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Abstract MicroRNA-98 (miR-98) stands as an important molecule in the intricate landscape of oncology. As a subset of microRNAs, these small non-coding RNAs have accompanied a new era in cancer research, underpinning their significant roles in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic interventions. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the biogenesis, molecular properties, and physiological undertakings of miR-98, highlighting its double-edged role in cancer progression—acting both as a tumor promoter and suppressor. Intriguingly, miR-98 has profound implications for various aspects of cancer progression, modulating key cellular functions, including proliferation, apoptosis, and the cell cycle. Given its expression patterns, the potential of miR-98 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, especially in liquid biopsies and tumor tissues, is explored, emphasizing the hurdles in translating these findings clinically. The review concludes by evaluating therapeutic avenues to modulate miR-98 expression, addressing the challenges in therapy resistance, and assessing the efficacy of miR-98 interventions. In conclusion, while miR-98’s involvement in cancer showcases promising diagnostic and therapeutic avenues, future research should pivot towards understanding its role in tumor-stroma interactions, immune modulation, and metabolic regulation, thereby unlocking novel strategies for cancer management. Graphical Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and gradual tissue destruction. New research has shown how important noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are for changing immune and inflammatory pathways, such as the WNT signaling pathway, which is important for activating synovial fibroblasts and osteoblasts to work. This article examines the current understanding of several ncRNAs, such as miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, that influence NF-κB signaling in the pathogenesis of RA. We investigate how these ncRNAs impact NF-κB signaling components, altering cell proliferation, differentiation, and death in joint tissues. The paper also looks at how ncRNAs can be used as potential early detection markers and therapeutic targets in RA because they can change important pathogenic pathways. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting ncRNAs in RA therapy techniques, with the goal of reducing inflammation and stopping disease progression. This thorough analysis opens up new possibilities for understanding the molecular foundations of RA and designing novel ncRNA-based treatments.

Breast cancer is a molecularly heterogeneous disease and the most common female malignancy. In recent years, therapy approaches have evolved to accommodate molecular diversity, with a focus on more biologically based therapies to minimize negative consequences. To regulate cell fate in human breast cells, the Hippo signaling pathway has been associated with the alpha subtype of estrogen receptors. This pathway regulates tissue size, regeneration, and healing, as well as the survival of tissue-specific stem cells, proliferation, and apoptosis in a variety of organs, allowing for cell differentiation. Hippo signaling is mediated by the kinases MST1, MST2, LATS1, and LATS2, as well as the adaptor proteins SAV1 and MOB. These kinases phosphorylate the downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, yes-associated protein (YAP), and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), suppressing the expression of their downstream target genes. The Hippo signaling pathway kinase cascade plays a significant role in all cancers. Understanding the principles of this kinase cascade would prevent the occurrence of breast cancer. In recent years, small noncoding RNAs, or microRNAs, have been implicated in the development of several malignancies, including breast cancer. The interconnections between miRNAs and Hippo signaling pathway core proteins in the breast, on the other hand, remain poorly understood. In this review, we focused on highlighting the Hippo signaling system, its key parts, its importance in breast cancer, and its regulation by miRNAs and other related pathways.

Background. The SUMO fusion system is advantageous in improving the solubility and correct folding of proteins that are difficult to produce. SUMO-protease-1 (Ulp1) is a key enzyme in this system, and its proper expression and purification in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) are critical to its efficiency. Objective. To optimize Ulp1 expression and purification using His6-SUMO-SDF-1 as a model, aiming to improve efficiency across similar fusion proteins. Methods. We provided a codon-optimized Ulp1 gene into the pET28a vector. Essential culture factors, including IPTG concentration, incubation length of time, and temperature, were precisely adjusted. Ulp1 was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. A cleavage activity assay of recombinant Ulp1 is carried out using the His6-SUMO-SDF-1 fusion protein to demonstrate how well the optimized settings work. Furthermore, the activity of recombinant SDF-1 was evaluated using the scratch wound healing assay. Results. Ulp1 expression was optimized in E. coli using the pET28a vector, with optimum conditions including 0.1 mM IPTG, 28°C incubation temperature, and an overnight period of time. Recombinant Ulp1 was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, resulting in high purity. Enzymatic activity was shown by the effective cleavage of the His6-SUMO-SDF-1 fusion protein. In the scratch wound-healing assay, recombinant SDF-1 increased cell migration following cleavage, confirming that biological activity was retained. These findings illustrate Ulp1’s efficient synthesis and effectiveness for prospective applications in biology. Conclusion. This study successfully showed the expression and purification of the recombinant Ulp1 enzyme, showing the most suitable growing conditions for productive protein production. Ulp1’s functionality was validated by its specific cleavage of the His6-SUMO-SDF-1 fusion protein, as well as the fragmented SDF-1 purified and its biological activity in promoting cell migration. These findings highlight Ulp1’s potential in protein processing as well as its application in biotechnological and biological research.

Embryonic neural stem cells (eNSCs) could differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This study was aimed to determine the effect of safflower seed oil, which contains linoleic acid (LA), oleic acid (OA), and palmitic acid (PA), on cultured eNSC proliferation and differentiation, in comparison to linoleic acid alone. Results showed that safflower seed oil, but not LA, increased significantly the viability and proliferation of eNSCs. Moreover, treatment of NSCs by safflower seed oil, but not LA, resulted in a significant increase in mRNA levels of notch1, hes1, and Ki-67, and protein levels of notch intracellular domain (NICD), in comparison to controls, indicating an enhancement of stemness. Finally, safflower seed oil, but not LA, caused an increase in the number of oligodendrocytes (MBP+), astrocytes (GFAP+) and neurons (β-III tubulin+) of which only the increase in β-III tubulin positive cells was statistically significant. In summary, OA and PA, present in safflower seed oil may prove beneficial for the enhancement of eNSCs and their neuronal differentiation.