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Cellular and Molecular Biology Insights into Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Targets

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024 | Viewed by 2285

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
Interests: oxidative stress; neurodegenerative diseases; misfolding protein; corrector; inflammation; ER stress; calcium homeostasis; proteostasis
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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Division Biomedicine “Arturo Leone”, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Interests: ystic fibrosis (CF); inflammation; oxidative stress; ER stress; protein misfolding; signal transduction; cell trafficking
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue provides an in-depth exploration of the cellular and molecular intricacies underlying neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on previously unidentified mechanisms and promising drug candidates. This Special Issue also includes a study of cancer pathways, specifically neuroblastoma, to broaden the understanding of misfolded proteins’ role in various neurodegenerative conditions. Our primary goal is to investigate molecules capable of addressing pathologies arising from protein aggregates, which trigger chronic reticular stress. Through this multidisciplinary approach, this Special Issue aims to unveil novel therapeutic avenues for treating neurodegenerative diseases and neuroblastoma, potentially bringing new hope to patients and clinicians.

Dr. Michela Pecoraro
Dr. Silvia Franceschelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • neurodegenerative disease
  • oxidative stress
  • ER stress
  • mitochondrial stress
  • corrector
  • misfolding protein
  • preoteostasis
  • neuroblastoma

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 10282 KiB  
Article
Molecular Integrative Study on Inhibitory Effects of Pentapeptides on Polymerization and Cell Toxicity of Amyloid-β Peptide (1–42)
by Lianmeng Ye, Nuela Manka’a Che Ajuyo, Zhongyun Wu, Nan Yuan, Zhengpan Xiao, Wenyu Gu, Jiazheng Zhao, Yechun Pei, Yi Min and Dayong Wang
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(9), 10160-10179; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46090606 - 14 Sep 2024
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Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disease predominantly defined by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. In light of this, in the past decade, several clinical approaches have been used aiming at developing peptides for therapeutic use in AD. The use [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disease predominantly defined by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. In light of this, in the past decade, several clinical approaches have been used aiming at developing peptides for therapeutic use in AD. The use of cationic arginine-rich peptides (CARPs) in targeting protein aggregations has been on the rise. Also, the process of peptide development employing computational approaches has attracted a lot of attention recently. Using a structure database containing pentapeptides made from 20 L-α amino acids, we employed molecular docking to sort pentapeptides that can bind to Aβ42, then performed molecular dynamics (MD) analyses, including analysis of the binding stability, interaction energy, and binding free energy to screen ligands. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), circular dichroism (CD), thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence detection of Aβ42 polymerization, MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, and the flow cytometry of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were carried out to evaluate the influence of pentapeptides on the aggregation and cell toxicity of Aβ42. Two pentapeptides (TRRRR and ARRGR) were found to have strong effects on inhibiting the aggregation of Aβ42 and reducing the toxicity of Aβ42 secreted by SH-SY5Y cells, including cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis. Full article
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11 pages, 2944 KiB  
Article
Effects of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. and Levodopa in Improving Parkinson’s Disease in Rotenone Intoxicated Mice
by Sheher Bano Zaigham and Dong-Guk Paeng
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(8), 9234-9244; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46080545 - 22 Aug 2024
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Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second leading neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (MP) is a plant that contains Levodopa (L-DOPA) and has been known to improve the symptoms of PD. In this preliminary study, we investigated the anti-parkinsonian potential [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second leading neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (MP) is a plant that contains Levodopa (L-DOPA) and has been known to improve the symptoms of PD. In this preliminary study, we investigated the anti-parkinsonian potential of MP to compare the effects of L-DOPA. We first developed an in vivo model of the PD in C57BL/6 male mice using rotenone. A total of twelve mice were used for this experiment. Nine mice were injected with rotenone (28 mg/kg) daily for 28 days. The mice experiments were performed to validate the effectiveness of MP to treat PD. Synthetic L-DOPA in a ratio of 1:20 with MP was used as MP contains 5% L-DOPA by weight in it. MP and L-DOPA were injected for 19 days on a daily basis. Cognitive function was evaluated using beam balance and olfactory tests. Serum analysis was performed using serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis test. IL-12, IL-6, and TGF-β 1 were evaluated to validate the PD inducement and treatment. The levels of IL-12, IL-6, and TGF-β1 (p < 0.0001) in the PD mice group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The PD mice also showed higher latencies in beam balance and olfactory tests (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. Both MP and L-DOPA-treated groups showed alleviation in latencies in beam balance and olfactory tests and decreased neuroinflammation in ELISA analysis (p < 0.001). The results treated by MP and L-DOPA showed insignificant differences in their values (p > 0.05). This proved that the MP and L-DOPA had similar effects in improving the symptoms of PD when used in the ratio of 1:20. Furthermore, both MP and L-DOPA reduced the level of IL-6 and TGF-β1 in this study. It may be inferred that a reduction in the level of IL-6 and TGF-β1 eventually leads to a reduction in the Th17 cells. The pathogenic Th17 is thought to be present in virtually all chronic inflammatory disorders. This can be an interesting area of research in further understanding the immunological effect of MP in ameliorating PD symptoms. Full article
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