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The process of protein folding describes the transition by which an unordered polypeptide chain attains its functional native three-dimensional structure. A detailed understanding of the principles which govern the protein folding, such as conformational preferences of amino acid residues, the neighbour residue effect and the solvent effects, remains an important …

The aging of bone tissue, bone defects that form during the removal of cysts, tumours, genetic defects and other bone‐tissue‐related diseases, together with demands for a better quality of life, mean a requirement for materials, artificial or autogenous, that will have a long functionality and survivability under the body’s environmental …

Apoptosis is an innate mechanism by which a multicellular organisms eliminates unwanted, damaged and potentially harmful cells. During apoptosis inflammation of the surrounding tissues is prevented. Defects in an apoptotic signaling can lead to numerous pathological conditions. Apoptosis is mediated through two main pathways, the extrinsic or the death receptor …

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins expressed only on the surface of the professional antigen presenting cells and they play a crucial role in the adaptive immune responses. MHC class II molecules undergo a very complex maturation process. They are synthesized in the endoplasmic …

Plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP) is a metalloproteinase. It is able to hydrolyze dipeptides into free amino acids. The enzyme is involved in the release of hormone thyroxin (T4) from Thyroglobulin (Tg), as suggested by thyroid gland studies. Prediction from the primary structure of human PGCP suggests the presence of five …

The research work presented in this thesis considers the development of new biocompatible surfaces that are able to control the adhesion of specific proteins responsible for the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt–Jakob, Alzheimer, Parkinson and Lewis body disease. Our approach was focused on problems prior to the detection …

The presence of insoluble amyloid aggregates in various human tissues correlates with the development of many human disorders (amyloidoses), including neurodegenerative diseases. Deposition of the aggregated misfolded proteins in the brain, where aggregates can be localized extracellularly or intracellularly, is the main characteristic of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, prion diseases and …

Interactions between macromolecules are the basic events of life. Their characterization is thus a key to understanding the physiology and the underlying specificity of these events. Not only understanding of the final states (where the molecules get closest together), also understanding of the course of approach is mandatory to gain …

Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize virus-infected or malignant transformed cells and destroy them through two independent mechanisms. Apoptotic target-cell death can be triggered by the engagement of death-receptors or by the release of cytotoxic granules. Cytotoxic granules gather at the site of contact between the …

Selenium (Se) has been demonstrated to be an essential trace element for maintenance of animal and human health. Se is incorporated into proteins to make selenoproteins, which are important antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant properties of selenoproteins help to prevent cellular damage caused by radicals. Radicals are natural by-products of oxygen …