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Mitochondria in disease: changes in shapes and dynamics
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 23:S0968-0004(24)00031-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.011. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMitochondrial structure often determines the function of these highly dynamic, multifunctional, eukaryotic organelles, which are essential for maintaining cellular health. The dynamic nature of mitochondria is apparent in descriptions of different mitochondrial shapes [e.g., donuts, megamitochondria (MGs), and nanotunnels] and crista dynamics. This review explores the significance of dynamic alterations in mitochondrial morphology and regulators of mitochondrial and cristae shape. We focus on studies across...
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 24, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Brenita C Jenkins Kit Neikirk Prasanna Katti Steven M Claypool Annet Kirabo Melanie R McReynolds Antentor Hinton Source Type: research

A left-handed RNA quadruplex directs gene silencing
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 16:S0968-0004(24)00029-X. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.009. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPoly(UG) or 'pUG' dinucleotide repeats direct gene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans by adopting an unusual quadruplex structure. Humans have thousands of pUG sequences and proteins that interact with them. The pUG fold reveals new aspects of gene regulation and RNA folding, highlighting how a simple sequence can encode a complex structure.PMID:38368181 | DOI:10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.009 (Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences)
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 17, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Samuel E Butcher Source Type: research

Exploring membrane asymmetry and its effects on membrane proteins
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 13:S0968-0004(24)00021-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.007. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPlasma membranes utilize free energy to maintain highly asymmetric, non-equilibrium distributions of lipids and proteins between their two leaflets. In this review we discuss recent progress in quantitative research enabled by using compositionally controlled asymmetric model membranes. Both experimental and computational studies have shed light on the nuanced mechanisms that govern the structural and dynamic coupling between compositionally distinct bilayer leaflets. This coupling can increase the membrane...
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 14, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Georg Pabst Sandro Keller Source Type: research

Microtubule specialization by +TIP networks: from mechanisms to functional implications
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 12:S0968-0004(24)00019-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.005. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTo fulfill their actual cellular role, individual microtubules become functionally specialized through a broad range of mechanisms. The 'search and capture' model posits that microtubule dynamics and functions are specified by cellular targets that they capture (i.e., a posteriori), independently of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) they emerge from. However, work in budding yeast indicates that MTOCs may impart a functional identity to the microtubules they nucleate, a priori. Key effectors in this ...
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 13, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sandro M Meier Michel O Steinmetz Yves Barral Source Type: research

Enlightening epigenetics: optochemical tools illuminate the path
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 12:S0968-0004(24)00017-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.003. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOptochemical tools have become potent instruments for understanding biological processes at the molecular level, and the past decade has witnessed their use in epigenetics and epitranscriptomics (also known as RNA epigenetics) for deciphering gene expression regulation. By using photoresponsive molecules such as photoswitches and photocages, researchers can achieve precise control over when and where specific events occur. Therefore, these are invaluable for studying both histone and nucleotide modification...
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 13, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kaijun Su Olalla V ázquez Source Type: research

Interlinked switch circuits of biological intelligence
Trends Biochem Sci. 2024 Feb 9:S0968-0004(24)00020-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.006. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEukaryotic cells learn and adapt via unknown network architectures. Recent work demonstrated a circuit of two GTPases used by cells to overcome growth factor scarcity, encouraging our view that artificial and biological intelligence share strikingly similar design principles and that cells function as deep reinforcement learning (RL) agents in uncertain environments.PMID:38341333 | DOI:10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.006 (Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences)
Source: Trends in Biochemical Sciences - February 10, 2024 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Raktim Mukherjee Saptarshi Sinha Gary D Luker Pradipta Ghosh Source Type: research