José Bessa

A motor endurance assay for zebrafish larvae: proof of principle in chemical and genetic models of neurological disease

This paper develops a motor endurance assay for zebrafish larvae to study neurological diseases, finding reduced endurance in TDP43-overexpressing larvae and MPP+-treated larvae.

PERK inhibition with GSK2606414 in zebrafish evokes developmental defects consistent with Wolcott-Rallison syndrome phenotypes

This study uses zebrafish to model Wolcott-Rallison syndrome by inhibiting PERK with GSK2606414, revealing developmental defects consistent with the syndrome.

A dual-phase enhancer couples progenitor maintenance and pancreatic lineage stability

This study identifies a dual-phase enhancer that maintains pancreatic progenitor cells and stabilizes lineage identity, preventing pathological plasticity and disease.

The AUUUC repeat RNA aggregates sequester RNA-binding proteins like NOVA2 and lead to iron dyshomeostasis in spinocerebellar ataxia type 37

Embryonic Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 37 AUUUC Repeat RNA Causes Neurodevelopmental Defects in Zebrafish

This study shows that embryonic AUUUC repeat RNA in zebrafish causes axonal and synaptic defects leading to adult motor dysfunction.

The Insertion of an ATTTC Repeat in an Alu Element Hyperactivates a Primate-Specific Neurodevelopmental Enhancer in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 37

The paper shows that an ATTTC repeat insertion in an Alu element enhances a DAB1 enhancer, leading to neuronal dysfunction in SCA37.

FOXM1 expression reverts aging chromatin profiles through repression of the senescence-associated pioneer factor AP-1

This study shows FOXM1 reverts aging chromatin profiles by repressing AP-1, a senescence-associated pioneer factor, in human fibroblasts.

The plant pioneer factor LFY uses trans-kingdom chromatin remodeling mechanisms in vertebrates

This study shows that the plant pioneer factor LFY can recruit vertebrate chromatin remodelers to activate transcription in zebrafish cells.

A short 3'UTR motif regulates gene expression in bilaterians

The paper identifies a conserved 3'UTR motif that regulates gene expression across bilaterians and shows its association with human disease.

Cis-regulatory similarities in the zebrafish and human pancreas uncover potential disease-related enhancers

The paper identifies cis-regulatory elements in the zebrafish and human pancreas, revealing disease-related enhancers that affect gene expression and contribute to pancreatic disorders.