GnIH secreted by green light exposure, regulates bone mass through the activation of Gpr147.

Reproductive hormones associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis are closely linked to bone homeostasis. In this study, we demonstrate that Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH, one of the key reproductive hormones upstream of the HPG axis) plays an indispensable role in regulating bone homeostasis and maintaining bone mass. We find that deficiency of GnIH or its receptor Gpr147 leads to a significant reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) in mice primarily by enhancement of osteoclast activation in vivo and in vitro.

Small molecule inhibits KCNQ channels with a non-blocking mechanism.

Voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) are crucial targets for neuropsychiatric therapeutics owing to their role in controlling neuronal excitability and the established link between their dysfunction and neurological diseases, highlighting the importance of identifying modulators with distinct mechanisms. Here we report two small-molecule modulators with the same chemical scaffold, Ebio2 and Ebio3, targeting a potassium channel KCNQ2, with opposite effects: Ebio2 acts as a potent activator, whereas Ebio3 serves as a potent and selective inhibitor. Guided by cryogenic electron microscopy, patch-clamp recordings and molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal that Ebio3 attaches to the outside of the inner gate, employing a unique non-blocking inhibitory mechanism that directly squeezes the S6 pore helix to inactivate the KCNQ2 channel.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bisnoralcohol derivatives as novel IRF4 inhibitors for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is specifically overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) and mediates MM progression and survival, making it an emerging target for MM treatment. However, no chemical entity with a defined structure capable of directly binding to and inhibiting IRF4 has been reported. We screened our small library of steroid analogs and identified bisnoralcohol (BA) derivative 18 as a novel hit compound capable of inhibiting IRF4, with an IC of 13.

The Function of Poly (U) Binding Splicing Factor 60 (PUF60) in Disease Regulation.

The alternative splicing (AS) of pre-mRNA is an important process in controlling the expression of human genes, which can enrich the diversity of the proteome and regulate gene function. On the contrary, aberrant splicing contributes significantly to numerous human diseases progression, including tumors, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, infections, and immune diseases. The PUF60, a protein related to RNA splicing, plays critical functions in RNA splicing and gene transcription regulation.

Subtle Structural Modifications Spanning from EP4 Antagonism to EP2/EP4 Dual Antagonism: A Novel Class of Thienocyclic-Based Derivatives.

The development of dual prostaglandin E receptors 2/4 (EP2/EP4) antagonists represents an attractive strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, a series of 4,7-dihydro-5-thieno[2,3-]pyran derivatives with potent EP2/EP4 dual antagonism were discovered by fine-tuned structural modifications. The biphenyl side chain was found to be the key pharmacophore for the transition from EP4 antagonism to EP2/EP4 dual antagonism.

The transcriptional repressor HEY2 regulates mitochondrial oxidative respiration to maintain cardiac homeostasis.

Energy deprivation and metabolic rewiring of cardiomyocytes are widely recognized hallmarks of heart failure. Here, we report that HEY2 (a Hairy/Enhancer-of-split-related transcriptional repressor) is upregulated in hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Induced Hey2 expression in zebrafish hearts or mammalian cardiomyocytes impairs mitochondrial respiration, accompanied by elevated ROS, resulting in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and heart failure.

L3MBTL3 and STAT3 collaboratively upregulate SNAIL expression to promote metastasis in female breast cancer.

The STAT3 pathway promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion and metastasis in cancer. STAT3 upregulates the transcription of the key epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor SNAIL in a DNA binding-independent manner. However, the mechanism by which STAT3 is recruited to the SNAIL promoter to upregulate its expression is still elusive.

E3 ligase FBXW7 suppresses brown fat expansion and browning of white fat.

Thermogenic fat, including brown and beige fat, dissipates heat via thermogenesis and enhances energy expenditure. Thus, its activation represents a therapeutic strategy to combat obesity. Here, we demonstrate that levels of F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBXW7), an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, negatively correlate with thermogenic fat functionality.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluations of 5-aryl-pyrazole-3-carboxamide derivatives as selective CB2 receptor agonists for the treatment of colitis.

Synthetic CB2 receptor agonists exhibit great potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, chronic and neuropathic pain, cancer, and inflammation-associated pathologies while avoiding adverse psychoactive effects caused by interactions with CB1 receptors. Herein, a class of 5-aryl-pyrazole-3-carboxamide derivatives was thus designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated. Among the compounds tested, compound 33, one of the most potent leads, showed a remarkably high potency and selectivity at the CB2 receptor (EC = 16.

A visually-induced optogenetically-engineered system enables autonomous glucose homeostasis in mice.

With the global population increasing and the demographic shifting toward an aging society, the number of patients diagnosed with conditions such as peripheral neuropathies resulting from diabetes is expected to rise significantly. This growing health burden has emphasized the need for innovative solutions, such as brain-computer interfaces. brain-computer interfaces, a multidisciplinary field that integrates neuroscience, engineering, and computer science, enable direct communication between the human brain and external devices.

A sensitive red/far-red photoswitch for controllable gene therapy in mouse models of metabolic diseases.

Red light optogenetic systems are in high demand for the precise control of gene expression for gene- and cell-based therapies. Here, we report a red/far-red light-inducible photoswitch (REDLIP) system based on the chimeric photosensory protein FnBphP (Fn-REDLIP) or PnBphP (Pn-REDLIP) and their interaction partner LDB3, which enables efficient dynamic regulation of gene expression with a timescale of seconds without exogenous administration of a chromophore in mammals. We use the REDLIP system to establish the REDLIP-mediated CRISPR-dCas9 (REDLIP) system, enabling optogenetic activation of endogenous target genes in mammalian cells and mice.

Leupaxin promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis and glucose metabolism by coactivation with hepatic nuclear factor 4α.

Background: As the primary source of glucose during fasting, hepatic gluconeogenesis is rigorously regulated to maintain euglycemia. Abnormal gluconeogenesis in the liver can lead to hyperglycemia, a key diagnostic marker and the primary pathological contributor to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic disorders. Hepatic nuclear factor-4 (HNF4α) is an important regulator of gluconeogenesis.

Gpr54 deletion accelerates hair cycle and hair regeneration.

GPR54, or KiSS-1R (Kisspeptin receptor), is key in puberty initiation and tumor metastasis prevention, but its role on hair follicles remains unclear. Our study shows that Gpr54 knockout (KO) accelerates hair cycle, synchronized hair regeneration and transplanted hair growth in mice. In Gpr54 KO mice, DPC (dermal papilla cell) activity is enhanced, with elevated expression of Wnts, VEGF, and IGF-1, which stimulate HFSCs.

Ucp1 Ablation Improves Skeletal Muscle Glycolytic Function in Aging Mice.

Muscular atrophy is among the systematic decline in organ functions in aging, while defective thermogenic fat functionality precedes these anomalies. The potential crosstalk between adipose tissue and muscle during aging is poorly understood. In this study, it is showed that UCP1 knockout (KO) mice characterized deteriorated brown adipose tissue (BAT) function in aging, yet their glucose homeostasis is sustained and energy expenditure is increased, possibly compensated by improved inguinal adipose tissue (iWAT) and muscle functionality compared to age-matched WT mice.

IRE1α inhibitor reduces cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by modulating IRE1α/XBP1 pathway.

Ovarian cancer, a leading cause of gynecological cancer deaths globally, poses significant treatment challenges. Cisplatin (CDDP) is the first treatment choice for ovarian cancer and it is initially effective. However, 80% of ovarian cancer patients eventually relapse and develop resistance, resulting in chemotherapy failure.

To BE or to PE: Prime editors provide more choices for epitope-editing-based immunotherapy.

Epitope editing is a promising strategy for protecting hematopoietic cells from eradication by immunotherapies. Recently, in Cell Stem Cell, Ji et al. applied both base editing (BE) and prime editing (PE) to alter the epitope of CD123 in hematopoietic stem cells for CAR-T therapy against acute myeloid leukemia.

A structurally informed human protein-protein interactome reveals proteome-wide perturbations caused by disease mutations.

To assist the translation of genetic findings to disease pathobiology and therapeutics discovery, we present an ensemble deep learning framework, termed PIONEER (Protein-protein InteractiOn iNtErfacE pRediction), that predicts protein-binding partner-specific interfaces for all known protein interactions in humans and seven other common model organisms to generate comprehensive structurally informed protein interactomes. We demonstrate that PIONEER outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods and experimentally validate its predictions. We show that disease-associated mutations are enriched in PIONEER-predicted protein-protein interfaces and explore their impact on disease prognosis and drug responses.

P2RY6 deletion promotes UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis by activating the PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Our previous research has demonstrated that P2RY6 functions as an oncogene in DMBA/TPA-induced two-stage chemical skin carcinogenesis in mice. However, considering that human skin cancer is predominantly attributed to UV radiation from sunlight, additional investigations are needed to elucidate the role of P2RY6 in UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis. Surprisingly, we found that P2ry6-deficient mice exhibited marked promotion to UVB-induced skin papilloma formation compared with wild-type mice, suggesting its tumor-suppressive role in UVB-induced skin cancer.

Insights Into the Molecular Interactions of MIC2 and M2AP: Role of TSR6 and Conservation Across Species.

Microneme protein 2 (MIC2) and its associated protein M2AP are pivotal for the gliding motility and host cell invasion by Toxoplasma gondii. In our prior work, we showed that M2AP binds specifically to the sixth TSR domain of MIC2, with this interaction mediated dominantly by the hotspot residue H620 situated at the center of TSR6. To delve deeper into the functional significance of H620 and explore the dynamic behavior of Y602, we conducted molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the Toxoplasma TSR6-M2AP complex, encompassing both wild-type and mutant forms.