Topic Review
Post-Translational Role of UFMylation in Physiology and Disease
Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) is a newly identified ubiquitin-like protein that has been conserved during the evolution of multicellular organisms. In a similar manner to ubiquitin, UFM1 can become covalently linked to the lysine residue of a substrate via a dedicated enzymatic cascade. Although a limited number of substrates have been identified so far, UFM1 modification (UFMylation) has been demonstrated to play a vital role in a variety of cellular activities, including mammalian development, ribosome biogenesis, the DNA damage response, endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, immune responses, and tumorigenesis.
  • 174
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
EVs’ Mechanisms of HSP Transmission among TME Cells
From an evolutive perspective, tumor cells endure successive turnover upon stress conditions and pressure to adapt to new environments. These cells use exceptional communication skills to share biological information to “survive upon every metabolic cost”. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a miscellaneous collection of cells, factors, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are small lipid bilayer-delimited particles derived from cells with sizes ranging from 100 to 1000 nm. Exosomes (<160 nm) are the minor subtype of EVs, originating from the endosomal pathways. The TME also contains “giant” vesicles, microvesicles (100–1000 nm, MV), originated from membrane blebbing. EVs can act as intercellular communication mediators, contributing to many biological processes, by carrying different biomolecules, such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites. EV secretion can promote either tumor cell survival or manage their stress to death. Tumor-derived EVs transfer adaptative stress signaling to recipient cells, reprograming these cells. Heat shock proteins (HSP) are prominent stress response regulators, specifically carried by exosomes. HSP-loaded EVs reprogram tumor and TME cells to acquire mechanisms contributing to tumor progression and therapy resistance. The intercellular communication mediated by HSP-loaded EVs favors the escape of tumor cells from the endoplasmic reticulum stress, hypoxia, apoptosis, and anticancer therapies. Extracellular HSPs activate and deactivate the immune response, induce cell differentiation, change vascular homeostasis, and help to augment the pre-metastatic niche formation.
  • 97
  • 18 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Calcium Signaling of Heat Shock in Crop Plants
Climate change and the increasing frequency of high temperature (HT) events are significant threats to global crop yields. To address this, a comprehensive understanding of how plants respond to heat shock (HS) is essential. Signaling pathways involving calcium (Ca2+), a versatile second messenger in plants, encode information through temporal and spatial variations in ion concentration. Ca2+ is detected by Ca2+-sensing effectors, including channels and binding proteins, which trigger specific cellular responses. At elevated temperatures, the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ in plant cells increases rapidly, making Ca2+ signals the earliest response to HS. 
  • 143
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Advantages of Drosophila Model in Polyploid Cell Investigation
Polyploid cells are frequently observed in advanced cancer, particularly after standard cancer treatment such as anticancer drugs and radiation therapy. This suggests that polyploid cells lurking in a cancer tissue possess a superior ability to withstand environmental stress, making them more likely to survive anticancer therapies. The polyploid cells in cancer tissues, commonly termed polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), but also referred to as blastomere-like cancer cells, osteoclast-like cancer cells, pleomorphic cancer cells, large cancer stem cells, and polyaneuploid cancer cells (PACCs), are thought to play an important role in tumor progression. 
  • 144
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mechanisms Governing Oligodendrocyte Viability in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is triggered by an autoimmune assault targeting oligodendrocytes and myelin. Recent research indicates that the demise of oligodendrocytes due to an autoimmune attack contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of MS and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  • 82
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Diseases
Fibrosis is a common feature of cardiovascular diseases and targets multiple organs, such as the heart and vessels. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition is a complex, vital process that occurs during embryonic formation and plays a crucial role in cardiac development. It is also a fundamental process implicated in cardiac fibrosis and repair, but also in other organs. Indeed, in numerous cardiovascular diseases, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been shown to be involved in the generation of fibroblasts that are able to produce extracellular matrix proteins such as type I collagen. This massive deposition results in tissue stiffening and organ dysfunction.
  • 81
  • 17 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Major Depression as a Mitochondria-Associated Disease
The link between mitochondria and major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasingly evident, underscored both by mitochondria’s involvement in many mechanisms identified in depression and the high prevalence of MDD in individuals with mitochondrial disorders. Mitochondrial functions and energy metabolism are increasingly considered to be involved in MDD’s pathogenesis.
  • 128
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Oxidase in Abiotic Stress
Ethylene is an essential plant hormone, critical in various physiological processes. These processes include seed germination, leaf senescence, fruit ripening, and the plant’s response to environmental stressors. Ethylene biosynthesis is tightly regulated by two key enzymes, namely 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO). Under normal developmental processes, ACS and ACO collaborate to maintain balanced ethylene production, ensuring proper plant growth and physiology. However, under abiotic stress conditions, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, or pathogen attack, the regulation of ethylene biosynthesis becomes critical for plants’ survival.
  • 153
  • 16 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Exosomal Cargos on Osteosarcoma Progression
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant bone tumor with high metastasis. Poor prognosis highlights a clinical need for novel therapeutic strategies. Exosomes, also known as extracellular vesicles, have been identified as essential players in the modulation of cancer. OS-derived exosomes can drive pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic phenotypes by transferring specific cargos, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, to neighboring cells, significantly impacting the regulation of cellular processes. 
  • 151
  • 15 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Dynamics in Pulmonary Hypertension
Mitochondria are essential organelles for energy production, calcium homeostasis, redox signaling, and other cellular responses involved in pulmonary vascular biology and disease processes. Mitochondrial homeostasis depends on a balance in mitochondrial fusion and fission (dynamics). Mitochondrial dynamics are regulated by a viable circadian clock.
  • 115
  • 12 Jan 2024
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