Trends in Biochemical Sciences 

About: Trends in Biochemical Sciences is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): RNA & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0968-0004. Over the lifetime, 6495 publications have been published receiving 633933 citations. The journal is also known as: TIBS.

The Warburg Effect: How Does it Benefit Cancer Cells?

Abstract: Cancer cells rewire their metabolism to promote growth, survival, proliferation, and long-term maintenance. The common feature of this altered metabolism is the increased glucose uptake and fermentation of glucose to lactate. This phenomenon is observed even in the presence of completely functioning mitochondria and, together, is known as the 'Warburg Effect'. The Warburg Effect has been documented for over 90 years and extensively studied over the past 10 years, with thousands of papers reporting to have established either its causes or its functions. Despite this intense interest, the function of the Warburg Effect remains unclear. Here, we analyze several proposed explanations for the function of Warburg Effect, emphasize their rationale, and discuss their controversies.

Multiple sequence alignment with Clustal X

Abstract: The Clustal series of programs are widely used for multiple alignment and for preparing phylogenetic trees. The programs have undergone several incarnations, and 1997 saw the release of the Clustal W 1.7 upgrade and of Clustal X, which has a windows interface. Although we like to think that people use Clustal programs because they produce good alignments, undoubtedly one of the reasons for the programs' wide usage has been their portability to all computers. Portability can have a downside, and for many years the Clustal interface has had to be kept simple. Clustal X (Ref. [ 1 ]) now provides a much nicer, graphical user interface (see Fig. 1) for X-, Mac and PC windows, while maintaining portability. It presents alignments in which residue conservation is shown in colour, and has a very useful new tool for marking poor regions of the alignment. In addition, the user can select such regions for realignment. Thus, Clustal X adds further flexibility to the available strategies for preparing multiple alignments.

Caspases: killer proteases

Abstract: Caspases (cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases) mediate highly specific proteolytic cleavage events in dying cells, which collectively manifest the apoptotic phenotype. The key and central role that these enzymes play in a biochemical cell-suicide pathway has been conserved throughout the evolution of multicellular eukaryotes.

Genomic DNA methylation: the mark and its mediators.

Abstract: Methylation of DNA at position five of the cytosine ring occurs at most CpG dinucleotides in the mammalian genome and is essential for embryonic viability. With several of the key proteins now known, it has become possible to approach the biological significance of this epigenetic system through both biochemistry and genetics. As a result, advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms by which DNA methylation is targeted to specific regions of the genome and interpreted by methyl-CpG-binding proteins. Recent studies have illuminated the role of DNA methylation in controlling gene expression and have strengthened its links with histone modification and chromatin remodelling.