Biologically-active phytochemicals in food: analysis, metabolism, bioavailability and function Edited by W Pfannhauser, GR Fenwick and S Khokhar Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2001 pp 616, price £69.50 ISBN 0-85404-806-5

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 866-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Wiseman
Author(s):  
M. Boublik ◽  
W. Hellmann ◽  
F. Jenkins

Correlations between structure and function of biological macromolecules have been studied intensively for many years, mostly by indirect methods. High resolution electron microscopy is a unique tool which can provide such information directly by comparing the conformation of biopolymers in their biologically active and inactive state. We have correlated the structure and function of ribosomes, ribonucleoprotein particles which are the site of protein biosynthesis. 70S E. coli ribosomes, used in this experiment, are composed of two subunits - large (50S) and small (30S). The large subunit consists of 34 proteins and two different ribonucleic acid molecules. The small subunit contains 21 proteins and one RNA molecule. All proteins (with the exception of L7 and L12) are present in one copy per ribosome.This study deals with the changes in the fine structure of E. coli ribosomes depleted of proteins L7 and L12. These proteins are unique in many aspects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Venki Ramakrishnan ◽  
Mejd Alsari

Venkatraman ‘Venki’ Ramakrishnan is the President of The Royal Society and Group Leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology. In 2009 he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry ‘for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome’. In this interview he explains why governments should invest more in basic scientific research rather than simply on applied science and engineering. He also discusses interdisciplinarity, collaborations, and public engagement.


1849 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 109-137 ◽  

In venturing to offer a second communication to the Royal Society respecting the structure of the liver, I feel the rather anxious to do so, that I may have an opportunity of correcting an error and supplying a deficiency which existed in my previous paper. In the following observations I purpose to present some account of the structure of the liver examined in the ascending series of animals, and also to describe the several stages of its evolution in the embryo; in this way I trust I may be able to exhibit the characteristic structural features of the organ as it exists in Man and the higher animals, and also to determine the true place which ought to be assigned to it in a classification of the various glandular organs occurring in the same. I am not aware that any detailed account of the structure of the liver has been recently published, except that by M. Natalis Guillot, which however, so far as I comprehend it, does not seem to be one that can be readily accepted; the idea that the minute biliary ducts and lymphatics originate together in a common net-work, is à priori improbable, and entirely opposed to conclusive evidence (as I think), which will be subsequently adduced. A very interesting paper on the structure and function of the liver has also appeared in the 4th volume of the Guy’s Hospital Reports, from the pen of Dr. Williams; to his labours I shall several times have occasion to refer, but it will be seen that I differ from him in several particulars, especially respecting the importance of the basement or limitary membrane.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminata P. Coulibaly ◽  
Pinar Pezuk ◽  
Paul Varghese ◽  
William Gartman ◽  
Danielle Triebwasser ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with the development of delayed cognitive deficits. Neutrophil infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) is linked to the development of these deficits after SAH. It is however unclear how neutrophil activity, direct or indirect, influences CNS function in SAH. As such, the present project aims to elucidate neutrophil factors and mechanisms mediating CNS injury and cognitive deficits after SAH. Methods: Using a murine model of SAH and mice deficient in neutrophil effector functions, we determined which neutrophil effector function is critical to the development of deficits after SAH. Also, in vitro techniques were used to elucidate whether neutrophils directly or indirectly affect neuronal function after SAH. Results: Our results show that following SAH, neutrophils infiltrate the meninges, and not the brain parenchyma. Mice lacking functional myeloperoxidase (MPO KO), a neutrophil enzyme, lack both the meningeal neutrophil infiltration and the cognitive deficits associated with SAH. The re-introduction of biologically active MPO, and its substrate hydrogen peroxide, to the cerebrospinal fluid of MPO KO mice at the time of hemorrhage restores the spatial memory deficit observed after SAH. Furthermore, MPO directly affects the function of both primary neurons and astrocytes in culture. Neurons exposed to MPO and its substrate show decreased calcium activity at baseline and after stimulation with potassium chloride. In addition, MPO and its substrate lead to significant astrocyte loss in culture, phenocopying a result observed in the brain after SAH. Conclusions: These results implicate MPO as a mediator of neuronal dysfunction in SAH through direct effect on both neurons and astrocytes. Finally, these results show that, in SAH, the activity of innate immune cells in the meninges can modulate the activity and function of the underlying brain tissue.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thu Ha Pham ◽  
Sylvain Lecomte ◽  
Theo Efstathiou ◽  
Francois Ferriere ◽  
Farzad Pakdel

Biologically active plant-based compounds, commonly referred to as phytochemicals, can influence the expression and function of various receptors and transcription factors or signaling pathways that play vital roles in cellular functions and are then involved in human health and diseases. Thus, phytochemicals may have a great potential to prevent and treat chronic diseases. Glyceollins, a group of phytoalexins that are isolated from soybeans, have attracted attention because they exert numerous effects on human functions and diseases, notably anticancer effects. In this review, we have presented an update on the effects of glyceollins in relation to their potential beneficial roles in human health. Despite a growing number of studies suggesting that this new family of phytochemicals can be involved in critical cellular pathways, such as estrogen receptor, protein kinase, and lipid kinase signaling pathways, future investigations will be needed to better understand their molecular mechanisms and their specific significance in biomedical applications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Przemyslaw J. Kotyla

The Janus Kinases (JAKs) are a family of intracellular tyrosine kinases that provide transmission signals from cytokine, interferons, and many hormones receptors to the nucleus resulting in synthesis of many biologically active compounds and changing cell metabolism and function. That was theoretical background to synthetize the JAK inhibitors (Jakinibs). In recent years a substantial battery of evidence has been collected indicating the potential role of Jakinibs to interact with the specific elements of the immune system, therefore changing the inflammatory response. JAK kinase blockade offers a unique opportunity to block most of the key cytokines enabling the deep interaction into immune system functioning. Following discovery first Jakinibs were intensively studied in various forms of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, and finally two Jakinibs tofacitinib and Baricitinib have been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Some clinical data indicated that under special circumstances Jakinibs may be even superior to biologics in the treatment of RA; however this suggestion should be verified in large clinical and observational studies.


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