REVIEW
- Recent developments of tools for genome and metabolome studies in basidiomycete fungi and their application to natural product research
Summary: Fungi of the phylum Basidiomycota can make bioactive natural products. We discuss recent advances of tools for genome and metabolome studies that will facilitate natural product discovery and characterisation.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- The novel zebrafish model pretzel demonstrates a central role for SH3PXD2B in defective collagen remodelling and fibrosis in Frank-Ter Haar syndrome
Summary: We report a novel sh3pxd2b mutant zebrafish model that develops cutaneous and musculoskeletal fibrosis, similar to that observed in people with Frank-Ter Haar syndrome.
- MicroRNA-9-5p inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts through targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β
Summary: Our findings provided a new role of miR-9-5p/PPAR in the occurrence and development of HS fibroblasts, promising a new target for HS.
- Harmine enhances the activity of the HIV-1 latency-reversing agents ingenol A and SAHA
Summary: The plant-derived compound harmine shows efficacy in enhancing the effects of existing HIV latency-reversing drugs.
- Chorismate synthase mediates cerebral malaria pathogenesis by eliciting salicylic acid-dependent autophagy response in parasite
Summary: Our study identifies the role of parasite chorismate synthase and salicylic acid on host immunopathology and disease manifestation in cerebral malaria and points towards a pathway associated with salicylic acid-mediated autophagy of the malaria parasite.
- iPSC-derived hepatocytes generated from NASH donors provide a valuable platform for disease modeling and drug discovery
Summary: We describe the development and validation of a hepatocyte differentiation protocol using iPSCs from a panel of NASH donors and healthy controls.
- CD47 differentially regulates white and brown fat function
Summary: Under physiological conditions, CD47 differentially regulates white fat and brown fat function. Through a coordinated manner, altered fuel availability via white adipose tissue lipolysis may influence brown adipose tissue energy expenditure and then body weight management.
- Locomotor mechanism of Haplopelma hainanum based on energy conservation analysis
Summary: For spiders, the bouncing gait and the hydraulic system contribute to the lower transport cost at low speed, while the hydraulic system greatly increases the transport cost at high speed.
- Overexpression of an ALS-associated FUS mutation in C. elegans disrupts NMJ morphology and leads to defective neuromuscular transmission
Summary: Neuronal expression of an ALS-associated mutation in a DNA/RNA-binding protein disrupts the organization and function of the C. elegans neuromuscular junction.
- Drosophila MICOS knockdown impairs mitochondrial structure and function and promotes mitophagy in muscle tissue
Summary: Drosophila MICOS knockdown impairs mitochondrial structure and function and promotes mitophagy in muscle tissue.
- Informing epidemic (research) responses in a timely fashion by knowledge management – a Zika virus use case
Summary: The Zika KnowledgeBase collects and integrates literature and experimental data based on Zika virus pathobiology for future emerging epidemics.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Biology Open and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
2020 at The Company of Biologists
Despite 2020’s challenges, we achieved a lot at The Company of Biologists. In the midst of the pandemic, we have seen long-term projects and new ventures come to fruition. Read our full lowdown of 2020.
Interview- Sebastian Markert
Sebastian Markert is first author of a paper in BiO using C. elegans to model amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In an interview, he talks about the potential implications of his work and his future plans.
Three communities to support biologists to everywhere
Online communities have never been more important. If you’re looking for somewhere to meet fellow scientists, take part in topical discussions and find virtual events in your field, take a look at each of our community sites:
- The Node: the community site for and by developmental biologists
- preLights: the preprint highlights service run by the biological community
- FocalPlane: the community site for microscopists and biologists alike