Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Mazziotta, Carmen Lanzillotti, Maria Rosa Iaquinta, Francesca Taraballi, Elena Torreggiani, John Charles Rotondo, Lucia Oton-Gonzalez, Elisa Mazzoni, Francesca Frontini, Ilaria Bononi, Monica De Mattei, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini
Summary: MSCs are important source for bone regeneration and play a crucial role in osteogenic differentiation. MiRNAs regulate gene expression in osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and are involved in controlling important signaling pathways such as TGF-beta/BMP and Wnt/beta-catenin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chenge Zhang, Yinhua Jin, Marco Marchetti, Mitchell R. Lewis, Omar T. Hammouda, Bruce A. Edgar
Summary: This study reveals that the transcriptional repressor Cic and its targets, pnt and Ets21C, are downstream effectors of mitogenic EGFR signaling in Drosophila intestinal stem cells. These factors promote metabolic changes that increase ISC mass, mitochondrial growth, and activity. The study also shows that Pnt and Ets21C directly upregulate genes involved in DNA replication, cell cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and fatty acid beta-oxidation. The work highlights the role of EGFR signaling in coordinating cell growth and division through alterations in metabolism.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Louis Gervais, Allison J. Bardin
Summary: The vascular system is a crucial regulator of adult stem cells, as demonstrated by two studies showing that the vascular-like Drosophila trachea undergoes reshaping after intestinal damage or tumor formation, which is necessary for compensatory intestinal stem cell proliferation and tumor growth.
NATURE CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Takuya Akiyama, Laurel A. Raftery, Kristi A. Wharton
Summary: This review provides a historical account of gene discovery and discusses the advances in BMP signaling field over the past 30 years. While the core BMP pathway is simple, there are multiple layers of regulation behind its versatility and tissue-specific signaling output.
Article
Cell Biology
Vartika Sharma, Bappi Sarkar, Mousumi Mutsuddi, Ashim Mukherjee
Summary: Dx is a regulator of Notch signaling that can facilitate the endocytosis of the Notch receptor. In this study, we identified Dx as a novel modulator of Dpp signaling and demonstrated its genetic interaction with dpp and its pathway components. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that Dx colocalizes with Dpp and its receptor Tkv in Drosophila larval tissues. Furthermore, we found that Dx modulates the expression of dpp and its target genes, suggesting its involvement in the endocytosis and trafficking of Dpp.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng Zhaosong, Fu Na, Guo Shuling, Liu Jiacheng, Wei Ran
Summary: Adult mesenchymal stem cells are heterogeneous and play an important role in maintaining organ homeostasis by generating specialized cell populations. This study found that the differentiation capacity of Dental Follicle Stem Cells is correlated with their heterogeneous microenvironment and significantly modulated by the TGF-beta signaling pathway. Additional pathways, including Hippo and WNT pathways, also play a role in regulating the differentiation processes of stem cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mira Hammad, Mohammad Raftari, Rute Cesario, Rima Salma, Paulo Godoy, S. Noushin Emami, Siamak Haghdoost
Summary: The coordinating role of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cellular function is undeniable. Evidence indicates that Nrf2 exerts regulatory functions in multiple signaling pathways concerning redox homeostasis, xenobiotics, macromolecules, and iron metabolism. Dysregulation of Nrf2 signaling has been associated with carcinogenic phenomena, infectious diseases, and age-related diseases. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in Nrf2's coordination of complex networks is needed.
Article
Cell Biology
Sen Liu, Gyeong Hun Baeg, Ying Yang, Feng Guang Goh, Hongcun Bao, Eric J. Wagner, Xiaohang Yang, Yu Cai
Summary: Maintenance of stem cells relies on both niche-derived signals and stem cell-intrinsic factors. Integrator, a complex involved in transcriptional regulation, is found to promote germline differentiation by restricting the activity of niche-derived Dpp/BMP in the cytoplasm. It forms a multi-subunit complex with the receptor Tkv and other signaling components to negatively regulate Tkv turnover, independent of its transcriptional activity. Similar roles of Integrator are observed in human cells, suggesting conservation across metazoans.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Mohammad Rudiansyah, Amr A. El-Sehrawy, Irfan Ahmad, Ermias Mergia Terefe, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Dmitry Olegovich Bokov, Aleli Salazar, Jasur Alimdjanovich Rizaev, Fares Mohammed Saeed Muthanna, Mohammed Nader Shalaby
Summary: Osteoporosis is a common and serious bone problem, especially in the elderly. Current treatments focus on pain relief but not on bone tissue recovery. However, stem cell therapy and exosomes are considered effective methods for treating and improving osteoporosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Md Shafayat Hossain, Aiyu Yao, Xinhua Qiao, Wenwen Shi, Ting Xie, Chang Chen, Yong Q. Zhang
Summary: Glutathionylation is a vital posttranslational modification involved in nervous system development, regulating synapse growth through the degradation of Gbb. This study uncovers the crosstalk between glutathionylation and ubiquitination, providing new insights into their interplay.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Sergey A. Sinenko, Tatiana Yu Starkova, Andrey A. Kuzmin, Alexey N. Tomilin
Summary: This review explores the physiological roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cellular and developmental processes, and highlights how studies in Drosophila may offer insights into similar processes in humans, potentially leading to novel therapeutic approaches in ROS-associated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Xiaoxiang Wang, Yinghui Liu, Jia He, Jingru Wang, Xiaodong Chen, Ronghua Yang
Summary: This article reviews the regulation of hair follicles, HFSCs and related signaling pathways, summarizes previous research results, and reveals the regulatory mechanisms of HFSC proliferation and differentiation.
Review
Cell Biology
Bai Ling, Yunyang Xu, Siyuan Qian, Ze Xiang, Shihai Xuan, Jian Wu
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in the hematopoietic system as they can self-renew and differentiate into various blood cells. The mTOR signaling pathway is an important regulator of HSCs' differentiation, self-renewal, and quiescence, and several molecules can modulate these potentials by influencing this pathway. This review discusses the regulation of HSCs' three potentials by the mTOR signaling pathway and highlights potential regulators. Additionally, the clinical significance of studying this regulation and future predictions are also outlined.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Feng Gu, Ke Zhang, Jiangbi Li, Xiaoping Xie, Qiangqiang Wen, Zhenjiang Sui, Zilong Su, Tiecheng Yu
Summary: This paper reviews the behavior and biological characteristics of MSCs in acute and chronic inflammation, stimulating further research on MSCs and treatment of bone diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Wenhao Zhang, Dongmei Wang, Jingjing Si, Lihua Jin, Yangguang Hao
Summary: The Drosophila lymph gland is a valuable model for studying hematopoiesis and understanding the pathogenesis of human hematopoietic malignancies. The study focuses on the role of Glass bottom boat (Gbb) and Screw (Scw), two TGF-beta family ligands, in Drosophila hematopoiesis. The results reveal that the loss of Gbb induces lamellocyte differentiation and excessive differentiation of plasmatocytes through overactivation of the EGFR and JNK pathways, while Gbb is also important for preventing lymph gland hyperproliferation by inhibiting the overactivation of the EGFR and JNK pathways.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Shivohum Bahuguna, Magda Atilano, Marcus Glittenberg, Dohun Lee, Srishti Arora, Lihui Wang, Jun Zhou, Siamak P. Redhai, Michael P. Boutros, Petros P. Ligoxygakis
Summary: The immune system of fruit flies recognizes gut bacteria and activates a metabolic pathway to regulate lipid breakdown, which is important for the retention of intestinal bacteria. The TOR pathway inhibits lipid breakdown in fly mutants with reduced immune recognition, leading to increased gut fat accumulation. Blocking the TOR pathway restores both lipid levels and the density of gut bacteria to normal levels.
Article
Biology
Giulia Ambrosi, Oksana Voloshanenko, Antonia F. Eckert, Dominique Kranz, G. Ulrich Nienhaus, Michael Boutros
Summary: Wnt signaling is important in various biological processes, and mutations in beta-catenin can activate this signaling pathway. In this study, fluorescently tagged alleles of wild-type and mutant beta-catenin were engineered and analyzed to understand their properties. The results revealed distinct biophysical properties between the two alleles, and the wild-type allele could be manipulated to mimic the properties of the mutant allele through specific treatments.
Article
Biology
Christopher J. Neufeldt, Berati Cerikan, Mirko Cortese, Jamie Frankish, Ji-Young Lee, Agnieszka Plociennikowska, Florian Heigwer, Vibhu Prasad, Sebastian Joecks, Sandy S. Burkart, David Y. Zander, Baskaran Subramanian, Rayomand Gimi, Seetharamaiyer Padmanabhan, Radhakrishnan Iyer, Mathieu Gendarme, Bachir El Debs, Niels Halama, Uta Merle, Michael Boutros, Marco Binder, Ralf Bartenschlager
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to severe symptoms and long-lasting lung damage or death. This is often associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and low antiviral responses. A specific activation of NF-kappa B and block of IRF3 nuclear translocation were observed in infected cells. The inflammatory response is mediated by cGAS-STING activation and can be attenuated through STING-targeting drugs.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Antonio Sorrentino, Ayse Nur Menevse, Tillmann Michels, Valentina Volpin, Franziska Christine Durst, Julian Sax, Maria Xydia, Abir Hussein, Slava Stamova, Steffen Spoerl, Nicole Heuschneider, Jasmin Muehlbauer, Katharina Marlene Jeltsch, Anchana Rathinasamy, Melanie Werner-Klein, Marco Breinig, Damian Mikietyn, Christian Kohler, Isabel Poschke, Sabrina Purr, Olivia Reidell, Catarina Martins Freire, Rienk Offringa, Claudia Gebhard, Rainer Spang, Michael Rehli, Michael Boutros, Christian Schmidl, Nisit Khandelwal, Philipp Beckhove
Summary: This study reveals a molecular mechanism that protects tumor cells from cytotoxic T-cell attack and demonstrates the feasibility of pharmacological inhibition of this pathway.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
A. Echle, N. Ghaffari Laleh, P. Quirke, H. Grabsch, H. S. Muti, O. L. Saldanha, S. F. Brockmoeller, P. A. van den Brandt, G. G. A. Hutchins, S. D. Richman, K. Horisberger, C. Galata, M. P. Ebert, M. Eckardt, M. Boutros, D. Horst, C. Reissfelder, E. Alwers, T. J. Brinker, R. Langer, J. C. A. Jenniskens, K. Offermans, W. Mueller, R. Gray, S. B. Gruber, J. K. Greenson, G. Rennert, J. D. Bonner, D. Schmolze, J. Chang-Claude, H. Brenner, C. Trautwein, P. Boor, D. Jaeger, N. T. Gaisa, M. Hoffmeister, N. P. West, J. N. Kather
Summary: This study developed an AI-based system to identify microsatellite instability/mismatch repair deficiency in colorectal cancer, achieving high accuracy. The system can be used to rule out MSI/dMMR, reducing the cost and time for molecular profiling.
Article
Oncology
Leonhard Valentin Bamberg, Florian Heigwer, Anna Maxi Wandmacher, Ambika Singh, Johannes Betge, Niklas Rindtorff, Johannes Werner, Julia Josten, Olga Valerievna Skabkina, Isabel Hinsenkamp, Gerrit Erdmann, Christoph Roecken, Matthias P. Ebert, Elke Burgermeister, Tianzuo Zhan, Michael Boutros
Summary: Epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC), and combining histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors with Euchromatic Histone Lysine N-Methyltransferases 1 and 2 (EHMT1/2) inhibitors has shown promising results in reducing CRC growth. Low expression of EHMT2 protein is associated with advanced CRC and poor clinical outcomes. Cotargeting HDAC and EHMT1/2 synergistically reduces proliferation of CRC cell lines through mechanisms such as cell cycle arrest and modulation of autophagy. This combination therapy strategy also decreases tumor viability in advanced models of CRC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Biology
Heng Zhang, Feng Guang Goh, Lee Ching Ng, Chun Hong Chen, Yu Cai
Summary: This study uncovers a new mode of ovarian development in mosquitoes, providing insights into a better understanding of the reproductive system and evolutionary relationship among insects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Zhang, Shijie Zhang, Zhipeng Sun, Yu Cai, Guohua Zhong, Xin Yi
Summary: Camptothecin (CPT), isolated from the Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminate, inhibits DNA synthesis and induces DNA damage by targeting topoisomerase I (top1). It shows significant anticancer activities and has potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. This study reveals the cytotoxic effects of CPT on germ cells, including loss of germline stem cells (GSCs) and impaired differentiation of two-cell cysts. CPT regulates the expression of differentiation factor Bam and cell cycle protein cyclin A to cause GSC loss and arrest the differentiation of two-cell cysts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Mendaluk, Emmanuel Caussinus, Michael Boutros, Christian F. Lehner
Summary: A change in ambient temperature affects cellular processes non-uniformly, with enzymes being more sensitive than diffusion. The molecular-level effects of temperature variation on cells are still poorly understood. A genome-wide RNA interference screen identified genes with physiological significance at different temperatures. Validation experiments confirmed the importance of the gene ballchen at lower temperatures.
Review
Developmental Biology
Lucie Wolf, Michael Boutros
Summary: Intercellular communication by Wnt proteins is crucial for development, tissue homeostasis, and disease. The secretion of Wnt proteins depends on Evi/Wntless and Porcupine, which are transmembrane proteins. This review summarizes the transportation of Wnt proteins from the ER to the plasma membrane, the role of SNX3-retromer in this process, the regulation of Wnt secretion, and the importance of Wnt secretion in organ development and cancer.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johannes Werner, Kim E. Boonekamp, Tianzuo Zhan, Michael Boutros
Summary: Wnt ligands are secreted signaling proteins with a wide range of biological effects. Dysregulation of Wnt signaling is associated with cancer, and genetic alterations result in pathway hyperactivation. Recent research focuses on the interaction of Wnt signaling with tumor micro-environment. The review outlines the function of Wnt ligands in different tumors and their impact on key phenotypes, as well as approaches to target them in cancer therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Michael Baumann, Julio Celis, Ulrik Ringborg, Manuel Heitor, Anton Berns, Tit Albreht, Jeliazko Arabadjiev, Michael Boutros, Mario Brandenburg, Helena Canhao, Fatima Carneiro, Christine Chomienne, Francesco De Lorenzo, Alexander M. M. Eggermont, Angel Font, Elena Garralda, Margarida Goulart, Rui Henrique, Mark Lawler, Lena Maier-Hein, Francoise Meunier, Simon Oberst, Pedro Oliveira, Maria Papatriantafyllou, Joachim Schuez, Eric Solary, Alfonso Valencia, Rosalia Vargas, Elisabete Weiderpass, Nils Wilking
Summary: European cancer research stakeholders gathered in Heidelberg, Germany, for the 5(th) Gago conference on European Cancer Policy in October 2022. The meeting focused on the current state of cancer research and care policy in Europe, identifying gaps in existing programs and proposing priorities for the future through the Heidelberg Manifesto for cancer research. The discussions in the meeting covered various aspects of cancer research, including infrastructure, digitalization, and collaboration, with an emphasis on implementation and sustainability.
MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Kassel, Alison J. Hanson, Hassina Benchabane, Kenyi Saito-Diaz, Carly R. Cabel, Lily Goldsmith, Muhammad Taha, Aksheta Kanuganti, Victoria H. Ng, George Xu, Fei Ye, Julia Picker, Fillip Port, Michael Boutros, Vivian L. Weiss, David J. Robbins, Curtis A. Thorne, Yashi Ahmed, Ethan Lee
Summary: The Wnt-beta-catenin signal transduction pathway is crucial for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. The deubiquitylase USP47 has been identified as a positive regulator of Wnt signaling by counteracting the E3 ligase activity of XIAP on the transcriptional corepressor Groucho/TLE. This mechanism helps to ensure that the expression of Wnt target genes continues only as long as the upstream signal is present.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Florian Heigwer, Christian Scheeder, Josephine Bageritz, Schayan Yousefian, Benedikt Rauscher, Christina Laufer, Sergi Beneyto-Calabuig, Maja Christina Funk, Vera Peters, Maria Boulougouri, Jana Bilanovic, Thilo Miersch, Barbara Schmitt, Claudia Blass, Fillip Port, Michael Boutros
Summary: This article reports a study that utilizes synthetic genetic interaction and cell morphology data to investigate gene function. They used machine learning to assign functions to genes in 47 modules and identified an interaction between Cdk2 and the Cop9 signalosome complex. These data provide a genome-scale resource for uncovering the mechanisms underlying genetic interactions and their plasticity at the single-cell level.
Review
Developmental Biology
Cheng Shi, Pengfei Jiao, Zhiyi Chen, Lan Ma, Siyue Yao
Summary: This review discusses the molecular etiology of congenital craniofacial abnormalities, with a focus on the role and mechanism of noncoding RNAs in regulating craniofacial development. Aberrant expression of noncoding RNAs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of craniofacial abnormalities, providing potential therapeutic targets.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hideru Togashi, Steven Ray Davis, Makoto Sato
Summary: Tile patterns, regulated by cell adhesion molecules, are regular arrangements of cells that play important functional roles in multicellular organisms. The physical constraints and cell adhesion regulate both cell shape and tissue morphogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Armen Khanbabei, Lina Segura, Cynthia Petrossian, Aaron Lemus, Ithan Cano, Courtney Frazier, Armen Halajyan, Donnie Ca, Mariano Loza-Coll
Summary: This article investigates the genetic regulatory mechanisms of Drosophila intestinal stem cells. The study found that most target genes co-regulated by Esg and STAT show a consistent gene expression pattern. However, manipulating these validated targets in vivo rarely replicated the effects of manipulating Esg and STAT, suggesting the presence of complex genetic interactions among the downstream targets of these two master regulator genes.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Bayley J. Waters, Zoe R. Birman, Matthew R. Wagner, Julia Lemanski, Barak Blum
Summary: Researchers found that conditional deletion of Robo2 in adult mice led to a significant loss of islet architecture without affecting beta cell identity or function, suggesting that Robo2 plays a role in actively maintaining adult islet architecture. Understanding the factors required for islet architecture maintenance is crucial for developing future diabetes therapies.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Rhiannon Clements, Tyler Smith, Luke Cowart, Jennifer Zhumi, Alan Sherrod, Aidan Cahill, Ginger L. Hunter
Summary: Cell protrusions play a crucial role in regulating cell activities during development. By studying the regulation mechanism in fruit fly sensory bristle patterning, it was found that Myosin XV is essential for the dynamics of signaling filopodia and promotes long-range Notch signaling.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Margaret Keating, Ryan Hagle, Daniel Osorio-Mendez, Anjelica Rodriguez-Parks, Sarah I. Almutawa, Junsu Kang
Summary: Knock-in reporter (KI) animals are essential for studying gene expression in biomedical research. This study developed a new strategy using minicircle technology and a minimal promoter to enhance knock-in events and establish stable KI transgenic reporter lines. The study also highlighted the importance of selecting the proper KI line due to potential inappropriate influence of genome editing on reporter gene expression.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Developmental Biology
Christian Altbuerger, Meta Rath, Daniel Armbruster, Wolfgang Driever
Summary: This study reveals that Neurog1 and Olig2 transcription factors have differential requirements for the development of dopaminergic neurons, and they integrate local patterning signals and Notch neurogenic selection signaling to specify the progenitor population and initiate neurogenesis and differentiation.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2024)