Cell Signaling

Commentary Open Access

Unlocking the significance of CD226 in cancer

Weili Sun

CD226 is a transmembrane glycoprotein with a well-defined structural organization, which is primarily expressed on natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T cells, and some subsets of B cells [1,2]. Its primary structure consists of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail [1]. Each of these domains contributes to the protein's overall function.

Review Article Open Access

PDE4 inhibition and enhancement of human memory and cognition

Graeme B. Bolger

Two distinct, but intertwining, threads of inquiry have demonstrated that the PDE4, or cAMP-selective, phosphodiesterases, have an essential role in human cognition, learning and memory. Study of genetically-modified preclinical models, and of humans with mutations in the PDE4D gene, has provided some of the most rigorous proof of the importance of PDE4 signaling in the CNS. More recently, clinical trials of PDE4-selective inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in disorders of cognition and memory.

Commentary Open Access

Commentary: Interferons in Influenza and Streptococcus Pneumoniae co-pathogenesis

Sunil Palani , Keer Sun

Influenza A virus (IAV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPn) are two major respiratory pathogens in humans. IAV infection alone is often self-limited, and SPn colonization can be found in 5-90% of healthy individuals, as normal flora [1,2].

Commentary Open Access

Biomarkers for monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR in NSCLC: Challenges, current status, and future perspectives

May-Lucie Meyer , Fred R. Hirsch

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths [1]. However, significant improvements in the past decades have been achieved with improved outcomes [2-4]. Several mutations have been described as promoters of oncogenesis, and specific treatments are available, including those for Epidermal Growth Factor (EGFR) mutations [4].

Commentary Open Access

Recombinant protein synthesis and isolation of human interferon alpha-2 in cyanobacteria

Anastasios Melis , Bharat Kumar Majhi

Interferons (IFNs) are a class of small immunological proteins that are secreted by infected cells during viral or bacterial infections to combat and prevent infection propagation [1]. They play important roles in triggering signal cascade processes inside the cell that activate other immune cells and limit viral multiplication.

Commentary Open Access

Insights into early acne pathogenesis: Exploring intercellular dynamics and key dysregulated genes

Min Deng , Kiana Farahani , George W. Agak

Acne vulgaris, the most common skin condition worldwide, affects over 85% of adolescents, with nearly half continuing to experience it into adulthood. The Scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation associated with acne can profoundly impact mental health and self-esteem, underscoring the importance of early and effective treatment [1].

Research Article Open Access

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) affects serotoninsignaling differently in young compared to adults. Concomitant behavioral and neuronal recording from dorsal raphe in freely behaving rats

Elizondo GM , Raymond A , Perez-Vasquez C , Dafny N

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex behavioral disorder characterized by hyperactivity, increased impulsivity, and inattention [1-3]. Methylphenidate (MPD) is the most
commonly prescribed psychostimulant for management and treatment of ADHD [3-7].

Commentary Open Access

Do arrestin oligomers have specific functions?

Vsevolod V. Gurevich

Arrestins were discovered as key players in the conserved two-step homologous desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): they specifically bind active phosphorylated GPCRs, precluding their coupling to cognate G proteins, thereby stopping (“arresting”) G protein-mediated receptor signaling [1]. 

Commentary Open Access

Camping in the backyard: Identifying extracellular matrix targeting ligands using yeast surface display

Benjamin J Umlauf

Camping trips are often a lot of work, especially with children. Purchasing supplies, finding a location, and dealing with scary animals are often just too much. Inspired by so many films, my family instead set up a tent to camp in the backyard.

Commentary Open Access

Generation of selenium nano- and micro-materials using abiotic and biotic processes

Michael Wells , Kyle Rugg , Humaira Urmee , Jenna Etheridge , Caitlyn Boudreaux , Natalie Fairley , Mark A. DeCoster

We have previously described the generation of Metal Organic Biohybrids (MOBs) as self-assembling structures that are formed by a combination of a biological component (amino acid), and a metal, such as copper. This MOBs synthesis process has now been distilled to be purely biochemical (a green chemistry process), or abiotic, not requiring the presence of cells. 

Commentary Open Access

Intracellular signaling mechanism of sweat secretion by PACAP

Michio Yamashita , Junko Shibato , Randeep Rakwal , Naoko Nonaka , Fumiko Takenoya , Seiji Shioda

Sweat, an exocrine fluid secreted (sweat gland tissue of the eccrine and apocrine glands) by skin has an indispensable function for regulating body temperature and skin hydration [1]. The eccrine gland performs 90% of sweat secretion and secretory fluid of eccrine glands consists of 99% water and 1% inorganic substances.

Commentary Open Access

Sample multiplexing in CyTOF: Path to optimize single-cell proteomic profiling

Muharrem Muftuoglu , Michael Andreeff

In biomedical research, achieving single-cell resolution in investigation of cellular systems is of paramount importance. Ongoing research efforts to explore and decode the heterogeneity in cellular phenotype, functionality, genomics, epigenetics, and transcriptomics in biological systems have propelled significant technological advancements through innovative breakthroughs [1-3].

Commentary Open Access

The interplay of regulatory T cells, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and unfolded protein response activation in post-transplant alloimmune hepatitis and autoimmune hepatitis

Kumar Subramanian , Udeme D. Ekong

The incidence and prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) globally is 1.28 per 100,000 population-years (95% CI, 1.01-1.63) and 15.65 per 100,000 population (95% CI, 13.42-18.24), respectively [1]. The incidence and prevalence in children is 0.4 and 3.0 cases per 100,000 children [2], and in adults 17 per 100,000 [3,4].