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Topic Review
Mitochondrial Metal Ion Transport
The homeostasis of mitochondrial metal ions plays an important role in maintaining mitochondria and cell functions and regulating multiple diseases. In particular, channels and transporters for transporting mitochondrial metal ions are very critical, which can be used as potential targets to treat neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This review summarizes the current research on several types of mitochondrial metal ion channels/transporters and their functions in cell metabolism and diseases, providing strong evidence and therapeutic strategies for further insights into related diseases.
  • 1.4K
  • 23 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Protease Inhibitor
In biology and biochemistry, protease inhibitors, or antiproteases, are molecules that inhibit the function of proteases (enzymes that aid the breakdown of proteins). Many naturally occurring protease inhibitors are proteins. In medicine, protease inhibitor is often used interchangeably with alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT, which is abbreviated PI for this reason). A1AT is indeed the protease inhibitor most often involved in disease, namely in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
  • 1.4K
  • 26 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Morphology of Lipedema
Lipedema is an adipofascial disorder that almost exclusively affects women. Lipedema leads to chronic pain, swelling, and other discomforts due to the bilateral and asymmetrical expansion of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Although various distinctive morphological characteristics, such as the hyperproliferation of fat cells, fibrosis, and inflammation, have been characterized in the progression of lipedema, the mechanisms underlying these changes have not yet been fully investigated. In addition, it is challenging to reduce the excessive fat in lipedema patients using conventional weight-loss techniques, such as lifestyle (diet and exercise) changes, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological interventions. Therefore, lipedema patients also go through additional psychosocial distress in the absence of permanent treatment. Research to understand the pathology of lipedema is still in its infancy, but promising markers derived from exosome, cytokine, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiling studies suggest a condition distinct from obesity and lymphedema. Although genetics seems to be a substantial cause of lipedema, due to the small number of patients involved in such studies, the extrapolation of data at a broader scale is challenging. With the current lack of etiology-guided treatments for lipedema, the discovery of new promising biomarkers could provide potential solutions to combat this complex disease.
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
MicroRNA-7 (MiR-7) in Cancer Physiopathology
miRNAs are non-coding RNA sequences of approximately 22 nucleotides that interact with genes by inhibiting their translation through binding to their 3′ or 5′ UTR regions. Following their discovery, the role they play in the development of various pathologies, particularly cancer, has been studied. In this context, miR-7 is described as an important factor in the development of cancer because of its role as a tumor suppressor, regulating a large number of genes involved in the development and progression of cancer. Data support the function of miR-7 as a prognostic biomarker in cancer, and miR-7 has been proposed as a strategy in cancer therapy.
  • 1.4K
  • 16 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Filaggrin
Filaggrin (FLG) is a large (37-kD), histidine rich protein named after its ability to aggregates keratin intermediate filaments (Filament aggregating Protein). FLG is an important epidermal structural protein, crucial to the structure and function of the stratum corneum (SC) and is largely involved in the maintenance of skin barrier function. FLG deficiency or dysfunction can lead to various skin disorders such as xerosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis (AD). It has been proposed that the level of FLG and its degradation products are influenced not only by the FLG loss-of-function mutations but also by endogenous or exogenous factors. 
  • 1.4K
  • 09 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Mediterranean Diet (MD)
The Mediterranean Diet (MD), UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has become a scientific topic of high interest due to its health benefits. The aim of this review is to pick up selected studies that report nutrigenomic or nutrigenetic data and recapitulate some of the biochemical/genomic/genetic aspects involved in the positive health effects of the MD. These include (i) the antioxidative potential of its constituents with protective effects against several diseases; (ii) the epigenetic and epigenomic effects exerted by food components, such as Indacaxanthin, Sulforaphane, and 3-Hydroxytyrosol among others, and their involvement in the modulation of miRNA expression; (iii) the existence of predisposing or protective human genotypes due to allelic diversities and the impact of the MD on disease risk. A part of the review is dedicated to the nutrigenomic effects of the main cooking methods used in the MD and also to a comparative analysis of the nutrigenomic properties of the MD and other diet regimens and non-MD-related aliments. Taking all the data into account, the traditional MD emerges as a diet with a high antioxidant and nutrigenomic modulation power, which is an example of the “Environment-Livings-Environment” relationship and an excellent patchwork of interconnected biological actions working toward human health.
  • 1.4K
  • 25 Apr 2021
Topic Review
VEGF
VEGF-A (also called VEGF) is a member of the mammalian platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) supergene family which also includes VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and placental growth factor (PlGF).
  • 1.4K
  • 05 May 2021
Topic Review
Microglia Purinoceptor P2Y6
The purinergic receptor P2Y6 is expressed in immune cells, including microglia that are implicated in neurological disorders. Its ligand, UDP, is a signaling molecule that can serve as a "find‐me" signal when released in significant quantities by damaged/dying cells. Binding of UDP by P2Y6R leads to the activation of different biochemical pathways, depending on the disease context and the pathological environment. Generally, P2Y6R stimulates phagocytosis. However, whether or not phagocytosis coincides with cell activation or secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, needs further investigations.  The current review aims to discuss various functions of P2Y6R in some CNS disorders. We present evidence that P2Y6R may have a detrimental or beneficial role in the nervous system, in the context of neurological pathologies, such as ischemic stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, radiation-induced brain injury, neuropathic pain.
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Asymmetric Cell Division
Asymmetric cell division (ACD) of neural stem cells and progenitors not only renews the stem cell population but also ensures the normal development of the nervous system, producing various types of neurons with different shapes and functions in the brain. One major mechanism to achieve ACD is the asymmetric localization and uneven segregation of intracellular proteins and organelles into sibling cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) provides a potential mechanism for the formation of membrane-less biomolecular condensates that are asymmetrically distributed on limited membrane regions. Moreover, mechanical forces have emerged as pivotal regulators of asymmetric neural stem cell division by generating sibling cell size asymmetry. In this review, we will summarize recent discoveries of ACD mechanisms driven by LLPS and mechanical forces.
  • 1.4K
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Heat Shock Proteins in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial human intestinal disease that arises from numerous, yet incompletely defined, factors. Two main forms, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), lead to a chronic pathological form. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are stress-responsive molecules involved in various pathophysiological processes.
  • 1.4K
  • 01 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells
Adult neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) contribute to learning, memory, maintenance of homeostasis, energy metabolism and many other essential processes. They are highly heterogeneous populations that require input from a regionally distinct microenvironment including a mix of neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, ependymal cells, NG2+ glia, vasculature, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and others. The diversity of NSPCs is present in all three major parts of the CNS, i.e., the brain, spinal cord, and retina. Intrinsic and extrinsic signals, e.g., neurotrophic and growth factors, master transcription factors, and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), collectively regulate activities and characteristics of NSPCs: quiescence/survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and integration.
  • 1.4K
  • 03 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Dictyostelium as a Drug Resource
The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is an excellent model organism for the study of cell and developmental biology because of its simple life cycle and ease of use. Recent findings suggest that Dictyostelium and possibly other genera of cellular slime molds, are potential sources of novel lead compounds for pharmacological and medical research.
  • 1.4K
  • 02 Oct 2021
Topic Review
ER Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a eukaryotic organelle, is the major site of protein biosynthesis. The disturbance of ER function by biotic or abiotic stress triggers the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is the best-studied ER stress response. This transcriptional regulatory system senses ER stress, activates downstream genes that function to mitigate stress, and restores homeostasis. In addition to its conventional role in stress responses, reports indicate that the UPR is involved in plant growth and development.
  • 1.4K
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Physiological Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Eye
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways represent ubiquitous cellular signal transduction pathways that regulate all aspects of life (such as development of eye) and are frequently altered in disease. Once activated through phosphorylation, these MAPKs in turn phosphorylate and activate transcription factors present either in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus, leading to the expression of target genes and, as a consequence, they elicit various biological responses. 
  • 1.4K
  • 08 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Nodal Proteins
Nodal proteins show a different affinity to TGF-β receptors; it was demonstrated that the presence of binding proteins that act as partners enhances the signal cascade, improving the interactions between Nodal and its receptors. It was established that a fundamental obligatory co-receptor for the TGF-β family member Nodal is the cell surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked glycoprotein Cripto-1 (CR-1). Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show the interaction between Nodal and CR-1, supporting the idea that CR-1 acts as an obliged coreceptor for Nodal that potentiates its signal cascade.
  • 1.4K
  • 07 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in HGG
The immune microenvironment of high-grade gliomas (HGG) is a complex and heterogeneous system, consisting of diverse cell types such as microglia, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and T-cells. Of these, MDSCs are one of the major tumor-infiltrating immune cells and are correlated not only with overall worse prognosis but also poor clinical outcomes. Upon entry from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood, spleen, as well as in tumor microenvironment (TME) in HGG patients, MDSCs deploy an array of mechanisms to perform their immune and non-immune suppressive functions. 
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Jun 2021
Topic Review
INOS in Ovarian Cancer
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the enzyme responsible for nitric oxide (NO) production, is not present in most cells under normal conditions. The expression of its mRNA, as well as its protein synthesis and full enzymatic activity, undergoes multilevel regulation including transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms, the availability of iNOS substrate and cofactors and oxygen tension.
  • 1.4K
  • 22 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Effects of Oxysterols on Immune Cells
Oxysterols are the products of cholesterol oxidation. They have a wide range of effects on several cells, organs, and systems in the body. Oxysterols also have an influence on the physiology of the immune system, from immune cell maturation and migration to innate and humoral immune responses. 
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Scribble Polarity Module in Neuroblasts
The Scribble polarity module is composed by Scribble (Scrib), Discs large 1 (Dlg1) and Lethal (2) giant larvae (L(2)gl), a group of highly conserved neoplastic tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) from flies to humans. Even though the Scribble module has been profusely studied in epithelial cell polarity, the number of tissues and processes in which it is involved is increasingly growing. Here we discuss the role of the Scribble module in the asymmetric division of Drosophila neuroblasts (NBs), as well as the underlying mechanisms by which those TSGs act in this process. Finally, we also describe what we know about the consequences of mutating these genes in impairing the process of asymmetric NB division and promoting tumor-like overgrowth.
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
MOB
The MOB family proteins are constituted by highly conserved eukaryote kinase signal adaptors involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression, cell proliferation versus proliferation, morphogenesis, and cell differentiation and are often essential both for cell and organism survival.
  • 1.4K
  • 19 Jan 2021
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