embryonic kidney cell line 293t  (ATCC)

Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Article Title: A nanobody-based proteolysis-targeting chimera offers broad-spectrum protection against diverse influenza virus infections

doi: 10.1038/s41392-026-02666-9

Figure Lengend Snippet: Design and validation of Nb-PROTACs targeting the influenza NP protein. a Schematic representation of the Nb-PROTAC constructs. b NP-eGFP degradation monitored by fluorescence microscopy. We cotransfected 293T cells with plasmids encoding individual Nbs or VHL-Nbs together with NP-eGFP, followed by incubation for 48 h. Fluorescence images were captured via an inverted fluorescence microscope equipped with a 10 × objective. c Western blot analysis of NP degradation. We cotransfected 293T cells with plasmids expressing the indicated Nb or VHL-Nb constructs together with PR8-NP. The cell lysates were harvested and subjected to Western blot analysis. The blot shown is representative of three independent experiments performed. Densitometric quantification of NPs normalized to GAPDH (NP/GAPDH ratio) is shown below the blot; the percentages on the bars indicate the NP abundance relative to that of the corresponding controls. d Viral replication kinetics in A549 cells transduced with lentiviral vectors expressing the indicated constructs. The data represent the means ± SDs of three independent experiments ( n = 3). Asterisks indicate statistically significant reductions in viral titers compared with those in the corresponding Nb group (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001). Scale bar = 300 μm

Article Snippet: The human embryonic kidney cell line 293T, murine lung epithelial cell line MLE-12, and human lung epithelial cell line A549 were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Biomarker Discovery, Construct, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Incubation, Western Blot, Expressing, Transduction

Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Article Title: A nanobody-based proteolysis-targeting chimera offers broad-spectrum protection against diverse influenza virus infections

doi: 10.1038/s41392-026-02666-9

Figure Lengend Snippet: Binding analysis of Nb-PROTACs targeting NP proteins across 16 influenza A virus subtypes. Binding activities of VHL-Nb135 ( a ) and VHL-Nb170 ( b ) to NP proteins derived from 16 influenza virus subtypes (Supplementary Table ). We cotransfected 293T cells for 48 h with plasmids expressing individual NP proteins from each of the 16 influenza virus subtypes, along with plasmids encoding VHL-Nb135 ( a ) or VHL-Nb170 ( b ). Whole-cell lysates were prepared and immunoprecipitated via anti-Myc-tag antibody-conjugated agarose beads, followed by Western blotting with the indicated antibodies

Article Snippet: The human embryonic kidney cell line 293T, murine lung epithelial cell line MLE-12, and human lung epithelial cell line A549 were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Binding Assay, Virus, Derivative Assay, Expressing, Immunoprecipitation, Western Blot

Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Article Title: A nanobody-based proteolysis-targeting chimera offers broad-spectrum protection against diverse influenza virus infections

doi: 10.1038/s41392-026-02666-9

Figure Lengend Snippet: Broad-spectrum degradation activities of Nb-PROTACs targeting NP proteins across 16 influenza A virus subtypes. Degradation activities of VHL-Nb135 ( a ) and VHL-Nb170 ( b ) against NP proteins across 16 influenza virus subtypes. We cotransfected 293T cells for 36 h with plasmids expressing Nb135, VHL-Nb135, Nb170, or VHL-Nb170, along with individual NP-expressing plasmids from each influenza subtype. The cell lysates were harvested and analyzed via Western blotting with the indicated antibodies. The blot shown is representative of three independent experiments. Densitometric quantification of the NP protein levels normalized to the level of GAPDH is shown below the blot image. The data represent the means ± SDs from three independent Western blot experiments ( n = 3). Statistical significance was determined via one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001)

Article Snippet: The human embryonic kidney cell line 293T, murine lung epithelial cell line MLE-12, and human lung epithelial cell line A549 were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Virus, Expressing, Western Blot

Journal: Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy

Article Title: A nanobody-based proteolysis-targeting chimera offers broad-spectrum protection against diverse influenza virus infections

doi: 10.1038/s41392-026-02666-9

Figure Lengend Snippet: Degradation mechanism of Nb-PROTAC. a VHL-Nb170 induces the ubiquitination of the NP protein. We transfected 293T cells with plasmids expressing Nb170 or VHL-Nb170 along with PR8-NP and HA-tagged ubiquitin (HA-Ub). At 48 h posttransfection, the cell lysates were subjected to coimmunoprecipitation with an anti-NP antibody conjugated to protein G agarose beads, followed by Western blotting with the indicated antibodies. b Degradation inhibition assay. We cotransfected 293T cells with plasmids expressing Nb170 or VHL-Nb170 along with PR8-NP for 24 h. The cells were then treated with MG132 (10 μM), LY294002 (20 μM), or DMSO (control) for an additional 8 h. Cell lysates were subsequently collected and analyzed by immunoblotting with the indicated antibodies. Confirmation of NP degradation through the autophagy pathway. Autophagy-related protein 5 knockout (293T- ATG5 -/- ) or wild-type 293T cells were transfected with pCAGGS-NP-GFP or pCAGGS-NP together with pCAGGS-Nb170 or pCAGGS-VHL-Nb170 for 36 h. c NP-eGFP expression was assessed via immunofluorescence microscopy. d NP expression was analyzed by immunoblotting with the indicated antibody. The blot shown is representative of three independent experiments. Densitometric quantification of the NP protein levels normalized to the level of GAPDH is shown below the blot image. e Identification of autophagy cargo receptors involved in NP degradation. 293T cells were transfected with plasmids encoding VHL-Nb170-Myc and PR8NP-His, along with plasmids expressing HA-tagged autophagy cargo receptors as indicated. After 36 h, the cell lysates were subjected to immunoprecipitation with anti-His antibody-conjugated protein G agarose. Both whole-cell lysates and immunoprecipitates were analyzed by immunoblotting with the indicated antibodies. Asterisks indicate significant differences (*** p < 0.001, ns > 0.05). Scale bar = 300 μm

Article Snippet: The human embryonic kidney cell line 293T, murine lung epithelial cell line MLE-12, and human lung epithelial cell line A549 were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Ubiquitin Proteomics, Transfection, Expressing, Western Blot, Inhibition, Control, Knock-Out, Immunofluorescence, Microscopy, Immunoprecipitation

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 prohibits the stress-mediated formation of ub + /p62 + aggresomes. (A and B) LN229 cells were transfected with HA or HA-SMURF2 and treated with DMSO; MG132 (10 μM, 12 h); H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h); or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Representative immunofluorescence (IF) images of the colocalization of ub and p62. Nuclei stained with DAPI (A). Quantification the percentage of cells with ub + /p62 + puncta (B). (C – E) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA or HA-SMURF2 and subsequently treated with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h) or H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h). Detergent-soluble and detergent-insoluble fractions were analyzed by western blotting with indicated antibodies (C and D). Quantification of the relative intensity of ub and p62 levels in the detergent-insoluble fractions shown in C and D (E). (F) LN229 cells were transfected with HA or HA-SMURF2 and treated with DMSO; MG132 (10 μM, 12 h); H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h); or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Representative IF images of the colocalization of Proteostat and p62. Nuclei stained with DAPI. (G) The proposed model suggests that SMURF2 inhibits the formation of ub + /p62 + aggresomes/ALIS under stress conditions. Data were presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. NS: not significant, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001. Scale bar: 10 μm. Short Exp: short exposure; Long Exp: long exposure.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Transfection, Immunofluorescence, Staining, Western Blot

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 promotes NRF2 proteasomal degradation in response to cellular stress. (A) Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was performed to analyze the interaction between SMURF2 and NRF2. (B) Co-IP assay analysis of the interaction between HA-SMURF2 and His-Flag-NRF2 after treated with or without H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) (C) Endogenous co-IP assay analysis of the interaction between endogenous SMURF2 and NRF2 in HEK293T cells after treated with or without H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h). (D and E) Co-IP assay analysis of the interaction between His-Flag-SMURF2 constructs (WT, C2, WW3 and ΔHECT) and Myc-NRF2 (D); the interaction between GST-SMURF2 constructs (ΔC2 and ΔWW3) and HA-NRF2 (E). (F) Co-IP assay analysis of the interaction between His-Flag-NRF2 constructs (WT and ΔNeh1-6) and HA-SMURF2. (G) Schematic diagram of mapping the direct interaction between SMURF2 and NRF2. (H) HEK293T cells expressing Flag-NRF2 were treated with MG132 (10 μM,12 h). The ubiquitination of Flag-NRF2 in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (I) HEK293T cells were transfected with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA for 48 h, then transfected with HA-NRF2 and restored with Flag-SMURF2-WT/CS/CS C716A , treated with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). Ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 was assessed by co-IP after SMURF2 knockdown and functional restoration. (J) HEK293T cells expressing HA-NRF2 and Flag-Ub-K48 or Flag-Ub-K63. The K48-linked or K63-linked ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (K) HEK293T cells were transfected with either HA or HA-SMURF2, then treated with DMSO, MG132 (10 μM, 12 h) or Bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1, 100 nM, 6 h) and analyzed by western blotting of whole cell lysates (WCL) using the indicated antibodies. (L – O) HEK293T cells were transfected either with HA or HA-SMURF2 (L), or with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h (N), then treated with cycloheximide (CHX, 100 μg/mL) for the indicated times and analyzed by western blotting using the indicated antibodies. Quantification of the relative intensity of NRF2 is shown (M, O). (P) HEK293T cells were transfected with either Flag or Flag-SMURF2, then treated with PBS, H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) and analyzed by western blotting using the indicated antibodies. (Q) HEK293T cells were transfected with either HA or HA-SMURF2, then treated with PBS or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) and analyzed by qRT-PCR using primers specific for indicated genes. The fold change in expression in HA-SMURF2 overexpressing samples was calculated relative to control samples. (R) HEK293T cells were transfected with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h, then treated with PBS, H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) and analyzed by western blotting using the indicated antibodies. (S) HEK293T cells were transfected with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h, then treated with PBS or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) and analyzed by qRT-PCR using primers specific for indicated genes. The fold change in expression in si-SMURF2 samples was calculated relative to control samples. Data were presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Construct, Expressing, Ubiquitin Proteomics, Purification, Western Blot, Transfection, Knockdown, Functional Assay, Quantitative RT-PCR, Control

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 nuclear translocation facilitates the degradation of NRF2 within the nucleus. (A and B) HEK293T cells were first transfected with HA-NRF2-WT. Subsequently, cells were transfected either with Flag or Flag-SMURF2 (A), or with SMURF2 siRNA or scrambled siRNA oligos for 48 h (B). Cells were then treated with H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Following treatment, subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (C and D) LN229 cells were transfected with HA-SMURF2, then treated with PBS, H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) (C) or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) (D). Representative IF images showing the subcellular localization of HA-SMURF2 are presented; nuclei were stained with DAPI. (E and F) HEK293T cells were treated with PBS, H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) (E), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) (F). Subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (G) Schematic depiction of NRF2 NLS1/2−Mut , NRF2 NES1/2−Mut , and SMURF2 NLS−Mut . (H–K) HEK293T cells were first transfected with HA-NRF2 NLS2−Mut (H and I) or HA-NRF2 NES2−Mut (J and K). Subsequently, cells were transfected either with Flag or Flag-SMURF2, then treated with H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) (H and J) or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) (I and K). Following treatment, subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (L) Schematic of SMURF2 domains with NLS indicated (single-letter code). SMURF2 NLS−Mut denotes deletion of NLS residues (Top). LN229 cells transfected with Flag-SMURF2-WT or Flag-SMURF2 NLS−Mut were treated with DMSO, MG132 (10 μM, 12 h), H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Representative IF images showing subcellular localization of Flag-SMURF2 or Flag-SMURF2 NLS−Mut ; nuclei were stained with DAPI (Bottom). (M) HEK293T cells were first transfected with HA-NRF2-WT. Subsequently, cells were transfected either with Flag or Flag-SMURF2 NLS−Mut , then treated with H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Following treatment, subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (N) The proposed model indicates that SMURF2 specifically degrades NRF2 in the nucleus. Scale bar: 5 μm, Scale bar: 10 μm. Data were presented in three independent experiments.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Translocation Assay, Transfection, Fractionation, Western Blot, Staining

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 ubiquitinates NRF2 at K555 in the nucleus for its degradation. (A) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2 constructs (ΔNeh1-ΔNeh6), followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). The ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 constructs (ΔNeh1-ΔNeh6) in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (B) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2 constructs (Δ434-500, Δ501-539 and Δ540-561), followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). The ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 constructs (Δ434-500, Δ501-539 and Δ540-561) in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (C) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2 constructs (K554R/K555R and K541R/K543R/K548R), followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). The ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 constructs (K554R/K555R and K541R/K543R/K548R) in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (D) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2 constructs (K554R and K555R), followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). The ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 constructs (K554R and K555R) in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (E) Purified SMURF2 with His-ub, E1, E2 (UbcH5c), and ATP were used as indicated and evaluated by pull-down assay. Ubiquitinated NRF2-WT and K555R detected by immunoblotting against anti-Ub and anti-Flag. (F) Sequence alignment of NRF2 sites on CNA orthologs of different species. (G) HEK293T cells overexpressing HA-NRF2 were transfected with Flag or Flag-SMURF2, followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). Following treatment, subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. The ubiquitination of cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions was then detected by western blotting. (H) HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2 NLS1−Mut , HA-NRF2 NES1−Mut , HA-NRF2 NLS2−Mut or HA-NRF2 NES2−Mut , followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h). The ubiquitination of HA-NRF2 constructs in the presence of purified GST or GST-SMURF2 was then detected by western blotting. (I and J) HEK293T cells were first transfected with HA-NRF2 (I), or HA-NRF2-K555R (J), then were transfected with Flag or Flag-SMURF2, followed by treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h) (I), H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) (J). Following treatment, subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. Data were presented in three independent experiments.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Transfection, Construct, Ubiquitin Proteomics, Purification, Western Blot, Pull Down Assay, Sequencing, Fractionation

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 promotes cell apoptosis through NRF2 inactivation. (A) LN229 cells were transfected with HA, HA-SMURF2, Myc-NRF2 or HA-SMURF2 + Myc-NRF2 and subsequent treatment with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h), H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Representative IF images of the colocalization of ub and p62. Nuclei stained with DAPI. (B and C) HEK293T cells were transfected with empty vector or Myc-NRF2, followed by Flag or Flag-SMURF2 expression. Western blotting was performed using indicated antibodies (B). qRT-PCR was performed using primers specific for indicated genes (C). The fold change in expression in Flag-SMURF2 overexpressing samples was calculated relative to control samples. (D) HEK293T cells were first transfected with NRF2 siRNA for 48 h, followed by transfection with either Myc-NRF2-WT or Myc-NRF2-K555R, and subsequently transfected with Flag or Flag-SMURF2.Western blotting was performed using indicated antibodies. (E) LN229 cells were transfected with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h, followed by treatment with PBS or H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h). Cells were then stained with 2,7-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA, 10 μM) and the ROS level was detected by flow cytometry. (F) Quantification of relative ROS fluorescence intensity in LN229 cells with SMURF2 knockdown or HA-SMURF2 overexpression. (G and H) LN229 cells were transfected with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h or transfected with HA or HA-SMURF2, followed by treatment with PBS or H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h). Cells were then stained with Annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI), and apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry (G). Quantification of apoptosis in LN229 cells with SMURF2 knockdown or HA-SMURF2 overexpression (H). (I) HEK293T cells were transfection with Flag or Flag-SMURF2, and subsequent treatment with or without MG132 (10 μM, 12 h), H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/ml, 12 h). Western blotting was performed using indicated antibodies. (J and K) HEK293T cells were transfected with empty vector and Myc-NRF2 (J) or Myc-NRF2-WT, Myc-NRF2-K555R (K), followed by Flag or Flag-SMURF2 expression. Cells were subsequently treated with MG132 (10 μM, 12 h), H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h), or LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h). Western blotting was performed using indicated antibodies. (L) The shSMURF2 and shPLKO cells were treated with or without LPS (100 ng/mL, 12 h) and cultured for 14 days. Colony formation assay was performed for cells. (M) The representative images of shSMURF2 and shPLKO patient-derived cells formed tumors in nude mice with or without LPS (10 mg/kg). (N) The graph showed the quantified data of tumor weight. (O) Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of tumor tissue slides with antibodies against Ki67. Nucleus was stained by hematoxylin. Scale bar, 50 μm (P) The proposed model indicates that SMURF2 promotes cell apoptosis through NRF2 inactivation. Data were presented as the mean ± SD from three independent experiments. ∗ p < 0.05, ∗∗ p < 0.01, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001. Scale bar: 10 μm, Scale bar, 50 μm.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Transfection, Staining, Plasmid Preparation, Expressing, Western Blot, Quantitative RT-PCR, Control, Flow Cytometry, Fluorescence, Knockdown, Over Expression, Cell Culture, Colony Assay, Derivative Assay, Immunohistochemistry

Journal: Redox Biology

Article Title: SMURF2 attenuates NRF2-driven tumor progression by acting as a nuclear brake on NRF2 during cellular stress

doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2026.104102

Figure Lengend Snippet: SMURF2 promotes NRF2 hi patient survival. (A) HA-NRF2 overexpressing HEK293T cells were transfected with GFP or GFP-KEAP1, followed by transfection with Flag or Flag-SMURF2. Co-IP analysis of the interaction between HA-NRF2 and GFP-KEAP1 in WCL. (B) Myc-NRF2 overexpressing HEK293T cells were transfected with HA or HA-KEAP1, followed by transfection with Flag or Flag-SMURF2. Co-IP analysis of the interaction between Myc-NRF2 and HA-KEAP1 in the cytoplasm. (C) HA-NRF2 overexpressing HEK293T cells were transfected with GFP or GFP-KEAP1, followed by transfection with SMURF2 siRNA or scramble siRNA oligos for 48 h. Co-IP analysis of the interaction between HA-NRF2 and GFP-KEAP1 in the cytoplasm under with or without SMURF2. (D) HEK293T cells were initially transfected with KEAP1 siRNA for 48 h, followed by transfection with HA-NRF2-WT, and subsequently transfected with Flag or Flag-SMURF2. Subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (E) HEK293T cells were first transfected with HA-NRF2-WT. Subsequently, cells were transfected either with Flag or Flag-KEAP1. Subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (F) GFP-KEAP1 overexpression HEK293T cells were transfected with HA-NRF2-WT, and subsequently transfected with Flag or Flag-SMURF2. Subcellular fractionation was performed to isolate total, nuclear, and cytoplasmic proteins, followed by western blot analysis with indicated antibodies. (G) Co-IP assay analysis of the interaction between HA-KEAP1 and His-Flag-NRF2 after treated with or without H 2 O 2 (200 μM, 2 h) (H) Boxplot of SMURF2 expression (log 2 FPKM) in the NRF2-high/KEAP1-low subset of TCGA-GBMLGG samples. (I) Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of TCGA-GBMLGG patients grouped by expression of SMURF2 in the NRF2-high/KEAP1-low subset ( p = 0.018, HR = 1.7755, log rank test). (J) Clinical feature distribution across SMURF2 expression groups. (K) Forest Plot of Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards Analysis in High-Grade Gliomas. Data were presented in three independent experiments. ∗∗ p < 0.01; ∗∗∗ p < 0.001.

Article Snippet: The human glioblastoma cell lines LN229 and human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell lines were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

Techniques: Transfection, Co-Immunoprecipitation Assay, Fractionation, Western Blot, Over Expression, Expressing

Journal: Cell Reports

Article Title: The insertion of an ATTTC repeat in an Alu element hyperactivates a neurodevelopmental enhancer in spinocerebellar ataxia type 37

doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117146

Figure Lengend Snippet: The DRL shows neurodevelopmental enhancer activity (A) Schematic representation of the DRL/FragT sequence in DAB1 -antisense strand. The zoom-in box (pale brown box) shows the (AAAAT) n (blue box) in the middle A-rich region of the AluJb element with left (LM) and right (RM) monomers, close to the CpG island (yellow box) and the TFBS (green box), flanked by CTCF-binding sites. The ENCODE-annotated regulatory EH38E1350977 element is represented in pink. Lines underneath represent the sequences cloned for the zebrafish transgenic lines generation, across and within the DRL sequence. (B) Stereomicroscopic images of EGFP expression in the eye and whole brain, at 24 hpf, in transgenic lines with FragT14-AS and Frag3-AS sequences cloned upstream of a promoter-less EGFP; no expression is seen in control embryos; images were processed with the Fiji software. (C) Left: representative confocal images confirming FragT14-AS and Frag3-AS expression in the eye, forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain in these zebrafish transgenic lines at 24 hpf; maximum intensity z-projections of 14 planes; scale bars: 100 μm. Right: zoom-in images for the same zebrafish lines; orange and yellow delimitations represent eye and midbrain-hindbrain boundary close-ups, respectively; scale bars: 100 μm. (D) Left: schematic representation of the DRL sequences cloned upstream of promoter-less firefly luciferase ( luc+ ) for reporter assays in human HEK293T cells. Right: graphic representation of luciferase activity (fold change) for each sequence, as luc+/NanoLuc (Nluc) expression ratios in HEK293T cells, compared to the negative control (data are from three biological replicates, shown as the mean ± SD; one-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s post hoc test; ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001 and ∗∗∗ p < 0.001). FB, forebrain; MB, midbrain; HD, hindbrain; OV, optic vesicle; MA, mutant allele; scale bars: 100 μm. Asterisks represent autofluorescence regions. See also .

Article Snippet: Human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell line , ATCC , Cat #CRL-3216.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Sequencing, Binding Assay, Clone Assay, Transgenic Assay, Expressing, Control, Software, Luciferase, Negative Control, Mutagenesis

Journal: Cell Reports

Article Title: The insertion of an ATTTC repeat in an Alu element hyperactivates a neurodevelopmental enhancer in spinocerebellar ataxia type 37

doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117146

Figure Lengend Snippet: DRL interaction with neural regulatory elements and silencer activity outside of the DAB1 expression domain (A) Schematics of interactions between the DRL sequence and the zebrafish midbrain-specific Z48 enhancer at 48 hpf. Top: FragT14-AS, Frag1-AS, and Frag3-AS sequences cloned upstream of a promoter-less EGFP and Z48 with schematics of their driven EGFP expression to zebrafish somites and upon Z48 interaction only to the whole midbrain. Bottom left: representative stereomicroscopic images of different EGFP expression patterns in the midbrain from FragT14-AS, Frag1-AS, and Frag3-AS interactions with the Z48 enhancer in embryos. Bottom right: graphic representation of the percentage of embryos expressing EGFP in midbrain and/or somites (shown as the mean ± SD of three replicates; EGFP-positive embryos, FragT14-AS = 238, Frag1-AS = 195, and Frag3-AS = 148, ꭕ 2 , ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001). (B) Left: schematic representation of the DRL sequences cloned upstream the TK promoter in the control of luciferase expression for silencer assay in HEK293T cells; right: luciferase activity in HEK293T cells, measured by the fold change in luciferase/NanoLuc (luc2/Nluc) expression ratios compared to the negative control (shown as the mean ± SD of three biological replicates; one-way ANOVA test with Dunnett’s post hoc test; ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001 and ∗∗∗ p < 0.001). (C) Silencer activity of the DRL in vivo . Top: schematics of the putative silencer placed between the Z48 enhancer and the cardiac actin promoter in the reporter vector. Intermediate: graphical representation showing EGFP fluorescence intensity signal in midbrain and somites triggered by (left) FragT14-S and FragT-S-MA and (right) Frag1-S and Frag3-S sequences at 24 hpf; negative control, empty vector (data are represented as the mean ± SD; n = 60 zebrafish embryos/condition from three replicates, Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test; ∗∗∗∗ p < 0.0001, ∗∗∗ p < 0.001, and ∗ p < 0.05). Bottom: representative stereomicroscopic images of EGFP expression in zebrafish midbrain and somites driven by FragT14-S, FragT-S-MA, Frag1-S, and Frag3-S putative silencer elements; scale bars: 200 μm; arrows indicate EGFP expression in midbrain. MA, mutant allele. Asterisks show the area of autofluorescence. See also .

Article Snippet: Human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cell line , ATCC , Cat #CRL-3216.

Techniques: Activity Assay, Expressing, Sequencing, Clone Assay, Control, Luciferase, Negative Control, In Vivo, Plasmid Preparation, Fluorescence, Mutagenesis