Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mercedes Fernandez, Manuela Nigro, Alessia Travagli, Silvia Pasquini, Fabrizio Vincenzi, Katia Varani, Pier Andrea Borea, Stefania Merighi, Stefania Gessi
Summary: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a biological barrier that protects the central nervous system (CNS) and regulates the permeability of drugs. Activation of adenosine receptors (ARs) may modulate BBB permeability, which has potential implications for treating CNS disorders.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamila Wala, Wojciech Szlasa, Jolanta Saczko, Julia Rudno-Rudzinska, Julita Kulbacka
Summary: The blood-brain barrier plays a crucial role in protecting the central nervous system and maintaining homeostasis, but higher permeability may be necessary in treating primary brain tumors. Modulating the BBB permeability via A2AR agonists could potentially increase drug concentration in the CNS and improve cancer therapy outcomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jaime Caballero-Insaurriaga, Jose A. Pineda-Pardo, Ignacio Obeso, Antonio Oliviero, Guglielmo Foffani
Summary: This study combined transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) with resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) to investigate corticostriatal activity and found that tSMS can noninvasively modulate corticostriatal activity in humans. The results showed that the supplementary motor area (SMA) is the main region with functional connectivity to the striatum, and tSMS can modulate local activity in the SMA, adjacent sensorimotor cortex, and motor striatum. The findings also indicated that the tSMS-induced modulation of striatal activity can be primarily explained by a change in the shared activity between the modulated motor cortical areas and the motor striatum. These results suggest that corticostriatal activity can be targeted, monitored, and modulated noninvasively in humans.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniela Madeira, Joana Domingues, Catia R. Lopes, Paula M. Canas, Rodrigo A. Cunha, Paula Agostinho
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunction of astrocytes, a type of glial cell, plays a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. This dysfunction is characterized by altered astrocytic morphology and increased activity of astrocytic hemichannels, which are composed mainly of connexin 43 (Cx43). The activity of these hemichannels is found to be modulated by adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), and blocking A2AR can prevent the dysregulation of astrocytic hemichannels induced by amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. Overall, our findings indicate that the dysfunction of astrocytic hemichannel activity is an early event in Alzheimer's disease and can be controlled by targeting A2AR.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Magdalena Boncler, Kinga Bartczak, Marcin Rozalski
Summary: Traditionally, platelets are known for their role in haemostasis and thrombosis, but they also play a crucial role in inflammation and immunity. Platelets secrete molecules and interact with cells, and they express receptors involved in pathogen recognition. Platelet adenosine receptors, specifically the A(2A) and A(2B) subtypes, have been identified as potential targets for inhibiting platelet activation and down-regulating inflammation or immunity. This article reviews the pharmacological potential of adenosine and other agonists of these receptors in modulating platelet function during inflammation.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yanyan Ling, Chuan Jiang, Zhenzhen Xiao, Xiao Shang, Qi Li, Baojie Wang, Maolin Hao, Fei Liu, Nannan Zhao, Jianli Feng, Hongqin Zhao
Summary: This study found that serum ADA activity is significantly decreased in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), indicating that decreased ADA concentrations may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACI. Smoking and alcohol consumption further decrease ADA concentrations in ACI patients, while diabetes and hypertension have the opposite effect.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zachary Carlson, Kelly Drew
Summary: Hibernation is an adaptation that allows animals to survive without food or water. Understanding the mechanisms of metabolic suppression during hibernation could lead to new treatments in critical care. The activation of Adenosine A(1) receptor (A(1)AR) plays a role in hibernation, but its role in seasonal sensitization is unknown. In this study, the A(1)AR in different brain regions of Arctic ground squirrels during summer and torpor seasons was characterized, and the pharmacological characteristics of A(1)AR agonist and antagonist were defined.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaeyoon Kim, Jae Young Shin, Yun-Ho Choi, Nae Gyu Kang, Sanghwa Lee
Summary: The study revealed that adenosine promotes hair growth through various pathways, including stimulating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and activating adenosine receptor signaling to enhance cellular energy metabolism and increase the expression of growth factors.
Review
Physiology
Joseph A. Taylor, Paul L. Greenhaff, David B. Bartlett, Thomas A. Jackson, Niharika A. Duggal, Janet M. Lord
Summary: Frailty refers to a state of enhanced vulnerability and impaired recovery compared to a nonfrail state, which is considered a loss of resilience. It is important to understand the clinical and physiological features of frailty and its driving factors due to the increasing life expectancy and prevalence of physical frailty. This article describes the clinical definitions of age-related frailty and their limitations, explores the physiological components of frailty, and emphasizes the importance of longitudinal and interventional clinical studies to identify mechanistic drivers and target interventions to reduce frailty progression.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Physiology
Joseph A. Taylor, Paul L. Greenhaff, David B. Bartlett, Thomas A. Jackson, Niharika A. Duggal, Janet M. Lord
Summary: Frailty is a state characterized by increased vulnerability and decreased ability to recover from stress compared to non-frailty. It is important to understand the clinical and physiological features of frailty, as well as the factors driving it, due to the increasing life expectancy and prevalence of physical frailty.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luiz Eduardo Baggio Savio, Raissa Leite-Aguiar, Vinicius Santos Alves, Robson Coutinho-Silva, Angela T. S. Wyse
Summary: Purinergic signaling is a crucial cell communication pathway mediated by extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides. Activation of P2 receptors influences the redox balance of cells, while enzymes like E-NTPDase1/CD39 and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 play key roles in regulating this process.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Sergey A. Piletsky, Thomas S. Bedwell, Rachele Paoletti, Kal Karim, Francesco Canfarotta, Rachel Norman, Donald J. L. Jones, Nicholas W. Turner, Elena Piletska
Summary: Modulating enzyme activity is important for controlling biological pathways, but methods for increasing enzyme activity are not well established. In this study, an innovative epitope mapping technique using molecular imprinting was used to identify surface epitopes of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These epitopes were used to synthesize molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs), which increased the enzymatic activity of AChE. One particular nanoMIP increased activity by 47 times compared to the enzyme alone. This method of enzyme activation shows promise for treating enzyme deficiency diseases or medical emergencies where protein function is affected by an external agent.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Davide Folloni, Elsa Fouragnan, Marco K. Wittmann, Lea Roumazeilles, Lev Tankelevitch, Lennart Verhagen, David Attali, Jean-Francois Aubry, Jerome Sallet, Matthew F. S. Rushworth
Summary: Credit assignment is the process of associating rewards with specific events. Without proper credit assignment, choice values and decision-making abilities can be impaired.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Johanna C. Arroyave-Ospina, Manon Buist-Homan, Martina Schmidt, Han Moshage
Summary: This study found that caffeine can protect liver cells from the toxic effects of fatty acids by modulating adenosine receptor signaling. By activating protein kinase A and inhibiting the A1AR receptor, caffeine can reduce lipid accumulation and harmful substances produced by mitochondria, thereby alleviating metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dmitriy Bobrovnikov, Monika A. Makurath, Clara H. Wolfe, Yann R. Chemla, Taekjip Ha
Summary: Engineering a protein variant with controllable activity through light-induced conformational changes has been achieved in this study, using the structural understanding of a regulatory subdomain found in a family of DNA helicases. The designed helicase showed switchable unwinding activity upon trans-cis isomerization of an azobenzene-based crosslinker. This opto-helicase has potential applications in spatiotemporal control of DNA hybridization states.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yong Wang, Yiming Xu, Siyuan Yan, Kaixiang Cao, Xianqiu Zeng, Yaqi Zhou, Zhiping Liu, Qiuhua Yang, Yue Pan, Xiaoling Wang, Detlev Boison, Yunchao Su, Xuejun Jiang, Vijay S. Patel, David Fulton, Neal L. Weintraub, Yuqing Huo
Summary: The study reveals a novel mechanism by which ADK promotes VSMC proliferation via inducing aberrant DNA hypermethylation, down-regulating KLF4 expression and promoting neointima formation. The findings suggest the possibility of targeting ADK as an epigenetic modulator to combat vascular injury.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Karolina Losenkova, Mariachiara Zuccarini, Marika Karikoski, Juha Laurila, Detlev Boison, Sirpa Jalkanen, Gennady G. Yegutkin
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Hai-Ying Shen, Landen Weltha, John M. Cook, Raey Gesese, Wakaba Omi, Sadie B. Baer, Rizelle Mae Rose, Jesica Reemmer, Detlev Boison
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Editorial Material
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Manvitha Kuchukulla, Detlev Boison
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Victoria Gomez-Murcia, Ursula Sandau, Barbara Ferry, Sandrine Parrot, Cyril Laurent, Marie Basquin, Luc Buee, Detlev Boison, David Blum
NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING
(2020)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jonathan D. Geiger, Nabab Khan, Madhuvika Murugan, Detlev Boison
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Omar Ashraf, Trong Huynh, Benton S. Purnell, Madhuvika Murugan, Denise E. Fedele, Vineet Chitravanshi, Detlev Boison
Summary: SUDEP, a leading cause of death in patients with refractory epilepsy, is believed to be caused by centrally-mediated respiratory dysfunction. Research shows that seizures can trigger a surge in adenosine release, which suppresses breathing. Suppressing phrenic nerve activity may serve as a predictive biomarker for imminent SUDEP, allowing for timely intervention to potentially prevent SUDEP.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Detlev Boison, Michael F. Jarvis
Summary: Adenosine kinase (ADK) is a widely expressed enzyme that regulates the concentration of adenosine and plays a crucial role in the endogenous protective effects of adenosine. Recent research has identified a potential role for the nuclear ADK isoform in epigenetic modulation, offering the possibility of developing novel ADK-isoform selective inhibitors.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aarti Jagannath, Norbert Varga, Robert Dallmann, Gianpaolo Rando, Pauline Gosselin, Farid Ebrahimjee, Lewis Taylor, Dragos Mosneagu, Jakub Stefaniak, Steven Walsh, Teele Palumaa, Simona Di Pretoro, Harshmeena Sanghani, Zeinab Wakaf, Grant C. Churchill, Antony Galione, Stuart N. Peirson, Detlev Boison, Steven A. Brown, Russell G. Foster, Sridhar R. Vasudevan
Summary: Adenosine plays a crucial role in regulating circadian rhythms through multiple signaling pathways, influenced by sleep history and light exposure. These findings contribute to understanding the interaction between sleep and circadian timing.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Detlev Boison
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Hoda Gebril, Amir Wahba, Xiaofeng Zhou, Tho Lai, Enmar Alharfoush, Emanuel DiCicco Bloom, Detlev Boison
Summary: The study found high levels of ADK-L expression during cerebellar development, which was maintained into adulthood. In the developing cerebellum, ADK-L was expressed in immature Purkinje cells and granular neuron precursors, while in adulthood, it was absent from Purkinje cells but widely expressed in mature granule neurons and their molecular layer processes. These findings suggest a functional role of ADK-L in the plasticity of the cerebellum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madhuvika Murugan, Denise Fedele, David Millner, Enmar Alharfoush, Geetasravya Vegunta, Detlev Boison
Summary: Adenosine kinase plays a crucial role in regulating adenosine metabolism and DNA methylation status through interactions with transmethylation reactions. The two isoforms of ADK have distinct subcellular localizations and may have different roles in epigenetic regulation. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the biochemical interactions between ADK metabolism and epigenetic modifications.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Edward Beamer, Manvitha Kuchukulla, Detlev Boison, Tobias Engel
Summary: Despite progress in understanding the pathogenesis of hyperexcitable networks and lowered seizure thresholds, treating epilepsy remains challenging. Many patients are resistant to current medications, which only provide symptomatic relief. Efforts are focused on finding new treatments with novel mechanisms of action to modify disease progression. Purines like ATP and adenosine play key roles in the epileptogenic process, with potential as targets for therapeutic strategies.
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Amir E. Wahba, Denise Fedele, Hoda Gebril, Enmar AlHarfoush, Kiran S. Toti, Kenneth A. Jacobson, Detlev Boison
Summary: The study revealed that the adenosine kinase isoform ADK-L determines global DNA methylation levels in cancer cells, with the highest expression in HeLa cells. Inhibitors targeting ADK were found to significantly reduce global DNA methylation in HeLa cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Madhuvika Murugan, Detlev Boison
