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Senra MVX. In silico characterization of cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins from neglected unicellular microeukaryotes. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:82. [PMID: 36966312 PMCID: PMC10040121 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of multi-resistant pathogens have increased dramatically in recent years, becoming a major public-health concern. Among other promising antimicrobial molecules with potential to assist in this worldwide struggle, cysteine-stabilized αβ (CS-αβ) defensins are attracting attention due their efficacy, stability, and broad spectrum against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists, including many known human pathogens. RESULTS Here, 23 genomes of ciliated protists were screened and two CS-αβ defensins with a likely antifungal activity were identified and characterized, using bioinformatics, from a culturable freshwater species, Laurentiella sp. (LsAMP-1 and LsAMP-2). Although any potential cellular ligand could be predicted for LsAMP-2; evidences from structural, molecular dynamics, and docking analyses suggest that LsAMP-1 may form stably associations with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP2), a phospholipid found on many eukaryotic cells, which could, in turn, represent an anchorage mechanism within plasma membrane of targeted cells. CONCLUSION These data stress that more biotechnology-oriented studies should be conducted on neglected protists, such ciliates, which could become valuable sources of novel bioactive molecules for therapeutic uses.
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Bertoli A, LoBue A, Quattrini L, Sartini S, Polini B, Carpi S, Frontini FP, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Nieri P, La Motta C. Complexing the Marine Sesquiterpene Euplotin C by Means of Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: A Preliminary Investigation. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:682. [PMID: 36355005 PMCID: PMC9692710 DOI: 10.3390/md20110682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Euplotin C is a sesquiterpene of marine origin endowed with significant anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties. Despite the promising functional profile, its progress as a novel drug candidate has failed so far, due to its scarce solubility and poor stability in aqueous media, such as biological fluids. Therefore, overcoming these limits is an intriguing challenge for the scientific community. In this work, we synthesized β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and investigated their use as colloidal carriers for stably complex euplotin C. Results obtained proved the ability of the carrier to include the natural compound, showing remarkable values of both loading efficiency and capacity. Moreover, it also allowed us to preserve the chemical structure of the loaded compound, which was recovered unaltered once extracted from the complex. Therefore, the use of β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges represents a viable option to vehiculate euplotin C, thus opening up its possible use as pharmacologically active compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bertoli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Marine Pharma Centre, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anthea LoBue
- Myocardial Infarction Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Angiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Luca Quattrini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Sartini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Polini
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, Via Paradisa 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Carpi
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza San Silvestro, 56127 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Graziano Di Giuseppe
- Marine Pharma Centre, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Luca Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Physic, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38050 Povo Trento, Italy
| | - Paola Nieri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Marine Pharma Centre, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Concettina La Motta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Marine Pharma Centre, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Alimenti C, Buonanno F, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Luporini P, Ortenzi C, Vallesi A. Bioactive Molecules from Ciliates: Structure, Activity, and Applicative Potential. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12887. [PMID: 35014102 PMCID: PMC9542385 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ciliates are a rich source of molecules synthesized to socialize, compete ecologically, and interact with prey and predators. Their isolation from laboratory cultures is often straightforward, permitting the study of their mechanisms of action and their assessment for applied research. This review focuses on three classes of these bioactive molecules: (i) water‐borne, cysteine‐rich proteins that are used as signaling pheromones in self/nonself recognition phenomena; (ii) cell membrane‐associated lipophilic terpenoids that are used in interspecies competitions for habitat colonization; (iii) cortical granule‐associated molecules of various chemical nature that primarily serve offence/defense functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Alimenti
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - F Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - G Di Giuseppe
- Unit of Protistology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; MARinePHARMA Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - G Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Lab, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - P Luporini
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - C Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - A Vallesi
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
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4
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Anti-leishmanial compounds from microbial metabolites: a promising source. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:8227-8240. [PMID: 34625819 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11610-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania is a complex disease caused by the protozoan parasites and transmitted by female phlebotomine sandfly. The disease affects some of the poorest people on earth with an estimated 700,000 to 1 million new cases annually. The current treatment for leishmaniasis is toxic, long, and limited, in view of the high resistance rate presented by the parasite, necessitating new perspectives for treatment. The discovery of new compounds with different targets can be a hope to make the treatment more efficient. Microbial metabolites and their structural analogues with enormous scaffold diversity and structural complexity have historically played a key role in drug discovery. We found thirty-nine research articles published between 1999 and 2021 in the scientific database (PubMed, Science Direct) describing microbes and their metabolites with activity against leishmanial parasites which is the focus of this review. KEY POINTS: • Leishmania affects the poorest regions of the globe • Current treatments for leishmaniasis are toxic and of limited efficacy • Microbial metabolites are potential sources of antileishmania drugs.
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Wei J, Gou Z, Wen Y, Luo Q, Huang Z. Marine compounds targeting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 129:110484. [PMID: 32768966 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease characterized by overproliferation, including that due to transformation, apoptosis disorders, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis, and is one of the deadliest diseases. Currently, conservative chemotherapy is used for cancer treatment due to a lack of effective drugs. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway plays a very essential role in the pathogenesis of many cancers, and abnormal activation of this pathway leads to abnormal expression of a series of downstream proteins, which ultimately results in the excessive proliferation of cancer cells. Therefore, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is a critical target in cancer treatment. Marine drugs have attracted much attention in recent years, and studies have found that many extracts from oceanic animals, plants and microorganisms or their metabolites exert antitumor effects, including antiproliferative effects or the induction of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or autophagy. However, most anticancer targets and the mechanisms of marine compounds remain unclear. The great potential of the development of marine drugs provides a new direction for cancer treatment. This review focuses on marine compounds that target the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway for the prevention and treatment of cancer and provides comprehensive information for those interested in research on marine drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaen Wei
- Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Research Platform Service Management Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Zhanping Gou
- Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Ying Wen
- Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Qiaohong Luo
- Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Zunnan Huang
- Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Natural Drugs of Guangdong Province, School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Key Laboratory of Big Data Mining and Precision Drug Design of Guangdong Medical University, Research Platform Service Management Center, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China.
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6
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Anticancer Activity of Euplotin C, Isolated from the Marine Ciliate Euplotes crassus, Against Human Melanoma Cells. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16050166. [PMID: 29772645 PMCID: PMC5983297 DOI: 10.3390/md16050166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, so new cytotoxic weapons against novel targets in melanoma are of great interest. Euplotin C (EC), a cytotoxic secondary metabolite of the marine ciliate Euplotes crassus, was evaluated in the present study on human cutaneous melanoma cells to explore its anti-melanoma activity and to gain more insight into its mechanism of action. EC exerted a marked cytotoxic effect against three different human melanoma cell lines (A375, 501Mel and MeWo) with a potency about 30-fold higher than that observed in non-cancer cells (HDFa cells). A pro-apoptotic activity and a decrease in melanoma cell migration by EC were also observed. At the molecular level, the inhibition of the Erk and Akt pathways, which control many aspects of melanoma aggressiveness, was shown. EC cytotoxicity was antagonized by dantrolene, a ryanodine receptor (RyR) antagonist, in a concentration-dependent manner. A role of RyR as a direct target of EC was also suggested by molecular modelling studies. In conclusion, our data provide the first evidence of the anti-melanoma activity of EC, suggesting it may be a promising new scaffold for the development of selective activators of RyR to be used for the treatment of melanoma and other cancer types.
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7
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Catalani E, Proietti Serafini F, Zecchini S, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Marcantoni E, Buonanno F, Ortenzi C, Perrotta C, Cervia D. Natural products from aquatic eukaryotic microorganisms for cancer therapy: Perspectives on anti-tumour properties of ciliate bioactive molecules. Pharmacol Res 2016; 113:409-420. [PMID: 27650755 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several modern drugs, including those for cancer therapy, have been isolated from natural sources, are based on natural products and its derivatives, or mime natural products. Some of them are in clinical use, others in clinical trials. The success of natural products in drug discovery is related to their biochemical characteristics and to the technologic methods used to study their feature. Natural compounds may acts as chemo-preventive agents and as factors that increase therapeutic efficacy of existing drugs, thus overcoming cancer cell drug resistance that is the main factor determining the failure in conventional chemotherapy. Water environment, because of its physical and chemical conditions, shows an extraordinary collection of natural biological substances with an extensive structural and functional diversity. The isolation of bioactive molecules has been reported from a great variety of aquatic organisms; however, the therapeutic application of molecules from eukaryotic microorganisms remains inadequately investigated and underexploited on a systematic basis. Herein we describe the biological activities in mammalian cells of selected substances isolated from ciliates, free-living protozoa common almost everywhere there is water, focusing on their anti-tumour actions and their possible therapeutic activity. In particular, we unveil the cellular and molecular machine mediating the effects of cell type-specific signalling protein pheromone Er-1 and secondary metabolites, i.e. euplotin C and climacostol, in cancer cells. To support the feasibility of climacostol-based approaches, we also present novel findings and report additional mechanisms of action using both in vitro and in vivo models of mouse melanomas, with the scope of highlighting new frontiers that can be explored also in a therapeutic perspective. The high skeletal chemical difference of ciliate compounds, their sustainability and availability, also through the use of new organic synthesis/modifications processes, and the results obtained so far in biological studies provide a rationale to consider some of them a potential resource for the design of new anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesca Proietti Serafini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital "Luigi Sacco"-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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8
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Anesi A, Buonanno F, di Giuseppe G, Ortenzi C, Guella G. Metabolites from the Euryhaline CiliatePseudokeronopsis erythrina. European J Org Chem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201501424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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9
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Bernal FA, Coy-Barrera E. In-silico analyses of sesquiterpene-related compounds on selected Leishmania enzyme-based targets. Molecules 2014; 19:5550-69. [PMID: 24786692 PMCID: PMC6271876 DOI: 10.3390/molecules19055550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A great number of sesquiterpenes are reported in the available literature as good antileishmanial leads. However, their mode of action at the molecular level has not been elucidated. The lack of molecular studies could be considered an impediment for studies seeking to improve sesquiterpene-based drug design. The present in silico study allows us to make important observations about the molecular details of the binding modes of a set of antileishmanial sesquiterpenes against four drug-enzyme targets [pteridine reductase-1 (PTR1), N-myristoyl transferase (NMT), cysteine synthase (CS), trypanothione synthetase (TryS)]. Through molecular docking it was found that two sesquiterpene coumarins are promising leads for the PTR1 and TryS inhibition purposes, and some xanthanolides also exhibited better affinity towards PTR1 and CS binding. In addition, the affinity values were clustered by Principal Component Analysis and drug-like properties were analyzed for the strongest-docking sesquiterpenes. The results are an excellent starting point for future studies of structural optimization of this kind of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy A Bernal
- Laboratorio de Química Bioorgánica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cundinamarca 250240, AA 49300, Colombia.
| | - Ericsson Coy-Barrera
- Laboratorio de Química Bioorgánica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Cundinamarca 250240, AA 49300, Colombia.
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Buonanno F, Anesi A, Guella G, Kumar S, Bharti D, La Terza A, Quassinti L, Bramucci M, Ortenzi C. Chemical Offense by Means of Toxicysts in the Freshwater Ciliate, Coleps hirtus. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2014; 61:293-304. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 01/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education; University of Macerata; P.le Bertelli 1 62100 Macerata Italy
| | - Andrea Anesi
- Department of Physics; Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory; University of Trento; 38123 Povo Trento Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- Department of Physics; Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory; University of Trento; 38123 Povo Trento Italy
| | - Santosh Kumar
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
- Ciliate Biology Laboratory; Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College; University of Delhi; Delhi 110007 India
| | - Daizy Bharti
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
- Ciliate Biology Laboratory; Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College; University of Delhi; Delhi 110007 India
| | - Antonietta La Terza
- School of Environmental Sciences; Section of Animal and Molecular Ecology; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Luana Quassinti
- Section of Physiology; School of Pharmacy; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Massimo Bramucci
- Section of Physiology; School of Pharmacy; University of Camerino; Via Gentile III da Varano 62032 Camerino (MC) Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education; University of Macerata; P.le Bertelli 1 62100 Macerata Italy
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Cervia D, Catalani E, Belardinelli MC, Perrotta C, Picchietti S, Alimenti C, Casini G, Fausto AM, Vallesi A. The protein pheromone Er-1 of the ciliate Euplotes raikovi stimulates human T-cell activity: Involvement of interleukin-2 system. Exp Cell Res 2013; 319:56-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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12
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Guella G, Callone E, Mancini I, Dini F, Di Giuseppe G. Diterpenoids from Marine Ciliates: Chemical Polymorphism of Euplotes rariseta. European J Org Chem 2012. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201200559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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14
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Structures, biological activities and phylogenetic relationships of terpenoids from marine ciliates of the genus Euplotes. Mar Drugs 2010; 8:2080-116. [PMID: 20714425 PMCID: PMC2920544 DOI: 10.3390/md8072080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, large scale axenic cell cultures of the marine species comprising the family Euplotidae have resulted in the isolation of several new classes of terpenoids with unprecedented carbon skeletons including the (i) euplotins, highly strained acetylated sesquiterpene hemiacetals; (ii) raikovenals, built on the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane ring system; (iii) rarisetenolides and focardins containing an octahydroazulene moiety; and (iv) vannusals, with a unique C30 backbone. Their complex structures have been elucidated through a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, molecular mechanics and quantum chemical calculations. Despite the limited number of biosynthetic experiments having been performed, the large diversity of ciliate terpenoids has facilitated the proposal of biosynthetic pathways whereby they are produced from classical linear precursors. Herein, the similarities and differences emerging from the comparison of the classical chemotaxonomy approach based on secondary metabolites, with species phylogenesis based on genetic descriptors (SSU-rDNA), will be discussed. Results on the interesting ecological and biological properties of ciliate terpenoids are also reported.
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Guella G, Frassanito R, Mancini I, Sandron T, Modeo L, Verni F, Dini F, Petroni G. Keronopsamides, a New Class of Pigments from Marine Ciliates. European J Org Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.200900905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Ramoino P, Dini F, Bianchini P, Diaspro A, Guella G, Usai C. Biophysical effects of the natural product euplotin C on the Paramecium membrane. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2009; 195:1061-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-009-0479-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2009] [Revised: 09/05/2009] [Accepted: 09/07/2009] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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17
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CERVIA DAVIDE, DI GIUSEPPE GRAZIANO, RISTORI CHIARA, MARTINI DAVIDE, GAMBELLINI GABRIELLA, BAGNOLI PAOLA, DINI FERNANDO. The Secondary Metabolite Euplotin C Induces Apoptosis-Like Death in the Marine Ciliated ProtistEuplotes vannus. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2009; 56:263-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2009.00396.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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18
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Buonanno F, Quassinti L, Bramucci M, Amantini C, Lucciarini R, Santoni G, Iio H, Ortenzi C. The protozoan toxin climacostol inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human tumor cell lines. Chem Biol Interact 2008; 176:151-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2008] [Revised: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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19
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Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of dermaseptin S1 analogues. Bioorg Med Chem 2008; 16:8205-9. [PMID: 18676150 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Revised: 07/04/2008] [Accepted: 07/16/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dermaseptins are peptides found in the skin secretions of Phyllomedusinae frogs. These peptides exert lytic action on some microorganisms without substantial haemolysis. In an attempt to understand the antimicrobial activity of these peptides we designed several dermaseptin S1 (ALWKTMLKKLGTMALHAGKAALGAAADTISQGTQ) (DS1) analogues. All peptides were tested on the growth of prokaryotic (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) and eukaryotic (the yeast Candida albicans and the protozoon Leishmania major) organisms. Our data showed a dose-dependent killing effect by most DS1 derivatives. Maximal antibacterial activity was displayed by a 16-mer peptide that was more active than native DS1.
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Ramoino P, Usai C, Maccione S, Beltrame F, Diaspro A, Fato M, Guella G, Dini F. Effect of the bioactive metabolite euplotin C on phagocytosis and fluid-phase endocytosis in the single-celled eukaryote Paramecium. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2007; 85:67-75. [PMID: 17875329 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2007.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2007] [Revised: 08/02/2007] [Accepted: 08/03/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The effect of euplotin C -- a lipophilic bioactive metabolite produced by the ciliate Euplotes crassus -- on the kinetics of both phagocytosis of latex particles and fluid-phase uptake of dextran, was studied in the single-cell ciliate Paramecium primaurelia. The inhibition of food vacuole formation was concentration- and time-dependent (p<0.001), even if euplotin C did not completely block the phagocytosis. Following a 15 min treatment with a euplotin C (0.5 microg/ml), the latex particle uptake was inhibited up to 25%. Furthermore, the pretreatment of cells with taxol strongly counteracted euplotin C effect. The amount of extracellularly provided dextran, which is internalized exclusively by fluid-phase uptake, was quantified in cells whose phagocytic activity was blocked by trifluoperazine. The amount of the internalized dextran was about 50% of that in controls after 15 min incubation in the presence of euplotin C. Fluorescence confocal images showed that no endosomes were formed on the surface of these cells. The effect of euplotin C on the food vacuole formation and fluid-phase endocytosis is apparently mediated by a modification of microtubule network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ramoino
- Dipartimento per lo Studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse (DIP.TE.RIS.), Università di Genova, Corso Europa 26, I-16132, Genova, Italy.
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21
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Guella G, Callone E, Di Giuseppe G, Frassanito R, Frontini FP, Mancini I, Dini F. Hemivannusal and Prevannusadials – New Sesquiterpenoids from the Marine Ciliate ProtistEuplotes vannus: The Putative Biogenetic Precursors of Dimeric Terpenoid Vannusals. European J Org Chem 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.200700455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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22
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Silva-Lopez RE, Morgado-Díaz JA, Chávez MA, Giovanni-De-Simone S. Effects of serine protease inhibitors on viability and morphology of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes. Parasitol Res 2007; 101:1627-35. [PMID: 17726617 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0706-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/27/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the importance of serine proteases in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes, we analyzed the effects of classical serine protease inhibitors and a Kunitz-type inhibitor, obtained from sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus (ShPI-I), on the viability and morphology of parasites in culture. Classical inhibitors were selected on the basis of their ability to inhibit L. amazonensis serine proteases, previously described. The N-tosyl-L: -phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) and benzamidine (Bza) inhibitors, which are potential Leishmania proteases inhibitors, in all experimental conditions reduced the parasite viability, with regard to time dependence. On the other hand, N-tosyl-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) did not significantly affect the parasite viability, as it was poor Leishmania enzymes inhibitor. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that both Bza and TPCK induced changes in the flagellar pocket region with membrane alteration, including bleb formation. However, TPCK effects were more pronounced than those of Bza in Leishmania flagellar pocket in plasma membrane, and intracellular vesicular bodies was visualized. ShPI-I proved to be a powerful inhibitor of L. amazonensis serine proteases and the parasite viability. The ultrastructural alterations caused by ShPI-I were more dramatic than those induced by the classical inhibitors. Vesiculation of the flagellar pocket membrane, the appearance of a cytoplasmic vesicle that resembles an autophagic vacuole, and alterations of promastigotes shape resulted.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Silva-Lopez
- Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil 4365, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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23
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Mayer AMS, Rodríguez AD, Berlinck RGS, Hamann MT. Marine pharmacology in 2003-4: marine compounds with anthelmintic antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiplatelet, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis, and antiviral activities; affecting the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems, and other miscellaneous mechanisms of action. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2007; 145:553-81. [PMID: 17392033 PMCID: PMC2151674 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2007.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2006] [Revised: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 01/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The current marine pharmacology review that covers the peer-reviewed literature during 2003 and 2004 is a sequel to the authors' 1998-2002 reviews, and highlights the preclinical pharmacology of 166 marine chemicals derived from a diverse group of marine animals, algae, fungi and bacteria. Anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, antifungal, antimalarial, antiplatelet, antiprotozoal, antituberculosis or antiviral activities were reported for 67 marine chemicals. Additionally 45 marine compounds were shown to have significant effects on the cardiovascular, immune and nervous system as well as possessing anti-inflammatory effects. Finally, 54 marine compounds were reported to act on a variety of molecular targets and thus may potentially contribute to several pharmacological classes. Thus, during 2003-2004, research on the pharmacology of marine natural products which involved investigators from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States, contributed numerous chemical leads for the continued global search for novel therapeutic agents with broad spectrum activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro M S Mayer
- Department of Pharmacology, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, USA.
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Cervia D, Garcia-Gil M, Simonetti E, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Bagnoli P, Dini F. Molecular mechanisms of euplotin C-induced apoptosis: involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and proteases. Apoptosis 2007; 12:1349-63. [PMID: 17440817 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-007-0075-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The metabolite euplotin C (EC), isolated from the marine ciliate Euplotes crassus, is a powerful cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic agent in tumour cell lines. For instance, EC induces the rapid depletion of ryanodine Ca(2+) stores, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, and the activation of caspase-3, leading to apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to gain further insight into the mechanisms of EC-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. We found that EC increases Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and that Bax is responsible of the EC-induced dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)). In addition, EC induces the generation of reactive oxygene species (ROS) without involvement of p53. The inhibition of ROS generation prevents, at least in part, the pro-apoptotic effects of EC as well as the effects of EC on Bax, Deltapsi(m) and intracellular free Ca(2+), indicating a cross-talk between different pathways. However, definition of the effector cascade turns out to be more complex than expected and caspase-independent mechanisms, acting in parallel with caspases, should also be considered. Among them, EC increases the expression/activity of calpains downstream of ROS generation, although calpains seem to exert protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cervia
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
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Cervia D, Martini D, Garcia-Gil M, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Dini F, Bagnoli P. Cytotoxic effects and apoptotic signalling mechanisms of the sesquiterpenoid euplotin C, a secondary metabolite of the marine ciliate Euplotes crassus, in tumour cells. Apoptosis 2006; 11:829-43. [PMID: 16534550 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-5700-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Most antitumour agents with cytotoxic properties induce apoptosis. The lipophilic compound euplotin C, isolated from the ciliate Euplotes crassus, is toxic to a number of different opportunistic or pathogenic microorganisms, although its mechanism of action is currently unknown. We report here that euplotin C is a powerful cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic agent in mouse AtT-20 and rat PC12 tumour-derived cell lines. In addition, we provide evidence that euplotin C treatment results in rapid activation of ryanodine receptors, depletion of Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria, activation of caspase-12, and activation of caspase-3, leading to apoptosis. Intracellular Ca2+ overload is an early event which induces apoptosis and is parallelled by ER stress and the release of cytochrome c, whereas caspase-12 may be activated by euplotin C at a later stage in the apoptosis pathway. These events, either independently or concomitantly, lead to the activation of the caspase-3 and its downstream effectors, triggering the cell to undergo apoptosis. These results demonstrate that euplotin C may be considered for the design of cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Cervia
- Dipartimento di Fisiologia e Biochimica G. Moruzzi, via S. Zeno, 56127, Pisa, Italy.
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Savoia D, Scutera S, Raimondo S, Conti S, Magliani W, Polonelli L. Activity of an engineered synthetic killer peptide on Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum promastigotes. Exp Parasitol 2006; 113:186-92. [PMID: 16487518 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2006.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2005] [Revised: 01/05/2006] [Accepted: 01/06/2006] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to analyze the effect of an engineered, killer decapeptide (KP) on Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum promastigotes. The KP was synthesized on the basis of the sequence of a recombinant, single-chain anti-idiotypic antibody acting as a functional internal image of a yeast killer toxin. The evaluation of in vitro inhibitory activity of KP on L. major and L. infantum, release of intracellular green fluorescent protein (GFP) molecules by L. major, DNA fragmentation, and ultrastructural analysis (TEM) of L. infantum upon KP treatment were performed. KP presented antiproliferative and leishmanicidal activity with LC(50)/1 day of 58 and 72 microM for L. major and L. infantum, respectively. A dose-dependent decrease in proliferation and increase of killing of promastigotes was seen after KP treatment. No DNA fragmentation in L. infantum promastigotes or release of intracellular GFP molecules on peptide treatment of a GFP expressing L. major clone was demonstrated. Moreover the plasma-membrane was not disrupted, but, by TEM analysis, intracellular damage was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianella Savoia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, at S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10143 Orbassano (To), Italy.
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Abstract
This review covers the literature published in 2004 for marine natural products, with 693 citations (491 for the period January to December 2004) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates and echinoderms. The emphasis is on new compounds (716 for 2004), together with their relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies (8), and syntheses (80), including those that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Blunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Savoia D, Allice T, Tovo PA. Antileishmanial activity of HIV protease inhibitors. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2005; 26:92-4. [PMID: 15955671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2005.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2005] [Accepted: 04/06/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The proteasomes of some protozoa are possible targets for chemotherapy. Leishmaniasis is a major health problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected subjects. Two HIV protease inhibitors (PI), indinavir and saquinavir, have been shown to block proteasome functions; we therefore investigated their effects on the growth of two Leishmania spp. (Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum). After 24 h of treatment, both drugs exhibited a dose-dependent antileishmanial activity, with 50% lethal dose (LD50) values of, respectively, 8.3 microM and 7 microM on L. major; minor activity was observed on L. infantum. These results add new in vitro insights into the wide-spectrum efficacy of PI and suggest studying their action on amastigote forms of leishmania within macrophages in order to validate their potential contribution against opportunistic infections in treated seropositive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianella Savoia
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino at S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Torino, Italy.
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