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Topic Review
Lysine63Ubiquitination and Fibrosis in Diabetes
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. We previously showed that tubulo-interstitial accumulation of lysine 63 (K63)-ubiquitinated (Ub) proteins drives the progression of fibrosis in DN and that the extent of renal K63-Ub can be easily monitored through the assessment of urinary miR-27b-3p. In the present manuscript we explored the renoprotective effect of a specific K63-Ub inhibitor (NSC697923), alone and in combination with the ACE inhibitor molecule Ramipril. In vitro, in tubular epithelial cells, we found that NSC697923, aside from suppressing tubular accumulation of K63-Ub proteins was also capable to inhibit hyperglycemia-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT); specifically, treatment with NSC697923 reduced the expression of EMT markers such as α-SMA, Collagen I, Vimentin, FSP-1 and Collagen III along with tubulointerstitial and glomerular fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. Diabetic DBA/2J mice treated with NSC697923 also displayed recovery of urinary miR-27b-3p and restored expression of p16INK4A, indicating a protective effect of this compund on cellular senescence in tubular cells. Moreover, we found that the combination of NSC697923 and Ramipril was effective to reduce uACR in diabetic DBA/2J mice. In conclusion, we suggest that selective inhibition of K63-Ub, when combined with the conventional treatment with ACE inhibitors, might represent a novel treatment strategy to prevent the progression of fibrosis and proteinuria in DN. Finally we suggest the dosage of urinary miR-27b-3p levels to monitor treatment efficacy.
  • 1.3K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
MiR-615
miR-615, a miRNA highly conserved across eutherian mammals. It is involved not only during embryogenesis in the regulation of growth and development, for instance during osteogenesis and angiogenesis, but also in the regulation of cell growth and the proliferation and migration of cells, acting as a tumor suppressor or tumor promoter. It, therefore, serves as a biomarker for several types of cancer and recently has also been found to be involved in reparative processes and neural repair.
  • 1.3K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Research Trends of Microbial Fuel Cells in 1990-2022
Microbial fuel cells have undergone several modifications since their creation, mainly due to the different substrates that can be used as fuel for the generation of electrical energy. Research on microbial fuel cells tends to grow, with China as a leading country on the subject, written by the author Wang X. It is observed that the new cell research trends deal with the modification and fabrication of electrodes with nanomaterials in order to improve their power and reduce costs to show their viability on a larger scale.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Nucleosome Structures Built from Highly Divergent Histones
In eukaryotes, genomic DNA is bound with histone proteins and packaged into chromatin. The nucleosome, a fundamental unit of chromatin, regulates the accessibility of DNA to enzymes involved in gene regulation. Structural analyses of chromatin architectures have been limited to evolutionarily related organisms. The amino acid sequences of histone proteins are highly conserved from humans to yeasts, but are divergent in the deeply branching protozoan groups, including human parasites that are directly related to human health. Certain large DNA viruses, as well as archaeal organisms, contain distant homologs of eukaryotic histone proteins. The divergent sequences give rise to unique and distinct nucleosome architectures, although the fundamental principles of histone folding and DNA contact are highly conserved. 
  • 1.3K
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) is a cytoplasmic receptor that recognizes invading molecules and danger signals inside the cells.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Aβ-Peptide Production and Conformational Behavior
Alzheimer’s disease  (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease in the world. Genetic evidence strongly suggests that aberrant generation, aggregation, and/or clearance of neurotoxic amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) triggers the disease. Aβ accumulates at the points of contact of neurons in ordered cords and fibrils, forming the so-called senile plaques. Aβ isoforms of different lengths are found in healthy human brains regardless of age and appear to play a role in signaling pathways in the brain and to have neuroprotective properties at low concentrations. This entry describes molecular mechanisms of amyloid-β precursor protein processing in AD.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Oct 2021
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. 
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Ubisol-Q10 for Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
It is well established and accepted that excessive oxidative stress is a key contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, driving interest in the development and application of redox therapies including the use of coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10). However, in several human clinical trials, CoQ10 has failed to show efficacy, possibly due to poor tissue penetration and inability to deliver it parenterally. Ubisol-Q10 is a nanomicellar, water-dispersible formulation of CoQ10 that was created by combining CoQ10 with an amphiphilic and self-emulsifying molecule of polyoxyethanyl α-tocopheryl sebacate (PTS). This stable formulation is suitable for parenteral delivery and when tested at micromolar concentrations (well within FDA guidelines), it showed unprecedented neuroprotection, both in cellular models and animal models of chronic progressive neurodegeneration of both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s type. Systemic application of Ubisol-Q10 in drinking water stopped further progression of ongoing neurodegeneration as long as Ubisol-Q10 was provided. Mechanistically, this treatment with Ubisol-Q10 mobilized astroglia response in the CNS, quenched reactive oxygen species, prevented cell senescence, activated autophagy, reduced inflammation, and stabilized mitochondria. Importantly, these biochemical outcomes are accompanied by a significant improvement in behavioral deficits typically observed in animals with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, Ubisol-Q10 is a promising candidate for developing a disease-modifying therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative diseases that can be easily administered as drinking tonic.
  • 1.3K
  • 20 May 2021
Topic Review
CRISPR/Cas in Research of Telomeres
Telomeres are highly specialized nucleoprotein complexes that play a critical role in cell senescence and aging. Each chromosomal end must be “capped” with a critical amount of telomere repeats to prevent DNA repair pathways from being activated. As a result of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated system’s (Cas) method, targeted genetic studies are now underway to change telomerase, the genes that govern it as well as telomeres.
  • 1.3K
  • 24 Mar 2022
Topic Review
LGMD2D myotubes
LGMD2D (LGMD-R3 according to the new nomenclature) is a rare autosomal recessive disease affecting striated muscle. It belongs to the group of limb girdle muscular dystrophies because of the involvement of the proximal musculature of the shoulders and pelvic girdle. LGMD2D is caused by mutations in the SGCA gene coding for α-sarcoglycan (SG).  
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a central player of melanocyte survival, function and development. It belongs to the MiT/TFE family of transcription factors in vertebrates, consisting of four distinct but closely related and evolutionary conserved members, including MITF, transcription factor EB (TFEB), TFE3 and TFEC. Structurally, MITF encodes a basic–helix–loop–helix leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP) transcription factor, thereby exerting its function by regulating genes involved in cell cycle progression and differentiation, a role sustained throughout the process of melanogenesis and in melanoma.
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Aptamers as Theragnostic Tools in Prostate Cancer
Aptamers are DNA and RNA oligonucleotides that can adopt tridimensional structures that enable them to join specifically to any desired target. Aptamers are capable of binding to specific molecules including drugs, proteins, carbohydrates, cells, and viruses. Aptamers were first described in 1990, and since then several groups have used their binding properties to isolate a diversity of specific aptamers. Aptamers have been studied for treatment and detection of many diseases including cancer. In Prostate Cancer, numerous works have reported their use in the development of new approaches in diagnostics and treatment strategies. Aptamers have been joined with drugs or other specific molecules such as silencing RNAs (aptamer–siRNA chimeras) to specifically reduce the expression of oncogenes in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. These studies have shown good results in the early stages, more research is still needed to demonstrate the clinical value of aptamers in PCa. 
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), is one of the most extensively investigated active components of propolis and it is considered responsible for most of its beneficial effects. Among the others, CAPE exerts protection towards many neurological disorders. This review summarizes the protective effects of CAPE towards oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, neurotoxic substances, neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors and neuronal injuries as well. A paragrah on derivatives of CAPE is also included.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Enzymatic Biocatalysis for Degradation of Plastic PET
Most Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degrading enzymes belong to the 3.40.50.1820 superfamily, according to the CATH database, since they share a conserved catalytic domain and assume the typical alpha/beta hydrolase fold. Breaking of PET bonds is typically accomplished by a catalytic triad involving a serine, a histidine and a negatively charged residue, usually an aspartate or a glutamate.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Biological Activity of Coriander Essential Oil
There has been a growing demand for the use of naturally-derived compounds in medicine, food preservation, pesticides, and herbicides. The coriander essential oils, produced as secondary metabolites, contain single or groups of phytocompounds that possess pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and insecticidal properties. The biological activities and therapeutic effects of coriander essential oil make it a suitable agent for treating bacterial and fungal infections in plants and animals, and for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Berbamine
Berbamine is a natural, potent, pharmacologically active biomolecule isolated from Berberis amurensis. Berbamine has been shown to modulate different oncogenic cell-signaling pathways in different cancers.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Multivariate Analysis
Multivariate analysis (MA) is becoming a fundamental tool for processing in an efficient way the large amount of data collected in X-ray diffraction experiments. Multi-wedge data collections can increase the data quality in case of tiny protein crystals; in situ or operando setups allow investi-gating changes on powder samples occurring during repeated fast measurements; pump and probe experiments at X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources supply structural characterization of fast photo-excitation processes. In all these cases, MA can facilitate the extraction of relevant in-formation hidden in data, disclosing the possibility of automatic data processing even in absence of a priori structural knowledge.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
GABAergic pain modulation
GABAA receptors (GABAARs) are ligand-gated heteropentameric ion channels, most commonly formed by 2α, 2β, and 1γ subunit. They are expressed in spinal cord dorsal horn, both at the pre- and postsynaptic site, controlling the transmission of pain, itch, touch and proprioception.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The Natterin Proteins Diversity
The Natterin proteins were first revealed in the venom of the medically significant Brazilian toadfish Thalassophryne nattereri (VTn) in five orthologs named Natterin (1–4, and -P). They were identified as being responsible for the main toxic non-lethal effects of the VTn, such as local edema and excruciating pain, that evolved to necrosis. Following the first identification, the group of Natterin-like proteins has been expanded over time. Several sequences homologous to Natterin have been identified in different teleostean genomes, such as the venomous catfish Plotosus lineatus and non-venomous fish, including lampreys-Lampetra japonica or Lethenteron camtschaticum and Lampetra morii, arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus, zebrafish Danio rerio, atlantic cod Gadus morhua, and ovate pompano Trachinotus ovatus.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Human Neuroblastoma Cell
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common childhood solid tumors and develops from neural stem cells that normally comprise the embryonic structure termed the neural crest. Human neuroblastoma cell lines have special properties as they exhibit cell growth and are induced to become mature neurons by drugs such as retinoid.
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Oct 2021
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