Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wang, Liangbo Hu, Hongyue Zhang, Yu Fang, Tingliang Wang, Huaimin Wang
Summary: Biomolecular condensates play a crucial role in controlling cellular functions, but constructing artificial biomolecular condensates remains challenging. This study presents a general approach to construct biomolecular condensates in lysosomes of living cells for cancer therapy, with potential applications in addressing multiple drug resistance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wojciech Szlasa, Aleksander Kielbik, Anna Szewczyk, Nina Rembialkowska, Vitalij Novickij, Mounir Tarek, Jolanta Saczko, Julita Kulbacka
Summary: The study found that the high cytotoxic effect of IRE is associated with cell membrane disruption and ROS oxidation, which occurs even in the low electric field range. Cell viability depends on membrane integrity, and when the effect of the electric field on the membrane is reversible, the cell does not undergo cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangbo Hu, Ying Li, Xinhui Lin, Yucheng Huo, Hongyue Zhang, Huaimin Wang
Summary: The research article reports a structure-based programming approach of supramolecular assemblies in living cells for selective cancer cell inhibition by Wang et al.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liangbo Hu, Ying Li, Xinhui Lin, Yucheng Huo, Hongyue Zhang, Huaimin Wang
Summary: By designing, synthesizing, and assembling an enzymatic programmable peptide system, we induced molecular assemblies formation spatiotemporally in living cancer cells, resulting in mainly necroptosis of glioblastoma cells. The stability and glycosylation of molecules play a crucial role in determining the bioactivity, as evidenced by detailed mechanistic studies showing site-specific formation of assemblies capable of activating the downstream cell death pathway.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Salman Ahmed, Waqas Alam, Khalaf F. Alsharif, Michael Aschner, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Luciano Saso, Haroon Khan
Summary: Malignant melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer, is becoming more common and resistant to treatment. Natural substances, particularly marine peptides, are being researched as alternative and safe treatments for melanoma.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Morgan A. Hitchner, Matthew R. Necelis, Devanie Shirley, Gregory A. Caputo
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have high selectivity and are widely studied for their activity against bacterial targets. This study explored the impact of amino acid substitutions on peptide activity, finding that non-natural amino acid substitutions can enhance antimicrobial activity. Additionally, peptides exhibited deeper binding to anionic lipids and stronger bacterial membrane disruption, with a promising peptide showing high activity and low hemolysis levels.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenting You, Tao Zhou, Kevin Knoops, Tos T. J. M. Berendschot, Marc A. M. J. van Zandvoort, Wilfred T. V. Germeraad, Birke Benedikter, Carroll A. B. Webers, Chris P. M. Reutelingsperger, Theo G. M. F. Gorgels
Summary: Loss of neurons in chronic neurodegenerative diseases occurs over a period of many years. However, it is unclear at which point neuronal cell death becomes irreversible. This study found that the release of Cyto.C is a marker of the point of no return, while other phenotypic changes could still be reversed.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Hui Shao, Jin Zhou, Xiaoqian Lin, Yue Zhou, Yumeng Xue, Weili Hong, Xubo Lin, Xiaoling Jia, Yubo Fan
Summary: Developing new antimicrobial agents to combat drug-resistant pathogens and biofilms is an urgent task. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have potential due to their unique membrane rupture mechanism, but their high toxicity and low stability limit their application. In this study, a biomimetic strategy was used to construct cationic peptide-conjugated liposomes, inspired by cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), to enhance antibacterial efficacy and biosafety. Computational simulation and experimental investigations identified the optimal peptide-conjugated liposomes, which showed enhanced antibacterial efficacy without compromising cytotoxicity. This bio-inspired design could contribute to the development of next-generation antimicrobials.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Cashman-Kadri, Patrick Lague, Ismail Fliss, Lucie Beaulieu
Summary: This study investigated the structure-activity relationships and mode of action of synthesized GAPDH-related antimicrobial peptides. It was found that increasing the net positive charge and hydrophobicity improved the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the peptides. The peptides were shown to cause membrane permeabilization and target intracellular components, indicating a mixed mode of action.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruben Cebrian, Ricardo Lucas, Maria Victoria Fernandez-Cantos, Koen Slot, Pablo Penalver, Marta Martinez-Garcia, Antonio Parraga-Leo, Maria Violante de Paz, Federico Garcia, Oscar P. P. Kuipers, Juan Carlos Morales
Summary: In this study, a family of aminoalkyl resveratrol derivatives with antibacterial activity inspired by cationic amphipathic antimicrobial peptides was discovered. These molecules showed good antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria and exhibited synergistic effects with traditional antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens. The mechanism of action was found to be at the membrane level and no cross-resistance was observed, although some cytotoxicity was detected.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Antonia Tanase, Andreia Cristina Soare, Lia Mara Ditu, Cristina Lavinia Nistor, Catalin Ionut Mihaescu, Ioana Catalina Gifu, Cristian Petcu, Ludmila Otilia Cinteza
Summary: This study investigated the influence of encapsulating Curcumin into polymeric micelles on the efficacy of photoinduced microbial inhibition. The findings showed that the encapsulated Curcumin in polymeric micelles exhibited effective inhibition on resistant species of Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jan Hajek, Sebastian Bieringer, Katerina Voracova, Marketa Macho, Kumar Saurav, Katerina Delawska, Petra Divoka, Radovan Fiser, Gabriela Mikusova, Jose Cheel, David P. Fewer, Dai Long Vu, Jindriska Paichlova, Herbert Riepl, Pavel Hrouzek
Summary: Microbial cyclic lipopeptides have potential as antifungal agents, but their cytotoxicity hinders their application. This study demonstrated that varying fatty acid chain lengths in PUWs/MINs cyclic lipopeptides impact their cytotoxicity and antifungal efficacy. Modifying the fatty acid tails can enhance antifungal activity while reducing cytotoxicity, suggesting the development of semi-synthetic lipopeptide variants with improved and selective antifungal activities.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yunhui Zhu, Yinghan Xu, Jianming Yan, Yuxin Fang, Na Dong, Anshan Shan
Summary: The study designed a series of antimicrobial peptides with immunostimulatory and bacteria-killing activities using a chemotactic motif. Among them, KWH2 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and activated macrophages. The study also provided insights into the mechanisms and possible approaches for developing immunomodulatory antimicrobial materials with desired properties.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teiko Komori Nomura, Satoshi Endo, Takuma Kuwano, Kazuya Fukasawa, Shigeo Takashima, Tomoki Todo, Kyoji Furuta, Takuhei Yamamoto, Eiichi Hinoi, Hiroko Koyama, Ryo Honda
Summary: ARL-17477 is a selective inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) that also exhibits NOS1-independent pharmacological activity in inhibiting the autophagy-lysosomal system, thus preventing cancer growth. The compound demonstrates anticancer effects against a wide spectrum of cancers, with preferential impact on cancer stem-like cells and KRAS-mutant cancer cells. The mechanism of action involves the increase of certain protein levels and impairment of lysosomal fusion, indicating its potential as a dual inhibitor targeting NOS1 and the autophagy-lysosomal system for cancer therapy.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Florina Zakany, Istvan M. Mandity, Zoltan Varga, Gyorgy Panyi, Peter Nagy, Tamas Kovacs
Summary: Every cell textbook states that the primary function of the plasma membrane is to separate cells and control the intracellular space. While most hydrophilic molecules larger than 1 kDa cannot permeate the hydrophobic cell membrane, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) can do so without compromising membrane integrity. Coupling biologically relevant cargos to CPPs shows promise in delivering membrane-impermeable drugs into specific cell types. This review aims to outline the membrane penetration pathways of CPPs and examine how membrane properties influence their uptake mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadine Kretschmer, Antje Hufner, Christin Durchschein, Katrin Popodi, Beate Rinner, Birgit Lohberger, Rudolf Bauer
Summary: Melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, poses challenges in treatment with low survival rates. Research on novel derivatives of shikonin showed promising results in inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells and affecting cell cycle progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Birgit Lohberger, Dietmar Glaenzer, Nicole Eck, Bibiane Steinecker-Frohnwieser, Andreas Leithner, Beate Rinner, Sylvia Kerschbaum-Gruber, Dietmar Georg
Summary: Chondrosarcomas are primary bone cancers resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. A study investigated a combination therapy with ionizing radiation and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, which resulted in improved treatment efficiency by affecting cell cycle, DNA damage, apoptotic pathways, and survivin expression. Co-treatment altered cell cycle distribution, increased proapoptotic gene expression, and decreased survivin pathway molecules, offering a potential therapy target for chondrosarcoma.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Linda Waldherr, Maria Seitanidou, Marie Jakesova, Verena Handl, Sophie Honeder, Marta Nowakowska, Tamara Tomin, Meysam Karami Rad, Tony Schmidt, Joachim Distl, Ruth Birner-Gruenberger, Gord Campe, Ute Schafer, Magnus Berggren, Beate Rinner, Martin Asslaber, Nassim Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy, Silke Patz, Daniel T. Simon, Rainer Schindl
Summary: The study confirms Gem's significantly greater potency in killing GBM cells compared to temozolomide, and demonstrates the potential of the electronically-driven organic ion pump GemIP for targeted delivery to GBM cells.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mariangela Garofalo, Laura Bertinato, Monika Staniszewska, Magdalena Wieczorek, Stefano Salmaso, Silke Schrom, Beate Rinner, Katarzyna Wanda Pancer, Lukasz Kuryk
Summary: The study aimed to design and produce a novel oncolytic adenovirus that expresses potent co-stimulatory molecules to enhance clinical efficacy in melanoma patients. Pre-clinical studies showed that the virus alone or in combination with anti PD-1 inhibitor exhibited enhanced anti-cancer ability and increased survival rates, suggesting potential therapeutic perspectives for melanoma treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wang, Yung-Ching Kao, Quan Zhou, Alain Wuethrich, Mitchell S. Stark, Helmut Schaider, H. Peter Soyer, Lynlee L. Lin, Matt Trau
Summary: Sensitive nanotechnology is used to profile serum extracellular vesicles for early melanoma detection, and the combination of microfluidic device and SERS technology can accurately differentiate melanoma patients from healthy individuals.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Theresa Maxian, Lisa Gerlitz, Sabrina Riedl, Beate Rinner, Dagmar Zweytick
Summary: The study shows that incorporating D-amino acids can enhance the stability of antitumor peptides, leading to effective antitumor activity against cancer cells such as melanoma and glioblastoma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Birgit Lohberger, Susanne Scheipl, Ellen Heitzer, Franz Quehenberger, Danielle de Jong, Karoly Szuhai, Bernadette Liegl-Atzwanger, Beate Rinner
Summary: Chordomas are rare malignant bone tumors with no approved medical treatment. Research has shown that cMET and HGF are expressed in Chordomas, and cMET inhibitors may benefit patients with sacral Chordomas.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mariangela Garofalo, Federica Bellato, Salvatore Magliocca, Alessio Malfanti, Lukasz Kuryk, Beate Rinner, Samuele Negro, Stefano Salmaso, Paolo Caliceti, Francesca Mastrotto
Summary: This study explored the use of polymer-coated oncolytic viruses for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, showing higher therapeutic efficacy in cells expressing high levels of ASGPR. The polymer coating altered the viral properties, enhancing infectivity and immunogenic cell death compared to naked viruses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silke Schrom, Thomas Hebesberger, Stefanie Angela Wallner, Ines Anders, Erika Richtig, Waltraud Brandl, Birgit Hirschmugl, Mariangela Garofalo, Claudia Bernecker, Peter Schlenke, Karl Kashofer, Christian Wadsack, Ariane Aigelsreiter, Ellen Heitzer, Sabrina Riedl, Dagmar Zweytick, Nadine Kretschmer, Georg Richtig, Beate Rinner
Summary: Melanomas present challenges in treatment during pregnancy, but through culturing and studying melanoma cells, new model systems and treatment options have been discovered, providing new possibilities for studying melanoma heterogeneity and pregnancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Mitchell S. Stark, Meghan E. Muse, Drew T. Bergman, Lucas A. Salas, Lisa N. Tom, Antonia Laino, Duncan Lambie, Richard A. Sturm, Helmut Schaider, Brock C. Christensen, Peter H. Soyer
Summary: This study compared the differences between benign and dysplastic melanocytic nevi using genome-wide methylation profiling and identified key epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved in nevogenesis. It found that benign nevi showed increased genome-scale methylation and methylation of Alu/LINE-1 retrotransposable elements, indicating genomic stability, while dysplastic nevi showed evidence of genomic instability through hypomethylation of Alu/LINE-1. Using dermoscopic classifications, differentially methylated loci were found in reticular/nonspecific patterned nevi but not in globular nevi.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jelena Krstic, Isabel Reinisch, Katharina Schindlmaier, Markus Galhuber, Zina Riahi, Natascha Berger, Nadja Kupper, Elisabeth Moyschewitz, Martina Auer, Helene Michenthaler, Christoph Noessing, Maria R. Depaoli, Jeta Ramadani-Muja, Sinem Usluer, Sarah Stryeck, Martin Pichler, Beate Rinner, Alexander J. A. Deutsch, Andreas Reinisch, Tobias Madl, Riccardo Zenezini Chiozzi, Albert J. R. Heck, Meritxell Huch, Roland Malli, Andreas Prokesch
Summary: Fasting improves the efficacy of sorafenib and sensitizes sorafenib-resistant HCC by preventing the Warburg shift through reduction in glucose and AKT/mTOR signaling. p53 is necessary for the sorafenib-sensitizing effect of fasting.
Article
Oncology
Saira Sanjida, Brigid Betz-Stablein, Victoria Atkinson, Monika Janda, Ramez Barsoum, Harrison Aljian Edwards, Frank Chiu, My Co Tran, H. Peter Soyer, Helmut Schaider
Summary: This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced melanoma receiving immunotherapies and/or targeted therapies in a real-world setting. Despite having multiple comorbidities, the survival of these patients was similar or better compared to those in clinical trials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maximiliane Wussmann, Florian Kai Groeber-Becker, Sabrina Riedl, Dina Alihodzic, Daniel Padaric, Lisa Gerlitz, Alexander Stallinger, Bernadette Liegl-Atzwanger, Dagmar Zweytick, Beate Rinner
Summary: The host defense derived peptide RDP22 has shown promising potential against the highly aggressive NRAS mutated melanoma cell line MUG-Mel2, inducing cell death both in vitro and in vivo. The peptide effectively targets the tumor cells and leads to tumor regression and reduction in proliferation, highlighting its specificity and efficacy in combating melanoma.
Letter
Dermatology
Meghan E. Muse, Helmut Schaider, Harald Oey, H. Peter Soyer, Brock C. Christensen, Mitchell S. Stark
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)