Protein and Peptide Letters - Volume 29, Issue 2, 2022

Human defensins are a class of antimicrobial peptides, belonging to the innate immunity system. These peptides are expressed at the level of respiratory tract (both upper and lower) where they represent the first line of defense against pathogens; they are also known for their activity against different viruses, acting through diverse mechanisms, including direct binding to the virus, inhibition of viral replication, and aggr Read More

Amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) is the N-terminal fragment of the CNP precursor. NT-proCNP occurs in an equimolar concentration with CNP in human plasma and is considered to be a marker of the extent of CNP biosynthesis. A recent study has shown associations between plasma NT-proCNP and blood pressure; it is also an independent predictor of death and cardiac readmission in pe Read More

The organism responds to a decrease in temperature by producing a series of cold shock proteins (CSPs). These proteins play a critical role in growing and functioning characteristics at low temperatures. CSPs have been discovered in a wide range of organisms and have shown enormous diversity; their mechanisms of action are also complicated. Transcription and translation in microorganisms typically occur via a single li Read More

Background: For amphibians, antimicrobial peptides are innate immune molecules that resist adverse external environmental stimuli. However, the regulation mechanism of antimicrobial peptide gene expression in frogs is still unclear. Objective: The two antimicrobial peptides, palustrin-2CE2 and brevinin-2CE3, are produced under external stimulation in Rana chensinensis. Using this model, we analyzed the gene structure and Read More

Background: Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea), a valuable and common traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is primarily used as an effective medicine with various health-promoting effects. The main pharmacological bioactive ingredients in the rhizome of A. lancea are terpenoids. Acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase (AACT) is the first enzyme in the terpenoid synthesis pathway and catalyzes two units of acetyl-CoA into acetoacetyl-C Read More

Background: Immunization or vaccination is the process of inducing artificial immunity against an antigen taking advantage of the mechanisms of immunological memory. Current vaccines include substances known as adjuvants, which tend to improve the immunogenicity of the antigen, reduce the antigen quantity employed, and boost the immune response in weak responders. Unfortunately, only a few vaccine adjuvant Read More

Background: Diverse extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins physically interact with stem cells and regulate stem cell function. However, the large molecular weight of the natural ECM renders large-scale fabrication of a similar functional structure challenging. Objective: The objective of this study was to construct a low molecular weight and multifunctional chimeric form of recombinant ECM to stimulate mesenchymal stem c Read More

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem after the emergence of colistin resistance since it was the last option left to treat carbapenemase-resistant bacterial infections. The mcr gene and its variants are one of the causes for colistin resistance. Besides mcr genes, some other intrinsic genes are also involved in colistin resistance but still need to be explored. Objective: The aim of this study was to investiga Read More