Cryo-EM Structure of K-Bound hERG Channel Complexed with the Blocker Astemizole.

The hERG channel is a voltage-gated potassium channel involved in cardiac repolarization. Off-target hERG inhibition by drugs has become a critical issue in the pharmaceutical industry. The three-dimensional structure of the hERG channel was recently reported at 3.

Crystal structure of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens type VI effector-immunity complex.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) comprises needle-shaped multisubunit complexes that play a role in the microbial defense systems of Gram-negative bacteria. Some Gram-negative bacteria harboring a T6SS deliver toxic effector proteins into the cytoplasm or periplasm of competing bacteria in order to lyse and kill them. To avoid self-cell disruption, these bacteria have cognate immunity proteins that inhibit their toxic effector proteins.

Prognostic relevance of integrated genetic profiling in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a heterogeneous group of peripheral T-cell malignancies characterized by human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 infection, whose genetic profile has recently been fully investigated. However, it is still poorly understood how these alterations affect clinical features and prognosis. We investigated the effects of genetic alterations commonly found in ATL on disease phenotypes and clinical outcomes, based on genotyping data obtained from 414 and 463 ATL patients using targeted-capture sequencing and single nucleotide polymorphism array karyotyping, respectively.

Structural and Functional Analysis of DDX41: a bispecific immune receptor for DNA and cyclic dinucleotide.

In the innate immune system, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) specifically recognize ligands derived from bacteria or viruses, to trigger the responsible downstream pathways. DEAD box protein 41 (DDX41) is an intracellular PRR that triggers the downstream pathway involving the adapter STING, the kinase TBK1, and the transcription factor IRF3, to activate the type I interferon response. DDX41 is unique in that it recognizes two different ligands; i.

Linear ubiquitination is involved in the pathogenesis of optineurin-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Optineurin (OPTN) mutations cause neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and glaucoma. Although the ALS-associated E478G mutation in the UBAN domain of OPTN reportedly abolishes its NF-κB suppressive activity, the precise molecular basis in ALS pathogenesis still remains unclear. Here we report that the OPTN-UBAN domain is crucial for NF-κB suppression.

Variegated RHOA mutations in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a distinct form of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with poor prognosis, which is caused by the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). In contrast to the unequivocal importance of HTLV-1 infection in the pathogenesis of ATLL, the role of acquired mutations in HTLV-1 infected T cells has not been fully elucidated, with a handful of genes known to be recurrently mutated. In this study, we identified unique RHOA mutations in ATLL through whole genome sequencing of an index case, followed by deep sequencing of 203 ATLL samples.

Integrated molecular analysis of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a peripheral T cell neoplasm of largely unknown genetic basis, associated with human T cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection. Here we describe an integrated molecular study in which we performed whole-genome, exome, transcriptome and targeted resequencing, as well as array-based copy number and methylation analyses, in a total of 426 ATL cases. The identified alterations overlap significantly with the HTLV-1 Tax interactome and are highly enriched for T cell receptor-NF-κB signaling, T cell trafficking and other T cell-related pathways as well as immunosurveillance.

tRNA-dependent alanylation of diacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Aminoacyl-phosphatidylglycerol synthases (aaPGSs) are membrane proteins that utilize aminoacylated tRNAs to modify membrane lipids with amino acids. Aminoacylation of membrane lipids alters the biochemical properties of the cytoplasmic membrane and enables bacteria to adapt to changes in environmental conditions. aaPGSs utilize alanine, lysine and arginine as modifying amino acids, and the primary lipid recipients have heretofore been defined as phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin.

Structural Basis for the Catalytic Mechanism of DncV, Bacterial Homolog of Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase.

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) play key roles as second messengers and signaling molecules in bacteria and metazoans. The newly identified dinucleotide cyclase in Vibrio cholerae (DncV) produces three different CDNs containing two 3'-5' phosphodiester bonds, and its predominant product is cyclic GMP-AMP, whereas mammalian cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) produces only cyclic GMP-AMP containing mixed 2'-5' phosphodiester bonds. We report the crystal structures of V.

A SelB/EF-Tu/aIF2γ-like protein from Methanosarcina mazei in the GTP-bound form binds cysteinyl-tRNA(Cys.).

The putative translation elongation factor Mbar_A0971 from the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri was proposed to be the pyrrolysine-specific paralogue of EF-Tu ("EF-Pyl"). In the present study, the crystal structures of its homologue from Methanosarcina mazei (MM1309) were determined in the GMPPNP-bound, GDP-bound, and apo forms, by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion phasing method. The three MM1309 structures are quite similar (r.

The non-canonical hydroxylase structure of YfcM reveals a metal ion-coordination motif required for EF-P hydroxylation.

EF-P is a bacterial tRNA-mimic protein, which accelerates the ribosome-catalyzed polymerization of poly-prolines. In Escherichia coli, EF-P is post-translationally modified on a conserved lysine residue. The post-translational modification is performed in a two-step reaction involving the addition of a β-lysine moiety and the subsequent hydroxylation, catalyzed by PoxA and YfcM, respectively.

Structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial Qri7 in complex with AMP.

N(6)-Threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t(6)A) is a modified tRNA base required for accuracy in translation. Qri7 is localized in yeast mitochondria and is involved in t(6)A biosynthesis. In t(6)A biosynthesis, threonylcarbamoyl-adenylate (TCA) is synthesized from threonine, bicarbonate and ATP, and the threonyl-carbamoyl group is transferred to adenine 37 of tRNA by Qri7.

Crystal structure of tRNA m(1)A58 methyltransferase TrmI from Aquifex aeolicus in complex with S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

The N (1)-methyladenosine residue at position 58 of tRNA is found in the three domains of life, and contributes to the stability of the three-dimensional L-shaped tRNA structure. In thermophilic bacteria, this modification is important for thermal adaptation, and is catalyzed by the tRNA m(1)A58 methyltransferase TrmI, using S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) as the methyl donor. We present the 2.

Recurrent somatic mutations underlie corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome.

Cushing's syndrome is caused by excess cortisol production from the adrenocortical gland. In corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome, the excess cortisol production is primarily attributed to an adrenocortical adenoma, in which the underlying molecular pathogenesis has been poorly understood. We report a hotspot mutation (L206R) in PRKACA, which encodes the catalytic subunit of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA), in more than 50% of cases with adrenocortical adenomas associated with corticotropin-independent Cushing's syndrome.

Somatic RHOA mutation in angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma.

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) is a distinct subtype of peripheral T cell lymphoma characterized by generalized lymphadenopathy and frequent autoimmune-like manifestations. Although frequent mutations in TET2, IDH2 and DNMT3A, which are common to various hematologic malignancies, have been identified in AITL, the molecular pathogenesis specific to this lymphoma subtype is unknown. Here we report somatic RHOA mutations encoding a p.

Structural and functional analyses of DNA-sensing and immune activation by human cGAS.

The detection of cytosolic DNA, derived from pathogens or host cells, by cytosolic receptors is essential for appropriate host immune responses. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a newly identified cytosolic DNA receptor that produces cyclic GMP-AMP, which activates stimulator of interferon genes (STING), resulting in TBK1-IRF3 pathway activation followed by the production of type I interferons. Here we report the crystal structure of human cGAS.

Salicylic acid induces mitochondrial injury by inhibiting ferrochelatase heme biosynthesis activity.

Salicylic acid is a classic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Although salicylic acid also induces mitochondrial injury, the mechanism of its antimitochondrial activity is not well understood. In this study, by using a one-step affinity purification scheme with salicylic acid-immobilized beads, ferrochelatase (FECH), a homodimeric enzyme involved in heme biosynthesis in mitochondria, was identified as a new molecular target of salicylic acid.

A novel heart failure mice model of hypertensive heart disease by angiotensin II infusion, nephrectomy, and salt loading.

Although the mouse heart failure (HF) model of hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is useful to investigate the pathophysiology and new therapeutic targets for HHD, the model using simple experimental procedures and stable phenotypes has not been established. This study aimed to develop a novel mouse HF model of HHD by combining salt loading and uninephrectomy with ANG II infusion. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were treated with ANG II infusion (AT), ANG II infusion and uninephrectomy (AN), ANG II infusion and salt loading (AS), or ANG II infusion, uninephrectomy, and salt loading (ANS).

Interleukin-16 promotes cardiac fibrosis and myocardial stiffening in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF) is observed in half of all patients with CHF and carries the same poor prognosis as CHF with reduced LV ejection fraction (HFrEF). In contrast to HFrEF, there is no established therapy for HFpEF. Chronic inflammation contributes to cardiac fibrosis, a crucial factor in HFpEF; however, inflammatory mechanisms and mediators involved in the development of HFpEF remain unclear.

A novel crystal form of pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase reveals the pre- and post-aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis conformational states of the adenylate and aminoacyl moieties and an asparagine residue in the catalytic site.

Structures of Methanosarcina mazei pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) have been determined in a novel crystal form. The triclinic form crystals contained two PylRS dimers (four monomer molecules) in the asymmetric unit, in which the two subunits in one dimer each bind N(ℇ)-(tert-butyloxycarbonyl)-L-lysyladenylate (BocLys-AMP) and the two subunits in the other dimer each bind AMP. The BocLys-AMP molecules adopt a curved conformation and the C(α) position of BocLys-AMP protrudes from the active site.

Structure of a dominant-negative helix-loop-helix transcriptional regulator suggests mechanisms of autoinhibition.

Helix-loop-helix (HLH) family transcription factors regulate numerous developmental and homeostatic processes. Dominant-negative HLH (dnHLH) proteins lack DNA-binding ability and capture basic HLH (bHLH) transcription factors to inhibit cellular differentiation and enhance cell proliferation and motility, thus participating in patho-physiological processes. We report the first structure of a free-standing human dnHLH protein, HHM (Human homologue of murine maternal Id-like molecule).

Balloon type elasticity sensing for left ventricle of small laboratory animal.

This paper describes an elasticity sensing system for left ventricle of small laboratory animal. We first show the basic concept of the proposed method, where a ring shaped specimen is dilated by a balloon type probe using a pressure based control, and the elasticity of the specimen is estimated by using the stress and strain information. We introduce a dual cylinder model for approximating the strengths of the specimen's material and the balloon.

Merlin/NF2 functions upstream of the nuclear E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4DCAF1 to suppress oncogenic gene expression.

Integrin-mediated activation of PAK (p21-activated kinase) causes phosphorylation and inactivation of the FERM (4.1, ezrin, radixin, moesin) domain-containing protein Merlin, which is encoded by the NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2) tumor suppressor gene. Conversely, cadherin engagement inactivates PAK, thus leading to accumulation of unphosphorylated Merlin.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic study of GenX, a lysyl-tRNA synthetase paralogue from Escherichia coli, in complex with translation elongation factor P.

GenX, a lysyl-tRNA synthetase paralogue from Escherichia coli, was overexpressed in E. coli, purified by three chromatographic steps and cocrystallized with a lysyl adenylate analogue (LysAMS) by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. The GenX-LysAMS crystals belonged to the triclinic space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a=54.

A paralog of lysyl-tRNA synthetase aminoacylates a conserved lysine residue in translation elongation factor P.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRS) paralogs with unknown functions exist in various species. We now report novel 'protein lysylation' by an Escherichia coli lysyl-tRNA synthetase paralog, GenX/PoxA/YjeA. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the structure of the GenX protein resembles that of a class II aaRS.