Typologie d'actualités: CBM

RNA Remodeling Proteins, Methods and Protocols

The second edition of the book “RNA Remodeling Proteins, Methods and Protocols” edited by Marc Boudvillain has just been published.

This volume of the “Methods in Molecular Biology” series compiles new methods to study RNA-protein complexes and the mechanisms leading to their structural remodeling. The volume includes 4 chapters written by CBM researchers and ideally complements the first edition published in 2015.

 

Targeting the LINGO-1 receptor and its hetero-complexes: new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases

LINGO-1 is a transmembrane protein mainly expressed in neurons and oligodendrocytes where it negatively regulates regeneration, neuronal survival, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Its expression was shown to be dysregulated in several brain disorders, in particular, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, which makes LINGO-1 a particular interesting therapeutic target. Three homologs LINGO-2, LINGO-3 and LINGO-4 have been described in human but until now their functions remain largely unknown. In this article published in the FASEB Journal, the researchers evaluated the expression, the cerebral distribution and the colocalization of these different homologs in several brain areas. They also showed the formation of hetero-complexes of LINGO-1 with its homologs in the brain, revealing a new level of complexity in the regulation of the activity of these receptors. The demonstration of this LINGO-1 signaling opens the way to new strategies to modulate its activity for the treatment of brain disorders.

Guillemain, A., Y. Laouarem, L. Cobret, D. Stefok, W. Chen, S. Boch, A. Zahaf, L. Blot, F. Reverchon, T. Normand, M. Decoville, C. Grillon, E. Traiffort and S. Morisset (2020). "LINGO family receptors are differentially expressed in mouse brain and forms native multimeric complexes " FASEB J (2020) doi : 10.1096/fj.202000826R

Pure and stable white light

Current white light sources, such as LEDs, tend to oscillate between different color variations, which distorts the perception of the human eye. This limitation can be very disabling, even dangerous, during surgery or in the work of graphic designers and artists.

Researchers from the Center for Molecular Biophysics and the University of Michigan (United States) have developed a new system, based on dysprosium atoms and metallacrowns, which gives exactly white light that does not vary with conditions wear or temperature.

This work has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

See the information on the CNRS Institute of Chemistry website.

Impact of pesticides on health through diet

Jean-Marc Bonmatin and his collaborators from the Task Force on Systemic Pesticides  published a substantial article on the impact of pesticides on health through food, and on alternative agronomic solutions, in the journal Environment International.

This article follows two other journal articles on alternatives to pesticides and recently published article 1,  article 2. This new article resonates particularly with the questioning of the total ban on neonicotinoid insecticides in France.

Summary :

The article first examines the risks of pesticides associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. It then lists the effective agronomic alternatives by product, geography and chemical compound. Thus, in all countries, the use of pesticides contaminates up to 97% of food products and up to 42% of these products present a real risk to consumers. For example, multiple residues are present in 70-92% of stone fruits (USA and China) while 58% of American cauliflower is contaminated with neonicotinoid insecticides. Scientific alternatives and decision support frameworks can promote healthy eating. Increasingly, growers are reducing risk and potential harm by deliberately refraining from the use of pesticides. As such, opportunities abound to promote “win-win” diets that promote human health and preserve global biodiversity.