scholarly journals Recent Progress in the Methodologies to Identify Physiological Ligands of Siglecs

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huei-Syuan Jiang ◽  
Shao-Chien Zhuang ◽  
Chak Hin Lam ◽  
Lan-Yi Chang ◽  
Takashi Angata
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Extracellular Space ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Cancer Immunity

Siglecs, a family of receptor-like lectins, recognize glycoproteins and/or glycolipids containing sialic acid in the extracellular space and transduce intracellular signaling. Recently, researchers uncovered significant contributions of Siglecs in cancer immunity, renewing interest in this family of proteins. Previous extensive studies have defined how Siglecs recognize glycan epitopes (glycotopes). Nevertheless, the biological role of these glycotopes has not been fully evaluated. Recent studies using live cells have begun unraveling the constituents of Siglec ligands. These studies demonstrated that glycoprotein scaffolds (counter-receptors) displaying glycotopes are sometimes just as important as the glycotope itself. These new insights may guide future efforts to develop therapeutic agents to target the Siglec – ligand axis.

scholarly journals Emerging Silk Material Trends: Repurposing, Phase Separation and Solution-Based Designs

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1160
Author(s):  
F. Philipp Seib
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
New Developments ◽  
Silk Fabrics ◽  
Induced Crystallization ◽  
Liquid Liquid Phase Separation

Silk continues to amaze. This review unravels the most recent progress in silk science, spanning from fundamental insights to medical silks. Key advances in silk flow are examined, with specific reference to the role of metal ions in switching silk from a storage to a spinning state. Orthogonal thermoplastic silk molding is described, as is the transfer of silk flow principles for the triggering of flow-induced crystallization in other non-silk polymers. Other exciting new developments include silk-inspired liquid–liquid phase separation for non-canonical fiber formation and the creation of “silk organelles” in live cells. This review closes by examining the role of silk fabrics in fashioning facemasks in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

scholarly journals Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 in Parkinson’s Disease: Updated from Pathogenesis to Potential Therapeutic Target

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 256-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhua Chen ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Jiali Pu
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Dopaminergic Neurons ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Leucine Rich Repeat ◽  
Potential Therapeutic Target ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. The pathogenesis of PD is not fully understood but is likely caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Several genes are associated with the onset and progression of familial PD. There is increasing evidence that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) plays a significant role in PD pathophysiology. Summary: Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the functions of LRRK2 and identify effective LRRK2 inhibitors for PD treatment. In this review, we discuss the role of LRRK2 in PD and recent progress in the use of LRRK2 inhibitors as therapeutic agents. Key Messages: LRRK2 plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of PD, and pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 has become one of the most promising potential therapies for PD. Further research is warranted to determine the functions of LRRK2 and expand the applications of LRRK2 inhibitors in PD treatment.

Examination of the Biological Role of the α(2→6)-Linked Sialic Acid in Gangliosides Binding to the Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein (MAG)

2009 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Schwardt ◽  
Heiko Gäthje ◽  
Angelo Vedani ◽  
Stefanie Mesch ◽  
Gan-Pan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Myelin Associated Glycoprotein

N-terminal acetylation and other functions of Nα-acetyltransferases

2012 ◽  
Vol 393 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolien Hollebeke ◽  
Petra Van Damme ◽  
Kris Gevaert
Keyword(s):  
Protein Modification ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Protein Acetylation ◽  
Terminal Protein ◽  
Made In

Abstract Protein N-terminal acetylation by Nα-acetyltransferases (NATs) is an omnipresent protein modification that affects a large number of proteins. The exact biological role of N-terminal acetylation has, however, remained enigmatic for the overall majority of affected proteins, and only for a rather small number of proteins, N-terminal acetylation was linked to various protein features including stability, localization, and interactions. This minireview tries to summarize the recent progress made in understanding the functionality of N-terminal protein acetylation and also focuses on noncanonical functions of the NATs subunits.

Scanning electron microscopic study of collagen fibrillogenesis and extracellular compartmentalization in the chick embryo tendon

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 208-209
Author(s):  
Grace C.H. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Chick Embryo ◽  
Extracellular Space ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic Study ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
And Function

The size and organization of collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix is an important determinant of tissue structure and function. The synthesis and deposition of collagen involves multiple steps which begin within the cell and continue in the extracellular space. High-voltage electron microscopic studies of the chick embryo cornea and tendon suggested that the extracellular space is compartmentalized by the fibroblasts for the regulation of collagen fibril, bundle, and tissue specific macroaggregate formation. The purpose of this study is to gather direct evidence regarding the association of the fibroblast cell surface with newly formed collagen fibrils, and to define the role of the fibroblast in the control and the precise positioning of collagen fibrils, bundles, and macroaggregates during chick tendon development.

Glioblastoma invasion and NMDA receptors: A novel prospect

2019 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
DN Nandakumar ◽  
P Ramaswamy ◽  
C Prasad ◽  
D Srinivas ◽  
K Goswami
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Receptors ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Transcript Level ◽  
Glioblastoma Cells ◽  
Invasion And Migration ◽  
Matrigel Invasion ◽  
Nmdar Activation ◽  
And Migration

Purpose Glioblastoma cells create glutamate-rich tumor microenvironment, which initiates activation of ion channels and modulates downstream intracellular signaling. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs; a type of glutamate receptors) have a high affinity for glutamate. The role of NMDAR activation on invasion of glioblastoma cells and the crosstalk with α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) is yet to be explored. Main methods LN18, U251MG, and patient-derived glioblastoma cells were stimulated with NMDA to activate NMDAR glutamate receptors. The role of NMDAR activation on invasion and migration and its crosstalk with AMPAR were evaluated. Invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells were investigated by in vitro trans-well Matrigel invasion and trans-well migration assays, respectively. Expression of NMDARs and AMPARs at transcript level was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results We determined that NMDA stimulation leads to enhanced invasion in LN18, U251MG, and patient-derived glioblastoma cells, whereas inhibition of NMDAR using MK-801, a non-competitive antagonist of the NMDAR, significantly decreased the invasive capacity. Concordant with these findings, migration was significantly augmented by NMDAR in both cell lines. Furthermore, NMDA stimulation upregulated the expression of GluN2 and GluA1 subunits at the transcript level. Conclusions This study demonstrated the previously unexplored role of NMDAR in invasion of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, the expression of the GluN2 subunit of NMDAR and the differential overexpression of the GluA1 subunit of AMPAR in both cell lines provide a plausible rationale of crosstalk between these calcium-permeable subunits in the glutamate-rich microenvironment of glioblastoma.

Role of miRNA in circadian rhythmicity: recent progress

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 1137-1139
Author(s):  
Qing-min WANG ◽  
Hui WAN ◽  
Fen-zhou SHI ◽  
Jun SHEN ◽  
Qiu-hong LIU
Keyword(s):  
Recent Progress ◽  
Circadian Rhythmicity
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