Latest Articles
Research ArticleIncreased Expression of MicroRNA 551a by c-Fos Reduces Focal Adhesion Kinase Levels and Blocks TumorigenesisBreast cancer is a recurrent type of cancer among women worldwide. Despite remarkable progress in the prevention, detection, and treatment of breast cancer, it still remains a major chronic problem worldwide and poses significant challenges, like metastasis to distant organs, demanding the need for novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Research Article | SpotlightIMP2 Increases Mouse Skeletal Muscle Mass and Voluntary Activity by Enhancing Autocrine Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 Production and Optimizing Muscle MetabolismInsulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mRNA binding protein 2 (IMP2) was selectively deleted from adult mouse muscle; two phenotypes were observed: decreased accrual of skeletal muscle mass after weaning and reduced wheel-running activity but normal forced treadmill performance. Reduced wheel running occurs when mice are fed a high-fat diet but is normalized when mice consume standard chow.
Research ArticleDynamic Methylation of an L1 Transduction Family during Reprogramming and NeurodifferentiationThe retrotransposon LINE-1 (L1) is a significant source of endogenous mutagenesis in humans. In each individual genome, a few retrotransposition-competent L1s (RC-L1s) can generate new heritable L1 insertions in the early embryo, primordial germ line, and germ cells.
Research Article | SpotlightDrosophila Mediator Subunit Med1 Is Required for GATA-Dependent Developmental Processes: Divergent Binding Interfaces for Conserved Coactivator FunctionsDNA-bound transcription factors (TFs) governing developmental gene regulation have been proposed to recruit polymerase II machinery at gene promoters through specific interactions with dedicated subunits of the evolutionarily conserved Mediator (MED) complex. However, whether such MED subunit-specific functions and partnerships have been conserved during evolution has been poorly investigated.
Research ArticleGeneration and Molecular Characterization of Human Ring Sideroblasts: a Key Role of Ferrous Iron in Terminal Erythroid Differentiation and Ring Sideroblast FormationRing sideroblasts are a hallmark of sideroblastic anemia, although little is known about their characteristics. Here, we first generated mutant mice by disrupting the GATA-1 binding motif at the intron 1 enhancer of the ALAS2 gene, a gene responsible for X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA).
Research Article | SpotlightReevaluation of the Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 3 in Perinatal Survival and Postnatal Growth Using New Genetically Engineered Mouse ModelsThe physiological functions of the atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) remain poorly characterized. Previous analysis of mice with a targeted insertion of the lacZ reporter in the Mapk6 locus (Mapk6lacZ) showed that inactivation of ERK3 in Mapk6lacZ mice leads to perinatal lethality associated with intrauterine growth...
Research Article | SpotlightGerm Line Deletion Reveals a Nonessential Role of Atypical Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 6/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 3Mitogen-activated protein kinase 6/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (MAPK6/ERK3) is an atypical member of the MAPKs. An essential role has been suggested by the perinatal lethal phenotype of ERK3 knockout mice carrying a lacZ insertion in exon 2 due to pulmonary dysfunction and by defects in function, activation, and positive selection of T cells.
Research ArticleRNA Binding Protein HuR Promotes Autophagosome Formation by Regulating Expression of Autophagy-Related Proteins 5, 12, and 16 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma CellsAutophagy is a process of lysosomal self-degradation of cellular components by forming autophagosomes. Autophagosome formation is an essential process in autophagy and is fine-tuned by various autophagy-related gene (ATG) products, including ATG5, ATG12, and ATG16.
