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Topic Review
4-1BBL
The ability of tumor cells to evade the immune system is one of the main challenges we confront in the fight against cancer. Multiple strategies have been developed to counteract this situation, including the use of immunostimulant molecules that play a key role in the anti-tumor immune response. Such a response needs to be tumor-specific to cause as little damage as possible to healthy cells and also to track and eliminate disseminated tumor cells. Therefore, the combination of immunostimulant molecules and tumor-associated antigens has been implemented as an anti-tumor therapy strategy to eliminate the main obstacles confronted in conventional therapies. The immunostimulant 4-1BBL belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family and it has been widely reported as the most effective member for activating lymphocytes.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Jul 2021
Biography
Manuel  Aureliano
Manuel Aureliano, is an Full Professor of Biochemistry (With Aggregation in Inorganic Biochemistry) at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve (UAlg), Portugal. Besides Biochemistry, he teaches Inorganic Biochemistry and topics within Muscle Contraction and Metals in Biology. At UAlg, he served as director and/or vice-director of the Biochemistry degree (1997-2013; 2021-202
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Feb 2025
Topic Review
Tetrazoles as Antidiabetic Agents
Tetrazole heterocycle is a promising scaffold in drug design, and it is incorporated into active pharmaceutical ingredients of medications of various actions: hypotensives, diuretics, antihistamines, antibiotics, analgesics, and others. This heterocyclic system is metabolically stable and easily participates in various intermolecular interactions with different biological targets through hydrogen bonding, conjugation, or van der Waals forces.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Genetically Encoded Biosensors for O2 and ROS Detection
The intracellular concentrations of oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living cells represent critical information for investigating physiological and pathological conditions. Real-time measurement often relies on genetically encoded proteins that are responsive to fluctuations in either oxygen or ROS concentrations. The direct binding or chemical reactions that occur in their presence either directly alter the fluorescence properties of the binding protein or alter the fluorescence properties of fusion partners, mostly consisting of variants of the green fluorescent protein. Oxygen sensing takes advantage of several mechanisms, including (i) the oxygen-dependent hydroxylation of a domain of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1, which, in turn, promotes its cellular degradation along with fluorescent fusion partners; (ii) the naturally oxygen-dependent maturation of the fluorophore of green fluorescent protein variants; and (iii) direct oxygen binding by proteins, including heme proteins, expressed in fusion with fluorescent partners, resulting in changes in fluorescence due to conformational alterations or fluorescence resonance energy transfer. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Nov 2023
Topic Review
TaNACs in Wheat Crop Improvement
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the main staple food crops cultivated around the world. Although it is a very important cereal crop, it is underexplored compared to rice, barley, and maize. The main reason is its large and complex hexaploid genome, AABBDD (2n = 6x = 42), which has three homoeologous sets of genes that make research more demanding. The genome of rice is diploid, 33 times smaller than that of wheat; therefore, this species is very well explored and treated as a model among cereals. Barley and maize are diploid species. However, the first one is more closely related to wheat, thus reports on the cis-regulation of genes in these two species, rice, and barley, by NAC TFs are also discussed and compared with wheat.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
CircRNAs and Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation
Chronic liver injury induces the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM), resulting in tissue fibrosis.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Jan 2023
Topic Review
BTK Targeting in Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM), a clonal plasma cell disorder, disrupts the bones’ hematopoiesis and microenvironment homeostasis and ability to mediate an immune response against malignant clones. Despite prominent survival improvement with newer treatment modalities since the 2000s, MM is still considered a non-curable disease. Patients experience disease recurrence episodes with clonal evolution, and with each relapse disease comes back with a more aggressive phenotype. Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) has been a major target for B cell clonal disorders and its role in clonal plasma cell disorders is under active investigation. BTK is a cytosolic kinase which plays a major role in the immune system and its related malignancies. The BTK pathway has been shown to provide survival for malignant clone and multiple myeloma stem cells (MMSCs). BTK also regulates the malignant clones’ interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment. Hence, BTK inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy for MM patients
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Phosphatidylinositol 5 Phosphate
Phosphatidylinositol (PI)-related signaling plays a pivotal role in many cellular aspects, including survival, cell proliferation, differentiation, DNA damage, and trafficking. PI is the core of a network of proteins represented by kinases, phosphatases, and lipases which are able to add, remove or hydrolyze PI, leading to different phosphoinositide products. Among the seven known phosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol 5 phosphate (PI5P) was the last to be discovered. PI5P presence in cells is very low compared to other PIs, but is has been reported to control many cellular outcomes, including cell proliferation, gene expression and chromatin remodeling.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Aug 2021
Topic Review
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis, a balance in internal environment (temperature, mood, and immune system) and energy input and output in living, biological systems. In addition to regulating physiological processes, the ECS directly influences anxiety, feeding behaviour/appetite, emotional behaviour, depression, nervous functions, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, reward, cognition, learning, memory, pain sensation, fertility, pregnancy, and pre-and post-natal development. The ECS is also involved in several pathophysiological diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Lysophospholipase PNPLA7 Controls Hepatic Choline and Methionine Metabolism
The lysophospholipase PNPLA7 is a member of the Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) family, as a key regulator of the production of glycerophosphocholine (GPC), a precursor of endogenous choline, whose methyl groups are preferentially fluxed into the methionine cycle in the liver. PNPLA7 deficiency in mice markedly decreases hepatic GPC, choline, and several metabolites related to choline/methionine metabolism, leading to various symptoms reminiscent of methionine shortage. Overall metabolic alterations in the liver of Pnpla7-null mice in vivo largely recapitulate those in methionine-deprived hepatocytes in vitro. Reduction of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) after methionine deprivation decreases the methylation of the PNPLA7 gene promoter, relieves PNPLA7 expression, and thereby increases GPC and choline levels, likely as a compensatory adaptation. In line with the view that SAM prevents the development of liver cancer, the expression of PNPLA7, as well as several enzymes in the choline/methionine metabolism, is reduced in human hepatocellular carcinoma. 
  • 1.1K
  • 31 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Solid Platelet-Rich Fibrin
Solid platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), consisting of coagulated plasma from fractionated blood, has been proposed to be a suitable carrier for recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) to target mesenchymal cells during bone regeneration.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Starvation-Induced Autophagy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Metabolomics Perspectives
The application of metabolomics has extended the scope of autophagy and provided newer intervention targets against cancer as well as neurodegenerative diseases in which autophagy is implicated. 
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
HVCN1 Channels Related Sperm Motility
In mammals, sperm capacitation is characterized by a set of physiological changes preparing the male gamete for fertilization, being the intracellular alkalinization a key event. Changes in intracellular pH (pHi) during capacitation are induced by different channels, including HCO3- membrane transporters, Na+-H+ exchangers (NHEs), monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and voltage-gated proton channels (HVCN1). HVCN1 channels belong to the superfamily of voltage-gated cation channels; they drive protons more quickly and efficiently than transporters or exchangers do and lead them unidirectionally to the extracellular medium. HVCN1 channels have been identified in human, bull and boar sperm, forming dimers of a molecular weight of 70-73 kDa; however, their action and regulation mechanisms are poorly understood.A recent study has focused on the physiological role of HVCN1 channels during in vitro capacitation using the pig sperm as a model. This functional approach was carried out pharmacologically through using 2-guanidino benzimidazole (2-GBI), a specific blocker of HVCN1 channels. Sperm samples were incubated in in vitro capacitating medium for 300 min; after 240 min of incubation, progesterone was added to induce sperm hyperactivation and acrosomal exocytosis. To address the physiological role of HVCN1 channels during in vitro capacitation of pig sperm, some samples were incubated in the presence of 2-GBI blocker added at time 0 (Experiment 1). Moreover, and in order to understand the functional relationship between progesterone and HVCN1 channels, 2-GBI blocker was added together with progesterone at 240 min of incubation, in a second group of samples (Experiment 2). Sperm viability, sperm motility and kinematics, acrosomal exocytosis, membrane lipid disorder, intracellular calcium levels of the sperm head and tail, and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated after 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 250, 270 and 300 min of incubation.The results obtained showed that HVCN1 channels are essential for the maintenance of viability, motility and kinematics of pig sperm during in vitro capacitation and progesterone-induced acrosomal exocytosis. While a close relationship between HVCN1 activation and mitochondrial membrane potential was observed, HVCN1 channels were not found to be involved in the regulation of Ca2+ influx to the sperm tail. Despite further research being necessary, HVCN1 activation could also modulate Ca2+ entrance to the sperm head and prevent premature acrosomal exocytosis during in vitro capacitation of pig sperm.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Plant Genome Sequencing Technology
The development of technology that can capture large volumes of sequence data at low costs and with high accuracy has driven the acceleration of plant genome sequencing advancements. The sequencing of all plant species is a long-term goal that may become key to effectively supporting life on Earth through the improved management of plants in wild populations and their selection and genetic enhancement for use in agriculture and food production.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Potential Hypoglycemic Mechanism of Bioactive Legume Peptides
Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by a persistent over-normal level of blood glucose that causes impressive morbidity and mortality worldwide. Persistent hyperglycemia imposes damage on other organs, such as the eye, heart, kidney, and skin, as well as the nervous system, and is strongly correlated with a myriad of diabetes-related complications. Legumes, as an excellent source of protein, peptides, and phytochemicals, have played significant roles in human health throughout human history. Some legume-derived peptides with encouraging anti-diabetic potential have been gradually reported. Their hypoglycemic mechanisms have also been clarified at some classic diabetes treatment targets, such as the insulin receptor signaling pathway or other related pathways involved in the progress of diabetes, and key enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4)
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Glyoxalase 2
Glyoxalase 2 is a mitochondrial and cytoplasmic protein belonging to the metallo-β-lactamase family encoded by the hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase (HAGH) gene. This enzyme is the second enzyme of the glyoxalase system that is responsible for detoxification of the α-ketothaldehyde methylglyoxal in cells. The two enzymes glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) and glyoxalase 2 (Glo2) form the complete glyoxalase pathway, which utilizes glutathione as cofactor in eukaryotic cells.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Phytochemicals and Gastrointestinal Cancer Progression
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a prevailing global health disease with a high incidence rate which varies by region. It is a huge economic burden on health care providers. GI cancer affects different organs in the body such as the gastric organs, colon, esophagus, intestine, and pancreas. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive bioactive secondary compounds abundantly found in fruits, grains, and vegetables. Consumption of phytochemicals may protect against chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. Multiple studies have assessed the chemoprotective effect of selected phytochemicals in GI cancer, offering support to their potential towards reducing the pathogenesis of the disease.The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge addressing the anti-cancerous effects of selected dietary phytochemicals on GI cancer and their molecular activities on selected mechanisms, i.e., nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-B), detoxification enzymes, adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), wingless-related integration site/-catenin (wingless-related integration site (Wnt)-catenin, cell apoptosis, phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/ protein kinase B AKT/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Overall, phytochemicals improve cancer prognosis through the downregulation of -catenin phosphorylation, therefore enhancing apoptosis, and upregulation of the AMPK pathway, which supports cellular homeostasis. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of cancer treatment using phytochemicals and possible side effects associated with this approach.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Amniotic epithelial cell immunomodulation
Amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) have been proposed as promising candidates for regenerative medicine thanks to their multipotency, non-tumorigenicity, low-immunogenic profile as well as for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors (PPARs)
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of ligand-activated receptors/transcriptional factors composed by three distinct isoforms called PPARα (nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group C, NR1C1), PPARβ/δ (NR1C2), and PPARγ (NR1C3), each of which is encoded by independent genes in rodents and humans.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Bacterial Toxins and Immunomodulation
The idea that bacterial toxins are not only killers but also execute more sophisticated roles during bacteria–host interactions by acting as negotiators has been highlighted in the past decades. Depending on the toxin, its cellular target and mode of action, the final regulatory outcome can be different. Focused on two families of bacterial toxins: genotoxins and pore-forming toxins, which have different modes of action but share the ability to modulate the host’s immune responses, independently of their capacity to directly kill immune cells. 
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Aug 2021
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