Folding of an Intrinsically Disordered Iron-Binding Peptide in Response to Sedimentation Revealed by Cryo-EM.

Biomineralization is mediated by specialized proteins that guide and control mineral sedimentation. In many cases, the active regions of these biomineralization proteins are intrinsically disordered. High-resolution structures of these proteins while they interact with minerals are essential for understanding biomineralization processes and the function of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs).

Orchestrated regulation of iron trafficking proteins in the kidney during iron overload facilitates systemic iron retention.

The exact route of iron through the kidney and its regulation during iron overload are not completely elucidated. Under physiologic conditions, non-transferrin and transferrin bound iron passes the glomerular filter and is reabsorbed through kidney epithelial cells, so that hardly any iron is found in the urine. To study the route of iron reabsorption through the kidney, we analyzed the location and regulation of iron metabolism related proteins in kidneys of mice with iron overload, elicited by iron dextran injections.

Ferritin is secreted via 2 distinct nonclassical vesicular pathways.

Ferritin turnover plays a major role in tissue iron homeostasis, and ferritin malfunction is associated with impaired iron homeostasis and neurodegenerative diseases. In most eukaryotes, ferritin is considered an intracellular protein that stores iron in a nontoxic and bioavailable form. In insects, ferritin is a classically secreted protein and plays a major role in systemic iron distribution.

Long-acting glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide ameliorates obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation.

Obesity induces low-grade chronic inflammation, manifested by proinflammatory polarization of adipose tissue innate and adaptive resident and recruited immune cells that contribute to insulin resistance (IR). The glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone that mediates postprandial insulin secretion and has anabolic effects on the adipose tissue. Importantly, recent evidence suggested that GIP is a potential suppressor of inflammation in several metabolic models.

Differential stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Crohn's disease by fungal glycans.

Background And Aim: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by loss of tolerance to intestinal microorganisms. This is reflected by serological responses to fungal glycans such as mannan and β-glucans. Fungal glycans have various effects on immune cells.