A proximity proteomics screen in three-dimensional spheroid cultures identifies novel regulators of lumen formation.

Apical-basal cell polarity and lumen formation are essential features of many epithelial tissues, which are disrupted in diseases like cancer. Here, we describe a proteomics-based screen to identify proteins involved in lumen formation in three-dimensional spheroid cultures. We established a suspension-based culture method suitable for generating polarized cysts in sufficient quantities for proteomic analysis.

THP-1 macrophage cholesterol efflux is impaired by palmitoleate through Akt activation.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions and it may promote the progression of atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms behind this process are not completely understood. We previously showed that the phosphorylation of Akt within THP-1 macrophages is increased in response to the lipid hydrolysis products generated by LPL from total lipoproteins. Notably, the free fatty acid (FFA) component was responsible for this effect.

Recent Developments in Metal-Catalyzed Bio-orthogonal Reactions for Biomolecule Tagging.

With the rapid advances in single-molecule and live-cell imaging studies to investigate biological problems, the role of chemical probes to monitor reactions in a live cell has considerably increased. However, selective labeling of a target protein or a specific residue is highly challenging due to the high complexity of the biological system. In particular, biological macromolecules (such as proteins, DNA, or RNA) share many functional groups that potentially cross-react with exogenous chemical probes.