Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mangyu Choe, Denis V. Titov
Summary: In recent years, there has been a rapid development of novel genetically encoded tools for measuring and manipulating metabolism in live cells and animals. This article reviews the available genetically encoded tools, describes their usage, and outlines future directions for development. The focus is on tools for directly measuring and manipulating metabolites, which are key regulators of metabolism and physiology through their action on enzymes, channels, and factors. The aim of this Perspective is to encourage more individuals to utilize these new tools and potentially engage in the development of novel tools for measuring and manipulating metabolism.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elizaveta Ustyantseva, Sophia Pavlova, Anastasia A. Malakhova, Kirill Ustyantsev, Suren M. Zakian, Sergey P. Medvedev
Summary: This article establishes a method for monitoring the redox state of live motor neurons and demonstrates the functionality of genetically encoded biosensors in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. The platform is suitable for studying neurodegenerative mechanisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Avinoam Bar-Zion, Atousa Nourmahnad, David R. Mittelstein, Shirin Shivaei, Sangjin Yoo, Marjorie T. Buss, Robert C. Hurt, Dina Malounda, Mohamad H. Abedi, Audrey Lee-Gosselin, Margaret B. Swift, David Maresca, Mikhail G. Shapiro
Summary: Recent advancements in molecular engineering and synthetic biology have enabled the development of biomolecular and cell-based therapies with high molecular specificity, but limited spatiotemporal control. Gas vesicles, a genetically encodable air-filled protein nanostructure, can be engineered to deliver potent mechanical effects at specific locations inside the body through ultrasound-induced inertial cavitation. This capability has potential applications in remotely actuated cell-killing and tissue-disrupting agents, demonstrating the therapeutic potential of gas vesicles under focused ultrasound actuation.
NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aleksandra Arsic, Cathleen Hagemann, Nevena Stajkovic, Timm Schubert, Ivana Nikic-Spiegel
Summary: This study establishes click labeling in living neurons and demonstrates its application in microscopy research of neurofilament light chain (NFL). The combination of click labeling with CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering allows for tagging endogenous NFL. Due to its versatility and compatibility with advanced microscopy techniques, click labeling is expected to contribute to novel discoveries in the field of neurobiology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Xia Liu, Lei Qin, Jie Yu, Wentao Sun, Jianhong Xu, Chun Li
Summary: During industrial fermentation, microbial cell factories often face environmental or metabolic stresses, resulting in imbalanced intracellular redox and decreased metabolic capacity. In this study, a genetically encoded redox biosensor system (RBS) based on redox-sensitive fluorescent proteins was constructed for detecting redox metabolites in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The RBS allowed for the exploration of compartmental redox state diversity and real-time monitoring of the yeast production process, providing a reliable and effective approach for profiling bottlenecks in yeast cell factories.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena L. Sokolinskaya, Lidia Putlyaeva, Vasilisa S. Polinovskaya, Konstantin A. Lukyanov
Summary: The researchers designed genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for real-time detection of PLpro activity in live cells of SARS-CoV-2. These sensors can be used to detect early stages of virus propagation and screen enzyme inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xingxiu Pan, Mina L. Heacock, Evana N. Abdulaziz, Sara Violante, Austin L. Zuckerman, Nirajan Shrestha, Canglin Yao, Russell P. Goodman, Justin R. Cross, Valentin Cracan
Summary: Impaired redox metabolism plays a critical role in the development of various diseases. This study introduces a novel genetically encoded tool to promote reductive stress in living cells. By using this tool, metabolic and transcriptomic signatures of NADH reductive stress are found to be cellular background specific.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arunika Ekanayake, Lena Sobze, Payam Kelich, Jihea Youk, Nicholas J. Bennett, Raja Mukherjee, Atul Bhardwaj, Frank Wuest, Lela Vukovic, Ratmir Derda
Summary: This study presents a novel late-stage approach to convert peptide libraries into diverse macrocyclic libraries, encoding amino acid sequences and pharmacophores through DNA, significantly enhancing the value of genetically encoded phage libraries in molecular discoveries.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tsvetan Kardashliev, Alexandra Weingartner, Elvira Romero, Ulrich Schwaneberg, Marco Fraaije, Sven Panke, Martin Held
Summary: Biocatalysis is increasingly used for synthetic purposes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. A genetically encoded sensor was designed to measure the activity of oxidative biocatalysts by the amount of intracellularly-formed H2O2. This sensor system accurately assesses whole-cell oxidations in a high-throughput manner, enabling significant improvements in oxidase and oxygenase variants through mutant library screening.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minji Wang, Yifan Da, Yang Tian
Summary: Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors are powerful tools for visualizing physiological processes in living cells and animals. This study reviews the history and structural basis of fluorescent proteins and discusses the design of genetically encoded biosensors. Several major types of genetically encoded biosensors currently used are also briefly reviewed, providing insight for future fluorescent biosensor design.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jelena Platisa, Hongkui Zeng, Linda Madisen, Lawrence B. Cohen, Vincent A. Pieribone, Douglas A. Storace
Summary: This study reports the first in vivo experiments using a transgenic reporter mouse for the GEVI ArcLight. The transgenic mouse line can be used for optical recording of membrane potential changes in defined cell populations, which is significant for the use of GEVIs in the in vivo mammalian brain.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shanshan Li, Nanxi Wang, Bingchen Yu, Wei Sun, Lei Wang
Summary: Protein-carbohydrate interactions are important in biological processes but challenging to study. This study engineered covalent linkages between proteins and carbohydrates, offering a solution to overcome the low affinity and weak strength of these interactions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yasmine S. Zubi, Kosuke Seki, Ying Li, Andrew C. Hunt, Bingqing Liu, Benoit Roux, Michael C. Jewett, Jared C. Lewis
Summary: This study developed an integrated computational and experimental workflow to incorporate metal-responsive chemical switches into proteins for dynamic control over protein function. By using computational analysis and molecular dynamics simulations to guide the placement of the chemical switches, the experimental workload was significantly reduced. The strategy yielded enzymes with a strong dynamic range in response to metal salts, demonstrating its potential.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Alberto Munoz, Margherita Bertuzzi, Constanze Seidel, Darren Thomson, Elaine M. Bignell, Nick D. Read
Summary: The use of new fluorescent, genetically encoded GCaMP probes has resolved inconsistencies in previous methods for observing calcium signaling in fungal cells. Exposing fungal conidia or germlings to high external Ca2+ induces dramatic, rapid, and dynamic changes in calcium signaling. Substantial variability in the timing of calcium responses among different spores/germlings within the cell population is observed.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yen-Ning Chen, Heather N. Cartwright, Cheng-Hsun Ho
Summary: This study reports a nuclear-localized, genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor, NitraMeter3.0, for the quantitative visualization of nitrate distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana. The biosensor tracked the spatiotemporal distribution of nitrate along the primary root axis and monitored the disruptions by genetic mutation.
Article
Oncology
Peter Weber, Axel Kunstner, Julia Hess, Kristian Unger, Sebastian Marschner, Christian Idel, Julika Ribbat-Idel, Philipp Baumeister, Olivier Gires, Christoph Walz, Sibylle Rietzler, Laura Valeanu, Timm Herkommer, Lisa Kreutzer, Olena Klymenko, Guido Drexler, Thomas Kirchner, Cornelius Maihofer, Ute Ganswindt, Axel Walch, Michael Sterr, Heiko Lickert, Martin Canis, Dirk Rades, Sven Perner, Mauricio Berriel Diaz, Stefan Herzig, Kirsten Lauber, Barbara Wollenberg, Hauke Busch, Claus Belka, Horst Zitzelsberger
Summary: There is a high degree of genetic and transcriptional heterogeneity between primary and recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Treatment decisions should be based on the genetic and transcriptional characteristics of recurrent tumors to enable personalized treatment strategies.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Josefin Soppert, Janina Frisch, Julia Wirth, Christian Hemmers, Peter Boor, Rafael Kramann, Sonja Vondenhoff, Julia Moellmann, Michael Lehrke, Mathias Hohl, Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Christian Werner, Thimoteus Speer, Christoph Maack, Nikolaus Marx, Joachim Jankowski, Leticia Prates Roma, Heidi Noels
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of developing uremic cardiomyopathy, and animal studies are used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. This review systematically analyzed 88 studies and performed meta-analyses of 52 to identify suitable animal models for future experimental studies. The results showed variations in different mouse strains and the effects of CKD on cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and function. Multifactorial hit models consistently induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis compared to single hit kidney injury models.
KIDNEY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wenjuan Yang, Andreas Denger, Caroline Diener, Frederic Kueppers, Leticia Soriano-Baguet, Gertrud Schaefer, Archana K. Yanamandra, Renping Zhao, Arne Knoerck, Eva C. Schwarz, Martin Hart, Frank Lammert, Leticia Prates Roma, Dirk Brenner, Grigorios Christidis, Volkhard Helms, Eckart Meese, Markus Hoth, Bin Qu
Summary: TRAIL expression is increased in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in high glucose environments, potentially contributing to the progression of diabetes. Non-mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, NF kappa B, and PI3K/Akt play crucial roles in the upregulation of TRAIL in CTLs induced by high glucose. TRAIL(high) CTLs induce apoptosis of pancreatic beta cells. Treatment with metformin and vitamin D can reduce the enhanced expression of TRAIL in CTLs caused by high glucose and protect pancreatic beta cells from TRAIL-mediated apoptosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Julia Geppert, Alina A. Walth, Raul Terron Exposito, Doris Kaltenecker, Pauline Morigny, Juliano Machado, Maike Becker, Estefania Simoes, Joanna D. C. C. Lima, Carolin Daniel, Mauricio Berriel Diaz, Stephan Herzig, Marilia Seelaender, Maria Rohm
Summary: The age of mice has a significant impact on the progression of cachexia, and this impact is dependent on the strain of mice. Different strains of mice show differences in body weight, tissue weight, fiber size, and molecular markers. These findings suggest that the age and strain of mice should be considered in future studies on cachexia.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Selina Wrublewsky, Thimoteus Speer, Lisa Nalbach, Anne S. Boewe, Mandy Pack, Dalia Alansary, Leticia P. Roma, Markus D. A. Hoffmann, Beate M. Schmitt, Andrea Weinzierl, Michael D. Menger, Matthias W. Laschke, Emmanuel Ampofo
Summary: The inhibition of NLRP3 improves the survival and endocrine function of pancreatic islet grafts by enhancing revascularization and inducing insulin gene expression. This inhibition has significant therapeutic potential in pancreatic islet transplantation.
Review
Oncology
Natalia S. Pellegata, Mauricio Berriel Diaz, Maria Rohm, Stephan Herzig
Summary: This article reviews the relationship between obesity and cancer, identifying various factors related to obesity that contribute to cancer initiation and progression. It highlights the potential role of extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and adrenergic signaling as mechanisms linking obesity and cancer. A better understanding of tumorigenic processes in obese individuals may lead to more effective treatments and preventive measures.
CANCER AND METASTASIS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ryann L. Engle, Barbara G. Bokhour, Adam J. Rose, Joel I. Reisman, Guneet K. Jasuja
Summary: By studying six Veterans Affairs (VA) sites with varying levels of testosterone prescribing, we found that patient attitudes and beliefs towards testosterone did not differ across sites. Patients were the ones who usually initiated conversations about testosterone, not providers. We identified five key domains related to patient beliefs and provider perceived patient beliefs towards testosterone: reasons for initiation, information sources and expectations, receptivity towards discontinuation, patient/provider engagement, and patient self-advocacy in decision-making.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Selina Wrublewsky, Julia Glas, Christopher Carlein, Lisa Nalbach, Markus Daniel Alexander Hoffmann, Mandy Pack, Eloisa Aparecida Vilas-Boas, Nathan Ribot, Reinhard Kappl, Michael D. Menger, Matthias W. Laschke, Emmanuel Ampofo, Leticia Prates Roma
Summary: Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study found that suppressing the activity of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in islets improves their engraftment and function, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Wollenhaupt, Janina Frisch, Eva Harlacher, Dickson W. L. Wong, Han Jin, Corinna Schulte, Sonja Vondenhoff, Julia Moellmann, Barbara Mara Klinkhammer, Li Zhang, Adelina Baleanu-Curaj, Elisa A. Liehn, Thimoteus Speer, Andrey Kazakov, Christian Werner, Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Simina-Ramona Selejan, Mathias Hohl, Michael Bohm, Rafael Kramann, Erik A. L. Biessen, Michael Lehrke, Nikolaus Marx, Joachim Jankowski, Christoph Maack, Peter Boor, Leticia Prates Roma, Heidi Noels
Summary: CKD increases cardiac oxidative stress responses in the heart, but additional hits are required to induce uremic cardiomyopathy.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Selina Wrublewsky, Andrea Weinzierl, Isabelle Hornung, Leticia Prates-Roma, Michael D. Menger, Matthias W. Laschke, Emmanuel Ampofo
Summary: The co-transplantation of pancreatic islets and microvascular fragments from adipose tissue is a promising strategy to improve the success rates of islet transplantation, as it accelerates the restoration of normoglycemia and increases the number of islet cells and microvessels in the grafts.
NPJ REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Giuseppe Locatelli, Filipa Marques-Ferreira, Antonis Katsoulas, Vasileia Kalaitzaki, Martin Krueger, Barbara Ingold-Heppner, Sabrina Walthert, Roman Sankowski, Olivia Prazeres da Costa, Amalia Dolga, Magdalena Huber, Maike Gold, Carsten Culmsee, Ari Waisman, Ingo Bechmann, Vladislava Milchevskaya, Marco Prinz, Achim Tresch, Burkhard Becher, Thorsten Buch
Summary: Research suggests that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling is not necessary for the function and survival of mature oligodendrocytes (ODCs) in the central nervous system (CNS). Lack of IGF-1 receptor in ODCs does not affect ODC survival and myelin status in toxin-induced and autoimmune demyelination models. Surprisingly, the absence of IGF-1 receptor in ODCs protects against clinical neuroinflammation in the autoimmune demyelination model.
Article
Neurosciences
Claire L. Wishart, Alanna G. Spiteri, Giuseppe Locatelli, Nicholas J. C. King
Summary: Microglia and bone marrow-derived monocytes play important roles in CNS inflammation, but the focus on specific cell types or disease models has limited our understanding of common and disease-specific responses. This meta-analysis integrates transcriptomic data from disease models to provide a comprehensive view of myeloid responses across CNS disease. It reveals that the microglial and monocyte program is influenced by the disease environment, and different disease settings lead to expansion of unique myeloid subpopulations. These subpopulations have specific functional states and are conserved across CNS pathology. The resource also identifies a new neuroinflammatory-stable gene, Cd81, that accurately distinguishes microglia from monocyte-derived cells.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Hagar Z. Pikkel Geva, Harel Gershgoren, Dana Nir, Maram Khazen, Adam J. Rose
Summary: Health-care professionals' hesitancy to be vaccinated during the COVID-19 crisis is influenced by factors such as sources of information, perceptions of vaccine necessity and risks, individual versus collective responsibility, and the political climate and media influence.
HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yann W. Yap, Patricia M. Rusu, Ashish Foollee, Adam J. Rose
Summary: We conducted a study on mice and found that dietary factors during the early life period from post-nursing to adulthood have lasting effects on traits in adulthood, particularly protein and fat intake. However, a standard diet in adulthood can quickly reverse the effects on body composition and glucose homeostasis from the early life diet. Nevertheless, some traits remain persistent, with low dietary protein levels in early life stably impacting lean and muscle mass, and early life dietary fat levels stably affecting serum and liver triglyceride levels.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Arjee Restar, E. J. Dusic, Henri Garrison-Desany, Elle Lett, Avery Everhart, Kellan E. Baker, Ayden Scheim, S. Wilson Beckham, Sari Reisner, Adam J. Rose, Matthew J. Mimiaga, Asa Radix, Don Operario, Jackie Hughto
Summary: Gender-affirming hormones have been found to have positive effects on the psychological functioning and quality of life of transgender and nonbinary individuals. A study showed that 24% of participants took more hormones than prescribed, while 57% took less. Taking more hormones than prescribed was linked to having the same provider for primary and gender-affirming care, as well as experiencing gender-based discrimination. Taking less hormones than prescribed was associated with income and insurance coverage barriers.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
