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Rivera, B.

Publications and source records attributed to Rivera, B..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Multiple FGFR1 mutations modulate tumorigenic mechanisms in glioneuronal tumors.

FGFR1 genetic alterations are associated with human diseases, including brain tumors. We reported multiple FGFR1 mutations in familial and sporadic cases of low-grade glioneuronal tumors, suggesting intrinsic mechanisms of selective pressure toward FGFR1 multiple events arising in the context of a quiet genome. To decipher the molecular mechanisms triggered by multiple FGFR1 mutations, we have mapped the proximal interactome of wild-type, single-and double-mutant FGFR1 proteins through a BioID-MS approach. Our data reveals novel oncogenic functionality for the two hotspots N546K and K656E, linked to evasion of lysosomal degradation. We identified a modulatory role played by the susceptibility variant R661P, which hampers the oncogenic potential of both hotspot mutations by rescuing receptor degradation and reducing N546K affinity for the downstream effector PLC{gamma}. The R661P variant alone abolished the self-renewal capacity of oligodendroglioma cells and showed downregulation of genes involved in neurodevelopment and neuro-glial cell fate decisions, both aspects overcome in the double mutants. This study sheds light on the oncogenic effects associated with FGFR1 alterations and their recurrence in low-mutation burden and therapy naive tumors.

cancer biology↗

FhaA plays a key role in mycobacterial polar elongation and 1 asymmetric growth

Mycobacteria, including pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, exhibit unique growth patterns and cell envelope structures that challenge our understanding of bacterial physiology. This study sheds light on FhaA, a conserved protein in Mycobacteriales, revealing its pivotal role in coordinating cell envelope biogenesis and asymmetric growth. The elucidation of the FhaA interactome in living mycobacterial cells reveals its participation in the protein network orchestrating cell envelope biogenesis and cell elongation/division. By manipulating FhaA levels, we uncovered its influence on cell morphology, cell envelope organization, and the localization of peptidoglycan biosynthesis machinery. Notably, fhaA deletion disrupted the characteristic asymmetric growth of mycobacteria, highlighting its importance in maintaining this distinctive feature. Our findings position FhaA as a key regulator in a complex protein network, orchestrating the asymmetric distribution and activity of cell envelope biosynthetic machinery. This work not only advances our understanding of mycobacterial growth mechanisms but also identifies FhaA as a potential target for future studies on cell envelope biogenesis and bacterial growth regulation. These insights into the fundamental biology of mycobacteria may pave the way for novel approaches to combat mycobacterial infections addressing the ongoing challenge of diseases like tuberculosis in global health.

microbiology↗

Germline Missense Variants in CDC20 Result in Aberrant Mitotic Progression and Familial Cancer

CDC20 is a co-activator of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) and is essential for mitotic progression. APC/CCDC20 is inhibited by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which prevents premature separation of sister chromatids and aneuploidy in daughter cells. Although overexpression of CDC20 is common in many cancers, oncogenic mutations have never been identified in humans. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified heterozygous missense CDC20 variants (L151R and N331K) that segregate with cancer in two families. Characterization of these mutants showed they retain APC/C activation activity but show reduced binding to BUBR1, a component of the SAC. Expression of L151R and N331K promoted mitotic slippage in HeLa cells and primary skin fibroblasts derived from carriers. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate mice carrying N331K. Homozygous mice carrying N331K were non-viable, however, heterozygotes displayed accelerated oncogenicity in Myc-driven cancers. These findings highlight an unappreciated role for CDC20 variants as tumor promoting genes in humans.

cancer biology↗

Proteome remodeling in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis PknG knockout: molecular evidence for the role of this kinase in cell envelope biogenesis and hypoxia response.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is among the deadliest human pathogens. One of M. tuberculosiss pathogenic hallmarks is its ability to persist in a dormant state in the host for long periods, reinitiating the infectious cycle when favorable environmental conditions are found. Thus, it is not surprising that this pathogen has developed different mechanisms to withstand the stressful conditions found in the host. In particular, the Ser/Thr protein kinase PknG has gained special relevance since it regulates nitrogen metabolism and facilitates bacterial survival inside macrophages. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are far from being elucidated. To further investigate these issues, we performed quantitative proteomics analyses of protein extracts from M. tuberculosis H37Rv and a mutant derivative lacking pknG. Our results showed that in the absence of PknG the mycobacterial proteome was remodeled since 5.7% of the proteins encoded by M. tuberculosis presented significant changes in its relative abundance when compared to the wild-type strain. The main biological processes affected by pknG deletion were the biosynthesis of cell envelope components and the response to hypoxic conditions. As many as 13 DosR-regulated proteins were underrepresented in the pknG deletion mutant, including the distinctive Hrp-1, which was found to be 12-fold decreased according to Parallel Reaction Monitoring experiments. Altogether, the results presented here allow us to postulate that PknG regulation of bacterial adaptation to stress conditions might be an important mechanism underlying its reported effect on intracellular bacterial survival.

biochemistry↗

Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in kept ferrets, Spain

We found SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 6 of 71 ferrets (8.4%) and isolated the virus from one rectal swab. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection does occur in kept ferrets, at least under circumstances of high viral circulation in the human population. However, small ferret collections are probably unable to maintain prolonged virus circulation.

microbiology↗