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Topic Review
Mitochondrial Electron Transport Pathway Components
All plants contain an alternative electron transport pathway (AP) in their mitochondria, consisting of the alternative oxidase (AOX) and type 2 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (ND) families, that are thought to play a role in controlling oxidative stress responses at the cellular level. These alternative electron transport components have been extensively studied in plants like Arabidopsis and stress inducible isoforms identified, but we know very little about them in the important crop plant chickpea. Previously we demonstrated AOX  activity in purified mitochondria from chickpea, identified the genes that encode the AOX isoforms and analysed their relative transcript levels. Here we do the same for NDs, and also explore the response of all AP gene transcripts to salinity stress in leaves of chickpea cultivars differing in their salinity response. A coordinated up-regulation of particular AP genes suggests that the mitochondrial alternative pathway of respiration is an important facet of the stress response in chickpea, in high Na accumulators in particular, despite high capacities for both of these activities in leaf mitochondria of non-stressed chickpeas.
  • 1.0K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Golgi's Role in Cancer Therapies
The Golgi apparatus is an important organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. It plays a vital role in the processing and sorting of proteins, lipids and other cellular components for delivery to their appropriate destinations within the cell or for secretion outside of the cell. The Golgi complex also plays a role in the regulation of protein trafficking, secretion and post-translational modifications, which are significant in the development and progression of cancer. Abnormalities in this organelle have been observed in various types of cancer, although research into chemotherapies that target the Golgi apparatus is still in its early stages.
  • 1.0K
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Selective COX-2 Inhibitors
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that leads to pain and is mainly characterized by cartilage degradation.
  • 1.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Aerobic Exercise-Induced Cardiac Regeneration
The leading cause of heart failure is cardiomyopathy and damage to the cardiomyocytes. Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes have the ability to regenerate, but this cannot wholly compensate for myocardial cell loss after myocardial injury. Studies have shown that exercise has a regulatory role in the activation and promotion of regeneration of healthy and injured adult cardiomyocytes. However, current research on the effects of aerobic exercise in myocardial regeneration is not comprehensive. This study discusses the relationships between aerobic exercise and the regeneration of cardiomyocytes with respect to complex molecular and cellular mechanisms, paracrine factors, transcriptional factors, signaling pathways, and microRNAs that induce cardiac regeneration. The topics discussed herein provide a knowledge base for physical activity-induced cardiomyocyte regeneration, in which exercise enhances overall heart function and improves the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation.
  • 1.0K
  • 04 Jan 2021
Topic Review
MRI function in Bone Microstructure
Bone microarchitecture has been shown to provide useful information regarding the evaluation of skeleton quality with an added value to areal bone mineral density, which can be used for the di-agnosis of several bone diseases. Bone mineral density estimated from dual-energy x-ray absorp-tiometry (DXA) has shown to be a limited tool to identify patients’ risk stratification and therapy delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proposed as another technique to assess bone quality and fracture risk by evaluating the bone structure and microarchitecture.
  • 1.0K
  • 15 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Secondary Metabolites of Sarraceniaceae Family
Carnivorous plants have fascinated researchers and hobbyists for centuries because of their mode of nutrition which is unlike that of other plants. They are able to produce bioactive compounds used to attract, capture and digest prey but also as a defense mechanism against microorganisms and free radicals. Darlingtonia, Heliamphora and Sarracenia plants are rich in compounds with potential pharmaceutical and medical uses. These belong to several classes such as flavonoids, with flavonol glycosides being the most abundant, monoterpenes, triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, alkaloids and others. Some of them are well characterized in terms of chemical properties and biological activity and have widespread commercial applications. Sarraceniaceae species contain numerous substances with the potential to advance health. 
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Aromatic Plants Metabolic Engineering
Secondary metabolites of aromatic plants are used in many health applications as drugs, pheromones, insecticides, fragrances, and antioxidants. Due to the huge commercial demand for these secondary metabolites, the need to overcome the insufficient productivity of aromatic plants has become a significant challenge. Plant breeding is a traditional, labor-intensive, and limited method to improve the ability of aromatic plants to produce secondary metabolites.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Controlling Gene Expression in Hypoxia
Hypoxia—reduction in oxygen availability—plays key roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Given the importance of oxygen for cell and organism viability, mechanisms to sense and respond to hypoxia are in place. A variety of enzymes utilise molecular oxygen, but of particular importance to oxygen sensing are the 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) dependent dioxygenases (2-OGDs). Of these, Prolyl-hydroxylases have long been recognised to control the levels and function of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF), a master transcriptional regulator in hypoxia, via their hydroxylase activity. However, recent studies are revealing that dioxygenases are involved in almost all aspects of gene regulation, including chromatin organisation, transcription and translation. We highlight the relevance of HIF and 2-OGDs in the control of gene expression in response to hypoxia and their relevance to human biology and health. 
  • 1.0K
  • 05 Mar 2021
Topic Review
NF-κB Inhibitor DHMEQ
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was discovered as a transcription factor interacting with the immunoglobulin enhancer sequences. Later it was shown to promote the expression of many inflammatory mediators and apoptosis inhibitory proteins. Therefore, it has been considered to be an attractive molecular target of inflammation therapy and cancer therapy. NF-κB is likely to be involved in the mechanism of most inflammatory diseases. Meanwhile, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) is a low molecular weight inhibitor of NF-κB, and its unique mechanisms of action have been elucidated.  It directly binds to and inactivates NF-κB components. It has been widely used to suppress cellular and animal inflammatory disease models and was shown to be potent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity without any toxicity.
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Interconversion, Turnover and Degradation of Chlorophyll
Chlorophylls (Chls, Chl a and Chl b) are tetrapyrrole molecules essential for photosynthetic light harvesting and energy transduction in plants. Once formed, Chls are noncovalently bound to photosynthetic proteins on the thylakoid membrane. In contrast, they are dismantled from photosystems in response to environmental changes or developmental processes; thus, they undergo interconversion, turnover, and degradation.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Pre-Molten, Wet, and Dry Molten Globules
Transitions between the unfolded and native states of the ordered globular proteins are accompanied by the accumulation of several intermediates, such as pre-molten globules, wet molten globules, and dry molten globules. Structurally equivalent conformations can serve as native functional states of intrinsically disordered proteins.
  • 1.0K
  • 17 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Non-Alkaloid Cholinesterase Inhibitory Compounds
The classes of cholinesterase inhibitors discussed here are mainly terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and coumarins, and some of these compounds have shown high potency. In order to consider which classes are most suitable, based on the benefits and drawbacks, certain structural features of each class will be of great importance. Using chalcones as an example, it is believed that besides economical and cost-effective production, small molecular size and flexibility for modifications to improve lipophilicity necessary for blood-brain barrier permeability are important to consider for a preferred potential therapeutic candidate for AD.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Alpha-Synuclein
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a small protein composed of 140 amino acids and belongs to the group of intrinsically disordered proteins. It is a soluble protein that is highly expressed in neurons and expressed at low levels in glial cells. The monomeric protein aggregation process induces the formation of oligomeric intermediates and proceeds towards fibrillar species. These α-syn conformational species have been detected in the extracellular space and mediate consequences on surrounding neurons and glial cells. In particular, higher-ordered α-syn aggregates are involved in microglial and oligodendrocyte activation, as well as in the induction of astrogliosis. These phenomena lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formation, and the induction of an inflammatory response, associated with neuronal cell death. Several receptors participate in cell activation and/or in the uptake of α-syn, which can vary depending on the α-syn aggregated state and cell types. The receptors involved in this process are of outstanding relevance because they may constitute potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of PD and related synucleinopathies.
  • 1.0K
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Clinical Applications of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) in Oncodermatology
Exposure to sun radiation leads to higher risk of sunburn, pigmentation, immunosuppression, photoaging and skin cancer. In addition to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), recent research indicates that infrared radiation (IR) and visible light (VIS) can play an important role in the pathogenesis of some of these processes. Detrimental effects associated with sun exposure are well known, but new studies have shown that DNA damage continues to occur long after exposure to solar radiation has ended. Regarding photoprotection strategies, natural substances are emerging for topical and oral photoprotection. In this sense, Fernblock®, a standardized aqueous extract of the fern Polypodium Leucotomos (PLE), has been widely administered both topically and orally with a strong safety profile. Thus, this extract has been used extensively in clinical practice, including as a complement to photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating actinic keratoses (AKs) and field cancerization.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Trefoil Factor Family (TFF) Peptides
Trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides mainly consist of characteristic TFF domains, which contain about 40 amino acid residues, including 6 conserved cysteine residues. TFF peptides possess a single (mammalian TFF1 and TFF3), two (mammalian TFF2, Xenopus laevis xP2) or four TFF domains (X. laevis xP4). They exhibit lectin activities and are characteristic exocrine products of the mucous epithelia. Here, they play different roles for mucosal protection and the innate immune defense: TFF1 is a gastric tumor suppressor; TFF2 builds a lectin complex with the mucin MUC6, physically stabilizing the inner gastric mucus layer; and TFF3 forms a disulfide-linked heterodimer with IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP), probably preventing the infiltration of microorganisms. Minor amounts of TFF peptides are endocrine products of the immune and nervous systems. Pathologically, TFF peptides are linked to inflammation. There are increasing indications that TFF peptides can antagonize cytokine receptors, such as receptors for IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα (thereby acting as anti-inflammatory peptides). TFF peptides can probably also activate a variety of receptors, such as CXCR4. The TFF domain is a unique shuffled module which is also present in a number of mosaic proteins, such as zona pellucida proteins, sugar degrading enzymes and frog skin mucins. Here, their function seems to be defined by a lectin activity, which might even allow a role in fertilization.
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Waste Clearing in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells
Waste clearing in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells includes proteasomal degradation, heterophagy, macroautophagy and mitophagy. Exosomes can also be involved in waste removal in RPE cells. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is mainly responsible for degradation of damaged or no longer needed proteins. Autophagy can degrade damaged organelle and may also take a part in degradation proteins when other clearance processes are failed. RPE cells phagocytose used photoreceptors outer segments (POS) with their subsequent autophagy-lysosomal degradation. 
  • 1.0K
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Leptin and Its Involvement in Pathology
Excess body weight is frequently associated with low-grade inflammation. Evidence indicates a relationship between obesity and cancer, as well as with other diseases, such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in which inflammation and the actions of various adipokines play a role in the pathological mechanisms involved in these disorders. Leptin is mainly produced by adipose tissue in proportion to fat stores, it is also synthesized in other organs, where leptin receptors are expressed.
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Exogenous Response Heal Promoting Bone
Bone damage leading to bone loss can arise from a wide range of causes, including those intrinsic to individuals such as infections or diseases with metabolic (diabetes), genetic (osteogenesis imperfecta), and/or age-related (osteoporosis) etiology, or extrinsic ones coming from external insults such as trauma or surgery. Although bone tissue has an intrinsic capacity of self-repair, large bone defects often require anabolic treatments targeting bone formation process and/or bone grafts, aiming to restore bone loss. The current bone surrogates used for clinical purposes are autologous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic bone grafts, which although effective imply a number of limitations: the need to remove bone from another location in the case of autologous transplants and the possibility of an immune rejection when using allogeneic or xenogeneic grafts.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Various Adeno-Associated Viruses Serotypes in Gene Therapy
Depending on their serotype, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) can have specific tropism for specific organs and tissues of the body. There are different AAV serotypes that vary in many aspects. A variety of AAV features have made it an appealing viral vector candidate to be used in gene therapy applications. 
  • 1.0K
  • 06 May 2023
Topic Review
Rac1 in Bladder Cancer
Bladder pathologies, very common in the aged population, have a considerable negative impact on quality of life. Novel targets are needed to design drugs and combinations to treat diseases such as overactive bladder and bladder cancers. A promising new target is the ubiquitous Rho GTPase Rac1, frequently dysregulated and overexpressed in bladder pathologies. Dysregulations of Rac signaling have been reported in atherosclerosis, neurodevelopmental disorders, rheumatic diseases, pulmonary hypertension and different types of cancers, including urothelial carcinoma. Protein Rac1 (RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (1) is considered a prime target to combat a variety of solid tumors and certain onco-hematological malignancies. 
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Jun 2022
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