Topic Review
Sequences Involved in Glycosyltransferase ER-Golgi Trafficking
Glycosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the glycosylation reaction between activated sugar and acceptor substrate to synthesize a wide variety of glycans. GTs are involved in metabolic processes, signal pathways, cell wall polysaccharide biosynthesis, cell development, and growth. Glycosylation mainly takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi, where GTs and glycosidases involved in this process are distributed to different locations of these compartments and sequentially add or cleave various sugars to synthesize the final products of glycosylation. Therefore, delivery of these enzymes to the proper locations in the cell is essential and involves numerous secretory pathway components.
  • 759
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Hallmarks of Senescence
Aging is a complex process characterized by an ongoing decline in physiological functions, leading to degenerative diseases and an increased probability of death. Cellular senescence has been typically considered as an anti-proliferative process; the chronic accumulation of senescent cells contributes to tissue dysfunction and aging. Recognizing the hallmarks of senescence is crucial for the research and development of therapies against aging.
  • 760
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Cyclic AMP in Cholangiocarcinoma
cAMP was first discovered in 1958 and introduced the concept of a “second messenger” system. In fact, this molecule, together with cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), has been identified as an important intracellular translator of membrane signaling originating from hormones, growth factors, cytokines and other molecules. In the general transduction mechanism, the stimulated receptor activates the corresponding G-coupled protein, leading to increased adenylyl cyclase-mediated cAMP synthesis.
  • 757
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
3D Cell Cultures
The 3D cell cultures allow cells to growth and interact between them and with the extracellular matrix in three dimensions. This conforms a culture structure closer to physiological conditions than the cell monolayers (2D) traditionally employed in cell biology, and it can be achieved by using extracellular matrix hydrogels derived from decellularized tissues, bio-printed scaffolds made of different materials, or by forcing the cells to interact between each other without physical support. 3D culture models provide a powerful tool to understand cell-to-cell interactions when used in co-cultures, and to determine the involvement of extracellular vesicles as major key interactors in cellular crosstalk.
  • 756
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Osteoporosis Treatments
A healthy and active lifestyle is vital for the proper maintenance of all body tissues, including bone. Several studies have highlighted the importance of physical exercise to improve the quality of life of patients with osteoporosis. Diet also plays a fundamental role in bone health. Calcium supplementation is able to decrease the rate of bone mineral density loss in women, presenting even better results in combination with vitamin D. Lately, isoflavones has gain interest as a treatment in osteoporosis but their effectiveness still remains unclear. Therefore, pharmacological therapies have been developed to counteract bone fragility based on molecular targets. Therapies for osteoporosis are focus on restoring the normal balance between bone resorption and bone formation. Bone anti-resorptive therapies focus on the inhibition or reduction of bone resorption process, these are; estrogens, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibodies. On the other hand, bone formation agents target anabolic pathways to stimulate the osteoblastic activity. This include Teriparatide, a recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH), and Romosozumab; an anti-sclerostin monoclonal antibody with dual effect.  It increases bone formation and, to a lesser extent, it reduces bone resorption (or bone loss) which translates into a decrease in the risk of fracture. In summary, currently used osteoporosis therapies are not fully effective in all patients and present considerable side effects that seriously compromise their long-term use. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis is necessary in an increasingly aging world population. In this context, cell-based therapeutic strategies based on mesenchymal stem cells are positioning as encouraging possibilities to address osteoporosis.
  • 753
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Clock Response to Intermittent Hypoxia is Tissue-Dependent
The circadian clock is a biological clock that regulates processes in cells and whole organs, contributing to dynamic physiology over the 24 hour period. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is defined as alternating periods of hypoxia and normoxia. It is associated with multiple respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
  • 753
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Sec61
The heterotrimeric Sec61 complex of the ER membrane represents the major entry point for precursor polypeptides into the membrane or lumen of the ER. It forms a polypeptide-conducting channel, who's gating (i.e. opening and closing) involves various interactions partners. Mutations in the genes, which are coding for the Sec61 subunits or their interaction partners, can cause diseases (termed Sec61-channelopathies).
  • 752
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Spleen Reparative Regeneration
The spleen is the largest lymphoid unpaired parenchymal organ of the abdominal cavity found in all vertebrates. Spleen is able to regenerate, though not necessarily to the initial volume. The recovery lasts one month and preserves the architecture, albeit with an increase in the relative volume of lymphoid follicles. The renovated tissues, however, exhibit skewed functional profiles; notably, the decreased production of antibodies and the low cytotoxic activity of T cells, consistent with the decline of T-dependent zones and prolonged reduction in T cell numbers. Autotransplantations of splenic material are of particular clinical interest, as the procedure can possibly mitigate the development of post-splenectomy syndrome. Under these conditions, regeneration lasts 1-2 months, depending on the species. The transplants effectively destroy senescent erythrocytes, assist in microbial clearance, and produce antibodies, thus averting sepsis and bacterial pneumonia. Meanwhile, cellular sources of splenic recovery in such models remain obscure, as well as the time required for T and B cell number re-constitution.
  • 751
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
FTO Intronic SNP
Browning of white adipose tissue shifts adipocytes from energy storage white to energy expenditure beige types. The balance between the two adipocyte populations in white adipose tissue is highly determined by noncoding variants of the Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) locus which has the strongest association with obesity. The rs1421085 FTO risk allele results in a loss of ARID5B repression of IRX3 and IRX5 which promotes excess white adipocyte formation. Recent studies have revealed the presence of brown adipose tissues at several anatomical sites in humans including the deep-neck (DN).  We found that the characteristic gene expression profile and associated pathways of DN brown adipocytes were determined by partially overlapping effects of tissue site specific commitments of the stem cells, PPARγ stimulation and the FTO status of donors. The presence of FTO rs1421085 risk alleles had a strong influence, manifested during differentiation, on browning resulting in compromised expression of metabolic and mitochondrial genes as well as pathways which are decisive in thermogenesis.
  • 747
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
VEGF
VEGF-A (also called VEGF) is a member of the mammalian platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) supergene family which also includes VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and placental growth factor (PlGF).
  • 746
  • 05 May 2021
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