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Hu S, Wang D, Liu W, Wang Y, Chen J, Cai X. Apelin receptor dimer: Classification, future prospects, and pathophysiological perspectives. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167257. [PMID: 38795836 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Apelin receptor (APJ), a member of the class A family of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), plays a crucial role in regulating cardiovascular and central nervous systems function. APJ influences the onset and progression of various diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cerebral stroke, making it an important target for drug development. Our preliminary findings indicate that APJ can form homodimers, heterodimers, or even higher-order oligomers, which participate in different signaling pathways and have distinct functions compared with monomers. APJ homodimers can serve as neuroprotectors against, and provide new pharmaceutical targets for vascular dementia (VD). This review article aims to summarize the structural characteristics of APJ dimers and their roles in physiology and pathology, as well as explore their potential pharmacological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261042, PR China
| | - Dexiu Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261042, PR China
| | - Wenkai Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261042, PR China
| | - Yixiang Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261042, PR China
| | - Jing Chen
- Neurobiology Institute, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China; Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Xin Cai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261042, PR China.
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Schaefer KG, Russell CM, Pyron RJ, Conley EA, Barrera FN, King GM. Polymerization mechanism of the Candida albicans virulence factor candidalysin. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107370. [PMID: 38750794 PMCID: PMC11193009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that can cause epithelial infections and life-threatening invasive candidiasis. The fungus secretes candidalysin (CL), a peptide that causes cell damage and immune activation by permeation of epithelial membranes. The mechanism of CL action involves strong peptide assembly into polymers in solution. The free ends of linear CL polymers can join, forming loops that become pores upon binding to membranes. CL polymers constitute a therapeutic target for candidiasis, but little is known about CL self-assembly in solution. Here, we examine the assembly mechanism of CL in the absence of membranes using complementary biophysical tools, including a new fluorescence polymerization assay, mass photometry, and atomic force microscopy. We observed that CL assembly is slow, as tracked with the fluorescent marker C-laurdan. Single-molecule methods showed that CL polymerization involves a convolution of four processes. Self-assembly begins with the formation of a basic subunit, thought to be a CL octamer that is the polymer seed. Polymerization proceeds via the addition of octamers, and as polymers grow they can curve and form loops. Alternatively, secondary polymerization can occur and cause branching. Interplay between the different rates determines the distribution of CL particle types, indicating a kinetic control mechanism. This work elucidates key physical attributes underlying CL self-assembly which may eventually evoke pharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles M Russell
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Robert J Pyron
- Genome Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Elizabeth A Conley
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Francisco N Barrera
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
| | - Gavin M King
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
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Mpamhanga CD, Kounatidis I. The utility of Drosophila melanogaster as a fungal infection model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1349027. [PMID: 38550600 PMCID: PMC10973011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1349027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal diseases have profound effects upon human health and are on increase globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 published the fungal priority list calling for improved public health interventions and advance research. Drosophila melanogaster presents an excellent model system to dissect host-pathogen interactions and has been proved valuable to study immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases. In this review we highlight the recent advances in fungal-Drosophila interplay with an emphasis on the recently published WHO's fungal priority list and we focus on available tools and technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengetai D Mpamhanga
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Ilias Kounatidis
- School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
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Ye F, Kang Z, Kou H, Yang Y, Chen W, Wang S, Sun J, Liu F. G-Protein Coupled Receptor Gpr-1 Is Important for the Growth and Nutritional Metabolism of an Invasive Bark Beetle Symbiont Fungi Leptographium procerum. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:3354-3362. [PMID: 38230891 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Leptographium procerum has been demonstrated to play important roles in the invasive success of red turpentine beetle (RTB), one of the most destructive invasive pests in China. Our previous studies found that bacterial volatile ammonia plays an important role in the maintenance of the RTB-L. procerum invasive complex. In this study, we found a GPCR gene Gpr-1 that was a response to ammonia but not involved in the ammonia-induced carbohydrate metabolism. Deletion of Gpr-1 significantly inhibited the growth and pathogenicity but thickened the cell wall of L. procerum, resulting in more resistance to cell wall-perturbing agents. Further analyses suggested that Gpr-1 deletion caused growth defects that might be due to the dysregulation of the amino acid and lipid metabolisms. The thicker cell wall in the ΔGpr-1 mutant was induced through the cell wall remodeling process. Our results indicated that Gpr-1 is essential for the growth of L. procerum by regulating the nutritional metabolism, which can be further explored for potential applications in the management of RTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyuan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiwei Kang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Hongru Kou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yunwen Yang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Wei Chen
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Saige Wang
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Jianghua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Fanghua Liu
- College of Life Science/Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interactions, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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Su J, Luo Y, Hu S, Tang L, Ouyang S. Advances in Research on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Targets and Therapeutic Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13381. [PMID: 37686185 PMCID: PMC10487533 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic multifaceted disease with multiple potential complications, the treatment of which can only delay and prolong the terminal stage of the disease, i.e., type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The World Health Organization predicts that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Although many antidiabetic medicines have been successfully developed in recent years, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors, single-target drugs are gradually failing to meet the therapeutic requirements owing to the individual variability, diversity of pathogenesis, and organismal resistance. Therefore, there remains a need to investigate the pathogenesis of T2DM in more depth, identify multiple therapeutic targets, and provide improved glycemic control solutions. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms of action and the development of the latest therapeutic agents targeting T2DM in recent years. It also discusses emerging target-based therapies and new potential therapeutic targets that have emerged within the last three years. The aim of our review is to provide a theoretical basis for further advancement in targeted therapies for T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqian Su
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (J.S.); (Y.L.); (S.H.); (L.T.)
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Yingsheng Luo
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (J.S.); (Y.L.); (S.H.); (L.T.)
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Shan Hu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (J.S.); (Y.L.); (S.H.); (L.T.)
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Lu Tang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (J.S.); (Y.L.); (S.H.); (L.T.)
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
| | - Songying Ouyang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China; (J.S.); (Y.L.); (S.H.); (L.T.)
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Response and Metabolic Regulation, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
- Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China
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Farhadi Cheshmeh Morvari S, McCann BL, Bignell EM. Conserved and Divergent Features of pH Sensing in Major Fungal Pathogens. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 10:120-130. [PMID: 37577059 PMCID: PMC10421798 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-023-00195-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review For human fungal pathogens, sensory perception of extracellular pH is essential for colonisation of mammalian tissues and immune evasion. The molecular complexes that perceive and transmit the fungal pH signal are membrane-proximal and essential for virulence and are therefore of interest as novel antifungal drug targets. Intriguingly, the sensory machinery has evolved divergently in different fungal pathogens, yet spatial co-ordination of cellular components is conserved. Recent Findings The recent discovery of a novel pH sensor in the basidiomycete pathogen Cryptococcus neformans highlights that, although the molecular conservation of fungal pH sensors is evolutionarily restricted, their subcellular localisation and coupling to essential components of the cellular ESCRT machinery are consistent features of the cellular pH sensing and adaptation mechanism. In both basidiomycetes and ascomycetes, the lipid composition of the plasma membrane to which pH sensing complexes are localised appears to have pivotal functional importance. Endocytosis of pH-sensing complexes occurs in multiple fungal species, but its relevance for signal transduction appears not to be universal. Summary Our overview of current understanding highlights conserved and divergent mechanisms of the pH sensing machinery in model and pathogenic fungal species, as well as important unanswered questions that must be addressed to inform the future study of such sensing mechanisms and to devise therapeutic strategies for manipulating them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bethany L. McCann
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at The University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD UK
| | - Elaine M. Bignell
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at The University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD UK
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