Izabela MŁYNARCZUK-BIAŁY
Enigmatic Tripeptidylpeptidase II – Protease for Special Tasks
Summary:
Tripeptidylpeptidase II is a giant cytoplasmatic protease that removes
tripeptides from free amino acid end of oligopeptides and it has also
some endoproteolytic activity. TPPII is present in all examined
eukaryotic cells. Its structure is highly conserved. Together with the
proteasome and other cytoplasmic proteases, TPPII participates in
degradation of proteins, however its specific substrates and regulation
of its activities still remain to be elucidated. Both over-expression
of TPPII as well as its knock down are harmful for the cell. In the
first case, regulation of the cell cycle is disturbed that may favor
malignant transformation, in the second case the cells divide slower
and have defects in kariokinesis. TPPII serves special functions in
different tissues participating in lipogenesis, kacheksy, neuronal
transmission, antigen presentation and onkogenesis.
Key
words: tripeptidylpeptidase II, TPPII, proteasome, kacheksy, apoptosis, lipogenesis, onkogenesis
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35: 427–439]
Maciej MAŁECKI*, Agnieszka GŁADYSZ, Katarzyna MOŚCICKA, Agnieszka LIPIEC
Sonic Hedgehog – a Morphogen with Therapeutic Importance
Summary: A
development of contemporary methods of therapy as gene therapy is
directly based on a search of genes that encode therapeutic proteins.
Angiogenic gene therapy takes advantage of genes encoding proangiogenic
factors. It is described that embryonic sonic hedgehog protein is a
strong stimulator of neovascularization. Sonic hedgehog is implicated
in the regulation of central nervous system polarity and
differentiation of various organs. Recent findings indicate that sonic
hedgehog based gene therapy accelerates wound healing by enhancing
endothelial progenitor cell-mediated microvascular remodeling. It is
also known that SHH induces arteriogenesis. Further studies of complex
SHH signaling pathway will reveal whether proangiogenic potency
of sonic hedgehog protein determine the progress of cardiovascular gene
therapy.
Key
words: sonic hedgehog (SHH), signal transduction, angiogenic gene therapy
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35:
441–452]
Katarzyna KULCENTY, Marcin HOŁYSZ, Wiesław H. TRZECIAK
Steroidogenic Factor-1: Structure, Action Mechanism and Biological Role
Summary: Structure,
mechanism of action and biological role of steroidogenic factor-1
(SF-1), in particular the significance of this factor for the normal
function of the adrenal cortex, have been presented. SF-1 is a
transcription factor, classified to an orphan nuclear receptor family,
which interacts with the specific nucleotide sequence within promoters
of the target genes, including those encoding proteins participating in
the synthesis or transport of steroid hormones or their
precursors in the cell. Structure of the SF-1 gene, transcript and
protein was presented as well as the regulation of SF-1
expression and transcriptional activity of the protein product of the
gene. Major genes regulated by SF-1 were mentioned and many of them
characterized. The role of SF-1 in the origin of adrenocortical
carcinomas and prospects of SF-1 application in the treatment of the
diseases of the adrenal cortex were discussed.
Key
words: steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), structure, target genes, regulation, function, role, potential applications
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35: 453–466]
Małgorzata STAŃCZYK, Ireneusz MAJSTEREK
Apoptosis – Targeted Anticancer Therapy
Summary: Apoptosis
is the major form of cell suicide. Most conventional anticancer agents
induce apoptosis indirectly. Although chemiotherapeutic drugs should
selectively kill only tumor cells, normal cells are often susceptible
to cytotoxic or cytostatic effects of these agents. This is a reason of
potentially harmful side effects including inflammation and damage to
the surrounding normal tissue. A new therapeutic approach in cancer
treatment is the use of substances that stimulate cytokine production,
angiogenesis inhibitors, gene therapies, antisense oligonucleotides and
monoclonal antibodies. Many of new agents tested in preclinical study
or in I and II phase of clinical trials can induce apoptosis directly.
This new approach allows probably to eliminate a lot of problems
connecting with non-specific activity of anticancer drugs and their
mutagenicity.
Key
words: apoptosis, mitochondria, TNF, caspases, NF-kB, Akt/PKB, glutathione, antisense oligonucleotides, death genes
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35:
467–484]
Katarzyna STARSKA, Marek ŁUKOMSKI
Regulation of
Differentiation and Proliferation in Immunocompetent Cells, Cytokines
and Growth Factors Secretion in Neoplasm Disease and Role Suppression
of Carcinogenesis and Tumor Growthon Mechanism of SOCS/CIS Family Activation
Summary: Regulatory proteins SOCS 1-7 (suppressors of cytokine signaling), CIS (cytokine-inducible SH2
protein) and other intracellular molecules such as JAKs (Janus tyrosine
kinases), STATs family (signal transducers and activators of
transcription), which participate in immunological response, could
influence differentiation and proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell-cycle
progression, cytokines and growth factors secretion by regulation of
proper genes which determine these process in neoplasm cells and blood
cells. The aim of this study was to introduce the latest knowledge of
the SOCS/CIS family function in regulation of these processes. In this
study the characterization of SOCS/CIS proteins and role in
immunocompetent cells activation, their differentiation, proliferation,
cytokines secretion and regulatory mechanisms of carcinogenesis and
neoplasm progression as well as interactions between SOCS1-7, CIS and
proteins which determine regulation of lymphocytes T activity (ZAP70,
Gfi-1, p27kip1) and oncogenesis (JAKs, STATs, p65, FAK,
c-kit i IRS1/2) were introduced. Knowledge of mechanisms of
activation by SOCS/CIS family, both in neoplasm cells and
immunocompetent cells, could allow to understand intracellular
interactions between these molecules, learn dominate processes in
cancer disease and use new therapeutic methods (immunotherapy, new
criterions for operations).
Key
words: immunocompetent cells, neoplasm cells, carcinogenesis, tumor growth, SOCS/CIS proteins
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35: 467–484]
Anna KONDAREWICZ, Fabian URBAN, Mariola MARCHLEWICZ, Barbara WISZNIEWSKA
Estrogens in Male Reproductive System
Summary: The
presence of estrogens in the male gonad is now well documented, however
the role of the hormones in regulation of function of male reproductive
system is not fully understood. The using of molecular biology methods
provided evidence that the cells of male reproductive system organs are
able to produce estrogens via aromatization of androgens and are
estrogen target. The cytochrome P450 aromatase and both isoform of
estrogen receptors are expressed not only in Leydig and Sertoli cells,
but also in germ cells, spermatozoa, the cells of epithelium in the
efferent ductules and epididymis. In view of the widespread
distribution of aromatase and estrogen receptors in the cells of male
reproductive system, the role of estrogens in male reproduction is more
complex than previously realized.
Key
words: aromatase, estrogens, estrogen receptors, male reproductive system
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35:
499–516]
Joanna OLKOWSKA-TRUCHANOWICZ
Isolation and Characterization of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells
Summary:
Main sources, isolation methods and culturing of multipotent adipose
tissue-derived stem cells were described in the paper, considering
distinct properties depending on isolation technique, source and time
in the culture. Based on literature their molecular properties and
surface markers presence were summarized.
Key
words: adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, multipotent stem cells, adipose tissue, stromal vascular fraction
[Postępy
Biologii Komórki 2008; 35: 517–526]
