Tag Archives: cell signaling

Department of Cell Signaling relay race of time: from studying the structure and function of individual proteins to analyzing protein–protein interaction networks

10.11.2025   Uncategorized

O. O. Hudkova, L. B. Drobot*

Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
Department of Cell Signaling, Kyiv;
*e-mail: drobot@biochem.kiev.ua

Received: 30 September 2025; Revised: 08 October 2025;
Accepted: 30 October 2025; Available on-line: 2025

The review presents the history of establishment, key achievements, and development prospects of the Department of Cell Signaling at the Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the NAS of Ukraine. As a structural unit of the institution, the Department was established in 2018 through the merger of two separate subdivisions: one of the oldest, the Department of Metabolic Regulation (founded in 1944), and the youngest, the Laboratory of Cell Signaling (founded in 2006). From its inception, the department’s primary research focus has been the study of the structure and functions of individual animal and microbial proteins. Significant contributions to the fundamental and applied achievements during that period were made by leaders of the Department, Dr.Sci., Professor Szörényi E.T., and Academician of NASU Huliy M.F., which were recognized with State Prizes of the USSR and the Ukrainian SSR (1953, 1978, 1988). Considerable attention has been given­ to transforming the department’s research direction to meet modern standards in molecular cell biology, a shift logically linked to the work of the unified unit under the leadership of Dr.Sci., Professor L.B. Drobot. This transformation involved not only the formal merger of two teams but also the integration of their scientific accomplishments and intellectual potential, combining traditional and innovative research approaches. The scientific paths of both subdivisions inevitably converged, necessitating joint investigations in response to contemporary challenges and societal demands. The department’s central focus became the elucidation of signaling mechanisms involved in the coordinated regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal and transformed cells with the participation of adaptor/scaffold protein Ruk/CIN85. Through the efforts of the department’s researchers, the pivotal role of Ruk/CIN85 in controlling the plasticity of tumor cells of various origins was convincingly demonstrated–particularly in the development of cancer stem cell traits, chemoresistance, tumor progression, and/or differentiation.

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Role of PARP and protein poly-ADP-ribosylation process in regulation of cell functions

23.02.2018   Uncategorized   No comments

V. R. Drel1, I. O. Shymanskyy2, N. О. Sybirna1, M. M. Veliky2

1Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine;
2Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail: drelvictor@gmail.com; ishymansk@inbox.ru

This review focuses on the biological role of enzymes involved in posttranslational modification of proteins by their poly-ADP-ribosylation, a NAD-consuming process with an emerging key role in providing fundamental cell functions. To this end, detailed analysis of structural organization in relation to basic functions of the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1), the founding member of the PARP family, and other poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase isoforms is presented here. These include the current views on the role of PARP family enzymes and processes of poly-ADP-ribosylation of proteins in chromatin structure remodeling, DNA damage repair, regulation of gene expression, and integration of cellular signaling pathways. Considerable attention is paid to the involvement of PARP in cellular functions, particularly in cell division, intracellular transport of macromolcules, proteasomal protein degradation, immune response and caspase-independent necrotic pathways defined as necroptosis (programmed necrosis). In the light of the remarkable successes that have been reported for treating inflammatory disorders and cancer with different classes of PARPs inhibitors, we discuss the prospects of targeting PARPs with therapeutic purposes.

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Role of plasminogen/plasmin in functional activity of blood cells

25.04.2016   Uncategorized   No comments

D. D. Zhernossekov, E. I. Yusova, T. V. Grinenko

Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail:grinenko@biochem.kiev.ua

The article deals with the data concerning structural peculiarities of plasminogen/plasmin molecule, which define the specificity of intermolecular interactions and provide the variety of its biological functions. The main principles of the modern classification of plasminogen receptors and factors, which modulate their expression, have been presented. We have considered the mechanisms regulating both plasmin formation and activity on the surface of cells, fibrin and proteins of extracellular matrix. The data of previous investigators and our own results, concerning the influence of plasminogen/plasmin on platelet aggregation induced by different agonists, have been summarized. The participation of plasminogen/plasmin in atherogenesis and angiogenesis mediated­ by endotheliocyte receptors has been discussed. Special attention was given to plasminogen/plasmin pro-inflammatory function, which is realized by regulatory processes of activation, secretion, migration and apoptosis of monocytes and macrophages.

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