Publications by authors named "Homa Fatma"

Luciferase-based reporter assay is an important tool that employs bioluminescence to quickly and precisely investigate the gene of interest's promoter activity by reporter gene expression at the transcriptional level. The promoter of the gene of interest is fused with the reporter gene (a gene that produces luciferase enzymes) and then transfected into the cells. Luciferase is an enzyme that catalyzes a chemical reaction to produce light.

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Background: Extensive research on Lupeol's potential in cancer prevention highlights its ability to target various cancer-related factors. It regulates proliferative markers, modulates signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and influences inflammatory and apoptotic mechanisms. Additionally, Lupeol demonstrates selectivity in killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells, thus minimizing the risk of toxic effects on healthy tissues.

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Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most prevalent male malignancies, accounting for a considerable number of annual mortalities. However, the prompt identification of early-stage CaP often faces delays due to diverse factors, including socioeconomic inequalities. The androgen receptor (AR), in conjunction with various other signaling pathways, exerts a central influence on the genesis, progression, and metastasis of CaP, with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) serving as the primary therapeutic strategy.

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Cellular plasticity can occur naturally in an organism and is considered an adapting mechanism during the developmental stage. However, abnormal cellular plasticity is observed in different diseased conditions, including cancer. Cancer cell plasticity triggers the stimuli of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), abnormal epigenetic changes, expression of stem cell factors and implicated signaling pathways, etc.

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Indiscriminate uses of insecticide greatly damage the environment as well as non-target organisms. Thus, multiple levels of bioassays can help better management of our environment. Flubendiamide is a phthalic acid diamide insecticide that ceases the function of insect muscle leading to paralysis and death.

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Aims: Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs can potentially cause several adverse effects that influence a patient's general well-being. Sorafenib, an approved drug used in clinics against multiple cancers whose overall efficacy suffered a serious setback due to various side effects, leading to its frequent discontinuation. Lupeol has recently been considered an important prospective therapeutic agent due to its low toxicity and enhanced biological efficacy.

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Aurora-A kinase (AURKA) belongs to the serine/threonine kinase family specific to cell division. In normal cells, activation of the AURKA protein is essential for regulating chromosomal segregation and centrosome maturation. The physiological concentration of AURKA accumulation has utmost importance during cell division.

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Background: Cancer is a global health issue and economic burden with a continuous increase in incidence and mortality. Over the years, the underlying molecular mechanism of cancers was thoroughly researched, leading to multiple drugs' development. Unfortunately, most drugs have some serious drawbacks, such as therapy resistance and toxicity.

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Prostate cancer (CaP) is one of the most frequent malignancies amongst men. Enzalutamide is the second-generation potent androgen receptor (AR) antagonist used against metastatic and non-metastatic CaP. Unfortunately, the development of chemoresistance in cancer cells reduces the effectiveness of Enzalutamide.

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Androgen deprivation therapy is commonly used for the treatment of prostate cancer. Enzalutamide is a next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, initially approved to treat castration-resistance prostate cancer. Lupeol, a triterpene present in various fruits, vegetables, has anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative activity.

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The transcription factor NANOG regulates self-renewal and pluripotency in embryonic cells, and its downregulation leads to cell differentiation. Recent studies have linked upregulation of in various cancers and the regulation of expression of different molecules, and , to induce proliferation, metastasis, invasion and chemoresistance. Thus is an oncogene that functions by inducing stem cells' circuitries and heterogeneity in cancers.

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: Liver cancer is a major cause of mortality and is characterized by the transformation of cells into an uncontrolled mass of tumor cells with many genetic and epigenetic changes, which lead to the development of tumors. A small subpopulation of cell population known as Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) is responsible for cancer stemness and chemoresistance. Yamanaka factors [octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2), kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and Myelocytomatosis (MYC); OSKM] are responsible for cancer cell stemness, chemoresistance, and recurrence.

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Both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms intimately regulate cancer development and chemoresistance. Different genetic alterations are observed in multiple genes, and most are irreversible. Aside from genetic alterations, epigenetic alterations play a crucial role in cancer.

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The c-MYC is one of the most commonly discussed oncogenes in almost all cancers. c-MYC, as a proto-oncogene in normal cells, has found to be tightly controlled and regulated, both genetically and epigenetically. Evasion of the controlled checkpoint mechanisms during cancer causes a deregulated expression of c-MYC.

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