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Topic Review
C/EBPδ in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor involved in growth arrest and differentiation, which has consequently been suggested to harbor tumor suppressive activities. However, C/EBPδ over-expression also correlates with poor prognosis in glioblastoma and promotes genomic instability in cervical cancer, hinting at an oncogenic role of C/EBPδ in these contexts. This entry outlines the role of C/EBPδ in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In cell lines of this cancer, C/EBPδ exerts a tumor suppressive role by attenuating clonogenicity, proliferation and tumor sphere formation.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Algal Metabolites as an Immune Booster against COVID-19
Algae and algae-derived products are rich sources of natural products or metabolites synthesized during metabolism. Algae are a rich source of compounds such as lectins and sulfated polysaccharides, which have potent antiviral and immunity-boosting properties. Moreover, Algae-derived compounds or metabolites can be used as antibodies and vaccine raw materials against COVID-19. Furthermore, some algal species can boost immunity, reduce viral activity in humans and be recommended for usage as a COVID-19 preventative measure.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Emerging Role of Enhancer RNAs in Cancer
Enhancers are distal cis-acting elements that are commonly recognized to regulate gene expression via cooperation with promoters. Along with regulating gene expression, enhancers can be transcribed and generate a class of non-coding RNAs called enhancer RNAs (eRNAs).
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Seminal Plasma Transcriptome and Proteome
As the "-omic" technology has largely developed, its application in the field of medical science seems a highly promising tool to clarify the etiology, at least in part, of the so-called idiopathic male infertility. The seminal plasma (SP) is made-up of secretions coming from the male accessory glands, namely epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. It is not only a medium for sperm transport since it is able to modulate the female reproductive environment and immunity, to allow the acquisition of sperm competence, to influence the sperm RNA content, and even embryo development. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an updated and comprehensive description of the main transcripts and proteins reported by transcriptome and proteome studies performed in the human SP of patients with idiopathic infertility, in the attempt of identifying possible candidate molecular targets. We recurrently found that micro RNA (miR)-34, miR-122, and miR-509 are down-regulated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia compared with fertile controls. These molecules may represent interesting targets whose predictive role in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, according to the available proteomic studies, ECM1, TEX101, lectingalactoside-binding andsoluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) have been reported as accurate predictors of TESE outcome. Interestingly, ECM1 is differently expressed in patients with different ART outcomes. Further prospective, ample-sized studies are needed to validate these molecular targets that will help in the counseling of patients with NOA or undergoing ART.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Acute Phase of Brain Injury
Early or primary injury due to brain aggression, such as mechanical trauma, hemorrhage or is-chemia, triggers the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the extracellular space. Some DAMPs, such as S100B, participate in the regulation of cell growth and survival but may also trigger cellular damage as their concentration increases in the extracellular space. When DAMPs bind to pattern-recognition receptors, such as the receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), they lead to non-infectious inflammation that will contribute to necrotic cell clearance but may also worsen brain injury.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a side effect of chemotherapics such as taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and platinum compounds. The pathways described so far are diverse and target various components of the peripheral Nervous System (PNS). Among the contributors to neuropathic pain, inflammation has been indicated as a powerful driver of CIPN.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Asymptomatic Heart Failure
Heart failure (HF) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and represents an escalating problem for healthcare system. Therefore, it would be of utmost importance to identify asymptomatic individuals with left ventricular dysfunction before the onset of symptoms. Furthermore, special attention should be focused on individuals who are already classified as NIHA I and "apparently healed" patients, who have been diagnosed with HF and whose clinical condition is stable thanks to therapy. These patients usually suffer from a worsening of their condition over time, and therefore recognizing these changes at the onset would be a great achievement.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jul 2021
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
Thymoquinone and Curcumin
D-galactose (D-gal) administration causes oxidative disorder and is widely utilized in aging animal models. Therefore, subcutaneously injected D-gal at 200 mg/kg BW dose to assess the potential preventive effect of thymoquinone (TQ) and curcumin (Cur) against the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal. Other than the control, vehicle, and D-gal groups, the TQ and Cur treated groups were orally supplemented at 20 mg/kg BW of each alone or combined. TQ and Cur effectively suppressed the oxidative alterations induced by D-gal in brain and heart tissues. The TQ and Cur combination significantly decreased the elevated necrosis in the brain and heart by D-gal. It significantly reduced brain caspase 3, calbindin, and calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1), heart caspase 3, and BCL2. Expression of mRNA of the brain and heart TP53, p21, Bax, and CASP-3 were significantly downregulated in the TQ and Cur combination group along with upregulation of BCL2 in comparison with the D-gal group. Data suggested that the TQ and Cur combination is a promising approach in aging prevention. 
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Heat Shock Protein B8
The Heat Shock Protein B8 (HSPB8) is a small chaperone involved in chaperone-assisted selective autophagy (CASA). CASA promotes the selective degradation of proteins to counteract cell stress such as tumor-induced stress. HSPB8 is also involved in (i) the cell division machinery regulating chromosome segregation and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and (ii) inflammation regulating dendritic cell maturation and cytokine production. HSPB8 expression and role are tumor-specific, showing a dual and opposite role.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Signal Peptide-CUB-EGF Domain-Containing Protein in Cancer
Signal peptide, CUB, and EGF-like domain-containing proteins (SCUBE) are secretory cell surface glycoproteins that play key roles in the developmental process. SCUBE proteins participate in the progression of several diseases, including cancer, and are recognized for their oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions depending on the cellular context. SCUBE proteins promote cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, or metastasis, stemness or self-renewal, and drug resistance. The association of SCUBE with other proteins alters the expression of signaling pathways, including Hedgehog, Notch, TGF-β/Smad2/3, and β-catenin. Further, SCUBE proteins function as potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Sep 2022
Topic Review
PPAR Ligands in Viral Infections
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs), belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, are transcription factors playing well-established roles in several metabolic pathways in the organism, including lipid and glucose metabolism, energetic homeostasis, cell differentiation and proliferation. Since their discovery, a body of knowledge has been collected on them, and the three receptor subtypes (PPARα, PPARγ, PPARβ/δ) have attracted a great deal of efforts by medicinal chemists to identify novel drugs targeting the metabolism. PPAR agonists, antagonists, and modulators represent important pharmacological tools to induce beneficial therapeutic effects in metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and others.
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Types of Histone Post-Translational Modifications
Abiotic stresses profoundly alter plant growth and development, resulting in yield losses. Plants have evolved adaptive mechanisms to combat these challenges, triggering intricate molecular responses to maintain tissue hydration and temperature stability during stress. A pivotal player in this defense is histone modification, governing gene expression in response to diverse environmental cues. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of histone tails, including acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation, regulate transcription, DNA processes, and stress-related traits.
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Plant-Associated Burkholderia Species
The genus Burkholderia belongs to the subphylum of β-proteobacteria and encompasses Gram-negative bacterial species with high genetic versatility and adaptability to various ecological niches.
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D May Protect against Breast Cancer
In general, the protective effect of vitamin D3 against breast cancer is underlined by inhibition of proliferation and migration, stimulation of differentiation and apoptosis, and inhibition of epithelial/mesenchymal transition in breast cells. Vitamin D3 may also inhibit the transformation of normal mammary progenitors into breast cancer stem cells that initiate and sustain the growth of breast tumors. As long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in breast cancer pathogenesis, and the specific mechanisms underlying this role are poorly understood, we provided several arguments that vitamin D3/VDR may induce protective effects in breast cancer through modulation of lncRNAs that are important for breast cancer pathogenesis.
  • 1.0K
  • 01 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Metabolic Reprogramming in Sickle Cell Diseases
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Chronic anemia, hemolysis, and vasculopathy are associated with SCD, and their role has been well characterized. These symptoms stem from hemoglobin (Hb) polymerization, which is the primary event in the molecular pathogenesis of SCD and contributes to erythrocyte or red blood cell (RBC) sickling, stiffness, and vaso-occlusion. The disease is caused by a mutation at the sixth position of the β-globin gene, coding for sickle Hb (HbS) instead of normal adult Hb (HbA), which under hypoxic conditions polymerizes into rigid fibers to distort the shapes of the RBCs. Only a few therapies are available, with the universal effectiveness of recently approved therapies still being monitored. 
  • 1.0K
  • 18 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Bone in Inherited Endocrine Tumors
Endocrine tumors are neoplasms originating from specialized hormone-secreting cells. They can develop as sporadic tumors, caused by somatic mutations, or in the context of familial Mendelian inherited diseases. Congenital forms, manifesting as syndromic or non-syndromic diseases, are caused by germinal heterozygote autosomal dominant mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Aug 2021
Topic Review
ICIs for HCC treatment
Immunotherapies are promising approaches for treating hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) refractory to conventional therapies. However, a recent clinical trial of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revealed that anti-tumor responses to ICIs are not satisfactory in HCC cases. Therefore, it is critical to identify molecular markers to predict outcome and develop novel combination therapies that enhance the efficacy of ICIs. Recently, several attempts have been made to classify HCC based on genome, epigenome, and transcriptome analyses. These molecular classifications are characterized by unique clinical and histological features of HCC, as well immune phenotype. For example, HCCs exhibiting gene expression patterns with proliferation signals and stem cell markers are associated with the enrichment of immune infiltrates in tumors, suggesting immune-proficient characteristics for this type of HCC. However, the presence of activating mutations in β-catenin represents a lack of immune infiltrates and refractoriness to ICIs. Although the precise mechanism that links the immunological phenotype with molecular features remains controversial, it is conceivable that alterations of oncogenic cellular signaling in cancer may lead to the expression of immune-regulatory molecules and result in the acquisition of specific immunological microenvironments for each case of HCC. Therefore, these molecular and immune characteristics should be considered for the management of HCC using immunotherapy.
  • 1.0K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
ROS in Acute Hypoxia
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are series of chemical products originated from one or several electron reductions of oxygen. ROS are involved in physiology and disease and can also be both cause and consequence of many biological scenarios. Mitochondria are the main source of ROS in the cell and, particularly, the enzymes in the electron transport chain are the major contributors to this phenomenon
  • 1.0K
  • 16 May 2021
Topic Review
Biosynthesis of hFA and hFA-SL
Sphingolipids containing fatty acid (acyl) residues that are hydroxylated at position C-2 (2-hydroxylated sphingolipids) are found in most, possibly all, eukaryotes and certain bacteria. 2-hydroxylated sphingolipids are present in many organs and cell types, though they are especially abundant in myelin and skin. The enzyme fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H in mammals or its orthologs in other classes) is involved in the synthesis of many but not all 2-hydroxylated sphingolipids in eukaryotes. Deficiency in FA2H causes a neurodegenerative disease known as hereditary spastic paraplegia 35 (HSP35/SPG35) or fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration (FAHN). FA2H likely also plays a role in other diseases, for example in different types of cancer. 
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Mar 2023
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