PYTA: a universal chelator for advancing the theranostic palette of nuclear medicine.

To clinically advance the growing arsenal of radiometals available to image and treat cancer, chelators with versatile binding properties are needed. Herein, we evaluated the ability of the py[18]dieneN macrocycle PYTA to interchangeably bind and stabilize Ac, [Lu]Lu, [In]In and [Sc]Sc, a chemically diverse set of radionuclides that can be used complementarily for targeted alpha therapy, beta therapy, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, respectively. Through NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, we show that PYTA possesses an unusual degree of flexibility for a macrocyclic chelator, undergoing dramatic conformational changes that enable it to optimally satisfy the disparate coordination properties of each metal ion.

Genetic mechanisms of multiciliated cell development: from fate choice to differentiation in zebrafish and other models.

Multiciliated cells (MCCS) form bundles of cilia and their activities are essential for the proper development and physiology of many organ systems. Not surprisingly, defects in MCCs have profound consequences and are associated with numerous disease states. Here, we discuss the current understanding of MCC formation, with a special focus on the genetic and molecular mechanisms of MCC fate choice and differentiation.

(Zebra)fishing for nephrogenesis genes.

Kidney disease is a devastating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, where over 100,000 patients in the United States alone remain waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Concomitant with a surge in personalized medicine, single-gene mutations, and polygenic risk alleles have been brought to the forefront as core causes of a spectrum of renal disorders. With the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, it is imperative to make substantial strides in the field of kidney genetics.