R. Whitaker

Heparan sulfate modifications of betaglycan promote TIMP3-dependent ectodomain shedding to fine-tune TGF-β signaling.

This study identifies heparan sulfate modifications as critical for betaglycan ectodomain shedding, which regulates TGF-β signaling and has clinical implications in ovarian cancer.

Horizontal gene transfer and CRISPR targeting drive phage-bacterial host interactions and co-evolution in pink berry marine microbial aggregates

The paper identifies eight novel phages in pink berry microbial aggregates, showing CRISPR-driven phage evolution and horizontal gene transfer between phages and bacterial hosts.

Ca2+/Calmodulin Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase-2 (CaMKK2) promotes Protein Kinase G (PKG)-dependent actin cytoskeletal assembly to increase tumor metastasis

This study identifies CaMKK2 as a driver of tumor metastasis through a novel signaling pathway involving PDE1A, PKG1, and VASP, suggesting it as a therapeutic target for TNBC and HGSOC.

G6PD Inhibition Sensitizes Ovarian Cancer Cells to Oxidative Stress in the Metastatic Omental Microenvironment

This study shows G6PD inhibition increases oxidative stress and reduces omental metastases in ovarian cancer.

Reciprocal epigenetic Sox2 regulation by SMAD1-SMAD3 is critical for anoikis resistance and metastasis in cancer

This study identifies Sox2 as a key node regulated by opposing TGF-β superfamily signals, impacting anoikis resistance and metastasis in ovarian cancer.

A short prokaryotic argonaute cooperates with membrane effector to confer antiviral defense

The paper identifies a short prokaryotic argonaute (pAgo) in Sulfolobus islandicus that, along with Aga1 and Aga2, provides antiviral defense through abortive infection.

Interrogation of the integrated mobile genetic elements in gut-associated Bacteroidaceae with a consensus prediction approach

The paper introduces VICSIN, a consensus method for predicting and clustering mobile genetic elements in gut-associated Bacteroidaceae, identifying novel MGEs and revealing gene sharing patterns.

Infection with novel Bacteroides phage BV01 alters host transcriptome and bile acid metabolism in a common human gut microbe

This paper shows that infection with Bacteroides phage BV01 alters host transcriptome and bile acid metabolism in B. vulgatus, with effects dependent on tspO gene disruption.