Cell-Penetrating Milk-Derived Peptides with a Non-Inflammatory Profile.

Milk-derived peptides are known to confer anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesised that milk-derived cell-penetrating peptides might modulate inflammation in useful ways. Using computational techniques, we identified and synthesised peptides from the milk protein Alpha-S1-casein that were predicted to be cell-penetrating using a machine learning predictor.

RNA Interference Screening Identifies Novel Roles for RhoBTB1 and RhoBTB3 in Membrane Trafficking Events in Mammalian Cells.

In the endomembrane system of mammalian cells, membrane traffic processes require a high degree of regulation in order to ensure their specificity. The range of molecules that participate in trafficking events is truly vast, and much attention to date has been given to the Rab family of small GTPases. However, in recent years, a role in membrane traffic for members of the Rho GTPase family, in particular Cdc42, has emerged.

Plasma levels of miR-30d-5p are decreased in regularly exercising postmenopausal women.

Objective: Plasma/serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are proposed to have a role in the development of osteoporosis, and their levels can be affected by physical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze differences in plasma miRNAs levels in postmenopausal women and to simultaneously find novel extracellular miRNAs that are associated with variations in physical activities.

Methods: We measured hsa-miR-148a-3p, hsa-miR-125b, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-93-5p, and hsa-miR-30d-5p in a cohort of 149 postmenopausal women divided into subgroups based on the amount of physical activity by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Sex-determining region Y (SRY) attributes to gender differences in RANKL expression and incidence of osteoporosis.

Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) plays a crucial role in bone metabolism. RANKL gene misregulation has been implicated in several bone and cancer diseases. Here, we aimed to identify novel transcription regulators of RANKL expression.

Computational and experimental analysis of bioactive peptide linear motifs in the integrin adhesome.

Therapeutic modulation of protein interactions is challenging, but short linear motifs (SLiMs) represent potential targets. Focal adhesions play a central role in adhesion by linking cells to the extracellular matrix. Integrins are central to this process, and many other intracellular proteins are components of the integrin adhesome.

Epigenetic enzymes influenced by oxidative stress and hypoxia mimetic in osteoblasts are differentially expressed in patients with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

Epigenetic mechanisms including posttranslational histone modifications and DNA methylation are emerging as important determinants of bone homeostasis. With our case-control study we aimed to identify which chromatin-modifying enzymes could be involved in the pathology of postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoarthritis while co-regulated by estrogens, oxidative stress and hypoxia. Gene expression of HAT1, KAT5, HDAC6, MBD1 and DNMT3A affected by oxidative stress and hypoxia in an in vitro qPCR screening step performed on an osteoblast cell line was analysed in trabecular bone tissue samples from 96 patients.

Bone microRNAs and Ageing.

The decline of tissue function in ageing is a consequence of many changes in the gene expression and other extrinsic factors. The molecular mechanisms underlying these changes are heavily investigated with focus on regulation of time-lapse gene expression. microRNAs, short non-coding RNA molecules, are among the major regulators of gene expression.

Functional characterisation of the YIPF protein family in mammalian cells.

In this study, we carry out a systematic characterisation of the YIPF family of proteins with respect to their subcellular localisation profile, membrane topology and functional effects on the endomembrane system. YIPF proteins primarily localise to the Golgi complex and can be grouped into trans-Golgi-localising YIPFs (YIPF1 and YIPF2) and cis-Golgi-localising YIPFs (YIPF3, YIPF4 and YIPF5), with YIPF6 and YIPF7 showing a broader profile being distributed throughout the Golgi stack. YIPF proteins have a long soluble N-terminal region, which is orientated towards the cytosol, followed by 5 closely stacked transmembrane domains, and a C terminus, orientated towards the lumen of the Golgi.

MiR-148a the epigenetic regulator of bone homeostasis is increased in plasma of osteoporotic postmenopausal women.

Background: Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal disorder characterized by reduced bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, resulting in bone fragility and low-trauma fractures. Imaging techniques are routinely used to detect low bone mass; however, they are unable to identify deterioration of bone quality. Recently, microRNAs have emerged as regulators of bone remodelling and potentially also as a new class of sensitive biomarkers of bone health to aid in diagnosis and treatment monitoring of osteoporosis.