Tankyrase: a promising therapeutic target with pleiotropic action.

Tankyrase 1 (TNKS1) and tankyrase 2 (TNKS2) enzymes belong to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family participates in process of poly-ADP-ribosylation of different target proteins which leads to ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Tankyrases are also involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases, especially cancer. Their functions include cell cycle homeostasis (primarily in mitosis), telomere maintenance, Wnt signaling pathway regulation, and insulin signaling (particularly GLUT4 translocation).

Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Neuroprotective Agents in the Treatment of Ocular Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Retinal neurodegeneration is considered an early event in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. At present, there is no definitive treatment to prevent the progression or reversal of vision loss caused by photoreceptor degeneration and the death of retinal ganglion cells. Neuroprotective approaches are being developed to increase the life expectancy of neurons by maintaining their shape/function and thus prevent the loss of vision and blindness.