Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Gutierrez-Merino, Oscar H. Martinez-Costa, Maria Monsalve, Alejandro K. Samhan-Arias
Summary: Membrane cytochrome b(5) reductase is an oxidoreductase that reduces multiple acceptors localized in cellular membranes using NADH as an electron donor. The understanding of the electron transfer process of the reductase towards potential acceptors is still only partially understood. Computational analysis of protein structures provides a potential method to further investigate the roles of different domains within the reductase structure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin-Yi Tong, Xin-Zhi Yang, Shu-Qin Gao, Xiao-Juan Wang, Ge-Bo Wen, Ying-Wu Lin
Summary: This study elucidated the role and regulatory mechanism of cytochrome b(5) in breast cancer cells, and found that it has different effects on breast cancer cells of different phenotypes. These findings provide important clues for understanding the multiple roles of cytochrome b(5) and for clinical treatment.
Review
Plant Sciences
Chang-Jun Liu
Summary: Cytochrome b(5) (CB5) is a small heme-binding protein that functions as an electron donor in oxidative reactions. In plants, the CB5 protein family has expanded isoform numbers and cellular functions compared to yeast and mammalian counterparts. Plant CB5 proteins are involved in fatty acid metabolism, specialized metabolite formation, and interact with non-catalytic proteins to regulate metabolic and cellular processes. The cellular and metabolic roles of plant CB5 proteins have received less attention compared to mammalian CB5 proteins. Understanding the biological functions of CB5 proteins in plants could have important implications for biotechnological applications.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lijuan Mao, Wei Wei, Jingyu Chen
Summary: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that regulate various homeostatic functions in the body through the binding of glucocorticoid receptor (GR). GR signals are biased, with variations in different tissue cells, disease states, and ligands. This bias regulation of GR signaling depends on ligand-induced metameric regulation, protein post-translational modifications, assembly at response elements, context-specific assembly, and intercellular differences. Selective GR agonists and modulators (SEGRAMs) have been developed to bias therapeutic outcomes towards expected effects by influencing GR-mediated gene expression. This paper reviews the bias regulation and mechanism of GR, as well as the progress in drug research.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
F. Peter Guengerich
Summary: The paper introduces the concept of cytochrome b(5) as an auxiliary protein facilitating cytochrome P450 reactions, providing important insights for future research.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ya-Fei Zhao, Yong Tang, Peter Illes
Summary: P2X7 receptors are mainly found in microglial cells in the brain, with lower density in neuroglial cells, involved in regulating necrosis/apoptosis and neurodegenerative processes. The question of whether they are present on neurons and the potential existence of neuronal P2X7Rs remains a topic of debate.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ying Zhang, Hai-Yan Yin, Patrizia Rubini, Peter Illes, Yong Tang
Summary: There is a dispute about whether CNS neurons possess ATP-sensitive P2X7 receptors. By genetically deleting P2X7 receptors in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, it was found that these receptors indirectly modulate the neuronal input to neighboring neurons.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hariprasath Ragupathy, Manasvi Vukku, Sandeep Kumar Barodia
Summary: Neurodegeneration is a progressive phenomenon associated with aging, where activated microglia and neuroinflammation play crucial roles. Mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive neuroinflammatory responses are important factors contributing to age-dependent neurodegeneration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Developmental Biology
Lindsey C. Mehl, Amritha Manjally, Ouzena Bouadi, Erin M. Gibson, Tuan Leng Tay
Summary: Microglia, the tissue-resident macrophages of the central nervous system, have been found to play significant roles in brain development and tissue repair. In addition to their function as immune cells, microglia also modulate the development and functions of neurons and glial cells through interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dabin Choi, Wesuk Kang, Soyoon Park, Bomin Son, Taesun Park
Summary: For several decades, excessive glucocorticoids (GCs) have been known to inhibit collagen synthesis and accelerate skin aging, but the molecular mechanisms involved are not well understood. In this study, the researchers identified potential glucocorticoid receptor (GR) target genes that may contribute to the inhibition of collagen synthesis. They confirmed that dexamethasone, a synthetic GC, activates canonical GR signaling in dermal fibroblasts and identified six candidate genes involved in the GC-mediated inhibition of collagen synthesis. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of GC-mediated skin aging and lays the foundation for further research on the biological characteristics of individual GR target genes.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Nicolas C. Nicolaides
Summary: Glucocorticoid receptors play a crucial role in various cellular processes and physiological functions. Recent studies have shown that the beta isoform of the receptor, GR beta, has important functions in cellular homeostasis and is involved in endocrine physiology and pathophysiology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wesuk Kang, Dabin Choi, Jiyun Roh, Yearim Jung, Yoojeong Ha, Suhjin Yang, Taesun Park
Summary: This study examined the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the activation of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and its associated mechanisms. The results showed that cAMP enhancement did not affect glucocorticoid signaling under normal conditions, but could modulate it in response to stress. The study also revealed that cAMP upregulation triggers the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, which influences GR translocation and activity. These findings highlight the context-dependent role of cAMP signaling in managing glucocorticoid signaling and its potential therapeutic application in stress-related conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Maud Bagnoud, Jana Remlinger, Sandrine Joly, Marine Massy, Anke Salmen, Andrew Chan, Dimitris Karathanassis, Maria-Eleptheria Evangelopoulos, Robert Hoepner
Summary: The study developed a model to predict resistance to glucocorticoid treatment in multiple sclerosis patients by analyzing the expression of 12 genes in whole blood samples. It was found that patients resistant to glucocorticoids have a transcriptome similar to stable patients, and this model could potentially reduce disability development in patients.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioanna Kokkinopoulou, Paraskevi Moutsatsou
Summary: Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular processes beyond energy production, being involved in calcium homeostasis, ROS generation, cell death, thermogenesis, and biosynthesis. Glucocorticoids regulate mitochondrial gene expression and metabolism, with GR directly influencing mitochondrial functions including apoptosis and inflammation. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of GR translocation and its impact on mitochondrial processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jiemin Shen, Gang Wu, Ah-Lim Tsai, Ming Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates the formation of stable binary and ternary complexes between mammalian cytochrome b(5), cytochrome b(5) reductase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, which enhance electron transfer rates.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
