IMBB researchers uncover the crucial role of a novel proteolytic pathway with metacaspases in maintaining protein homeostasis and lipid droplet function in seeds, processes which are vital for their longevity. Understanding these molecular mechanisms, could lead to enhanced seed longevity, which is crucial for food security and biodiversity conservation.
An international scientific collaboration between IMBB researchers, scientists from Paris Cité University in France, and the University of Graz in Austria reveals the conserved role of spermidine in regulating autophagy and extending lifespan during intermittent fasting.
IMBB Researchers identified novel cellular survival mechanisms involving hyperploidization and endonucleosis, a membrane assisted internalization of cytoplasm into the nucleus. These cellular actions control genome instability caused by defective epigenetic regulation.
International collaboration between researchers at IMBB and University of Cologne reveals that germline reproductive signals impact the ability of somatic tissues to induce the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, highlighting the decline in reproductive capacity as a primary cause of proteostasis collapse that occurs during ageing.
[Cell Reports] [PubMed]
Researchers found that cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) directly interact with T regulatory cells (Tregs), hampering Treg activation and proliferation, in a process affected by CAF autophagy. Their results suggest that disrupting CAF-Treg synapses could be a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit tumor progression.
[PubMed]
IMBB researchers discovered that transcription stress at telomeres triggers the release of telomeric DNA fragments in the cytoplasm leading to a viral-like response and paracrine senescence.
IMBB researchers discovered DNA damage triggers cytosolic DNA buildup in microglia, provoking an immune reaction in mouse brain that triggers neuronal cell death. IMBB researchers devised an anti-inflammatory method to target microglia, remove cytosolic DNAs, and delay neurodegeneration onset.
[PNAS]
IMBB researchers showed that the balance between intestinal stem cell renewal and differentiation is regulated epigenetically by a dynamic interplay between Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), the microRNA miR-8 and Notch signaling, that holds implications for treating intestinal diseases.
Work carried out in Biosensors lab demonstrates a novel method to detect isothermally amplified nucleic acids through naked-eye observation, utilizing chitosan-capped AuNPs. This work impacts global diagnostics through the demonstration of an instrument-free detection method, suitable for PoCT.
Using computational modeling, IMBB researchers explore the role of apical and basal dendrites in orientation selectivity. Despite major differences in their roles, tuning requires cooperativity between signals from both. These results illustrate the versatility of dendrites in neuronal computation.
[eLife]
ΙΜΒΒ researchers identified a mechanism that regulates responses to bacterial infection and sepsis in neonates and young infants. They demonstrated that IL-10 and DEL-1, two factors that regulate neutrophils, the cells primarily involved in bacterial clearance, control emergency granulopoiesis in neonates and are critical for survival from sepsis in early in life.
IMBB researchers disclose an essential role for XPF with TOP2B and the CTCF/cohesin complex in R-loop processing for transcription activation with important ramifications for DNA repair-deficient syndromes associated with transcription-associated DNA damage.
[Science Advances]
In an article published in New Phytologist IMBB researchers provide the first insights into the mechanism and role of RNA interference in diatoms, a prominent component of the marine phytoplankton. This study sheds light on the epigenetic control of gene expression and genome integrity in this important group of primary producers.
[New Phytologist]
Transcription and processing of newly transcribed RNA are dynamic processes in the nucleus of human cells. A new study by researchers at IMBB and Helmholtz Center Munich profiled the kinetics of chromatin dissociation of RNA transcripts, and uncover features of long non-coding RNA processing. The results have implications for the design of effective RNA-based therapeutics.
IMBB researchers showed that NAM, a form of vitamin B3, can enhance myelin production after demyelination by signaling to microglia to stop causing myelin damage and to astrocytes to reduce inflammation. NAM is an FDA-approved caloric restriction mimetic that induces autophagy
[PubMed]
PML is a protein that regulates important cellular decisions about life or death. A new study by IMBB researchers proposes that PML is a breast - tumor suppressor and can serve as a new biomarker. They found that PML limits breast cancer metastasis by inhibiting cancer stem cell survival, tumor cell migration and blood vessel formation.
Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria, exerting a tremendous public health burden, with the control heavily relying on insecticides. A new study published by IMBB researchers shows that a transporter, found in mosquito legs can remove the insecticide out of the organism acting like a pump.This mechanism could be targeted to restore insecticide toxicity.
[PLOS]
IMBB researchers have used a neural cancer model in the fruitfly Drosophila to examine how deregulation of differentiation and growth pathways, as well as interactions with host macrophages, drive tumor progression to malignancy.
[Press Release] [PNAS]
A new study by IMBB researchers shows that molecular condensates that store or degrade mRNA tightly associate with mitochondria to regulate their biogenesis and function. Their balanced association is important for regulating lifespan and adaptation to stress.
In a Preview article published in Cell Metabolism, Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis discusses a study that delineates a signaling cascade that is mobilized by neurons in the hypothalamus to modulate autophagy and metabolism in the liver.