scholarly journals Mollusc N-glycosylation: Structures, Functions and Perspectives

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1820
Author(s):  
Erika Staudacher
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Glycan Pattern

Molluscs display a sophisticated N-glycan pattern on their proteins, which is, in terms of involved structural features, even more diverse than that of vertebrates. This review summarises the current knowledge of mollusc N-glycan structures, with a focus on the functional aspects of the corresponding glycoproteins. Furthermore, the potential of mollusc-derived biomolecules for medical applications is addressed, emphasising the importance of mollusc research.

scholarly journals Glycosylation of matrix metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors: present state, challenges and opportunities

2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (11) ◽  
pp. 1471-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Boon ◽  
Estefania Ugarte-Berzal ◽  
Jennifer Vandooren ◽  
Ghislain Opdenakker
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Present State ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteases ◽  
Inhibitor Binding ◽  
Attachment Sites ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Current knowledge about the glycosylation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is reviewed. Whereas structural and functional aspects of the glycobiology of many MMPs is unknown, research on MMP-9 and MMP-14 glycosylation reveals important functional implications, such as altered inhibitor binding and cellular localization. This, together with the fact that MMPs contain conserved and many potential attachment sites for N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides, proves the need for further studies on MMP glycobiology.

The underground life of homeodomain-leucine zipper transcription factors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perotti M F ◽  
Arce A L ◽  
R L Chan
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Root Development ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Specific Cell ◽  
High Plasticity

Abstract Roots are the anchorage organs of plants, responsible for water and nutrient uptake, exhibiting high plasticity. Root architecture is driven by the interactions of biomolecules, including transcription factors (TFs) and hormones that are crucial players regulating root plasticity. Multiple TF families are involved in root development; some, such as ARFs and LBDs, have been well characterized, whereas others remain less investigated. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge about the involvement of the large family of homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) TFs in root development. This family is divided into four subfamilies (I to IV), mainly according to structural features, such as additional motifs aside from HD-Zip, as well as their size, gene structure, and expression patterns. We explored and analyzed public databases and the scientific literature regarding HD-Zip TFs in Arabidopsis and other species. Most members of the four HD-Zip subfamilies are expressed in specific cell types and several ones from each group have assigned functions in root development. Notably, a high proportion of the studied proteins are part of intricate regulation pathways involved in primary and lateral root growth and development.

scholarly journals Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Livestock and Wild Animals in Azerbaijan Territory

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Simuzer Mamedova ◽  
Panagiotis Karanis
Keyword(s):  
Staining Method ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽  
Stool Specimens ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Acid Fast Staining

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan parasite and is increasingly gaining attention as a human and an animal pathogen, mainly due to its predominant involvement in worldwide waterborne outbreaks. This paper reviews the current knowledge and understanding of Cryptosporidium spp. in terrestrial and aquatic animals in Azerbaijan. The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis relies on the identification of oocysts in faecal samples released by the infected host. Stool specimens were processed using the modified acid-fast staining method (Ziehl-Neelsen) and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Thirteen species of Cryptosporidium (C. fragile, C. ducismarci, C. serpentis, C. varani, C. baileyi, C. meleagridis, C. muris, C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. hominis, C. suis) from amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have been identified as a result of studies conducted between 1987 and 2019 on the structural features of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Azerbaijan territory.

scholarly journals FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase 3/FLT3: From Basic Science to Clinical Implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 1433-1466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julhash U. Kazi ◽  
Lars Rönnstrand
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Acquired Resistance ◽  
Cell Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Proliferation And Differentiation ◽  
Targeted Inhibition

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed almost exclusively in the hematopoietic compartment. Its ligand, FLT3 ligand (FL), induces dimerization and activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Activation of FLT3 leads to its autophosphorylation and initiation of several signal transduction cascades. Signaling is initiated by the recruitment of signal transduction molecules to activated FLT3 through binding to specific phosphorylated tyrosine residues in the intracellular region of FLT3. Activation of FLT3 mediates cell survival, cell proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. It acts in synergy with several other cytokines to promote its biological effects. Deregulated FLT3 activity has been implicated in several diseases, most prominently in acute myeloid leukemia where around one-third of patients carry an activating mutant of FLT3 which drives the disease and is correlated with poor prognosis. Overactivity of FLT3 has also been implicated in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The observation that gain-of-function mutations of FLT3 can promote leukemogenesis has stimulated the development of inhibitors that target this receptor. Many of these are in clinical trials, and some have been approved for clinical use. However, problems with acquired resistance to these inhibitors are common and, furthermore, only a fraction of patients respond to these selective treatments. This review provides a summary of our current knowledge regarding structural and functional aspects of FLT3 signaling, both under normal and pathological conditions, and discusses challenges for the future regarding the use of targeted inhibition of these pathways for the treatment of patients.

scholarly journals Unconventional Myosins: How Regulation Meets Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Fili ◽  
Christopher P. Toseland
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Tight Control ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Binding Partners ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Multiple Levels

Unconventional myosins are multi-potent molecular motors that are assigned important roles in fundamental cellular processes. Depending on their mechano-enzymatic properties and structural features, myosins fulfil their roles by acting as cargo transporters along the actin cytoskeleton, molecular anchors or tension sensors. In order to perform such a wide range of roles and modes of action, myosins need to be under tight regulation in time and space. This is achieved at multiple levels through diverse regulatory mechanisms: the alternative splicing of various isoforms, the interaction with their binding partners, their phosphorylation, their applied load and the composition of their local environment, such as ions and lipids. This review summarizes our current knowledge of how unconventional myosins are regulated, how these regulatory mechanisms can adapt to the specific features of a myosin and how they can converge with each other in order to ensure the required tight control of their function.

Laser Welding of Titanium and its Alloys for Medical Applications: Current Knowledge and Future Direction

2009 ◽  
Vol 618-619 ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Buddery ◽  
Matthew S. Dargusch ◽  
David H. StJohn ◽  
John Drennan ◽  
Samih Nabulsi
Keyword(s):  
Laser Welding ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Current State ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Future Direction

This paper outlines the current state of research into laser welding of titanium and its alloys for medical applications. The differences that exist between the medical and other industries are described and a direction for advancing research in this field is proposed.

Macromolecular constituents of basement membranes: a review of current knowledge on their structure and function

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 942-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Type Iv Collagen ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Heparan Sulphate ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Basement Membranes ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Type V ◽  
And Function ◽  
Additional Form

Macromolecules which appear to be integral constituents of basement membranes include type IV collagen, the glycoprotein laminin, and heparan sulphate proteoglycan. Another glycoprotein, fibronectin, may occupy an intermediate position between some lining cells and their basement membranes but is not, however, restricted to this location. An additional form of collagen, genetic type V which differs significantly from type IV collagen in structure, appears to be associated with some basement membranes, possibly linking them to underlying connective tissue. The main structural features of each of these macromolecules, as presently understood, are reviewed here as a background to the experimental papers in this "mini-symposium."

The structure of aquaporins

2006 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamir Gonen ◽  
Thomas Walz
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Bilayers ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Water Pore ◽  
Water Conduction ◽  
Transmembrane Pores

1. Introduction 3621.1 The elusive water pores 3621.2 CHIP28 3622. Studies on AQP-1 3632.1 Expression of AQP1 cDNA in Xenopus oocytes 3632.2 Reconstitution of purified AQP1 into artificial lipid bilayers 3642.3 Structural information deduced from the primary sequence 3652.4 Evolution and mammalian AQPs 3653. Chronological overview over AQP structures 3683.1 AQP1 – the red blood cell water pore 3683.2 GlpF – the E. coli glycerol facilitator 3713.3 AQPZ – the E. coli water pore 3723.4 AQP0 – the lens-specific aquaporin 3733.5 AQP4 – the main aquaporin in brain 3773.6 SoPiP2;1 – a plant aquaporin 3793.7 AQPM – an archaeabacterial aquaporin 3794. Proton exclusion 3805. Substrate selectivity 3826. Pore regulation 3856.1 Hormonal regulation of AQP trafficking 3856.2 Influence of pH on AQP water conduction 3866.3 Regulation of AQP pore conductance by protein binding 3876.4 Pore closure by conformational changes in the AQP0 pore 3887. Unresolved questions 3908. Acknowledgments 3909. References 391The ubiquitous members of the aquaporin (AQP) family form transmembrane pores that are either exclusive for water (aquaporins) or are also permeable for other small neutral solutes such as glycerol (aquaglyceroporins). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of our current knowledge of AQP structures and to describe the structural features that define the function of these membrane pores. The review will discuss the mechanisms governing water conduction, proton exclusion and substrate specificity, and how the pore permeability is regulated in different members of the AQP family.

scholarly journals Roles and mechanisms of exosomal non-coding RNAs in human health and diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Li ◽  
Yu-Qing Ni ◽  
Hui Xu ◽  
Qun-Yan Xiang ◽  
Yan Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Potential Implication ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
Exosomal Mirnas ◽  
Homeostasis Regulation ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

AbstractExosomes play a role as mediators of cell-to-cell communication, thus exhibiting pleiotropic activities to homeostasis regulation. Exosomal non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are closely related to a variety of biological and functional aspects of human health. When the exosomal ncRNAs undergo tissue-specific changes due to diverse internal or external disorders, they can cause tissue dysfunction, aging, and diseases. In this review, we comprehensively discuss the underlying regulatory mechanisms of exosomes in human diseases. In addition, we explore the current knowledge on the roles of exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in human health and diseases, including cancers, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases, to determine their potential implication in biomarker identification and therapeutic exploration.

scholarly journals The Mysteries around the BCL-2 Family Member BOK

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1638
Author(s):  
Raed Shalaby ◽  
Hector Flores-Romero ◽  
Ana J. García-Sáez
Keyword(s):  
Family Member ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Apoptotic Protein ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Apoptosis Regulation

BOK is an evolutionarily conserved BCL-2 family member that resembles the apoptotic effectors BAK and BAX in sequence and structure. Based on these similarities, BOK has traditionally been classified as a BAX-like pro-apoptotic protein. However, the mechanism of action and cellular functions of BOK remains controversial. While some studies propose that BOK could replace BAK and BAX to elicit apoptosis, others attribute to this protein an indirect way of apoptosis regulation. Adding to the debate, BOK has been associated with a plethora of non-apoptotic functions that makes this protein unpredictable when dictating cell fate. Here, we compile the current knowledge and open questions about this paradoxical protein with a special focus on its structural features as the key aspect to understand BOK biological functions.

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