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Topic Review
In Vitro Human Cancer Models for Biomedical Applications
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its incidence is steadily increasing. Although years of research have been conducted on cancer treatment, clinical treatment options for cancers are still limited. Animal cancer models have been widely used for studies of cancer therapeutics, but these models have been associated with many concerns, including inaccuracy in the representation of human cancers, high cost and ethical issues. Therefore, in vitro human cancer models are being developed quickly to fulfill the increasing demand for more relevant models in order to get a better knowledge of human cancers and to find novel treatments.
  • 986
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Three Members of the Synuclein Family
Synucleins are a family of small aggregation-prone proteins consisting of three members, alpha, beta and gamma-synuclein. Alpha-synuclein is the most investigated member of the family due to its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases called synucleinopatjies. Synucleins easily change their conformation and may be converted to toxic aggregates. They are in the focus of attention of biochemists, molecular and cellular biologists who try to reveal their normal functions and role  in diseaases.  
  • 986
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Chronic Inflammation in Cancer Cachexia
Cachexia, a type of metabolic syndrome linked to the disease, is associated with a dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Cancer Cachexia is a subtle condition that reduces patients’ quality of life by impairing their response to therapy and survival. Inflammatory mediators that may play a role in the pathogenesis of neoplastic cachexia, for example, overlap with those that may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Cachexia is a complication of cancer-related malnutrition associated with catabolic/hypermetabolic changes.
  • 985
  • 05 May 2022
Topic Review
Relevance of Aquaporins for Gamete Function and Cryopreservation
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channels that allow the transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes. Different members of this family have been identified in gametes. In sperm, they are relevant to osmoadaptation after entering the female reproductive tract, which is crucial for sperm motility activation and capacitation and, thus, for their fertilizing ability. In addition, they are relevant during the cryopreservation process, since some members of this family are also permeable to glycerol, one of the most frequently used cryoprotective agents in livestock. Regarding oocytes, AQPs are very important in their maturation but also during cryopreservation. 
  • 985
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Glutathione/Glutaredoxin in Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Signaling
The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-enzymatic antioxidant/nucleophilic molecule in cells. In addition to various metabolic reactions involving GSH and its oxidized counterpart GSSG, oxidative post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins has been a focal point of keen interest in the redox field over the last few decades. In particular, the S-glutathionylation of proteins (protein-SSG formation), i.e., mixed disulfides between GSH and protein thiols, has been studied extensively. This reversible PTM can act as a regulatory switch to interconvert inactive and active forms of proteins, thereby mediating cell signaling and redox homeostasis. The unique architecture of the GSH molecule enhances its relative abundance in cells and contributes to the glutathionyl specificity of the primary catalytic activity of the glutaredoxin enzymes, which play central roles in redox homeostasis and signaling, and in iron metabolism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The class-1 glutaredoxins are characterized as cytosolic GSH-dependent oxidoreductases that catalyze reversible protein S-glutathionylation specifically, thereby contributing to the regulation of redox signal transduction and/or the protection of protein thiols from irreversible oxidation.
  • 985
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Aberrant Stress Granule Dynamics
Stress granules are membrane-less organelles formed through the process of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) under certain stress conditions, such as oxidative stress and heat shock, among others.
  • 984
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response for Therapy
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a mechanism aimed to preserve or repair damaged mitochondria. UPRmt is responsible for maintaining mitochondrial proteostasis via mitochondrial activation of a transcriptional program in the nuclear DNA. This compensation system can be divided into three main pathways: activation of (1) chaperones, which boost refolding of misfolded proteins to restore them to their functional conformation and assist the folding of newly synthesized proteins; (2) proteases that are able to degrade aberrant proteins or aggregates; and (3) an antioxidant system that palliates ROS overproduction. Although human UPRmt is not fully understood, it is gaining relevance in a variety of physiological processes on top of its canonical function, such as ageing, oxidative stress resistance, hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, glycolysis, antibacterial immunity, coenzyme Q biosynthesis, and mitochondrial fission. Loss of mitochondrial proteostasis is the main UPRmt inducer. Accumulation of damaged proteins exceeding the protein-processing capacity of the chaperones and proteases in mitochondria would activate UPRmt, for instance. Additionally, factors interfering with mitochondrial function promote UPRmt induction. Examples of these are the inhibition of complex I by rotenone, bacterial toxins, knockdown of quality control proteins, or generation of excess ROS by paraquat.
  • 984
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Acid and Alkali Taste Sensation
Living organisms rely on pH levels for a multitude of crucial biological processes, such as the digestion of food and the facilitation of enzymatic reactions. Among these organisms, animals, including insects, possess specialized taste organs that enable them to discern between acidic and alkaline substances present in their food sources.
  • 984
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Core PCP Proteins in Coordinating Cilia Orientation
As exemplified by the unidirectionally beating cilia of multi-ciliated cells, various epithelial cells polarize not only along the apical-basal axis (inside–outside axis) of epithelial tissues, but also on the plane of epithelial tissues. The latter cell polarity, which is perpendicular to the apical–basal axis, is referred to as planar cell polarity (PCP). Pioneering research using the wings of Drosophila melanogaster identified a group of proteins, core PCP proteins, that orchestrate the establishment of PCP.
  • 982
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23
FGF23 is a bone-derived hormone that is essential for regulating vitamin D and phosphate homeostasis. 
  • 981
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Disabled-2 Structure and Function
Disabled-2 (DAB2), a key adaptor protein in clathrin mediated endocytosis, is implicated in the regulation of key signalling pathways involved in homeostasis, cell positioning and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • 981
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Protein Quality Control Systems in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
SARS-CoV-2’s structure and mechanism of infection have been well characterized. The virus comprises a lipid envelope studded with spike (S) proteins. These spikes facilitate viral entry into host cells by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on the cell surface. Following attachment, the virus enters the cell by endocytosis. Its genetic material consists of a single-stranded RNA molecule, which encodes structural proteins, non-structural proteins (NSP), and accessory proteins. Once inside, the viral RNA is translated into proteins, including those for replication and the formation of new virus particles.
  • 981
  • 24 Jan 2024
Topic Review
The Potential of Probiotics
Probiotics, by definition, are live microorganisms, and should remain viable when they reach the intended site of action, which is typically the cecum and/or the colon.
  • 980
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Ferroptosis in NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic progressive liver disease with steatosis as the main pathological feature, including simple fatty liver degeneration, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It may develop into cirrhosis and liver cancer. NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in the world today, and its incidence in the Euro-American region has reached more than 20%.
  • 980
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Inorganic Polyphosphate
Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP), a simple anionic polymer consisting of even hundreds of orthophosphate units, is a universal molecule present in both simple and complex organisms. PolyP controls homeostatic processes in animals, such as blood coagulation, tissue regeneration, and energy metabolism. Furthermore, this polymer is a potent regulator of inflammation and influences host immune response in bacterial and viral infections. Disturbed polyP systems have been related to several pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer, but researchers lack a full understanding of polyP biogenesis and mechanistic insights into the pathways through which polyP may act.
  • 980
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Calcium Signaling Regulates Autophagy
Calcium (Ca2+) functions as a second messenger that is critical in regulating fundamental physiological functions such as cell growth/development, cell survival, neuronal development and/or the maintenance of cellular functions. The coordination among various proteins/pumps/Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ storage in various organelles is critical in maintaining cytosolic Ca2+ levels that provide the spatial resolution needed for cellular homeostasis. An important regulatory aspect of Ca2+ homeostasis is a store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mechanism that is activated by the depletion of Ca2+ from internal ER stores and has gained much attention for influencing functions in both excitable and non-excitable cells.
  • 979
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Iron's Altered Metabolism in Cancer
Iron is the most abundant transition metal in the human body and a vital micronutrient that is a critical component of many crucial enzymes. Therefore, it is essential to various biological processes, such as DNA synthesis and repair, cell cycle regulation, transport of oxygen, and energy production. Consequently, it is of no surprise that iron levels elevated in cancer and can lead to further tumour development and metastasis 
  • 979
  • 24 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Nitrergic Enteric Neurons
Nitrergic enteric neurons are key players of the descending inhibitory reflex of intestinal peristalsis, therefore loss or damage of these neurons can contribute to developing gastrointestinal motility disturbances suffered by patients worldwide. There is accumulating evidence that the vulnerability of nitrergic enteric neurons to neuropathy is strictly region-specific and that the two main enteric plexuses display different nitrergic neuronal damage. Alterations both in the proportion of the nitrergic subpopulation and in the total number of enteric neurons suggest that modification of the neurochemical character or neuronal death occurs in the investigated gut segments. 
  • 977
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Natural Compounds against RNA Viruses
Natural products from plants or other organisms are a rich source of structurally novel chemical compounds including antivirals. Indeed, in traditional medicine, many pathological conditions have been treated using plant-derived medicines. Thus, the identification of novel alternative antiviral agents is of critical importance.
  • 977
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Glycosylated Molluscan Hemocyanins
The molluscan hemocyanins have complex carbohydrate structures with predominant N-linked glycans. Determination of glycans and glycopeptides was performed with the most common used methods for the analysis of biomolecules, including peptides and proteins like MALDI-TOF-TOF (time of flight), LC/ESI-MS, LC-Q-trap-MS/MS nano-ESI-MS and others. A novel acidic glycan structures with specific glycosylation positions were observed in Rapana venosa, Helix lucorum, Haliotis tuberculata, e.g. hemocyanins that enable a deeper insight into the glycosylation process.
  • 976
  • 29 Mar 2021
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