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Editorial BoardEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - November 16, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: journals

Two types of cis-acting elements control the abaxial epidermis-specific transcription of the MIR165a and MIR166a genesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: During leaf development, polarity formation is critical for leaf morphogenesis and functions. This process is regulated by several components including two microRNAs, miR165 and 166, which negatively regulate transcription factor genes PHABULOSA, PHAVOLUTA and REVOLUTA. Although miR165 and 166 are known to be accumulated in the abaxial leaf domain, how this pattern is determined is largely unknown. Here we report that the MIR165a and 166a genes are predominantly transcribed in the abaxial epidermis, and this transcript distribution pattern is controlled by two types of cis-acting elements. Our results suggest a m...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 29, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Xiaozhen Yao, Hua Wang, Hong Li, Zhenhuan Yuan, Fupeng Li, Li Yang, Hai Huang Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Adding structural information to the von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor interaction networkEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene is a protein interaction hub, controlling numerous genes implicated in tumor progression. Here we focus on structural aspects of protein interactions for a list of 35 experimentally verified protein VHL (pVHL) interactors. Using structural information and computational analysis we have located three distinct interaction interfaces (A, B, and C). Interface B is the most versatile, recognizing a refined linear motif present in 17 otherwise non-related proteins. It has been possible to distinguish compatible and exclusive interactions by relating pVHL function to i...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 28, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: E. Leonardi, A. Murgia, S.C.E. Tosatto Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Pancreatic cancer cells activate CCL5 expression in mesenchymal stromal cells through the insulin-like growth factor-I pathwayEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis. Despite extensive studies of the physiological responses in cancer cells, the molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression in MSCs by cancer cells remain undefined. Here we demonstrate that CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) expression was increased in MSCs co-cultured with pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs), and this activation was dependent on extracellular insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I). Moreover, CCL5 induction in MSCs was required for the activation of IGF-I pathway in PCCs. These results reveal a link between the IGF-I ...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 27, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Hideki Makinoshima, Mari Dezawa Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Binding of epigallocatechin-3-gallate to transthyretin modulates its amyloidogenicityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study we tested (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin of green tea, as an inhibitor of TTR amyloid formation. We demonstrate that EGCG binds to TTR “in vitro” and “ex vivo” and that EGCG inhibits TTR aggregation “in vitro” and in a cell culture system. These findings together with the low toxicity of the compound raise the possibility of using EGCG in a therapeutic approach for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, the most frequent form of hereditary TTR amyloidosis.Structured summary: MINT-7294529: TTR (uniprotkb:P02766) and TTR (uniprotkb:P02766) bind (MI:0407) by comigra...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Nelson Ferreira, Isabel Cardoso, Maria Rosário Domingues, Rui Vitorino, Margarida Bastos, Guangyue Bai, Maria João Saraiva, Maria Rosário Almeida Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

Intact intracellular tail is critical for proper functioning of the tumor-associated, hypoxia-regulated carbonic anhydrase IXEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a tumor-associated, hypoxia-induced enzyme involved in pH regulation and cell adhesion. Its catalytically active ectodomain (ECD) is linked to a transmembrane region and a short intracellular (IC) tail. Removal of the IC tail causes intracellular localization of CA IX. Mutations of basic amino acids within IC do not perturb the membrane position, but reduce shedding of the CA IX ectodomain as well as CA IX-mediated cell dissociation. Moreover, they abolish the CA IX capacity to acidify extracellular pH (pHe) and bind CA IX-selective sulfonamide inhibitor in hypoxia. These findings...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Alzbeta Hulikova, Miriam Zatovicova, Eliska Svastova, Peter Ditte, Robert Brasseur, Richard Kettmann, Claudiu T. Supuran, Juraj Kopacek, Jaromir Pastorek, Silvia Pastorekova Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

Role of p53/FAK association and p53Ser46 phosphorylation in staurosporine-mediated apoptosis: Wild type versus mutant p53-R175HEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: A novel survival role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) that involves its nuclear translocation and direct association with p53 has been demonstrated. Here we examined the relationship between the p53/FAK interaction and Ser46 phosphorylation of p53 (p-p53Ser46) in the apoptotic regulation of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (HOSCC) cell lines, expressing either wild type (wt) p53 or mutant (mt) p53-R175H. In contrast to the wt p53 cell lines, the mt p53-R175H cell line was resistant to staurosporine (STS)-mediated detachment and caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, despite the resistance of mt p53-R175H to Se...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 26, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Stephanie Fanucchi, Robin B. Veale Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

Diffusion of a membrane protein, Tat subunit Hcf106, is highly restricted within the chloroplast thylakoid networkEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The thylakoid membrane forms stacked thylakoids interconnected by ‘stromal’ lamellae. Little is known about the mobility of proteins within this system. We studied a stromal lamellae protein, Hcf106, by targeting an Hcf106-GFP fusion protein to the thylakoids and photobleaching. We find that even small regions fail to recover Hcf106-GFP fluorescence over periods of up to 3min after photobleaching. The protein is thus either immobile within the thylakoid membrane, or its diffusion is tightly restricted within distinct regions. Autofluorescence from the photosystem II light-harvesting complex in the granal stac...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Elina Vladimirou, Michael Li, Cassie P. Aldridge, Lorenzo Frigerio, Markus Kirkilionis, Colin Robinson Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

A conserved sequence in caveolin-1 is both necessary and sufficient for caveolin polarity and cell directional migrationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays an important role in the organization of signaling molecules involved in a variety of signaling pathways, including those mediating cell motility. Here we show that amino acids K47–K57 of Cav-1 are a highly conserved sequence in Cav-1 and Cav-3 proteins, and that expression of either K47–K57 deletion Cav-1 mutant or wild-type Cav-2 that lacks this sequence exhibits a non-polarized distribution pattern. Expression of K47–K57 in Cav-2 leads to Cav-2 polarity, suggesting that expression of K47–K57 is sufficient to direct caveolin polarity. Importantly, we show that expression of this...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Xing-Hui Sun, Zi-Yang Liu, Hong Chen, Andrew R. Beardsley, Qi Qi, Jun Liu Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

The retinal structure of channelrhodopsin-2 assessed by resonance Raman spectroscopyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Channelrhodopsin-2 mediates phototaxis in green algae by acting as a light-gated cation channel. As a result of this property, it is used as a novel optogenetic tool in neurophysiological applications. Structural information is still scant and we present here the first resonance Raman spectra of channelrhodopsin-2. Spectra of detergent solubilized and lipid-reconstituted protein were recorded under pre-resonant conditions to exclusively probe retinal in its electronic ground state. All-trans retinal was identified to be the favoured configuration of the chromophore but significant contributions of 13-cis were det...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Melanie Nack, Ionela Radu, Christian Bamann, Ernst Bamberg, Joachim Heberle Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

The role of glycophosphatidylinositol anchor in the amplification of the scrapie isoform of prion protein in vitroEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are associated with an autocatalytic conversion of normal prion protein, PrPC, to a protease-resistant form, PrPres. This autocatalytic reaction can be reproduced in vitro using a procedure called protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). Here we show that, unlike brain-derived PrPC, bacterially-expressed recombinant prion protein (rPrP) is a poor substrate for PrPres amplification in a standard PMCA reaction. The differences between PrPC and rPrP appear to be due to the lack of the glycophosphatidylinositol anchor in the recombinant protein. These findings shed a n...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jae-Il Kim, Krystyna Surewicz, Pierluigi Gambetti, Witold K. Surewicz Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

The crystal structure of a hyperthermoactive exopolygalacturonase from Thermotoga maritima reveals a unique tetramerEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The exopolygalacturonase from Thermotoga maritima is the most thermoactive and thermostable pectinase known to date. Here we present its crystal structure at 2.05Å resolution. High structural homology around the active site allowed us to propose a model for substrate binding, explaining the exo-cleavage activity and specificity for non-methylated saturated galacturonate at the non-reducing end. Furthermore, the structure reveals unique features that contribute to the formation of stable tetramers in solution. Such an oligomerization has not been observed before for polygalacturonases. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tjaard Pijning, Gertie van Pouderoyen, Leon Kluskens, John van der Oost, Bauke W. Dijkstra Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Thermodynamic analysis of substrate induced domain closure of 3-phosphoglycerate kinaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The energetic changes accompanying domain closure of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, a typical hinge-bending enzyme, were assessed. Calorimetric titrations of the enzyme with each substrate, both in the absence and presence of the other one, provide information not only about the energetics of substrate binding, but of the associated conformational changes, including domain closure. Our results suggest that conformational rearrangements in the hinge generated by binding of both substrates provide the main driving force for domain closure overcoming the slightly unfavourable contact interactions between the domains. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Andrea Varga, Judit Szabó, Beáta Flachner, Zoltán Gugolya, Ferenc Vonderviszt, Péter Závodszky, Mária Vas Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Evodiamine inhibits adipogenesis via the EGFR–PKCα–ERK signaling pathwayEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of evodiamine (which has several capsaicin-like pharmacological actions) was investigated. The evodiamine effect was not blocked by the specific TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, whereas its effect was greatly curtailed by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Signal analyses showed that evodiamine stimulated the phosphorylation of EGFR, PKCα, and ERK, all of which were reduced by an EGFR inhibitor. Silencing experiments of EGFR mRNA supported the involvement of these signaling molecules in the i...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ting Wang, Youxue Wang, Hitoshi Yamashita Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Luteolin, a food-derived flavonoid, suppresses adipocyte-dependent activation of macrophages by inhibiting JNK activationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we examined whether luteolin, food-derived flavonoid, could suppress the production of inflammatory mediators of the interaction between adipocytes and macrophages. Experiments using a coculture system of adipocytes and macrophages showed that luteolin suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators. In addition, activated macrophages were targets for the suppressive effect of luteolin. Luteolin inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK and suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators in the activated macrophages. The findings indicate that luteolin can inhibit the interaction between adipocytes and ma...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 23, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chieko Ando, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Shizuka Hirai, Kanako Nishimura, Shan Lin, Taku Uemura, Tsuyoshi Goto, Rina Yu, Joji Nakagami, Shigeru Murakami, Teruo Kawada Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

A novel neural-specific BMP antagonist, Brorin-like, of the Chordin familyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: We identified a gene encoding a novel secreted protein in mice, humans, and zebrafish. As the protein of 222 amino acids is similar to Brorin, a secreted BMP antagonist, which is a member of the Chordin family, we named it Brorin-like. Recombinant Brorin-like protein weakly but significantly inhibited the activity of BMP in mouse preosteoblastic cells and promoted neurogenesis in mouse neural precursor cells. Brorin-like was predominantly expressed in the adult brain and embryonic neural tissues. The inhibition of Brorin-like functions in zebrafish resulted in the impairment of neural development. Brorin-like pot...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 21, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Hiroyuki Miwa, Ayumi Miyake, Yuya Kouta, Akihiko Shimada, Yuki Yamashita, Yoshiaki Nakayama, Hajime Yamauchi, Morichika Konishi, Nobuyuki Itoh Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Inhibition of aldose reductase by dietary antioxidant curcumin: Mechanism of inhibition, specificity and significanceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study we show that curcumin inhibits ALR2 with an IC50 of 10μM in a non-competitive manner, but is a poor inhibitor of closely-related members of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, particularly aldehyde reductase. Results from molecular docking studies are consistent with the pattern of inhibition of ALR2 by curcumin and its specificity. Moreover, curcumin is able to suppress sorbitol accumulation in human erythrocytes under high glucose conditions, demonstrating an in vivo potential of curcumin to prevent sorbitol accumulation. These results suggest that curcumin holds promise as an agent to prevent or treat di...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: P. Muthenna, P. Suryanarayana, Shravan K. Gunda, J. Mark Petrash, G. Bhanuprakash Reddy Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Genomic analysis of a novel integrative conjugative element in Vibrio choleraeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are a class of self-transmissible mobile elements that mediate horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, and play an important role in bacterial evolution. Since 1992, ICEs of the SXT/R391 family have been found to be widely distributed among Vibrio cholerae strains isolated in Asian countries. Here we describe ICEVchB33, an ICE found in the genomes of two V. cholerae O1 Eltor strains, one isolated in India, 1994, and the other from Mozambique, 2004. ICEVchB33 revealed a new genetic organization, different from other ICEs of the SXT/R391 family, demonstrating the genomic plasti...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Elisa Taviani, Christopher J. Grim, Jongsik Chun, Anwar Huq, R.R. Colwell Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

OsBADH1 is possibly involved in acetaldehyde oxidation in rice plant peroxisomesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Although rice (Oryza sativa L.) produces little glycine betaine (GB), it has two betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH; EC 1.2.1.8) gene homologs (OsBADH1 and OsBADH2). We found that OsBADH1 catalyzes the oxidation of acetaldehyde efficiently, while the activity of OsBADH2 is extremely low. The accumulation of OsBADH1 mRNA decreases following submergence treatment, but quickly recovers after re-aeration. We confirmed that OsBADH1 localizes in peroxisomes. In this paper, a possible physiological function of OsBADH1 in the oxidation of acetaldehyde produced by catalase in rice plant peroxisomes is discussed. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Shiro Mitsuya, Yuka Yokota, Takashi Fujiwara, Nobuhiro Mori, Tetsuko Takabe Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

PECAM-1 expression and activity negatively regulate multiple platelet signaling pathwaysEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) inhibits platelet response to collagen and may also inhibit two other major platelet agonists ADP and thrombin although this has been less well explored. We hypothesized that the combined effect of inhibiting these three platelet activating pathways may act to significantly inhibit thrombus formation. We demonstrate a negative relationship between PECAM-1 surface expression and platelet response to cross-linked collagen related peptide (CRP-XL) and ADP, and an inhibitory effect of PECAM-1 clustering on platelet response to CRP-XL, ADP and thrombin. This comb...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chris I. Jones, Stephen F. Garner, Leonardo A. Moraes, William J. Kaiser, Angela Rankin, Willem H. Ouwehand, Alison H. Goodall, Jonathan M. Gibbins, Bloodomics Consortium Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Nucleolar disruption impairs Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF57-mediated nuclear export of intronless viral mRNAsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF57 plays a pivotal role in mediating the nuclear export of KSHV intronless transcripts. We demonstrate that ORF57 localises and dynamically trafficks through the nucleolus. To assess if nucleolar shuttling of ORF57 is important for the export of intronless viral mRNA, the ability of ORF57 to export mRNA was assessed in cells where the nucleolus was disrupted using Actinomycin D or DRB. We show that rapid disorganisation of the nucleolus was accompanied by a reduction in intronless virus mRNA export, suggesting that an intact nucleolus is essential for efficient ...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: James R. Boyne, Adrian Whitehouse Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

Corrigendum to “The COPI system: Molecular mechanisms and function” [FEBS Lett. 583 (2009) 2701–2709]Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
An unfortunate error occurred in the list of authors. The correct author list is given above. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 20, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: R. Beck, M. Rawet, F.T. Wieland, D. Cassel Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: journals

Matrilin-3 activates the expression of osteoarthritis-associated genes in primary human chondrocytesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Here, we tested the matrilin-3-dependent induction of osteoarthritis-associated genes in primary human chondrocytes. Matrilin stimulation leads to the induction of MMP1, MMP3, MMP13, COX-2, iNOS, IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, we show the participation of ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 in the in vitro degradation of matrilin-3. We provide evidence for a matrilin-3-dependent feed-forward mechanism of matrix degradation, whereby proteolytically-released matrilin-3 induces pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as ADAMTS4 and -5 indirectly via IL-1β. ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5, in turn, cleave matrilin-3 and may release more...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Andreas R. Klatt, Gabriele Klinger, Brigitte Paul-Klausch, Gertrud Kühn, Joerg H. Renno, Raimund Wagener, Mats Paulsson, Joachim Schmidt, Gebhart Malchau, Klaus Wielckens Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Large telomerase RNA, telomere length heterogeneity and escape from senescence in Candida glabrataEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Telomerase, the key enzyme essential for the maintenance of eukaryotic chromosome ends, contains a reverse transcriptase and an RNA that provides the template for the synthesis of telomeric repeats. Here, we characterize the telomerase subunits in the hemiascomycete yeast Candida glabrata. We propose a secondary structure model for the telomerase RNA that is the largest described to date. Telomerase deletion mutants show a progressive shortening of telomeres and a modest loss of viability. Frequent post-senescence survivors emerge that possess long telomeric repeat tracts. We suggest that the high telomere length...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: R. Kachouri-Lafond, B. Dujon, E. Gilson, E. Westhof, C. Fairhead, M.T. Teixeira Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Essential role of TRPV2 ion channel in the sensitivity of dystrophic muscle to eccentric contractionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Duchenne myopathy is a lethal disease due to the absence of dystrophin, a cytoskeletal protein. Muscles from dystrophin-deficient mice (mdx) typically present an exaggerated susceptibility to eccentric work characterized by an important force drop and an increased membrane permeability consecutive to repeated lengthening contractions. The present study shows that mdx muscles are largely protected from eccentric work-induced damage by overexpressing a dominant negative mutant of TRPV2 ion channel. This observation points out the role of TRPV2 channel in the physiopathology of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Nadège Zanou, Yuko Iwata, Olivier Schakman, Jean Lebacq, Shigeo Wakabayashi, Philippe Gailly Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

A locally-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ propagates cell-to-cell in the presence of plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase inhibitors in non-excitable cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Intercellular Ca2+ waves are commonly observed in many cell types. In non-excitable cells, intercellular Ca2+ waves are mediated by gap junctional diffusion of a Ca2+ mobilizing messenger such as IP3. Since Ca2+ is heavily buffered in the cytosolic environment, it has been hypothesized that the contribution of the diffusion of Ca2+ to intercellular Ca2+ waves is limited. Here, we report that in the presence of plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase inhibitors, locally-released Ca2+ from the flash-photolysis of caged-Ca2+ appeared to induce further Ca2+ release and were propagated from one cell to another, indicating that Ca...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tadashi Nakano, Takako Koujin, Tatsuya Suda, Yasushi Hiraoka, Tokuko Haraguchi Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

A kinome of 2600 in the ciliate Paramecium tetraureliaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Protein kinases play a crucial role in the regulation of cellular processes. Most eukaryotes reserve about 2.5% of their genes for protein kinases. We analysed the genome of the single-celled ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia and identified 2606 kinases, about 6.6% of its genes, representing the largest kinome to date. A gene tree combined with human kinases revealed a massive expansion of the calcium calmodulin regulated subfamily, underlining the importance of calcium in the physiology of P. tetraurelia. The kinases are embedded in only 40 domain architectures, contrasting 134 in human. This might indicate differe...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Felix Bemm, Roland Schwarz, Frank Förster, Jörg Schultz Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Differential regulation of p53 function by protein kinase C isoforms revealed by a yeast cell systemEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The complexity of the mammalian p53 pathway and protein kinase C (PKC) family has hampered the discrimination of the effect of PKC isoforms on p53 activity. Using yeasts co-expressing the human wild-type p53 and a mammalian PKC-α, -δ, -ε or -ζ, we showed a differential regulation of p53 activity and phosphorylation state by PKC isoforms. Whereas PKC-α reduced the p53-induced yeast growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest, PKC-δ and -ε enhanced the p53 activity through p53 phosphorylation, and PKC-ζ had no effect on p53. This work identified positive and negative p53 regulators which represent promising pha...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Isabel Coutinho, Gil Pereira, Mariana Leão, Jorge Gonçalves, Manuela Côrte-Real, Lucília Saraiva Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Differential regulation by ATP versus ADP further links CaMKII aggregation to ischemic conditionsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study further supports self-aggregation of CaMKII holoenzymes as the underlying mechanism. Aggregation in vitro was promoted by mimicking ischemic conditions: low pH (6.8 or less), Ca2+ (and calmodulin), and low ATP and/or high ADP concentration. Mutational analysis showed that high ATP prevented aggregation by a mechanism involving T286 auto-phosphorylation, and indicated requirement for nucleotide binding but not auto-phosphorylation also for extra-synaptic clustering within neurons. These results clarify a previously apparent paradox in the nucleotide and phosphorylation requirement of aggregation, and support a me...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 19, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Rebekah S. Vest, Heather O’Leary, K. Ulrich Bayer Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Editorial BoardEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 16, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Source Type: journals

Polo-like kinase-1 phosphorylates MDM2 at Ser260 and stimulates MDM2-mediated p53 turnoverEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The E3 ubiqutin ligase, murne double-minute clone 2 (MDM2), promotes the degradation of p53 under normal homeostatic conditions. Several serine residues within the acidic domain of MDM2 are phosphorylated to maintain its activity but become hypo-phosphorylated following DNA damage, leading to inactivation of MDM2 and induction of p53. However, the signalling pathways that mediate these phosphorylation events are not fully understood. Here we show that the oncogenic and cell cycle-regulatory protein kinase, polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1), phosphorylates MDM2 at one of these residues, Ser260, and stimulates MDM2-mediate...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 13, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sylvia S. Dias, Carol Hogan, Anna-Maria Ochocka, David W. Meek Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

The direction of actin polymerization for vesicle fission suggested from membranes tubulated by the EFC/F-BAR domain protein FBP17Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Actin polymerization mediated by the Arp2/3 complex is essential for membrane tubulation, vesicle formation and fission during clathrin-dependent endocytosis. However, the mechanism by which the polymerizing actin filaments participate in vesicle formation and fission has remained unclear. Our analyses revealed that actin polymerization occurs toward FBP17-induced membrane tubules, which are considered to be generated during endocytic vesicle formation. The tubulated membrane between the future endocytic vesicle and the plasma membrane is proposed to form an arc upon scission of the endocytic vesicle. Therefore, ...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 13, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Shiro Suetsugu Tags: Hypotheses Source Type: journals

Interplay of CCR2 signaling and local shear force determines vein graft neointimal hyperplasia in vivoEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Leukocytes play a central role in vein graft neointimal hyperplasia, which is significantly augmented under low shear conditions. The current concept is that shear force regulates leukocyte adhesion predominately through up-regulation of chemokines and growth factors within the graft wall. Using rabbit and murine vein graft models, we demonstrate that CC chemokine receptor 2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mediated monocyte recruitment and a low shear environment act synergistically to augment neointimal hyperplasia development and removal of either of the conditions leads to a significant reduction in neointi...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Zhihua Jiang, Peng Yu, Ming Tao, Cristos Ifantides, C. Keith Ozaki, Scott A. Berceli Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Role of sestrin2 in peroxide signaling in macrophagesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Reactive oxygen species not only serve as signaling molecules, they also contribute to oxidative stress and cell damage. The thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems form along with peroxiredoxins a precisely regulated defense system to maintain the cellular redox homeostasis. There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO) protects cells from oxidative stress by preventing inactivation of peroxiredoxins by sulfinylation. Here we demonstrate that NO and hypoxia upregulate Sestrin2 by HIF-1-dependent and additional mechanisms and that Sestrin2 contributes to preventing peroxiredoxins from sulfinylation. We conclude that Sest...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Silke Essler, Nathalie Dehne, Bernhard Brüne Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Nitric oxide and dihydrolipoic acid modulate the activity of caspase 3 in HepG2 cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Herein, we report that dihydrolipoic acid and lipoic acid (LA) plus lipoamide dehydrogenase and NADH denitrosate S-nitrosocaspase 3 (CASP-SNO). In HepG2 cells, S-nitroso-l-cysteine ethyl ester (SNCEE) impeded the activity of caspase 3 (CASP-SH), while a subsequent incubation of the cells in SNCEE-free medium resulted in endogenous denitrosation and reactivation of CASP-SH. The latter process was inhibited in thioredoxin reductase-deficient HepG2 cells, in which, however, LA markedly reactivated CASP-SH. The data obtained are discussed with focus on low molecular mass dithiols that mimic the activity of thioredoxi...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Rajib Sengupta, Timothy R. Billiar, James L. Atkins, Valerian E. Kagan, Detcho A. Stoyanovsky Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Biosynthesis of long-chain polyamines by crenarchaeal polyamine synthases from Hyperthermus butylicus and Pyrobaculum aerophilumEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Polyamines are ubiquitously present in all organisms. In addition to the common polyamines, thermophilic archaea synthesize long-chain polyamines. In the present study polyamine synthases from Hyperthermus butylicus and Pyrobaculum aerophilum were cloned and their substrate specificity was analyzed. The polyamine synthase HbSpeE II from H. butylicus synthesized long-chain polyamines with high activity using the same mechanism that is used by a wide range of organisms to synthesize common polyamines, in which the aminopropyl residue derives from decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine. This is the first polyamine synt...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Jürgen Manfred Knott Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Prolonged cigarette smoke exposure decreases heme oxygenase-1 and alters Nrf2 and Bach1 expression in human macrophages: Roles of the MAP kinases ERK1/2 and JNKEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Tobacco may be involved in the decreased macrophage heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression described in smoking-induced severe emphysema, via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)–BTB and CNC homology 1, basic leucine zipper transcription factor 1 (Bach1) pathway. We assessed in vitro effects of cigarette smoke condensate (CS) in the human monocyte/macrophage cell line (THP-1). CS exposure led to increased HO-1 and nuclear Nrf2 expression (6h) followed by decreased HO-1 expression concomitantly with nuclear Nrf2/Bach1 ratio decrease (72h). CS-induced mito...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: D. Goven, A. Boutten, V. Leçon-Malas, J. Boczkowski, M. Bonay Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Radioprotection by short-term oxidative preconditioning: Role of manganese superoxide dismutaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is vital to the protection of mitochondria and cells against oxidative stress. Earlier, we demonstrated that catalytically active homo-tetramer of MnSOD can be stabilized by oxidative cross-linking. Here we report that this effect may be translated into increased radioresistance of mouse embryonic cells (MECs) by pre-exposure to oxidative stress. Pre-treatment of MECs with antimycin A, rotenone or H2O2 increased their survival after irradiation. Using MnSOD siRNA, we show that MECs with decreased MnSOD levels displayed a lowered ability to preconditioning. Thus oxidative pre...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 12, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Natalia A. Belikova, Ashley Glumac, Ruslan Rafikov, Jianfei Jiang, Joel S. Greenberger, Valerian E. Kagan, Hülya Bayir Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

The interaction between EAP30 and ELL is modulated by MCM2Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: ELL-associated protein 30 (EAP30) was initially characterized as a component of the Holo–ELL complex, which contains the elongation factor ELL. Both ELL and Holo–ELL stimulate RNA pol II elongation in vitro. However, ELL and not Holo–ELL inhibits RNA pol II initiation. It is not clear how these two discrete functions of ELL are regulated. Here we report that mini-chromosome maintenance 2 (MCM2) binds to EAP30 and show that MCM2 competes with ELL for binding to EAP30 thus potentially modulating the stability of Holo–ELL.Structured summary: MINT-7277033: EAP30 (uniprotkb:Q96H20) physically interacts (MI:091...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 9, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Amit Mathews, Linda Holland, Krassimir Yankulov Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol regulates the p53 post-translational modifiers Murine double minute 2 and the Small Ubiquitin MOdifier protein in the rat brainEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study examines the role of Δ9-THC in regulating the p53 post-translational modifier proteins, Murine double minute (Mdm2) and Small Ubquitin-like MOdifier protein 1 (SUMO-1) in cortical neurons. Δ9-THC increased both Mdm2 and SUMO-1 protein expression and induced the deSUMOylation of p53 in a cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)-receptor dependent manner. We demonstrate that Δ9-THC decreased the SUMOylation of the CB1 receptor. The data reveal a novel role for cannabinoid receptor activation in modulating the SUMO regulatory system.Structured summary: MINT-7266621: Cb1 (uniprotkb:P20272) physically interacts (MI:0915)...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 9, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Aoife Gowran, Carrie E. Murphy, Veronica A. Campbell Tags: Research Letters with SDA Source Type: journals

MicroRNA 125a and its regulation of the p53 tumor suppressor geneEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of non-coding RNA that suppress gene expression by degradation or translational inhibition of target RNA. Several miRNA have been shown to target oncogenes and recently miRNA-125b was shown to translationally and transcriptionally inhibit the p53 gene. Here, we show that an additional isomer of miRNA-125 (miRNA-125a) translationally arrests mRNA of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The basis of this activity is the high degree of sequence homology between the seed sequence of miR-125a and the 3′-UTR of p53. Our findings add miRNA-125a to the growing list of miRNA with oncogenic targets...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Yingjie Zhang, Jin-Song Gao, Xiaoli Tang, Lynne D. Tucker, Peter Quesenberry, Isidore Rigoutsos, Bharat Ramratnam Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Adiponectin downregulates galectin-3 whose cellular form is elevated whereas its soluble form is reduced in type 2 diabetic monocytesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Galectin-3 plays a role in atherosclerotic diseases, and the effect of adiponectin that protects from atherosclerotic diseases on monocytic galectin-3 was analysed. Adiponectin reduced galectin-3 mRNA, its cellular and soluble form, and this effect was impaired in T2D cells. Cellular galectin-3 was higher in monocytes of overweight than normal-weight donors and was highest in T2D cells. Cellular galectin-3 positively correlated with the BMI of the donors and negatively with soluble monocyte galectin-3. Circulating levels of total adiponectin did not correlate with cellular or soluble galectin-3 indicating that ad...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Markus Weber, Daniela Sporrer, Johanna Weigert, Josef Wanninger, Markus Neumeier, Sylvia Wurm, Fabian Stögbauer, Andrea Kopp, Margarita Bala, Andreas Schäffler, Christa Buechler Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Let-7a elevates p21WAF1 levels by targeting of NIRF and suppresses the growth of A549 lung cancer cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we showed that let-7a, a member of let-7 family, negatively regulated the expression of NIRF through NIRF 3′ UTR. We also showed that NIRF was required for the let-7a-mediated elevation of p21WAF1. These findings suggest that growth-inhibitory effect of let-7a on the A549 cells in vitro and in vivo may be explained in part by le-7a-induced suppression of NIRF and elevation of p21WAF1. This work reveals a novel regulatory mechanism for let-7a in the control of cellular proliferation and lung carcinogenesis. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Xiaoyan He, Changzhu Duan, Junxia Chen, Xi Ou-Yang, Zheng Zhang, Chunlei Li, Huimin Peng Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Interferon regulatory factor-2 induces megakaryopoiesis in mouse bone marrow hematopoietic cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Megakaryopoiesis is associated with inflammatory reactions. To investigate the role of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) in inflammation-associated megakaryopoiesis, mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were analyzed. IFN-γ treatment induced IRF-2 expression as well as the expression of CD41 and IRF-1 in HSCs. An in vitro clonogenic assay showed that IRF-2- but not IRF-1-overexpressing cells increased the number of megakaryocytic colonies. IRF-2 transfection up-regulated CD41 promoter activity in hematopoietic cell lines. The number of CD41-positive bone marrow cells increased in mice injected wi...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Atsuko Masumi, Isao Hamaguchi, Madoka Kuramitsu, Takuo Mizukami, Kazuya Takizawa, Haruka Momose, Seishiro Naito, Kazunari Yamaguchi Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Regulatory volume decrease in cardiomyocytes is modulated by calcium influx and reactive oxygen speciesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: We investigated the role of Ca2+ in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hyposmotic stress (Hypo) and its relationship to regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in cardiomyocytes. Hypo-induced increases in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial Ca2+. Nifedipine (Nife) inhibited both Hypo-induced Ca2+ and ROS increases. Overexpression of catalase (CAT) induced RVD and a decrease in Hypo-induced blebs. Nife prevented CAT-dependent RVD activation. These results show a dual role of Hypo-induced Ca2+ influx in the control of cardiomyocyte viability. Hypo-induced an intracellular Ca2+ increase which activated RVD and i...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Diego Rojas-Rivera, Jessica Díaz-Elizondo, Valentina Parra, Daniela Salas, Ariel Contreras, Barbra Toro, Mario Chiong, Claudio Olea-Azar, Sergio Lavandero Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Full characterization of PDX, a neuroprotectin/protectin D1 isomer, which inhibits blood platelet aggregationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Our study aimed to establish the complete structure of the main dihydroxy conjugated triene issued from the lipoxygenation (soybean enzyme) of docosahexaenoic acid, named PDX, an isomer of protectin/neuroprotectin D1 (PD1/NPD1) described by Bazan and Serhan. NMR approaches and other chemical characterization (e.g. GC–MS, HPLC and LC–MS/MS) indicated that PDX is 10(S),17(S)-dihydroxy-docosahexa-4Z,7Z,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-enoic acid. The use of 18O2 and mass spectrometry showed that PDX is a double lipoxygenation product. Its structure differs from PD1, with E,Z,E geometry (PDX) instead of E,E,Z (PD1) and S configur...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: P. Chen, B. Fenet, S. Michaud, N. Tomczyk, E. Véricel, M. Lagarde, M. Guichardant Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals

Activation of antithrombin as a factor IXa and Xa inhibitor involves mitigation of repression rather than positive enhancementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Allosteric activation of antithrombin as a rapid inhibitor of factors IXa and Xa requires binding of a high-affinity heparin pentasaccharide. The currently-accepted mechanism involves removal of a constraint on the antithrombin reactive center loop (RCL) so that the proteinase can simultaneously engage both the P1 arginine and an exosite at Y253. Recent results suggest that this mechanism is incorrect in that activation can be achieved without loop expulsion, while the exosite can be engaged in both low and high activity states. We propose a quite different mechanism in which heparin activates antithrombin by mit...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 8, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Peter G.W. Gettins, Steven T. Olson Tags: Hypotheses Source Type: journals

Positive-feedback loops in cell cycle progressionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: A positive-feedback loop is a simple motif that is ubiquitous to the modules and networks that comprise cellular signaling systems. Signaling behaviors that are synonymous with positive feedback include amplification and rapid switching, maintenance, and the coherence of outputs. Recent advances have been made towards understanding how positive-feedback loops function, as well as their mechanistic basis in controlling eukaryotic cell cycle progression. Some of these advances will be reviewed here, including: how cyclin controls passage through Start and maintains coherence of G1/S regulon expression in yeast; how...
Source: FEBS Letters - October 7, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Joseph R. Pomerening Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Plant growth promotion due to rhizobacterial volatiles – An effect of CO2?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Serratia odorifera, an antagonistic rhizobacterium, emits a diverse and complex bouquet of volatiles. Three different in vitro experimental culture systems indicated that these volatiles promote the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana. CO2 trapping and significant rise of CO2 levels (390–3000ppm CO2 within 24h) due to bacterial growth in sealed Petri dishes verified the enhanced effects of rhizobacterial CO2 on A. thaliana’s growth. In contrast, open cocultivations abrogated growth promotion, and inhibitory effects come to the fore at ambient CO2 concentrations. (Source: FEBS Letters)
Source: FEBS Letters - October 5, 2009 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Marco Kai, Birgit Piechulla Tags: Research Letters Source Type: journals