Collagenolytic enzymes produced by fungi: a systematic review

Abstract Specific proteases capable of degrading native triple helical or denatured collagen have been required for many years and have a large spectrum of applications. There are few complete reports that fully uncover production, characterization and purification of fungi collagenases. In this review, authors searched through four scientific on line data bases using the following keywords (collagenolytic OR collagenase) AND (fungi OR fungus OR fungal) AND (production OR synthesis OR synthesize) AND (characterization). Scientific criteria were adopted in this review to classify found articles by score (from 0 to 10). After exclusion criteria, 21 articles were selected. None obtained the maximum of 10 points defined by the methodology, which indicates a deficiency in studies dealing simultaneously with production, characterization and purification of collagenase by fungi. Among microorganisms studied the non-pathogenic fungi Penicillium aurantiogriseum and Rhizoctonia solani stood out in volumetric and specific collagenase activity. The only article found that made sequencing of a true collagenase showed 100% homology with several metalloproteinases fungi. A clear gap in literature about collagenase production by fungi was verified, which prevents further development in the area and increases the need for further studies, particularly full characterization of fungal collagenases with high specificity to collagen.

Breast cancer in Latin America: global burden, patterns, and risk factors / Cáncer de mama en América Latina: carga, patrones y factores de riesgo

Breast cancer is a major public health problem in Latin America (LA) and the most common form of cancer among women. An important variability according to ethnicity/race with respect to incidence/mortality, clinical characteristics, and prognosis is observed throughout LA. In addition, women are more likely to develop breast cancer (BC) at younger age and to be diagnosed at an advanced stage compared to western women. While little is known about specific risk factors, changes in reproductive pattern (parity, breastfeeding) and lifestyle factors including sedentary behaviours, unhealthy diet, and alcohol intake may contribute to the increase of BC incidence. In this paper we give an overview of the burden and patterns of BC, review the leading causes of BC and discuss the possible ways to improve BC prevention and control in LA.

El cáncer de mama (CaMa) es uno de los mayores problemas de salud pública en América Latina (AL) y el cáncer más frecuente en mujeres. Se observa una importante variabilidad en la incidencia/mortalidad, las características clínicas y el pronóstico según la etnia/raza a lo largo de AL. Además, las mujeres latinoamericanas son más propensas a desarrollar CaMa en edades más tempranas y a ser diagnosticadas en una etapa más avanzada, comparando con mujeres occidentales. Aunque poco se sabe sobre sus factores de riesgo específicos, cambios en los patrones reproductivos (paridad y lactancia) y estilos de vida, incluyendo los hábitos sedentarios, las dietas poco saludables y el consumo de alcohol, podrían contribuir al incremento de la incidencia del CaMa. En este artículo se da una visión general de la carga y los patrones del CaMa, se revisan las causas principales del CaMa y se discuten posibles vías para mejorar la prevención y el control del CaMa en AL.

Matrix metalloproteinases and lung injury

The dynamic equilibrium of extracellular matrix (ECM) under different physiological conditions is a consequence of the balance between the regulation of synthesis and degradation of ECM components. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of structurally related zinc-dependent endopeptidases, are the physiological mediators of matrix remodeling. The expression and activity of these enzymes are highly regulated at several intra- and extracellular levels, so that in vivo enzymatic activity is the final result of a complex series of events including gene expression, zymogen activation, matrix binding, and enzymatic inhibition. MMPs are expressed at low levels in normal adult tissues, and their upregulation appears to play an important role in the development of a number of pathological processes. In acute lung injury, a disorder characterized by a severe disruption of the gas exchange alveolo-capillary structures, the upregulation of interstitial collagenase and gelatinases A and B strongly suggests that MMPs contribute to acute lung damage by facilitating the migration of inflammatory cells, as well as to the disruption of basement membrane components and extracellular matrix remodeling.