Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Eva M. Berghausen, Wiebke Janssen, Marius Vantler, Leoni L. Gnatzy-Feik, Max Krause, Arnica Behringer, Christine Joseph, Mario Zierden, Henrik ten Freyhaus, Anna Klinke, Stephan Baldus, Miguel A. Alcazar, Rajkumar Savai, Soni Savai Pullamsetti, Dickson W. L. Wong, Peter Boor, Jean J. Zhao, Ralph T. Schermuly, Stephan Rosenkranz
Summary: Enhanced signaling via RTKs, hyperphosphorylation of multiple RTKs, and increased activation of their common downstream effector PI3K were observed in diseased human vessels, with p110 alpha identified as a key regulator of pathogenic signaling pathways downstream of RTKs. Inhibiting p110 alpha was shown to prevent onset and progression of pulmonary hypertension, suggesting it as a central therapeutic target in PH treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Amy Ryan, Gerald R. V. Hammond, Alexander Deiters
Summary: The study introduces a highly efficient method for optical control of protein localization through site-specific incorporation of a photocaged amino acid. It has been shown to be applicable to different proteins and can rapidly activate cellular signaling pathways.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick D. Radler, Kerry Vistisen, Aleata A. Triplett, Rayane Dennaoui, Yong Li, Hridaya Shrestha, Rosa-Maria Ferraiuolo, Amalraj Thangasamy, Dieter Saur, Kay-Uwe Wagner
Summary: The researchers developed a transgenic mouse line expressing an optimized Flp recombinase, demonstrating the versatile applicability of the new MMTV-Flp strain in manipulating genes in mammary gland cells. By combining two recombinases, genes can be deleted or activated in established tumors, showing the feasibility of gene manipulation in neoplastic mammary epithelial cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mariko Kato, Machiko Watari, Tomohiko Tsuge, Sheng Zhong, Hongya Gu, Li-Jia Qu, Takashi Fujiwara, Takashi Aoyama
Summary: Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) and its product PtdIns(4,5)P-2 play a crucial role in pollen germination, possibly by establishing germination polarity in pollen.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alexis R. Demonbreun, Elena Bogdanovic, Lauren A. Vaught, Nina L. Reiser, Katherine S. Fallon, Ashlee M. Long, Claire C. Oosterbaan, Michele Hadhazy, Patrick G. T. Page, Prem Raj B. Joseph, Gabrielle Cowen, Alexander M. Telenson, Ammaarah Khatri, Katherine R. Sadleir, Robert Vassar, Elizabeth M. McNally
Summary: Annexin A6 plays a crucial role in membrane repair and can promote repair in multiple cell types. Recombinant annexin A6 may have potential in treating chronic disorders.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandr Mironov, Matthew Fisher, Priya Narayanan, Randa Elsayed, Melis Karabulutoglu, Nasreen Akhtar
Summary: Cell turnover is vital for tissue homeostasis and reproductive cycle, and Rac1 controls cell turnover in the mammary gland. Lack of Rac1 delayed alveolar regression, resulting in increased cell turnover. Hyperproliferation of progenitor cells and accelerated cell death were observed in the absence of Rac1, linked to macrophageal inflammation and impaired autophagic cell death. Mammary gland reversibility was also impaired without Rac1, leading to failure of lactation upon resuckling.
Article
Cell Biology
Pascal Ender, Paolo Armando Gagliardi, Maciej Dobrzynski, Agne Frismantiene, Coralie Dessauges, Thomas Hohener, Marc-Antoine Jacques, Andrew R. Cohen, Olivier Pertz
Summary: This study examines the dynamics of ERK activity during mammary epithelial acinar morphogenesis and reveals that the fate decisions of cells are coordinated by different spatiotemporal modalities of ERK pulse frequency.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
James H. Vines, Hannes Maib, Catherine M. Buckley, Aurelie Gueho, Zhou Zhu, Thierry Soldati, David H. Murray, Jason S. King
Summary: The authors introduce a new biosensor for PI(3,5)P-2, a phosphoinositide signaling lipid, and demonstrate its effectiveness in studying PI(3,5)P-2 dynamics in both amoebae and mammalian cells. Through their research, they uncover new details about the regulation of PI(3,5)P-2 during phagosome maturation. This work is significant as it enhances our understanding of the roles and regulation of PI(3,5)P-2, an important lipid in various cellular processes.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Scott D. Hansen, Albert A. Lee, Benjamin R. Duewell, Jay T. Groves
Summary: The lipid-modifying enzyme PIP5K is essential for generating PI(4,5)P-2 lipids in eukaryotic cells. It is regulated by binding to these lipids and membrane-mediated dimerization, which enhances its catalytic efficiency and stochastic variation in kinase reaction velocity.
Review
Cell Biology
York Posor, Wonyul Jang, Volker Haucke
Summary: Phosphoinositides, signaling lipids derived from phosphatidylinositol, play key roles in regulating membrane dynamics and impacting all aspects of cell physiology. They are involved in endocytic and exocytic traffic, autophagy, lysosome biology, and the non-vesicular exchange at membrane contact sites.
NATURE REVIEWS MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lawrence G. Welch, Sew-Yeu Peak-Chew, Farida Begum, Tim J. Stevens, Sean Munro
Summary: The fidelity of Golgi glycosylation is partly maintained by the compartmentalization of enzymes within the stack and binding of the COPI adaptor GOLPH3+3L to the cytoplasmic tails of Golgi enzymes. These proteins play important roles in diverse glycosylation pathways in the Golgi and their deletion leads to multiple defects in glycosylation.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ryo Kuroda, Mariko Kato, Tomohiko Tsuge, Takashi Aoyama
Summary: This study investigated the biological functions of the PIP5K7-9 subgroup genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing their preferential expression in specific tissues and plasma membrane localization in root meristem cells. The genes were found to be redundant in adapting root growth to hyperosmotic conditions, possibly through promoting plasma membrane recycling in root meristem cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuta Shimanaka, Keiko Matsumoto, Yuki Tanaka, Yuki Ishino, Shenwei Ni, Jun-Lin Guan, Hiroyuki Arai, Nozomu Kono
Summary: Phosphoinositide species, with different phosphorylation patterns, participate in various cellular events. A newly developed chromatography-mass spectrometry method allows for quantification of all seven phosphoinositide regioisomers, facilitating research on their physiological and pathological roles. Further improvements are needed for absolute quantification of minor phosphoinositide regioisomers in biological samples.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Harrison M. York, Kunaal Joshi, Charles S. Wright, Laura Z. Kreplin, Samuel J. Rodgers, Ullhas K. Moorthi, Hetvi Gandhi, Abhishek Patil, Christina A. Mitchell, Srividya Iyer-Biswas, Senthil Arumugam
Summary: Newly formed endosomes mature into early endosomes through shedding one protein and acquiring another. The trigger-and-convert mechanism driven by endosomal collisions and fusions governs timeliness in ensemble maturations. This study provides new insights into the inter-endosomal interactions that control the maturation process.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hema Adhikari, Walaa E. Kattan, Shivesh Kumar, Pei Zhou, John F. Hancock, Christopher M. Counter
Summary: The lipid composition of the plasma membrane plays a crucial role in defining the oncogenic function of KRAS, with the adapter protein EFR3A binding to active KRAS to recruit PI4KA and alter lipid composition. Disruption of EFR3A or PI4KA reduces oncogenic signaling and tumorigenesis, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for KRAS-mutant cancers.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rosa M. Alvarez, Ana Belen Garcia, Concepcion Riesco-Fagundo, Jose Martin, Carmen Varela, Antonio Rodriguez Hergueta, Esther Gonzalez Cantalapiedra, Julen Oyarzabal, Bruno Di Geronimo, Milagros Lorenzo, M. Isabel Albarran, Antonio Cebria, David Cebrian, Sonia Martinez-Gonzalez, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Joaquin Pastor
Summary: Activation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway is common in human cancers, driving cell growth and proliferation. Compounds targeting this pathway have been developed as anticancer therapeutics with multiple therapeutic effects.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Gillian Moore, Clara Lightner, Samira Elbai, Lauren Brady, Siobhan Nicholson, Ronan Ryan, Katie E. O'Sullivan, Kenneth J. O'Byrne, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Sinead Cuffe, Michael O'Neill, Susan Heavey, Stephen P. Finn, Kathy Gately
Summary: PIM kinases interact with key oncogenic pathways, including PI3K/Akt, and can lead to drug resistance. In this study, PIM kinase expression in NSCLC was examined, with a focus on PIM1 as a prognostic marker. A novel inhibitor IBL-301 was found to inhibit important pathways in NSCLC cells and tumor tissues, including c-Myc and PI3K-Akt, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine MCP-1. The study also identified a miRNA signature associated with PI3K/mTOR resistance, suggesting the potential for co-targeting PIM kinases and PI3K-mTOR in NSCLC therapy.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Lucia Jimenez, Andreia Silva, Giampaolo Calissi, Ines Grenho, Rita Monteiro, Victor Mayoral-Varo, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Joaquin Pastor, Victor Bustos, Franz Bracher, Diego Megias, Bibiana Ferreira, Wolfgang Link
Summary: Various compounds including resveratrol, piperlongumine, and harmine were found to induce FOXO activity, with piperlongumine and harmine activating transcription. These compounds were shown to affect FOXO nuclear translocation and inhibiting ROS production, with molecular mechanisms involving DYRK1A inhibition and SIRTs reverting the effects of harmine on FOXO3 activity, independently of PI3K/AKT signaling and CRM1-mediated nuclear export.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lucia Zhu, Diana Retana, Pedro Garcia-Gomez, Laura Alvaro-Espinosa, Neibla Priego, Mariam Masmudi-Martin, Natalia Yebra, Lauritz Miarka, Elena Hernandez-Encinas, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Sonia Martinez, Cecilia Sobrino, Nuria Ajenjo, Maria-Jesus Artiga, Eva Ortega-Paino, Raul Torres-Ruiz, Sandra Rodriguez-Perales, Riccardo Soffietti, Luca Bertero, Paola Cassoni, Tobias Weiss, Javier Munoz, Juan Manuel Sepulveda, Pedro Gonzalez-Leon, Luis Jimenez-Roldan, Luis Miguel Moreno, Olga Esteban, Angel Perez-Nunez, Aurelio Hernandez-Lain, Oscar Toldos, Yolanda Ruano, Lucia Alcazar, Guillermo Blasco, Jose Fernandez-Alen, Eduardo Caleiras, Miguel Lafarga, Diego Megias, Osvaldo Grana-Castro, Carolina Nor, Michael D. Taylor, Leonie S. Young, Damir Vareslija, Nicola Cosgrove, Fergus J. Couch, Lorena Cusso, Manuel Desco, Silvana Mouron, Miguel Quintela-Fandino, Michael Weller, Joaquin Pastor, Manuel Valiente
Summary: We report a medium-throughput drug-screening platform based on organotypic cultures that evaluates inhibitors against metastases growing in situ. Through this approach applied to brain metastasis, vulnerabilities were identified and a blood-brain barrier permeable HSP90 inhibitor was found to be effective against mouse and human brain metastases. In situ proteomic analysis revealed a novel molecular program in brain metastasis and potential biomarkers of poor prognosis and resistance mechanisms. This study validates METPlatform as a potent resource for metastasis research and personalized management of metastatic disease.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sonia Martinez-Gonzalez, Rosa M. Alvarez, Jose Martin, Ana Belen Garcia, Concepcion Riesco-Fagundo, Carmen Varela, Antonio Rodriguez Hergueta, Esther Gonzalez Cantalapiedra, M. Albarran, Elena Gomez-Casero, Antonio Cebria, Enara Aguirre, Nuria Ajenjo, David Cebrian, Bruno Di Geronimo, Darren Cunningham, Michael O'Neill, Harish P. G. Dave, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Joaquin Pastor
Summary: The PI3K/AKT/mTOR and PIM kinase pathways play critical roles in cancer development, and cotargeting these pathways has shown promising therapeutic effects. Through cross-screening of compounds, a dual PI3K/PIM-1 inhibitor was identified, leading to the discovery of a potent triple PI3K/mTOR/PIM inhibitor, IBL-302. This compound has demonstrated efficacy in neuroblastoma and breast cancer xenografts and macrocyclization was found to be essential for multitarget activity.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Javier Peinado-Serrano, Alvaro Quintanal-Villalonga, Sandra Munoz-Galvan, Eva M. Verdugo-Sivianes, Juan C. Mateos, Maria J. Ortiz-Gordillo, Amancio Carnero
Summary: The search for gene signatures that can predict the response to radiotherapy treatment is important for clinical decision making. This study analyzed gene expression levels in different NSCLC cell lines and identified a six-gene signature that can predict overall survival and progression-free survival in NSCLC patients.
Review
Oncology
Javier Peinado-Serrano, Amancio Carnero
Summary: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and radiation. The heterogeneity of molecular profiles contributes to variations in patients' overall survival and therapeutic responses. Identifying prognostic and predictive gene signatures can improve therapeutic decision-making and clinical outcomes for NSCLC patients.
Article
Cell Biology
Laura Sanchez-Diaz, Asuncion Espinosa-Sanchez, Jose-Ramon Blanco, Amancio Carnero
Summary: Cellular senescence plays a beneficial role in embryogenesis and maintaining normal adult organisms, but chronic activation of senescence can lead to age-related diseases, HIV, and cancer. Senescent cells share common phenotypes, including cell division arrest, abnormal shape, increased size, high granularity, apoptosis resistance, defective metabolism, and chromatin alterations. Developing senotherapeutics that selectively target senescent cells is important for treating aging-related disorders and acting as antitumor drugs in cancer.
Article
Oncology
Juan Miguel Baquero, Erik Marchena-Perea, Rocio Mirabet, Raul Torres-Ruiz, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Sandra Rodriguez-Perales, Thomas Helleday, Carlos Benitez-Buelga, Javier Benitez, Ana Osorio
Summary: This study found that OGG1 inhibition could serve as a synthetic lethality strategy and enhance the sensitivity to PARP inhibitors in BRCA1-deficient cells. This discovery provides a potential new framework for the treatment of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Jimenez, Carlos Amenabar, Victor Mayoral-Varo, Thomas A. Mackenzie, Maria C. Ramos, Andreia Silva, Giampaolo Calissi, Ines Grenho, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Joaquin Pastor, Diego Megias, Bibiana Ferreira, Wolfgang Link
Summary: FOXO proteins play important roles in cancer and aging, and their activity can be regulated through pharmacological manipulation. The study suggests that mTORC2 is the most important second layer kinase negatively regulating FOXO activity.
Review
Oncology
Ana Amiama-Roig, Eva M. Verdugo-Sivianes, Amancio Carnero, Jose-Ramon Blanco
Summary: The circadian clock plays a crucial role in regulating biological rhythms and its alteration during aging is associated with age-related pathologies, including cancer. Understanding the impact of circadian rhythms on cancer therapy and utilizing chronotherapy to optimize treatment timing shows promise in improving treatment outcomes.
Review
Cell Biology
Lola E. Navas, Amancio Carnero
Summary: NAD+ plays a crucial role in cell homeostasis, participating in both redox and nonredox reactions. Tumor cells need to maintain high levels of NAD+ through the salvage pathway to meet their demands. NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway, has been identified as a potential target for cancer therapy.
Article
Oncology
Teresa Gonzalez-Munoz, Angela Di Giannatale, Susana Garcia-Silva, Vanesa Santos, Sara Sanchez-Redondo, Claudia Savini, Osvaldo Grana-Castro, Carmen Blanco-Aparicio, Suzanne Fischer, Olivier De Wever, Edgar Creus-Bachiller, Sara Ortega-Bertran, David J. Pisapia, Jose L. Rodriguez-Peralto, Juana Fernandez-Rodriguez, Cleofe Romagosa Perez-Portabella, Rita Alaggio, Maria Serena Benassi, Laura Pazzaglia, Katia Scotlandi, Nancy Ratner, Kaleb Yohay, Charles P. Theuer, Hector Peinado
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angela Marrugal, Irene Ferrer, Alvaro Quintanal-Villalonga, Laura Ojeda, Maria Dolores Pastor, Ricardo Garcia-Lujan, Amancio Carnero, Luis Paz-Ares, Sonia Molina-Pinelo
Summary: The study aims to maximize treatment efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma by identifying key proteins underlying HSP90 inhibition and searching for potential biomarkers of response to this therapeutic strategy. The greater efficacy of HSP90 inhibition was found in EGFR mutated or EML4-ALK translocated cell lines. Apoptosis was identified as the only pathway affected by HSP90 inhibition across all molecular subgroups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Cynthia Clemente-Gonzalez, Amancio Carnero
Summary: During tumor growth, hypoxia triggers a cascade of physiological responses that affect the primary tumor and prepare distant organs for the development of metastasis. This adaptive response induces the expansion of cancer stem cells, promotes metastasis, and alters the microenvironment to facilitate the attachment and growth of tumor cells. Hypoxia-induced signaling molecules play a crucial role in modifying the premetastatic niche.