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Recent studies have uncovered a specific role of TET proteins in reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, a process where O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine transferase may play a crucial role.
Small non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) regulate gene expression in virtually all cells, and they have been implicated in cardiovascular disease and aging. In a paper recently published in Nature, miR-34a was identified as an aging-associated apoptotic and overall damaging factor for the heart.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has evolved to generate heat to maintain core body temperature, but it is also of great importance for the regulation of energy balance. In addition to BAT, mammals can induce the formation of “brown adipocyte-like” or “beige” fat cells in white adipose tissue and understanding their regulation could have implications for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
Cand1 (Cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated protein 1) has long been known as a regulator of SCF ubiquitin ligases, but details remained puzzling due to conflicting results from in vitro and in vivo experiments. Three recent reports, one in Cell and two in Nature Communications, propose Cand1 as a protein exchange factor with interesting mechanism that reconciles Cand1 genetics and biochemistry.
Two recent publications suggest that dietary salt may polarize TH17 cells and therefore increase the risk of developing autoimmune disease. Where low salt diets can readily be tested for their therapeutic effects in autoimmune disease, more work is needed to connect dietary salts with the development of immunopathology.
In a recent paper published in Cell Research, an association between expression of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), a mitochondrial chaperon expressed in the brain, and the prevalence of stroke is revealed. This finding indicates that ALDH2 may serve as a potential endogenous neuroprotective target and a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of stroke.
