A novel frameshift variant of LMX1A that leads to autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss: functional characterization of the C-terminal domain in LMX1A.

Non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL) is a group of genetically heterogeneous conditions with broad phenotypic heterogeneity. There is, at present, no curative treatment for genetic hearing loss (HL). Early molecular diagnosis of progressive disorders and elucidation of the causes and pathomechanisms are essential for developing therapeutic strategies.

Targeting epidermal growth factor-overexpressing triple-negative breast cancer by natural killer cells expressing a specific chimeric antigen receptor.

Objectives: Traditional cancer therapy and regular immunotherapy are ineffective for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Recently, chimeric antigen receptor-engineered natural killer cells (CAR NK) have been applied to target several hormone receptors on different cancer cells to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.

Protein Kinase D3 promotes the cell proliferation by activating the ERK1/c-MYC axis in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the second leading death cause of cancer death for all women. Previous study suggested that Protein Kinase D3 (PRKD3) was involved in breast cancer progression. In addition, the protein level of PRKD3 in triple-negative breast adenocarcinoma was higher than that in normal breast tissue.

EGFR-specific CAR-T cells trigger cell lysis in EGFR-positive TNBC.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer subtype for which effective therapies are lacking. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in various types of TNBC cells, and several EGFR-specific immunotherapies have been used to treat cancer patients. Chimeric antigen receptor engineered T (CAR-T) cells have also been used as cancer therapies.

Long non-coding RNA MYU promotes prostate cancer proliferation by mediating the miR-184/c-Myc axis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The c-Myc upregulated lncRNA MYU (VPS9D1 antisense RNA1, annotated as VPS9D1-AS1) has been reported in several common types of human cancers, which has revealed that lncRNA MYU could function as either an oncogene or a tumor-suppressor gene in different cancer types. However, the function of lncRNA MYU in prostate cancer remains unknown.

Structure of the Z Ring-associated Protein, ZapD, Bound to the C-terminal Domain of the Tubulin-like Protein, FtsZ, Suggests Mechanism of Z Ring Stabilization through FtsZ Cross-linking.

Cell division in most bacteria is mediated by the tubulin-like FtsZ protein, which polymerizes in a GTP-dependent manner to form the cytokinetic Z ring. A diverse repertoire of FtsZ-binding proteins affects FtsZ localization and polymerization to ensure correct Z ring formation. Many of these proteins bind the C-terminal domain (CTD) of FtsZ, which serves as a hub for FtsZ regulation.

Characterization of the FtsZ C-Terminal Variable (CTV) Region in Z-Ring Assembly and Interaction with the Z-Ring Stabilizer ZapD in E. coli Cytokinesis.

Polymerization of a ring-like cytoskeletal structure, the Z-ring, at midcell is a highly conserved feature in virtually all bacteria. The Z-ring is composed of short protofilaments of the tubulin homolog FtsZ, randomly arranged and held together through lateral interactions. In vitro, lateral associations between FtsZ protofilaments are stabilized by crowding agents, high concentrations of divalent cations, or in some cases, low pH.

Structural and Functional Analyses Reveal Insights into the Molecular Properties of the Escherichia coli Z Ring Stabilizing Protein, ZapC.

In Escherichia coli cell division is driven by the tubulin-like GTPase, FtsZ, which forms the cytokinetic Z-ring. The Z-ring serves as a dynamic platform for the assembly of the multiprotein divisome, which catalyzes membrane cleavage to create equal daughter cells. Several proteins effect FtsZ assembly, thereby providing spatiotemporal control over cell division.

FtsZ ring stability: of bundles, tubules, crosslinks, and curves.

The first step in bacterial cytokinesis is the assembly of a stable but dynamic cytokinetic ring made up of the essential tubulin homolog FtsZ at the future site of division. Although FtsZ and its role in cytokinesis have been studied extensively, the precise architecture of the in vivo medial FtsZ ring (Z ring) is not well understood. Recent advances in superresolution imaging suggest that the Z ring comprises short, discontinuous, and loosely bundled FtsZ polymers, some of which are tethered to the membrane.

Defects of prostate development and reproductive system in the estrogen receptor-alpha null male mice.

The estrogen receptor-alpha knockout (ERalphaKO, ERalpha-/-) mice were generated via the Cre-loxP system by mating floxed ERalpha mice with beta-actin (ACTB)-Cre mice. The impact of ERalpha gene deletion in the male reproductive system was investigated. The ACTB-Cre/ERalpha(-/-) male mice are infertile and have lost 90% of epididymal sperm when compared with wild-type mice.

Phosphorylation at Ser473 regulates heterochromatin protein 1 binding and corepressor function of TIF1beta/KAP1.

Background: As an epigenetic regulator, the transcriptional intermediary factor 1beta (TIF1beta)/KAP1/TRIM28) has been linked to gene expression and chromatin remodeling at specific loci by association with members of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family and various other chromatin factors. The interaction between TIF1beta and HP1 is crucial for heterochromatin formation and maintenance. The HP1-box, PXVXL, of TIF1beta is responsible for its interaction with HP1.

Differential activation of a C/EBP beta isoform by a novel redox switch may confer the lipopolysaccharide-inducible expression of interleukin-6 gene.

C/EBP beta, a member of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family, is one of the key transcription factors responsible for the induction of a wide array of genes, some of which play important roles in innate immunity, inflammatory response, adipocyte and myeloid cell differentiation, and the acute phase response. Three C/EBP beta isoforms (i.e.