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Topic Review
ABA-Mediated Regulation of Cd-Responsive Genes in Plants
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that has no biological function and can persist in organisms for a long time (biological half-life: 10–30 years). Cadmium exposure can cause metabolic disorders in plant leaves, leading to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2, further causing oxidative stress, cell death, and even plant death. Abscisic acid (ABA) is a sesquiterpene phytohormone that plays important roles in plant growth and development, e.g., in inducing dormancy in buds and seeds, causing stomatal closure, and promoting abscission of flowers and fruits.
  • 722
  • 14 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Cobined Genomic and Metabolomic Screening
Since the golden age of antibiotics in the 1950s and 1960s actinomycetes have been the most prolific source for bioactive natural products. However, the number of discoveries of new bioactive compounds decreases since decades. New procedures (e.g., activating strategies or innovative fermentation techniques) were developed to enhance the productivity of actinomycetes. Nevertheless, compound identification remains challenging among others due to high rediscovery rates. Rapid and cheap genome sequencing as well as the advent of bioinformatical analysis tools for biosynthetic gene cluster identification in combination with mass spectrometry-based molecular networking facilitated the tedious process of dereplication. In recent years several studies have been dedicated to accessing the biosynthetic potential of Actinomyces species, especially streptomycetes, by using integrated genomic and metabolomic screening in order to boost the discovery rate of new antibiotics. 
  • 721
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Role of microRNAs in Obesity-Related Kidney Disease
miRNAs are short non-coding, single stranded RNA molecules who have a critical role in the regulation of gene expression.
  • 721
  • 09 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors for SARS-CoV-2
Since the first reported case of COVID-19 in 2019 in China and the official declaration from the World Health Organization in March 2021 as a pandemic, fast and accurate diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has played a major role worldwide. For this reason, various methods have been developed, comprising reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoassays, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), and bio(mimetic)sensors. Among the developed methods, RT-PCR is so far the gold standard. IUPAC defines the term biomimetic as “Refers a laboratory procedure designed to imitate a natural chemical process. Also refers to a compound that mimics a biological material in structure or function“. The lotus effect at a water-repelling surface is the best-known example of biomimetic systems. One important motivation for the development and application of biomimetic recognition elements is their potentially higher stability and lower price as compared with biomolecules. 
  • 721
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
ADAMTS and Fertility in Females and Males
The ADAMTS (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs) family genes code for key metalloproteinases in the remodeling process of different ECM. Several genes of this family encode for proteins with important functions in reproductive processes; in particular, ADAMTS1, 4, 5 and 9 are genes that are differentially expressed in cell types and the physiological stages of reproductive tissues. ADAMTS enzymes degrade proteoglycans in the ECM of the follicles so that the oocytes can be released and regulate follicle development during folliculogenesis, favoring the action of essential growth factors, such as FGF-2, FGF-7 and GDF-9. The transcriptional regulation of ADAMTS1 and 9 in preovulatory follicles occurs because of the gonadotropin surge in preovulatory follicles, via the progesterone/progesterone receptor complex. In addition, in the case of ADAMTS1, pathways involving protein kinase A (PKA), extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) might contribute to ECM regulation. Different Omic studies indicate the importance of genes of the ADAMTS family from a reproductive aspect. ADAMTS genes could serve as biomarkers for genetic improvement and contribute to enhance fertility and animal reproduction.
  • 721
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Head and Neck Tumor Microenvironment
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are aggressive diseases with a dismal patient prognosis. Despite significant advances in treatment modalities, the five-year survival rate in patients with HNSCC has improved marginally and therefore warrants a comprehensive understanding of the HNSCC biology. Alterations in the cellular and non-cellular components of the HNSCC tumor micro-environment (TME) play a critical role in regulating many hallmarks of cancer development including evasion of apoptosis, activation of invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, response to therapy, immune escape mechanisms, deregulation of energetics, and therefore the development of an overall aggressive HNSCC phenotype. Cytokines and chemokines are small secretory proteins produced by neoplastic or stromal cells, controlling complex and dynamic cell–cell interactions in the TME to regulate many cancer hallmarks. 
  • 720
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review
Protein Interface in Fuzzy Complexes
microtubules and homologous recombination nucleoprotein filaments, where a network of intrinsically disordered tails exerts regulatory function in recruiting partner macromolecules, proteins or DNA and tuning the atomic level association.
  • 720
  • 01 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Ocular Therapeutics and Molecular Delivery Strategies
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves activation of a photosensitizer by photon irradiation that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that selectively occlude CNV in the target ocular segment. It has found extensive applications in exudative AMD treatment before the rise of anti-VEGF therapy. Visudyne® is a liposomal formulation of a hydrophobic photosensitizer, Verteporfin that was approved for nAMD administration by the US FDA in 2000.
  • 720
  • 17 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Histone Post-Translational Modifications in a Mitotic Chromosome
During mitosis, many cellular structures are organized to segregate the replicated genome to the daughter cells. Chromatin is condensed to shape a mitotic chromosome. A multiprotein complex known as kinetochore is organized on a specific region of each chromosome, the centromere, which is defined by the presence of a histone H3 variant called CENP-A. The cytoskeleton is re-arranged to give rise to the mitotic spindle that binds to kinetochores and leads to the movement of chromosomes. How chromatin regulates different activities during mitosis is not well known. The role of histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) in mitosis has been recently revealed. Specific HPTMs participate in local compaction during chromosome condensation. On the other hand, HPTMs are involved in CENP-A incorporation in the centromere region, an essential activity to maintain centromere identity. HPTMs also participate in the formation of regulatory protein complexes, such as the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). 
  • 720
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Bioactive Compounds of Milk Exosomes
Exosomes are biological nanovesicles that participate in intercellular communication by transferring biologically active chemical compounds (proteins, microRNA, mRNA, DNA, and others). Milk is the only exosome-containing biological fluid that is commercially available. In this regard, milk exosomes are unique and promising candidates for new therapeutic approaches to treating various diseases, including cancer. The biochemical components of milk exosomes—proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids—can significantly affect therapeutic molecule delivery. In this regard, a detailed analysis of the content of these molecules in milk exosomes, also called “exosomics” (by analogy with genomics, proteomics, and other -omics technologies), is required.
  • 720
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Techniques Most often Used in Omic
Techniques used in omics have proven to be useful in studying dietary supplements. Techniques used in omics have proven to be useful in studying dietary supplements. In nutrigenomic research, it is necessary to precisely determine the influence of the tested substances on biological processes in the organism at the following levels: transcriptome, genome, proteome, and metabolome. Advanced, high-throughput techniques that generate a massive amount of data must be used to obtain a holistic view of a given subject. 
  • 720
  • 14 Feb 2023
Topic Review
RNA X-ray Crystallography
Approaches for crystallization of RNA and how they are used in practice.
  • 719
  • 07 Mar 2023
Topic Review
MiRNAs in Developing Axons
During neuronal circuit formation, axons progressively develop into a presynaptic compartment aided by extracellular signals. Axons display a remarkably high degree of autonomy supported in part by a local translation machinery that permits the subcellular production of proteins required for their development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of this machinery, orchestrating the spatiotemporal regulation of local translation in response to cues. On one hand, a cue-induced relief of miRNA-mediated inhibition leads to bursts of protein translation, on the other hand, a cue-induced miRNA activation, results in reduced protein production. Overall, miRNAs are key elements of the local translation regulatory network controlling axon development.
  • 718
  • 01 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Assessment of Blood Platelet Function
Platelets are non-nucleated components of blood. Their best recognized physiological function is primary hemostasis, i.e., formation of the hemostatic plug in the site of blood vessel injury. The plug not only limits blood extravasation, but it also creates a procoagulant surface on which the coagulation cascade develops to form fibrin mesh which stabilizes the plug. Effective formation of the hemostatic plug is assured by the ability of platelet to adhere to the site of injury and by firm binding to adjacent platelets. Such a profound phenotype switch from a circulating blood component to an element of a structure which withholds blood outflow demands significant alterations in platelet biochemistry. These alterations are generally termed platelet activation.
  • 718
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Amyloid Fragmentation and Disaggregation in Yeast and Animals
Amyloids are filamentous protein aggregates that are associated with a number of incurable diseases, termed amyloidoses. Amyloids can also manifest as infectious or heritable particles, known as prions. While just one prion is known in humans and animals, more than ten prion amyloids have been discovered in fungi. The propagation of fungal prion amyloids requires the chaperone Hsp104, though in excess it can eliminate some prions. Even though Hsp104 acts to disassemble prion fibrils, at normal levels it fragments them into multiple smaller pieces, which ensures prion propagation and accelerates prion conversion. Animals lack Hsp104, but disaggregation is performed by the same complement of chaperones that assist Hsp104 in yeast—Hsp40, Hsp70, and Hsp110. Exogenous Hsp104 can efficiently cooperate with these chaperones in animals and promotes disaggregation, especially of large amyloid aggregates, which indicates its potential as a treatment for amyloid diseases. However, despite the significant effects, Hsp104 and its potentiated variants may be insufficient to fully dissolve amyloid.
  • 718
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Cyanobacterial Phycobiliproteins
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are accessory light-harvesting pigment complexes found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and certain types of cryptophytes. The unique spectral features (strong absorbance and fluorescence), proteinaceous nature, and some imperative properties such as the anti-oxidative, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging activity of PBPs allow their use in biomedical industries.
  • 718
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Lung Cancer Biomarkers
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Detecting lung malignancies promptly is essential for any anticancer treatment to reduce mortality and morbidity, especially in high-risk individuals. 
  • 716
  • 02 Sep 2021
Topic Review
FXR in Renal Physiology and Kidney Diseases
Farnesoid X receptor, also known as the bile acid receptor, belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-regulated transcription factors, which performs its functions by regulating the transcription of target genes. FXR is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, kidney and adrenal gland, maintaining homeostasis of bile acid, glucose and lipids by regulating a diverse array of target genes. It also participates in several pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation, immune responses and fibrosis. The kidney is a key organ that manages water and solute homeostasis for the whole body, and kidney injury or dysfunction is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
  • 716
  • 25 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Co-Translational Quality Control Induced by Translational Arrest
Genetic mutations, mRNA processing errors, and lack of availability of charged tRNAs sometimes slow down or completely stall translating ribosomes. Since an incomplete nascent chain derived from stalled ribosomes may function anomalously, such as by forming toxic aggregates, surveillance systems monitor every step of translation and dispose of such products to prevent their accumulation. Yeast models with powerful genetics and biochemical techniques have contributed to uncovering the mechanism of the co-translational quality control system, which eliminates the harmful products generated from aberrant translation. 
  • 716
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Fbxo4
Fbxo4, also known as Fbx4, belongs to the F-box protein family with a conserved F-box domain. Fbxo4 can form a complex with S-phase kinase-associated protein 1 and Cullin1 to perform its biological functions. 
  • 715
  • 16 Jun 2022
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