Article
Cell Biology
Kun Zhou, Qiaoli Chen, Jiamou Chen, Derong Liang, Weikuan Feng, Minjun Liu, Qi Wang, Ruizhen Wang, Qian Ouyang, Chao Quan, Shuai Chen
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in the spatiotemporal control of insulin signaling. LLPS regulates multiple components, including IRS1, and is involved in the formation of intracellular IRS1 condensates. Insulin stimulation and protein concentration drive the formation of IRS1 condensates, which function as intracellular signal hubs for insulin signaling. Impairment of IRS1 condensate formation is observed in insulin resistant cells. Overall, LLPS plays an important role in the regulation of insulin signaling.
Article
Biology
Payam E. Farahani, Xiaoyu Yang, Emily Mesev, Kaylan A. Fomby, Ellen H. Brumbaugh-Reed, Caleb J. Bashor, Celeste M. Nelson, Jared E. Toettcher
Summary: pYtags is a modular approach for monitoring the activity of a specific RTK by live-cell microscopy. It enables monitoring of a specific RTK on different time and space scales with high specificity. Using pYtag biosensors, signaling dynamics can be quantitatively characterized with different activating ligands. The specificity and modularity of pYtags open the door to robust biosensors of multiple tyrosine kinases.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Qian Zhang, Larry D. Mesner, Gina M. Calabrese, Naomi Dirckx, Zhu Li, Angela Verardo, Qian Yang, Robert J. Tower, Marie-Claude Faugere, Charles R. Farber, Thomas L. Clemens
Summary: This study showed that SNPs within a BMD locus on chromosome 14q32.32 alter splicing and expression of MARK3, leading to changes in bone mass. It was found that genetically regulated alterations in MARK3 expression perturb cell signaling in osteoblasts to influence bone mass, revealing a new mechanism in bone metabolism.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David A. Hernandez-Espinosa, Rocio Alcantara-Hernandez, K. Helivier Solis, J. Adolfo Garcia-Sainz
Summary: By substituting phosphorylation sites with non-phosphorylatable amino acids, the function of the alpha(1B)-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation sites in mediating receptor function was evaluated. The results showed that phosphorylation sites in the IL3 and Ctail domains play a significant role in regulating receptor function and mediating desensitization in response to phorbol ester.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Changxuan Xia, Guohua Liang, Kang Chong, Yunyuan Xu
Summary: Improvement of chilling tolerance is crucial in rice production and depends on the signaling network triggered by receptors, but little is known about the QTL genes encoding membrane complexes for sensing cold. In this study, the major gene COG1, which originates from Chinese O. Rufipogon and is fixed in japonica rice during domestication, is found to confer chilling tolerance in japonica rice. COG1 targets and activates the kinase OsSERL2 in a cold-induced manner, promoting chilling tolerance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Citlaly Gutierrez-Rodelo, Araceli Arellano-Plancarte, Judith Hernandez-Aranda, Huguet Landa-Galvan, G. Karina Parra-Mercado, Nicole J. Moreno-Licona, Karla D. Hernandez-Gonzalez, Kevin J. Catt, Rafael Villalobos-Molina, J. Alberto Olivares-Reyes
Summary: Angiotensin II plays a critical role in regulating insulin signaling in the cardiovascular system and metabolic tissues. However, in adipose cells, it inhibits insulin actions through activation of PKC, leading to insulin resistance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shaoyan Gao, Xiaohe Li, Qiuyan Jiang, Qing Liang, Fangxia Zhang, Shuangling Li, Ruiqin Zhang, Jiaoyan Luan, Jingyan Zhu, Xiaoting Gu, Ting Xiao, Hui Huang, Shanshan Chen, Wen Ning, Guang Yang, Cheng Yang, Honggang Zhou
Summary: Our study demonstrates that PKM2 promotes fibrosis progression by interacting with Smad7 and enhancing TGF-beta 1 signaling. Increased expression of PKM2 in the lungs of mice with pulmonary fibrosis contributes to fibrosis development. The PKM2 tetramer enhances TGF-beta 1 signaling by directly binding with Smad7, making it a key factor in fibrosis progression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iram Fatima, Susmita Barman, JayaPrakash Uppada, Shailender Chauhan, Sanchita Rauth, Satyanarayana Rachagani, Moorthy Palanimuthu Ponnusamy, Lynette Smith, Geoffrey Talmon, Amar B. Singh, Surinder K. Batra, Punita Dhawan
Summary: This study reveals a critical role of MASTL in promoting pancreatic cancer malignancy and therapy resistance by modulating protein stability and kinase signaling. Combinatorial therapy targeting MASTL enhances the cell-killing effects of Gemcitabine, demonstrating its potential as a novel target to improve sensitivity to anti-pancreatic cancer therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenchu Lin, Alicia M. Blessing, Thomas L. Pulliam, Yan Shi, Sandi R. Wilkenfeld, Jenny J. Han, Mollianne M. Murray, Alexander H. Pham, Kevin Duong, Sonja N. Brun, Reuben J. Shaw, Michael M. Ittmann, Daniel E. Frigo
Summary: The study revealed that androgen receptor can promote prostate cancer progression by activating the CAMKK2-AMPK-ULK1 signaling cascade. Disruption of CAMKK2 can impair tumor growth in CRPC models, while an inhibitor of AMPK-ULK1 can block autophagy and cell growth in prostate cancer cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenbin Zhang, Yang Tang, Yilong Hu, Yuhua Yang, Jiajia Cai, Hailun Liu, Chunyu Zhang, Xu Liu, Xingliang Hou
Summary: NF-YC proteins act as essential repressors of the BR pathway during light-controlled hypocotyl growth in Arabidopsis, inhibiting BR biosynthesis and signaling to ensure photomorphogenic growth.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xue Wen Ng, Yong Hee Chung, Farzad Asadi, Chen Kong, Alessandro Ustione, David W. Piston
Summary: Excessive glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha-cells contributes to hyperglycemia in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This study reveals the role of EphA-RhoA signaling pathway in regulating glucagon secretion. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying insulin secretion.
Article
Oncology
Zhenlin Huang, Bo Tang, Yinhui Yang, Zhaogang Yang, Lei Shi, Yang Bai, Binyuan Yan, R. Jeffrey Karnes, Jun Zhang, Rafael Jimenez, Liguo Wang, Qiang Wei, Jinjian Yang, Wanhai Xu, Zhankui Jia, Haojie Huang
Summary: The study identifies a previously unrecognized tumor suppressive role of the inflammation-activated MAP3K7-IKKβ axis in degrading AR protein. Additionally, the findings suggest that aberrant elevation of AR protein could serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for MAP3K7-deficient prostate cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Franciosa, Marie Locard-Paulet, Lars J. Jensen, Jesper Olsen
Summary: Mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics is the leading method for studying global kinase signaling. Various technological improvements and bioinformatic resources are available to accurately identify and quantify phosphopeptides, interpret large-scale data, and understand kinase network functional role. This review presents the latest experimental and bioinformatic tools for profiling protein kinase signaling networks and their applications in biomedicine.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shutang Tan, Christian Luschnig, Jiri Friml
Summary: The plant hormone auxin is central to plant growth and development, with protein phosphorylation emerging as a crucial post-translational modification type regulating auxin output. This review comprehensively discusses the genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology of kinases and phosphatases involved in auxin action, providing insights into the mechanisms of developmental auxin responses and future directions for integrating protein phosphorylation control into the molecular auxin network.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xinwei Liu, Jing Hao, Peng Wei, Xiaohong Zhao, Qiuyan Lan, Lu Ni, Yongzhen Chen, Xue Bai, Ling Ni, Chen Dong
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that SMAD4 plays a critical role in promoting CD8(+) T cell function in both tumor and infection models. SMAD4-mediated transcriptional regulation enhances CD8(+) T cell activation and cytotoxicity through the T cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway. Furthermore, SMAD4 is directly phosphorylated by ERK following TCR activation.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Weigang Cai, Michaela Egertova, Cleidiane G. Zampronio, Alexandra M. Jones, Maurice R. Elphick
Summary: This study provides the first insights into the expression and function of CRH-type neuropeptides in the unique context of the pentaradially symmetrical body plan of an echinoderm. The neuropeptide ArCRH was found to have a widespread pattern of expression in the central nervous system and locomotory organs of the starfish Asterias rubens.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Scott Ferguson, Ashley Jones, Kevin Murra, Benjamin Schwessinger, Justin O. Borevitz
Summary: Synteny loss, primarily caused by unequal homologous recombination, is commonly observed when comparing closely related species. In this study, the genomes of three closely related Eucalyptus species were analyzed, revealing that approximately 48% of the genomes remained syntenic while approximately 36% underwent rearrangements. It was found that rearrangements highly fragmented microsynteny and potentially altered the phenotypes of the Eucalyptus species. This study highlights the importance of using an unbiased framework in genomic variation studies and emphasizes the potential impact of rearrangements on species differentiation and adaptation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley Jones, David Stanley, Scott Ferguson, Benjamin Schwessinger, Justin Borevitz, Norman Warthmann
Summary: This study presents a cost-conscious protocol for generating multiplexed short-read DNA libraries using a bead-linked transposome from Illumina, which reduces costs and labor time compared to conventional methods.
Article
Plant Sciences
Nicolas P. Jimenez, Mitchell J. J. Feldmann, Randi A. A. Famula, Dominique D. A. Pincot, Marta Bjornson, Glenn S. S. Cole, Steven J. J. Knapp
Summary: This study investigates the development of resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in strawberry cultivars. The research shows that there have been negligible genetic gains in breeding for resistance, despite the high heritability of the resistance trait. Through genome-wide association studies, a significant genetic locus associated with resistance was identified. Adding underutilized gene bank resources to the breeding population increased the genetic variance and improved the accuracy of genomic selection. Parent selection based on genomic-estimated breeding values and genetic variances holds promise for enhancing resistance in strawberries.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Thomas A. DeFalco, Wolfgang Moeder, Keiko Yoshioka
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyle W. Bender, Cyril Zipfel
Summary: Plant receptor kinases (RKs) regulate various aspects throughout the plant life cycle by perceiving diverse ligands and activating downstream signaling. They are encoded by expanded gene families and are typically activated by co-receptor recruitment. Post-translational modifications play crucial roles in the activation and attenuation of RK-mediated signaling and RKs activate a common set of downstream signaling processes through receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs).
BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiashu Chu, Isabel Monte, Thomas A. DeFalco, Philipp Koster, Paul Derbyshire, Frank L. H. Menke, Cyril Zipfel
Summary: In this study, the researchers discovered that MpRBOH1 and MpPBLa, single members of the RBOH and PBL families in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, are essential for chitin-induced ROS production. MpPBLa directly interacts with and phosphorylates MpRBOH1, and this phosphorylation is crucial for chitin-induced ROS production mediated by MpRBOH1.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arsheed H. Sheikh, Iosif Zacharia, Alonso J. Pardal, Ana Dominguez-Ferreras, Daniela J. Sueldo, Jung-Gun Kim, Alexi Balmuth, Jose R. Gutierrez, Brendon F. Conlan, Najeeb Ullah, Olivia M. Nippe, Anil M. Girija, Chih-Hang Wu, Guido Sessa, Alexandra M. E. Jones, Murray R. Grant, Miriam L. Gifford, Mary Beth Mudgett, John P. Rathjen, Vardis Ntoukakis
Summary: In both plants and animals, nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors play critical roles in pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity. By studying the tomato Prf/Pto NLR resistance complex, the researchers identified the 14-3-3 proteins TFT1 and TFT3 as interacting partners of the NLR complex and the protein kinase MAPKKK alpha. They also found that the helper NRC proteins are integral components of the Prf/Pto NLR recognition complex. The study provides mechanistic insights into the activation of immune receptors and initiation of downstream signaling cascades.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Powell, Benjamin Schwessinger, Celine H. Frere
Summary: Researchers uncover new information on the evolutionary relationship of emerging fungal pathogens through mitochondrial genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of seven species. They also develop a species-specific qPCR assay for rapid detection and demonstrate its application in a wild urban population of a dragon lizard.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yukihisa Goto, Noriko Maki, Jan Sklenar, Paul Derbyshire, Frank L. H. Menke, Cyril Zipfel, Yasuhiro Kadota, Ken Shirasu
Summary: This study reveals a novel negative regulator, PB1CP, for RBOHD and elucidates its possible regulatory mechanisms involving the removal of phosphorylated BIK1 from RBOHD and the promotion of RBOHD endocytosis.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Robyn N. Hall, Ashley Jones, Emma Crean, Victoria Marriott, Nevada Pingault, Alexandra Marmor, Timothy Sloan-Gardner, Karina Kennedy, Kerryn Coleman, Vanessa Johnston, Benjamin Schwessinger
Summary: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) detected an incursion of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. Public health interventions, including a territory-wide lockdown and comprehensive contact tracing, were rapidly implemented. Genomic sequencing revealed at least 13 independent incursions with onward spread in the community, and different incursions affected distinct cohorts.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Huanjie Yang, Xeniya Kim, Jan Sklenar, Sebastien Aubourg, Gloria Sancho-Andres, Elia Stahl, Marie-Charlotte Guillou, Nora Gigli-Bisceglia, Loup Tran Van Canh, Kyle W. Bender, Annick Stintzi, Philippe Reymond, Clara Sanchez-Rodriguez, Christa Testerink, Jean-Pierre Renou, Frank L. H. Menke, Andreas Schaller, Jack Rhodes, Cyril Zipfel
Summary: This study reveals the highly expanded SCOOP signalling peptide family in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, with at least 50 members, whose activities are strictly dependent upon the receptor kinase MIK2. Two classes of subtilases are involved in processing PROSCOOPs to generate bioactive SCOOP peptides. Mutations in these subtilases phenocopy the mik2 receptor mutant, demonstrating the biological relevance of SCOOP perception by MIK2.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hee-Seung Choi, Marta Bjornson, Jiubo Liang, Jinzheng Wang, Haiyan Ke, Manhoi Hur, Amancio De Souza, Kavitha Satish Kumar, Jenny C. Mortimer, Katayoon Dehesh
Summary: Plant survival relies on dynamic stress-response pathways. This study uncovers a mutant in the conserved oligomeric Golgi complex that exhibits accelerated senescence under dark-induced carbon deprivation. The mutant shows accelerated protein ubiquitination and autophagy, as well as increased protein N-glycosylation during senescence. The findings highlight the importance of Golgi functional integrity for cellular survival under energy-limited conditions.