Cell-Penetrating Peptide Enhances Tafazzin Gene Therapy in Mouse Model of Barth Syndrome.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is an early onset, lethal X-linked disorder caused by a mutation in tafazzin (TAFAZZIN), a mitochondrial acyltransferase that remodels monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) to mature cardiolipin (CL) and is essential for normal mitochondrial, cardiac, and skeletal muscle function. Current gene therapies in preclinical development require high levels of transduction. We tested whether TAFAZZIN gene therapy could be enhanced with the addition of a cell-penetrating peptide, penetratin (Antp).

Comparative species delimitation of a biological conservation icon.

The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 set a precedent for biodiversity conservation across the globe. A key requirement of protections afforded by the ESA is the accurate delimitation of imperiled species. We present a comparative reference-based taxonomic approach to species delimitation that integrates genomic and morphological data for objectively assessing the distinctiveness of species targeted for protection by governmental agencies.

An alternate route for cellulose microfibril biosynthesis in plants.

Similar to cellulose synthases (CESAs), cellulose synthase-like D (CSLD) proteins synthesize β-1,4-glucan in plants. CSLDs are important for tip growth and cytokinesis, but it was unknown whether they form membrane complexes in vivo or produce microfibrillar cellulose. We produced viable CESA-deficient mutants of the moss to investigate CSLD function without interfering CESA activity.