Cinnamaldehyde in Focus: Antimicrobial Properties, Biosynthetic Pathway, and Industrial Applications.

-cinnamaldehyde (TCA), a major bioactive compound derived from cinnamon ( spp.), has garnered significant attention for its diverse therapeutic properties. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, targeting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as various fungi, positions TCA as a potent natural antimicrobial agent.

Navigating Amaryllidaceae alkaloids: bridging gaps and charting biosynthetic territories.

Amaryllidaceae alkaloid (AA) biosynthesis has garnered significant attention in recent years, particularly with the commercialization of galanthamine as a treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. A significant amount of research work over the last eight decades has focused on the understanding of AA biosynthesis, starting from early radiolabelling studies to recent multi-omics analysis with modern biotechnological advancements. Those studies enabled the identification of hundreds of metabolites, the characterization of biochemical pathways, and an understanding of the environmental stimuli and of the molecular regulation of these pharmaceutically and agriculturally important metabolites.

Dysfunctional natural killer cells can be reprogrammed to regain anti-tumor activity.

Natural killer (NK) cells are critical to the innate immune system, as they recognize antigens without prior sensitization, and contribute to the control and clearance of viral infections and cancer. However, a significant proportion of NK cells in mice and humans do not express classical inhibitory receptors during their education process and are rendered naturally "anergic", i.e.

Bioengineering of the Marine Diatom with Cannabis Genes Enables the Production of the Cannabinoid Precursor, Olivetolic Acid.

The increasing demand for novel natural compounds has prompted the exploration of innovative approaches in bioengineering. This study investigates the bioengineering potential of the marine diatom through the introduction of cannabis genes, specifically, tetraketide synthase (TKS), and olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC), for the production of the cannabinoid precursor, olivetolic acid (OA). is a promising biotechnological platform due to its fast growth rate, amenability to genetic manipulation, and ability to produce valuable compounds.

Actin Retrograde Flow Regulated by the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Drives the Natural Killer Cell Response.

Understanding the crosstalk between natural killer (NK) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) has enhanced the potential of exploiting the interplay between activation and inhibition of NK cells for immunotherapy. This interaction is crucial for understanding how tumor cells escape NK cell immune surveillance. NK cell dysfunction is regulated by two molecular mechanisms, downregulated activating receptor ligand expression on the tumor cells, and upregulated inhibitory signals delivered to NK cells.

Inhibition of SHP-1 activity by PKC-θ regulates NK cell activation threshold and cytotoxicity.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in immunity, killing virally infected and cancerous cells. The balance of signals initiated upon engagement of activating and inhibitory NK receptors with cognate ligands determines killing or tolerance. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms regulating rapid NK cell discrimination between healthy and malignant cells in a heterogeneous tissue environment are incompletely understood.

A First Insight into North American Plant Pathogenic Fungi Transcriptome.

, a fungal pathogen of primary timber species of North American forests, causes white root rot disease that ultimately kills the trees. A more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this illness will support future developments on disease resistance and management, as well as in the decomposition of cellulosic material for further use. In this study, RNA-Seq technology was used to compare the transcriptome profiles of fungal culture grown in yeast malt broth medium supplemented or not with betulin, a natural compound of the terpenoid group found in abundance in white birch bark.

Auxin protects Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension cultures from programmed cell death induced by the cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors thaxtomin A and isoxaben.

Background: Thaxtomin A (TA) is a natural cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor (CBI) synthesized by the potato common scab-causing pathogen Streptomyces scabies. Inhibition of cellulose synthesis by TA compromises cell wall organization and integrity, leading to the induction of an atypical program of cell death (PCD). These processes may facilitate S.

Reactive Oxygen Species Alleviate Cell Death Induced by Thaxtomin A in Cell Cultures.

Thaxtomin A (TA) is a cellulose biosynthesis inhibitor synthesized by the soil actinobacterium , which is the main causal agent of potato common scab. TA is essential for the induction of scab lesions on potato tubers. When added to cell cultures, TA induces an atypical programmed cell death (PCD).