Stress Responsive Non-protein Coding RNAs

Environmental or growth conditions are constantly influencing the development and maturation of organisms. To ensure precise control of gene expression under these normal as well as stress conditions, organisms developed very accurate molecular regulatory mechanisms at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Key roles of small noncoding RNAs (miRNAs and siRNAs) in regulation of gene expression are no longer astonishing us nor are constantly emerging new classes of non-protein coding RNAs (tRNA-derived small RNAs, snoRNA-derived small RNAs, mRNA-derived small RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs). Although there is evidence of involvement of those various classes of noncoding RNAs in response to stress conditions, in most cases, we are still lacking basic information on their targets and interplay between different regulatory pathways. In this review, we focus on “canonical” and “noncanonical” noncoding RNAs and their involvement in abiotic stress responses

When small RNAs become smaller: emerging functions of snoRNAs and their derivatives

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are molecules located in the cell nucleolus and in Cajal bodies. Many scientific reports show that snoRNAs are not only responsible for modifications of other RNAs but also fulfill multiple other functions such as metabolic stress regulation or modulation of alternative splicing. Full-length snoRNAs as well as small RNAs derived from snoRNAs have been implied in human diseases such as cancer or Prader-Willi Syndrome. In this review we describe emerging, non-canonical roles of snoRNAs and their derivatives with the emphasis on their role in human diseases

Ex-translational function of tRNAs and their fragments in cancer

Transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules are most commonly known as the molecular amino acids carriers and also because of the role they play in a protein biosynthesis process. However, tRNA biology has revealed stupendous levels of many unexpected discoveries that put a new light on tRNA function in different processes besides translation, like apoptosis or cancer development. In recent years various species of RNAs have been found differentially expressed in different types of cancer. In this review we focus our attention on tRNAs as well as on tRNA-derived small RNAs ex-translational functions in human cells in oncogenesis and oncobiology

Civilization diseases – therapeutic application of antisense strategy

Modulation and regulation of biosynthesis process by means of antisense oligonucleotides lay the foundation for new therapeutic strategies, among others against cancer, viral or angiogenesis diseases. The aim of this account is the presentation of molecular basis of antisense strategy and mechanism of action of antisense oligonucleotides. Furthermore we present the state of art in clinical studies of application of antisense oligonucleotides in some of civilization diseases

Genetically modified organisms – economy and safety

A short historical description of Polish contribution to astronomy and rocket technology is given. Then Polish activities in field of space exploration, such as instrument designed and build in Poland and placed on board of rockets, satellites and space probes during last 50 years are described. Contributions of the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences as well as astronomical discoveries made by Polish astrophysicists are presented. Most important missions in which instruments build in Poland were placed on board are among others: Mars Express and Venus Express, Cassini-Huygens, Rosetta and Integral. Among numerous discoveries made by Polish astrophysicists, one should mention the discovery and proper identification of powerful burst from magnetar SGR 1806-20 and the discovery of unusually rapid bursts from black hole Cyg X-1

Similar Outcomes and Satisfaction of the Proprioceptive versus Standard Training on the Knee Function and Proprioception, Following the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have poorer proprioception than people without such injuries. The effects of proprioceptive training on knee functionality and proprioceptive improvement after ACL reconstruction is still unclear. Methods: The research material consisted of 40 patients after ACL reconstruction. Of the 40 patients, 20 of them were rehabilitated with a standard program and 20 with additional proprioceptive exercises. The subjective and the objective scores were evaluated. Results: No differences were found between the proprioceptive versus the conservative postoperative rehabilitation in the functional nor in the proprioception outcomes of the operated limbs. Conclusions: There is no advantage to function in doing proprioceptive rehabilitation exercises following the ACL reconstruction, when compared with a traditional strengthening program

The Role of RNA Secondary Structure in Regulation of Gene Expression in Bacteria

Due to the high exposition to changing environmental conditions, bacteria have developed many mechanisms enabling immediate adjustments of gene expression. In many cases, the required speed and plasticity of the response are provided by RNA-dependent regulatory mechanisms. This is possible due to the very high dynamics and flexibility of an RNA structure, which provide the necessary sensitivity and specificity for efficient sensing and transduction of environmental signals. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge about known bacterial regulatory mechanisms which rely on RNA structure. To better understand the structure-driven modulation of gene expression, we describe the basic theory on RNA structure folding and dynamics. Next, we present examples of multiple mechanisms employed by RNA regulators in the control of bacterial transcription and translation