Inhibitory activities of short linear motifs underlie Hox interactome specificity in vivo

International audienceHox proteins are well-established developmental regulators that coordinate cell fate and morphogenesis throughout embryogenesis. In contrast, our knowledge of their specific molecular modes of action is limited to the interaction with few cofactors. Here, we show that Hox proteins are able to interact with a wide range of transcription factors in the live Drosophila embryo. In this context, specificity relies on a versatile usage of conserved short linear motifs (SLiMs), which, surprisingly, often restrains the interaction potential of Hox proteins. This novel buffering activity of SLiMs was observed in different tissues and found in Hox proteins from cnidarian to mouse species. Although these interactions remain to be analysed in the context of endogenous Hox regulatory activities, our observations challenge the traditional role assigned to SLiMs and provide an alternative concept to explain how Hox interactome specificity could be achieved during the embryonic development

Helicobacter pylori Infection of Gastrointestinal Epithelial Cells in vitro Induces Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration through an NF-κB-Dependent Pathway

The role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract epithelium is currently not well established. These cells can be recruited in response to inflammation due to epithelial damage, home, and participate in tissue repair. In addition, in the case of tissue repair failure, these cells could transform and be at the origin of carcinomas. However, the chemoattractant molecules responsible for MSC recruitment and migration in response to epithelial damage, and particularly to Helicobacter pylori infection, remain unknown although the role of some chemokines has been suggested. This work aimed to get insight into the mechanisms of mouse MSC migration during in vitro infection of mouse gastrointestinal epithelial cells by H. pylori. Using a cell culture insert system, we showed that infection of gastrointestinal epithelial cells by different H. pylori strains is able to stimulate the migration of MSC. This mechanism involves the secretion by infected epithelial cells of multiple cytokines, with a major role of TNFα, mainly via a Nuclear Factor-kappa B-dependent pathway. This study provides the first evidence of the role of H. pylori infection in MSC migration and paves the way to a better understanding of the role of bone marrow-derived stem cells in gastric pathophysiology and carcinogenesis

Functional abdominal pain disorders and patient- and parent- reported outcomes in children with inflammatory bowel disease in remission

BACKGROUND: Chronic abdominal pain occurs frequently in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission. AIMS: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders among IBD children in remission (IBD-FAPD). METHODS: Patients with IBD for > 1 year, in clinical remission for ≥ 3 months were recruited from a National IBD network. IBD-FAPDs were assessed using the Rome III questionnaire criteria. Patient- or parent- reported outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Among 102 included patients, 57 (56%) were boys, mean age (DS) was 15.0 (± 2.0) years and 75 (74%) had Crohn's disease. Twenty-two patients (22%) had at least one Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder among which 17 had at least one IBD-FAPD. Past severity of disease or treatments received and level of remission were not significantly associated with IBD-FAPD. Patients with IBD-FAPD reported more fatigue (peds-FACIT-F: 35.9 ± 9.8 vs. 43.0 ± 6.9, p = 0.01) and a lower HR-QoL (IMPACT III: 76.5 ± 9.6 vs. 81.6 ± 9.2, p = 0.04) than patients without FAPD, and their parents had higher levels of State and Trait anxiety than the other parents. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of IBD-FAPD was 17%. IBD-FAPD was not associated with past severity of disease, but with fatigue and lower HR-QoL

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Synthesis and characterization of β-diketonato ruthenium(II) complexes with two 4-bromo or protected 4-ethynyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligands

International audienceTwo new mononuclear mixed-ligand ruthenium(II) complexes with acetylacetonate ion (2,4-pentanedionate, acac) and functionalized bipyridine (bpy) in position 4, [Ru(bpyBr)2(acac)](PF6) (2; bpyBr = 4-Bromo-2,2’-bipyridine, acac = 2,4-pentanedionate ion) and [Ru(bpyOH)2(acac)](PF6) (3; bpyOH = 4-[2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol]-2,2’-bipyridine) were prepared as candidates for building blocks. The 1H NMR, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis, electrochemistry and FAB mass spectral data of these complexes are presented

An expeditious route to cis-Ru(bpy)2C12 (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) using carbohydrates as reducers

International audienceThe tandem use of simple mono- or disaccharides and vitamin C as organic reducers allows the synthesis of the widely used starting material cis-Ru(bpy)2Cl2 (where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) from commercial ruthenium (III) chloride in less than half an hour. Notably, the reaction can be run in organic aqueous solvent or in only water, hence it can be adapted to substituted 2,2′-bipyridines

Patrimonialisations et espaces ruraux : tant que l'on n'osera pas le désert

Communication au séminaire ESO-Rennes "Patrimonialisations et espaces ruraux", 18 janvier 201

Two-Dimensional Halogen-Bonded Porous Self-Assembled Nanoarchitectures of Copper β-Diketonato Complexes

ASAPInternational audienceTwo novel copper β-diketonato complexes with halogen atoms are synthesized. The length of complex arms is slightly different. Scanning tunneling microscopy shows that the two complexes self-assemble into porous two-dimensional (2D) nanoarchitectures at the solid−liquid interface on graphite. These arrangements are however stabilized by the formation of two different halogen synthons between neighboring molecules. These synthons are composed of four or two type-II halogen bonds. These observations reveal that a tiny modification of complex design can drastically affect the structure of 2D halogen-bonded nanoarchitectures

Synthesis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons with a central rotor

A series of molecular landers comprising a central mobile part has been synthesised. The two rigid main boards consist of acenaphtho[1,2-k]fluoranthene groups, each substituted in positions 7 and 14 by 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl groups. The boards are linked by a diethynylanthracene, a phenyl, or a biphenyl rotor