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Topic Review
Biomarkers of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is very complex and heterogeneous. If not adequately treated, RA patients are likely to manifest excess of morbidity and disability with an important impact on the quality of life. Pharmacological treatment is based on the administration of the disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), subdivided into conventional synthetic (csDMARDs), targeted synthetic (tsDMARDs), and biological (bDMARDs). bDMARDs are now frequently administered in patients, both as alternative treatment and together with csDMARDs. Unfortunately, there is a therapeutic response variability both to old and new drugs. 
  • 995
  • 17 Feb 2021
Topic Review
DodecaRNAs (doRNAs)
DodecaRNAs (doRNAs) are a family of unusually short RNAs mapping to ribosomal RNA 5.8S, which were named according to the number of core nucleotides (12 nt) their members contain.
  • 995
  • 05 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Role of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Liver Diseases
Chronic liver diseases pose a substantial health burden worldwide, with approximately two million deaths each year. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—valine, leucine, and isoleucine—are a group of essential amino acids that are essential for human health. Despite the necessity of a dietary intake of BCAA, emerging data indicate the undeniable correlation between elevated circulating BCAA levels and chronic liver diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 
  • 995
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Maturation of Mitochondrial [4Fe-4S]-Containing Proteins
The importance of mitochondria in mammalian cells is widely known. Several biochemical reactions and pathways take place within mitochondria: among them, there are those involving the biogenesis of the iron–sulfur (Fe-S) clusters. The latter are evolutionarily conserved, ubiquitous inorganic cofactors, performing a variety of functions, such as electron transport, enzymatic catalysis, DNA maintenance, and gene expression regulation. The synthesis and distribution of Fe-S clusters are strictly controlled cellular processes that involve several mitochondrial proteins that specifically interact each other to form a complex machinery (Iron Sulfur Cluster assembly machinery, ISC machinery hereafter). This machinery ensures the correct assembly of both [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters and their insertion in the mitochondrial target proteins. 
  • 995
  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Mycophenolate
Microbiota is involved in the host blood pressure (BP) regulation. The immunosuppressive drug mofetil mycophenolate (MMF) ameliorates hypertension. The present study analyzed whether MMF improves dysbiosis in mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension. Male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: untreated (CTR), deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt, and DOCA treated with MMF for 4 weeks. MMF treatment reduced systolic BP, improved endothelial dysfunction, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in aorta. A clear separation in the gut bacterial community between CTR and DOCA groups was found, whereas the cluster belonging to DOCA-MMF group was found to be intermixed. No changes were found at the phylum level among all experimental groups. MMF restored the elevation in lactate-producing bacteria found in DOCA-salt joined to an increase in the acetate-producing bacteria. MMF restored the percentage of anaerobic bacteria in the DOCA-salt group to values similar to control rats. The improvement of gut dysbiosis was associated with an enhanced colonic integrity and a decreased sympathetic drive in the gut. MMF inhibited neuroinflammation in the paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus.
  • 995
  • 15 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Cardiac Mitochondria
Mitochondria are organelles responsible for energy production and various other functions in eukaryotes. In the heart, mitochondria are of pivotal importance due to cardiomyocytes' intrinsic high energy needs. 
  • 994
  • 22 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Carbon Dots-Based Logic Gates
Carbon dots (CDs)-based logic gates are smart nanoprobes that can respond to various analytes such as metal cations, anions, amino acids, pesticides, antioxidants, etc. Most of these logic gates are based on fluorescence techniques because they are inexpensive, give an instant response, and highly sensitive
  • 993
  • 24 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Implications of One-Carbon and Polyamine Metabolism for Cancer
Cancer metabolic reprogramming is essential for maintaining cancer cell survival and rapid replication. A common target of this metabolic reprogramming is one-carbon metabolism which is notable for its function in DNA synthesis, protein and DNA methylation, and antioxidant production. Polyamines are a key output of one-carbon metabolism with widespread effects on gene expression and signaling. One-carbon metabolism includes the methionine cycle, which is linked to the folate cycle, polyamine synthesis, and the trans-sulphuration pathway. 
  • 993
  • 17 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Anti-RAS-p21 Peptides from Expression Libraries
X-ray crystallographic structures of wild-type and oncogenic RAS-p21 bound to GDP and GTP suggested that there is an absence of surface-exposed clefts to which drug molecules can bind, suggesting that RAS-p21 may be “undruggable”. This impression has proved false by a series of studies that have resulted in a number of cyclic peptides and small molecules that bind to mutant RAS-p21 proteins in their switch 2 domains in a binding “pocket” involving the switch 2 loop (residues 55–67) and the α-2 helix (residues 67–73). This binding is very much dependent on the specific amino acid substitutions that occur. When these agents bind, they strongly inhibit either GTP-bound RAS-p21 or GDP-RAS-p21. In the former case, GTP-bound RAS-p21 cannot bind to the RBD of ras, and in the latter case, GDP-bound RAS-p21 is “frozen” in an inactivated state such that it cannot exchange GDP for GTP and, since it cannot bind to GTP, it cannot adopt an activated conformation in which it presumably interacts with RAF.
  • 993
  • 29 May 2023
Topic Review
Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as an environmental toxin, is now confirmed to be a biological mediator and plays essential roles in normal physiology and in the responses to different stresses. H2S also regulates the responses to oxidative stress by interplaying with reactive oxygen species (ROS) at multiple levels and protects mitochondrial function, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
  • 993
  • 12 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Phytochrome-Interacting Proteins
Phytochromes are photoreceptors of plants, fungi, slime molds bacteria and heterokonts. These biliproteins sense red and far-red light and undergo light-induced changes between the two spectral forms, Pr and Pfr. Photoconversion triggered by light induces conformational changes in the bilin chromophore around the ring C-D-connecting methine bridge and is followed by conformational changes in the protein. For plant phytochromes, multiple phytochrome interacting proteins that mediate signal transduction, nuclear translocation or protein degradation have been identified. Few interacting proteins are known as bacterial or fungal phytochromes.
  • 993
  • 10 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Siglec-8
Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) are single-pass cell surface receptors that have inhibitory activities on immune cells. Among these, Siglec-8 is a CD33-related family member selectively expressed on human mast cells and eosinophils, and at low levels on basophils.
  • 992
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
UPS and Ca2+ Signaling
The ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) is the main proteolytic pathway by which damaged target proteins are degraded after ubiquitination and the recruit of ubiquitinated proteins, thus regulating diverse physiological functions and the maintenance in various tissues and cells. The UPS and Ca2+ signaling are interconnected, since each affects the other. The interconnected nature of these signals plays a critical role in regulating cellular functions. 
  • 992
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Placental Lactogen
Placental lactogen (PL) is a peptide hormone classified as a member of a growth hormone gene family. PL is secreted throughout pregnancy by both animal and human specialized endocrine cells. It is involved in the regulation of a range of gestational adaptations.
  • 991
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
P43
P43 is a truncated form of thyroid hormone receptor α localized in mitochondria, which stimulates mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Previously, we showed that deletion of p43 led to reduction of pancreatic islet density and a loss of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in adult mice. The present study was designed to determine whether p43 was involved in the processes of β cell development and maturation. We used neonatal, juvenile, and adult p43-/- mice, and we analyzed the development of β cells in the pancreas. Here, we show that p43 deletion affected only slightly β cell proliferation during the postnatal period. However, we found a dramatic fall in p43-/- mice of MafA expression (V-Maf Avian Musculoaponeurotic Fibrosarcoma Oncogene Homolog A), a key transcription factor of beta-cell maturation. Analysis of the expression of antioxidant enzymes in pancreatic islet and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) (a specific marker of lipid peroxidation) staining revealed that oxidative stress occurred in mice lacking p43. Lastly, administration of antioxidants cocktail to p43-/- pregnant mice restored a normal islet density but failed to ensure an insulin secretion in response to glucose. Our findings demonstrated that p43 drives the maturation of β cells via its induction of transcription factor MafA during the critical postnatal window.
  • 991
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
High-Density Lipoproteins
The quantity of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is represented as the serum HDL-C concentration (mg/dL), while the HDL quality manifests as the diverse features of protein and lipid content, extent of oxidation, and extent of glycation. The HDL functionality represents several performance metrics of HDL, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol efflux activities. The quantity and quality of HDL can change during one’s lifetime, depending on infection, disease, and lifestyle, such as dietary habits, exercise, and smoking. The quantity of HDL can change according to age and gender, such as puberty, middle-aged symptoms, climacteric, and the menopause. HDL-C can decrease during disease states, such as acute infection, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune disease, while it can be increased by regular aerobic exercise and healthy food consumption. Generally, high HDL-C at the normal level is associated with good HDL quality and functionality. 
  • 991
  • 16 May 2022
Topic Review
Biomarker Detection in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer, with 1.4 million new cases and over 700,000 deaths per annum. Despite being one of the most common cancers, few molecular approaches to detect CRC exist. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a known serum biomarker that is used in CRC for monitoring disease recurrence or response to treatment. However, it can also be raised in multiple benign conditions, thus having no value in early detection or screening for CRC. Molecular biomarkers play an ever-increasing role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome prediction of disease, however, only a limited number of biomarkers are available and none are suitable for early detection and screening of CRC. A PCR-based Epi proColon® blood plasma test for the detection of methylated SEPT9 has been approved by the USFDA for CRC screening in the USA, alongside a stool test for methylated DNA from CRC cells. However, these are reserved for patients who decline traditional screening methods. There remains an urgent need for the development of non-invasive molecular biomarkers that are highly specific and sensitive to CRC and that can be used routinely for early detection and screening. A molecular approach to the discovery of CRC biomarkers focuses on the analysis of the transcriptome of cancer cells to identify differentially expressed genes and proteins. A systematic search of the literature yielded over 100 differentially expressed CRC molecular markers, of which the vast majority are overexpressed in CRC. In terms of function, they largely belong to biological pathways involved in cell division, regulation of gene expression, or cell proliferation, to name a few. 
  • 991
  • 05 May 2022
Topic Review
Natural Polyphenols and Cervical Cancer
From all types of cancer, cervical cancer manages to be in top four most frequent types, with a 6.5% rate of occurrence. The infectious vector that induces the disease, the high-risk Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted virus, is capable of transforming the host cell by modulating some of the principal signaling pathways responsible for cell cycle arrest, proliferation, and survival. Fortunately, like other cancer types, cervical cancer can be treated by chirurgical interventions or chemoradiotherapy, but these methods are not exactly the lucky clover of modern medicine because of the adverse effects they have. That is the reason why in the last years the emphasis has been on alternative medicine, more specifically on phytochemicals, as a substantial number of studies showed that diet contributes to cancer prevention and treatment. All these studies are trying to find new chemopreventive agents with less toxicity but high effectiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Polyphenols have great potential in cervical cancer prevention, with strong effects on gene modulation.
  • 990
  • 23 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Naturally Occurring Aristolochic Acid Analogues
Aristolochic acids are known for nephrotoxicity, and implicated in multiple cancer types such as hepatocellular carcinomas.
  • 990
  • 25 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Redox Homeostasis in Poultry
Redox biology is a very quickly developing area of modern biological sciences, and roles of redox homeostasis in health and disease have recently received tremendous attention. There are a range of redox pairs in the cells/tissues responsible for redox homeostasis maintenance/regulation. In general, all redox elements are interconnected and regulated by various means, including antioxidant and vitagene networks. The redox status is responsible for maintenance of cell signaling and cell stress adaptation. Physiological roles of redox homeostasis maintenance in avian species, including poultry, have received limited attention and are poorly characterized. However, for the last 5 years, this topic attracted much attention, and a range of publications covered some related aspects. In fact, transcription factor Nrf2 was shown to be a master regulator of antioxidant defenses via activation of various vitagenes and other protective molecules to maintain redox homeostasis in cells/tissues. It was shown that Nrf2 is closely related to another transcription factor, namely, NF-κB, responsible for control of inflammation; however, its roles in poultry have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe a current view on NF-κB functioning in poultry with a specific emphasis to its nutritional modulation under various stress conditions.
  • 989
  • 02 Feb 2021
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