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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. 
  • 1.5K
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Metabolisms Responsive to Nutrient Deficiencies in Crops
Crop growth and yield often face sophisticated environmental stresses, especially the low availability of mineral nutrients in soils, such as deficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and others. Thus, it is of great importance to understand the mechanisms of crop response to mineral nutrient deficiencies, as a basis to contribute to genetic improvement and breeding of crop varieties with high nutrient efficiency for sustainable agriculture. 
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
FTO Intronic SNP
Browning of white adipose tissue shifts adipocytes from energy storage white to energy expenditure beige types. The balance between the two adipocyte populations in white adipose tissue is highly determined by noncoding variants of the Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) locus which has the strongest association with obesity. The rs1421085 FTO risk allele results in a loss of ARID5B repression of IRX3 and IRX5 which promotes excess white adipocyte formation. Recent studies have revealed the presence of brown adipose tissues at several anatomical sites in humans including the deep-neck (DN).  We found that the characteristic gene expression profile and associated pathways of DN brown adipocytes were determined by partially overlapping effects of tissue site specific commitments of the stem cells, PPARγ stimulation and the FTO status of donors. The presence of FTO rs1421085 risk alleles had a strong influence, manifested during differentiation, on browning resulting in compromised expression of metabolic and mitochondrial genes as well as pathways which are decisive in thermogenesis.
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The HMOX1 Pathway
Heme oxygenase (HMOX1) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting first step in the heme degradation process, generating carbon monoxide, ferrous, and biliverdin, and therefore HMOX1 has a cytoprotective role as excess free heme has been shown to induce apoptosis. HMOX1 is expressed at high levels in the lungs and has been shown to mediate the anti-inflammatory effect of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in mice. Given these functions of HMOX1, it has been implicated in a variety of pathological states, including myocardial infarction, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The upregulation of HMOX1 has been shown to have a protective role against the oxidative stress produced upon HIV, DENV, HCV, and IAV infections.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
NRF2 Signaling Pathway in Cancer
Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its major negative modulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) are main players of the cellular defense mechanisms against internal and external cell stressors.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 May 2021
Topic Review
Ribosomal Protein L10
Eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosomes are highly structured macromolecular complexes made up of four different ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and 80 ribosomal proteins (RPs), which play a central role in the decoding of genetic code for the synthesis of new proteins. Over the past 25 years, studies on yeast and human models have made it possible to identify RPL10 (ribosomal protein L10), which is a constituent of the large subunit of the ribosome, as an important player in the final stages of ribosome biogenesis and in ribosome function.
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Nov 2020
Topic Review
CUT Domain Proteins in Cancer
Recent studies revealed that CUT domains function as accessory factors that accelerate DNA repair by stimulating the enzymatic activities of the base excision repair enzymes OGG1, APE1, and DNA pol β. Strikingly, the role of CUT domain proteins in DNA repair is exploited by cancer cells to facilitate their survival. Cancer cells in which the RAS pathway is activated produce an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which, if not counterbalanced by increased production of antioxidants, causes sustained oxidative DNA damage and, ultimately, cell senescence. These cancer cells can adapt by increasing their capacity to repair oxidative DNA damage in part through elevated expression of CUT domain proteins such as CUX1, CUX2, or SATB1. In particular, CUX1 overexpression was shown to cooperate with RAS in the formation of mammary and lung tumors in mice. Conversely, knockdown of CUX1, CUX2, or SATB1 was found to be synthetic lethal in cancer cells exhibiting high ROS levels as a consequence of activating mutations in KRAS, HRAS, BRAF, or EGFR. Importantly, as a byproduct of their adaptation, cancer cells that overexpress CUT domain proteins exhibit increased resistance to genotoxic treatments such as ionizing radiation, temozolomide, and cisplatin.
  • 1.5K
  • 22 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Lipids and Gut Microbiota Alterations
Advances in sequencing technologies over the past 15 years have led to a substantially greater appreciation of the importance of the gut microbiome to the health of the host. Recent outcomes indicate that aspects of nutrition, especially lipids (exogenous or endogenous), can influence the gut microbiota composition and consequently, play an important role in the metabolic health of the host. Thus, there is an increasing interest in applying holistic analytical approaches, such as lipidomics, metabolomics, (meta)transcriptomics, (meta)genomics, and (meta)proteomics, to thoroughly study the gut microbiota and any possible interplay with nutritional or endogenous components.
  • 1.5K
  • 21 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Phycobilisomes and Phycobiliproteins
Eukaryotic photosynthesis arose in the course of evolution as a result of the incorporation of an unstored cyanobacterium and its transformation into chloroplasts by an ancestral heterotrophic eukaryotic cell. The pigment apparatus of earlier evolved  Archaeplastida algae and other later algal phyla turned out to be arranged in the same way having pigment-protein complexes of photosystem I (PS I), photosystem II (PS II) and antenna complex. PS I and PS II are characterized by uniform structures, while the light-harvesting antennae have undergone a number  of changes.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Feb 2023
Topic Review
NMR-Based Metabolomics in Metal-Based Drug Research
Thanks to recent advances in analytical technologies and statistical capabilities, the application field of metabolomics has increased significantly. Currently, this approach is used to investigate biological substrates looking for metabolic profile alterations, diseases markers, and drug effects. Due to the low work-up required, high data reproducibility, and high throughput, NMR spectroscopy is an optimal detection technique in metabolomics studies.  The use of NMR-based metabolomic approaches in the investigation of a metal drug action mechanism or for assessing tumour response to anticancer metal agents is a recent, fast-growing tool. Only in recent years has the NMR-based metabolomic approach been extended to investigate the cell metabolic alterations induced by metal-based antitumor drug administration. The future perspectives are even more interesting.  The use of a metabolomics approach was very effective in assessing tumor response to drugs and providing insights into the mechanism of action and resistance. Therefore, metabolomics may open new perspectives into the development of metal-based drugs. In particular, it has been shown that NMR-based in vitro metabolomics is a powerful tool for detecting variations of the cell metabolites induced by the metal drug exposure, thus offering also the possibility of identifying specific markers for in vivo monitoring of tumor responsiveness to anticancer treatments. Moreover, NMR-based metabolomics could also play an important role in clinical trials, preventing or reducing unwanted side effects of metal anticancer drugs by the early detection of metabolic dysfunctions in bio-fluids. 
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Intracellular pH Regulation in Muscle
Here we talk about the effects of acidosis on insulin signaling and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and whether correcting defects that maintain [pH]i within the muscle, such as carnosine, could alleviate insulin resistance improve insulin responses during metabolic syndrome.
  • 1.5K
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Protein Nanotubes
Nanobiotechnology involves the study of structures found in nature to construct nanodevices for biological and medical applications with the ultimate goal of commercialization. Within a cell most biochemical processes are driven by proteins and associated macromolecular complexes. Evolution has optimized these protein-based nanosystems within living organisms over millions of years. Among these are flagellin and pilin-based systems from bacteria, viral-based capsids, and eukaryotic microtubules and amyloids. While carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and protein/peptide-CNT composites, remain one of the most researched nanosystems due to their electrical and mechanical properties, there are many concerns regarding CNT toxicity and biodegradability. Therefore, proteins have emerged as useful biotemplates for nanomaterials due to their assembly under physiologically relevant conditions and ease of manipulation via protein engineering. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Lipid Metabolism and Acylglycerolphosphate Acyltransferases (AGPATs) in Cancer
Alter lipid metabolism is an emerging hallmark of cancer. The conversion of fatty acids to neutral triacylglycerides (TAG), plays a central role in this adaptive process.  Acylglycerolphosphate acyltransferases (AGPATs)/lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPAATs) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of phosphatidic acid (PA), an intermediate in TAG synthesis, a signaling molecule, and a precursor of phospholipids. Importantly, the expression of AGPATs has been linked to diverse physiological and pathological phenotypes, including cancer.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Skeletal Fluorosis
Fluorine is widely dispersed in nature and has multiple physiological functions. Although it is usually regarded as an essential trace element for humans, this view is not held universally. Moreover, chronic fluorosis, mainly characterized by skeletal fluorosis, can be induced by long-term excessive fluoride consumption. High concentrations of fluoride in the environment and drinking water are major causes, and patients with skeletal fluorosis mainly present with symptoms of osteosclerosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in joint cartilage. Etiologies for skeletal fluorosis have been established, but the specific pathogenesis is inconclusive. Currently, active osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover are considered critical processes in the progression of skeletal fluorosis. In recent years, researchers have conducted extensive studies in fields of signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Hedgehog, parathyroid hone, and insulin signaling pathways), stress pathways (oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways), epigenetics (DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs), and their inter-regulation involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis.
  • 1.5K
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Pygidial Glands
Predator community structure is an important selective element shaping the evolution of prey defence traits and strategies. Carabid beetles are one of the most diverse families of Coleoptera, and their success in terrestrial ecosystems is related to considerable morphological, physiological, and behavioural adaptations that provide protection against predators. Their most common form of defence is the chemical secretion from paired abdominal pygidial glands that produce a heterogeneous set of carboxylic acids, quinones, hydrocarbons, phenols, aldehydes, and esters. 
  • 1.5K
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
RT-qPCR HEV RNA
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a non-enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus, belonging to the Hepeviridae family, resistant to environmental conditions, and transmitted by the consumption of contaminated water. This virus is responsible for both sporadic and epidemic outbreaks, leading to thousands of infections per year in several countries, and is thus considered an emerging disease in Europe and Asia. This study refers to a survey in Portugal during 2019, targeting the detection and eventual quantification of enteric viruses in samples from surface and drinking water. Samples positive for HEV RNA were recurrently found by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), in both types of matrix. Our results evidenced the existence of samples positive either for HEV RNA (77.8% in surface water and 66.7% in drinking water) or for infectious HEV (23.0% in surface water and 27.7% in drinking water). These results highlight the need for effective virological control of water for human consumption and activities.
  • 1.5K
  • 04 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Anticancer Properties of Carnosol
Cancer is characterized by unrestricted cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, enhanced invasion and migration, and deregulation of signaling cascades. These properties lead to uncontrolled growth, enhanced survival, and the formation of tumors. Carnosol, a naturally occurring phyto-polyphenol (diterpene) found in rosemary, has been studied for its extensive antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In cancer cells, carnosol has been demonstrated to inhibit cell proliferation and survival, reduce migration and invasion, and significantly enhance apoptosis. These anticancer effects of carnosol are mediated by the inhibition of several signaling molecules including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Additionally, carnosol prevents the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and promotes apoptosis, as indicated by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9, increased levels of the pro-apoptotic marker Bcl-2-associated X (BAX), and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic marker B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2).
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) employs a huge network of molecules (receptors, ligands, and enzymatic machinery molecules) whose interactions with other cellular networks have still not been fully elucidated. Endogenous cannabinoids are molecules with the primary function of control of multiple metabolic pathways. Maintenance of tissue and cellular homeostasis by functional fine-tuning of essential metabolic pathways is one of the key characteristics of the ECS. It is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological states and an attractive pharmacological target yet to reach its full potential. 
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a principal subcellular organelle responsible for protein quality control in the secretory pathway, preventing protein misfolding and aggregation. Failure of protein quality control in the ER triggers several molecular mechanisms such as ER-associated degradation (ERAD), the unfolded protein response (UPR) or reticulophagy, which are activated upon ER stress (ERS) to re-establish protein homeostasis by transcriptionally and translationally regulated complex signalling pathways.
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Jun 2023
Topic Review
SnRK2 in Plants
Reversible phosphorylation is a major mechanism for regulating protein function and controls a wide range of cellular functions including responses to external stimuli. The plant-specific SNF1-related protein kinase 2s (SnRK2s) function as central regulators of plant growth and development, as well as tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses. 
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Jul 2021
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