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Topic Review
ER Stress and the Unfolded Protein Response
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a eukaryotic organelle, is the major site of protein biosynthesis. The disturbance of ER function by biotic or abiotic stress triggers the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is the best-studied ER stress response. This transcriptional regulatory system senses ER stress, activates downstream genes that function to mitigate stress, and restores homeostasis. In addition to its conventional role in stress responses, reports indicate that the UPR is involved in plant growth and development.
  • 713
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Ca2+ Signaling and Bioenergetics in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a hereditary and sporadic neurodegenerative illness defined by the gradual and cumulative loss of neurons in specific brain areas. The processes that cause AD are still under investigation and there are no available therapies to halt it. Progress puts at the forefront the “calcium (Ca2+) hypothesis” as a key AD pathogenic pathway, impacting neuronal, astrocyte and microglial function. An increasing body of evidence points out the early and crucial role of cellular Ca2+ handling dysregulation in AD pathogenesis. Interestingly, Ca2+ is a key regulator of several mitochondrial functions, such as ATP production, and brain cells rely mostly on OXPHOS to match their energy demands.
  • 626
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
The Oxytocin System in the Brain
Research on oxytocin (OT) was pioneered in the 1920s by German anatomist Ernst Scharrer, after he identified unusual, large-shaped “glandule-like” cells in the hypothalamus of fish. A full anatomical, morphological and functional assessment would follow in the next 50 years, complemented by the Nobel-prize awarded for the synthesis of OT to Vincent du Vigneaud in 1955.
  • 584
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Cell Sources for Retinal Regeneration
The main degenerative diseases of the retina include macular degeneration, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and glaucoma. Novel approaches for treating retinal diseases are based on cell replacement therapy using a variety of exogenous stem cells. An alternative and complementary approach is the potential use of retinal regeneration cell sources (RRCSs) containing retinal pigment epithelium, ciliary body, Müller glia, and retinal ciliary region. RRCSs in lower vertebrates in vivo and in mammals mostly in vitro are able to proliferate and exhibit gene expression and epigenetic characteristics typical for neural/retinal cell progenitors.
  • 858
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Morphology of Lipedema
Lipedema is an adipofascial disorder that almost exclusively affects women. Lipedema leads to chronic pain, swelling, and other discomforts due to the bilateral and asymmetrical expansion of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Although various distinctive morphological characteristics, such as the hyperproliferation of fat cells, fibrosis, and inflammation, have been characterized in the progression of lipedema, the mechanisms underlying these changes have not yet been fully investigated. In addition, it is challenging to reduce the excessive fat in lipedema patients using conventional weight-loss techniques, such as lifestyle (diet and exercise) changes, bariatric surgery, and pharmacological interventions. Therefore, lipedema patients also go through additional psychosocial distress in the absence of permanent treatment. Research to understand the pathology of lipedema is still in its infancy, but promising markers derived from exosome, cytokine, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiling studies suggest a condition distinct from obesity and lymphedema. Although genetics seems to be a substantial cause of lipedema, due to the small number of patients involved in such studies, the extrapolation of data at a broader scale is challenging. With the current lack of etiology-guided treatments for lipedema, the discovery of new promising biomarkers could provide potential solutions to combat this complex disease.
  • 693
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Aptamer-Based Probes for Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligomers that have the ability to generate unique and diverse tertiary structures that bind to cognate molecules with high specificity. In recent years, aptamer researches have witnessed a huge surge, owing to its unique properties, such as high specificity and binding affinity, low immunogenicity and toxicity, and simplicity of synthesis with negligible batch-to-batch variation. Aptamers may bind to targets, such as various cancer biomarkers, making them applicable for a wide range of cancer diagnosis and treatment. In cancer diagnostic applications, aptamers are used as molecular probes instead of antibodies.
  • 579
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Exploiting DNA Replication Stress in Breast Cancer Treatment
Proliferating cells rely on DNA replication to ensure accurate genome duplication. Cancer cells, including breast cancer cells, exhibit elevated replication stress (RS) due to the uncontrolled oncogenic activation, loss of key tumor suppressors, and defects in the DNA repair machinery. This intrinsic vulnerability provides a great opportunity for therapeutic exploitation. An increasing number of drug candidates targeting RS in breast cancer are demonstrating promising efficacy in preclinical and early clinical trials.
  • 481
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Structural Glial–Neuronal Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Transfer
Glial–neuronal mitochondrial transfer is mediated via a number of active processes including the release of extracellular vesicles, the formation of tunnelling nanotubes, and potentially other mechanisms.
  • 639
  • 07 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Translation Impairment in Neurodegeneration
Protein synthesis is a strictly controlled molecular process because of its central role in different key cellular events, including homeostasis maintenance and response to extra- and intracellular cues. Increasing evidence suggests a dysfunction of the translation machinery in different neurodegenerative disorders. These dysfunctions are characterized by the accumulation of pathological protein aggregates, which could reflect defects in both ribosome and ribosome-associated activities.
  • 486
  • 07 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Protein Phase Separation
Phase separation is a process by which a well-mixed solution of macromolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids spontaneously separates into two phases: a dense phase and a dilute phase.
  • 592
  • 06 Dec 2022
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