Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE24446: Genetic abnormalities in GBM brain tumors GSE24452: Genetic abnormalities in various cell subpopulations of GBM brain tumors GSE24557: Exon-level expression profiles of GBM brain tumors Refer to individual Series
Project description:Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor characterized by extensive infiltration into peritumoral brain tissue. GBM tumors exhibit substantial intratumoral heterogeneity making it difficult to identify and target invasive cell subpopulations. In this study, an interface hydrogel model matching in vivo tissue stiffness was utilized to investigate transcriptomic changes in GBM clonal subpopulations as cells migrate across mechanical interfaces. Using single-cell RNA sequencing combined with clonal lineage tracing, unique migratory clonal subpopulations were identified that preferentially migrate at the interface. These cells exhibit a distinct pre-invasive transcriptomic profile characterized by overexpression of galectin-1, a β-galactosidase binding protein. Our findings reveal overexpression of galectin-1 is an innate characteristic of the migratory cells and that expression level is correlated to invasion rate. This study provides insight into the mechanobiological mechanisms underlying GBM invasion and potential therapeutic targets for the invasive population.
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.
Project description:To elucidate the epithelial cell diversity within the nasal inferior turbinates, a comprehensive investigation was conducted comparing control subjects to individuals with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis. This study aimed to delineate the differential expression profiles and phenotypic variations of epithelial cells in response to allergic rhinitis. This research elucidated distinct subpopulations and rare cell types of epithelial cells within the nasal turbinates, discerning alterations induced by allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, by interrogating transcriptomic signatures, the investigation provided novel insights into the cellular dynamics and immune responses underlying allergic rhinitis pathogenesis
Project description:Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained attention in the neurology field due to their role in cell-to-cell communication and their potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Despite progress in the field, there remains a gap in our understanding of the composition and function of EVs in brain tumours. Previous studies have primarily evaluated EVs obtained from patient fluids or cell cultures, rather than directly from the tumour tissue.
Here we successfully isolated EVs from biopsies of glioblastoma (GBM) or meningioma (MNG) tumors obtained during surgery, marking the first report of in situ EV isolation from brain tumors. The protein content of the tumors and their EVs was characterized using tandem mass spectrometric proteomics, revealing proteins exclusively detected or enriched in EVs relative to tumor. While our study confirmed the presence of proteins previously identified in GBM and MNG EVs from various sources, it also identified novel proteins and pathways associated with EVs from these tumour types. This study underscores the benefit of analyzing in situ EVs direct from brain tissue for insights into tumor biology and highlights the need for further research comparing various types and grades of brain tumors.