The Outer Retinal Membrane Protein 1 Could Inhibit Lung Cancer Progression as a Tumor Suppressor

Comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles of annulus fibrosus subtypes and hub genes in intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has been considered a major cause of low back pain. Therefore, further molecular subtypes of IVDD and identification of potential critical genes are urgently needed. First, consensus clustering was used to classify patients with IVDD into two subtypes and key module genes for subtyping were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Then, key module genes for the disease were identified by WGCNA. Subsequently, SVM and GLM were used to identify hub genes. Based on the above genes, a nomogram was constructed to predict the subtypes of IVDD. Finally, we find that ROM1 is lowered in IVDD and is linked to various cancer prognoses. The present work offers innovative diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for molecular subtypes of IVDD.

Tetraspanins as Potential Modulators of Glutamatergic Synaptic Function

Tetraspanins (Tspans) comprise a membrane protein family structurally defined by four transmembrane domains and intracellular N and C termini that is found in almost all cell types and tissues of eukaryotes. Moreover, they are involved in a bewildering multitude of diverse biological processes such as cell adhesion, motility, protein trafficking, signaling, proliferation, and regulation of the immune system. Beside their physiological roles, they are linked to many pathophysiological phenomena, including tumor progression regulation, HIV-1 replication, diabetes, and hepatitis. Tetraspanins are involved in the formation of extensive protein networks, through interactions not only with themselves but also with numerous other specific proteins, including regulatory proteins in the central nervous system (CNS). Interestingly, recent studies showed that Tspan7 impacts dendritic spine formation, glutamatergic synaptic transmission and plasticity, and that Tspan6 is correlated with epilepsy and intellectual disability (formerly known as mental retardation), highlighting the importance of particular tetraspanins and their involvement in critical processes in the CNS. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of tetraspanin functions in the brain, with a particular focus on their impact on glutamatergic neurotransmission. In addition, we compare available resolved structures of tetraspanin family members to those of auxiliary proteins of glutamate receptors that are known for their modulatory effects.