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Karpov OA, Stotland A, Raedschelders K, Chazarin B, Ai L, Murray CI, Van Eyk JE. Proteomics of the heart. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:931-982. [PMID: 38300522 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00026.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is a sophisticated identification tool specializing in portraying protein dynamics at a molecular level. Proteomics provides biologists with a snapshot of context-dependent protein and proteoform expression, structural conformations, dynamic turnover, and protein-protein interactions. Cardiac proteomics can offer a broader and deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underscore cardiovascular disease, and it is foundational to the development of future therapeutic interventions. This review encapsulates the evolution, current technologies, and future perspectives of proteomic-based mass spectrometry as it applies to the study of the heart. Key technological advancements have allowed researchers to study proteomes at a single-cell level and employ robot-assisted automation systems for enhanced sample preparation techniques, and the increase in fidelity of the mass spectrometers has allowed for the unambiguous identification of numerous dynamic posttranslational modifications. Animal models of cardiovascular disease, ranging from early animal experiments to current sophisticated models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, have provided the tools to study a challenging organ in the laboratory. Further technological development will pave the way for the implementation of proteomics even closer within the clinical setting, allowing not only scientists but also patients to benefit from an understanding of protein interplay as it relates to cardiac disease physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg A Karpov
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Aleksandr Stotland
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Koen Raedschelders
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Blandine Chazarin
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Lizhuo Ai
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Christopher I Murray
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Jennifer E Van Eyk
- Smidt Heart Institute, Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
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2
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Anastassov S, Filo M, Khammash M. Inteins: A Swiss army knife for synthetic biology. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108349. [PMID: 38552727 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108349] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Inteins are proteins found in nature that execute protein splicing. Among them, split inteins stand out for their versatility and adaptability, presenting creative solutions for addressing intricate challenges in various biological applications. Their exquisite attributes, including compactness, reliability, orthogonality, low toxicity, and irreversibility, make them of interest to various fields including synthetic biology, biotechnology and biomedicine. In this review, we delve into the inherent challenges of using inteins, present approaches for overcoming these challenges, and detail their reliable use for specific cellular tasks. We will discuss the use of conditional inteins in areas like cancer therapy, drug screening, patterning, infection treatment, diagnostics and biocontainment. Additionally, we will underscore the potential of inteins in executing basic logical operations with practical implications. We conclude by showcasing their potential in crafting complex genetic circuits for performing computations and feedback control that achieves robust perfect adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Anastassov
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Maurice Filo
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Khammash
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel 4056, Switzerland.
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3
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Corning PA. Cooperative genes in smart systems: Toward an inclusive new synthesis in evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 189:26-31. [PMID: 38593906 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
For more than half a century, biologist Julian Huxley's term, the "Modern Synthesis", has been used as a label for a model of biological evolution where genetic influences are viewed as a principal source of creativity and change. Over the years, as evidence has accumulated that there are many other, far more important factors at work in evolution, theoretical "compromises," such as the so-called "Extended Synthesis", have been proposed. This is no longer tenable. It is time to abandon the Modern Synthesis, and its doppelganger "The Selfish Gene". Here is the case for a new, multi-faceted, open-ended, "inclusive" evolutionary synthesis, where living systems themselves are recognized as purposeful (teleonomic) "agents" and cooperative effects (synergies) of various kinds are seen as all-important influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Corning
- Institute for the Study of Complex Systems, 1390 158th Place NE #616, Bellevue, WA, 98008, USA.
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4
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Midha T, Kolomeisky AB, Igoshin OA. Insights into Error Control Mechanisms in Biological Processes: Copolymerization and Enzyme-Kinetics Revisited. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:5612-5622. [PMID: 38814670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c02173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The high fidelity observed in biological information processing ranging from replication to translation has stimulated significant research efforts to clarify the underlying microscopic picture. Theoretically, several approaches to analyze the error rates have been proposed. The copolymerization theory describes the addition and removal of monomers at the growing tip of a copolymer, leading to a closed set of nonlinear equations. On the other hand, enzyme-kinetics approaches formulate linear equations of biochemical networks, describing transitions between discrete chemical states. However, it is still unclear whether the error values computed by the two approaches agree. Moreover, there are conflicting interpretations on whether the error is under thermodynamic or kinetic discrimination control. In this work, we examine the error rate in persistent copying biochemical processes by specifically analyzing both theoretical approaches. The initial disagreement of the results between the two theories motivated us to rederive the formula for the error rate in the kinetic model. The error computed with the new method resulted in excellent agreement between both theoretical approaches and with Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, our theoretical analysis shows that the kinetic discrimination controls the error, even when the energy difference between adding the right and wrong products is very small. Our theoretical investigation gives important insights into the physical-chemical properties of complex biological processes by providing the quantitative framework to evaluate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Midha
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Anatoly B Kolomeisky
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Oleg A Igoshin
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
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5
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Sosorev AY, Parashchuk OD, Chicherin IV, Trubitsyn AA, Trukhanov VA, Baleva MV, Piunova UE, Kharlanov OG, Kamenski P, Paraschuk DY. Probing of nucleic acid compaction using low-frequency Raman spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024. [PMID: 38864440 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp05857c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Compaction of nucleic acids, namely DNA and RNA, determines their functions and involvement in vital cell processes including transcription, replication, DNA repair and translation. However, experimental probing of the compaction of nucleic acids is not straightforward. In this study, we suggest an approach for this probing using low-frequency Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, we show theoretically, computationally and experimentally the quantifiable correlation between the low-frequency Raman intensity from nucleic acids, magnitude of thermal fluctuations of atomic positions, and the compaction state of biomolecules. Noteworthily, we highlight that the LF Raman intensity differs by an order of magnitude for different samples of DNA, and even for the same sample in the course of long-term storage. The feasibility of the approach is further shown by assessment of the DNA compaction in the nuclei of plant cells. We anticipate that the suggested approach will enlighten compaction of nucleic acids and their dynamics during the key processes of the cell life cycle and under various factors, facilitating advancement of molecular biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Yu Sosorev
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
- Enikolopov Institute of Synthetic Polymeric Materials, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsoyuznaya 70, Moscow 117393, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulitsa Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Olga D Parashchuk
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Ivan V Chicherin
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Artem A Trubitsyn
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Vasiliy A Trukhanov
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Maria V Baleva
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Ulyana E Piunova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Oleg G Kharlanov
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
| | - Piotr Kamenski
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Dmitry Yu Paraschuk
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/62, Moscow 119991, Russia.
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6
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Borisova E, Newman AG, Couce Iglesias M, Dannenberg R, Schaub T, Qin B, Rusanova A, Brockmann M, Koch J, Daniels M, Turko P, Jahn O, Kaplan DR, Rosário M, Iwawaki T, Spahn CMT, Rosenmund C, Meierhofer D, Kraushar ML, Tarabykin V, Ambrozkiewicz MC. Protein translation rate determines neocortical neuron fate. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4879. [PMID: 38849354 PMCID: PMC11161512 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49198-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex comprises an enormous diversity regarding cell types, morphology, and connectivity. In this work, we discover a post-transcriptional mechanism of gene expression regulation, protein translation, as a determinant of cortical neuron identity. We find specific upregulation of protein synthesis in the progenitors of later-born neurons and show that translation rates and concomitantly protein half-lives are inherent features of cortical neuron subtypes. In a small molecule screening, we identify Ire1α as a regulator of Satb2 expression and neuronal polarity. In the developing brain, Ire1α regulates global translation rates, coordinates ribosome traffic, and the expression of eIF4A1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Satb2 mRNA translation requires eIF4A1 helicase activity towards its 5'-untranslated region. Altogether, we show that cortical neuron diversity is generated by mechanisms operating beyond gene transcription, with Ire1α-safeguarded proteostasis serving as an essential regulator of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Borisova
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew G Newman
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Couce Iglesias
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rike Dannenberg
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Theres Schaub
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bo Qin
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Rusanova
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Marisa Brockmann
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina Koch
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marieatou Daniels
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Turko
- Institute of Integrative Neuroanatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Jahn
- Neuroproteomics Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Hermann-Rein-Str. 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Translational Neuroproteomics Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - David R Kaplan
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Marta Rosário
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Takao Iwawaki
- Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Kahoku, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Christian M T Spahn
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Rosenmund
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Meierhofer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthew L Kraushar
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Tarabykin
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mateusz C Ambrozkiewicz
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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7
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Sharma AK, Khandelwal R, Wolfrum C. Futile cycles: Emerging utility from apparent futility. Cell Metab 2024; 36:1184-1203. [PMID: 38565147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Futile cycles are biological phenomena where two opposing biochemical reactions run simultaneously, resulting in a net energy loss without appreciable productivity. Such a state was presumed to be a biological aberration and thus deemed an energy-wasting "futile" cycle. However, multiple pieces of evidence suggest that biological utilities emerge from futile cycles. A few established functions of futile cycles are to control metabolic sensitivity, modulate energy homeostasis, and drive adaptive thermogenesis. Yet, the physiological regulation, implication, and pathological relevance of most futile cycles remain poorly studied. In this review, we highlight the abundance and versatility of futile cycles and propose a classification scheme. We further discuss the energetic implications of various futile cycles and their impact on basal metabolic rate, their bona fide and tentative pathophysiological implications, and putative drug interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Kumar Sharma
- Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
| | - Radhika Khandelwal
- Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Christian Wolfrum
- Laboratory of Translational Nutrition Biology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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8
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Danga AK, Kour S, Kumari A, Rath PC. Cell-type specific and differential expression of LINC-RSAS long noncoding RNA declines in the testes during ageing of the rat. Biogerontology 2024; 25:543-566. [PMID: 38353919 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10088-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as major regulators of gene expression, chromatin structure, epigenetic changes, post-transcriptional processing of RNAs, translation of mRNAs into proteins as well as contributing to the process of ageing. Ageing is a universal, slow, progressive change in almost all physiological processes of organisms after attaining reproductive maturity and often associated with age-related diseases. Mammalian testes contain various cell-types, vast reservoir of transcriptome complexity, produce haploid male gametes for reproduction and testosterone for development and maintenance of male sexual characters as well as contribute genetic variation to the species. We report age-related decline in expression and cellular localization of Long intergenic noncoding repeat-rich sense-antisense (LINC-RSAS) RNA in the testes and its major cell-types such as primary spermatocytes, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells during ageing of the rat. LINC-RSAS expression in testes increased from immature (4-weeks) to adult (16- and 44-weeks) and declined from adult (44-weeks) to nearly-old (70-weeks) rats. Genomic DNA methylation in the testes showed a similar pattern. Cell-type specific higher expression of LINC-RSAS was observed in primary spermatocytes (pachytene cells), Leydig cells and Sertoli cells of testes of adult rats. Over-expression of LINC-RSAS in cultured human cell lines revealed its possible role in cell-cycle control and apoptosis. We propose that LINC-RSAS expression is involved in molecular physiology of primary spermatocytes, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells of adult testes and its decline is associated with diminishing function of testes during ageing of the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Danga
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sukhleen Kour
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15224, USA
| | - Anita Kumari
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Pramod C Rath
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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9
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De Loof A. The mega-evolution of life with its three memory systems depends on sender-receiver communication and problem-solving. A narrative review. J Physiol 2024; 602:2417-2431. [PMID: 37721172 DOI: 10.1113/jp284412] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
It should be the ultimate goal of any theory of evolution to delineate the contours of an integrative system to answer the question: How does life (in all its complexity) evolve (which can be called mega-evolution)? But how to plausibly define 'life'? My answer (1994-2023) is: 'life' sounds like a noun, but denotes an activity, and thus is a verb. Life (L) denotes nothing else than the total sum (∑) of all acts of communication (transfer of information) (C) executed by any type of senders-receivers at all their levels (up to at least 15) of compartmental organization: L = ∑C. The 'communicating compartment' is better suited to serve as the universal unit of structure, function and evolution than the cell, the smallest such unit. By paying as much importance to communication activity as to the Central Dogma of molecular biology, a wealth of new insights unfold. The major ones are as follows. (1) Living compartments have not only a genetic memory (DNA), but also a still enigmatic cognitive and an electrical memory system (and thus a triple memory system). (2) Complex compartments can have up to three types of progeny: genetic descendants/children, pupils/learners and electricians. (3) Of particular importance to adaptation, any act of communication is a problem-solving act because all messages need to be decoded. Hence through problem-solving that precedes selection, life itself is the driving force of its own evolution (a very clever but counterintuitive and unexpected logical deduction). Perhaps, this is the 'vital force' philosopher and Nobel laureate (in 1927) Henri Bergson searched for but did not find.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnold De Loof
- Department of Biology of the KU Leuven, Functional Genomics and Proteomics Group, Leuven, Belgium
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10
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Lo TW, Choi HJ, Huang D, Wiggins PA. Noise robustness and metabolic load determine the principles of central dogma regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.20.563172. [PMID: 38826369 PMCID: PMC11142067 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.20.563172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The processes of gene expression are inherently stochastic, even for essential genes required for growth. How does the cell maximize fitness in light of noise? To answer this question, we build a mathematical model to explore the trade-off between metabolic load and growth robustness. The model predicts novel principles of central dogma regulation: Optimal protein expression levels for many genes are in vast overabundance. Essential genes are transcribed above a lower limit of one message per cell cycle. Gene expression is achieved by load balancing between transcription and translation. We present evidence that each of these novel regulatory principles is observed. These results reveal that robustness and metabolic load determine the global regulatory principles that govern central dogma processes, and these principles have broad implications for cellular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa W. Lo
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Han James Choi
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Dean Huang
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Paul A. Wiggins
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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11
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Rafelski SM, Theriot JA. Establishing a conceptual framework for holistic cell states and state transitions. Cell 2024; 187:2633-2651. [PMID: 38788687 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Cell states were traditionally defined by how they looked, where they were located, and what functions they performed. In this post-genomic era, the field is largely focused on a molecular view of cell state. Moving forward, we anticipate that the observables used to define cell states will evolve again as single-cell imaging and analytics are advancing at a breakneck pace via the collection of large-scale, systematic cell image datasets and the application of quantitative image-based data science methods. This is, therefore, a key moment in the arc of cell biological research to develop approaches that integrate the spatiotemporal observables of the physical structure and organization of the cell with molecular observables toward the concept of a holistic cell state. In this perspective, we propose a conceptual framework for holistic cell states and state transitions that is data-driven, practical, and useful to enable integrative analyses and modeling across many data types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne M Rafelski
- Allen Institute for Cell Science, 615 Westlake Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98125, USA.
| | - Julie A Theriot
- Department of Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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12
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Aqib RM, Umer A, Li J, Liu J, Ding B. Light Responsive DNA Nanomaterials and Their Biomedical Applications. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202400226. [PMID: 38514391 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202400226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
DNA nanomaterials have been widely employed for various biomedical applications. With rapid development of chemical modification of nucleic acid, serials of stimuli-responsive elements are included in the multifunctional DNA nanomaterials. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in light responsive DNA nanomaterials based on photocleavage/photodecage, photoisomerization, and photocrosslinking for efficient bioimaging (including imaging of small molecule, microRNA, and protein) and drug delivery (including delivery of small molecule, nucleic acid, and gene editing system). We also discuss the remaining challenges and future perspectives of the light responsive DNA nanomaterials in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raja Muhammad Aqib
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Arsalan Umer
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jialin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jianbing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Baoquan Ding
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Ellenbroek BD, Kahler JP, Evers SR, Pomplun SJ. Synthetic Peptides: Promising Modalities for the Targeting of Disease-Related Nucleic Acids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202401704. [PMID: 38456368 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202401704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
DNA and RNA play pivotal roles in life processes by storing and transferring genetic information, modulating gene expression, and contributing to essential cellular machinery such as ribosomes. Dysregulation and mutations in nucleic acid-related processes are implicated in numerous diseases. Despite the critical impact on health of nucleic acid mutations or dysregulation, therapeutic compounds addressing these biomolecules remain limited. Peptides have emerged as a promising class of molecules for biomedical research, offering potential solutions for challenging drug targets. This review focuses on the use of synthetic peptides to target disease-related nucleic acids. We discuss examples of peptides targeting double-stranded DNA, including the clinical candidate Omomyc, and compounds designed for regulatory G-quadruplexes. Further, we provide insights into both library-based screenings and the rational design of peptides to target regulatory human RNA scaffolds and viral RNAs, emphasizing the potential of peptides in addressing nucleic acid-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophie R Evers
- Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Present address, Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, Wintherthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Alniss HY, Al-Jubeh HM, Msallam YA, Siddiqui R, Makhlouf Z, Ravi A, Hamdy R, Soliman SSM, Khan NA. Structure-based drug design of DNA minor groove binders and evaluation of their antibacterial and anticancer properties. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116440. [PMID: 38678825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116440] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial and chemotherapy resistance are escalating medical problem of paramount importance. Yet, research for novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents remains lagging behind. With their reported medical applications, DNA minor groove binders (MGBs) are worthy of exploration. In this study, the approach of structure-based drug design was implemented to generate 11 MGB compounds including a novel class of bioactive alkyne-linked MGBs. The NCI screening protocol was utilized to evaluate the antitumor activity of the target MGBs. Furthermore, a variety of bactericidal, cytopathogenicity, MIC90, and cytotoxicity assays were carried out using these MGBs against 6 medically relevant bacteria: Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus cereus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Moreover, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations, DNA melting, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analyses were utilized to explore the binding mode and interactions between the most potent MGBs and the DNA duplex d(CGACTAGTCG)2. NCI results showed that alkyne-linked MGBs (26 & 28) displayed the most significant growth inhibition among the NCI-60 panel. In addition, compounds MGB3, MGB4, MGB28, and MGB32 showed significant bactericidal effects, inhibited B. cereus and S. enterica-mediated cytopathogenicity, and exhibited low cytotoxicity. MGB28 and MGB32 demonstrated significant inhibition of S. pyogenes, whereas MGB28 notably inhibited S. marcescens and all four minor groove binders significantly inhibited B. cereus. The ability of these compounds to bind with DNA and distort its groove dimensions provides the molecular basis for the allosteric perturbation of proteins-DNA interactions by MGBs. This study shed light on the mechanism of action of MGBs and revealed the important structural features for their antitumor and antibacterial activities, which are important to guide future development of MGB derivatives as novel antibacterial and anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Y Alniss
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Hadeel M Al-Jubeh
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yousef A Msallam
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom; Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey
| | - Zinb Makhlouf
- College of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anil Ravi
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rania Hamdy
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameh S M Soliman
- College of Pharmacy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Naveed A Khan
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey.
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15
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Rao YF, Sun LZ, Luo MB. Na +-Mg 2+ ion effects on conformation and translocation dynamics of single-stranded RNA: Cooperation and competition. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131273. [PMID: 38569994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131273] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
The nanopore-based translocation of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) in mixed salt solution has garnered increasing interest for its biological and technological significance. However, it is challenging to comprehensively understand the effects of the mixed ion species on the translocation dynamics due to their cooperation and competition, which can be directly reflected by the ion screening and neutralizing effects, respectively. In this study, Langevin dynamics simulation is employed to investigate the properties of ssRNA conformation and translocation in mixed Na+-Mg2+ ion environments. Simulation results reveal that the ion screening effect dominates the change in the ssRNA conformational size, the ion neutralizing effect controls the capture rate of the ssRNA by the nanopore, and both of them take charge of the different changes in translocation time of the ssRNA under various mixed ion environments. Under high Na+ ion concentration, as Mg2+ concentration increases, the ion neutralizing effect strengthens, weakening the driving force inside the nanopore, leading to longer translocation time. Conversely, at low Na+ concentration, an increase in Mg2+ concentration enhances the ion screening effect, aiding in faster translocation. Furthermore, these simulation results will be explained by quantitative analysis, advancing a deeper understanding of the complicated effects of the mixed Na+-Mg2+ ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fan Rao
- School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Department of Applied Physics, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Li-Zhen Sun
- Department of Applied Physics, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
| | - Meng-Bo Luo
- School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
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16
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Baverstock K. Responses to commentaries on "The gene: An appraisal". PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 188:31-42. [PMID: 38360273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The central conclusions of "The Gene: An Appraisal" are that genetic variance does not underpin biological evolution, and, therefore, that genes are not Mendel's units of inheritance. In this response, I will address the criticisms I have received via commentaries on that paper by defending the following statements: 1. Epistasis does not explain the power-law fitness profile of the Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE). The data from the evolution of natural systems displays the power-law form ubiquitously. Epistasis plays no role in evolution. 2. The common characteristics of living things (natural systems) are described by the principle of least action in de Maupertuis's original form, which is synonymous with the 2nd law of thermodynamics and Newton's 2nd law of motion in its complete form, i.e., F = dp/dt. Organisms strive to achieve free energy balance with their environments. 3. Based on an appraisal of the scientific environment between 1880 and 1911, I conclude that Johannsen's genotype conception was perhaps, the only option available to him. 4. The power-law fitness profile of the LTEE falsifies Fisher's Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, Johannsen's genotype conception, and the idea that 'Darwinian evolution' is an exception to the generic thermodynamic process of evolution in natural systems. 5. The use of the technique of genome-wide association to identify the causes and the likelihoods of inherited common diseases and behavioural traits is a 'wild goose chase' because genes are not the units of inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Baverstock
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, Kuopio, Finland.
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17
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Yao Q, He T, Liao JY, Liao R, Wu X, Lin L, Xiao G. Noncoding RNAs in skeletal development and disorders. Biol Res 2024; 57:16. [PMID: 38644509 PMCID: PMC11034114 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-encoding genes only constitute less than 2% of total human genomic sequences, and 98% of genetic information was previously referred to as "junk DNA". Meanwhile, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) consist of approximately 60% of the transcriptional output of human cells. Thousands of ncRNAs have been identified in recent decades, and their essential roles in the regulation of gene expression in diverse cellular pathways associated with fundamental cell processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metabolism, have been extensively investigated. Furthermore, the gene regulation networks they form modulate gene expression in normal development and under pathological conditions. In this review, we integrate current information about the classification, biogenesis, and function of ncRNAs and how these ncRNAs support skeletal development through their regulation of critical genes and signaling pathways in vivo. We also summarize the updated knowledge of ncRNAs involved in common skeletal diseases and disorders, including but not limited to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration, by highlighting their roles established from in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Tailin He
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jian-You Liao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Rongdong Liao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Xiaohao Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lijun Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Guozhi Xiao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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18
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Wang C, Lou C, Yang Z, Shi J, Niu N. Plasma metabolomic analysis reveals the metabolic characteristics and potential diagnostic biomarkers of spinal tuberculosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27940. [PMID: 38571585 PMCID: PMC10987919 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to conduct a non-targeted metabolomic analysis of plasma from patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) to systematically elucidate the metabolomic alterations associated with STB, and explore potential diagnostic biomarkers for STB. Methods From January 2020 to January 2022, 30 patients with spinal tuberculosis (STBs) clinically diagnosed at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were selected for this study. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) based metabolomics, we analyzed the metabolic profiles of 60 plasma samples. Statistical analyses, pathway enrichment, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to screen and evaluate potential diagnostic biomarkers. Results Metabolomic profiling revealed distinct alterations between the STBs and HCs cohorts. A total of 1635 differential metabolites were screened, functionally clustered, and annotated. The results showed that the differential metabolites were enriched in sphingolipid metabolism, tuberculosis, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, beta-alanine metabolism, methane metabolism, and other pathways. Through the random forest algorithm, LysoPE (18:1(11Z)/0:0), 8-Demethyl-8-formylriboflavin 5'-phosphate, Glutaminyl-Gamma-glutamate, (2R)-O-Phospho-3-sulfolactate, and LysoPE (P-16:0/0:0) were determined to have high independent diagnostic value. Conclusions STBs exhibited significantly altered metabolite profiles compared with HCs. Here, we provide a global metabolomic profile and identify potential diagnostic biomarkers of STB. Five potential independent diagnostic biomarkers with high diagnostic value were screened. This study provides novel insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of STB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoran Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Caili Lou
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Zongqiang Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Jiandang Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
| | - Ningkui Niu
- Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
- Research Center for Prevention and Control of Bone and Joint Tuberculosis, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China
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19
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Biferali B, Mocciaro E, Runfola V, Gabellini D. Long non-coding RNAs and their role in muscle regeneration. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 158:433-465. [PMID: 38670715 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.02.010] [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] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In mammals, most of the genome is transcribed to generate a large and heterogeneous variety of non-protein coding RNAs, that are broadly grouped according to their size. Long noncoding RNAs include a very large and versatile group of molecules. Despite only a minority of them has been functionally characterized, there is emerging evidence indicating long noncoding RNAs as important regulators of expression at multiple levels. Several of them have been shown to be modulated during myogenic differentiation, playing important roles in the regulation of skeletal muscle development, differentiation and homeostasis, and contributing to neuromuscular diseases. In this chapter, we have summarized the current knowledge about long noncoding RNAs in skeletal muscle and discussed specific examples of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs and circRNAs) regulating muscle stem cell biology. We have also discussed selected long noncoding RNAs involved in the most common neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Biferali
- Gene Expression Regulation Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Mocciaro
- Gene Expression Regulation Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Runfola
- Gene Expression Regulation Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Gabellini
- Gene Expression Regulation Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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20
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Callahan TJ, Tripodi IJ, Stefanski AL, Cappelletti L, Taneja SB, Wyrwa JM, Casiraghi E, Matentzoglu NA, Reese J, Silverstein JC, Hoyt CT, Boyce RD, Malec SA, Unni DR, Joachimiak MP, Robinson PN, Mungall CJ, Cavalleri E, Fontana T, Valentini G, Mesiti M, Gillenwater LA, Santangelo B, Vasilevsky NA, Hoehndorf R, Bennett TD, Ryan PB, Hripcsak G, Kahn MG, Bada M, Baumgartner WA, Hunter LE. An open source knowledge graph ecosystem for the life sciences. Sci Data 2024; 11:363. [PMID: 38605048 PMCID: PMC11009265 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03171-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Translational research requires data at multiple scales of biological organization. Advancements in sequencing and multi-omics technologies have increased the availability of these data, but researchers face significant integration challenges. Knowledge graphs (KGs) are used to model complex phenomena, and methods exist to construct them automatically. However, tackling complex biomedical integration problems requires flexibility in the way knowledge is modeled. Moreover, existing KG construction methods provide robust tooling at the cost of fixed or limited choices among knowledge representation models. PheKnowLator (Phenotype Knowledge Translator) is a semantic ecosystem for automating the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) construction of ontologically grounded KGs with fully customizable knowledge representation. The ecosystem includes KG construction resources (e.g., data preparation APIs), analysis tools (e.g., SPARQL endpoint resources and abstraction algorithms), and benchmarks (e.g., prebuilt KGs). We evaluated the ecosystem by systematically comparing it to existing open-source KG construction methods and by analyzing its computational performance when used to construct 12 different large-scale KGs. With flexible knowledge representation, PheKnowLator enables fully customizable KGs without compromising performance or usability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany J Callahan
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Ignacio J Tripodi
- Computer Science Department, Interdisciplinary Quantitative Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA
| | - Adrianne L Stefanski
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Luca Cappelletti
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanya B Taneja
- Intelligent Systems Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Jordan M Wyrwa
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Elena Casiraghi
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | | | - Justin Reese
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jonathan C Silverstein
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA
| | - Charles Tapley Hoyt
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Richard D Boyce
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206, USA
| | - Scott A Malec
- Division of Translational Informatics, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Deepak R Unni
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marcin P Joachimiak
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Peter N Robinson
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitatsmedizin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christopher J Mungall
- Division of Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Emanuele Cavalleri
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Fontana
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Valentini
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
- ELLIS, European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems, Milan Unit, Italy
| | - Marco Mesiti
- AnacletoLab, Dipartimento di Informatica, Universit`a degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 18, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucas A Gillenwater
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Brook Santangelo
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicole A Vasilevsky
- Data Collaboration Center, Critical Path Institute, 1840 E River Rd. Suite 100, Tucson, AZ, 85718, USA
| | - Robert Hoehndorf
- Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences & Engineering Division, Computational Bioscience Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tellen D Bennett
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Patrick B Ryan
- Janssen Research and Development, Raritan, NJ, 08869, USA
| | - George Hripcsak
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Michael G Kahn
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michael Bada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - William A Baumgartner
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Lawrence E Hunter
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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21
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Sen S, Kundu S, Pasari S, Hotha S. Cut-insert-stitch editing reaction (CIStER) sequence for surgical chemical glycan editing. Commun Chem 2024; 7:73. [PMID: 38565709 PMCID: PMC10987650 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01152-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-synthetic surgical editing enables synthesizing diverse molecules from a common scaffold. Editing carbohydrates by inserting a foreign glycan is still a far-reaching goal for synthetic chemists. In this study, a one-pot-three-step chemical approach was employed to edit glycoconjugates. It is comprised of three steps: the first is a 'cut' step, cleaving one of the interglycosidic bonds and producing an intermediate that could be intercepted with 4-mercaptotoluene; second step activates the thiotolyl glycoside in the presence of an aglycon containing an orthogonally activatable ethynylcycloxyl carbonate moiety; and the third step involves 'stitching' by activating the carbonate donor. The cut-insert stitch-editing reaction (CIStER) is demonstrated by inserting branched and linear arabinans reminiscent of M. tuberculosis cell wall from the same designer trimannoside. Glycosylating an activated hydroxyacid (serinyl, steroidal, and lipid) after cutting the interglycosidic bond and stitching in the presence of base extendes the CIStER approach to the synthesis of glycohybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Sen
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pune, 411 008, India
| | - Suman Kundu
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pune, 411 008, India
| | - Sandip Pasari
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pune, 411 008, India
| | - Srinivas Hotha
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pune, 411 008, India.
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22
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Shi D, Huang H, Zhang Y, Qian Z, Du J, Huang L, Yan X, Lin S. The roles of non-coding RNAs in male reproductive development and abiotic stress responses during this unique process in flowering plants. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 341:111995. [PMID: 38266717 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.111995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Successful male reproductive development is the guarantee for sexual reproduction of flowering plants. Male reproductive development is a complicated and multi-stage process that integrates physiological processes and adaptation and tolerance to a myriad of environmental stresses. This well-coordinated process is governed by genetic and epigenetic machineries. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play pleiotropic roles in the plant growth and development. The identification, characterization and functional analysis of ncRNAs and their target genes have opened a new avenue for comprehensively revealing the regulatory network of male reproductive development and its response to environmental stresses in plants. This review briefly addresses the types, origin, biogenesis and mechanisms of ncRNAs in plants, highlights important updates on the roles of ncRNAs in regulating male reproductive development and emphasizes the contribution of ncRNAs, especially miRNAs and lncRNAs, in responses to abiotic stresses during this unique process in flowering plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexi Shi
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Huiting Huang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhihao Qian
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jiao Du
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Li Huang
- Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Institute of Vegetable Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiufeng Yan
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Sue Lin
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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23
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Gupta MN, Uversky VN. Protein structure-function continuum model: Emerging nexuses between specificity, evolution, and structure. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4968. [PMID: 38532700 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The rationale for replacing the old binary of structure-function with the trinity of structure, disorder, and function has gained considerable ground in recent years. A continuum model based on the expanded form of the existing paradigm can now subsume importance of both conformational flexibility and intrinsic disorder in protein function. The disorder is actually critical for understanding the protein-protein interactions in many regulatory processes, formation of membrane-less organelles, and our revised notions of specificity as amply illustrated by moonlighting proteins. While its importance in formation of amyloids and function of prions is often discussed, the roles of intrinsic disorder in infectious diseases and protein function under extreme conditions are also becoming clear. This review is an attempt to discuss how our current understanding of protein function, specificity, and evolution fit better with the continuum model. This integration of structure and disorder under a single model may bring greater clarity in our continuing quest for understanding proteins and molecular mechanisms of their functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munishwar Nath Gupta
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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24
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Hernandez-Nicols BF, Robledo-Pulido JJ, Alvarado-Navarro A. Etiopathogenesis of Psoriasis: Integration of Proposed Theories. Immunol Invest 2024; 53:348-415. [PMID: 38240030 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2024.2302823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by squamous and erythematous plaques on the skin and the involvement of the immune system. Global prevalence for psoriasis has been reported around 1-3% with a higher incidence in adults and similar proportions between men and women. The risk factors associated with psoriasis are both extrinsic and intrinsic, out of which a polygenic predisposition is a highlight out of the latter. Psoriasis etiology is not yet fully described, but several hypothesis have been proposed: 1) the autoimmunity hypothesis is based on the over-expression of antimicrobial peptides such as LL-37, the proteins ADAMTSL5, K17, and hsp27, or lipids synthesized by the PLA2G4D enzyme, all of which may serve as autoantigens to promote the differentiation of autoreactive lymphocytes T and unleash a chronic inflammatory response; 2) dysbiosis of skin microbiota hypothesis in psoriasis has gained relevance due to the observations of a loss of diversity and the participation of pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus spp. or Staphylococcus spp. the fungi Malassezia spp. or Candida spp. and the virus HPV, HCV, or HIV in psoriatic plaques; 3) the oxidative stress hypothesis, the most recent one, describes that the cell injury and the release of proinflammatory mediators and antimicrobial peptides that leads to activate of the Th1/Th17 axis observed in psoriasis is caused by a higher release of reactive oxygen species and the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms. This review aims to describe the mechanisms involved in the three hypotheses on the etiopathogeneses of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Fernanda Hernandez-Nicols
- Centro de Investigación en Inmunología y Dermatología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Juan José Robledo-Pulido
- Centro de Investigación en Inmunología y Dermatología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Anabell Alvarado-Navarro
- Centro de Investigación en Inmunología y Dermatología, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
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25
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Perez KA, Deppe DW, Filas A, Singh SA, Aikawa E. Multimodal Analytical Tools to Enhance Mechanistic Understanding of Aortic Valve Calcification. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:539-550. [PMID: 37517686 PMCID: PMC10988764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on technologies at the core of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and drug target research advancement, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and molecular imaging. We examine how bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing have engendered organismal genomes and transcriptomes, promoting the analysis of tissue gene expression profiles and cell subpopulations, respectively. We bring into focus how the field is also largely influenced by increasingly accessible proteome profiling techniques. In unison, global transcriptional and protein expression analyses allow for increased understanding of cellular behavior and pathogenic pathways under pathologic stimuli including stress, inflammation, low-density lipoprotein accumulation, increased calcium and phosphate levels, and vascular injury. We also look at how direct investigation of protein signatures paves the way for identification of targetable pathways for pharmacologic intervention. Here, we note that imaging techniques, once a clinical diagnostic tool for late-stage CAVD, have since been refined to address a clinical need to identify microcalcifications using positron emission tomography/computed tomography and even detect in vivo cellular events indicative of early stage CAVD and map the expression of identified proteins in animal models. Together, these techniques generate a holistic approach to CAVD investigation, with the potential to identify additional novel regulatory pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn A Perez
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel W Deppe
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aidan Filas
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sasha A Singh
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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26
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Recktenwald M, Hutt E, Davis L, MacAulay J, Daringer NM, Galie PA, Staehle MM, Vega SL. Engineering transcriptional regulation for cell-based therapies. SLAS Technol 2024; 29:100121. [PMID: 38340892 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2024.100121] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
A major aim in the field of synthetic biology is developing tools capable of responding to user-defined inputs by activating therapeutically relevant cellular functions. Gene transcription and regulation in response to external stimuli are some of the most powerful and versatile of these cellular functions being explored. Motivated by the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, transmembrane receptor-based platforms have been embraced for their ability to sense extracellular ligands and to subsequently activate intracellular signal transduction. The integration of transmembrane receptors with transcriptional activation platforms has not yet achieved its full potential. Transient expression of plasmid DNA is often used to explore gene regulation platforms in vitro. However, applications capable of targeting therapeutically relevant endogenous or stably integrated genes are more clinically relevant. Gene regulation may allow for engineered cells to traffic into tissues of interest and secrete functional proteins into the extracellular space or to differentiate into functional cells. Transmembrane receptors that regulate transcription have the potential to revolutionize cell therapies in a myriad of applications, including cancer treatment and regenerative medicine. In this review, we will examine current engineering approaches to control transcription in mammalian cells with an emphasis on systems that can be selectively activated in response to extracellular signals. We will also speculate on the potential therapeutic applications of these technologies and examine promising approaches to expand their capabilities and tighten the control of gene regulation in cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Recktenwald
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Evan Hutt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Leah Davis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - James MacAulay
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Nichole M Daringer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Peter A Galie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Mary M Staehle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Sebastián L Vega
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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27
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Li J, Xu T, Zheng Y, Liu D, Zhang C, Li J, Wang ZA, Du Y. In Silico Study on a Binding Mechanism of ssDNA Aptamers Targeting Glycosidic Bond-Containing Small Molecules. Anal Chem 2024; 96:5056-5064. [PMID: 38497564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Aptamer-based detection targeting glycoconjugates has attracted significant attention for its remarkable potential in identifying structural changes in saccharides in different stages of various diseases. However, the challenges in screening aptamers for small carbohydrates or glycoconjugates, which contain highly flexible and diverse glycosidic bonds, have hindered their application and commercialization. In this study, we investigated the binding conformations between three glycosidic bond-containing small molecules (GlySMs; glucose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, and neomycin) and their corresponding aptamers in silico, and analyzed factors contributing to their binding affinities. Based on the findings, a novel binding mechanism was proposed, highlighting the central role of the stem structure of the aptamer in binding and recognizing GlySMs and the auxiliary role of the mismatched bases in the adjacent loop. Guided by this binding mechanism, an aptamer with a higher 6'-sialyllactose binding affinity was designed, achieving a KD value of 4.54 ± 0.64 μM in vitro through a single shear and one mutation. The binding mechanism offers crucial guidance for designing high-affinity aptamers, enhancing the virtual screening efficiency for GlySMs. This streamlined workflow filters out ineffective binding sites, accelerating aptamer development and providing novel insights into glycan-nucleic acid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yalan Zheng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611130, China
| | - Dongdong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Zhuo A Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yuguang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Preparation and Delivery, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 North second Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Beijing 100190, China
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28
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Choi T, Li Z, Song G, Chen HF. Comprehensive Comparison and Critical Assessment of RNA-Specific Force Fields. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:2676-2688. [PMID: 38447040 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations play a pivotal role in elucidating the dynamic behaviors of RNA structures, offering a valuable complement to traditional methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance or X-ray. Despite this, the current precision of RNA force fields lags behind that of protein force fields. In this work, we systematically compared the performance of four RNA force fields (ff99bsc0χOL3, AMBERDES, ff99OL3_CMAP1, AMBERMaxEnt) across diverse RNA structures. Our findings highlight significant challenges in maintaining stability, particularly with regard to cross-strand and cross-loop hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, we observed the limitations in accurately describing the conformations of nonhelical structural motif, terminal nucleotides, and also base pairing and base stacking interactions by the tested RNA force fields. The identified deficiencies in existing RNA force fields provide valuable insights for subsequent force field development. Concurrently, these findings offer recommendations for selecting appropriate force fields in RNA simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeyoung Choi
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhengxin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ge Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hai-Feng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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29
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Kaur J, Sharma A, Mundlia P, Sood V, Pandey A, Singh G, Barnwal RP. RNA-Small-Molecule Interaction: Challenging the "Undruggable" Tag. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38498010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
RNA targeting, specifically with small molecules, is a relatively new and rapidly emerging avenue with the promise to expand the target space in the drug discovery field. From being "disregarded" as an "undruggable" messenger molecule to FDA approval of an RNA-targeting small-molecule drug Risdiplam, a radical change in perspective toward RNA has been observed in the past decade. RNAs serve important regulatory functions beyond canonical protein synthesis, and their dysregulation has been reported in many diseases. A deeper understanding of RNA biology reveals that RNA molecules can adopt a variety of structures, carrying defined binding pockets that can accommodate small-molecule drugs. Due to its functional diversity and structural complexity, RNA can be perceived as a prospective target for therapeutic intervention. This perspective highlights the proof of concept of RNA-small-molecule interactions, exemplified by targeting of various transcripts with functional modulators. The advent of RNA-oriented knowledge would help expedite drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaskirat Kaur
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Poonam Mundlia
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Vikas Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Ankur Pandey
- Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Gurpal Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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30
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Aloiau A, Bobek BM, Caddell Haatveit K, Pearson KE, Watkins AH, Jones B, Smith CR, Ketcham JM, Marx MA, Harwood SJ. Stereoselective Amine Synthesis Mediated by a Zirconocene Hydride to Accelerate a Drug Discovery Program. J Org Chem 2024; 89:3875-3882. [PMID: 38422508 PMCID: PMC10949245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Chiral amine synthesis remains a significant challenge in accelerating the design cycle of drug discovery programs. A zirconium hydride, due to its high oxophilicity and lower reactivity, gave highly chemo- and stereoselective reductions of sulfinyl ketimines. The development of this zirconocene-mediated reduction helped to accelerate our drug discovery efforts and is applicable to several motifs commonly used in medicinal chemistry. Computational investigation supported a cyclic half-chair transition state to rationalize the high selectivity in benzyl systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athenea
N. Aloiau
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Briana M. Bobek
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - Kelly E. Pearson
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ashlee H. Watkins
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Benjamin Jones
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Christopher R. Smith
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - John M. Ketcham
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Matthew A. Marx
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Stephen J. Harwood
- Mirati Therapeutics, 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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31
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Xu SM, Cheng Y, Fisher H, Janitz M. Recent advances in the investigation of fusion RNAs and their role in molecular pathology of cancer. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 168:106529. [PMID: 38246262 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106529] [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: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Gene fusions have had a significant role in the development of various types of cancer, oftentimes involved in oncogenic activities through dysregulation of gene expression or signalling pathways. Some cancer-associated chromosomal translocations can undergo backsplicing, resulting in fusion-circular RNAs, a more stable isoform immune to RNase degradation. This stability makes fusion circular RNAs a promising diagnostic biomarker for cancer. While the detection of linear fusion RNAs and their function in certain cancers have been described in literature, fusion circular RNAs lag behind due to their low abundance in cancer cells. This review highlights current literature on the role of linear and circular fusion transcripts in cancer, tools currently available for detecting of these chimeric RNAs and their function and how they play a role in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Mei Xu
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuning Cheng
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Harry Fisher
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Janitz
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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32
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Marzec M. Uncovering the mechanism of mitochondrial translation initiation in plants. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 29:269-271. [PMID: 38016866 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial translation differs significantly from that conducted in bacteria and plastids. Recent research conducted by Tran and colleagues has unveiled the plant-specific mechanisms of mitochondrial translation initiation. The authors identified two Arabidopsis thaliana (arabidopsis) mTRAN proteins that may bind to the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of mitochondrial mRNAs by recognising newly discovered A/U-rich motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Marzec
- University of Silesia in Katowice, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Jagiellonska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland.
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33
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Yang Y, Mirzaei G. Performance analysis of data resampling on class imbalance and classification techniques on multi-omics data for cancer classification. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293607. [PMID: 38422094 PMCID: PMC10903850 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, in any of its forms, remains a significant public health concern worldwide. Advances in early detection and treatment could lead to a decline in the overall death rate from cancer in recent decades. Therefore, tumor prediction and classification play an important role in fighting cancer. This study built computational models for a joint analysis of RNA seq, copy number variation (CNV), and DNA methylation to classify normal and tumor samples across liver cancer, breast cancer, and colon adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Total of 18 machine learning methods were evaluated based on the AUC, precision, recall, and F-measure. Besides, five techniques were compared to ameliorate problems of class imbalance in the cancer datasets. Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) demonstrated the best performance. The results indicate that the model applying Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) for learning binary class SVM with hinge loss has the highest classification results on liver cancer and breast cancer datasets, with accuracy over 99% and AUC greater than or equal to 0.999. For colon adenocarcinoma dataset, both SGD and Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO) that implements John Platt's sequential minimal optimization algorithm for training a support vector machine shows an outstanding classification performance with accuracy of 100%, AUC, precision, recall, and F-measure all at 1.000.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Yang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Golrokh Mirzaei
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Marion, Ohio, United States of America
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34
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Steger G, Riesner D, Prusiner SB. Viroids, Satellite RNAs and Prions: Folding of Nucleic Acids and Misfolding of Proteins. Viruses 2024; 16:360. [PMID: 38543726 PMCID: PMC10975798 DOI: 10.3390/v16030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Theodor ("Ted") Otto Diener (* 28 February 1921 in Zürich, Switzerland; † 28 March 2023 in Beltsville, MD, USA) pioneered research on viroids while working at the Plant Virology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, in Beltsville. He coined the name viroid and defined viroids' important features like the infectivity of naked single-stranded RNA without protein-coding capacity. During scientific meetings in the 1970s and 1980s, viroids were often discussed at conferences together with other "subviral pathogens". This term includes what are now called satellite RNAs and prions. Satellite RNAs depend on a helper virus and have linear or, in the case of virusoids, circular RNA genomes. Prions, proteinaceous infectious particles, are the agents of scrapie, kuru and some other diseases. Many satellite RNAs, like viroids, are non-coding and exert their function by thermodynamically or kinetically controlled folding, while prions are solely host-encoded proteins that cause disease by misfolding, aggregation and transmission of their conformations into infectious prion isoforms. In this memorial, we will recall the work of Ted Diener on subviral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Steger
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Detlev Riesner
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Stanley B. Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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35
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Zhou Y, Yang J, Huang L, Liu C, Yu M, Chen R, Zhou Q. Nudt21-mediated alternative polyadenylation of MZT1 3'UTR contributes to pancreatic cancer progression. iScience 2024; 27:108822. [PMID: 38303721 PMCID: PMC10831950 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is an important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism and is involved in many diseases, but its function and mechanism in regulating pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we found that the 3' UTR shortening of MZT1 was the most prominent APA event in PC liver metastases. The short-3'UTR isoform exerted a stronger effect in promoting cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. NUDT21, a core cleavage factor involved in APA, promoted the usage of proximal polyadenylation sites (PASs) on MZT1 mRNA by binding to the UGUA element located upstream of the proximal PAS. High percentage of distal polyA site usage index of MZT1 was significantly associated with a better prognosis. These findings demonstrate a crucial mechanism that NUDT21-mediated APA of MZT1 could promote the progression of PC. Our findings provided a better understanding of the connection between PC progression and APA machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jiabin Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Leyi Huang
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rufu Chen
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Quanbo Zhou
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Giltrap A, Yuan Y, Davis BG. Late-Stage Functionalization of Living Organisms: Rethinking Selectivity in Biology. Chem Rev 2024; 124:889-928. [PMID: 38231473 PMCID: PMC10870719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
With unlimited selectivity, full post-translational chemical control of biology would circumvent the dogma of genetic control. The resulting direct manipulation of organisms would enable atomic-level precision in "editing" of function. We argue that a key aspect that is still missing in our ability to do this (at least with a high degree of control) is the selectivity of a given chemical reaction in a living organism. In this Review, we systematize existing illustrative examples of chemical selectivity, as well as identify needed chemical selectivities set in a hierarchy of anatomical complexity: organismo- (selectivity for a given organism over another), tissuo- (selectivity for a given tissue type in a living organism), cellulo- (selectivity for a given cell type in an organism or tissue), and organelloselectivity (selectivity for a given organelle or discrete body within a cell). Finally, we analyze more traditional concepts such as regio-, chemo-, and stereoselective reactions where additionally appropriate. This survey of late-stage biomolecule methods emphasizes, where possible, functional consequences (i.e., biological function). In this way, we explore a concept of late-stage functionalization of living organisms (where "late" is taken to mean at a given state of an organism in time) in which programmed and selective chemical reactions take place in life. By building on precisely analyzed notions (e.g., mechanism and selectivity) we believe that the logic of chemical methodology might ultimately be applied to increasingly complex molecular constructs in biology. This could allow principles developed at the simple, small-molecule level to progress hierarchically even to manipulation of physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew
M. Giltrap
- The
Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
| | - Yizhi Yuan
- The
Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
| | - Benjamin G. Davis
- The
Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxfordshire OX11 0FA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
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Matthies MC, Krueger R, Torda AE, Ward M. Differentiable partition function calculation for RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e14. [PMID: 38038257 PMCID: PMC10853804 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is an essential molecule in a wide range of biological functions. In 1990, McCaskill introduced a dynamic programming algorithm for computing the partition function of an RNA sequence. McCaskill's algorithm is widely used today for understanding the thermodynamic properties of RNA. In this work, we introduce a generalization of McCaskill's algorithm that is well-defined over continuous inputs. Crucially, this enables us to implement an end-to-end differentiable partition function calculation. The derivative can be computed with respect to the input, or to any other fixed values, such as the parameters of the energy model. This builds a bridge between RNA thermodynamics and the tools of differentiable programming including deep learning as it enables the partition function to be incorporated directly into any end-to-end differentiable pipeline. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our new approach, we tackle the inverse folding problem directly using gradient optimization. We find that using the gradient to optimize the sequence directly is sufficient to arrive at sequences with a high probability of folding into the desired structure. This indicates that the gradients we compute are meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco C Matthies
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 43, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ryan Krueger
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Harvard University, 29 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Andrew E Torda
- Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Hamburg, Bundesstr. 43, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Max Ward
- Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, 241, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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Igyártó BZ, Qin Z. The mRNA-LNP vaccines - the good, the bad and the ugly? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336906. [PMID: 38390323 PMCID: PMC10883065 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The mRNA-LNP vaccine has received much attention during the COVID-19 pandemic since it served as the basis of the most widely used SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in Western countries. Based on early clinical trial data, these vaccines were deemed safe and effective for all demographics. However, the latest data raise serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines. Here, we review some of the safety and efficacy concerns identified to date. We also discuss the potential mechanism of observed adverse events related to the use of these vaccines and whether they can be mitigated by alterations of this vaccine mechanism approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Botond Z. Igyártó
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Zhang K, Feng S, Wang Y, Feng W, Shen Y. Significant Prognostic Factor at Age Cut-off of 73 Years for Advanced Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma Patients: Insights from Real-World Study. Int J Womens Health 2024; 16:203-218. [PMID: 38332982 PMCID: PMC10849902 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s439335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this research was to determine the age cut-off for worse prognosis and investigate age-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with advanced ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (AOSC). Methods In this research, we included a cohort of 20,846 patients diagnosed with AOSC, along with RNA-seq data from 374 patients in publicly available databases. Then we used the X-tile software to determine the age cut-off and stratified the patients into young and old groups. We utilized propensity score matching (PSM) to balance baseline between the young and old groups. Furthermore, we conducted an enrichment analysis of DEGs between the two age groups using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and gene ontology (GO) to identify dysregulated pathways. To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the DEGs, we performed survival analysis, such as Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log rank test. Results We stratified the patients into young group (n=16,336) and old group (n=4510) based on the cut-off age of 73 years by X-tile software. Age over 73 years was identified as an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Next, we identified 436 DEGs and found that the neurotrophin signaling pathway and translation factor activity were associated with prognosis outcomes. Among the top 10 hub genes (RELA, NFKBIA, TRAF6, IRAK2, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, EIF2S2, MAPK10, and SUPT3H), RELA, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, and SUPT3H were found to be significantly associated with poor prognosis in old patients with AOSC. Conclusion Our study determined 73 years as the cutoff value for age in patients with AOSC. RELA, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, and SUPT3H were identified as age-related DEGs that could contribute to the poor prognosis of older patients with AOSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Songwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Feng
- Department of Gynecology, The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Sports and Health, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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40
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Nogueira M, Enfissi EMA, Price EJ, Menard GN, Venter E, Eastmond PJ, Bar E, Lewinsohn E, Fraser PD. Ketocarotenoid production in tomato triggers metabolic reprogramming and cellular adaptation: The quest for homeostasis. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:427-444. [PMID: 38032727 PMCID: PMC10826984 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Plants are sessile and therefore have developed an extraordinary capacity to adapt to external signals. Here, the focus is on the plasticity of the plant cell to respond to new intracellular cues. Ketocarotenoids are high-value natural red pigments with potent antioxidant activity. In the present study, system-level analyses have revealed that the heterologous biosynthesis of ketocarotenoids in tomato initiated a series of cellular and metabolic mechanisms to cope with the formation of metabolites that are non-endogenous to the plant. The broad multilevel changes were linked to, among others, (i) the remodelling of the plastidial membrane, where the synthesis and storage of ketocarotenoids occurs; (ii) the recruiting of core metabolic pathways for the generation of metabolite precursors and energy; and (iii) redox control. The involvement of the metabolites as regulators of cellular processes shown here reinforces their pivotal role suggested in the remodelled 'central dogma' concept. Furthermore, the role of metabolic reprogramming to ensure cellular homeostasis is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilise Nogueira
- School of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamSurreyUK
| | | | - Elliott J. Price
- School of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamSurreyUK
- Present address:
RECETOX, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | | | - Eudri Venter
- Plant Sciences for the Bioeconomy, Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
| | | | - Einat Bar
- Department of Aromatic PlantsNewe Ya'ar Research Center Agricultural Research OrganizationRamat YishayIsrael
| | - Efraim Lewinsohn
- Department of Aromatic PlantsNewe Ya'ar Research Center Agricultural Research OrganizationRamat YishayIsrael
| | - Paul D. Fraser
- School of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamSurreyUK
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Liu T, Xu C, Guo J, He Z, Zhang Y, Feng Y. Whole Blood Transcriptome Analysis in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia: a Prospective Clinical Study. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:16. [PMID: 38300339 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-024-02195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) brings a huge burden to patients, without long-term effective treatment. This study aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and related enrichment pathways in patients with TN. This was a study of transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of human samples. Whole blood samples were collected from the TN patients and pain-free controls. RNA was extracted to conduct the RNA-sequencing and the subsequent bioinformatics analysis. DEGs between the two groups were derived. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and Gene ontology (GO) was used to find the enrichment pathways of DEGs. Protein protein interaction (PPI) network was used to depict the interaction between DEGs and find the most important gene, hub gene. Compared with the control group, there were 117 up-regulated DEGs and 103 down-regulated DEGs in the whole blood of patients in the TN group. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the neuroimmune and metabolic pathways. The PPI network demonstrated that colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) was the most important hub gene in the whole blood of TN patients. This study shows the expression of the transcriptome in the whole blood samples of TN patients. The neuroimmune responses and key hub gene CSF2 in the whole blood cells play a vital role in the occurrence of TN. Our research provides a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatments of TN. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov in June 2021 (No. NCT04923399).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Xizhimen South Street 11, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaqi Guo
- Shanghai Minhang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China
| | - Zile He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Xizhimen South Street 11, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Xizhimen South Street 11, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Xizhimen South Street 11, Beijing, 100044, China.
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Xueyuan road 38, Beijing, 100191, China.
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Fenstermaker TK, Petruk S, Mazo A. An emerging paradigm in epigenetic marking: coordination of transcription and replication. Transcription 2024; 15:22-37. [PMID: 38378467 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2024.2316965] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA replication and RNA transcription both utilize DNA as a template and therefore need to coordinate their activities. The predominant theory in the field is that in order for the replication fork to proceed, transcription machinery has to be evicted from DNA until replication is complete. If that does not occur, these machineries collide, and these collisions elicit various repair mechanisms which require displacement of one of the enzymes, often RNA polymerase, in order for replication to proceed. This model is also at the heart of the epigenetic bookmarking theory, which implies that displacement of RNA polymerase during replication requires gradual re-building of chromatin structure, which guides recruitment of transcriptional proteins and resumption of transcription. We discuss these theories but also bring to light newer data that suggest that these two processes may not be as detrimental to one another as previously thought. This includes findings suggesting that these processes can occur without fork collapse and that RNA polymerase may only be transiently displaced during DNA replication. We discuss potential mechanisms by which RNA polymerase may be retained at the replication fork and quickly rebind to DNA post-replication. These discoveries are important, not only as new evidence as to how these two processes are able to occur harmoniously but also because they have implications on how transcriptional programs are maintained through DNA replication. To this end, we also discuss the coordination of replication and transcription in light of revising the current epigenetic bookmarking theory of how the active gene status can be transmitted through S phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler K Fenstermaker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Svetlana Petruk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alexander Mazo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Zhang F, Ignatova VV, Ming GL, Song H. Advances in brain epitranscriptomics research and translational opportunities. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:449-463. [PMID: 38123727 PMCID: PMC11116067 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Various chemical modifications of all RNA transcripts, or epitranscriptomics, have emerged as crucial regulators of RNA metabolism, attracting significant interest from both basic and clinical researchers due to their diverse functions in biological processes and immense clinical potential as highlighted by the recent profound success of RNA modifications in improving COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Rapid accumulation of evidence underscores the critical involvement of various RNA modifications in governing normal neural development and brain functions as well as pathogenesis of brain disorders. Here we provide an overview of RNA modifications and recent advancements in epitranscriptomic studies utilizing animal models to elucidate important roles of RNA modifications in regulating mammalian neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptic formation, and brain function. Moreover, we emphasize the pivotal involvement of RNA modifications and their regulators in the pathogenesis of various human brain disorders, encompassing neurodevelopmental disorders, brain tumors, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, we discuss potential translational opportunities afforded by RNA modifications in combatting brain disorders, including their use as biomarkers, in the development of drugs or gene therapies targeting epitranscriptomic pathways, and in applications for mRNA-based vaccines and therapies. We also address current limitations and challenges hindering the widespread clinical application of epitranscriptomic research, along with the improvements necessary for future progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Valentina V Ignatova
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Liu Y, Li Z, Meng Q, Ning A, Zhou S, Li S, Tao X, Wu Y, Chen Q, Tian T, Zhang L, Cui J, Mao L, Chu M. Identification of the consistently differential expressed hub mRNAs and proteins in lung adenocarcinoma and construction of the prognostic signature: a multidimensional analysis. Int J Surg 2024; 110:1052-1067. [PMID: 38016140 PMCID: PMC10871637 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000000943] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to elucidate the consistency of differentially expressed hub mRNAs and proteins in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) across populations and to construct a comprehensive LUAD prognostic signature. METHODS The transcriptomic and proteomics data from different populations were standardized and analyzed using the same criteria to identify the consistently differential expressed mRNAs and proteins across genders and races. We then integrated prognosis-related mRNAs with clinical, pathological, and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation data to construct a survival model, subsequently validating it across populations. Through plasma proteomics, plasma proteins that consistently differential expressed with LUAD tissues were screened and validated, with their associations discerned by measuring expressions in tumor tissues and tumor vascular normalization. RESULTS The consistency rate of differentially expressed mRNAs and proteins was ~20-40%, with ethnic factors leading to about 40-60% consistency of differentially expressed mRNA or protein across populations. The survival model based on the identified eight hub mRNAs as well as stage, smoking status, and EGFR mutations, demonstrated good prognostic prediction capabilities in both Western and East Asian populations, with a higher number of unfavorable variables indicating poorer LUAD prognosis. Notably, GPI expression in tumor tissues was inversely correlated with vascular normalization and positively correlated with plasma GPI expression. CONCLUSION Our study underscores the significance of integrating transcriptomics and proteomics data, emphasizing the need to account for genetic diversity among ethnic groups. The developed survival model may offer a holistic perspective on LUAD progression, enhancing prognosis and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Qianyao Meng
- Department of Global Health and Population, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Anhui Ning
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Shenxuan Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Siqi Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Xiaobo Tao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Yutong Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Tian Tian
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Jiahua Cui
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
| | - Liping Mao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong), Nantong, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| | - Minjie Chu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nantong University
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Carter CW. Base Pairing Promoted the Self-Organization of Genetic Coding, Catalysis, and Free-Energy Transduction. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:199. [PMID: 38398709 PMCID: PMC10890426 DOI: 10.3390/life14020199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
How Nature discovered genetic coding is a largely ignored question, yet the answer is key to explaining the transition from biochemical building blocks to life. Other, related puzzles also fall inside the aegis enclosing the codes themselves. The peptide bond is unstable with respect to hydrolysis. So, it requires some form of chemical free energy to drive it. Amino acid activation and acyl transfer are also slow and must be catalyzed. All living things must thus also convert free energy and synchronize cellular chemistry. Most importantly, functional proteins occupy only small, isolated regions of sequence space. Nature evolved heritable symbolic data processing to seek out and use those sequences. That system has three parts: a memory of how amino acids behave in solution and inside proteins, a set of code keys to access that memory, and a scoring function. The code keys themselves are the genes for cognate pairs of tRNA and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, AARSs. The scoring function is the enzymatic specificity constant, kcat/kM, which measures both catalysis and specificity. The work described here deepens the evidence for and understanding of an unexpected consequence of ancestral bidirectional coding. Secondary structures occur in approximately the same places within antiparallel alignments of their gene products. However, the polar amino acids that define the molecular surface of one are reflected into core-defining non-polar side chains on the other. Proteins translated from base-paired coding strands fold up inside out. Bidirectional genes thus project an inverted structural duality into the proteome. I review how experimental data root the scoring functions responsible for the origins of coding and catalyzed activation of unfavorable chemical reactions in that duality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Carter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7260, USA
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46
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Chauvier A, Walter NG. Regulation of bacterial gene expression by non-coding RNA: It is all about time! Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:71-85. [PMID: 38211587 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Commensal and pathogenic bacteria continuously evolve to survive in diverse ecological niches by efficiently coordinating gene expression levels in their ever-changing environments. Regulation through the RNA transcript itself offers a faster and more cost-effective way to adapt than protein-based mechanisms and can be leveraged for diagnostic or antimicrobial purposes. However, RNA can fold into numerous intricate, not always functional structures that both expand and obscure the plethora of roles that regulatory RNAs serve within the cell. Here, we review the current knowledge of bacterial non-coding RNAs in relation to their folding pathways and interactions. We posit that co-transcriptional folding of these transcripts ultimately dictates their downstream functions. Elucidating the spatiotemporal folding of non-coding RNAs during transcription therefore provides invaluable insights into bacterial pathogeneses and predictive disease diagnostics. Finally, we discuss the implications of co-transcriptional folding andapplications of RNAs for therapeutics and drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Chauvier
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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47
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Gao S, Guan H, Bloomer H, Wich D, Song D, Khirallah J, Ye Z, Zhao Y, Chen M, Xu C, Liu L, Xu Q. Harnessing non-Watson-Crick's base pairing to enhance CRISPR effectors cleavage activities and enable gene editing in mammalian cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2308415120. [PMID: 38150477 PMCID: PMC10786293 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2308415120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic DNA of the cyanophage S-2L virus is composed of 2-aminoadenine (Z), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C), forming the genetic alphabet ZTGC, which violates Watson-Crick base pairing rules. The Z-base has an extra amino group on the two position that allows the formation of a third hydrogen bond with thymine in DNA strands. Here, we explored and expanded applications of this non-Watson-Crick base pairing in protein expression and gene editing. Both ZTGC-DNA (Z-DNA) and ZUGC-RNA (Z-RNA) produced in vitro show detectable compatibility and can be decoded in mammalian cells, including Homo sapiens cells. Z-crRNA can guide CRISPR-effectors SpCas9 and LbCas12a to cleave specific DNA through non-Watson-Crick base pairing and boost cleavage activities compared to A-crRNA. Z-crRNA can also allow for efficient gene and base editing in human cells. Together, our results help pave the way for potential strategies for optimizing DNA or RNA payloads for gene editing therapeutics and give insights to understanding the natural Z-DNA genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuliang Gao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Huiwen Guan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Hanan Bloomer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Douglas Wich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Donghui Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Jennifer Khirallah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Zhongfeng Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Mengting Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Chutian Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Lihan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA02155
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O’Connell CJ, Brown RS, Peach TM, Traubert OD, Schwierling HC, Notorgiacomo GA, Robson MJ. Strain in the Midbrain: Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Central Serotonin System. Brain Sci 2024; 14:51. [PMID: 38248266 PMCID: PMC10813794 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a pervasive public health crisis that severely impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. Like peripheral forms of trauma, TBI results from extraordinarily heterogeneous environmental forces being imparted on the cranial space, resulting in heterogeneous disease pathologies. This has made therapies for TBI notoriously difficult to develop, and currently, there are no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies specifically for the acute or chronic treatment of TBI. TBI is associated with changes in cognition and can precipitate the onset of debilitating psychiatric disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Complicating these effects of TBI, FDA-approved pharmacotherapies utilized to treat these disorders often fail to reach the desired level of efficacy in the context of neurotrauma. Although a complicated association, decades of work have linked central serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission as being involved in the etiology of a myriad of neuropsychiatric disorders, including MDD and GAD. 5-HT is a biogenic monoamine neurotransmitter that is highly conserved across scales of biology. Though the majority of 5-HT is isolated to peripheral sites such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, 5-HT neurotransmission within the CNS exerts exquisite control over diverse biological functions, including sleep, appetite and respiration, while simultaneously establishing normal mood, perception, and attention. Although several key studies have begun to elucidate how various forms of neurotrauma impact central 5-HT neurotransmission, a full determination of precisely how TBI disrupts the highly regulated dynamics of 5-HT neuron function and/or 5-HT neurotransmission has yet to be conceptually or experimentally resolved. The purpose of the current review is, therefore, to integrate the disparate bodies of 5-HT and TBI research and synthesize insight into how new combinatorial research regarding 5-HT neurotransmission and TBI may offer an informed perspective into the nature of TBI-induced neuropsychiatric complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. O’Connell
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (C.J.O.); (R.S.B.); (T.M.P.)
| | - Ryan S. Brown
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (C.J.O.); (R.S.B.); (T.M.P.)
| | - Taylor M. Peach
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (C.J.O.); (R.S.B.); (T.M.P.)
| | - Owen D. Traubert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA;
| | - Hana C. Schwierling
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (C.J.O.); (R.S.B.); (T.M.P.)
| | | | - Matthew J. Robson
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (C.J.O.); (R.S.B.); (T.M.P.)
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
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49
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Li J, Li C, Xu W. Liver cancer-specific mutations in functional domains of ADAR2 lead to the elevation of coding and non-coding RNA editing in multiple tumor-related genes. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:1. [PMID: 38170228 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-023-02091-5] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Mutation is the major cause of phenotypic innovations. Apart from DNA mutations, the alteration on RNA such as the ADAR-mediated A-to-I RNA editing could also shape the phenotype. These two layers of variations have not been systematically combined to study their collective roles in cancers. We collected the high-quality transcriptomes of ten hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the matched control samples. We systematically identified HCC-specific mutations in the exonic regions and profiled the A-to-I RNA editome in each sample. All ten HCC samples had mutations in the CDS of ADAR2 gene (dsRNA-binding domain or catalytic domain). The consequence of these mutations converged to the elevation of ADAR2 efficiency as reflected by the global increase of RNA editing levels in HCC. The up-regulated editing sites (UES) were enriched in the CDS and UTR of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSG), indicating the possible roles of these target genes in HCC oncogenesis. We present the mutation-ADAR2-UES-oncogene/TSG-HCC axis that explains how mutations at different layers would finally lead to abnormal phenotype. In the light of central dogma, our work provides novel insights into how to fully take advantage of the transcriptome data to decipher the consequence of mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Chaowei Li
- Department of PET/CT, The Second Clinical Medical College of Qingdao University (Qingdao Center Hospital), Qingdao, 266042, China
| | - Wengui Xu
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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50
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Yousefi B, Sadoughi F, Asemi Z, Mansournia MA, Hallajzadeh J. Novel Perspectives for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers using Dysregulation of PIWI Protein and PiRNAs as Biomarkers. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:453-463. [PMID: 36786140 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230214101837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The term "gynecological cancer" is used for a group of cancers occurring in the female reproductive system. Some of these cancers are ranked as the leading causes of death in developed and developing countries. The lack of proper diagnostic strategies is one of the most important reasons that make them lethal. PIWI-interacting RNAs or piRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs, which contain 24-32 nucleotides. These RNAs take part in some cellular mechanisms, and their role in diverse kinds of cancer is confirmed by accumulative evidence. In this review, we gather some information on the roles of these RNAs and members of the PIWI protein family to provide new insight into accurate diagnostic biomarkers and more effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadoughi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamal Hallajzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
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