Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camilla Pecoraro, Daniela Carbone, Barbara Parrino, Stella Cascioferro, Patrizia Diana
Summary: Infectious diseases caused by antimicrobial-resistant strains have become a serious threat to global health, with a high social and economic impact. Strategies to fight antibiotic resistance, such as inhibiting bacterial adhesion to host surfaces, can effectively hamper bacterial virulence without affecting cell viability. Targeting structures and biomolecules involved in the adhesion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens can lead to the development of promising tools against pathogens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shaoqin Zheng, Xi Zhang, Zhongqiu Pang, Jidong Liu, Siyu Liu, Ren Sheng
Summary: In this study, a chimeric protein RTAC was designed to target Rspos and showed satisfactory anticancer effects by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. A novel antitumor strategy was proposed, in which a special firewall nano-system was designed to prevent oncogenic Rspos from binding to receptors on the tumor cell surface. The integration of RTAC with cyclic RGD peptide-linked globular cluster serum albumin nanoparticles enabled targeted delivery and efficient capture of free Rspos, resulting in effective tumor clearance and low potential toxicity.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Onur Bender, Ismail Celik, Rumeysa Dogan, Arzu Atalay, Mai E. Shoman, Taha F. S. Ali, Eman A. M. Beshr, Mahmoud Mohamed, Eman Alaaeldin, Ahmed M. Shawky, Eman M. Awad, Al-Shaimaa F. Ahmed, Kareem M. Younes, Mukhtar Ansari, Sirajudheen Anwar
Summary: The study focused on using indoles as a key group in the design of selective estrogen receptor modulators for breast cancer treatment. A series of vanillin-substituted indolin-2-one compounds were synthesized and tested against cancer cells, with physicochemical parameters evaluated. The compound 6j showed promising anti-cancer activity specifically against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, without affecting normal breast cells. In vivo and in vitro studies confirmed its ability to inhibit estrogenic activity and its stability in complex with the ER-alpha receptor.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iwona Radziejewska, Katarzyna Supruniuk, Katarzyna Jakimiuk, Michal Tomczyk, Anna Bielawska, Anna Galicka
Summary: Specific changes in mucin-type O-glycosylation, such as incomplete synthesis of glycan structures and overexpression of fucosylation, impact cellular activities promoting cancer development. This study explores the combined action of anti-MUC1 and tiliroside in AGS gastric cancer cells, showing that the combination is more effective than monotherapy in reducing MUC1 expression and influencing cancer-related factors. These findings suggest a promising anti-gastric cancer strategy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Prasanna Anjaneyulu Yakkala, Naveen Reddy Penumallu, Syed Shafi, Ahmed Kamal
Summary: Topoisomerase inhibitors play a critical role as anti-cancer medications by disrupting the normal function of these enzymes, leading to DNA damage and cell death. Topoisomerase I inhibitors prevent DNA resealing, causing inhibition of DNA replication and cell death, while topoisomerase II inhibitors impede the release of double-strand DNA breaks by cleaving DNA complexes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Varela, Miriam Lopez, Mariana Ingold, Diego Alem, Valentina Perini, Karen Perelmuter, Mariela Bollati-Fogolin, Gloria V. Lopez, Paola Hernandez
Summary: This study evaluated three nitric oxide-releasing compounds as potential therapies for bladder cancer. The results showed that compounds 1 and 3 inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells through DNA damage and downregulation of Survivin. Compound 3 also reduced the migration of bladder cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Shaheer Malik, Syed Farooq Adil, Ziad Moussa, Hatem M. Altass, Ismail I. Althagafi, Moataz Morad, Mohammad Azam Ansari, Qazi Mohammad Sajid Jamal, Rami J. Obaid, Abdulrahman A. Al-Warthan, Thokhir B. Shaik, Saleh A. Ahmed
Summary: This study describes the rational design and synthesis of two novel bis-naphthalimides with potential DNA interactive properties, using molecular modeling assistance. The compounds showed excellent results in terms of DNA thermal denaturation and cytotoxicity, and two promising molecules were identified for further development.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiahua Cui, Jinping Jia
Summary: COX-2 is a key enzyme in the inflammatory process, and natural COX-2 inhibitors have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects and benefits against cell injury. Understanding the characteristics of natural COX-2 inhibitors paves the way for the development of more potent and selective inhibitors in the future.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Maria Spanoudaki, Constantinos Giaginis, Dimitra Karafyllaki, Konstantinos Papadopoulos, Evangelos Solovos, Georgios Antasouras, Georgios Sfikas, Athanasios N. Papadopoulos, Sousana K. Papadopoulou
Summary: This review study examines the molecular basis of the relationship between cancer and exercise, evaluating the most well-established molecular mechanisms of exercise against cancer development and progression. The study found that exercise may reduce cancer risk and/or progression through mechanisms such as the metabolic profile of hormones, reduction of systemic inflammation, increase in insulin sensitivity, augmentation of antioxidant capacity, boost to the immune system, and direct effect on tumors. There is substantial evidence that exercise can predict a stronger association with cancer and can be embedded in cancer clinical practice to improve disease progression and prognosis.
Review
Oncology
Tatiana Shorstova, William D. Foulkes, Michael Witcher
Summary: Transcriptional upregulation of oncogenes drives tumor progression, and targeting BET proteins with inhibitors has shown promise in suppressing oncogenic networks in tumors. Understanding the biology of BET proteins, designing better BET inhibitors, and incorporating BET inhibitors into combination therapies can enhance their efficacy in clinical settings.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian Rykowski, Dorota Gurda-Wozna, Marta Orlicka-Plocka, Agnieszka Fedoruk-Wyszomirska, Malgorzata Giel-Pietraszuk, Eliza Wyszko, Aleksandra Kowalczyk, Pawel Staczek, Andrzej Bak, Agnieszka Kiliszek, Wojciech Rypniewski, Agnieszka B. Olejniczak
Summary: A series of novel 3-carboranyl-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives were synthesized and their effects on cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in a HepG2 cancer cell line were investigated. The compounds were found to induce various cellular responses, with conjugate 35 showing strong apoptosis induction and ROS production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jing Li, Dongru Chen, Huancai Lin
Summary: Biofilms are responsible for most infections, making it crucial to find effective antibiofilm agents with low cytotoxicity. Among 51 peptides classified into 14 categories, 14 representative peptides showed antibiofilm activity against both bacteria and fungi, with 4 peptides having lower MBIC values than their MICs.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiao-Man Chen, Jian-Yu Zhou, Shuang-Qiang Liu, Long-Hao Song, Hui-Ling Wang, Qi Wang, Si-Min Liang, Lin Lu, Jian-Hua Wei, Rizhen Huang, Ye Zhang
Summary: A series of mono-and bisnaphthalimides derivatives containing 3-nitro and 4-morpholine moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activities. Bisnaphthalimide A6 exhibited the highest anticancer activity against MGC-803 cells, with a much greater potency than that of mono-naphthalimide A7, mitonafide, and amonafide. The compounds could bind to DNA and Topo I, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In vivo studies confirmed the potent anticancer efficiency of bisnaphthalimide A6 in an MGC-803 xenograft tumor model.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Marco da Silva, Catia Teixeira, Paula Gomes, Margarida Borges
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii that infects around one-third of the world population and can lead to serious complications. Current treatment options are limited with toxic side effects, requiring long treatment durations. Promising drug targets and compounds for anti-T. gondii drug discovery offer new perspectives for future research in this field.
Review
Oncology
Anisa Andleeb, Aneeta Andleeb, Salman Asghar, Gouhar Zaman, Muhammad Tariq, Azra Mehmood, Muhammad Nadeem, Christophe Hano, Jose M. Lorenzo, Bilal Haider Abbasi
Summary: Cancer is a major global public health burden, and traditional cancer therapies have limited effectiveness and severe side effects. The field of nanotechnology has shown promising advancements in the treatment of cancer, offering potential solutions with minimal toxicity and fewer side effects. Biosynthesized metallic nanoparticles, particularly silver, gold, zinc, and copper, are being explored for their anti-cancer activities and hold great promise for future cancer therapeutics.