Aims & Scope – Current Signal Transduction Therapy

ISSN (Print): 1574-3624
ISSN (Online): 2212-389X

Latest Issue: Volume 17 , Issue 1 , 2022

Aims & Scope

In recent years a breakthrough has occurred in our understanding of the molecular pathomechanisms of human diseases whereby most of our diseases are related to intra and intercellular communication disorders. The concept of signal transduction therapy has got into the front line of modern drug research, and a multidisciplinary approach is being used to identify and treat signaling disorders.

The journal publishes timely in-depth reviews, research article and drug clinical trial studies in the field of signal transduction therapy. Thematic issues are also published to cover selected areas of signal transduction therapy. Coverage of the field includes genomics, proteomics, medicinal chemistry and the relevant diseases involved in signaling e.g. cancer, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Current Signal Transduction Therapy is an essential journal for all involved in drug design and discovery. Read now: https://bit.ly/3DuwZHe

Press Release – Large-scale analysis of protein arginine methylation by mass spectrometry

The article by Dr. Tiziana Bonaldi et al. is published in Current Protein & Peptide Science, 2020

Methylation (namely addition of a methyl group) of arginine amino acid residues of proteins is a post-translational modification (PTM) catalyzed by a family of nine enzymes called Protein Arginine Methyl-Transferases (PRMTs).

PRMTs have been gaining increasing attention in the scientific landscape due their role in several essential physiological processes and implication in various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders; loss of PRMT1 is lethal at the early developmental stages, while overexpression is frequently observed in different tumor types and correlates with poor patient prognosis, suggesting that inhibition of PRMTs may represent an effective therapeutic approach in oncology. Moreover, PTM levels are deregulated in different tumor types, and both local and global changes in PTM of the DNA-associated proteins – the histones – are linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Due to the large body of scientific evidence indicating their role in cell pathophysiology, several PRMT inhibitors have been designed and developed as a potential new class of drugs. For instance, a potent, reversible type I PRMT inhibitor has been shown to have anti-tumor effects in human cancer models and some of the molecular candidates have entered clinical trials for solid tumors and lymphomas.

“Although it was first described in 1968,” says Dr Tiziana Bonaldi, Group Leader at the European Institute of Oncology, “for almost 30 years, very little was known about the extent of protein arginine methylation, its effect on protein activity, and its biological role. The first PRMT, capable of catalyzing arginine methylation, was discovered in 1996 and, since then, nine proteins exerting the same functions have been discovered. However, inefficient analytical approaches have largely limited a comprehensive understanding of their biological function. Quantitative Mass spectrometry has emerged as the ideal analytical strategy to study the extent of protein arginine-methylation in model systems and identify PRMT targets, thus contributing substantial knowledge in this field.”

In their article published in Current Protein & Peptide Science, Dr. Bonaldi and co-workers offer an overview on state-of-the-art arginine methyl-proteomics, describing the innovations that led – from the description by Mathias Mann’s group of the first high-quality methyl-proteome in 2004 – to the latest studies that profile protein-methylation events occurring on hundreds of cellular proteins. Throughout this review, the authors describe the implementations both in the biochemical methods and in the computational methods for Mass spectrometry data analysis or the identification of sites of arginine methylation, discussing the pros and cons of the most common strategies employed.

Furthermore, relevant issues related to protein-arginine methylation analysis that are still under development are also discussed, such as the discrimination of symmetric and asymmetric arginine-di-methylation from Mass spectrometry fragmentation spectra. “These two modifications have identical mass, yet they are catalyzed by different PRMTs and have substantially different biological outcomes,” explains Bonaldi; “Indeed, even though, for instance, both have a role in regulation of transcription, while asymmetric di-methylation is activating, symmetric di-methylation is repressive. Therefore, being able to distinguish between the two processes is crucial.”

Finally, major emphasis is devoted to the heavy methyl SILAC strategy, a variation of the more conventional SILAC (Stable Isotope Labelling with Amino acids in Cell culture). “The heavy methyl SILAC strategy was designed to increase the confidence of in vivo arginine methyl-peptides identification by Mass spectrometry,” – continues Bonaldi – “and the use will be facilitated by the recent development of ad hoc algorithms tailored for processing of heavy methyl SILAC datasets, such as MethylQuant and hmSEEKER.”

Importantly, the authors conclude that optimization of the currently available analytical approaches and their systematic application will play a key role in the future research on the involvement of protein methylation in biological processes, providing critical insights in the related cellular biology processes and likely offering potential novel targets to be exploited in a clinical context. Read the full Press Release to find out more: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-05/bsp-lao052220.php

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To get the full-text article, please visit the following link: http://www.eurekaselect.com/181344/article

CALL FOR PAPERS | Thematic Issue for Current Alzheimer Research

Special Thematic Issues | Forthcoming Issues

Journal: Current Alzheimer Research

Guest Editor(s): Keshen Li
Tentative Publication Date: July, 2019

 

Systems Genetics of Alzheimer’s disease: From GWAS to
Disease Pathways

 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia and neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. AD is highly heritable and complex. In recent years, genetic studies especially genomewide association studies (GWAS) and next-generation sequencing have identified several AD risk variants and pathways associated with the potential pathogenesis and genetic mechanisms of AD. Until now, more than 20 risk loci that affect AD have been identified. These loci are estimated to explain about 28% of the heritability of liability, 30% of familial risk, and over 50% of sibling recurrence risk of developing AD. Despite these successes, the majority of genetic risk remains to be further identified. The identification of the causative variants or mutations remains challenging and the molecular mechanisms are still rarely characterized. In the post-genome era, the major challenge is to mine novel disease risks from multi-level omics data using system biology methods, which may expand our knowledge of the causes of AD. Therefore, we propose a Special Issue of the topic ‘Systems genetics of Alzheimer’s disease: From GWAS to disease
pathways’. This special issue will focus on the mechanism of genesis and development of AD, as well as valuable clues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches of AD. We believe the systems genetics will help us move from disease risk loci to disease aetiology. This Special Issue welcomes reviews and original papers covering recent genetic research on AD using system biology methods. For more details please visit: https://bit.ly/2M2i6mo

 

Email here to submit your paper: hermain@benthamscience.net

                                                          CC: faizan@benthamscience.net

CALL FOR PAPERS | Thematic Issue for Current Medicinal Chemistry

Special Thematic Issues | Forthcoming Issues

Journal: Current Alzheimer Research

Guest Editor(s): Keshen Li
Tentative Publication Date: July, 2019

 

Systems Genetics of Alzheimer’s disease: From GWAS to
Disease Pathways

 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common dementia and neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. AD is highly heritable and complex. In recent years, genetic studies especially genomewide association studies (GWAS) and next-generation sequencing have identified several AD risk variants and pathways associated with the potential pathogenesis and genetic mechanisms of AD. Until now, more than 20 risk loci that affect AD have been identified. These loci are estimated to explain about 28% of the heritability of liability, 30% of familial risk, and over 50% of sibling recurrence risk of developing AD. Despite these successes, the majority of genetic risk remains to be further identified. The identification of the causative variants or mutations remains challenging and the molecular mechanisms are still rarely characterized. In the post-genome era, the major challenge is to mine novel disease risks from multi-level omics data using system biology methods, which may expand our knowledge of the causes of AD. Therefore, we propose a Special Issue of the topic ‘Systems genetics of Alzheimer’s disease: From GWAS to disease
pathways’. This special issue will focus on the mechanism of genesis and development of AD, as well as valuable clues for the development of novel therapeutic approaches of AD. We believe the systems genetics will help us move from disease risk loci to disease aetiology. This Special Issue welcomes reviews and original papers covering recent genetic research on AD using system biology methods. For more details please visit: https://bit.ly/2M2i6mo

Email here to submit your paper: hermain@benthamscience.net

                                                          CC: faizan@benthamscience.net

Editor’s Choice Article | Serum Proteome Profiling to Identify Proteins Promoting Pathogenesis of Non-atopic Asthma

Journal Name: Protein & Peptide Letters

Author(s): Samina Ejaz, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan Faiz-ul-Hassan Nasim*, Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan Muhammad Ashraf, Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan Sami Ahmad. Department of Pulmonolgy, Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Graphical Abstract:

 

Abstract:

Background: Asthma is the inflammatory disorder of airways highly prevalent in both, children and adults all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum proteome for the identification of proteins contributing to the pathogenesis of non-atopic asthma.

Methods: Protein expression profiling of sera from non-atopic asthmatic patients (n=73) and controls (n=99) was carried out using 1D SDS PAGE. Differentially expressed protein bands were compared with controls, cut from the gel and identified by LC-Q-TOF_MSMS analysis.

Results: Various acute phase proteins (i.e., haptoglobin, transthyretin, serum amyloid A, and serum albumin), retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), Ig gamma-1-chain C-region, hemoglobin subunit β, complement system components (C8 gamma chain and C4-A), ApoA-1 and Ig κ chain C-region containing protein fractions were predominantly down-regulated in asthmatic patients. Similarly, a higher proportion of male patients exhibited down-regulation of all other (except albumin and C4-A containing) protein fractions as compared to female patients. However, fractions consisting of another acute phase protein, inter-alpha-trypsin heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) and complement system component C3 were up-regulated in the majority of patients.

Conclusion: Our study is the first to confirm the role of thyroxine (TTR), retinol (RBP4), cholesterol (apoA-1) transporting proteins, inflammation and its mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma. Further study may help to improve diagnosis and plan better treatment strategies.

 

 

Read out more at: http://www.eurekaselect.com/165657/article

 

 

EDITOR’S CHOICE – Advances in Anti-Doping Analytical Approaches – Current Pharmaceutical Analysis

Journal: Current Pharmaceutical Analysis

Author(s): Xianchi Li, Peiying Zhang*

Graphical Abstract:

 

Abstract:

Background: Performance enhancement substances and methods other than exercise training and physical conditioning have become a major problem in athletic competitions. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of these doping approaches used by some athletes, including pharmaceuticals, slightly modified endogenous compounds and also blood transfusions. In order to control and prevent these doping practices by athletes, World Anti-Doping Agency has stipulated several guidelines and approved various methods on the basis of reproducibility, sensitivity and adaptability. The number, design and type of doping substances are increasing on daily basis necessitating the rapid development of analytical methods to detect these substances and to prevent doping.

Objective: In this review, we address the various methodological developments in the last few years to track down the novel doping substances as well as doping methods.

Results: There have been significant advances in the area of mass spectroscopy and the associated detection devices to measure small quantities of test substance or their metabolites in body tissues and fluids. Some of the doping substances have short biological half-life but leave imprints of their action in the form of altered gene expression, protein expression or metabolism, which can be detected by OMICs technologies.

Conclusion: The rapid advance in biological instrumentation and our understanding of the molecular basis of the actions of doping substances have paved the way to enforce ‘true play’ in athletic competitions. But this is an incessant and a continuous process as long as the doping practices continue.

Read more here: http://www.eurekaselect.com/151469/article

 

 

Highlighted Article Flyer for the journal “Current Proteomics”

http://benthamscience.com/journals/current-proteomics/

Recently Published Issue of the Journal Current Proteomics

Current Proteomics publishes review articles in all aspects of the fast-expanding field of proteomics. All areas of proteomics are covered together with the methodology, softwares, databases, technological advances and applications of proteomics, including functional proteomics. Diverse technologies covered include but are not limited to:

Protein separation and characterization techniques 2-D gel electrophoresis and image analysis Techniques for protein expression profiling including mass spectrometry-based methods and algorithms for correlative database searching Determination of co-translational and post- translational modification of proteins Protein/peptide microarrays Biomolecular interaction analysis Analysis of protein complexes Yeast two-hybrid projects

Protein-protein interaction (protein interactome) pathways and cell signaling networks Systems biology Proteome informatics (bioinformatics) Knowledge integration and management tools High-throughput protein structural studies (using mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography) High-throughput computational methods for protein 3-D structure as well as function determination Robotics, nanotechnology, and microfluidics

In addition to in-depth reviews, articles highlighting recent proteomics papers of special interest as well as book reviews are published. Mini-reviews and perspective articles are also published. In view of the importance of specific technology and software developed for advancement of proteomics research, a separate section is devoted to product and technology reports. Proceedings of proteomics meetings with selected review articles on topics presented are also published.

Following are the articles from the journal Current Proteomics, 11 Issue 3:

Article: B-factor Analysis and Conformational Rearrangement of Aldose Reductase

Author(s): Ganesaratnam K. Balendiran, J. Rajendran Pandian, Evin Drake, Anubhav Vinayak, Malkhey Verma and Duilio Cascio

Article: Plant Protein Extraction and Identification from Eurycoma longifolia by Gel Electrophoresis and Mass Spectrometry

Author(s): Lee Suan Chua, Nurulaini Abd Rahman and Mohamad Roji Sarmidi

Article: Interactions Between Apo E and Amyloid Beta and their Relationship to Nutriproteomics and Neurodegeneration

Author(s): Ian J. Martins, Veer Gupta, Andrea C. Wilson, Stephanie J. Fuller and Ralph N. Martins

Article: Effective Inhibition of Foam Cells Formation by Tanshinone IIA in RAW264.7 Macrophages Induced with LDL Isolated from Hypercholesterolemia Patients: A Proteomic Analysis

Author(s): De-zhao Lu, Yun Zhou, Ji Zhu, Yao-hong Teng, Zhen Yang, Hui Chai and Li-ke Wo

Article: Proteomics and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Stem Cells

Author(s): Sabata Martino, Francesco Morena, Carolina Barola, Ilaria Bicchi and Carla Emiliani

Article: Oncogenic Signalling Networks and Polypharmacology as Paradigms to Cope with Cancer Heterogeneity

Author(s): Aurelio A. Moya García, Ian Morilla and Juan Juan A.G. Ranea

Article: Proteomic Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis Analysis of Stigmatic and Stylar Proteins in Kiwifruit before and after Pollination

Author(s): Xiujuan Qi, Yongbin Gao, Jinbao Fang, Shankun Xu, Jinyong Chen, Hong Gu and Shaoling Zhang

For details, please visit: http://bit.ly/1LKipIT

 

 

Recent Issue Annoucement

Recent issue of the Journal Micro and Nanosystems has been published

Micro and Nanosystems, 6 Issue 1

Aims & Scope

Micro and Nanosystems publishes significant original work, topical reviews and guest edited issues ranging from technologies and systems to product innovation and new manufacturing processes with features at the micro and nanoscale. Applications for micro and nanosystems in areas such as health, environment, food, security and consumer goods are covered. The topics to be addressed include Lab-on-a-chip, microfluidics, nano-biotechnology, micro and nanomanufacturing, printed electronics and MEMS.

http://www.eurekaselect.com/124744/issue/1

Abstracted & Indexed in:

Chemical Abstracts, Scopus, Genamics JournalSeek, MediaFinder®-Standard Periodical Directory, Engineering Village/Compendex, and J-Gate.

For more details please visit: http://benthamscience.com/journal/index.php?journalID=mns

Recent issue of the Journal Current Drug Delivery has been published

Current Drug Delivery, 11 Issue 5

Aims & Scope

Current Drug Delivery aims to publish peer-reviewed articles, research articles, short and in-depth reviews, and drug clinical trials studies in the rapidly developing field of drug delivery. Modern drug research aims to build delivery properties of a drug at the design phase, however in many cases this idea cannot be met and the development of delivery systems becomes as important as the development of the drugs themselves.

The journal aims to cover the latest outstanding developments in drug and vaccine delivery employing physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods. The drugs include a wide range of bioactive compounds from simple pharmaceuticals to peptides, proteins, nucleotides, nucleosides and sugars. The journal will also report progress in the fields of transport routes and mechanisms including efflux proteins and multi-drug resistance.

The journal is essential for all pharmaceutical scientists involved in drug design, development and delivery.

http://www.eurekaselect.com/124802/issue/5

Abstracted & Indexed in:

MEDLINE/Index Medicus, Pubmed, BIOSIS Previews, BIOISIS Reviews Reports and Meetings, Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, EMBASE, PubsHub Chemical Abstracts, Media Finder®-Standard Periodical Directory, Genamics JournalSeek, and J-Gate.

For more details please visit: http://benthamscience.com/journal/index.php?journalID=cdd

Recent issue of the Journal Current Proteomics has been published

Current Proteomics, 11 Issue 3

Aims & Scope

Current Proteomics publishes review articles in all aspects of the fast-expanding field of proteomics. All areas of proteomics are covered together with the methodology, softwares, databases, technological advances and applications of proteomics, including functional proteomics.

http://www.eurekaselect.com/124820/issue/3

Abstracted & Indexed in:

Chemical Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, BIOSIS Reviews Report and Meetings, Scopus, BIOBASE, EMBiology, Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch), Index to Scientific Reviews, Biotechnology Citation Index, Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, Genamics JournalSeek, Mediafinder- Standard Periodical Directory, PubsHub, and J-Gate

For more details please visit: http://benthamscience.com/journal/index.php?journalID=cp

Recent Issue of Journal Current Medicinal Chemistry have been Published

Current Medicinal Chemistry, 21 Issue 31

Aims & scope

Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews and guest edited thematic issues written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

http://www.eurekaselect.com/124734/issue/31

Abstracted & Indexed in

Biochemistry and Biophysics Citation Index®, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts, Current Contents/Life Sciences, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, MEDLINE/Index Medicus, Reference Update, Research Alert, Science Citation Index®, Prous Science Integrity®, Science Citation Index Expanded, PubsHub, Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, Index to Scientific Reviews®, BIOSIS Previews, BIOSIS Reviews Reports and Meetings, Scopus, EMBASE, BIOBASE, Genamics JournalSeek, J-Gate, PubMed, and MediaFinder®-Standard Periodical Directory.

For details about the latest issues, visit: http://benthamscience.com/journal/index.php?journalID=cmc