Review, Reviews
Paving the way for new antimicrobial peptides through molecular de-extinction
Karen O. Osiro1, Abel Gil-Ley2, Fabiano C. Fernandes1,3, Kamila B. S. de Oliveira2, Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez4-7, Octavio L. Franco1,2
The advancement of artificial intelligence and molecular de-extinction offers a valuable opportunity not only to discover new antimicrobials but also to provide accurate in silico predictions, thereby shortening the path to addressing the global antibiotic resistance crisis.
Efflux pumps: gatekeepers of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Shweta Sinha1, Shifu Aggarwal2,3 and Durg Vijai Singh1
This review aims to elucidate the complex relationship between efflux pumps, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation in S. aureus with the aim to aid in the development of potential therapeutic targets for combating S. aureus infections, especially those associated with biofilms.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of human diseases: the benefits of fission yeasts
Lajos Acs-Szabo, Laszlo-Attila Papp and Ida Miklos
Here we collect the latest laboratory protocols and bioinformatics tools for the fission yeasts to highlight the many possibilities available to the research community. In addition, we present several limiting factors that everyone should be aware of when working with yeast models.
Characterising glycosaminoglycans in human breastmilk and their potential role in infant health
Melissa Greenwood1,2, Patricia Murciano-Martínez3, Janet Berrington4, Sabine L Flitsch5, Sean Austin2 and Christopher Stewart1
Glycosaminoglycans are bioactive components present in breast milk and play a potential key role in determining infant health yet are overlooked by many contemporary studies. This review explores their relevance, use and characterisation techniques.
Neutralizing the threat: harnessing broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 for treatment and prevention
Juan C Becerra1, Lauren Hitchcock1, Khoa Vu1 and Johannes S Gach1
This review provides an overview of the advancements in HIV- 1-specific broadly neutralizing antibodies and discusses the insights gathered from recent clinical trials regarding their application in treating and preventing HIV-1 infection.
From microbes to medicine: harnessing the gut microbiota to combat prostate cancer
Anjali Yadav1, Meenakshi Kaushik1, Prabhakar Tiwari1 and Rima Dada1
The gut microbiome (GM) has been identified as a crucial factor in the development and progression of various diseases, including cancer. This review highlights the important role that the GM may play in the development and progression of prostate cancer, through its influence on chronic inflammation, immune modulation, and other pathogenic mechanisms.
The cAMP-PKA signalling crosstalks with CWI and HOG-MAPK pathways in yeast cell response to osmotic and thermal stress
Fiorella Galello1, Mariana Bermúdez-Moretti1, María Clara Ortolá Martínez1, Silvia Rossi1 and Paula Portela1
During industrial fermentation yeast strains are exposed to fluctuations in oxygen concentration, osmotic pressure, pH, ethanol concentration, nutrient availability and temperature. The scope of this review is to outline the advancement of knowledge about the cAMP-PKA signalling and the crosstalk of this pathway with the CWI and HOG-MAPK cascades in response to the environmental challenges heat and hyperosmotic stress.
Phospholipases A and Lysophospholipases in protozoan parasites
Perrine Hervé1, Sarah Monic1, Frédéric Bringaud1 and Loïc Rivière1
In this review, we summarize the literature on phospholipases and lysophospholipases in several protozoan parasites of medical relevance, and discuss the growing interest for them as potential drug and vaccine targets.
Biofilm tolerance, resistance and infections increasing threat of public health
Shanshan Yang1,3, Xinfei Li1,2, Weihe Cang1,2, Delun Mu1,3, Shuaiqi Ji1,3, Yuejia An1, Rina Wu1,2,3 and Junrui Wu1,2,3
The review explores the role of biofilms in the development of bacterial resistance mechanisms and proposed therapeutic intervention strategies for biofilm related diseases.
Methodologies for in vitro and in vivo evaluation of efficacy of antifungal and antibiofilm agents and surface coatings against fungal biofilms
June 14, 2018
This article highlights the critical importance of accurate susceptibility testing methods and the discovery of novel antifungal and antibiofilm agents in combating invasive fungal infections associated with biofilm formation on medical devices, thereby emphasizing the need for advancements in medical mycology research to address these complex diseases.
Shepherding DNA ends: Rif1 protects telomeres and chromosome breaks
May 17, 2018
This review discusses the conserved mechanisms cells have evolved to protect DNA ends at chromosomal termini and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), focusing on the protein Rif1’s roles in telomere homeostasis and DSB repair in eukaryotes. It highlights the intriguing connection between Rif1's involvement in both telomere maintenance and DSB repair, and suggests that excluding end-processing factors may underlie Rif1's diverse biological functions at telomeres and chromosome breaks.
The CRISPR conundrum: evolve and maybe die, or survive and risk stagnation
May 16, 2018
In this article García-Martínez et al. cover how the model bacterium Escherichia coli deals with CRISPR-Cas to tackle the major dilemma of evolution versus survival.
pH homeostasis links the nutrient sensing PKA/TORC1/Sch9 ménage-à-trois to stress tolerance and longevity
January 12, 2018
In this article, Deprez et al. discuss accumulating evidence indicates that pH homeostasis plays a prominent role in the determination of ageing and longevity, thereby providing new perspectives and avenues to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Guidelines and recommendations on yeast cell death nomenclature
January 1, 2018
In this review, we propose unified criteria for the definition of accidental, regulated, and programmed forms of cell death in yeast based on a series of morphological and biochemical criteria. Specifically, we provide consensus guidelines on the differential definition of terms including apoptosis, regulated necrosis, and autophagic cell death, as we refer to additional cell death routines that are relevant for the biology of yeast.
Ras signalling in pathogenic yeasts
December 18, 2017
In this article Pentland et al. review the roles of Ras protein function and signalling in the major human yeast pathogens Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans and discuss the potential for targeting Ras as a novel approach to anti-fungal therapy.
The integrated stress response in budding yeast lifespan extension
October 24, 2017
This article summarizes how the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been instrumental in unraveling the molecular and cellular determinants of aging, and how the induction of cellular stress responses has been associated with experimental lifespan extension, thus underscoring the value of yeast as a model for developing potential aging therapies for humans.
Exacerbating and reversing lysosomal storage diseases: from yeast to humans
August 25, 2017
This article summarizes the use of yeast models in advancing our understanding of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), where they have been instrumental in researching LSD mechanisms, screening for therapeutic compounds, and exploring genetic and gene-environment interactions relevant to diseases like Batten disease, cystinosis, and Niemann-Pick type C disease, as well as their connection to broader health issues such as viral infections and obesity.