Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yang Wang, Wei Yang
Summary: Protein S-acylation, also known as palmitoylation, is a crucial reversible lipid modification that regulates protein functions. Recent advances in proteomic analysis of S-acylation have significantly improved our understanding of its biological processes. This research field is expected to play a key role in discovering new disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Ian P. Malgapo, Maurine E. Linder
Summary: Protein palmitoylation is a post-translational modification method associated with various diseases, and identifying the protein substrates of zDHHC proteins is key to understanding their physiological and pathophysiological importance.
Review
Physiology
Kaitlyn M. J. H. Dennis, Lisa C. C. Heather
Summary: Numerous cellular proteins undergo post-translation modification through the addition of lipid groups, such as myristoylation and palmitoylation, which impact protein structure, localization, stability, and binding affinity. Palmitoylation, involving the covalent attachment of a 16-carbon saturated fatty acyl chain to a cysteine, is unique as it is reversible and enzyme-driven, rapidly affecting protein targeting and subcellular trafficking. Palmitoylation is catalyzed by palmitoyl acyltransferases (DHHCs), while the reverse reaction is catalyzed by acyl-protein thioesterases (APTs).
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marilyn D. Resh
Summary: Fatty acylation is a crucial protein modification that affects protein affinity, signaling pathways, and cellular functions. Research in this field offers new therapeutic opportunities for targeting human diseases.
Review
Microbiology
Natalie A. Counihan, Hope C. Chernih, Tania F. de Koning-Ward
Summary: Post-translational modifications play a crucial role in regulating cellular processes in eukaryotic proteins, and lipidation is particularly important in Plasmodium parasites. This review discusses lipid modification processes and their potential as drug targets for malaria.
CURRENT OPINION IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Dongze Li, Li Zhang, Yanqiu He, Tingting Zhou, Xi Cheng, Wei Huang, Yong Xu
Summary: Diabetes is a prevalent global epidemic disease that is influenced by genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Histone post-translational modifications, specifically methylation and acetylation, play significant roles in the pathophysiological changes associated with diabetes. Recent advancements in mass spectrometry have identified novel histone acylation modifications, which are yet to be thoroughly investigated for their connection to diabetes.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wouter W. Kallemeijn, Thomas Lanyon-Hogg, Nattawadee Panyain, Andrea Goya Grocin, Paulina Ciepla, Julia Morales-Sanfrutos, Edward W. Tate
Summary: Protein lipidation is a widespread post-translational modification in nature that regulates protein function, structure, and subcellular localization. Lipid transferases and their substrate proteins are of interest as drug targets due to their dysregulation in disease. The hydrophobic and dynamic nature of lipid modifications poses challenges for detection, but chemical proteomics offers a powerful approach to identify and quantify them.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ciara Buckley, Therese R. Montgomery, Tomasz Szank, Brian A. Murray, Cormac Quigley, Ian Major
Summary: This research presents a method for modifying hyaluronic acid to generate a new photo-crosslinkable polymer with improved physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The addition of thiol to HA increases the crosslinking and biocompatibility, and enhances the degradability of methacrylated HA. The novel hydrogel system could have numerous bioengineering applications due to its enhanced properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Garrison Komaniecki, Hening Lin
Summary: Post-translational acylation of lysine side chains, particularly by long-chain fatty acyl groups, is an important mechanism of protein regulation that affects protein affinity for specific cellular membranes. The full biological function of lysine fatty acylation is still not completely understood despite advancements in research over the past 30 years.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Huan Liang, Dongmei Yin, Lina Shi, Yihuan Liu, Xin Hu, Ning Zhu, Kai Guo
Summary: Functionalized cellulose has gained research interests for its potential in highly functional and environmentally friendly materials. Surface modification of cellulose via photo-induced click reaction integrates the advantages of photochemistry, click reaction, and surface modification. In this review, recent progress in cellulose surface modification using photo-induced click reactions is summarized. Different click reactions, such as thiol-X and cycloaddition reactions, are compared and their applications in cellulose modification are discussed. The challenges and outlook of photo-induced click reaction in cellulose surface modification are also addressed.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Jane W. Agger, Birgitte Zeuner
Summary: This review focuses on enzymatic functionalization and coupling methods for the synthesis of bio-based surfactants from renewable resources. It highlights specific examples of enzymatic reactions, such as transferase, lipase, and glycoside hydrolase-catalyzed esterification or glycoside formation, to link mono- and oligosaccharides with fatty acids. The review also mentions enzymatic carbohydrate functionalization before click chemistry coupling, with relevant enzymes such as LPMOs, oxidases, and dehydrogenases. The importance of C6 or C1-oxidizing activities for converting nonionic surfactants into anionic counterparts is emphasized.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-hua Wang, Tao Yuan, Mei-jia Qian, Fang-jie Yan, Liu Yang, Qiao-jun He, Bo Yang, Jin-jian Lu, Hong Zhu
Summary: This review discusses the regulatory mode of post-translational modifications on KRAS, including prenylation, phosphorylation, and more, while highlighting recent studies targeting these modifications that have shown potent anti-tumor activities.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Chong Feng, Lening Zhang, Xin Chang, Dongliang Qin, Tao Zhang
Summary: The immune checkpoint molecules PD-1 and PD-L1 are promising targets for tumor immunotherapy. PD-L1 overexpression on tumor cells inhibits T cell activation by binding to PD-1, leading to tumor immune escape. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 involves blocking this binding and restoring immune cell killing effect.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji Woo Park, Matthew D. Tyl, Ileana M. Cristea
Summary: The regulation of mitochondria structure and function is crucial for viral infections. Post-translational modification of mitochondrial proteins plays a critical role in controlling energy metabolism, apoptosis, and immune signaling. Understanding these modifications and their effects is important for the development of therapeutic strategies.
Article
Oncology
Xiaoming Dai, Yang Gao, Wenyi Wei
Summary: Antibody therapies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 have revolutionized cancer treatment, but only a small fraction of patients respond well. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating PD-1/PD-L1 expression can lead to improvements in anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Adam D. Kenney, Zhongguang Li, Zehua Bian, Xinyu Zhou, Haichang Li, Bryan A. Whitson, Tao Tan, Chuanxi Cai, Jianjie Ma, Jacob S. Yount
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ross C. Larue, Enming Xing, Adam D. Kenney, Yuexiu Zhang, Jasmine A. Tuazon, Jianrong Li, Jacob S. Yount, Pui-Kai Li, Amit Sharma
Summary: The study identified ACE2-derived peptides that can effectively inhibit Spike-mediated infection of SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses. Some of these peptides demonstrated inhibition of infection in low millimolar range and were found to target an ACE2 motif crucial for SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. These findings suggest the potential for developing peptide-based inhibitors for the treatment of COVID-19.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guoli Shi, Adam D. Kenney, Elena Kudryashova, Ashley Zani, Lizhi Zhang, Kin Kui Lai, Luanne Hall-Stoodley, Richard T. Robinson, Dmitri S. Kudryashov, Alex A. Compton, Jacob S. Yount
Summary: The study reveals that some IFITMs can restrict SARS-CoV-2 infections while others enhance infections, with IFITM3 showing new antiviral mechanisms involving amphipathic helix and endocytosis-promoting motif. These findings provide insights into the dual roles of IFITM3 in enhancing viral infection at the plasma membrane and restricting endosomal SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Elise Bouffard, Balyn W. Zaro, Melissa M. Dix, Benjamin Cravatt, Chi-Huey Wong
Summary: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major disease causing 1.8 billion deaths worldwide, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) being used for treatment but facing drug resistance and side effects. This study identified analogs of AZD9291 through chemical proteomics that maintained engagement with T790M-EGFR while reducing cross-reactivity with off-targets.
TETRAHEDRON LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Noushin Saljoughian Esfahani, Qian Wu, Naresh Kumar, Latha Prabha Ganesan, William P. Lafuse, Murugesan V. S. Rajaram
Summary: Aging affects the phenotype and function of cardiac immune cells, leading to immune dysregulation and cardiac electrical dysfunction during infection in aged mice.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Kudryashova, Ashley Zani, Geraldine Vilmen, Amit Sharma, Wuyuan Lu, Jacob S. Yount, Dmitri S. Kudryashov
Summary: This study found that human defensin HNP1 can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and has strong antiviral activity. Defensins can interfere with spike protein-mediated membrane fusion, viral infection, and interaction with the ACE2 receptor. The activity of defensins is influenced by serum, but they can still effectively inactivate the virus at high concentrations. These findings suggest that defensins may be valuable tools in developing strategies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cong Zeng, Abdul A. Waheed, Tianliang Li, Jingyou Yu, Yi-Min Zheng, Jacob S. Yount, Haitao Wen, Eric O. Freed, Shan-Lu Liu
Summary: SERINC3 and SERINC5, known as host restriction factors against HIV, were found to exhibit additional antiviral activities by enhancing the expression of genes encoding type I interferons and nuclear factor kappa B signaling. SERINC5 interacts with MAVS and TRAF6, leading to enhancement of antiviral activities and inhibition of HIV-1 and rVSV infection. These findings suggest a novel function of SERINC proteins in modulating host inflammatory signaling and antiviral responses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Krithika P. Karthigeyan, Lizhi Zhang, David R. Loiselle, Timothy A. J. Haystead, Menakshi Bhat, Jacob S. Yount, Jesse J. Kwiek
Summary: Mammalian cells obtain fatty acids from diet or by de novo synthesis through FASN. FASN is upregulated in cancers and essential for replication of various viruses. Alk-4 is a valuable tool for selectively probing FASN-mediated protein acylation in disease states.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Colton Martens, Lisa A. Dorn, Adam Kenney, Shyam A. Bansal, Jacob Yount, Federica A. Accornero
Summary: This study identifies BEX1 as a novel antiviral protein that plays a cardioprotective role in the heart during viral infection. It regulates cardiac immune responses to limit viral replication and its absence accelerates virus-induced heart failure and pathological remodeling, while its overexpression confers protection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose L. Montano, Brian J. Wang, Regan F. Volk, Sara E. Warrington, Virginia G. Garda, Katherine L. Hofmann, Leo C. Chen, Balyn W. Zaro
Summary: A method to increase the selectivity of covalent molecules by increasing the steric bulk of the electrophilic warhead is developed. The modified molecules show reduced off-target reactivity and improved selectivity, while retaining the reactivity rates of the original molecule.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eric Dang, Susan Lei, Atanas Radkov, Regan F. Volk, Balyn W. Zaro, Hiten D. Madhani
Summary: This study identifies an effector protein secreted by Cryptococcus neoformans that drives alternative activation of macrophages, enabling pulmonary infection in mice. The effect is mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 and requires type 2 cytokine signaling. CPL1 is essential for virulence and selectively associates with polarized interstitial macrophages during infection, revealing a mechanism by which the fungus generates its own replication niche within the host.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhou Chen, Abhisek Mondal, Fayal Abderemane-Ali, Seil Jang, Sangeeta Niranjan, Jose L. Montano, Balyn W. W. Zaro, Daniel L. L. Minor Jr
Summary: This article reveals the assembly mechanism of high-voltage-activated calcium channels and their interactions with chaperone proteins through cryo-electron microscopy structure. The results indicate that chaperone proteins play an important role in the process of channel assembly.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kelly N. Chuh, Balyn W. Zaro, Friedrich Piller, Veronique Piller, Matthew R. Pratt
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Regan F. Volk, Jose L. Montano, Sara E. Warrington, Katherine L. Hofmann, Balyn W. Zaro
Summary: This study developed methods to analyze the proteomic consequences of macrophage stimulation by inducing macrophage activation and comparing protein production between resting and stimulated macrophages. The findings showed that stimulated macrophages bias their protein production towards processes associated with phagocytosis and antigen processing. The study also demonstrated alterations in protein synthesis rates during phagocytosis-inducing stimulation.
RSC CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nicholas M. Chesarino, Michael Emerman
Summary: APOBEC3G (A3G) is an antiviral protein that restricts retroviruses like HIV. HIV-1 Vif has evolved to antagonize A3G. Two rapidly evolving sites in A3G act as a barrier to cross-species transmission of retroviruses. This study explores the evolutionary space of A3G at these sites to understand the advantage gained by HIV-1 Vif in its arms race with A3G.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)