Article
Cell Biology
Hideto Osada, Eriko Toda, Kohei Homma, Naymel A. Guzman, Norihiro Nagai, Mamoru Ogawa, Kazuno Negishi, Makoto Arita, Kazuo Tsubota, Yoko Ozawa
Summary: Mutations in lipid metabolism-related genes may lead to retinal degeneration, as evidenced by Adipor1 knockout mouse models showing neurodegeneration and visual dysfunction. Adipor1 deficiency is crucial for proper photoreceptor function and survival, likely through mechanisms involving Elovl2 repression and increased expression of lipogenic genes.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wietse In het Panhuis, Milena Schoenke, Ricky Siebeler, Dorien Banen, Amanda C. M. Pronk, Trea C. M. Streefland, Salwa Afkir, Hetty C. M. Sips, Jan Kroon, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Sander Kooijman
Summary: Circadian disruption affects glucose and lipid metabolism with sex-specific effects. This study demonstrates that circadian disruption has sex-dependent effects on glucose metabolism, aggravated by male sex hormones and partially rescued by female sex hormones.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenyue Dong, Xiaoqun Nie, Hong Zhu, Qingyun Liu, Kunxiong Shi, Linlin You, Yu Zhang, Hongyan Fan, Bo Yan, Chen Niu, Liang-Dong Lyu, Guo-Ping Zhao, Chen Yang
Summary: FdmR is identified as a key regulator of fatty acid catabolism in Mycobacterium marinum, controlling the direction of fatty acid breakdown and the supply of long-chain acyl-CoAs to affect cell growth and pathogenicity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Changcheng Xu, Jilian Fan
Summary: This review discusses the metabolic interplay between autophagy and lipid droplet dynamics, mechanisms of lipophagy, and cellular management of lipotoxic stress during autophagy. Autophagy degrades membrane lipids to provide fatty acids for energy production, while lipid droplets can be degraded via lipophagy in times of energy scarcity. However, lipid droplets are also necessary for efficient autophagic processes, and cells must carefully manage the cytotoxic effects of free fatty acids during autophagy-mediated mobilization for energy generation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Megan C. Mladinich, Jonas N. Conde, William R. Schutt, Sook-Young Sohn, Erich R. Mackow
Summary: Zika virus persistently infects human brain microvascular endothelial cells through the secretion of CCL5, and blocking CCL5 and its receptors CCR3/CCR5 can inhibit the viral spread. Targeting CCL5 responses could be a potential therapeutic approach to prevent Zika virus persistence and neurovirulence.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Klaudia Sztolsztener, Ewa Harasim-Symbor, Adrian Chabowski, Karolina Konstantynowicz-Nowicka
Summary: The study evaluated the potential protective effects of dexamethasone on hepatocellular lipid metabolism and fatty acid transporters expression. The results showed that combined treatment of dexamethasone and palmitate could exacerbate lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells by altering lipid composition and increasing lipid deposition.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Cheen Fei Chin, Dwight L. A. Galam, Liang Gao, Bryan C. Tan, Bernice H. Wong, Geok-Lin Chua, Randy Y. J. Loke, Yen Ching Lim, Markus R. Wenk, Miao-Shan Lim, Wei-Qiang Leow, George B. B. Goh, Federico Torta, David L. Silver
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of the lysophosphatidylcholine transporter Mfsd2a in maintaining hepatic phospholipid pools. Deficiency of Mfsd2a leads to a NASH-like phenotype and reduced hepatic phospholipids. LPCs containing polyunsaturated fatty acids promote hepatic lipid droplet formation and suppress lipogenesis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Guoyuan Qi, Yashi Mi, Xiaojian Shi, Haiwei Gu, Roberta Diaz Brinton, Fei Yin
Summary: This study reveals the detrimental effects of ApoE4 on fatty acid metabolism in neurons and astrocytes, leading to lipid accumulation and energy imbalance. ApoE4 decreases the transport efficiency of neuronal lipids, compromising metabolic and synaptic support from astrocytes to neurons.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Siyu Tian, Zongye Cai, Payel Sen, Denise van Uden, Esther van de Kamp, Raphael Thuillet, Ly Tu, Christophe Guignabert, Karin Boomars, Kim Van der Heiden, Maarten M. Brandt, Daphne Merkus
Summary: Mechanical forces are translated into biochemical stimuli through the mechanotransduction channel Piezo2 in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. The expression of Piezo2 is reduced in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and animal models. Piezo2 knockdown impairs endothelial alignment, calcium influx, AKT phosphorylation, and nitric oxide production, indicating its important role in preventing endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Targeting Piezo2 may attenuate the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dhavamani Sugasini, Jason C. Park, J. Jason McAnany, Tae-Hoon Kim, Guangying Ma, Xincheng Yao, Babu Antharavally, Anil Oroskar, Asha A. Oroskar, Brian T. Layden, Papasani V. Subbaiah
Summary: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cause of dementia in the elderly, and visual abnormalities often precede cognitive symptoms. This study aimed to investigate whether enriching retinal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) through dietary lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) could improve retinopathy in a mouse model of AD. The results showed that 5XFAD mice had lower retinal DHA levels compared to wild type mice, and feeding LPC-DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increased DHA and EPA levels in the retina. Electroretinography measurements showed that the LPC-DHA/EPA diet improved retinal function, while the triacylglycerol (TAG)-DHA/EPA diet had only modest effects. These findings suggest that enriching retinal DHA and EPA through dietary LPC may improve visual abnormalities associated with AD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhendong Sun, Zhi Tang, Xiaoxi Yang, Qian S. Liu, Jianqing Zhang, Qunfang Zhou, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study found that 3-BHA disrupts hepatic lipid homeostasis and exacerbates the development of high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Hao Liang, Rongchuan Yue, Chao Zhou, Mengyu Liu, Xi Yu, Shengzhong Lu, Jing Zeng, Zhengping Yu, Zhou Zhou, Houxiang Hu
Summary: Exposure to cadmium accelerates triglyceride decomposition, leading to free fatty acid accumulation, ultimately causing endothelial dysfunction and cell death.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierangelo Torquato, Danilo Giusepponi, Desiree Bartolini, Carolina Barola, Rita Marinelli, Bartolomeo Sebastiani, Roberta Galarini, Francesco Galli
Summary: This study demonstrates that controlling storage temperature significantly affects the stability of certain lipids in human plasma, and the use of antioxidants and lipoxygenase inhibitors can prevent alterations in these lipid parameters.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Guneet Kaur, Pallavi Pant, Reshma Bhagat, Pankaj Seth
Summary: In this study, a physiologically relevant blood-brain barrier (BBB) model was established using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) and astrocytes derived from human progenitors. The effects of Zika virus envelope (E) protein on the cells comprising the BBB were investigated using this model. The presence of ZIKV E protein led to decreased expression of crucial endothelial junction proteins, increased BBB permeability, and inflammatory response in astrocytes.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ya-Ge Zhang, Hao-Wei Chen, Hong-Xin Zhang, Ke Wang, Jie Su, Yan-Ru Chen, Xiang-Ru Wang, Zhen-Fang Fu, Min Cui
Summary: This study found that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is related to the escape of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) from interferon-related host innate immunity. The activation of EGFR induced by JEV leads to a decrease in viral production, and the downstream cascade ERK is involved in the antiviral effect of interferons.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kai Han, Shuhan Huang, Jie Kong, Yang Yang, Lei Shi, Yali Ci
Summary: We have developed a novel ER marker, RR-mNeonGreen, that efficiently labels the ER and exhibits improved continuity of ER tubules when imaged by super-resolution microscopy. RR-mNeonGreen is also capable of visualizing ER dynamics and the interaction between ER and mitochondria at high spatiotemporal resolution.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Li, Shuxin Xu, Qing Ye, Hang Chi, Zhanchen Guo, Jingran Chen, Mei Wu, Baochao Fan, Bin Li, Cheng-Feng Qin, Zhen Liu
Summary: This study reports an unprecedented broad-spectrum antiviral strategy targeting viral glycan shields. By using hypervalent mannose-binding nanoparticles, the virus-receptor interaction can be blocked, viral aggregation can be induced, thereby inhibiting virus entry and facilitating virus phagocytosis. This strategy exhibits potent broad-spectrum antiviral efficacy against various viruses, including the novel coronavirus and its major variants, as well as other significant viruses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingchao Shi, Wenhao Liu, Yang Yang, Yali Ci, Lei Shi
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with neurological symptoms and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Bioinformatic analysis revealed shared pathways and synaptic dysfunction as potential mechanisms for these diseases. The identification of key genes and potential drugs provides new insights and treatment strategies for preventing COVID-19 patients from developing neurodegenerative disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rong-Rong Zhang, Zheng-Jian Wang, Yi-Long Zhu, Wei Tang, Chao Zhou, Suo-Qun Zhao, Mei Wu, Tao Ming, Yong-Qiang Deng, Qi Chen, Ning-Yi Jin, Qing Ye, Xiao Li, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: The re-emerging mpox virus has become a public health emergency of international concern and developing a safe and effective mRNA vaccine against it is a top priority. Using a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA vaccine platform, a panel of multicomponent MPXV vaccine candidates were constructed and prepared, which elicited strong immune responses in mice. Particularly, the penta- and tetra-component vaccine candidates showed superior capability of inducing neutralizing antibodies and protecting mice from VACV challenge. This study provides critical insights for understanding the protection mechanism of MPXV infection and supports further clinical development of these multicomponent mRNA vaccine candidates.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jia Zhou, Meng-Yue Guan, Rui-Ting Li, Yi-Ni Qi, Guan Yang, Yong-Qiang Deng, Xiao-Feng Li, Liang Li, Xiao Yang, Jian-Feng Liu, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: This study investigates the susceptibility and biological responses of the olfactory system to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. The results show that ZIKV can invade the olfactory system and lead to post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD). ZIKV mainly targets olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and exhibits broad cellular tropism in the olfactory mucosa (OM) of immunodeficient mice.
Article
Cell Biology
Xing-Yao Huang, Qi Chen, Meng-Xu Sun, Hang-Yu Zhou, Qing Ye, Wu Chen, Jin-Yu Peng, Yi-Ni Qi, Jun-Qiong Zhai, Ying Tian, Zi-Xin Liu, Yi-Jiao Huang, Yong-Qiang Deng, Xiao-Feng Li, Aiping Wu, Xiao Yang, Guan Yang, Yongyi Shen, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: Virus spillover remains a major challenge to public health. A panel of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses have been identified in pangolins, while the infectivity and pathogenicity of these pangolin-origin coronaviruses (pCoV) in humans remain largely unknown. In this study, a recent pCoV isolate (pCoV-GD01) was characterized and compared to SARS-CoV-2, revealing similar infectivity and pathogenicity in human cells and organoids. Furthermore, preexisting immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination was found to provide partial cross-protection against pCoV-GD01 challenge.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guang-Yuan Song, Xing-Yao Huang, Meng-Jiao He, Hang-Yu Zhou, Rui-Ting Li, Ying Tian, Yan Wang, Meng-Li Cheng, Xiang Chen, Rong-Rong Zhang, Chao Zhou, Jia Zhou, Xian-Yang Fang, Xiao-Feng Li, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: The study identified a specific amino acid substitution, K101R, in the capsid protein of the African lineage Zika virus, which contributes to enhanced replication and inflammatory responses, thus increasing its virulence phenotype compared to the Asian lineage.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yali Ci, Kai Han, Jie Kong, Shuhan Huang, Yang Yang, Cheng-Feng Qin, Lei Shi
Summary: This study reveals that Flavivirus remodels the host endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to generate replication compartments (RCs) and adopts a centralized replication mode. Superresolution live-cell imaging demonstrates the formation of perinuclear main replication compartments (MRCs) through a series of events, including multisite ER clustering, growth and merging of ER clusters, directional movement, and convergence in the perinuclear region. These dynamic activities are driven by nonstructural (NS) proteins and are independent of microtubules and actin. Disrupting the formation of MRCs inhibits flavivirus replication.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pan-Deng Shi, Yan-Peng Xu, Zhu Zhu, Chao Zhou, Mei Wu, Yangzhige He, Hui Zhao, Liying Liu, Linqing Zhao, Xiao-Feng Li, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: Biomimetic viral mineralization of manganese in viruses provides a rapid and universal strategy for generating emergency vaccines to respond to emerging viruses. Manganese-mineralized viruses induce robust immune responses and offer significant protection against wild-type viruses through a single-dose vaccination.
Article
Virology
Dan Luo, Qing Ye, Rui-Ting Li, Hang-Yu Zhou, Jing-Jing Guo, Suo-Qun Zhao, Sen Zhang, Tao Jiang, Yong-Qiang Deng, Cheng-Feng Qin
Summary: ZX-7101A, an analogue of BXM, shows broad-spectrum antiviral activity against different subtypes of influenza A virus. In mice, ZX-7101A can effectively protect against lethal pH1N1 infection. Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution (E18G) is identified to be responsible for the resistance to both ZX-7101A and BXM.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suoqun Zhao, Hang Chi, Chengfeng Qin, Yongqiang Deng
Summary: Emerging viral infectious diseases are diverse, fast-spreading and dangerous, causing outbreaks and epidemics worldwide with serious effects on health, society and economy. Vaccines, small-molecule drugs and monoclonal antibodies are important for addressing these diseases, particularly the monoclonal antibodies, which can effectively prevent the virus from entering host cells, block reinfection, and aid in viral clearance.
CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Qi, Qi Chen, Yumei Dong, Kun Wang, Jialu Wang, Guiming Jin, Aiping Zheng, Rong Zhang, Yongqiang Deng, Yuhuan Li, Chengfeng Qin, Xiaotao Duan
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yali Ci, Bin Yao, Kun Yue, Yang Yang, Caimin Xu, De-feng Li, Cheng-Feng Qin, Lei Shi
Summary: Flaviviruses have been a serious threat to human health for decades, and there is a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. This study developed an assay to identify inhibitors that interfere with viral polyprotein cleavage and block Zika virus and dengue virus replication. Bortezomib was found to be the most potent inhibitor, inducing ubiquitination and aggregation of NS3, which attenuated its protease activity. This study identifies bortezomib as a potential drug for treating Zika virus and dengue virus infection and highlights the role of the ERAD pathway in the inhibition of flaviviruses by bortezomib.
CELL CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
