{"title":"Benzimidazole Derivatives in Alzheimer's Therapy: Exploring Multi-Target Pathways.","authors":"Shantanu Gavade, Sonal Dubey, Prashant Tiwari","doi":"10.2174/0113892037387954250901202157","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037387954250901202157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia worldwide and continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed neurodegenerative disorders in adults aged 65 and older. While much progress has been made in exploring AD pathophysiology, there remains no current cure, and symptomatic treatment is the current standard at best. As life expectancy continues to rise, the global prevalence of AD is increasing, making it evident that new therapeutic strategies are sorely needed. The etiology of AD is complex and heterogeneous, with cholinergic dysfunction, taurelated dysfunction, amyloid cascade dysfunction, oxidative dysfunction, and neuroinflammation all contributing to the unique pathology. As a result, researchers are focused on safe and effective drug candidates capable of addressing all of these interrelated mechanisms. One group of such multidrug candidates is benzimidazole derivatives, which target numerous molecular targets, such as, but not limited to, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), tau protein, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), betasecretase 1 (BACE1), serotonin receptor 5-HT4, cannabinoid receptor CB2R, and the gammaaminobutyric acid receptor A (GABA-A). This study reveals the multitargeting promise of benzimidazole- based compounds that regulate not just symptomatic pathways but also pathways that are responsible for modifying AD disease activity. Ongoing studies in this area may lead to the discovery of new drugs that can not only manage the symptoms but also change the trajectory of this serious disease and provide hope to millions of AD patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"546-563"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145136654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Messenger RNA Nanomedicine: Innovations and Future Directions.","authors":"Jyotsana Dwivedi, Pranay Wal, Subbulakshmi Ganesan, Ashish Sharma, Pawan Sharma, Syeda Wajida Kazmi, Reena Gupta","doi":"10.2174/0113892037357900250401020207","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037357900250401020207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With its high potential, mRNA nanomedicine has become one of the transformative frontiers of modern therapeutic strategies for treating and preventing a wide array of diseases. This review article covers recent developments in mRNA nanomedicine and its prospects in terms of innovations in drug delivery systems, stability improvements, and targeted therapeutic applications. The versatility of mRNA means that almost any protein can potentially be encoded into it, making it a powerhouse for vaccines, gene editing, and protein replacement therapies. Recent breakthroughs in nanoparticle technology have significantly enhanced mRNA molecules' delivery efficiency and stability, surmounting previous barriers concerning rapid degradation and immune system activation. It has been developed innovations such as LNPs, polymer-based carriers, and hybrid nanocarriers have been central to the success of targeted delivery and the sustained release of mRNA. This review further underlines the potential of mRNA nanomedicine for oncological, infectious, and genetic diseases by highlighting ongoing clinical trials, emerging therapeutic paradigms, and future directions that lay much emphasis on delivery platform optimization, mRNA stability, and broadening the scope of mRNA nanomedicine therapy. With the power of emerging technologies and solving present challenges, mRNA nanomedicine has a vast potential to revolutionize the future landscape of personalized medicine and targeted therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"66-91"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143994027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"2026: The Year of Innovation, Sustainability, and Education in Protein and Peptide Science.","authors":"Anna Maria Papini","doi":"10.2174/0113892037466081251126064355","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037466081251126064355","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"v"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147303449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohd Hashim, Intekhab Alam, Mohammad Ahmad, Badruddeen, Juber Akhtar, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Anas Islam, Shumaila Parveen
{"title":"Comprehensive Review of L-Lysine: Chemistry, Occurrence, and Physiological Roles.","authors":"Mohd Hashim, Intekhab Alam, Mohammad Ahmad, Badruddeen, Juber Akhtar, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Anas Islam, Shumaila Parveen","doi":"10.2174/0113892037381647250526073248","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037381647250526073248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>L-lysine, an essential amino acid, is indispensable for numerous biological functions, including protein synthesis, collagen crosslinking, mineral absorption, and carnitine biosynthesis. Its biosynthesis occurs via the Diaminopimelate (DAP) pathway in bacteria and plants and the α-aminoadipate (AAA) pathway in fungi and some archaea. Lysine catabolism primarily involves the saccharopine pathway. Lysine deficiencies can lead to connective tissue disorders, impaired fatty acid metabolism, anemia, and protein-energy malnutrition. Commercial production relies predominantly on microbial fermentation using <i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i>, with strains enhanced through classical and metabolic engineering approaches. With global production exceeding 1 million tons annually, which is largely dominated by Chinese manufacturers, lysine supplements are readily accessible and exhibit absorption rates comparable to those of dietary protein sources. Beyond its nutritional role, lysine is integral to epigenetic regulation via histone modifications and is implicated in diseases, such as hyperlysinemia and pyridoxine-dependent epilepsies, underscoring its vital role in health maintenance and industrial relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"150-162"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144583326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sufaya Jameel, Sourish Sen, Rashmi Bhuwalka, Parveen Jahan, Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
{"title":"Evaluation of <i>FOXP3</i> Exons 2 and 7 Variants in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss among South Indian Women.","authors":"Sufaya Jameel, Sourish Sen, Rashmi Bhuwalka, Parveen Jahan, Insaf Ahmed Qureshi","doi":"10.2174/0113892037401980250815111716","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037401980250815111716","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>One to two percent of women worldwide experience recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies before 20 weeks of gestation. Genetic factors, including variations in the <i>FOXP3</i> gene, have been implicated in the unexplained etiology of RPL. This study aimed to identify and characterize novel genetic variants in exons 2 and 7 of the <i>FOXP3</i> gene in South Indian women with idiopathic RPL and to analyze their potential impact on protein structure.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This case-control study involved DNA extraction from 300 participants, including 150 recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) cases and 150 non-recurrent pregnancy loss (NRPL) controls. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing were used to identify genetic variants. The identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed for frequency differences between the RPL and control groups. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were employed to assess the structural impact of the identified mutations on the FOXP3 protein.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, with four SNPs (-11InsT, 206G>A in exon 2, and 433InsT, 726A>T in exon 7), showing significant frequency variations between RPL and NRPL groups. The modeled structures of FOXP3 apo and mutant proteins displayed similar structural features, including a DNA-binding domain. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed comparable stability between the apo and mutant forms of FOXP3.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The identified mutations in the <i>FOXP3</i> gene can potentially disrupt its critical immune- regulatory functions, leading to impaired immune tolerance during pregnancy, a key factor in the development of RPL. These mutations may alter the activity or stability of regulatory T cells, which are essential for maintaining pregnancy by preventing immune rejection of the fetus.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings provide new insights into the genetic underpinnings of idiopathic RPL and underscore the importance of genetic testing for a better understanding of this condition.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"189-203"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145014099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comprehensive Analysis of Glycosyltransferase-Related Genes Reveals their Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications in Stomach Adenocarcinoma.","authors":"Guizhen Lyu, Dongbing Li","doi":"10.2174/0113892037388672250728071209","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037388672250728071209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the role of glycosyltransferase-related genes (GRGs) in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) through bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation, exploring their potential as prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We utilized datasets from TCGA-STAD and GSE26901 to establish training and validation cohorts. Prognostic gene signatures were constructed using differentially expressed genes and LASSO regression. Pathway associations were explored via Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and correlations with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint genes were analyzed using CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE, and TIDE. Drug sensitivity was assessed using Onco- Predict, and GRG expression was confirmed via qRT-PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 20 GRGs as prognostic indicators in STAD, with 14 showing abnormal expression. A six-gene signature (B3GAT3, FUT2, GALNT15, GLT8D1, MGAT4C, and ST8SIA6) was constructed, demonstrating AUC values of 0.662, 0.702, and 0.711 in TCGASTAD for predicting overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The risk score was significantly associated with reduced survival and identified as an independent prognostic marker. The GRG profile was found to be correlated with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, and drug responsiveness.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The study highlights the significance of GRGs in STAD prognosis and potential therapeutic applications. The GRG signature shows promise as a predictive biomarker, with implications for personalized medicine. Limitations include modest AUC values and the need for larger, diverse cohorts for validation. Future work should integrate multi-omics data and explore the roles of GRGs in immune modulation and drug sensitivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The GRG profile serves as a prognostic biomarker for STAD, offering new insights into therapeutic approaches and potential applications in other gastrointestinal cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"512-532"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144854833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purvaj G Barote, Harshal D Pawar, Mudassar Sayyed, Sanjay N Awathale, Kartik T Nakhate, Sumit S Rathod, Abdulla K Sherikar, Uday Harle, Kapil Suchal, Sameer N Goyal
{"title":"<i>In-silico</i> and <i>In-vivo</i> Investigations Reveal Ameliorative Potential of Myricetin Against Doxorubicin-induced Myocardial Damage via Modulation of NF-κB Signaling Pathway.","authors":"Purvaj G Barote, Harshal D Pawar, Mudassar Sayyed, Sanjay N Awathale, Kartik T Nakhate, Sumit S Rathod, Abdulla K Sherikar, Uday Harle, Kapil Suchal, Sameer N Goyal","doi":"10.2174/0113892037383576250909075917","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037383576250909075917","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Although Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer agent, its cardiotoxicity limits clinical use. DOX-induced oxidative stress augments NF-κB expression, elevates inflammatory cytokines, and causes myocardial injury. Since the flavonoid Myricetin (MYR) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and NF-κB-inhibitory properties, we investigated its potential to mitigate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Molecular docking of MYR was performed against NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). After confirming binding affinities, DOX was administered to rats on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, while MYR was given daily for 9 days. On day 10, hemodynamic parameters were recorded, and blood and heart tissues were collected. Serum transaminases (SGPT, SGOT) and cardiac markers (CK-MB, LDH) were measured. Oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD, GSH, MDA), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), NO, NF-κB levels, and myocardial histopathology were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MYR exhibited strong binding affinity to target proteins. In vivo, MYR significantly attenuated DOX-induced ECG (ST height) alterations and reduced serum SGPT, SGOT, CK-MB, and LDH levels. In cardiac tissue, MYR enhanced CAT, SOD, and GSH, while reducing MDA. MYR also decreased NF-κB, NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels, and improved histopathological features.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings suggest that MYR effectively counteracts DOX-induced myocardial injury by suppressing NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress, supporting its therapeutic potential in cardioprotection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MYR mitigates DOX-induced cardiotoxicity through antioxidant and antiinflammatory mechanisms involving inhibition of NF-κB signaling.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"394-411"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Avijit Kumar Dey, Soumya Pal, Sonjit Das, Debdip Mandal, Biplab Debnath, Arnab De, Amit Kumar Nayak
{"title":"Versatility of Collagen as a Natural Biopolymer for Biomedical, Food, and Cosmetic Applications.","authors":"Avijit Kumar Dey, Soumya Pal, Sonjit Das, Debdip Mandal, Biplab Debnath, Arnab De, Amit Kumar Nayak","doi":"10.2174/0113892037405587250911064729","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037405587250911064729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Collagen is the most abundant structural protein and an essential connective tissue constituent. It plays vital roles in the body and is found in different tissues, including tendons, cartilages, bones, and skin. Collagen is mainly extracted from marine and animal sources (such as fish, cows, pigs, etc.). Synthetic biology platforms have recently gained significant attention by producing non-native collagen substitutes. The multi-purpose uses of collagen and collagen-based products have increased the growing demand for collagen in various industrial applications, including biomedical, food, and cosmetics. The inherent characteristics of collagen, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, hemostatic activity, etc., are commonly employed in many biomedical applications. Collagen is widely used in the biomedical industry for drug delivery, tissue regeneration, medical devices, bio-inks, etc. It is used in cosmetics for its moisturizing and anti-aging properties. In addition, food-grade collagen is used in many functional foods as a health supplement. The current review describes the collagen's structures, types, and sources. Later, it discusses collagen's versatile applications as a natural biopolymer in biomedical, food, and cosmetic fields.The potential collagen market and sustainable collagen production with a synthetic biology platform have also been covered.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"318-338"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence in Proteins and Peptides: A Comprehensive Overview from Hybrid Modeling to Deep Learning.","authors":"Yindan Luo, Jiaxin Cai, Xiaohua Niu","doi":"10.2174/0113892037431165250908102356","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037431165250908102356","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"315-317"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145231642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Research Progress on the Intervention of Traditional Chinese Medicine Monomers on Signaling Pathways Related to Sarcopenia and Osteoporosis.","authors":"Zhuo-Xu Gu, Xian-Quan Zhang, Guang-Hui Zhou, Chu-Jia Huang, Gui-Hong Liang, Ling-Feng Zeng, Xiao Xiao","doi":"10.2174/0113892037388848251013135335","DOIUrl":"10.2174/0113892037388848251013135335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are conditions characterized by the synergistic effects of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, leading to the loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, bone density, and bone quality. This condition is marked by a high disability rate, limited diagnostic and therapeutic options, and significant clinical harm. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia and osteoporosis involves diminished differentiation of osteoblasts and myoblasts, as well as enhanced proliferation of osteoclasts. Signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) play crucial roles in promoting the differentiation of osteoblasts and myoblasts while inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, thereby contributing to the treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated significant efficacy in addressing \"muscle atrophy\" and \"bone depletion.\" Both single herbs and compound formulas can achieve therapeutic effects on sarcopenia and osteoporosis by modulating the expression of these signaling pathways. By summarizing the current research on these signaling pathways and TCM interventions, we aim to provide new insights for the clinical prevention and treatment of sarcopenia and osteoporosis using TCM and offer a foundation for further in-depth studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10859,"journal":{"name":"Current protein & peptide science","volume":" ","pages":"433-442"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146050809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}