Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anja Greule, Thierry Izore, Daniel Machell, Mathias H. Hansen, Melanie Schoppet, James J. De Voss, Louise K. Charkoudian, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Jeffrey R. Harmer, Max J. Cryle
Summary: Cytochrome P450 enzymes are enzymes that can perform oxidative reactions using heme. However, some of these enzymes can be damaged by oxidation, leading to decreased enzyme activity. Research has shown that the heme orientation in the active site of certain cytochrome P450 enzymes may contribute to this oxidative damage.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Dandan Song, Huan He, Rajitha Indukuri, Zhiqiang Huang, Lina Stepanauskaite, Indranil Sinha, Lars-Arne Haldosen, Chunyan Zhao, Cecilia Williams
Summary: This study investigates the differences between estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in regulating cell proliferation and migration. The results show that ERα and ERβ have opposite effects on cell proliferation and different impacts on migration. Furthermore, they regulate distinct sets of target genes, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of these two different ER isoforms.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanbo Liu, Kota Nomura, Junpei Abe, Yasuhiro Kajihara
Summary: Glycoproteins play important roles in various biological processes, but the relationship between glycan structure and function needs further investigation. Synthetic approaches have been developed to produce homogeneous glycoproteins, and this review discusses recent progress in this field.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Wenping Ding, Minqi Zhou, Huayu Li, Miao Li, Yanping Qiu, Yu Yin, Lifeng Pan, Wenchao Yang, Yanan Du, Xingang Zhang, Zhijun Tang, Wen Liu
Summary: Modification of organic molecules with fluorine functionalities is a critical approach for developing new pharmaceuticals. In this study, a multienzyme strategy for biocatalytic fluoroalkylation was reported, which involved the use of SAM-dependent methyltransferases and fluorinated SAM cofactors. The strategy demonstrated successful late-stage site-selective fluoroalkylation of the complex molecule vancomycin, with conversions up to 99%.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takeshi Katayoshi, Nobuaki Yamaura, Takahisa Nakajo, Natsuko Kitajima, Kentaro Tsuji-Naito
Summary: Porcine placental extract (PPE) increases intracellular NAD levels in human epidermal cells by providing NAD precursors such as NMN, NR, and NAM, potentially benefiting skin anti-aging.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Milda Kaniusaite, Julien Tailhades, Tiia Kittila, Christopher D. Fage, Robert J. A. Goode, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Max J. Cryle
Summary: The biosynthesis of glycopeptide antibiotics demonstrates the exceptional ability of nonribosomal peptide synthesis to generate diverse and complex structures. An important study on the NRPS assembly lines involved in synthesizing GPAs revealed that they function as dynamic peptide assembly lines, allowing for flexible control over amino acid modifications and peptide formation, which is beneficial for the redesign of important biosynthetic systems.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Y. T. Candace Ho, Ralf B. Schittenhelm, Dumitrita Iftime, Evi Stegmann, Julien Tailhades, Max J. Cryle
Summary: Glycopeptide antibiotics inhibit bacterial cell-wall biosynthesis by sequestration of precursor lipid II. The oxidative crosslinking of the core peptide during GPA biosynthesis is essential and challenging. Understanding the activity and selectivity of Oxy enzymes is important for future engineering of this compound class.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baocai Zhang, Yihong Gao, Lanjun Zhang, Yihua Zhou
Summary: The plant cell wall, composed of multiple biopolymers, is one of the most complex structural networks in nature. Through advancements in plant functional genomics, significant progress has been made in understanding cell wall biosynthesis, construction, and functions, as well as utilization of cell wall materials. Cutting-edge technologies have provided new insights into the intricate nanoscale network of the plant cell wall, opening up unprecedented possibilities for research.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongwei Zhao, Y. T. Candace Ho, Julien Tailhades, Max Cryle
Summary: Researchers are intrigued by the complex biosynthesis of glycopeptide antibiotics, particularly the role of the X-domain in recruiting P450 enzymes. In vitro studies have provided insights into the tolerances and limitations of the GPA cyclisation cascade, paving the way for future reengineering of this important antibiotic class.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andres Andreo-Vidal, Oleksandr Yushchuk, Flavia Marinelli, Elisa Binda
Summary: In this study, the cross-talk between CSRGs in tei and dbv was investigated by knocking out and heterologous expression in A. teichomyceticus and N. gerenzanensis. It was found that Tei15* and Dbv4 StrR-like PSRs, although orthologous, were not completely interchangeable. However, Tei16* and Dbv3 were able to complement each other. Additionally, heterologous expression of dbv3 in A. teichomyceticus led to a significant increase in teicoplanin production. These findings provide insights into the regulation of GPA biosynthesis and offer new biotechnological tools for improving their production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Libman, Mor Ben-Lulu, Eden Gaster, Ratnadeep Bera, Alexander I. Shames, Omer Shaashua, Vlada Vershinin, Yury Torubaev, Doron Pappo
Summary: In this study, highly efficient conditions for the synthesis of biaryl-bridged and diaryl ether-linked macrocyclic peptides using multicopper(II) clusters were developed. The technology demonstrated great potential for the synthesis of complex antibiotic macrocyclic peptides and revealed the unprecedented ability of multicopper(II) clusters to facilitate intramolecular coupling reactions with tethered phenol compounds.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Sebastian Gehlen-Breitbach, Theresa Schmid, Franziska Froeb, Gabriele Rodrian, Matthias Weider, Michael Wegner, Lina Goelz
Summary: The cranial neural crest is crucial for orofacial development, and mutations affecting its development can lead to orofacial malformations. This study shows that inactivating Kat5 or Ep400, two enzymatic subunits of the Tip60/Ep400 chromatin remodeling complex, severely impairs carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism in cranial neural crest cells, resulting in decreased protein synthesis, proliferation, and survival. This leads to a significant reduction of cranial neural crest cells and loss of most facial structures. Heterozygous loss of Kat5 in neural crest cells also impairs palatogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Emma Wilkinson, Yan-Hong Cui, Yu-Ying He
Summary: Chemical modifications of RNA molecules, mediated by writer, reader, and eraser proteins, regulate RNA metabolism and fate, impacting various cellular processes and disease development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongwei Jiang, Weixin Lin, Subei Tan, Yuxuan Wang, Wei Wu, Zhigang Lu
Summary: Novel vancomycin analogues with quaternary ammonium moieties were designed and synthesized to combat drug-resistant bacteria isolated from clinical settings. Partial target molecules displayed potent antibacterial activity against tested strains. Among all compounds, a triazole quaternary ammonium vancomycin (QAV) derivative named QAV-a1 exhibited the best antibacterial activity, demonstrating 4- to 32-fold higher efficacy against MRSA compared to vancomycin. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that QAV-a1 had a longer half-life of 5.19 ± 0.10 hours, suggesting its potential for further development against drug-resistant bacteria.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Priya Amin, Sushil Awal, Suzanne Vigneron, Sylvain Roque, Francisca Mechali, Jean Claude Labbe, Thierry Lorca, Anna Castro
Summary: PP2A is a major serine/threonine phosphatase involved in cell signaling regulation, with different complexes like PP2A-B55 having specific substrate specificity and being negatively regulated by inhibitors and upstream kinases, defining temporal patterns of substrate dephosphorylation. This review aims to compile all knowledge of PP2A-B55, a key enzyme in cell homeostasis and cancer development.
