Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga A. Kudryavtseva, Evgeny S. Gerasimov, Elena S. Glagoleva, Anna A. Gasparyan, Saveliy M. Agroskin, Mikhail A. Belozersky, Yakov E. Dunaevsky
Summary: The PaLTEE is an ongoing study on the evolutionary dynamics of mutations in the genomes of eight haploid populations of P. anserina. The analysis of the genomes 8 years after the start of the experiment detected 312 SNPs and 39 indels. The number of SNPs showed a linear increase with the duration of the experiment. Parallel evolution at the gene level and protein function level was also observed in the P. anserina model system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Heinz D. Osiewacz, Lea Schuermanns
Summary: Research on Podospora anserina has identified a network of molecular pathways affecting biological aging, including control of mitochondria and mtDNA stability. Imbalance of reactive oxygen species levels can lead to molecular damage, with damaged compounds being degraded by enzymes or autophagy.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tinh-Suong Nguyen, Valerie Gautier, Laetitia Chan Ho Tong, Philippe Silar
Summary: The degeneration of CG cells in Podospora anserina is controlled by a prion-like element and self-activation of the PaMpk1 MAP kinase cascade. Twelve genes in the 86-11 locus are responsible for either setting up or inhibiting the self-activation loop. Interestingly, these genes are different from those in Podospora comata which lacks CG.
FUNGAL GENETICS AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zhipeng Yu, Yaxin Cao, Ruotong Kan, Huizhuo Ji, Wenzhu Zhao, Sijia Wu, Jingbo Liu, David Shiuan
Summary: This study screened xanthine oxidase inhibitory peptides from egg white proteins through virtual hydrolysis, in vitro activity validation, and molecular docking, identifying the novel tripeptide EEK as a potential candidate for controlling hyperuricemia.
FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisabeth Gislefoss, Amr Ahmed Abdelrahim Gamil, Aina-Cathrine Overgard, Oystein Evensen
Summary: The salmon louse is a major challenge in salmon farming, and current treatments are costly and raise welfare issues. This study investigated the importance of two heme peroxidase enzymes in parasite development and their potential as vaccine candidates. The results showed that one of the peroxidases is crucial for parasite development, but vaccination strategies tested did not significantly reduce lice infestation.
Article
Biology
Alons Lends, Asen Daskalov, Ansis Maleckis, Aline Delamare, Melanie Berbon, Axelle Grelard, Estelle Morvan, Jayakrishna Shenoy, Antoine Dutour, James Tolchard, Abdelmajid Noubhani, Marie-France Giraud, Corinne Sanchez, Birgit Habenstein, Gilles Guichard, Guillaume Compain, Kristaps Jaudzems, Sven J. Saupe, Antoine Loquet
Summary: Structural investigations of amyloid fibrils often rely on heterologous bacterial overexpression of the protein of interest. Cell-free protein expression is a promising alternative to produce hydrophobic proteins and improve NMR analysis. In this study, the cell-free synthesis of the functional amyloid prion HET-s(218-289) was successfully implemented, and it was found that the protein directly assembles into infectious fibrils without denaturation and purification procedures. The cell-free synthesized amyloid fibrils can be analyzed using high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuvaraj Iyyappan, Vaigundan Dhayabaran, Mohanapriya Elayappan, Santosh Kumar Chaudhary, Chandrasekaran Palaniappan, Sekar Kanagaraj
Summary: Thermus thermophilus is a thermophilic organism that thrives at a temperature of 65 degrees C. The genome of T. thermophilus consists of 2218 genes, with 66% (1482 genes) being annotated and 34% (736 genes) assigned as hypothetical proteins. Experimental results show that the hypothetical protein TTHA1873 acts as a nuclease, cutting both methylated and non-methylated DNA in the presence of divalent metal ions and relaxing plasmid DNA in the presence of ATP. Chelation of metal ions with EDTA inhibits its activity. These findings suggest that TTHA1873 is a CRISPR-associated protein with non-specific DNase activity and ATP-dependent DNA-relaxing activity.
PROTEINS-STRUCTURE FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asen Daskalov
Summary: Investigation of fungal biology has contributed significantly to our understanding of fungal pathogenic lifestyles and the interaction between fungi and host immune systems. Research on fungal allorecognition systems and regulated cell death pathways has led to the emergence of the concept of fungal immunity. Discovering evolutionary parallels between fungal regulated cell death pathways and innate immune systems has sparked further interest in the concept of a fungal immune system. Filling knowledge gaps in this field would contribute to the broader field of comparative immunology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masahiro Kitao, Ryuhei Hayashi, Kimihito Nomi, Reiko Kobayashi, Tomohiko Katayama, Hiroshi Takayanagi, Akiko Oguchi, Yasuhiro Murakawa, Kohji Nishida
Summary: The study identified BST2 as a specific marker for conjunctival epithelial stem/progenitor cells, which allowed for successful isolation and detection of these cells. BST2-positive cells exhibited high proliferative capacity and were able to generate conjunctival epithelial sheets containing goblet cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thorsten Friedrich, Daniel Wohlwend, Vitaliy B. Borisov
Summary: Cytochrome bd is a terminal oxidase in the membrane respiratory chains of prokaryotes that is unique in its ability to generate a proton motive force without pumping protons. It plays a crucial role not only in energy conservation but also in the response to environmental stressors in microbial cells. As a molecular drug target candidate, cytochrome bd promotes virulence in pathogenic species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yingling Sui, Deping Xu, Xiulan Sun
Summary: This study isolated and screened active compounds with uric acid-lowering effect from Coix seed, and their structures were identified using NMR and mass spectrometry. The results showed that Coix seed effectively reduced serum uric acid and creatinine levels, suppressed liver xanthine oxidase activity, and improved kidney damage in hyperuricemic mice. Two major anti-hyperuricemic compounds, including a new compound, were identified from the seed. These compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase in vitro and interacted with residues within the active pocket of the enzyme. This study provides a new alternative for the development of uric acid-lowering medications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mihaela Matovina, Ana Tomasic Paic, Sanja Tomic, Hrvoje Brkic, Lucija Horvat, Lea Barbaric, Vedrana Filic, Marija Pinteric, Snjezana Juric, Akmaral Kussayeva
Summary: DPP3 is a zinc-dependent exopeptidase that regulates the oxidative stress response pathway through interaction with KEAP1. We have identified SH2D3C as an interacting protein of DPP3 and demonstrated their colocalization and direct interaction in cells. This interaction suggests that DPP3 and SH2D3C may play a role in cell adhesion, migration, and immune response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wieneke Dijk, Mathilde Di Filippo, Sander Kooijman, Robin van Eenige, Antoine Rimbert, Amandine Caillaud, Aurelie Thedrez, Lucie Arnaud, Amanda Pronk, Damien Garcon, Thibaud Sotin, Pierre Lindenbaum, Enrique Ozcariz Garcia, Jean-Paul Pais De Barros, Laurence Duvillard, Karim Si-Tayeb, Nuria Amigo, Jean-Yves Le Questel, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Cedric Le May, Philippe Moulin, Bertrand Cariou
Summary: The study aims to elucidate the genetic origin of an unexplained combined hypocholesterolemia inherited in a French family. Through next-generation sequencing, a rare variant in the LIPC gene was identified, which cosegregates with the phenotype. This gain-of-function variant increases the phospholipase activity of hepatic lipase and affects circulating lipid and lipoprotein levels. Mouse model studies confirmed the role of this variant in familial combined hypocholesterolemia.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Gao, Fangfang Duan, Jinling Chang, Xianggao Meng, Hanli Ruan
Summary: In this study, Podomycins A-L (1-12) were characterized from an endophyte harbored in the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. The structures of these compounds were determined through various methods, and their biological activities were evaluated. Compound 6, in particular, showed immunosuppressive activity by inducing apoptosis in activated T cells via the MAPKs/AKT pathway.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maho Yamamoto, Rina Kondo, Haruka Hozumi, Seita Doi, Miwako Denda, Masaki Magari, Naoki Kanayama, Naoya Hatano, Ryo Morishita, Hiroshi Tokumitsu
Summary: This study identified HMG20A as a novel binding partner of S100A6, showing Ca2+-dependent interaction in various experimental settings. The specific C-terminal region of HMG20A (residues 311-342) was highlighted as essential for the interaction with S100A6.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sachin Katti, Bin Her, Atul K. Srivastava, Alexander B. Taylor, Steve W. Lockless, Tatyana I. Igumenova
Article
Microbiology
Kumaraguruparan Ramasamy, Sowmya Balasubramanian, Krishnan Manickam, Lavanya Pandranki, Alexander B. Taylor, P. John Hart, Joel B. Baseman, T. R. Kannan
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Crystal R. Archer, Benjamin T. Enslow, Alexander B. Taylor, Victor De la Rosa, Akash Bhattacharya, Mark S. Shapiro
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Lavanya Pandranki, Suzanna Maupin, Kumaraguruparan Ramasamy, Alexander B. Taylor, Peter John Hart, Joel B. Baseman, Thirumalai R. Kannan
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sun Kyung Kim, Matthew J. Whitley, Troy C. Krzysiak, Cynthia S. Hinck, Alexander B. Taylor, Christian Zwieb, Chang-Hyeock Byeon, Xiaohong Zhou, Valentin Mendoza, Fernando Lopez-Casillas, William Furey, Andrew P. Hinck
Article
Microbiology
Frederic D. Chevalier, Winka Le Clec'h, Marina McDew-White, Vinay Menon, Meghan A. Guzman, Stephen P. Holloway, Xiaohang Cao, Alexander B. Taylor, Safari Kinung'hi, Anouk N. Gouvras, Bonnie L. Webster, Joanne P. Webster, Aidan M. Emery, David Rollinson, Amadou Garba Djirmay, Khalid M. Al Mashikhi, Salem Al Yafae, Mohamed A. Idris, Helene Mone, Gabriel Mouahid, P. John Hart, Philip T. LoVerde, Timothy J. C. Anderson
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Jo Sherwood, Alexander Bryan Taylor, Peter John Hart, Andrew Hayhurst
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meghan Guzman, Anastasia Rugel, Reid S. Tarpley, Xiaohang Cao, Stanton F. McHardy, Philip T. LoVerde, Alexander B. Taylor
MOLECULAR AND BIOCHEMICAL PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Anastasia R. Rugel, Meghan A. Guzman, Alexander B. Taylor, Frederic D. Chevalier, Reid S. Tarpley, Stanton F. McHardy, Xiaohang Cao, Stephen P. Holloway, Timothy J. C. Anderson, P. John Hart, Philip T. LoVerde
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Meghan A. Guzman, Anastasia R. Rugel, Reid S. Tarpley, Sevan N. Alwan, Frederic D. Chevalier, Dmytro P. Kovalskyy, Xiaohang Cao, Stephen P. Holloway, Timothy J. C. Anderson, Alexander B. Taylor, Stanton F. McHardy, Philip T. LoVerde
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kevin W. Sea, Alexander B. Taylor, Susan T. Thomas, Amir Liba, Isabelle B. Bergman, Stephen P. Holloway, Xiaohang Cao, Edith B. Gralla, Joan S. Valentine, P. John Hart, Ahmad Galaleldeen
Summary: The study characterizes the biophysical properties of a plant SOD1 from tomato chloroplasts and presents a unique crystal structure where zinc is found in the copper-binding site but not in the zinc-binding site. This alternate conformation of D83 appears to be responsible for the previously observed pH-dependent loss of zinc from the zinc-binding site of SOD1.
Article
Parasitology
Philip T. LoVerde, Sevan N. Alwan, Alexander B. Taylor, Jayce Rhodes, Frederic Chevalier, Timothy JC. Anderson, Stanton F. McHardy
Summary: Human schistosomiasis is a debilitating disease affecting millions globally, with drug resistance being a major concern. Scientists have identified novel drug derivatives effective against all species of the parasite, aiming to combat resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Meghan A. Guzman, Anastasia Rugel, Sevan N. Alwan, Reid Tarpley, Alexander B. Taylor, Frederic D. Chevalier, George R. Wendt, James J. Collins, Timothy J. C. Anderson, Stanton F. McHardy, Philip T. LoVerde
Summary: Oxamniquine has been reengineered to be effective against multiple Schistosoma species. The mode of action of its derivatives is confirmed to be conserved, and the expression of sulfotransferase in different species has been analyzed. The ability of multiple cells to express sulfotransferase is hypothesized to contribute to the effectiveness of the derivatives in killing adult worms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathaniel E. Clark, Adam Katolik, Anastasia Welch, Christoph Schorl, Stephen P. Holloway, Jonathan P. Schuermann, P. John Hart, Alexander B. Taylor, Masad J. Damha, William G. Fairbrother
Summary: The study shows that the RNA lariat debranching enzyme Dbr1 is capable of hydrolyzing branched RNAs containing a phosphorothioate linkage at a much slower rate than native phosphate linkages. The crystal structure of the enzyme in a product-bound state provides atomic details that can aid the design of inhibitors. Dbr1 inhibitors could have therapeutic potential for major diseases such as HIV, ALS, cancer, and viral encephalitis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yashpal Rawal, Lijia Jia, Aviv Meir, Shuo Zhou, Hardeep Kaur, Eliza A. Ruben, Youngho Kwon, Kara A. Bernstein, Maria Jasin, Alexander B. Taylor, Sandeep Burma, Robert Hromas, Alexander V. Mazin, Weixing Zhao, Daohong Zhou, Elizabeth V. Wasmuth, Eric C. Greene, Patrick Sung, Shaun K. Olsen
Summary: This study reports cryogenic electron microscopy reconstructions of human BCDX2 in apo and ssDNA-bound states. The structures reveal the participation of the amino-terminal domains of RAD51B, RAD51C and RAD51D in inter-subunit interactions for complex formation and ssDNA-binding specificity. Single-molecule DNA curtain analysis provides insights into how BCDX2 enhances RAD51-ssDNA nucleoprotein filament assembly. Additionally, the cryogenic electron microscopy and functional analyses explain how RAD51C alterations found in patients with cancer inactivate DNA binding and the HR mediator activity of BCDX2.