Molecular Biology and Genetics / Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11147/9

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  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 1
    Automated Analysis of Phase-Contrast Optical Microscopy Time-Lapse Images: Application To Wound Healing and Cell Motility Assays of Breast Cancer
    (Elsevier, 2023) Erdem, Yusuf Sait; Ayanzadeh, Aydın; Mayalı, Berkay; Balıkçı, Muhammed; Belli, Özge Nur; Uçar, Mahmut; Yalçın Özuysal, Özden; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; Önal, Sevgi; Morani, Kenan; Iheme, Leonardo Obinna; Töreyin, Behçet Uğur
    This chapter describes a workflow for analyzing phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) data from two fundamental types of biomedical assays: assays for cell motility and assays for wound healing. The workflow of the analysis is composed of the methods for acquiring, restoring, segmenting, and quantifying biomedical data. In the literature, there have been separate methods aimed at specific stages of PCM data analysis. Nonetheless, there has never been a complete workflow for all stages of analysis. This work is an innovation that proposes an end-to-end workflow for image pre-processing, deep learning segmentation, tracking, and quantification stages in cell motility and wound healing assay analyses. The findings indicate that domain knowledge can be used to make simple but significant improvements to the results of cutting-edge methods. Furthermore, even for deep learning-based methods, pre-processing is clearly a necessary step in the workflow. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Review
    Citation - WoS: 9
    Citation - Scopus: 7
    Micrornas and Long Non-Coding Rnas as Novel Targets in Anti-Cancer Drug Development
    (Bentham Science Publishers, 2023) Çetinkaya, Melisa; Baran, Yusuf
    Non-coding RNAs comprise the majority of RNAs that have been transcribed from the human genome, and these non-coding RNAs have essential regulatory roles in the cellular processes. They have been discovered to influence the expression of the genes, including tumor-suppressive and oncogenes, that establish the non-coding RNAs as novel targets for anti-cancer drug development. Among non-coding RNAs, microRNAs have been extensively studied in terms of cancer biology, and some microRNA-based therapeutics have been reached in clinical studies. Even though most of the research regarding targeting non-coding RNAs for anti-cancer drug development focused on microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs have also started to gain importance as potential therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. In this chapter, the strategies and importance of targeting microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs will be described, along with the clinical studies that involve microRNA-based cancer therapeutics and preclinical studies that involve long non-coding RNA-based therapeutics. Finally, the delivery strategies that have great importance in the effective delivery of the non-coding RNA-based cancer therapeutics, hence the therapy's effectiveness, will be described.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 28
    Citation - Scopus: 30
    Senescence-Induced Immune Remodeling Facilitates Metastatic Adrenal Cancer in a Sex-Dimorphic Manner
    (Springer, 2023) Warde, Kate M.; Smith, Lorenzo J.; Liu, Lihua; Stubben, Chris J.; Lohman, Brian K.; Willett, Parker W.; Ammer, Julia L.; Castaneda Hernandez, Guadalupe; Imodoye, Sikiru O.; Zhang, Chenge; Jones, Kara D.; Converso Baran, Kimber; Ekiz, H. Atakan
    The mechanisms underlying the influence of aging on cancer are incompletely understood. Warde et al. establish a new model of age- and sex-dependent adrenal cancer. Their work uncovers a tumor-protective role for myeloid immune cells that is enhanced by androgens. Aging markedly increases cancer risk, yet our mechanistic understanding of how aging influences cancer initiation is limited. Here we demonstrate that the loss of ZNRF3, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling that is frequently mutated in adrenocortical carcinoma, leads to the induction of cellular senescence that remodels the tissue microenvironment and ultimately permits metastatic adrenal cancer in old animals. The effects are sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting earlier senescence activation and a greater innate immune response, driven in part by androgens, resulting in high myeloid cell accumulation and lower incidence of malignancy. Conversely, females present a dampened immune response and increased susceptibility to metastatic cancer. Senescence-recruited myeloid cells become depleted as tumors progress, which is recapitulated in patients in whom a low myeloid signature is associated with worse outcomes. Our study uncovers a role for myeloid cells in restraining adrenal cancer with substantial prognostic value and provides a model for interrogating pleiotropic effects of cellular senescence in cancer.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 22
    Citation - Scopus: 23
    A Single-Amino Acid Substitution in the Adaptor Lat Accelerates Tcr Proofreading Kinetics and Alters T-Cell Selection, Maintenance and Function
    (Nature Portfolio, 2023) Lo, Wan-Lin; Ekiz, Hüseyin Atakan; Kuhlmann, Miriam; Rizzuto, Gabrielle; Ekiz, H. Atakan; Kolawole, Elizabeth M.; Revelo, Monica P.; Andargachew, Rakieb
    Mature T cells must discriminate between brief interactions with self-peptides and prolonged binding to agonists. The kinetic proofreading model posits that certain T-cell antigen receptor signaling nodes serve as molecular timers to facilitate such discrimination. However, the physiological significance of this regulatory mechanism and the pathological consequences of disrupting it are unknown. Here we report that accelerating the normally slow phosphorylation of the linker for activation of T cells (LAT) residue Y136 by introducing an adjacent Gly135Asp alteration (LAT(G135D)) disrupts ligand discrimination in vivo. The enhanced self-reactivity of LAT(G135D) T cells triggers excessive thymic negative selection and promotes T-cell anergy. During Listeria infection, LAT(G135D) T cells expand more than wild-type counterparts in response to very weak stimuli but display an imbalance between effector and memory responses. Moreover, despite their enhanced engagement of central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms, mice bearing LAT(G135D) show features associated with autoimmunity and immunopathology. Our data reveal the importance of kinetic proofreading in balancing tolerance and immunity. Lo and colleagues provide evidence for the TCR kinetic proofreading model by LAT Gly135Asp alteration to reveal functional consequences of altered kinetics in TCR activation in thymic selection and mature T-cell responses.
  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 5
    Epitranscriptomics Changes the Play: M6a Rna Modifications in Apoptosis
    (Springer, 2022) Akçaöz, Azime; Akgül, Bünyamin
    Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that is essential for cellular and organismal homeostasis. Any irregularities that disturb the balance between apoptosis and cell survival have severe implications, such as improper development or life-threatening diseases. Thus, it is highly critical to maintain a proper rate of apoptosis throughout development. In fact, several complex transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms exist in eukaryotes to critically regulate the rate of apoptotic processes. Recent studies suggest that not only RNA sequences but also their modifications, such as m6A methylation, play a fundamental role in these transcriptional and posttranscriptional processes. A specific set of proteins, called writer, eraser, and reader of m6A marks, modulate the rate of apoptosis by determining the m6A repertoire and the fate of certain transcripts associated with apoptosis. In this Review, we will cover the dynamic m6A RNA modifications and their impact on modulation of apoptosis.
  • Article
    Comparative Proteome Profiles of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Response To Vanillic Acid and 2-Hydroxycinnamic Acid
    (Bentham Science Publishers, 2021) Keman, Deniz; Soyer, Ferda
    Background: The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to cause severe infections and the difficulty of the treatments due to the multiple antibiotic resistance make this bacterium a lifethreatening human pathogen. This situation necessitates the exploration of novel antimicrobial compounds with known targets on bacteria. Phenolic acids naturally produced in plants as secondary metabolites are good candidates for being alternative antimicrobials for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Objective: Investigation of protein profile of Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of phenolic acids. Methods: MRSA was subjected to subinhibitory concentrations of Vanillic Acid (VA) and 2-Hydroxycinnamic Acid (2-HCA), separately, and the proteomic analyses were carried out by using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results: Both phenolic acids elicited identification of differently expressed proteins that have roles in DNA replication, repair, RNA processing and transcription, protein synthesis, maintenance of cell homeostasis, several metabolic reactions in energy, carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms and also proteins related with the virulence and the pathogenicity of MRSA when compared with the control group. The numbers of the proteins identified were 444, 375, and 426 for control, VA-treated MRSA, and 2-HCA-treated MRSA, respectively, from which 256 were shared. While VA treatment resulted in 149 unidentified MRSA proteins produced in control, 2-HCA treatment resulted in 126 unidentified proteins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD016922. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study might indicate the potential targets on bacteria and the effective use of phenolic acids in the battle with antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 86
    The Role of Mirna in Cancer: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment
    (Humana Press, 2022) Uzuner, Erez; Ulu, Gizem Tuğçe; Gürler, Sevim Beyza; Baran, Yusuf
    Cancer is also determined by the alterations of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These gene expressions can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNA). At this point, researchers focus on addressing two main questions: “How are oncogenes and/or tumor suppressor genes regulated by miRNAs?” and “Which other mechanisms in cancer cells are regulated by miRNAs?” In this work we focus on gathering the publications answering these questions. The expression of miRNAs is affected by amplification, deletion or mutation. These processes are controlled by oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which regulate different mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression including cell proliferation, cell growth, apoptosis, DNA repair, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, metabolic regulation, and immune response regulation in cancer cells. In addition, profiling of miRNA is an important step in developing a new therapeutic approach for cancer. © 2022, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 20
    Experimental MicroRNA Detection Methods
    (Humana Press, 2022) Yaylak, Bilge; Akgül, Bünyamin
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considerably small yet highly important riboregulators involved in nearly all cellular processes. Due to their critical roles in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression, they have the potential to be used as biomarkers in addition to their use as drug targets. Although computational approaches speed up the initial genomewide identification of putative miRNAs, experimental approaches are essential for further validation and functional analyses of differentially expressed miRNAs. Therefore, sensitive, specific, and cost-effective microRNA detection methods are imperative for both individual and multiplex analysis of miRNA expression in different tissues and during different developmental stages. There are a number of well-established miRNA detection methods that can be exploited depending on the comprehensiveness of the study (individual miRNA versus multiplex analysis), the availability of the sample and the location and intracellular concentration of miRNAs. This review aims to highlight not only traditional but also novel strategies that are widely used in experimental identification and quantification of microRNAs. © 2022, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
  • Book Part
    Citation - Scopus: 94
    Endogenous miRNA Sponges
    (Humana Press, 2022) Alkan, Ayşe Hale; Akgül, Bünyamin
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs of 17–22 nucleotides in length with a critical function in posttranscriptional gene regulation. These master regulators are themselves subject to regulation both transcriptionally and posttranscriptionally. Recently, miRNA function has been shown to be modulated by exogenous RNA molecules that function as miRNA sponges. Interestingly, endogenous transcripts such as transcribed pseudogenes, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs) and mRNAs may serve as natural miRNA sponges. These transcripts, which bind to miRNAs and competitively sequester them away from their targets, are naturally existing endogenous miRNA sponges, called competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Here we present a historical background of miRNAs, exogenous and endogenous miRNA sponges as well as some examples of endogenous miRNA sponges involved in regulatory mechanisms associated with various diseases, developmental stages, and other cellular processes. © 2022, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
  • Article
    Citation - WoS: 3
    Citation - Scopus: 4
    Applicability of Low-Intensity Vibrations as a Regulatory Factor on Stem and Progenitor Cell Populations
    (Bentham Science Publishers, 2020) Baskan, Öznur; Karadaş, Özge; Meşe, Gülistan; Özçivici, Engin
    Persistent and transient mechanical loads can act as biological signals on all levels of an organism. It is therefore not surprising that most cell types can sense and respond to mechanical loads, similar to their interaction with biochemical and electrical signals. The presence or absence of mechanical forces can be an important determinant of form, function and health of many tissue types. Along with naturally occurring mechanical loads, it is possible to manipulate and apply external physical loads on tissues in biomedical sciences, either for prevention or treatment of catabolism related to many factors, including aging, paralysis, sedentary lifestyles and spaceflight. Mechanical loads consist of many components in their applied signal form such as magnitude, frequency, duration and intervals. Even though high magnitude mechanical loads with low frequencies (e.g. running or weight lifting) induce anabolism in musculoskeletal tissues, their applicability as anabolic agents is limited because of the required compliance and physical health of the target population. On the other hand, it is possible to use low magnitude and high frequency (e.g. in a vibratory form) mechanical loads for anabolism as well. Cells, including stem cells of the musculoskeletal tissue, are sensitive to high frequency, low-intensity mechanical signals. This sensitivity can be utilized not only for the targeted treatment of tissues, but also for stem cell expansion, differentiation and biomaterial interaction in tissue engineering applications. In this review, we reported recent advances in the application of low-intensity vibrations on stem and progenitor cell populations. Modulation of cellular behavior with low-intensity vibrations as an alternative or complementary factor to biochemical and scaffold induced signals may represent an increase of capabilities in studies related to tissue engineering.