Topic Review
Epigenetic Regulation of PP2C Genes
The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) triggers cellular tolerance responses to osmotic stress caused by drought and salinity. ABA controls the turgor pressure of guard cells in the plant epidermis, leading to stomatal closure to minimize water loss. However, stomatal apertures open to uptake CO2 for photosynthesis even under stress conditions. ABA modulates its signaling pathway via negative feedback regulation to maintain plant homeostasis. In the nuclei of guard cells, the clade A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs) counteract SnRK2 kinases by physical interaction, and thereby inhibit activation of the transcription factors that mediate ABA-responsive gene expression. Under osmotic stress conditions, PP2Cs bind to soluble ABA receptors to capture ABA and release active SnRK2s. Thus, PP2Cs function as a switch at the center of the ABA signaling network. ABA induces the expression of genes encoding repressors or activators of PP2C gene transcription. These regulators mediate the conversion of PP2C chromatins from a repressive to an active state for gene transcription. The stress-induced chromatin remodeling states of ABA-responsive genes could be memorized and transmitted to plant progeny; i.e., transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
  • 695
  • 08 Jan 2021
Topic Review
P63 and p73 Protein Interactions
Epithelial organs are the first barrier against microorganisms and genotoxic stress, in which the p53 family members p63 and p73 have both overlapping and distinct functions. Intriguingly, p73 displays a very specific localization to basal epithelial cells in human tissues, while p63 is expressed in both basal and differentiated cells. Investigations of p63 and p73 protein–protein interactions reveal distinct  functions underlying the aforementioned distribution. The p73 and p63 cooperate in the genome stability surveillance in proliferating cells; p73 specific interactors contribute to the transcriptional repression, anaphase promoting complex and spindle assembly checkpoint, whereas p63 specific interactors play roles in the regulation of mRNA processing and splicing in both proliferating and differentiated cells suggesting diversification of the RNA and DNA specific functions within the p53 family.
  • 779
  • 07 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Organoids in Radiobiology
The majority of cancer patients will be treated with radiotherapy, either alone or together with chemotherapy and/or surgery. Optimising the balance between tumour control and the probability of normal tissue side effects is the primary goal of radiation treatment. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how irradiation affects both normal and cancer tissue. Here, we discuss how organoids, three-dimensional tissue-resembling structures derived from tissue-resident, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, have a growing importance in the field of radiation biology research.
  • 643
  • 07 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular ncRNAs
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. These molecules can interact with mRNAs or proteins, affecting a variety of cellular functions. Emerging evidence shows that intra/inter-species and trans-kingdom regulation can also be achieved with exogenous RNAs, which are exported to the extracellular medium, mainly through vesicles. In bacteria, membrane vesicles (MVs) seem to be the more common way of extracellular communication.
  • 433
  • 06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
The article by Suresh & Suzuki (2021) describes the finding of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein affecting human lung vascular cells and explains how the spike protein possibly increases the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Since the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein will be administered to millions of people as vaccines, it is critical to understand the effects of this protein on human cells to ensure that it does not promote long-term adverse health consequences.
  • 671
  • 06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Eggshell on Bone Regeneration
Eggshell is a biocompatible grafting material, with osteoconduction proprieties. It forms new bone similar to Bio-Oss and demineralized freeze-dried bone matrix. It can be combined with other materials to enhance its proprieties.
  • 678
  • 06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Pluripotency Factor Lin28
Lin28 is an RNA-binding protein that can function as a pluripotency factor and is enriched in stem and progenitor cells and embryonic tissues.  Lin28 can regulate protein synthesis by binding mRNAs to regulate their translation, and by governing microRNA production through binding let-7 family precursor microRNAs to block their processing to mature functional microRNAs.   Lin28 was first discovered in C.elegans and is highly evolutionarily-conserved across the animal kingdom.  In most vertebrates, including mammals, there are two Lin28 paralogs, termed Lin28A and Lin28B.   An appreciation for the complex interactions between the NF-κB transcription factor and the Lin28 RNA binding protein/let-7 microRNA pathways has grown substantially over the past decade.  In many biological settings, accumulated evidence has revealed that Lin28 can be upregulated from low basal levels in adult tissues following injury or in plastic responses. Both the NF-κB and Lin28/let-7 pathways are master regulators impacting cell survival, growth and proliferation, and an understanding of how interfaces between these pathways participate in governing pluripotency, progenitor differentiation, and neuroplastic responses remains an emerging area of research.
  • 645
  • 05 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Histone Variants in Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process activated during early embryogenesis, which continues to shape tissues and organs later on. It is also hijacked by tumor cells during metastasis. The regulation of EMT has been the focus of many research groups culminating in the last few years and resulting in an elaborate transcriptional network buildup. Recent discoveries pointed out that histone variants, which are key epigenetic players, appear to be involved in EMT control. 
  • 515
  • 03 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Virus and Cellular Senescence
Cellular senescence is considered a stress response that protects cells against malignant transformation, facilitates tissue repair and development, and prevents virus replication. However, excessive accumulation of senescent cells is associated with chronic diseases such as age-related disorders, cancer, inflammatory diseases and virus replication. The relationship between virus and cellular senescence is proving to be very complex. Cellular senescence can be induced in response to virus infection restricting virus propagation. Some viruses are able to exploit the senescence program to improve their replication, while others have developed strategies to subvert senescence. Therapeutic approaches to eliminate senescent cells may be used as a mechanism to ameliorate age-related diseases, but they may have an impact on virus replication.
  • 953
  • 29 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Retinoic Acid
The retinoids are a group of compounds including vitamin A and its active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Retinoids regulate a variety of physiological functions in multiple organ systems, are essential for normal immune competence, and are involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Vitamin A derivatives have held promise in cancer treatment and ATRA is used in differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATRA and other retinoids have also been successfully applied in a variety of dermatological conditions such as skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, and ichthyosis. Moreover, modulation of retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X (or rexinoid) receptors function may affect dermal cells. The studies using complex genetic models with various combinations of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X (or rexinoid) receptors (RXRs) indicate that retinoic acid and its derivatives have therapeutic potential for a variety of serious dermatological disorders including some malignant conditions.
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  • 28 Dec 2020
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