Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Peter Kempster, Andrew Ma
Summary: A large proportion of drugs for neurological disorders are derived from naturally occurring compounds, especially plant alkaloids. The treatment of Parkinson's disease has strong botanical origins, with plant-derived substances playing a significant role. The interaction between plant compounds and animal dopaminergic systems has deep evolutionary roots.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Fabrice Duval, Marie-Claude Mokrani, Alexis Erb, Felix Gonzalez Lopera, Vlad Danila, Mihaela Tomsa
Summary: The effects of antidepressants on dopamine receptor sensitivity in the mesolimbic-hypothalamic system may lead to clinical improvement by reducing the activity of the HPA axis and desensitizing postsynaptic DA receptors.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Francesca Manago, Diego Scheggia, Maria Pontillo, Maddalena Mereu, Rosa Mastrogiacomo, Gayatri Udayan, Paola Valentini, Maria Cristina Tata, Daniel R. Weinberger, Cynthia S. Weickert, Pier Paolo Pompa, Maria A. De Luca, Stefano Vicari, Francesco Papaleo
Summary: This study discovered a genetic interaction between the Comt and Dtnbp1 genes, which modulate dopaminergic signaling in the brain and lead to specific cognitive disturbances. The researchers also developed an easy and inexpensive genetic screening kit for clinical application.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Marisa Alves de Oliveira-Higa, Paula da Silva Rodrigues, Ana Claudia Silva Sampaio, Alex de Camargo Coque, Thiago Berti Kirsten, Silvia Maria Gomes Massironi, Sandra Regina Alexandre-Ribeiro, Claudia Madalena Cabrera Mori, Rodrigo Augusto da Silva, Maria Martha Bernardi
Summary: The mutant bate-palmas (claps; symbol - bapa) mice induced by the mutagenic chemical ENU present motor incoordination and postural alterations. A previous study showed that bapa mice present increased motor/exploratory behaviors during the prepubertal period due to increased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase expression, suggesting striatal dopaminergic system hyperactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of striatal dopaminergic receptors in the hyperactivity of bapa mice.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ramon Cacabelos, Ivan Carrera, Olaia Martinez, Ramon Alejo, Lucia Fernandez-Novoa, Pablo Cacabelos, Lola Corzo, Susana Rodriguez, Margarita Alcaraz, Laura Nebril, Ivan Tellado, Natalia Cacabelos, Rocio Pego, Vinogran Naidoo, Juan C. Carril
Summary: Atremorine is a novel bioproduct obtained from a genetic species of Vicia faba, acting as a potent dopamine enhancer and neuroprotective agent in Parkinson's disease. It enhances dopamine levels, influences other neurotransmitters and hormones, and potentiates the effects of conventional anti-PD drugs. The variability in response to Atremorine is highly influenced by pharmacogenetic factors, polymorphic gene variants, and its ability to modulate the pharmacoepigenetic network.
MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Brucker Nourse, Shannon N. Russell, Nathan A. Moniz, Kylie Peter, Lena M. Seyfarth, Madison Scott, Han-A Park, Kim A. Caldwell, Guy A. Caldwell
Summary: This study investigates the TNK2 gene variants in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and their potential impact on dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The findings suggest that TNK2 dysfunction may contribute to PD, possibly through sustained or aberrant activity. The study also highlights the importance of TNK2 and its ortholog SID-3 in coordinating dopaminergic and epigenetic signaling. Experimental results using Caenorhabditis elegans and rat primary neurons demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of TNK2 inhibition and NEDD4 activation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Nikolaos Pitsikas, Elli Zoupa, Achille Gravanis
Summary: The study demonstrated that BNN27 could alleviate non-spatial, spatial recognition, and discrete memory deficits induced by apomorphine in rats, independent of changes in locomotor activity. This suggests that BNN27 is effective in counteracting cognitive impairments caused by the D1/D2 receptor agonist, highlighting a functional interaction between BNN27 and the DAergic system that may be relevant for schizophrenia-like behavioral symptoms.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Weidong Cai, Christina B. Young, Rui Yuan, Byeongwook Lee, Sephira Ryman, Jeehyun Kim, Laurice Yang, Victor W. Henderson, Kathleen L. Poston, Vinod Menon
Summary: Dopaminergic medication can normalize aberrant causal signalling in working memory circuits in patients with Parkinson's disease, and such signalling is predictive of cognitive response to medication. The findings reveal the neurobiological mechanisms by which dopaminergic medication improves cognitive control.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Damian M. Herz, Peter Brown
Summary: The cause of movement slowness in Parkinson's disease remains unclear, but it may be related to increased movement energy expenditure and difficulties in switching between stable and dynamic movement states. Understanding these abnormal behavioral computations is crucial for studying their underlying neural dynamics and for guiding future experimental research.
Review
Neurosciences
Maged M. Harraz
Summary: One hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and dopamine depletion. Several mechanisms previously considered in isolation, such as dopamine oxidation-mediated neurotoxicity, high dopamine transporter expression density, and autophagy-lysosome pathway dysfunction, have been proposed. Recent research recognizes autophagy as a novel regulator of dopamine homeostasis and suggests that autophagy modulates dopamine reuptake by selectively degrading dopamine transporter. Dysfunction in the autophagy-lysosome pathway could contribute to the progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Prasada Chowdari Gurram, Sairaj Satarker, Ajmal Nassar, Jayesh Mudgal, Madhavan Nampoothiri
Summary: In this study, computer simulation was used to predict that dopamine agonists can inhibit IKKB in vitro and improve learning and memory deficits caused by neuroinflammation.
Article
Neurosciences
Ignacio Aracil-Bolanos, Frederic Sampedro, Jesus Pujol, Carles Soriano-Mas, Jose Maria Gonzalez-de-Echavarri, Jaime Kulisevsky, Javier Pagonabarraga
Summary: The study found that Parkinson's disease patients show higher frontoparietal connectivity in cognitive networks than healthy controls, regardless of medication status, while dopaminergic treatment specifically promotes SN-DM hyperconnectivity.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ezia Guatteo, Nicola Berretta, Vincenzo Monda, Ada Ledonne, Nicola Biagio Mercuri
Summary: This article focuses on the functional properties of nigral dopaminergic neurons and summarizes the shared or unique features of neuronal dysfunction in different stages of PD animal models, with the goal of illustrating the functional modifications occurring in these neurons during disease progression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yong Ren, Houbo Jiang, Jiali Pu, Li Li, Jianbo Wu, Yaping Yan, Guohua Zhao, Thomas J. Guttuso, Baorong Zhang, Jian Feng
Summary: Significant molecular and cellular differences were found in dopamine-related gene expression, metabolites, and oxidative stress between midbrain dopamine neurons derived from healthy subjects and patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ryul Kim, Heejung Kim, Yu Kyeong Kim, Eun Jin Yoon, Hyun Woo Nam, Beomseok Jeon, Jee-Young Lee
Summary: This study reveals diverse trajectories of metabolic responses associated with dopaminergic denervation in different brain regions in the prodromal and early stages of Parkinson's disease.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Soojung Hahn, Gyuri Kim, Sang-Man Jin, Jae Hyeon Kim
Summary: This study utilized three-dimensional intestinal organoids to investigate the effects of metformin on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and found that metformin can enhance intestinal barrier function and reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
V. V. Sudarev, M. S. Gette, S. V. Bazhenov, O. M. Tilinova, E. V. Zinovev, I. V. Manukhov, A. I. Kuklin, Yu. L. Ryzhykau, A. V. Vlasov
Summary: This study investigated the self-assembly processes of ferritin-based protein complexes and obtained structurally characterized oligomeric states. These results provide new potential and opportunities for the application of ferritin in various fields.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yalda Sabaghi, Farnaz Pourfarzad, Leila Zolghadr, Azita Bahrami, Tahereh Shojazadeh, Alireza Farasat, Nematollah Gheibi
Summary: p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) is a plant compound with anti-cancer activities. This study designed a nano-liposomal carrier containing p-CA to enhance its effectiveness against melanoma cells. The findings showed that the liposomal form of p-CA had a greater impact on the cells. Kinetic modeling indicated that the best fitting model was zero-order.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. D. Nazmul Hasan, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Al Asmaul Husna, Nobuhiro Nozaki, Osamu Yamato, Naoki Miura
Summary: This study investigated the expression of ncRNAs other than miRNAs in different histologic subtypes of canine mammary gland tumors (MGT). Three aberrantly expressed ncRNAs were identified as potential biomarkers for differentiating MGT subtypes. YRNA and tRFs expression levels were found to be decreased in metastatic compared to primary MGT cell lines.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seine A. Shintani
Summary: In this study, the researchers used signal analysis to study the instantaneous amplitude and phase of sarcomeric oscillations in skeletal muscle. They identified two types of oscillations, sarcomeric oscillations and sarcosynced oscillations, and visualized their behavior during propagating waves. The researchers discovered the presence of sarcomeric defect holes and sarcomeric collision holes, which are important indicators for understanding the oscillation properties of sarcomeres. This finding has important implications for improving our understanding of muscle function and its regulatory mechanisms.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shuanglin Zhang, Yuzhong Jia, Guolan Ma, Yanyan Yang, Zhenzhen Cao, Antao Luo, Zefu Zhang, Shihan Li, Jie Wen, Hanfeng Liu, Jihua Ma
Summary: Bupleurum is an antiarrhythmic agent that may exert its effects by inhibiting L-type calcium channels.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomotaka Ohkubo, Yasuhiko Matsumoto, Hiroaki Sasaki, Kaoru Kinoshita, Yuki Ogasawara, Takashi Sugita
Summary: This study found that Citrobacter koseri inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis, disrupting the balance between S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, and exacerbating inflammation in atopic dermatitis.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Toshifumi Asano, Philipp Sasse, Takao Nakata
Summary: A Cre recombination-based fluorescent reporter system was developed to monitor cell-cell fusion. The system successfully detected the formation of multinuclear myotubes and placental syncytiotrophoblast. This tool could facilitate the study of cell-to-cell fusion.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke Shi, Yunlong Shan, Xiao Sun, Kuida Chen, Qiong Luo, Qiang Xu
Summary: This study found that low expression of TP53INP2 is associated with poor survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. As the malignancy of CRC progresses, TP53INP2 expression gradually decreases. Knockdown of TP53INP2 promotes CRC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistically, TP53INP2 deficiency decreases phosphorylation of beta-catenin, leading to increased accumulation and enhanced nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. Additionally, TP53INP2 sequesters TIM50, inhibiting its activation of beta-catenin. In conclusion, downregulation of TP53INP2 promotes CRC progression by activating beta-catenin.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Rossi, Fabio Tomaselli, Alejandro Hochkoeppler
Summary: Oligomeric enzymes are known for their higher catalytic rates compared to monomeric enzymes, but the extent of additivity in their activity is still not well understood. This study used tetrameric rabbit lactate dehydrogenase as a model to examine the kinetics of its catalytic action. Surprisingly, when the concentration of the limiting reactant exceeded that of a single subunit, there was a significant slowdown in the enzyme's conformational rearrangements.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amin Sahraei, Mohammad Javad Shamsoddini, Fakhrossadat Mohammadi, Leila Hassani
Summary: This study explored the inhibitory effects of gallium curcumin, indium curcumin, and vanadyl curcumin on the amyloid fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme, as well as the binding interactions of these metal complexes with the enzyme. The results showed that indium curcumin and vanadyl curcumin exhibited higher binding affinities and stronger inhibitory effects on amyloid fibrillation compared to gallium curcumin.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takahiro Sasaki, Yoshiki Kuse, Shinsuke Nakamura, Masamitsu Shimazawa
Summary: PGRN deficiency plays a significant role in cardiac remodeling and arrhythmias post-myocardial infarction (MI), potentially by promoting metabolic abnormalities in macrophages.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hongwei Zhao, Yiqiang Li, Yibo Zhang, Chi Zhang
Summary: Electrical brain stimulation technology is commonly used to treat brain neurological disorders, but it can cause side effects. This study investigated the impact of electric fields on nerve fibers and revealed the possible origin of side effects. The findings provide guidance for selecting electrical parameters in clinical stimulation therapy.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia S. Scott, Lake-Ee Quek, Andrew J. Hoy, Johannes V. Swinnen, Zeyad D. Nassar, Lisa M. Butler
Summary: The fatty acid elongation enzyme ELOVL5 plays a critical role in promoting metastasis in prostate cancer. Knocking down ELOVL5 leads to the accumulation of malonyl-CoA, which inhibits fatty acid oxidation in mitochondria. This study highlights the importance of fatty acid elongation in regulating cell viability and provides a potential target for prostate cancer treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zan Zhou, Wen-jun Jiang, Li Li, Jun-qiang Si
Summary: This study investigates the effect of noise exposure on cognitive function in mice and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms. The findings suggest that noise exposure leads to increased inflammation, increased phosphorylation of Tau protein, and decreased levels of postsynaptic density protein, resulting in cognitive impairment.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2024)