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Exploring SVA Insertion Polymorphisms in Shaping Differential Gene Expressions in the Central Nervous System Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-17 Lauren S. Hughes, Alexander Fröhlich, Abigail L. Pfaff, Vivien J. Bubb, John P. Quinn, Sulev Kõks
Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive elements which make up around 45% of the human genome. A class of TEs, known as SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA), demonstrate the capacity to mobilise throughout the genome, resulting in SVA polymorphisms for their presence or absence within the population. Although studies have previously highlighted the involvement of TEs within neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s
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CD69 Signaling in Eosinophils Induces IL-10 Production and Apoptosis via the Erk1/2 and JNK Pathways, Respectively Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-18 Dan Van Bui, Linh Manh Nguyen, Akira Kanda, Hanh Hong Chu, Nhi Kieu Thi Le, Yasutaka Yun, Yoshiki Kobayashi, Kensuke Suzuki, Akitoshi Mitani, Akihiro Shimamura, Kenta Fukui, Shunsuke Sawada, David Dombrowicz, Hiroshi Iwai
Introduction: Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. We previously reported that human tissue eosinophils have high CD69 expression compared to blood eosinophils, and its expression is correlated with disease severity and the number of infiltrated eosinophils. However, biological CD69 signaling activity in eosinophils
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Lipid Rafts: The Maestros of Normal Brain Development Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-18 Barbara Viljetić, Senka Blažetić, Irena Labak, Vedrana Ivić, Milorad Zjalić, Marija Heffer, Marta Balog
Lipid rafts, specialised microdomains within cell membranes, play a central role in orchestrating various aspects of neurodevelopment, ranging from neural differentiation to the formation of functional neuronal networks. This review focuses on the multifaceted involvement of lipid rafts in key neurodevelopmental processes, including neural differentiation, synaptogenesis and myelination. Through the
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Molecular Mechanism of Oocyte Activation in Mammals: Past, Present, and Future Directions Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-17 Hibiki Sugita, Shunsuke Takarabe, Atsuko Kageyama, Yui Kawata, Junya Ito
During mammalian fertilization, repetitive intracellular Ca2+ increases known as Ca2+ oscillations occur. These oscillations are considered crucial for successful fertilization and subsequent embryonic development. Numerous researchers have endeavored to elucidate the factors responsible for inducing Ca2+ oscillations across various mammalian species. Notably, sperm-specific phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ)
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Hedgehog Signaling Controls Chondrogenesis and Ectopic Bone Formation via the Yap-Ihh Axis Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Qian Cong, Yingzi Yang
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by abnormal bone formation due to ACVR1 gene mutations. The identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying the ectopic bone formation and expansion in FOP is critical for the effective treatment or prevention of HO. Here we find that Hh signaling activation is required for the aberrant ectopic bone formation
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The Osteocyte with SB216763-Activated Canonical Wnt Signaling Constructs a Multifunctional 4D Intelligent Osteogenic Module Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-15 Jinling Zhang, Ying Zhang, Jiafeng Chen, Weimin Gong, Xiaolin Tu
The enhancement of bioactivity in materials has become an important focus within the field of bone tissue engineering. Four-dimensional intelligent osteogenic module, an innovative fusion of 3D printing with the time axis, shows immense potential in augmenting the bioactivity of these materials, thereby facilitating autologous bone regeneration efficiently. This study focuses on novel bone repair materials
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Proteome-Wide Mendelian Randomization and Colocalization Analysis Identify Therapeutic Targets for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-15 Mingrui Zou, Zhenxing Shao
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease. Although some biomarkers and drug targets of OA have been discovered and employed, limitations and challenges still exist in the targeted therapy of OA. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis has been regarded as a reliable analytic method to identify effective therapeutic targets. Thus, we aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets for OA and investigate
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Role of Melatonin in Viral, Bacterial and Parasitic Infections Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-16 Georges J.M. Maestroni
In all mammals, the circulating pool of MLTs is synthesized in the pineal gland during the night’s darkness hours. Its main function is synchronizing the organism in the photoperiod. In contrast, extra-pineal MLT is synthesized in peripheral organs, does not follow any circadian rhythm or circulate, and plays a detoxifying and cytoprotective role. Circulating MLT may stimulate both innate and acquired
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Immunologic Aspects in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-16 Anastasia Diolintzi, Mst Shaela Pervin, Edward C. Hsiao
Background: Inflammation is a major driver of heterotopic ossification (HO), a condition of abnormal bone growth in a site that is not normally mineralized. Purpose of review: This review will examine recent findings on the roles of inflammation and the immune system in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). FOP is a genetic condition of aggressive and progressive HO formation. We also examine
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Intersections of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Traumatic Heterotopic Ossification Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Conan Juan, Alec C. Bancroft, Ji Hae Choi, Johanna H. Nunez, Chase A. Pagani, Yen-Sheng Lin, Edward C. Hsiao, Benjamin Levi
Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating pathology where ectopic bone develops in areas of soft tissue. HO can develop as a consequence of traumatic insult or as a result of dysregulated osteogenic signaling, as in the case of the orphan disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). Traumatic HO (tHO) formation is mediated by the complex interplay of signaling between progenitor, inflammatory
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RETRACTED: Alhakamy et al. Optimized Ellagic Acid–Ca Pectinate Floating Beads for Gastroprotection against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats. Biomolecules 2020, 10, 1006 Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Nabil A. Alhakamy, Shaimaa M. Badr-Eldin, Osama A. A. Ahmed, Abdulrahman A. Halwani, Hibah M. Aldawsari, Mohamed A. El-Moselhy, Aliaa Anter, Sara S. Sharkawi, Muhammad H. Sultan, Osama A. A. Madkhali, Muhammed A. Bakhrebah, Mohammad N. Alomary, Wesam H. Abdulaal, Usama A. Fahmy
The journal retracts the article, “Optimized Ellagic Acid–Ca Pectinate Floating Beads for Gastroprotection against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats” [...]
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Limonene Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect on LPS-Induced Jejunal Injury in Mice by Inhibiting NF-κB/AP-1 Pathway Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Sarmed H. Kathem, Yasameen Sh. Nasrawi, Shihab H. Mutlag, Surya M. Nauli
The human gastrointestinal system is a complex ecosystem crucial for well-being. During sepsis-induced gut injury, the integrity of the intestinal barrier can be compromised. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria, disrupts the intestinal barrier, contributing to inflammation and various dysfunctions. The current study explores the protective effects of limonene, a natural
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Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA: An Upcoming Non-Invasive Tool for Diagnosis of BK Polyomavirus-Associated Nephropathy Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Luying Guo, Sulin Luo, Xingxia Wang, Nengbo Zhang, Yamei Cheng, Jia Shen, Jianghua Chen, Rending Wang
Mitochondria are essential organelles that possess their own DNA. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been revealed in many kidney diseases, including BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN). In this study, we introduce an innovative approach for non-invasive monitoring of mitochondrial impairment through urinary donor-derived cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ddcfmtDNA), addressing the crucial challenge
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Exploration of the Binding Mechanism of Cyclic Dinucleotide Analogs to Stimulating Factor Proteins and the Implications for Subsequent Analog Drug Design Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Shu-Wei Yuan, Hong-Ling Shi, Mu-Ran Fu, Xi-Chuan Zhang, Xiao-Qi Xi, Yao Wang, Tai-Song Shen, Jin-Liang Ma, Cun-Duo Tang
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are cyclic molecules consisting of two nucleoside monophosphates linked by two phosphodiester bonds, which act as a second messenger and bind to the interferon gene stimulating factor (STING) to activate the downstream signaling pathway and ultimately induce interferon secretion, initiating an anti-infective immune response. Cyclic dinucleotides and their analogs are lead
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Sulforaphane-Enriched Extracts from Broccoli Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity against Plant Pathogens, Promising a Natural Antimicrobial Agent for Crop Protection Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Lixia He, Hanmin Jiang, Yaotong Li, Xu Zhang, Wenting Sun, Ce Liu, Zekai Zhao, Chengrong Yun, Hui Li, Chunguo Wang
Sulforaphane (SFN) is one of the hydrolysates of glucosinolates (GSLs), primarily derived from Brassica vegetables like broccoli. In clinical therapy, SFN has been proven to display antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the antimicrobial effects and mechanism of SFN against plant pathogens need to be further elucidated, which limits its application in agriculture
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Encapsulation of Fennel and Basil Essential Oils in β-Cyclodextrin for Novel Biopesticide Formulation Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-14 Nina Devrnja, Boban Anđelković, Jovana Ljujić, Tatjana Ćosić, Sofija Stupar, Milica Milutinović, Jelena Savić
β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) is a good host for the encapsulation of fennel and basil essential oils (FEO and BEO, respectively) and the formation of inclusion complexes (ICs) using the co-precipitation method. According to the results of the GC/MS analysis conducted in this study, monoterpenes and monoterpenoids were the dominant chemical groups in total FEO, while in BEO, these two groups occurred along
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Bioactive Compounds from Pigmented Corn (Zea mays L.) and Their Effect on Health Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Yaír Adonaí Sánchez-Nuño, Martín Zermeño-Ruiz, Olga Deli Vázquez-Paulino, Karla Nuño, Angélica Villarruel-López
Pigmented corn is a gramineae food of great biological, cultural and nutritional importance for many Latin American countries, with more than 250 breeds on the American continent. It confers a large number of health benefits due to its diverse and abundant bioactive compounds. In this narrative review we decided to organize the information on the nutrients, bioactive compounds and phytochemicals present
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Advances in AI for Protein Structure Prediction: Implications for Cancer Drug Discovery and Development Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Xinru Qiu, Han Li, Greg Ver Steeg, Adam Godzik
Recent advancements in AI-driven technologies, particularly in protein structure prediction, are significantly reshaping the landscape of drug discovery and development. This review focuses on the question of how these technological breakthroughs, exemplified by AlphaFold2, are revolutionizing our understanding of protein structure and function changes underlying cancer and improve our approaches to
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Correction: Pius et al. Effects of Aging on Osteosynthesis at Bone–Implant Interfaces. Biomolecules 2024, 14, 52 Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Alexa K. Pius, Masakazu Toya, Qi Gao, Max L. Lee, Yasemin Sude Ergul, Simon Kwoon-Ho Chow, Stuart Barry Goodman
Max L. Lee was not included as an author in the original publication [...]
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Postbiotics of Naturally Fermented Synbiotic Mixture of Rice Water Aids in Promoting Colonocyte Health Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Charumathi Anbalagan, Sangeetha Kadapakkam Nandabalan, Pavithra Sankar, Prasanna Srinivasan Rajaram, Karthick Govindaraj, Secunda Rupert, Jeswanth Sathyanesan
The eubiotic state of the gut microbiota is primarily brought about by various probiotic species that colonize the gut. It is becoming very clear that the probiotic-metabolite mixtures in the gut luminal milieu is central in establishing cross-kingdom signalling networks to maintain gut-multi-organ axes health. Culturally, different fermented foods and beverages have been regional staples since ancient
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The AP2/ERF Transcription Factor PgERF120 Regulates Ginsenoside Biosynthesis in Ginseng Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Yang Jiang, Qi Zhang, Zixia Zeng, Yi Wang, Mingzhu Zhao, Kangyu Wang, Meiping Zhang
Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Araliaceae and has been used for thousands of years in East Asia as an essential traditional medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities of its main active ingredient, ginsenosides. The AP2/ERF gene family, widely present in plants, is a class of transcription factors capable of responding to ethylene regulation
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Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Inhibition in Proteolipid Protein 1-Expressing Cells Stimulates Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis in the Postnatal Enteric Nervous System Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-13 Crystal Woods, Amanda R. Flockton, Jaime Belkind-Gerson
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (Pten) is a key regulator of cell proliferation and a potential target to stimulate postnatal enteric neuro- and/or gliogenesis. To investigate this, we generated two tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase murine models in which Pten was conditionally ablated, (1) in glia (Plp1-expressing cells) and (2) in neurons (Calb2-expressing cells). Tamoxifen-treated adult (7–12 weeks
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Functional Implications of the Prosomeric Brain Model Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Luis Puelles
Brain models present a viewpoint on the fundamental structural components of the brain and their mutual organization, generally relative to a particular concept of the brain axis. A model may be based on adult brain structure or on developmental morphogenetic aspects. Brain models usually have functional implications, depending on which functional properties derive from the postulated organization
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Dimerization of the β-Hairpin Membrane-Active Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Capitellacin from Marine Polychaeta: An NMR Structural and Thermodynamic Study Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Pavel A. Mironov, Alexander S. Paramonov, Olesya V. Reznikova, Victoria N. Safronova, Pavel V. Panteleev, Ilia A. Bolosov, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova, Zakhar O. Shenkarev
Capitellacin is the β-hairpin membrane-active cationic antimicrobial peptide from the marine polychaeta Capitella teleta. Capitellacin exhibits antibacterial activity, including against drug-resistant strains. To gain insight into the mechanism of capitellacin action, we investigated the structure of the peptide in the membrane-mimicking environment of dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles using high-resolution
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Exploring the Intricacies of Neurogenic Niches: Unraveling the Anatomy and Neural Microenvironments Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Ismael Sánchez-Gomar, Noelia Geribaldi-Doldán, Celeste Santos-Rosendo, Ciro Sanguino-Caneva, Carlos Carrillo-Chapman, Ornella Fiorillo-Moreno, José Luis Villareal Camacho, Elkin Navarro Quiroz, Cristina Verástegui
Neurogenesis is the process of forming new neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs). In adults, this process takes place in specific areas of the brain, known as neurogenic niches. These regions have unique anatomical features that have been studied in animal models and in the human brain; however, there are differences between these models that need to be addressed. The most studied areas are the subventricular
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Biocontrol Potential of Sodin 5, Type 1 Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from Salsola soda L. Seeds Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Monika Novak Babič, Sara Ragucci, Adrijana Leonardi, Miha Pavšič, Nicola Landi, Igor Križaj, Nina Gunde-Cimerman, Kristina Sepčić, Antimo Di Maro
Sodin 5 is a type 1 ribosome-inactivating protein isolated from the seeds of Salsola soda L., an edible halophytic plant that is widespread in southern Europe, close to the coast. This plant, known as ‘agretti’, is under consideration as a new potential crop on saline soils. Considering a possible defence role of sodin 5 in the plant, we report here its antifungal activity against different halophilic
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Pleiotropic Role of Rainbow Trout CXCRs in Response to Disease and Environment: Insights from Transcriptional Signatures and Structure Analysis Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Zhi-Shuai Hou, Hong-Kui Zhao, Pedro Perdiguero, Meng-Qun Liu, Kai-Wen Xiang, Chu Zeng, Zhao Li, Xiao-Dong Yang, Qian Yang, Yuan-Ru Xin, Ji-Fang Li, Carolina Tafalla, Hai-Shen Wen
Chemokines are cytokines with chemoattractant capacities that exert their physiological functions through the binding of chemokine receptors. Thus, chemokine and receptor complexes exert important roles in regulating development and homeostasis during routine immune surveillance and inflammation. Compared to mammals, the physiology and structure of chemokine receptors in fish have not been systematically
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Bottlenecks in the Investigation of Retinal Sterol Homeostasis Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Sriganesh Ramachandra Rao, Steven J. Fliesler
Sterol homeostasis in mammalian cells and tissues involves balancing three fundamental processes: de novo sterol biosynthesis; sterol import (e.g., from blood-borne lipoproteins); and sterol export. In complex tissues, composed of multiple different cell types (such as the retina), import and export also may involve intratissue, intercellular sterol exchange. Disruption of any of these processes can
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Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PRL-3: A Key Player in Cancer Signaling Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Haidong Liu, Xiao Li, Yin Shi, Zu Ye, Xiangdong Cheng
Protein phosphatases are primarily responsible for dephosphorylation modification within signal transduction pathways. Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) is a dual-specific phosphatase implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Understanding PRL-3’s intricate functions and developing targeted therapies is crucial for advancing cancer treatment. This review highlights its regulatory mechanisms, expression
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Heterogeneity and Differentiation of the Human Arterial Tree: Focus on microRNA Expression in Vascular Disease Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-12 Carmen Ciavarella, Ilenia Motta, Miriam Capri, Mauro Gargiulo, Gianandrea Pasquinelli
Human arteries show structural and functional peculiarities according to the nutrient and oxygen needs of a specific vascular district. This architectural heterogeneity is reflected in the pathological setting of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Indeed, the responsiveness to cardiovascular risk factors, and the morphological and molecular patterns are discriminating factors among CVDs affecting different
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Exosomes as Promising Therapeutic Tools for Regenerative Endodontic Therapy Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Qingyue Kong, Yujie Wang, Nan Jiang, Yifan Wang, Rui Wang, Xiaohan Hu, Jing Mao, Xin Shi
Pulpitis is a common and frequent disease in dental clinics. Although vital pulp therapy and root canal treatment can stop the progression of inflammation, they do not allow for genuine structural regeneration and functional reconstruction of the pulp–dentin complex. In recent years, with the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, research on stem cell-based regenerative endodontic
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Activation of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor in Microglia Reduces Neuroinflammation through Inhibiting Aerobic Glycolysis to Relieve Hypertension Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-11 Ruohan Shan, Yuxiang Zhang, Yiping Shi, Xiaowen Wang, Xueke Wang, Guanying Ma, Qian Li
Background: Studies have shown that the chronic use of cannabis is associated with a decrease in blood pressure. Our previous studies prove that activating the cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor in the brain can effectively reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats; however, the exact mechanism has not been clarified. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that activation of microglial
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The Role of MUC1 in Renal Cell Carcinoma Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Martina Milella, Monica Rutigliano, Francesco Lasorsa, Matteo Ferro, Roberto Bianchi, Giuseppe Fallara, Felice Crocetto, Savio Domenico Pandolfo, Biagio Barone, Antonio d’Amati, Marco Spilotros, Michele Battaglia, Pasquale Ditonno, Giuseppe Lucarelli
Mucins are a family of high-molecular-weight glycoproteins. MUC1 is widely studied for its role in distinct types of cancers. In many human epithelial malignancies, MUC1 is frequently overexpressed, and its intracellular activities are crucial for cell biology. MUC1 overexpression can enhance cancer cell proliferation by modulating cell metabolism. When epithelial cells lose their tight connections
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SOS-Inducing Drugs Trigger Nucleic Acid Release and Biofilm Formation in Gram-Negative Bacteria Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Peter Demjanenko, Sam Zheng, John K. Crane
Our laboratory recently reported that induction of the SOS response, triggered by SOS-inducing drugs, was accompanied by a large release of DNA from enteric bacteria. The SOS response release had not previously been reported to include release of extracellular DNA from bacterial cells. We followed up on those observations in this current study and found that not just double-stranded DNA was being released
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Non-Coding RNAs: Novel Regulators of Macrophage Homeostasis in Ocular Vascular Diseases Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-10 Qiuyang Zhang, Qing Liu, Siguo Feng, Xiumiao Li, Qin Jiang
Ocular neovascularization can impair vision and threaten patients’ quality of life. However, the underlying mechanism is far from transparent. In all mammals, macrophages are a population of cells playing pivotal roles in the innate immune system and the first line of defense against pathogens. Therefore, it has been speculated that the disfunction of macrophage homeostasis is involved in the development
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High Glucose Promotes and Aggravates the Senescence and Dysfunction of Vascular Endothelial Cells in Women with Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-10 Lin Zheng, Mingqing Li, Huaping Li
Hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) is linked to fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction, which might be a result of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is associated with cell senescence; however, the role and mechanism of high glucose and cell senescence in HIP endothelial cell failure are largely unknown. Our study discovered that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) obtained from HIP pregnant women
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Emerging Roles of Extracelluar Vesicles Derived from Bacteria, Mammalian or Plant Cells in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Application of Neurodegenerative Diseases Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Yihong Li, Chenglong Zhou, Huina Liu, Ting Cai, Huadong Fan
A growing number of studies have indicated that extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, are involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Components of EVs with biological effects like proteins, nucleic acids, or other molecules can be delivered to recipient cells to mediate physio-/pathological processes. For instance, some aggregate-prone proteins, such as β-amyloid and α-synuclein
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Effects of Different Capsulotomy and Fragmentation Energy Levels on the Generation of Oxidative Stress Following Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Sang Beom Han, Yu-Chi Liu, Melina Setiawan, Isabelle Xin Yu Lee, Moushmi Patil, Hon Shing Ong, Jodhbir S. Mehta
Purpose. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different capsulotomy and fragmentation energy levels on the production of oxidative free radicals following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) with a low-energy platform. Methods. The experimental study included 60 porcine eyes (12 groups). In each group, capsulotomies with 90% or 150% energy, and fragmentations with 90%
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Mechanistic Insights Revealed by YbtPQ in the Occluded State Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Wenxin Hu, Chance Parkinson, Hongjin Zheng
Recently, several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) importers have been found to adopt the typical fold of type IV ABC exporters. Presumably, these importers would function under the transport scheme of “alternating access” like those exporters, cycling through inward-open, occluded, and outward-open conformations. Understanding how the exporter-like importers move substrates in the opposite direction requires
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The Development of LAT1 Efflux Agonists as Mechanistic Probes of Cellular Amino Acid Stress Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-09 Vandana Sekhar, Houssine Ikhlef, Alexandra Bunea, Viet S. Nguyen, Johan Joo, Mukund P. Tantak, Holly Moots, Otto Phanstiel
Amino acid restriction induces cellular stress and cells often respond via the induction of autophagy. Autophagy or ‘self-eating’ enables the recycling of proteins and provides the essential amino acids needed for cell survival. Of the naturally occurring amino acids, methionine restriction has pleiotropic effects on cells because methionine also contributes to the intracellular methyl pools required
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Changes in Gravitaxis and Gene-Expression in an Euglena gracilis Culture over Time Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-09 Julia Krüger, Peter Richter, Julia Stoltze, Binod Prasad, Sebastian M. Strauch, Marcus Krüger, Adeel Nasir, Michael Lebert
Age-dependent changes in the transcription levels of 5-day-old Euglena gracilis cells, which showed positive gravitaxis, 6-day-old cells without gravitactic orientation, and older cells (9- and 11-day-old, which displayed a precise negative gravitaxis) were determined through microarray analysis. Hierarchical clustering of four independent cell cultures revealed pronounced similarities in transcription
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Integrated Analysis of lncRNAs and mRNAs Reveals Complex Gene Network Mediated by lncRNAs and Regulatory Function of MuLRR-RLK-AS in Response to Phytoplasma Infection in Mulberry Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Zixuan Liu, Chaorui Liu, Teng Zhao, Lulu Yang, Qiqi Shang, Gefan Wang, Zhaoyang Liu, Yingping Gai, Xianling Ji
Phytoplasma disease is one of the most serious infectious diseases that affects the growth and development of mulberry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in plants’ defense systems; however, the contribution of lncRNAs in the response to phytoplasma infection in mulberry is still largely unknown. Herein, strand-specific RNA sequencing was performed to profile the mRNAs and lncRNAs
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The Adipokinetic Hormone (AKH) and the Adipokinetic Hormone/Corazonin-Related Peptide (ACP) Signalling Systems of the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti: Chemical Models of Binding Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Graham E. Jackson, Marc-Antoine Sani, Heather G. Marco, Frances Separovic, Gerd Gäde
Neuropeptides are the main regulators of physiological, developmental, and behavioural processes in insects. Three insect neuropeptide systems, the adipokinetic hormone (AKH), corazonin (Crz), and adipokinetic hormone/corazonin-related peptide (ACP), and their cognate receptors, are related to the vertebrate gonadotropin (GnRH) system and form the GnRH superfamily of peptides. In the current study
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Overexpression of S30 Ribosomal Protein Leads to Transcriptional and Metabolic Changes That Affect Plant Development and Responses to Stress Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Alin Finkelshtein, Hala Khamesa-Israelov, Daniel A. Chamovitz
ICT1 is an Arabidopsis thaliana line that overexpresses the gene encoding the S30 ribosomal subunit, leading to tolerance to exogenous indole-3-carbinol. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a protective chemical formed as a breakdown of I3M in cruciferous vegetables. The overexpression of S30 in ICT1 results in transcriptional changes that prime the plant for the I3C, or biotic insult. Emerging evidence suggests
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LL-37: Structures, Antimicrobial Activity, and Influence on Amyloid-Related Diseases Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Surajit Bhattacharjya, Zhizhuo Zhang, Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), as well as host defense peptides (HDPs), constitute the first line of defense as part of the innate immune system. Humans are known to express antimicrobial precursor proteins, which are further processed to generate AMPs, including several types of α/β defensins, histatins, and cathelicidin-derived AMPs like LL37. The broad-spectrum activity of AMPs is crucial to defend
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Laccase-Mediated Oxidation of Phenolic Compounds from Wine Lees Extract towards the Synthesis of Polymers with Potential Applications in Food Packaging Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Panagiotis E. Athanasiou, Christina I. Gkountela, Michaela Patila, Renia Fotiadou, Alexandra V. Chatzikonstantinou, Stamatina N. Vouyiouka, Haralambos Stamatis
Laccase from Trametes versicolor was applied to produce phenolic polymeric compounds with enhanced properties, using a wine lees extract as the phenolic source. The influence of the incubation time on the progress of the enzymatic oxidation and the yield of the formed polymers was examined. The polymerization process and the properties of the polymeric products were evaluated with a variety of techniques
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An Engineered Laccase from Fomitiporia mediterranea Accelerates Lignocellulose Degradation Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Le Thanh Mai Pham, Kai Deng, Hemant Choudhary, Trent R. Northen, Steven W. Singer, Paul D. Adams, Blake A. Simmons, Kenneth L. Sale
Laccases from white-rot fungi catalyze lignin depolymerization, a critical first step to upgrading lignin to valuable biodiesel fuels and chemicals. In this study, a wildtype laccase from the basidiomycete Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fom_lac) and a variant engineered to have a carbohydrate-binding module (Fom_CBM) were studied for their ability to catalyze cleavage of β-O-4′ ether and C–C bonds in phenolic
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Variations of the NodB Architecture Are Attuned to Functional Specificities into and beyond the Carbohydrate Esterase Family 4 Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Alexis S. Molfetas, Nikiforos Boutris, Anastasia Tomatsidou, Michael Kokkinidis, Vasiliki E. Fadouloglou
Enzymes of the carbohydrate esterase family 4 (CE4) deacetylate a broad range of substrates, including linear, branched and mesh-like polysaccharides. Although they are enzymes of variable amino acid sequence length, they all comprise the conserved catalytic domain NodB. NodB carries the metal binding and active site residues and is characterized by a set of conserved sequence motifs, which are linked
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Solute Transport through Mitochondrial Porins In Vitro and In Vivo Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-04 Roland Benz
Mitochondria are most likely descendants of strictly aerobic prokaryotes from the class Alphaproteobacteria. The mitochondrial matrix is surrounded by two membranes according to its relationship with Gram-negative bacteria. Similar to the bacterial outer membrane, the mitochondrial outer membrane acts as a molecular sieve because it also contains diffusion pores. However, it is more actively involved
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Untargeted and Oxylipin-Targeted Metabolomics Study on the Plasma Samples of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Jianming Xu, Changzhen Fu, Yaru Sun, Xin Wen, Chong-Bo Chen, Chukai Huang, Tsz Kin Ng, Qingping Liu, Mingzhi Zhang
Purpose: to determine the metabolomics profiles in the plasma samples of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Methods: The plasma samples from 20 POAG patients under intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication treatment and 20 control subjects were subjected to the untargeted metabolomics analysis, among which 10 POAG patients and 10 control subjects were further subjected to the oxylipin-targeted
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Beyond Natriuretic Peptides: Unveiling the Power of Emerging Biomarkers in Heart Failure Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Roberto Licordari, Michele Correale, Salvatore Bonanno, Matteo Beltrami, Michele Ciccarelli, Antonio Micari, Alberto Palazzuoli, Giuseppe Dattilo
Heart failure (HF) represents a significant global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates, and imposes considerable burdens on healthcare systems and patient quality of life. Traditional management strategies, primarily relying on clinical assessments and standard biomarkers like natriuretic peptides, face limitations due to the heterogeneity of HF. This review aims to
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Post-Translational Modifications and Diabetes Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Chiranjeev Sharma, Abu Hamza, Emily Boyle, Dickson Donu, Yana Cen
Diabetes and its associated complications have increasingly become major challenges for global healthcare. The current therapeutic strategies involve insulin replacement therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and small-molecule drugs for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite these advances, the complex nature of diabetes necessitates innovative clinical interventions for effective treatment and complication prevention
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What We Are Learning from the Diverse Structures of the Homodimeric Type I Reaction Center-Photosystems of Anoxygenic Phototropic Bacteria Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Robert A. Niederman
A Type I reaction center (RC) (Fe-S type, ferredoxin reducing) is found in several phyla containing anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria. These include the heliobacteria (HB), the green sulfur bacteria (GSB), and the chloracidobacteria (CB), for which high-resolution homodimeric RC-photosystem (PS) structures have recently appeared. The 2.2-Å X-ray structure of the RC-PS of Heliomicrobium modesticaldum
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Identification and Validation of a PEX5-Dependent Signature for Prognostic Prediction in Glioma Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-06 Xuhui Qin, Bing Wang, Xia Lu, Yanyang Song, Wei Wang
Gliomas, the most prevalent and lethal form of brain cancer, are known to exhibit metabolic alterations that facilitate tumor growth, invasion, and resistance to therapies. Peroxisomes, essential organelles responsible for fatty acid oxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, rely on the receptor PEX5 for the import of metabolic enzymes into their matrix. However, the prognostic significance
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Mitochondrial Transplantation Therapy Ameliorates Muscular Dystrophy in mdx Mouse Model Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Mikhail V. Dubinin, Irina B. Mikheeva, Anastasia E. Stepanova, Anastasia D. Igoshkina, Alena A. Cherepanova, Alena A. Semenova, Vyacheslav A. Sharapov, Igor I. Kireev, Konstantin N. Belosludtsev
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by loss of the dystrophin protein. This pathology is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to muscle fiber instability. It is known that mitochondria-targeted in vivo therapy mitigates pathology and improves the quality of life of model animals. In the present work, we applied mitochondrial transplantation therapy (MTT) to correct the pathology
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Recombinant Human Peptide Growth Factors, Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (rhBMP7), and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) for Osteoporosis Treatment in an Oophorectomized Rat Model Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Thamara Gonçalves Reis, Alice Marcela Sampaio Del Colletto, Luiz Augusto Santana Silva, Bruna Andrade Aguiar Koga, Mari Cleide Sogayar, Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are known to regulate/stimulate osteogenesis, playing vital roles in bone homeostasis, rendering them strong candidates for osteoporosis treatment. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human BMP-7 (rhBMP7) and PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) in an oophorectomy-induced osteoporosis rat model. Forty Sprague Dawley rats underwent oophorectomy
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Role of DNase Activity in Human Sperm DNA Fragmentation Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-04 Jaime Gosálvez, Carmen López Fernández, Stephen D. Johnston, Javier Bartolomé-Nebreda
In this clinical era of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single spermatozoon is chosen for fertilization, the diagnostic functionality of the classical parameters typically associated with fertilization, such as sperm concentration, sperm motility, acrosome integrity, and mitochondria, is perhaps becoming less critical. In contrast, the contribution of sperm DNA quality to our understanding
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Reproductive and Oncologic Outcomes in Young Women with Stage IA and Grade 2 Endometrial Carcinoma Undergoing Fertility-Sparing Treatment: A Systematic Review Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-05 Andrea Etrusco, Antonio Simone Laganà, Vito Chiantera, Mislav Mikuš, Hafiz Muhammad Arsalan, Antonio d’Amati, Amerigo Vitagliano, Ettore Cicinelli, Alessandro Favilli, Antonio D’Amato
Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in both Europe and the USA. Approximately 3–5% of cases occur in women of reproductive age. Fertility-sparing treatment (FST) options are available, but very limited evidence regarding grade 2 (G2) ECs exists in the current literature. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate reproductive and oncologic outcomes
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Rational Design of Key Enzymes to Efficiently Synthesize Phycocyanobilin in Escherichia coli Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-03 Ziwei Wang, Jingwen Zhou, Jianghua Li, Guocheng Du, Jian Chen, Xinrui Zhao
Phycocyanobilin (PCB) is a natural blue tetrapyrrole chromophore that is found in phycocyanin and plays an essential role in photosynthesis. Due to PCB’s antioxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, it has been utilized in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Currently, the extraction of PCB from Spirulina involves complex processes, which has led to increasing interest
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Increased NLRP1 mRNA and Protein Expression Suggests Inflammasome Activation in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal and Medial Orbitofrontal Cortex in Schizophrenia Biomolecules (IF 5.5) Pub Date : 2024-03-04 Ena Španić Popovački, Dora Vogrinc, Heidi R. Fuller, Lea Langer Horvat, Davor Mayer, Janja Kopić, Klara Pintarić, Mirjana Babić Leko, Mihaela Pravica, Željka Krsnik, Darko Marčinko, Marina Šagud, Patrick R. Hof, Mihovil Mladinov, Goran Šimić
Schizophrenia is a complex mental condition, with key symptoms marked for diagnosis including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, reduced emotional expression, and social dysfunction. In the context of major developmental hypotheses of schizophrenia, notably those concerning maternal immune activation and neuroinflammation, we studied NLRP1 expression and content in the postmortem brain