Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Cecily Lucas, Kay-Sara Sauter, Michael Steigert, Delphine Mallet, James Wilmouth, Julie Olabe, Ingrid Plotton, Yves Morel, Daniel Aeberli, Franca Wagner, Hans Clevers, Amit V. Pandey, Pierre Val, Florence Roucher-Boulez, Christa E. Flueck
Summary: This article describes a highly consanguineous family with multiple perinatal deaths and infants presenting at birth with failure to thrive, severe salt-wasting crises associated with isolated hypoaldosteronism, nail anomalies, short stature, and deafness. Whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous splice variant in the R-SPONDIN receptor LGR4 gene (c.618-1G>C) regulating WNT signaling. The impact of LGR4 inactivation was analyzed by adrenal cortex-specific ablation of Lgr4, which resulted in abnormal zG differentiation and endocrine function.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Maisa I. Alkailani, Mohamed Aittaleb, Fadel Tissir
Summary: Neurogenesis and tumorigenesis share common signaling molecules and pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and death. Abnormalities in these molecular mechanisms can lead to tumor formation and progression.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Junru Liu, Xinying Zhang, Yanyi Xu, Shengxiang Zhang
Summary: Wnt/beta-catenin signaling plays a key role in microglial activation following cerebral ischemia, and regulating microglial activation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuri Lee, Hai-long Piao, Jongchan Kim
Summary: The Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for regulating various cellular processes, and dysregulation of this pathway has been linked to human diseases, including cancer. In this study, researchers aimed to identify the deubiquitinases (DUBs) that regulate the pathway through the essential component LEF1. They discovered that OTUD7B interacts with LEF1 and activates Wnt signaling. Furthermore, OTUD7B promotes the nuclear localization of LEF1, leading to increased interaction with beta-catenin. This study suggests that OTUD7B may serve as a potential therapeutic target in diseases where Wnt signaling is dysregulated, such as cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Gyu Lee, Hwamok Oh, Jong Woo Park, Jueng Soo You, Jeung-Whan Han
Summary: Nuclear S6K1 functions in the regulation of Wnt target gene expression and has an impact on cell proliferation and invasion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zheng Qin, Yupei Li, Jiameng Li, Luojia Jiang, Zhuyun Zhang, Kaixi Chang, Qinbo Yang, Shanshan Chen, Ruoxi Liao, Baihai Su
Summary: This study found that exosomal STAT1 derived from HP-treated HUVECs can promote VSMC calcification. Activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway may be a potential mechanism of exosome-promoted VSMC calcification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Zeliha Guney, Sivge Kurgan, Canan Onder, Mahmure Ayse Tayman, Oemer Gunhan, Alpdogan Kantarci, Muhittin Abdulkadir Serdar, Meral Gunhan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the activity of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in gingival samples obtained from patients with periodontitis. The results showed that periodontal inflammation disrupts the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, leading to tissue inflammation and changes in morphology. This finding may shed light on the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael Latour, Nam-Gu Her, Santosh Kesari, Elmar Nurmemmedov
Summary: The WNT signaling pathway plays a crucial role in glioblastoma genesis and therapy resistance, presenting a therapeutic challenge. Current targeted therapies under clinical investigation may offer new treatment options.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yang Zhou, Jiang Xu, Haichang Luo, Xiangjing Meng, Ming Chen, Di Zhu
Summary: Abnormal activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway is closely related to tumorigenesis and immune surveillance, leading to increased resistance to immunotherapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mingliang He, Xiaoyang Lv, Xiukai Cao, Zehu Yuan, Tesfaye Getachew, Yutao Li, Shanhe Wang, Wei Sun
Summary: SRY-box transcription factor 18 (SOX18) is expressed in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) of sheep hair follicles and plays a crucial role in promoting DPC proliferation through activating the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway can be rescued by SOX18, suggesting the essential role of SOX18 in governing DPC proliferation and hair growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jung Ki Min, Hwee-Seon Park, Yoon-Beom Lee, Jae-Gyu Kim, Jong-Il Kim, Jae-Bong Park
Summary: Src, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, plays a critical role in cancer progression for various tissues. It regulates Wnt signaling through multiple signaling molecules, and aberrant regulation of this interaction can lead to the development of various diseases, particularly cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nives Pecina-Slaus, Sara Anicic, Anja Bukovac, Anja Kafka
Summary: In the search for improved antitumor therapies, inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway has emerged as a promising target due to its altered functioning in human tumors. The pathway's frequent mutations and epigenetic changes in tumors have promoted the investigation of Wnt signaling inhibitors. Studies have shown that knocking down specific components of the pathway inhibits tumor growth. This review discusses the inhibitors of the canonical Wnt pathway, evaluates their effectiveness as therapeutics, and examines their potential side effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Ian James Bell, Matthew Sheldon Horn, Terence John Van Raay
Summary: The non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways have different roles in cancer and development, involving calcium and Vangl2. Cells tend to choose non-canonical Wnt signaling over canonical Wnt signaling when presented with a choice, but this occurs rarely in vivo.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Frederic Abou Azar, Gareth E. Lim
Summary: The canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development and growth of various tissues throughout the body, impacting the development of metabolic diseases. A better understanding of the specific roles of the Wnt signaling pathway in different tissues can guide the development of future therapeutics for metabolic diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiangbin Ruan, Gaoao Liu, Jiafeng Zhou, Pan Chen, Changjie Sun, Wei Liu, Chao Wu, Lin Hou, Bin Yin, Boqin Qiang, Pengcheng Shu, Xiaozhong Peng
Summary: The study revealed the important role of Zbed3 in regulating neuronal layer fates during brain development. Overexpression of Zbed3 increased the generation of deep-layer neurons, while its knockdown shifted neuronal fates from deep layers to upper layers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongsheng Wang, Wanpeng Cui, Wenbing Chen, Fang Liu, Zhaoqi Dong, Guanglin Xing, Bin Luo, Nannan Gao, Wen-Jun Zou, Kai Zhao, Hongsheng Zhang, Xiao Ren, Zheng Yu, Heath L. Robinson, Zhipeng Liu, Wen-Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in regulating stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Inhibiting the activity of ErbB4 can attenuate hyperactivity of dopamine neurons after stress and expression of depression-like behaviors.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Dong Sun, Lin Mei, Wen-Cheng Xiong
Summary: The dentate gyrus, specifically the dorsal dentate granule cells (DGCs), play a crucial role in mood regulation and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. While ventral DGCs are known to be important for mood regulation, the functions of dorsal DGCs in this regard are still unclear. Dysfunctional dorsal DGCs have been implicated in various mental disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders. This review focuses on the role of DGCs, particularly dorsal DGCs, in mood regulation, their relationship with DGC development, and their contribution to mental disorders.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Lin, Luhui Li, Wen-Bing Chen, Jiang Chen, Dongyan Ren, Zhi-Heng Zheng, Changqin Zhao, Yanzi Zhong, Bin Luo, Hongyang Jing, Peng Chen, Suqi Zou, Xinsheng Lai, Tian Zhou, Ning Ding, Lei Li, Bing-Xing Pan, Erkang Fei
Summary: This study reveals that LHPP in the medial prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in preventing stress-induced depression-like behaviors. Genetic deletion of LHPP enhances depressive behaviors in mice under chronic social defeat stress, while overexpression of LHPP increases resilience. LHPP deficiency leads to increased levels of histidine kinases in the cortex and decreased glutamatergic transmission, contributing to stress-related depression.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min-Yi Wu, Wen-Jun Zou, Daehoon Lee, Lin Mei, Wen-Cheng Xiong
Summary: Sarcopenia, characterized by muscle mass and strength/function loss, is associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The underlying mechanisms for their associations are not well understood. The APP gene encodes amyloid precursor protein (APP), enriched at neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and synapses in the central nervous system (CNS). This review highlights the physiological functions of APP and its family members and the pathological roles of Swedish mutant APP (APP(swe)) in muscles and NMJ, providing insights into neuromuscular diseases and AD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rangjuan Cao, Peng Chen, Hongsheng Wang, Hongyang Jing, Hongsheng Zhang, Guanglin Xing, Bin Luo, Jinxiu Pan, Zheng Yu, Wen-Cheng Xiong, Lin Mei
Summary: This study reveals the important role of LRP4 in sensory terminal formation and maintenance, and its deficiency affects sensory synapses and movement coordination. LRP4 is critical for muscle spindle formation and maintenance, and its expression can alleviate the impairment in sensory terminals of aged mice. These observations shed light on the unexpected regulation of LRP4 in muscle spindle formation and maintenance and provide insights into the pathological mechanisms of abnormal muscle proprioception.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shan Yao, Min-Dong Xu, Ying Wang, Shen-Ting Zhao, Jin Wang, Gui-Fu Chen, Wen-Bing Chen, Jian Liu, Guo-Bin Huang, Wen-Juan Sun, Yan-Yan Zhang, Huan-Li Hou, Lei Li, Xiang-Dong Sun
Summary: The authors report a glycolytic deficit in mice under social stress, which is associated with depressive-like behaviors. They demonstrate that astrocytic LDHA affects neuronal excitability and the production of L-lactate, and this plays a role in preventing depressive-like behaviors. Mechanistic studies reveal that L-lactate promotes neuronal excitability through MCT2 and by inhibiting BK channels.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haiwen Li, Peipei Wang, Chen Zhang, Yuanbojiao Zuo, Yuan Zhou, Renzhi Han
Summary: In this study, Li et al. demonstrate that BVES acts as a negative feedback regulator of ADCY9-cAMP signaling in skeletal muscle, promoting muscle mass and function maintenance. BVES interacts with and negatively regulates ADCY9's activity, leading to the inhibition of the PKA signaling cascade and the prevention of ubiquitin proteasome degradation and autophagy initiation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Peipei Wang, Haiwen Li, Mandi Zhu, Rena Y. Han, Shuliang Guo, Renzhi Han
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of base-editing-mediated exon skipping as a therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The researchers successfully corrected gene mutations and induced exon skipping using adenine base editing (ABE) and guide RNA (gRNA) in DMD patient-derived cardiomyocytes, restoring dystrophin expression. These findings highlight the potential of ABE-mediated exon skipping as a promising therapeutic approach for DMD.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongyan Ren, Bin Luo, Peng Chen, Lulu Yu, Mingtao Xiong, Zhiqiang Fu, Tian Zhou, Wen-Bing Chen, Erkang Fei
Summary: DGCR2 gene is upregulated during neurodevelopment and enriched in postsynaptic densities. Deficiency of DGCR2 leads to decreased spine formation, glutamatergic transmission, and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, resulting in abnormal behaviors. This study provides insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of DGCR2 in 22q11DS and related mental disorders, highlighting DGCR2 as a novel cell adhesion molecule required for spine development and synaptic plasticity.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haiwen Li, Peipei Wang, Ethan Hsu, Kelsey M. Pinckard, Kristin I. Stanford, Renzhi Han
Summary: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R25 (LGMDR25) is caused by recessive mutations in BVES encoding a cAMP-binding protein. There is currently no therapeutic treatment for LGMDR25. This study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of AAV9.BVES gene therapy in BVES-knockout mice, improving muscle function and cardiac conduction abnormalities.