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Topic Review Video
Cyclodextrin-Based Polymers
Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharide structures that could be used for theranostic applications in personalized medicine. These compounds have been widely utilized not only for enhancing drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability but also for controlled and targeted delivery of small molecules. These compounds can be complexed with various biomolecules, such as peptides or proteins, via host-guest interactions. CDs are amphiphilic compounds with water-hating holes and water-absorbing surfaces. Architectures of CDs allow the drawing and preparation of CD-based polymers (CDbPs) with optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. These polymers can be cloaked with protein corona consisting of adsorbed plasma or extracellular proteins to improve nanoparticle biodistribution and half-life. Besides, CDs have become famous in applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental sciences.
  • 919
  • 16 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Hydrogen Sulfide(H2S)-Dependent Protein Persulfidation in Higher Plants
Persulfidation is a post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins that affects the thiol group (-SH) of some cysteine residues (Cys) which could modify either positively or negatively the function of the target protein.
  • 919
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Antibacterial Peptides
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), are produced by all living matter as a critical part of the innate immune system [1,2,3]. Their existence was discovered in 1939, the year gramicidin was isolated from the bacteria, Bacillus brevis; some resources, however, claim that the discovery of lysozyme in the 1920s should be treated as the first AMP instance, due to lysozyme’s non enzymatic, bactericidal second mode of action [2].
  • 917
  • 20 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Anthocyanins and Hepatoprotection
Anthocyanins are water-soluble, colored compounds of the flavonoid class, abundantly found in the fruits, leaves, roots, and other parts of the plants. The fruit berries are prime sources and exhibit different colors. The anthocyanins utility as traditional medicament for liver protection and cure, and importance as strongest plants-based anti-oxidants have conferred these plants products different biological activities. These activities include anti-inflammation, liver protective, analgesic, and anti-cancers, which have provided the anthocyanins an immense commercial value, and has impelled their chemistry, biological activity, isolation, and quality investigations as prime focus. 
  • 917
  • 11 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase Subclass Complexes
KMT2 (histone-lysine N-methyltransferase subclass 2) complexes methylate lysine 4 on the histone H3 tail at gene promoters and gene enhancers. H3K4 methylation mark allows to control gene transcription. The KMT2s function in large multi-subunit complexes, which, in vertebrates, are often referred to as COMPASS or COMPASS-like complexes (COMplex of Proteins ASsociated with Set1). These complexes contain an enzyme (KMT2A or KMT2B, KMT2C or KMT2D, KMT2F or KMT2G), common core subunits (WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L, DPY30) and unique interacting proteins, which are different for each of the three KMT2 groups (A/B, C/D and F/G). Also, the KMT2 complexes dynamically interact with many transcription factors.
  • 916
  • 23 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Sirtuins in Kidney Diseases
Sirtuins (SIRTs) are class III histone deacetylases (HDACs) that play important roles in aging and a wide range of cellular functions. Sirtuins are crucial to numerous biological processes, including proliferation, DNA repair, mitochondrial energy homeostasis, and antioxidant activity. Mammals have seven different sirtuins, SIRT1–7, and the diverse biological functions of each sirtuin are due to differences in subcellular localization, expression profiles, and cellular substrates. In this review, we summarize research advances into the role of sirtuins in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases including acute kidney injury, diabetic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, and kidney aging along with the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. The available evidence indicates that sirtuins have great potential as novel therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases.
  • 915
  • 22 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Cobra Venom
Cobras (genus Naja) are widely distributed over Asia and Africa, and cobra envenomation is responsible for a large number of mortality and morbidity on these continents. Like other elapid venoms, cobra venoms are neurotoxic in nature; however, they also exhibit local cytotoxic effects at the envenomed site, and the extent of cytotoxicity may vary from species to species. Cobra venoms are predominated by the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family which constitutes about 60-75% of the total venom. Cytotoxins (CTXs), an essential class of the non-enzymatic three-finger toxin family, are ubiquitously present in cobra venoms. These low-molecular-mass toxins, contributing to about 40 to 60% of the cobra venom proteome, play a significant role in cobra venom-induced toxicity, more prominently in dermonecrosis (local effects).
  • 915
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Signaling in Mammalian Hearing
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a peptide hormone belonging to the insulin family of proteins. Almost all of the biological effects of IGF-1 are mediated through binding to its high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor (IGF1R), a transmembrane receptor belonging to the insulin receptor family. Factors, receptors and IGF-binding proteins form the IGF system, which has multiple roles in mammalian development, adult tissue homeostasis, and aging. Consequently, mutations in genes of the IGF system, including downstream intracellular targets, underlie multiple common pathologies and are associated with multiple rare human diseases. Here we review the contribution of the IGF system to our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of human hearing loss by describing, (i) the expression patterns of the IGF system in the mammalian inner ear; (ii) downstream signaling of IGF-1 in the hearing organ; (iii) mouse mutations in the IGF system, including upstream regulators and downstream targets of IGF-1 that inform cochlear pathophysiology; and (iv) human mutations in these genes causing hearing loss.
  • 915
  • 22 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Probe for Single-Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy
Probe choice in single-molecule microscopy requires deeper evaluations than those adopted for less sensitive fluorescence microscopy studies. Fluorophore characteristics can alter or hide subtle phenomena observable at the single-molecule level, wasting the potential of the sophisticated instrumentation and algorithms developed for this kind of advanced applications. The three typical groups of fluorophores are fluorescent proteins, organic dyes and quantum dots; here their advantages, drawbacks and use in single-molecule microscopy are discussed. Some requirements are common to all applications, such as high brightness and photostability, specific and efficient labeling, controlled stoichiometry, no perturbation on the system. Other requirements depend on the specific type of single-molecule technique; some of them are here described with their specific requirements for probe choice.
  • 914
  • 13 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Cardioprotective Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor B
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death around the world. Based on the roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members to regulate blood and lymphatic vessels and metabolic functions, several therapeutic approaches have been attempted. However proangiogenic therapies based on classical VEGF-A have been disappointing. Therefore, it has become important to focus on other VEGFs, like VEGF-B, which is a novel member of the VEGF family. 
  • 914
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Inhibitors of Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
Protein phosphorylation is a necessary mechanism to drive numerous cellular processes such as cell division, migration, differentiation and programmed cell death. This process is regulated by many enzymes, including cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) which phosphorylate proteins on their serine and threonine amino acid residues. The 20 members of CDK family known to this day regulate the cell cycle, transcription and splicing.
  • 913
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
High-resolution melt method
HRM (High-resolution melt) analysis is a powerful molecular biology detection method used for the identification of genetic mutations, DNA methylation analysis or species identification. 
  • 912
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Diabetes Mellitus and Mitochondria Dysfunction
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, the hormone that stimulates the transport of glucose across cell membranes, which leads to an increase in blood glucose—hyperglycemia. Two main types of diabetes are distinguished. Type I diabetes mellitus (about 10% of cases of diabetes) is an autoimmune disorder that results from the progressive destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas by T cells and activated macrophages and eventually leads to insulin deficiency in the organism. It is well known that type I diabetes most frequently develops in childhood and causes severe long-term complications, including retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy [4,5,6]. Type II diabetes or adult-onset diabetes (about 90% of cases) is characterized by an impairment of homeostasis of glucose and insulin, in particular, the development of insulin resistance of target tissues associated with compensatory hyperinsulinemia, followed by beta-cell dysfunction. Type II diabetes mellitus is accompanied by glucose toxicity, lipotoxicity, and chronic oxidative stress, which finally can result in damage to vital organs and development of life-threatening secondary complications [4,7]. Mitochondria are one of the main targets of diabetes at the intracellular level. Recent data indicate that disturbances in mitochondrial calcium transport systems and a pathophysiological phenomenon called the permeability transition pore are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. 
  • 911
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Structural Class of ARS Inhibitors
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are essential enzymes that ligate amino acids to tRNAs and translate the genetic code during protein synthesis. Their function in pathogen-derived infectious diseases has been well established, which has led to the development of small molecule therapeutics. The applicability of ARS inhibitors for other human diseases, such as fibrosis, has recently been explored in the clinical setting. There are active studies to find small molecule therapeutics for cancers.
  • 908
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Antioxidant Potential of Psychotropic Drugs
Due to high oxygen consumption, the brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which is considered an important element in the etiopathogenesis of several mental disorders, including schizophrenia, depression and dependencies. Despite the fact that it is not established yet whether oxidative stress is a cause or a consequence of clinic manifestations, the intake of antioxidant supplements in combination with the psychotropic therapy constitutes a valuable solution in patients’ treatment. When the psychoactive compounds possess themselves antioxidant capacity, this is an added-value for the therapy.
  • 907
  • 12 Oct 2020
Topic Review
AT1R Antagonists
Hypertension is a medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. However, even if one does not exhibit symptoms, long-term high blood pressure is the major risk factor for numerous pathologies, such as stroke or heart failure. Angiotensin II (AII) receptor blockers are a class of molecules that act in the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) through binding to the AT1 receptor (Angiotensin II receptor type 1, AT1R) and preventing its activity. AT1R is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is responsible for AII pathophysiological actions.
  • 905
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
LSEC in Post-Hepatectomy Liver Regeneration/Failure
Liver sinusoids are lined by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), which represent approximately 15 to 20% of the liver cells, but only 3% of the total liver volume. LSEC have unique functions, such as fluid filtration, blood vessel tone modulation, blood clotting, inflammatory cell recruitment, and metabolite and hormone trafficking. Different subtypes of liver endothelial cells are also known to control liver zonation and hepatocyte function. The liver has the exceptional ability to regenerate from small remnants. The past decades have seen increasing awareness in the role of non-parenchymal cells in liver regeneration despite not being the most represented population. While a lot of knowledge has emerged, clarification is needed regarding the role of LSEC in sensing shear stress and on their participation in the inductive phase of regeneration by priming the hepatocytes and delivering mitogenic factors. It is also unclear if bone marrow-derived LSEC participate in the proliferative phase of liver regeneration. Similarly, data are scarce as to LSEC having a role in the termination phase of the regeneration process. Here, we review what is known about the interaction between LSEC and other liver cells during the different phases of liver regeneration. We next explain extended hepatectomy and small liver transplantation, which lead to “small for size syndrome” (SFSS), a lethal liver failure. SFSS is linked to endothelial denudation, necrosis, and lobular disturbance. Using the knowledge learned from partial hepatectomy studies on LSEC, we expose several techniques that are, or could be, used to avoid the “small for size syndrome” after extended hepatectomy or small liver transplantation. 
  • 904
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Calmodulin Role in Hemichannel Gating
Evidence for the existence of connexin hemichannels was first demonstrated in cultured cells expressing connexin43 by data showing that a fluorescent dye enters the cells when the extracellular calcium concentration is reduced. This was proven by evidence that the membrane resistance significantly drops when the cells are bathed in no-added-Ca2+ solution. Significantly, while external Ca2+ keeps hemichannels closed, an intracellular [Ca2+] rise opens hemichannels. Hemichannel opening is prevented by calmodulin inhibitors, suggesting that calmodulin plays a role in hemichannel gating opposite to that in gap junction channels.
  • 903
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
MTOR Signaling
The identification of mammalian TOR (mTOR; later renamed mechanistic target of rapamycin) soon followed, revealing that TOR/mTOR, a serine/threonine protein kinase, is a conserved protein kinase from yeast to man
  • 903
  • 31 May 2021
Topic Review
Development of Anticancer Agents with Peptide-Based Drugs
Peptides are increasingly being developed for use as therapeutics to treat many ailments, including cancer. Therapeutic peptides have the advantages of target specificity and low toxicity. The anticancer effects of a peptide can be the direct result of the peptide binding its intended target, or the peptide may be conjugated to a chemotherapy drug or radionuclide and used to target the agent to cancer cells. Peptides can be targeted to proteins on the cell surface, where the peptide–protein interaction can initiate internalization of the complex, or the peptide can be designed to directly cross the cell membrane. Peptides can induce cell death by numerous mechanisms including membrane disruption and subsequent necrosis, apoptosis, tumor angiogenesis inhibition, immune regulation, disruption of cell signaling pathways, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair pathways, or cell death pathways. 
  • 903
  • 25 Nov 2021
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