cancer.
Review
Oncology
Md. Hafiz Uddin, Mohammed Najeeb Al-Hallak, Philip A. Philip, Ramzi M. Mohammad, Nerissa Viola, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Asfar S. Azmi
Summary: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with PDAC accounting for over 90% of cases and a low survival rate. MiRNAs have been identified as sensitive biomarkers in pancreatic cancer and are found in stable forms within exosomes. Further research on exosomal miRNAs is necessary for improved diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Cancan Lyu, Yuanchao Ye, Maddison M. Lensing, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Ronald J. Weigel, Songhai Chen
Summary: In HER2(+) breast cancer, overactivation of HER2 leads to aberrant G(i/o)-GPCR signaling, promoting cancer progression and resistance to HER2-targeted therapy. Pharmacologically deactivating GPCR signaling can block tumor growth and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Article
Surgery
Blair Freed, Charles Coker, Robert Steele, Clayton Marolt, Micaela Motzko, Bradley A. Creamer, Jennifer F. Dennis
Summary: This study characterizes the frequency and location of communicating branches of the facial nerve, providing important insights for clinical and surgical settings. The results show that communicating branches exist between different terminal branches of the facial nerve, with higher frequencies in specific areas.
AESTHETIC SURGERY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick D. Radler, Kerry Vistisen, Aleata A. Triplett, Rayane Dennaoui, Yong Li, Hridaya Shrestha, Rosa-Maria Ferraiuolo, Amalraj Thangasamy, Dieter Saur, Kay-Uwe Wagner
Summary: The researchers developed a transgenic mouse line expressing an optimized Flp recombinase, demonstrating the versatile applicability of the new MMTV-Flp strain in manipulating genes in mammary gland cells. By combining two recombinases, genes can be deleted or activated in established tumors, showing the feasibility of gene manipulation in neoplastic mammary epithelial cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kaushal Parimi, Kyle Gilkeson, Bradley A. Creamer
Summary: The emergence of COVID-19 vaccines has led to an increase in vaccine hesitancy, which may negatively impact the control of the pandemic. Understanding the reasons for hesitancy and finding methods to decrease it can help increase vaccination rates and aid in ending the current outbreak.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Alyssa Kendell, Kylie Limback, D. Kirk Lester, Robert S. Rogers, Bradley A. Creamer, Jennifer F. Dennis
Summary: This study examined student perceptions of differences in anatomy laboratory delivery format (remote vs on-campus) at Kansas City University due to COVID-19. A survey with Likert scale and open-ended questions was used to explore the utility of various resources and compare responses between the two formats. The findings showed significant differences in the helpfulness of prelab handouts and the effectiveness of cadavers, with trends indicating disagreement on the effectiveness of anatomy software but agreement on the helpfulness of prosection reviews.
ANATOMICAL SCIENCES EDUCATION
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Madison N. Wicker, Kay-Uwe Wagner
Summary: Cellular plasticity, the ability of cells to change their identity, plays a crucial role in mammary gland development and breast cancer progression. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the factors and mechanisms that promote cellular plasticity in the mammary gland. It discusses changes in cell identity during normal development, the role of the gestation cycle, and highlights the importance of the microenvironment and extracellular matrix. The review also explores cellular reprogramming during mammary tumorigenesis, focusing on the origin of basal-like breast cancers and the role of oncogenic signaling networks. Additionally, recent advances in genetically engineered models to study cellular plasticity in vivo are discussed.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Jennifer F. Dennis, Bradley A. Creamer
Summary: This study evaluated learning outcomes in two undergraduate anatomy courses by utilizing the physical manipulation of cadaveric donors by students. The results showed that students who participated in donor manipulation performed better on laboratory assessments and were more likely to receive passing grades.
EDUCATION SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Karstan Luchini, Shelly N. B. Sloan, Ryan Mauro, Aspram Sargsyan, Aundrea Newman, Purnadeo Persaud, Daniel Hawkins, Dennis Wolff, Jeff Staudinger, Bradley A. Creamer
Summary: The research confirmed the feasibility of using 3D printed PPE for health protection, with the single-walled hollow polypropylene design able to be used in a sterile state and withstand re-sterilization without significant bacterial growth. This design is cost-effective, easy to sanitize, reusable, and helps reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.
3D PRINTING IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dai Le, Soyeon Lim, Kwang Wook Min, Joon Woo Park, Youjoung Kim, Taejeong Ha, Kyeong Hwan Moon, Kay-Uwe Wagner, Jin Woo Kim
Summary: The distribution of membrane proteins in RPE varies during different developmental stages, indicating developmental regulation of protein trafficking. Deletion of Tsg101 disrupts RPE polarity, leading to irregular aggregates and non-polarized distribution of cell adhesion proteins and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, highlighting the importance of ESCRT-mediated protein trafficking for RPE cell polarity development and maintenance.
MOLECULES AND CELLS
(2021)