Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dimakatso R. Mokoena, Blassan P. George, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: Breast cancer, originating from ducts or lobules, ranks as the second most common cancer globally. Risk factors include age, mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, and dense breast tissue. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown promise as a less invasive treatment option with reduced harm to normal cells and tissues.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peiman Norouzi, Maryam Mirmohammadi, Mohammad Hassan Houshdar Tehrani
Summary: This article discusses the importance of peptide therapy in the treatment of cancer. Peptides have advantages such as smaller size, high activity, and low immunogenicity, making them potentially beneficial for cancer treatment as they can form pores in cell membranes and induce necrosis or apoptosis of abnormal cells.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tuan Hiep Tran, Phuong Thi Thu Tran, Duy Hieu Truong
Summary: Lactoferrin (Lf), a glycoprotein with diverse applications, has potential in infection inhibition, anti-inflammation, antioxidant properties, immune modulation, and inhibiting cancerous tumors. Its unique properties, such as iron-binding and positive charge, allow Lf to interrupt cancer cell membranes and influence apoptosis pathways. Furthermore, Lf, as a common mammalian excretion, shows promise in targeting delivery and cancer diagnosis. Recently, nanotechnology has significantly improved the therapeutic index of Lf and other glycoproteins. This review summarizes the understanding of Lf and discusses different nano-preparation strategies, including inorganic nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, and polymer-based nanoparticles, in cancer management. Potential future applications of Lf are also discussed.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
T. Rebecca Miceli, T. David Corr, M. Margarida Barroso, Navneet Dogra, A. Richard Gross
Summary: Sophorolipids (SLs) are biosurfactants synthesized by non-pathogenic microorganisms. They have the potential to provide low-cost therapeutics and possess anti-cancer activity against various cancer cell lines while showing lower cytotoxicity towards noncancerous cells. However, there are gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and further research is needed to optimize the design of SLs for therapeutic use.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Stella Logotheti, Christin Richter, Nico Murr, Alf Spitschak, Stephan Marquardt, Brigitte M. Puetzer
Summary: The TP73 gene can synthesize a large number of isoforms with structural and functional similarity to TP53, playing a crucial role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and cancer processes. The diverse functions of p73 isoforms are supported by their ability to interact with various nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, leading to a unique functional pleiotropy.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Leslie A. Bruggeman, John R. Sedor, John F. O'Toole
Summary: Allelic variants in the gene for apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) explain a majority of the excess risk of kidney disease in African Americans, but the exact mechanisms of how these variants cause kidney injury and the environmental factors triggering the injury process remain unclear. Basic mechanistic studies focusing on the cytotoxic effect, protein-protein interactions, and cytoskeleton dynamics of APOL1 variants are ongoing, yet a unified pathogenesis for APOL1 nephropathies remains controversial. Novel therapeutic development aiming to inhibit the synthesis or function of APOL1 proteins is progressing towards clinical trials, as research consistently implicates the pathogenic gain-of-function effects of the variant proteins.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Lingjie Ke, Zhiguo Li, Xiaoshan Fan, Xian Jun Loh, Hongwei Cheng, Yun-long Wu, Zibiao Li
Summary: The use of polymeric complexes can efficiently deliver chemotherapy drugs and genes to combat pump and non-pump resistance, improve drug loading and delivery efficiency, and reverse protective genes in tumors to killing genes.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dong Liang, Mohammad Khoonkari, Tony Avril, Eric Chevet, Frank A. E. Kruyt
Summary: The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an adaptive mechanism that regulates protein and cellular homeostasis through ER membrane localized stress sensors. Recent studies have identified alternative functions for the UPR in developmental biology processes and cell fate decisions. The involvement of UPR sensors in oncogenic reprogramming and regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumors is being increasingly emphasized.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiaona Liu, Jiahao Yi, Tina Li, Jianguo Wen, Kexin Huang, Jiajia Liu, Grant Wang, Pora Kim, Qianqian Song, Xiaobo Zhou
Summary: Drug resistance is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, and single-cell profiling is used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The DRMref database provides comprehensive characterization of drug resistance using single-cell data and includes various analyses and annotations.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Przemyslaw Gajda-Morszewski, Anna Poznanska, Cristina Yus, Manuel Arruebo, Malgorzata Brindell
Summary: Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein found in milk with various therapeutic properties. This study aimed to optimize the encapsulation of lactoferrin to protect it during delivery to the intestines. The encapsulated lactoferrin demonstrated high efficiency and suitable morphology, and partially preserved its integrity and iron scavenging properties against enzymatic digestion.
Review
Oncology
Lawrence P. Andrews, Anthony R. Cillo, Lilit Karapetyan, John M. Kirkwood, Creg J. Workman, Dario A. A. Vignali
Summary: Immunotherapy targeting coinhibitory receptors has achieved success in treating malignancies, but only a subset of patients respond well. LAG3, an inhibitory receptor, holds promise as a target for immunotherapy and its combination with PD1 can enhance anti-tumor immunity. Clinical trials have shown the effectiveness and safety of anti-LAG3 and anti-PD1 combination therapy in metastatic melanoma.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Patrick Pan, Darren Svirskis, Shaun W. P. Rees, David Barker, Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse, Zimei Wu
Summary: Photosensitive nanoparticles have been developed as potential therapies in human health, particularly in cancer treatment through photodynamic and photothermal therapy. These nanoparticles achieve controlled drug release via phototriggerable mechanisms, with recent research focusing on improving treatment efficacy and safety.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wan Nur Baitty Wan Mohd Tajuddin, Faridah Abas, Iekhsan Othman, Rakesh Naidu
Summary: Diarylpentanoid (DAP) analog MS13 demonstrates antiproliferative and apoptotic activities in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of NSCLC cells by modulating differentially expressed genes associated with PI3K-AKT, cell cycle-apoptosis, and MAPK pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ayesha Loonat, Rahul Chandran, Janice Pellow, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: This study investigates the effects of Thuja occidentalis homeopathic mother tincture and PDT on A549 lung cancer cells, and finds that both treatments have anticancer effects and can induce cell death. Moreover, the anticancer response is enhanced when the homeopathic mother tincture is activated by PDT.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hiroaki Konishi, Hiroki Sato, Kenji Takahashi, Mikihiro Fujiya
Summary: miRNAs are small RNAs that fine-tune cellular protein expression and control tissue development, cell growth, and apoptosis. Aberrant regulation of miRNAs is involved in various diseases including cancer, and changes in miRNA expression in cancer tissues are correlated with cancer prognosis. They can be used as therapeutic targets and biomarkers for cancer treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Khaliunsarnai Tsogtbaatar, Diana A. Sousa, Debora Ferreira, Atakan Tevlek, Halil Murat Aydin, Eda Celik, Ligia Rodrigues
Summary: The study identified a high-affinity DNA aptamer (OS-7.9) against human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell line using the cell-SELEX method. The aptamer showed strong binding to target cells at physiological temperature and also recognized common metastasis sites of osteosarcoma such as lung carcinoma and colon colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines.
INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUGS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jing Feng, Yiting Liu, Xia Pan, Fa Jin, Liangquan Wu, Jianquan Chen, Bing Wan, Xiuwei Zhang, Ligia R. Rodrigues, Yunlei Zhang
Summary: The study reports a simple and efficient method for self-assembling lipid onto bacteria used in cancer therapy, reducing their minimum effective dose and toxicity to normal organs while enhancing their tumor specificity and effectiveness. Multiple visualization techniques demonstrate the circulation of bacteria in the blood and normal organs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Adelaide Braga, Daniela Gomes, Joao Rainha, Beatriz B. Cardoso, Claudia Amorim, Sara C. Silverio, Maria Fernandez-Lobato, Joana L. Rodrigues, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: A straightforward process was developed to produce fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from sucrose using Zymomonas mobilis. Recombinant strains were constructed to control the relative composition of FOS, resulting in a high concentration of 6-kestose. The best results were obtained with Z. mobilis ZM4 pB1-sacB, producing 73.4 ± 1.6 g/L of FOS with a high productivity and yield. This is the first report on one-step FOS production using a mutant Z. mobilis strain.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Maria G. Sande, Debora Ferreira, Joana L. Rodrigues, Luis D. R. Melo, Dirk Linke, Carla J. Silva, Felismina T. C. Moreira, Maria Goreti F. Sales, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: In this study, new aptamers that bind to the virulence factor Yersinia adhesin A (YadA) of Yersinia enterocolitica were identified using cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX). A simple electrochemical biosensor was developed using the most promising aptamer candidate (Apt1) to detect YadA. The biosensor showed a linear range of detection and could potentially be used as a sensitive point-of-care detection system for Y. enterocolitica infections.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Renata Silva, Debora Ferreira, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: Breast cancer is currently the most prevalent cancer in the world. This study investigated the potential of downregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in different breast cancer cell lines. The results demonstrated that siRNA effectively targeted PIK3CA, leading to gene silencing, decreased cell viability, and reduced migration capacity. Furthermore, exosome-like nanovesicles were successfully isolated and utilized as efficient siRNA carriers, promoting faster and enhanced effects. These findings suggest that the combination of validated siRNA with nanocarriers holds promise as a targeted drug delivery system for breast cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joana L. Rodrigues, Daniela Gomes, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: Coumarins and furanocoumarins are plant secondary metabolites with known biological activities. While a biosynthetic pathway for coumarins has been successfully constructed in E. coli, the production of furanocoumarins remains challenging. Expressing enzymes for furanocoumarin biosynthesis in E. coli has not been successful, suggesting that alternative microbial enzymes may be needed for this pathway.
Article
Polymer Science
Eduardo J. Gudina, Marcia R. Couto, Soraia P. Silva, Elisabete Coelho, Manuel A. Coimbra, Jose A. Teixeira, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: A low-cost culture medium (CSLM) was developed for EPS production by Rhizobium viscosum CECT908, using sugarcane molasses and corn steep liquor as the sole ingredients. The EPS produced in this medium showed higher yield stress and flow consistency index, indicating its potential use in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Raquel G. D. Andrade, Debora Ferreira, Sergio R. S. Veloso, Catia Santos-Pereira, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira, Manuela Corte-Real, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: Calcium-doped manganese ferrite nanoparticles show lower cytotoxicity and improved magnetic properties compared to other ferrites. These nanoparticles, synthesized using the sol-gel method, exhibit good heating efficiency under an alternating magnetic field. In vitro cell experiments confirm their potential application in cancer treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sandra Pais, Mariana Costa, Ana Rita Barata, Ligia Rodrigues, Isabel M. Afonso, Goncalo Almeida
Summary: This study quantified beta-glucuronidase positive E. coli in fecal samples of breeding and laying hens in Portugal in 2019. Phylogenetic and pathogenic characterization, antimicrobial susceptibility, and detection of resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes were performed. The results showed that the quantity of E. coli was 6.03 log CFU/g in breeding hens and 6.02 log CFU/g in laying hens. The study highlights the potential risk of MDR E. coli to food safety and public health.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria G. G. Sande, Debora Ferreira, Joana L. L. Rodrigues, Luis D. R. Melo, Athanasios Saragliadis, Dirk Linke, Felismina T. C. Moreira, Maria Goreti F. Sales, Ligia R. R. Rodrigues
Summary: In this study, a new point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic platform was developed to detect bacterial infections and address the increasing antimicrobial resistance crisis. By utilizing cell-systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (cell-SELEX) and next-generation sequencing, new aptamer sequences with high affinity for the ubiquitous surface protein A2 (UspA2) of Moraxella catarrhalis were identified. The best-performing aptamer, Apt1_RC, had a K-d value of 3.4 nM and was functionalized onto a label-free electrochemical biosensor for UspA2 detection.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tugce Caykara, Sara Fernandes, Adelaide Braga, Joana Rodrigues, Ligia R. Rodrigues, Carla Joana Silva
Summary: Prevention of bacterial adhesion is important in reducing biofilm formation and associated infections. In this study, a PET film was modified with silica nanoparticles and fluorinated carbon chains to create a superhydrophobic surface. However, contrary to expectations, bacterial adhesion, specifically of E. coli YadA, increased on the modified PET surfaces. This highlights the significance of material micro topography in bacterial adhesion.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tugce Caykara, Sara Fernandes, Adelaide Braga, Joana Rodrigues, Ligia Raquel Rodrigues, Carla Joana Silva
Summary: Enhancing hydrophilicity of polymeric materials is crucial for achieving anti-adhesiveness. This study combined atmospheric plasma pre-treatment with UV grafting process to achieve durable surface modification on PET. The most effective conditions for atmospheric plasma process were found to be 15 kW power and 4 m/min speed, resulting in a reduction in contact angle from 70 +/- 6 degrees to approximately 30 degrees. However, the contact angle increased over time due to ageing and washing of the PET surface. Therefore, the plasma-pre-treated PET samples were further modified through a UV grafting process using NaAc and KAc, which exhibited contact angles of 8 +/- 3 degrees and 28 +/- 13 degrees respectively, and showed durability in ageing and washing tests. The anti-adhesive properties of the modified PET surfaces were evaluated using Escherichia coli expressing YadA, showing a reduction in bacterial adhesion by more than 90%.
Article
Cell Biology
Rita Silva-Pedrosa, Jonas Campos, Aline Marie Fernandes, Miguel Silva, Carla Calcada, Ana Marote, Olga Martinho, Maria Isabel Veiga, Ligia R. Rodrigues, Antonio Jose Salgado, Pedro Eduardo Ferreira
Summary: Neural injuries in cerebral malaria patients are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study proposes an in vitro system using cellular approaches to study human cerebral malaria. By analyzing gene expression profiles in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) activated by Plasmodium falciparum parasites, specific molecular alterations similar to the blood-brain barrier in cerebral malaria were identified. The impact of HBMEC-P. falciparum-activated secretomes on human brain organoids was evaluated to gain a deeper understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying cerebral malaria.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Catia Santos-Pereira, Joana Sousa, angela M. A. Costa, Andreia O. Santos, Teresa Rito, Pedro Soares, Ricardo Franco-Duarte, Sara C. Silverio, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: In this study, compost samples from three Portuguese companies were analyzed to identify and characterize carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and microbial communities. The results showed that the compost samples were rich in glycoside hydrolases (GH), especially cellulases and oligosaccharide-degrading enzymes. The microbiome of the samples was dominated by bacteria, with the classes Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Balneolia being the most abundant. Additionally, comparison with other samples indicated that composting is an excellent source of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. This is the first comparative study on the abundance and taxonomic/functional profiles of CAZymes in Portuguese compost samples.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ana Claudia Pereira, Andre F. Pina, Diana Sousa, Debora Ferreira, Catia Santos-Pereira, Joana L. Rodrigues, Luis D. R. Melo, Goreti Sales, Sergio F. Sousa, Ligia R. Rodrigues
Summary: The study used the SELEX method to generate and isolate new aptamers targeting CatB, and assessed their binding affinity using bioinformatics tools. Molecular docking studies and simulations identified a new aptamer with potential to target CatB. Cell binding assays confirmed the predictions, validating the newly discovered aptamer as a promising targeting ligand for CatB-overexpressing cancer cells.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING
(2022)
