The MLN4924 inhibitor exerts a neuroprotective effect against oxidative stress injury via Nrf2 protein accumulation.

It was explored the cytoprotective and antioxidant effect of MLN4924, a specific inhibitor of Nedd8-activating enzyme (NAE), against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced damage in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). Primary cultures of CGNs were exposed to H2O2 after preincubation with MLN4924. The compounds were removed, and CGNs were incubated in culture medium for 24h in order to determine cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) assays.

Mitochondria as a target in the therapeutic properties of curcumin.

Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa, is commonly used in Asia as a spice and pigment and has several biological functions, particularly antioxidant properties. It has been reported that curcumin exhibits bifunctional antioxidant properties related to its capability to react directly with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also to its ability to induce the expression of cytoprotective and antioxidant proteins through the transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Recently, it has been postulated that the mitochondrial function and metabolism are associated with Nrf2 and that curcumin has shown activities against mitochondrial dysfunction.

Paradoxical cellular effects and biological role of the multifaceted compound nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a phenolic compound obtained from the leaves of the evergreen desert shrub Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush), which has been used anciently in folk medicine for the treatment of multiple diseases. At the molecular level, NDGA is a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Lipoxygenase inhibition by NDGA has been broadly studied over several cell models; however, NDGA exerts other antioxidant properties and cytoprotective effects in non-tumor cells, which are related with its role as modulator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) antioxidant pathway.

Insights in cullin 3/WNK4 and its relationship to blood pressure regulation and electrolyte homeostasis.

One of the most important systems for protein degradation is the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). The highly specific process called ubiquitination is provided by the E3 ubiquitin ligases, which mediates degradation via the proteasome system. The ubiquitin ligases based on cullins are the type of ubiquitin ligases known so far.

Renoprotective effect of the antioxidant curcumin: Recent findings.

For years, there have been studies based on the use of natural compounds plant-derived as potential therapeutic agents for various diseases in humans. Curcumin is a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa rhizome commonly used in Asia as a spice, pigment and additive. In traditional medicine of India and China, curcumin is considered as a therapeutic agent used in several foods.

Cullin 3 as a novel target in diverse pathologies.

Recent evidence suggests that the malfunctioning disposal system of cell protein called ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays an important role in the development of disorders, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the abnormal regulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligases, essential components of the UPS, contributes to uncontrolled proliferation, genomic instability and cancer, since these ligases and their substrates are involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression, gene transcription, signal transduction, DNA replication and others. Through selective degradation of specific substrates, E3 ligases regulate different biological processes.