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Topic Review
S100P-Induced Cell Migration and Metastasis
The presence of S100P protein in cancer cells is strongly associated with reduced survival times of patients suffering from a number of cancers. It has been shown previously that S100P is a potent inducer of metastasis in a model system and it is likely that this metastasis-inducing ability underlies its association with reduced patient survival. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in S100P-driven metastasis are only now beginning to be elucidated and the evidence points to S100P enhancing cell migration and cell invasion.  It is now shown that in the same cell system S100P enhances cell migration by two separate mechanisms. One pathway being intracellular, involves changes in the numbers of focal adhesions.  The second pathway occurs at the cell membrane and does not involve changes in the number of focal adhesions, but involves extracellular/membrane bound S100P and is inhibited by specific inhibitors of plasmin. Importantly, mutation of the C-terminal amino acid of S100P, not only abolishes both pathways, but also markedly reduces the metastasis-inducing ability of S100P, thus identifying a possible target for the reduction of S100P-induced metastasis.
  • 851
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Molecular Perspective on Sirtuin Activity
The protein acylation of either the α-amino groups of amino-terminal residues or of internal lysine or cysteine residues is one of the major posttranslational protein modifications that occur in the cell with repercussions at the protein as well as at the metabolome level. The lysine acylation status is determined by the opposing activities of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) and lysine deacetylases (KDACs), which add and remove acyl groups from proteins, respectively. A special group of KDACs, named sirtuins, that require NAD+ as a substrate has received particular attention in recent years. They play critical roles in metabolism, and their abnormal activity has been implicated in several diseases. Conversely, the modulation of their activity has been associated with protection from age-related cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and with increased longevity. The benefits of either activating or inhibiting these enzymes have turned sirtuins into attractive therapeutic targets, and considerable effort has been directed toward developing specific sirtuin modulators.
  • 850
  • 20 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Molybdoenzymes-Dependent Nitric Oxide Formation
Nitric oxide radical (NO) is a signalling molecule involved in several physiological and pathological processes and a new nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway has emerged as a physiological salvage pathway that operates under challenging conditions, when the "classic" L-arginine-dependent NO synthases are hindered. To catalyse the reduction of nitrite to NO, mammalian cells can use different metalloproteins that are present in cells to perform other functions (moonlighting). Among the so far identified ''non-dedicated nitrite reductases'', the molybdenum-containing enzymes stand out as very efficient NO synthases due to their well know ability to catalyse oxygen atom transfer reactions.
  • 850
  • 10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Telomere Abnormalities Regulate Neuroblastoma
Telomere maintenance is a powerful prognostic marker of HRNB thereby representing an attractive target for the development of novel therapeutic treatments.
  • 850
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Hybrid Polylactide Blends
Conformation of polylactide macromolecules can be adjusted by interactions with some specific additives (arylamides, hydrazides, 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene-d-sorbitol, orotic acid, humic acids, fulvic acids, nanocellulose, and cyclodextrins) due to the formation of hydrogen bonds or host-guest complexes. This “soft templating” may enhance nucleation of polymer crystals and influence the properties of polylactide blends.
  • 849
  • 11 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Exosome-Regulated Oxidative Stress Responses
A thrombus in a coronary artery causes ischemia, which eventually leads to myocardial infarction (MI) if not removed. However, removal generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury that damages the tissue and exacerbates the resulting MI. The mechanism of I/R injury is currently extensively understood. However, supplementation of exogenous antioxidants is ineffective against oxidative stress (OS). Enhancing the ability of endogenous antioxidants may be a more effective way to treat OS, and exosomes may play a role as targeted carriers. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles wrapped in biofilms which contain various complex RNAs and proteins. They are important intermediate carriers of intercellular communication and material exchange.
  • 849
  • 30 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Regulatory miRNAs and Copper
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are key regulators of differentiation and development. In the cell, transcription factors regulate the production of miRNA in response to different external stimuli. Copper (Cu) is a heavy metal and an essential micronutrient with widespread industrial applications. It is involved in a number of vital biological processes encompassing respiration, blood cell line maturation, and immune responses.
  • 849
  • 24 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Psychobiological Biomarkers of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The rapid spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), which led to a pandemic over the last two years, has also led to an increased focus on mental health disorders. This is because measures applied to mitigate the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (such as quarantine and social isolation) may have contributed to the onset of long-term psychological distress, including high levels of depression, stress, and anxiety.
  • 849
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Processing on the Release of Insoluble-Bound Phenolics
Insoluble-bound phenolics (IBPs) are extensively found in the cell wall and distributed in various tissues/organs of plants, mainly cereals, legumes, and pulses. In particular, IBPs are mainly distributed in the protective tissues, such as seed coat, pericarp, and hull, and are also available in nutritional tissues, including germ, epicotyl, hypocotyl radicle, and endosperm, among others. Various processing methods, including thermal and non-thermal processing (high pressure, fermentation, and germination), have been used to release IBPs from different sources, and most of them positively affect the content and their antioxidant activities due to the release of IBPs.
  • 849
  • 06 May 2023
Topic Review
NADPH Oxidase and Cellular Metabolism
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent a group of high reactive molecules with dualistic natures since they can induce cytotoxicity or regulate cellular physiology. The NADPH oxidase (NOX) family represents the main source of controlled ROS formation and includes seven isoforms with a broad tissue distribution and activation mechanism. Their subcellular distribution varies in the different cell types, ranging from plasma membrane to intracellular compartments and nuclear membrane. The NOX family includes NOX1, NOX2, NOX3, NOX4, NOX5, and the dual oxidase Duox1 and Duox2.
  • 848
  • 08 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Glycolysis under Circadian Control
Glycolysis is considered a main metabolic pathway in highly proliferative cells, including endothelial, epithelial, immune, and cancer cells. Although oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is more efficient in ATP production per mole of glucose, proliferative cells rely predominantly on aerobic glycolysis, which generates ATP faster compared to OXPHOS and provides anabolic substrates to support cell proliferation and migration. Cellular metabolism, including glucose metabolism, is under strong circadian control. Circadian clocks control a wide array of metabolic processes, including glycolysis, which exhibits a distinct circadian pattern.
  • 848
  • 12 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Antibacterial Peptides and Their Mechanism of Action
Despite the great strides in healthcare during the last century, some challenges still remained unanswered. The development of multi-drug resistant bacteria, the alarming growth of fungal infections, the emerging/re-emerging of viral diseases are yet a worldwide threat. Since the discovery of natural antimicrobial peptides able to broadly hit several pathogens, peptide-based therapeutics have been under the lenses of the researchers. Antimicrobial peptides generally affect highly preserved structures, e.g., the phospholipid membrane via pore formation or other constitutive targets like peptidoglycans in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and glucan in the fungal cell wall. Additionally, some peptides are particularly active on biofilm destabilizing the microbial communities. They can also act intracellularly, e.g., on protein biosynthesis or DNA replication. Their intracellular properties are extended upon viral infection since peptides can influence several steps along the virus life cycle starting from viral receptor-cell interaction to the budding. Besides their mode of action, improvements in manufacturing to increase their half-life and performances are also taken into consideration together with advantages and impairments in the clinical usage. Thus far, the progress of new synthetic peptide-based approaches is making them a promising tool to counteract emerging infections.
  • 847
  • 08 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Human Olfactory Receptor Sensor for Odor Reconstitution
Among the five human senses, light, sound, and force perceived by the eye, ear, and skin, respectively are physical phenomena, and therefore can be easily measured and expressed as objective, univocal, and simple digital data with physical quantity. However, as taste and odor molecules perceived by the tongue and nose are chemical phenomena, it has been difficult to express them as objective and univocal digital data, since no reference chemicals can be defined. Therefore, while the recording, saving, transmitting to remote locations, and replaying of human visual, auditory, and tactile information as digital data in digital devices have been realized (this series of data flow is defined as DX (digital transformation) herein), the DX of human taste and odor information is not yet in the realization stage. 
  • 847
  • 20 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Lactoferrin and Human Metabolism
Many pathological conditions, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer, are associated with abnormal metabolic states. The progressive loss of metabolic control is commonly characterized by insulin resistance, atherogenic dyslipidemia, inflammation, central obesity, and hypertension, a cluster of metabolic dysregulations usually referred to as the “metabolic syndrome”. Nutraceuticals have gained attention for the generalized perception that natural substances may be synonymous with health and balance, thus becoming favorable candidates for the adjuvant treatment of metabolic dysregulations. Among nutraceutical proteins, lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune system, has been widely recognized for its multifaceted activities and high tolerance. 
  • 847
  • 14 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress and Redox Enzymes in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases comprise a wide range of diseases with heterogeneous aetiologies and exhibit degenerative processes commonly accompanied by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major risk factor associated with aging and the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD). Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by irreversible, progressive loss of neuronal cells, formation of protein aggregates, and a decline in cognitive or motor functions. Neurodegenerative diseases are induced by imbalanced redox homeostasis and impaired energy metabolism, as hypothesised by several aging theories, including the free radical theory, the mitochondrial dysfunction theory, the genetic theory, and the telomere shortening theory.
  • 846
  • 19 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Cancer Stem Cells in Tumor Microenvironment
Cancer is a multi-step process during which cells acquire an untamed ability to grow, proliferate, and (most times) differentiate, ultimately leading to either improper organ growth or the establishment of inadequate cells in locations where they contribute negatively to the body homeostasis, causing (amongst other things) high levels of inflammation. Colorectal and gastric cancers are the most prevalent cancer in the digestive track. They represent the third and fifth leading causes of cancer-related deaths. With over 500,000–990,000 new cases worldwide, they typically have a five-year survival rate (mainly due to late diagnosis).
  • 846
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Spiro-Flavonoids in Nature
The research collects 65 unique structures, including spiro-biflavonoids, spiro-triflavonoids, spiro-tetraflavonoids, spiro-flavostilbenoids, and scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoids. Scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoids comprise spiro[bicyclo[4.2.0]octane-7,3′-chromane]-1(6),2,4-trien-4′-one, while the other spiro-flavonoids contain either 2H,2′H-3,3′-spirobi[benzofuran]-2-one or 2′H,3H-2,3′-spirobi[benzofuran]-3-one in the core of their structures. Spiro-flavonoids have been described in more than 40 species of eight families, including Asparagaceae, Cistaceae, Cupressaceae, Fabaceae, Pentaphylacaceae, Pinaceae, Thymelaeaceae, and Vitaceae. The possible biosynthetic pathways for each group of spiro-flavonoids are summarized in detail. Anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities are the most important biological activities of spiro-flavonoids, both in vitro and in vivo.
  • 846
  • 25 Jul 2023
Topic Review
CD44 Intracellular Domain
CD44 serves as a cell surface receptor for various extracellular matrix molecules, mainly hyaluronan, and messenger molecules, such as growth factors, and has important functions in normal and disease states, the predominant one being cancer. CD44 coordinates both structural and signaling events through its highly conserved intracellular domain. Although short and devoid of any enzymatic activity, the CD44 intracellular domain possesses structural motifs that promote the interactions with cytoplasmic effectors involved in important cellular pathways, including cell trafficking, transcription, and metabolism, which regulate cellular functions like growth, survival, differentiation, stemness, and therapeutic resistance.
  • 846
  • 22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Ribonuclease Inhibitor
Protein synthesis is a highly complex process executed by well-organized translation machinery. Ribosomes, tRNAs and mRNAs are the principal components of this machinery whereas RNA binding proteins and ribosome interacting partners act as accessory factors. Angiogenin (ANG) – Ribonuclease inhibitor (RNH1) system is one such accessory part of the translation machinery that came into focus afresh due to its unconventional role in the translation.
  • 846
  • 07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Imprinted Genes and Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that arises from interplay between non-genetic and genetic risk factors. The epigenetics - the study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the primary DNA sequence or genotype - functions as a link between these factors, affecting gene expression in response to external influence. Among others, the epigenetic mechanisms underlie the establishment of parent-of-origin effects that appear as phenotypic differences depending on whether the allele was inherited from the mother or father. The most well described manifestation of parent-of-origin effects is genomic imprinting that causes monoallelic gene expression. It becomes more obvious that disturbances in imprinted genes affecting their expression do occur in MS and may be involved in its pathogenesis. 
  • 845
  • 07 Feb 2021
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