Bowman's layer is an acellular corneal structure, which is considered to be a specially modified anterior stroma. It is presumed, that it forms as a result of ongoing epithelial-stromal interactions and no clear physiological purpose has been proven. Despite this fact, Bowman's layer has found its place in corneal transplantation. It has been performed for over a decade, mainly in treatment of advanced keratoconus with multiple modifications. Transplantation of Bowman's layer can be expected to become a widely used surgical procedure in the treatment of many corneal pathologies involving fragmentation and destruction of Bowman's layer. This article aims to summarize information available on its structure, possible function, and transplantation. A thorough literature search was performed in the PubMed database and Google Scholar using keywords: Bowman's layer, structure, function, preparation and corneal transplantation. All the relevant sources were used, which represent 77 peer-reviewed articles with information corcerning the topic of this article.

• Klíčová slova
• Bowman’s layer, Corneal transplantation, Function, Preparation, Structure,
• MeSH
• Bowmanova membrána patologie   MeSH
• keratokonus chirurgie   terapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci rohovky chirurgie   terapie   MeSH
• transplantace rohovky * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Comparative evolutionary genomics has revealed that novel protein coding genes can emerge randomly from non-coding DNA. While most of the myriad of transcripts which continuously emerge vanish rapidly, some attain regulatory regions, become translated and survive. More surprisingly, sequence properties of de novo proteins are almost indistinguishable from randomly obtained sequences, yet de novo proteins may gain functions and integrate into eukaryotic cellular networks quite easily. We here discuss current knowledge on de novo proteins, their structures, functions and evolution. Since the existence of de novo proteins seems at odds with decade-long attempts to construct proteins with novel structures and functions from scratch, we suggest that a better understanding of de novo protein evolution may fuel new strategies for protein design.

• MeSH
• genomika MeSH
• molekulární evoluce * MeSH
• proteiny * genetika   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• proteiny * MeSH

BACKROUND AND AIMS: Early evaluation of cardiac remodeling may be useful in predicting heart failure in patients with arterial hypertension. The identification of biomarkers as useful clinical tools in this regard is ongoing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of selected cardiac biomarkers levels with parameters of cardiac structure and function in patients with arterial hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Included in the study were patients with arterial hypertension with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) and absence of signs of heart failure. The levels of selected biomarkers: NT-proBNP, sST2, Galectin-3, GDF-15, Cystatin C, TIMP-1 and ceruloplasmin were measured and assessed together with other biochemical and echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients (61% men) mean age 61.5 years were included. Mean LV EF was 64.7% and mean LV mass index was 91.7 g/m2. NT-proBNP level correlated significantly with the parameters of LV diastolic function: velocity of E wave (r=0.377, P<0.002), and with E/A ratio, (r=0.455, P<0.0001), with E lat (r=-0.354, P=0.006), E/E' ratio, r=0.393, P<0.002, with ePAP (r=0.390, P=0.014), and with age (r=0.384, P<0.0001). Statistically significant correlations for GDF-15 were as follows: with age (r=0.426, P<0.0001) and left atrial diameter (LA) (r=0.401, P<0.0001), for Cystatin C there are statistically significant correlation with age (r=0.288, P=0.006) and LA (r=0.329, P=0.004). Only sST2 level correlated significantly with parameters of cardiac structure: with LV mass (r=0.290, P<0.01) and LV mass index (r=0.307, P=0.012) and with posterior wall thickness PW (r=0.380, P<0.001). No other observed variables including Galectin-3 and TIMP-1, correlated significantly with age or echocardiographic variables. In a comparison of patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, statistically significant differences were found only in LA (P<0.0001) and sST2 (P=0.004). In a multivariate logistic regression, sST2 and TIMP were independent predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP level as a biomarker of cardiac remodeling correlated with parameters of LV diastolic function in patients with arterial hypertension. Soluble ST2 correlated with parameters of cardiac structure. Biomarkers sST2 and TIMP-1 were associated with left ventricular hypertrophy.

• Klíčová slova
• NT-proBNP, TIMP-1, arterial hypertension, biomarkers, cardiac structure, heart function, sST2,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Quantitative structure-function relationships (QSFR) and quantitative structure-stability relationships (QSSR) analyses are described here. The objective of these analyses is to investigate and quantitatively describe the effect of the changes in structure of protein on its function or stability. During the analysis, the structural and physico-chemical properties of the amino acid residues are related to activity or stability data derived for the group of proteins containing systematic substitutions at certain positions. Four examples of the application of these analyses on the data obtained with proteins modified by site-directed mutagenesis experiments are provided. Structure-function relationships were studied for 15 mutants in position 172 of the haloalkane dehalogenase and 19 mutants in position 222 of the subtilisin, while the structure-stability relationships were investigated for 13 mutants in position 157 of phage T4 lysozyme and 18 mutants in position 49 of alpha-subunits tryptophan synthase. A total of 402 molecular descriptors derived from AAindex database were used to quantify amino acid properties and the multivariate statistical technique--partial least squares projections to latent structures--was used to identify those of them which are important for explanation of the activity and stability data. Quantitative models were developed and internally validated for every data set. The possibilities for further development of both analyses and their application for predictive and analytical purposes in protein engineering research are discussed.

• MeSH
• kyselina glutamová chemie   MeSH
• mutageneze cílená MeSH
• proteinové inženýrství MeSH
• termodynamika MeSH
• tryptofansynthasa chemie   genetika   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kyselina glutamová MeSH
• tryptofansynthasa MeSH

Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) is an evolutionarily highly conserved biotransformation enzyme for converting epoxides to diols. Notably, the enzyme is able to either detoxify or bioactivate a wide range of substrates. Mutations and polymorphic variants in the EPHX1 gene have been associated with susceptibility to several human diseases including cancer. This review summarizes the key knowledge concerning EPHX1 gene and protein structure, expression pattern and regulation, and substrate specificity. The relevance of EPHX1 for human pathology is especially discussed.

• Klíčová slova
• Disease, EPHX1, Function, Gene, Genotype, Structure,
• MeSH
• alkoholické nemoci jater genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• epoxid hydrolasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• genetická predispozice k nemoci genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace * MeSH
• nádory genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese enzymů MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• substrátová specifita MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• EPHX1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• epoxid hydrolasy MeSH

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) is a direct continuation of the previous Special Issue of this journal, entitled "Purinergic P2 Receptors: Structure and Function" https://www [...].

• MeSH
• adenosintrifosfát * MeSH
• antagonisté purinergního receptoru P2 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P1 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2 * MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• Publikační typ
• úvodníky MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adenosintrifosfát * MeSH
• antagonisté purinergního receptoru P2 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P1 MeSH
• purinergní receptory P2 * MeSH

The phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases (PI4Ks) synthesize phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P), a key member of the phosphoinositide family. PI4P defines the membranes of Golgi and trans-Golgi network (TGN) and regulates trafficking to and from the Golgi. Humans have two type II PI4Ks (α and β) and two type III enzymes (α and β). Recently, the crystal structures were solved for both type II and type III kinase revealing atomic details of their function. Importantly, the type III PI4Ks are hijacked by +RNA viruses to create so-called membranous web, an extensively phosphorylated and modified membrane system dedicated to their replication. Therefore, selective and potent inhibitors of PI4Ks have been developed as potential antiviral agents. Here we focus on the structure and function of PI4Ks and their potential in human medicine.

• Klíčová slova
• Crystal structure, Inhibitor, Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, Virus,
• MeSH
• 1-fosfatidylinositol-4-kinasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• antivirové látky farmakologie   MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• trans-Golgiho síť účinky léků   MeSH
• transport proteinů účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 1-fosfatidylinositol-4-kinasa MeSH
• antivirové látky MeSH

We lack a predictive understanding of the environmental drivers determining the structure and function of archaeal communities as well as the proteome associated with these important soil organisms. Here, we characterized the structure (by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and function (by metaproteomics) of archaea from 32 soil samples across terrestrial ecosystems with contrasting climate and vegetation types. Our multi-"omics" approach unveiled that genes from Nitrosophaerales and Thermoplasmata dominated soils collected from four continents, and that archaea comprise 2.3 ± 0.3% of microbial proteins in these soils. Aridity positively correlated with the proportion of Nitrosophaerales genes and the number of archaeal proteins. The interaction of climate x vegetation shaped the functional profile of the archaeal community. Our study provides novel insights into the structure and function of soil archaea across climates, and highlights that these communities may be influenced by increasing global aridity.

• Klíčová slova
• 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, Archaea, Climate, Metaproteomics, Soil, Vegetation,
• MeSH
• Archaea * genetika   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• půda * MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• půda * MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH

The TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) subunit of telomerase is an intensively studied macromolecule due to its key importance in maintaining genome integrity and role in cellular aging and cancer. In an effort to provide an up-to-date overview of the topic, we discuss the structure of TERT genes, their alternative splicing products and their functions. Nucleotide databases contain more than 90 full-length cDNA sequences of telomerase protein subunits. Numerous in silico, in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques have revealed a great deal of structural and functional data describing particular features of the telomerase subunit in various model organisms. We explore whether particular findings are generally applicable to telomerases or species-specific. We also discuss in an evolutionary context the role of identified functional TERT subdomains.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih MeSH
• eukaryotické buňky chemie   enzymologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• prokaryotické buňky chemie   enzymologie   MeSH
• telomerasa chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• telomery metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• telomerasa MeSH

The upper airways play an essential role in the conduction of air into the lungs, and influence the properties of the inhaled air by both the anatomical structure and the functional properties of the mucosa, cartilages and neural and lymphatic tissues. The upper airways also play an important role in the protection of the lower airways, in the formation of the sound and host the sense of olfaction. Main events in the development of the upper airways happen during early embryonic periods. Postnatally, the growth of the airways follows the growth of the skeleton of the head and of the neck and thorax. Growth is accelerated mainly during the first 2 years of life; thereafter, it linearly follows the growth of the body. For a profound understanding of the function of the upper airways, it is important to understand the main developmental events during both prenatal and postnatal periods.

• MeSH
• dýchací soustava embryologie   MeSH
• fyziologie dýchací soustavy MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• larynx embryologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mechanika dýchání MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• obstrukce dýchacích cest epidemiologie   etiologie   MeSH
• paranazální dutiny embryologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• vrozené vady diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• vývoj dítěte fyziologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH