2020-02-13

Loss of p53 drives neuron reprogramming in head and neck cancer

The solid tumour microenvironment includes nerve fibres that arise from the peripheral nervous system. Recent work indicates that newly formed adrenergic nerve fibres promote tumour growth, but the origin of these nerves and the mechanism of their inception are unknown. Here, by comparing the transcriptomes of cancer-associated trigeminal sensory neurons with those of endogenous neurons in mouse models of oral cancer, we identified an adrenergic differentiation signature.
2019-12-03

A GM1b/asialo‐GM1 oligosaccharide‐binding R‐type lectin from purplish bifurcate mussels Mytilisepta virgata and its effect on MAP kinases

A 15‐kDa lectin, termed SeviL, was isolated from Mytilisepta virgata (purplish bifurcate mussel). SeviL forms a noncovalent dimer that binds strongly to ganglio‐series GM1b oligosaccharide (Neu5Acɑ2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc) and its precursor, asialo‐GM1 (Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc). SeviL also interacts weakly with the glycan moiety of SSEA‐4 hexaose (Neu5Acα2‐3Galβ1‐3GalNAcβ1‐3Galα1‐4Galβ1‐4Glc). A partial protein sequence of the lectin was determined by mass spectrometry, and the complete sequence was identified from transcriptomic analysis.
2019-11-26

Loss of Pancreatic E-Cadherin Causes Pancreatitis-Like Changes and Contributes to Carcinogenesis

E-cadherin (Cdh1) is a key molecule for adherence required for maintenance of structural homeostasis. Loss of E-cadherin leads to poor prognosis and the development of resistance to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. Here, we evaluated the physiological and pathologic roles of E-cadherin in the pancreas.
2019-10-11

Structural Mechanisms Underlying Activity Changes in an AMPA-type Glutamate Receptor Induced by Substitutions in Its Ligand-Binding Domain

α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors produce postsynaptic current by transmitting an agonist-induced structural change in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) to the transmembrane channel. Receptors carrying T686S/A substitutions in their LBDs produce weaker glutamate-evoked currents than wild-type (WT) receptors.