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Randazzo A, Venturi S, Tassi F. Soil processes modify the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from CO 2- and CH 4-dominated geogenic and landfill gases: A comprehensive study. Sci Total Environ 2024; 923:171483. [PMID: 38458441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Degradation mechanisms affecting non-methane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during gas uprising from different hypogenic sources to the surface were investigated through extensive sampling surveys in areas encompassing a high enthalpy hydrothermal system associated with active volcanism, a CH4-rich sedimentary basin and a municipal waste landfill. For a comprehensive framework, published data from medium-to-high enthalpy hydrothermal systems were also included. The investigated systems were characterised by peculiar VOC suites that reflected the conditions of the genetic environments in which temperature, contents of organic matter, and gas fugacity had a major role. Differences in VOC patterns between source (gas vents and landfill gas) and soil gases indicated VOC transformations in soil. Processes acting in soil preferentially degraded high-molecular weight alkanes with respect to the low-molecular weight ones. Alkenes and cyclics roughly behaved like alkanes. Thiophenes were degraded to a larger extent with respect to alkylated benzenes, which were more reactive than benzene. Furan appeared less degraded than its alkylated homologues. Dimethylsulfoxide was generally favoured with respect to dimethylsulfide. Limonene and camphene were relatively unstable under aerobic conditions, while α-pinene was recalcitrant. O-bearing organic compounds (i.e., aldehydes, esters, ketones, alcohols, organic acids and phenol) acted as intermediate products of the ongoing VOC degradations in soil. No evidence for the degradation of halogenated compounds and benzothiazole was observed. This study pointed out how soil degradation processes reduce hypogenic VOC emissions and the important role played by physicochemical and biological parameters on the effective VOC attenuation capacity of the soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Randazzo
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - S Venturi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - F Tassi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Saviano A, Schettino A, Iaccarino N, Mansour AA, Begum J, Marigliano N, Raucci F, Romano F, Riccardi G, Mitidieri E, d'Emmanuele di Villa Bianca R, Bello I, Panza E, Smimmo M, Vellecco V, Rimmer P, Cheesbrough J, Zhi Z, Iqbal TH, Pieretti S, D'Amore VM, Marinelli L, La Pietra V, Sorrentino R, Costa L, Caso F, Scarpa R, Cirino G, Randazzo A, Bucci M, McGettrick HM, Iqbal AJ, Maione F. A reverse translational approach reveals the protective roles of Mangifera indica in inflammatory bowel disease. J Autoimmun 2024; 144:103181. [PMID: 38522129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic intestinal disorders often characterized by a dysregulation of T cells, specifically T helper (Th) 1, 17 and T regulatory (Treg) repertoire. Increasing evidence demonstrates that dietary polyphenols from Mangifera indica L. extract (MIE, commonly known as mango) mitigate intestinal inflammation and splenic Th17/Treg ratio. In this study, we aimed to dissect the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of MIE using a reverse translational approach, by initially using blood from an adult IBD inception cohort and then investigating the mechanism of action in a preclinical model of T cell-driven colitis. Of clinical relevance, MIE modulates TNF-α and IL-17 levels in LPS spiked sera from IBD patients as an ex vivo model of intestinal barrier breakdown. Preclinically, therapeutic administration of MIE significantly reduced colitis severity, pathogenic T-cell intestinal infiltrate and intestinal pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-22). Moreover, MIE reversed colitis-induced gut permeability and restored tight junction functionality and intestinal metabolites. Mechanistic insights revealed MIE had direct effects on blood vascular endothelial cells, blocking TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced up-regulation of COX-2 and the DP2 receptors. Collectively, we demonstrate the therapeutic potential of MIE to reverse the immunological perturbance during the onset of colitis and dampen the systemic inflammatory response, paving the way for its clinical use as nutraceutical and/or functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anella Saviano
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Schettino
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Adel Abo Mansour
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jenefa Begum
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Noemi Marigliano
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Raucci
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Gelsomina Riccardi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Emma Mitidieri
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Ivana Bello
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Panza
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Smimmo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Vellecco
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Peter Rimmer
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jonathan Cheesbrough
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK; Department of Gastroenterology, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Zhaogong Zhi
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Tariq H Iqbal
- Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK; Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB, UK
| | - Stefano Pieretti
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maria D'Amore
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Sorrentino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Luisa Costa
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Caso
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Scarpa
- Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cirino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Bucci
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Helen Michelle McGettrick
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing (IIA), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2WB, UK
| | - Asif Jilani Iqbal
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy; Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (ICVS), College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Francesco Maione
- ImmunoPharmaLab, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Gentile A, Fulgione A, Auzino B, Iovane V, Gallo D, Garramone R, Iaccarino N, Randazzo A, Iovane G, Cuomo P, Capparelli R, Iannelli D. In vivo biological validation of in silico analysis: A novel approach for predicting the effects of TLR4 exon 3 polymorphisms on brucellosis. Infect Genet Evol 2024; 118:105552. [PMID: 38218390 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The role of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is of recognising intracellular and extracellular pathogens and of activating the immune response. This process can be compromised by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which might affect the activity of several TLRs. The aim of this study is of ascertaining whether SNPs in the TLR4 of Bubalus bubalis infected by Brucella abortus, compromise the protein functionality. For this purpose, a computational analysis was performed. Next, computational predictions were confirmed by performing genotyping analysis. Finally, NMR-based metabolomics analysis was performed to identify potential biomarkers for brucellosis. The results indicate two SNPs (c. 672 A > C and c. 902 G > C) as risk factor for brucellosis in Bubalus bubalis, and three metabolites (lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetate) as biological markers for predicting the risk of developing the disease. These metabolites, together with TLR4 structural modifications in the MD2 interaction domain, are a clear signature of the immune system alteration during diverse Gram-negative bacterial infections. This suggests the possibility to extend this study to other pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In conclusion, this study combines multidisciplinary approaches to evaluate the biological and structural effects of SNPs on protein function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Gentile
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Andrea Fulgione
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Barbara Auzino
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Daniela Gallo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Raffaele Garramone
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Paola Cuomo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Rosanna Capparelli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy.
| | - Domenico Iannelli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
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Venturi S, Randazzo A, Cabassi J, Cinti D, Meloni F, Procesi M, Nisi B, Voltattorni N, Capecchiacci F, Ricci T, Vaselli O, Tassi F. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diffuse degassing areas: Interstitial soil gases as message bearers from deep hydrothermal reservoirs. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169047. [PMID: 38061657 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in interstitial soil gases from hydrothermal areas is commonly shaped by both deep hydrothermal conditions (e.g., temperature, redox, sulfur fugacity) and shallow secondary processes occurring near the soil-atmosphere interface. Caldara di Manziana and Solfatara di Nepi, i.e., two hydrothermal systems characterized by diverse physicochemical conditions located in the Sabatini Volcanic District and Vicano-Cimino Volcanic District, respectively (Central Italy), were investigated to evaluate the capability of VOCs in soil gases to preserve information from the respective feeding deep fluid reservoirs. Hierarchical cluster analyses and robust principal component analyses allowed recognition of distinct groups of chemical parameters of soil gases collected from the two study areas. The compositional dissimilarities from the free-gas discharges were indeed reflected by the chemical features of soil gases collected from each site, despite the occurrence of shallow processes, e.g., air mixing and microbial degradation processes, affecting VOCs. Four distinct groups of VOCs were recognized suggesting similar sources and/or geochemical behaviors, as follows: (i) S-bearing compounds, whose abundance (in particular that of thiophenes) was strictly dependent on the sulfur fugacity in the feeding system; (ii) C4,5,7+ alkanes, n-hexane, cyclics and alkylated aromatics, related to relatively low-temperature conditions at the gas source; (iii) C2,3 alkanes, benzene, benzaldehyde and phenol, i.e., stable compounds and thermal degradation products; and (iv) aliphatic O-bearing compounds, largely influenced by shallow processes within the soil. However, they maintain a chemical speciation that preserves a signature derived from the supplying deep-fluids, with aldehydes and ketones becoming more enriched after intense interaction of the hypogenic fluids with shallow aquifers. Accordingly, the empirical results of this study suggest that the chemical composition of VOCs in soil gases from hydrothermal areas provides insights into both deep source conditions and fluid circulation dynamics, identifying VOCs as promising geochemical tracers for geothermal exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Venturi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Jacopo Cabassi
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Daniele Cinti
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione Roma 1, via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma 1, Italy
| | - Federica Meloni
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Monia Procesi
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione Roma 1, via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma 1, Italy
| | - Barbara Nisi
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Nunzia Voltattorni
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione Roma 1, via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma 1, Italy
| | - Francesco Capecchiacci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione di Napoli, via Diocleziano 328, 80122 Napoli, Italy
| | - Tullio Ricci
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione Roma 1, via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma 1, Italy
| | - Orlando Vaselli
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione di Bologna, viale Berti Pichat 6/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Franco Tassi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Grasso N, Graziano R, Marzano S, D'Aria F, Merlino F, Grieco P, Randazzo A, Pagano B, Amato J. Unveiling the interaction between DNA G-quadruplexes and RG-rich peptides. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126749. [PMID: 37689293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
G-quadruplexes are non-canonical DNA secondary structures formed within guanine-rich strands that play important roles in various biological processes, including gene regulation, telomere maintenance and DNA replication. The biological functions and formation of these DNA structures are strictly controlled by several proteins that bind and stabilize or resolve them. Many G-quadruplex-binding proteins feature an arginine and glycine-rich motif known as the RGG or RG-rich motif. Although this motif plays a crucial role in the recognition of such non-canonical structures, their interaction is still poorly understood. Here, we employed a combination of several biophysical techniques to provide valuable insights into the interaction between a peptide containing an RGG motif shared by numerous human G-quadruplex-binding proteins (NIQI) and various biologically relevant G-quadruplex DNA structures with different topologies. We also shed light on the key amino acids involved in the binding process. Our findings contribute to lay the basis for the development of a new class of peptide-based G-quadruplex ligands as an alternative to small molecules. These ligands may serve as valid tools for interfering in DNA-protein interactions, with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Grasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Graziano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Romano F, Di Porzio A, Iaccarino N, Riccardi G, Di Lorenzo R, Laneri S, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. G-quadruplexes in cancer-related gene promoters: from identification to therapeutic targeting. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2023; 33:745-773. [PMID: 37855085 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2023.2271168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into four-stranded noncanonical secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) which are widely distributed in functional regions of the human genome, such as telomeres and gene promoter regions. Compelling evidence suggests their involvement in key genome functions such as gene expression and genome stability. Notably, the abundance of G4-forming sequences near transcription start sites suggests their potential involvement in regulating oncogenes. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of current knowledge on G4s in human oncogene promoters. The most representative G4-binding ligands have also been documented. The objective of this work is to present a comprehensive overview of the most promising targets for the development of novel and highly specific anticancer drugs capable of selectively impacting the expression of individual or a limited number of genes. EXPERT OPINION Modulation of G4 formation by specific ligands has been proposed as a powerful new tool to treat cancer through the control of oncogene expression. Actually, most of G4-binding small molecules seem to simultaneously target a range of gene promoter G4s, potentially influencing several critical driver genes in cancer, thus producing significant therapeutic benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Sonia Laneri
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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7
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Rocca R, Polerà N, Juli G, Grillone K, Maruca A, Di Martino MT, Artese A, Amato J, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Tagliaferri P, Tassone P, Alcaro S. Hit identification of novel small molecules interfering with MALAT1 triplex by a structure-based virtual screening. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300134. [PMID: 37309243 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, RNA is an attractive target for the design of new small molecules with different pharmacological activities. Among several RNA molecules, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are extensively reported to be involved in cancer pathogenesis. In particular, the overexpression of lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) plays an important role in the development of multiple myeloma (MM). Starting from the crystallographic structure of the triple-helical stability element at the 3'-end of MALAT1, we performed a structure-based virtual screening of a large commercial database, previously filtered according to the drug-like properties. After a thermodynamic analysis, we selected five compounds for the in vitro assays. Compound M5, characterized by a diazaindene scaffold, emerged as the most promising molecule enabling the destabilization of the MALAT1 triplex structure and antiproliferative activity on in vitro models of MM. M5 is proposed as a lead compound to be further optimized for improving its affinity toward MALAT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Rocca
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4science srl, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Polerà
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giada Juli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Katia Grillone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annalisa Maruca
- Net4science srl, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Artese
- Net4science srl, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietrosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Net4science srl, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi "Magna Graecia" di Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Catanzaro, Italy
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8
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Romano F, Di Gregorio E, Riccardi G, Furlan C, Cavallini N, Savorani F, Di Porzio A, De Tito S, Randazzo A, Gianolio E, Iaccarino N. Comparison of the biological effects of gadodiamide (Omniscan) and gadoteridol (ProHance) by means of multi-organ and plasma metabolomics. Analyst 2023; 148:2415-2424. [PMID: 37092509 DOI: 10.1039/d3an00353a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are massively employed in radiology to increase the diagnostic power of MRI. However, investigations aiming at detecting possible metabolic perturbations or adverse health effects due to gadolinium deposition are still lacking. In this work, aqueous organs extract and plasma samples were analyzed by GC-MS and 1H-NMR, respectively, to investigate the effects of multiple administrations of one linear (Omniscan) and one macrocyclic (ProHance) GBCA, on the main metabolic pathways in healthy mice. Multivariate analysis revealed that plasma metabolome was not differently perturbed by the two GBCAs, while, the multiorgan analysis displayed a clear separation of the Omniscan-treated from the control and the ProHance-treated groups. Interestingly, the most affected organs were the brain, cerebellum and liver. Thus, this work paves the way to both the safest use of the commercially available GBCAs and the development of new GBCAs characterized by lower general toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy.
| | - Enza Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Gelsomina Riccardi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy.
| | - Chiara Furlan
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Nicola Cavallini
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, 10129, Italy
| | - Francesco Savorani
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, 10129, Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy.
| | - Stefano De Tito
- Molecular Cell Biology of Autophagy Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy.
| | - Eliana Gianolio
- Department of Molecular Biotechnologies and Health Science, University of Turin, Turin, 10126, Italy.
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy.
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9
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Ambrosio MR, Migliaccio T, Napolitano F, Di Somma S, Maneli G, Amato J, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Portella G, Formisano P, Malfitano AM. Targeting G-quadruplex motifs interferes with differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:98. [PMID: 37076894 PMCID: PMC10116735 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-quadruplex (G4) motifs are nucleic acid secondary structures observed in mammalian genomes and transcriptomes able to regulate various cellular processes. Several small molecules have been developed so far to modulate G4 stability, frequently associated with anticancer activity. However, how G4 structures are regulated over homeostatic conditions is mostly unexplored. Here, we used human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to address the role of G4 motifs during adipogenic differentiation. METHODS Adipocyte differentiation of ASCs was investigated in the presence or absence of a well-known G4 ligand, Braco-19. Cell viability was determined by sulforhodamine B assay. Cell dimension and granularity, DNA G4 motifs and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Lipid droplet accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining. Cell senescence was evaluated by β-galactosidase staining. Gene expression was measured by qPCR. Protein release in the extracellular medium was quantified by ELISA. RESULTS Braco-19 used at non-cytotoxic concentrations induced morphological changes in mature adipocytes partially restoring an undifferentiated-like status. Braco-19 reduced lipid vacuolization and PPARG, AP2, LEP and TNFA mRNA levels in terminally differentiated cells. No effect was observed in cell senescence, fibrotic markers, IL-6 and IL-8 production, while the secretion of VEGF was dose-dependently reduced. Interestingly, G4 structures were increased in differentiated adipocytes compared to their precursors. Braco-19 treatment reduced G4 content in mature adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight a new role of G4 motifs as genomic structural elements related to human ASC differentiation into mature adipocytes, with potential implications in physio-pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Ambrosio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Migliaccio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabiana Napolitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah Di Somma
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maneli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.
- URT Genomics of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Malfitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy.
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10
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Randazzo A, Zorzi F, Venturi S, Bicocchi G, Viti G, Tatàno F, Tassi F. Degradation of biogas in a simulated landfill cover soil at laboratory scale: Compositional changes of main components and volatile organic compounds. Waste Manag 2023; 157:229-241. [PMID: 36577274 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A laboratory experiment lasting 28 days was run to simulate a typical landfill system and to investigate the compositional changes affecting the main components (CH4, CO2, and H2) and nonmethane volatile organic compounds from biogas generated by anaerobic digestion of food waste and passing through a soil column. Gas samples were periodically collected from both the digester headspace and the soil column at increasing distances from the biogas source. CH4 and H2 were efficiently degraded along the soil column. The isotopic values of δ13C measured in CH4 and CO2 from the soil column were relatively enriched in 13C compared to the biogas. Aromatics and alkanes were the most abundant groups in the biogas samples. Among these compounds, alkylated benzenes and long-chain C3+ alkanes were significantly degraded within the soil column, whereas benzene and short-chain alkanes were recalcitrant. Terpene and O-substituted compounds were relatively stable under oxidising conditions. Cyclic, alkene, S-substituted, and halogenated compounds, which exhibited minor amounts in the digester headspace, were virtually absent in the soil column. These results pointed out how many recalcitrant potentially toxic and polluting compounds tend to be relatively enriched along the soil column, claiming action to minimise diffuse landfill gas (LFG) emissions. The proposed experimental approach represents a reliable tool for investigating the attenuation capacities of landfill cover soils for LFG components and developing optimised covers by adopting proper soil treatments and operating conditions to improve their degradation efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Francesca Zorzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Venturi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Gabriele Bicocchi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Gregorio Viti
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Fabio Tatàno
- DiSPeA - Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Section ChEM - Chemistry, Environment, and Materials, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Campus Scientifico "E. Mattei", 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Franco Tassi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; IGG - Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, CNR - National Research Council of Italy, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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11
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Marzano S, Miglietta G, Morigi R, Marinello J, Arleo A, Procacci M, Locatelli A, Leoni A, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Amato J, Capranico G. Balancing Affinity, Selectivity, and Cytotoxicity of Hydrazone-Based G-Quadruplex Ligands for Activation of Interferon β Genes in Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12055-12067. [PMID: 36074772 PMCID: PMC9511478 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
G-quadruplex (G4) ligands are investigated to discover
new anticancer
drugs with increased cell-killing potency. These ligands can induce
genome instability and activate innate immune genes at non-cytotoxic
doses, opening the discovery of cytostatic immune-stimulating ligands.
However, the interplay of G4 affinity/selectivity with cytotoxicity
and immune gene activation is not well-understood. We investigated
a series of closely related hydrazone derivatives to define the molecular
bases of immune-stimulation activity. Although they are closely related
to each other, such derivatives differ in G4 affinity, cytotoxicity,
genome instability, and immune gene activation. Our findings show
that G4 affinity of ligands is a critical feature for immune gene
activation, whereas a high cytotoxic potency interferes with it. The
balance of G4 stabilization versus cytotoxicity can
determine the level of immune gene activation in cancer cells. Thus,
we propose a new rationale based on low cell-killing potency and high
immune stimulation to discover effective anticancer G4 ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Miglietta
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Morigi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Marinello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Arleo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Procacci
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Locatelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Leoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum─University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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12
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Amato J, Iaccarino N, D'Aria F, D'Amico F, Randazzo A, Giancola C, Cesàro A, Di Fonzo S, Pagano B. Conformational plasticity of DNA secondary structures: probing the conversion between i-motif and hairpin species by circular dichroism and ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopies. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:7028-7044. [PMID: 35258065 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00058j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The promoter regions of important oncogenes such as BCL2 and KRAS contain GC-rich sequences that can form distinctive noncanonical DNA structures involved in the regulation of transcription: G-quadruplexes on the G-rich strand and i-motifs on the C-rich strand. Interestingly, BCL2 and KRAS promoter i-motifs are highly dynamic in nature and exist in a pH-dependent equilibrium with hairpin and even with hybrid i-motif/hairpin species. Herein, the effects of pH and presence of cell-mimicking molecular crowding conditions on conformational equilibria of the BCL2 and KRAS i-motif-forming sequences were investigated by ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Multivariate analysis of CD data was essential to model the presence and identity of the species involved. Analysis of UVRR spectra measured as a function of pH, performed also by the two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) technique, showed the role of several functional groups in the DNA conformational transitions, and provided structural and dynamic information. Thus, the UVRR investigation of intramolecular interactions and of local and environmental dynamics in promoting the different species induced by the solution conditions provided valuable insights into i-motif conformational transitions. The combined use of the two spectroscopic tools is emphasized by the relevant possibility of working in the same DNA concentration range and by the heterospectral UVRR/CD 2D-COS analysis. The results of this study shed light on the factors that can influence at the molecular level the equilibrium between the different conformational species putatively involved in the oncogene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Francesco D'Amico
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S. C. p. A., Science Park, Trieste, I-34149, Italy.
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Attilio Cesàro
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S. C. p. A., Science Park, Trieste, I-34149, Italy.
| | - Silvia Di Fonzo
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S. C. p. A., Science Park, Trieste, I-34149, Italy.
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
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13
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Moraca F, Marzano S, D'Amico F, Lupia A, Di Fonzo S, Vertecchi E, Salvati E, Di Porzio A, Catalanotti B, Randazzo A, Pagano B, Amato J. Ligand-based drug repurposing strategy identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA G-quadruplex binders. Chem Commun (Camb) 2022; 58:11913-11916. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cc03135c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The single-stranded RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 contains some G-quadruplex-forming G-rich elements which are putative drug targets. Here, we performed a ligand-based pharmacophore virtual screening of FDA approved drugs to find...
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14
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Vranas M, Wohlwend D, Qiu D, Gerhardt S, Trncik C, Pervaiz M, Ritter K, Steimle S, Randazzo A, Einsle O, Günther S, Jessen HJ, Kotlyar A, Friedrich T. Structural Basis for Inhibition of ROS-Producing Respiratory Complex I by NADH-OH. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:27277-27281. [PMID: 34612584 PMCID: PMC9299107 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism. As a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) it affects ageing and mitochondrial dysfunction. The novel inhibitor NADH-OH specifically blocks NADH oxidation and ROS production by complex I in nanomolar concentrations. Attempts to elucidate its structure by NMR spectroscopy have failed. Here, by using X-ray crystallographic analysis, we report the structure of NADH-OH bound in the active site of a soluble fragment of complex I at 2.0 Å resolution. We have identified key amino acid residues that are specific and essential for binding NADH-OH. Furthermore, the structure sheds light on the specificity of NADH-OH towards the unique Rossmann-fold of complex I and indicates a regulatory role in mitochondrial ROS generation. In addition, NADH-OH acts as a lead-structure for the synthesis of a novel class of ROS suppressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vranas
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Magellan Biologics & Consulting, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Daniel Wohlwend
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Danye Qiu
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Gerhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Trncik
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mehrosh Pervaiz
- Institute of Pharmazeutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Ritter
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Steimle
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institute of Pharmazeutical Sciences, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Henning J Jessen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Kotlyar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Thorsten Friedrich
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
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15
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Vranas M, Wohlwend D, Qiu D, Gerhardt S, Trncik C, Pervaiz M, Ritter K, Steimle S, Randazzo A, Einsle O, Günther S, Jessen HJ, Kotlyar A, Friedrich T. Structural Basis for Inhibition of ROS‐Producing Respiratory Complex I by NADH‐OH. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vranas
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
- Magellan Biologics & Consulting 4200-135 Porto Portugal
| | - Daniel Wohlwend
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Danye Qiu
- Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Stefan Gerhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Christian Trncik
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Mehrosh Pervaiz
- Institute of Pharmazeutical Sciences University of Freiburg Germany
| | - Kevin Ritter
- Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Stefan Steimle
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA 19104 USA
| | | | - Oliver Einsle
- Institute of Biochemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Institute of Pharmazeutical Sciences University of Freiburg Germany
| | - Henning J. Jessen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany
| | - Alexander Kotlyar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Tel Aviv University 69978 Tel Aviv Israel
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16
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Venturi S, Randazzo A, Tassi F, Gioli B, Buccianti A, Gualtieri G, Capecchiacci F, Cabassi J, Brilli L, Carotenuto F, Santi R, Vagnoli C, Zaldei A, Vaselli O. Unveiling the changes in urban atmospheric CO 2 in the time of COVID-19 pandemic: A case study of Florence (Italy). Sci Total Environ 2021; 795:148877. [PMID: 34252774 PMCID: PMC8254387 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by global mobility restrictions and slowdown in manufacturing activities. Accordingly, cities experienced a significant decrease of CO2 emissions. In this study, continuous measurements of CO2 fluxes, atmospheric CO2 concentrations and δ13C-CO2 values were performed in the historical center of Florence (Italy) before, during and after the almost two-month long national lockdown. The temporal trends of the analyzed parameters, combined with the variations in emitting source categories (from inventory data), evidenced a fast response of flux measurements to variations in the strength of the emitting sources. Similarly, the δ13C-CO2 values recorded the change in the prevailing sources contributing to urban atmospheric CO2, confirming the effectiveness of carbon isotopic data as geochemical tracers for identifying and quantifying the relative contributions of emitting sources. Although the direct impact of restriction measurements on CO2 concentrations was less clear due to seasonal trends and background fluctuations, an in-depth analysis of the daily local CO2 enhancement with respect to the background values revealed a progressive decrease throughout the lockdown phase at the end of the heating season (>10 ppm), followed by a net increase (ca. 5 ppm) with the resumption of traffic. Finally, the investigation of the shape of the frequency distribution of the analyzed variables revealed interesting aspects concerning the dynamics of the systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Venturi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Franco Tassi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Beniamino Gioli
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Antonella Buccianti
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gualtieri
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Francesco Capecchiacci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Jacopo Cabassi
- Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brilli
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Federico Carotenuto
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Riccardo Santi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - Carolina Vagnoli
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zaldei
- Institute for BioEconomy (IBE), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. Caproni 8, 50145 Firenze, Italy
| | - Orlando Vaselli
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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17
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Di Porzio A, Galli U, Amato J, Zizza P, Iachettini S, Iaccarino N, Marzano S, Santoro F, Brancaccio D, Carotenuto A, De Tito S, Biroccio A, Pagano B, Tron GC, Randazzo A. Synthesis and Characterization of Bis-Triazolyl-Pyridine Derivatives as Noncanonical DNA-Interacting Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11959. [PMID: 34769387 PMCID: PMC8584640 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides the well-known double-helical conformation, DNA is capable of folding into various noncanonical arrangements, such as G-quadruplexes (G4s) and i-motifs (iMs), whose occurrence in gene promoters, replication origins, and telomeres highlights the breadth of biological processes that they might regulate. Particularly, previous studies have reported that G4 and iM structures may play different roles in controlling gene transcription. Anyway, molecular tools able to simultaneously stabilize/destabilize those structures are still needed to shed light on what happens at the biological level. Herein, a multicomponent reaction and a click chemistry functionalization were combined to generate a set of 31 bis-triazolyl-pyridine derivatives which were initially screened by circular dichroism for their ability to interact with different G4 and/or iM DNAs and to affect the thermal stability of these structures. All the compounds were then clustered through multivariate data analysis, based on such capability. The most promising compounds were subjected to a further biophysical and biological characterization, leading to the identification of two molecules simultaneously able to stabilize G4s and destabilize iMs, both in vitro and in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Ubaldina Galli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2/3, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (P.Z.); (S.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (P.Z.); (S.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Federica Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Stefano De Tito
- Molecular Cell Biology of Autophagy, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK;
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Research Council, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (P.Z.); (S.I.); (A.B.)
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
| | - Gian Cesare Tron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2/3, 28100 Novara, Italy;
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.D.P.); (J.A.); (N.I.); (S.M.); (F.S.); (D.B.); (A.C.); (B.P.)
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Amato J, D'Aria F, Marzano S, Iaccarino N, Randazzo A, Giancola C, Pagano B. On the thermodynamics of folding of an i-motif DNA in solution under favorable conditions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:15030-15037. [PMID: 34151914 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp01779a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Under slightly acidic conditions, cytosine-rich DNA sequences can form non-canonical secondary structures called i-motifs, which occur as four stretches of cytosine repeats form hemi-protonated C·C+ base pairs. The growing interest in the i-motif structures as important components in functional DNA-based nanotechnology or as potential targets of anticancer drugs, increases the need for a deep understanding of the energetics of their structural transitions. Here, a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques is used to unravel the thermodynamics of folding of an i-motif DNA under favorable conditions. The results give new insights into the energetic aspects of i-motifs and show that thermodynamic and thermal stability are related but not identical properties of such DNA structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Federica D'Aria
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Simona Marzano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, I-80131, Italy.
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Iaccarino N, Cheng M, Qiu D, Pagano B, Amato J, Di Porzio A, Zhou J, Randazzo A, Mergny J. Effects of Sequence and Base Composition on the CD and TDS Profiles of i‐DNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202016822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Mingpan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- ARNA Laboratory Université de Bordeaux Inserm U 1212, CNRS UMR5320 IECB 33607 Pessac France
| | - Dehui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Jun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy University of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Jean‐Louis Mergny
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China
- ARNA Laboratory Université de Bordeaux Inserm U 1212, CNRS UMR5320 IECB 33607 Pessac France
- Laboratoire d'Optique et Biosciences Ecole Polytechnique CNRS INSERM Institut Polytechnique de Paris 91128 Palaiseau France
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20
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Iaccarino N, Cheng M, Qiu D, Pagano B, Amato J, Di Porzio A, Zhou J, Randazzo A, Mergny J. Effects of Sequence and Base Composition on the CD and TDS Profiles of i-DNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:10295-10303. [PMID: 33617090 PMCID: PMC8251954 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202016822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The i-motif DNA, also known as i-DNA, is a non-canonical DNA secondary structure formed by cytosine-rich sequences, consisting of two intercalated parallel-stranded duplexes held together by hemi-protonated cytosine-cytosine+ (C:C+ ) base pairs. The growing interest in the i-DNA structure as a target in anticancer therapy increases the need for tools for a rapid and meaningful interpretation of the spectroscopic data of i-DNA samples. Herein, we analyzed the circular dichroism (CD) and thermal difference UV-absorbance spectra (TDS) of 255 DNA sequences by means of multivariate data analysis, aiming at unveiling peculiar spectral regions that could be used as diagnostic features during the analysis of i-DNA-forming sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IIVia D. Montesano 4980131NaplesItaly
| | - Mingpan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceSchool of Chemistry & Chemical EngineeringNanjing UniversityNanjing210023China
- ARNA LaboratoryUniversité de BordeauxInserm U 1212, CNRS UMR5320IECB33607PessacFrance
| | - Dehui Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceSchool of Chemistry & Chemical EngineeringNanjing UniversityNanjing210023China
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IIVia D. Montesano 4980131NaplesItaly
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IIVia D. Montesano 4980131NaplesItaly
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IIVia D. Montesano 4980131NaplesItaly
| | - Jun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceSchool of Chemistry & Chemical EngineeringNanjing UniversityNanjing210023China
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IIVia D. Montesano 4980131NaplesItaly
| | - Jean‐Louis Mergny
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life ScienceSchool of Chemistry & Chemical EngineeringNanjing UniversityNanjing210023China
- ARNA LaboratoryUniversité de BordeauxInserm U 1212, CNRS UMR5320IECB33607PessacFrance
- Laboratoire d'Optique et BiosciencesEcole PolytechniqueCNRSINSERMInstitut Polytechnique de Paris91128PalaiseauFrance
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21
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Stefanucci A, Amato J, Brancaccio D, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Santoro F, Mayol L, Learte-Aymamí S, Rodriguez J, Mascareñas JL, Novellino E, Carotenuto A, Mollica A. A novel β-hairpin peptide derived from the ARC repressor selectively interacts with the major groove of B-DNA. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104836. [PMID: 33812270 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) have a remarkable role in the homeostasis of the organisms and there is a growing interest in how they recognize and interact with specific DNA sequences. TFs recognize DNA using a variety of structural motifs. Among those, the ribbon-helix-helix (RHH) proteins, exemplified by the MetJ and ARC repressors, form dimers that insert antiparallel β-sheets into the major groove of DNA. A great chemical challenge consists of using the principles of DNA recognition by TFs to design minimized peptides that maintain the DNA affinity and specificity characteristics of the natural counterparts. In this context, a peptide mimic of an antiparallel β-sheet is very attractive since it can be obtained by a single peptide chain folding in a β-hairpin structure and can be as short as 14 amino acids or less. Herein, we designed eight linear and two cyclic dodeca-peptides endowed with β-hairpins. Their DNA binding properties have been investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy together with the conformational analysis through circular dichroism and solution NMR. We found that one of our peptides, peptide 6, is able to bind DNA, albeit without sequence selectivity. Notably, it shows a topological selectivity for the major groove of the DNA which is the interaction site of ARC and many other DNA-binding proteins. Moreover, we found that a type I' β-hairpin folding pattern is a favorite peptide structure for interaction with the B-DNA major groove. Peptide 6 is a valuable lead compound for the development of novel analogs with sequence selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azzurra Stefanucci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Mayol
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Soraya Learte-Aymamí
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jessica Rodriguez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - José Luis Mascareñas
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Adriano Mollica
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
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Ogloblina AM, Iaccarino N, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Garzarella EU, Dolinnaya NG, Yakubovskaya MG, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. Toward G-Quadruplex-Based Anticancer Agents: Biophysical and Biological Studies of Novel AS1411 Derivatives. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7781. [PMID: 33096752 PMCID: PMC7590035 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain G-quadruplex forming guanine-rich oligonucleotides (GROs), including AS1411, are endowed with cancer-selective antiproliferative activity. They are known to bind to nucleolin protein, resulting in the inhibition of nucleolin-mediated phenomena. However, multiple nucleolin-independent biological effects of GROs have also been reported, allowing them to be considered promising candidates for multi-targeted cancer therapy. Herein, with the aim of optimizing AS1411 structural features to find GROs with improved anticancer properties, we have studied a small library of AS1411 derivatives differing in the sequence length and base composition. The AS1411 derivatives were characterized by using circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and then investigated for their enzymatic resistance in serum and nuclear extract, as well as for their ability to bind nucleolin, inhibit topoisomerase I, and affect the viability of MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells. All derivatives showed higher thermal stability and inhibitory effect against topoisomerase I than AS1411. In addition, most of them showed an improved antiproliferative activity on MCF-7 cells compared to AS1411 despite a weaker binding to nucleolin. Our results support the hypothesis that the antiproliferative properties of GROs are due to multi-targeted effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Ogloblina
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (A.M.O.); (M.G.Y.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (CESTEV), University of Naples Federico II, Via A. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy;
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy;
| | - Emanuele U. Garzarella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Nina G. Dolinnaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Marianna G. Yakubovskaya
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health, 115478 Moscow, Russia; (A.M.O.); (M.G.Y.)
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.I.); (E.U.G.); (A.R.)
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Iaccarino N, Khakimov B, Mikkelsen MS, Nielsen TS, Jensen MG, Randazzo A, Engelsen SB. Structurally different mixed linkage β-glucan supplements differentially increase secondary bile acid excretion in hypercholesterolaemic rat faeces. Food Funct 2020; 11:514-523. [PMID: 31833481 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo02507j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mixed linkage (1→3),(1→4)-β-d-glucan (BG) is a soluble fibre available from oat and barley grains that has been gaining interest due to its health-promoting role in cardiovascular diseases and its ability to modulate the glycaemic index which is beneficial for people with diabetes. This study investigates the effect of three purified barley BGs, with different molecular weight and block structure, on faecal bile acid excretion in hypercholesterolaemic rats. Wistar rats (48 male) were divided in four groups: Control group fed with the cellulose-rich diet (CON); Glucagel group fed with the commercial BG (GLU, 100 kDa), and rats fed with low molecular weight BG (LBG, 150 kDa) and medium molecular weight BG (MBG, 530 kDa). The bile acid profiles of rat faecal samples were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A metabolite profiling approach led to the identification of 7 bile acids and 45 other compounds such as sterols, fatty acids and fatty alcohols. Subsequent application of ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis and Principal Component Analysis revealed that all three BG diets increased bile acid faecal excretion compared to the control group. The bile acid excretion was found to be different in all three BG diets and the MBG group showed a significantly higher level of faecal secondary bile acids, including deoxycholic acid, hyodeoxycholic acid, and lithocholic acid. We hypothesise that the hydrophobic surface of the secondary bile acids, which are known to cause colon cancer, has high affinity to the hydrophobic surfaces of cellulosic blocks of the BG. This in vivo study demonstrates that the molecular weight and/or block structures of BG modulate the excretion of secondary bile acids. This finding suggests that developing diets with designed BGs with an optimal molecular structure to trap carcinogenic bile acids can have a significant impact on counteracting cancer and other lifestyle associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Amato J, Mashima T, Kamatari YO, Kuwata K, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Giancola C, Katahira M, Pagano B. Improved Anti-Prion Nucleic Acid Aptamers by Incorporation of Chemical Modifications. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 30:414-421. [PMID: 32991255 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are innovative and promising candidates to block the hallmark event in the prion diseases, that is the conversion of prion protein (PrP) into an abnormal form; however, they need chemical modifications for effective therapeutic activity. This communication reports on the development and biophysical characterization of a small library of chemically modified G-quadruplex-forming aptamers targeting the cellular PrP and the evaluation of their anti-prion activity. The results show the possibility of enhancing anti-prion aptamer properties through straightforward modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Tsukasa Mashima
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan.,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | | | - Kazuo Kuwata
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Masato Katahira
- Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan.,Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Uji, Japan
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Randazzo A, Asensio-Ramos M, Melián GV, Venturi S, Padrón E, Hernández PA, Pérez NM, Tassi F. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in solid waste landfill cover soil: Chemical and isotopic composition vs. degradation processes. Sci Total Environ 2020; 726:138326. [PMID: 32305753 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Landfills for solid waste disposal release to the atmosphere a large variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Bacterial activity in landfill cover soils can play an important role in mitigating VOC emission. In order to evaluate the effects of degradation processes and characterize VOCs composition in landfill cover soil, gases from 60 sites and along 7 vertical profiles within the cover soil were collected for chemical and isotopic analysis at two undifferentiated urban solid waste disposal sites in Spain: (i) Pinto (Madrid) and (ii) Zurita (Fuerteventura, Canary Islands). The CO2/CH4 ratios and δ13C-CO2 and δ13C-CH4 values were controlled by either oxidation or reduction processes of landfill gas (LFG). VOCs were dominated by aromatics, alkanes and O-substituted compounds, with minor cyclics, terpenes, halogenated and S-substituted compounds. Degradation processes, depending on both (i) waste age and (ii) velocity of the uprising biogas through the soil cover, caused (i) an increase of degradation products (e.g., CO2, O-substituted compounds) and (ii) a decrease of degradable components (e.g., CH4, alkanes, alkylated aromatics, cyclic and S-substituted compounds). Terpenes, halogenated compounds, phenol and furans were unaffected by degradation processes and only depended on waste composition. These results highlight the fundamental role played by microbial activity in mitigating atmospheric emissions of VOCs from landfills. Nevertheless, the recalcitrant behaviour shown by compounds hazardous for health and environment remarks the importance of a correct landfill management that has to be carried out for years after the waste disposal activity is completed, since LFG emissions can persist for long time.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Randazzo
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy.
| | - M Asensio-Ramos
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), 38320 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - G V Melián
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), 38320 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - S Venturi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
| | - E Padrón
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), 38320 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Agencia Insular de la Energía de Tenerife (AIET), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - P A Hernández
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), 38320 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Agencia Insular de la Energía de Tenerife (AIET), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - N M Pérez
- Instituto Volcanológico de Canarias (INVOLCAN), 38320 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Instituto Tecnológico y de Energías Renovables (ITER), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Agencia Insular de la Energía de Tenerife (AIET), 38600 Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - F Tassi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources (IGG), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via G. La Pira 4, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Amato J, Miglietta G, Morigi R, Iaccarino N, Locatelli A, Leoni A, Novellino E, Pagano B, Capranico G, Randazzo A. Monohydrazone Based G-Quadruplex Selective Ligands Induce DNA Damage and Genome Instability in Human Cancer Cells. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3090-3103. [PMID: 32142285 PMCID: PMC7997572 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Targeting
G-quadruplex structures is currently viewed as a promising
anticancer strategy. Searching for potent and selective G-quadruplex
binders, here we describe a small series of new monohydrazone derivatives
designed as analogues of a lead which was proved to stabilize G-quadruplex
structures and increase R loop levels in human cancer cells. To investigate
the G-quadruplex binding properties of the new molecules, in vitro biophysical studies were performed employing both
telomeric and oncogene promoter G-quadruplex-forming sequences. The
obtained results allowed the identification of a highly selective
G-quadruplex ligand that, when studied in human cancer cells, proved
to be able to stabilize both G-quadruplexes and R loops and showed
a potent cell killing activity associated with the formation of micronuclei,
a clear sign of genome instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Miglietta
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Morigi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Locatelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Leoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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27
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Musio B, Ragone R, Todisco S, Rizzuti A, Latronico M, Mastrorilli P, Pontrelli S, Intini N, Scapicchio P, Triggiani M, Di Noia T, Acquotti D, Airoldi C, Assfalg M, Barge A, Bateman L, Benevelli F, Bertelli D, Bertocchi F, Bieliauskas A, Borioni A, Caligiani A, Callone E, Čamra A, Cesare Marincola F, Chalasani D, Consonni R, Dambruoso P, Davalli S, David T, Diehl B, Donarski J, Gil AM, Gobetto R, Goldoni L, Hamon E, Harwood JS, Kobrlová A, Longobardi F, Luisi R, Mallamace D, Mammi S, Martin-Biran M, Mazzei P, Mele A, Milone S, Molero Vilchez D, Mulder RJ, Napoli C, Ragno D, Randazzo A, Rossi MC, Rotondo A, Šačkus A, Sáez Barajas E, Schievano E, Sitaram B, Stevanato L, Takis PG, Teipel J, Thomas F, Torregiani E, Valensin D, Veronesi M, Warren J, Wist J, Zailer-Hafer E, Zuccaccia C, Gallo V. A community-built calibration system: The case study of quantification of metabolites in grape juice by qNMR spectroscopy. Talanta 2020; 214:120855. [PMID: 32278434 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is an analytical technique extensively used in almost every chemical laboratory for structural identification. This technique provides statistically equivalent signals in spite of using spectrometer with different hardware features and is successfully used for the traceability and quantification of analytes in food samples. Nevertheless, to date only a few internationally agreed guidelines have been reported on the use of NMR for quantitative analysis. The main goal of the present study is to provide a methodological pipeline to assess the reproducibility of NMR data produced for a given matrix by spectrometers from different manufacturers, with different magnetic field strengths, age and hardware configurations. The results have been analyzed through a sequence of chemometric tests to generate a community-built calibration system which was used to verify the performance of the spectrometers and the reproducibility of the predicted sample concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biagia Musio
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Rosa Ragone
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Stefano Todisco
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Antonino Rizzuti
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Mario Latronico
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Piero Mastrorilli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Stefania Pontrelli
- Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy
| | - Nicola Intini
- Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy; Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e la Protezione dell'Ambiente, ARPA Puglia, Corso Trieste 127, I-70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Scapicchio
- SAMER (Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Bari), Via E. Mola 19, I-70121, Bari, Italy; RETELAB (Italian Network of the laboratories of the Chambers of Commerce) and LACHIMER (Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Foggia), Via Manfredonia Km 2,200, I-71121, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Triggiani
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e dell'Informazione, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Tommaso Di Noia
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Elettrica e dell'Informazione, Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Acquotti
- Centro Inter-dipartimentale Misure (CIM), Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Airoldi
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Michael Assfalg
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Verona, Cà Vignal 1, Strada le Grazie 15, I-37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Barge
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università di Torino, Via Verdi 8, 10124, Torino, Italy
| | - Lorraine Bateman
- School of Chemistry and School of Pharmacy, Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility, Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre, University College Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland
| | - Francesca Benevelli
- Bruker Italia S.r.l., Viale V. Lancetti 43, I-20158, Milano, Italy; 7C-Consortium for NMR Research in Biotechnology and Material Science, Via Colombo 81, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Bertelli
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita, Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via campi 103, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Bertocchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Aurimas Bieliauskas
- Institute of Synthetic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Baršausko Str. 59, LT-51423, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Anna Borioni
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Viale Regina Elena 299, I-00161, Roma, Italy
| | - Augusta Caligiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, I-43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Callone
- "K. Müller" Magnetic Resonance Lab., Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123, Trento (TN), Italy
| | - Ales Čamra
- General Directorate of Customs, Budějovická 7, 140 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Flaminia Cesare Marincola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato SS 554, I-09012 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Dinesh Chalasani
- The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852-1790, USA
| | - Roberto Consonni
- Istituto per lo Studio delle Macromolecole del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (ISMAC-CNR), Laboratorio NMR, Via Bassini 15, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Dambruoso
- Istituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISOF-CNR), Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Silvia Davalli
- Aptuit (Verona) S.r.l., Via Fleming 4, I-37135, Verona, Italy
| | - Taylor David
- The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852-1790, USA
| | - Bernd Diehl
- Spectral Service AG, Emil-Hoffmann-Straße 33, 50996, Köln, Germany
| | - James Donarski
- Fera Science Ltd, National Agri-Food Innovation Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M Gil
- CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, Campus Universitario de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-093, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Roberto Gobetto
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Goldoni
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - Erwann Hamon
- Aérial, 250 Rue Laurent Fries - CS40443, 67412, Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - John S Harwood
- Purdue Interdepartmental NMR Facility, Weatherill Laboratory Room 365B 560, Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2084, Indiana, USA
| | - Andrea Kobrlová
- General Directorate of Customs, Budějovická 7, 140 00, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francesco Longobardi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari "A. Moro", Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Renzo Luisi
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari "A. Moro", FLAME-Lab - Flow Chemistry and Microreactor Technology Laboratory, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Mallamace
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, I-98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Mammi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, I-35100, Padova, Italy
| | - Magali Martin-Biran
- Ctre Recherche Valorisation Application (CEREVAA), 12 Allée ISAAC NEWTON, 33650, Martillac, France
| | - Pierluigi Mazzei
- Università di Napoli Federico II, Centro Interdipartimentale di Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare (CERMANU), Via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Andrea Mele
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Salvatore Milone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Campo Boario, I-64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Dolores Molero Vilchez
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n Aulario Facultad de Quimicas, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Claudia Napoli
- Bruker Italia S.r.l., Viale V. Lancetti 43, I-20158, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniele Ragno
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, I-44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli, Via D. Montesano, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria Cecilia Rossi
- Centro Interdipartimentale Grandi Strumenti (CIGS), Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Archimede Rotondo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università di Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122, Messina, Italy; Science4life s.r.l., Via Leonardo Sciascia Coop. Fede Pal.B, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Algirdas Šačkus
- Institute of Synthetic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, K. Baršausko Str. 59, LT-51423, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Elena Sáez Barajas
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Complutense s/n Aulario Facultad de Quimicas, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabetta Schievano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, I-35100, Padova, Italy
| | - Bhavaraju Sitaram
- The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD, 20852-1790, USA
| | - Livio Stevanato
- Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Università di Torino, Via Verdi 8, 10124, Torino, Italy
| | - Panteleimon G Takis
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Risonanze Magnetiche di Metallo Proteine - CERM/CIRMMP, Via Luigi Sacconi 6, I-50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Jan Teipel
- Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Agency of East-Westphalia-Lippe, Westerfeldstraße 1, 32758, Detmold, Germany
| | - Freddy Thomas
- Eurofins Analytics France, 9 Rue P. A. Bobierre, BP42301, 44323, Nantes, France
| | - Elisabetta Torregiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy
| | - Daniela Valensin
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Marina Veronesi
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy
| | - John Warren
- LGC Limited, Queen's Road, TW11 0LY, Teddington, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Wist
- Departamento de Quimica, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 No 100-00, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Cristiano Zuccaccia
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Biologia e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Perugia and CIRCC, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123, Perugia, Italy
| | - Vito Gallo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, del Territorio, Edile e di Chimica (DICATECh), Politecnico di Bari, Via Orabona 4, I-70125, Bari, Italy; Innovative Solutions S.r.l, Spin Off del Politecnico di Bari, Zona H 150/B, I-70015, Noci (BA), Italy; SAMER (Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Bari), Via E. Mola 19, I-70121, Bari, Italy.
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Di Carluccio C, Crisman E, Manabe Y, Forgione RE, Lacetera A, Amato J, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Zampella A, Lanzetta R, Fukase K, Molinaro A, Crocker PR, Martín‐Santamaría S, Marchetti R, Silipo A. Cover Feature: Characterisation of the Dynamic Interactions between Complex
N
‐Glycans and Human CD22 (ChemBioChem 1‐2/2020). Chembiochem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Di Carluccio
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Enrique Crisman
- Department of Structural and Chemical BiologyCentro de Investigaciones BiológicasCIB-CSIC C/Ramiro de Maeztu, 9 28040 Madrid Spain
| | - Yoshiyuki Manabe
- Department of ChemistryGraduate School of ScienceOsaka University 1-1 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560-0043 Japan
- Core for Medicine and Science Collaborative Research and EducationProject Research Center for Fundamental ScienceOsaka University 1-1 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560-0043 Japan
| | - Rosa Ester Forgione
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Alessandra Lacetera
- Department of Structural and Chemical BiologyCentro de Investigaciones BiológicasCIB-CSIC C/Ramiro de Maeztu, 9 28040 Madrid Spain
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico II Via D. Montesano 49 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Rosa Lanzetta
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Koichi Fukase
- Department of ChemistryGraduate School of ScienceOsaka University 1-1 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560-0043 Japan
- Core for Medicine and Science Collaborative Research and EducationProject Research Center for Fundamental ScienceOsaka University 1-1 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560-0043 Japan
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
- Department of ChemistryGraduate School of ScienceOsaka University 1-1 Machikaneyama Toyonaka Osaka 560-0043 Japan
| | - Paul R. Crocker
- Division of Cell Signalling and ImmunologySchool of Life SciencesUniversity of Dundee Dundee UK
| | - Sonsoles Martín‐Santamaría
- Department of Structural and Chemical BiologyCentro de Investigaciones BiológicasCIB-CSIC C/Ramiro de Maeztu, 9 28040 Madrid Spain
| | - Roberta Marchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Alba Silipo
- Dipartimento di Scienze ChimicheComplesso Universitario Monte Sant'AngeloUniversità di Napoli Federico II Via Cintia 4 80126 Napoli Italy
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29
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Amato J, Cerofolini L, Brancaccio D, Giuntini S, Iaccarino N, Zizza P, Iachettini S, Biroccio A, Novellino E, Rosato A, Fragai M, Luchinat C, Randazzo A, Pagano B. Insights into telomeric G-quadruplex DNA recognition by HMGB1 protein. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:9950-9966. [PMID: 31504744 PMCID: PMC6765150 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
HMGB1 is a ubiquitous non-histone protein, which biological effects depend on its expression and subcellular location. Inside the nucleus, HMGB1 is engaged in many DNA events such as DNA repair, transcription and telomere maintenance. HMGB1 has been reported to bind preferentially to bent DNA as well as to noncanonical DNA structures like 4-way junctions and, more recently, to G-quadruplexes. These are four-stranded conformations of nucleic acids involved in important cellular processes, including telomere maintenance. In this frame, G-quadruplex recognition by specific proteins represents a key event to modulate physiological or pathological pathways. Herein, to get insights into the telomeric G-quadruplex DNA recognition by HMGB1, we performed detailed biophysical studies complemented with biological analyses. The obtained results provided information about the molecular determinants for the interaction and showed that the structural variability of human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA may have significant implications in HMGB1 recognition. The biological data identified HMGB1 as a telomere-associated protein in both telomerase-positive and -negative tumor cells and showed that HMGB1 gene silencing in such cells induces telomere DNA damage foci. Altogether, these findings provide a deeper understanding of telomeric G-quadruplex recognition by HMGB1 and suggest that this protein could actually represent a new target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuntini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Claudio Luchinat
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence, via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Catalano R, Moraca F, Amato J, Cristofari C, Rigo R, Via LD, Rocca R, Lupia A, Maruca A, Costa G, Catalanotti B, Artese A, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Sissi C, Novellino E, Alcaro S. Targeting multiple G-quadruplex–forming DNA sequences: Design, biophysical and biological evaluations of indolo-naphthyridine scaffold derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 182:111627. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Iaccarino N, Varming C, Agerlin Petersen M, Viereck N, Schütz B, Toldam-Andersen TB, Randazzo A, Balling Engelsen S. Ancient Danish Apple Cultivars-A Comprehensive Metabolite and Sensory Profiling of Apple Juices. Metabolites 2019; 9:metabo9070139. [PMID: 31373318 PMCID: PMC6680383 DOI: 10.3390/metabo9070139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, intensive selective breeding programs have allowed the development of disease-resistant and flavorsome apple cultivars while leading to a gradual decline of a large number of ancient varieties in many countries. However, the re-evaluation of such cultivars could lead to the production new apple-based products with health beneficial properties and/or unique flavor qualities. Herein, we report the comprehensive characterization of juices obtained from 86 old, mostly Danish, apple cultivars, by employing traditional analysis (ion chromatography, °Brix, headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and panel test evaluation) as well as an innovative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based screening method developed by Bruker for fruit juices, known as Spin Generated Fingerprint (SGF) Profiling™. Principal component analysis showed large differences in aroma components and sensory characteristics, including odd peculiar odors and flavors such as apricot and peach, and very different levels of phenolic compounds, acids and sugars among the analyzed juices. Moreover, we observed a tendency for late-season juices to be characterized by higher °Brix values, sugar content and they were perceived to be sweeter and more flavor intense than early-season juices. Our findings are useful for the production of specialty vintage-cultivar apple juices or mixed juices to obtain final products that are characterized both by healthy properties and peculiar sensory attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Mikael Agerlin Petersen
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Nanna Viereck
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Birk Schütz
- Bruker BioSpin, Silberstreifen 4, 76287 Rheinstetten, Germany
| | - Torben Bo Toldam-Andersen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Hoejbakkegaard Alle 13, 2630 Taastrup, Denmark
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Søren Balling Engelsen
- Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Pelliccia S, Amato J, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Massarotti A, Piccolo M, Irace C, Tron GC, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Novellino E, Giustiniano M. Bio-Inspired Dual-Selective BCL-2/c-MYC G-Quadruplex Binders: Design, Synthesis, and Anticancer Activity of Drug-like Imidazo[2,1-i]purine Derivatives. J Med Chem 2019; 63:2035-2050. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sveva Pelliccia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Massarotti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Piccolo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Irace
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gian Cesare Tron
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Giustiniano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Iaccarino N, Amato J, Pagano B, Di Porzio A, Micucci M, Bolelli L, Aldini R, Novellino E, Budriesi R, Randazzo A. Impact of phytosterols on liver and distal colon metabolome in experimental murine colitis model: an explorative study. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2019; 34:1041-1050. [PMID: 31074304 PMCID: PMC6522980 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2019.1611802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytosterols are known to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and thereby reduce cardiovascular risk. Studies conducted on human and animal models have demonstrated that these compounds have also anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, an experimental colitis model (dextran sulphate sodium-induced) has shown that pre-treatment with phytosterols decreases infiltration of inflammatory cells and accelerates mucosal healing. This study aims to understand the mechanism underlying the colitis by analysing the end-products of the metabolism in distal colon and liver excised from the same mice used in the previous work. In particular, an unsupervised gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and NMR based metabolomics approach was employed to identify the metabolic pathways perturbed by the dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) insult (i.e. Krebs cycle, carbohydrate, amino acids, and nucleotide metabolism). Interestingly, phytosterols were able to restore the homeostatic equilibrium of the hepatic and colonic metabolome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Iaccarino
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Matteo Micucci
- b Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Luca Bolelli
- b Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Rita Aldini
- b Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
| | - Roberta Budriesi
- b Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology , University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- a Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples Federico II , Naples , Italy
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Khristenko N, Amato J, Livet S, Pagano B, Randazzo A, Gabelica V. Native Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry: When Gas-Phase Ion Structures Depend on the Electrospray Charging Process. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 2019; 30:1069-1081. [PMID: 30924079 DOI: 10.1007/s13361-019-02152-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has become popular to characterize biomolecule folding. Numerous studies have shown that proteins that are folded in solution remain folded in the gas phase, whereas proteins that are unfolded in solution adopt more extended conformations in the gas phase. Here, we discuss how general this tenet is. We studied single-stranded DNAs (human telomeric cytosine-rich sequences with CCCTAA repeats), which fold into an intercalated motif (i-motif) structure in a pH-dependent manner, thanks to the formation of C-H+-C base pairs. As i-motif formation is favored at low ionic strength, we could investigate the ESI-IMS-MS behavior of i-motif structures at pH ~ 5.5 over a wide range of ammonium acetate concentrations (15 to 100 mM). The control experiments consisted of either the same sequence at pH ~ 7.5, wherein the sequence is unfolded, or sequence variants that cannot form i-motifs (CTCTAA repeats). The surprising results came from the control experiments. We found that the ionic strength of the solution had a greater effect on the compactness of the gas-phase structures than the solution folding state. This means that electrosprayed ions keep a memory of the charging process, which is influenced by the electrolyte concentration. We discuss these results in light of the analyte partitioning between the droplet interior and the droplet surface, which in turn influences the probability of being ionized via a charged residue-type pathway or a chain extrusion-type pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Khristenko
- Laboratoire Acides Nucléiques: Régulations Naturelle et Artificielle, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm & CNRS (ARNA, U1212, UMR5320), IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33607, Pessac, France
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandrine Livet
- Laboratoire Acides Nucléiques: Régulations Naturelle et Artificielle, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm & CNRS (ARNA, U1212, UMR5320), IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33607, Pessac, France
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- Laboratoire Acides Nucléiques: Régulations Naturelle et Artificielle, Université de Bordeaux, Inserm & CNRS (ARNA, U1212, UMR5320), IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, 33607, Pessac, France.
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Cruz-Gallardo I, Martino L, Trotta R, De Tito S, Kelly G, Atkinson RA, Randazzo A, Conte MR. Resonance assignment of human LARP4A La module. Biomol NMR Assign 2019; 13:169-172. [PMID: 30632004 PMCID: PMC6439165 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-019-09871-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Human LARP4A belongs to a superfamily of RNA binding proteins called La-related proteins (LARPs). Whilst being a positive regulator of protein synthesis and a promoter of mRNA stability, LARP4A also controls cell morphology and motility in human breast and prostate cancer cells. All LARPs share a characteristic RNA binding unit named the La-module, which despite a high level of primary structure conservation exhibits a great versatility in RNA target selection. Human LARP4A La-module is the most divergent compared with other LARPs and its RNA recognition properties have only recently started to be revealed. Given the key role of LARP4A protein in cancer cell biology, we have initiated a complete NMR characterisation of its La-module and here we report the assignment of 1H, 15N and 13C resonances resulting from our studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Cruz-Gallardo
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Department of Chemistry, King's College London, 7 Trinity Street, London, SE1 1DB, UK
| | - Luigi Martino
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Roberta Trotta
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano De Tito
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Geoff Kelly
- MRC Biomedical NMR Centre, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - R Andrew Atkinson
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Centre for Biomolecular Spectroscopy, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria R Conte
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
- Centre for Biomolecular Spectroscopy, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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36
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Pagano B, Iaccarino N, Di Porzio A, Randazzo A, Amato J. Screening of DNA G-quadruplex stabilizing ligands by nano differential scanning fluorimetry. Analyst 2019; 144:6512-6516. [DOI: 10.1039/c9an01463b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A proof of principle study on the use of nanoDSF as a screening tool for G-quadruplex targeting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
- 80131 Naples
- Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
- 80131 Naples
- Italy
| | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
- 80131 Naples
- Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
- 80131 Naples
- Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
- 80131 Naples
- Italy
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37
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Amato J, Platella C, Iachettini S, Zizza P, Musumeci D, Cosconati S, Pagano A, Novellino E, Biroccio A, Randazzo A, Pagano B, Montesarchio D. Tailoring a lead-like compound targeting multiple G-quadruplex structures. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 163:295-306. [PMID: 30529547 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A focused library of analogs of a lead-like G-quadruplex (G4) targeting compound (4), sharing a furobenzoxazine naphthoquinone core and differing for the pendant groups on the N-atom of the oxazine ring, has been here analyzed with the aim of developing more potent and selective ligands. These molecules have been tested vs. topologically different G4s by the G4-CPG assay, an affinity chromatography-based method for screening putative G4 ligands. The obtained results showed that all these compounds were able to bind several G4 structures, both telomeric and extra-telomeric, thus behaving as multi-target ligands, and two of them fully discriminated G4 vs. duplex DNA. Biological assays proved that almost all the compounds produced effective DNA damage, showing marked antiproliferative effects on tumor cells in the low μM range. Combined analysis of the G4-CPG binding assays and biological data led us to focus on compound S4-5, proved to be less cytotoxic than the parent compound 4 on normal cells. An in-depth biophysical characterization of the binding of S4-5 to different G4s showed that the here identified ligand has higher affinity for the G4s and higher ability to discriminate G4 vs. duplex DNA than 4. Molecular docking studies, in agreement with the NMR data, suggest that S4-5 interacts with the accessible grooves of the target G4 structures, giving clues for its increased G4 vs. duplex selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Iachettini
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessia Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.
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Amato J, Madanayake TW, Iaccarino N, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Hurley LH, Pagano B. HMGB1 binds to the KRAS promoter G-quadruplex: a new player in oncogene transcriptional regulation? Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:9442-9445. [PMID: 30079419 PMCID: PMC6234227 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc03614d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This communication reports on a possible distinct role of HMGB1 protein. Biophysical studies revealed that HMGB1 binds and stabilizes the G-quadruplex of the KRAS promoter element that is responsible for most of the transcriptional activity. Biological data showed that inhibition of HMGB1 increases KRAS expression. These results suggest that HMGB1 could play a role in the gene transcriptional regulation via the functional recognition of the G-quadruplex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Thushara W. Madanayake
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 East Mabel Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Laurence H. Hurley
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1703 East Mabel Street, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Pagano A, Iaccarino N, Abdelhamid MAS, Brancaccio D, Garzarella EU, Di Porzio A, Novellino E, Waller ZAE, Pagano B, Amato J, Randazzo A. Common G-Quadruplex Binding Agents Found to Interact With i-Motif-Forming DNA: Unexpected Multi-Target-Directed Compounds. Front Chem 2018; 6:281. [PMID: 30137743 PMCID: PMC6066642 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) and i-motif (iM) are four-stranded non-canonical nucleic acid structural arrangements. Recent evidences suggest that these DNA structures exist in living cells and could be involved in several cancer-related processes, thus representing an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery. Efforts toward the development of G4 targeting compounds have led to a number of effective bioactive ligands. Herein, employing several biophysical methodologies, we studied the ability of some well-known G4 ligands to interact with iM-forming DNA. The data showed that the investigated compounds are actually able to interact with both DNA in vitro, thus acting de facto as multi-target-directed agents. Interestingly, while all the compounds stabilize the G4, some of them significantly reduce the stability of the iM. The present study highlights the importance, when studying G4-targeting compounds, of evaluating also their behavior toward the i-motif counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Mahmoud A S Abdelhamid
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Anna Di Porzio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Zoë A E Waller
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom.,Centre for Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Platella C, Musumeci D, Arciello A, Doria F, Freccero M, Randazzo A, Amato J, Pagano B, Montesarchio D. Controlled Pore Glass-based oligonucleotide affinity support: towards High Throughput Screening methods for the identification of conformation-selective G-quadruplex ligands. Anal Chim Acta 2018; 1030:133-141. [PMID: 30032762 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Target selectivity is one of the main challenges in the search for small molecules able to act as effective and non-toxic anticancer and/or antiviral drugs. To achieve this goal, handy, rapid and reliable High Throughput Screening methodologies are needed. We here describe a novel functionalization for the solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides on Controlled Pore Glass, including a flexible hexaethylene glycol spacer linking the first nucleoside through the nucleobase via a covalent bond stable to the final deprotection step. This allowed us preparing fully deprotected oligonucleotides still covalently attached to their supports. In detail, on this support we performed both the on-line synthesis of different secondary structure-forming oligonucleotides and the affinity chromatography-based screenings of conformation-selective G-quadruplex ligands. By using a fluorescent core-extended naphthalene diimide with different emitting response upon binding to sequences folding into G-quadruplexes of different topologies, we have been able to discriminate not only G-quadruplex vs. duplex DNA structures, but also different G-quadruplex conformations on the glass beads by confocal microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Doria
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mauro Freccero
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 12, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy.
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Amato J, Pagano A, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Giustiniano M, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Pagano B. Targeting the BCL2 Gene Promoter G-Quadruplex with a New Class of Furopyridazinone-Based Molecules. ChemMedChem 2018; 13:406-410. [PMID: 29345419 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Targeting of G-quadruplex-forming DNA in the BCL2 gene promoter to inhibit the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein is an attractive approach to cancer treatment. So far, efforts made in the discovery of molecules that are able to target the BCL2 G-quadruplex have succeeded mainly in the identification of ligands with poor drug-like properties. Here, a small series of furo[2,3-d]pyridazin-4(5H)-one derivatives were evaluated as a new class of drug-like G-quadruplex-targeting compounds. Biophysical studies showed that two derivatives could effectively bind to BCL2 G-quadruplex with good selectivity. Moreover, one such ligand was found to appreciably inhibit BCL2 gene transcription, with a substantial decrease in protein expression levels, and also showed significant cytotoxicity toward the Jurkat human T-lymphoblastoid cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariateresa Giustiniano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Raimondo L, D'Amato V, Servetto A, Rosa R, Marciano R, Formisano L, Di Mauro C, Orsini RC, Cascetta P, Ciciola P, De Maio AP, Di Renzo MF, Cosconati S, Bruno A, Randazzo A, Napolitano F, Montuori N, Veneziani BM, De Placido S, Bianco R. Everolimus induces Met inactivation by disrupting the FKBP12/Met complex. Oncotarget 2018; 7:40073-40084. [PMID: 27223077 PMCID: PMC5129993 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a promising treatment strategy for several cancer types. Rapamycin derivatives such as everolimus are allosteric mTOR inhibitors acting through interaction with the intracellular immunophilin FKBP12, a prolyl isomerase with different cellular functions. Although mTOR inhibitors have significantly improved survival of different cancer patients, resistance and lack of predictive factors of response remain unsolved issues. To elucidate the mechanisms of resistance to everolimus, we evaluated Met activation in everolimus-sensitive/resistant human cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo. Biochemical and computational analyses were performed. Everolimus-resistant cells were xenografted into mice (10/group) and studied for their response to everolimus and Met inhibitors. The statistical significance of the in vitro results was evaluated by Student's t test. Everolimus reduced Met phosphorylation in everolimus-sensitive cells. This event was mediated by the formation of a Met-FKBP12 complex, which in turn is disrupted by everolimus. Aberrant Met activation in everolimus-resistant cells and overexpression of wild-type/mutant Met caused everolimus resistance. Pharmacological inhibition and RNA silencing of Met are effective in condition of everolimus resistance (P<0.01). In mice xenografted with everolimus-resistant cells, the combination of everolimus with the Met inhibitor PHA665752 reduced tumor growth and induced a statistically significant survival advantage (combination vs control P=0.0005). FKBP12 binding is required for full Met activation and everolimus can inhibit Met. Persistent Met activation might sustain everolimus resistance. These results identify a novel everolimus mechanism of action and suggest the development of clinical strategies based on Met inhibitors in everolimus-resistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Raimondo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Amato
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Servetto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Rosa
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Marciano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Di Mauro
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Clara Orsini
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Priscilla Cascetta
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Ciciola
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Ana Paula De Maio
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Di Renzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO IRCCS, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Agostino Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Napolitano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Montuori
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Veneziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sabino De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Bianco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Laezza A, Casillo A, Cosconati S, Biggs CI, Fabozzi A, Paduano L, Iadonisi A, Novellino E, Gibson MI, Randazzo A, Corsaro MM, Bedini E. Decoration of Chondroitin Polysaccharide with Threonine: Synthesis, Conformational Study, and Ice-Recrystallization Inhibition Activity. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:2267-2276. [PMID: 28650649 PMCID: PMC5718299 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Several threonine (Thr)- and alanine (Ala)-rich antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) and polysaccharides act in nature as ice recrystallization inhibitors. Among them, the Thr-decorated capsular polysaccharide (CPS) from the cold-adapted Colwellia psychrerythraea 34H bacterium was recently investigated for its cryoprotectant activity. A semisynthetic mimic thereof was here prepared from microbial sourced chondroitin through a four-step strategy, involving a partial protection of the chondroitin polysaccharide as a key step for gaining an unprecedented quantitative amidation of its glucuronic acid units. In-depth NMR and computational analysis suggested a fairly linear conformation for the semisynthetic polysaccharide, for which the antifreeze activity by a quantitative ice recrystallization inhibition assay was measured. We compared the structure-activity relationships for the Thr-derivatized chondroitin and the natural Thr-decorated CPS from C. psychrerythraea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Laezza
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Casillo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Caroline I. Biggs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Fabozzi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alfonso Iadonisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Matthew I. Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maria M. Corsaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Emiliano Bedini
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S.Angelo, via Cintia 4, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
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Salvati E, Botta L, Amato J, Di Leva FS, Zizza P, Gioiello A, Pagano B, Graziani G, Tarsounas M, Randazzo A, Novellino E, Biroccio A, Cosconati S. Lead Discovery of Dual G-Quadruplex Stabilizers and Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases (PARPs) Inhibitors: A New Avenue in Anticancer Treatment. J Med Chem 2017; 60:3626-3635. [PMID: 28445046 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
G-quadruplex stabilizers are an established opportunity in anticancer chemotherapy. To circumvent the antiproliferative effects of G4 ligands, cancer cells recruit PARP enzymes at telomeres. Herein, starting from the structural similarity of a potent G4 ligand previously discovered by our group and a congeneric PARP inhibitor, a library of derivatives was synthesized to discover the first dual G4/PARP ligand. We demonstrate that a properly decorated thieno[3,2-c]quinolin-4(5H)-one stabilizes the G4 fold in vitro and in cells, induces a DNA damage response localized to telomeres, inhibits PARylation in cells, and has an antiproliferative effect in BRCA2 deficient tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Salvati
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Antimo Gioiello
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Perugia , I-06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of "Tor Vergata" , 00173 Rome, Italy
| | - Madalena Tarsounas
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, U.K
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II" , 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , 81100 Caserta, Italy
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Raspanti C, Porrello C, Augello G, Dafnomili A, Rotolo G, Randazzo A, Falco N, Fontana T, Tutino R, Gulotta G. 23-hour observation endocrine neck surgery: lessons learned from a case series of over 1700 patients. G Chir 2017; 38:15-22. [PMID: 28460198 DOI: 10.11138/gchir/2017.38.1.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the surgical procedures concerning the thyroid and the parathyroid glands are considered safe, the possible occurrence of complications (mainly hematoma and hypocalcemia) limit the short stay surgery. At our institution a 23-hour-surgery with overnight hospital stay for endocrine neck surgical procedures was introduced since 2004. The present case series analyses the institutional results. Over 1913 endocrine neck surgery procedures, 1730 patients (90,2%) were managed according to this model. Among these patients, 92 suffered from hypocalcemia, 12 from airways obstruction due to the hematoma, 5 from bilateral nerve palsy. 15 more patients had unpredictable general disease compromising the short-stay surgery management. The goal of the discharge after 23 hours was achieved in 92,8% of cases with a mean hospital stay of 1,1days. The 23-hour observation with an overnight surgery is feasible and safe if the correct indications are observed. A considerable volume of specific activity is needed.
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Terzidis MA, Prisecaru A, Molphy Z, Barron N, Randazzo A, Dumont E, Krokidis MG, Kellett A, Chatgilialoglu C. Radical-induced purine lesion formation is dependent on DNA helical topology. Free Radic Res 2017; 50:S91-S101. [PMID: 27733084 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2016.1244820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Herein we report the quantification of purine lesions arising from gamma-radiation sourced hydroxyl radicals (HO•) on tertiary dsDNA helical forms of supercoiled (SC), open circular (OC), and linear (L) conformation, along with single-stranded folded and non-folded sequences of guanine-rich DNA in selected G-quadruplex structures. We identify that DNA helical topology and folding plays major, and unexpected, roles in the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyadenosine (8-oxo-dA), along with tandem-type purine lesions 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine (5',8-cdG) and 5',8-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (5',8-cdA). SC, OC, and L dsDNA conformers together with folded and non-folded G-quadruplexes d[TGGGGT]4 (TG4T), d[AGGG(TTAGGG)3] (Tel22), and the mutated tel24 d[TTGGG(TTAGGG)3A] (mutTel24) were exposed to HO• radicals and purine lesions were then quantified via stable isotope dilution LC-MS/MS analysis. Purine oxidation in dsDNA follows L > OC ≫ SC indicating greater damage towards the extended B-DNA topology. Conversely, G-quadruplex sequences were significantly more resistant toward purine oxidation in their unfolded states as compared with G-tetrad folded topologies; this effect is confirmed upon comparative analysis of Tel22 (∼50% solution folded) and mutTel24 (∼90% solution folded). In an effort to identify the accessibly of hydroxyl radicals to quadruplex purine nucleobases, G-quadruplex solvent cavities were then modeled at 1.33 Å with evidence suggesting that folded G-tetrads may act as potential oxidant traps to protect against chromosomal DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreea Prisecaru
- b School of Chemical Sciences and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Glasnevin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Zara Molphy
- b School of Chemical Sciences and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Glasnevin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Niall Barron
- b School of Chemical Sciences and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Glasnevin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- c Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples "Federico II" , Napoli , Italy
| | - Elise Dumont
- d Laboratoire de Chimie, UMR 5182 CNRS , École Normale Supérieure de Lyon , Lyon Cedex , France
| | - Marios G Krokidis
- e NCSR "Demokritos" , Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , Athens , Greece
| | - Andrew Kellett
- b School of Chemical Sciences and National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology , Dublin City University , Glasnevin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Chryssostomos Chatgilialoglu
- a ISOF , Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Bologna , Italy.,e NCSR "Demokritos" , Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , Athens , Greece
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Musumeci D, Amato J, Zizza P, Platella C, Cosconati S, Cingolani C, Biroccio A, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Giancola C, Pagano B, Montesarchio D. Tandem application of ligand-based virtual screening and G4-OAS assay to identify novel G-quadruplex-targeting chemotypes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1341-1352. [PMID: 28130159 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G-quadruplex (G4) structures are key elements in the regulation of cancer cell proliferation and their targeting is deemed to be a promising strategy in anticancer therapy. METHODS A tandem application of ligand-based virtual screening (VS) calculations together with the experimental G-quadruplex on Oligo Affinity Support (G4-OAS) assay was employed to discover novel G4-targeting compounds. The interaction of the selected compounds with the investigated G4 in solution was analysed through a series of biophysical techniques and their biological activity investigated by immunofluorescence and MTT assays. RESULTS A focused library of 60 small molecules, designed as putative G4 groove binders, was identified through the VS. The G4-OAS experimental screening led to the selection of 7 ligands effectively interacting with the G4-forming human telomeric DNA. Evaluation of the biological activity of the selected compounds showed that 3 ligands of this sub-library induced a marked telomere-localized DNA damage response in human tumour cells. CONCLUSIONS The combined application of virtual and experimental screening tools proved to be a successful strategy to identify new bioactive chemotypes able to target the telomeric G4 DNA. These compounds may represent useful leads for the development of more potent and selective G4 ligands. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Expanding the repertoire of the available G4-targeting chemotypes with improved physico-chemical features, in particular aiming at the discovery of novel, selective G4 telomeric ligands, can help in developing effective anti-cancer drugs with fewer side effects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Cingolani
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Concetta Giancola
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy.
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Casillo A, Parrilli E, Sannino F, Mitchell DE, Gibson MI, Marino G, Lanzetta R, Parrilli M, Cosconati S, Novellino E, Randazzo A, Tutino ML, Corsaro MM. Structure-activity relationship of the exopolysaccharide from a psychrophilic bacterium: A strategy for cryoprotection. Carbohydr Polym 2017; 156:364-371. [PMID: 27842835 PMCID: PMC5166977 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Microrganisms from sea ice, glacial and subglacial environments are currently under investigation due to their relevant ecological functions in these habitats, and to their potential biotechnological applications. The cold-adapted Colwellia psychrerythraea 34H produces extracellular polysaccharides with cryoprotection activity. We here describe the purification and detailed molecular primary and secondary structure of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) secreted by C. psychrerythraea 34H cells grown at 4°C. The structure was determined by chemical analysis and NMR. The trisaccharide repeating unit of the EPS is constituted by a N-acetyl quinovosamine unit and two residues of galacturonic acid both decorated with alanine. In addition, the EPS was tested in vitro showing a significant inhibitory effect on ice recrystallization. In-depth NMR and computational analysis suggest a pseudohelicoidal structure which seems to prevent the local tetrahedral order of the water molecules in the first hydration shell, and could be responsible of the inhibition of ice recrystallization. As cell cryopreservation is an essential tool in modern biotechnology and medicine, the observations reported in this paper could pave the way for a biotechnological application of Colwellia EPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Casillo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ermenegilda Parrilli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Filomena Sannino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel E Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Matthew I Gibson
- Department of Chemistry and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Gennaro Marino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Lanzetta
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Parrilli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via D. Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria L Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M Michela Corsaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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49
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Amato J, Pagano A, Cosconati S, Amendola G, Fotticchia I, Iaccarino N, Marinello J, De Magis A, Capranico G, Novellino E, Pagano B, Randazzo A. Discovery of the first dual G-triplex/G-quadruplex stabilizing compound: a new opportunity in the targeting of G-rich DNA structures? Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2016; 1861:1271-1280. [PMID: 27836755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guanine-rich DNA motifs can form non-canonical structures known as G-quadruplexes, whose role in tumorigenic processes makes them attractive drug-target candidates for cancer therapy. Recent studies revealed that the folding and unfolding pathways of G-quadruplexes proceed through a quite stable intermediate named G-triplex. METHODS Virtual screening was employed to identify a small set of putative G-triplex ligands. The G-triplex stabilizing properties of these compounds were analyzed by CD melting assay. DSC, non-denaturing gel electrophoresis, NMR and molecular modeling studies were performed to investigate the interaction between the selected compound 1 and G-rich DNA structures. Cytotoxic activity of 1 was evaluated by MTT cell proliferation assay. RESULTS The experiments led to the identification of a promising hit that was shown to bind preferentially to G-triplex and parallel-stranded G-quadruplexes over duplex and antiparallel G-quadruplexes. Molecular modeling results suggested a partial end-stacking of 1 to the external G-triad/G-tetrads as a binding mode. Biological assays showed that 1 is endowed with cytotoxic effect on human osteosarcoma cells. CONCLUSIONS A tandem application of virtual screening along with the experimental investigation was employed to discover a G-triplex-targeting ligand. Experiments revealed that the selected compound actually acts as a dual G-triplex/G-quadruplex stabilizer, thus stimulating further studies aimed at its optimization. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE The discovery of molecules able to bind and stabilize G-triplex structures is highly appealing, but their transient state makes challenging their recognition. These findings suggest that the identification of ligands with dual G-triplex/G-quadruplex stabilizing properties may represent a new route for the design of anticancer agents targeting the G-rich DNA structures. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussara Amato
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, Second University of Naples, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiF, Second University of Naples, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Iolanda Fotticchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Iaccarino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Jessica Marinello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessio De Magis
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Pagano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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Formisano L, D'Amato V, Servetto A, Brillante S, Raimondo L, Di Mauro C, Marciano R, Orsini RC, Cosconati S, Randazzo A, Parsons SJ, Montuori N, Veneziani BM, De Placido S, Rosa R, Bianco R. Src inhibitors act through different mechanisms in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer models depending on EGFR and RAS mutational status. Oncotarget 2016; 6:26090-103. [PMID: 26325669 PMCID: PMC4694888 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib, often related to Ras or secondary EGFR mutations, is a relevant clinical issue in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Although Src TK has been involved in such resistance, clinical development of its inhibitors has been so far limited. To better define the molecular targets of the Src TKIs saracatinib, dasatinib and bosutinib, we used a variety of in vitro/in vivo studies. Kinase assays supported by docking analysis demonstrated that all the compounds directly inhibit EGFR TK variants. However, in live cells only saracatinib efficiently reduced EGFR activation, while dasatinib was the most effective agent in inhibiting Src TK. Consistently, a pronounced anti-proliferative effect was achieved with saracatinib, in EGFR mutant cells, or with dasatinib, in wt EGFR/Ras mutant cells, poorly dependent on EGFR and erlotinib-resistant. We then identified the most effective drug combinations to overcome resistance to EGFR inhibitors, both in vitro and in nude mice: in T790M EGFR erlotinib-resistant cells, saracatinib with the anti-EGFR mAb cetuximab; in Ras mutant erlotinib-resistant models, dasatinib with the MEK inhibitor selumetinib. Src inhibitors may act with different mechanisms in NSCLCs, depending on EGFR/Ras mutational profile, and may be integrated with EGFR or MEK inhibitors for different cohorts of NSCLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Formisano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina D'Amato
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Servetto
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Brillante
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Raimondo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Di Mauro
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Marciano
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Clara Orsini
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Randazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sarah J Parsons
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Cancer Biology, Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Nunzia Montuori
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Veneziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sabino De Placido
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Rosa
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Bianco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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