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An S, Yamashita M, Iguchi S, Kihara T, Kamon E, Ishikawa K, Kobayashi M, Ishimizu T. Biochemical Characterization of Parsley Glycosyltransferases Involved in the Biosynthesis of a Flavonoid Glycoside, Apiin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17118. [PMID: 38069442 PMCID: PMC10706860 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavonoid glycoside apiin (apigenin 7-O-[β-D-apiosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucoside]) is abundant in apiaceous and asteraceous plants, including celery and parsley. Although several enzymes involved in apiin biosynthesis have been identified in celery, many of the enzymes in parsley (Petroselinum crispum) have not been identified. In this study, we identified parsley genes encoding the glucosyltransferase, PcGlcT, and the apiosyltransferase, PcApiT, that catalyze the glycosylation steps of apiin biosynthesis. Their substrate specificities showed that they were involved in the biosynthesis of some flavonoid 7-O-apiosylglucosides, including apiin. The expression profiles of PcGlcT and PcApiT were closely correlated with the accumulation of flavonoid 7-O-apiosylglucosides in parsley organs and developmental stages. These findings support the idea that PcGlcT and PcApiT are involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoid 7-O-apiosylglucosides in parsley. The identification of these genes will elucidate the physiological significance of apiin and the development of apiin production methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song An
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Maho Yamashita
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Sho Iguchi
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Taketo Kihara
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Eri Kamon
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ishikawa
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
- Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
| | - Masaru Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishimizu
- College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Nojihigashi, Kusatsu 525-8577, Shiga, Japan
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Egoyan A, Parulava G, Baker S, Gilhen-Baker M, Roviello GN. Movement Asymmetries: From Their Molecular Origin to the Analysis of Movement Asymmetries in Athletes. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2127. [PMID: 38004267 PMCID: PMC10672360 DOI: 10.3390/life13112127] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymmetry plays a major role in biology at all scales. This can be seen in the helix of DNA, the fact that the human heart is on the left side, or that most people use their right hand. A single protein such as Myosin 1D can induce helical motion in another molecule. This causes cells, organs, and even entire bodies to twist in a domino effect, causing left-right behaviour. More generally, athlete movements are often asymmetric and, during the physical rehabilitation after injury, the asymmetry is visually discernible. Herein, we review the molecular basis of the movement asymmetries and report on the available knowledge on the few therapeutics investigated so far such as meloxicam. From a more rehabilitative perspective, it is very important to use effective methods to control the process of resolving the injury-related movement asymmetry through the complex use of specialised exercises, measurements, and gait analysis, which can all provide useful information on the effectiveness of the rehabilitation plans. If for each athlete, the normal range of asymmetry is known, the asymmetry can be individually treated and the evolution can be monitored over time. Appropriate measures should be taken if the movement asymmetry is outside this range. In addition, genetic, physiological, and psychological factors relevant to athlete health should be considered in the process of assessing and improving exercise asymmetry, which we also discuss in this review. The main proposal of this work is that the movement asymmetries in athletes should be individually treated, while taking into account the athlete's genetics, physical condition, and previous injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Egoyan
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Giorgi Parulava
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Steven Baker
- Compete Physiotherapy Ltd., Unit 1, Bridge Mill, Cowan Bridge, Carnforth LA6 2HS, UK;
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Interaction of Laurusides 1 and 2 with the 3C-like Protease (Mpro) from Wild-Type and Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065511. [PMID: 36982585 PMCID: PMC10054487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Laurus nobilis (bay laurel) is a natural source of biological compounds, and some of its extracts and phytocompounds are also endowed with antiviral activity toward the family of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated β-coronaviruses. Some glycosidic laurel compounds such as laurusides were proposed as inhibitors of important protein targets of SARS-CoV-2, which clearly recalls their potential as anti-COVID-19 drugs. Due to the frequent genomic variations of the β-coronaviruses and the consequent importance of evaluating a new drug candidate with respect to the variants of the target β-coronavirus, we decided to investigate at an atomistic level the molecular interactions of the potential laurel-derived drugs laurusides 1 and 2 (L01 and L02, respectively) toward a well-conserved and crucial target, the 3C-like protease (Mpro), using the enzymes of both the wild-type of SARS-CoV-2 and of the more recent Omicron variant. Thus, we performed molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of laurusides—SARS-CoV-2 protease complexes to deepen the knowledge on the stability of the interaction and compare the effects of the targeting among the two genomic variants. We found that the Omicron mutation does not significantly impact the lauruside binding and that L02 connects more stably with respect to L01 in the complexes from both variants, even though both compounds prevalently interact within the same binding pocket. Although purely in silico, the current study highlights the potential role of bay laurel phytocompounds in the antiviral and specifically anti-coronavirus research and shows their potential binding toward Mpro, corroborating the important commitment of bay laurel as functional food and disclosing novel scenarios of lauruside-based antiviral therapies.
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Baker S, Gilhen-Baker M, Roviello GN. The Role of Nutrition and Forest-Bathing in the Physical Rehabilitation of Physically Inactive Patients: From the Molecular Aspects to New Nature-Inspired Techniques. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010793. [PMID: 36613115 PMCID: PMC9819495 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Physical rehabilitation plays a fundamental role in the management of individuals with disabilities associated with age-related muscle loss or affected by catastrophic conditions such as trauma, surgery, cancer or other severe pathologies. These events have in common an extended period of physical inactivity. Patients who undergo prolonged bed rest often present with a number of complications; for example, muscle loss that can exacerbate existing conditions determined by sarcopenia, which in turn greatly limits physical functions. The main scope of this work is to summarize certain key strategies for the physiotherapeutic management of physically inactive patients, regardless of the reason behind their prolonged bed rest, with a particular focus on physical rehabilitation, nutrition and forest-bathing. The importance of correct nutrition in counter-acting the loss of muscle mass and consequent function is explored alongside a description of the main nutrients that are needed for muscle regeneration. From a biomolecular perspective, some specific molecular mechanisms associated with physical rehabilitation are also reported not only in the context of physical therapy, but also within nature-inspired techniques, such as forest-bathing as well as body self-healing. Combining a targeted physiotherapeutic approach with an appropriate diet as well as nature-based therapy could thus help with the recovery of bed ridden patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Baker
- Compete Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, Unit 1 Bridge Mill—Cowan Bridge, Carnforth LA6 2HS, UK
| | | | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0812203415
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Greco F, Falanga AP, Terracciano M, D’Ambrosio C, Piccialli G, Oliviero G, Roviello GN, Borbone N. CD, UV, and In Silico Insights on the Effect of 1,3-Bis(1'-uracilyl)-2-propanone on Serum Albumin Structure. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1071. [PMID: 36008965 PMCID: PMC9405946 DOI: 10.3390/biom12081071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
1,3-diaryl-2-propanone derivatives are synthetic compounds used as building blocks for the realization not only of antimicrobial drugs but also of new nanomaterials thanks to their ability to self-assemble in solution and interact with nucleopeptides. However, their ability to interact with proteins is a scarcely investigated theme considering the therapeutic importance that 1,3-diaryl-2-propanones could have in the modulation of protein-driven processes. Within this scope, we investigated the protein binding ability of 1,3-bis(1'-uracilyl)-2-propanone, which was previously synthesized in our laboratory utilizing a Dakin-West reaction and herein indicated as U2O, using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the model protein. Through circular dichroism (CD) and UV spectroscopy, we demonstrated that the compound, but not the similar thymine derivative T2O, was able to alter the secondary structure of the serum albumin leading to significant consequences in terms of BSA structure with respect to the unbound protein (Δβ-turn + Δβ-sheet = +23.6%, Δα = -16.7%) as revealed in our CD binding studies. Moreover, molecular docking studies suggested that U2O is preferentially housed in the domain IIIB of the protein, and its affinity for the albumin is higher than that of the reference ligand HA 14-1 (HDOCK score (top 1-3 poses): -157.11 ± 1.38 (U2O); -129.80 ± 6.92 (HA 14-1); binding energy: -7.6 kcal/mol (U2O); -5.9 kcal/mol (HA 14-1)) and T2O (HDOCK score (top 1-3 poses): -149.93 ± 2.35; binding energy: -7.0 kcal/mol). Overall, the above findings suggest the ability of 1,3-bis(1'-uracilyl)-2-propanone to bind serum albumins and the observed reduction of the α-helix structure with the concomitant increase in the β-structure are consistent with a partial protein destabilization due to the interaction with U2O.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Greco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Andrea Patrizia Falanga
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Monica Terracciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “Eduardo Caianiello”, Italian National Council of Research (ISASI-CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlotta D’Ambrosio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
- ISBE-IT, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- ISBE-IT, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 80138 Naples, Italy;
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nicola Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (F.G.); (A.P.F.); (M.T.); (C.D.); (G.P.); (N.B.)
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “Eduardo Caianiello”, Italian National Council of Research (ISASI-CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- ISBE-IT, University of Naples Federico II, Corso Umberto I, 80138 Naples, Italy;
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