Postepy biochemii最新文献

W Świecie Nauk Bio.

W Świecie Nauk Bio.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is a group of chronic digestive tract diseases of characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. The pathophysiology of IBD is multifactorial and includes microbiological, immunological, genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the significant role of the intestinal microbiome in the development of these entities has been emphasized. In the article we discussed the impact of selected factors: antimicrobial peptides, vitamin D and iron on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and their role in the immune response and pathogenesis of IBD.

The development of methods used in molecular biology has allowed a milestone in medical and pharmaceutical sciences. Progress has also been made in the field of pharmacognosy, which places substances of natural origin contained in plant raw materials at the center of attention. The beneficial effects of some of them have been known for years, while scientific evidence of their health-promoting properties was lacking for a long time. This was also the case with curcumin and the long road from its isolation in pure form in 1842 to the knowledge of its chemical structure in 1910. Due to the chemical properties of the molecule, curcumin is attributed with many health-promoting properties. These affect many organ systems including the skin, visual pathway, respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system and nervous system. One of the complications that follow nerve damage is the loss of locomotor function in the animal and the development of inflammation within it. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties. This is confirmed by its inhibition of nuclear factor κB, a mediator in inflammatory processes. In addition, a very important field associated with neuronal dysfunction is the aging process. This is caused, among other things, by the presence of reactive oxygen species. The neuroprotective effect of curcumin allows to reduce their concentration caused by the accumulation of mutations within the mitochondrial DNA. The beneficial effect on the nervous system is due to the penetration of curcumin across the blood-brain barrier. However, its poor solubility significantly limits the therapeutic properties resulting from curcumin supplementation. Methods are currently being developed to increase its bioavailability using nanoparticles.

The skin aging process is affected by multiple different factors (including sun exposure, smoking, poor diet) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under their influence, the skin becomes weaker, mainly elastin and collagen fibers are damaged. The amount of lipids is also reduced, leading to the death of the skin cells. The presence of free radicals also blocks the natural ability of the epidermis to regenerate. Each of these factors determines the acceleration of the signs of aging. To some extent, our body is able to deal with the free radicals by producing antioxidants. Regular supplementation is also a beneficial solution. Lycopene is a red pigment naturally found in tomatoes and is a known antioxidant. Among the carotenoids, it is the strongest singlet oxygen quencher and scavenger of peroxygen radicals, making it an important defense mechanism in the human body. The aim of this paper is to present the biological properties of lycopene in relation to its beneficial effect on the aging process of the skin.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a genetic, incurable neurodegenerative disease which etiology is linked to mutations in almost hundred different genes. The disease affects peripheral nerves which control muscle work and their myelin sheath resulting in progressive muscular dystrophy. The most remarkable genes which mutations are associated with CMT phenotype, are genes encoding aminoacyl-tRNA synthases (aaRS). These proteins are enzymes which common role is to catalyze the reaction of amino acids transfer into tRNA molecules and thereby, to participate in translation of genetic code into the language of proteins. aaRS have been gaining new functions resulting from the mutations acquired in the course of evolution. These functions remain unidentified, despite unraveling the binding partners of aaRS. However, the ongoing molecular studies, which focus on mutations carried by CMT patients and model organisms, bring the researchers closer to unravel the novel functions of aaRS and their potential key role in CMT pathogenesis.

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a key enzyme controlling the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plants. PAL catalyzes ammonia elimination from L-phenylalanine in a reaction that yields cinnamic acid, a precursor of a large group of phenylpropanoid compounds. Phenylpropanoids and their derivatives play an important role in regulating plant resistance mechanisms under environmental stresses.By reducing the level of phenolic compounds, PAL inhibitors can induce changes in plant metabolism. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the use of PAL inhibitors in plant biology, and draws attention to the possibilities of using PAL inhibitors in agriculture in the context of the witnessed climate changes which increase the frequency and intensity of some disasters such as droughts, floods and storms.By reducing the level of phenolic compounds, PAL inhibitors can induce changes in plant metabolism. This paper presents the current state of knowledge on the use of PAL inhibitors in plant biology, and draws attention to the possibilities of using PAL inhibitors in agriculture in the context of the witnessed climate changes.

VPS10P (vacuolar protein sorting 10 protein) domain receptors consitute a family of sorting receptors which are responsible for directing their protein cargo into destined subcellular localization. Functions of VPS10P domain receptors have been well-described in neurons, where efficient sorting of proteins is crucial for cell viability. Dysfunctions in neuronal actions of VPS10P domain receptors are linked to disturbances in neuronal plasticity and development of neurodegenerative disorders. VPS10P domain receptors are also crucial for lipid metabolism, mainly through transport of lipolytic enzymes or influencing the uptake of lipoproteins by the cells. Emerging evidence suggests that VPS10P domain receptors can play important roles in immune response evoked by immune or glial cells. They are also key players in pathogenesis of cancers.

Linker histones (H1) are proteins found in the nuclei of the vast majority of Eucaryota, playing important roles in their life and development. H1 takes part in processes such as chromatin condensation, transcriptional regulation of gene expression, apoptosis induction and many more. Despite its common presence and essential function, many questions remain unanswered. Experiments conducted to date don’t provide unambiguous information on such crucial issues as e.g. the way linker histones bind to nucleosome. There is also much surprising information about H1 participating in physiological processes not connected directly to its widely known function – e.g. providing a microtubule organization center in plants or contributing to the defense against pathogens in fish. The objective of the present work is to provide insights into many aspects of linker histone structure and function, collect and systematize current knowledge and to outline questions worth answering in the future.