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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Biological Roles of circRNAs
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) comprise a large class of endogenous non-coding RNA with covalently closed loops and have independent functions as linear transcripts transcribed from identical genes. circRNAs are generated by a “back-splicing” process regulated by regulatory elements in cis and associating proteins in trans. Many studies have shown that circRNAs play important roles in multiple processes, including splicing, transcription, chromatin modification, miRNA sponges, and protein decoys. circRNAs are highly stable because of their closed ring structure, which prevents them from degradation by exonucleases, and are more abundant in terminally differentiated cells, such as brains.
399
12 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Bile Acids in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a spectrum of diseases, the onset and progression of which are due to chronic alcohol use. ALD ranges, by increasing severity, from hepatic steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC), and in some cases, can lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ALD continues to be a significant health burden and is now the main cause of liver transplantations in the United States. ALD leads to biological, microbial, physical, metabolic, and inflammatory changes in patients that vary depending on disease severity. ALD deaths have been increasing in recent years and are projected to continue to increase. Current treatment centers focus on abstinence and symptom management, with little in the way of resolving disease progression. Due to the metabolic disruption and gut dysbiosis in ALD, bile acid (BA) signaling and metabolism are also notably affected and play a prominent role in disease progression in ALD, as well as other liver disease states, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
540
11 May 2022
Topic Review
Bile Acid Signaling
Bile acids are digestive agents synthesized in the liver and released into the gastrointestinal track during normal physiological conditions to aid in the emulsification of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. These bile acids are highly regulated via enterohepatic circulation, a process which minimizes bile acid loss through a wide network of organs and bile acid transporters. Beyond this, bile acids and the activation of bile acid receptors has been observed in extrahepatic tissues, in particular the central nervous system. Certain bile acids, through the use of specific bile acid transporters, can also gain entry into the brain via the blood brain barrier. Furthermore, there has been an increase in recent literature highlighting bile acids and the presence of bile acid signaling in the brain and neural cells. This entry is a current overview of these topics.
1.5K
21 Aug 2020
Topic Review
BH3-Only Proteins Noxa and Puma in Apoptosis Regulation
Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated cell death pathway. Physiological cell death is important for maintaining homeostasis and optimal biological conditions by continuous elimination of undesired or superfluous cells. The BH3-only pro-apoptotic members are strong inducers of apoptosis. The pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Noxa activates multiple death pathways by inhibiting the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family protein, Mcl-1, and other protein members leading to Bax and Bak activation and mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). On the other hand, Puma is induced by p53-dependent and p53-independent apoptotic stimuli in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, this protein is involved in several physiological and pathological processes, such as immunity, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Future heat shock research could disclose the effect of hyperthermia on both Noxa and BH3-only proteins. This suggests post-transcriptional mechanisms controlling the translation of both Puma and Noxa mRNA in heat-shocked cells.
887
10 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Beta-ketoacyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) Synthase III
In enzymology, a β-ketoacyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] synthase III (EC 2.3.1.180) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are acetyl-CoA and malonyl-[acyl-carrier-protein], whereas its 3 products are acetoacetyl-[acyl-carrier-protein], CoA, and CO2. This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, to be specific those acyltransferases transferring groups other than aminoacyl groups. This enzyme participates in fatty acid biosynthesis. β-Ketoacyl-acyl-carrier-protein synthase III is involved in the dissociated (or type II) fatty-acid biosynthesis system that occurs in plants and bacteria. The role of FabH in fatty acid synthesis has been described in Streptomyces glaucescens, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptomyces coelicolor.
422
03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptor
The beta-3 adrenergic receptor (β3-AR) is by far the least studied isotype of the beta-adrenergic sub-family. Despite its study being long hampered by the lack of suitable animal and cellular models and inter-species differences, a substantial body of literature on the subject has built up in the last three decades and the physiology of β3-AR is unraveling quickly. As will become evident in this work, β3-AR is emerging as an appealing target for novel pharmacological approaches in several clinical areas involving metabolic, cardiovascular, urinary, and ocular disease.
1.3K
05 May 2022
Topic Review
Beneficial Effects of Ursolic Acid against Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Despite current treatment approaches that include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapies, lung cancer accounted for 1.79 million deaths worldwide in 2020, emphasizing the urgent need to find novel agents and approaches for more effective treatment. Traditionally, chemicals derived from plants, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, have been used in cancer treatment, and in recent years, research has focused on finding other plant-derived chemicals that can be used in the fight against lung cancer. Ursolic acid is a polyphenol found in high concentrations in cranberries and other fruits and has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Here, researchers summarize studies examining the effects of ursolic acid and its derivatives on lung cancer. Data from in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal studies show potent anticancer effects of ursolic acid and indicate the need for clinical studies.
472
15 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bell Peppers (Capsicum annum L.)
The bell pepper is highly consumed worldwide due to its exotic colors (green, red, yellow, orange, and purple), flavor, and nutritional value. However, after processing bell pepper products, waste remains (seeds, peel, stem, and leaves), representing desirable raw material to obtain phytochemical compounds. They contain diverse bioactive compounds with interesting biological activities (in vivo and in vitro) and applications.
3.9K
22 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care
There is a long and interesting history between honeybees and humans. From the beginning, honey has been utilized not only as a sweetener, but also as an ointment and a drug to treat several diseases. Until the discovery of antibiotics, honey was a very popular product used to protect and preserve skin and promote wound healing, to counteract gastrointestinal pains and disorders of the oral cavity, and for other diseases. After the development of antibiotic resistance, honey again gained interest for its use in wound management. Subsequently, more recently, in vitro and in vivo studies have displayed antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other effects of honey and honeybee products, as well as protection of cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.
326
06 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Basophils in Brief
Basophils are a type of white blood cell that play a multifaceted role in the immune system. These enigmatic cells, constituting a mere 0.5% or less of the total white blood cell population, originate in the bone marrow and mature under the influence of various growth factors and cytokines. Traditionally known for their involvement in allergic reactions, basophils are equipped with high-affinity IgE receptors (FcεRI) that bind to allergens. Upon allergen exposure, basophils release histamine and other inflammatory mediators, triggering the hallmark symptoms of allergies. Beyond allergies, basophils are integral in the body's defense against parasitic infections. When they encounter parasitic antigens, they release cytokines like IL-4 and IL-13, promoting a Th2 immune response that helps eliminate parasites. Basophils also have a less explored role as regulators of the immune system, potentially influencing T cell differentiation and acting as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Additionally, they contribute to tissue repair and wound healing by releasing factors that stimulate angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. In clinical settings, basophils serve as valuable biomarkers for allergic diseases, parasitic infections, and certain hematological disorders. Ongoing research continues to unveil the diverse functions of basophils, highlighting their importance in immunology and beyond.
338
07 Oct 2023
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