José Luis Rodríguez-Lorenzo¹, Bohuslav Janoušek¹, Emilio Cervantes^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2649-2667, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.068936 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Grapevine is unique among crops because its domestication resulted not only in new morphological characteristics, but also in altered reproductive mechanisms. Viticulture involves a change from a dioecious to a hermaphroditic mating system, which makes the reproductive system more efficient. In consequence and the fact that it is one of the oldest and most economically important cultivated plants, Vitis vinifera could be defined as an over-domesticated species. Here we review some key aspects in viticulture. The main areas of interest have remained consistent throughout history, including the origin and characterisation of cultivars, resistance to environmental conditions,… More >

Kyung-Wan Baek^1,2,#, Jinkyung Cho^3,#, Ji Hyun Kim⁴, Ji-Seok Kim^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.8, pp. 1339-1362, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.064916 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects a significant fraction of the global population and is closely associated with elevated cardiovascular risk and poor clinical outcomes. Its pathophysiology entails complex molecular and cellular disturbances, including reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, persistent low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, altered mineral metabolism, genetic predispositions, and uremic toxin accumulation. As current pharmacological treatments provide only partial risk reduction, complementary approaches are imperative. Exercise training, both aerobic and resistance, has emerged as a potent non-pharmacological intervention targeting these underlying molecular pathways. Regular exercise can enhance nitric oxide signaling, improve antioxidant defenses, attenuate… More >

VINOTHKUMAR VEERASAMY¹, VEERAVARMAL VEERAN², SIDDAVARAM NAGINI^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 1835-1860, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064010 - 18 July 2025

Abstract The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is one of the most frequently dysregulated signaling networks in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although the tumor microenvironment (TME) and epigenetic modifiers are recognized to play a pivotal role in aberrant activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in OSCC, the available evidence is fragmentary and a comprehensive analysis is warranted. This review evaluates the intricate mechanisms by which various components of the TME facilitate proliferation, apoptosis evasion, invasion, migration, angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as therapy resistance in OSCC through activation of PI3K/AKT signalling. The review has also More >

Gege Liu^#, Houfang Zhang^#, Yunhui Peng^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 519-538, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061470 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Nucleosomes play a vital role in chromatin organization and gene regulation, acting as key hubs that interact with various chromatin-associated factors through diverse binding mechanisms. Recent research has highlighted the prevalence of mutations in linker histones across different types of cancer, emphasizing their critical involvement in cancer progression. These cancer-associated mutations in linker histones have been shown to disrupt nucleosome stacking and the formation of higher-order chromatin structures, which in turn significantly affect epigenetic regulatory processes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of how cancer-associated linker histone mutations alter their physicochemical properties, influencing More >

MILICA KONTIC^1,2,*, FILIP MARKOVIC¹

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.4, pp. 781-793, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.057231 - 19 March 2025

Abstract Detecting lung cancer early is crucial for improving survival rates, yet it remains a significant challenge due to many cases being diagnosed at advanced stages. This review aims to provide advances in epigenetics which have highlighted DNA methylation patterns as promising biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment response in lung cancer. Techniques like bisulfite conversion followed by PCR, digital droplet polymerase chain reaction, and next-generation sequencing are commonly used for detecting these methylation patterns, which occur early in the cancer development process and can be detected in non-invasive samples like blood and sputum. Key… More >

IOANA MARIA MIHAI¹, GANG WANG^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 533-547, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.055155 - 28 February 2025

Abstract The advent of precision medicine has underscored the importance of biomarkers in predicting therapy response for bladder cancer, a malignancy marked by considerable heterogeneity. This review critically examines the current landscape of biomarkers to forecast treatment outcomes in bladder cancer patients. We explore a range of biomarkers, including genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, and transcriptomic indicators, from multiple sample sources, including urine, tumor tissue and blood, assessing their efficacy in predicting responses to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Despite promising developments, the translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice faces significant challenges, such as variability in biomarker More >

XUETING HUANG¹, CHAOJIE XU², CHEN LI^3,*, ZHIXIAN PAN^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.12, pp. 1805-1813, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.056431 - 30 December 2024

Abstract Background: Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder which is characterized by increased serum uric acid levels, which can contribute to serious health issues such as gout, cardiovascular disease, and kidney damage. Epigenetic modifications, for example, DNA methylation, exert a crucial function in gene regulation and have been implicated in various metabolic disorders. The ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily G Member 2 (ABCG2) gene is involved in uric acid excretion, and its expression can be influenced by methylation of its promoter region. Methods: This study involved the design of three guide RNA (gRNA) sequences targeting specific CpG sites within… More >

KURT SARTORIUS^1,2,3,*, BENN SARTORIUS⁴, CHERIE WINKLER⁵, ANIL CHUTURGOON², ANNA KRAMVIS¹, PING AN⁵, WEIGANG ZHANG⁶, YUNJIE LU^3,6,7,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.11, pp. 1543-1567, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.055505 - 07 November 2024

Abstract Hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) remains an intractable high-mortality solid tumor cancer that accounted for 42% of global HCC cases in 2019. Despite some developments in systemic therapy, only a small subset of late-stage HCC patients responds positively to recently developed therapeutic innovations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as an ancillary epigenetic system that can regulate genome expression in all cancer pathways including HCC. The molecular mechanisms of miRNA regulation in cancer pathogenesis offered researchers a new approach that was widely hoped would translate into miRNA-based drugs and diagnostics. Thirty years on, miRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic agents… More >

VINíCIUS AUGUSTO SIMãO¹, LUIZ GUSTAVO DE ALMEIDA CHUFFA¹, LEóN FERDER², FELIPE INSERRA², WALTER MANUCHA^3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.10, pp. 1429-1442, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.053478 - 02 October 2024

Abstract The interplay between mitochondria, epigenetics, and the microbiota is intricately linked to both health and disease. Within our cells, a complex molecular dance occurs, where these components intertwine in a mesmerizing ballet that plays a decisive role in our health. Mitochondria, beyond being energy powerhouses, modulate nuclear gene expression through messengers like reactive oxidative stress (ROS) and calcium. Epigenetics, acting as the molecular conductor, regulates the expression of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes through modifications like DNA methylation. The intestinal microbiota itself produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that influence mitochondrial activity. SCFA-induced epigenetic modifications, like… More >

Shuliang Xia^1,2,3,#, Huikang Tao^2,#, Shixin Su⁴, Xinxin Chen², Li Ma², Jianru Li⁵, Bei Gao⁶, Xumei Liu⁵, Lei Pi⁷, Jinqing Feng⁴, Fengxiang Li², Jia Li^4,*, Zhiwei Zhang^1,3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.19, No.2, pp. 247-256, 2024, DOI:10.32604/chd.2024.052583 - 16 May 2024

Abstract Aims: Multiple genes and environmental factors are known to be involved in congenital heart disease (CHD), but epigenetic variation has received little attention. Monozygotic (MZ) twins with CHD provide a unique model for exploring this phenomenon. In order to investigate the potential role of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) methylation in CHD pathogenesis, the present study examined DNA methylation variation in MZ twins discordant for CHD, especially ventricular septal defect (VSD). Methods and Results: Using genome-wide DNA methylation profiles, we identified 4004 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in 18 MZ twin pairs discordant for CHD, and 2826 genes were… More > Graphic Abstract