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Topic Review
Bioluminescent System in Dinoflagellates
The mechanisms underlying the bioluminescent phenomenon have been well characterized in dinoflagellates; however, there are still some aspects that remain an enigma. Such is the case of the presence and diversity of the luciferin-binding protein (LBP), as well as the synthesis process of luciferin. We carry out a review of the literature in relation to the molecular players responsible for bioluminescence in dinoflagellates, with particular interest in P. lunula.
  • 2.7K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Molecular Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Drug-specific therapeutic approaches for colorectal cancer (CRC) have contributed to a significant improvement in the health status of patients. However, a great need to improve personalization of treatments based on genetic and epigenetic tumor profiles to maximize quality and efficacy while limiting cytotoxicity remains. Currently, CEA and CA 19-9 are the only validated blood biomarkers in clinical practice. For this reason, laboratories are trying to identify new specific prognostic and, more importantly, predictive biomarkers for CRC patient profiles. Thus, the unique landscape of personalized biomarker data should have a clinical impact on CRC treatment strategies and molecular genetic screening tests should become the standard method for CRC diagnosis, as well as detection of disease progression.
  • 2.7K
  • 30 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Naturally alkaloids as Antimicrobial agents
Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to public health and new antimicrobial compounds are urgently needed. One of the most promising classes for the development of new antimicrobials are plant-derived alkaloids.
  • 2.7K
  • 25 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Y RNA
Y RNA are a class of small non-coding RNA that are largely conserved. Although their discovery was almost 40 years ago, their function is still under investigation. This is evident in cancer biology, where their role was first studied just a dozen years ago. Since then, only a few contributions were published, mostly scattered across different tumor types and, in some cases, also suffering from methodological limitations. Nonetheless, these sparse data may be used to make some estimations and suggest routes to better understand the role of Y RNA in cancer formation and characterization.
  • 2.6K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
TERT Promoter Mutations in Gliomas
Telomere length maintenance systems perform an essential function in preserving genome stability. Abnormalities in the functioning of these systems, such as telomerase reactivation, usually play a key role in the course of oncogenesis.TERTp mutations are not found in ordinary human cells, but are often associated with malignant tumor progression and increased cell proliferation in CNS tumor diseases, especially in gliomas. The availability of molecular evaluation of the TERTp mutational status of CNS tumor lesions contributes to more accurate and reliable diagnosis and timely decisions regarding patient follow-up with selection of the most appropriate and applicable treatment protocols.
  • 2.6K
  • 12 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Plasmid DNA for Therapeutic Applications in Cancer
Plasmid DNA can be developed to treat different diseases, such as infections and cancer. In most cancers, the immune system is limited or suppressed, allowing cancer cells to grow. DNA vaccination has demonstrated its capacity to stimulate the immune system to fight against cancer cells.
  • 2.6K
  • 15 Sep 2022
Topic Review
LINC Complex in Sperm Development
The LINC (LInker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complex is localized within the nuclear envelope and consists of SUN (Sad1/UNc84 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the inner nuclear membrane and KASH (Klarsicht/Anc1/Syne1 homology domain-containing) proteins located in the outer nuclear membrane, hence linking nuclear with cytoplasmic structures. While the nucleoplasm-facing side acts as a key player for correct pairing of homolog chromosomes and rapid chromosome movements during meiosis, the cytoplasm-facing side plays a pivotal role for sperm head development and proper acrosome formation during spermiogenesis. A further complex present in spermatozoa is involved in head-to-tail coupling. An intact LINC complex is crucial for the production of fertile sperm, as mutations in genes encoding for complex proteins are known to be associated with male subfertility in both mice and men.
  • 2.6K
  • 04 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Calcium Transport Systems in Mitochondria
Calcium (Ca2+) is a divalent cation and a universal second messenger that regulates the most important functions and facets of all eukaryotic cells, including: gene expression, proliferation, regulation of bioenergetics, contraction of muscles, mediation of fertilization, and many other cellular functions. Regulation of free intracellular concentration of Ca2+ is an important mechanism for intracellular signaling, and it is a key component in the mediation of many cell functions and biochemical reactions, being crucial for signal transduction in cells. On top of all that, intra-mitochondrial Ca2+ regulates a cascade of physiological and pathophysiological processes in cells The normal level of intra-mitochondrial Са2+ is essential for the correct functioning of mitochondria; whereas Ca2+ overload is typical for a wide range of mitochondrial dysfunctions and pathophysiological processes. Homeostasis of Ca2+ in the mitochondria is determined by the delicate balance of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport systems in both the inner (IMM) and outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Ca2+ influx and efflux systems are composed of different components, including: channels, pumps, antiporters, or Ca2+ binding proteins that cooperate to maintain intra-mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis.
  • 2.6K
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Implication of P38 MAPK in drugs of abuse and stress
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key signaling molecules in cellular responses to external stresses and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Some studies have suggested that p38 MAPK in the region of the nucleus accumbens is involved in abnormal behavioral responses induced by drugs of abuse. In this entry, we recapitulate the role of the p38 MAPK in the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse. We also summarize the implication of p38 MAPK in stress, anxiety, and depression. We opine that p38 MAPK activation is more closely associated to stress-induced aversive responses rather than drug effects per se, in particular cocaine. p38 MAPK is only involved in cocaine reward, predominantly when promoted by stress. Downstream substrates of p38 that may contribute to the p38 MAPK associated-behavioral responses are proposed. Finally, we suggest p38 MAPK inhibitors as possible therapeutic interventions against stress-related disorders by potentially increasing resilience against stress and addiction relapse induced by adverse experiences.
  • 2.6K
  • 15 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-Based Biosensor
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors are being fabricated for specific detection of biomolecules or changes in the microenvironment. FRET is a non-radiative transfer of energy from an excited donor fluorophore molecule to a nearby acceptor fluorophore molecule. In a FRET-based biosensor, the donor and acceptor molecules are typically fluorescent proteins or fluorescent nanomaterials such as quantum dots (QDs) or small molecules that are engineered to be in close proximity to each other. When the biomolecule of interest is present, it can cause a change in the distance between the donor and acceptor, leading to a change in the efficiency of FRET and a corresponding change in the fluorescence intensity of the acceptor. This change in fluorescence can be used to detect and quantify the biomolecule of interest.
  • 2.6K
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Lysine Acetylation
Acetylation of lysine residues is a key post-translational modification for protein functions in all eukaryotic organisms. Acetylation of lysine residues can be catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) or modified by abundant Ac-CoA through nonenzymatic mechanisms. Conversely, lysine deacetylation is catalyzed by lysine deacetylases (KDACs).
  • 2.6K
  • 20 Oct 2020
Topic Review
PYHIN Proteins
Pyrin and hematopoietic interferon-inducible nuclear (HIN) domain (PYHIN) proteins have originally emerged as sensors of exogenous DNA and stimulators of the innate immune response. Recent studies, however, indicate that nuclear PYHIN protein family members restrict viral replication by silencing gene expression, in a sensing-independent fashion. Not surprisingly, viruses evolved diverse ways to overcome such cellular defences.
  • 2.6K
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Adaptive Response to Environmental Stress
Exposure of living organisms to environmental stress triggers defensive responses resulting in the activation of protective processes. Whenever exposure occurs at low doses, defensive effects overwhelm the adverse effects of the exposures; this adapative situation is referred as ‘hormesis’. Environmental, physical and nutritional hormetins lead to the stimulation and strengthening of the maintenance and repair systems in cells and tissues. Exercise, heat and irradiation are examples of physical hormetins, which activate heat shock-, DNA repair- and anti-oxidative-stress responses. The health promoting effect of many bio-actives in fruits and vegetables can be seen as the effect of mildly toxic compounds triggering this adaptive stimulus. Numerous studies indicate that living organisms possess the ability to adapt to adverse environmental conditions studies as examplified by the fact that DNA damage and gene expression profiling in populations living in the environment with high levels of air pollution do not correspond to the concentrations of pollutants. The molecular mechanisms of the hormetic response include modulation of (a) transcription factor Nrf2 activating the synthesis of glutathione and the subsequent protection of the cell; (b) DNA methylation; and (c) microRNA. These findings provide evidence that hormesis is a toxicological event, occurring at low exposures doses to environmental stressors, having benefit for the maintenance of healthy status.
  • 2.6K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAM)
Cell adhesion molecules (CAM) are cell surface glycoproteins involved in cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix adhesion, a process that is essential for the correct maintenance and function of tissues and organs.
  • 2.6K
  • 07 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Cyclodextrins in the Food Industry
Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligomers broadly used in food manufacturing as food additives for different purposes, e.g., to improve sensorial qualities, shelf life, and sequestration of components.
  • 2.6K
  • 04 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Structure and Aggregation Mechanisms in Amyloids
Functional amyloids can be found in bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, fungi, plants, insects and vertebrates, playing roles as diverse as surface protection and modification, mediation of pathogen-host interactions, pigment biosynthesis, homeostasis control, hormone storage and release, signal transduction, among others. The aggregation of a polypeptide chain into amyloid fibrils and their accumulation and deposition into insoluble plaques and intracellular inclusions is the hallmark of several misfolding diseases known as amyloidoses. Alzheimer′s, Parkinson′s and Huntington’s diseases are some of the approximately 50 amyloid diseases described to date.
  • 2.6K
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Mass Spectrometry-Based Single Cell Analysis
Cell-to-cell variation exists within a population of the same cell type due to stochastic gene and protein expression and environmental factors. Studying such cellular heterogeneity is the key to understanding the underlying mechanisms of fundamental biology and complex diseases, highly demanding developments in advanced technologies for molecular profiling at the single-cell level.
  • 2.6K
  • 14 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellow endogenous derivate of the heme catabolism. Since the 1980s, it has been recognized as one of the most potent antioxidants in nature, able to counteract 10,000× higher intracellular concentrations of H2O2. In the recent years, not only bilirubin, but also its precursor biliverdin, and the enzymes involved in their productions (namely heme oxygenase and biliverdin reductase; altogether the "yellow players"-YPs) have been recognized playing a protective role in diseases characterized by a chronic prooxidant status. 
  • 2.6K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Lonone
The term ionone is derived from “iona” (Greek for violet) which refers to the violet scent and “ketone” due to its structure. Ionones can either be chemically synthesized or endogenously produced via asymmetric cleavage of β-carotene by β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2). 
  • 2.6K
  • 05 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Nucleoside Analogs
As the non-naturally occurring biomolecules, modified DNA/RNA nucleoside and oligonucleotide analogues composed of L-(deoxy)riboses, have been designed and applied as innovative therapeutics with superior plasma stability, weakened cytotoxicity, and inexistent immunogenicity.
  • 2.5K
  • 29 Dec 2021
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