Research Topic: autophagy

Fungal Bioactive Compounds as Emerging Therapeutic Options for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders

Mushrooms contain special compounds that may help protect our brains as we age. These fungal compounds fight inflammation, reduce harmful free radicals, and help clear out damaged cellular parts—all things that slow down brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While the research looks very promising in lab and animal studies, scientists still need to figure out how to make these compounds work better in the human body and prove they’re safe and effective in patients.

Read More »

Morphodynamics of non-canonical autophagic structures in Neurospora crassa

When Neurospora crassa cells run out of carbon, they activate recycling systems to break down and reuse their own cellular components. Unlike yeast, Neurospora creates special bag-like structures called phagophores that form from the cell membrane itself rather than inside the cell. These structures can digest their contents on their own and come in surprising shapes, including doubled structures with four layers of membrane.

Read More »

Regulation of Oomycete Autophagy, Lipid Droplet Accumulation and Pathogenesis by Three Rab GTPases

This research investigates three protein molecules called Rab GTPases that control important cellular processes in a disease-causing organism called Peronophythora litchii, which damages litchi fruit crops. Scientists used modern gene-editing technology to remove these proteins and discovered they regulate how the pathogen grows, reproduces through spores, handles stress, and causes disease. The findings suggest these Rab proteins could be targeted to develop new strategies for controlling litchi downy blight and related plant diseases.

Read More »

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Liver Cancer and Their Potential Mechanisms

This review examines how natural products from plants, fungi, and marine organisms can help treat liver cancer more safely and effectively than current drugs. These natural compounds work through multiple pathways such as triggering cancer cell death, stopping cell growth, and boosting the immune system. The research found that seven categories of natural products show promise, with sources ranging from ginseng and turmeric to mushrooms and seaweed, offering potential new treatment options that could reduce side effects and drug resistance.

Read More »

The Potential of Naturally Derived Compounds for Treating Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review of Autophagy and Cellular Senescence

This review explores how natural products from traditional Chinese medicine may help treat chronic kidney disease by targeting two key aging processes: autophagy (cellular self-cleaning) and cellular senescence (cellular aging). Common natural compounds like curcumin, green tea extract, and Astragalus have shown promise in protecting kidney function and reducing harmful inflammation. While these natural treatments show potential as complementary therapies alongside mainstream medicines, more clinical research is needed to confirm their effectiveness and determine optimal dosages.

Read More »

Retromer Regulates Macro- and Micro-Autophagy via Distinct Vacuolar Proteases in the Rice Blast Fungus

Rice blast disease causes significant crop damage worldwide. This research reveals how a cellular transport system called the retromer complex helps the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae develop and infect plants by delivering cleaning enzymes to the fungal cell’s digestive compartment. By understanding how these enzymes are transported and used, scientists have identified potential targets for developing better ways to control and prevent rice blast disease.

Read More »

The Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicines Regulate the Multi-Target Signaling Pathways of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

This comprehensive review examines how traditional Chinese medicine ingredients can treat fatty liver disease through multiple biological pathways simultaneously. Unlike conventional drugs that target a single pathway, TCM compounds address the complex, interconnected causes of the disease including fat accumulation, inflammation, and tissue damage. The research identifies dozens of effective herbal compounds and proposes a new framework for designing TCM treatments tailored to individual patient needs.

Read More »

Autophagy and the Mitochondrial Lon1 Protease Are Necessary for Botrytis cinerea Heat Adaptation

Scientists studied how a fungus that causes gray mold disease adapts to heat stress by examining two key cellular processes: autophagy (cellular cleanup) and a mitochondrial protease called Lon1. They found that both processes work together to help the fungus survive high temperatures by removing damaged cellular components and maintaining healthy mitochondria. When either process was disrupted, the fungus became much more vulnerable to heat and could not survive as well.

Read More »

Terpinen-4-ol triggers autophagy activation and metacaspase-dependent apoptosis against Botrytis cinerea

Terpinen-4-ol, a natural compound from tea tree oil, effectively kills gray mold fungus that spoils fruits and vegetables after harvest. The compound works by damaging fungal cell membranes, creating harmful reactive molecules inside fungal cells, and triggering the fungal cells’ self-destruction pathways. When tested on tomatoes and strawberries, terpinen-4-ol successfully reduced mold growth and disease spread, suggesting it could be a safe, eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting fresh produce.

Read More »

Autophagy and the Mitochondrial Lon1 Protease Are Necessary for Botrytis cinerea Heat Adaptation

Researchers studied how a common plant-damaging fungus called Botrytis cinerea survives high temperatures. They found that two cellular cleanup systems—autophagy (which recycles damaged components) and a mitochondrial protease called Lon1—work together to help the fungus survive heat stress. When either system was disabled, the fungus was much more sensitive to heat and showed increased cell death, suggesting these processes are essential for the fungus’s survival strategy.

Read More »
Scroll to Top