Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria C. Olianas, Simona Dedoni, Pierluigi Onali
Summary: This study further demonstrates the effects of antidepressant drugs on the LPA receptor family and reveals the differential impact of different types of antidepressants on LPA signaling.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Richard M. Lucas, Lin Luo, Jennifer L. Stow
Summary: This article summarizes the important role of ERK1/2 in cell signaling, particularly in immune responses in immune cells. Additionally, it discusses the dysfunctional signaling of ERK1/2 in inflammatory diseases and explores the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting this pathway in inflammation.
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Talita A. M. Vrechi, Anderson H. F. F. Leao, Ingrid B. M. Morais, Vanessa C. Abilio, Antonio W. Zuardi, Jaime Eduardo C. Hallak, Jose Alexandre Crippa, Claudia Bincoletto, Rodrigo P. Ureshino, Soraya S. Smaili, Gustavo J. S. Pereira
Summary: CBD activates autophagy through ERK1/2 activation and AKT suppression, dependent on ULK1 but independent of mTORC1, suggesting a potential non-canonical pathway and highlighting CBD as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marzia Indrigo, Ilaria Morella, Daniel Orellana, Raffaele d'Isa, Alessandro Papale, Riccardo Parra, Antonia Gurgone, Daniela Lecca, Anna Cavaccini, Cezar M. Tigaret, Alfredo Cagnotto, Kimberley Jones, Simon Brooks, Gian Michele Ratto, Nicholas D. Allen, Mariah J. Lelos, Silvia Middei, Maurizio Giustetto, Anna R. Carta, Raffaella Tonini, Mario Salmona, Jeremy Hall, Kerrie Thomas, Riccardo Brambilla, Stefania Fasano
Summary: Cell signaling is crucial for neuronal activity, and dysregulation of this process can lead to neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. This study demonstrates that enhancing ERK signaling in neurons can prevent cell death in vitro and in vivo, while attenuating ERK signaling has the opposite effect. The neuroprotective effect can also be induced by a cell penetrating peptide called RB5, which enhances ERK activity and nuclear translocation. RB5 treatment in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases promotes neuroprotection and enhances cognitive function. The findings suggest that modulating the interaction between ERK and importin alpha 1/KPNA2 could be a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders.
EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Simon J. Cook, Pamela A. Lochhead
Summary: The RAS-regulated RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in human cancer, particularly melanoma. Although three BRAFi have been approved for treating BRAF mutant melanoma and have shown significant impact, clinical responses are typically transient. Therefore, BRAFi are often used in combination with MEKi to provide more durable but still transient clinical responses. Recent studies have shown that activation of the ERK5 signaling pathway may result in resistance to BRAFi/MEKi and ERK1/2i.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ziying Chen, Flora Gordillo-Martinez, Lei Jiang, Pengcheng He, Wanzi Hong, Xuebiao Wei, Katherine A. Staines, Vicky E. Macrae, Chunxiang Zhang, Danqing Yu, Xiaodong Fu, Dongxing Zhu
Summary: The study suggests that zinc may act as a novel inhibitor of CAVD by regulating GPR39-dependent ERK1/2 signaling pathway to inhibit cell calcification, and zinc transporter ZIP13 and ZIP14 play important roles in regulating cell calcification and osteogenic differentiation. Zinc supplementation could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CAVD.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Hao-Yu Liao, Cristian O'Flaherty
Summary: The role of LPA signalling in human spermatozoa was studied. It was found that LPARs were located on the sperm plasma membrane and their inhibition led to decreased sperm viability and impaired PI3K/AKT pathway. The PI3K/AKT pathway was regulated by PLC, PKC and RT-PTK to maintain the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT substrates.
Review
Neurosciences
Eric Birgbauer
Summary: Lysophospholipids, particularly lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), play a crucial role in nerve system signaling by activating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to induce various physiological responses. Aberrant LPA receptor signaling may contribute to neuropathological conditions, with significant clinical implications.
NEUROMOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yann S. Mineur, Tenna N. Mose, Laura Vanopdenbosch, Ian M. Etherington, Chika Ogbejesi, Ashraful Islam, Cristiana M. Pineda, Richard B. Crouse, Wenliang Zhou, David C. Thompson, Matthew P. Bentham, Marina R. Picciotto
Summary: Acetylcholine (ACh) levels are elevated in depressed individuals. Blocking ACh receptors can have antidepressant effects and decrease stress-related behaviors. ACh levels increase in response to stress, while blocking the enzyme that degrades ACh induces depression-like symptoms. Cholinergic inputs from the medial septum/diagonal bands of Broca (MSDBB) or ChAT-positive neurons intrinsic to the hippocampus mediate stress-related behaviors in mice.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Jian Zhang, Jiaojiao Zhang, Wenli Liu, Rui Ge, Tianyuan Gao, Qiong Tian, Xin Mu, Lingyu Zhao, Xu Li
Summary: UBTF is a DNA binding protein involved in basal transcription and has been found to play a role in carcinogenesis in some cancers. In melanoma, UBTF was found to promote cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by upregulating GIT1 expression, thereby activating the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathways. This study suggests that UBTF may be a potential therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chunfang Cheng, Shasha Zhang, Yanchun Gong, Xuanyu Wang, Shan Tang, Juan Wan, Kaizhi Ding, Chunhua Yuan, Wei Sun, Li-Hua Yao
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of cordycepin on myoblast differentiation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cordycepin inhibited myogenesis by downregulating MyoD and MyoG, preserved undifferentiated reserve cell pools by upregulating Myf5 and p130, and enhanced energy reserves by decreasing intracellular ROS and enhancing mitochondrial function. The inhibitory effect of cordycepin on myogenesis was associated with ERK1/2 MAPK signaling activation. This study provides valuable insights for the prevention and treatment of degenerative muscle diseases.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xu Chen, Zhiyu Zhang, Xiaowei Zhang, Zhi Jia, Jun Liu, Xinpei Chen, Aiqing Xu, Xue Liang, Guangping Li
Summary: This study found that paeonol (PAE) improves cardiac function in mice with heart failure caused by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) by regulating the ERK1/2/JNK pathway, and it has a protective effect on myocardial injury and apoptosis.
PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Fabio Arturo Iannotti, Rosa Maria Vitale
Summary: PPARs are a family of nuclear receptors that regulate the expression of target genes involved in metabolism, immune reaction, cell differentiation, and other cellular changes. They are activated by various lipid molecules, including cannabinoids, and interact with the endocannabinoid system to modulate physiological and pathophysiological functions.
Review
Neurosciences
Ayland C. Letsinger, Zhenglin Gu, Jerrel L. Yakel
Summary: This review discusses the significance of the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the hippocampus and its association with cognitive dysfunction, as well as highlighting approaches to improve therapeutic development.
TRENDS IN NEUROSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Pavel Tregub, Yuri Motin, Vladimir Kulikov, Pavel Kovzelev, Aleksandra Chaykovskaya, Irada Ibrahimli
Summary: Isolated exposure to intermittent hypoxia and permissive hypercapnia induces ultrastructural changes in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, leading to maximal ischemic tolerance in neurons. This study compares the ultrastructural changes in hippocampal neurons after isolated and combined exposure to hypoxia and hypercapnia and correlates these changes with neuroprotective effects. The findings suggest that hypoxia and hypercapnia have varying effects on organelles responsible for neuron functions, with hypercapnia playing a dominant role in neuroprotection.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria C. Olianas, Simona Dedoni, Pierluigi Onali
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Dedoni, Lee A. Campbell, Brandon K. Harvey, Valeria Avdoshina, Italo Mocchetti
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria C. Olianas, Simona Dedoni, Pierluigi Onali
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Simona Dedoni, Luisa Marras, Maria C. Olianas, Angela Ingianni, Pierluigi Onali
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Dedoni, Luisa Marras, Maria C. Olianas, Angela Ingianni, Pierluigi Onali
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Dedoni, Luisa Marras, Maria C. Olianas, Angela Ingianni, Pierluigi Onali
Summary: The study demonstrates that VPA upregulates TrkC in neuroblastoma cells by activating epigenetic mechanisms and signaling pathways, making the cells more sensitive to NT-3-induced apoptosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Dedoni, Alessandra Olianas, Barbara Manconi, Maria Collu, Barbara Tuveri, Maria Elena Vincis, Maria C. Olianas, Pierluigi Onali
Summary: HDAC inhibitors can induce the expression of p75NTR in neuroblastoma cells, which can be exploited to enhance the cytotoxic effect of a toxin-conjugated anti-p75NTR antibody. This novel therapeutic strategy showed promising anti-tumor effects in neuroblastoma cell cultures and murine xenograft models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Dedoni, Valeria Avdoshina, Chiara Camoglio, Carlotta Siddi, Walter Fratta, Maria Scherma, Paola Fadda
Summary: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global pandemic with potentially serious consequences. Neurological complications, including mental status change and smell and taste disorders, have been reported in infected patients. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in brain tissue suggests neuroinvasion and possible damage. The virus may enter the brain through the olfactory mucosa. In addition, the infection triggers an inflammatory response even without direct infection of brain cells. ACE2, the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, is present in various brain regions. Mouse models with human ACE2 have been used to study the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the central nervous system.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Simona Dedoni, Maria Scherma, Chiara Camoglio, Carlotta Siddi, Walter Fratta, Paola Fadda
Summary: The expression of ALK receptor is reduced in rats with activity-based anorexia, indicating a potential involvement of ALK receptor in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pasquale Paribello, Bernardo Carpiniello, Roberto Murgia, Antonio Andrea Porcheddu, Sabrina El-Kacemi, Marco Pinna, Martina Contu, Giulia Costa, Rossella Barbarossa, Egea Sanna, Sara Carucci, Alessandro Zuddas, Paola Fadda, Simona Dedoni, Carlotta Siddi, Patrizia Congiu, Michela Figorilli, Michela Fanzecco, Monica Puligheddu, Antonella Gagliano, Federica Pinna, Maria Scherma, Mirko Manchia
Summary: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and highly disabling mental disorder. Different subgroups of OCD may have different impacts on cognition, functioning, sleep quality, and treatment response. There is a lack of evidence on the variation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in OCD subgroups. Assessing inflammatory states, electroencephalogram, and polysomnography to characterize these subtypes has been hardly explored. The present project aims to increase accuracy in characterizing different OCD subtypes through clinical, cognitive, and sleep markers, along with other possible markers that may be biologically plausible.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria C. Olianas, Simona Dedoni, Pierluigi Onali
Summary: This study further demonstrates the effects of antidepressant drugs on the LPA receptor family and reveals the differential impact of different types of antidepressants on LPA signaling.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pei-Yang Gao, Ya-Nan Ou, Yi-Ming Huang, Zhi-Bo Wang, Yan Fu, Ya-Hui Ma, Qiong-Yao Li, Li-Yun Ma, Rui-Ping Cui, Yin-Chu Mi, Lan Tan, Jin-Tai Yu
Summary: Liver function may play a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that as AD progressed, certain liver function markers increased while others decreased. The relationship between liver function and CSF AD biomarkers indicates a potential mediation effect on cognition.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2024)