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Topic Review
Parthenin
Parthenin, a sesquiterpene lactone of pseudoguaianolide type, is the representative secondary metabolite of the tropical weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). It accounts for a multitude of biological activities, including toxicity, allergenicity, allelopathy, and pharmacological aspects of the plant. Thus far, parthenin and its derivatives have been tested for chemotherapeutic abilities, medicinal properties, and herbicidal/pesticidal activities. However, due to the lack of toxicity-bioactivity relationship studies, the versatile properties of parthenin are relatively less utilised. The possibility of exploiting parthenin in different scientific fields (e.g., chemistry, medicine, and agriculture) makes it a subject of analytical discussion. It is important to highlight that the toxic nature of parthenin can be overcome by thoroughly understanding its structural basis, designing suitable derivatives, and deciding the appropriate doses.
  • 957
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
HIV Infection within the CNS
HIV can traverse the BBB using a Trojan horse-like mechanism. Hidden within infected immune cells, HIV can infiltrate the highly safeguarded CNS and propagate disease. Once integrated within the host genome, HIV becomes a stable provirus, which can remain dormant, evade detection by the immune system or antiretroviral therapy (ART), and result in rebound viraemia. As ART targets actively replicating HIV, has low BBB penetrance, and exposes patients to long-term toxicity, further investigation into novel therapeutic approaches is required.
  • 956
  • 13 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Circular RNA Translation
A new RNA family has emerged, circular RNAs (circRNAs), generated by a process of backsplicing. CircRNAs have a strong impact on gene expression via their sponge function, and form a new mRNA family revealing the pivotal role of 5′ end-independent translation. CircRNAs are translated into proteins impacting various pathologies including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and are key players in aging.  RNA circle translation also provides many perspectives for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. 
  • 956
  • 07 Dec 2020
Topic Review
B Cell Lymphoma 2 and Cancer Therapy
Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein that is associated with several cancer progression. Bcl-2 was the first protein to be documented among the Bcl-2 family proteins. It was the first gene exhibited to promote prolonged cell survival and growth rather than enhanced proliferation, which revealed that inhibition of cell death is vital in tumorigenesis.
  • 955
  • 12 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Plant Abiotic Stress Responses
Abiotic stresses are among the principal limiting factors for productivity in agriculture. In the current era of continuous climate changes, the understanding of the molecular aspects involved in abiotic stress response in plants is a priority. The rise of -omics approaches provides key strategies to promote effective research in the field, facilitating the investigations from reference models to an increasing number of species, tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Integrated multilevel approaches, based on molecular investigations at genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics levels, are now feasible, expanding the opportunities to clarify key molecular aspects involved in responses to abiotic stresses. To this aim, bioinformatics has become fundamental for data production, mining and integration, and necessary for extracting valuable information and for comparative efforts, paving the way to the modeling of the involved processes. We provide here an overview of bioinformatics resources for research on plant abiotic stresses, describing collections from -omics efforts in the field, ranging from raw data to complete databases or platforms, highlighting opportunities and still open challenges in abiotic stress research based on -omics technologies.
  • 954
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Antioxidants and Human Oocyte Mitochondrial
Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) while also generating high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from oxygen metabolism. ROS are small but highly reactive molecules that can be detrimental if unregulated. While normally functioning mitochondria produce molecules that counteract ROS production, an imbalance between the amount of ROS produced in the mitochondria and the capacity of the cell to counteract them leads to oxidative stress and ultimately to mitochondrial dysfunction. This dysfunction impairs cellular functions through reduced ATP output and/or increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction may also lead to poor oocyte quality and embryo development, ultimately affecting pregnancy outcomes. Improving mitochondrial function through antioxidant supplementation may enhance reproductive performance. Recent studies suggest that antioxidants may treat infertility by restoring mitochondrial function and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Antioxidant properties of coenzyme-Q10, resveratrol, melatonin and several vitamins have been evaluated in the human oocyte, although their direct action on mitochondrial function has yet to be elucidated.
  • 954
  • 10 Jan 2021
Topic Review
MTOR Signaling in Cancer
The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role in regulation of cell survival, metabolism, growth and protein synthesis in response to upstream signals in both normal physiological and pathological conditions, especially in cancer.
  • 952
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Genomics in Personalized Nutrition
Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are now quickly and inexpensively acquired, raising the prospect of creating personalized dietary recommendations based on an individual's genetic variability at multiple SNPs. In this review, we discuss the current potential for precision nutrition based on an individual's genetic data. We also review complicating issues and their impact on our ability to predict responses to dietary interventions. 
  • 949
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Proton Transport Chain
Carboxylic acids dissociate in water to carboxylates (R-COO-) and oxonium (H+[H2O]n) ions. The Proton Transport Chain (PTC) hypothesis asserts that enzyme complexes bridge nascent acids and ensure water-free transfer of the intermediate substrate. The PTC hypothesis entails that the concentration of the transferred acid is mathematically infinite and an infinite concentration drives enzymatic reactions unidirectionally. In support of this, a number of enzymes, such as proton-linked monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) or sodium/hydrogen exchangers have been experimentally determined to catalyse unidirectionally. In addition, enzyme complexes, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc), are also known to catalyse unidirectionally. Scientific concepts, such as the original Citric Acid Cycle proposed that acids are metabolized in a clockwise direction. The PTC hypothesis provides mechanisms, mathematics and law of nature for biological processes.
  • 949
  • 26 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D in Brain Health
In the present review a novel role of vitamin D has been described during aging condition, focusing on vitamin D mechanism in brain and how it can help slow down diseases related to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. In particular vitamin D metabolism and the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in brain was underlained. Despite the important role of vitamin D in this context, we discussed the potential effects of curcumin on the health of the central nervous system. Finally we focused on possible treatments triggered by vitamin D and curcumin, especially in neuroprotection and maintaining brain health.
  • 948
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Nrf2-Keap1-ARE Signaling and IRI
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with substantial clinical implications, including a wide range of organs such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, heart, and many others. I/R injury (IRI) occurs due to the tissue injury following the reestablishment of blood supply to ischemic tissues, leading to enhanced aseptic inflammation and stimulation of oxidative stress via reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). Since ROS causes membrane lipids’ peroxidation, triggers loss of membrane integrity, denaturation of proteins, DNA damage, and cell death, oxidative stress plays a critical part in I/R pathogenesis. Therefore, ROS regulation could be a promising therapeutic strategy for IRI. In this context, Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of several factors involved in the cellular defense against oxidative stress and inflammation, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). 
  • 948
  • 01 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Small Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels
The Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels can be grouped into three categories: large (BK, KCa 1.1), intermediate (SK4/IK/KCa3.1), and small (SK1, SK2, SK3/KCa2.1, KCa2.2, KCa2.3) conductance ion channels. They possess a unique feature to connect intracellular Ca2+ signals to cell excitability. KCa channels are widely expressed in the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS), where they are involved in the control of excitability, synaptic signal transduction, and firing pattern. 
  • 946
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine of a pro-inflammatory nature, and it can be produced by various cell types of the immune system as well as by some nonimmune cells, including fibroblasts. IL-6 is cytokine important for the initial phase of immune response that is recognized by 2 types of receptor. Overproduction of IL-6 is associated with aging, chronic inflammation, cancer and severe viral infections such is COVID-19.  This molecule is not produced by immune cells but also by cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells. Control of its production or inhibition of IL-6 receptors could have the therapeutic consequences. 
  • 945
  • 26 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of G-quadruplex Structural Junctions
We analyze further extension of G-quadruplexes by additional structural elements and investigate whether junction of G-quadruplex with duplex, hairpin, triplex or second G-quadruplex motif is favorable for aptamers stability and biological activity. Furthermore, we indicate the specific and pivotal role of G-quadruplex domain and the additional structural elements in the interactions with target molecules. Finally, we consider the potency of G-quadruplex junctions in the future applications and indicate the emerging research area that is still waiting for development to obtain highly specific and effective nucleic acid-based molecular tools.
  • 945
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
TERT Promoter Mutations in Gliomas
Telomere length maintenance systems perform an essential function in preserving genome stability. Abnormalities in the functioning of these systems, such as telomerase reactivation, usually play a key role in the course of oncogenesis.TERTp mutations are not found in ordinary human cells, but are often associated with malignant tumor progression and increased cell proliferation in CNS tumor diseases, especially in gliomas. The availability of molecular evaluation of the TERTp mutational status of CNS tumor lesions contributes to more accurate and reliable diagnosis and timely decisions regarding patient follow-up with selection of the most appropriate and applicable treatment protocols.
  • 945
  • 12 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Vincristine-Induced Pediatric Peripheral Neuropathy
Vincristine-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (VIPN) is a very common side effect of vincristine chemotherapy among pediatric patients with cancer. 
  • 944
  • 21 May 2021
Topic Review
MicroRNAs-dysregulation and mitochondrial-dysfunction in neurodegenerative-diseases
       Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating and currently incurable conditions causing severe cognitive and motor impairments, defined by the progressive deterioration of neuronal structure and function, eventually causing neuronal loss. Understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these disorders are essential to develop therapeutic approaches. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs implicated in gene expression regulation at the post-transcriptional level. Moreover, miRNAs are crucial for different processes, including cell growth, signal transmission, apoptosis, cancer and aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. Altered miRNAs levels have been associated with the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS formation occur in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. The crosstalk existing among oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and miRNAs dysregulation plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 943
  • 01 Sep 2020
Topic Review
DNA Polymerases
Recent studies on tumor genomes revealed that mutations in genes of replicative DNA polymerases cause a predisposition for cancer by increasing genome instability. The past 10 years have uncovered exciting details about the structure and function of replicative DNA polymerases and the replication fork organization. The principal idea of participation of different polymerases in specific transactions at the fork proposed by Morrison and coauthors 30 years ago and later named “division of labor,” remains standing, with an amendment of the broader role of polymerase δ in the replication of both the lagging and leading DNA strands. However, cancer-associated mutations predominantly affect the catalytic subunit of polymerase ε that participates in leading strand DNA synthesis. 
  • 943
  • 14 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Plasmin/Plasminogen System in Tumor Microenvironment
Plasmin is an enzyme which is responsible for digesting several proteins that hold the tissues surrounding solid tumors together.
  • 940
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
CLMS application for protein interfaces
The fundamentals of how protein–protein/RNA/DNA interactions influence the structures and functions of the workhorses from the cells have been well documented in the 20th century. A diverse set of methods exist to determine such interactions between different components, particularly, the mass spectrometry (MS) methods, with its advanced instrumentation, has become a significant approach to analyze a diverse range of biomolecules, as well as bring insights to their biomolecular processes. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (CLMS) holds promise to identify interaction sites in larger and more complex biological systems.
  • 937
  • 16 Mar 2021
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