MicroRNAs (miRNAs) form a large class of non-coding RNAs that function in repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. By recognizing short stretches of nucleotides within the untranslated regions of mRNAs, miRNAs recruit partner proteins to individual transcripts, leading to mRNA cleavage or hindering of translation. In this review the biology of miRNAs and examples on manipulation of miRNA expression are presented to attain the desired phenotypic traits in cell engineering and therapeutic outcomes in treatment of a diverse set of diseases.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3197041
Mushrooms are rapidly becoming recognized as a promising source of novel proteins. Several proteins showing unique features have been isolated, including lectins, lignocellulolytic enzymes, protease inhibitors and hydrophobins. They can offer solutions to several medical and biotechnological problems such as microbial drug resistance, low crop yields, and demands for renewable energy. This review provides the first comprehensive overview of known proteins from mushrooms, describes the process of acquiring a new bioactive protein, and provides an overview of current and anticipated applications of these proteins across biotechnology, medicine and agriculture.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2504527
Biodegradable poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles can be used as a delivery system for photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT) to improve their effectiveness and selectivity for targeted tissues. In this study we evaluated temoporfin-loaded PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) as a new formulation for potential use in cancer treatment. The results are promising and can be used for improving the delivery of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy in other applications.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3250545
Podosomes, specialized actin-rich structures in macrophages, degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are involved in cell migration. We have shown that the tips of macrophage protrusive podosomes are characterized by increased accumulation of cysteine cathepsins (Cts) B, X, S, H and L, both in human blood macrophages and in human monocytic cell line U-937. Monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation induces an increase in cysteine cathepsin expression and activity, promoting their translocation to the cell surface, where they interact with ECM. The targeting of cysteine cathepsins, as the major mediators of human macrophage 3D invasion, could be an approach to the treatment of inflammatory and cancerous diseases.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3319921
Glycyrrhizin is the main pharmacologically active component in licorice. Long term consumption of higher amounts of glycyrrhizin results in serious side effects (pseudoaldosteronism) caused by the glycyrrhizin metabolite 3b-monoglucuronyl-18b-glycyrrhetinic acid (3-MGA). The aim of this study was to determine urine excretion profile of 3-MGA. Results showed that the amount of excreted 18-MGA in urine was 1425.9-3147.8 lg, which corresponds to 0.31-0.67% of the ingested dose. Maximum elimination rates were 31.52-209.47 lg/h. There were no significant differences in the amount of excreted 3-MGA as well as in elimination rates of3-MGA when glycyrrhizin was ingested in the morning or evening, respectively.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3299953