Cov-MS: A Community-Based Template Assay for Mass-Spectrometry-Based Protein Detection in SARS-CoV-2 Patients.

Rising population density and global mobility are among the reasons why pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread so rapidly across the globe. The policy response to such pandemics will always have to include accurate monitoring of the spread, as this provides one of the few alternatives to total lockdown. However, COVID-19 diagnosis is currently performed almost exclusively by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Community-Driven Data Analysis Training for Biology.

The primary problem with the explosion of biomedical datasets is not the data, not computational resources, and not the required storage space, but the general lack of trained and skilled researchers to manipulate and analyze these data. Eliminating this problem requires development of comprehensive educational resources. Here we present a community-driven framework that enables modern, interactive teaching of data analytics in life sciences and facilitates the development of training materials.

Proteomic analysis of lung metastases in a murine breast cancer model reveals divergent influence of CTSB and CTSL overexpression.

Studies in the MMTV-PyMT (PyMT) breast cancer mouse model have shown a strong influence of the lysosomal cysteine cathepsins B or L on lung metastasis formation. Transgenic expression of human (tgCTSB) or (tgCTSL) both led to similar metastatic phenotypes with increased metastatic burden in the PyMT mice. However, recent studies in other tumor models proved marked differences in effects of either cathepsin on the proteome composition.

[Dorsal ligamentoplasty for posttraumatic scapholunate dissociation].

Scapholunate dissociation in stages 2 and 3 may lead to posttraumatic damage if left untreated. Different types of treatment have been described, including capsulodesis, tenodesis, and others. The purpose of all procedures is to avoid palmar shift of the distal scaphoid resulting in secondary arthritis (SLAC wrist).

Proteomic analysis of silenced cathepsin B expression suggests non-proteolytic cathepsin B functionality.

Cathepsin B (CTSB) is a lysosomal endo- and exopeptidase that is also secreted in high amounts by malignant and non-malignant cells. We determined the effect of CTSB on the tumor cell secretome by shRNA-mediated silencing of CTSB mRNA expression and subsequent proteomic LC-MS/MS analysis of the cell supernatants. We identified significant protein changes of 17 secreted or shed proteins.

miR-200c dampens cancer cell migration via regulation of protein kinase A subunits.

Expression of miR-200c is a molecular switch to determine cellular fate towards a mesenchymal or epithelial phenotype. miR-200c suppresses the early steps of tumor progression by preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and intravasation of tumor cells. Unraveling the underlying molecular mechanisms might pinpoint to novel therapeutic options.

Toward improved peptide feature detection in quantitative proteomics using stable isotope labeling.

Reliable detection of peptides in LC-MS data is a key algorithmic step in the analysis of quantitative proteomics experiments. While highly abundant peptides can be detected reliably by most modern software tools, there is much less agreement on medium and low-intensity peptides in a sample. The choice of software tools can have a big impact on the quantification of proteins, especially for proteins that appear in lower concentrations.

Transmembrane collagen XVII modulates integrin dependent keratinocyte migration via PI3K/Rac1 signaling.

The hemidesmosomal transmembrane component collagen XVII (ColXVII) plays an important role in the anchorage of the epidermis to the underlying basement membrane. However, this adhesion protein seems to be also involved in the regulation of keratinocyte migration, since its expression in these cells is strongly elevated during reepithelialization of acute wounds and in the invasive front of squamous cell carcinoma, while its absence in ColXVII-deficient keratinocytes leads to altered cell motility. Using a genetic model of murine Col17a1⁻/⁻ keratinocytes we elucidated ColXVII mediated signaling pathways in cell adhesion and migration.

Phosphorylation of Tip60 by GSK-3 determines the induction of PUMA and apoptosis by p53.

Activation of p53 by DNA damage results in either cell-cycle arrest, allowing DNA repair and cell survival, or induction of apoptosis. As these opposite outcomes are both mediated by p53 stabilization, additional mechanisms to determine this decision must exist. Here, we show that glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is required for the p53-mediated induction of the proapoptotic BH3 only-protein PUMA, an essential mediator of p53-induced apoptosis.