Article
Oncology
Jan C. Lumibao, Payton L. Haak, Vladimir L. Kolossov, Jee-Wei Emily Chen, Jeremy Stutchman, Alejandra Ruiz, Mayandi Sivaguru, Jann N. Sarkaria, Brendan A. C. Harley, Andrew J. Steelman, H. Rex Gaskins
Summary: This study has demonstrated the functional role of CHCHD2 in regulating various characteristics of GBM, highlighting the importance of mitonuclear retrograde signaling pathway in GBM cell biology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Philip Regan, Scott J. Mitchell, Seung-Chan Kim, Younbok Lee, Jee Hyun Yi, Saviana A. Barbati, Christopher Shaw, Kwangwook Cho
Summary: The study revealed that pTau decreases the binding between tau and PACSIN1 proteins at specific serine residues, leading to PACSIN1-dependent functional and structural synapse weakening. Knock-down of tau or PACSIN1 increases AMPAR-mediated current at extrasynaptic regions, indicating their role in affecting AMPAR trafficking.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Romane Oliverio, Victor Patenaude, Benoit Liberelle, Nick Virgilio, Xavier Banquy, Gregory De Crescenzo
Summary: This research presents a highly tunable platform for the capture and sustained delivery of growth factors using affinity peptides in macroporous, fully interconnected dextran hydrogels. It addresses several ongoing challenges by providing a versatile platform for the delivery of a wide range of stable, bioactive molecules; a passive, affinity-based loading of growth factors in the platform, paving the way for in situ (re)loading of the device; and four different control parameters to finely tune growth factor capture and release. Overall, our macroporous dextran hydrogels have vast potential for applications in controlled delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hermann Neitz, Niels Benjamin Paul, Florian R. Hage, Christina Lindner, Roman Graebner, Michael Kovermann, Franziska Thomas
Summary: The study presents a combinatorial approach to identify novel functional mini-proteins based on the WW-domain scaffold. The WW domain fragments were reconstituted through coiled coil association, and the binding properties were fully restored. Using this approach, specific binding domains for ATP and phosphorylcholine were identified.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
J. Karl Spinti, Fernando Neiva Nunes, Manuel N. Melo
Summary: The Martini 3 coarse-grain force field has significantly improved compared to its previous version. This study evaluates the accuracy of Martini 2 and 3 in protein interactions in two different systems: coiled coil peptide dimers and transmembrane peptides. Martini 2 incorrectly forms coiled coil dimers, while Martini 3 does it correctly. In terms of transmembrane peptides, Martini 3 better represents the relationship between membrane thickness and peptide tilt, but shorter peptides do not remain transmembrane. Mitigation strategies involving scaling interactions or restraining the system are discussed.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ha-Neul Kim, Hye-Jin Park, Yuxi Lin, Taehwan Cho, Kyoung-Seok Ryu, Hyung-Sik Won, Hyo-Eon Jin, Ji-Hun Kim, Seung-Hoon Baek, Young-Ho Lee, Min-Duk Seo
Summary: A peptide called ICT60 was designed to inhibit the aggregation and cytotoxicity of the huntingtin protein (Htt) in Huntington's disease (HD) by interacting with IP3 receptor 1 (IP3R1). The results provide a molecular basis for developing therapeutics to treat HD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Vid Jazbec, Roman Jerala, Mojca Bencina
Summary: This study introduces an innovative genetically engineered protease-activated calcium channel activator named PACE. By introducing a protease cleavage site in CAD and utilizing split protease activation, sustained calcium entry can be generated. The researchers also found that NFAT signaling pathway and cytokine production can be activated using PACE in a T-cell line. This study is of significant importance for artificial regulation of cellular activity.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ruoyu Huang, Yanwei Liu, Kuanyu Wang, Zheng Wang, Chuanbao Zhang, Wei Zhang, Zheng Zhao, Guanzhang Li, Lijie Huang, Yuanhao Chang, Fan Zeng, Tao Jiang, Huimin Hu
Summary: PTPRZ1-MET (ZM) fusion is a critical driver of lower-grade glioma progression and a potential target for MET inhibitors. Early detection using a high-sensitive method of reverse transcriptase PCR is crucial for identifying patients who may benefit from MET inhibitor therapy. The hyperactivation of MET signaling in glioma with ZM fusion may be due to ligand-independent activation enabled by the protein structure modification of the extracellular domain of MET.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
R. J. T. Leboux, N. Benne, W. L. van Os, J. Bussmann, A. Kros, W. Jiskoot, B. Slutter
Summary: The use of complementary heterodimeric coiled coil peptide pair for antigen association in liposomes led to increased co-localization of antigen and liposomes, enhanced CD4(+) T-cell proliferation in vitro, and induced a stronger CD4(+) T-cell response in vivo.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Mengkai Yang, Tao Zhang, Yangfeng Zhang, Xiaojun Ma, Jing Han, Ke Zeng, Yafei Jiang, Zongyi Wang, Zhuoying Wang, Jing Xu, Yingqi Hua, Zhengdong Cai, Wei Sun
Summary: The study revealed that MYLK4 promotes the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma by activating the EGFR signaling pathway. Additionally, the combination of MYLK4 and EGFR inhibitors showed synergistic effects on the growth and metastasis of OS in vitro and in vivo.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lingying Zhang, Xing Chen, Yue Wang, Xinglian Xu, Peng Zhou
Summary: This study achieved thermo-reversible gelation of muscle myofibrillar protein (MP) through elaborate deamidation using protein glutaminase (PG). The concentration of protein and reaction time of PG were found to be vital for creating thermo-reversible gels. The gel exhibited a perforated lamellar microstructure and had a high water-holding capacity. The results indicated that the thermo-reversible gelation was closely related to the reversible assembly of protein structures.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
W. Clifford Boldridge, Ajasja Ljubetic, Hwangbeom Kim, Nathan Lubock, Daniel Szilagyi, Jonathan Lee, Andrej Brodnik, Roman Jerala, Sriram Kosuri
Summary: The authors developed an assay and computational methods to identify more orthogonal coiled-coil pairs, which are crucial for biological processes and drug design.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Nan Jia, Guo Li, Xing Wang, Qing Cao, Wanbiao Chen, Chengliang Wang, Ling Chen, Xiaoling Ma, Xuan Zhang, Yue Tao, Jianye Zang, Xi Mo, Jinfeng Hu
Summary: The Staphylococcal superantigen like protein 10 induces necroptosis in human cells by binding to TNFR1 and activating multiple signaling pathways. It plays a role in immune evasion and cytotoxicity during S. aureus infection.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Koichi Kato, Tomoki Nakayoshi, Eiji Kurimoto, Akifumi Oda
Summary: The coiled-coil domains of the yeast cargo receptors Emp46p and Emp47p form heterocomplexes at neutral pH, but dissociate and reassemble into homo-oligomers at lower pH. Protonation of a glutamate residue on the hydrophobic surface of Emp46p(cc) plays a key role in the pH-dependent assembly and segregation of the complex. Experimental modification of Emp47p(cc) pH-dependent homo-oligomer assembly through glutamate mutation suggests a method for altering pH-dependent protein-protein interactions.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Elias, Samar Gani, Yana Lerner, Katreen Yamin, Chen Tor, Adarsh Patel, Avi Matityahu, Moshe Dessau, Nir Qvit, Itay Onn
Summary: This study reports on the development of the first cohesin-inhibiting peptide (CIP) that can inhibit the function of cohesin in cells, and discusses the potential application of CIPs as a therapeutic approach.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Izel Koyuturk, Surbhi Kedia, Anna Robotham, Alexandra Star, Denis Brochu, Janelle Sauvageau, John Kelly, Michel Gilbert, Yves Durocher
Summary: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protease inhibitor that protects the lungs from damage. A1AT deficiency increases the risk of lung diseases. Currently, the only treatment is weekly injection of plasma-purified A1AT. This study aimed to produce recombinant A1AT with N-glycans similar to plasma-derived A1AT. By disrupting glycosyltransferase genes and overexpressing sialyltransferase, high levels of recombinant A1AT with desired glycosylation were obtained.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Raja Ghosh, Geoff Hale, Yves Durocher, Paul Gatt
Summary: This study describes a simple dry-compression technique for preparing a flat cuboid chromatography device and discusses its application in fast protein separation. The device allows the separation of binary protein mixtures in a short amount of time, while simultaneously increasing productivity and purity. The suitability of the device for preparative protein separations is demonstrated through the purification of a monoclonal antibody from cell culture supernatant.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Traian Sulea, Jason Baardsnes, Matthew Stuible, Nazanin Rohani, Anh Tran, Marie Parat, Yuneivy Cepero Donates, Melanie Duchesne, Pierre Plante, Guneet Kour, Yves Durocher
Summary: Researchers have developed improved antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by enhancing the binding affinity of VHH-72 through structure-based approaches. These mutants have shown increased neutralizing capabilities and are predicted to be valuable in the treatment of COVID-19.
Article
Hematology
Florian Puhm, Isabelle Allaeys, Emile Lacasse, Isabelle Dubuc, Yannick Galipeau, Younes Zaid, Loubna Khalki, Clemence Belleannee, Yves Durocher, Alain R. Brisson, Alisa S. Wolberg, Marc-Andre Langlois, Louis Flamand, Eric Boilard
Summary: Platelets are hyperactivated in COVID-19, but the mechanisms behind platelet activation by SARS-CoV-2 are not well understood. This study found that tissue factor (TF) produced by infected cells can activate platelets. Virions and extracellular vesicles (EVs) were also identified, and TF activity was associated with either the virus or the EVs. Blocking this pathway may interfere with platelet activation and the coagulation characteristics of COVID-19.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Felicity C. Stark, Bassel Akache, Lise Deschatelets, Anh Tran, Matthew Stuible, Yves Durocher, Michael J. McCluskie, Gerard Agbayani, Renu Dudani, Blair A. Harrison, Tyler M. Renner, Shawn R. Makinen, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Diana Duque, Martin Gagne, Joseph Zimmermann, C. David Zarley, Terrence R. Cochrane, Martin Handfield
Summary: Intranasal delivery of a novel protein subunit vaccine formulation induced robust immune responses in mice and hamsters, with strong neutralizing activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. This intranasal vaccine formulation has the potential to be a new SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jimmy Gaudreault, Yves Durocher, Olivier Henry, Gregory De Crescenzo
Summary: This article discusses the data analysis algorithms and application of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensing. The algorithms can accurately identify kinetic parameters and estimate the composition of mixtures in cases of multiple species interactions, making SPR biosensing a potential tool for bioprocess monitoring.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Erika Rudi, Pablo Martin Aispuro, Eugenia Zurita, Maria M. Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma, Daniela Bottero, Juan Malito, Magali Gabrielli, Emilia Gaillard, Matthew Stuible, Yves Durocher, Andrea V. Gamarnik, Andres Wigdorovitz, Daniela Hozbor
Summary: The study evaluated the immune capacity of vaccine candidates based on different SARS-CoV-2 variants and found that the single S protein from the ancestral Wuhan virus displayed the highest antibody levels and neutralizing antibody titers against different variants. Additionally, this formulation also induced various immune cell responses and antibody levels. When used as a booster dose, it enhanced the immune response against different S protein variants.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Bassel Akache, Tyler M. Renner, Matthew Stuible, Nazanin Rohani, Yuneivy Cepero-Donates, Lise Deschatelets, Renu Dudani, Blair A. Harrison, Christian Gervais, Jennifer J. Hill, Usha D. Hemraz, Edmond Lam, Sophie Regnier, Anne E. G. Lenferink, Yves Durocher, Michael J. McCluskie
Summary: Using the SmT1 SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen platform, we developed antigens targeting the Beta and Delta variants. These antigens showed higher neutralizing antibody activity and a multivalent vaccine demonstrated cross-neutralizing activity against all three variants. This suggests that variant-specific antigens may be necessary for optimal immune response and reduction of infection against emerging variants.
Article
Biology
Martin A. Rossotti, Henk van Faassen, Anh T. Tran, Joey Sheff, Jagdeep K. Sandhu, Diana Duque, Melissa Hewitt, Xiaoxue Wen, Jegarubee Bavananthasivam, Saina Beitari, Kevin Matte, Genevieve Laroche, Patrick M. Giguere, Christian Gervais, Matthew Stuible, Julie Guimond, Sylvie Perret, Greg Hussack, Marc-Andre Langlois, Yves Durocher, Jamshid Tanha
Summary: This study presents a diverse collection of extensively characterized nanobodies targeting the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. These nanobodies show broad neutralization efficacies against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in vivo, reducing viral burden by up to six orders of magnitude. They have high affinity, stability, and cross-reactivity, making them promising candidates for developing broad-spectrum therapeutics against current and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francois Cholette, Rissa Fabia, Angela Harris, Hannah Ellis, Karla Cachero, Lukas Schroeder, Christine Mesa, Philip Lacap, Corey Arnold, Yannick Galipeau, Marc-Andre Langlois, Karen Colwill, Anne-Claude Gingras, Allison McGeer, Elizabeth Giles, Jacqueline Day, Carla Osiowy, Yves Durocher, Catherine Hankins, Bruce Mazer, Michael Drebot, John Kim
Summary: The extent of the COVID-19 pandemic can be better understood through serosurveys and SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples are crucial for large scale serosurveillance, especially in Canada. This study evaluated the performance of various assays for DBS-based SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance and found that several assays are suitable with high sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nikhila Butani, Yating Xu, Si Pan, Yves Durocher, Raja Ghosh
Summary: Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein, a potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate, is challenging to manufacture on a large scale due to its size. A membrane chromatography-based purification method is proposed in this paper, which provides a fast and scalable approach for manufacturing the spike protein.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY B-ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE BIOMEDICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maria L. Jaramillo, Traian Sulea, Yves Durocher, Mauro Acchione, Melissa J. Schur, Anna Robotham, John F. Kelly, Marie-France Goneau, Alma Robert, Yuneivy Cepero-Donates, Michel Gilbert
Summary: Effective processes for synthesizing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) require site-specific incorporation of the payload, optimal drug/antibody ratio, and a homogeneous product. Conventional ADCs often face issues like interference with epitope binding and product heterogeneity. This study presents a more controlled process where the drug is specifically conjugated to Fab N-linked glycans, resulting in ADCs with desired drug/antibody ratio and efficient targeting.
Article
Immunology
Mariam Maltseva, Yannick Galipeau, Tyler M. Renner, Lise Deschatelets, Yves Durocher, Bassel Akache, Marc-Andre Langlois
Summary: Continuous viral evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has led to variants capable of immune evasion, vaccine breakthrough infections, and increased transmissibility. Intranasal administration of adjuvanted protein subunit vaccines can induce robust immune responses in mice, producing antibodies against the virus.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Seyed Farzad Baniahmad, Romane Oliverio, Ines Obregon-Gomez, Alma Robert, Anne E. G. Lenferink, Elena Pazos, Nick Virgilio, Xavier Banquy, Gregory De Crescenzo, Yves Durocher
Summary: Long-term delivery is a successful strategy to reduce adverse effects of mAb-based treatments. Macroporous hydrogels and affinity-based strategies are effective in sustained and localized delivery of mAbs. The Ecoil and Kcoil peptides have high-affinity binding and can be used for controlled release of Ecoil-tagged trastuzumab from macroporous hydrogels.
Article
Immunology
Karen Colwill, Yannick Galipeau, Matthew Stuible, Christian Gervais, Corey Arnold, Bhavisha Rathod, Kento T. Abe, Jenny H. Wang, Adrian Pasculescu, Mariam Maltseva, Lynda Rocheleau, Martin Pelchat, Mahya Fazel-Zarandi, Mariam Iskilova, Miriam Barrios-Rodiles, Linda Bennett, Kevin Yau, Francois Cholette, Christine Mesa, Angel X. Li, Aimee Paterson, Michelle A. Hladunewich, Pamela J. Goodwin, Jeffrey L. Wrana, Steven J. Drews, Samira Mubareka, Allison J. McGeer, John Kim, Marc-Andre Langlois, Anne-Claude Gingras, Yves Durocher
Summary: This study describes a scalable solution to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, discriminate between natural infection and vaccination-induced responses, and assess the inhibitory effect of antibodies on ACE2-spike interaction. They developed methods and reagents for antibody detection using ELISA and snELISA, enabling large-scale analysis. In addition, they provided detailed protocols for the experiments.
CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
