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Topic Review
Transposon
Transposons are sequences of DNA that can move around to different positions within the genome of a single cell, a process called transposition. In the process, they can cause mutations and change the amount of DNA in the genome. Transposons are also called "jumping genes" or "mobile genetic elements". Discovered by Barbara McClintock early in her career, the topic went on to be a Nobel winning work in 1983. There are a variety of mobile genetic elements, and they can be grouped based on their mechanism of transposition. Class I mobile genetic elements, or retrotransposons, move in the genome by being transcribed to RNA and then back to DNA by reverse transcriptase, while class II mobile genetic elements move directly from one position to another within the genome using a transposase to "cut and paste" them within the genome. Transposons are very useful to researchers as a means to alter DNA inside of a living organism. Transposons make up a large fraction of genome sizes which is evident through the C-values of eukaryotic species. As an example about 45% of the human genome is composed of transposons and their defunct remnants.
  • 2.1K
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
The receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a large family of cell-surface receptors, which are essential components of signal transduction pathways. There are more than fifty human RTKs that can be grouped into multiple RTK subfamilies. RTKs mediate cellular signaling transduction, and they play important roles in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. The dysregulation of RTK signaling is related to various human diseases, including cancers. The proteolytic cleavage phenomenon has frequently been found among multiple receptor tyrosine kinases. More and more information about proteolytic cleavage in RTKs has been discovered, providing rich insight.
  • 2.1K
  • 16 May 2021
Topic Review
Polyploidy in Evolution
Polyploidy or whole-genome duplication (WGD) is widespread in nature, agriculture and aquaculture, normal physiology, regeneration, aging, and pathology. WGD results from the premature termination of the cell cycle or cell fusion. If WGD occurs in germ cells, the progeny organisms become completely polyploid, if in somatic cells, the somatic polyploidy arises in certain tissues of a given organism. Polyploidization leads to long-term consequences both in evolution (organismal) and ontogenesis (somatic). In evolution, WGD is one of the main sources for the growth of organismal complexity and evolutionary plasticity
  • 2.1K
  • 08 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Suture Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Suture mesenchymal stem cells (SuSCs), a heterogeneous stem cell population, belong to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or skeletal stem cells (SSCs), with the ability to self-renew and undergo multi-lineage differentiation. Unlike the well-established perivascular niche of SSCs in the long bone, stem cells of the cranial bone are generally located and confined within the cranial suture mesenchyme, subsequently defined as SuSCs. In the long bone, SSCs play an essential role in plenty of physiological processes, such as growth and development, life-long homeostasis, and fracture healing. Similarly, as the major stem cell population of cranial bones, the physiological significance of SuSCs is undoubted and self-evident. 
  • 2.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Photodynamic Therapy: Principles and Reaction Mechanisms
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a two-stage treatment that implies the use of light energy, oxygen, and light-activated compounds (photosensitizers) to elicit cancerous and precancerous cell death after light activation (phototoxicity). The biophysical, bioengineering aspects and its combinations with other strategies are highlighted herein, both conceptually and as they are currently applied clinically. Advancements of PDT with the use of nanotechnology are further explored, including quantum dots as innovative photosensitizers or energy donors as well as the combination of PDT with radiotherapy and immunotherapy as future promising cancer treatments. Finally, the potential significance of organoids as physiologically relevant models for PDT has been emphasized.
  • 2.1K
  • 26 Jan 2024
Topic Review
BH3-Only Proteins Noxa and Puma in Apoptosis Regulation
Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated cell death pathway. Physiological cell death is important for maintaining homeostasis and optimal biological conditions by continuous elimination of undesired or superfluous cells. The BH3-only pro-apoptotic members are strong inducers of apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Noxa activates multiple death pathways by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family protein, Mcl-1, and other protein members leading to Bax and Bak activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). On the other hand, Puma is induced by p53-dependent and p53-independent apoptotic stimuli in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, this protein is involved in several physiological and pathological processes, such as immunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Future heat shock research could disclose the effect of hyperthermia on both Noxa and BH3-only proteins. This suggests post-transcriptional mechanisms controlling the translation of both Puma and Noxa mRNA in heat-shocked cells. 
  • 2.1K
  • 10 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Tubulin Code in Mitosis
Mitosis relies on the critical contribution of microtubules, as well as several microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and motors, to regulate several key mechanisms underlying the faithful segregation of the genetic material during cell division. The mitotic spindle is an anisotropic and highly heterogeneous structure, with dynamic astral microtubules essentially tyrosinated, in contrast with more stable microtubule subpopulations, such as kinetochore and a fraction of interpolar microtubules, which accumulate detyrosinated, Δ2, acetylated and polyglutamylated tubulin.
  • 2.1K
  • 06 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Immunogenic Cell Death
Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a type of death, which has the hallmarks of necroptosis and apoptosis, and is best characterized in malignant diseases.
  • 2.1K
  • 18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Dermal Fibroblasts
Scarring and regeneration are two physiologically opposite endpoints to skin injuries, with mammals, including humans, typically healing wounds with fibrotic scars. We aim to provide an updated review on fibroblast heterogeneity as determinants of the scarring–regeneration continuum. We discuss fibroblast-centric mechanisms that dictate scarring–regeneration continua with a focus on intercellular and cell–matrix adhesion. Improved understanding of fibroblast lineage-specific mechanisms and how they determine scar severity will ultimately allow for the development of antiscarring therapies and the promotion of tissue regeneration.
  • 2.1K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Regulation of CD36 Expression and Activity in Cancer
Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a cell surface scavenger receptor that plays critical roles in many different types of cancer, notably breast, brain, and ovarian cancers. While it is arguably most well-known for its fatty acid uptake functions, it is also involved in regulating cellular adhesion, immune response, and apoptosis depending on the cellular and environmental contexts.
  • 2.0K
  • 15 Jun 2023
Topic Review
CLIP
CLIP (cross-linking immunoprecipitation) is a method used in molecular biology that combines UV cross-linking with immunoprecipitation in order to analyse protein interactions with RNA or to precisely locate RNA modifications (e.g. m6A). CLIP-based techniques can be used to map RNA binding protein binding sites or RNA modification sites of interest on a genome-wide scale, thereby increasing the understanding of post-transcriptional regulatory networks.
  • 2.0K
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondria and Ageing
Declining mitochondrial function, reflected in defects in ATP synthesis and increased generation of toxic reactive oxygen species is a universal feature of natural ageing. It accompanies the other hallmarks of ageing which include progressive loss of function in multiple organs, sarcopenia and increasing maladaptive low-grade inflammation. These end in death, which is a cumulative result of loss of function, leading to either increased vulnerability to environmental hazards such as predation and disease or to failure of critical organ systems such as the heart, liver or kidney. Several processes that may contribute mechanistically to age related degeneration have been identified, including oxidative damage, accumulation of toxic protein aggregates, autoinflammatory processes, loss of stem cell populations and an increasing load of malfunctional senescent cells.  Mitochondrial dysfunction has connections with each of these processes.  The following is a brief overview of some of these connections.
  • 2.0K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Estrogen Receptors in PCOS
Female infertility is mainly caused by ovulation disorders, which affect female reproduction and pregnancy worldwide, with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) being the most prevalent of these. PCOS is a frequent endocrine disease that is associated with abnormal function of the female sex hormone estrogen and estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogens mediate genomic effects through ERα and ERβ in target tissues. The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has recently been described as mediating the non-genomic signaling of estrogen. Changes in estrogen receptor signaling pathways affect cellular activities, such as ovulation; cell cycle phase; and cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Over the years, some selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have made substantial strides in clinical applications for subfertility with PCOS, such as tamoxifen and clomiphene, however the role of ER in PCOS still needs to be understood.
  • 2.0K
  • 02 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Cell Transdifferentiation and Reprogramming
Cell transdifferentiation and reprogramming refers to a group of approaches that allow researchers to halt/reverse the development of adult cells, or convert them one from one cell type to another. The manipulation of cell fate can be achieved by enrolling exogenous/artificial controls. The chemical/small molecule and regulatory components of transcription machinery serve as potential tools to execute cell transdifferentiation and have thereby uncovered new avenues for disease modeling and drug discovery. At the advanced stage, one can believe these methods can pave the way to develop efficient and sensitive gene therapy and regenerative medicine approaches.
  • 2.0K
  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Aquaporins and Female Reproductive System
Aquaporins constitute a group of water channel proteins located in numerous cell types. These are pore-forming transmembrane proteins, which mediate the specific passage of water molecules through membranes. It is well-known that water homeostasis plays a crucial role in different reproductive processes, e.g., oocyte transport, hormonal secretion, completion of successful fertilization, blastocyst formation, pregnancy, and birth. Further, aquaporins are involved in the process of spermatogenesis, and they have been reported to be involved during the storage of spermatozoa. It is noteworthy that aquaporins are relevant for the physiological function of specific parts in the female reproductive system.
  • 2.0K
  • 22 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Nephronectin
Nephronectin (NPNT) was originally identified as an ECM protein by two independent research groups in 2001. Brandenberger et al. reported NPNT to be involved in the embryonic development of the kidney, hence the name nephronectin (nephron: unit within the kidney; nectin: cellular adhesion proteins). Morimura and colleagues discovered the same protein to be associated with osteoblast differentiation, and named it preosteoblast epidermal growth factor-like repeat protein with meprin, A5 protein and receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase µ domain (POEM).
  • 2.0K
  • 08 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Piezo Channels in Bone
Mechanotransduction is an important process for living cells and tissues by which they experience and respond to mechanical stimuli. Cellular mechanotransduction is crucial for bone development and physiology, and abnormal cellular mechanotransduction leads to various bone diseases, including osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA). Piezo channels are mechanosensitive ion channels located in the cell membrane and function as key cellular mechanotransducers for converting mechanical stimuli into electrochemical signals. The Piezo channels play crucial roles in numerous physiological and pathological process by functioning as cellular mechanotransducers. Under mechanical stimuli, Piezo channels are opened to make cationic ions cross membrane, which promotes cellular mechanotransduction to adapt to the microenvironment.
  • 2.0K
  • 01 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Hallmarks of Senescence
Aging is a complex process characterized by an ongoing decline in physiological functions, leading to degenerative diseases and an increased probability of death. Cellular senescence has been typically considered as an anti-proliferative process; the chronic accumulation of senescent cells contributes to tissue dysfunction and aging. Recognizing the hallmarks of senescence is crucial for the research and development of therapies against aging.
  • 2.0K
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Thymic Epithelial Cells
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ derived from the endoderm of the 3rd pharyngeal pouch implicated in the maturation of thymocytes and, therefore, key for establishing the immune surveillance. This organ does not contain self-renewing lymphoid precursor cells and therefore, is colonized by lymphoid precursors coming either from the fetal liver through mesenchyme or from the adult bone marrow via the blood vessels [1]. Within the thymus, the developing thymocytes move throughout a 3D thymic epithelial (TE) network, interacting with the thymic epithelial cells (TECs) of two histologically different compartments: the cortex and the medulla [2].
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscle is composed of multinucleated, mature muscle cells (myofibers) responsible for contraction, and a resident pool of mononucleated muscle cell precursors (MCPs), that are maintained in a quiescent state in homeostatic conditions. Skeletal muscle is remarkable in its ability to adapt to mechanical constraints, a property referred as muscle plasticity and mediated by both MCPs and myofibers. This review summarizes recent insights into the mechanisms underlying nuclear force transmission in MCPs and myofibers. 
  • 2.0K
  • 11 Oct 2021
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