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Topic Review
BDNF expression in GABAergic interneurons
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a major neuronal growth factor that is widely expressed in the central nervous system. It is synthesized as a glycosylated precursor protein, (pro)BDNF and post-translationally converted to the mature form, (m)BDNF. BDNF is known to be produced and secreted by cortical glutamatergic principal cells (PCs); however, it remains a question whether it can also be synthesized by other neuron types, in particular, GABAergic interneurons (INs). Therefore, we utilized immunocytochemical labeling and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to investigate the cellular distribution of proBDNF and its RNA in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons of the mouse cortex. Immunofluorescence labeling revealed that mBDNF, as well as proBDNF, localized to both the neuronal populations in the hippocampus. The precursor proBDNF protein showed a perinuclear distribution pattern, overlapping with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the site of protein synthesis. RT-qPCR of samples obtained using laser capture microdissection (LCM) or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of hippocampal and cortical neurons further demonstrated the abundance of BDNF transcripts in both glutamatergic and GABAergic cells. Thus, our data provide compelling evidence that BDNF can be synthesized by both principal cells and INs of the cortex.
  • 1.4K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Viruses
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are highly prevalent viruses estimated to infect approximately 300 million people and 12–72 million people worldwide, respectively. HDV requires the HBV envelope to establish a successful infection. Concurrent infection with HBV and HDV can result in more severe disease outcomes than infection with HBV alone. These viruses can cause significant hepatic disease, including cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and represent a significant cause of global mortality.
  • 1.4K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Static Osteogenesis versus Dynamic Osteogenesis
Static (SO) and dynamic (DO) osteogenesis are two very different types of osteogenesis, which are thus named because the former is characterized by pluristratified cords of unexpectedly stationary osteoblasts which differentiate at a fairly constant distance from the blood capillaries and transform into osteocytes without moving from the onset site, while the latter is distinguished by the well-known typical monostratified laminae of movable osteoblasts, which secrete bone moving towards the vessels.
  • 1.4K
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
5-Hydroxytryptamine and Gut
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a metabolite of tryptophan and is reported to modulate the development and neurogenesis of the enteric nervous system, gut motility, secretion, inflammation, sensation, and epithelial development. Approximately 95% of 5-HT in the body is synthesized and secreted by enterochromaffin (EC) cells, the most common type of neuroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, through sensing signals from the intestinal lumen and the circulatory system. Gut microbiota, nutrients, and hormones are the main factors that play a vital role in regulating 5-HT secretion by EC cells. Apart from being an important neurotransmitter and a paracrine signaling molecule in the gut, gut-derived 5-HT was also shown to exert other biological functions (in autism and depression) far beyond the gut. Moreover, studies conducted on the regulation of 5-HT in the immune system demonstrated that 5-HT exerts anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory effects on the gut by binding to different receptors under intestinal inflammatory conditions. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms through which 5-HT participates in cell metabolism and physiology can provide potential therapeutic strategies for treating intestinal diseases. Herein, we review recent evidence to recapitulate the mechanisms of synthesis, secretion, regulation, and biofunction of 5-HT to improve the nutrition and health of humans.
  • 1.4K
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Cancer Cell Fusion
"A major challenge in treating cancer is posed by intratumor heterogeneity, with different sub-populations of cancer cells within the same tumor exhibiting therapy resistance through different biological processes. These include therapy-induced dormancy, apoptosis reversal (anastasis), and cell fusion. Unfortunately, such responses are often overlooked or misinterpreted as “death” in commonly used preclinical assays.This entry highlights the dark side of cell fusion in metastasis and therapy resistance of solid tumors."
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
UBR Box-Containing E3 Ligases
UBR box E3 ligases, also called N-recognins, are integral components of the N-degron pathway. Representative N-recognins include UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5, and they bind destabilizing N-terminal residues, termed N-degrons. Understanding the molecular bases of their substrate recognition and the biological impact of the clearance of their substrates on cellular signaling pathways can provide valuable insights into the regulation of these pathways.
  • 1.4K
  • 13 Aug 2021
Topic Review
G Protein Coupled Receptor 158
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain one of the most successful targets for therapeutic drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many novel orphan GPCRs have been identified by human genome sequencing and considered as putative targets for refractory diseases. Of note, a series of studies have been carried out involving GPCR 158 (or GPR158) since its identification in 2005, predominantly focusing on the characterization of its roles in the progression of cancer and mental illness. However, advances towards an in-depth understanding of the biological mechanism(s) involved for clinical application of GPR158 are lacking.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Naturally Occurring Heavy Metal Hyperaccumulators
A hyperaccumulator is a plant which can absorb and accumulate heavy metals in its above-ground sections (especially the leaves) at values exceeding specific metal thresholds. 
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Rapamycin Signaling at Muscle Fiber Fate in Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia, the age-related decline of muscle mass and strength/function is a major risk factor for disability and loss of independence in late life. Studies have shown that behavioral interventions (e.g., physical activity, adapted nutrition) reduce the rate of muscle wasting during aging. However, an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms driving age-related muscle loss has hampered the development of effective drugs to prevent or treat sarcopenia. Altered muscle protein metabolism is considered to be one of the main factors underlying the development and progression of sarcopenia. While basal rates of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and degradation (MPD) seem to be unaffected by age, the anabolic response to a variety of stimuli (e.g., exercise, nutrient ingestion) is blunted during aging. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of muscle anabolic and catabolic pathways and, hence, a promising target for interventions against sarcopenia.
  • 1.4K
  • 30 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Coformer Utilization in Multicomponent Crystal Formation
Most recently discovered active pharmaceutical molecules and market-approved medicines are poorly soluble in water, resulting in limited drug bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. The application of coformers in a multicomponent crystal method is one possible strategy to modulate a drug’s solubility. A multicomponent crystal is a solid phase formed when several molecules of different substances crystallize in a crystal lattice with a certain stoichiometric ratio. 
  • 1.4K
  • 20 Jan 2023
Topic Review
The Disease of Sympathetic Overdrive (DSO)
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is one of components of the autonomic system (ANS), whose overall ultimate function is to prepare the body for activities, which is a systemic response that affects many organs and systems. Accumulating evidence suggests that the SNS plays a crucial role in human numerous diseases. In the present article, we review the SNS dysfunction and even the disease of sympathetic overdrive (DSO) impact on cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and metabolic as well as mental nervous system and various systems of the body. Despite the fact that the existence of this disease has not been truly recognized and confirmed. Here we proposed a hypothesis of the disease as DSO for the first time. The aim of the study is identifying the framework of the DSO, including the risk-factors, symptoms, end-points, mechanisms, and the strategies of management in order to improve both of the theory and clinical practice.As the hypothesis of DSO is novel born , the enrichment and improvement of hypothesis of the DSO are surely needed.
  • 1.4K
  • 25 Jul 2024
Topic Review
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Oxidative Stress
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor necessary for the launch of transcriptional responses important in health and disease. Its partner protein aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), and AhR repressor protein (AhRR) are members of a family of structurally related transcription factors (basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) motif-containing Per–ARNT–Sim (PAS), whose members carry out critical functions in the gene expression networks that underlie many physiological and developmental processes, especially those participating in responses to signals from the environment.
  • 1.4K
  • 12 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Type II Topoisomerases
Type II topoisomerases are essential enzymes that modulate the topological state of DNA supercoiling in all living organisms. These enzymes alter DNA topology by performing double-stranded passage reactions on over- or underwound DNA substrates. This strand passage reaction generates a transient covalent enzyme–cleaved DNA structure known as the cleavage complex.
  • 1.4K
  • 17 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Parkinson’s genes in neurological disorders
Neurodevelopmental and late-onset neurodegenerative disorders present as separate entities that are clinically and neuropathologically quite distinct. However, recent evidence has highlighted surprising commonalities and converging features at the clinical, genomic, and molecular level between these two disease spectra. This is particularly striking in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Genetic causes and risk factors play a central role in disease pathophysiology and enable the identification of overlapping mechanisms and pathways. Several genes and genomic regions are highlighted, including SNCA (alpha-synuclein), PARK2 (parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase), chromosome 22q11 deletion/DiGeorge region, and FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1) repeat expansion, which influence the development of both ASD and PD, with converging features related to synaptic function and neurogenesis. Both PD and ASD display alterations and impairments at the synaptic level, representing early and key disease phenotypes, which support the hypothesis of converging mechanisms between the two types of diseases. Therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms might inform on common targets and therapeutic approaches.
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Aug 2020
Topic Review
PERK
Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer that represents a severe health threat. The drugs used nowadays in chemotherapy often encounter resistance leading to a dramatic loss of their efficacy, which consequently affects patients’ survival. Previous studies have shown that the protein kinase R (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway, which is one of the three branches of the unfolded protein response, is highly activated in multiple myeloma, possibly contributing to the chemotherapy resistance that these patients develop. In this study, we have used the compound GSK2606414, which is a PERK inhibitor, and found that myeloma cells are highly sensitive to this molecule. These effects were more pronounced when the inhibitor was used in combination with an anti-myeloma drug such as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, suggesting that the PERK pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients.
  • 1.4K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Dnase1 Family in Autoimmunity
The deoxyribonuclease 1 (Dnase1) family is a key family of endonucleases that degrades DNA. Loss of Dnase1 family function causes several diseases where the host’s immune system targets the host, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome. 
  • 1.4K
  • 18 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Integrins
Integrins belong to a group of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) which is a large group of membrane-bound proteins. They are involved both in cell attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and in signal transduction from the ECM to the cells. They also take part in numerous biological activities, namely extravasation, cell-to-cell adhesion, cell migration, and function as receptors for certain viruses, including adenovirus, echovirus, hantavirus, foot-and-mouth disease, polio virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CAMs also include selectins, cadherins, immunoglobulin superfamily and other molecules, including CD44. Cell adhesion molecules are classified using the CD nomenclature (from 1 to 130). Integrins receive and transmit biochemical and mechanical signals through the cell membrane in both directions. Signals which develop inside the cell lead to conformational changes of the molecule and transmission of integrin into a state which enables ligand binding. The name “integrins” has been coined to denote the function they have maintaining a multicellular organism as a whole. They significantly affect the integrity of the cytoskeleton–ECM connections.
  • 1.4K
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Serum lipidomics in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly debilitating chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease most prevalent in women. The true etiology of this disease is complex, multifactorial, and is yet to be completely elucidated. Changes in the lipid profile at a molecular level in RA are still poorly understood. Studies on the variation of lipid profile in RA using lipidomics showed that fatty acid and phospholipid profile, especially in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, are affected in this disease. These promising results could lead to the discovery of new diagnostic lipid biomarkers for early diagnosis of RA and targets for personalized medicine.
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Jan 2021
Topic Review
RNA–Protein
RNA–protein interactions are the nodes in a complex regulatory network that controls the fate of each RNA expressed in a cell.
  • 1.4K
  • 15 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Engineering Plastic Eating Enzymes Using Structural Biology
Plastics are polymers composed of repeating units of small organic molecules with the majority manufactured from non-renewable fossil fuels. The potential interactions between the enzymes and plastic substrates have also been identified and this knowledge leveraged to engineer improved variants of cutinases with enhanced plastic degradation capabilities.
  • 1.4K
  • 07 Oct 2023
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