TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a serine/threonine kinase with well-established roles as a central player in innate immune signaling. Dysregulation of TBK1 activity has been implicated in a variety of pathophysiologic conditions, including cancer. Generally, TBK1 acts as an oncogene and increased TBK1 activity, indicated by increased phosphorylation at the Ser172 residue, can be observed in multiple human cancers. TBK1 can be activated either by autophosphorylation of Ser172 or transphosphorylation at this site by upstream kinases. Serving as a hub for integrating numerous extracellular and intracellular signals, TBK1 can be activated through multiple signaling pathways. However, the direct upstream kinase responsible for TBK1 activation remains elusive, which limits our comprehensive understanding of its activation mechanism and potential therapeutic application targeting TBK1-related signaling especially in cancer. In this review, we summarize the findings on mechanisms of TBK1 activation in cancer cells and recent discoveries that shed light on the direct upstream kinases promoting TBK1 activation.
Decades have passed since the initial discovery of membrane-less nuclear compartments, commonly called nuclear bodies or nuclear condensates. These compartments have drawn attention to their unique characteristics and functions, especially after introducing "liquid-liquid phase separation" to this research field. While the majority of the studies on nuclear condensates have been conducted in multicellular organisms, recent genetic, biochemical, and cell biological analyses using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have yielded valuable insights into biomolecular condensates. This review article focuses on two 'classic' nuclear condensates and discusses how research using fission yeast has unveiled previously unknown functions of these known nuclear bodies.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a significant global health challenge despite decades of research and advances in treatment. Substantial gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms of HIV pathogenesis and the host immune responses still exist. The interaction between HIV and these immune responses is pivotal in the disease progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Recently, the caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 8 (CARD8) inflammasome has emerged as a crucial factor in orchestrating innate immune responses to HIV infection and exerting a substantial impact on viral pathogenesis. CARD8 restricts viral replication by detecting the activity of HIV protease. Conversely, it also contributes to the depletion of CD4+ T cells, a key feature of disease progression towards AIDS. The purpose of this review is to summarize the role of the CARD8 inflammasome in HIV pathogenesis, delving into its mechanisms of action and potential implications for the development of therapeutic strategies.