Publications by authors named "Nicole DeFoor"

While originally identified as an antiviral pathway, recent work has implicated that cyclic GMP-AMP-synthase-Stimulator of Interferon Genes (cGAS-STING) signaling is playing a critical role in the neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury (TBI). STING activation results in a robust inflammatory response characterized by the production of inflammatory cytokines called interferons, as well as hundreds of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs). Global knock-out (KO) mice inhibiting this pathway display neuroprotection with evidence that this pathway is active days after injury; yet, the early neuroinflammatory events stimulated by STING signaling remain understudied.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists found that TBK1, a protein important for cell division, must be in the right place in cells (called centrosomes) to work properly.
  • If TBK1 is not activated or is taken away from the centrosomes, cells can divide incorrectly, leading to growth problems.
  • A helper protein called NAP1 helps activate TBK1 and is necessary for proper cell division; if NAP1 is missing, it causes errors during the cell division process.
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SARS-CoV-2 causes the severe respiratory disease COVID-19. Remdesivir (RDV) was the first fast-tracked FDA approved treatment drug for COVID-19. RDV acts as an antiviral ribonucleoside (adenosine) analogue that becomes active once it accumulates intracellularly.

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