Discovery of hybrid Glypromate conjugates with neuroprotective activity against paraquat-induced toxicity.

Neurodegenerative disorders comprise a series of heterogeneous conditions that affect millions of people worldwide, representing a significant health burden in both developed and developing countries. Without disease-modifying treatments currently available, the development of effective neurotherapeutics is a health priority. In this work, a new series of peptide-conjugates of the Glypromate neuropeptide is reported to determine the interplay of annular constriction and neuroprotective activity.

Progesterone and brassinosteroids synergistically enhance progesterone removal and antioxidant capacity of L.

Progesterone (PROG) has been detected at various concentrations in the environment and has adverse effects on humans and wildlife. This work evaluated the impact of PROG in L. plants, its removal capacity, and how 2,4-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) affects this process.

Naturally occurring small molecules with dual effect upon inflammatory signaling pathways and endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is determinant to maintain cellular proteostasis. Upon unresolved ER stress, this organelle activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). Sustained UPR activates is known to occur in inflammatory processes, deeming the ER a potential molecular target for the treatment of inflammation.

Fisetin derivatives exhibit enhanced anti-inflammatory activity and modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are often hand in hand in the context of chronic disease. Both are activated upon perceived disturbances in homeostasis, being deleterious when intensely or chronically activated. Fisetin (FST) is a dietary flavonol that is known to possess multiple relevant bioactivities, raising the question of its potential health benefits and even its use in novel pharmacological approaches against ER stress and inflammation.

A Survey of Naturally Occurring Molecules as New Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Activators with Selective Anticancer Activity.

The last century has witnessed the establishment of neoplastic disease as the second cause of death in the world. Nonetheless, the road toward desirable success rates of cancer treatments is still long and paved with uncertainty. This work aims to select natural products that act via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a known vulnerability of malignant cells, and display selective toxicity against cancer cell lines.

A Pipeline for Natural Small Molecule Inhibitors of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

The homeostasis of eukaryotic cells is inseverable of that of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The main function of this organelle is the synthesis and folding of a significant portion of cellular proteins, while it is also the major calcium reservoir of the cell. Upon unresolved ER stress, a set of stress response signaling pathways that are collectively labeled as the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders: Tools and strategies to understand its complexity.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) comprises a network of tubules and vesicles that constitutes the largest organelle of the eukaryotic cell. Being the location where most proteins are synthesized and folded, it is crucial for the upkeep of cellular homeostasis. Disturbed ER homeostasis triggers the activation of a conserved molecular machinery, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), that comprises three major signaling branches, initiated by the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6).

Neurotoxicity of the steroidal alkaloids tomatine and tomatidine is RIP1 kinase- and caspase-independent and involves the eIF2α branch of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Steroidal alkaloids are a class of natural products that occur in several species of the Solanaceae family. In the case of the tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), tomatine and its aglycone, tomatidine, are the most representative molecules.

Recent Patents on Proteasome Inhibitors of Natural Origin.

Background: The proteasome is the major proteolytic site on the eukaryotic cell, degrading most of its short-lived or misfolded polypeptides. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway has been found to play a fundamental role in the development of several pathologies, from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases, or even retroviral infections. Nature remains a powerful source for the discovery of bioactive compounds.