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Topic Review
Curcumin and Alzheimer’s Disease
Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound with diverse and attractive biological properties, which may prevent or ameliorate pathological processes underlying age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, or mode disorders. AD is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is known as one of the rapidly growing diseases, especially in the elderly population. Moreover, being the eminent cause of dementia, posing problems for families, societies as well a severe burden on the economy. There are no effective drugs to cure AD. Although curcumin and its derivatives have shown properties that can be considered useful in inhibiting the hallmarks of AD, however, they have low bioavailability. Furthermore, to combat diagnostic and therapeutic limitations, various nanoformulations have also been recognized as theranostic agents that can also enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of curcumin and other bioactive compounds. Nanocarriers have shown beneficial properties to deliver curcumin and other nutritional compounds against the blood-brain barrier to efficiently distribute them in the brain. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Regulation of Cell Proliferation by Calcineurin
Calcineurin, a calcium-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase, integrates the alterations in intracellular calcium levels into downstream signaling pathways by regulating the phosphorylation states of several targets. Intracellular Ca2+ is essential for normal cellular physiology and cell cycle progression at certain critical stages of the cell cycle. Recently, it was reported that calcineurin is activated in a variety of cancers. Given that abnormalities in calcineurin signaling can lead to malignant growth and cancer, the calcineurin signaling pathway could be a potential target for cancer treatment. For example, NFAT, a typical substrate of calcineurin, activates the genes that promote cell proliferation. Furthermore, cyclin D1 and estrogen receptors are dephosphorylated and stabilized by calcineurin, leading to cell proliferation. 
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Feb 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
Metabolic Engineering of Yeast for Bioethanol Production
Increased human population and the rapid decline of fossil fuels resulted in a global tendency to look for alternative fuel sources. Ethanol has been the primary fossil fuel alternative due to its low carbon emission rates, high octane content and comparatively facile microbial production processes. As a well-known platform microorganism and native ethanol producer, baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been the primary subject of interest for both academic and industrial perspectives in terms of enhanced ethanol production processes. Metabolic engineering strategies have been primarily adopted for direct manipulation of genes of interest responsible in mainstreams of ethanol metabolism. To overcome limitations of rational metabolic engineering, an alternative bottom-up strategy called inverse metabolic engineering has been widely used. In this context, evolutionary engineering, also known as adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), which is based on random mutagenesis and systematic selection, is a powerful strategy to improve bioethanol production of S. cerevisiae. Metabolic and evolutionary engineering strategies are intertwined and many metabolically engineered strains for bioethanol production can be further improved by powerful evolutionary engineering strategies as well as the recent advancements in directed genome evolution, including CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Oct 2023
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
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
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
ARF Tumor Suppressor
P14ARF (ARF; Alternative Reading Frame) is an extensively characterized tumor suppressor which, in response to oncogenic stimuli, mediates cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53-dependent and independent routes. ARF has been shown to be frequently lost through CpG island promoter methylation in a wide spectrum of human malignancies, such as colorectal, prostate, breast, and gastric cancers, while point mutations and deletions in the p14ARF locus have been linked with various forms of melanomas and glioblastomas. Although ARF has been mostly studied in the context of tumorigenesis, it has been also implicated in purely developmental processes, such as spermatogenesis, and mammary gland and ocular development, while it has been additionally involved in the regulation of angiogenesis. Moreover, ARF has been found to hold important roles in stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. As is often the case with tumor suppressors, ARF functions as a pleiotropic protein regulating a number of different mechanisms at the crossroad of development and tumorigenesis.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Feb 2021
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
The Mitochondrial Calcium Channel Discovery
The notion of the active role of mitochondria in the decoding and shaping of intracellular Ca2+ signals dates back at the end of the 19th century. However, the identity of the molecule(s) involved in Ca2+ ion transport into mitochondria remained elusive for decades. Only in the last ten years, the factors, and the relative coding genes, mediating Ca2+ entry in mitochondria started to be genetically and biochemically described. The gene for the pore-forming unit of the mitochondrial Ca2+ channel was discovered in 2011, and its product was named mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter or MCU. The mitochondria Ca2+ uptake regulator 1 gene, MICU1, was cloned one year before, in 2010. The increasing interest of the scientific community towards mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling and metabolism in the subsequent  years led to the identification of many other MCU components and to the description of their 3D structure and physiological role. Here, we will present a brief overview of the land marking discoveries in the history of mitochondrial Ca2+ studies. 
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Jun 2021
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
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
Biochemical and Physiological Application of Pterin Photochemistry
Pterins are low-molecular weight heterocyclic compounds widely distributed in living organisms, primarily as reduced coenzymes. Structurally, pterins are a conjugated system of pyrazine and pyrimidine rings, the so-called pteridine, which is accompanied by a carbonyl group (C=O) at the C4 position and an amino group (NH2) at the C2 position. The pteridine structure is also characteristic of folates (folic acid and its derivatives) and flavins, or benzopteridines, which are derivatives of isoalloxazine. Folates are usually called “conjugated pterins” since they possess a para-aminobenzoilglutamine residue, whereas pterins are called “unconjugated pterins”. In addition to pterin, folates include a para-aminobenzoic acid (p-ABA) residue and one to five glutamic acid (Glu) residues.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Dec 2022
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
Insulin in Health and Disease
Insulin is a polypeptide hormone mainly secreted by β cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The hormone potentially coordinates with glucagon to modulate blood glucose levels; insulin acts via an anabolic pathway, while glucagon performs catabolic functions. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream and induces glucose storage in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, resulting in overall weight gain. The modulation of a wide range of physiological processes by insulin makes its synthesis and levels critical in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Although clinical and basic research has made significant progress in understanding the role of insulin in several pathophysiological processes, many aspects of these functions have yet to be elucidated. This review provides an update on insulin secretion and regulation, and its physiological roles and functions in different organs and cells, and implications to overall health. We cast light on recent advances in insulin-signaling targeted therapies, the protective effects of insulin signaling activators against disease, and recommendations and directions for future research.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Ceramide Metabolism Enzymes
Sphingolipids are both structural molecules that are essential for cell architecture and second messengers that are involved in numerous cell functions. Ceramide is the central hub of sphingolipid metabolism. In addition to being the precursor of complex sphingolipids, ceramides induce cell cycle arrest and promote cell death and inflammation. At least some of the enzymes involved in the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism are altered in carcinogenesis, and some are targets for anticancer drugs.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
ORP5 and ORP8
Oxysterol binding related proteins 5 and 8 (ORP5 and ORP8) are two close homologs of the larger oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) family of sterol sensors and lipid transfer proteins (LTP). Early studies indicated these transmembrane proteins, anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), bound and sensed cholesterol and oxysterols. They were identified as important for diverse cellular functions including sterol homeostasis, vesicular trafficking, proliferation and migration. In addition, they were implicated in lipid-related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, but also cancer, although their mechanisms of action remained poorly understood. Then, alongside the increasing recognition that membrane contact sites (MCS) serve as hubs for non-vesicular lipid transfer, added to their structural similarity to other LTPs, came discoveries showing that ORP5 and 8 were in fact phospholipid transfer proteins that rather sense and exchange phosphatidylserine (PS) for phosphoinositides, including phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) and potentially phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). Evidence now points to their action at MCS between the ER and various organelles including the plasma membrane, lysosomes, mitochondria, and lipid droplets. Dissecting exactly how this unexpected phospholipid transfer function connects with sterol regulation in health or disease remains a challenge for future studies.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
The Gut Microbiota and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a malignant pulmonary vascular disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Developments in genomics and metabolomics have gradually revealed the roles of the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites in cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating evidence reveals that the GM plays important roles in the occurrence and development of PAH. Gut microbiota dysbiosis directly increases the gut permeability, thereby facilitating pathological bacterial translocation and allowing translocation of bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharides from the gut into circulation. This process aggravates pulmonary perivascular inflammation and exacerbates PAH development through the endothelial–mesenchymal transition. Additionally, a shift in the composition of PAH also affects the gut metabolites. Changes in gut metabolites, such as decreased short-chain fatty acids, increased trimethylamine N-oxide, and elevated serotonin, contribute to pulmonary perivascular inflammation and pulmonary vascular remodeling by activating several signaling pathways. Studies of the intestinal microbiota in treating pulmonary hypertension have strengthened linkages between the GM and PAH. Probiotic therapy and fecal microbiota transplantation may supplement existing PAH treatments.
  • 1.1K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
α-Mangostin Nanoparticles in Breast Cancer
α-Mangostin (AMG) is a potent anticancer xanthone that was discovered in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana Linn.). AMG possesses the highest opportunity for chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic therapy. AMG inhibits every step in the process of carcinogenesis. AMG suppressed multiple breast cancer (BC) cell proliferation and apoptosis by decreasing the creation of cancerous compounds. Accumulating BC abnormalities and their associated molecular signaling pathways promotes novel treatment strategies. Chemotherapy is a commonly used treatment; due to the possibility of unpleasant side effects and multidrug resistance, there has been substantial progress in searching for alternative solutions, including the use of plant-derived natural chemicals. Due to the limitations of conventional cancer therapy, nanotechnology provides hope for effective and efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nanotechnology enables the delivery of nanoparticles and increased solubility of drugs and drug targeting, resulting in increased cytotoxicity and cell death during BC treatment.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
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