and characterization of erythrosin B and derivatives against Zika virus.

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes significant human diseases without specific therapy. Previously we found erythrosin B, an FDA-approved food additive, inhibited viral NS2B-NS3 interactions, leading to inhibition of ZIKV infection in cell culture. In this study, we performed pharmacokinetic and studies to demonstrate the efficacy of erythrosin B against ZIKV in 3D mini-brain organoid and mouse models.

Methylene blue is a potent and broad-spectrum inhibitor against Zika virus and .

Many flaviviruses including the Dengue virus (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), West Nile virus, Yellow Fever virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus are significant human pathogens, unfortunately without any specific therapy. Here, we demonstrate that methylene blue, an FDA-approved drug, is a broad-spectrum and potent antiviral against Zika virus and Dengue virus both and . We found that methylene blue can considerably inhibit the interactions between viral protease NS3 and its NS2B co-factor, inhibit viral protease activity, inhibit viral growth, protect 3D mini-brain organoids from ZIKV infection, and reduce viremia in a mouse model.

JMX0207, a Niclosamide Derivative with Improved Pharmacokinetics, Suppresses Zika Virus Infection Both and .

Flaviviruses causes significant human disease. Recent outbreaks of the Zika virus highlight the need to develop effective therapies for this class of viruses. Previously we identified niclosamide as a broad-spectrum inhibitor for flaviviruses by targeting the interface between viral protease NS3 and its cofactor NS2B.

Spliceosomal Prp8 intein at the crossroads of protein and RNA splicing.

The spliceosome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex that removes introns from pre-mRNAs. At its functional core lies the essential pre-mRNA processing factor 8 (Prp8) protein. Across diverse eukaryotes, this protein cofactor of RNA catalysis harbors a self-splicing element called an intein.

Notch signaling regulates Hey2 expression in a spatiotemporal dependent manner during cardiac morphogenesis and trabecular specification.

Hey2 gene mutations in both humans and mice have been associated with multiple cardiac defects. However, the currently reported localization of Hey2 in the ventricular compact zone cannot explain the wide variety of cardiac defects. Furthermore, it was reported that, in contrast to other organs, Notch doesn't regulate Hey2 in the heart.

CDC42 is required for epicardial and pro-epicardial development by mediating FGF receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane.

The epicardium contributes to multiple cardiac lineages and is essential for cardiac development and regeneration. However, the mechanism of epicardium formation is unclear. This study aimed to establish the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the dissociation of pro-epicardial cells (PECs) from the pro-epicardium (PE) and their subsequent translocation to the heart to form the epicardium.

Imaging Cleared Embryonic and Postnatal Hearts at Single-cell Resolution.

Single clonal tracing and analysis at the whole-heart level can determine cardiac progenitor cell behavior and differentiation during cardiac development, and allow for the study of the cellular and molecular basis of normal and abnormal cardiac morphogenesis. Recent emerging technologies of retrospective single clonal analyses make the study of cardiac morphogenesis at single cell resolution feasible. However, tissue opacity and light scattering of the heart as imaging depth is increased hinder whole-heart imaging at single cell resolution.