Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ziqi Yan, Qiong Shi, Xumei Liu, Jinghua Li, Vidula Ahire, Shenqiu Zhang, Jing Zhang, Dun Yang, Thaddeus D. Allen
Summary: Plants are a valuable source of bioactive compounds, and in this study, two phytochemicals, Corynoline and Acetylcorynoline, were found to have inhibitory effects on cancer cells by inducing mitotic arrest and polyploidy. The mechanism of action involves centrosome amplification and declustering, leading to the formation of multi-polar spindles. These compounds inhibited the viability of various human cancer cell lines and could be potential prototypes for the development of more potent and selective analogs in the future.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaofang Tang, Wei Wei, John M. Snowball, Ernesto S. Nakayasu, Sheila M. Bell, Charles Ansong, Xinhua Lin, Jeffrey A. Whitsett
Summary: Eukaryotic cells go through the cell cycle to produce two daughter cells. Dys-regulation of the cell cycle can result in cell death or tumorigenesis. This study shows that EMC3, a subunit of the ER membrane complex, is a key regulator of the cell cycle. Its deficiency leads to defects in organ size and patterning, impaired cell proliferation, spindle assembly defects, chromosome mis-segregation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. EMC3 works together with VCP to regulate the levels and activity of Aurora A, an essential factor for centrosome function and mitotic spindle assembly.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephen R. Wellard, Yujiao Zhang, Chris Shults, Xueqi Zhao, Matthew McKay, Stephen A. Murray, Philip W. Jordan
Summary: The study highlights the critical role of centriole duplication, centrosome maturation, and separation in establishing bipolar spindles during meiotic divisions. The findings show that Polo-like kinase 1 and Aurora A kinase are essential for centrosome maturation and separation, and PLK1 is required to inhibit the second round of centriole duplication until late anaphase I to ensure accurate chromosome segregation during spermatogenesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Melis D. Arslanhan, Navin Rauniyar, John R. Yates, Elif N. Firat-Karalar
Summary: AURKA is a conserved kinase in cell processes and is frequently overexpressed in human cancers. It was found to have extensive interactions with centriolar satellites, regulating its activity and localization. Loss of satellites leads to AURKA activation at the basal body and causes ciliogenesis defects.
Article
Cell Biology
Junjie Huang, Zhuobi Liang, Cuirong Guan, Shasha Hua, Kai Jiang
Summary: WDR62 acts as an adaptor protein between TPX2/Aurora A and katanin to regulate spindle dynamics by recruiting katanin to the spindle pole. It shows preference for curved segments of dynamic GDP-MTs and its MT-binding affinity is autoinhibited through JNK phosphorylation-induced intramolecular interaction.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Manjuan Zhang, Fengrui Yang, Wenwen Wang, Najdat Zohbi, Xiwei Wang, Dongmei Wang, Xiaoxuan Zhuang, Zhen Dou, Dan Liu, Xiaoyu Song, Hadiyah-Nicole Green, Xing Liu, Xuebiao Yao
Summary: The dynamic interactions between SKAP and Aurora B via phase separation play a crucial role in orchestrating accurate interaction between the kinetochore and spindle microtubules during mitosis, ensuring faithful chromosome segregation and alignment. This novel mechanism forms a dynamic pool of Aurora B activity that facilitates the conversion of kinetochore-microtubule attachments from lateral to end-on, ultimately leading to successful cell division.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jihee Hong, Dasom Gwon, Chang-Young Jang
Summary: Ginsenoside Rg1 reduces cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting Haspin kinase activity and H3T3ph, leading to decreased levels of Aurora B at the centromere.
JOURNAL OF GINSENG RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Eric M. C. Britigan, Jun Wan, Daniel K. Sam, Sarah E. Copeland, Amber L. Lasek, Laura C. F. Hrycyniak, Lei Wang, Anjon Audhya, Mark E. Burkard, Avtar Roopra, Beth A. Weaver
Summary: The increased expression of Aurora B protein reduces its kinase activity and causes defects in mitosis. The complexes of Aurora B and its binding partner INCENP achieve Aurora B activation through autophosphorylation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Alessio Stefani, Geny Piro, Francesco Schietroma, Alessandro Strusi, Emanuele Vita, Simone Fiorani, Diletta Barone, Federico Monaca, Ileana Sparagna, Giustina Valente, Miriam Grazia Ferrara, Ettore D'Argento, Mariantonietta Di Salvatore, Carmine Carbone, Giampaolo Tortora, Emilio Bria
Summary: Lung cancer is categorized into NSCLC and SCLC, with the former having actionable targets for advanced treatment and the latter lacking oncogene-addiction concept. Aurora kinases (AURKs) play a crucial role in cell cycle progression and their overexpression is a common protumorigenic pathway in various cancer types, influencing drug resistance mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Sylvia Fenosoa Rasamizafy, Claude Delsert, Gabriel Rabeharivelo, Julien Cau, Nathalie Morin, Juliette van Dijk
Summary: Tubulin post-translational modifications play a crucial role in regulating microtubule properties and functions, with depletion of the acetyltransferase ATAT1 causing defects in mitotic progression. This study highlights the importance of tubulin acetylation in maintaining spindle bipolarity and proper recruitment of proteins essential for mitosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabrielle R. Budziszewski, Yani Zhao, Cathy J. Spangler, Katarzyna M. Kedziora, Michael R. Williams, Dalal N. Azzam, Aleksandra Skrajna, Yuka Koyama, Andrew P. Cesmat, Holly C. Simmons, Eyla C. Arteaga, Joshua D. Strauss, Dmitri Kireev, Robert K. McGinty
Summary: The chromatin kinase VRK1 interacts with both linker DNA and the nucleosome acidic patch to phosphorylate H3T3. Mutations in VRK1 that interfere with acidic patch binding lead to mislocalization of VRK1 during mitosis, potentially providing a new molecular mechanism for pathogenesis.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Bhavna Rani, Deepesh K. K. Gupta, Staffan Johansson, Siamak A. A. Kamranvar
Summary: Recent research indicates that integrin-mediated adhesion plays a role in regulating cell division at two crucial steps. This review examines the involvement of integrin signals in different stages of the cell cycle under normal conditions and the safety mechanisms that counteract the generation of aneuploid cells in cases of defective integrin signals.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Emmanuel Gallaud, Laurent P. Richard-Parpaillon, Laetitia Bataille, Aude P. Pascal, Mathieu Metivier, Vincent P. Archambault, Regis Giet
Summary: Stem cells ensure tissue development and repair through asymmetric division and mitotic progression. Polo kinase activity levels are regulated by phosphorylation from Aurora A and Aurora B kinases, which determine the duration of cell division and play a crucial role in stem cell polarization and tumor prevention.
Article
Cell Biology
Morgan Le Roux-Bourdieu, Devashish Dwivedi, Daniela Harry, Patrick Meraldi
Summary: The PLK1 kinase regulates the removal of centrobin and the formation of distal appendages in a separate manner during centriole maturation. The removal of centrobin is not necessary for the recruitment of distal appendage proteins.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eloise Ducrey, Cedric Castrogiovanni, Patrick Meraldi, Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska
Summary: Mitosis, controlled by microtubules, is an attractive target for anti-cancer treatments due to frequent and uncontrolled cell divisions in cancer cells. However, current treatments have severe disadvantages and often lead to resistance mechanisms. Combinatorial treatments targeting spindle pole clustering have emerged as a potential alternative, specifically targeting cancer cells with aberrant centrosome numbers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiao Rui Xing, Chadi A. El Farran, Ying Ying Zeng, Yao Yi, Tushar Warrier, Pradeep Gautam, James J. Collins, Jian Xu, Peter Droge, Cheng-Gee Koh, Hu Li, Li-Feng Zhang, Yuin-Han Loh
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Qiao Rui Xing, Nadia Omega Cipta, Kiyofumi Hamashima, Yih-Cherng Liou, Cheng Gee Koh, Yuin-Han Loh
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2020)
Review
Cell Biology
Pu Rum Kim, Songjing Zhang, Muhammad Bakhait Rahmat, Cheng-Gee Koh
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sharvari R. Sathe, Deepak Jain, Cheng-Gee Koh, Evelyn K. F. Yim
Summary: This study investigates how topographical cues affect cell migration and morphology, especially in the context of POPX2 overexpression. The results show that overexpressing cells are more sensitive to topographical cues and exhibit more direct migration paths, indicating a potential mechanism for directional cell migration combining biochemical and mechanical cues.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicole Zi-Jia Khong, Yukai Zeng, Soak-Kuan Lai, Cheng-Gee Koh, Zhao-Xun Liang, Keng-Hwee Chiam, Hoi-Yeung Li
Summary: Studying the near wall swimming behavior of P. aeruginosa and its mutants revealed that this behavior plays a significant role in regulating initial attachment and biofilm formation. The mutants exhibited different swimming patterns, affecting their ability to interact with surfaces and form biofilms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Jian Ming Khor, Charles A. Ettensohn
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jian Ming Khor, Jennifer Guerrero-Santoro, William Douglas, Charles A. Ettensohn
Summary: In this study, CAGE-seq was used to profile eRNA expression and enhancer activity in the sea urchin model, revealing a large number of enhancers active at different stages of embryogenesis. The majority of sea urchin enhancers were found to be associated with nearby genes and exhibited temporal patterns of expression similar to those genes. Furthermore, enhancers near lineage-specific genes showed signatures of inputs from developmental gene regulatory networks in those lineages. Moreover, a significant portion of identified enhancers were shown to drive tissue-specific gene expression on their own in reporter assays.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jennifer Guerrero-Santoro, Jian Ming Khor, Ayse Haruka Acikbas, James B. Jaynes, Charles A. Ettensohn
Summary: Alx1 is a highly conserved transcription factor in echinoderms that regulates skeletogenesis. It plays a unique role in the differentiation of embryonic PMCs. Alx1 has distinct DNA-binding properties, and the exonization of the D2 domain may have facilitated the acquisition of new transcriptional targets and a novel developmental function.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ai Kia Yip, Songjing Zhang, Lor Huai Chong, Elsie Cheruba, Jessie Yong Xing Woon, Theng Xuan Chua, Corinna Jie Hui Goh, Haibo Yang, Chor Yong Tay, Cheng-Gee Koh, Keng-Hwee Chiam
Summary: The study found that zyxin is a crucial protein involved in cellular rigidity sensing and durotaxis regulation. Knocking down zyxin impairs cell's ability to sense and respond to changes in extracellular matrix rigidity, resulting in migration speed independent of substrate rigidity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jian Ming Khor, Charles A. Ettensohn, Kathryn Song Eng Cheah
Summary: This study dissects the transcriptional control region of the KirrelL gene in echinoderms, uncovering its role in the gene regulatory network underlying skeletogenesis. The study also identifies key cis-regulatory elements and transcription factor inputs that regulate KirrelL expression, as well as the conservation of these regulatory regions across echinoderm species. Furthermore, the study establishes a paradigm for the direct linkage between a developmental gene regulatory network and an effector gene controlling cell behavior.
Article
Developmental Biology
Jian Ming Khor, Charles A. Ettensohn
Summary: Sea urchins and other echinoderms are important experimental models for studying developmental processes. However, the lack of approaches for conditional gene perturbation has made it challenging to investigate the late developmental functions of genes that have essential roles during early embryogenesis and genes that have diverse functions in multiple tissues. In this study, we optimized the Tet-On system to conditionally induce gene expression in sea urchin embryos, providing a robust and flexible platform for the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression in sea urchins.
Article
Cell Biology
Darren Chen Pei Wong, Catherine Qiurong Pan, Shi Yin Er, T. Thivakar, Tan Zi Yi Rachel, Sock Hong Seah, Pei Jou Chua, Tingting Jiang, Ti Weng Chew, Parthiv Kant Chaudhuri, Somsubhro Mukherjee, Agus Salim, Thike Aye Aye, Cheng Gee Koh, Chwee Teck Lim, Puay Hoon Tan, Boon Huat Bay, Anne J. Ridley, Boon Chuan Low
Summary: ARHGAP8/BPGAP1 plays a crucial role in cell motility and cancer metastasis by recruiting Vav1 to activate Rac1 and inhibiting RhoA activity to synchronize Rac1 and Rho signaling pathways.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeremy Joon Ho Goh, Corinna Jie Hui Goh, Qian Wei Lim, Songjing Zhang, Cheng-Gee Koh, Keng-Hwee Chiam
Summary: Breast cancer cell lines are valuable tools for studying cancer biology, but their relevance to clinical breast cancer is unclear. By comparing gene expression profiles of tumorigenic MCF7 and non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells in 2D and 3D cultures, this study found that the genes and gene sets distinguishing MCF7 from MCF10A were different from those distinguishing luminal A breast cancer from normal tissue. These findings suggest that MCF7 and MCF10A cell lines may have limitations in modeling cancer-related processes in clinical luminal A breast tumors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Songjing Zhang, Lor Huai Chong, Jessie Yong Xing Woon, Theng Xuan Chua, Elsie Cheruba, Ai Kia Yip, Hoi-Yeung Li, Keng-Hwee Chiam, Cheng-Gee Koh
Summary: Zyxin regulates mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation by integrating mechanical cues through actin stress fibres and focal adhesions and biochemical cues through YAP signalling. Crosstalk between mechanical and biochemical cues in embryonic development is not extensively investigated.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jian Ming Khor, Jennifer Guerrero-Santoro, Charles A. Ettensohn
Summary: Multinucleated cells or syncytia are common in various taxa, and their biological function is related to the compartmentalization of biochemical or cellular activities. This study reveals that transcription factors and biomineralization proteins have restricted mobility within the syncytium of sea urchin embryonic skeleton, and identifies motifs that limit their mobility.