Against the Grain
For the first time, researchers have precisely quantified allergy-associated proteins in barley using a new targeted LC-MS/MS method combined with stable isotope dilution analysis. The study, led by Katharina Scherf at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at TU Munich, analyzed 181 barley accessions from 23 countries to measure amylase/trypsin-inhibitors (ATIs) – proteins that may trigger symptoms in people with non-celiac wheat sensitivity.
The custom-built mass spectrometry method enabled absolute quantification of ten barley-specific ATI types, including both monomeric and dimeric inhibitors, as well as chloroform/methanol-soluble and subtilisin/chymotrypsin-inhibitor variants.
The most abundant ATI detected was BDAI, which accounted for over 21 percent of the total ATI content on average. Some barley landraces from Eritrea, Greece, and Ethiopia showed particularly low ATI levels, potentially serving as a basis for developing more tolerable foods.
NKAPL Identified as Tumor Suppressor in Lung Cancer
NKAPL, a gene frequently silenced by promoter methylation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has been identified as a tumor suppressor that inhibits cancer growth and spread by stabilizing the protein TRIM21 and suppressing NF-κB signaling. In a study published in Genes & Diseases, researchers used in vitro assays and mouse models to show that restoring NKAPL expression reduced tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.
Mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that NKAPL binds directly to TRIM21, preventing its degradation. This interaction led to reduced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and downregulation of downstream inflammatory targets. When TRIM21 was knocked down, the tumor-suppressive effects of NKAPL were lost, confirming its central role in this pathway.
“Our study not only uncovers a novel tumor suppressor role for NKAPL but also highlights its epigenetic silencing as a key event in NSCLC progression,” said Tingxiu Xiang, corresponding author, in a press release. “The ability of NKAPL to enhance TRIM21 stability and dampen NF-κB signaling offers a promising therapeutic strategy, particularly for patients with advanced disease and limited treatment response.”
Microbial Frenemies: How Faecalibacterium Keeps Foes in Check
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have uncovered a two-way interaction between key members of the human gut microbiota that may help maintain intestinal balance. According to their study in Microbiome, the beneficial bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii suppresses the growth of Fusobacterium varium – a species linked to colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease – by producing β-hydroxybutyric acid and lowering pH levels. Conversely, F. varium was found to promote F. prausnitzii growth, likely through direct contact between cells.
To explore these effects, the team analyzed stool samples from 236 Japanese adults and conducted co-culture experiments, revealing a negative correlation between the two species’ abundance. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), they showed that F. prausnitzii’s presence raises β-hydroxybutyric acid levels, which – along with increased acidity – inhibited F. varium proliferation.
“This response may enhance the inhibitory effect of F. prausnitzii on F. varium, ultimately leading to the inverse relationship between their abundances in the human gut microbial community,” the authors write. The findings highlight the complexity of microbial interactions in the gut and could guide future strategies for preventing dysbiosis-related conditions by fostering specific beneficial bacteria.
(Mass) Spectacular and Strange
Sweet Success
In 1954, archaeologists uncovered bronze jars in a 6th-century BCE Greek shrine in Paestum, their interiors coated with a mysterious sticky residue. Now, after decades of inconclusive tests, researchers from the University of Oxford have confirmed the material's true identity: honeycomb.
Using a combination of modern analytical methods – including LC-MS/MS, proteomics, metabolomics, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy – the team identified sugars, organic acids, and royal jelly proteins all consistent with modern beeswax and honey. “By applying several mass spectrometry and spectroscopic approaches we were able to reveal a comprehensive picture of the residue’s molecular composition,” said James McCullagh in a press release.
“Our results demonstrate the power of bottom-up proteomics combined with metabolomics in the investigation of archaeological samples,” added co-author Elisabete Pires.
Newsletters
Receive the latest analytical science news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.
