Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Francisca Rojas Ringeling, Shounak Chakraborty, Caroline Vissers, Derek Reiman, Akshay M. Patel, Ki-Heon Lee, Ari Hong, Chan-Woo Park, Tim Reska, Julien Gagneur, Hyeshik Chang, Maria L. Spletter, Ki-Jun Yoon, Guo-li Ming, Hongjun Song, Stefan Canzar
Summary: Ladder-seq is a method that improves the quality of RNA sequencing transcriptomes by separating transcripts by length before sequencing. Simulated data showed that Ladder-seq accurately quantifies transcripts of complex genes and has higher accuracy and sensitivity in transcript assembly. In experimental data, Ladder-seq identifies more genes with isoform switches and reveals widespread changes in isoform usage after m(6)A depletion.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oscar E. E. Vasquez, Aaron M. M. Allen, Anthony K. -C. So, Quynh H. H. Nguyen, Henry M. M. Krause, Joel D. D. Levine, Marla B. B. Sokolowski
Summary: The foraging gene in Drosophila melanogaster encodes a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), which plays a crucial role in the regulation of behavior and metabolic traits. Despite its well-known role at the transcript level, little is known about the protein level of the for gene. In this study, we provide a detailed characterization of the for gene protein (FOR) products and introduce new tools for studying them, including isoform-specific antibodies and a transgenic strain. Our results reveal the expression patterns of multiple FOR isoforms and their differences in different developmental stages, larval organs, and allelic variants, providing a foundation for further exploring their functional significance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wang Yiwen, Tian Xiaohan, Zhu Chunfeng, Yu Xiaoyu, Miao Yaodong, Qiao Huanhuan
Summary: Metallothioneins (MTs) are essential proteins involved in cellular metal homeostasis, playing significant roles in maintaining human health and ecological stability. Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model for studying insect MT systems, with six MTs identified in this species. However, compared to mammalian MTs, the understanding of the regulation mechanism and protein-protein interactions in the D. melanogaster MT system remains limited.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Agostini, Luigi Bubacco, Sasanka Chakrabarti, Marco Bisaglia
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of alpha-synuclein. Recent evidence suggests the involvement of iron-dependent cell death pathway, ferroptosis, in the pathogenesis of PD. This study using a Drosophila melanogaster model of PD demonstrated that over-expression of alpha-synuclein leads to protein aggregate accumulation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration, which are worsened by decreased glutathione levels or increased iron concentrations.
Article
Cell Biology
Meenakshi Sudhakaran, Tatiana Garcia Navarrete, Katherine Mejia-Guerra, Eric Mukundi, Timothy D. Eubank, Erich Grotewold, Daniel Arango, Andrea I. Doseff
Summary: Apigenin has been found to reprogram the transcriptome of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), inducing apoptosis and inhibiting tumor growth, offering new options for TNBC treatments.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sreesankar Easwaran, Matthew Van Ligten, Mackenzie Kui, Denise J. Montell
Summary: This study reveals that Drosophila enter adult reproductive diapause under specific environmental conditions, which leads to ovarian arrest but preserves fertility. Germline stem cells (GSCs) in diapause incur DNA damage and division reduction, yet they are able to recover. Mimicking reduced juvenile hormone production during diapause enhances GSC longevity in non-diapausing flies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Amrutha Kizhedathu, Piyush Chhajed, Lahari Yeramala, Deblina Sain Basu, Tina Mukherjee, Kutti R. Vinothkumar, Arjun Guha
Summary: The study reveals that high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in the G2 arrest and mitotic re-entry of progenitors of the thoracic tracheal system in adult Drosophila, with Duox expression being a key regulator of ROS levels.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pi-Cheng Tsai, Joydeep Chakraborty, Chiho Suzuki-Minakuchi, Tohru Terada, Tatsurou Kotake, Jun Matsuzawa, Kazunori Okada, Hideaki Nojiri
Summary: We identified critical amino acid residues of the oxygenase component (Oxy) of Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase (RO) for binding with Rieske-type ferredoxin (Fd). Our findings showed that the binding site for Rieske-type Fd is commonly located at the stem (side-wise site) of the mushroom-like alpha(3)beta(3) quaternary structure in many ROs.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juanma Ramirez, Miguel Morales, Nerea Osinalde, Imanol Martinez-Padron, Ugo Mayor, Alberto Ferrus
Summary: The study revealed that Ari-1 regulates the activity of NSF through ubiquitination in Drosophila neurons, affecting the rate and probability of neurotransmitter release. This finding provides a new clue for understanding the regulatory mechanism of synaptic function.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernanda Pilaquinga, Sofia Cardenas, Doris Vela, Eliza Jara, Jeroni Morey, Jose Luis Gutierrez-Coronado, Alexis Debut, Maria de las Nieves Pina
Summary: Research validated a method to measure fertility and bioaccumulated iron content in Drosophila flies after exposure to magnetite nanoparticles. The method showed optimal performance for concentrations greater than 20 mg L-1. Flies exposed to coated and non-coated NPs exhibited decreased fertility, with the most significant decline seen in those exposed to 100 mg L-1 of coated NPs.
Article
Biology
Karen Vester, Marco Preussner, Nicole Holton, Suihan Feng, Carsten Schultz, Florian Heyd, Markus C. Wahl
Summary: A systematic analysis of the spatio-temporal regulation of precursor mRNA splicing was conducted, using a reversible chemical dimerizer to re-localize splicing factors in living cells. This approach provides insights into the mechanisms of splicing regulation.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pedro B. Pinto, Katrin Domsch, Xuefan Gao, Michaela Woelk, Julie Carnesecchi, Ingrid Lohmann
Summary: Hox proteins have similar binding specificities in vitro but control different morphologies in vivo. This paradox has been partially resolved with the discovery of low-affinity binding sites. The specificity of anterior Hox proteins, which are more promiscuous than posterior Hox proteins, is achieved through a precise balance of transcription factors and binding site affinities. Small variations in affinity change the enhancer's sensitivity to different Hox levels, resulting in perturbed gene expression and morphogenesis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Coraiola Nevoa, Jose Manuel Latorre-Estivalis, Fabiano Sviatopolk-Mirsky Pais, Newmar Pinto Marliere, Gabriel da Rocha Fernandes, Marcelo Gustavo Lorenzo, Alessandra Aparecida Guarneri
Summary: This study characterized the gene expression profiles in the brain of starved R. prolixus nymphs through RNA sequencing. Neuromodulatory-related genes, such as neuropeptide precursors, neurohormones, and their receptors, as well as enzymes involved in neuropeptide and biogenic amine biosynthesis, were identified and analyzed. Other important genes, including neurotransmitter receptors, nuclear receptors, clock genes, sensory receptors, and takeouts genes, were also identified. The study suggests that further functional characterization of these highly expressed genes in starved R. prolixus brain could lead to the development of bug control tools.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gudrun Wahlstrom, Samuel Heron, Matias Knuuttila, Elina Kaikkonen, Nea Tulonen, Olli Metsala, Christoffer Lof, Otto Ettala, Peter J. Bostrom, Pekka Taimen, Matti Poutanen, Johanna Schleutker
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men, and heritable factors play a significant role in individual risk. While there are over 300 known genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk, few are linked to aggressive forms of the disease. This study found that the rs77559646 variant in the ANO7 gene severely disrupts mRNA splicing and leads to the loss of ANO7 protein localization in prostate tissue. It is the first known germline loss-of-function mutation described for ANO7, suggesting that the loss of ANO7 may contribute to prostate cancer progression.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jun Xu, Ah-Ram Kim, Ross W. Cheloha, Fabian A. Fischer, Joshua Shing Shun Li, Yuan Feng, Emily Stoneburner, Richard Binari, Stephanie E. Mohr, Jonathan Zirin, Hidde L. Ploegh, Norbert Perrimon
Summary: Expanding the repertoire of reagents for protein visualization and manipulation is important for understanding protein function. In this study, two short NanoTag epitopes and their corresponding nanobodies were characterized and their applications in Drosophila were demonstrated. The study also showed that CRISPR-mediated gene targeting can be used to tag endogenous proteins with the NanoTags.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeus A. Antonello, Tobias Reiff, Esther Ballesta-Illan, Maria Dominguez
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeus A. Antonello, Tobias Reiff, Maria Dominguez
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andres Garelli, Fabiana Heredia, Andreia P. Casimiro, Andre Macedo, Catarina Nunes, Marcia Garcez, Angela R. Mantas Dias, Yanel A. Volonte, Thomas Uhlmann, Esther Caparros, Takashi Koyama, Alisson M. Gontijo
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2015)
Article
Biology
Tobias Reiff, Jake Jacobson, Paola Cognigni, Zeus Antonello, Esther Ballesta, Kah Junn Tan, Joanne Y. Yew, Maria Dominguez, Irene Miguel-Aliaga
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Franz Oswald, Patrick Rodriguez, Benedetto Daniele Giaimo, Zeus A. Antonello, Laura Mira, Gerhard Mittler, Verena N. Thiel, Kelly J. Collins, Nassif Tabaja, Wiebke Cizelsky, Melanie Rothe, Susanne J. Kuehl, Michael Kuehl, Francesca Ferrante, Kerstin Hein, Rhett A. Kovall, Maria Dominguez, Tilman Borggrefe
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benedetto Daniele Giaimo, Francesca Ferrante, Diana M. Vallejo, Kerstin Hein, Irene Gutierrez-Perez, Andrea Nist, Thorsten Stiewe, Gerhard Mittler, Susanne Herold, Tobias Zimmermann, Marek Bartkuhn, Peggy Schwarz, Franz Oswald, Maria Dominguez, Tilman Borggrefe
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Cell Biology
Santiago Nahuel Villegas, Rita Gombos, Lucia Garcia-Lopez, Irene Gutierrez-Perez, Jesus Garcia-Castillo, Diana Marcela Vallejo, Vanina Gabriela Da Ros, Esther Ballesta-Illan, Jozsef Mihaly, Maria Dominguez
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tobias Reiff, Zeus A. Antonello, Esther Ballesta-Illan, Laura Mira, Salvador Sala, Maria Navarro, Luis M. Martinez, Maria Dominguez
Article
Cell Biology
Irene Gutierrez-Perez, M. Jordan Rowley, Xiaowen Lyu, Viviana Valadez-Graham, Diana M. Vallejo, Esther Ballesta-Illan, Jose P. Lopez-Atalaya, Isaac Kremsky, Esther Caparros, Victor G. Corces, Maria Dominguez
Article
Biology
Andre Macedo, Alisson M. Gontijo
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fabiana Heredia, Yanel Volonte, Joana Pereirinha, Magdalena Fernandez-Acosta, Andreia P. Casimiro, Claudia G. Belem, Filipe Viegas, Kohtaro Tanaka, Juliane Menezes, Maite Arana, Gisele A. Cardoso, Andre Macedo, Malwina Kotowicz, Facundo H. Prado Spalm, Marcos J. Dibo, Raquel D. Monfardini, Tatiana T. Torres, Cesar S. Mendes, Andres Garelli, Alisson M. Gontijo
Summary: The pupariation behavior in Drosophila involves coordination between steroid-hormone ecdysone-triggered neuromotor and morphogenetic subprograms, with the relaxin-peptide hormone Dilp8 playing a key role in integrating these two subprograms in time and during behavior. Interorgan feedback is crucial for gating progression between subunits of innate behavior, indicating a potential ancestral neuromodulatory function of relaxin signaling.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bibi Nusreen Imambocus, Fangmin Zhou, Andrey Formozov, Annika Wittich, Federico M. Tenedini, Chun Hu, Kathrin Sauter, Ednilson Macarenhas Varela, Fabiana Heredia, Andreia P. Casimiro, Andre Macedo, Philipp Schlegel, Chung-Hui Yang, Irene Miguel-Aliaga, J. Simon Wiegert, Michael J. Pankratz, Alisson M. Gontijo, Albert Cardona, Peter Soba
Summary: Animals display selective escape behaviors when faced with environmental threats. This study investigates the underlying neuronal network mechanisms in Drosophila larvae and uncovers a circuit that gates selective escape behavior for noxious light through neuropeptide action.
Article
Cell Biology
Sergio Juarez-Carreno, Diana Marcela Vallejo, Juan Carranza-Valencia, Martina Palomino-Schatzlein, Pol Ramon-Canellas, Roberto Santoro, Emily de Hartog, Dolors Ferres-Marco, Aitana Romero, Hannah Payette Peterson, Esther Ballesta-Illan, Antonio Pineda-Lucena, Maria Dominguez, Javier Morante
Summary: Fat stores play a crucial role in reproductive success and the initiation of maturation. Signals from lipid carrier apolipophorin in fat cells and Sema1a in the neuroendocrine prothoracic gland (PG) are essential for sensing fat levels and committing to sexual maturation. The regulation of endocytosis, endoplasmic reticulum remodeling, and ribosomal maturation by the apolipophorin/Sema1a axis leads to the acquisition of high biosynthetic and secretory capacity in PG cells for sexual maturation initiation.
Review
Cell Biology
Lucia Garcia-Lopez, Isabel Adrados, Dolors Ferres-Marco, Maria Dominguez
Summary: Fruit fly models provide a powerful tool for unraveling cancer gene networks, exploring cancer initiating events, and studying host immune responses. They can be used for cost-effective drug discovery and the design of mechanism-based therapies for individualized treatment.
Review
Cell Biology
Sergio Juarez-Carreno, Javier Morante, Maria Dominguez