Article
Food Science & Technology
Chenyan Lv, Siyu Huang, Yumeng Wang, Zhaohui Hu, Guanghua Zhao, Changwei Ma, Xueli Cao
Summary: This study utilized ferritin encapsulation of chicoric acid to enhance its stability and inhibitory effect on tau protein phosphorylation, suggesting ferritin as an effective vector for bioactive molecules. The results indicate a potential novel strategy for preventing neurodegenerative diseases using dietary polyphenols.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Shasha Yin, Liu Liu, Lauren E. Ball, Yalong Wang, Mark T. Bedford, Stephen A. Duncan, Haizhen Wang, Wenjian Gan
Summary: This study identifies protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a critical regulator of the GATOR2 complex, which activates the mTORC1 pathway for tumor growth. Inhibition of the CDK5-PRMT1-WDR24 axis suppresses HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth. High PRMT1 protein expression is associated with elevated mTORC1 signaling in patients with HCC.
Article
Cell Biology
Renjie Hong, Xiaoyu Tian, Hongbo Ma, Hua Ni, Jia Yang, Weiwen Bu, Te Li, Song Yang, Dengwen Li, Min Liu, Yanjie Tan
Summary: Using cilium-deficient mice, this study found that disruption of ciliary homeostasis in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in aged mice leads to significant bile duct proliferation, augmented biliary fibrosis, and heightened indicators of liver injury. RNA-sequencing data revealed dysregulation of genes associated with various biological processes. Loss of primary cilia also significantly enhanced signaling pathways driving the development of biliary fibrosis. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the primary cilium as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of fibrosing cholangiopathies.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suet Nee Chen, Chi Keung Lam, Ying-Wooi Wan, Shanshan Gao, Olfat A. Malak, Shane Rui Zhao, Raffaella Lombardi, Amrut Ambardekar, Michael R. Bristow, Joseph Cleveland, Marta Gigli, Gianfranco Sinagra, Sharon Graw, Matthew R. G. Taylor, Joseph C. Wu, Luisa Mestroni
Summary: FLNC truncating mutations (FLNCtv) are common causes of inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with a high risk of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. This study used patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) to investigate the molecular mechanisms of mutant FLNC in arrhythmogenic DCM. The researchers found that FLNC deficiency led to nuclear translocation of beta-catenin (CTNNB1) and activation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) pathway, which were also observed in human hearts with a-DCM and FLNCtv. Treatment with PDGFRA inhibitor improved contractile function of patient iPSC-CMs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shazia Shafique, Ume Attia, Sobiya Shafique, Bushra Tabassum, Naureen Akhtar, Ayman Naeem, Qamar Abbas
Summary: Vigna radiata L., an important legume crop in Pakistan, suffers from fungal damage. The use of natural compounds to manage mung-bean fungal diseases is an innovative approach. Aqueous culture filtrates of Penicillium species were evaluated for their antagonistic effect on Phoma herbarum, and P. janczewskii showed the most significant inhibition. Furthermore, the metabolites of P. janczewskii were found to have a suppressive effect on the transcript level of the StSTE12 gene involved in appressorium development. The study highlights the strong fungicidal potential of Penicillium species against P. herbarum and suggests further analysis to isolate effective fungicidal constituents.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Nuria Garcia-Diaz, Berta Casar, Ruth Alonso-Alonso, Laura Quevedo, Marta Rodriguez, Fulgencio Ruso-Julve, Anna Esteve-Codina, Marta Gut, Alejandro A. Gru, Maria Carmen Gonzalez-Vela, Ivo Gut, Jose Luis Rodriguez-Peralto, Ignacio Varela, Pablo Luis Ortiz-Romero, Miguel A. Piris, Jose Pedro Vaque
Summary: Research has shown that PKC theta plays a central role in activating malignant cutaneous T-cell lymphoma mechanisms through multiple routes. These mechanisms may serve as targets for specific therapies.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Meenakshi A. Chellaiah
Summary: In osteoclasts treated with TNF-alpha, the phosphorylation of L-PLastin can be attenuated by inhibitors of TNF-receptor 1, signaling proteins, and TRAF-6 siRNA. However, inhibitors of integrin alpha v beta 3, PKC, or PKA do not affect TNF-alpha-induced L-PLastin phosphorylation. Furthermore, Src and PI3-K are shown to regulate TRAF-6 phosphorylation, while Rho and Rho-kinase are downstream of TRAF-6 regulation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ho-Soo Lee, Sunwoo Min, Ye-Eun Jung, Sunyoung Chae, June Heo, Jae-Ho Lee, TaeSoo Kim, Ho-Chul Kang, Makoto Nakanish, Sun-Shin Cha, Hyeseong Cho
Summary: The study reveals that the RSF1-PLK1 axis plays a crucial role in the activation of Aurora B, enhancing its catalytic activity through phosphorylation and promoting chromosome alignment and segregation. This kinase combination is crucial for regulating dynamic microtubule-kinetochore attachment in early mitosis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Tanya Schild, Melanie R. McReynolds, Christie Shea, Vivien Low, Bethany E. Schaffer, John M. Asara, Elena Piskounova, Noah Dephoure, Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Ana P. Gomes, John Blenis
Summary: Metabolic adaptations and signaling events play crucial roles in promoting the survival of PDAC at the fibrotic tumor site, with a recent focus on the rewiring of NADPH production. Oncogenic KRAS has been shown to promote NADK phosphorylation, leading to increased NADK activity in PDAC cells, suggesting NADK as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Behnam Rashidieh, Belal Shohayeb, Amanda Louise Bain, Patrick R. J. Fortuna, Debottam Sinha, Andrew Burgess, Richard Mills, Rachael C. Adams, J. Alejandro Lopez, Peter Blumbergs, John Finnie, Murugan Kalimutho, Michael Piper, James Edward Hudson, Dominic C. H. Ng, Kum Kum Khanna
Summary: CEP55 plays a critical role in embryonic development and neural development, with its defects leading to severe clinical manifestations and perinatal lethality. It regulates neural development through the Akt pathway and downstream effector Gsk3 beta, and plays a crucial role in cilia formation.
Article
Oncology
So Mi Jeon, Je Sun Lim, Su Hwan Park, Jong-Ho Lee
Summary: The study found that Wnt signaling can induce the expression of PFKP independently of beta-catenin, increase PFK enzyme activity, and promote the Warburg effect, cell proliferation, colony formation, and cancer cell migration through PFKP S386 phosphorylation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yun Qian, Lianxin Zhou, Simson Tsz Yat Luk, Jiaying Xu, Weilin Li, Hongyan Gou, Huarong Chen, Wei Kang, Jun Yu, Chi Chun Wong
Summary: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing globally. We identified SCNN1B as a down-regulated gene in CRC that acts as a tumor suppressor. SCNN1B mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in primary CRC and CRC cells. In a cohort study, SCNN1B protein was an independent prognostic factor associated with favorable outcomes in CRC. Overexpression of SCNN1B in CRC cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and suppressed cell migration. Xenograft models confirmed the tumor suppressive function of SCNN1B in vivo. Mechanistically, SCNN1B suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway by inhibiting the activation of c-Raf, a downstream target of KRAS.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Won Gun Choi, Wonsuk Choi, Tae Jung Oh, Hye-Na Cha, Inseon Hwang, Yun Kyung Lee, Seung Yeon Lee, Hyemi Shin, Ajin Lim, Dongryeol Ryu, Jae Myoung Suh, So-Young Park, Sung Hee Choi, Hail Kim
Summary: Inhibition of serotonin signaling in adipose tissues can improve insulin resistance by reducing lipolysis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Constantinos G. Broustas, Sanjay Mukherjee, Evan L. Pannkuk, Evagelia C. Laiakis, Albert J. Fornace, Sally A. Amundson
Summary: Radiation biodosimetry based on transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood is a valuable tool for detecting radiation exposure, but confounding factors may affect its predictive power. The p38 signaling pathway plays an important role in the response to radiation, and its attenuation may protect blood cells from radiation-induced damage.
RADIATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ping Yin, Dan Li, Qi Zhao, Mingming Cai, Zhenru Wu, Yujun Shi, Li Su
Summary: The research showed that fluctuations in Gs alpha levels may play a crucial role in the development of heart failure, with loss of Gs alpha function leading to cardiac deterioration and remodeling by inhibiting the CREB1 and Bmp10 signaling pathways.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Rosita Diana, Ugo Caruso, Francesco Silvio Gentile, Luigi Di Costanzo, David Turra, Stefania Vitale, Barbara Panunzi
Summary: In this study, we designed three novel fluorescent brightening agents based on a benzodifuran skeleton, which have improved water solubility and the ability to interact with living cells. A complete understanding of the emission mechanisms was achieved through Density Functional Theory study and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The fluorescence quantum yields were measured in different solvents and at different pH values. Through fluorescence microscopy technique, two probes with different functionalized branching chains were found to be efficient stains for plant root cell wall.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Berit Hassing, Alyesha Candy, Carla J. Eaton, Tania R. Fernandes, Carl H. Mesarich, Antonio Di Pietro, Barry Scott
Summary: Phosphoinositides are important components of eukaryotic membranes and play a role in signaling processes. This study examined the localization of different phosphoinositide species in Epichloe festucae and analyzed the function of two key genes. The results showed that the deletion of the tepA gene affected chemotropism in Fusarium oxysporum.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anna Maria Aprile, Mariangela Coppola, David Turra, Stefania Vitale, Pasquale Cascone, Gianfranco Diretto, Alessia Fiore, Valeria Castaldi, Alessandra Romanelli, Concetta Avitabile, Emilio Guerrieri, Sheridan Lois Woo, Rosa Rao
Summary: Trichoderma spp. are widely used beneficial fungi in agriculture, triggering plant resistance responses. Combining them with plant-derived compounds can enhance their effectiveness in plant defense.
JOURNAL OF PLANT INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francisco M. Gamez-Arjona, Stefania Vitale, Aline Voxeur, Susanne Dora, Sascha Mueller, Gloria Sancho-Andres, Juan Carlos Montesinos, Antonio Di Pietro, Clara Sanchez-Rodriguez
Summary: This study reveals the role of cellulase activity in fungal pathogen colonization. The researchers found that while the pathogen Fo does not require complete cellulase arsenal to infect the host, reducing cellulase activity has a severe negative impact on its saprophytic growth and conidia production during the final stages of the infection cycle.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Annarita Falanga, Angela Maione, Alessandra La Pietra, Elisabetta de Alteriis, Stefania Vitale, Rosa Bellavita, Rosa Carotenuto, David Turra, Stefania Galdiero, Emilia Galdiero, Marco Guida
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between C. albicans and F. oxysporum dual-species biofilm and the effectiveness of combination treatment using WMR peptide and fluconazole (FLC). The results show that the combination treatment significantly reduces the biomass and viability of both species in the mixed biofilm.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Davide Palmieri, David Segorbe, Manuel S. Lopez-Berges, Filippo De Curtis, Giuseppe Lima, Antonio Di Pietro, David Turra
Summary: Fusaric acid (FA), a secondary metabolite found in phytopathogenic fungi, has toxic effects on plants, rhizobacteria, fungi, and animals, and is involved in plant and animal pathogenesis. This study investigated the factors affecting FA production in Fusarium oxysporum (Fol), including nitrogen sources, iron content, extracellular pH, and cellular signaling pathways. The results showed that the nitrogen source, extracellular pH, and iron availability influenced FA production, with alkaline pH and iron limitation promoting FA production, while acidic pH and iron sufficiency repressed it. Additionally, the cell wall integrity (CWI) MAPK pathway positively regulated FA production, while the iron homeostasis transcriptional regulator HapX inhibited it. These findings provide new insights into FA biosynthesis regulation and can be utilized to prevent Fol infection and toxin contamination.
Article
Microbiology
Rafael Palos-Fernandez, David Turra, Antonio Di Pietro
Summary: This study reveals the regulatory mechanism of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in Fusarium oxysporum. The GATA-type transcription factor Pro1 integrates signals from different MAPK pathways and controls multiple functions. These findings are important for understanding the developmental decisions of fungal pathogens.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gesabel Yaneth Navarro-Velasco, Antonio Di Pietro, Manuel Sanchez Lopez-Berges
Summary: This study reveals the critical role of TORC1 signaling in the development and pathogenicity of F. oxysporum. Inactivation of the negative regulator TSC2 leads to inappropriate activation of TORC1, resulting in impaired invasive growth and decreased virulence. These findings suggest new potential targets for the control of fungal infections.
MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tania R. Fernandes, Melani Mariscal, Antonio Serrano, David Segorbe, Teresa Fernandez-Acero, Humberto Martin, David Turra, Antonio Di Pietro
Summary: Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate key functions in fungal pathogens, and recent findings suggest that pH plays a role in the modulation of MAPK-mediated pathogenicity. This study reveals that pH controls hyphal chemotropism in the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum and that cytosolic pH fluctuations induce rapid reprogramming of MAPKs. Additionally, the sphingolipid-regulated AGC kinase Ypk1/2 is identified as a key component in pH-modulated MAPK responses.
Article
Horticulture
Flavia de Benedetta, Matteo Giaccone, Feliciana Pica, Maria Tiziana Lisanti, Francesco Vinale, David Turra, Gianpaolo Maria Giacca, Umberto Bernardo
Summary: In the past decade, the brown marmorated stink bug has become a major threat to hazelnut production due to its detrimental effects on the quality of kernels. Italy faces difficulties in managing this pest due to the lack of effective biocontrol agents and insecticides. A field test was conducted to assess the damage caused by the stink bug on different hazelnut cultivars with different pest management approaches. The results showed that the timing of stink bug activity and the phenological development of the hazelnuts played a significant role in the extent of damage, highlighting the importance of understanding this interaction for effective pest control strategies.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Alessia Staropoli, Valentino Maria Guastaferro, Francesco Vinale, David Turra, Luigi Di Costanzo, Stefania Vitale
Summary: Fusaric acid (FA), a natural substance produced by fungal plant pathogens, exerts various biological activities and is regulated by pheromone signaling. Understanding the biological activity and signaling pathways of fusaric acid is of great importance.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2023)