The FEBS Journal

Our Disease Mechanisms Focus Issue is out now 📗🪰 Articles in this issue combine fundamental structural insight with mechanistic implications for disease. Read the issue here ➡️ febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/17424658/2…

A recent publication from Dr. @Vengadesan_K’s lab has been spotlighted as a ‘Hidden Gem’ by the editors of the @FEBSJournal— with its figure featured on the journal cover! 🎉 Read more: doi.org/10.1111/febs.7… @BricDbt @DBTIndia @rajesh_gokhale @ArvindK_Sahu @Shivani38107628

🔬 Over the past few months, we have been showcasing exceptional research from our #Highlights2025 collection. Today, we are proud to share the final featured article. 🚀 We hope these publications have been an inspiring read. Stay tuned for our upcoming Focus Issue! 📕 Nanoscale engagement of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in membrane lipid raft domains of cancer cells 📖 A multiscale fluorescence microscopy toolbox was applied to study how PD-L1, a key immune-regulating protein, is organized on the plasma membrane of cancer cells. It was revealed that PD-L1 is engaged in cholesterol-rich plasma membrane raft domains of 25 nm mean radius. Each domain corrals about 11 PD-L1 molecules together with glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) proteins, restricting their diffusion dynamics. These nanodomains are arranged in an ordered pattern spaced ~180 nm. Discover the article, here ➡️ buff.ly/zGeaRmy ✍ Simone Civita, Martina Ruglioni, Matteo Mariangeli, serena barachini, Tiziano Salvadori, Sofia Cristiani, Vittoria Carnicelli, Iacopo Petrini, Irene Nepita, Marco Castello, Alberto Diaspro, Stefano Fogli, Paolo Bianchini, Barbara Storti, Ranieri Bizzarri, Romano Danesi 🏢 Università degli Studi di Parma, Università di Pisa, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa Instruments, Università degli Studi di Genova, NEST Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Università degli Studi di Milano #PDL1 #lipidrafts #STED #STORM

♻️ Today, we're switching gears to spotlight another impactful study from our #Highlights2025 collection. This time, we're diving into enzymatic recycling of the most abundant synthetic polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 📕 Development of a highly active engineered PETase enzyme for polyester degradation 📖 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) accounts for approximately 6% of global plastic production and is a major contributor to plastic pollution. Enzymatic recycling offers a promising solution, but current PET-degrading enzymes often lack sufficient thermostability and catalytic efficiency. Through in silico design, we engineered a more robust variant, LCC-ICCG-C09, which exhibits enhanced thermal stability and twice the depolymerization efficiency of its predecessor, LCC-ICCG. This mutant shows strong potential for industrial-scale PET recycling applications. Discover the study, here➡️ buff.ly/TskjaJz ✍ Shapla Bhattacharya, Rossella Castagna, Hajar Estiri, TOMS UPMANIS, Andrea Ricci, Alfonso Gautieri, Emilio Parisini 🏢 Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Rīgas Tehniskā universitāte (Riga Technical University), Politecnico di Milano, University of Latvia (Latvijas Universitāte), Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician" – University of Bologna #PET #polyester #plasticpollution #PETdegradingenzymes

♀️ ♂️ We are pleased to open the week by featuring this excellent study from our #Highlights2025 collection, which sheds light on sex-related differences driven by lactate dehydrogenase A in immune reshaping in melanoma. 📕 Sex-related changes in lactate dehydrogenase A expression differently impact the immune response in melanoma 📖 This study explores a differential sex-related metabolic-immune relationship in melanoma. Melanoma tumours in male patients exhibit a higher LDH-A-driven production of lactate compared to their female counterparts. In turn, lactate acts as an immunosuppressive molecule, promoting pro-tumoural Treg cells and suppressing anti-tumoural CD8+ T-cell activity. Targeting LDH-A in male preclinical models restores immune composition, dampens tumour growth and metastatic dissemination. Thus, LDH-A emerges as a promising target in a sex-dependent context in melanoma. Discover the article, here ➡️ febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fe… ✍ MARTA IOZZO, Giuseppina Comito, Luigi Ippolito, Giada Sandrini, Elisa Pardella, Erica Pranzini, Mariaelena Capone, Gabriele Madonna, Paolo A. Ascierto, Paola Chiarugi, Elisa Giannoni 🏢 Università degli Studi di Firenze, USI Università della Svizzera italiana #melanoma #sexdifference #LDHA # immuneresponse

🔬 In our latest issue, we invite you to discover the Editor's Choice article exploring deubiquitination mechanism involved in resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia, accompanied by an insightful Commentary. 📕 The deubiquitinating enzyme USP8 promotes tyrosine kinase inhibitors resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia by stabilizing EIF2S1 protein 📖 Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved survival outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), the development of resistance remains a challenge. Adding to this, the underlying mechanisms of TKI resistance are largely unknown. Here, it's shown that inhibition of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP8 restores sensitivity to TKIs in CML by blocking EIF2S1 stabilization, thus uncovering a previously undescribed mechanism of drug resistance in this disease setting. Discover the study, here ➡️ buff.ly/jdODi5z ✍ Shan Zhang, Hurong Lai, Wanwan Bao, Caifeng Liao, Jian Li 💭 You may read the Commentary on this interesting study entitled 'USP8–EIF2S1 signaling enhances CML cell survival under TKI-induced stress' ✍ by Chethampadi Gopi Mohan and Keechilat Pavithran ➡️ buff.ly/VX7C7Is #CML #deubiquitination #TKI #drugresistance

🗓️Save the date! The EMBO-EMBL Symposium, ‘Sex differences in health and disease’, will take place this April, both virtually and in Heidelberg. ♀️♂️This symposium will highlight topics including sex hormone regulation of health and immunity, genetic differences leading to disease, and mosaicism. A variety of topics including the molecular underpinnings of sexual dimorphisms, how sex hormones regulate sexually distinct phenotypes, and the role of sex differences in the context of metabolism, infections, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases will be covered during this excellent meeting. ⏰ Please note that the registration deadline for on-site attendance is 16th March, and for virtual attendance, it is 23rd April. The FEBS Journal has already registered, and we can't wait to delve into this long-understudied, exciting field! For further details, please visit 👉 buff.ly/LtlhCp8 #EMBLevents #FEBSPress #sexdifferences #disease

🚨 Deadline alert! The EMBO | EMBL Symposium, 'Mechanobiology across the tree of life', will delve into cell wall, cytoskeleton, and membrane biology with an evolutionary lens. The meeting will be held this June at EMBL Heidelberg, with a virtual attendance option available. If you haven’t submitted your abstract for the EMBO-EMBL Symposium 'Mechanobiology across the tree of life' yet, we have good news! You still have one more week to submit your abstract for #EESMechanobiology. The FEBS Journal looks forward to attending and encourages you not to miss this excellent symposium! ➡️ Abstract submission deadline: 10 March 2026 ➡️ On-site registration deadline: 28 April 2026 ➡️ Virtual registration deadline: 2 June 2026

💻 We look forward to attending the EMBO-EMBL Symposium ‘AI and biology’ in Heidelberg next week. 💬 Please come and meet The FEBS Journal Editor, Yeliz Yılmaz. We'd be delighted to connect and discuss great science with you! #EESAIBio #FEBSPress

🚀 We're excited to announce that our new issue is now online! 5️⃣ In Issue 5 of The FEBS Journal, you can explore: 🌟 Two articles honouring #WomenInScience, including an Editorial by our Editorial Board member Kirsten C. Sadler, and an interview by our Senior Editor Hajrah Khawaja with Karen H. Vousden. 🌟 A state-of-the-art Review on the artificial lipidation of proteins and peptides. 🌟 A Viewpoint article highlighting underexplored roles of Cas9 beyond its canonical function in CRISPR immunity 🌟 An Editor's Choice article exploring deubiquitination mechanism involved in resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia, accompanied by an insightful Commentary. 🌟 Several excellent original research articles to delve into. Discover our latest issue, here ➡️ buff.ly/XIqf1Na #lipidation #Cas9 #deubiquitination #structuralbiology

🧠 We'd like to remind you of this excellent EMBO Workshop, 'Brain (epi)genome', taking place this April, both virtually and in Heidelberg. 🧬 This EMBO Workshop brings together leaders in genomics, neuroscience, and epigenetics to advance our understanding of how the (epi)genome achieves this diversity, shaping brain function and behaviour. ⏰ Please note that the registration deadline for on-site attendance is 10th March, and for virtual attendance, it is 14th April. For further details, please visit 👉 buff.ly/tFOsFXn #EMBOevents #Brain #epigenome

🐾 Today, on World Wildlife Day, we’re highlighting one of our recent publications that reveals the metabolic mechanisms underlying Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) in Tasmanian devils. 🧬 DFTD is a transmissible cancer and nearly 100% fatal, endangering Tasmanian devils. This study explores how different forms of this contagious cancer exploit distinct metabolic adaptations to support growth and aggressiveness. Curious about how metabolic adaptations drives cancer progression in this unique system? 👇 📕 Metabolic pathways fuelling devil facial tumour diseases 📖 Tasmanian devils are threatened by two transmissible cancers. This study compared how these tumours generate and use energy. Both rely on major metabolic pathways for survival, but Devil Facial Tumour 2 shows higher glycolysis, energy production, and fat metabolism, alongside reduced metabolic flexibility. These features are consistent with faster growth and suggest a more aggressive metabolic phenotype than Devil Facial Tumour 1. Read the full study here ➡️ buff.ly/qxFsbpf ✍ Anne-Lise Gérard, Florence Pirard, Caitlin Vanbeek, Antoine Dujon, Aaron Schultz, Rodrigo Hamede, Hannah Siddle, Frédéric Thomas, Matthew McKenzie, Mark Ziemann, Beata Ujvari 🏢 Deakin University, University of Montpellier, University of Tasmania, The University of Queensland, Burnet Institute #WorldWildlifeDay #tasmaniandevils #cancermetabolism #transmissiblecancer

@PetanLab @OndrejKuda @FedorovaLab @Lejaperne Congratulations @PetanLab 🎉

Excited to share our new paper in @FEBSJournal! With @OndrejKuda & @FedorovaLab we show how LDs reshape the lipidome of PUFA-exposed cells & shift function within the same cell, revealing a context-dependent role in ferroptosis. Congrats Ana & @Lejaperne! shorturl.at/TyRl1

@protasov_evgeni Congratulations @protasov_evgeni 🎉

H2-dependent modulation of tetrahydromethanopterin S-methyltransferase (Mtr complex) activity by the small protein MtrR in Methanosarcina mazei #microbiology #methanogens #biochemistry @FEBSJournal doi.org/10.1111/febs.7…

🥁 New insights alert! Today, we take you into the fascinating world of RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases through this article from our #Highlights2025 collection. ⚛️ This study reveals the first crystal structure of the RING domain of human SIAH1 together with an adjacent zinc finger, unveiling a potential RING dimer that contributes to E3 ligase activity. 📕 RING dimerisation drives higher-order organisation of SINA/SIAH E3 ubiquitin ligases 📖 SIAH1, a member of the SINA/SIAH subfamily of RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligases, is known to dimerise through its C-terminal SBD domain. Here, this study reveal that its N-terminal RING domain also exhibits a dimerisation propensity. When these two dimerisation tendencies combine in the full-length protein, they are expected to promote open-ended homomultimerisation, providing a mechanistic basis for cluster formation by SINA/SIAH ligases in cells and their apparent preference for multivalent substrates. Discover the article, here ➡️ buff.ly/rIErxm1 ✍ Franck Coste, Aanchal Mishra, Catherine Chapuis, Lucija Mance, Zofia Pukalo, Nicolas Bigot, Stephane Goffinont, Virginie Gaudon, Norbert Garnier, ibtissam TALHAOUI, CASTAING BERTRAND, Sébastien Huet, Marcin J. Suskiewicz 🏢 CBM - CNRS UPR4301, Université d'Orléans, Université de Rennes I, CNRS #ubiquitin #E3ligase #RINGdomain #SIAH1

🧬✨New in @FEBSJournal ! “Research highlights: Hidden gems” shines a spotlight on a curated selection of standout research articles published in The FEBS Journal across 2024–2025 👉Explore hidden gems here: tinyurl.com/36vvf6a6 #FEBS #FEBSJournal #FEBSPress #JuniorAmbassador

🧬 Single-cell RNA sequencing has been an amazing tool in research. In our latest issue, Deng and colleagues utilized scRNA-seq to uncover the potential of a specific macrophage population in kidney injury. 📕 Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the protective role of renal Cx3cr1+ macrophages in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury 📖 Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of cisplatin-induced AKI (Cis-AKI) kidneys identified 4 macrophage (MФ) subsets, with obvious transcriptional heterogeneity. Bioinformatics analysis revealed Cx3cr1+MФ as a potentially protective subset against Cis-AKI, which was functionally validated through both ablation and adoptive transfer experiments. Mechanistically, Cx3cr1+MФ attenuated Cis-AKI by AXL-GAS6 receptor–ligand pair-dependent efferocytosis of apoptotic proximal tubule (PT). Discover the article, here ➡️ buff.ly/ooEodld ✍ Bingquan Deng, Mengqing Ma, Weijuan Deng, Hao Zhang, Xia Du, Binbin Pan, Xin Wan, Changchun Cao 🏢 Nanjing Medical University, First People's Hospital of Jiujiang City Don't forget to visit the Commentary article ✍ by Yahong Xu and Jingping Liuon on this study ➡️ buff.ly/24G9Uem #scRNAseq #cisplatin #kidneyinjury #macrophage

Proteostasis of organelles in aging and disease @TheVilchezLab @FEBSJournal febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fe…

New Paper from I04 in @FEBSJournal doi.org/10.1111/febs.7… (pdbe.org/9SSB)