Article
Cell Biology
Svenja Ulferts, Bina Prajapati, Robert Grosse, Maria K. Vartiainen
Summary: Recent research has revealed the dynamic nature of the cell nucleus, including genome reorganization, size and shape control, and spatiotemporal coordination of chromatin remodeling and transcription. Actin, a highly conserved cytoskeletal protein, plays a crucial role in these processes, but its mechanisms and functions inside the nucleus are not fully understood. Monomeric and filamentous actin have diverse and distinct roles, with emerging functions in genome organization and nuclear architecture.
COLD SPRING HARBOR PERSPECTIVES IN BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yi Hu, Chun Yang, Tania Amorim, Mohsin Maqbool, Jenny Lin, Chen Li, Chuanfeng Fang, Li Xue, Ariel Kwart, Hua Fang, Mei Yin, Allison J. Janocha, Daisuke Tsuchimoto, Yusaku Nakabeppu, Xiaofeng Jiang, Alex Mejia-Garcia, Faiz Anwer, Jack Khouri, Xin Qi, Qing Y. Zheng, Jennifer S. Yu, Shan Yan, Thomas LaFramboise, Kenneth C. Anderson, Leal C. Herlitz, Nikhil C. Munshi, Jianhong Lin, Jianjun Zhao
Summary: This study identified APE2 as a critical molecule upregulated in the kidney following cisplatin treatment, leading to MYH9 dysfunction in mitochondria and potential development of AKI. Knockout of APE2 attenuated cisplatin-induced kidney injury, suggesting a novel target for prophylactic treatment of AKI.
Review
Physiology
Thomas D. Pollard, Edward D. Korn
Summary: This article describes the isolation of a novel unconventional myosin from Acanthamoeba, as well as the identification of a cofactor that interacts with it.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alia dos Santos, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: The nucleus in eukaryotic cells houses the cell's genomic material. Factors like chromatin structure and the nuclear lamina play essential roles in the mechanical properties of the nucleus. Nuclear stiffness impacts and is impacted by cellular processes such as DNA damage and repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Jack Wootton, Evi Soutoglou
Summary: The review discusses how chromatin and nuclear environment play key roles in the regulation of eukaryotic genome replication, covering aspects such as higher order organization of the genome, local chromatin environment, and spatial organization of stalled replication forks for resolving replication stress.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Undurti N. Das
Summary: Juxtaglomerular cells play a crucial role in sensing and regulating blood pressure and volume by synthesizing and releasing appropriate amounts of renin in response to external physical forces, contributing to homeostasis maintenance.
Article
Biology
Daan Vorselen, Sarah R. Barger, Yifan Wang, Wei Cai, Julie A. Theriot, Nils C. Gauthier, Mira Krendel
Summary: The study reveals that during macrophage phagocytosis of antibody-opsonized targets, there is a prominent constriction driven by Arp2/3-mediated assembly of discrete actin protrusions. Contractile myosin-II activity contributes to late-stage phagocytic force generation and target ingestion. Observations of partial target eating attempts and sudden target release suggest that constriction may play a critical role in resolving complex in vivo target encounters.
Article
Plant Sciences
Justin M. Brueggeman, Ian A. Windham, Andreas Nebenfuhr
Summary: Nuclear migration during growth and development is a conserved phenomenon among many eukaryotic species. In Arabidopsis, the movement of the nucleus is important for root hair growth. This study reveals the presence of an alternative actin-based mechanism that mediates rapid nuclear displacements in the absence of myosin XI-I. Additionally, microtubules work to dampen erratic nuclear movements during root hair growth, and complex interactions between cytoskeletal arrays are observed.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Martins Figueiredo, Pedro Barbacena, Ana Russo, Silvia Vaccaro, Daniela Ramalho, Andreia Pena, Aida Pires Lima, Rita Rua Ferreira, Marta Alves Fidalgo, Fatima El-Marjou, Yulia Carvalho, Francisca Ferreira Vasconcelos, Ana-Maria Lennon-Dumenil, Danijela Matic Vignjevic, Claudio Areias Franco
Summary: The study shows that endothelial tip cells use dactylopodia as the main cellular protrusion for invasion, and this process is regulated by the balance of myosin IIA and actin-related protein activity. Autonomous ablation of these proteins in endothelial cells may lead to abnormal protrusion formation, affecting angiogenesis.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Melissa A. Quintanilla, John A. Hammer, Jordan R. Beach
Summary: Non-muscle myosin 2 (NM2) motors play a crucial role in various cellular processes and are involved in cell migration, cytokinesis, epithelial barrier function, and tissue morphogenesis. This article provides a comprehensive review of the biochemical properties and regulation mechanisms of NM2, as well as recent studies using advanced imaging technologies to investigate NM2 assembly. It aims to appeal to both cytoskeletal enthusiasts and researchers outside the cytoskeleton field who are interested in cellular processes requiring actomyosin force production.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Daren Elkrief, Yu-Shu Cheng, Oleg S. Matusovsky, Dilson E. Rassier
Summary: The interaction between actin and myosin is crucial for muscle contraction and force production. Oxidation of actin and myosin has been found to weaken the myofibrils in healthy and diseased muscles. This study shows that exposure to a chemical compound can affect the interactions between actin and myosin, leading to decreased velocity and force. Oxidation of both actin and myosin contributes to a decrease in contractile activity in muscles.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nanjun Hu, Lulu Bai, Enyong Dai, Leng Han, Rui Kang, Hongjun Li, Daolin Tang
Summary: This study reveals the role of the nuclear protein pirin in mediating resistance to ferroptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. The upregulation of PIR by the transcription factor NFE2L2 during ferroptosis limits oxidative damage and HMGB1 release, while depletion of PIR initiates autophagy and promotes ferroptosis through ACSL4 activation. Blocking PIR signaling enhances ferroptosis-induced tumor growth suppression, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of autophagy-dependent ferroptosis.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Feifei Shi, Yixin Xu, Shuhui Zhang, Zhenhua Fu, Qian Yu, Shaozhi Zhang, Mingzhu Sun, Xin Zhao, Xizeng Feng
Summary: This study found that DBDPE has toxic effects on embryonic development and has transgenerational interference effects. Maternal exposure to DBDPE may result in behavioral and cognitive memory impairments in the next generation of mice. These findings emphasize the reproductive toxicity of DBDPE and suggest that environmental pollutants may initiate adult diseases during the embryonic stage.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christopher J. Alexander, Melanie Barzik, Ikuko Fujiwara, Kirsten Remmert, Ya-Xian Wang, Ronald S. Petralia, Thomas B. Friedman, John A. Hammer
Summary: Myosin 18A alpha is a myosin 2-like protein that co-assembles with myosin 2 in the spines of cerebellar Purkinje neurons, playing a role in dendritic spine maturation. It interacts with beta-Pix, promoting assembly of actin and myosin filaments in spines. Knockdown of Myosin 18A results in spine maturation defects, which can be rescued by an RNAi-immune version of Myosin 18A.
Review
Physiology
Michael D. Tarpey, Adam J. Amorese, Elizabeth R. LaFave, Everett C. Minchew, Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman, Joseph M. McClung, Eli G. Hvastkovs, Espen E. Spangenburg
Summary: Brca1 is expressed in skeletal muscles and localizes to mitochondria and the nucleus, playing a critical role in maintaining force production and mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle.
EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCES REVIEWS
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Alia dos Santos, Lin Wang, Christopher P. Toseland
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Fili, Yukti Hari-Gupta, Bjork Aston, Alia dos Santos, Rosemarie E. Gough, Bana Alamad, Lin Wang, Marisa L. Martin-Fernandez, Christopher P. Toseland
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Fili, Christopher P. Toseland
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Cell Biology
Alexander W. Cook, Rosemarie E. Gough, Christopher P. Toseland
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Biophysics
Alia dos Santos, Natalia Fili, David S. Pearson, Yukti Hari-Gupta, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: Mechanobiology focuses on how physical forces and mechanical properties affect physiology and disease, with tools often restricted to single-molecule manipulations. However, a novel method has been developed to perform ensemble biochemical and cell-based assays in high-throughput format, greatly increasing availability of mechanobiology measurements.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alia dos Santos, Alexander W. Cook, Rosemarie E. Gough, Martin Schilling, Nora A. Olszok, Ian Brown, Lin Wang, Jesse Aaron, Marisa L. Martin-Fernandez, Florian Rehfeldt, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: DNA double-strand breaks lead to genomic instability, affecting the mechanical properties of the nucleus and potentially contributing to drug resistance. Investigation using Atomic Force Microscopy showed that reducing nuclear stiffness and tension can improve DNA repair efficiency and protect against further DNA damage accumulation.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioannis Emmanouilidis, Natalia Fili, Alexander W. Cook, Yukti Hari-Gupta, Alia dos Santos, Lin Wang, Marisa L. Martin-Fernandez, Peter J. I. Ellis, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: Mammalian cells are constantly exposed to various DNA damaging events, leading to the activation of DNA repair pathways. Cas9-based genomic intervention allows for induced DSBs at defined quantities and locations across the human genome, utilizing custom-designed promiscuous guide RNAs based on in silico predictions. This provides a generic, low-cost, and rapid methodology for inducing controlled DNA damage in cell culture models.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alia dos Santos, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: The nucleus in eukaryotic cells houses the cell's genomic material. Factors like chromatin structure and the nuclear lamina play essential roles in the mechanical properties of the nucleus. Nuclear stiffness impacts and is impacted by cellular processes such as DNA damage and repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alia dos Santos, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: Mechanobiology investigates how physical forces and mechanical properties of biological material affect physiology and disease. To overcome the limitations of single-molecule methods, a microplate assay was developed, allowing mechanical manipulation during standard biochemical assays. This approach has wide applications in monitoring protein conformations and other activities in various biological systems.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yukti Hari-Gupta, Natalia Fili, Alia dos Santos, Alexander W. Cook, Rosemarie E. Gough, Hannah C. W. Reed, Lin Wang, Jesse Aaron, Tomas Venit, Eric Wait, Andreas Grosse-Berkenbusch, J. Christof M. Gebhardt, Piergiorgio Percipalle, Teng-Leong Chew, Marisa Martin-Fernandez, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of nuclear myosin VI (MVI) in the spatial organization of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). MVI acts as a molecular anchor to maintain high-density clusters of RNAPII. Perturbation of MVI disrupts RNAPII localization, chromatin organization, and gene expression.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alia Dos Santos, Natalia Fili, Yukti Hari-Gupta, Rosemarie E. Gough, Lin Wang, Marisa Martin-Fernandez, Jesse Aaron, Eric Wait, Teng-Leong Chew, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: Myosin VI is regulated by a complex interplay between isoforms and binding partners. Regardless of the isoform and binding partner involved, myosin VI regulation follows a generic mechanism. Binding partners can change the structure of myosin VI, activate its function, and impact its molecular organization and dynamics.
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Isabel W. Shahid-Fuente, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: The nuclear myosin motor proteins play crucial roles in maintaining genomic stability and gene expression by regulating chromatin structure, chromosome translocation, transcription regulation, and DNA damage repair.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alia dos Santos, Daniel E. Rollins, Yukti Hari-Gupta, Hannah McArthur, Mingxue Du, Sabrina Yong Zi Ru, Kseniia Pidlisna, Ane Stranger, Faeeza Lorgat, Danielle Lambert, Ian Brown, Kevin Howland, Jesse Aaron, Lin Wang, Peter J. I. Ellis, Teng-Leong Chew, Marisa Martin-Fernandez, Alice L. B. Pyne, Christopher P. Toseland
Summary: In this study, the researchers discovered that the autophagy receptor NDP52 is recruited to the cell nucleus where it can bind to DNA. They also found that NDP52 is involved in chromatin accessibility changes and transcription initiation, providing a direct link between autophagy and transcription regulation. Furthermore, the researchers uncovered the role of NDP52 in gene expression and DNA structure regulation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biophysics
Yukti Hari Gupta, Natalia Fili, Alia dos Santos, Teng-Leong Chew, Jesse Aaron, Lin Wang, Christopher P. Toseland
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)