shawnferguson.bsky.social
@shawnferguson.bsky.social
1.1K followers 470 following 110 posts
Cell Biologist and Neuroscientist at Yale University. Outdoor explorer.
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Reposted by shawnferguson.bsky.social
asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org
CRN Team De Camilli reveals a new molecular mechanism that regulates cystine efflux from lysosomes. This work is relevant to #Parkinsons research, as recent studies show JIP4 is downstream of LRRK2.

🔗 Read their #preprint: bit.ly/4l8zCkf

✏️ @shawnferguson.bsky.social @laylanassar.bsky.social
JIP4 KO proximal tubular lysosomes are mislocalized towards the basolateral membrane and contain storage material.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Connecticut cactus flower season 🌵
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Carbide Wilson ruins.
Gatineau Park, Quebec
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Exploring Waterville Valley, NH
shawnferguson.bsky.social
We are also interested in links to Parkinson’s disease based on recent studies that place JIP4 downstream of LRRK2 gain-of-function mutations, a major genetic cause of autosomal-dominant inherited Parkinson's disease. JIP4-mediated cystine release may therefore be relevant for Parkinson's disease.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
With this new knowledge, we wonder if cysteamine, a therapy for cystinosis, would also help people with recently discovered loss of function mutations in JIP4?
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Just like in cystinosis, proximal tubule lysosomes are particularly sensitive to loss of JIP4! They lose their apical enrichment and exhibit a major storage defect!
shawnferguson.bsky.social
We demonstrate, in both cultured human cells and a new JIP4 knockout mouse model, that loss of JIP4 phenocopies key features of cystinosis, the well-characterized lysosome storage disease caused by CTNS loss-of-function mutations.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Layla also we define the basis for a new lysosome storage disease arising from JIP4 loss-of-function mutations as well as a new category of lysosome storage disease arising from disruption of the machinery that regulates degradation of a nutrient transporter.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Our work from cultured human cells and a newly developed knockout mouse model demonstrates that the JIP4 scaffold protein suppresses ubiquitin-mediated degradation of cystinosin (CTNS), the transporter responsible for cystine efflux from lysosomes.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
I am excited to share our new preprint! Led by @laylanassar.bsky.social , we have found a new JIP4-dependent mechanism that controls the efflux of cystine from lysosomes. Our findings have implications for both lysosome biology and human disease: doi.org/10.1101/2025...
JIP4 deficiency causes a novel lysosome storage disease arising from impaired cystine efflux
Lysosomes break down macromolecules, clear cellular waste and recycle nutrients such as cystine. We describe a novel mechanism whereby JIP4 regulates lysosomal cystine storage by controlling the abundance of cystinosin (CTNS), the transporter responsible for lysosomal cystine efflux. To this end, JIP4, previously characterized as a motor adaptor and kinase signaling scaffold, suppresses TMEM55B-dependent ubiquitylation of CTNS. Loss of JIP4 reduces CTNS protein levels, leading to lysosomal cystine accumulation and lysosomal storage defects that phenocopy loss of CTNS in both human cells and the renal proximal tubules of JIP4 knockout mice. These phenotypes mirror cystinosis, the lysosomal storage disease caused by CTNS loss-of-function. Our findings thus reveal a fundamental process that controls the efflux of lysosomal cystine and has relevance to understanding human disease arising from JIP4 mutations. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. NIH, AG085824, AG062210, R35GM150619 Michael J. Fox Foundation, https://ror.org/03arq3225, ASAP-000580
doi.org
Reposted by shawnferguson.bsky.social
erictopol.bsky.social
Multiple recent studies, including 3 impressive natural experiments, consistently show a link between Shingles vaccines and reduced dementia. This week a nationwide S Korea study added a reduction of cardiovascular events
My summary Table. More here on dementia erictopol.substack.com/p/the-shingl...
Reposted by shawnferguson.bsky.social
mikelangelipid.bsky.social
Fantastic new study from Raphael Rodriguez' lab shows that induced proximity concepts can be used to induce Ferroptosis! Inducing proximity of lysosomal iron and lipids induces lipid peroxidation! What a cool concept! Have a look at our News/Views with @olzmannlab.bsky.social shorturl.at/cbc8D
Lipid-degrading small molecule kills cancer cells by ferroptosis
A molecule designed to activate iron locked up in organelles called lysosomes and thereby induce cell death might offer a way to tackle treatment-resistant cancer.
shorturl.at
shawnferguson.bsky.social
Progranulin accumulates in the Golgi of microglia in the motor cortex of LRP10 KO mice
shawnferguson.bsky.social
This research was supported by @pfresearchteam.bsky.social , @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org and The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD.
shawnferguson.bsky.social
These discoveries are a foundation for future investigations of how this newly defined relationship between progranulin (GRN) and LRP10 affects the neurodegenerative diseases linked to these genes that include frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Reposted by shawnferguson.bsky.social
biorxiv-cellbio.bsky.social
LRP10 promotes trafficking of progranulin and prosaposin to lysosomes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.02.651888v1
Reposted by shawnferguson.bsky.social
johanduchene.bsky.social
Antibodies don't work.

NLRP3 is by far the most studied inflammasome — yet <30% of commercial antibodies were specific.

Only 4 of 14 tested antibodies detected NLRP3 specifically.

Antibodies must be validated before use.

Full report by @ycharos.bsky.social : zenodo.org/records/1162...