Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meredith Juncker, Catherine Kim, Ryan Reed, Arthur Haas, Joshua Schwartzenburg, Shyamal Desai
Summary: The study reveals defective mitophagy in neurodegenerative diseases such as Ataxia Telangiectasia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is associated with constitutively elevated ISG15 pathway. Inhibition of the ISG15 pathway restores mitophagy, reduces oxidative stress, and unhealthy mitochondria levels, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue for neurodegenerative disorders.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Florian Schueder, Pierre Mangeol, Eunice HoYee Chan, Renate Rees, Juergen Schuenemann, Ralf Jungmann, Dirk Goerlich, Frank Schnorrer
Summary: Sarcomeres, the force-producing units of striated muscles, depend on the titin protein for their nanoarchitecture. This study used nanobodies and super-resolution microscopy to determine the location of two Drosophila titin homologs in flight muscles. The findings reveal the presence of these titin homologs and their role in muscle structure, providing insights into the organization of sarcomeres in non-vertebrates.
Article
Biology
Yongjun Li, Paula Haynes, Shirley L. Zhang, Zhifeng Yue, Amita Sehgal
Summary: Steroid hormones, specifically ecdysone, act as long-range signals that enter the brain more at night through nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) and regulate sleep in Drosophila. The ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its downstream NHR Eip75B (E75) were found to function in glia to affect the rhythm and amount of sleep. This suggests that ecdysone acts as a systemic secreted factor that modulates sleep by stimulating lipid metabolism in cortex glia.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Eliana Jardim Fernandes, Elize Aparecida Santos Musachio, Luana Barreto Meichtry, Dieniffer Espinosa Janner, Franciele Romero Machado Balok, Magna Sotelo Barrientos, Nathalie Savedra Gomes, Ketnne Hanna Poleto Pinto, Mustafa Munir Mustafa Dahleh, Andrieli Rodrigues, Sandra Elisa Haas, Silvana Peterini Boeira, Marina Prigol, Gustavo Petri Guerra
Summary: We investigated the potential toxic effects of chronic exposure to free curcumin and curcumin-loaded nanocapsules in Drosophila melanogaster, demonstrating the safe applications of nanoencapsulated curcumin.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Zein, Simone Fulda, Donat Koegel, Sjoerd J. L. van Wijk
Summary: Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that plays a crucial role in degrading cellular components, but excessive activation can lead to autophagy-dependent cell death. ADCD is involved in the development of lower organisms and in the response of cancer cells to certain drugs, offering a potential therapeutic option for apoptosis-resistant cancer types. The mechanisms of ADCD are complex and involve mitochondrial and ER-specific killing mechanisms triggered by certain drugs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siarhei A. Dabravolski, Nikolay K. Sadykhov, Andrey G. Kartuesov, Evgeny E. Borisov, Vasily N. Sukhorukov, Alexander N. Orekhov
Summary: Zinc plays a crucial role in cardiomyocytes, and dysregulation of cellular zinc homeostasis can lead to mitochondrial and ER stresses, resulting in cardiovascular diseases and accelerated cardiac ageing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Tiberi, Marco Segatto, Maria Teresa Fiorenza, Piergiorgio La Rosa
Summary: Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of frataxin activity, leading to mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress. The GAA expansion in the FXN gene inhibits transcription and disrupts iron metabolism. The defective NRF2 functionality further contributes to the disease progression. Antioxidant therapies have shown conflicting results in preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting the need for further research and understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Cell Biology
Elena V. Ryabova, Pavel A. Melentev, Artem E. Komissarov, Nina V. Surina, Ekaterina A. Ivanova, Natalia Matiytsiv, Halyna R. Shcherbata, Svetlana V. Sarantseva
Summary: Glia are crucial for the development and functioning of the nervous system in animals. Drosophila melanogaster surface glia form barriers in the central and peripheral nervous systems, while cortex and wrapping glia play different roles in encapsulating neuronal cell bodies and axons. Knockdown of the swiss cheese gene in different types of glia leads to morphological abnormalities and loss of integrity, potentially due to apoptosis. Transcriptome changes under swiss cheese knockdown in glia types provoke reactive oxygen species acceleration and a decline in animal mobility.
Article
Cell Biology
Youkun Bi, Yan Chang, Qun Liu, Yang Mao, Kui Zhai, Yuanli Zhou, Renjie Jiao, Guangju Ji
Summary: This study reveals a novel function of CG9911 in promoting fat storage by regulating ER Ca2+ signal in Drosophila. Mutant flies with deleted CG9911 show decreased lipid storage, increased lipolysis, and altered expression of lipolysis related genes, indicating the importance of CG9911 in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Additionally, the phenotype is enhanced under ER stresses and suppressed by a reduction in ER Ca2+, suggesting the intricate regulatory mechanisms involved in fat storage in Drosophila.
Article
Cell Biology
Benjamin Gottschalk, Zhanat Koshenov, Olaf A. Bachkoenig, Rene Rost, Roland Malli, Wolfgang F. Graier
Summary: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) critically depends on ATP supply for its functions. The disruption of protein trafficking and folding in the ER leads to ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). During ER stress, the stability and lifetime of mitochondrial associated ER membranes (MAM) increase, resulting in an increase in mitochondrial activity and ATP generation, which in turn enhances the ATP supply for the ER. The increased stability and lifetime of MAMs during ER stress rely on the mitochondrial fusion protein Mitofusin2 (MFN2). Knockdown of MFN2 impairs the response of mitochondria to ER stress and reduces ATP supply for the ER.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Liubov Koval, Nadezhda Zemskaya, Alexander Aliper, Alex Zhavoronkov, Alexey Moskalev
Summary: Withaferin A (WA) shows geroprotective properties in the Drosophila model, extending the lifespan of male flies and improving intestinal barrier permeability. WA also has a multidirectional effect on antioxidant defense and oxidative stress resistance in flies.
Article
Biology
Tatjana Krama, Diana Bahhir, Liina Ots, Sergejs Popovs, Vadims Bartkevics, Iveta Pugajeva, Ronalds Krams, Enno Merivee, Anne Must, Markus J. J. Rantala, Indrikis Krams, Priit Joers
Summary: Predation can have lethal and non-lethal effects on prey, and non-lethal effects can cause adaptive evolution. Chronic predation stress can lead to metabolic disorders, similar to conditions in humans. This study found that predator stress impairs carbohydrate metabolism in fruit flies, but the flies grown with predators have better survival under direct predation. Treatment with metformin and 5-hydroxytryptophan reversed these effects, suggesting a link between predator stress and metabolic impairment. This research provides an animal model to explore the mechanisms behind prevalent metabolic disorders in humans.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Alaraby, Aliro Villacorta, Doaa Abass, Alba Hernandez, Ricard Marcos
Summary: Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to wildlife and humans. This study investigated the risks associated with micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) by examining environmental samples obtained from plastic waste. The results showed that exposure to MNPLs could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in organisms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qing Zhang, Lichong Hao, Yu Hong
Summary: The study revealed that Triclosan has negative impacts on the development, reproduction, and behavior of Drosophila, with high concentrations causing impaired metamorphosis, decreased fertility, and potential damage to larval intestinal cells.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nattapong Wongchum, Ananya Dechakhamphu
Summary: The study found that XN supplementation can extend the lifespan of fruit flies, increase their antioxidant enzyme activities, improve their survival rates against hydrogen peroxide and paraquat, and enhance their resistance to cold and heat shock as well as starvation stress.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronique Monnier, Jose Vicente Llorens, Juan Antonio Navarro
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2018)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
P. Calap-Quintana, J. A. Navarro, J. Gonzalez-Fernandez, M. J. Martinez-Sebastian, M. D. Molto, J. V. Llorens
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Moschall, Mathias Rass, Oliver Rossbach, Gerhard Lehmann, Lars Kullmann, Norbert Eichner, Daniela Strauss, Gunter Meister, Stephan Schneuwly, Michael P. Krahn, Jan Medenbach
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mathias Rass, Svenja Oestreich, Severin Guetter, Susanne Fischer, Stephan Schneuwly
Article
Cell Biology
Andrew Rallis, Juan A. Navarro, Mathias Rass, Amelie Hu, Serge Birman, Stephan Schneuwly, Pascal P. Therond
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura R. Rodriguez, Tamara Lapena-Luzon, Pablo Calap-Quintana, Maria Dolores Molto, Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo, Juan Antonio Navarro Langa
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura R. Rodriguez, Pablo Calap-Quintana, Tamara Lapena-Luzon, Federico Pallardo, Stephan Schneuwly, Juan A. Navarro, Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Estela Selma-Soriano, Carlos Casillas-Serra, Ruben Artero, Beatriz Llamusi, Juan Antonio Navarro, Josep Redon
Summary: Heart failure and chronic kidney disease have a direct association and can be both cause and consequence of each other. Apart from known factors like diabetes and hypertension, genetic factors may explain variations in the manifestation and progression of these conditions among patients. One such genetic factor is Rph, which plays a role in vesicular trafficking in the nervous and excretory system of mammals and Drosophila.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura R. Rodriguez, Tamara Lapena-Luzon, Noelia Beneto, Vicent Beltran-Beltran, Federico Pallardo, Pilar Gonzalez-Cabo, Juan Antonio Navarro
Summary: Calcium plays a crucial role in regulating various signaling pathways for cell maintenance. The communication between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria through MAMs is essential for maintaining mitochondrial function and cell homeostasis. Dysregulation of these pathways is associated with the development of neurological disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Johannes Mehringer, Juan Antonio Navarro, Didier Touraud, Stephan Schneuwly, Werner Kunz
Summary: A phosphorylated resveratrol material was studied for its anti-aggregation properties, showing an anti-fibrillation effect for specific proteins in vitro and improved physiological protein aggregation and locomotor abilities in a drosophila fly model.
RSC CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Porcellato, Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Sanchez, Constantin Ahlmann-Eltze, Mahmoud Ali Elsakka, Itamar Shapira, Juergen Fritsch, Juan Antonio Navarro, Simon Anders, Robert B. Russell, Felix T. Wieland, Christoph Metzendorf
Summary: Protein S-palmitoylation, a reversible protein modification, plays a crucial role in neuronal diseases and cancer. However, its study in Drosophila melanogaster has been limited. In this study, the palmitoylome of Drosophila S2R+ cells was analyzed, and a method called DHHC-BioID was established to identify client proteins and interaction partners of protein acyl-transferases (PATs). The results showed that S-palmitoylated proteins are conserved between mammals and Drosophila, and DHHC-BioID is a sensitive and specific method for identifying DHHC-PAT client proteins.