Achieving Molecular Recognition of Structural Analogues in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Inducing Charge and Geometry Complementarity to Mimic Molecular Docking.

Molecular recognition of complex isomeric biomolecules remains challenging in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy due to their small Raman cross-sections and/or poor surface affinities. To date, the use of molecular probes has achieved excellent molecular sensitivities but still suffers from poor spectral specificity. Here, we induce "charge and geometry complementarity" between probe and analyte as a key strategy to achieve high spectral specificity for effective SERS molecular recognition of structural analogues.

The natural antisense transcript HAS2-AS1 regulates breast cancer cells aggressiveness independently from hyaluronan metabolism.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix component playing a crucial role in the regulation of cell behaviors, including cancer. Aggressive breast cancer cells tend to proliferate, migrate and metastatize. Notably, triple-negative breast cancer cells lacking the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) as well as progesterone receptor and HER2 are more aggressive than ER-positive ones.

In Vitro Evaluation of Candidate Gene Targets for Cancer Therapy.

Discovery and development of gene targets for cancer therapeutics are lengthy and highly costly processes. Identification and evaluation of candidate gene targets are of fundamental importance. RNA interference allows candidate genes to be specifically and effectively knocked down in cancer cells.

Salmonella effector SopD2 interferes with Rab34 function.

Many intracellular pathogens have evolved highly specialized mechanisms to isolate themselves from the host cell's innate immune response while still obtaining the necessary nutrients to survive. Salmonella utilizes type 3 secretion systems (T3SSs) to deliver bacterial proteins called effectors, across the encompassing Salmonella Containing vacuole (SCV) membrane, to subvert the host's membrane trafficking pathways and alter other cellular processes. The Salmonella Pathogenicity Island (SPI)-2 effector SopD2 has recently been demonstrated to modulate multiple members of the Rab GTPase family such as Rab7, Rab8, Rab10, and Rab32 (D'Costa et al.

MTMR4 Is Required for the Stability of the Salmonella-Containing Vacuole.

The intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica servovar Typhimurium (S.typhimurium) modulates the host cell's phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism to establish its intracellular replicative niche, the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). Upon invasion, phosphoinositide 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) and other early endosomal markers are rapidly recruited to and remain associated with the SCV throughout its early maturation.

Sortilin is associated with the chlamydial inclusion and is modulated during infection.

Chlamydia species are obligate intracellular pathogens that have a major impact on human health. The pathogen replicates within an intracellular niche called an inclusion and is thought to rely heavily on host-derived proteins and lipids, including ceramide. Sortilin is a transmembrane receptor implicated in the trafficking of acid sphingomyelinase, which is responsible for catalysing the breakdown of sphingomyelin to ceramide.