scholarly journals Welcome to the Family: Identification of the NAD+ Transporter of Animal Mitochondria as Member of the Solute Carrier Family SLC25

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Mathias Ziegler ◽  
Magnus Monné ◽  
Andrey Nikiforov ◽  
Gennaro Agrimi ◽  
Ines Heiland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fundamental Property ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Metabolic Intermediates ◽  
Selective Transport ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Subcellular Compartmentation ◽  
Solute Carrier

Subcellular compartmentation is a fundamental property of eukaryotic cells. Communication and metabolic and regulatory interconnectivity between organelles require that solutes can be transported across their surrounding membranes. Indeed, in mammals, there are hundreds of genes encoding solute carriers (SLCs) which mediate the selective transport of molecules such as nucleotides, amino acids, and sugars across biological membranes. Research over many years has identified the localization and preferred substrates of a large variety of SLCs. Of particular interest has been the SLC25 family, which includes carriers embedded in the inner membrane of mitochondria to secure the supply of these organelles with major metabolic intermediates and coenzymes. The substrate specificity of many of these carriers has been established in the past. However, the route by which animal mitochondria are supplied with NAD+ had long remained obscure. Only just recently, the existence of a human mitochondrial NAD+ carrier was firmly established. With the realization that SLC25A51 (or MCART1) represents the major mitochondrial NAD+ carrier in mammals, a long-standing mystery in NAD+ biology has been resolved. Here, we summarize the functional importance and structural features of this carrier as well as the key observations leading to its discovery.

Study of the Molecular Architecture of Keratin Filaments by Electron Microscopy

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 118-119
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
P. Rew ◽  
T.-T. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
The Past ◽  
Keratin Filaments ◽  
Different Types ◽  
10 Nm Filaments ◽  
Different Cell Types

Various types of intermediate-sized (10-nm) filaments have been found and described in many different cell types during the past few years. Despite the differences in the chemical composition among the different types of filaments, they all yield common structural features: they are usually up to several microns long and have a diameter of 7 to 10 nm; there is evidence that they are made of several 2 to 3.5 nm wide protofilaments which are helically wound around each other; the secondary structure of the polypeptides constituting the filaments is rich in ∞-helix. However a detailed description of their structural organization is lacking to date.

An Overview on Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Morus alba Linn.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Paul ◽  
Monami Rajiung ◽  
Kamaruz Zaman ◽  
Sushil Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Hans Raj Bhat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Morus Alba ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Pharmacological Profile ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
The Past ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
The Family ◽  
White Mulberry

Background: Morus alba Linn. commonly known as white mulberry, belongs to the family Moraceae, is a promising traditional medicine. In Asia, besides its use in the preparation of delicacies, every part of this plant is utilized in traditional medicine. Over the past decade, studies related to identification and isolation of biologically active compounds, with flavonoids as the major class of phytoconstituents, from this plant has been reported. These phytoconstituents are not only found to be beneficial for the maintenance of general health but also are associated with a range of potential pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective to name a few. Objective: This review aims to provide upgraded and comprehensive information regarding the phytochemical, ethnomedicinal use and pharmacological profile of the plant Morus alba Linn. Method: The significant information has been collected through various database viz. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct based on the recent findings, using different terms of Morus alba. Results: The outcome of the study suggests that Morus alba is a multifunctional plant numerous phytochemicals, and possess a range of pharmacological activities. Conclusion: The data assembled on Morus alba will be beneficial to trigger research in various fields of pharmaceutical and allied science to explore the medicinal importance of this unique plant.

Factor X Deficiency Due to a Compound Heterozygosis Between a New Mutation (Gla72Asp) in Exon 2 and an Already Known one (Gly154Arg) in Exon 5: Factor X Mar Del Plata1)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-173
Author(s):  
Antonio Girolami ◽  
Diana Noemi Garcia de Paoletti ◽  
Marcelo Leonardo Nenkies ◽  
Silvia Ferrari ◽  
Hugo Guglielmone
Keyword(s):  
Bleeding Tendency ◽  
Bleeding Disorders ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Substitution Therapy ◽  
New Mutation ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Past ◽  
Factor X Deficiency ◽  
The Family

Background: Investigation of rare bleeding disorders in Latin-America. Objective: The report of a new case of FX deficiency due to a compound heterozygosis. Methods: Accepted clotting procedures were used. Sequencing of DNA was carried out by means of Applied Biosystems Instruments. Results: A compound heterozygote due to the association of a new mutation (Gla72Asp) with an already known mutation (Gly154Arg) of the FX gene is reported. The proposita is a 38 year old female who had a moderate bleeding tendency (menorrhagia, epistaxis, easy bruising). The proposita has never received substitution therapy but in the occasion of a uterine biopsy. The mother was asymptomatic but was a heterozygote for the new mutation. The father was asymptomatic but had deserted the family and could not be investigated. After this abandonment the mother of the proposita re-married with an asymptomatic man and she gave birth to a son who was asymptomatic but was also heterozygous for the new mutation (Gla72Asp). As a consequence it has to be assumed that the first husband of the mother of the proposita was heterozygous for the known mutation (Gly154Arg). Conclusion: This is the third case of a new mutation in the FX gene reported, during the past few years, in Argentina.

scholarly journals Sphingolipids of Asteroidea and Holothuroidea: Structures and Biological Activities

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 330
Author(s):  
Timofey V. Malyarenko ◽  
Alla A. Kicha ◽  
Valentin A. Stonik ◽  
Natalia V. Ivanchina
Keyword(s):  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
The Past ◽  
Complex Lipids ◽  
Complex Sphingolipids

Sphingolipids are complex lipids widespread in nature as structural components of biomembranes. Commonly, the sphingolipids of marine organisms differ from those of terrestrial animals and plants. The gangliosides are the most complex sphingolipids characteristic of vertebrates that have been found in only the Echinodermata (echinoderms) phylum of invertebrates. Sphingolipids of the representatives of the Asteroidea and Holothuroidea classes are the most studied among all echinoderms. In this review, we have summarized the data on sphingolipids of these two classes of marine invertebrates over the past two decades. Recently established structures, properties, and peculiarities of biogenesis of ceramides, cerebrosides, and gangliosides from starfishes and holothurians are discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide the most complete information on the chemical structures, structural features, and biological activities of sphingolipids of the Asteroidea and Holothuroidea classes.

scholarly journals Adhesion GPCRs in Glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Stephan ◽  
Niklas Ravn-Boess ◽  
Dimitris G Placantonakis
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Novel Treatment ◽  
The Family ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Potential Use ◽  
Receptor Family

Abstract Members of the adhesion family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have received attention for their roles in health and disease, including cancer. Over the past decade, several members of the family have been implicated in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma. Here, we discuss the basic biology of adhesion GPCRs and review in detail specific members of the receptor family with known functions in glioblastoma. Finally, we discuss the potential use of adhesion GPCRs as novel treatment targets in neuro-oncology.

Neighborhoods and Intimate Partner Violence: A Decade in Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 155708512098763
Author(s):  
Emily M. Wright ◽  
Gillian M. Pinchevsky ◽  
Min Xie
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Neighborhood Context ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
And Gender

We consider the broad developments that have occurred over the past decade regarding our knowledge of how neighborhood context impacts intimate partner violence (IPV). Research has broadened the concept of “context” beyond structural features such as economic disadvantage, and extended into relationships among residents, collective “action” behaviors among residents, cultural and gender norms. Additionally, scholars have considered how the built environment might foster (or regulate) IPV. We now know more about the direct, indirect, and moderating ways that communities impact IPV. We encourage additional focus on the policy implications of the research findings.

A Family of Genes Clustered at the Triplo-lethal Locus of Drosophila melanogaster Has an Unusual Evolutionary History and Significant Synteny With Anopheles gambiae

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas R Dorer ◽  
Jamie A Rudnick ◽  
Etsuko N Moriyama ◽  
Alan C Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Codon Bias ◽  
Good Target ◽  
The Family ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gambiae Genome

Abstract Within the unique Triplo-lethal region (Tpl) of the Drosophila melanogaster genome we have found a cluster of 20 genes encoding a novel family of proteins. This family is also present in the Anopheles gambiae genome and displays remarkable synteny and sequence conservation with the Drosophila cluster. The family is also present in the sequenced genome of D. pseudoobscura, and homologs have been found in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and in four other insect orders, but it is not present in the sequenced genome of any noninsect species. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the cluster evolved prior to the divergence of Drosophila and Anopheles (250 MYA) and has been highly conserved since. The ratio of synonymous to nonsynonymous substitutions and the high codon bias suggest that there has been selection on this family both for expression level and function. We hypothesize that this gene family is Tpl, name it the Osiris family, and consider possible functions. We also predict that this family of proteins, due to the unique dosage sensitivity and the lack of homologs in noninsect species, would be a good target for genetic engineering or novel insecticides.

scholarly journals Sixty Years with the Chrysobalanaceae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghillean T. Prance
Keyword(s):  
Economic Botany ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
The Past ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Family ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Economic Use

AbstractA review is given of the studies of Ghillean Prance and associates on the Chrysobalanaceae over the past sixty years. This has focussed on defining the generic boundaries in the family and on monographic work with a worldwide approach to this pantropical family. The importance of field studies for work on monographs and Floras is emphasized. Monographs are still the basis for much work on conservation, ecology and economic botany and are needed as a foundation for molecular studies. The importance of being open to experimenting with new techniques and as a result being willing to change the taxonomy in accordance with new findings is demonstrated and emphasized. The twelve genera of the Chrysobalanaceae at the beginning of this career-long study have now increased to twenty-eight in order to present a much better monophyletic and evolutionary arrangement based on recent molecular evidence. In particular it was necessary to divide and rearrange the originally large genera Parinari and Licania into a number of smaller segregate genera. All known species were included in a worldwide monograph published in 2003. A brief review of the economic use for the family is given.

The Poor Osteoinductive Capability of Human Acellular Bone Matrix

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (12) ◽  
pp. 1061-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Zhou Huang ◽  
Jia-Qin Cai ◽  
Jing Xue ◽  
Xiao-He Chen ◽  
Chao-Liang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Regeneration ◽  
Demineralized Bone Matrix ◽  
Bone Matrix ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Nodule Formation ◽  
Porous Network ◽  
Native Bone ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Osteoid Formation ◽  
Stem Cell Niches

Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) has extensive clinical use for bone regeneration because of its osteoinductive and osteoconductive aptitude. It is suggested that the demineralization process in bone matrix preparation is influential in maintaining osteoinductivity; however, relevant investigations, especially into the osteoinductivity of acellular bone matrix, are not often performed. This study addressed the osteoinductive capability of human acellular cancellous bone matrix (ACBM) after subcutaneous implantation in a rat model. The growth and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) seeded in this material were also studied. Without the demineralization process, the ACBM we obtained had an interconnected porous network and the micropores in the surface were clearly exposed. After the ACBM was subcutaneously implanted for 4 months, new osteoid formation was noted but not typical mature bone formation. rBM-MSCs grew well in the ACBM and kept a steady morphology after continuous culture for 28 days. However, no mineralized nodule formation was detected and the expression levels of genes encoding osteogenic markers were significantly decreased. These results demonstrated that human ACBM possess the structural features of native bone and poor osteoinductivity; nonetheless this material helped to preserve the undifferentiated phenotype of rBM-MSCs. Such insights may further broaden our understanding of the application of ACBM for bone regeneration and the creation of stem cell niches.

scholarly journals Enduring Cell Lines: Parents’ Experiences of Postmortem Tumor Banking in Childhood Cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 107484072110014
Author(s):  
Nancy J. Moules ◽  
Catherine M. Laing ◽  
Wendy Pelletier ◽  
Gregory M. T. Guilcher ◽  
Jennifer A. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Pediatric Oncology ◽  
Common Factors ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Family ◽  
Deceased Donors ◽  
Cure Rates ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Parents Experiences

While cure rates in pediatric oncology have improved over the past 30 years, childhood cancer remains the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 to 14. Developing therapies often require using cancerous tissues, which may come from deceased donors. Tumor banks collect, store, and distribute these donated samples. While tumor banking is more common, factors that contribute to parents’ decision and the impact of it on the family are not well understood. The purpose of this hermeneutic study was to understand the meaning and impact of tumor banking for parents of children who have died from cancer. Findings suggest that parents donating their child’s tumors unexpectedly found a sense of meaning in their loss. They also found a legacy of their child’s life; the living cells in some ways assisted the parents with grief. Aspects of this sensitive conversation and decision are discussed from the perspective of the parents’ experiences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document