The mechanism and evolution of the recognition scheme between key components of the translation system, i.e., tRNAs, synthetases and elongation factors, are fundamental issues in understanding the translation of genetic information into proteins. Statistical analysis of bacterial tRNA sequences reveals that for six amino acids, a string of 10 nucleotides preceding the tRNA 3’end, carries cognate coding

STAT3 has been considered as a potential target for development of anti‐cancer therapeutics. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which the cyclopentenone prostaglandin,15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14‐prostaglandin J2 (15d‐PGJ2) functions as an allosteric inhibitor of STAT3. 15d‐PGJ2 inhibits phosphorylation, dimerization, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity of STAT3 in H‐Ras‐transformed human mammary

The lysosome is a cellular signalling hub at the point of convergence of endocytic and autophagic pathways, where the contents are degraded and recycled. Pleckstrin homology domain‐containing family member 1 (PLEKHM1) acts as an adaptor to facilitate the fusion of endocytic and autophagic vesicles with the lysosome. However, it is unclear how PLEKHM1 function at the lysosome is controlled. Herein,

Mitochondria contain more than 1000 different proteins, including several proteolytic enzymes. These mitochondrial proteases form a complex system that performs limited and terminal proteolysis to build the mitochondrial proteome, maintain and control its functions or degrade mitochondrial proteins and peptides. During protein biogenesis presequence proteases cleave and degrade mitochondrial targeting

The pathogenesis of the SARS‐CoV2 virus initiates through recognition of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of the host cells by the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) located at the spikes of the virus. Here, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we have demonstrated the allosteric crosstalk within the RBD in the apo‐ and the ACE2 receptor‐bound states, revealing the contribution

The c subunits of F0F1‐ATP synthase (F0c) assemble into a ring structure, following membrane insertion that is dependent on both glycolipid MPIase and protein YidC. We analyzed the insertion and assembly processes of Propionigenium modestum F0c (Pm‐F0c), of which the ring structure is resistant to SDS. Ring assembly of Pm‐F0c requires P. modestum UncI (Pm‐UncI). Ring assembly of in vitro synthesized

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major cause of infectious disease. Macrophages can directly destroy most of the invading bacteria through the phagolysosomal pathway. E74‐like factor 4 (Elf4) is one of the important transcription factors that controls diverse pathogens, but the role of Elf4 in macrophage‐mediated S. aureus eradication is unknown. Our data show that Elf4 is induced by S. aureus

We have previously demonstrated that Fanconi Anemia (FA) proteins work in concert with other FA and non‐FA proteins to mediate stalled replication fork restart. Previous studies suggest a connection between the FA protein FANCD2 and the non‐FA protein mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). A recent study showed that mTOR is involved in actin‐dependent DNA replication fork restart, suggesting possible

Latent HIV‐1 proviruses are capable of reactivating productive lytic infection, but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying emergence from latency are poorly understood. In this study, we determined the contribution of the transcription factors NF‐κB, NFAT, and AP‐1 in the reactivation of latent HIV following T‐cell receptor (TCR) activation using Jurkat T‐cell clones harboring single latent HIV

Neonatal brachial plexus injury (NBPI) causes disabling and incurable muscle contractures that are driven by impaired growth of denervated muscles. A rare form of NBPI, which maintains afferent muscle innervation despite motor denervation, does not cause contractures. As afferent innervation regulates various aspects of skeletal muscle homeostasis through NRG/ErbB signaling, our current study investigated

HECT‐E3 ligases play an essential role in catalyzing the transfer of ubiquitin to protein substrates. The non‐catalytic roles of HECT‐E3 ligases in cells are unknown. Here, we report that a HECT‐E3 ligase, HACE1, functions as an adaptor independent of its E3 ligase activity. We identified Spindlin‐1, a histone reader, as a new HACE1‐associated protein. Interestingly, we found that HACE1 promotes Spindlin‐1

In this report, using the database of RNA‐binding protein specificities (RBPDB) and our previously published RNA‐seq data, we analyzed RNA–RNA‐binding protein (RBP) interactions to decipher the role of alternative splicing in metabolic disorders induced by TNF‐α. We identified 13,395 unique RNA–RBP interactions, including 385 unique RNA motifs and 35 RBPs, some of which (including MBNL‐1 and 3, ZFP36

This paper presents a personal, selective, and sometimes critical retrospective of the history of ABC transporters in multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells, overrepresenting discoveries of some early pioneers, long forgotten, and highlights of research in Amsterdam, mainly focussing on discoveries made with disruptions of ABC genes in mice (KO mice) and on the role of ABC transporters in causing

The majority of proteins localised to mitochondria are encoded by the nuclear genome, with approximately 1500 proteins imported into mammalian mitochondria. Dysfunction in this fundamental cellular process is linked to a variety of pathologies including neuropathies, cardiovascular disorders, myopathies, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, demonstrating the importance of mitochondrial protein import