Publications by authors named "Alejandro N Rondon Ortiz"

Sequestosome1 (SQSTM1) is an autophagy receptor that mediates the degradation of intracellular cargo, including protein aggregates, through multiple protein interactions. These interactions form the SQSTM1 protein network, and these interactions are mediated by SQSTM1 functional interaction domains, which include LIR, PB1, UBA, and KIR. Technological advances in cell biology continue to expand our knowledge of the SQSTM1 protein network and the relationship between the actions of the SQSTM1 protein network in cellular physiology and disease states.

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Sequestosome1 (SQSTM1) is an autophagy receptor that mediates degradation of intracellular cargo, including protein aggregates, through multiple protein interactions. These interactions form the SQSTM1 protein network, and these interactions are mediated by SQSTM1 functional interaction domains, which include LIR, PB1, UBA and KIR. Technological advances in cell biology continue to expand our knowledge of the SQSTM1 protein network and of the relationship of the actions of the SQSTM1 protein network in cellular physiology and disease states.

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The cytotoxic properties of two extracts from Willd. and three synthetic sapogenins were evaluated in different cancer cell lines (A549, SH-SY5Y, HepG2, and HeLa) to investigate their cytotoxic effects and determine if these cell lines activate the caspase pathway for apoptosis in response to saponin and sapogenin treatment. The saponin extracts were isolated from the agro-industrial waste of Willd.

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Aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is thought to drive the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and some frontotemporal dementias. TDP-43 is normally a nuclear protein that in neurons translocates to the cytoplasm and can form insoluble aggregates upon activation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Viruses evolved to control the ISR.

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Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is a risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in addition to cardiovascular associated diseases. This risk is elevated when the cumulative burden of ACEs is increased. Laboratory animals can be used to model the changes (as well as the underlying mechanisms) that result in response to adverse events.

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Maternal immune activation (MIA) has been identified as a significant risk factor for several neurodevelopmental disorders. We have previously demonstrated that postpubertal environmental enrichment (EE) rescues and promotes resiliency against MIA in male rats. Importantly, EE protocols have demonstrated clinical relevancy in human rehabilitation settings.

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Adverse experiences during pregnancy induce placental programming, affecting the fetus and its developmental trajectory. However, the influence of 'positive' maternal experiences on the placenta and fetus remain unclear. In animal models of early life stress, environmental enrichment (EE) has ameliorated and even prevented associated impairments in brain and behavior.

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Early life exposure to a low security setting, characterized by a scarcity of resources and limited food access, increases the risk for psychiatric illness and metabolic dysfunction. We utilized a translational rat model to mimic a low security environment and determined how this manipulation affected offspring behavior, metabolism, and puberty. Because food insecurity in humans is associated with reduced access to healthy food options the "low security" rat manipulation combined a Western diet with exposure to a limited bedding and nesting manipulation (WD-LB).

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Both basic and clinical research support the use of tactile stimulation to rescue several neurobiobehavioral consequences that follow early life stress. Here, using a translational rodent model of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we tested the individual prophylactic potential of a variety of sensory interventions including tactile (brushing pups with a paint brush to mimic maternal licking), auditory (a simulated lactating rat dam heart beat), and olfactory (a series of aroma therapy scents) stimulation. The NICU model was developed to mimic not only the reduced parental contact that sick infants receive (by isolating rat pups from their litters), but also the nosocomial infections and medical manipulations associated with this experience (by utilizing a dual lipopolysaccharide injection schedule).

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Macamides are a distinct class of secondary metabolites, benzylamides of long chain fatty acids, which were isolated from the Peruvian plant Lepidium meyenii (Maca). As structural analogues of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), they have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the neuroprotective activity of the macamides: N-(3-methoxybenzyl)oleamide (MAC 18:1), N-(3-methoxybenzyl)linoleamide (MAC 18:2) and N-(3-methoxybenzyl)linolenamide (MAC 18:3) in a neurotoxic environment caused by exposure of U-87 MG glioblastoma cells to manganese chloride (MnCl).

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Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is an endocytic receptor involved in the uptake of a variety of molecules, such as apoE, α2-macroglobulin, and the amyloid β peptide (Aβ), for either transcellular transport, protein trafficking or lysosomal degradation. The gene can be transcribed upon activation of peroxisome proliferator receptor activated-γ (PPARγ) by the potent PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone (RGZ). In previous studies, RGZ was shown to upregulate LRP1 levels in concentrations between 0.

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In this work, we described the design, synthesis and characterization of a new class of NPSR antagonists bearing the tetracyclic coumarinyl pyranopyrimidine scaffold incorporated with different acyclic and/or heterocyclic moieties. These compounds are highlighted in this study as never being used as NPSR antagonists before which provides a model for the discovery of new bioactive inhibitors that may hold potential for drug development towards anxiety, food, and addiction disorders. Synthetic and medicinal chemistry studies led to the identification of four potent antagonists, compounds 7d, 10, 12 and 13, which were able to significantly inhibit the stimulatory effect of NPS through counteracting the increased intracellular Ca accumulation.

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Breast and cervical cancers are the most common gender-specific cancers affecting women worldwide. In this investigation, we highlighted the synthesis, VEGFR-2 and p38α MAPK inhibitory activity of new series of fluorinated coumarin-based derivatives featuring a variety of bioactive chemical moieties attached or fused to the coumarin nucleus at the 3 and/or 4 position. The bioactive inhibitors were further assessed for their anti-proliferative effect against human MCF-7 breast cancer and HeLa cervical cancer cell lines, respectively.

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