Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Tao Wen, Kang Hao Cheong, Joel Weijia Lai, Jin Ming Koh, Eugene Koonin
Summary: This study investigates the impact of intercellular competition and cooperation on the lifespan of multicellular organisms and the onset of cancer, suggesting that alternating between competitive and cooperative cellular strategies can potentially extend lifespan and delay cancer development.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chang Woo Song, Dae-Hyeon Song, Dong Gyu Kang, Ki Hyun Park, Chan E. Park, Hyunwoo Kim, Yongsuk Hur, Sung Duk Jo, Yoon Sung Nam, Jihyeon Yeom, Seung Min Han, Jae-Byum Chang
Summary: This study introduces a method for synthesizing metallic structures resembling specific protein assemblies in mammalian cells and tissues, enabling the growth of metal particles. Utilizing nanogold-conjugated antibodies to label specific proteins within cells and tissues, nanogold acts as nucleation sites for metal particle growth. The new biotemplating approach converts specific protein structures into metallic forms in ex vivo multicellular organisms, demonstrating potential applications in catalysis and structural replication.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongwoo Na, Hyunjoon Kim, Yeon Choi, Sanghee Shin, Jae Hun Jung, S. Chul Kwon, V. Narry Kim, Jong-Seo Kim
Summary: RNA-protein interaction is crucial for gene regulation post-transcription, and formaldehyde crosslinking (FAX) has been introduced as an alternative method for efficient capture of RNA-protein interactions, expanding the coverage of the study. FAX-RIC technology provided a comprehensive and unbiased RNA interactome in Xenopus laevis oocytes and embryos, revealing dynamic remodeling of RNA-protein complexes. This study demonstrates the applicability of FAX-RIC in mammalian tissue samples, extending the profiling of RNA interactome into multicellular organisms.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Anastasija Panevska, Gordana Glavan, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Veronika Kukuljan, Tomaz Trobec, Monika Cecilija Zuzek, Milka Vrecl, Damjana Drobne, Robert Frangez, Kristina Sepcic
Summary: Feeding tests showed that the aegerolysin/PlyB complexes were not toxic to environmentally beneficial arthropods and mammals.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruixia Yuan, Jincheng Liu
Summary: This study introduces a sponge-like Co(OH)(2) nanosheets coated stainless steel mesh membrane, which achieves efficient emulsified oil/water separation through superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophilicity. The membrane can undergo reversible wettability transition and has outstanding catalytic potential to oxidize organic contaminants in water.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Vaclav Nemec, Martin P. Schwalm, Susanne Mueller, Stefan Knapp
Summary: Small molecule degraders called PROTACs have emerged as a promising pharmacological modality for protein degradation and have the potential to expand the proteome that can be targeted by small molecules. Their development and characterization require additional assays and specific quality criteria compared to conventional chemical probes. This review discusses recent progress in the development of assay systems and suggests a set of criteria for high-quality PROTACs as chemical probes.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jingfei Zhang, Wen Xu, Yuxiang Yang, Lili Zhang, Tian Wang
Summary: Our study demonstrated that dietary leucine supplementation enhanced mTOR phosphorylation to promote protein synthesis in weaned piglets suffering from intrauterine growth restriction. This intervention alleviated the disrupted protein metabolism and liver dysfunction induced by IUGR, providing a potential therapeutic strategy to improve health status in piglets.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Hao Yang, Min Zhang, Lei Wang, Renzhong Yu, Wenwen Tu, Zhaoyin Wang, Rui Wang, Huan Gao, Zhihui Dai
Summary: The polarization of perovskite-based heterostructures was modulated using in situ semiconductor generation and enzyme catalysis, resulting in a new Z-scheme structure with reversed electron-transfer route. The designed PEC biosensor with a two-wing signal switch significantly expanded the signal response range and improved analytical performance.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kristina Baitalow, Niklas Koeller, Paul Bacmeister, Robert Keller, Matthias Wessling
Summary: In this study, the performance of switchable oxygen depolarized cathodes (sODC) for demand-side electrolysis was investigated by switching between different modes. The experimental results showed that sODCs have stable and high Faraday efficiency and a marginal difference in cell potential compared to conventional oxygen depolarized cathodes, demonstrating their high potential for industrial application.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Arjan Hazegh Nikroo, Lenne J. M. Lemmens, Tim Wezeman, Christian Ottmann, Maarten Merkx, Luc Brunsveld
Summary: The study presents a modular and switchable synthetic scaffolding system that integrates scaffold-mediated signaling with switchable kinase/phosphatase input control. By fusing phosphorylation-responsive inhibitory peptide motifs with 14-3-3 proteins, dimeric protein scaffolds with appended regulatory peptide motifs were generated. The availability of the scaffold for intermolecular partner protein binding could be regulated by phosphorylation of the autoinhibition motifs, allowing precise control of signaling.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Arjan Hazegh Nikroo, Lenne J. M. Lemmens, Tim Wezeman, Christian Ottmann, Maarten Merkx, Luc Brunsveld
Summary: Scaffold proteins play crucial roles in cellular process regulation and the construction of controllable scaffolding platforms is attractive for synthetic biology. This study presents a modular and switchable synthetic scaffolding system, integrating scaffold-mediated signaling with switchable kinase/phosphatase input control, and demonstrates the reversibility and controllability of the regulatory platform.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengyang Chang, Feng Gao, Devin Pontigon, Giri Gnawali, Hang Xu, Wei Wang
Summary: A bioorthogonal on-demand prodrug strategy was developed to selectively activate and release PROTACs in cancer cells. The strategy utilizes a Tetrazine-modified RGD peptide as an activation component for targeted degradation of proteins of interest (POIs) in cancer cells. The results demonstrate selective activation of the PROTACs in an integrin alpha(v)beta(3)-dependent manner for protein degradation in cancer cells.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mandakini Gogoi, Dipankar Debbarma, Shaon Ray Chaudhuri
Summary: This study reports the isolation of two rapid hexamine-removing bacterial isolates, Micromonospora citrea SRCHD01 and Micrococcus luteus SRCHD02, from wastewater of a Hexamine producing plant in Vishakapatnam, India. Isolate SRCHD01 was able to degrade 200 mg/L hexamine to 84.91 mg/L in 24 h and reduce the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) by 99% from an initial concentration of 8028.93 mg/L within 120 h. This investigation provides a new avenue for studying the bioremediation of hexamine in biofilm reactors and ensuring environmental protection.
GEOMICROBIOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga D. Jarosinska, Stefan G. D. Rudiger
Summary: Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the aggregation of mutant huntingtin protein in nerve cells, with no current treatments available. Methods targeting HTT levels and degrading mHTT offer potential routes towards curing HD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Chuanjie Chen, Yiwen Yang, Zhe Wang, Huiwen Li, Chanjuan Dong, Xuan Zhang
Summary: Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology is a promising method for targeted protein degradation with significant clinical implications. However, the potential toxicity in non-tumor cells poses a challenge in cancer treatment. Current research focuses on enhancing targeted degradation activity in a cell-selective manner to minimize side effects.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariana Romeiro Motta, Xin'Ai Zhao, Martine Pastuglia, Katia Belcram, Farshad Roodbarkelari, Maki Komaki, Hirofumi Harashima, Shinichiro Komaki, Manoj Kumar, Petra Bulankova, Maren Heese, Karel Riha, David Bouchez, Arp Schnittger
Summary: Flowering plants contain multiple cyclin families, with B1-type cyclins playing a crucial role in cell cycle control during Arabidopsis development. Mutant analysis revealed complex overlapping requirements of B1-type cyclins, with CYCB1;2 being central. The double mutant cycb1;1 cycb1;2, although compromised in growth, provides a unique opportunity to study the function of B1-type cyclins at the organismic level.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dirk Granse, Mariana Romeiro Motta, Sigrid Suchrow, Klaus von Schwartzenberg, Arp Schnittger, Kai Jensen
Summary: Whole genome duplications lead to the formation of polyploid specimens in plants, which are considered as major drivers for speciation and diversification. In a study conducted in European Wadden Sea salt marshes, differences in distribution, phenotypic appearance, and response to surface elevation were identified between a hexaploid F-1-hybrid and its dodecaploid descendent, suggesting potential effects of ancient polyploidization on the observed cytotypic differences.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joke De Jaeger-Braet, Linda Krause, Anika Buchholz, Arp Schnittger
Summary: Plant growth and fertility are strongly affected by temperature, which also influences meiotic recombination and genetic make-up of plants. Research shows that different temperature regimes lead to distinct meiotic progression, with an acclimatization phase moderating the effects. Further analysis reveals the existence of a pachytene checkpoint in plants under high temperature conditions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonio Torres-Mendez, Sinziana Pop, Sophie Bonnal, Isabel Almudi, Alida Avola, Ruairi J. Roberts, Chiara Paolantoni, Ana Alcaina-Caro, Ane Martin-Anduaga, Irmgard U. Haussmann, Violeta Morin, Fernando Casares, Matthias Soller, Sebastian Kadener, Jean-Yves Roignant, Lucia Prieto-Godino, Manuel Irimia
Summary: Alternative splicing increases transcriptomic complexity of neurons throughout animal evolution. The neuronal microexon program in Drosophila and mammals exhibit differences, but both are involved in neuronal activity and ion channels.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nico Dissmeyer
Summary: A new study reveals that mitochondrial retrograde signaling involves strongly compartmentalized individual pathways, including a link between mitochondrial oxygen consumption and cytosolic oxygen sensing.
Article
Plant Sciences
Vanesa Calvo-Baltanas, Joke De Jaeger-Braet, Wei Yuan Cher, Nils Schoenbeck, Eunyoung Chae, Arp Schnittger, Erik Wijnker
Summary: By inactivating genes involved in meiosis, researchers are able to direct the genetic makeup of plants and manipulate inheritance patterns. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), genes such as FIGL1, RECQ4A/B, OSD1, and QRT2 can be temporarily silenced, resulting in an increase in chiasma numbers, unreduced gametes, and pollen tetrads in Arabidopsis thaliana. This study demonstrates the potential of VIGS in modifying various processes during or shortly after meiosis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jinping Cheng, Linhao Xu, Valentin Berger, Astrid Bruckmann, Chao Yang, Veit Schubert, Klaus D. Grasser, Arp Schnittger, Binglian Zheng, Hua Jiang
Summary: This study reveals that H3K9 demethylases IBM1 and JMJ27 cooperatively regulate meiotic progression and protect protein-coding genes from ectopic H3K9me2 modification in Arabidopsis thaliana. They also interact with the cohesin complex cofactor PDS5, independently of H3K9 demethylation, to regulate male meiosis and gene expression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shinichiro Komaki, Eelco C. Tromer, Geert De Jaeger, Nancy De Winne, Maren Heese, Arp Schnittger
Summary: A study identified BORI1 and BORI2 as Survivin-like proteins in plants, which are essential for proper development. These proteins bind to phosphorylated histone H3, facilitating the association of CPC with chromatin. The presence of a helical domain that promotes complex formation with other scaffold components is a shared feature of Survivin-type proteins in animals and plants, and the addition of a phosphate-binding domain evolved independently in different eukaryotic groups.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana C. Matias, Joao Matos, R. Juergen Dohmen, Paula C. Ramos
Summary: While assembly of the 20S proteasome core particle (CP) in prokaryotes occurs spontaneously, in eukaryotes, dedicated assembly chaperones are required for efficient CP assembly. This study found that in S. cerevisiae, the CP subunits alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 4 form independent small complexes instead of a complete alpha-ring. The presence of Hsp70 and Hsp110 chaperones was detected in these complexes, and they were found to cooperate in promoting the folding and assembly of alpha subunits with other CP subunits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Raed Al-Saharin, Sutton Mooney, Nico Dissmeyer, Hanjo Hellmann
Summary: Cullin-based RING E3 ligases using BTB/POZ-MATH proteins as substrate receptors play critical roles in plant development and abiotic stress tolerance. Researchers have developed a novel system to block the activity of this ligase by utilizing conserved protein-binding motifs, allowing for further study of its function in plants.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lioba Inken Winckler, Nico Dissmeyer
Summary: Proteolysis is important in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The N-degron pathway, which mediates selective protein degradation, is conserved across different kingdoms of life, including eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and plant chloroplasts. While the eukaryotic pathway depends on the ubiquitin proteasome system, the prokaryotic and chloroplast pathways are driven by the Clp protease system. Understanding protein turnover in chloroplasts is crucial for studying plastid proteostasis.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Poyu Chen, Nancy De Winne, Geert De Jaeger, Masaki Ito, Maren Heese, Arp Schnittger
Summary: In Arabidopsis thaliana, the activity of the Bloom syndrome complex, which is crucial for maintaining genome integrity, is controlled by selective autophagy. The DNA damage regulator KNO1 facilitates autophagic degradation of RMI1, a structural component of the complex, leading to increased homologous recombination. Reduced autophagic activity makes plants hypersensitive to DNA damage. KNO1 itself is stabilized by the ubiquitin-proteasome system upon DNA damage, mediated by UBP12 and UBP13 deubiquitinases. These findings reveal a regulatory cascade of interconnected protein degradation steps that fine-tune the homologous recombination response to DNA damage.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiayi Zhao, Xin Gui, Ziming Ren, Huiqi Fu, Chao Yang, Wenyi Wang, Qingpei Liu, Min Zhang, Chong Wang, Arp Schnittger, Bing Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of the ATM kinase in maintaining meiotic genome stability under heat stress in Arabidopsis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sorin Tanasa, Neha Shukla, Albert Cairo, Ranjani S. Ganji, Pavlina Mikulkova, Sona Valuchova, Vivek K. Raxwal, Claudio Capitao, Arp Schnittger, Zbynek Zdrahal, Karel Riha
Summary: Meiosis is a specialized cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes, followed by mitotic divisions to form haploid gametophytes in angiosperm plants. In Arabidopsis, the termination of meiosis and transition to gametophytic development are regulated by TDM1 and SMG7, which inhibit translation. Mutants deficient in this mechanism show aberrant nuclear divisions due to the failure to downregulate cyclin dependent kinases during meiotic exit. A mutation in cyclin-dependent kinase D;3 (CDKD;3) was identified as a suppressor that alleviates meiotic defects in smg7 deficient plants by preventing aberrant meiotic divisions or delaying their onset. CDKD;3 acts independently of CDKA;1 and interacts with proteins involved in cytokinesis, suggesting a complex role in cell cycle regulation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Molina-Gil, Sol Sotillos, Jose Manuel Espinosa-Vazquez, Isabel Almudi, James C. -G. Hombria
Summary: The re-use of genes in new organs can lead to evolutionary novelties. This study found that the posterior spiracle gene network in fruit flies has been co-opted for use in the testis mesoderm, where it is required for sperm liberation. This co-option event also led to the activation of the Engrailed transcription factor in the anterior compartment of the A8 segment, controlled by common regulatory elements. This activation is necessary in the testis but not in the spiracle. The study demonstrates a pre-adaptive developmental novelty and suggests that recently co-opted networks become interlocked, influencing other organs even if it offers no selective advantage to them.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
