The role of 7-dehydrocholesterol in inducing ER stress and apoptosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Alterations of metabolic pathways that sustain cancer cell survival often offer promising therapeutic avenues. Here, we show that enhanced de novo cholesterol biosynthesis is crucial for the survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Transcriptomic analysis of HNSCC tissues identified profound dysregulation in steroid and cholesterol metabolism compared to normal tissues.

Targeting the Glucose-Insulin Link in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induces Cytotoxic Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Cancer Growth.

Unlabelled: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a clinically challenging malignancy with limited targeted therapy options and poor patient outcomes. Thus, identifying unique dependencies, including HNSCC-specific metabolic reprogramming, is imperative for improving treatment strategies for this disease. In this study, we show that HNSCC relies on elevated glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1)-mediated glucose uptake to support redox homeostasis and tumor growth.

AMPK Knockout Impairs the Formation of Three-Dimensional Spheroids.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, and AMPK contributes to cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy. Although most cell studies have been performed using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, recent studies have demonstrated that the three-dimensional (3D) spheroid technique is helpful in various cell research fields, such as tumor biology, due to its resemblance to the 3D tissue structure. However, the role of AMPK in 3D spheroid formation has not been characterized clearly.

Tumor Regulatory Effect of 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase (HPGD) in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Prostaglandin regulation is known to play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis; however, the contributions of the prostaglandin-metabolizing enzyme 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) to cancer development remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the effects of HPGD on cell viability, proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, and migration in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Overexpression of HPGD in human TNBC cells resulted in both positive and negative regulation of cell proliferation and colony formation, with these effects occurring independent of prostaglandin E2 (PGE).

Amentoflavone from inhibits SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused millions of deaths due to its prominent infectivity and mortality. Although the vaccines and medicines for SARS-CoV-2 are on the market, new coronavirus variants like influenza are expected to reemerge continuously. Therefore, effective and inexpensive medicines will be required to respond to SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Simple turn-on fluorescent probe for ultrafast and highly selective detection of hydrogen sulfide in aqueous solutions.

5H-Benzimidazo[1,2-c]quinazoline-6-thione (BI-QT), was synthesized as a benzimidazole-based probe to detect HS. BI-QT exhibits a fluorescent "turn-on" response in DMSO/HO (9:1, HEPES 10 mM, pH 7.4) upon the addition of HS.

Compound C inhibits the replication of feline coronavirus.

Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) is a viral pathogen of cats and a highly contagious virus. Cats in a cattery can be infected by up to 100%, and even household cats are infected by 20-60%. Some strains of FCoV are known to induce a fatal disease in cats named Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

Simple turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for ultrafast and highly selective trace-level detection of Cu ions in aqueous solutions.

A benzimidazole-based probe, BIPMA (2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)aniline), was designed and synthesized to detect Cu ions. BIPMA exhibited a fluorescent "turn-on" mechanism when bound to Cu ions in an acetonitrile/water mixture (5:5, v/v, HEPES 10 mM, pH 7.4) owing to the synergistic effect of the chelation-enhanced fluorescence and internal charge-transfer mechanisms.

AMPK inhibitor, compound C, inhibits coronavirus replication in vitro.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in more than six million deaths by October 2022. Vaccines and antivirals for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are now available; however, more effective antiviral drugs are required for effective treatment. Here, we report that a potent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, compound C/dorsomorphin, inhibits the replication of the human coronavirus OC43 strain (HCoV-OC43).

Inhibition by components of of 3CLpro and HCoV-OC43 proliferation.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). 3CLpro is a key enzyme in coronavirus proliferation and a treatment target for COVID-19. and , compounds - from had inhibitory activity and binding affinity for 3CLpro.

Eupatin, a Flavonoid, Inhibits Coronavirus 3CL Protease and Replication.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more than six million deaths worldwide since 2019. Although vaccines are available, novel variants of coronavirus are expected to appear continuously, and there is a need for a more effective remedy for coronavirus disease. In this report, we isolated eupatin from flowers and showed that it inhibits the coronavirus 3 chymotrypsin-like (3CL) protease as well as viral replication.

The inhibitory activity of methoxyl flavonoids derived from Inula britannica flowers on SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro.

In our ongoing efforts to identify effective natural antiviral agents, four methoxy flavonoids (1-4) were isolated from the Inula britannica flower extract. Their structures were elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance. Flavonoids 1-4 exhibited inhibitory activity against SARS- CoV-2 3CLpro with IC values of 41.

CTRP1 Knockout Attenuates Tumor Progression in A549 and HCT116 Cancer Cells.

C1q and TNF-related 1 (C1QTNF1/CTRP1) is an adiponectin-associated protein belonging to the C1q/TNF-related protein family. Recent studies have shown that the C1q and TNF-related protein (CTRP) family is involved in cancer progression; however, the specific role of CTRP1 in tumor progression has not yet been elucidated. To examine the role of CTRP1 in tumor progression, we generated CTRP1 knockout A549 and HCT116 cell lines, which reduced the expression levels of nuclear factor (NF)-κB-dependent and metastasis-promoting transcripts.

Coronavirus enzyme inhibitors-experimentally proven natural compounds from plants.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can cause critical conditions that require efficient therapeutics. Several medicines are derived from plants, and researchers are seeking natural compounds to ameliorate the symptoms of COVID-19. Viral enzymes are popular targets of antiviral medicines; the genome of coronaviruses encodes several enzymes, including RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and viral proteases.

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a Green Tea Polyphenol, Reduces Coronavirus Replication in a Mouse Model.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a huge number of deaths from 2020 to 2021; however, effective antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 are currently under development. Recent studies have demonstrated that green tea polyphenols, particularly EGCG, inhibit coronavirus enzymes as well as coronavirus replication in vitro. Herein, we examined the inhibitory effect of green tea polyphenols on coronavirus replication in a mouse model.

Contributes to Cell Cycle Progression and Cisplatin Resistance.

The ligand of numb-protein X1 () acts as a proto-oncogene by inhibiting stability; however, the regulation of expression has not been investigated. In this study, we screened chemicals to identify factors that potentially regulate expression. We found that expression levels were decreased by DNA damage, including that by cisplatin.

Elevated Levels of CTRP1 in Obesity Contribute to Tumor Progression in a p53-Dependent Manner.

Mounting evidence supports the relationship between obesity and cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms linking obesity with cancer remain largely uninvestigated. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression of C1q/TNF-related protein 1 (CTRP1), an adiponectin paralogue, contributes to tumor growth by regulating the tumor suppressor p53.

Therapeutic Potential of EGCG, a Green Tea Polyphenol, for Treatment of Coronavirus Diseases.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a major catechin found in green tea, and there is mounting evidence that EGCG is potentially useful for the treatment of coronavirus diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Coronaviruses encode polyproteins that are cleaved by 3CL protease (the main protease) for maturation. Therefore, 3CL protease is regarded as the main target of antivirals against coronaviruses.

6-Azauridine Induces Autophagy-Mediated Cell Death via a p53- and AMPK-Dependent Pathway.

6-Azauridine (6-AZA), a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue, is known to exhibit both antitumor and antiviral activities. Although 6-AZA was discovered more than 60 years ago, the cellular effects of this compound are yet to be elucidated. Here, we report that 6-AZA regulates autophagy-mediated cell death in various human cancer cells, where 6-AZA treatment activates autophagic flux through the activation of lysosomal function.

EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, inhibits human coronavirus replication in vitro.

COVID-19 pandemic results in record high deaths in many countries. Although a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 is now available, effective antiviral drugs to treat coronavirus diseases are not available yet. Recently, EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, was reported to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3CL-protease, however the effect of EGCG on coronavirus replication is unknown.

Tea Polyphenols EGCG and Theaflavin Inhibit the Activity of SARS-CoV-2 3CL-Protease .

COVID-19, a global pandemic, has caused over 750,000 deaths worldwide as of August 2020. A vaccine or remedy for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is necessary to slow down the spread and lethality of COVID-19. However, there is currently no effective treatment available against SARS-CoV-2.

The Flower Extract of (Linn.) Increases Cyclin D1 Expression and Activates Cell Proliferation.

(Linn.) is a medicinal herbal plant that is commonly used to treat chronic kidney disease and hepatitis. However, its effect on cell proliferation has not been clearly revealed.

LNX1 contributes to tumor growth by down-regulating p53 stability.

The well-known tumor suppressor p53 inhibits the formation of various cancers by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Although p53 mutations are commonly found in many cancers, p53 is functionally inactivated in tumor cells that retain wild-type p53. Here, we show that the ligand of numb protein X1 (LNX1) inhibited p53-dependent transcription by decreasing the half-life of p53.