Publications by authors named "Kala Mahen"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how gut microbial metabolites (GMM), specifically phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), are linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people with alcohol use disorder.
- In experiments with mice, researchers found that chronic alcohol consumption led to changes in gut microbes and increased PAGln levels, which were associated with cardiovascular issues.
- PAGln was shown to cause heart and blood vessel problems independent of alcohol, indicating that it plays a significant role in the development of CVD related to alcohol consumption.
Article Synopsis
- The Aster-C protein, located in the endoplasmic reticulum, is thought to play a role in cholesterol transport, but its exact function in cholesterol homeostasis is unclear.
- In a study involving mice lacking Aster-C, researchers found no significant changes in cholesterol levels in feces, liver, or plasma when subjected to different dietary cholesterol levels.
- Despite minimal effects on overall cholesterol metabolism, Aster-C deficiency led to slightly reduced bile acids and increased cortisol under low dietary cholesterol, indicating some role in hormone regulation rather than in cholesterol balance.
Article Synopsis
- Each year, 3.3 million Americans are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), and existing treatments like surgery are invasive and costly.
- Topical treatments like 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod can have significant side effects, highlighting the need for better options.
- Research on the small molecule N-phosphonacetyl-L-aspartate (PALA) showed it to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing tumors in a mouse model, suggesting it could be a promising alternative treatment for NMSC.
The ubiquitin E3 ligase FBXO22 degrades PD-L1 and sensitizes cancer cells to DNA damage.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
November 2021
Article Synopsis
- High levels of PD-L1 in cancer cells can lead to resistance against therapies that cause DNA damage, like ionizing radiation and cisplatin.
- The protein FBXO22 enhances the sensitivity of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells to these therapies by promoting the degradation of PD-L1 through ubiquitination.
- By inhibiting CDK5, which boosts PD-L1 expression, we can raise FBXO22 levels, decrease PD-L1, and potentially improve the effectiveness of treatments, especially when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.