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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
Polyadenylation in Animal Cells
During polyadenylation, a polyadenosine sequence-namely, a poly(A) tail-is added to the 3′ end of a transcript. Together with the removal of introns and the addition of a 5′ cap, polyadenylation constitutes a major step in pre-mRNA maturation. The polyadenylation process can be divided into two major steps: first, newly transcribed pre-mRNA is cleaved and its 3′ end is generated; then, a specific enzyme-poly(A) polymerase (PAP)-generates the poly(A) tail independently from the template, starting from the cleavage site.
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Posttranscriptional Defects of Selenoenzymes
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known neurotoxicant that causes severe intoxication in humans. Research progress has pointed out the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of MeHg toxicity. MeHg-induced intracellular relative selenium deficiency due to the greater affinity of MeHg for selenohydryl groups and selenides leads to failure in the recoding of a UGA codon for selenocysteine and results in the degradation of antioxidant selenoenzyme mRNA by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. The defect of antioxidant selenoenzyme replenishment exacerbates MeHg-mediated oxidative stress. 
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Nov 2020
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
Chemical Changes in Atherosclerosis
Fiberoptic Raman spectroscopy and Raman microscopy were used to investigate alterations in the aorta wall and the surrounding perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the murine model of atherosclerosis (Apoe-/-/Ldlr-/- mice). Both abdominal and thoracic parts of the aorta were studied to account for the heterogenic chemical composition of aorta and its localization-dependent response in progression of atherosclerosis. The average Raman spectra obtained for both parts of aorta cross sections revealed that the chemical composition of intima-media layers along aorta remains relatively homogeneous while the lipid content in the adventitia layer markedly increases with decreasing distance to PVAT. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the increase of the lipid to protein ratio in the aorta wall correlates directly with the increased unsaturation level of lipids in PVAT and these changes occur only in the abdominal, but not in thoracic, aorta. In summary, distinct pathophysiological response in the aortic vascular wall could be uncovered by fiber optic Raman spectroscopy based on simple parameters detecting chemical contents of lipids in PVAT.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Transcriptomic Harmonization
Emergence of methods interrogating gene expression at high throughput gave birth to quantitative transcriptomics, but also posed a question of inter-comparison of expression profiles obtained using different equipment and protocols and/or in different series of experiments. Addressing this issue is challenging, because all of the above variables can dramatically influence gene expression signals and, therefore, cause a plethora of peculiar features in the transcriptomic profiles. Millions of transcriptomic profiles were obtained and deposited in public databases of which the usefulness is however strongly limited due to the inter-comparison issues. Platform/protocol/batch bias can be efficiently reduced not only for the comparisons of limited transcriptomic datasets. Instead, instruments were proposed for transforming gene expression profiles into the universal, uniformly shaped format that can support multiple inter-comparisons for reasonable calculation costs. This forms a basement for universal indexing of all or most of all types of RNA sequencing and microarray hybridization profiles.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress in Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disease characterized by elevated artery pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance. Underlying mechanisms comprise endothelial dysfunction, pulmonary artery remodeling and vasoconstriction. Several studies have shown evidence of the critical role of oxidative stress in PH pathophysiology. Alteration of redox homeostasis produces excessive generation of reactive oxygen species, inducing oxidative stress and the subsequent alteration of biological molecules. Exacerbations in oxidative stress production can lead to alterations in nitric oxide signaling pathways, contributing to the proliferation of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, inducing PH development. 
  • 1.1K
  • 12 May 2023
Topic Review
Archaeal DNA Repair
DNA repair is essential across all organisms to maintain levels genomic stability suitable for life. Archaea often thrive in environmental extremes, enduring levels of heat, pressure, salinity, pH, and radiation that prove intolerable to most life. Many environmental extremes raise the propensity for DNA damaging events and thus, impact DNA stability, placing greater reliance on molecular mechanisms that recognize DNA damage and initiate accurate repair. Archaea can presumably prosper in harsh and DNA-damaging environments in part due to robust DNA repair pathways but surprisingly, no DNA repair pathways unique to Archaea have been described.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Polyphenols and its Natural Preservatives
The use of synthetic/artificial preservatives has become common and has not been widely accepted by consumers as they are aware of the fact that exposure to preservatives can lead to adverse effects on health, which is a major area of concern for researchers. Naturally occurring phenolic compounds appear to be extensively used as bio-preservatives to prolong the shelf life of the finished product. 
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Oct 2023
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
Forms of Parkinson Disease Epigenetic Aspects
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population over the age of 50. PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the estimated prevalence is 94 cases per 100,000 people, or approximately 0.3 percent in the general population 40 years of age and older. The yearly incidence of new cases ranges from 8 to 18.6 per 100,000 person-years. PD is clinically characterized by uncontrollable tremors at rest, rigidity, slowness of movement and postural impairment. In addition to violations of motor function, PD is accompanied by gastrointestinal, olfactory, sleep, and cognitive pathologies and other disorders. PD is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). These neurons release dopamine (DA) from nerve endings in the striatum and control muscle tone and multiple brain functions including a broad array of behavioral processes such as mood, reward, addiction, and stress. Morphologically PD is characterized by the presence of intracellular inclusions called Lewy bodies (LB) consisting mainly of aggregated α-synuclein (αSyn) inside nerve cells including SNpc. The onset of PD is dependent on both genetic and environmental factors. The latter can alter gene expression by causing epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, and the post-translational modification of histones and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs, the most studied of which are microRNAs or miRNAs). The regulation of genes responsible for monogenic forms of PD may also be involved in sporadic PD.
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Sep 2023
Topic Review
The Role of microRNAs in Neurological Pathologies
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are 18–25 nucleotides long (22 nucleotides on average) and involved in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by RNA interference, which is of great interest to molecular biologists, geneticists, and biochemists. These molecules are mainly present intracellularly, but there is also an extracellular (circulating) microRNA fraction. The existence and functions of more than 2500 human miRNAs are known. 
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Aug 2023
Topic Review
JAK/STAT in Bone Development
The Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway serves as an important downstream mediator for a variety of cytokines, hormones, and growth factors. Based on the knowledge gained from JAK and STAT knockout animals, the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was identified as important for bone development and homeostasis, recognizing that JAKs and STATs are not equally important for the biology of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Moreover, their overall role in the musculoskeletal system is still not fully understood. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of how bone remodeling is regulated, how metabolic processes take place, and how bone responds to mechanical stimulation is central to maintaining the integrity of the skeletal system.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
HMGB1 in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), one of major dose-limiting side effects of first-line chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel, oxaliplatin, vincristine, and bortezomib is resistant to most of existing medicines.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Bone Healing
Main methods of biophysical enhancement in treating bone nonunions.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Marine Resources for the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variant
In November of 2021, a recently evolved variant of SARS-CoV-2, omicron, was discovered. In just one month, omicron has spread to more than 89 countries resulting in a rapid rise in cases and a new wave of infections. With over 46 mutations, omicron brings concern to the public health and may be able to infect at a greater capacity than previous strains. Although able to infect double vaccinated and previously infected individuals, the booster vaccine may prove promising. However, more research is needed to fully elucidate the key function of each mutation and to better develop effective drugs. Marine resources may be a promising drug discovery avenue to investigate. Through viral entry blockade and preventing viral replication and protein synthesis, metabolites produced from marine organisms may be promising against the evolving SARS-CoV-2.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Chloride Channels and Transporters in Cancers
The canonical roles of chloride channels and chloride-associated transporters have been physiologically determined; these roles include the maintenance of membrane potential, pH balance, and volume regulation and subsequent cellular functions such as autophagy and cellular proliferative processes. Although complicated ion movements, crosstalk among channels/transporters through homeostatic electric regulation, difficulties with experimental implementation such as activity measurement of intracellular location were disturbed to verify the precise modulation of channels/transporters, recently defined cancerous function and communication with tumor microenvironment of chloride channels/transporters should be highlighted beyond classical homeostatic ion balance.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Dnmt3a2/Dnmt3L
This study investigates how DNA methylation regulates motor behavior in single neuron type resolution. This topic is important for understanding that the behaviors like hyperactivity in relevant diseases are also regulated by epigenetic factors. Although accumulative researches have demonstrated that epigenetic factor is a potential regulator for brain function, the specific role of these factors in certain type of neurons is still unclear, especially in motor neurons, has not been studied. We aim to examine if the DNA methylation level of neurons are regulated by DNA methyltransferase and how is the consequence in locomotion. The study generated a transgenic mouse model with overexpression of Dnmt3a2 and Dnmt3L, the DNA methyltransferase and its partner, in dopaminergic neurons which controls locomotor function. We found that the DNA methylation level was up-regulated in neurons with overexpression, and the spontaneous activity and exercise performance of the mice were increased significantly. Furthermore, the higher fire frequency and excitability of dopaminergic neuron were detected without dopaminergic biosynthesis change.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Oxi-Inflamm-Aging Related Cardiorenal Syndrome
Kidney failure is also a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Indeed, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant risk for cardiovascular events independently of classical risk. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Jan 2022
Topic Review
The Protein Corona
The prolific applicability of nanomaterials has made them a common citizen in biological systems, where they interact with proteins forming a biological corona complex. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Apr 2023
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