Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Coralie Mergault, Fanny Lisee, Victor Tiroille, Melia Magnien, Christelle Parent, Woodys Lenga Mabonda, Damien Sizaret, Madeleine Jaillet, Bruno Crestani, Sylvain Marchand-Adam, Laurent Plantier
Summary: The study found that the expression of the Arp2/3 complex was increased in profibrotic environments in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of the Arp2/3 complex repressed ACTA2 and COL1 expression and blocked the Akt/phospho-GSK3 beta/beta-catenin/MRTF-A pathway in lung fibroblasts. CK666 demonstrated antifibrotic properties in the lung in vivo.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Bastien Burat, Audrey Reynaerts, Dominique Baiwir, Maximilien Fleron, Sophie Gohy, Gauthier Eppe, Teresinha Leal, Gabriel Mazzucchelli
Summary: Despite international consensus on diagnosis guidelines and tests, the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) in clinical routine remains challenging. The classical sweat chloride concentration test may provide normal or equivocal results. Therefore, the search for new CF biomarkers is justified. The discovery of companion biomarkers of CF severity and phenotypic rescue is important for precision medicine.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincent Jean-Pierre, Agathe Boudet, Pauline Sorlin, Quentin Menetrey, Raphael Chiron, Jean-Philippe Lavigne, Helene Marchandin
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that can survive and cause diseases in various clinical settings, including Cystic Fibrosis. In Cystic Fibrosis, S. aureus is the most commonly identified opportunistic pathogen, and its colonization/infection can become chronic in about one third of patients. S. aureus's ability to form biofilm is a crucial factor contributing to its persistence and protection in the lungs of CF patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Sandeep M. Nalluri, Chinmay S. Sankhe, Joseph W. O'Connor, Paul L. Blanchard, Joelle N. Khouri, Steven H. Phan, Gage Virgi, Esther W. Gomez
Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process essential for embryogenesis and wound healing, but also implicated in pathologies like fibrosis and cancer. Regulation of phosphorylation status can impact cell physiology and gene expression changes during TGFβ1-induced EMT, highlighting the crucial role of intricate crosstalk between signaling cascades in regulating EMT processes.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Chemistry, Physical
Binhan Yu, Xi Wang, Junji Iwahara
Summary: In this study, the local electrostatic potentials around DNA were measured using paramagnetic NMR. The experimental results confirmed the theoretical predictions and provided a new method for investigating the electrostatic properties of nucleic acids.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zeynab Mousavikhamene, Daniel J. Sykora, Milan Mrksich, Neda Bagheri
Summary: This research successfully introduced an algorithm that could distinguish cancer from non-cancer cells in high-resolution single cell images by exploiting structural differences in the cytoskeleton. Overcoming the barrier of insufficient data in machine learning methodologies, the study identified the most discriminatory features to predict cell type accurately with as few as 100 cells per line. Furthermore, normalizing cell shape improved discrimination of cell lines with difficult-to-distinguish phenotypes, demonstrating the generalizability of the algorithm across various tissue origins.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Letter
Chemistry, Physical
Binhan Yu, Xi Wang, Junji Iwahara
Summary: In this study, measurements of local electrostatic potentials around DNA were successfully conducted using paramagnetic NMR, confirming theoretical predictions and Coulombic end effects of DNA. The experimental data were in good agreement with the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, showcasing the potential of this NMR method for studying electrostatic properties of nucleic acids.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jenny Zheng, John Mallon, Alex Lammers, Theopi Rados, Thomas Litschel, Edmund R. R. Moody, Diego A. Ramirez-Diaz, Amy Schmid, Tom A. Williams, Alexandre W. Bisson-Filho, Ethan Garner
Summary: We discovered a homolog of actin called Salactin in halophilic archaea. Like the filaments involved in DNA segregation in eukaryotes, Salactin grows out of the cell poles towards the middle and quickly depolymerizes, exhibiting dynamic instability. We also found that Salactin affects the distribution of DNA in daughter cells under low-phosphate growth conditions, suggesting its involvement in segregating DNA when there are only a few copies of the chromosome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeynab Alborzi, Maria-Dolors Piulachs
Summary: The transcription factor Ftz-f1 plays multiple roles in insect development, including the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes in insect ovaries. Injecting dsftz-f1 into female Blattella germanica at different time points prevented oviposition and resulted in changes in gene expression related to steroidogenesis. These findings suggest that Ftz-f1 regulates the expression of steroidogenic genes in B. germanica, with phm possibly being a key target.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seung-Yeon Joe, Seul-Gi Yang, Jae-Ho Lee, Hyo-Jin Park, Deog-Bon Koo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of paclitaxel, a microtubule stabilizer, on the developmental potential of pig blastocysts. The findings suggest that the stabilization of F-actin cytoskeleton through P38 MAPK activation can improve the developmental competence of pig blastocysts. However, high concentrations of paclitaxel disrupt blastocyst development by causing F-actin aggregation, cytokinesis defects, and over-expression of p-P38 MAPK protein.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Minqi Liang, Yizhe Li, Kexin Zhang, Yujia Zhu, Jingyao Liang, Minjie Liu, Shuqing Zhang, Delin Chen, Hao Liang, Linyue Liang, Shu An, Xun Zhu, Zhenjian He
Summary: In this study, we found that the host factor DUSP5 was upregulated after dengue virus infection and demonstrated its role in inhibiting viral replication. DUSP5 restricts viral entry into host cells by negatively regulating the ERK-MLCK-Myosin IIB signaling axis and suppressing F-actin rearrangement. Furthermore, DUSP5 exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral effects against dengue and Zika viruses.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yan-Fang Zhang, Shu-Tong Chen, Yun Gao, Long Yang, Hua Yu
Summary: Nicotiana alata, widely used in landscaping, has both ornamental and commercial/medical value. The global potential habitat and environmental factors affecting its distribution are not well understood. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict the global suitable habitats of N. alata under current and future climate conditions. The results identified key bioclimatic variables and revealed the distribution patterns of N. alata. The findings provide valuable information for the reasonable planting of N. alata.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Tanushree Kundu, Sooraj Siva Das, Lisas K. Sewatkar, Divya S. Kumar, Dhriti Nagar, Aurnab Ghose
Summary: The study found that Fmn2 regulates the formation of axonal collateral protrusions in chick and zebrafish, localizing to the protrusion-initiating axonal F-actin patches and regulating their lifetime and size. The F-actin nucleation activity of Fmn2 is necessary for patch stability but not for patch formation. Fmn2 insulates the F-actin patches from disassembly by ADF, promoting long-lived, larger patches that can initiate axonal protrusions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liyuan Xu, Lingyan Cao, Jiejie Li, Christopher J. Staiger
Summary: By combining genetic and small molecule inhibitor approaches, this study reveals the roles of two classes of actin filament nucleator in maintaining the homeostatic cortical cytoskeleton array in Arabidopsis epidermal cells. The findings suggest that multiple actin nucleation mechanisms cooperate to generate and maintain the unique cytoskeletal arrays within a common cytoplasm.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Biljana Ermanoska, Bob Asselbergh, Laura Morant, Maria-Luise Petrovic-Erfurth, Seyyedmohsen Hosseinibarkooie, Ricardo Leitao-Goncalves, Leonardo Almeida-Souza, Sven Bervoets, Litao Sun, LaTasha Lee, Derek Atkinson, Akram Khanghahi, Ivaylo Tournev, Patrick Callaerts, Patrik Verstreken, Xiang-Lei Yang, Brunhilde Wirth, Avital A. Rodal, Vincent Timmerman, Bruce L. Goode, Tanja A. Godenschwege, Albena Jordanova
Summary: Mutations in tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and other tRNA ligases cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth peripheral neuropathy, with dysregulation of F-actin organization playing a role. A gain-of-function mechanism is implicated in the pathogenicity. Genetic modulation of F-actin improves neuronal features in flies expressing the disease-causing mutations. This study reveals the evolutionary-conserved role of YARS1 as an F-actin organizer and its link to tRNA-synthetase-induced neurodegeneration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Laskowska, Joanna Mystkowska, Dawid Lysik, Sylwia Chmielewska, Grazyna Tokajuk, Iwona Misztalewska-Turkowicz, Agnieszka Z. Wilczewska, Robert Bucki
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lukasz Suprewicz, Grazyna Tokajuk, Mateusz Ciesluk, Piotr Deptula, Teresa Sierpinska, Przemyslaw Wolak, Tomasz Wollny, Joanna Tokajuk, Stanislaw Gluszek, Ewelina Piktel, Robert Bucki
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Jakub Spalek, Piotr Deptula, Mateusz Ciesluk, Agnieszka Strzelecka, Dawid Lysik, Joanna Mystkowska, Tamara Daniluk, Grzegorz Krol, Stanislaw Gozdz, Robert Bucki, Bonita Durnas, Slawomir Okla
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sylwia Joanna Chmielewska, Karol Sklodowski, Joanna Depciuch, Piotr Deptula, Ewelina Piktel, Krzysztof Fiedoruk, Patrycja Kot, Paulina Paprocka, Kamila Fortunka, Tomasz Wollny, Przemyslaw Wolak, Magdalena Parlinska-Wojtan, Paul B. Savage, Robert Bucki
Summary: By linking cationic steroid antimicrobial ceragenin CSA-131 with gold nanoparticles Au NPs, a new class of potent nanoantibiotics with strong bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria has been developed, showing potential for effective eradication of MDR strains.
Article
Oncology
Ewelina Piktel, Ilona Oscilowska, Lukasz Suprewicz, Joanna Depciuch, Natalia Marcinczyk, Ewa Chabielska, Przemyslaw Wolak, Katarzyna Gluszek, Justyna Klimek, Piotr M. Zielinski, Michal T. Marzec, Paul B. Savage, Magdalena Parlinska-Wojtan, Robert Bucki
Summary: In this study, a novel nanosystem based on ceragenin CSA-131 attached to peanut-shaped gold nanoparticles demonstrated high effectiveness against ovarian cancer cells and limited toxicity. The use of non-spherical gold nanoparticles as a delivery platform for antineoplastics shows promise in enhancing therapeutic outcomes for ovarian malignancy.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Karol Sklodowski, Sylwia Joanna Chmielewska, Joanna Depciuch, Piotr Deptula, Ewelina Piktel, Tamara Daniluk, Magdalena Zakrzewska, Michal Czarnowski, Mateusz Ciesluk, Bonita Durnas, Magdalena Parlinska-Wojtan, Paul B. Savage, Robert Bucki
Summary: Patients with chronic diabetes are more susceptible to infections.
Review
Microbiology
Tomasz Wollny, Tamara Daniluk, Ewelina Piktel, Urszula Wnorowska, Anna Buklaha, Katarzyna Gluszek, Bonita Durnas, Robert Bucki
Summary: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, chronic, functional disorder that impacts a large proportion of the world population, with its pathophysiology not fully understood. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development of IBS, and therefore targeting microbial modulation may effectively enhance therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jakub Spalek, Przemyslaw Ociepa, Piotr Deptula, Ewelina Piktel, Tamara Daniluk, Grzegorz Krol, Stanislaw Gozdz, Robert Bucki, Slawomir Okla
Summary: This article describes the clinical application of different types of biomaterials in the field of otorhinolaryngology, focusing on their antimicrobial properties. Various biomaterials, such as ceramics and polymers, are widely used in ear, nose, and throat surgery. It is important to consider tissue restoration and prevention of microbial colonization when designing implant materials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Joanna Tokajuk, Piotr Deptula, Sylwia J. Chmielewska, Karol Sklodowski, Zaneta A. Mierzejewska, Malgorzata Gradzka-Dahlke, Adam Tolstoj, Tamara Daniluk, Paulina Paprocka, Paul B. Savage, Robert Bucki
Summary: Ceragenin CSA-44 has been found to prevent biofilm formation on the surface of teeth and composite filling, as well as reduce the mass of established biofilm. This suggests that CSA-44 may serve as a potential agent in the development of new methods to combat oral pathogens and reduce the severity of oral infections.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Tokajuk, Piotr Deptula, Ewelina Piktel, Tamara Daniluk, Sylwia Chmielewska, Tomasz Wollny, Przemyslaw Wolak, Krzysztof Fiedoruk, Robert Bucki
Summary: The mechanisms for maintaining oral cavity homeostasis are influenced by environmental factors, and the oral microbiota and immune molecules play important roles. The LL-37 peptide is involved in maintaining microbial balance and is associated with the development of oral pathologies and systemic diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomasz Wollny, Urszula Wnorowska, Ewelina Piktel, Lukasz Suprewicz, Grzegorz Krol, Katarzyna Gluszek, Stanislaw Gozdz, Janusz Kopczynski, Robert Bucki
Summary: The role of inflammation in bladder cancer development is still unclear. This study investigates the potential role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a regulator of cellular processes in inflammation and cancer, and its effect on the expression of human cathelicidin (hCAP-18). The study suggests that S1P may promote bladder cancer development by stimulating the expression of hCAP-18.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Mateusz Ciesluk, Katarzyna Pogoda, Ewelina Piktel, Urszula Wnorowska, Piotr Deptula, Robert Bucki
Summary: The evaluation of nanomechanical properties of tissues is increasingly important in both health and disease. These properties are influenced by the composition of the extracellular matrix and significantly impact tissue physiology and cell behavior. Pathophysiological changes result in significant alterations in tissue mechanics, potentially affecting drug efficacy, which is often overlooked in current in vitro experimental models.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dawid Lysik, Piotr Deptula, Sylwia Chmielewska, Robert Bucki, Joanna Mystkowska
Summary: This study investigated the biofilm formation of C. krusei and S. mutans on the surface of PLA and PCL immersed in artificial saliva. The mass and topography of the biofilm were assessed using microscopic observations and spectrometric measurements. The findings showed that the biofilm, especially S. mutans, promoted polymer degradation, highlighting the need for additional antimicrobial strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paulina Zeliszewska, Monika Wasilewska, Piotr Batys, Katarzyna Pogoda, Piotr Deptula, Robert Bucki, Zbigniew Adamczyk
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption kinetics of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein subunit with the receptor binding domain on abiotic surfaces using a combination of sensitive methods. The results showed that the protein adsorbed on mica and silica surfaces in compact quasi-spherical aggregates under different pH conditions, and the experimental data were successfully interpreted in terms of theoretical results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Grzegorz Krol, Kamila Fortunka, Michal Majchrzak, Ewelina Piktel, Paulina Paprocka, Angelika Mankowska, Agata Lesiak, Maciej Karasinski, Agnieszka Strzelecka, Bonita Durnas, Robert Bucki
Summary: The usage of nanotechnology in fighting parasitic diseases is in the early stages of development. It brings hopes for targeting early parasitosis stages, compensating the lack of vaccines, and finding new treatment options for drug-resistant parasites. The physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, such as size, shape, surface charge, surfactants, and shell molecules, play important roles in designing metallic nanoparticles and specific nanosystems. The development of antiparasitic drugs and diagnostic tools using nanotechnology is expected to provide new and effective methods to improve prevention and reduce morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases.