Article
Neurosciences
Hua Bai, Hui Huang, Ninghui Zhao, Huan Gu, Yixin Li, Wei Zou, Tingting Wu, Xiaowei Huang
Summary: Recent research suggests that forgetting is an active biological process that removes outdated or irrelevant memories through the activation of specific genes and signal transduction pathways. This study reveals the involvement of RAC-2 and JNK-1 in the occurrence of forgetting in Caenorhabditis elegans, indicating their potential as a novel pathway.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fengyun Lei, Xiaoqing Xu, Jianhua Huang, Dan Su, Ping Wan
Summary: This study identified the role of Drosophila RhoGAP18B in the migration of border cells in the ovary. It was found that RhoGAP18B-PA isoform is involved in regulating border cell migration, possibly through the regulation of Rac protein and F-actin organization.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yuli T. Magalhaes, Jessica O. Farias, Luiz E. Silva, Fabio L. Forti
Summary: The classical small Rho GTPase protein family plays crucial roles in regulating cell functions, including maintaining genomic stability and participating in DNA damage response. Studies have shown that direct modulation of Rho GTPase activity, its downstream effectors, and actin cytoskeleton regulation can impact cellular events.
Article
Developmental Biology
Anthony F. Arena, Julianna Escudero, Daniel D. Shaye
Summary: Chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) are a group of conserved proteins with unknown cellular and molecular functions. Studies on nematodes and mammals have shown that CLICs play roles in regulating cell morphogenesis and vascular development. However, the specific cell behaviors and signaling pathways regulated by CLICs during tubulogenesis in vivo are still unclear.
Review
Cell Biology
Mohankumar Amirthalingam, Sundararaj Palanisamy, Shinkichi Tawata
Summary: PAKs are a group of kinases involved in a wide range of cellular functions and have been implicated as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Targeting PAKs could be a potential strategy for cancer therapy development with minimal side effects and promoting healthy longevity.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashwin K. Chetty, Byung Hak Ha, Titus J. Boggon
Summary: This review focuses on the signaling pathways mediated by Rho family small GTPases and the specific roles of type II PAKs. The selectivity of Rho GTPases for PAK family members and the molecular basis for substrate recognition and regulation of signaling are discussed. The cross talk between Rho family small GTPases and the involvement of PAKs in diseases are also addressed.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Yang, Yuedong Ma, Huabin Gao, Tingsheng Peng, Huijuan Shi, Yunxiang Tang, Hui Li, Lin Chen, Kaishun Hu, Anjia Han
Summary: Research has shown that HDGF promotes metastasis in Ewing sarcoma (ES) and leads to poor patient outcomes by regulating multiple metastasis-associated genes, particularly ALCAM. The study further reveals associations among HDGF, ALCAM, and GTPases, suggesting that the HDGF/ALCAM/GTPases axis may serve as a promising therapeutic target for limiting ES metastasis.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Baohui Yuan, He Liu, Xiaohua Pan, Xiaoliang Dong, Le-Feng Qu, Jia Sun, Li-Long Pan
Summary: LSD1 plays a crucial role in neointima formation, and its overexpression is associated with neointima formation. Knockdown of LSD1 significantly reduces neointima formation and inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced VSMC proliferation. Moreover, LSD1 overexpression exhibits opposite effects in vivo and in vitro.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, Chuangqi Wang, Amanda Krajnik, Yudong Yu, Moses Choi, Bolun Lin, Junbong Jang, Su-Jin Heo, John Kolega, Kwonmoo Lee, Yongho Bae
Summary: Machine learning approaches have been successfully utilized to develop a deep learning-based algorithm for image data processing in vascular biology and pathology research. By studying drug treatments on VSMC spheroids, it was discovered that inhibitors of FAK, Rac, Rho, and Cdc42 have differential effects on spheroid morphology, indicating the existence of multiple drug response patterns.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mutsuko Kukimoto-Niino, Kentaro Ihara, Kazutaka Murayama, Mikako Shirouzu
Summary: The DOCK family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors regulates cytoskeletal dynamics by activating Rac and/or Cdc42 GTPases, playing important roles in development and the immune system. Recent structural studies have improved understanding of DOCK GEF activity and GTPase recognition, focusing on how Rac and Cdc42 are specifically recognized.
CURRENT OPINION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Susan Wray, Clodagh Prendergast, Sarah Arrowsmith
Summary: This study explores the mechanisms of calcium-activated chloride channels in smooth muscle tissues and the differences in their activation and regulation in different types of smooth muscles. The findings suggest that the expression and functional importance of CaCC vary in different smooth muscle tissues, with more complexity in activation and regulation observed in vascular smooth muscles.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Meichen Zhu, Yankun Liu, Xuewei Yang, Lirong Zhu, Yanmei Shen, Shipeng Duan, Jinkui Yang
Summary: This study investigated the functions of two Rho-GAPs and two PAKs in the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora using bioinformatics analysis and reverse genetics. The results revealed that these proteins play crucial roles in sporulation and trap formation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tedy Sawma, Abdullah Shaito, Nicolas Najm, Munir Sidani, Alexander Orekhov, Ahmed F. El-Yazbi, Rabah Iratni, Ali H. Eid
Summary: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of global mortality, and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells plays a crucial role in this process. This phenotypic switch involves changes in cell migration, proliferation, gene expression, and differentiation, leading to various vascular dysfunctions.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Elizabeth D. Drewnik, Tobias Wiesenfahrt, Ryan B. Smit, Ye-Jean Park, Linda M. Pallotto, Paul E. Mains
Summary: Actin and myosin mediate cell contractions in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, with LET-502/Rho kinase and PAK-1/p21 activated kinase pathways triggering contraction. While lateral cells drive elongation, dorsoventral cells play a more passive role.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reka Bogati, Eva Katona, Amir H. Shemirani, Eniko Balogh, Helga Bardos, Viktoria Jeney, Laszlo Muszbek
Summary: FXIIIa promotes cell proliferation and collagen secretion in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs), while reducing the concentration of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in the culture medium. These effects may impact the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)