The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology
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Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. · Oct 2014
ReviewRelationships between cobalamin, epidermal growth factor, and normal prions in the myelin maintenance of central nervous system.
Cobalamin (Cbl), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and prions (PrPs) are key molecules for myelin maintenance in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Cbl and EGF increase normal prion (PrP(C)) synthesis and PrP(C) levels in rat spinal cord (SC) and elsewhere. Cbl deficiency increases PrP(C) levels in rat SC and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and decreases PrP(C)-mRNA levels in rat SC. ⋯ In rat frontal cortex (which is marginally affected by Cbl deficiency in histological terms), Cbl deficiency decreases PrP(C) levels and the increase induced by Cbl replacement leads to their normalization. Increased nerve PrP(C) levels are detected in the myelin lesions of the peripheral neuropathy of Cbl-D rats, and CSF PrP(C) levels are also increased in Cbl-D patients (but not in patients with Cbl-unrelated neurological diseases). Various common steps in the downstream signaling pathway of Cbl, EGF, and PrP(C) underlines the close relationship between the three molecules in keeping myelin normal.
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Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. · Jul 2014
ReviewGenetics of cystic fibrosis: CFTR mutation classifications toward genotype-based CF therapies.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes an epithelial anion channel. Since the identification of the disease in 1938 and up until 2012, CF patients have been treated exclusively with medications aimed at bettering their respiratory, digestive, inflammatory and infectious symptoms. The identification of the CFTR gene in 1989 gave hopes of rapidly finding a cure for the disease, for which over 1950 mutations have been identified. ⋯ This review presents the current CFTR mutation classifications according to their clinical consequences and to their effect on the structure and function of the CFTR channel. How these classifications are essential in the establishment of mutation-targeted therapeutic strategies is then discussed. The future of CFTR-targeted treatment lies in combinatory therapies that will enable CF patients to receive a customized treatment.
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Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. · Jul 2014
ReviewCurrent concepts of immune dysregulation in cystic fibrosis.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene and is characterized by a perpetuated feedback loop of bacterial infection and inflammation. Both intrinsic (CFTR-dependent) and extrinsic (CFTR-independent) mechanisms contribute to the inflammatory phenotype of CF lung disease. ⋯ Targeting harmful immune pathways, while preserving protective ones, remains the challenge for the future. This review highlights current concepts of innate immune dysregulation in CF lung disease.
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Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. · Jul 2014
ReviewMolecular modelling approaches for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator studies.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common genetic disorders, caused by loss of function mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. CFTR is a member of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters superfamily and functions as an ATP-gated anion channel. This review summarises the vast majority of the efforts which utilised molecular modelling approaches to gain insight into the various aspects of CFTR protein, related to its structure, dynamic properties, function and interactions with other protein partners, or drug-like compounds, with emphasis to its relation to CF disease.
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Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. · Jul 2014
ReviewUnderstanding how cystic fibrosis mutations disrupt CFTR function: from single molecules to animal models.
Defective epithelial ion transport is the hallmark of the life-limiting genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). This abnormality is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the ATP-binding cassette transporter that functions as a ligand-gated anion channel. Since the identification of the CFTR gene, almost 2000 disease-causing mutations associated with a spectrum of clinical phenotypes have been reported, but the majority remain poorly characterised. ⋯ Here, we review selectively progress to understand how CF mutations disrupt CFTR processing, stability and function. We explore CFTR structure and function to explain the molecular mechanisms of CFTR dysfunction and highlight new knowledge of disease pathophysiology emerging from large animal models of CF. Understanding CFTR dysfunction is crucial to the development of transformational therapies for CF patients.