R-loops and impaired autophagy trigger cGAS-dependent inflammation via micronuclei formation in Senataxin-deficient cells.

Senataxin is an evolutionarily conserved DNA/RNA helicase, whose dysfunctions are linked to neurodegeneration and cancer. A main activity of this protein is the removal of R-loops, which are nucleic acid structures capable to promote DNA damage and replication stress. Here we found that Senataxin deficiency causes the release of damaged DNA into extranuclear bodies, called micronuclei, triggering the massive recruitment of cGAS, the apical sensor of the innate immunity pathway, and the downstream stimulation of interferon genes.

Living Diatom Microalgae for Desiccation-Resistant Electrodes in Biophotovoltaic Devices.

Strategies of renewable energy production from photosynthetic microorganisms are gaining great scientific interest as ecosustainable alternatives to fossil fuel depletion. Green microalgae have been thoroughly investigated as living components to convert solar energy into photocurrent in biophotovoltaic (BPV) cells. Conversely, the suitability of diatoms in BPV cells has been almost completely unexplored so far, despite being the most abundant class of photosynthetic microorganisms in phytoplankton and of their good adaptability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, including dehydration, high salinity, nutrient starvation, temperature, or pH changes.

Sex Differences in Albumin Quotient and Cerebrospinal Fluid Total Protein Content Do Not Depend on Anthropometric Factors.

(1) Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum albumin quotient (QAlb) and CSF total protein (TP) are more elevated in males than females, and this has been hypothesised to be due to anthropometric differences between the sexes. This study aimed to investigate QAlb and CSF TP as a function of body height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). (2) Methods: A total of 207 patients were included in the study and analysed blinded to clinical diagnosis.

Sex specific regulation of TSPY-Like 2 in the DNA damage response of cancer cells.

Females have a lower probability to develop somatic cancers and a better response to chemotherapy than males. However, the reasons for these differences are still not well understood. The X-linked gene TSPY-Like 2 (TSPYL2) encodes for a putative tumor suppressor protein involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways.

Supramolecular Biohybrid Construct for Photoconversion Based on a Bacterial Reaction Center Covalently Bound to Cytochrome by an Organic Light Harvesting Bridge.

A supramolecular construct for solar energy conversion is developed by covalently bridging the reaction center (RC) from the photosynthetic bacterium and cytochrome (Cyt ) proteins with a tailored organic light harvesting antenna (hCy2). The RC-hCy2-Cyt biohybrid mimics the working mechanism of biological assemblies located in the bacterial cell membrane to convert sunlight into metabolic energy. hCy2 collects visible light and transfers energy to the RC, increasing the rate of photocycle between a RC and Cyt that are linked in such a way that enhances proximity without preventing protein mobility.