Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a tauopathy characterized by the deposition of amyloid aggregates of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein and amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the brain. Nevertheless, a soluble, oligomeric forms of Tau and Aβ are considered to be the most neurotoxic species responsible for neurodegenerative processes in AD. The mechanism of action of these oligomers remains largely unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPodophyllotoxin (PPT) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) with established antitumor potential. However, due to its systemic toxicity, its use is restricted to topical treatment of anogenital warts. Less toxic PPT derivatives (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMost mitochondrial proteins originate from the cytosol and require transport into the organelle. Such precursor proteins must be unfolded to pass through translocation channels in mitochondrial membranes. Misfolding of transported proteins can result in their arrest and translocation failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbnormalities that characterize the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) include deficiencies of β-cells and the expansion of α-cells in pancreatic islets, manifested by lower insulin release and glucagon oversecretion. The molecular mechanisms that determine intra-islet interactions between pancreatic α- and β-cells are still not fully understood. The present study showed that stearoyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturase 1 (SCD1), an enzyme that is implicated in fatty acid metabolism, serves as a checkpoint in the control of endocrine cell equilibrium in pancreatic islets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF