Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingyuan Shi, Zhen Jin, Yaxin Yu, Yongchao Zhang, Fu Yang, Huanwei Huang, Tao Cai, Rongwen Xi
Summary: In the germarium of the Drosophila ovary, a population of somatic escort cells can be divided into two successive domains, with the anterior escort cells producing ecdysone to promote cell division and the posterior escort cells responding to ecdysone signaling to regulate cell adhesion. This distribution of escort cells is independent of the germline but dependent on JAK/STAT signaling activity, orchestrating cystoblast division and differentiation towards egg chamber formation.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaolong Hu, Mengjie Li, Xue Hao, Yi Lu, Lei Zhang, Geng Wu
Summary: The study reveals that Osa plays a crucial role in controlling escort cell characteristics and germline differentiation in the Drosophila ovary. Depletion of Osa in escort cells results in a blockage of GSC progeny differentiation, partly due to elevated dpp transcription and ectopic En expression in Osa-depleted ECs. Additionally, Osa is shown to regulate germline differentiation in a Brahma-associated protein complex-dependent manner.
Article
Cell Biology
Alexandra Brigitta Szarka-Kovacs, Zsanett Takacs, Melinda Bence, Miklos Erdelyi, Ferenc Jankovics
Summary: It has been found that MESR4 is a transcription factor that promotes daughter cell differentiation in Drosophila ovarian stem cells. By promoting the transcription of key differentiation regulator gene bam, MESR4 regulates the decision-making and differentiation of ovarian stem cell daughter cells. Loss of MESR4 leads to the accumulation of daughter cells and differentiation defects.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Harleen Kaur, Anjeza Erickson, Regis Moreau
Summary: mTORC1 plays a differential role in the immune responses of THP-1-derived macrophages and Caco-2 epithelial cells in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, impacting cytokine gene expression through manipulation of mTORC1 activity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Junpeng Yao, Xiangyun Yan, Xianjun Xiao, Xi You, Yanqiu Li, Yuqing Yang, Wei Zhang, Ying Li
Summary: This study found that electroacupuncture can reduce obesity and fat accumulation by regulating hypothalamic autophagy and TSC1-mTOR methylation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Dai Heng, Xiaoyan Sheng, Chenglei Tian, Jie Li, Linlin Liu, Mo Gou, Lin Liu
Summary: The study demonstrates that mTOR inhibition by INK128 could extend the maintenance of reconstituted ovarian functions, including follicular development and endocrine functions, after transplantation. Compared to controls without mTOR inhibitors, INK128 treatment prolongs the preservation of these functions for a longer period of time.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahiro Suzuki, Jeremy Cheret, Fernanda Dinelli Scala, Aysun Akhundlu, Jennifer Gherardini, Dana-Lee Demetrius, James D. B. O'Sullivan, Gorana Kuka Epstein, Alan J. Bauman, Constantinos Demetriades, Ralf Paus
Summary: Dysregulation of mTORC1 activity is closely related to aging, cancer, and genetic disorders. In this study, the role of mTORC1 in human hair follicles was investigated, revealing its negative regulation on hair growth and pigmentation. Inhibition of mTORC1 stimulated hair follicle growth and pigmentation, while knockdown of the TSC2 gene reduced pigmentation. These findings suggest that pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 could be a potential strategy for managing hair loss and depigmentation disorders.
Review
Developmental Biology
Velinda Vidaurre, Xin Chen
Summary: The article mainly discusses the regulatory role of epigenetic mechanisms between germ cells and somatic cells on the identity and activity of germline stem cells, introducing the cellular differentiation mechanisms during gametogenesis.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Marie Monaghan, Pooja Takhar, Luke Langlands, Markus Knuf, Sam Amin
Summary: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a genetic condition that results in the loss of inhibition of cellular growth. Facial angiofibromas (FAs) are hamartomatous growths associated with TSC that appear as multiple small, erythematous papules on the skin of the face and may have psychosocial impacts such as anxiety and depression. A survey study found that FAs have an impact on quality of life and psychosocial well-being for TSC patients with moderate or severe FAs.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Krzysztof Sadowski, Kamil Sijko, Dorota Domanska-Pakiela, Julita Borkowska, Dariusz Chmielewski, Agata Ulatowska, Sergiusz Jozwiak, Katarzyna Kotulska
Summary: Rapamycin can be used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children with TSC, and can effectively reduce the frequency of seizures at a certain dosage. The combination with vigabatrin has better efficacy.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Yalan Xing, Kimberly Larson, Jinghong Li, Willis X. Li
Summary: The maintenance of Drosophila male germline stem cells (GSCs) requires both canonical and non-canonical Janus kinase/signal transducer and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. Unphosphorylated STAT (uSTAT) binds to heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) to stabilize heterochromatin and maintain GSC identity. Persistent activation of JAK/STAT pathway leads to the accumulation of HP1 and uSTAT in GSCs, promoting heterochromatin formation critical for GSC maintenance.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Zeeshan Mushtaq, Kumar Aavula, Dario A. Lasser, Ingrid D. Kieweg, Lena M. Lion, Stefan Kins, Jan Pielage
Summary: This study reveals the importance of the Drosophila pseudo-kinase Madm in maintaining synaptic stability and coordinating synaptic growth and function. Madm acts presynaptically to regulate cap-dependent translation and mediates compensatory signals to offset synaptic release deficits and delay synaptic degeneration. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration-induced synaptic homeostatic potentiation and have potential implications for neurotherapeutic applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mahsa Zarei, Krinio Giannikou, Heng Du, Heng-Jia Liu, Melissa Duarte, Sneha Johnson, Amin H. Nassar, Hans R. Widlund, Elizabeth P. Henske, Henry W. Long, David J. Kwiatkowski
Summary: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is characterized by tumor development in multiple organs, including renal angiomyolipoma. MITF-A is identified as a transcriptional oncogenic driver of angiomyolipoma tumor development, acting through regulation of CYR61, which plays a crucial role in cell growth and tumor formation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Ting Lin, Chia-Ling Yu, Yu-Kang Tu, Ching-Chi Chi
Summary: The study suggests that topical sirolimus, particularly at a concentration of 0.2%, is effective and safe for treating facial angiofibromas in patients with TSC.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bartlomiej Pawlik, Szymon Grabia, Urszula Smyczynska, Wojciech Fendler, Izabela Drozdz, Ewa Liszewska, Jacek Jaworski, Katarzyna Kotulska, Sergiusz Jozwiak, Wojciech Mlynarski, Joanna Trelinska
Summary: This study suggests that miRNA dysregulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of TSC, with certain miRNAs potentially serving as markers for treatment efficacy and targets for future therapy. Results also indicate common genes targeted by the dysregulated miRNAs, although no changes in mRNA expression of these targets were observed after rapamycin treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)