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Genes & Development Oct 2023Mutations in the methyl-DNA binding domain of MECP2 cause Rett syndrome; however, distinct mutations are associated with different severity of the disease. Live-cell... (Review)
Review
Mutations in the methyl-DNA binding domain of MECP2 cause Rett syndrome; however, distinct mutations are associated with different severity of the disease. Live-cell imaging and single-molecule tracking are sensitive methods to quantify the DNA binding affinity and diffusion dynamics of nuclear proteins. In this issue of , Zhou and colleagues (pp. 883-900) used these imaging methods to quantitatively describe the partial loss of DNA binding resulting from a novel pathological mutation with intermediate disease severity. These data demonstrate how single-molecule tracking can advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms connecting mutations with Rett syndrome pathophysiology.
Topics: Humans; Rett Syndrome; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; DNA; Mutation; Nuclear Proteins; Protein Domains
PubMed: 37914350
DOI: 10.1101/gad.351285.123 -
Chemical Science Dec 2023Molecular imaging, including quantification and molecular interaction studies, plays a crucial role in visualizing and analysing molecular events occurring within cells... (Review)
Review
Molecular imaging, including quantification and molecular interaction studies, plays a crucial role in visualizing and analysing molecular events occurring within cells or organisms, thus facilitating the understanding of biological processes. Moreover, molecular imaging offers promising applications for early disease diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that can recognize targets with a high affinity and specificity by folding themselves into various three-dimensional structures, thus serving as ideal molecular recognition elements in molecular imaging. This review summarizes the commonly employed aptamers in molecular imaging and outlines the prevalent design approaches for their applications. Furthermore, it highlights the successful application of aptamers to a wide range of targets and imaging modalities. Finally, the review concludes with a forward-looking perspective on future advancements in aptamer-based molecular imaging.
PubMed: 38098720
DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03989g -
Insights Into Imaging Feb 2024Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) is a hybrid imaging technique that quantitatively combines the metabolic and functional data from... (Review)
Review
Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) is a hybrid imaging technique that quantitatively combines the metabolic and functional data from positron emission tomography (PET) with anatomical and physiological information from MRI. As PET/MRI technology has advanced, its applications in cancer care have expanded. Recent studies have demonstrated that PET/MRI provides unique advantages in the field of radiotherapy and has become invaluable in guiding precision radiotherapy techniques. This review discusses the rationale and clinical evidence supporting the use of PET/MRI for radiation positioning, target delineation, efficacy evaluation, and patient surveillance.Critical relevance statement This article critically assesses the transformative role of PET/MRI in advancing precision radiotherapy, providing essential insights into improved radiation positioning, target delineation, efficacy evaluation, and patient surveillance in clinical radiology practice.Key points• The emergence of PET/MRI will be a key bridge for precise radiotherapy.• PET/MRI has unique advantages in the whole process of radiotherapy.• New tracers and nanoparticle probes will broaden the use of PET/MRI in radiation.• PET/MRI will be utilized more frequently for radiotherapy.
PubMed: 38411742
DOI: 10.1186/s13244-024-01627-6