Enhancement of Stress Granule Formation by a Chiral Compound Targeting G3BP1 via eIF2α Phosphorylation.

The chirality of a chemical differentiates it from its mirror-image counterpart. This unique property has significant implications in chemistry, biology, and drug discovery, where chiral chemicals display high selectivity and activity in achieving target specificity and reducing attrition rates in drug development. Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic assemblies of proteins and RNA that form in the cytoplasm of cells under stress conditions.

Differential gene expression in neonatal calf muscle tissues from Hanwoo cows overfed during mid to late pregnancy period.

Maternal nutrition significantly influences fetal development and postnatal outcomes. This study investigates the impact of maternal overfeeding during mid to late pregnancy on gene expression in the round and sirloin muscles of Hanwoo neonatal calves. Eight cows were assigned to either a control group receiving standard nutrition (100%) or a treated group receiving overnutrition (150%).

Targeting the NTF2-like domain of G3BP1: Novel modulators of intracellular granule dynamics.

Stress granule (SG) is a temporary cellular structure that plays a crucial role in the regulation of mRNA and protein sequestration during various cellular stress conditions. SG enables cells to cope with stress more effectively, conserving vital energy and resources. Focusing on the NTF2-like domain of G3BP1, a key protein in SG dynamics, we explore to identify and characterize novel small molecules involved in SG modulation without external stressors.

Ribonucleoprotein Granules: Between Stress and Transposable Elements.

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can transpose and replicate within the genome, leading to genetic changes that affect various aspects of host biology. Evolutionarily, hosts have also developed molecular mechanisms to suppress TEs at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Recent studies suggest that stress-induced formation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, including stress granule (SG) and processing body (P-body), can play a role in the sequestration of TEs to prevent transposition, suggesting an additional layer of the regulatory mechanism for TEs.

A Fluorescent and Colorimetric Chemosensor Detecting Pd Based on Chalcone Structure with Triphenylamine.

A fluorometric and colorimetric chemosensor DiPP ((E)-3-(4-(diphenylamino)phenyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one) based on chalcone structure with a triphenylamine group was synthesized. Sensor DiPP detected Pd with fluorescence turn-off and via colorimetry variation of yellow to purple. The binding ratio of DiPP to Pd turned out to be 1 : 1.

Ongoing endeavors to detect mobilization of transposable elements.

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences capable of mobilization from one location to another in the genome. Since the discovery of 'Dissociation (Dc) locus' by Barbara McClintock in maize (1), mounting evidence in the era of genomics indicates that a significant fraction of most eukaryotic genomes is composed of TE sequences, involving in various aspects of biological processes such as development, physiology, diseases and evolution. Although technical advances in genomics have discovered numerous functional impacts of TE across species, our understanding of TEs is still ongoing process due to challenges resulted from complexity and abundance of TEs in the genome.

Rapamycin Promotes ROS-Mediated Cell Death Functional Inhibition of xCT Expression in Melanoma Under γ-Irradiation.

Although many cancer patients are administered radiotherapy for their treatment, the interaction between tumor cells and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment attenuates the curative effects of radiotherapy. The enhanced activation of mTOR signaling in the tumors promotes tumor radioresistance. In this study, the effects of rapamycin on the interaction between tumor cells and macrophages were investigated.

A novel role of Hippo-Yap/TAZ signaling pathway in lymphatic vascular development.

The lymphatic vasculature plays important role in regulating fluid homeostasis, intestinal lipid absorption, and immune surveillance in humans. Malfunction of lymphatic vasculature leads to several human diseases. Understanding the fundamental mechanism in lymphatic vascular development not only expand our knowledge, but also provide a new therapeutic insight.

Lysophosphatidylcholine Enhances Bactericidal Activity by Promoting Phagosome Maturation via the Activation of the NF-κB Pathway during Infection in Mouse Macrophages.

serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes salmonellosis and mortality worldwide. S.

PCM1 is necessary for focal ciliary integrity and is a candidate for severe schizophrenia.

The neuronal primary cilium and centriolar satellites have functions in neurogenesis, but little is known about their roles in the postnatal brain. We show that ablation of pericentriolar material 1 in the mouse leads to progressive ciliary, anatomical, psychomotor, and cognitive abnormalities. RNAseq reveals changes in amine- and G-protein coupled receptor pathways.

Knockout of SETDB1 gene using the CRISPR/cas-9 system increases migration and transforming activities via complex regulations of E-cadherin, β-catenin, STAT3, and Akt.

SETDB1 HMTase participates in various cellular processes via epigenetic transcriptional regulation. SETDB1 expression is downregulated by anticancer drug treatment in cancer cells, but we still need to verify the functional significance on SETDB1 downregulation. CRISPR/cas9 is a useful technology for doing a knockout (KO) of a target gene.

The optimization of surface morphology of Au nanoparticles on WO nanoflakes for plasmonic photoanode.

Among many candidates for photoanode materials of photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell, nanostructured tungsten trioxide (WO) is regarded as one of the most promising materials due to its superior electrical properties and adequate bandgap (∼2.8 eV) and band edge position. WO nanoflakes (WO NFs), which have merits on its high surface area and crystallinity, have been actively studied for this manner but solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of WO NFs based photoanode is still not sufficient both in light absorption and charge separation.

A Robust Transposon-Endogenizing Response from Germline Stem Cells.

The heavy occupancy of transposons in the genome implies that existing organisms have survived from multiple, independent rounds of transposon invasions. However, how and which host cell types survive the initial wave of transposon invasion remain unclear. We show that the germline stem cells can initiate a robust adaptive response that rapidly endogenizes invading P element transposons by activating the DNA damage checkpoint and piRNA production.

Hijacking Oogenesis Enables Massive Propagation of LINE and Retroviral Transposons.

Although animals have evolved multiple mechanisms to suppress transposons, "leaky" mobilizations that cause mutations and diseases still occur. This suggests that transposons employ specific tactics to accomplish robust propagation. By directly tracking mobilization, we show that, during a short and specific time window of oogenesis, retrotransposons achieve massive amplification via a cell-type-specific targeting strategy.

Pathogenic variants in E3 ubiquitin ligase RLIM/RNF12 lead to a syndromic X-linked intellectual disability and behavior disorder.

RLIM, also known as RNF12, is an X-linked E3 ubiquitin ligase acting as a negative regulator of LIM-domain containing transcription factors and participates in X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in mice. We report the genetic and clinical findings of 84 individuals from nine unrelated families, eight of whom who have pathogenic variants in RLIM (RING finger LIM domain-interacting protein). A total of 40 affected males have X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) and variable behavioral anomalies with or without congenital malformations.

An Omnidirectionally Stretchable Photodetector Based on Organic-Inorganic Heterojunctions.

Omnidirectionally stretchable photodetectors are limited by difficulties in designing material and fabrication processes that enable stretchability in multiaxial directions. Here, we propose a new approach involving an organic-inorganic p-n heterojunction photodetector comprised of free-standing ZnO nanorods grown on a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polystyrene sulfonate transport layer coated on a three-dimensional micropatterned stretchable substrate containing bumps and valleys. This structure allows for efficient absorption of stretching strain.

InGaN-based photoanode with ZnO nanowires for water splitting.

The water splitting properties of InGaN photoanodes equipped with ZnO nanowires were examined in this study. Over the solar spectrum range, the absorbance exhibited a remarkable increase due to the enhanced light absorption caused by the ZnO nanowires. By varying the ZnO nanowires length, the photo-to-current density of photoanodes was increased from 0.

Broadband light-absorption InGaN photoanode assisted by imprint patterning and ZnO nanowire growth for energy conversion.

In this research, an InGaN-based photoanode with a broadband light-absorption range from ultraviolet to green, patterned by imprint lithography and branched by ZnO nanowires, has been applied to water splitting. Over the solar spectrum range, the absorbance increases due to the scattering effect of the micro-structure compared to that of flat surface InGaN, which reaches a maximum of over 90% at 380 nm as ZnO nanowires are further employed in this novel photoanode. Consequently, the induced photocurrent density of the InGaN photoanode with a domelike structure and ZnO nanowires on the surface shows a remarkable enhancement of seven times that of the one with a flat surface.

Splicing-independent loading of TREX on nascent RNA is required for efficient expression of dual-strand piRNA clusters in Drosophila.

The conserved THO/TREX (transcription/export) complex is critical for pre-mRNA processing and mRNA nuclear export. In metazoa, TREX is loaded on nascent RNA transcribed by RNA polymerase II in a splicing-dependent fashion; however, how TREX functions is poorly understood. Here we show that Thoc5 and other TREX components are essential for the biogenesis of piRNA, a distinct class of small noncoding RNAs that control expression of transposable elements (TEs) in the Drosophila germline.

TAF1 Variants Are Associated with Dysmorphic Features, Intellectual Disability, and Neurological Manifestations.

We describe an X-linked genetic syndrome associated with mutations in TAF1 and manifesting with global developmental delay, intellectual disability (ID), characteristic facial dysmorphology, generalized hypotonia, and variable neurologic features, all in male individuals. Simultaneous studies using diverse strategies led to the identification of nine families with overlapping clinical presentations and affected by de novo or maternally inherited single-nucleotide changes. Two additional families harboring large duplications involving TAF1 were also found to share phenotypic overlap with the probands harboring single-nucleotide changes, but they also demonstrated a severe neurodegeneration phenotype.

A human laterality disorder caused by a homozygous deleterious mutation in MMP21.

Background: Laterality in the vertebrate embryo is determined by left-right asymmetric gene expression driven by the flow of extraembryonic fluid across the embryonic node. Defects in these processes cause heterotaxy, the abnormal formation and arrangement of visceral organs that can range from complete inversion of symmetry to the selective misarrangement of organs. However, our understanding of the genetic causality for laterality defects in human beings remains relatively limited.

[A case of celiac disease].

Celiac disease is a chronic absorptive disorder of the small intestine caused by gluten. The prevalence rate of celiac disease is 1% in Western countries. But, it is rare in Asian countries, and there is no celiac disease reported in Korea.

Development of biomarker for detecting silver nanoparticles exposure using a GAL4 enhancer trap screening in Drosophila.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in commercial goods ranging from medical devices to home appliances. Their widespread application increase the risk related to their potential toxicity. Although several studies showed their acute hazardous effects on living animals, our understanding of chronic effects of AgNPs exposed by the environment we encounter in our everyday lives is still very limited.

p53 and PI3K/AKT signalings are up-regulated in flies with defects in the THO complex.

The THO complex (THO) is an evolutionary conserved protein required for the formation of export-competent mRNP. The growing evidence indicates that the metazoan THO plays important roles in cell differentiation and cellular stress response. But the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.

The THO complex is required for nucleolar integrity in Drosophila spermatocytes.

The THO complex is a conserved multisubunit protein complex that functions in the formation of export-competent messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP). Although the complex has been studied extensively at the single-cell level, its exact role at the multicellular organism level has been poorly understood. Here, we isolated a novel Drosophila male sterile mutant, garmcho (garm).