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Topic Review
PAX5 Expression and Regulation
PAX5, a member of the Paired Box (PAX) transcription factor family, is an essential factor for B-lineage identity during lymphoid differentiation. Mechanistically, PAX5 controls gene expression profiles, pivotal to cellular processes such as viability, proliferation, and differentiation. Given its crucial function in B-cell development, PAX5 aberrant expression also correlates with hallmark cancer processes leading to hematological and other types of cancer lesion.
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Sep 2022
Topic Review
New AMPs' Prediction and Development
Theoretical methods for finding and predicting new antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), based on the use of specially designed programs for these purposes, are making an increasing contribution to the development of new AMPs. Machine learning methods are also used for the prediction. Artificial neural networks perform highly accurate predictions based on rules from databases of antimicrobial peptides. Recently published data on the development of new AMP drugs based on a combination of molecular design and genetic engineering approaches are presented. This review examines AMP development strategies from the perspective of the current high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the potential prospects and challenges of using AMPs against infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In turn, we proposed another strategy for the development of new AMPs based on predicting amyloidogenic regions in a protein molecule sequence.
  • 2.0K
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Updated Understanding of Cancer
       Cancer is a tumorigenesis process that forms a mass of cells that we call a tumor. During tumorigenesis, the cells that compose the tumor can be benign or malignant. When the cells in the tumor are normal but old, the tumor is termed benign. When the cells in the tumor are abnormal and can grow uncontrollably, the tumor is malignant. Sometimes a benign tumor can transform into a malign one if the normal old cells begin to develop abnormalities, such as DNA mutations, and grow rapidly. - by Cristian Muresanu
  • 2.0K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
BH3-Only Proteins Noxa and Puma in Apoptosis Regulation
Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated cell death pathway. Physiological cell death is important for maintaining homeostasis and optimal biological conditions by continuous elimination of undesired or superfluous cells. The BH3-only pro-apoptotic members are strong inducers of apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Noxa activates multiple death pathways by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family protein, Mcl-1, and other protein members leading to Bax and Bak activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). On the other hand, Puma is induced by p53-dependent and p53-independent apoptotic stimuli in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, this protein is involved in several physiological and pathological processes, such as immunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Future heat shock research could disclose the effect of hyperthermia on both Noxa and BH3-only proteins. This suggests post-transcriptional mechanisms controlling the translation of both Puma and Noxa mRNA in heat-shocked cells. 
  • 2.0K
  • 10 Mar 2022
Topic Review
CRISPR FokI Dead Cas9 System
FokI–dCas9 (fdCas9) or RNA-guided FokI nuclease (RFN) is a genome editing tool engineered by fusing  the catalytic domain of the FokI endonuclease to the N-terminal catalytic inactive Cas9 protein. The fdCas9 system is active only as a heterodimer, requiring the simultaneous binding of two fdCas9/sgRNAs monomers at adjacent target sites in a PAM-out orientation, and a specific spacer distance separating the two binding sites of the two sgRNAs. The five engineered and published constructs induce significant gene editing activities and specificities, as tested on various gene targets and overcome the off-target effects associated with other genome editing tools, including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas systems.
  • 2.0K
  • 30 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Irisin and Incretin Hormones
Incretins are gut hormones that potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) after meals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is the most investigated incretin hormone, synthesized mainly by L cells in the lower gut tract. GLP-1 promotes β-cell function and survival and exerts beneficial effects in different organs and tissues. Irisin, a myokine released in response to a high-fat diet and exercise, enhances GSIS. Similar to GLP-1, irisin augments insulin biosynthesis and promotes accrual of β-cell functional mass. In addition, irisin and GLP-1 share comparable pleiotropic effects and activate similar intracellular pathways. The insulinotropic and extra-pancreatic effects of GLP-1 are reduced in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients but preserved at pharmacological doses. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are therefore among the most widely used antidiabetes drugs, also considered for their cardiovascular benefits and ability to promote weight loss. Irisin levels are lower in T2D patients, and in diabetic and/or obese animal models irisin administration improves glycemic control and promotes weight loss. This review aims to describe the similarities between GLP-1 and irisin and to propose a new potential axis involving the gut, muscle, and endocrine pancreas that controls energy homeostasis.
  • 2.0K
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Effect of Oral l-Carnitine Supplementation on Exercise Performance
l-Carnitine (l-C) and any of its forms (glycine-propionyl l-Carnitine (GPL-C) or l-Carnitine l-tartrate (l-CLT)) has been frequently recommended as a supplement to improve sports performance due to, among others, its role in fat metabolism and in maintaining the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA/CoA ratio. 
  • 2.0K
  • 15 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Histone deacetylase (HDAC)
Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes play crucial roles in epigenetic gene expression and are an attractive therapeutic target. Five HDAC inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment to date, however clinical applications have been limited due to poor single agent drug efficacy and side effects associated with a lack of HDAC isoform or complex selectivity. An emerging strategy aiming to address these limitations is the development of bifunctional HDAC therapeutics – single molecules comprising a HDAC inhibitor conjugated to another specificity targeting moiety. There has been many recent advancements in novel types of dual-targeting HDAC modulators, including PROTACs, often achieving high HDAC isoform selectivity, as well as some dual inhibitor examples affording HDAC complex selectivity. Such bifunctional molecules have future potential in achieving enhanced drug efficacy and therapeutic benefits in treating disease.
  • 2.0K
  • 12 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Development of Rudimentary Structure of Mammary Gland
The mammary gland is a compound, branched tubuloalveolar structure and a major characteristic of mammals. The mammary gland has evolved from epidermal apocrine glands, the skin glands as an accessory reproductive organ to support postnatal survival of offspring by producing milk as a source of nutrition. The mammary gland development begins during embryogenesis as a rudimentary structure that grows into an elementary branched ductal tree and is embedded in one end of a larger mammary fat pad at birth. At the onset of ovarian function at puberty, the rudimentary ductal system undergoes dramatic morphogenetic change with ductal elongation and branching. During pregnancy, the alveolar differentiation and tertiary branching are completed, and during lactation, the mature milk-producing glands eventually develop. The early stages of mammary development are hormonal independent, whereas during puberty and pregnancy, mammary gland development is hormonal dependent. The mammary gland develops as a rudimentary structure from a thickening under the ventral skin during embryogenesis. This rudimentary structure grows into a rudimentary branched ductal tree embedded in one end of a larger mammary fat pad at birth. The embryonic development of the mammary gland is a series of several hormone-independent specialized events.
  • 2.0K
  • 18 Apr 2022
Topic Review
D2 Dopamine Receptor (D2-R)
The type 2 dopamine receptor D2 (D2-R), member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, exists in two isoforms, short (D2S-R) and long (D2L-R). They differ by an additional 29 amino acids (AA) in the third cytoplasmic loop (ICL3) of the D2L-R. These isoforms differ in their intracellular localization and trafficking functionality, as D2L-R possesses a larger intracellular pool, mostly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). 
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion
Pembroke JT and MP Ryan.  Autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD) is a microbial fermentation process characterized as a tertiary treatment of waste material carried out in jacketed reactors. Heat is generated which selects a thermoduric microbial population. The process results in a stabilised, pasteurised sludge suitable for land application as a fertiliser. The microbial population biodegrades sludge contents, are unique in terms of diversity and have biotechnological potential as enzymes and proteins associated with the microbial population are thermostable. 
  • 2.0K
  • 24 Dec 2021
Topic Review
HSP90 inhibitors for IPF/COVID-19
Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an important chaperone that assists the late stage folding of several proteins involved in cell survival in response to environmental stressors. The inhibition of HSP90 is followed by a complex modulation of the proteome and the kinome, that has proved beneficial in cancer and various neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, accumulating literature suggests that HSP90 may be a key target during the development of pulmonary fibrosis and that its inhibition could serve as a new and exciting therapeutic approach. We have summarized the current evidence about HSP90’s role in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the results from preclinical studies on its inhibition and the intracellular signaling pathways involved, in a recent review article (Review). In this Article entry, we will introduce the main findings discussed in the review and focus on its translation and possible significance in the era of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
  • 2.0K
  • 07 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Methods for Characterizing Protein S-Glutathionylation
Protein S-glutathionylation (SSG) is a reversible post-translational modification (PTM) featuring the conjugation of glutathione to a protein cysteine thiol. SSG can alter protein structure, activity, subcellular localization, and interaction with small molecules and other proteins. Thus, it plays a critical role in redox signaling and regulation in various physiological activities and pathological events. Many approaches have been developed for the detection of SSG, including direct detection, selective reduction and tagging approaches, and chemoselective probe-based approaches. Utilization of these methods in profiling the SSG proteome had been reported in various biological systems. 
  • 2.0K
  • 07 Dec 2022
Topic Review
IP6K
Inositol and its phosphate metabolites play a pivotal role in several biochemical pathways and gene expression regulation: inositol pyrophosphates (PP-IPs) have been increasingly appreciated as key signaling modulators. Fluctuations in their intracellular levels hugely impact the transfer of phosphates and the phosphorylation status of several target proteins. Pharmacological modulation of the proteins associated with PP-IP activities has proved to be beneficial in various pathological settings. IP7 has been extensively studied and found to play a key role in pathways associated with PP-IP activities. Three inositol hexakisphosphate kinase (IP6K) isoforms regulate IP7 synthesis in mammals. Genomic deletion or enzymic inhibition of IP6K1 has been shown to reduce cell invasiveness and migration capacity, protecting against chemical-induced carcinogenesis. IP6K1 could therefore be a useful target in anticancer treatment.
  • 1.9K
  • 14 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Carbohydrate-Binding Modules of Potential Resources
Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are a class of multi-module enzyme proteins and their function is to respond to bind to the carbohydrate substrate. Cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) are the earliest-discovered CBMs which were used to be catergozied based on their sequence homology. However, with the in-depth study of carbohydrate hydrolases, more modules in carbohydrate-active enzymes were discovered that could bind, in addition to cellulose, to other types of carbohydrates such as chitin, glucan, xylan, or starch. 
  • 1.9K
  • 07 May 2022
Topic Review
Extreme Microorganisms in the Context of Biogeochemical Nitrogen Cycle
Extreme microorganisms (extremophile) are organisms that inhabit environments characterized by inhospitable parameters for most live beings (extreme temperatures and pH values, high or low ionic strength, pressure, or scarcity of nutrients). To grow optimally under these conditions, extremophiles have evolved molecular adaptations affecting their physiology, metabolism, cell signaling, etc. Due to their peculiarities in terms of physiology and metabolism, they have become good models for (i) understanding the limits of life on Earth, (ii) exploring the possible existence of extraterrestrial life (Astrobiology), or (iii) to look for potential applications in biotechnology. Recent research has revealed that extremophilic microbes play key roles in all biogeochemical cycles on Earth. Nitrogen cycle (N-cycle) is one of the most important biogeochemical cycles in nature; thanks to it, nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms, which circulate among atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This review summarizes recent knowledge on the role of extreme microorganisms in the N-cycle in extremophilic ecosystems, with special emphasis on members of the Archaea domain. Potential implications of these microbes in global warming and nitrogen balance, as well as their biotechnological applications are also discussed.
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Jun 2020
Topic Review
COP9 Signalosome
The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a regulator of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). In mammalian cells it occurs as an eight-subunit protein complex, six Proteasome-COP9 signalosome-Initiation factor eIF3 (PCI)-domain subunits including CSN1-4, CSN7 and CSN8 and two MOV34-Pad1-N-terminal (MPN)-domain subunits called CSN5 and CSN6. The CSN regulates cullin-RING-ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) by specifically removing NEDD8 from cullins. In cooperation with CAND1 it controls the adaptation of the CRL network to fluctuations in substrate availability. The CSN complex belongs to the JAMM family of deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs). In addition, it interacts with other deubiquitylating enzymes including USP15 and USP48 coordinating ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation activities.
  • 1.9K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Nuclear domains 10 (ND10)
Nuclear domains 10 (ND10), a.k.a. promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), are membraneless subnuclear domains that are highly dynamic in their protein composition in response to cellular cues. They are known to be involved in many key cellular processes including DNA damage response, transcription regulation, apoptosis, oncogenesis, and antiviral defenses.
  • 1.9K
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
In Vivo Methods for Measuring the Glycemic Index
The concept of Glycemic Index (GI) was suggested by Jenkins to classify carbohydrate-containing foods. GI is “an expression of the percentage of the area under the blood glucose response curve when taking the same amount of carbohydrate as glucose”. It is a physiological way to explain how dietary carbohydrate impacts blood glucose. The GI value has a range between 1 and 100. Glucose, as the reference material, has a GI value of 100. A food with a lower GI value (≤54) raises blood glucose more slowly.
  • 1.9K
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Phytochemical Information and Pharmacology of European Orchids
The Orchidaceae family has thousands of members, and most of them are mentioned in the folk medicine of nations around the world. The use of terrestrial orchids in European and Mediterranean regions has been reported since ancient times. Plant collection for human use is still listed as one of the main threats for terrestrial orchids (i.e. harvesting for Salep), alongside other menacing factors such as wrong habitat management and disturbance to symbionts, such as pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi. Here, phytochemical data are discussed to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds of pharmacological relevance. Furthermore, it is debated whether the presence of these compounds could support the therapeutic employment of the different orchid organs.
  • 1.9K
  • 09 Feb 2023
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