Article
Cell Biology
Zhifei Xu, Zezheng Pan, Ying Jin, Zizheng Gao, Feng Jiang, Huangxi Fu, Xueqin Chen, Xiaochen Zhang, Hao Yan, Xiaochun Yang, Bo Yang, Qiaojun He, Peihua Luo
Summary: This study revealed a novel mechanism for Crizotinib-induced cardiotoxicity, demonstrating that reviving the autophagy flux can reverse cardiomyocyte damage and mitochondrial injury, with metformin potentially serving as a therapeutic approach for Crizotinib-induced cardiotoxicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Cheng, Zhenyu Wang, Yi Xiong, Zhifeng Wu, Xiang Tan, Yapeng Yang, Hang Zhang, Xi Zhu, Hong Wei, Shiyu Tao
Summary: This study demonstrated the detrimental effects of 3OC12 on intestinal health in mice, highlighting the role of gut microbiome in the induced intestinal damage. Furthermore, the results showed that fecal microbial transplantation could reproduce the effects of 3OC12 challenge in SPF mice in GF mice.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dan Song, Chao Xu, Askild L. Holck, Rong Liu
Summary: ACR exposure has been shown to cause neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity, but the exact mechanism of its toxicity remains unknown. In this study, it was demonstrated that ACR inhibited autophagic flux, increased ROS content, and led to apoptosis and inflammatory responses. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in metabolic profiles between ACR treated and control cells.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanhe Zhang, Jie Cui, Kan Li, Shuang Xu, Hang Yin, Shu Li, Xue-jiao Gao
Summary: TMT, a highly toxic organotin compound, accumulates through the environment and food chain, leading to disorders of glucolipid metabolism and obesity. This study found that TMT exposure increased fasting blood glucose and blood lipid content in mice, as well as causing inflammatory reactions and necrosis in pancreatic tissue. In cell experiments, different concentrations of TMT disrupted autophagy, leading to apoptosis and necrosis.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Penghui Liu, Ran Li, Xiaolin Tian, Yannan Zhao, Meng Li, Meng Wang, Xiaodong Ying, Jiyu Yuan, Jiaxin Xie, Xiaoting Yan, Yi Lyu, Cailing Wei, Yulan Qiu, Fengjie Tian, Qian Zhao, Xiaoyan Yan
Summary: In this study, rats were exposed to fluoride and arsenic via drinking water and showed reduction in testicular weight, tissue damage, and decreased hormone levels. The research also revealed the impact of fluoride and arsenic exposure on autophagic flux in the testis and changes in intestinal flora composition associated with testicular injury.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Peter Kovermann, Miriam Engels, Frank Mueller, Christoph Fahlke
Summary: Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) play a crucial role in optimizing the temporal resolution and energy demand of excitatory synapses. In addition to their primary transport function, EAATs also function as anion channels. Recent research has shed light on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of EAAT anion channels.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Joanne C. Lee, Hannah J. Brien, Bonnie L. Walton, Zachary M. Eidman, Satoshi Toda, Wendell A. Lim, Jonathan M. Brunger
Summary: The field of regenerative engineering relies on cell selection/conditioning and biomaterial fabrication to direct cell differentiation. The MATRIX platform has been developed to enable custom-defined cellular responses to biomaterials by combining engineered materials with cells expressing synthetic biology control modules. This approach allows for the activation of synthetic Notch receptors and the control of various cellular activities in response to otherwise bioinert ligands, offering new possibilities for reproducibly controlling cell-based therapies and tissue replacements.
Article
Oncology
Fei Hu, Yu Wu, Cheng Liu, Yingchao Zhu, Shazhou Ye, Yang Xi, Wei Cui, Shizhong Bu
Summary: The study found that penicillin affected the growth, migration, and invasion ability of colorectal cancer cells, impaired mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, induced autophagic apoptosis, and ultimately inhibited cancer cell growth and metastasis.
Article
Oncology
Tuersunayi Abudureheman, Jing Xia, Ming-Hao Li, Hang Zhou, Wei-Wei Zheng, Neng Zhou, Rong-Yi Shi, Jian-Min Zhu, Li-Ting Yang, Li Chen, Liang Zheng, Kai Xue, Kai Qing, Cai-Wen Duan
Summary: THZ1 inhibits cell cycle and induces apoptosis of B-ALL cells, disrupts cellular metabolic pathways, suppresses cellular metabolism by downregulating c-MYC-mediated metabolic enzymes, and enhances cell apoptosis through upregulation of p53 expression, providing a novel treatment option for B-ALL.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pengchen Chen, Yali Song, Li Tang, Wenbin Zhong, JingJing Zhang, Min Cao, Junhui Chen, Guangqing Cheng, Huiying Li, Tianyun Fan, Hang Fai Kwok, Jigang Wang, Chuanbin Yang, Wei Xiao
Summary: The antiseptic substance tributyltin chloride (TBTCL) can induce cell death and cell cycle arrest in Leydig cells by affecting endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy. Inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress can alleviate TBTCL-induced autophagy inhibition, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, while activation of autophagy can mitigate TBTCL-induced cellular damage. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of TBTCL-induced testis toxicity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heng Yin, Zhicai Zuo, Zhuangzhi Yang, Hongrui Guo, Jing Fang, Hengmin Cui, Ping Ouyang, Xia Chen, Jian Chen, Yi Geng, Zhengli Chen, Chao Huang, Yanqiu Zhu
Summary: Nickel, a widely distributed metal and important environmental pollutant, induces autophagy in kidneys and causes renal injury via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and AMPK pathways.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bhavnita Soni, Shailza Singh
Summary: Macrophage phenotype plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Leishmanial infection, and the expression levels of cytokine signaling suppressors (SOCS) in correlation with the establishment of infection are not well understood. IL6 induces the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 through JAK-STAT signaling, and the immunological crosstalk between TLR2 and IL6 signaling pathways is established during the early stage of Leishmania major infection. Synthetic biology approaches can be used to target the activity of SOCS1 and restore pro-inflammatory cytokine expression during infection.
Article
Immunology
Jia Li, Thekla Kemper, Ruth Broering, Jieliang Chen, Zhenghong Yuan, Xueyu Wang, Mengji Lu
Summary: The study found that IFN alpha-2a treatment can interfere with multiple intracellular signaling pathways, promote autophagy initiation, but may also slightly increase HBV replication.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sang-Hyun Park, Inhong Hwang, Daniel A. McNaughton, Airlie J. Kinross, Ethan N. W. Howe, Qing He, Shenglun Xiong, Martin Drohse Kilde, Vincent M. Lynch, Philip A. Gale, Jonathan L. Sessler, Injae Shin
Summary: Artificial cation ionophores have been developed for research and biomedical applications, with some showing potential as small molecules with apoptotic activity. These ionophores act as efficient Na+/K+ exchangers in cell models, inducing apoptosis by perturbing cellular cation homeostasis and promoting ER stress, reactive oxygen species generation, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Wanqi Huang, Tianchu Huang, Yusi Liu, Jialin Fu, Xiaowei Wei, Dan Liu, Wei Ma, Hui Gu, Zhengwei Yuan
Summary: Impaired autophagy and excessive apoptosis disrupt cellular homeostasis in neural tube defects (NTDs). The transcription factor NFIC plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis during neural tube closure. Abnormal levels of NFIC can interact with the miR-200b promoter, activating the transcription of miR-200b. MiR-200b represses autophagy and triggers apoptosis by targeting the autophagy-related gene Ambra1. This NFIC-miR-200b-Ambra1 axis disrupts cellular homeostasis and may contribute to NTD pathogenesis.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathalie Busschaert, Debabrata Maity, Pralok K. Samanta, Niall J. English, Andrew D. Hamilton
Summary: In this study, terminal modification of the thrombin binding aptamer with aromatic fragments was shown to enhance the stability of the G-quadruplex structure and improve its anticoagulant activity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sander J. Wezenberg, Li-Jun Chen, Jasper E. Bos, Ben L. Feringa, Ethan N. W. Howe, Xin Wu, Maxime A. Siegler, Philip A. Gale
Summary: Membrane transport proteins have important regulatory functions in biology and can respond to environmental stimuli. Using bis(thio)ureas derived from stiff-stilbene, photocontrol of transmembrane transport and electric potential has been demonstrated through UV-vis and H-1 NMR spectroscopy. The (Z)-isomers show stronger binding properties and are more active in transmembrane transport compared to the (E)-isomers.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Organic
Katrina (Kate) A. Jolliffe, Philip A. Gale
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Elliot S. Williams, Hassan Gneid, Sarah R. Marshall, Mario J. Gonzalez, Jorgi A. Mandelbaum, Nathalie Busschaert
Summary: This study reports a set of neutral small molecules that selectively recognize bacterial lipids and exhibit antibacterial activity by binding to the headgroup of PG lipids, altering membrane fluidity, causing membrane depolarization, and ultimately leading to cell death.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Wu, Alexander M. Gilchrist, Philip A. Gale
Summary: Researchers have synthesized a Janus metal-organic layer that can be embedded into lipid bilayer membranes, undergoes photo-induced charge transfer, and facilitates active H+ transport and subsequent ATP synthesis by CF0F1-ATP synthase in liposomes.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lauren K. Macreadie, Alexander M. Gilchrist, Daniel A. McNaughton, William G. Ryder, Mohamed Fares, Philip A. Gale
Summary: This review summarizes the advances in anion complexation in the years 2019 and 2020, including developments in self-assembly, sensing, anion separation, transport, catalysis, and fundamental advances in anion recognition systems.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Slater, Claudia Caltagirone, Emily Draper, Nathalie Busschaert, Kristin Hutchins, Jennifer Leigh
Summary: Pregnancy in the lab raises complex questions with no definitive answers. Sharing experiences and discussing research into the challenges, as well as focusing on the support needed for pregnant individuals, we conclude that community is critical to enhancing experiences.
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Li-Jun Chen, Xin Wu, Alexander M. Gilchrist, Philip A. Gale
Summary: This article reports a transport process driven by organometallic compounds that creates a pH gradient and enables the uphill transport of hydroxide ions. The study shows that the addition of different anions can control the generation of OH- ions, which is important for regulating the transport process.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohamed Fares, Peter Canfield, Muhammad A. Alsherbiny, William Lewis, Anthony C. Willis, Chun Guang Li, Johan Neyts, Dirk Jochmans, Philip A. Gale, Paul A. Keller
Summary: Inspired by the antiviral activity of pyrimidines and triazolopyrimidines, two series of potential antiviral agents were designed and synthesized. Evaluation of their structure, mechanism, pharmacokinetic properties, and cytotoxicity screening revealed moderate to strong antiviral activity in some derivatives.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Calvin Chau, Sajal Sen, Adam C. Sedgwick, Philip A. Gale, G. Dan Pantos, Sung Kuk Kim, Jung Su Park, Elisa Tomat, Jonathan F. Arambula, Anne E. Gorden, Hiroyuki Furuta
Summary: This article celebrates Professor Jonathan Sessler's 65th birthday by tracing his life and career path. It highlights his early days as an independent researcher and his contributions to the field of chemistry. The article aims to inspire readers to pursue their academic endeavors and emphasizes Jonathan's guiding motto.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander M. Gilchrist, Xin Wu, Bryson A. Hawkins, David E. Hibbs, Philip A. Gale
Summary: Synthetic anion transporters have potential in treating life-threatening diseases and fluorination has been shown to tune their properties. In this study, a series of fluorinated tetrapodal anion transporters were designed and their effects on lipophilicity, solubility, deliverability, and anion transport selectivity were investigated. The most fluorinated tetrathiourea displayed the highest transport activity and an interesting inversion of Cl- vs NO3- transport selectivity was observed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vera Sousa, AderitoJ. R. Amaral, Edgar J. Castanheira, Igor Marques, Joao M. M. Rodrigues, Vitor Felix, Joao Borges, Joao F. Mano
Summary: This study reported the development of strong, homogeneous, transparent HA-functionalized G-quadruplex hydrogels with injectable, thermo-reversible, conductive, and self-healing properties. The supramolecular polymeric hydrogels were formed through hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions between G, HA-PBA, and K+ ions. Microchannel-embedded 3D constructs exhibited enhanced cell viability compared to bulk hydrogels, indicating their potential in tissue regeneration, drug screening, or organ-on-a-chip applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward York, Daniel A. Mcnaughton, Meryem-Nur Duman, Philip A. Gale, Tristan Rawling
Summary: It has been discovered that bisaryl urea compounds can mediate mitochondrial uncoupling, leading to inhibition of breast cancer cell growth. Furthermore, substituting the urea group in bisaryl ureas can alter the activity of the compounds, with different substituents yielding different effects.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Mohamed Fares, Xin Wu, Daniel A. McNaughton, Alexander M. Gilchrist, William Lewis, Paul A. Keller, Alain Arias-Betancur, Pere Fontova, Ricardo Perez-Tomas, Philip A. Gale
Summary: A series of fluorescent coumarin bis-ureas 1-4 were synthesized and found to act as highly potent HCl co-transport agents in lipid bilayer membranes. Compound 4, the most lipophilic transporter, exhibited a cytotoxic effect against three cancer cell lines and was able to cross the plasma membrane and localize in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, compound 4 showed co-localization with LysoTracker Red in the lysosome, despite lacking lysosome targeting groups.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)