{"title":"Meeting Report: 3rd Codon Usage Conference: Function, Mechanism and Evolution.","authors":"Alexander F Palazzo","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1139/bcb-2026-0275","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 3rd Codon Usage Conference: Function, Mechanism and Evolution was held May 31 to June 3, 2026, at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec in Montreal, Canada. Here, I provide summaries of the talks that were given at the meeting, and I discuss major advancements in the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149073246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trefoil Factor 1 contributes to Paclitaxel and Lapatinib resistance in brain metastatic breast cancer cells.","authors":"Sumiran Kumar Gurung, Venu Yakati, Raghu Vamsi Kondapaneni, Lalita A Shevde, Shreyas Rao","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1139/bcb-2026-0118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Late occurrence of breast cancer brain metastases in patients pretreated with systemic therapies is often associated with therapy resistant brain metastatic lesions. Prior studies targeting previously identified mediators of resistance have yielded limited success, especially in the case of brain metastatic breast cancer (BMBC). Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1) has been associated with therapy resistance in Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. However, its role in therapy resistance of triple negative and HER2+ breast cancer remains elusive. Herein, we assessed the involvement of TFF1 in therapy resistant triple negative and HER2+ BMBC. We developed Paclitaxel resistant triple negative and Lapatinib resistant HER2+ BMBC cells by dose escalation method. Drug efflux transporter ABCB1 in Paclitaxel resistant cells and ABCG2 in Lapatinib resistant cells were significantly upregulated. Additionally, cancer stem cell marker, CD24, showed significant upregulation in both resistant cell lines while anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 was upregulated only in Lapatinib resistant cells. Importantly, TFF1 was significantly upregulated in both Paclitaxel and Lapatinib resistant BMBC cells. Moreover, siRNA mediated TFF1 silencing partially alleviated resistance in both Paclitaxel and Lapatinib resistant BMBC cells. Our study shows that TFF1 is potentially associated with resistance to Paclitaxel and Lapatinib in both triple negative and HER2+ BMBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149073249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Passive and active regulation of cell wall mechanical properties.","authors":"Jordan Ferria, Heather E McFarlane","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1139/bcb-2026-0156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant cells are turgid and exert pressure against a stiff extracellular matrix, the plant cell wall, which resists turgor pressure and prevents cell bursting due to osmotic pressure. During growth, the cell wall yields under turgor pressure and deforms to guide the expansion of the cytoplasm. Together, these suggest that the mechanical properties of the cell wall are tightly regulated during development and that a tight coordination between turgor pressure and cell wall plasticity is required. In this review we explore the anisotropic mechanical properties of the cell wall and the mechanisms involved in its regulation. We discuss some of the theories supporting passive regulation of the cell wall such as the multinet theory and the scaffolding theory. We then discuss the role of CrRLK1Ls such as FERONIA and mechanosensing ion channels like MSL8 in the perception of mechanical stress and the role of Ca2+ as a central second messenger of mechanical stress response. Finally, we highlight some of the transcriptional responses induced by mechanosensing via small signal peptides such as SCOOP and Pep1 and cell wall remodelling enzymes such as TCH4.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149023769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leo C T Ng, Joanna Xia, Filip Van Petegem, Eric A Accili
{"title":"Distinct effects of disease-associated mutations in the proximal C-linker on negatively cooperative binding of cyclic nucleotides to the human HCN4 channel.","authors":"Leo C T Ng, Joanna Xia, Filip Van Petegem, Eric A Accili","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0147","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The direct binding of cAMP to the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel form 4 (HCN4) protein contributes to autonomic modulation of heart rate. Here, we determine affinity for binding of cyclic nucleotides directly to the cytosolic C-terminus of the HCN4 channel of three disease-linked mutations that are found in the C-linker of the C-terminus, which attaches the more distal binding domain to the pore. Two of these mutations, one in the A'-helix (K530N) and another in the B'-helix (D553N), reduced binding affinity but did not alter the negatively cooperative pattern of binding found in the wild type channel. Finally, a third mutation in the A'-helix (R524Q) did not alter either the pattern or affinity of binding to the cyclic nucleotides despite a dramatic, and previously reported, increase in cAMP potency in the full channel. Our data may be explained by location of each mutation and its interactions with domains external to this region. The data support negatively cooperative binding of cAMP and cGMP to HCN4 and help to identify distinct structural contributions to ligand binding and gating, both of which determine potency.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148161514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maki Tsujita, Leticia Alves da Silva, Kosuke Nakasuka, Junki Yamamoto, Robert C Ford, Thomas Stockner
{"title":"Diphenoquinone, a small-HDL neogenesis accelerator, concurrently docks with cholesterol or POPC to human ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCA1.","authors":"Maki Tsujita, Leticia Alves da Silva, Kosuke Nakasuka, Junki Yamamoto, Robert C Ford, Thomas Stockner","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0043","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2026-0043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality has emerged as a key determinant of residual cardiovascular risk despite advances in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol lowering therapies. Small HDL particles, generated through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-mediated lipid efflux, are particularly effective in promoting cholesterol removal from macrophage foam cells and are associated with reduced atherosclerotic risk. Probucol, a lipid-lowering drug, inhibits ABCA1-dependent HDL biogenesis, whereas its major metabolite, 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinone (DQ), preserves the generation of small HDL particles. However, the molecular basis for these distinct effects has remained unclear. To investigate the structural mechanisms underlying ABCA1-mediated lipid export, we performed molecular docking analyses using the human ABCA1 structure (Protein Data Bank, PDB: 5XJY) and the Genetic Optimization for Ligand Docking in silico docking platform. Cholesterol and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine docking poses were successfully identified in DQ-bound ABCA1. In contrast, no ligand-binding poses were detected in probucol-bound ABCA1. These findings suggest that DQ preserves the lipid-recognition and transport properties of ABCA1, whereas probucol disrupts ligand accommodation within the transporter. This study provides the first atomic-level insight into the interactions among ABCA1, cholesterol, probucol, and DQ, offering a structural explanation for their distinct effects on HDL biogenesis and identifying a potential framework for developing novel HDL-targeted therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kaoutar Benkhraba, Fatma Boujenoui, Jesus D Castaño, Jabin Sultana, Francis Beaudry
{"title":"Terpenes as modulators of nociceptive signaling: behavioral and molecular insights from <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>.","authors":"Kaoutar Benkhraba, Fatma Boujenoui, Jesus D Castaño, Jabin Sultana, Francis Beaudry","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0380","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0380","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Terpenes such as Limonene (LIMO) and β-Caryophyllene (BC) have demonstrated pain-modulating properties, potentially through interactions with the Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor. This study examines the antinociceptive effects of four terpenes derived from <i>Cannabis sativa</i>: Limonene, β-Caryophyllene, α-Humulene (HUM), and α-Myrcene (MYR) using <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> (<i>C. elegans</i>). The primary objective was to characterize terpene-induced modulation of nocifensive responses to noxious heat, and to elucidate their influence on molecular pathways via specific receptor targets. Thermotaxis assays quantified the antinociceptive activity of increasing terpene concentrations in wild-type nematodes. To assess receptor-specific mechanisms, assays were performed in mutant strains lacking functional OCR-2 and OSM-9 (TRPV-like nociceptors) and NPR-19 and NPR-32 (encoding cannabinoid-like receptors). Proteomic profiling coupled with bioinformatics analysis identified terpene-induced alterations in signaling pathways and biological processes. All four terpenes exhibited significant antinociceptive activity in wild-type <i>C. elegans</i>, with impaired effects observed in vanilloid receptor mutants, implicating TRPV-like channels in their mechanism of action. Proteomic and pathway analyses revealed terpene-specific molecular signatures, highlighting differential modulation of neuronal and stress-responsive signaling cascades. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying terpene-induced nociceptive modulation, this work strengthens the growing body of evidence supporting the therapeutic promise of terpenes in pain management outside the effect referred to as the \"entourage effect\".</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147832856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Discussion of \"Efficacy of lactoferrin supplementation in pediatric infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis\".","authors":"Graziella D'Arrigo, Mercedes Gori","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1139/bcb-2025-0234","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":"104 ","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148216302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fanrui Fu, Yong Wu, Peilin Wang, Wubin Yuan, Yi Jiang
{"title":"USP54 regulates the malignancy and autophagy in nasopharyngeal cancer cells by modulating ULK1 ubiquitination levels.","authors":"Fanrui Fu, Yong Wu, Peilin Wang, Wubin Yuan, Yi Jiang","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0235","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor outcomes at advanced stages. Although ubiquitination is critical in regulating oncogenic pathways, the role of many ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) in NPC remains unexplored. In this study, we conducted a systematic screen of USPs to identify regulators of ULK1, a key initiator of autophagy and oncogene in NPC. We identified USP54 as a potent stabilizer of ULK1. Bioinformatic analyses of NPC transcriptomic datasets revealed that both ULK1 and USP54 are significantly overexpressed in NPC tissues. Functional assays demonstrated that USP54 overexpression enhanced NPC cell viability, colony formation, migration, and invasion by promoting autophagy, independently of PI3K/AKT pathway activity. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of autophagy or genetic silencing of ULK1 abolished the oncogenic effects of USP54, indicating that ULK1-dependent autophagy mediates USP54-driven NPC progression. Our findings revealed that USP54 may promote autophagy and malignancy in NPC via regulating ULK1 stability, highlighting USP54 as a potential therapeutic target for NPC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145740750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rong Zhou, Zhibo Yang, Junwen Wang, Chang Wang, Meijunzi Luo, Yi Pan, Pan Huang, Yi-Ning Yan, Di Long, Haizhen Wang
{"title":"Chelerythrine alleviates inflammation and angiogenesis in a mouse rosacea model via suppressing the NF-κB/p38 MAPK/STAT3 pathways.","authors":"Rong Zhou, Zhibo Yang, Junwen Wang, Chang Wang, Meijunzi Luo, Yi Pan, Pan Huang, Yi-Ning Yan, Di Long, Haizhen Wang","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0124","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by excessive M1 macrophage polarization and angiogenesis, resulting in erythema and tissue inflammation. Despite available treatments, many patients experience recurrent flare-ups. This study explores chelerythrine, a bioactive component of <i>Phellodendri Chinensis</i> Cortex, for its therapeutic potential in rosacea through modulation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and STAT3 signaling, inflammation, and vascular regulation. Using an LL-37-induced rosacea-like mouse model, THP-1-derived M1 macrophages and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), chelerythrine's effects on macrophage polarization, cytokine expression, angiogenesis, and pathway activation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and STAT3 were evaluated. Chelerythrine significantly reduced epidermal thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-1β). It inhibited NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and STAT3 activation and decreased M1 polarization markers, shifting towards an anti-inflammatory profile. Furthermore, chelerythrine reduced vascular density and VEGF expression, impairing angiogenesis-related behaviors in HUVECs. These findings suggest that chelerythrine holds promise as a treatment for rosacea by mitigating inflammation and angiogenesis through targeted multiple pathways and macrophage modulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144999490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Geneveve Analike, Dhanvi Prajapati, James R Davie, Juan Ausió
{"title":"An improved version of the early histone HCl extraction protocol.","authors":"Geneveve Analike, Dhanvi Prajapati, James R Davie, Juan Ausió","doi":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0335","DOIUrl":"10.1139/bcb-2025-0335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acid extraction has been and remains one of the most widely used methods for preparing histones. Over the years, dilute hydrochloric or sulphuric acid solutions have been used alternately for histone extraction, followed by acetone or trichloroacetic acid precipitation, respectively. Although a sulphuric acid method has become commonplace in recent years, the protocol is quite involved and can pose problems when trying to solubilize the histones obtained this way. In this paper, we describe an alternative approach based on an early protocol using hydrochloric acid. The new method is technically straightforward and produces histones that are readily amenable to downstream uses, including sodium dodecyl sulfate, acetic acid-urea-Triton X-100, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry.</p>","PeriodicalId":8775,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145892063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}