News ArticlesExploring CLOCK: Our Inner TimekeeperOur cells contain tiny molecular clocks that control a multitude of physiological and behavioral processes according to the circadian rhythm. Governed by a central clock, residing in the suprachiasmic nucleus of the brain, peripheral clocks are present in almost all tissues and organs (Hastings et al., 2003). They are, though able to persist in the absence of environmental cues, driven by the 24-hour patterns of light and temperature produced by the earth´s rotation, and periodically regulate functions such as body temperature, blood pressure, circulating hormones and metabolism (Mazzoccoli et al., 2012)...Read more Image of the month - TRIM73 unveiled in ovaryTripartite motif-containing protein 73 (gene: TRIM73) is a protein whose expression at the protein level was unveiled only recently by a team affiliated with the Human Protein Atlas. Multiplex immunohistochemistry allowed them to confirm its cell-type specific localization in the ovary, thus significantly advancing our understanding of both TRIM73 and the ovary proteome...Read more Image of the month - ODF4 in spermatidsHow can sperm swim? The outer dense fiber of sperm tails 4 (gene: ODF4) is one of the proteins thought to be important for sperm tail movement that propels the sperm forward. Multiplex immunohistochemistry technique enabled us to examine the expression of this protein during sperm development (spermatogenesis) in more detail than ever before...Read more HSP60 - From Stress to SuccessProper three-dimensional structure of proteins is paramount to their function, and misfolded proteins not only lead to loss of that function but to aggregates that can disrupt cellular processes. In ideal conditions, proteins fold spontaneously into their native three-dimensional structures, driven by their amino acid sequence (Ellis, 1999). However, in the crowded and stressed environment of the cell, assistance is often required to avoid misfolding and aggregation. This week we highlight heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), pictured here in the mitochondria of U2OS cells. As a member of the class 1 chaperonin family, HSP60 assists in the folding of newly translated, imported, or denatured proteins in the mitochondrial matrix, particularly under conditions of stress such as high temperatures or UV light ( Hartl, 1996)...Read more Image of the month - PF4 in plateletsPlatelet factor 4 (gene: PF4) is a chemokine expressed by platelets (thrombocytes) - blood cell fragments that play a key role during blood clotting. Although its normal physiological role is not completely understood, PF4 is implicated in antimicrobial activity and life-threatening thrombosis caused by adenovirus vector covid-19 vaccines...Read more |