Review
Immunology
Sylvie Briquet, Carine Marinach, Olivier Silvie, Catherine Vaquero
Summary: Plasmodium sporozoites transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes infect the liver and transform into replicative forms, releasing merozoites that cause malaria. Some species can form dormant hypnozoites in the liver, causing relapses. Gene expression during transmission from mosquito to mammalian host is tightly regulated, with transcriptome and proteome reprogramming involved in the transition. Regulatory mechanisms control gene expression in sporozoites with alternating waves of transcription activity and translational repression.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Alyssa E. Barry
Summary: Researchers have developed innovative methods for single-cell sequencing of P. vivax infections, providing new insights into the intrahost diversity and evolution of the parasite.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zheng Wang, Xianqing Huang, Malik Jan, Deyu Kong, Jingwen Pan, Xuehong Zhang
Summary: The study revealed that the biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites in Pseudomonas protegens H78 is regulated by the RNA chaperone Hfq and the catabolite repression control (Crc) protein. Hfq has a more extensive and intensive regulatory capacity compared to Crc, positively controlling gene clusters involved in secondary metabolism, secretion systems, and compound degradation.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Yaqiong Wu, Tianyu Han, Lianfei Lyu, Weilin Li, Wenlong Wu
Summary: Anthocyanins are important secondary metabolites in plants, which determine the color of flowers and fruits. They have various nutritional and medicinal functions, such as antioxidant, anticancer, and cardiovascular disease prevention. This review discusses the biosynthesis pathway of plant anthocyanins, the key structural genes involved, the impact of transcription factors and microRNAs, the influence of environmental factors, and the effects of six major exogenous hormones on anthocyanin synthesis and metabolism. Future research directions and trends in anthocyanins are also considered to provide a reference for future studies and applications.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Siqi Wang, Fang Huang, He Yan, Jianhai Yin, Zhigui Xia
Summary: China has successfully eliminated malaria, but still faces challenges in the post-elimination stage. Imported malaria cases pose a significant threat, and monitoring molecular markers of drug resistance is crucial for effective treatment. This review focuses on the mutation frequency and distribution of drug resistance-related loci in indigenous and imported malaria cases in China, providing important insights for drug resistance surveillance and prevention of local transmission in the future.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alba Rubio-Canalejas, Lucas Pedraz, Eduard Torrents
Summary: ReViTA (Reverse in Vitro Transcription Assay) is a novel in vitro transcription-based method used to study gene expression under specific transcription factors. The method was evaluated using two different transcription factors, AlgR and LexA, and demonstrated successful gene expression regulation. ReViTA has the potential to be a rapid and accessible method for studying genes and regulators in various species.
Review
Hematology
Pier Mannuccio Mannucci
Summary: This article summarizes the significant advances in hemophilia care over the past decade, starting with the knowledge from the 1970s as background. The unmet needs in therapeutic adherence and prophylaxis effectiveness have led to the development of factor VIII and IX products with extended plasma half-life and emicizumab, a nonfactor medicine for subcutaneous administration in hemophilia A patients. The issue of a cure for the disease is approached through gene therapy, with the first products approved in 2022 for adults with both types of hemophilia. Finally, the article provides insights into the expected further progress in the coming years and the personalized choices among therapeutic options for patients and their care providers.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maite Colinas, Jacob Pollier, Dries Vaneechoutte, Deniz G. Malat, Fabian Schweizer, Liesbeth De Milde, Rebecca De Clercq, Joana G. Guedes, Teresa Martinez-Cortes, Francisco J. Molina-Hidalgo, Mariana Sottomayor, Klaas Vandepoele, Alain Goossens
Summary: Catharanthus roseus produces a variety of MIA metabolites in a heavily branched pathway, with gene expression being highly specific to cell type, organ, and stress. Further study of ORCA TFs reveals subfunctionalization in terms of regulating target genes and working synergistically with MYC2. Specific amino acid residues within ORCA DNA-binding domains play a role in regulating MIA pathway branches differently.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Kentaro Furukawa, Aleksei Innokentev, Tomotake Kanki
Summary: This study reveals the roles of the Far complex in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, the formation of a subcomplex between Ppg1 and Far11, and the importance of the association and dissociation between the Far complex and Atg32 in regulating mitophagy.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenyang Liao, Fei Dong, Juan Liu, Lele Xu, Amy Marshall-Colon, Ray Ming
Summary: This research analyzed the developmental stages of papaya pistil and identified differentially expressed genes related to pistil development and sex differentiation. Transcription factor and hormone-related genes were revealed based on functional and regulatory network analysis. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of pistil development and sex differentiation in papaya.
Review
Immunology
Stoyan Tankov, Paul R. Walker
Summary: Extracellular vesicles play a critical role in mediating communication between glioblastoma cells and immune cells, potentially impacting glioma progression by shaping the tumor microenvironment. These vesicles contain bioactive cargoes that can enhance glioma cell mediated immunosuppressive functions and reprogram tumor infiltrating immune cells, suggesting their importance in cancer-immune crosstalk and as potential diagnostic biomarkers for glioma.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bettina J. Lehman, Fernando J. Lopez-Diaz, Thom P. Santisakultarm, Linjing Fang, Maxim N. Shokhirev, Kenneth E. Diffenderfer, Uri Manor, Beverly M. Emerson
Summary: The study reveals that CTCF is highly sensitive to diverse forms of stress in human primary cells, leading to changes in its localization and interactions with RNA. The stress-sensitive pool of CTCF protein can be restored through proteasome inhibition. This stress response in CTCF is observed during neuronal differentiation, highlighting its potential role in cell differentiation regulation.
Review
Cell Biology
Camille Sena-dos-Santos, Cintia Braga-da-Silva, Diego Marques, Jhully Azevedo dos Santos Pinheiro, Andrea Ribeiro-dos-Santos, Giovanna C. Cavalcante
Summary: Malaria, caused by different Plasmodium species, continues to impact millions worldwide due to lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Understanding the role of cell death in malaria pathophysiology is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies. The study explores various cell death pathways triggered by malaria and their potential for human malaria therapies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Camelia Herman, Colleen M. Leonard, Perpetua Uhomoibhi, Mark Maire, Delynn Moss, Uwem Inyang, Ado Abubakar, Abiodun Ogunniyi, Nwando Mba, Stacie M. Greby, McPaul I. Okoye, Nnaemeka C. Iriemenam, Ibrahim Maikore, Laura Steinhardt, Eric Rogier
Summary: In a nationwide HIV survey conducted in Nigeria in 2018, blood samples were collected from children aged 0-14 years and analyzed for the presence of Plasmodium antigens, DNA, and antibodies. The study found that children in Nigeria have widespread exposure to Pm, but lower rates of exposure to Po and Pv.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Myriam Sainz-Ramos, Idoia Gallego, Ilia Villate-Beitia, Jon Zarate, Ivan Maldonado, Gustavo Puras, Jose Luis Pedraz
Summary: This review highlights the critical importance of efficient delivery of genetic material into cells for translating gene therapy into clinical practice, with a focus on non-viral vector systems as a promising alternative to virus-based gene delivery. The challenges and potential strategies for clinical application of non-viral vectors in mainstream medicine, including efficiency, biocompatibility, and long-lasting effect, are discussed in order to promote safe and efficient non-viral gene delivery systems for clinical applications in the gene therapy field.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Zhu, Jaishree Tripathi, Frances Maureen Rocamora, Olivo Miotto, Rob van der Pluijm, Till S. Voss, Sachel Mok, Dominic P. Kwiatkowski, Francois Nosten, Nicholas P. J. Day, Nicholas J. White, Arjen M. Dondorp, Zbynek Bozdech
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hai T. N. Bui, Igor Niederwieser, Megan J. Bird, Weiwen Dai, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Suzette Moes, Paul Jenoe, Isabelle S. Lucet, Christian Doerig, Till S. Voss
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Jan D. Warncke, Armin Passecker, Enja Kipfer, Francoise Brand, Lara Perez-Martinez, Nicholas Proellochs, Taco W. A. Kooij, Falk Butter, Till S. Voss, Hans-Peter Beck
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eva Hitz, Aurelia C. Balestra, Mathieu Brochet, Till S. Voss
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Hai T. N. Bui, Armin Passecker, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Till S. Voss
Summary: Our study uncovered the essential roles of different domains of PfHP1 in heterochromatin formation, gene silencing, and parasite proliferation. Additionally, we found functional conservation of the hinge domain and CSD of HP1 between P. falciparum and related malaria parasites.
Article
Biology
Eva Hitz, Olivia Gruninger, Armin Passecker, Matthias Wyss, Christian Scheurer, Sergio Wittlin, Hans-Peter Beck, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Till S. Voss
Summary: Hitz et al. described the crucial role of the protein kinase PfCK2 alpha in both asexual and sexual development of Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage parasites. Their findings suggest that PfCK2 alpha could be a potential target for dual-active antimalarial drugs, as its conditional knockdown prevented gametocyte maturation and stage transition.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marta Tiburcio, Eva Hitz, Igor Niederwieser, Gavin Kelly, Heledd Davies, Christian Doerig, Oliver Billker, Till S. Voss, Moritz Treeck
Summary: Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, with sexual commitment in a small fraction of asexual blood-stage parasites initiated by external cues. The study found that a truncation in the extreme C terminus of the GDV1 protein affects its protein levels and sexual commitment, highlighting the important role of the GDV1 C terminus beyond trafficking and protein stability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eilidh Carrington, Roel Henrikus Martinus Cooijmans, Dominique Keller, Christa Geeke Toenhake, Richard Bartfai, Till Steffen Voss
Summary: This study characterized an ApiAP2 factor, PfAP2-HC, in Plasmodium falciparum that binds specifically to heterochromatin. Surprisingly, PfAP2-HC does not bind DNA in vivo and its recruitment to heterochromatin is independent of its DNA-binding domain but relies on heterochromatin protein 1. The findings suggest that PfAP2-HC functions neither in gene expression regulation nor in heterochromatin formation or maintenance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felix Evers, Alfredo Cabrera-Orefice, Dei M. Elurbe, Mariska Kea-te Lindert, Sylwia D. Boltryk, Till S. Voss, Martijn A. Huynen, Ulrich Brandt, Taco W. A. Kooij
Summary: Researchers uncover the composition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes in the asexual and sexual blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum using complexome profiling. The abundance of these complexes differs between stages, suggesting a mitochondrial metabolic switch is crucial for gametocyte development and functioning.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sylwia D. Boltryk, Armin Passecker, Arne Alder, Eilidh Carrington, Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer, Geert-Jan van Gemert, Alex van der Starre, Hans-Peter Beck, Robert W. Sauerwein, Taco W. A. Kooij, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Nicholas Proellochs, Tim-Wolf Gilberger, Till S. Voss
Summary: Researchers have successfully engineered P. falciparum parasites using genome editing tools to achieve higher sexual commitment rates, providing a new approach for studying gametocyte biology. By introducing inducible gametocyte producer lines, they have successfully achieved large-scale, synchronized gametocyte production, providing valuable resources for research on the transmission stage of malaria parasites.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Hitz, Natalie Wiedemar, Armin Passecker, Beatriz A. S. Graca, Christian Scheurer, Sergio Wittlin, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Ioannis Vakonakis, Pascal Maeser, Till S. Voss
Summary: The study confirmed the essential role of PfPKAc in the survival of Plasmodium falciparum in the blood stage, as well as its involvement in regulating gametocyte deformability. Overexpression of PfPKAc was found to be lethal, and PfPDK1 may act as a crucial upstream regulator in this pathway.
Article
Immunology
Basil T. Thommen, Armin Passecker, Tamara Buser, Eva Hitz, Till S. Voss, Nicolas M. B. Brancucci
Summary: This study found that certain drugs can increase the sexual commitment rates of malaria parasites in vitro. However, this effect is only observed at concentrations that inhibit parasite survival and does not often result in a net increase in gametocyte production. The study also suggests that the gametocytogenesis-promoting effect of drugs is related to general stress responses rather than specific compound activities.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Jonas Gockel, Till S. Voss, Richard Bartfai
Summary: The authors used a combination of loss-of-function screening and single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify key factors in the sexual differentiation of malaria parasites. Gomes et al. further characterized one of these factors, MD1, as a regulator contributing to male fate determination.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lindsay B. Stewart, Aline Freville, Till S. Voss, David A. Baker, Gordon A. Awandare, David J. Conway
Summary: Asexual blood-stage malaria parasites must produce sexual progeny for mosquito infection. Two different methods of commitment rate measurement were compared, with higher sensitivity and precision observed in the detection of an early differentiation marker. Clinical isolates and laboratory-adapted lines showed significant variation in commitment rates, and the effects of choline on commitment varied quantitatively.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas M. B. Brancucci, Joseph P. Gerdt, ChengQi Wang, Mariana De Niz, Nisha Philip, Swamy R. Adapa, Min Zhang, Eva Hitz, Igor Niederwieser, Sylwia D. Boltryk, Marie-ClauDe laffitte, Martha A. Clark, Christof Gruring, Deepali Ravel, Alexandra Blancke Soares, Allison Demas, Selina Bopp, Belen Rubio-Ruiz, Ana Conejo-Garcia, Dyann F. Wirth, Edyta Gendaszewska-Darmach, Manoj T. Duraisingh, John H. Adams, Till S. Voss, Andrew P. Waters, Rays H. Y. Jiang, Jon Clardy, Matthias Marti