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Topic Review
MicroRNAs as Potential Clinical Biomarkers for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignancy in women. When diagnosed at an early stage, survival outcomes are favourable for the vast majority, with up to 90% of ovarian cancer patients being free of disease at 5 years follow-up. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the majority of patients remaining asymptomatic until the cancer has metastasised, resulting in poor outcomes for the majority. While the molecular era has facilitated the subclassification of the disease into distinct clinical subtypes, ovarian cancer remains managed and treated as a single disease entity. Biomarkers are objectively measured such that they are informative of normal biological processes, pathological processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. The incorporation of biomarkers into clinical practice can improve early detection of disease and aid the design of treatment regimens specific for individual patients. However, clinically established biomarkers for ovarian cancer lack robust reliability and specificity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (19–25 nucleotides), endogenous molecules which are integral to regulating gene expression. Aberrant miRNA expression profiles have been described in several cancers, and have been implicated to be useful biomarkers which may aid cancer diagnostics and treatment.
  • 601
  • 29 Jan 2023
Topic Review
SMIFH2 Targets
The discovery of small molecule inhibitor of formin homology 2 domains (SMIFH2) has provided a unique tool to explore formins’ functions from the molecular to the organismal scales. Due to the important pathophysiological roles of formins in eukaryotes, SMIFH2 has been widely used.
  • 601
  • 02 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Fungal Effector Protein Functions
Plants are colonized by various fungi with both pathogenic and beneficial lifestyles. One type of colonization strategy is through the secretion of effector proteins that alter the plant’s physiology to accommodate the fungus. The oldest plant symbionts, the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), may exploit effectors to their benefit. Genome analysis coupled with transcriptomic studies in different AMFs has intensified research on the effector function, evolution, and diversification of AMF. However, of the 338 predicted effector proteins from the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis, only five have been characterized, of which merely two have been studied in detail to understand which plant proteins they associate with to affect the host physiology. 
  • 601
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Pathogen-Induced Epigenetic Modifications in Cancer in Africa
Cancer remains a global burden with multiple causality. Over the years, studies have linked various infectious pathogens with various cancer. Nonetheless, precise mechanism(s) by which pathogens induce or enhance cancer development remains largely obscure. Since cancers are almost invariably associated with genetic alterations, pathogen-induced cancers are likely to be linked with genetic alterations, including epigenetic modification, a change in gene expression without changes in the DNA sequences. Indeed, studies have reported associations between some infectious pathogens can induce epigenetic changes. This implies that pathogens could be involved in cancer development through the modification of host epigenetic factors. With the high burden of infectious pathogens, Africa is at a higher risk of pathogen-mediated cancers. To tame a potential rise of such cancers, there is the need for thorough understanding of the role of tropical infectious pathogens in regulating epigenetic modifications that could be associated with cancer development.
  • 600
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
MiR-223 as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers in Cancer
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small non-coding RNAs that function in the regulation of gene expression and regulate a wide array of biological processes, including carcinogenesis. Several mechanisms are involved in miRNA-associated cancer development, such as amplification or deletion of miRNA genes, abnormal transcriptional control of miRNAs, dysregulated epigenetic changes, and defects in miRNA biogenesis machinery. MiRNA-223 has been found to be a critical miRNA that is involved in a wide range of molecular processes. It is involved in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines, epithelial homeostasis, immune checkpoint signaling pathways, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell proliferation, invasion, and chemosensitivity. Published literature has demonstrated that miRNA-223 expression is associated with cancer development and prevention. Mir-223 functions as either a tumor suppressor or oncogene under certain circumstances, containing multiple targets or specific targets. Hence, miR-223 could be a potential candidate diagnostic biomarker, prognostic biomarker, or therapeutic target of cancer. 
  • 600
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Suppressing Ribosome Biogenesis to Combat Tamoxifen Resistance
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Around 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+ve), with tamoxifen being most commonly used as an adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence and metastasis. However, half of the patients will eventually develop tamoxifen resistance. The overexpression of c-MYC can drive the development of ER+ve breast cancer and confer tamoxifen resistance through multiple pathways. One key mechanism is to enhance ribosome biogenesis, synthesising mature ribosomes. The over-production of ribosomes sustains the demand for proteins necessary to maintain a high cell proliferation rate and combat apoptosis induced by therapeutic agents. c-MYC overexpression can induce the expression of eIF4E that favours the translation of structured mRNA to produce oncogenic factors that promote cell proliferation and confer tamoxifen resistance. Either non-phosphorylated or phosphorylated eIF4E can mediate such an effect. Since ribosomes play an essential role in c-MYC-mediated cancer development, suppressing ribosome biogenesis may help reduce aggressiveness and reverse tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer. CX-5461, CX-3543 and haemanthamine have been shown to repress ribosome biogenesis. Using these chemicals might help reverse tamoxifen resistance in ER+ve breast cancer, provided that c-MYC-mediated ribosome biogenesis is the crucial factor for tamoxifen resistance. 
  • 600
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Piezo1 in Digestive System Function and Dysfunction
Piezo1, a non-selective cation channel directly activated by mechanical forces, is widely expressed in the digestive system and participates in biological functions physiologically and pathologically.
  • 600
  • 28 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress and Bio-Regulation
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals work to maintain homeostasis in the body, but their excessive production causes damage to the organism. The human body is composed of a variety of cells totaling over 60 trillion cells. Each cell performs different functions and has a unique lifespan. The lifespan of cells is preprogrammed in their genes, and the death of cells that have reached the end of their lifespan is called apoptosis. This is contrary to necrosis, which is the premature death of cells brought about by physical or scientific forces. Each species has its own unique lifespan, which in humans is estimated to be up to 120 years. Elucidating the mechanism of the death of a single cell will lead to a better understanding of human death, and, conversely, the death of a single cell will lead to exploring the mechanisms of life. In this sense, research on active oxygen and free radicals, which are implicated in biological disorders and homeostasis, requires an understanding of both the physicochemical as well as the biochemical aspects. Based on the discussion above, it is clear to see that active oxygen and free radicals have dual functions of both injuring and facilitating homeostasis in living organisms.
  • 599
  • 27 Mar 2024
Topic Review
mTOR and Gut Microbiota in Various Diseases
The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates multiple intracellular and extracellular upstream signals involved in the regulation of anabolic and catabolic processes in cells and plays a key regulatory role in cell growth and metabolism. The activation of the mTOR signaling pathway has been reported to be associated with a wide range of human diseases. A growing number of in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that gut microbes and their complex metabolites can regulate host metabolic and immune responses through the mTOR pathway and result in disorders of host physiological functions.
  • 598
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Dendritic Cells -Based Cancer Immunotherapy
Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells in humans and animals that provide antigen-specific T-cell immunity in the body. It also establishes a linkage between innate and adaptive immune responses. Various studies have shown that malignancies or cancer may impair DCs and effector T-cell functions. DCs have now become a new molecular target for the treatment of cancer. Modified matured DCs could be novel biological modifiers to treat various diseases, including cancer. Mounting evidence from preclinical and clinical findings suggests that various plants and their bioactive phytochemicals are effective in modulating the immune system and signaling pathways involved in anti-tumor immunity.
  • 596
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Monooxygenases and Antibiotic Resistance
Carbapenems are a group of broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics that in many cases are the last effective defense against infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as some strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Resistance to carbapenems has emerged and is beginning to spread, becoming an ongoing public-health problem of global dimensions, causing serious outbreaks, and dramatically limiting treatment options. 
  • 595
  • 09 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome and Gene Mutation in NOTCH2
Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is a rare autosomal dominant manifestation of a congenital genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the NOTCH2 gene. NOTCH signaling has variations from NOTCH 1 to 4 and maintains homeostasis by determining and regulating the proliferation and differentiation of various cells. In HCS, the over-accumulated NOTCH2 causes abnormal bone resorption due to its continuous excessive signaling. HCS is characterized by progressive bone destruction, has complex wide-range clinical manifestations, and significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life.
  • 594
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Estrogen Signaling in Breast Cancer
Estrogens, belonging to a group of steroid compounds, play an important role in both physiological and disease processes, mainly by interacting with estrogen receptors (ERs). Abnormal ER signaling may result in various cancers, including breast cancer (BC), one of the most often diagnosed cancers in women globally, and a second cause of female cancer-related death.
  • 592
  • 16 Oct 2023
Topic Review
TGF-β Signaling Pathways in Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus affecting a significant portion of the global population, has long been viewed primarily as a microvascular disorder. However, emerging evidence suggests that it should be redefined as a neurovascular disease with multifaceted pathogenesis rooted in oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling family has emerged as a major contributor to DR pathogenesis due to its pivotal role in retinal vascular homeostasis, endothelial cell barrier function, and pericyte differentiation. 
  • 591
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Host-Derived Cytotoxic Agents
At inflammatory sites, cytotoxic agents are released and generated from invading immune cells and damaged tissue cells. The further fate of the inflammation highly depends on the presence of antagonizing principles that are able to inactivate these host-derived cytotoxic agents.
  • 590
  • 21 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Circulating miRNAs and Preeclampsia
miRNAs are single-stranded non-coding RNAs, 20–24 nt long, which control mRNA expression. Changes in miRNA expression can induce a variation in the relative mRNA level and influence cellular homeostasis, and the strong presence of miRNAs in all body fluids has made them useful biomarkers of several diseases. Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disease, but the etiopathogenesis remains unclear. The functions of trophoblasts, including differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis, are essential for a successful pregnancy.
  • 590
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Allosterism in the PDZ Family
Allosterism is a phenomenon where communication exists within a biological macromolecule between the ligand-binding site and a distal region. Dynamic allosterism allows the propagation of signal throughout a protein. The PDZ (PSD-95/Dlg1/ZO-1) family has been named as a classic example of dynamic allostery in small modular domains. While the PDZ family consists of more than 200 domains, previous efforts have primarily focused on a few well-studied PDZ domains, including PTP-BL PDZ2, PSD-95 PDZ3, and Par6 PDZ. Taken together, experimental and computational studies have identified regions of these domains that are dynamically coupled to ligand binding. These regions include the αA helix, the αB lower-loop, and the αC helix. In this review, we summarize the specific residues on the αA helix, the αB lower-loop, and the αC helix of PTP-BL PDZ2, PSD-95 PDZ3, and Par6 PDZ that have been identified as participants in dynamic allostery by either experimental or computational approaches. 
  • 589
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Cell Biological Mechanism in Anticancer Activities of Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides are major bioactive compounds present in the Panax species. Ginsenosides exhibit various pharmaceutical properties, including anticancer. Ginsenosides, a triterpenoid glycoside, are major constituents extracted from Panax ginseng (Pg), P. notoginseng, P. quinquifolium, and another species belonging to the Panax genus, P. vietnamensis.
  • 589
  • 21 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Hydroxylamine Analogue of Agmatine for Arginine Decarboxylase Inhibition
The biogenic polyamines, spermine, spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) are present at micro-millimolar concentrations in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells (many prokaryotes have no spermine), participating in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation. In mammalian cells Put is formed exclusively from L-ornithine by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and many potent ODC inhibitors are known. In bacteria, plants, and fungi Put is synthesized also from agmatine, which is formed from L-arginine by arginine decarboxylase (ADC). 
  • 589
  • 20 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Biosensor for the H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus
Avian influenza is caused by avian influenza virus infection; the H5N1 avian influenza virus is a highly pathogenic subtype, affecting poultry and human health. Since the discovery of the highly pathogenic subtype of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, it has caused enormous losses to the poultry farming industry. It was recently found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus tends to spread among mammals. Therefore, early rapid detection methods are highly significant for effectively preventing the spread of H5N1. 
  • 588
  • 25 Dec 2023
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