A cardiotoxicity-eliminated ACE2 variant as a pan-inhibitor against coronavirus cell invasion.

Human recombinant ACE2 (hrACE2) has been highly anticipated as a successful COVID-19 treatment; however, its potential to cause cardiac side effects has given rise to many concerns. Here, we developed a cardiotoxicity-eliminated hrACE2 variant, which had four mutation sites within hrACE2 (H345L, H374L, H378L, H505L) and was named as hrACE2-4mu. hrACE2-4mu has a consistent binding affinity with the variant SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (SPs) and an efficient ability to block SP-induced SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells.

RNA-binding protein DDX1 is responsible for fatty acid-mediated repression of insulin translation.

The molecular mechanism in pancreatic β cells underlying hyperlipidemia and insulin insufficiency remains unclear. Here, we find that the fatty acid-induced decrease in insulin levels occurs due to a decrease in insulin translation. Since regulation at the translational level is generally mediated through RNA-binding proteins, using RNA antisense purification coupled with mass spectrometry, we identify a novel insulin mRNA-binding protein, namely, DDX1, that is sensitive to palmitate treatment.

Publisher Correction: Optimizing the fragment complementation of APEX2 for detection of specific protein-protein interactions in live cells.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Author Correction: Optimizing the fragment complementation of APEX2 for detection of specific protein-protein interactions in live cells.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Optimizing the fragment complementation of APEX2 for detection of specific protein-protein interactions in live cells.

Dynamic protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play crucial roles in cell physiological processes. The protein-fragment complementation (PFC) assay has been developed as a powerful approach for the detection of PPIs, but its potential for identifying protein interacting regions is not optimized. Recently, an ascorbate peroxidase (APEX2)-based proximity-tagging method combined with mass spectrometry was developed to identify potential protein interactions in live cells.

HID-1 is required for homotypic fusion of immature secretory granules during maturation.

Secretory granules, also known as dense core vesicles, are generated at the trans-Golgi network and undergo several maturation steps, including homotypic fusion of immature secretory granules (ISGs) and processing of prehormones to yield active peptides. The molecular mechanisms governing secretory granule maturation are largely unknown. Here, we investigate a highly conserved protein named HID-1 in a mouse model.

A new dimethyl labeling-based SID-MRM-MS method and its application to three proteases involved in insulin maturation.

The absolute quantification of target proteins in proteomics involves stable isotope dilution coupled with multiple reactions monitoring mass spectrometry (SID-MRM-MS). The successful preparation of stable isotope-labeled internal standard peptides is an important prerequisite for the SID-MRM absolute quantification methods. Dimethyl labeling has been widely used in relative quantitative proteomics and it is fast, simple, reliable, cost-effective, and applicable to any protein sample, making it an ideal candidate method for the preparation of stable isotope-labeled internal standards.

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1/GDF15) as a novel diagnostic serum biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1/GDF15) has been identified as a potential novel biomarker for detection of pancreatic cancer (PCa). However, the diagnostic value of serum MIC-1 for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), particularly for those at the early stage, and the value for treatment response monitoring have not yet been investigated.

Methods: MIC-1 expression in tumor tissue was analyzed by RT-PCR from 64 patients with PDAC.

[Experimental study on antitumor effects of Shen Qi Jin Kang (SQJK)].

Background & Objective: SHEN QI JIN KANG (SQJK) capsule is a complex preparation, consisting of effective components extracted from radix astragali, ginseng, curcuma, etc. It has been demonstrated to be able to decrease tumor volume, increase life quality and prolong survival time in clinic application. The study was to investigate the antitumor effects of SQJK capsule in vivo and in vitro, and further explore the possible mechanisms.