Reduced neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant by convalescent and vaccine sera

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α-Pyrone and seiricuprolide derivatives from the mangrove-derived fungi Pestalotiopsis spp. PSU-MA92 and PSU-MA119

Investigation of the mangrove-derived fungi Pestalotiopsis spp. PSU-MA92 and PSU-MA119 resulted in the isolation of three new α-pyrones, pestalotiopyrones A–C (1–3), and two new seiricuprolides, pestalotioprolides A (4) and B (5), together with two known compounds. Their structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 5 was isolated as its diacetate derivative (6). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of 2 were evaluated.     

A novel Drosophila Girdin-like protein is involved in Akt pathway control of cell size

The Akt signaling pathway is well known to regulate cell proliferation and growth. Girdin, a novel substrate of Akt, plays a crucial role in organization of the actin cytoskeleton and cell motility under the control of Akt. We here identified a novel Girdin-like protein in Drosophila (dGirdin), which has two isoforms, dGirdin PA and dGirdin PB. dGirdin shows high homology with human Girdin in the N-terminal and coiled-coil domains, while diverging at the C-terminal domain. On establishment of transgenic fly lines, featuring knockdown or overexpression of dGirdin in vivo, overexpression in the wing disc cells induced ectopic apoptosis, implying a role in directing apoptosis. Knockdown of dGirdin in the Drosophila wing imaginal disc cells resulted in reduction of cell size. Furthermore, this was enhanced by half reduction of the Akt gene dose, suggesting that Akt positively regulates dGirdin. In the wing disc, cells in which dGirdin was knocked down exhibited disruption of actin filaments. From these in vivo analyses, we conclude that dGirdin is required for actin organization and regulation of appropriate cell size under control of the Akt signaling pathway.     

Evidence of escape of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351 from natural and vaccine-induced sera

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