Article
Cell Biology
Xinyuan Liu, Jian Xu, Bingbing Shen, Jichuan Xu, Jianxin Jiang
Summary: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with a survival rate below 5%. Abnormal proliferation and distant metastasis are major challenges for the diagnosis and treatment of PC, making it crucial for researchers to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying PC proliferation and metastasis. This study found that USP33, a member of the deubiquitinating enzyme family, is upregulated in PC samples and cells, and its high expression is associated with poor prognosis. Functional experiments showed that USP33 overexpression promotes PC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while inhibition of USP33 has the opposite effect. The study also identified TGFBR2 as a potential binding protein of USP33 and revealed a positive feedback loop between USP33 and the TGF-beta signaling pathway.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xiao-Shuai ZHANG, Xiao-Long SU, Shao-Lei GENG, Zheng-Hao WANG
Summary: Diapause is an important strategy for insects to survive extreme environments. In this study, it was found that mitochondrial ROS play a crucial role in diapause by regulating insulin signaling pathway. Injection of a glucose metabolism inhibitor could delay pupal development, while injection of a metabolite mixture could prevent diapause. Furthermore, ROS could activate HSP60 expression, promoting the degradation of mitochondrial transcription factor A and decreasing mitochondrial activity.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Qin Lu, Yan Li, Jing Liao, Zhaohong Ni, Shunchao Xia, Maofa Yang, Haiyin Li, Jianjun Guo
Summary: This study investigated the role of histone H3 acetylation in diapause of the cotton bollworm and found that it is closely related to pupal diapause, suggesting its potential as a target for pest control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Jianhang Jia, Jin Jiang
Summary: This review focuses on the essential role of Smoothened (Smo) protein in Hedgehog (Hh) signal transduction, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of Smo endocytosis and degradation in both insects and vertebrates. It discusses how Hh inhibits Smo ubiquitination and promotes Smo surface/ciliary accumulation through ubiquitin-specific protease 8 (USP8) in Drosophila, and also highlights the induction of sumoylation by Hh in regulating Smo trafficking and abundance in both Drosophila and mammalian cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
X. W. Lin, Z. Z. Fan, Y. H. Liu, J. Li, Q. Ma, R. H. Yan
Summary: The study reveals that reactive oxygen species activate MEK/ERK signaling pathway, leading to the maintenance of diapause state. Inhibiting MEK/ERK activity can terminate the progress of diapause.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinxing Zhu, Beijia Huang, Fengting Zhao, Jie Lian, Lixiang He, Yangxia Zhang, Longkai Ji, Jinghang Zhang, Xin Yan, Taoling Zeng, Chunya Ma, Yinming Liang, Chen Zhang, Juntang Lin
Summary: NF-kappa B activation leads to MRSA-induced lung inflammation, and FOXN3 can inhibit NF-kappa B signaling to reduce the inflammatory response. FOXN3 competes with I kappa B alpha for binding to hnRNPU, preventing I kappa B alpha degradation and NF-kappa B activation. Phosphorylation of FOXN3 by p38 induces dissociation from hnRNPU, leading to NF-kappa B activation. FOXN3 phosphorylation is clinically correlated with pulmonary inflammatory disorders.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Shuang Li, Qinmao Ye, Jianxin Wei, Sarah J. Taleb, Heather Wang, Yingze Zhang, Daniel J. Kass, Jeffrey C. Horowitz, Jing Zhao, Yutong Zhao
Summary: This study finds that Nedd4L levels are significantly suppressed in lung myofibroblasts in IPF patients and in experimental pulmonary fibrosis, and in TGF-beta 1-treated lung fibroblasts. Nedd4L knockdown promotes TGF-beta 1-mediated phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and lung myofibroblast differentiation. Mechanistically, Nedd4L targets TGF-beta receptor II (T beta RII), the first key enzyme of TGF-beta 1-mediated signaling, for its ubiquitination and degradation.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shao-Lei Geng, Hai-Yin Li, Xiao-Shuai Zhang, Tao Wang, Shi-Pei Zhou, Wei-Hua Xu
Summary: This study found that diapause-destined pupae of the moth Helicoverpa armigera have higher levels of protein carbonylation in the brain compared to nondiapause-destined pupae. The study also showed that ROS activate Akt, which phosphorylates CREB and facilitates its nuclear import, leading to the regulation of CBR1 expression and reduction of protein carbonyl levels.
Article
Agronomy
Danielly A. M. Rios, Alexandre Specht, Vania F. Roque-Specht, Daniel R. Sosa-Gomez, Julia Fochezato, Juaci Malaquias, Gislene L. Goncalves, Gilson R. P. Moreira
Summary: Hybridization between Helicoverpa armigera and H. zea was investigated, with heterosis observed during immature development. However, reproductive incompatibilities were also found between parental species and subsequent hybrids. Interspecific gene flow and introgression events were confirmed, suggesting the need to monitor hybridization and resistance to pesticides. Management strategies should be implemented to prevent interspecific crosses and minimize the selection of resistant individuals.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhiwen Zhu, Dongdong Li, Zeran Jia, Wenhao Zhang, Yuling Chen, Ruixue Zhao, Yan-Ping Zhang, Wen-Hong Zhang, Haiteng Deng, Yinqing Li, Wei Li, Shouhong Guang, Guangshuo Ou
Summary: Eukaryotic organisms adapt to environmental fluctuations by altering their epigenomic landscapes and transcriptional programs. Histone H2Bs are globally degraded in Caenorhabditis elegans during starvation, and the mechanisms underlying this degradation involve ubiquitin and ubiquitin-related enzymes. The retention of aberrant nucleosomal H2Bs leads to abnormal gene expression and impacts animal viability. Furthermore, the ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates chromosomal histone turnover in human cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
George-Rafael Samantsidis, Shane Denecke, Luc Swevers, George Skavdis, Sven Geibel, John Vontas
Summary: This study identified functional RNA polymerase II and III promoters in Helicoverpa zea, which can be used for genetic manipulation in the context of agricultural biotechnology. Furthermore, four U6 promoters of H. armigera were also identified and evaluated, showing their potential for methodologies such as RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9.
INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shu Yang, Guangyan Yang, Xinyu Wang, Jiaqing Xiang, Lin Kang, Zhen Liang
Summary: This study demonstrates the anti-fibrotic role of SIRT2 in renal tubules and hepatocytes. SIRT2 inhibits fibrotic gene expression by reducing the activation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway. It interacts with and deacetylates SMAD2 and SMAD3 to promote their degradation and decrease the activation of SMAD3.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yan-Li Li, Yan-Xue Li, Xiao-Pei Wang, Xin-Le Kang, Ke-Qin Guo, Du-Juan Dong, Jin-Xing Wang, Xiao-Fan Zhao
Summary: This study identified GPCRs that are upregulated at the metamorphic stage in Helicoverpa armigera and confirmed their roles in pupation using RNA interference and binding assays. The results showed that different GPCRs are involved in the regulation of gene expression by 20E hormone, integrating growth and development processes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ammara Jabeen, Qaisar Mansoor, Tayyaba Zainab, Ammad Ahmad Farooqi, Mazhar Qayyum, Aqsa Mansha, Arifa Shakeel, Muhammad Sheeraz Ahmad
Summary: The study reveals that the methanolic extracts of Fagonia cretica and Argemone mexicana can significantly inhibit the TGF-beta mediated signaling cascade by downregulating the gene expression of TGF-beta receptors and associated proteins.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zheng-Hao Wang, Songshan Jiang, Wei-Hua Xu
Summary: Previous studies have shown that high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low tricarboxylic acid (TCA) activity in the brain promote pupal diapause, which is characterized by metabolic depression and lifespan extension. In this study, the researchers demonstrated that ROS downregulate TCA activity and acetyl-CoA and pyruvate levels in diapause-destined pupae, as well as the protein levels of acetyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and pyruvate kinase (PK). They found that miR-34, highly expressed in diapause-destined pupae, can respond to ROS signaling and reduce the expression of ACS and PK by directly targeting their mRNAs. Furthermore, they observed delayed pupal development after treatment with ROS and HIF activators.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Qin Lu, Yan Li, Jing Liao, Zhaohong Ni, Shunchao Xia, Maofa Yang, Haiyin Li, Jianjun Guo
Summary: This study investigated the role of histone H3 acetylation in diapause of the cotton bollworm and found that it is closely related to pupal diapause, suggesting its potential as a target for pest control.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
