Phosphorylation of T107 by CamKIIδ Regulates the Detoxification Efficiency and Proteomic Integrity of Glyoxalase 1.

The glyoxalase system is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed enzyme system, which is responsible for the detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG), a spontaneous by-product of energy metabolism. This study is able to show that a phosphorylation of threonine-107 (T107) in the (rate-limiting) Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) protein, mediated by Ca/calmodulin-dependent kinase II delta (CamKIIδ), is associated with elevated catalytic efficiency of Glo1 (lower K; higher V). Additionally, we observe proteasomal degradation of non-phosphorylated Glo1 via ubiquitination does occur more rapidly as compared with native Glo1.

A novel regulator of ER Ca drives Hippo-mediated tumorigenesis.

Calcium ion (Ca) is a versatile second messenger that regulates various cellular and physiological functions. However, the in vivo molecular mechanisms by which Ca alterations contribute to tumor growth remain poorly explored. Here we show that Emei is a novel ER Ca regulator that synergizes with Ras to induce tumor growth via JNK-mediated Hippo signaling.

PALTEM: What Parameters Should Be Collected in Disaster Settings to Assess the Long-Term Outcomes of Famine?

Evidence suggests that nutritional status during fetal development and early life leaves an imprint on the genome, which leads to health outcomes not only on a person as an adult but also on his offspring. The purpose of this study is to bring forth an overview of the relevant parameters that need to be collected to assess the long-term and transgenerational health outcomes of famine. A literature search was conducted for the most pertinent articles on the epigenetic effects of famine.

Elevated Levels of the Reactive Metabolite Methylglyoxal Recapitulate Progression of Type 2 Diabetes.

The molecular causes of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not well understood. Both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and T2D are characterized by impaired insulin signaling and hyperglycemia. From analogy to T1D, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are thought to also play causal roles in T2D.

THADA Regulates the Organismal Balance between Energy Storage and Heat Production.

Human susceptibility to obesity is mainly genetic, yet the underlying evolutionary drivers causing variation from person to person are not clear. One theory rationalizes that populations that have adapted to warmer climates have reduced their metabolic rates, thereby increasing their propensity to store energy. We uncover here the function of a gene that supports this theory.