Conversion of albumin into a BODIPY-like photosensitizer by a flick reaction, tumor accumulation and photodynamic therapy.

The accumulation of photosensitizers (PSs) in lesion sites but not in other organs is an important challenge for efficient image guiding in photodynamic therapy. Cancer cells are known to express a significant number of albumin-binding proteins that take up albumin as a nutrient source. Here, we converted albumin to a novel BODIPY-like PS by generating a tetrahedral boron environment via a flick reaction.

Structural investigation of the docking domain assembly from trans-AT polyketide synthases.

Docking domains (DDs) located at the C- and N-termini of polypeptides play a crucial role in directing the assembly of polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are multienzyme complexes. Here, we determined the crystal structure of a complex comprising the C-terminal DD (DD) and N-terminal DD (DD) of macrolactin trans-acyltransferase (AT) PKS that were fused to a functional enzyme, AmpC EC2 β-lactamase. Interface analyses of the DD/DD complex revealed the molecular intricacies in the core section underpinning the precise DD assembly.

A novel splicing variant of DJ-1 in Parkinson's disease induces mitochondrial dysfunction.

Several studies have identified mutations in neuroprotective genes in a few cases of Parkinson's disease (PD); however, the role of alternative splicing changes in PD remains unelucidated. Based on the transcriptome analysis of substantia nigra (SN) tissues obtained from PD cases and age-matched healthy controls, we identified a novel alternative splicing variant of , lacking exon 6 ( ), frequently detected in the SN of patients with PD. We found that the exon 6 skipping of induces mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired antioxidant capability.

Structural and functional characterization of a thermostable secretory phospholipase A from Sciscionella marina and its application in liposome biotransformation.

Secretory phospholipase A (sPLA), which hydrolyzes the sn-2 acyl bond of lecithin in a Ca-dependent manner, is an important enzyme in the oil and oleochemical industries. However, most sPLAs are not stable under process conditions. Therefore, a thermostable sPLA was investigated in this study.

Targeting BAP1 with small compound inhibitor for colon cancer treatment.

BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) is a ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase domain-containing deubiquitinase. The gene encoding BAP1 is mutated in various human cancers, including mesothelioma, uveal melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. BAP1 plays roles in many cancer-related cellular functions, including cell proliferation, cell death, and nuclear processes crucial for genome stability, such as DNA repair and replication.