Search results for "Forma"
showing 10 items of 34540 documents
Are mutations in the dhrs9 gene causally linked to epilepsy? A case report
2020
The DHRS9 gene is involved in several pathways including the synthesis of allopregnanolone from progesterone. Allopregnanolone is a positive modulator of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) action and plays a role in the control of neuronal excitability and seizures. Whole-exome sequencing performed on a girl with an early onset epilepsy revealed that she was a compound heterozygote for two novel missense mutations of the DHRS9 gene likely to disrupt protein function. No previous studies have reported the implication of this gene in epilepsy. We discuss a new potential pathogenic mechanism underlying epilepsy in a child, due to a defective progesterone pathway.
Development of Novel Peptide-Based Michael Acceptors Targeting Rhodesain and Falcipain-2 for the Treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
2017
This paper describes the development of a class of peptide-based inhibitors as novel antitrypanosomal and antimalarial agents. The inhibitors are based on a characteristic peptide sequence for the inhibition of the cysteine proteases rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and falcipain-2 of Plasmodium falciparum. We exploited the reactivity of novel unsaturated electrophilic functions such as vinyl-sulfones, -ketones, -esters, and -nitriles. The Michael acceptors inhibited both rhodesain and falcipain-2, at nanomolar and micromolar levels, respectively. In particular, the vinyl ketone 3b has emerged as a potent rhodesain inhibitor (k2nd = 67 × 106 M-1 min-1), endowed with a picomolar b…
Comparative study of eco- and cytotoxicity during biotransformation of anthraquinone dye Alizarin Blue Black B in optimized cultures of microscopic f…
2017
The aim of this study was to select optimal conditions (C and N sources, initial pH and temperature) for biodecolorization of 0.03% anthraquinone dye Alizarin Blue Black B (ABBB) by microscopic fungi: Haematonectria haematococca BwIII43, K37 and Trichoderma harzianum BsIII33. The phenolic compounds, phytotoxicity (Lepidium sativum L.), biotoxicity (Microtox), cytotoxicity and yeast viability assay were performed to determine the extent of ABBB detoxification. Biodecolorization and detoxification of 0.03% ABBB in H. haematococca BwIII43 and T. harzianum BsIII33 cultures was correlated with extracellular oxidoreductases activity. In turn, secondary products, toxic to human fibroblasts and res…
Role of TCTP for Cellular Differentiation and Cancer Therapy
2017
The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved protein that is regulated due to a high number of extracellular stimuli. TCTP has an important role for cell cycle and normal development. On the other side, tumor reversion and malignant transformation have been associated with TCTP. TCTP has been found among the 12 genes that are differentially expressed during mouse oocyte maturation, and an overexpression of this gene was reported in a wide variety of different cancer types. Its antiapoptotic effect is indicated by the interaction with several proapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family and the p53 tumor suppressor protein. In this article, we draw attention to the …
How repair-or-dispose decisions under stress can initiate disease progression
2020
Summary Glia, the helper cells of the brain, are essential in maintaining neural resilience across time and varying challenges: By reacting to changes in neuronal health glia carefully balance repair or disposal of injured neurons. Malfunction of these interactions is implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases. We present a reductionist model that mimics repair-or-dispose decisions to generate a hypothesis for the cause of disease onset. The model assumes four tissue states: healthy and challenged tissue, primed tissue at risk of acute damage propagation, and chronic neurodegeneration. We discuss analogies to progression stages observed in the most common neurodegenerative conditions and…
Circadian Rhythm in Adipose Tissue: Novel Antioxidant Target for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases
2020
Obesity is a major risk factor for most metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Adipose tissue is an important endocrine organ that modulates metabolic and cardiovascular health by secreting signaling molecules. Oxidative stress is a common mechanism associated with metabolic and cardiovascular complications including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Oxidative stress can cause adipose tissue dysfunction. Accumulating data from both humans and experimental animal models suggest that adipose tissue function and oxidative stress have an innate connection with the intrinsic biological clock. Circadian clock orchestrates biological processes in adjusting to daily environmental changes…
Alkaline phosphatase dual-binding sites for collagen dictate cell migration and microvessel assembly in vitro
2020
Interactions between cell types, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components involved in angiogenesis are crucial for new vessel formation leading to tissue regeneration. This study investigated whether cocultures of fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs; from macro- or microvasculature) play a role in the formation of microvessel-like structures by ECs, as well as modulate fibroblast differentiation and growth factors production (vascular endothelial cell growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, active transforming growth factor-beta 1, and interleukin-8), which are important for vessel sprouting and maturation. Data obtained revealed that in vitro coculture systems of fibro…
Deregulated miRNAs in bone health: Epigenetic roles in osteoporosis.
2019
MicroRNA (miRNA) has shown to enhance or inhibit cell proliferation, differentiation and activity of different cell types in bone tissue. The discovery of miRNA actions and their targets has helped to identify them as novel regulations actors in bone. Various studies have shown that miRNA deregulation mediates the progression of bone-related pathologies, such as osteoporosis. The present review intends to give an exhaustive overview of miRNAs with experimentally validated targets involved in bone homeostasis and highlight their possible role in osteoporosis development. Moreover, the review analyzes miRNAs identified in clinical trials and involved in osteoporosis.
Brain Distribution and Modulation of Neuronal Excitability by Indicaxanthin From Opuntia Ficus Indica Administered at Nutritionally-Relevant Amounts
2018
Several studies have recently investigated the role of nutraceuticals in complex pathophysiological processes such as oxidative damages, inflammatory conditions and excitotoxicity. In this regard, the effects of nutraceuticals on basic functions of neuronal cells, such as excitability, are still poorly investigated. For this reason, the possible modulation of neuronal excitability by phytochemicals (PhC) could represent an interesting field of research given that excitotoxicity phenomena are involved in neurodegenerative alterations leading, for example, to Alzheimer's disease. The present study was focused on indicaxanthin from Opuntia ficus indica, a bioactive betalain pigment, with a pro…
The Hidden Charm of Life
2019
Synthetic biology is an engineering view on biotechnology, which has revolutionized genetic engineering. The field has seen a constant development of metaphors that tend to highlight the similarities of cells with machines. I argue here that living organisms, particularly bacterial cells, are not machine-like, engineerable entities, but, instead, factory-like complex systems shaped by evolution. A change of the comparative paradigm in synthetic biology from machines to factories, from hardware to software, and from informatics to economy is discussed.