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Methods Mol Biol 2021 ;2281:151-168

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Replication protein A (RPA) is an essential single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein that sequesters ssDNA and protects it from nucleolytic degradation. The RPA-ssDNA nucleoprotein acts as a hub to recruit over two dozen DNA metabolic enzymes onto ssDNA to coordinate DNA replication, repair, and recombination. RPA functions as a heterotrimer composed of RPA70, RPA32, and RPA14 subunits and has multiple DNA-binding and protein-interaction domains. Read More

J Biochem 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Departmant of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113,8656, Japan.

There is no standard structural format of the biparatopic bispecific antibody (bbsAb) which is used against the target molecule because of the diversity of biophysical features of bispecific antibodies (bsAbs). It is therefore essential that the interaction between the antibody and antigen is quantitatively analyzed to design antibodies that possess the desired properties. Here, we generated bsAbs, namely, a tandem scFv-Fc, a diabody-Fc, and an immunofusion-scFv-Fc-scFv, that possessed four scFv arms at different positions and were capable of recognizing the extracellular domains of ROBO1. Read More

Front Mol Biosci 2021 22;8:609076. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Physics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.

In the , RecA plays a central role in the recombination and repair of the DNA. For homologous recombination, RecA binds to ssDNA forming a nucleoprotein filament. The RecA-ssDNA filament searches for a homologous sequence on a dsDNA and, subsequently, RecA mediates strand exchange between the ssDNA and the dsDNA. Read More

J Adv Res 2021 Mar 8;29:95-106. Epub 2020 Oct 8.

Department of Biochemistry, German University in Cairo, Egypt.

Introduction: The inhibitory glycine receptor (GlyR), a mediator of fast synaptic inhibition, is located and held at neuronal synapses through the anchoring proteins gephyrin and collybistin. Stable localization of neurotransmitter receptors is essential for synaptic function. In case of GlyRs, only beta subunits were known until now to mediate synaptic anchoring. Read More

J Genet Genomics 2021 Mar 6. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Laboratory of Chromatin and Cancer Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India. Electronic address:

In eukaryotic genome biology, the genomic organization inside the three-dimensional (3D) nucleus is highly complex, and whether this organization governs gene expression is poorly understood. Nuclear lamina (NL) is a filamentous meshwork of proteins present at the lining of inner nuclear membrane that serves as an anchoring platform for genome organization. Large chromatin domains termed as lamina-associated domains (LADs), play a major role in silencing genes at the nuclear periphery. Read More

J Biol Chem 2020 Dec 24;296:100215. Epub 2020 Dec 24.

Department of Chemistry, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA; Department of Genetics, Cellular Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Electronic address:

Numerous diseases are linked to mutations in the actin-binding domains (ABDs) of conserved cytoskeletal proteins, including β-III-spectrin, α-actinin, filamin, and dystrophin. A β-III-spectrin ABD mutation (L253P) linked to spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) causes a dramatic increase in actin binding. Reducing actin binding of L253P is thus a potential therapeutic approach for SCA5 pathogenesis. Read More

Environ Res 2021 Apr 8:111137. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

Background: Chronic low-level exposure to organophosphorus pesticides is associated with adverse health effects, including a decline in neurological functioning and long-term impairment. These negative effects may be more detrimental in children and adolescents due to their critical stage in development. Little work has investigated the effects of chronic exposure to pesticides, specifically chlorpyrifos (CPF) during the adolescent period. Read More

BMC Bioinformatics 2021 Apr 10;22(1):183. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.

Background: The nucleus of eukaryotic cells spatially packages chromosomes into a hierarchical and distinct segregation that plays critical roles in maintaining transcription regulation. High-throughput methods of chromosome conformation capture, such as Hi-C, have revealed topologically associating domains (TADs) that are defined by biased chromatin interactions within them.

Results: We introduce a novel method, HiCKey, to decipher hierarchical TAD structures in Hi-C data and compare them across samples. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 Apr 7;556:45-52. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

National Centre for Cell Science, S.P. Pune University Campus, Pune, India. Electronic address:

Micro-RNA mediated suppression of mRNA translation represents a major regulatory mode of post-transcriptional gene expression. Recently, the nucleoporin Nup358 was shown to interact with AGO protein, a key component of miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC), and facilitate the coupling of miRISC with target mRNA. Previous results suggested that SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs) present on Nup358 mediate interaction with AGO protein. Read More

J Biol Chem 2021 Apr 7:100638. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.

Carbohydrate active enzymes, such as those involved in plant cell wall and storage polysaccharide biosynthesis and deconstruction, often contain repeating non-catalytic carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) to compensate for low-affinity binding typical of protein-carbohydrate interactions. The bacterium Saccharophagus degradans produces an endo-β-mannanase of glycoside hydrolase family 5 subfamily 8 with three phylogenetically distinct family 10 CBMs located C-terminally from the catalytic domain (SdGH5_8-CBM10x3). However, the functional roles and cooperativity of these CBM domains in polysaccharide binding is not clear. Read More

J Mol Biol 2021 Apr 7:166980. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address:

ABCG2 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter whose function affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs and contributes to multidrug resistance of cancer cells. While its interaction with the endogenous substrate estrone-3-sulfate (ES) has been elucidated at a structural level, the recognition and recruitment of exogenous compounds is not understood at sufficiently high resolution. Here we present three cryo-EM structures of nanodisc-reconstituted, human ABCG2 bound to anticancer drugs tariquidar, topotecan and mitoxantrone. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021 Mar 18;51:102905. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Institute of Sport and Sport Science, Department of "Performance and Health (Sports Medicine)", Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany. Electronic address:

Purpose: Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Physical exercise represents a promising non-pharmacological therapy option, however, potential predictors for successful cognitive improvements mediated by exercise remain to be elucidated in order to optimize targeted exercise training regimens. One of the most promising exercise training regime in this context is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Read More

J Gen Physiol 2021 Jul;153(7)

Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.

The N2A segment of titin is a main signaling hub in the sarcomeric I-band that recruits various signaling factors and processing enzymes. It has also been proposed to play a role in force production through its Ca2+-regulated association with actin. However, the molecular basis by which N2A performs these functions selectively within the repetitive and extensive titin chain remains poorly understood. Read More

J Biol Chem 2020 Dec 24;296:100210. Epub 2020 Dec 24.

National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Hsp70 proteins are a family of ancient and conserved chaperones. They play important roles in vital cellular processes, such as protein quality control and the stress response. Hsp70 proteins are a potential drug target for treatment of disease, particularly cancer. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Apr 8;11(1):7810. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Life Sciences Institute, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.

Caveolin-1 (CAV1), the caveolae coat protein, also associates with non-caveolar scaffold domains. Single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) network analysis distinguishes caveolae and three scaffold domains, hemispherical S2 scaffolds and smaller S1B and S1A scaffolds. The caveolin scaffolding domain (CSD) is a highly conserved hydrophobic region that mediates interaction of CAV1 with multiple effector molecules. Read More

Plant Cell 2020 Nov;32(11):3469-3484

National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.

CONSTANS, CONSTANS-LIKE, and TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (CCT) domain-containing proteins are a large family unique to plants. They transcriptionally regulate photoperiodic flowering, circadian rhythms, vernalization, and other related processes. Through their CCT domains, CONSTANS and HEADING DATE1 (HD1) coordinate with the NUCLEAR FACTOR Y (NF-Y) B/C dimer to specifically target a conserved 'CCACA' motif within the promoters of their target genes. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2021 22;12:562490. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Potsdam Embodied Cognition Group, Division of Cognitive Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.

Mental health problems remain among the main generators of costs within and beyond the health care system. Psychotherapy, the tool of choice in their treatment, is qualified by social interaction, and cooperation within the therapist-patient-dyad. Research into the factors influencing therapy success to date is neither exhaustive nor conclusive. Read More

Psychol Med 2021 Apr 8:1-10. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: There is evidence that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) co-occur with bipolar disorder (BD) relatively frequently. Individuals with BD often report symptoms of mania and hypomania during adolescence, prior to the age of onset for BD. It is unknown whether these symptoms are associated with ASDs. Read More

Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021 Apr 7:207640211007511. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, China.

Introduction: Studies have demonstrated that mental health problems among university students may be increasing in both prevalence and severity. This study aimed to identify ways to reduce stigma and improve students' utilization of mental health services.

Methods: We performed a content analysis on video proposals to address stigma and mental health at universities, submitted by 15 teams from nine Asian-Pacific countries as part of a case competition. Read More

J Am Chem Soc 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, United States.

The lower respiratory tract infections affecting children worldwide are in large part caused by the parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs), particularly HPIV3, along with human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses. There are no vaccines for these important human pathogens, and existing treatments have limited or no efficacy. Infection by HPIV is initiated by viral glycoprotein-mediated fusion between viral and host cell membranes. Read More

3 Biotech 2021 Apr 1;11(4):204. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Mall Road, Delhi, 110007 India.

causes more than 1 million deaths every year, which is higher than any other bacterial pathogen. Its success depends on its interaction with the host and its ability to regulate the host's immune system for its own survival. HRv (Mtb) proteome consists of unique PE_PGRS family proteins, which present a significant role in bacterial pathogenesis over the past years. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 04 6;12(1):2070. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.

The Drosophila tumour necrosis factor (TNF) ligand-receptor system consists of a unique ligand, Eiger (Egr), and two receptors, Grindelwald (Grnd) and Wengen (Wgn), and therefore provides a simple system for exploring the interplay between ligand and receptors, and the requirement for Grnd and Wgn in TNF/Egr-mediated processes. Here, we report the crystallographic structure of the extracellular domain (ECD) of Grnd in complex with Egr, a high-affinity hetero-hexameric assembly reminiscent of human TNF:TNFR complexes. We show that ectopic expression of Egr results in internalisation of Egr:Grnd complexes in vesicles, a step preceding and strictly required for Egr-induced apoptosis. Read More

mBio 2021 04 6;12(2). Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands

At the intestinal host-microbe interface, the transmembrane mucin MUC1 can function as a physical barrier as well as a receptor for bacteria. MUC1 also influences epithelial cell morphology and receptor function. Various bacterial pathogens can exploit integrins to infect eukaryotic cells. Read More