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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
CCL2
Factors secreted from adipose tissue may induce and/or maintain a local and systemic low-grade activation of the innate immune system. Attraction of macrophages into adipose tissue and altered crosstalk between macrophages, adipocytes, and other cells of adipose tissue are symptoms of metabolic inflammation. Among several secreted factors attracting immune cells to adipose tissue, chemotactic C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) (also described as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)) has been shown to play a crucial role in adipose tissue macrophage infiltration.
1.0K
28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Endoplasmic Reticulum-Related Protein Targeting and Protein Transport
Cells use an impressive array of components to enable the safe transport of protein cargo from the cytosolic ribosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Safety during the transit is warranted by the interplay of cytosolic chaperones, membrane receptors, and protein translocases that together form functional networks and serve as protein targeting and translocation routes. While two targeting routes to the endoplasmic reticulum, SRP (signal recognition particle) and GET (guided entry of tail-anchored proteins), prefer targeting determinants at the N- and C-terminus of the cargo polypeptide, respectively, the discovered SND (SRP-independent) route seems to preferentially cater for cargos with non-generic targeting signals that are less hydrophobic or more distant from the termini.
1.0K
19 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Protein Glycosylation
Protein glycosylation is a highly conserved post-translational modification among organisms. It plays fundamental roles in many biological processes, ranging from protein trafficking and cell adhesion to host–pathogen interactions. According to the amino acid side chain atoms to which glycans are linked, protein glycosylation can be divided into two major categories: N-glycosylation and O-glycosylation. However, there are other types of modifications such as the addition of GPI to the C-terminal end of the protein. Besides the importance of glycoproteins in biological functions, they are a major component of the fungal cell wall and plasma membrane and contribute to pathogenicity, virulence, and recognition by the host immunity. Given that this structure is absent in host mammalian cells, it stands as an attractive target for developing selective compounds for the treatment of fungal infections.
1.0K
27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Actin Cytoskeleton in Podocytes
Proteinuria is one of the hallmarks of kidney disease. Serum proteins such as albumin are prevented from being filtered into the urine by the glomerular filtration barrier of which podocytes are a key part. Podocyte structure and function are dependent on maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton in podocyte foot processes. Foot processes contain two structural and signaling hubs: the slit diaphragm and focal adhesions, both of which maintain foot process integrity and relay signals to and from the podocyte exterior in response to hemodynamic changes. The entry below describes the key components of foot process actin cytoskeleton structure and regulation.
996
27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Bisphenol A-Induced Male Infertility
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor present in epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, which negatively disturbs the male reproductive system affecting male fertility. In vivo studies showed that BPA exposure has deleterious effects on spermatogenesis by disturbing the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and inducing oxidative stress in the testis. This compound seems to disrupt hormone signalling even at low concentrations, modifying the levels of inhibin B, oestradiol, and testosterone. The adverse effects on seminal parameters are mainly supported by studies based on urinary BPA concentration, showing a negative association between BPA levels and sperm concentration, motility, normal morphology and sperm DNA damage.
995
01 Apr 2021
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.
989
11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Viroids and Plants
Viroids are plant pathogenic, circular, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs). Members of the Pospiviroidae family replicate in the nucleus of plant cells through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) intermediates, thus triggering the host’s RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. In plants, the two RNAi pillars are Post-Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) and RNA-directed DNA Methylation (RdDM), and the latter has the potential to trigger Transcriptional Gene Silencing (TGS). Over the last three decades, the employment of viroid-based systems has immensely contributed to our understanding of both of these RNAi facets.
985
20 May 2021
Topic Review
Mitophagy
Mitophagy is a selective autophagic process that eliminates unnecessary and/or damaged mitochondria. Therefore, it is a central hormetic mechanism of mitochondrial quality and quantity control, essential for cellular homeostasis. Its dysregulation has been shown to be a key event in metabolic related diseases and it is the target of emerging therapeutical approaches in this field.
986
28 May 2021
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.
978
18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Mitochondrial VDAC1 as Therapeutic Target of Inflammation-Related Diseases
The multifunctional protein, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), is located on the mitochondrial outer membrane. It is a pivotal protein that maintains mitochondrial function to power cellular bioactivities via energy generation. VDAC1 is involved in regulating energy production, mitochondrial oxidase stress, Ca2+ transportation, substance metabolism, apoptosis, mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy), and many other functions. VDAC1 malfunction is associated with mitochondrial disorders that affect inflammatory responses, resulting in an up-regulation of the body’s defensive response to stress stimulation. Overresponses to inflammation may cause chronic diseases. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) acts as a danger signal that can further trigger native immune system activities after its secretion. VDAC1 mediates the release of mtDNA into the cytoplasm to enhance cytokine levels by activating immune responses. VDAC1 regulates mitochondrial Ca2+ transportation, lipid metabolism and mitophagy, which are involved in inflammation-related disease pathogenesis.
978
26 Oct 2022
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