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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
The Human Plasma Proteome
The human plasma proteome is an immensely complex mixture of proteins. Astonishingly, only 730 proteins are known to be secreted into the blood whereas the vast majority of plasma proteins are present as a result of leakage into the blood due to tissue degradation and damage, i.e., the plasma proteome potentially comprises of proteins that were derived from all tissues. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Plastidial Starch Phosphorylase in Starch Metabolism
Starch phosphorylase is a member of the GT35-glycogen-phosphorylase superfamily. Glycogen phosphorylases have been researched in animals thoroughly when compared to plants. Genetic evidence signifies the integral role of plastidial starch phosphorylase (PHO1) in starch biosynthesis in model plants. The counterpart of PHO1 is PHO2, which specifically resides in cytosol and is reported to lack L80 peptide in the middle region of proteins as seen in animal and maltodextrin forms of phosphorylases. The function of this extra peptide varies among species and ranges from the substrate of proteasomes to modulate the degradation of PHO1 in Solanum tuberosum to a non-significant effect on biochemical activity in Oryza sativa and Hordeum vulgare.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Current Potential Therapeutic Approaches against SARS-CoV-2
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a serious threat to public health worldwide and, to date, no effective treatment is available. Thus, we herein review the pharmaceutical approaches to SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Numerous candidate medicines that can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication have been proposed. These medicines include inhibitors of serine protease TMPRSS2 and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the receptor in host cells. ACE2 inhibitors block TMPRSS2 and S protein priming, thus preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry to host cells. Moreover, antiviral medicines (including the nucleotide analogue remdesivir, the HIV protease inhibitors lopinavir and ritonavir, and wide-spectrum antiviral antibiotics arbidol and favipiravir) have been shown to reduce the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 as well as morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Textile Dye Biodecolorization by MnP
Manganese peroxidase (MnP) is an oxidoreductase with ligninolytic activity and is a promising biocatalyst for the biodegradation of hazardous environmental contaminants, and especially for dye wastewater decolorization.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Mass Spectrometry Proteomics in Neuropsychiatric Disorder Biomarkers Assessment
The success of mass spectrometry (MS) in proteomics is mainly due to its specificity and sensitivity, which are attributable to advances in liquid chromatography coupled to tandem MS (LC-MS/MS) approaches, and the development of statistical tools that allow the use of Big Data analysis strategies to extract meaningful biological information obtained by MS-based methods. This type of technology can reveal proteome insights at the composition, structure, and function level. Proteomics tools make it possible to evaluate the proteins in complex biological samples qualitatively and quantitatively (either relative or absolute). Based on the meta-analysis results, the upregulation of FCN3 and downregulation of APOA1, APOA2, APOC1, and APOC3 in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients is suggested. Despite the proven ability of MS proteomics to characterize SCZ, several confounding factors contribute to the heterogeneity of the findings.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Dietary Sugars and Diabetes Development from Mitochondrial Perspective
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has increased worldwide at an alarming rate. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major risk factor for T2D development. One of the main reasons for the abrupt rise in MetS incidence, besides a sedentary lifestyle, is the westernized diet consumption, with high content of industrialized foods, rich in added dietary sugars (DS), mainly sucrose and fructose. It has been suggested that a higher intake of DS could impair metabolic function, inducing MetS, and predisposing to T2D. However, it remains poorly explored how excessive DS intake modulates mitochondrial function, a key player in metabolism. 
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Dec 2022
Topic Review
ADAM Proteases
Limited proteolysis reactions by a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) are key events in several paracrine signalling pathways. Therefore, ADAM proteases might also represent master-switches during hepatic fibrosis and other pathophysiologic events. Known and potential fibrosis-associated pathways regulated by ADAM proteases are discussed and the current knowledge on ADAM protease implication in several disease states is reviewed.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jul 2023
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
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
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Strigolactone
Plants, the cornerstone of life on Earth, are constantly struggling with a number of challenges arising from both biotic and abiotic stressors. To overcome these adverse factors, plants have evolved complex defense mechanisms involving both a number of cell signaling pathways and a complex network of interactions with microorganisms. Among these interactions, the relationship between symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and strigolactones (SLs) stands as an important interplay that has a significant impact on increased resistance to environmental stresses and improved nutrient uptake and the subsequent enhanced plant growth.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors
Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (ITPRs) are intracellular calcium release channels located on the endoplasmic reticulum of virtually every cell.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Voltage-Dependent Anion Selective Channel
VDAC (voltage-dependent anion selective channel) proteins, also known as mitochondrial porins, are the most abundant proteins of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) where they play a vital role in various cellular processes, in the regulation of metabolism, and in survival pathways.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Apr 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
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
Biological Effects of Fluorescein Photochemistry
Fluorescein is a fluorescent organic dye used as tracer, contrasting agent or a diagnostic tool in various fields of medicine and natural sciences in general.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 May 2022
Topic Review
Pyoverdine Biosynthesis
Pyoverdines (PVDs) are a class of siderophores produced mostly by members of the genus Pseudomonas. Their primary function is to accumulate, mobilize, and transport iron necessary for cell metabolism. Moreover, PVDs also play a crucial role in microbes’ survival by mediating biofilm formation and virulence. 
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Methylglyoxal-derived AGEs-Induced mitochondrial dysfunction/ER stress
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed via nonenzymatic reactions between reducing sugars and proteins. Recent studies have shown that methylglyoxal, a potent precursor for AGEs, causes a variety of biological dysfunctions, including diabetes, inflammation, renal failure, and cancer. However, little is known about the function of methylglyoxal-derived AGEs (AGE4) in kidney cells. Therefore, we verified the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes and apoptosis markers to determine the effects of AGE4 on human proximal epithelial cells (HK-2). Moreover, our results showed that AGE4 induced the expression of apoptosis markers, such as Bax, p53, and kidney injury molecule-1, but downregulated Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 levels. AGE4 also promoted the expression of NF-κB, serving as a transcription factor, and the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), which induced cell apoptosis and ER stress mediated by the JNK inhibitor. Furthermore, AGE4 induced mitochondrial dysfunction by inducing the permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane and ATP synthesis. 
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Oct 2021
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
Intersection of AhR and Wnt Signaling
This entry is focused on recent studies about the mutual interactions of key mediators of AhR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and on the assessment of the complexity of the crosstalk between the AhR signaling cascade and the canonical Wnt pathway. AhR performs many endogenous functions by integrating its signaling pathway into organ homeostasis and into the maintenance of crucial cellular functions and biological processes. The Wnt signaling pathway regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and many other phenomena, and this regulation is important for embryonic development and the dynamic balance of adult tissues. AhR and Wnt are the main signaling pathways participating in the control of cell fate and function and occupy a central position in a variety of processes linked with development and various pathological conditions. 
  • 1.1K
  • 22 May 2023
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