Macro Roles for MicroRNAs in the Life and Death of Neurons

Macro Roles for MicroRNAs in the Life and Death of Neurons
Author: Bart De Strooper
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 127
Release: 2009-12-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3642042988

The discovery of microRNAs has revealed an additional level of fine tuning of the genome and how genes are used again and again in different combinations to generate the complexity that underlies for instance the brain. This book examines this field.

Neurochemical Systems and Signaling

Neurochemical Systems and Signaling
Author: Ghulam Md Ashraf
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 633
Release: 2023-06-30
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0429560214

The human brain is made up of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through chemical messengers, which are referred to as neuroactive substances. These neuroactive substances include neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neurohormones. Some neurotransmitters also act as neuromodulators and neurohormones. It is unlikely that there would ever be a consensus about the meanings of these neuroactive substances, including neurotransmitters, since the term ‘neurotransmitter’ has traditionally been used very loosely indeed, to include neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and neuromodulators. Any alterations in the functioning of these neuroactive substances can cause diseases. The brain is the ultimate center that regulates all neurological and behavioral aspects of the body through neuronal communications mediated via various neurochemicals. Thus, neurological and psychiatric disorders are, in most cases, the result of disturbed neurochemical balance. Besides the multifaceted involvement of billions of neuronal cells, the central nervous system is a complex organization with a diverse number of neurotransmitter systems, as compared to the autonomic nervous system, in which the parasympathetic system works on the ‘rest and digest’ phenomenon, and the sympathetic system works on the ‘fight or flight’ phenomenon. There are more than 20 neurotransmitter systems and multiple receptors for each neurotransmitter. Any alterations in neurochemical balance are expressed in the form of neurological or psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis, depression, etc. Acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, and 5-HT are of the utmost importance among neurotransmitters for their profound role in the pathogenesis of various neurological and psychiatric disorders in humans. Yet the involvement of various proteins and peptides, such as neurotrophic factors, growth factors, and endogenous chemical compounds, cannot be ignored. Day by day, the suffering of people due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters is increasing. Various factors, for example stress, diet, genetics, and toxins such as alcohol and nicotine, contribute to this imbalance. This imbalance may lead to mental health complaints. The main purpose of this book is to give a comprehensive overview of the neurological diseases associated with neurochemical imbalances. This book will help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of neuronal signaling and related neurological disorders, as well as status and future opportunities and challenges. It will provide a brief account of neurotransmission, as either a study or high-yield revision aid.

Macro Roles for MicroRNAs in the Life and Death of Neurons

Macro Roles for MicroRNAs in the Life and Death of Neurons
Author: Bart De Strooper
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2009-12-18
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9783642042973

The discovery of microRNAs has revealed an additional level of fine tuning of the genome and how genes are used again and again in different combinations to generate the complexity that underlies for instance the brain. This book examines this field.

MicroRNA Cancer Regulation

MicroRNA Cancer Regulation
Author: Ulf Schmitz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2013-02-03
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9400755902

This edited reflects the current state of knowledge about the role of microRNAs in the formation and progression of solid tumours. The main focus lies on computational methods and applications, together with cutting edge experimental techniques that are used to approach all aspects of microRNA regulation in cancer. We are sure that the emergence of high-throughput quantitative techniques will make this integrative approach absolutely necessary in the near future. This book will be a resource for researchers starting out with cancer microRNA research, but is also intended for the experienced researcher who wants to incorporate concepts and tools from systems biology and bioinformatics into his work. Bioinformaticians and modellers are provided with a general perspective on microRNA biology in cancer, and the state-of-the-art in computational microRNA biology.

Dynamics of Immune Activation in Viral Diseases

Dynamics of Immune Activation in Viral Diseases
Author: Pallaval Veera Bramhachari
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020-02-25
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9789811510441

This book discusses various components of the innate and adaptive immune response in combating viral infections, presenting the recent advances in our understanding of innate immunity recognition of viruses and highlighting the important role of inflammation, cytokines such as interferon, toll-like receptors and leukocytes in the initial detection of invading viruses and subsequent activation of adaptive immunity. It also summarizes the role of the adaptive immunity against viral infections through clearance of virus and establishment of memory response that protects against the recurrent infections. In addition, the book examines the role of DNA and RNA sensors in viral recognition and in controlling viral infection. Lastly, it reviews the latest developments in the development of the rational viral vaccines. As such it is a useful resource book for postgraduate and early researchers wanting to gain insights into the immune response to viral infections.

Therapeutic Potentials of Curcumin for Alzheimer Disease

Therapeutic Potentials of Curcumin for Alzheimer Disease
Author: Akhlaq A Farooqui
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 418
Release: 2016-03-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3319158899

This is the first book on the market that explores the importance of curcumin for the treatment of neurological disorders. It has been estimated that 35.6 million people globally had dementia in 2010 and the prevalence of dementia has been predicted to double every 20 years. Thus, 115.4 million people may be living with dementia in 2050. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is present in 60%–70% of people with dementia. Unless new discoveries are made in the prevention or treatment of AD, the number of cases in the US alone is estimated to increase threefold, to 13.2 million by the year 2050. Thus, it is important to focus on delaying and treating the onset of AD by curcumin may be an important step for controlling AD. Regular consumption of healthy diet containing curcumin enriched foods, moderate exercise, and regular sleep may produce beneficial effects not only on motor and cognitive functions, but also on memory deficits that occur to some extent during normal aging and to a large extent in AD. Delaying the onset and progression of AD and improving its symptoms by few years with regular consumption of curcumin may relieve some of the burden on health care systems. In service of this goal, this volume gives readers a comprehensive and cutting edge description of the importance of curcumin for the treatment of AD in cell culture and animal models in a manner that is useful not only to students and teachers but also to researchers, dietitians, nutritionists and physicians. It can be used as supplement text for a range of neuroscience and nutrition courses. Clinicians, neuroscientists, neurologists and pharmacologists will find this book useful for understanding molecular aspects of AD treatment by curcumin.

Membrane Biogenesis

Membrane Biogenesis
Author: Jos A.F. Op den Kamp
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 474
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642731848

Many individual aspects of the dynamics and assembly of biological membranes have been studied in great detail. Cell biological approaches, advanced genetics, biophysics and biochemistry have greatly contributed to an increase in our knowledge in this field.lt is obvious however, that the three major membrane constituents - lipids, proteins and carbohydrates- are studied, in most cases separately and that a coherent overview of the various aspects of membrane biogenesis is not readily available. The NATO Advanced Study Institute on "New Perspectives in the Dynamics of Assembly of Biomembranes" intended to provide such an overview: it was set up to teach students and specialists the achievements obtained in the various research areas and to try and integrate the numerous aspects of membrane assembly into a coherent framework. The articles in here reflect this. Statting with detailed contributions on phospholipid structure, dynamics, organization and biogenesis, an up to date overview of the basic, lipidic backbone of biomembranes is given. Extensive progress is made in the research on membrane protein biosynthesis. In particular the post- and co-translational modification processes of proteins, the mechanisms of protein translocation and the sorting mechanisms which are necessary to direct proteins to their final, intra - or extracellular destination have been characterized in detail. Modern genetic approaches were indispensable in this research area: gene cloning, hybrid protein construction, site directed mutagenesis and sequencing techniques elucidated many functional aspects of specific nucleic acid and amino acid sequences.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation
Author: Vincenzo E. A. Russo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 716
Release: 1996
Genre: Medical
ISBN:

Many inheritable changes in gene function are not explained by changes in the DNA sequence. Such epigenetic mechanisms are known to influence gene function in most complex organisms and include effects such as transposon function, chromosome imprinting, yeast mating type switching and telomeric silencing. In recent years, epigenetic effects have become a major focus of research activity. This monograph, edited by three well-known biologists from different specialties, is the first to review and synthesize what is known about these effects across all species, particularly from a molecular perspective, and will be of interest to everyone in the fields of molecular biology and genetics.

Epigenetics of Aging

Epigenetics of Aging
Author: Trygve O. Tollefsbol
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 462
Release: 2009-11-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1441906398

Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic processes may play a major role in both cellular and organismal aging. These epigenetic processes include not only DNA methylation and histone modifications, but also extend to many other epigenetic mediators such as the polycomb group proteins, chromosomal position effects, and noncoding RNA. The topics of this book range from fundamental changes in DNA methylation in aging to the most recent research on intervention into epigenetic modifications to modulate the aging process. The major topics of epigenetics and aging covered in this book are: 1) DNA methylation and histone modifications in aging; 2) Other epigenetic processes and aging; 3) Impact of epigenetics on aging; 4) Epigenetics of age-related diseases; 5) Epigenetic interventions and aging: and 6) Future directions in epigenetic aging research. The most studied of epigenetic processes, DNA methylation, has been associated with cellular aging and aging of organisms for many years. It is now apparent that both global and gene-specific alterations occur not only in DNA methylation during aging, but also in several histone alterations. Many epigenetic alterations can have an impact on aging processes such as stem cell aging, control of telomerase, modifications of telomeres, and epigenetic drift can impact the aging process as evident in the recent studies of aging monozygotic twins. Numerous age-related diseases are affected by epigenetic mechanisms. For example, recent studies have shown that DNA methylation is altered in Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmunity. Other prevalent diseases that have been associated with age-related epigenetic changes include cancer and diabetes. Paternal age and epigenetic changes appear to have an effect on schizophrenia and epigenetic silencing has been associated with several of the progeroid syndromes of premature aging. Moreover, the impact of dietary or drug intervention into epigenetic processes as they affect normal aging or age-related diseases is becoming increasingly feasible.