Publications by authors named "Ana M Cabanillas"

Long non-coding RNAs transcribed from telomeres, known as TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNA), are associated with telomere and genome stability. TERRA abundance responds to different cell stresses; however, no studies have focused on oxidative stress, condition that damages biomolecules and is involved in aging and disease. Since telomeres are prone to oxidative damage leading to their dysfunction, our objective was to characterize TERRAs and the mechanisms that control their expression.

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Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among men. Metabolic syndrome (MeS) is associated with increased PCa aggressiveness and recurrence. Previously, we proposed C-terminal binding protein 1 (CTBP1), a transcriptional co-repressor, as a molecular link between these two conditions.

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Breast cancer is the disease with the highest impact on global health, being metastasis the main cause of death. To metastasize, carcinoma cells must reactivate a latent program called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), through which epithelial cancer cells acquire mesenchymal-like traits.Glypican-3 (GPC3), a proteoglycan involved in the regulation of proliferation and survival, has been associated with cancer.

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ZEB1 transcription factor is important in both development and disease, including many TGFβ-induced responses, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by which many tumors undergo metastasis. ZEB1 is differentially phosphorylated in different cell types; however the role of phosphorylation in ZEB1 activity is unknown. Luciferase reporter studies and electrophoresis mobility shift assays (EMSA) show that a decrease in phosphorylation of ZEB1 increases both DNA-binding and transcriptional repression of ZEB1 target genes.

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During progression of breast cancer, CCN6 protein exerts tumor inhibitory functions. CCN6 is a secreted protein that modulates the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway. Knockdown of CCN6 in benign mammary epithelial cells triggers an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), with upregulation of the transcription factor ZEB1/δEF1.

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Due to the key role of DNA in cell life and pathological processes, the design of specific chemical nucleases, DNA probes and alkylating agents is an important research area for the development of new therapeutic agents and tools in Biochemistry. Hence, the interaction of small molecules with DNA has attracted in particular a great deal of attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of [Cr(phen)(2)(dppz)](3+) to associate with DNA and to characterize it as photocleavage reagent for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).

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Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) induces morphological and functional alterations in primary cultured thyroid cells. The aim of this paper was to analyze the direct influence of a long-term exposition to NO on parameters of thyroid hormone biosynthesis in FRTL-5 cells.

Design: Cells were treated with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) for 24-72 h.

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The Zfhx1a gene expresses two different isoforms; the full length Zfhx1a-1 and a truncated isoform termed Zfhx1a-2 lacking the first exon. Deletion analysis of the Zfhx1a-1 promoter localized cell-specific repressors, and a proximal G-string that is critically required for transactivation. Transfection of Zfhx1a-1 cDNA, but not Zfhx1a-2, downregulates Zfhx1a-1 promoter activity.

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Innate and adaptive immunity collaborate in the protection of intracellular pathogens including Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, the parasite molecules that regulate the host immune response have not been fully identified. We previously demonstrated that the immunisation of C57BL/6 mice with cruzipain, an immunogenic T.

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Oral administration of an antigen can result in local and systemic priming or tolerance and the basis of this dichotomy is poorly understood. The intestinal microenvironment, and factors such as nature of the antigen, dose, genetic background, uptake and concentration of the antigen that gain access to the internal milieu via the mucosa influence these active immunologic processes. Chitosan is a biocompatible natural polysaccharide able to promote the transmucosal absorption of peptides and proteins.

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The integration of innate and adaptive immune responses is required for efficient control of Candida albicans. The present work aimed to assess, at the local site of the infection, the immunocompetence of macrophages in rats infected intraperitoneally with C. albicans and exposed simultaneously to stress during 3 days (CaS group).

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