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Topic Review
Autophagosome Biogenesis
Autophagy–the lysosomal degradation of cytoplasm–plays a central role in cellular homeostasis and protects cells from potentially harmful agents that may accumulate in the cytoplasm, including pathogens, protein aggregates, and dysfunctional organelles. This process is initiated by the formation of a phagophore membrane, which wraps around a portion of cytoplasm or cargo and closes to form a double-membrane autophagosome. Upon the fusion of the autophagosome with a lysosome, the sequestered material is degraded by lysosomal hydrolases in the resulting autolysosome. Several alternative membrane sources of autophagosomes have been proposed, including the plasma membrane, endosomes, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, lipid droplets, hybrid organelles, and de novo synthesis. 
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Mar 2023
Topic Review
WRKY Transcription Factor
The WRKY transcription factor family (pronounced ‘worky’) is a class of DNA-binding proteins. WRKY transcription factors are primarily specific to plants and algae (Viridiplantae); although, individual WRKY proteins do appear in the human protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia and slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. These transcription factors recognize a (T/A)TGAC(T/A) cis-regulatory element, also known as a W-box, in the promoters of target genes. WRKY transcription factors play a major role in plant defense to abiotic and biotic stresses, but also contribute to plant development and secondary metabolism. These roles are governed by an ever increasingly complex network of interactions with other DNA-binding and non-DNA-binding proteins.
  • 1.6K
  • 28 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Fluoride as an Environmental Toxin
Fluorine in its elemental form is practically not found on Earth, but it is present in the ecosphere in the form of fluorine compounds. A growing body of literature suggests that labelling fluorides as an environmental toxin appears to be correct.
  • 1.6K
  • 03 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Zebrafish Models of Neuroblastoma
For nearly a decade, researchers in the field of pediatric oncology have been using zebrafish as a model for understanding the contributions of genetic alternations to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma (NB), and exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie neuroblastoma initiation and metastasis.
  • 1.6K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Radiation Exposure on Caenorhabditis elegans
Knowledge regarding complex radiation responses in biological systems can be enhanced using genetically amenable model organisms. In this manuscript, we reviewed the use of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), as a model organism to investigate radiation’s biological effects. Diverse types of experiments were conducted on C. elegans, using acute and chronic exposure to different ionizing radiation types, and to assess various biological responses. These responses differed based on the type and dose of radiation and the chemical substances in which the worms were grown or maintained. 
  • 1.6K
  • 12 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nanotoxicity in Human Primary and Cancer Cells
Nanomaterial toxicity tests using normal and cancer cells may yield markedly different results. Nanomaterial toxicity between cancer and primary human cells was compared to determine the basic cell line selection criteria for nanomaterial toxicity analyses.
  • 1.6K
  • 31 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Chromatin-Remodeling in Cancer Cells
ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes can reorganize and remodel chromatin and thereby act as important regulator in various cellular processes. Based on considerable studies over the past two decades, it has been confirmed that the abnormal function of chromatin remodeling plays a pivotal role in genome reprogramming for oncogenesis in cancer development and/or resistance to cancer therapy.
  • 1.6K
  • 11 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Non-Invasive Pulsatile Shear Stress Modifies Endothelial Activation
The luminal surface of all the vasculature and the heart is lined by endothelial cells (EC), encompassing more than 5000 m2. Furthermore, the response of EC to external signals and the synthesis and production of various mediators is heterogeneous and adaptive based on location and signals. EC membranes are the sensing mechanism, responsive to mechanical (shear stress) and biochemical signaling (chemosensor). EC output is important for blood fluidity, coagulation, vasoreactivity, vasculogenesis, barrier function, and inflammation. Endothelial cell activation is the process by which EC changes from a quiescent cell phenotype, which maintains cellular integrity, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties, to a prothrombotic, pro-inflammatory, and permeable phenotype, also at the site of injury or infection, involved in repair and leukocyte trafficking. Endothelial activation is triggered by a multitude of stimuli that include inflammatory cytokines (interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, and interferon-γ), bacterial endotoxins, and pattern recognition receptor activation (PRR) after recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP). Pathological activation of EC leads to increased vascular permeability, thrombosis, and an uncontrolled inflammatory response leading to endothelial dysfunction; the latter can be contained at the local level or participate in a more profound systemic response leading to multiorgan dysfunction and death.
  • 1.6K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension
       Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants. More than 50 years after the first description of BPD by Northway, this chronic lung disease affecting many preterm infants is still less understood. Additonally, approximately 40% of preterm infants suffering from severe BPD also suffer from Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension (BPD-PH), leading to a significant increase in total morbidity and mortality. Until today, there is no curative therapy for both BPD and BPD-PH available. It has become increasingly evident that growth factors are playing a central role in normal and pathologic development of the pulmonary vasculature. Thus, this review aims to summarize the recent evidence in our understanding of BPD-PH from a basic scientific point of view, focusing on the potential role of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)/FGF10 signaling pathway contributing to disease development, progression and resolution.
  • 1.6K
  • 26 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Exosomes and Diabetes
Diabetes is part of a group of metabolic disorders characterized by long-term high blood glucose levels due to either inadequate production of insulin (type 1) or poor response of the recipient cell to insulin (type 2). Organ dysfunctions are the main causes of morbidity and mortality due to high glucose levels. Exosomes are part of a newly emerged research area and have attracted a great deal of attention for their capacity to regulate communications between cells. In conditions of diabetes, exosomes play important roles in the pathological processes in both T1DM and T2DM, such as connecting the immune cell response to pancreatic tissue injury, as well as adipocyte stimulation to insulin resistance of skeletal muscle or liver. Furthermore, in recent years, nucleic acids containing exosomes—especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)—have been shown to mainly regulate communications between organs in pathological processes of diabetes, including influencing metabolic signals and insulin signals in target tissues, affecting cell viability, and modulating inflammatory pancreatic cells. Moreover, exosome miRNAs show promise in their use as biomarkers or in treatments for diabetes and diabetic complications.  
  • 1.5K
  • 25 Mar 2022
Topic Review
GPCR, ER Stress, and EMT
Endoplasmic reticular stress (ERS) is a dynamics adaptive mechanism that is triggered upon perturbations in ER homeostasis. Hence unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated by ERS as a distress signal. UPR is involved in cancer progression by aiding cells to adapt harsh environments and evading cell death. We have made a significant discovery in the area of ERS and cell death in colonic epithelial cells where have previously unraveled the relationship between ERS and anti- apoptotic protein Survivin in colon cancer cells. We established a time point for an aggressive ERS environment with the help of ERS dynamics thereby creating a perfect environment for testing drugs. However, the role of ERS in cancer is still perplexing. G-protein coupled receptors (GCPR) are another large family of cell surface receptors that respond to a variety of external signals. GPCRs are said to have an active association with ERS in order to trigger some key processes like epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is a prime step in metastasis. However, there are some essential candidates that play a role in hindering cancer progression through numerous pathways. We therefore wish to provide the readers with an exhaustive views and insights of ER stress biology.
  • 1.5K
  • 12 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Huntingtin and Other Neurodegeneration-Associated Proteins in Intracellular Pathologies
Neurodegenerative diseases are currently incurable. Numerous experimental data accumulated over the past fifty years have brought us closer to understanding the molecular and cell mechanisms responsible for their development. It is known that the basis of neurodegenerations are proteinopathies, disorders in the structure and function of various proteins that lead to their aggregation and toxic effects on cells. The most common neurodegenerative proteinopathies are amyloidosis (amyloid extracellular plaques in AD), tauopathy (various dementias), α-synucleopathy (Lowy bodies in PD), prionopathy, and TDP-43 proteinopathy (in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)).
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Membrane Fusion
Membrane fusion is a universal reaction that mediates a myriad of biological events, such as fertilization, organ and tissue growth, cancer metastasis, and multi-nucleated giant cell formation during an immune response .
  • 1.5K
  • 06 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Bacterial Virulence Factors
There are several levels to influence the expression of eukaryotic genes. A first level of interference is changing of the DNA’s structure on the chromatin level. Epigenetic modulation enables remodelling of the chromatin to transfer heterochromatin into euchromatin allowing transcription or vice versa. In addition, the affinity of promotors and other regulatory DNA sequences for RNA polymerases and transcription factors (TFs) can be influenced by cytosine or adenine methylation. Only a minor portion (fewer than 2%) of genes is transcribed into mRNAs, instead the majority is transferred into so called non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Certain long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are also involved in epigenetic regulations. Epigenetic mechanisms are used for manipulation of gene expression in the course of several cellular processes. Here, we give an overview on the epigenetic control of gene expression by bacterial virulence factors during host cell infection.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
SIRT7
Sirtuins are key players for maintaining cellular homeostasis and are often deregulated in different human diseases. SIRT7 is the only member of mammalian sirtuins that principally resides in the nucleolus, a nuclear compartment involved in ribosomal biogenesis, senescence, and cellular stress responses. The ablation of SIRT7 induces global genomic instability, premature ageing, metabolic dysfunctions, and reduced stress tolerance, highlighting its critical role in counteracting ageing-associated processes.
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Aprotinin
The drug aprotinin (Trasylol, previously Bayer and now Nordic Group pharmaceuticals), is a small protein bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI), or basic trypsin inhibitor of bovine pancreas, which is an antifibrinolytic molecule that inhibits trypsin and related proteolytic enzymes. Under the trade name Trasylol, aprotinin was used as a medication administered by injection to reduce bleeding during complex surgery, such as heart and liver surgery. Its main effect is the slowing down of fibrinolysis, the process that leads to the breakdown of blood clots. The aim in its use was to decrease the need for blood transfusions during surgery, as well as end-organ damage due to hypotension (low blood pressure) as a result of marked blood loss. The drug was temporarily withdrawn worldwide in 2007 after studies suggested that its use increased the risk of complications or death; this was confirmed by follow-up studies. Trasylol sales were suspended in May 2008, except for very restricted research use. In February 2012 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) scientific committee reverted its previous standpoint regarding aprotinin, and has recommended that the suspension be lifted. Nordic became distributor of aprotinin in 2012.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Physiochemical Properties
Zinc oxide nanomaterials have been the cynosure of this decade because of their immense potential in different biomedical applications. It includes their usage in the prognosis and treatment of different infectious and cellular diseases, owing to their peculiar physiochemical properties such as variable shape, size, and surface charge etc. Increasing demand and usage of the ZnO nanomaterials raise concerns about their cellular and molecular toxicity and their biocompatibility with human cells.
  • 1.5K
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Protein Phase Separation
Phase separation is a process by which a well-mixed solution of macromolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids spontaneously separates into two phases: a dense phase and a dilute phase.
  • 1.5K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Exercise Interventions in Cancer-Related Cachexia
Cancer-related cachexia is a complex multifactorial phenomenon in which systemic inflammation plays a key role in the development and maintenance of the symptomatology. Pharmacological interventions seem to produce a positive effect on inflammatory state and cachexia. Nutritional interventions are focused on a high-energy diet with high-density foods and the supplementation with antioxidants, while physical activity is focused on strength-based training. The implementation of multidisciplinary non-pharmacological interventions in cancer-related cachexia could be an important tool to improve traditional treatments and improve patients’ quality of life.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Function of platelet lipid rafts
Lipid rafts are dynamic assemblies of glycosphingolipids, sphingomyelin, cholesterol, and specific proteins which are stabilized into platforms involved in the regulation of vital cellular processes. Recent reports have demonstrated that lipid rafts are spatially and compositionally heterogeneous in the single-cell membrane. Sphingomyelin-rich rafts that are spatially and functionally distinct from the cholesterol-rich rafts are found at spreading platelets. Fibrin is translocated to sphingomyelin-rich rafts and platelet sphingomyelin-rich rafts act as platforms where extracellular fibrin and intracellular actomyosin join to promote clot retraction.
  • 1.5K
  • 07 Aug 2020
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