Polystyrene nanoparticles induce DNA damage and apoptosis in HeLa cells.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are plastic particles, typically less than 100 nm in size, that result from daily life products as well as the degradation of larger plastic debris. Due to their small size and chemical composition, they can interact with biological systems in ways that larger plastic particles cannot. Humans are continuously exposed to NPs and several studies showed the potentially toxic effects of these latter on health.

Insulin-Sensitizing Properties of Decoctions from Leaves, Stems, and Roots of L.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell secretory function. Since existing treatments often present side effects based on different mechanisms, alternative therapeutic options are needed. In this scenario, the present study first evaluates the cytotoxicity of decoctions from the leaves, stems, and roots of L.

Unfolding Mechanism and Fibril Formation Propensity of Human Prion Protein in the Presence of Molecular Crowding Agents.

The pathological process of prion diseases implicates that the normal physiological cellular prion protein (PrP) converts into misfolded abnormal scrapie prion (PrP) through post-translational modifications that increase β-sheet conformation. We recently demonstrated that HuPrP(90-231) thermal unfolding is partially irreversible and characterized by an intermediate state (β-PrPI), which has been revealed to be involved in the initial stages of PrP fibrillation, with a seeding activity comparable to that of human infectious prions. In this study, we report the thermal unfolding characterization, in cell-mimicking conditions, of the truncated (HuPrP(90-231)) and full-length (HuPrP(23-231)) human prion protein by means of CD and NMR spectroscopy, revealing that HuPrP(90-231) thermal unfolding is characterized by two successive transitions, as in buffer solution.

Structural characterization of PHOX2B and its DNA interaction shed light on the molecular basis of the +7Ala variant pathogenicity in CCHS.

An expansion of poly-alanine up to +13 residues in the C-terminus of the transcription factor PHOX2B underlies the onset of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). Recent studies demonstrated that the alanine tract expansion influences PHOX2B folding and activity. Therefore, structural information on PHOX2B is an important target for obtaining clues to elucidate the insurgence of the alanine expansion-related syndrome and also for defining a viable therapy.