Pro-oxidant vitamin C mechanistically exploits p66Shc/Rac1 GTPase pathway in inducing cytotoxicity.

P66Shc is the master regulator of oxidative stress whose pro-oxidant functioning is governed by ser36 phosphorylation. Phosphorylated p66Shc via Rac1 GTPase activation modulates ROS levels which in turn influence its pro-oxidative functions. Vitamin C at higher concentrations exhibits cytotoxic activity in various cancers, inducing ROS mediated cell death via pro-apoptotic mechanisms.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and integrins meet redox signaling through P66shc and Rac1.

This review examines the concerted role of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and integrins in regulating Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through different signaling pathways. ROS as such are not always deleterious to the cells but they also act as signaling molecules, that regulates numerous indespensible physiological fuctions of life. Many adaptor proteins, particularly Shc and Grb2, are involved in mediating the downstream signaling pathways stimulated by EGFR and integrins.

β-Glucan: A dual regulator of apoptosis and cell proliferation.

β-Glucans are polysaccharides generally obtained from the cell wall of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and aleurone layer of cereals. β-Glucans are polymers, with β-1,3 glucose as core linear structure, but they differ in their main branch length, linkages and branching patterns, giving rise to high and low-molecular-weight β-glucans. They are well-known cell response modifiers with immune-modulating, nutraceutical and health beneficial effects, including anticancer and pro-apoptotic properties.

A simple, economical and environmental-friendly method for staining protein gels using an extract from walnut-husk.

We wish to present a simple, rapid, cost-effective and environmentally safe method for staining proteins in polyacrylamide gels, using aqueous-based natural extracts from fresh green walnut (Juglans regia) hulls/husks. The technique takes not more than 10 min for staining and is comparable in sensitivity to the most commonly used Coomassie R-250 staining method when applied to different concentrations of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and various amounts of E. coli extracts.

Structure-functional implications of longevity protein p66Shc in health and disease.

ShcA (Src homologous- collagen homologue), family of adapter proteins, consists of three isoforms which integrate and transduce external stimuli to different signaling networks. ShcA family consists of p46Shc, p52Shc and p66Shc isoforms, characterized by having multiple protein-lipid and protein-protein interaction domains implying their functional diversity. Among the three isoforms p66Shc is structurally different containing an additional CH2 domain which attributes to its dual functionality in cell growth, mediating both cell proliferation and apoptosis.