Topic Review
CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Gene Editing System
The natural CRISPR-Cas9 system are composed of Cas9, crRNA, and tracrRNA. The artificial CRISPR/Cas9 system usually consists of two components: the Cas9 endonuclease and the sgRNA, which form the ribonucleoprotein complex via base pairing to mediate the gene editing. 
  • 98
  • 11 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Lysosomal Storage Disorders Linked to Impaired Autophagy
Lysosomes are the main organelles responsible for the degradation of macromolecules in eukaryotic cells. Beyond their fundamental role in degradation, lysosomes are involved in different physiological processes such as autophagy, nutrient sensing, and intracellular signaling. In some circumstances, lysosomal abnormalities underlie several human pathologies with different etiologies known as Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs). These disorders can result from deficiencies in primary lysosomal enzymes, dysfunction of lysosomal enzyme activators, alterations in modifiers that impact lysosomal function, or changes in membrane-associated proteins, among other factors. 
  • 72
  • 10 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Microbiota-Induced Epigenetic Alterations in Depressive Disorders
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex disorder and a leading cause of disability in 280 million people worldwide. Many environmental factors, such as microbes, drugs, and diet, are involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.
  • 113
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
ADAR-Mediated Site-Specific RNA Editing in Immune-Related Disease
ADAR (Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA) proteins are a group of enzymes that play a vital role in RNA editing by converting adenosine to inosine in RNAs. This process is a frequent post-transcriptional event observed in metazoan transcripts. Recent studies indicate widespread dysregulation of ADAR-mediated RNA editing across many immune-related diseases, such as human cancer. 
  • 75
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
BPH-Resistance Gene Mapping
The brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) is one of the most serious pests that harm rice production. N. lugens soaks up phloem sap by inserting needle-like stylets into the vascular tissue of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Utilizing the inherent resistance has been widely considered as the most cost-effective method for sustainable BPH control. To date, more than 49 BPH-resistance genes/QTLs have been detected and rice varieties containing one or more BPH-resistance genes/QTLs have been developed to reduce the loss of rice yield induced by BPH feeding.
  • 103
  • 05 Dec 2023
Topic Review
mTOR Signaling Pathway in Cell Growth
The evolutionarily conserved target of rapamycin (TOR) serine/threonine kinase controls eukaryotic cell growth, metabolism and survival by integrating signals from the nutritional status and growth factors. TOR is the catalytic subunit of two distinct functional multiprotein complexes termed mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) and mTORC2, which phosphorylate a different set of substrates and display different physiological functions. Dysregulation of TOR signaling has been involved in the development and progression of several disease states including cancer and diabetes. 
  • 104
  • 30 Nov 2023
Topic Review
MYD88 Wild Type in IgM Monoclonal Gammopathies
High frequencies of MYD88L265P mutation are observed in IgM monoclonal gammopathies, and specifically in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), indicating this mutation as a potential disease biomarker.
  • 143
  • 27 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders
Preimplantation genetic tests have a broad range of applications, conceptually divisible into two main areas: inherited disorders, where alterations can be found in the parents (PGT-M and PGT-SR), and de novo conditions, i.e., not inherited, as in the case of PGT-A. The objective of PGT-M testing is to avoid transferring embryos affected by a specific monogenic disease. This can only be achieved by selecting embryos that either do not carry the mutation or are healthy carriers (in the case of recessive diseases), as may occur in patients with a positive family or personal history for a monogenic condition. This necessitates a preliminary study tailored to each couple, involving family members. In general, PGT-M can be applied to the diagnosis of all hereditary monogenic diseases for which the responsible gene has been identified, one or two index cases are available, and a diagnostic linkage analysis protocol can be developed. Conversely, it is not indicated in cases of large gene deletions/duplications or de novo triplet expansions since the phasing of the at-risk haplotype is not feasible.
  • 131
  • 27 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Directed Cycles Evolve with Junk DNA
Cell responses are usually viewed as transitive events with fixed inputs and outputs that are regulated by feedback loops. In contrast, directed cycles (DCs) have all nodes connected, and the flow is in a single direction. Consequently, DCs can regenerate themselves and implement intransitive logic. DCs are able to couple unrelated chemical reactions to each edge. The output depends upon which node is used as input.
  • 150
  • 22 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Second Tumors in Retinoblastoma Survivors after Ionizing Radiation
Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common ocular neoplasm in children, whose development depends on two mutational events that occur in both alleles of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB1). Regarding the nature of these mutational events, RB can be classified as hereditary if the first event is a germline mutation and the second one is a somatic mutation in retina cells or nonhereditary if both mutational events occur in somatic cells. Although the rate of survival of RB is significantly elevated, the incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) is a concern, since SMNs are the main cause of death in these patients. Furthermore, evidence confirms that hereditary RB survivors are at a higher risk for SMNs than nonhereditary RB survivors. This risk seems to increase with the use of ionizing radiation in some therapeutic approaches commonly used in the treatment of RB.
  • 104
  • 20 Nov 2023
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