Systematic and quantitative analysis of stop codon readthrough in Rett syndrome nonsense mutations.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from genetic mutations in the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene. Specifically, around 35% of RTT patients harbor premature termination codons (PTCs) within the MeCP2 gene due to nonsense mutations. A promising therapeutic avenue for these individuals involves the use of aminoglycosides, which stimulate translational readthrough (TR) by causing stop codons to be interpreted as sense codons.

Tissue-specific roles of peroxisomes revealed by expression meta-analysis.

Peroxisomes are primarily studied in the brain, kidney, and liver due to the conspicuous tissue-specific pathology of peroxisomal biogenesis disorders. In contrast, little is known about the role of peroxisomes in other tissues such as the heart. In this meta-analysis, we explore mitochondrial and peroxisomal gene expression on RNA and protein levels in the brain, heart, kidney, and liver, focusing on lipid metabolism.

Correction: Nonsense mutation suppression is enhanced by targeting different stages of the protein synthesis process.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.

Nonsense mutation suppression is enhanced by targeting different stages of the protein synthesis process.

The introduction of premature termination codons (PTCs), as a result of splicing defects, insertions, deletions, or point mutations (also termed nonsense mutations), lead to numerous genetic diseases, ranging from rare neuro-metabolic disorders to relatively common inheritable cancer syndromes and muscular dystrophies. Over the years, a large number of studies have demonstrated that certain antibiotics and other synthetic molecules can act as PTC suppressors by inducing readthrough of nonsense mutations, thereby restoring the expression of full-length proteins. Unfortunately, most PTC readthrough-inducing agents are toxic, have limited effects, and cannot be used for therapeutic purposes.

Live-Cell Imaging of Peroxisomal Calcium Levels and Dynamics.

Calcium (Ca) is an intracellular messenger that plays an essential role in a variety of cellular processes ranging from early embryonic events to muscle contraction and neuron excitability. Measurement of cytosolic, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and mitochondrial Ca has contributed immensely to our understanding of cellular physiology. Here we describe the measurement of peroxisomal Ca using ratiometric Ca sensors, enabling measurement of absolute Ca concentration and its dynamics in living cells.