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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Histone H2B Mutations in Cancer
Oncohistone mutations refer to clustered mono-allelic missense mutations that often affect only one of the histone genes, the expression of which exhibits oncogenic features. Oncohistones have been an active area of research since the discovery of H3K27M and H3K36M. Recent effort to catalogue missense histone mutations in cancer have uncovered additional oncohistone mutations affecting other histones.
567
16 Jul 2021
Topic Review
ORP5 and ORP8
Oxysterol binding related proteins 5 and 8 (ORP5 and ORP8) are two close homologs of the larger oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) family of sterol sensors and lipid transfer proteins (LTP). Early studies indicated these transmembrane proteins, anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), bound and sensed cholesterol and oxysterols. They were identified as important for diverse cellular functions including sterol homeostasis, vesicular trafficking, proliferation and migration. In addition, they were implicated in lipid-related diseases such as atherosclerosis and diabetes, but also cancer, although their mechanisms of action remained poorly understood. Then, alongside the increasing recognition that membrane contact sites (MCS) serve as hubs for non-vesicular lipid transfer, added to their structural similarity to other LTPs, came discoveries showing that ORP5 and 8 were in fact phospholipid transfer proteins that rather sense and exchange phosphatidylserine (PS) for phosphoinositides, including phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P) and potentially phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). Evidence now points to their action at MCS between the ER and various organelles including the plasma membrane, lysosomes, mitochondria, and lipid droplets. Dissecting exactly how this unexpected phospholipid transfer function connects with sterol regulation in health or disease remains a challenge for future studies.
494
15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Enzyme-mediated Conjugation in Molecular Imaging
Molecular imaging is one of the most fast-developing areas of research. It aims to visualize, characterize, and quantify, in a non-invasive way, processes on molecular or cellular levels in living systems, giving clinicians important information both in the diagnosis and for monitoring the treatment of diseases. Enzymes are powerful tools that efficiently allow the conjugation of proteins under physiological conditions, thus preserving their native structure and activity. Chemoselectivity and site-specificity are also important characteristics of the enzyme-mediated protein conjugation, that allow derivatization of only one type of functional group and to modify a biomolecule at a single defined position (or, in some cases, in a small number of defined positions), respectively. Since nuclear molecular imaging can benefit greatly from the production of homogenous derivatives, enzymatic-based methodologies can be used for the production of site-specific labeled immunoconjugates.
423
14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Pseudophosphatases in Disease
Pseudophosphatases are important regulators, and their proper regulation is important for maintaining homeostasis and preventing diseases.
498
14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
LOCs/OOCs for Biomedical Applications
Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) and organ-on-a-chip (OOC) devices are highly versatile platforms that enable miniaturization and advanced controlled laboratory functions (i.e., microfluidics, advanced optical or electrical recordings, high-throughput screening). The manufacturing advancements of LOCs/OOCs for biomedical applications and their current limitations are briefly discussed. Multiple studies have exploited the advantages of mimicking organs or tissues on a chip. Among these, we focused our attention on the brain-on-a-chip, blood–brain barrier (BBB)-on-a-chip, and neurovascular unit (NVU)-on-a-chip applications.
711
14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles(EVs)
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), comprising large microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes (EXs), play a key role in intercellular communication, both in physiological and in a wide variety of pathological conditions. However, the education of EV target cells has so far mainly been investigated as a function of EX cargo, while few studies have focused on the characterization of EV surface membrane molecules and the mechanisms that mediate the addressability of specific EVs to different cell types and tissues. Identifying these mechanisms will help fulfill the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic promises fueled by our growing knowledge of EVs.
559
13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Astrocytes and Tissue Engineering
Astrocytes are key cells in the central nervous system. They are involved in many functions under physiological and pathological conditions. Primary cultures of astrocytes represent an important object for basic and translational neuroscience research, especially for in vitro cell models. Astrocyte cultures for functional cell models are most commonly isolated from rodent brains, because they are easily accessible and grow rapidly. Tissue engineering and biomaterial development represent a promising alternative to animal testing and provide an ideal opportunity to develop and test various biomaterials as scaffolds for purposes such as cell ingrowth and tissue repair.
498
13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Organic Small Molecules in Pain-Management
There are different types of anti-inflammatory agents, including small molecules, peptides, and antibodies. In this entry, there will be a focus on small molecules for anti-inflammatory treatments as they have been the center of traditional medicine. Small molecule drugs are compounds with low molecular weight that can easily enter the body and modulate biochemical processes to treat medical conditions.
471
13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Gene 33
Gene 33 (also named Mig6, RALT, and ERRFI1) is an adapter/scaffold protein with a calculated molecular weight of about 50 kD. It contains multiple domains known to mediate protein–protein interaction, suggesting that it has the potential to interact with many cellular partners and have multiple cellular functions. The research over the last two decades has confirmed that it indeed regulates multiple cell signaling pathways and is involved in many pathophysiological processes. Gene 33 has long been viewed as an exclusively cytosolic protein. However, recent evidence suggests that it also has nuclear and chromatin-associated functions. These new findings highlight a significantly broader functional spectrum of this protein.
379
12 Jul 2021
Topic Review
NK Cells in Pregnancy
NK cells are lymphocytes involved in the innate and adaptative immune response. These cells differ from T and B lymphocytes by the expression of preferentially CD16, CD56 markers. NK cells are located in peripheral blood and tissues with ample functions, from immune vigilant to tolerogenic reactions. The presence of tissue-resident NK cells has been observed in several species.
391
12 Jul 2021
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