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Topic Review
The Proteomics Toolbox to Study Compartmentalized cAMP Signalling
cAMP is a second messenger that regulates a myriad of cellular functions in response to multiple extracellular stimuli. New developments in the field have provided exciting insights into how cAMP utilizes compartmentalization to ensure specificity when the message conveyed to the cell by an extracellular stimulus is translated into the appropriate functional outcome. cAMP signaling uses different mechanisms, including protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and protein phosphorylation, to relay, process, and translate signals into cellular responses. cAMP signaling compartmentalization heavily relies on the formation of local signaling domains where cAMP signaling components involved in a specific cellular response cluster together. Within such domains, cAMP signals are translated into specific cellular responses via the phosphorylation of target proteins. As such, mapping the domain interaction landscape and defining the downstream phosphorylation events are the key aspects of compartmentalized signaling studies.
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Cytotoxic Alkaloids from Marine Sponges
Marine sponges (porifera) have proved to be a prolific source of unique bioactive secondary metabolites, among which the alkaloids occupy a special place in terms of unprecedented structures and outstanding biological activities. Identification of active cytotoxic alkaloids extracted from marine animals, particularly sponges, is an important strive, due to lack of knowledge on traditional experiential and ethnopharmacology investigations. In this report, a comprehensive survey of demospongian bioactive alkaloids in the range 1987–2020 had been performed with a special emphasis on the potent cytotoxic activity. Different resources and databases had been investigated, including Scifinder (database for the chemical literature) CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) search, web of science, Marin Lit (marine natural products research) database. More than 230 representatives of different classes of alkaloids had been reviewed and classified, different genera belonging to the phylum porifera had been shown to be a prolific source of alkaloidal molecules, including Agelas sp., Suberea sp., Mycale sp., Haliclona sp., Epipolasis sp., Monanchora sp., Crambe sp., Reniera sp., and Xestospongia sp., among others. The sufficient production of alkaloids derived from sponges is a prosperous approach that requires more attention in future studies to consider the constraints regarding the supply of drugs, attained from marine organisms.
  • 1.0K
  • 04 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Mammary Stem Cell
Normal mammary epithelial cells are heterogeneous and organized in hierarchical fashion, in which the mammary stem cells (MaSC) lie at the apex with regenerative capacity as well as plasticity.
  • 1.0K
  • 31 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Stress-associated Plant Acyl-CoA-binding Proteins
Plants are constantly exposed to environmental stresses during their growth and development. Owing to their immobility, plants possess stress-sensing abilities and adaptive responses to cope with the abiotic and biotic stresses caused by extreme temperatures, drought, flooding, salinity, heavy metals and pathogens. Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs), a family of conserved proteins among prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bind to a variety of acyl-CoA esters with different affinities and play a role in the transport and maintenance of subcellular acyl-CoA pools. In plants, studies have revealed ACBP functions in development and stress responses through their interactions with lipids and protein partners.
  • 1.0K
  • 03 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Relationships between N-Glycosylation and Disulfide Bonds
N-Glycosylation (NG) and disulfide bonds (DBs) are two prevalent co/post-translational modifications (PTMs) that are often conserved and coexist in membrane and secreted proteins involved in a large number of diseases. Both in the past and in recent times, the enzymes and chaperones regulating these PTMs have been constantly discovered to directly interact with each other or colocalize in the ER. However, beyond a few model proteins, how such cooperation affects N-glycan modification and disulfide bonding at selective sites in individual proteins is largely unknown. More investigations should be encouraged to unveil the hidden relationships of NG and DBs in the majority of membranes and secreted proteins for pathophysiological understanding and biotherapeutic development. 
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Characteristics of Pyroptosis
Pyroptosis is an active and ordered form of programmed cell death. The signaling pathways of pyroptosis are mainly divided into canonical pathways mediated by caspase-1 and noncanonical pathways mediated by caspase-11. Cell pyroptosis is characterized by the activation of inflammatory caspases (mainly caspase-1, 4, 5, 11) and cleavage of various members of the Gasdermin family to form membrane perforation components, leading to cell membrane rupture, inflammatory mediators release, and cell death. Moderate pyroptosis is an innate immune response that fights against infection and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of the normal function of the immune system.
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Structural Characteristics, Classification, and Nomenclature of Glycosphingolipids
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a glycolipid subtype which plays vital roles in numerous biological processes, cell–cell interactions, as well as oncogenesis and ontogenesis. They are ubiquitous molecules found mostly in cell membranes.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Sep 2023
Topic Review
MiRNAs in Pregnant Corpus Luteum
Recent scientific developments in understanding the lifespan of the corpus luteum provided new insights into dynamic molecular changes occurring during transition of this fascinating endocrine gland into the organ supporting pregnancy. Processes such as oocyte-sperm interaction, preparation of the uterus for implantation, blastocyst attachment, and successful gestation are mainly driven by progesterone, a steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum. Inadequate production of progesterone has been described in several mammals, including humans, as luteal phase deficiency, a condition in which endogenous progesterone is insufficient to support pregnancy. Thus, it is essential to extend knowledge about the molecular mechanisms controlling the function of the corpus luteum. Unfortunately, still there is a lack of data explaining the regulation of core molecules responsible for the maintenance of luteal function. Recent studies shed a new light on the molecular mechanisms supporting luteal function, involving microRNAs.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
A Promiscuous Bacterial P450
CYP102A1 (BM3) is a catalytically self-sufficient flavocytochrome fusion protein isolated from Bacillus megaterium, which displays similar metabolic capabilities to many drug-metabolizing human P450 isoforms. BM3′s high catalytic efficiency, ease of production and malleable active site makes the enzyme a desirable tool in the production of small molecule metabolites, especially for compounds that exhibit drug-like chemical properties. The engineering of select key residues within the BM3 active site vastly expands the catalytic repertoire, generating variants which can perform a range of modifications. This provides an attractive alternative route to the production of valuable compounds that are often laborious to synthesize via traditional organic means. 
  • 1.0K
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Circadian Rhythm Influences Insulin Secretion
In the intestine, the expression of sodium-glucose transport protein 1 (SGLT-1) has a rhythmic cycle, which is increased when the glucose intake is anticipated. Similar mechanisms regulate insulin secretion. Besides being regulated by glucose levels and incretins, its exocytosis also has a circadian regulation, possibly because incretins also have a circadian rhythm themselves.
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Dec 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
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
Autophagy and Flavonoids
Autophagy, which is a conserved biological process and essential mechanism in maintaining homeostasis and metabolic balance, enables cells to degrade cytoplasmic constituents through lysosomes, recycle nutrients, and survive during starvation. Autophagy exerts an anticarcinogenic role in normal cells and inhibits the malignant transformation of cells. On the other hand, aberrations in autophagy are involved in gene derangements, cell metabolism, the process of tumor immune surveillance, invasion and metastasis, and tumor drug-resistance. Therefore, autophagy-targeted drugs may function as anti-tumor agents. Accumulating evidence suggests that flavonoids have anticarcinogenic properties, including those relating to cellular proliferation inhibition, the induction of apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, cell cycle arrest, senescence, the impairment of cell migration, invasion, tumor angiogenesis, and the reduction of multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Flavonoids, which are a group of natural polyphenolic compounds characterized by multiple targets that participate in multiple pathways, have been widely studied in different models for autophagy modulation. However, flavonoid-induced autophagy commonly interacts with other mechanisms, comprehensively influencing the anticancer effect. Accordingly, targeted autophagy may become the core mechanism of flavonoids in the treatment of tumors.
  • 1.0K
  • 05 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Metabolomics
The use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) for structure determination and the quantification of small molecules has a long history in successfully characterizing the chemical composition of biological systems. One of the earliest applications of NMR included the use of 31P and 13C NMR to monitor the energetic and redox status of cells and tissues. While these studies demonstrated the value of NMR for metabolism, a renaissance occurred with the emergence of metabolomics in the early 2000s. Metabolomics is defined as the broad range analysis of measurable small molecules in biological samples. 
  • 1.0K
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
ER Stress with Rhinologic Diseases
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has already been correlated with various diseases through many studies. In the rhinologic field, the relationship between ER stress in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) associated with chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) and inflammatory diseases such as chronic rhinosimusitis (CRS) or allergic rhinitis (AR) has been relatively studied. The role of ER stress in the development of AR is related to Type 2 allergic immune responses, similar to that in asthma, and some are also related to non-Th2 immune responses. ER stress may be involved in various pathways that cause chronic inflammation in CRS. CIH—the main pathological mechanism of OSA—induces ER stress that impacts the heart, brain, and liver to increase OSA-related morbidity. Therefore, targeting the pathophysiological mechanisms in diseases such as AR, CRS, or OSA by appropriately managing ER stress could be utilized as new therapeutic strategy.
  • 1.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Histone Deacetylases and Their Inhibitors in Ischemic Stroke
Cerebral ischemia is the second leading cause of death in the world and multimodal stroke therapy is needed. The ischemic stroke generally reduces the gene expression due to suppression of acetylation of histones H3 and H4. Histone deacetylases inhibitors have been shown to be effective in protecting the brain from ischemic damage. Histone deacetylases inhibitors induce neurogenesis and angiogenesis in damaged brain areas promoting functional recovery after cerebral ischemia.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Gastrointestinal Disorders Involving ICCs and the ENS
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is organized into two plexuses—submucosal and myenteric—which regulate smooth muscle contraction, secretion, and blood flow along the gastrointestinal tract under the influence of the rest of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are mainly located in the submucosa between the two muscle layers and at the intramuscular level. They communicate with neurons of the enteric nerve plexuses and smooth muscle fibers and generate slow waves that contribute to the control of gastrointestinal motility. They are also involved in enteric neurotransmission and exhibit mechanoreceptor activity. A close relationship appears to exist between oxidative stress and gastrointestinal diseases, in which ICCs can play a prominent role. Thus, gastrointestinal motility disorders in patients with neurological diseases may have a common ENS and central nervous system (CNS) nexus. In fact, the deleterious effects of free radicals could affect the fine interactions between ICCs and the ENS, as well as between the ENS and the CNS.
  • 1.0K
  • 25 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Dietary Phytochemicals in Skin Cancer
Human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available, and well tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy. Moreover, dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. Herein, we discuss the advantages of key dietary phytochemicals in whole fruits and vegetables, their bioavailability, and underlying molecular mechanisms for preventing skin cancer. Current challenges and future prospects for research are also reviewed. To date, most of the chemoprevention investigations have been conducted preclinically, and additional clinical trials are required to conform and validate the preclinical results in humans.
  • 1.0K
  • 27 May 2021
Topic Review
Licorice Extracts Pharmacological Interventions for COVID-19
In order to contribute to the mitigation of COVID-19 symptoms, the pharmaceutical industry aims to develop antiviral drugs to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication and produce anti-inflammatory medications that will inhibit the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is the primary cause of mortality among the COVID-19 patients.  Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which belongs to the shrub category, whose phytochemicals have shown antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties through previous studies. Phytochemicals from many other medicinal plants are also known to have similar properties, such as Sambucus nigarac, Desmodium canadense, Lamiaceae family, Asteraceae, Geraniaceae, etc. but licorice has explicitly been suggested due to its: (i) considerable antiviral property against several viruses, including SARS-CoV, (ii) strong anti-inflammatory property, which has been observed in many rat model studies, (iii) autophagy-enhancing mechanism, (iv) established use in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicines, and (v) wide distribution.
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Hydroxytyrosol and Arginine
Phytochemicals from plant extracts are becoming increasingly popular in the world of food science and technology because they have positive effects on human health. In particular, several bioactive foods and dietary supplements are being investigated as potential treatments for chronic COVID. Hydroxytyrosol (HXT) is a natural antioxidant, found in olive oil, with antioxidant anti-inflammatory properties that has been consumed by humans for centuries without reported adverse effects.
  • 1.0K
  • 18 May 2023
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