Current Molecular Medicine - Volume 9, Issue 7, 2009

N-glycosylation, the enzymatic coupling of oligosaccharides to specific asparagine residues of nascent polypeptide chains, is one of the most widespread post-translational modifications. Following transfer of an N-glycan precursor in the ER, this structure is further modified by a number of glycosidases and glycosyltransferases in the ER and the Golgi complex. The processing reactions occurring in the ER are highly conserve Read More

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become increasingly widely used to determine regions of the genome which may contain loci influencing the risk of neurological disorders. While linkage studies have identified genes that cause a number of Mendelian disorders, linkage analysis is less well suited for the more common complex disorders. This has led to the widespread use of GWAS for that purpose. Here Read More

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), initially identified in brain tissues, is now recognized as a key cardiac hormone. Numerous studies over the last decade have demonstrated that both exogenous and endogenous BNP prevent left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in experimental settings, largely via activation of particulate guanylyl cyclase (pGC)-coupled receptors. BNP represents somewhat of a paradox, in that upregulation of BNP Read More

The crucial event in the development of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) is the conformational change of a host-encoded membrane protein - the cellular PrPC - into a disease associated, fibril-forming isoform PrPSc. This conformational transition from the α8-helix-rich cellular form into the mainly β- sheet containing counterpart initiates an 'autocatalytic' reaction which leads to the accumulation of amyl Read More

Lymphocytes involved in intestinal immune response are found in organized immune inductive sites of the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) such as Peyer's patches (PP), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and diffuse effector sites of gut epithelium and lamina propria (LP). β7 integrins are responsible for efficient trafficking and retention of lymphocytes in these sites. Naïve and effector lymphocytes use α4β7 integrin to extr Read More

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a relatively common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterised by muscle weakness and atrophy due to degeneration of motor neurons of the spinal cord and cranial motor nuclei. The clinical phenotype incorporates a wide spectrum. No effective treatment is currently available and patients may experience severe physical disability which is often life limiting. The most co Read More

The heat shock protein (HSP) family has long been associated with a generalized cellular stress response, particularly in terms of recognizing and chaperoning misfolded proteins. While HSPs in general appear to be protective, HSP27 has recently emerged as a particularly potent neuroprotectant in a number of diverse neurological disorders, ranging from ALS to stroke. Although its robust protective effect on a nu Read More

Hedgehog signaling is aberrantly activated in glioma, medulloblastoma, basal cell carcinoma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and other tumors. Hedgehog signals activate GLI family members via Smoothened. RTK signaling potentiates GLI activity through PI3KAKT- mediated GSK3 inactivation or RAS-STIL1-mediated SUFU inactivation, while GPCR signaling to Gs represses GL Read More

The development of cataracts is a debilitating eye condition which is common in elderly patients and afflicts millions worldwide. Cataracts result from the deposition of aggregated proteins in the eye which causes clouding of the lens, light scattering, and obstruction of vision. Non-syndromic, hereditary human cataract development is linked to point mutations in the CRYAA and CRYAB genes which encode αA and αB-crystallin. Read More

Recent studies have suggested that the dys-regulated progressive immune responses in some inflammatory conditions can lead to significantly increased osteoclasts (OC) frequency and activity associated with active bone destruction; termed inflammation-induced bone loss. Among the inflammatory infiltrates, monocytes/macrophages (Mo/MQ), T and B cells, have been well studied and documented as central players in Read More

The regulation of the immune system at the cell surface is primarily controlled by two families of cosignaling molecules: the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily, or ≪CD28 and B7 family≫, and the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family. Here, we summarized the principal structural and functional characteristics of both families. In this respect, the interaction between HVEM, a TNF receptor, and BTLA, an Ig family membe Read More