Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge A. Sierra-Fonseca, Manuel Miranda, Siddhartha Das, Sukla Roychowdhury
Summary: The b gamma subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins interacts with both microtubules and actin filaments, playing a key role in modulating the neuronal cytoskeleton and participating in various aspects of neuronal differentiation. The interaction of Gb gamma with actin is independent of microtubules, and contributes to axon and growth cone formation during neuronal differentiation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Boominathan Mohanasundaram, Audrey Dodds, Vandna Kukshal, Joseph M. Jez, Sona Pandey
Summary: Heterotrimeric G-proteins show sporadic presence in algae and specific components are frequently lost in land plants. The signaling pathways mediated by these proteins influence growth, development, and physiology in plants. The existence of XLGαβγ trimers is conserved in the entire land plant lineage, but their presence is sporadic in algae. The different components have distinct evolutionary histories.
Review
Oncology
Jingkai Zhou, Matthieu Corvaisier, Darina Malycheva, Maria Alvarado-Kristensson
Summary: Oncogenic transformation leads to adaptive changes in tumor cells, affecting their cellular organization and functions. These changes can be used as diagnostic markers in clinical settings. This review summarizes the roles of actin, microtubules, and the gamma-tubulin meshwork in regulating cell metabolism and functional cellular asymmetry.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Anna Pepanian, Paul Sommerfeld, Renata Kasprzyk, Toni Kuehl, F. Ayberk Binbay, Christoph Hauser, Reik Loeser, Robert Wodtke, Marcelina Bednarczyk, Mikolaj Chrominski, Joanna Kowalska, Jacek Jemielity, Diana Imhof, Markus Pietsch
Summary: A new method based on fluorescence anisotropy was developed to determine the affinity of ligands at the GTP-binding site and quantify the fraction of active G alpha i1 protein. An advanced bacterial expression protocol was used to produce active human G alpha i1 protein, and its GTP binding capability was determined with novel fluorescently labeled guanine nucleotides.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Qinglin Wang, Hao Wu, Jian Hu, Haijuan Fu, Yanghui Qu, Yijun Yang, Kathy Q. Cai, Andrey Efimov, Minghua Wu, Tim Yen, Yuan Wang, Zeng-Jie Yang
Summary: Nestin is significantly upregulated in human GBM compared to other types of glioma and its deficiency leads to apoptosis in tumor cells, interacts with beta II-tubulin, and sensitizes GBM cells to microtubule-destabilizing drugs.
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Jana Chumova, Hana Kourova, Lucie Trogelova, Geoffrey Daniel, Pavla Binarova
Summary: Although plant microtubules are nucleated in a gamma-tubulin-dependent but gamma-TuRC-independent manner, gamma-tubulin is still considered a microtubule nucleator. Plant cells serve as an excellent model for studying the role of gamma-tubulin in nucleation due to their acentrosomal nature and high conservation of gamma-tubulin.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaushik A. Palicha, Pavithra Loganathan, V. Sudha, S. Harinipriya
Summary: For the first time, electrochemical methods were used to study the response of tubulin monomers from plant source to charge perturbations. The results showed that tubulin extracted from plant source can be used as a semiconductor electrode material in energy conversion and storage applications.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
G. Gemma Stathatos, E. M. Jessica Dunleavy, Jennifer Zenker, K. Moira O'Bryan
Summary: Delta and epsilon tubulin, lesser-known relatives of alpha and beta tubulin, likely regulate centriole function across species, with their roles in mammals still mysterious. Mutations in 6- and epsilon-tubulin cause centriole destabilization, atypical mitosis, and cell death, indicating their importance in cellular processes beyond centrioles. They also interact with KATNAL2 during spermatogenesis, suggesting novel functions beyond the centriole.
TRENDS IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takashi Hotta, Sarah E. Haynes, Teresa L. Blasius, Margo Gebbie, Emily L. Eberhardt, David Sept, Michael Cianfrocco, Kristen J. Verhey, Alexey Nesvizhskii, Ryoma Ohi
Summary: The translation discusses the importance of detyrosination as a post-translational modification of microtubules and the use of parthenolide to block this process. It also highlights the efficacy of epoY as an alternative inhibitor of microtubule detyrosination.
Review
Cell Biology
Vadym Sulimenko, Eduarda Draberova, Pavel Draber
Summary: This article reviews the role of gamma-tubulin in microtubule nucleation and its potential functions. Recent studies have provided insights into the structure, activation, and centrosomal recruitment of the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gamma-TuRC), shedding light on the molecular mechanism of microtubule nucleation. Furthermore, gamma-tubulin may also have specific nuclear functions and be involved in cross-talk between microtubules and microfilaments at the centrosome.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Urko Del Castillo, Rosalind Norkett, Wen Lu, Anna Serpinskaya, Vladimir Gelfand
Summary: Ataxin-2 plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal cytoskeletal dynamics and organelle trafficking, as evidenced by fruit fly models, where its loss led to defects in nervous system development and survival.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donghoon Ahn, Donghee Ham, Ka Young Chung
Summary: In recent years, deeper insights into the stepwise conformational changes during GPCR-G protein coupling have been obtained using various techniques such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, hydroxyl radical footprinting-mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, cryoelectron microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulation.
CURRENT OPINION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiri Prusa, Ahmed Taha Ayoub, Djamel Eddine Chafai, Daniel Havelka, Michal Cifra
Summary: In this study, it was found through computer simulation that a strong electric field can alter the structure of microtubules, opening up new possibilities for electromagnetic modulation of biological and artificial materials.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiri Prusa, Michal Cifra
Summary: This study demonstrates, for the first time, that the motor domain of Kinesin-1 can be detached from a microtubule by an intense electric field within nanoseconds. The detachment is dependent on the direction and strength of the electric field. The results provide insights into the molecular interactions between electromagnetic fields and biomatter, with potential applications in biomedical and bio-nanotechnological control of protein nanomotors.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maozhen Luo, Zhiwei Han, Guoye Huang, Rongfang Li, Yi Liu, Junjie Lu, Lin Liu, Rui Miao
Summary: In this review, the structural characteristics of guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins and their binding modes with GTP or ATP were compared and analyzed, providing new insights into the enormous diversity of biological function of G proteins.
PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luis Fernando Plenge-Tellechea, Sergio Acosta-Lara, Joaquin Rodrigo-Garcia, Emilio Alvarez-Parrilla, David Melendez-Martinez, Ana Gatica-Colima, Jorge A. Sierra-Fonseca
Summary: This study assessed the potential of plant extracts from Larrea tridentata and Quercus virginiana to suppress the toxic effects of Crotalus ornatus venom. The results showed that the methanolic leaf extract from L. tridentata and the acetone extract of Q. virginiana bark significantly reduced the cytotoxicity induced by the venom. These plant extracts could be potential therapeutic interventions against Crotalus envenomation.
DRUG AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jorge A. Sierra-Fonseca, Manuel Miranda, Siddhartha Das, Sukla Roychowdhury
Summary: The b gamma subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins interacts with both microtubules and actin filaments, playing a key role in modulating the neuronal cytoskeleton and participating in various aspects of neuronal differentiation. The interaction of Gb gamma with actin is independent of microtubules, and contributes to axon and growth cone formation during neuronal differentiation.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Felix Matos-Ocasio, Veronika E. Espinoza, Paola Correa-Alfonzo, Arshad M. Khan, Laura E. O'Dell
Summary: This study explored sex differences in nicotine withdrawal effects in female and male rats, with findings suggesting that female rats exhibited more Fos-positive cells in a specific part of the IPN compared to males. The data indicates a potential role for a group of IPN cells in modulating negative affective states during withdrawal, particularly in females.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Arshad M. Khan, Christina E. D'Arcy, Jeffrey T. Olimpo
Summary: Recent efforts in the U.S. have introduced course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) to retain freshmen in STEM majors and give them a sense of identity as scientists. The Brain Mapping & Connectomics (BMC) program at UTEP trains students to analyze and map neuron populations in the rat brain, with some producing atlas drawings for scientific publication. The program's historical links to Johns Hopkins University Medical School highlight the importance of teaching century-old methods in neuroscience education to preserve lost arts critical for scientific advancement.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Yang Yang, Lanyang Gao, Ning-Na Weng, Jun-Jun Li, Jin Lu Liu, Ying Zhou, Rong Liao, Qun-Li Xiong, Yong-Feng Xu, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Qing Zhu
Summary: The study revealed that prognosis-related KIFs were upregulated in pancreatic cancer patients and associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, with the exception of KIF21B which was linked to better clinical outcomes. These KIFs showed significant associations with KRAS and TP53 mutations, tumor growth, and infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Blanca E. Ruiz-Medina, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Robert A. Kirken, Elisa Robles-Escajeda
Summary: The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear, with two potential scenarios being zoonotic transfer and a laboratory leak. While the Wuhan wet markets provide a strong scenario for zoonotic transfer, the lack of direct evidence remains a challenge. The laboratory origin remains plausible given the work conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, highlighting the need for a definitive conclusion to prevent future pandemics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aleli Campbell, Denisse A. Gutierrez, Colin Knight, Charlotte M. Vines, Rosalinda Heydarian, Alexander Philipovskiy, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Thomas Boland
Summary: This study utilized bioprinting technology to investigate the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to treatment with palbociclib and letrozole. The results suggest that bioprinting technology could be a feasible strategy for developing and testing new anticancer drugs.
Article
Cell Biology
Denisse A. Gutierrez, Lisett Contreras, Paulina J. Villanueva, Edgar A. Borrego, Karla Moran-Santibanez, Jessica D. Hess, Rebecca DeJesus, Manuel Larragoity, Ana P. Betancourt, Jonathon E. Mohl, Elisa Robles-Escajeda, Khodeza Begum, Sourav Roy, Robert A. Kirken, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Renato J. Aguilera
Summary: In this study, a novel pyrazole-based derivative (P3C) was found to exhibit strong cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines, especially triple-negative breast cancer cells. The mechanism of cytotoxicity involves the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial depolarization, and activation of apoptotic pathways.
Article
Oncology
Risa Mia Swain, Lisett Contreras, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Mohammad Hossain, Umashankar Das, Carlos A. Valenzuela, Manuel L. Penichet, Jonathan R. Dimmock, Renato J. Aguilera
Summary: Two novel piperidone compounds demonstrated cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines and induced cell death through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. They also caused cell cycle alteration and acted as proteasome inhibitors.
INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUGS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jessica D. Hess, Luca H. Macias, Denisse A. Gutierrez, Karla Moran-Santibanez, Lisett Contreras, Stephanie Medina, Paulina J. Villanueva, Robert A. Kirken, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Manuel L. Penichet, Renato J. Aguilera
Summary: This study discovered a unique thienopyrazole derivative, Tpz-1, with potent and selective cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells. Tpz-1 interferes with signaling pathways and cytoskeletal components important to cell shape, organization, growth, and division. These findings support further exploration of Tpz-1 and other thienopyrazole-based compounds as potential anticancer agents.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Md Nurul Huda, Isaac G. Deaguro, Edgar A. Borrego, Raj Kumar, Tamanna Islam, Humayra Afrin, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Renato J. Aguilera, Eden E. L. Tanner, Md Nurunnabi
Summary: This study developed a topical formulation composed of Navitoclax and an ionic liquid of choline octanoate. The results showed that COA-mediated topical delivery of Navitoclax was more effective in treating early-stage melanoma than oral administration.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ammar Idris, Brooke A. A. Christensen, Ellen M. M. Walker, Joost X. X. Maier
Summary: Flavour refers to the sensory experience of food, which is a combination of taste and odour. Previous research found a region in rats' olfactory cortex that responds to both taste and odour stimuli. This study revealed that taste and odour inputs interact in a non-linear manner in the posterior piriform cortex, forming amodal flavour representations that enhance identity coding.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Geronimo P. Tapia, Lindsay J. Agostinelli, Sarah D. Chenausky, Jessica V. Salcido Padilla, Vanessa I. Navarro, Amy Alagh, Gabriel Si, Richard H. Thompson, Sivasai Balivada, Arshad M. Khan
Summary: Rodent studies indicate that impaired glucose utilization or hypoglycemia is associated with the cellular activation of neurons in the medulla, believed to control feeding behavior and glucose counterregulation. Within 15 min of receiving 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG), marked elevations were observed in the numbers of rhombic brain (RB) neuronal cell profiles immunoreactive for the cellular activation marker(s), phosphorylated p44/42 MAP kinases (phospho-ERK1/2), and that some of these profiles were also catecholaminergic. Mapping these populations within standardized brain atlas maps streamlines their targeting and/or comparable mapping in preclinical rodent models of disease.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Michelle Martinez, Veronika E. Espinoza, Valeria Garcia, Kevin P. Uribe, Kenichiro Negishi, Igor L. Estevao, Luis M. Carcoba, Laura E. O'Dell, Arshad M. Khan, Ian A. Mendez
Summary: This study examines the effects of nicotine vapor on the brain and behavior, revealing that repeated exposure to nicotine vapor leads to dependence and withdrawal, affecting behavior and brain reward function.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Jyoti Ahlawat, Gabriela Henriquez, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Robert Fairman, Mahesh Narayan
Summary: Green-chemistry synthesized gelatin-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can mitigate the neurotoxic effects of paraquat and extend organismal lifespan. The study shows that this sustainable nanomaterial can protect cell lines and organisms against neurotoxic outcomes.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)