Review
Oncology
Guang Zhu, Ying Liu, Lei Zhao, Zhenhua Lin, Yingshi Piao
Summary: The study revealed that high SIX1 expression is associated with poor overall and disease-free survival in various cancer patients, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The potential of SIX1 expression as a cancer biomarker for prognosis in different cancer types was also indicated.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Luis Baudouin-Gonzalez, Amber Harper, Alistair P. McGregor, Lauren Sumner-Rooney
Summary: Animal visual systems show great diversity, but their development seems to be controlled by a set of conserved retinal determination genes (RDGs). Spiders, as masters of visual system innovation, provide an excellent opportunity to study the evolution of animal eyes. This study focuses on the expression and regulation of RDGs in spider eye development. The results suggest the roles of certain genes in constraining eye field size and position, as well as initiating photoreceptor differentiation.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Young Chun Lee, Mee Yon Lee, Hye-Young Shin
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the SIX1/SIX6 locus and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) in a Korean cohort. The results showed that the studied polymorphisms may not be associated with a genetic susceptibility to XFS in this population.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaoliang Gao, Yi Chu, Weijie Wang, Wenjiao Li, Wenyao Zhang, Jiayi Cao, Xin Fu, Hui Liu, Di Chen, Daiming Fan, Yongzhan Nie
Summary: This study found that SIX1 expression is increased in the livers of NAFLD patients and animal models. Overexpression or knockdown experiments using AAV9 vector showed that SIX1 can exacerbate inflammation, metabolic disorders, and hepatic steatosis in mouse models induced by HFHC or MCD diet. The mechanism study revealed that SIX1 directly activates the expression of LXRa/ss to induce de novo lipogenesis and regulates the TGF-ss pathway by increasing the levels of TGF ss RI/TGF ss RII in hepatic stellate cells. Lastly, liver-specific SIX1 deficiency was found to ameliorate the pathogenesis of diet-induced NAFLD.
LIVER INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong Jin, Manling Zhang, Meishuang Li, Hong Zhang, Lihua Zhao, Cheng Qian, Shensen Li, Hao Zhang, Min Gao, Binbin Pan, Rongfeng Li, Xin Wan, Changchun Cao
Summary: The study revealed that SIX1 protein promotes cell proliferation and migration, while reducing inflammation in kidney damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Le Lu, Jingjing Huang, Jiantao Mo, Xuanbo Da, Qiaoxin Li, Meng Fan, Hongwei Lu
Summary: Exosomes derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote migration, invasion, and glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through the miR-524-5p/SIX1 axis. TUG1 and SIX1 are upregulated in HCC patients with metastasis, while miR-524-5p is downregulated.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Hye-Young Shin, Young Chun Lee, Mee Yon Lee
Summary: The study demonstrated a significant association between two polymorphisms (rs10483727 and rs33912345) at the SIX1/SIX6 locus and genetic susceptibility to normal tension glaucoma in a Korean population.
JOURNAL OF GLAUCOMA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Shuang Liu, Xi Chen, Siqing Zhang, Xinyu Wang, Xiaoliu Du, Jiahe Chen, Guoping Zhou
Summary: This study revealed that miR-106b-5p plays a role in regulating pulmonary fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in asthma by targeting SIX1 through E2F1, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for asthma treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ruixun Wang, Daniel J. Leite, Linda Karadas, Philipp H. Schiffer, Matthias Pechmann
Summary: Cell migration is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms. In a study on spider embryos, it was found that the collective migration of signaling cells, known as the cumulus, is important for the establishment of the dorso-ventral body axis. The research demonstrates the involvement of FGF signaling in cumulus migration and the regulation of FGF signaling components by the transcription factor Ets4.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
John Girgis, Dabo Yang, Imane Chakroun, Yubing Liu, Alexandre Blais
Summary: The study identified Six1 transcription factor as a regulator of MCT10 gene expression, modulating fast-twitch muscle genes and skeletal muscle metabolism through the thyroid hormone signaling pathway.
Article
Oncology
Baoyan Xu, Qiao Yang, Yingzi Tang, Zhaoxia Tan, Haiyan Fu, Jing Peng, Xiaomei Xiang, Linlin Gan, Guohong Deng, Qing Mao, Pin-Xian Xu, Yi Jiang, Jianqiang Ding
Summary: This study revealed that the expression levels of SIX1 and EYA1 were significantly increased in patients with CHB and other liver diseases, suggesting their potential as novel biomarkers for liver damage, which could have clinical utility.
ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Agnieszka Ewa Czerwonka, Marta Katarzyna Sawadro, Jolanta Brozek, Agnieszka Izabela Babczy
Summary: In this study, the immune potential of spiders was assessed by exposing juvenile and adult females of Parasteatoda tepidariorum to Bacillus subtilis infection, injury by a nylon monofilament, and a combination of both. The expression levels of selected immune-related genes, production of lysozyme and HSP70 proteins, and hemocytes viability were measured. The results showed that the lysozyme, autophagy-related protein, and HSP70 genes were expressed in both developmental stages of P. tepidariorum. Simultaneous exposure to mechanical and biological factors resulted in higher levels of lysozyme and HSP70, increased cell apoptosis, and decreased hemocytes viability compared to single immunostimulant exposure. Furthermore, mature females exhibited stronger early immune responses compared to juveniles.
Article
Oncology
Ze-Xuan Fang, Chun-Lan Li, Zheng Wu, Yan-Yu Hou, Hua-Tao Wu, Jing Liu
Summary: This study investigated the expression pattern of SIX proteins in colorectal cancers (CRCs) and their relationship with clinicopathological parameters of CRC patients. The findings suggest that SIX4 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC patients.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROINTESTINAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Rouressol, John Briseno, Nidhi Vijayan, Grischa Y. Chen, Elena A. Ritschard, Gustavo Sanchez, Spencer V. Nyholm, Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, Oleg Simakov
Summary: By analyzing the topological, open chromatin, and transcriptomic data, this study identifies several co-regulated genes associated with the development of light organs and eyes. Comparative genomic analysis reveals distinct evolutionary origins of these regulatory associations, with a unique organization found in the DAC locus. The study discusses how changes in genome topology may have contributed to the evolutionary emergence of light organs.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Georgina Walton, Jonathan Mitchley, Geraldine Reid, Sven Batke
Summary: Cave art is an essential part of human history, offering insights into the lives and cultures of our ancestors. Prehistoric botanical art serves as an important medium to redefine our close relationship with plants. The research findings suggest that cave art from the European Palaeolithic period may have a deeper connection to modern plant awareness disparity. By encouraging a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world, cave art can help individuals reconnect with plants, addressing plant awareness disparity.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesus A. Ballesteros, Carlos E. Santibanez-Lopez, Caitlin M. Baker, Ligia R. Benavides, Tauana J. Cunha, Guilherme Gainett, Andrew Z. Ontano, Emily V. W. Setton, Claudia P. Arango, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Mark S. Harvey, Ward C. Wheeler, Gustavo Hormiga, Gonzalo Giribet, Prashant P. Sharma
Summary: Deciphering the evolutionary relationships of Chelicerata has been challenging due to their ancient rapid radiation and elevated evolutionary rates in some lineages. Despite conflicting hypotheses, the monophyly of Arachnida is widely accepted. However, our analysis of high-quality genomic and transcriptomic data suggests the nested placement of horseshoe crabs within a paraphyletic Arachnida. We found that genes and sites that recover arachnid monophyly are noisy and have low information content. Additionally, combined analysis of morphological and molecular data supports the placement of merostomates within Arachnida, indicating convergence driven by terrestrial adaptations.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Efrat Gavish-Regev, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Ibrahim N. A. Salman, Nitzan Segev, Assaf Uzan, Yebin Byun, Tanya Levy, Shlomi Aharon, Yoram Zvik, Raisa Shtuhin, Yotam Shapira, Marija Majer, Zeana Ganem, Sergei Zonstein, Ivan L. F. Magalhaes, Yael Lubin
Summary: Deserts are characterized by unpredictable precipitation and extreme temperatures. Fauna and flora in deserts are sensitive to anthropogenic environmental changes and often recover slowly from environmental disasters. The study found that burrow-dwelling spiders can be used as effective bioindicators of persistent soil pollution in desert habitats, as oil spills have long-lasting negative effects on their populations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bracha Schindler, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Tamar Keasar
Summary: The study investigated the non-target effect of the insecticide Indoxacarb on parasitoid wasp communities in vineyards, focusing on the dynamics of common wasp species and their abundance in different areas of the vineyard. The results showed that the insecticide had an impact on the parasitoid wasp community, particularly on parasitoids of lepidopterans. However, there was potential for recovery of the community through migration from nearby natural vegetation.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew Z. Ontano, Hugh G. Steiner, Prashant P. Sharma
Summary: The phylogenetic relationships between chelicerate orders are poorly resolved due to long branch attraction artifacts and limited sampling of key lineages. Palpigradi and Opilioacariformes have been consistently undersampled in chelicerate phylogeny, with Palpigradi possibly acting as another long-branch order and Opilioacariformes exhibiting slow evolutionary rate.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Enrico Bernard, Francisco William da Cruz Junior, Luis Beethoven Pilo, Allan Calux, Marconi Souza-Silva, Jos Barlow, Paulo S. Pompeu, Pedro Cardoso, Stefano Mammola
Article
Plant Sciences
Igor Armiach Steinpress, Mira Cohen, Julien Petillon, Ariel D. Chipman, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: This study focuses on the morphological, molecular, and behavioral characteristics of Lycosa spiders from the southern Levant region, and describes two new species. Additionally, the study re-describes a widespread and polymorphic species and explores the relationship of Levantine species to other Mediterranean species of Lycosa using molecular phylogeny analysis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ivan L. F. Magalhaes, Shlomi Aharon, Zeana Ganem, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: We describe a new troglophilic species of Filistata, F. betarif sp. nov., collected from two caves in central Israel. The genetic divergence between the new species and its sibling, F. insidiatrix, is more than 15%. The two species can only be diagnosed based on a minor morphological detail in the male pedipalp, while females cannot be diagnosed based on morphology alone. Samples of F. insidiatrix from different localities show significant genetic divergence, suggesting the presence of additional cryptic diversity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2022)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Mammola, Jagoba Malumbres-Olarte, Valeria Arabesky, Diego Alejandro Barrales-Alcala, Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, Marco Antonio Benamu, Tharina L. Bird, Maria Bogomolova, Pedro Cardoso, Maria Chatzaki, Ren-Chung Cheng, Tien-Ai Chu, Leticia M. Classen-Rodriguez, Iva Cupic, Naufal Urfi Dhiya'ulhaq, Andre-Philippe Drapeau Picard, Hisham K. El-Hennawy, Mert Elverici, Caroline S. Fukushima, Zeana Ganem, Efrat Gavish-Regev, Naledi T. Gonnye, Axel Hacala, Charles R. Haddad, Thomas Hesselberg, Tammy Ai Tian Ho, Thanakorn Into, Marco Isaia, Dharmaraj Jayaraman, Nanguei Karuaera, Rajashree Khalap, Kiran Khalap, Dongyoung Kim, Tuuli Korhonen, Simona Kralj-Fiser, Heidi Land, Shou-Wang Lin, Sarah Loboda, Elizabeth Lowe, Yael Lubin, Alejandro Martinez, Zingisile Mbo, Marija Milicic, Grace Mwende Kioko, Veronica Nanni, Yusoff Norma-Rashid, Daniel Nwankwo, Christina J. Painting, Aleck Pang, Paolo Pantini, Martina Pavlek, Richard Pearce, Booppa Petcharad, Julien Petillon, Onjaherizo Christian Raberahona, Philip Russo, Joni A. Saarinen, Laura Segura-Hernandez, Lenka Sentenska, Gabriele Uhl, Leilani Walker, Charles M. Warui, Konrad Wisniewski, Alireza Zamani, Angela Chuang, Catherine Scott
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caitlin M. Baker, Jesus A. Ballesteros, Shlomi Aharon, Guilherme Gainett, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Gil Wizen, Prashant P. Sharma, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: This study investigated the population genomics of two whip spider species, revealing complete genetic distinction between them and considerable variability in eye reduction in one of the species. The results suggest both species are likely parthenogenetic and that variation in eye morphology is primarily driven by epigenetic mechanisms.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Megan E. E. Dowdle, Charlotte R. R. Kanzler, Cole R. K. Harder, Samuel Moffet, Maya N. N. Walker, Michael D. D. Sheets
Summary: Bicaudal-C is a crucial RNA binding protein that regulates development in various organisms, from fruit flies to vertebrate embryos. It has a broad impact on developmental biology, influencing cell fates and being associated with defects in human diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Charlotte R. Kanzler, Michael Donohue, Megan E. Dowdle, Michael D. Sheets
Summary: BioID is a proximity labeling strategy used to identify protein-protein interactions in vivo. TurboID, a newly developed biotin ligase, is more efficient and does not require additional biotin. This study compares TurboID to BioID2 in developing Xenopus embryos, and TurboID is shown to have several advantages.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shlomi Aharon, Jesus A. Ballesteros, Guilherme Gainett, Dror Hawlena, Prashant P. Sharma, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: Caves are unique environments that promote speciation and endemism through adaptations and reduced gene flow. A recent survey of Israeli caves revealed the presence of troglophilic and troglobitic Tegenaria spiders, which show phenotypic differences and genetic separation. Further analysis identified seven new troglobitic species and revealed a complex biogeographic history, suggesting closer relatedness to eastern-Mediterranean congeners than to local troglophile species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Ahlan S. Ferdous, Stephany J. Costa Dos Santos, Charlotte R. Kanzler, Heaji Shin, Brian H. Carrick, Sarah L. Crittenden, Marvin Wickens, Judith Kimble
Summary: PUF RNA-binding proteins are conserved stem cell regulators that work together with intrinsically disordered proteins LST-1 and SYGL-1 to regulate self-renewal of Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells. This study investigates the molecular activities of LST-1-PUF and SYGL-1-PUF partnerships in nematode stem cells and confirms the importance of the LST-1-PUF partnership in repressing gene expression and forming an effector complex on PUF target RNAs.
Article
Entomology
Zeana Ganem, Marco Ferrante, Yael Lubin, Igor Armiach Steinpress, Moshe Gish, Rakefet Sharon, Ally R. Harari, Tamar Keasar, Efrat Gavish-Regev
Summary: This study investigated the composition of spider species in Mediterranean vineyard habitats. The results showed that spider species diversity was influenced by season and habitat, with more species found in early summer and higher diversity in the natural habitat compared to the vineyards. While some species were present in both vineyards and natural habitats, the composition of the spider assemblages differed between the two.
