Review
Cell Biology
Sara S. Procknow, Beth A. Kozel
Summary: Elastin provides elasticity to tissues such as the lung, blood vessels, and skin, but the mechanisms regulating its production are not fully understood. Studying the expression of the ELN gene may help intervene in rare diseases and potentially replace age-related losses by re-initiating elastin production.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingjie Wang, Ruihong Kong, Ke Xie, Cai Hu, Zongyi Zhao, Yuhui Wu, Qisheng Zuo, Bichun Li, Yani Zhang
Summary: The role of gga-miR-31 in chicken germ cell differentiation and spermatogenesis is crucial. This study identified the promoter region of gga-miR-31 and found that retinoic acid (RA) increases its promoter activity. C-jun was discovered to inhibit the activity of the gga-miR-31 promoter, and the positive regulatory effect of RA on the promoter was attenuated in the presence of high levels of C-jun. This study provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms of gga-miR-31 and offers a new approach for inducing chicken embryonic stem cells (ESC) to differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) and sperm formation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Sugimoto, Danny J. Schust, Makiko Sugimoto, Yoshihiro Jinno, Yoshiki Kudo
Summary: This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms of suppressyn expression in the placenta. The placenta-specific expression of suppressyn is controlled by DNA methylation and oxygen concentration. The findings provide important insights into normal and abnormal placental development, as well as pregnancy disorders associated with altered oxygenation.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Junjie Liu, Tianhao Yang, Zishen Huang, Huifang Chen, Yinshan Bai
Summary: MicroRNAs are a type of small RNA that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting the 3' UTR of mRNAs. Recent research has shown that mature miRNAs can be found in the nucleus and play a role in gene transcription and epigenetic regulation, particularly in cancer development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
I. Cody MacDonald, Travis R. Seamons, Jonathan C. Emmons, Shwan B. Javdan, Tara L. Deans
Summary: Expansion of genetic toolkits for prokaryotic synthetic biology can enhance gene expression dynamics. Integrating the eukaryotic transcription factor QF into E. coli allows for the construction of genetic devices with complex functions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduardo Lujan-Soto, Paola Aguirre de la Cruz, Vasti T. Juarez-Gonzalez, Jose L. Reyes, Maria de la Paz Sanchez, Tzvetanka D. Dinkova
Summary: In recent years, miR528 has been found to play important roles in plant development and stress response. This study examined the transcription regulation and molecular mechanisms of MIR528 expression in maize, revealing conserved transcription factor binding sites and demonstrating the up-regulation of miR528 expression by exogenous nitrate and auxin treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Kunie Yoshinaga-Sakurai, Toby G. Rossman, Barry P. Rosen
Summary: AS3MT is a human enzyme that catalyzes arsenic biotransformations and is considered to contribute to arsenic-related diseases. The expression of AS3MT is tissue/cell type-specific, and the transcriptional regulation mechanism of the gene is still unknown. In this study, the core promoter region of the human AS3MT gene is defined, and a GC box in the promoter is identified as a site where the transcription factor Sp1 binds, indicating the involvement of regulatory elements in AS3MT gene expression.
CELL BIOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heta P. Patel, Stefano Coppola, Wim Pomp, Umberto Aiello, Ineke Brouwer, Domenico Libri, Tineke L. Lenstra
Summary: DNA supercoiling is a major factor in gene regulation in bacteria, but its impact on transcription dynamics in eukaryotes has been unclear. Single-molecule dual-color nascent transcription imaging in budding yeast reveals that transcriptional bursting of neighboring GAL genes is coupled. This coupling requires rapid release of DNA supercoils by topoisomerases. Accumulated supercoils inhibit transcription of adjacent genes by destabilizing the binding of the transcription factor Gal4. Wild-type yeast minimizes this inhibition by maintaining sufficient levels of topoisomerases, ensuring proper gene expression of neighboring genes.
Review
Plant Sciences
Qiuxin Kan, Qing Li
Summary: Transposons are mobile DNA sequences that can influence gene expression. Recent studies have shown that transposon insertions can affect RNA processing, RNA stability, protein translation, and protein stability. This article will describe the diverse mechanisms by which transposons can impact gene expression at the post-transcriptional and translational levels.
CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yan Teng, Zaichao Xu, Kaitao Zhao, Youquan Zhong, Jingjing Wang, Li Zhao, Zhixin Zheng, Wei Hou, Chengliang Zhu, Xinwen Chen, Ulrike Protzer, Yong Li, Yuchen Xia
Summary: SART1 is identified as a novel host factor suppressing HBV cccDNA transcription by specifically suppressing the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4 alpha), which is essential for transcription of HBV cccDNA.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lorena Di Pietro, Marta Barba, Daniela Palacios, Federica Tiberio, Chiara Prampolini, Mirko Baranzini, Ornella Parolini, Alessandro Arcovito, Wanda Lattanzi
Summary: The research suggests that sequence changes in the RUNX2 locus may have contributed to human skull globularization through altering binding of Znf263, miRNA affinity, and regulation of RUNX2 expression and related RNAs. These changes could have led to adaptive phenotypic evolution of RUNX2, explaining the delayed suture fusion and globular skull shape in modern humans.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katja Leben, Ziga Strmsek, Tina Lebar, Anze Verbic, Matej Dragovan, Neza Omersa, Gregor Anderluh, Roman Jerala
Summary: DNA transcription is regulated by various mechanisms, mainly through the recruitment of RNA polymerase complex by transcription factors. In this study, we found that a TALE lacking an activation domain can enhance transcription in mammalian cells without direct interaction with multiple transcription factors. TALEs can exert their effects over a long distance and enhance the transcriptional regulation of other factors. This mechanism may involve an allosteric effect on DNA structure or dynamics.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huan-Yu Gong, Peng-Cheng Zhou, Hao-Ye Zhang, Li-Min Chen, Yang-Mei Zhou, Zhen-Guo Liu
Summary: A regulatory protein called GLIS2 is significantly reduced in fibrotic liver tissues compared to healthy tissues. Decreased levels of GLIS2 result in a transformation of hepatic stellate cells and lead to the development of fibrosis. Boosting GLIS2 activity could prevent fibrosis by maintaining hepatic stellate cells in a less active state.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yan Deng, Huilan Huang, Yujing Rong, Shenqiang Hu, Jiwei Hu, Bo Hu, Hua He, Liang Li, Jiwen Wang
Summary: The study identified the full-length coding sequence and promoter sequence of the goose CYP19 gene, investigated its expression and distribution profiles in different sized follicles, and analyzed its transcriptional regulatory mechanism. The results showed that the transcription activity of the CYP19 gene is activated by transcriptional factors in its proximal region of the promoter, promoting estrogen synthesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ishor Thapa, Russell Vahrenkamp, Samuel R. Witus, Caitlin Lightle, Owen Falkenberg, Marlo K. Sellin Jeffries, Rachel E. Klevit, Mikaela D. Stewart
Summary: The tumor-suppressor proteins BRCA1 and BARD1 play important roles in transcriptional repression and DNA damage repair, and their functions are mediated through mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2A in nucleosomes. The study in C. elegans reveals that the orthologs BRC-1 and BRD-1 retain many functions of their human counterparts, including enzymatic activity toward nucleosomes. Despite differences in binding modes, BRC-1 and BRD-1 also contribute to gene repression in C. elegans. This highlights the conservation of these functions and allows further investigation using this model organism.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siva Santhiya Arul, Brinda Balakrishnan, Savithri S. Handanahal, Sangita Venkataraman
Summary: Viral nanoparticles are self-assembling delivery systems used for vaccines and therapeutic agents. They have improved biocompatibility and are widely used in various biomedical applications. However, large-scale production of VNPs still faces challenges.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wisely Chua, Carl O. Marsh, Si En Poh, Winston LC. Koh, Melody Li Ying Lee, Li Fang Koh, Xin-Zi Emily Tang, Peter See, Zheng Ser, Shi Mei Wang, Radoslaw M. Sobota, Thomas L. Dawson Jr, Yik Weng Yew, Steven Thng, Anthony J. O'Donoghue, Hazel H. Oon, John E. Common, Hao Li
Summary: In this study, the gene expression of enzymes secreted by Malassezia globosa in the skin was investigated using targeted RNA sequencing. The study found that the expression of these enzymes is regulated by the fungus's environment and differs significantly from healthy skin sites. Additionally, a pseudoprotease MGL_3331 was identified to elicit an immune reaction in patients with atopic dermatitis. This highlights the importance of studying fungal proteins in physiologically relevant environments and their role in host immunity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Belisa Parmeggiani, Marian Flores Signori, Cristiane Cecatto, Marina Rocha Frusciante, Manuela Bianchin Marcuzzo, Debora Guerini Souza, Rafael Teixeira Ribeiro, Bianca Seminotti, Diogo Onofre Gomes de Souza, Cesar Augusto Joa o Ribeiro, Moacir Wajner, Guilhian Leipnitz
Summary: Non ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a disorder caused by mutations in the genes encoding glycine cleavage system proteins, leading to severe neurodegeneration and white matter alterations. The study found that glycine affects myelin structure, glutamatergic system, and induces oxidative stress in neonatal rats and MO3.13 oligodendroglial cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marie Rose Ndella Thiaw, Pascal Gantet
Summary: Mini zinc fingers play important roles in plant development, including control of cell division and expansion, meristem state transition, and growth and organ development. They have diverse modes of action, such as direct gene activation, interaction with specific transcription factors, and aggregation of protein complexes for chromatin remodeling. Further research is needed to explore their wider range of biological functions and their involvement in biotic and abiotic stress responses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shao-Jui Lai, Takahiro Kameda, Maasa Morita, Yuka Yamagata, Kaoruko Nishizaka, Yuna Horiuchi, Yukihiro Kobayashi, Yoko Usami, Jun-Jen Liu, Takeshi Kasama, Minoru Tozuka, Ryunosuke Ohkawa
Summary: In this study, the co-modification and impact of chymase and MPO on HDL were investigated. Sequential treatment with MPO and chymase generated two novel apoA-I fragments from HDL, one of which has a specific immunological property and can be used to predict patients with normal HDL-C levels and cardiovascular diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Mi Sun, Asami Yoshida, Takuya Ishii, Yan-Rong Jiang, Yi-Li Gao, Mikinori Ueno, Katsuya Hirasaka, Kiyoshi Osatomi
Summary: This study found that infection with the causative bacteria of edwardsiellosis, Edwardsiella tarda NUF251, leads to the production of superoxide radicals, causing oxidative stress. The research on the Jfsod1 gene suggests that the transcription factor NF-IL6 plays a significant role in upregulating the transcriptional activity of the gene in response to oxidative stress induced by NUF251 infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shane M. Carey, Sean P. Kearns, Matthew E. Millington, Gregory S. Buechner, Beda E. Alvarez Jr, Leily Daneshian, Brendan Abiskaroon, Maksymilian Chruszcz, Edward L. D'Antonio
Summary: The importance of F337 in TcGlcK was investigated using the hole mutagenesis approach, revealing its key interactions with aromatic tail groups in inhibitor molecules. Mutants retaining activity and structural similarity were obtained, suggesting the possibility of TcHxK existing as a monomer lacking the F337 residue. Similar D-glucosamine inhibitors may bind less strongly to TcHxK due to the absence of van der Waals contacts from residue side chains.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia Barria, Diogo Athayde, Guillem Hernandez, Leonor Fonseca, Jorge Casinhas, Tiago N. Cordeiro, Margarida Archer, Cecilia M. Arraiano, Jose A. Brito, Rute G. Matos
Summary: Ribonucleases play a crucial role in RNA regulation by processing, degrading, and quality controlling cellular transcripts. Campylobacter jejuni, the main cause of human gastroenteritis, relies on the exoribonuclease PNPase (CjPNP) for low-temperature survival, virulence factor synthesis, and swimming, cell adhesion/invasion, and chick colonization abilities. The crystallographic structure of CjPNP, along with SAXS analysis, confirms its trimeric arrangement and provides insight into domain arrangement and flexibility. Mutations in highly conserved residues reveal unexpected RNA degradation activity even under conditions favoring polymerization. These findings have significant implications for the development of strategies to combat C. jejuni infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elvira R. Shaykhutdinova, Maria S. Severyukhina, Inna V. Kholoshenko, Elena A. Gondarenko, Irina V. Shelukhina, Elena V. Kryukova, Alina M. Ismailova, Elena S. Sadovnikova, Igor A. Dyachenko, Arkady N. Murashev, Victor I. Tsetlin, Yuri N. Utkin
Summary: Evidence suggests that activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) can reduce cardiac injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion. In this study, the expression of a4, a6, and a132 nAChR subunits in the rat heart's left ventricle was demonstrated. The nAChR agonists cytisine and varenicline, commonly used for nicotine addiction treatment, were found to significantly reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, with varenicline showing greater protection. The presence of a4132, a7, and/or a6132-containing receptors suggests that the protective effect of varenicline may be mediated by these subunits. These findings indicate a potential new use for cytisine and varenicline as cardioprotective agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinhai Xiong, Wenjie Chen, Cheng Chen, Qi Wu, Chaopeng He
Summary: This article summarizes the important roles of Cx43 in disease development from the perspective of subcellular localization and provides new ideas for Cx43 as a therapeutic target and the search for related pathological mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Veronica Bastos, Simone Pascoal, Kamila Lopes, Marcia Mortari, Helena Oliveira
Summary: Cancer, especially melanoma, is a major global health problem due to its metastatic capacity, treatment resistance, and high mortality rates. The Chartergellus-CP1 peptide isolated from Chartergellus communis wasp venom showed selective cytotoxicity towards melanoma cell lines, inducing apoptosis, cell cycle impairment, and intracellular ROS increase.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charlotte Claeyssen, Nathan Bulangalire, Bruno Bastide, Onnik Agbulut, Caroline Cieniewski-Bernard
Summary: Maintenance of striated muscle tissue relies on a dynamic network of protein-protein interactions. Desmin intermediate filaments play a crucial role in heart and skeletal muscle by maintaining cell structure and contributing to various cellular processes. The assembly of desmin intermediate filaments requires aB-crystallin, which is involved in multiple cellular functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dhritiman Dey, Adhiraj Dasgupta, Dipanjan Ghosh, Oindrila Bhattacharjee, Abhrajyoti Ghosh, Ayae Honda, Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay
Summary: This study successfully identified host factors that interact with Chandipura Virus (CHPV) and play a critical role in infection, including A2M, LRP1, and GRP78. Knocking out A2M has a severe effect on viral infection, indicating the potential role of these host proteins in viral entry into host cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Dotsenko, Igor Sinelnikov, Aleksandra Rozhkova, Ivan Zorov, Arkady Sinitsyn
Summary: Xylanases play important roles in various industrial applications, such as feed additives, pulp and paper bleaching, and the production of bread, food, and drinks. Xylanases from the GH10 family show high thermostability and resistance to protein inhibitors, making them promising candidates for these processes. This study successfully improved the thermostability and enzymatic activity of GH10 xylanase, which could enhance its effectiveness as a feed additive and during pulp and paper bleaching.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Jaquet, M. Bengue, K. Lambert, G. Carnac, D. Misse, C. Bisbal
Summary: Changes to our environment have led to the emergence of human pathogens such as chikungunya virus, which is now a major public health concern. In this study, the interconnection between skeletal muscle cells metabolism, their differentiation stage, and the infectivity of chikungunya virus was investigated. The results showed that chikungunya virus infectivity is dependent on cell differentiation and metabolism and that the virus interferes with cellular metabolism.