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Napolitano E, Criscuolo A, Riccardi C, Esposito CL, Catuogno S, Coppola G, Roviello GN, Montesarchio D, Musumeci D. Directing in Vitro Selection towards G-quadruplex-forming Aptamers to Inhibit HMGB1 Pathological Activity. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319828. [PMID: 38358301 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319828] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In the search for novel, effective inhibitors of High-Mobility Group Box1 (HMGB1)-a protein involved in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as in cancer-we herein discovered a set of anti-HMGB1 G-quadruplex(G4)-forming aptamers by using an in vitro selection procedure applied to a doped library of guanine-rich oligonucleotides. The selected DNA sequences were then studied in a pseudo-physiological buffer mimicking the extracellular medium, where HMGB1 exerts its pathological activity, using spectroscopic, electrophoretic, and chromatographic techniques. All the oligonucleotides proved to fold into monomeric G4s and in some cases also dimeric species, stable at physiological temperature. Remarkably, the protein preferentially recognized the sequences forming dimeric parallel G4 structures, as evidenced by a properly designed chemiluminescent binding assay which also highlighted a good selectivity of these aptamers for HMGB1. Moreover, all aptamers showed anti-HMGB1 activity, inhibiting protein-induced cell migration. The acquired data allowed identifying L12 as the best anti-HMGB1 aptamer, featured by high thermal and enzymatic stability, no toxicity at least up to 5 μM concentration on healthy cells, along with potent anti-HMGB1 activity (IC50 ca. 28 nM) and good binding affinity for the protein, thus indicating it as a very promising lead candidate for in vivo studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napolitano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Criscuolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Carla L Esposito
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Catuogno
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Gabriele Coppola
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "Gaetano Salvatore" (IEOS), National Research Council (CNR), Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80145, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 80145, Napoli, Italy
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Falanga AP, Lupia A, Tripodi L, Morgillo CM, Moraca F, Roviello GN, Catalanotti B, Amato J, Pastore L, Cerullo V, D'Errico S, Piccialli G, Oliviero G, Borbone N. Exploring the DNA 2-PNA heterotriplex formation in targeting the Bcl-2 gene promoter: A structural insight by physico-chemical and microsecond-scale MD investigation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24599. [PMID: 38317891 PMCID: PMC10839560 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24599] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) represent a promising tool for gene modulation in anticancer treatment. The uncharged peptidyl backbone and the resistance to chemical and enzymatic degradation make PNAs highly advantageous to form stable hybrid complexes with complementary DNA and RNA strands, providing higher stability than the corresponding natural analogues. Our and other groups' research has successfully shown that tailored PNA sequences can effectively downregulate the expression of human oncogenes using antigene, antisense, or anti-miRNA approaches. Specifically, we identified a seven bases-long PNA sequence, complementary to the longer loop of the main G-quadruplex structure formed by the bcl2midG4 promoter sequence, capable of downregulating the expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein and enhancing the anticancer activity of an oncolytic adenovirus. Here, we extended the length of the PNA probe with the aim of including the double-stranded Bcl-2 promoter among the targets of the PNA probe. Our investigation primarily focused on the structural aspects of the resulting DNA2-PNA heterotriplex that were determined by employing conventional and accelerated microsecond-scale molecular dynamics simulations and chemical-physical analysis. Additionally, we conducted preliminary biological experiments using cytotoxicity assays on human A549 and MDA-MB-436 adenocarcinoma cell lines, employing the oncolytic adenovirus delivery strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P. Falanga
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Lorella Tripodi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.c.a.r.l., Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Carmine M. Morgillo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Federica Moraca
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Jussara Amato
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Lucio Pastore
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore S.c.a.r.l., Naples, 80145, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Cerullo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
- ImmunoViroTherapy Lab (IVT), Drug Research Program (DRP), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, 00100, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Stefano D'Errico
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, 80131, Italy
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Pirtskhalava M, Mittova V, Tsetskhladze ZR, Palumbo R, Pastore R, Roviello GN. Georgian Medicinal Plants as Rich Natural Sources of Antioxidant Derivatives: A Review on the Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:CMC-EPUB-138389. [PMID: 38343047 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673262575231127034952] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The study of antioxidants is of pivotal importance in biomedicine as these molecules could be involved in biological pathways associated with disease. The identification of new antioxidants together with the acquisition of a deeper knowledge on their biology, could lead to the use of these compounds as drugs for innovative treatments. Plants are an important source of phytodrugs that in many cases can be isolated with good extraction yields directly from the vegetal source and are often endowed with a low toxicity profile. Georgia, a country situated on the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus region at the intersection of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, is renowned for its unique woodland habitats and immense biological diversity due to the great variety of climate zones and landscapes. Many wild plants in the area are used as remedies for a number of illnesses in the local traditional medicine. However, the scientific knowledge of these sources of natural drugs and of their molecular components is still far from exhaustive. Therefore, with the present work we reviewed the scientific literature on some of the main Georgian medicinal plants and found that several species are a valuable source of hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants, endowed in some cases with a high ROS-scavenging ability. The analysis of the literature also demonstrated that most of the medicinal extracts and compounds isolated from these plants are beneficial in suppressing multiple diseases in vitro. This review will provide information for scientists looking to develop secure plant-based pharmaceuticals as well as a rationale for using Georgian medicinal plants for the treatment of a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Pirtskhalava
- Teaching University Geomedi, LLC, 4 King Solomon II str. 0114, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Valentina Mittova
- Teaching University Geomedi, LLC, 4 King Solomon II str. 0114, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Scientific-Research Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Teaching University Geomedi, LLC, 4 King Solomon II str. 0114, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Zurab R Tsetskhladze
- Teaching University Geomedi, LLC, 4 King Solomon II str. 0114, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Scientific-Research Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Teaching University Geomedi, LLC, 4 King Solomon II str. 0114, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131Naples, Italy
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Scognamiglio PL, Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. Dancing with Nucleobases: Unveiling the Self-Assembly Properties of DNA and RNA Base-Containing Molecules for Gel Formation. Gels 2023; 10:16. [PMID: 38247739 PMCID: PMC10815473 DOI: 10.3390/gels10010016] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleobase-containing molecules are compounds essential in biology due to the fundamental role of nucleic acids and, in particular, G-quadruplex DNA and RNA in life. Moreover, some molecules different from nucleic acids isolated from different vegetal sources or microorganisms show nucleobase moieties in their structure. Nucleoamino acids and peptidyl nucleosides belong to this molecular class. Closely related to the above, nucleopeptides, also known as nucleobase-bearing peptides, are chimeric derivatives of synthetic origin and more rarely isolated from plants. Herein, the self-assembly properties of a vast number of structures, belonging to the nucleic acid and nucleoamino acid/nucleopeptide family, are explored in light of the recent scientific literature. Moreover, several technologically relevant properties, such as the hydrogelation ability of some of the nucleobase-containing derivatives, are reviewed in order to make way for future experimental investigations of newly devised nucleobase-driven hydrogels. Nucleobase-containing molecules, such as mononucleosides, DNA, RNA, quadruplex (G4)-forming oligonucleotides, and nucleopeptides are paramount in gel and hydrogel formation owing to their distinctive molecular attributes and ability to self-assemble in biomolecular nanosystems with the most diverse applications in different fields of biomedicine and nanotechnology. In fact, these molecules and their gels present numerous advantages, underscoring their significance and applicability in both material science and biomedicine. Their versatility, capability for molecular recognition, responsiveness to stimuli, biocompatibility, and biodegradability collectively contribute to their prominence in modern nanotechnology and biomedicine. In this review, we emphasize the critical role of nucleobase-containing molecules of different nature in pioneering novel materials with multifaceted applications, highlighting their potential in therapy, diagnostics, and new nanomaterials fabrication as required for addressing numerous current biomedical and nanotechnological challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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5
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Vicidomini C, Borbone N, Roviello V, Roviello GN, Oliviero G. Summary of the Current Status of DNA Vaccination for Alzheimer Disease. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1706. [PMID: 38006038 PMCID: PMC10674988 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111706] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most common and disabling neuropathies in the ever-growing aged population around the world, that especially affects Western countries. We are in urgent need of finding an effective therapy but also a valid prophylactic means of preventing AD. There is a growing attention currently paid to DNA vaccination, a technology particularly used during the COVID-19 era, which can be used also to potentially prevent or modify the course of neurological diseases, including AD. This paper aims to discuss the main features and hurdles encountered in the immunization and therapy against AD using DNA vaccine technology. Ultimately, this work aims to effectively promote the efforts in research for the development of safe and effective DNA and RNA vaccines for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Vicidomini
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (CESTEV), University of Naples Federico II, Via Tommaso De Amicis 95, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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6
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Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. Protein-Targeting Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1591. [PMID: 38002273 PMCID: PMC10669076 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-driven biological processes play a fundamental role in biomedicine because they are related to pathologies of enormous social impact, such as cancer, neuropathies, and viral diseases, including the one at the origin of the recent COVID-19 pandemic [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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7
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Egoyan A, Parulava G, Baker S, Gilhen-Baker M, Roviello GN. Movement Asymmetries: From Their Molecular Origin to the Analysis of Movement Asymmetries in Athletes. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2127. [PMID: 38004267 PMCID: PMC10672360 DOI: 10.3390/life13112127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Asymmetry plays a major role in biology at all scales. This can be seen in the helix of DNA, the fact that the human heart is on the left side, or that most people use their right hand. A single protein such as Myosin 1D can induce helical motion in another molecule. This causes cells, organs, and even entire bodies to twist in a domino effect, causing left-right behaviour. More generally, athlete movements are often asymmetric and, during the physical rehabilitation after injury, the asymmetry is visually discernible. Herein, we review the molecular basis of the movement asymmetries and report on the available knowledge on the few therapeutics investigated so far such as meloxicam. From a more rehabilitative perspective, it is very important to use effective methods to control the process of resolving the injury-related movement asymmetry through the complex use of specialised exercises, measurements, and gait analysis, which can all provide useful information on the effectiveness of the rehabilitation plans. If for each athlete, the normal range of asymmetry is known, the asymmetry can be individually treated and the evolution can be monitored over time. Appropriate measures should be taken if the movement asymmetry is outside this range. In addition, genetic, physiological, and psychological factors relevant to athlete health should be considered in the process of assessing and improving exercise asymmetry, which we also discuss in this review. The main proposal of this work is that the movement asymmetries in athletes should be individually treated, while taking into account the athlete's genetics, physical condition, and previous injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Egoyan
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Giorgi Parulava
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Steven Baker
- Compete Physiotherapy Ltd., Unit 1, Bridge Mill, Cowan Bridge, Carnforth LA6 2HS, UK;
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49 Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia; (A.E.); (G.P.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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8
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Palumbo R, Simonyan H, Roviello GN. Advances in Amino Acid-Based Chemistry. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1490. [PMID: 37895960 PMCID: PMC10609888 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous applications of amino acid-based compounds and peptide derivatives in different biomedicine- and nanotechnology-related fields were described in the recent scientific literature [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Palumbo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Hayarpi Simonyan
- Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., Yerevan 0025, Armenia;
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Research Council (IBB-CNR), Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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Sardaru MC, Marangoci NL, Palumbo R, Roviello GN, Rotaru A. Nucleic Acid Probes in Bio-Imaging and Diagnostics: Recent Advances in ODN-Based Fluorescent and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoparticle and Nanostructured Systems. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083561. [PMID: 37110795 PMCID: PMC10141977 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083561] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Raman nanoparticle probes are a potent class of optical labels for the interrogation of pathological and physiological processes in cells, bioassays, and tissues. Herein, we review the recent advancements in fluorescent and Raman imaging using oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN)-based nanoparticles and nanostructures, which show promise as effective tools for live-cell analysis. These nanodevices can be used to investigate a vast number of biological processes occurring at various levels, starting from those involving organelles, cells, tissues, and whole living organisms. ODN-based fluorescent and Raman probes have contributed to the achievement of significant advancements in the comprehension of the role played by specific analytes in pathological processes and have inaugurated new possibilities for diagnosing health conditions. The technological implications that have emerged from the studies herein described could open new avenues for innovative diagnostics aimed at identifying socially relevant diseases like cancer through the utilization of intracellular markers and/or guide surgical procedures based on fluorescent or Raman imaging. Particularly complex probe structures have been developed within the past five years, creating a versatile toolbox for live-cell analysis, with each tool possessing its own strengths and limitations for specific studies. Analyzing the literature reports in the field, we predict that the development of ODN-based fluorescent and Raman probes will continue in the near future, disclosing novel ideas on their application in therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica-Cornelia Sardaru
- "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
- The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), 90 Sos. Panduri, 050663 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Narcisa-Laura Marangoci
- "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alexandru Rotaru
- "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41 A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
- Institute for Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer, UPS "Ion Creanga", Ion Creanga Str. 1, MD2069 Chisinau, Moldova
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Cruz-Gregorio A, Aranda-Rivera AK, Roviello GN, Pedraza-Chaverri J. Targeting Mitochondrial Therapy in the Regulation of HPV Infection and HPV-Related Cancers. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030402. [PMID: 36986324 PMCID: PMC10054155 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been previously proposed that some types of cancer cells reprogram their metabolic pathways, favoring the metabolism of glucose by aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) instead of oxidative phosphorylation, mainly because the mitochondria of these cells are damaged, thus displaying mitochondrial dysfunction. However, in several cancers, the mitochondria do not exhibit any dysfunction and are also necessary for the tumor’s growth and maintenance. Remarkably, if the mitochondria are dysfunctional, specific processes associated with the release of cytochrome c (cyt c), such as apoptosis, are significantly impaired. In these cases, cellular biotherapies such as mitochondrial transplantation could restore the intrinsic apoptotic processes necessary for the elimination of cancers. On the other hand, if the mitochondria are in good shape, drugs that target the mitochondria are a valid option for treating the related cancers. Famously, the mitochondria are targeted by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV-related cancers depend on the host’s mitochondria for their development and progression. On the other hand, the mitochondria are also important during treatment, such as chemotherapy, since they are key organelles for the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which significantly increases cell death due to the presence of oxidative stress (OS). In this way, the mitochondria in HPV infection and in the development of HPV-related cancer could be targeted to reduce or eliminate HPV infections or HPV-related cancers. To our knowledge, there was no previous review specifically focusing on this topic, so this work aimed to summarize for the first time the potential use of mitochondria-targeting drugs, providing molecular insights on the main therapeutics developed so far in HPV infection and HPV-related cancer. Thus, we reviewed the mechanisms associated with HPV-related cancers, with their early proteins and mitochondrial apoptosis specifically induced by different compounds or drugs, in which these molecules induce the production of ROS, the activation of proapoptotic proteins, the deactivation of antiapoptotic proteins, the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), cyt c release, and the activation of caspases, which are all events which lead to the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. This makes these compounds and drugs potential anticancer therapeutics that target the mitochondria and could be exploited in future biomedical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Cruz-Gregorio
- Department of Cardiovascular Biomedicine, Ignacio Chávez National Institute of Cardiology, Juan Badiano No. 1, Colonia Section XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
- Laboratory F-315, Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Ana Karina Aranda-Rivera
- Laboratory F-315, Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.N.R.); (J.P.-C.)
| | - José Pedraza-Chaverri
- Laboratory F-315, Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
- Correspondence: (G.N.R.); (J.P.-C.)
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Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Strategies. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052118. [PMID: 36903364 PMCID: PMC10003904 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Finding effective antiviral molecular strategies was a main concern in the scientific community when the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged at the end of 2019 as an easily transmissible and potentially deadly β-coronavirus able to cause the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), which famously led to one of the most worrying pandemics in recent times. Other members of this zoonotic pathogenic family were already known before 2019, but apart from the SARS-CoV, which was responsible of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic in 2002/2003, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), whose main impact on humans is geographically restricted to Middle Eastern countries, the other human β-coronaviruses known at that time were those typically associated with common cold symptoms which had not led to the development of any specific prophylactic or therapeutic measures. Although SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations are still causing illness in our communities, COVID-19 is less deadly than before and we are returning to normality. Overall, the main lesson learnt after the past few years of pandemic is that keeping our bodies healthy and immunity defenses strong using sport, nature-inspired measures, and using functional foods are powerful weapons for preventing the more severe forms of illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 and, from a more molecular perspective, that finding drugs with mechanisms of action involving biological targets conserved within the different mutations of SARS-CoV-2-and possibly within the entire family of β-coronaviruses-gives more therapeutic opportunities in the scenario of future pandemics based on these pathogens. In this regard, the main protease (Mpro), having no human homologues, offers a lower risk of off-target reactivity and represents a suitable therapeutic target in the search for efficacious, broad-spectrum anti-β-coronavirus drugs. Herein, we discuss on the above points and also report some molecular approaches presented in the past few years to counteract the effects of β-coronaviruses, with a special focus on SARS-CoV-2 but also MERS-CoV.
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Costanzo V, Roviello GN. The Potential Role of Vaccines in Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): An Update and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020333. [PMID: 36851210 PMCID: PMC9962013 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the modern era, the consumption of antibiotics represents a revolutionary weapon against several infectious diseases, contributing to the saving of millions of lives worldwide. However, the misuse of antibiotics for human and animal purposes has fueled the process of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), considered now a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), which significantly increases the mortality risk and related medical costs linked to the management of bacterial diseases. The current research aiming at developing novel efficient antibiotics is very challenging, and just a few candidates have been identified so far due to the difficulties connected with AMR. Therefore, novel therapeutic or prophylactic strategies to fight AMR are urgently needed. In this scenario, vaccines constitute a promising approach that proves to be crucial in preventing pathogen spreading in primary infections and in minimizing the usage of antibiotics following secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately, most of the vaccines developed against the main resistant pathogens are still under preclinical and clinical evaluation due to the complexity of pathogens and technical difficulties. In this review, we describe not only the main causes of AMR and the role of vaccines in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, but we also report on specific prophylactic advancements against some of the main pathogens, focusing on new strategies that aim at improving vaccine efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Costanzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (G.N.R.)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site and Headquartes, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (G.N.R.)
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13
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Ricci A, Roviello GN. Exploring the Protective Effect of Food Drugs against Viral Diseases: Interaction of Functional Food Ingredients and SARS-CoV-2, Influenza Virus, and HSV. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020402. [PMID: 36836758 PMCID: PMC9966545 DOI: 10.3390/life13020402] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A complex network of processes inside the human immune system provides resistance against a wide range of pathologies. These defenses form an innate and adaptive immunity, in which certain immune components work together to counteract infections. In addition to inherited variables, the susceptibility to diseases may be influenced by factors such as lifestyle choices and aging, as well as environmental determinants. It has been shown that certain dietary chemical components regulate signal transduction and cell morphologies which, in turn, have consequences on pathophysiology. The consumption of some functional foods may increase immune cell activity, defending us against a number of diseases, including those caused by viruses. Here, we investigate a range of functional foods, often marketed as immune system boosters, in an attempt to find indications of their potential protective role against diseases caused by viruses, such as the influenza viruses (A and B), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in some cases mediated by gut microbiota. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms that govern the protective effects of some functional foods and their molecular constituents. The main message of this review is that discovering foods that are able to strengthen the immune system can be a winning weapon against viral diseases. In addition, understanding how the dietary components function can aid in the development of novel strategies for maintaining human bodily health and keeping our immune systems strong.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ricci
- Studio Nutrizione e Benessere, Via Giuseppe Verdi 1, 84043 Agropoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area Di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0812203415
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14
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Baker S, Gilhen-Baker M, Roviello GN. The Role of Nutrition and Forest-Bathing in the Physical Rehabilitation of Physically Inactive Patients: From the Molecular Aspects to New Nature-Inspired Techniques. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 20:ijerph20010793. [PMID: 36613115 PMCID: PMC9819495 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Physical rehabilitation plays a fundamental role in the management of individuals with disabilities associated with age-related muscle loss or affected by catastrophic conditions such as trauma, surgery, cancer or other severe pathologies. These events have in common an extended period of physical inactivity. Patients who undergo prolonged bed rest often present with a number of complications; for example, muscle loss that can exacerbate existing conditions determined by sarcopenia, which in turn greatly limits physical functions. The main scope of this work is to summarize certain key strategies for the physiotherapeutic management of physically inactive patients, regardless of the reason behind their prolonged bed rest, with a particular focus on physical rehabilitation, nutrition and forest-bathing. The importance of correct nutrition in counter-acting the loss of muscle mass and consequent function is explored alongside a description of the main nutrients that are needed for muscle regeneration. From a biomolecular perspective, some specific molecular mechanisms associated with physical rehabilitation are also reported not only in the context of physical therapy, but also within nature-inspired techniques, such as forest-bathing as well as body self-healing. Combining a targeted physiotherapeutic approach with an appropriate diet as well as nature-based therapy could thus help with the recovery of bed ridden patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Baker
- Compete Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, Unit 1 Bridge Mill—Cowan Bridge, Carnforth LA6 2HS, UK
| | | | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca Site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0812203415
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15
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Falanga AP, Terracciano M, Oliviero G, Roviello GN, Borbone N. Exploring the Relationship between G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids and Plants: From Plant G-Quadruplex Function to Phytochemical G4 Ligands with Pharmaceutic Potential. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2377. [PMID: 36365194 PMCID: PMC9698481 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex (G4) oligonucleotides are higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures of enormous relevance due to their implication in several biological processes and pathological states in different organisms. Strategies aiming at modulating human G4 structures and their interrelated functions are first-line approaches in modern research aiming at finding new potential anticancer treatments or G4-based aptamers for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. Plants offer a cornucopia of phytocompounds that, in many cases, are effective in binding and modulating the thermal stability of G4s and, on the other hand, contain almost unexplored G4 motifs in their genome that could inspire new biotechnological strategies. Herein, we describe some G4 structures found in plants, summarizing the existing knowledge of their functions and biological role. Moreover, we review some of the most promising G4 ligands isolated from vegetal sources and report on the known relationships between such phytochemicals and G4-mediated biological processes that make them potential leads in the pharmaceutical sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P. Falanga
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Terracciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Oliviero
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site and Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Borbone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Italian National Council of Research (ISASI-CNR), Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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16
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Costanzo V, Gilhen-Baker M, Beresford-Kroeger D, Roviello GN. Tree-inhabiting polypore fungi as sources of a cornucopia of bioactive compounds. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:899-902. [PMID: 35694907 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2022-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Costanzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, Via Zamboni 33, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education & Sport, 49, Chavchavadze avenue, Tbilisi, 0162, Georgia
| | - Diana Beresford-Kroeger
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures & Bioimaging, Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site & Headquarters, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
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17
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Roviello V, Gilhen-Baker M, Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. The Healing Power of Clean Rivers: In Silico Evaluation of the Antipsoriatic Potential of Apiin and Hyperoside Plant Metabolites Contained in River Waters. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19052502. [PMID: 35270196 PMCID: PMC8909116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Humanity may benefit greatly from intact riverine ecosystems not only because they supply water to be used in the most common human activities, but also for the effects that clean rivers can have on human health. Herein, we used a computational approach to show that some phytochemicals produced by riparian plants as secondary metabolites, which are naturally released into river waters, can have therapeutic properties. These include antipsoriatic activities which we demonstrated in silico by modelling the interaction of apiin, guanosine and hyperoside, a few main river plant metabolites, with NF-kB, IL-17 and IL-36, which are recognized targets involved in psoriasis disease. In particular, we found that apiin and hyperoside are endowed with docking energies and binding affinities which are more favorable than the known reference inhibitors of the three protein targets whilst, in silico, guanosine shows comparable activity with respect to the inhibitors of IL-36 and NF-kB. The low skin permeation (logKp < −8) we predicted for apiin and hyperoside led us to hypothesize their possible utilization as topic antipsoriatic therapeutics, and in particular after PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds) score evaluation, we reached the conclusion that apiin, with no predicted tendency to react nonspecifically with the numerous targets involved in the biological cellular pathways, is particularly interesting for the desired therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy;
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49, Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia;
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB—CNR, Area di Ricerca site and Headquartes - Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB—CNR, Area di Ricerca site and Headquartes - Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-253-4585
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18
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Scognamiglio PL, Vicidomini C, Fontanella F, De Stefano C, Palumbo R, Roviello GN. Protein Binding of Benzofuran Derivatives: A CD Spectroscopic and In Silico Comparative Study of the Effects of 4-Nitrophenyl Functionalized Benzofurans and Benzodifurans on BSA Protein Structure. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020262. [PMID: 35204762 PMCID: PMC8961527 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzofuran derivatives are synthetic compounds that are finding an increasing interest in the scientific community not only as building blocks for the realization of new materials, but also as potential drugs thanks to their ability to interact with nucleic acids, interfere with the amyloid peptide aggregation and cancer cell cycle. However, their ability to interact with proteins is a theme still in need of investigation for the therapeutic importance that benzofurans could have in the modulation of protein-driven processes and for the possibility of making use of serum albumins as benzofurans delivery systems. To this scope, we investigated the protein binding ability of two 4-nitrophenyl-functionalized benzofurans previously synthesized in our laboratory and herein indicated as BF1 and BDF1, which differed for the number of furan rings (a single moiety in BF1, two in BDF1), using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. By circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy we demonstrated the ability of the two heteroaromatic compounds to alter the secondary structure of the serum albumin leading to different consequences in terms of BSA thermal stability with respect to the unbound protein (ΔTm > 3 °C for BF1, −0.8 °C for BDF1 with respect to unbound BSA, in PBS buffer, pH 7.5) as revealed in our CD melting studies. Moreover, a molecular docking study allowed us to compare the possible ligand binding modes of the mono and difuranic derivatives showing that while BF1 is preferentially housed in the interior of protein structure, BDF1 is predicted to bind the albumin surface with a lower affinity than BF1. Interestingly, the different affinity for the protein target predicted computationally was confirmed also experimentally by fluorescence spectroscopy (kD = 142.4 ± 64.6 nM for BDF1 vs. 28.4 ± 10.1 nM for BF1). Overall, the above findings suggest the ability of benzofurans to bind serum albumins that could act as their carriers in drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy; (C.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Francesco Fontanella
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (DIEI), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy; (F.F.); (C.D.S.)
| | - Claudio De Stefano
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (DIEI), University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy; (F.F.); (C.D.S.)
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy; (C.V.); (R.P.)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB-CNR, via Tommaso De Amicis 95, I-80145 Naples, Italy; (C.V.); (R.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3491928417
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19
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Gilhen-Baker M, Roviello V, Beresford-Kroeger D, Roviello GN. Old growth forests and large old trees as critical organisms connecting ecosystems and human health. A review. Environ Chem Lett 2022; 20:1529-1538. [PMID: 35002589 PMCID: PMC8728480 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01372-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Old forests containing ancient trees are essential ecosystems for life on earth. Mechanisms that happen both deep in the root systems and in the highest canopies ensure the viability of our planet. Old forests fix large quantities of atmospheric CO2, produce oxygen, create micro-climates and irreplaceable habitats, in sharp contrast to young forests and monoculture forests. The current intense logging activities induce rapid, adverse effects on our ecosystems and climate. Here we review large old trees with a focus on ecosystem preservation, climate issues, and therapeutic potential. We found that old forests continue to sequester carbon and fix nitrogen. Old trees control below-ground conditions that are essential for tree regeneration. Old forests create micro-climates that slow global warming and are irreplaceable habitats for many endangered species. Old trees produce phytochemicals with many biomedical properties. Old trees also host particular fungi with untapped medicinal potential, including the Agarikon, Fomitopsis officinalis, which is currently being tested against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Large old trees are an important part of our combined cultural heritage, providing people with aesthetic, symbolic, religious, and historical cues. Bringing their numerous environmental, oceanic, ecological, therapeutic, and socio-cultural benefits to the fore, and learning to appreciate old trees in a holistic manner could contribute to halting the worldwide decline of old-growth forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49, Chavchavadze avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto Di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB - CNR Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters, 80134 Naples, Italy
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20
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Szymańska M, Kubicki M, Roviello GN, Consiglio G, Fik-Jaskółka MA, Patroniak V. New Cu( i) square grid-type and Ni( ii) triangle-type complexes: synthesis and characterization of effective binders of DNA and serum albumins. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:15648-15658. [DOI: 10.1039/d2dt02271k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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
Metallosupramolecular square grid-type complex [Cu4L4]4+ and triangle-type complex [Ni3L3]6+ as a potential strategy for obtaining versatile metal-based DNA, Serum Albumin (SA) and DNA binders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Szymańska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Maciej Kubicki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging – CNR, Area di Ricerca site and Headquartes, Via Tommaso De Amicis, 95, 80145 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Consiglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli studi di Catania, viale A. Doria 6, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Marta A. Fik-Jaskółka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Violetta Patroniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49, Chavchavadze avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- IBB–CNR Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters, Istituto Di Biostrutture E Bioimmagini, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRA, CEREGE, 13100 Aix-en-Provence, France
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22
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Roviello V, Gilhen-Baker M, Vicidomini C, Roviello GN. Forest-bathing and physical activity as weapons against COVID-19: a review. Environ Chem Lett 2022; 20:131-140. [PMID: 34566548 PMCID: PMC8453031 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01321-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Strengthening the immune system in order to better withstand the threat of COVID-19 is an important way to ensure the protection of our health against the current pandemic associated with SARS-CoV-2. There are many ways to achieve this, but with current circumstances, certain modalities stand out as being the most valid and are certainly worth greater consideration. Here we review the effects that particular immuno-strengthening activities can have on limiting the severity of COVID-19 disease as well as preventing virus infection. Physical activity, in particular, should not be discounted as an important method of prevention of viral diseases as it triggers many biological processes within the human body which in turn lead to heightened natural defences against viral infections. When exercise is performed in forested areas, these protective health benefits may be increased since many plant species emit biogenic volatile compounds (VOCs) which, when inhaled, have many protective properties. These VOCs have been shown in particular to have immunostimulatory effects on the human body and, thus, they could be of use in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19. Being amongst trees may also help to alleviate stress and anxiety, lowering cortisol levels and consequently helping the proper functioning of the immune system. In the following work, we have performed an analysis of the available scientific literature which looks at the effects of physical exercise as well as 'forest-bathing' on the immune system's ability to fight disease, especially of course as it relates to COVID-19. Our review aims at shedding light on the benefits of exercising outdoors in green areas and suggests reforestation as a protective measure against future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Melinda Gilhen-Baker
- Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49, Chavchavadze avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB - CNR Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB - CNR Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters, 80134 Naples, Italy
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23
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Roviello V, Roviello GN. Less COVID-19 deaths in southern and insular Italy explained by forest bathing, Mediterranean environment, and antiviral plant volatile organic compounds. Environ Chem Lett 2022; 20:7-17. [PMID: 34483793 PMCID: PMC8408569 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01309-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is causing major sanitary and socioeconomic issues, yet some locations are less impacted than others. While densely populated areas are likely to favor viral transmission, we hypothesize that other environmental factors could explain lower cases in some areas. We studied COVID-19 impact and population statistics in highly forested Mediterranean Italian regions versus some northern regions where the amount of trees per capita is much lower. We also evaluated the affinity of Mediterranean plant-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) isoprene, α-pinene, linalool and limonene for COVID-19 protein targets by molecular docking modeling. Results show that while mean death number increased about 4 times from 2020 to 2021, the percentage of deaths per population (0.06-0.10%) was lower in the greener Mediterranean regions such as Sardinia, Calabria and Basilica versus northern regions with low forest coverage, such as Lombardy (0.33%) and Emilia Romagna (0.29%). Data also show that the pandemic severity cannot be explained solely by population density. Modeling reveals that plant organic compounds could bind and interfere with the complex formed by the receptor binding domain of the coronavirus spike protein with the human cell receptor. Overall, our findings are likely explained by sea proximity and mild climate, Mediterranean diet and the abundance of non-deciduous Mediterranean plants which emit immunomodulatory and antiviral compounds. Potential implications include 'forest bathing' as a therapeutic practice, designing nasal sprays containing plant volatile organic compounds, and preserving and increasing forest coverage. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10311-021-01309-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto Di Biostrutture E Bioimmagini, IBB–CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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Mulliri S, Laaksonen A, Spanu P, Farris R, Farci M, Mingoia F, Roviello GN, Mocci F. Spectroscopic and In Silico Studies on the Interaction of Substituted Pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazine-3-one Derivatives with c-Myc G4-DNA. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6028. [PMID: 34199659 PMCID: PMC8199725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we describe a combined experimental and in silico study of the interaction of a series of pyrazolo[1,2-a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazin-3-one derivatives (PBTs) with parallel G-quadruplex (GQ) DNA aimed at correlating their previously reported anticancer activities and the stabilizing effects observed by us on c-myc oncogene promoter GQ structure. Circular dichroism (CD) melting experiments were performed to characterize the effect of the studied PBTs on the GQ thermal stability. CD measurements indicate that two out of the eight compounds under investigation induced a slight stabilizing effect (2-4 °C) on GQ depending on the nature and position of the substituents. Molecular docking results allowed us to verify the modes of interaction of the ligands with the GQ and estimate the binding affinities. The highest binding affinity was observed for ligands with the experimental melting temperatures (Tms). However, both stabilizing and destabilizing ligands showed similar scores, whilst Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, performed across a wide range of temperatures on the GQ in water solution, either unliganded or complexed with two model PBT ligands with the opposite effect on the Tms, consistently confirmed their stabilizing or destabilizing ability ascertained by CD. Clues about a relation between the reported anticancer activity of some PBTs and their ability to stabilize the GQ structure of c-myc emerged from our study. Furthermore, Molecular Dynamics simulations at high temperatures are herein proposed for the first time as a means to verify the stabilizing or destabilizing effect of ligands on the GQ, also disclosing predictive potential in GQ-targeting drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mulliri
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.M.); (R.F.); (M.F.)
| | - Aatto Laaksonen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Energy Science, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Pietro Spanu
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, ICB-CNR-Trav. La Crucca 3, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Farris
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.M.); (R.F.); (M.F.)
| | - Matteo Farci
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.M.); (R.F.); (M.F.)
| | - Francesco Mingoia
- Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati ISMN-CNR, Via U. La Malfa 153, I-90146 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Mocci
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy; (S.M.); (R.F.); (M.F.)
- Centre of Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 700487 Iasi, Romania
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Costanzo M, De Giglio MAR, Roviello GN. Anti-Coronavirus Vaccines: Past Investigations on SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, the Approved Vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca and others under Development Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:4-18. [PMID: 34355678 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210521164809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to summarize the knowledge available to date on prophylaxis achievements to fight against Coronavirus. This work will give an overview of what is reported in the most recent literature on vaccines (under investigation or already developed like BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and ChAdOx1-S) effective against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2), with of course particular attention paid to those under development or already in use to combat the current COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 19) pandemic. Our main objective is to make a contribution to the comprehension, additionally at a molecular level, of what is currently ready for anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic intervention, as well as to provide the reader with an overall picture of the most innovative approaches for the development of vaccines that could be of general utility in the fight against the most pathogenic Coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Costanzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via S. Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16; I-80134 Naples, Italy
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Fik-Jaskółka MA, Pospieszna-Markiewicz I, Roviello GN, Kubicki M, Radecka-Paryzek W, Patroniak V. Synthesis and Spectroscopic Investigation of a Hexaaza Lanthanum(III) Macrocycle with a Hybrid-Type G4 DNA Stabilizing Effect. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:2122-2126. [PMID: 33528248 PMCID: PMC7888264 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c03260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Herein we present a mononuclear lanthanum(III) complex obtained in a template cyclocondensation reaction of lanthanum(III) nitrate salt, 1,2-propanediamine, and 2,6-diacetylpyridine (LaPA complex). A preliminary investigation of the biological potential of this compound was conducted using a biomedically relevant target Tel26. We found that, different from parallel G4, antiparallel G4, and duplex DNA, only a hybrid-type G4 structure of Tel26 in a K+ solution was significantly stabilized by ≥7 °C, which emerged in our UV melting studies. Moreover, LaPA induced structural changes in the Tel26 structure in a K+-deprived solution, suggesting that it may also lead to conformational changes in "non-G4" telomeric DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Fik-Jaskółka
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.,Centre for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Maciej Kubicki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Wanda Radecka-Paryzek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Violetta Patroniak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Roviello V, Musumeci D, Mokhir A, Roviello GN. Evidence of protein binding by a nucleopeptide based on a thymine-decorated L-diaminopropanoic acid through CD and in silico studies. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:5004-5015. [PMID: 33593247 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210201152326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nucleopeptides are chimeric compounds of biomedical importance carrying DNA nucleobases anchored to peptide backbones with ascertained capacity to bind nucleic acids. However, their ability to interact with proteins involved in pathologies of social relevance is a feature that still requires investigation. The worrying situation currently observed worldwide for the COVID-19 pandemic urgently requires the research of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecular weapons, whose discovery can be aided by in silico predictive studies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work is to explore by spectroscopic methods novel features of a thymine-bearing nucleopeptide based on L-diaminopropanoic acid, including conformational aspects as well as its ability to bind proteins, starting from bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein. Moreover, in consideration of the importance of targeting viral proteins in the current fight against COVID-19, we evaluated in silico the interaction of the nucleopeptide with some of the most relevant coronavirus protein targets. METHODS First, we investigated via circular dichroism (CD) the conformational behaviour of this thymine-bearing nucleopeptide with temperature: we observed CD spectral changes particularly passing from 15 to 35 °C. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of the nucleopeptide was also conducted on nucleopeptide solid samples. Additionally, CD binding and in silico investigations were performed with BSA as a model protein. In particular, molecular dockings were run using as targets some of the main SARS-CoV-2 proteins. RESULTS The temperature-dependent CD behaviour reflected the three-dimensional rearrangement of the nucleopeptide at different temperatures, with a higher exposure to the solvent of its chromophores at higher temperatures compared to a more stacked structure at low temperature. SEM analysis of nucleopeptide samples in the solid state showed a granular morphology, with a low roughness and some thread structures. Moreover, we found through spectroscopic studies that the modified peptide bound the albumin target by inducing significant changes to the protein secondary structure. CONCLUSION CD and in silico studies suggested that the nucleopeptide bound the BSA protein with high affinity according to different binding modes, as testified by binding energy scores lower than -11 kcal/mol. Interestingly, a predictive study performed on 3CLpro and other SARS-CoV-2 protein targets suggested the potential ability of the nucleopeptide to bind with good affinity the main protease of the virus and other relevant targets including the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, especially when complexed with RNA, the papain-like protease, and the coronavirus helicase at the nucleic acid binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples. Italy
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples. Italy
| | - Andriy Mokhir
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich Alexander University, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen. Germany
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages (IBB) - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples. Italy
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Roviello V, Roviello GN. Lower COVID-19 mortality in Italian forested areas suggests immunoprotection by Mediterranean plants. Environ Chem Lett 2021; 19:699-710. [PMID: 32837486 PMCID: PMC7427271 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-020-01063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has induced dramatic effects on the population of the industrialized north of Italy, whereas it has not heavily affected inhabitants of the southern regions. This might be explained in part by human exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM) in the air of northern Italy, thus exacerbating the mortality. Since trees mitigate air pollution by intercepting PM onto plant surfaces and bolster the human immune system by emitting bioactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs), we hypothesize a protective role of evergreen forested areas in southern Italy. We compared the mortality rate due to COVID-19, the death number, the positivity rate and the forest coverage per capita in various Italian regions. Hectares of forest per capita and prevalence of deciduous versus evergreen forestal species were also estimated. In silico docking studies of potentially protective compounds found in Laurus nobilis L., a typical Mediterranean plant, were performed to search for potential antivirals. We found that the pandemic's severity was generally lower in southern regions, especially those with more than 0.3 hectares of forest per capita. The lowest mortality rates were found in southern Italy, mainly in regions like Molise (0.007%) and Basilicata (0.005%) where the forest per capita ratio is higher than 0.5 Ha/person. Our findings suggest that evergreen Mediterranean forests and shrubland plants could have protected the southern population by emission of immuno-modulating VOCs and provision of dietary sources of bioactive compounds. Moreover, in silico studies revealed a potential anti-COVID-19 activity in laurusides, which are unexplored glycosides from bay laurel. Overall, our results highlight the importance of nature conservation and applications to the search for natural antivirals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto Di Biostrutture E Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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Fik-Jaskółka MA, Mkrtchyan AF, Saghyan AS, Palumbo R, Belter A, Hayriyan LA, Simonyan H, Roviello V, Roviello GN. Biological macromolecule binding and anticancer activity of synthetic alkyne-containing L-phenylalanine derivatives. Amino Acids 2020; 52:755-769. [PMID: 32430874 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-020-02849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we described the synthesis of two L-phenylalanines α-derivatized with a terminal alkyne moiety whose structures differed by phenyl ring halogen substitution (two o-Cl in 1 vs. one p-Br in 2) and investigated their effect on biological macromolecules and living cells. We explored their interaction with quadruplex DNA (G4 DNA), using tel26 and c-myc as models, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). By CD spectroscopy, we found that 1 caused minor tel26 secondary structure changes, leading also to a slight thermal stabilization of this hybrid antiparallel/parallel G4 structure, while the c-myc parallel topology remained essentially unchanged upon 1 binding. Other CD evidences showed the ability of 1 to bind BSA, while molecular docking studies suggested that the same molecule could be housed into the hydrophobic cavity between sub-domains IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the protein. Furthermore, preliminary aggregation studies, based on concentration-dependent spectroscopic experiments, suggested the ability of 1 to aggregate forming noncovalent polymeric systems in aqueous solution. Differently from 1, the bromine-modified compound was able to bind Cu(II) ion, likely with the formation of a CuL2 complex, as found by UV spectroscopy. Finally, cell tests excluded any cytotoxic effect of both compounds toward normal cells, but showed slight antiproliferative effects of 2 on PC3 cancerous cells at 24 h, and of 1 on both T98G and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells at 48 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Fik-Jaskółka
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 8, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.,Centre for Advanced Technology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 10, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.,Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna F Mkrtchyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Ashot S Saghyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Belter
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland
| | - Liana A Hayriyan
- Scientific and Production Center, Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056, Yerevan, Armenia.,Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hayarpi Simonyan
- Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, IBB-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy.
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Musumeci D, Mokhir A, Roviello GN. Synthesis and nucleic acid binding evaluation of a thyminyl l-diaminobutanoic acid-based nucleopeptide. Bioorg Chem 2020; 100:103862. [PMID: 32428744 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Herein we present the synthesis of a l-diaminobutanoic acid (DABA)-based nucleopeptide (3), with an oligocationic backbone, realized by solid phase peptide synthesis using thymine-bearing DABA moieties alternating in the sequence with free ones. CD studies evidenced the ability of this oligothymine nucleopeptide, well soluble in aqueous solution, to alter the secondary structure particularly of complementary RNA (poly rA vs poly rU) and inosine-rich RNAs, like poly rI and poly rIC, and showed its preference in binding double vs single-stranded DNAs. Furthermore, ESI mass spectrometry revealed that 3 bound also G-quadruplex (G4) DNAs, with either parallel or antiparallel topologies (adopted in our experimental conditions by c-myc and tel22, respectively). However, it caused detectable changes only in the CD of c-myc (whose parallel G4 structure was also thermally stabilized by ~3 °C), while leaving unaltered the antiparallel structure of tel22. Interestingly, CD and UV analyses suggested that 3 induced a hybrid mixed parallel/antiparallel G4 DNA structure in a random-coil tel22 DNA obtained under salt-free buffer conditions. Titration of the random-coil telomeric DNA with 3 gave quantitative information on the stoichiometry of the obtained complex. Overall, the findings of this work suggest that DABA-based nucleopeptides are synthetic nucleic acid analogues potentially useful in antigene and antisense strategies. Nevertheless, the hexathymine DABA-nucleopeptide shows an interesting behaviour as molecular tool per se thanks to its efficacy in provoking G4 induction in random coil G-rich DNA, as well as for the possibility to bind and stabilize c-myc oncogene in a G4 structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Cintia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy; Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Andriy Mokhir
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich Alexander University, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Str. 10, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.
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Fik-Jaskółka MA, Mkrtchyan AF, Saghyan AS, Palumbo R, Belter A, Hayriyan LA, Simonyan H, Roviello V, Roviello GN. Spectroscopic and SEM evidences for G4-DNA binding by a synthetic alkyne-containing amino acid with anticancer activity. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2020; 229:117884. [PMID: 31927477 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we present a spectroscopic (CD and UV) and SEM study of a phenylalanine derivative carrying a terminal alkyne moiety and indicated by us CF3IIIPhe, with particular attention to its interaction with Cu(II) cation and some biological macromolecules, as well as a preliminary evaluation of its effect on cancerous cells. CD spectroscopy evidenced the ability of CF3IIIPhe to interact with tel26 and c-myc, two quadruplex DNA (G4 DNA) models explored in this study. Other CD and UV studies revealed the ability of the unnatural amino acid to form aggregates in aqueous solution, to bind Cu(II) cation, and to interact with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cellular studies demonstrated CF3IIIPhe antiproliferative activity on PC3 cells. Its ability to bind telomeric DNA was verified with tel26 by CD investigation and SEM analysis, that revealed a noteworthy change in DNA morphology (mainly based on nanosphere structures) by CF3IIIPhe, confirming its G4-DNA binding ability already evidenced by spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta A Fik-Jaskółka
- Department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 8, 61-614 Poznan, Poland; Centre for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego Str. 10, 61-614 Poznań, Poland; Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna F Mkrtchyan
- Scientific and Production Center "Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056 Yerevan, Armenia; Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Ashot S Saghyan
- Scientific and Production Center "Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056 Yerevan, Armenia; Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Belter
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Liana A Hayriyan
- Scientific and Production Center "Armbiotechnology" of NAS RA, 14 Gyurjyan Str., 0056 Yerevan, Armenia; Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Hayarpi Simonyan
- Institute of Pharmacy, Yerevan State University, 1 Alex Manoogian Str., 0025 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini IBB - CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
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Roviello GN, Oliviero G, Di Napoli A, Borbone N, Piccialli G. Synthesis, self-assembly-behavior and biomolecular recognition properties of thyminyl dipeptides. ARAB J CHEM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Platella C, Raucci U, Rega N, D'Atri S, Levati L, Roviello GN, Fuggetta MP, Musumeci D, Montesarchio D. Shedding light on the interaction of polydatin and resveratrol with G-quadruplex and duplex DNA: a biophysical, computational and biological approach. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 151:1163-1172. [PMID: 31747572 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [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: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Among polyphenols, trans-resveratrol (tRES) and trans-polydatin (tPD) exert multiple biological effects, particularly antioxidant and antiproliferative. In this work, we have investigated the interaction of tPD with three cancer-related DNA sequences able to form G-quadruplex (G4) structures, as well as with a model duplex, and compared its behaviour with tRES. Interestingly, fluorescence analysis evidenced the ability of tPD to bind all the studied DNA systems, similarly to tRES, with tRES displaying a higher ability to discriminate G4 over duplex with respect to tPD. However, neither tRES nor tPD produced significant conformational changes of the analyzed DNA upon binding, as determined by CD-titration analysis. Computational analysis and biological data confirmed the biophysical results: indeed, molecular docking evidenced the stronger interaction of tRES with the promoter of c-myc oncogene, and immunoblotting assays revealed a reduction of c-myc expression, more effective for tRES than tPD. Furthermore, in vitro assays on melanoma cells proved that tPD was able to significantly reduce telomerase activity, and inhibit cell proliferation, with tRES producing higher effects than tPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Umberto Raucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Nadia Rega
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Naples I-80126, Italy; Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, Naples I-80125, Italy
| | - Stefania D'Atri
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, Rome I-00167, Italy
| | - Lauretta Levati
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, Rome I-00167, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples I-80134, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Fuggetta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome I-00133, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Naples I-80126, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples I-80134, Italy.
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, Naples I-80126, Italy
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Carella A, Roviello V, Iannitti R, Palumbo R, La Manna S, Marasco D, Trifuoggi M, Diana R, Roviello GN. Evaluating the biological properties of synthetic 4-nitrophenyl functionalized benzofuran derivatives with telomeric DNA binding and antiproliferative activities. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 121:77-88. [PMID: 30261256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Four 4-nitrophenyl-functionalized benzofuran (BF1, BF2) and benzodifuran (BDF1, BDF2) compounds were synthesized by a convenient route based on the Craven reaction. All the compounds underwent a detailed chemical-physical characterization to evaluate their structural, thermal and optical properties. An investigation on the therapeutic potential of the reported compounds was performed by analyzing their antiproliferative activity on prostatic tumour cells (PC-3). In both classes of compounds, anticancer potential is in direct correlation with the lipophilicity. From our study it emerged that antiproliferative activity was higher for benzofuran derivatives as compared to benzodifuran systems. Moreover, we report a mechanistic study relative to the most promising molecule, i.e. the apolar benzofuran BF1, that relates the antiproliferative properties found in our investigation to its ability to bind telomeric DNA (proven by CD and fluorescence techniques on tel22 G4 DNA), and highlights its unexpected impact on cell cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Carella
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Sciences, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and CeSMA (Advanced Metrologic Service Center), University of Naples Federico II, Corso N. Protopisani, 80146 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Iannitti
- CNR, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging - (Via Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters), 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosanna Palumbo
- CNR, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging - (Via Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters), 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara La Manna
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- CNR, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging - (Via Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters), 80134 Naples, Italy; University of Naples Federico II, Department of Pharmacy, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Sciences, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosita Diana
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Chemical Sciences, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- CNR, Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging - (Via Mezzocannone Site and Headquarters), 80134 Naples, Italy.
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Roviello GN. Novel insights into nucleoamino acids: biomolecular recognition and aggregation studies of a thymine-conjugated L-phenyl alanine. Amino Acids 2018; 50:933-941. [PMID: 29766280 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2562-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
This article deals with the synthesis in solid phase and characterization of a nucleoamino amide, based on a phenylalaninamide moiety which was N-conjugated to a thymine nucleobase. In analogy to the natural nucleobase-amino acid conjugates, endowed with a wide range of biological properties, the nucleoamino amide interacts with single-stranded nucleic acids as verified in DNA- and RNA-binding assays conducted by CD and UV spectroscopies. These technologies were used to show also that this conjugate binds serum proteins altering significantly their secondary structure, as evidenced by CD and UV using BSA as a model. The biomolecular recognition seems to rely on the ability of the novel compound to bind aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties in protein and nucleic acids, not hindered by its propensity to self-assemble in aqueous solution, behavior suggested by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and CD spectroscopy in concentration- and temperature-dependent experiments. Finally, the high stability in human serum concurs to define the picture of the nucleoamino amide: this enzymatically stable drug candidate could interfere with protein and single-stranded nucleic acid-driven biological processes, particularly those associated with mRNA poly(A) tail, and its self-assembling nature, in analogy to other L-Phe-based systems, discloses new scenarios in drug delivery technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR (UOS Napoli centro), 80134, Naples, Italy.
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Musumeci D, Roviello V, Roviello GN. DNA- and RNA-binding ability of oligoDapT, a nucleobase-decorated peptide, for biomedical applications. Int J Nanomedicine 2018; 13:2613-2629. [PMID: 29750033 PMCID: PMC5936014 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s156381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nucleobase-bearing peptides and their interaction with DNA and RNA are an important topic in the development of therapeutic approaches. On one hand, they are highly effective for modulating the nucleic-acid-based biological processes. On the other hand, they permit to overcome some of the main factors limiting the therapeutic efficacy of natural oligonucleotides, such as their rapid degradation by nucleases. Methods and results This article describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel thymine-bearing nucleoamino acid based on the l-diaminopropionic acid (l-Dap) and its solid phase oligomerization to α-peptides (oligoDapT), characterized using mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The interaction of the obtained nucleopeptide with DNA and RNA model systems as both single strands (dA12, rA12, and poly(rA)) and duplex structures (dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU)) was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) experiments. From the analysis of our data, a clear ability of the nucleopeptide to bind nucleic acids emerged, with oligoDapT being able to form stable complexes with both unpaired and double-stranded DNA and RNA. In particular, dramatic changes in the dA12/dT12 and poly(rA)/poly(rU) structures were observed as a consequence of the nucleopeptide binding. CD titrations revealed that multiple peptide units bound all the examined nucleic acid targets, with TLdap/A or TLdap/A:T(U) ratios >4 in case of oligoDapT/DNA and ~2 in oligoDapT/RNA complexes. Conclusion Our findings seem to indicate that Dap-based nucleopeptides are interesting nucleic acid binding-tools to be further explored with the aim to efficiently modulate DNA- and RNA-based biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- CNR-Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, Naples, Italy.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Analytical Chemistry for the Environment and Centro Servizi Metereologici Avanzati, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Platella C, Guida S, Bonmassar L, Aquino A, Bonmassar E, Ravagnan G, Montesarchio D, Roviello GN, Musumeci D, Fuggetta MP. Antitumour activity of resveratrol on human melanoma cells: A possible mechanism related to its interaction with malignant cell telomerase. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2843-2851. [PMID: 28780124 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND trans-Resveratrol (tRES) is a polyphenolic stilbene found in plant products which has attracted great attention because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. METHODS The possible correlation between tRES-induced suppression of melanoma cell growth and its influence on telomerase expression has been investigated by biological assays. Moreover, in order to gain new knowledge about possible mechanisms of action of tRES as antineoplastic agent, its interaction with biologically relevant secondary structure-forming DNA sequences, its aggregation properties and copper-binding activity have been studied by CD, UV and fluorescence spectroscopies. RESULTS Biological assays have confirmed that growth inhibitory properties of tRES well correlate with the reduction of telomerase activity and hTERT gene transcript levels in human melanoma cells. Biophysical studies in solution have proved that tRES binds all the studied DNA model systems with low affinity, however showing high ability to discriminate G-quadruplex vs. duplex DNA. In addition, tRES has shown no propensity to form aggregates in the explored concentration range and has been found able to bind Cu2+ ions with a 2:1 stoichiometry. CONCLUSIONS From these biological and biophysical analyses it has emerged that tRES produces cytotoxic effects on human melanoma cells and, at a molecular level, is able to bind Cu2+ and cancer-involved G-quadruplexes, suggesting that multiple mechanisms of action could be involved in its antineoplastic activity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Expanding the knowledge on the putative mechanisms of action of tRES as antitumour agent can help to develop novel, effective tRES-based anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Guida
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bonmassar
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IRCCS, Via Monti di Creta, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Aquino
- School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Bonmassar
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giampiero Ravagnan
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Pia Fuggetta
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy.
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Platella C, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Roviello GN, Musumeci D. G-quadruplex-based aptamers against protein targets in therapy and diagnostics. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:1429-1447. [PMID: 27865995 PMCID: PMC7117017 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2016.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules identified to recognize with high affinity specific targets including proteins, small molecules, ions, whole cells and even entire organisms, such as viruses or bacteria. They can be identified from combinatorial libraries of DNA or RNA oligonucleotides by SELEX technology, an in vitro iterative selection procedure consisting of binding (capture), partitioning and amplification steps. Remarkably, many of the aptamers selected against biologically relevant protein targets are G-rich sequences that can fold into stable G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Aiming at disseminating novel inspiring ideas within the scientific community in the field of G4-structures, the emphasis of this review is placed on: 1) recent advancements in SELEX technology for the efficient and rapid identification of new candidate aptamers (introduction of microfluidic systems and next generation sequencing); 2) recurrence of G4 structures in aptamers selected by SELEX against biologically relevant protein targets; 3) discovery of several G4-forming motifs in important regulatory regions of the human or viral genome bound by endogenous proteins, which per se can result into potential aptamers; 4) an updated overview of G4-based aptamers with therapeutic potential and 5) a discussion on the most attractive G4-based aptamers for diagnostic applications. 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)
- Chiara Platella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Napoli, Italy.
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Musumeci D, Roviello GN, Rigione G, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Riccardi C, Roviello V, Montesarchio D. Benzodifuran Derivatives as Potential Antiproliferative Agents: Possible Correlation between Their Bioactivity and Aggregation Properties. Chempluschem 2016; 82:251-260. [PMID: 31961558 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201600547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
To further explore the properties and bioactivity of benzodifurans, three compounds in this class were synthesised and characterised using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, as well as SEM and thermogravimetric analysis. The synthesised compounds showed interesting antiproliferative activity on different human cancer cells (HeLa, Hep-G2, WM266), whereas no relevant cytotoxic effect was observed on healthy control cells. To study the possible mechanism of action of the benzodifurans, their ability to bind various model DNA systems, their aggregation properties, and their ability to bind biologically relevant metal ions was evaluated. The molecules were found to form monodisperse nanoaggregates stable at physiological temperature, which are likely related to the observed bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni N Roviello
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Rigione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, 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
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Centro Regionale di Competenza (CRdC) Tecnologie, Via Nuova Agnano 11, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, 80126, Naples, Italy
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Roviello GN, Vicidomini C, Costanzo V, Roviello V. Nucleic acid binding and other biomedical properties of artificial oligolysines. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:5897-5904. [PMID: 28115843 PMCID: PMC5108602 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s121247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we report the interaction of an artificial oligolysine (referred to as AOL) realized in our laboratory with targets of biomedical importance. These included polyinosinic acid (poly rI) and its complex with polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), RNAs with well-known interferon-inducing ability, and double-stranded (ds) DNA. The ability of the peptide to bind both single-stranded poly rI and ds poly I:C RNAs emerged from our circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) studies. In addition, we found that AOL forms complexes with dsDNA, as shown by spectroscopic binding assays and UV thermal denaturation experiments. These findings are encouraging for the possible use of AOL in biomedicine for nucleic acid targeting and oligonucleotide condensation, with the latter being a key step preceding their clinical application. Moreover, we tested the ability of AOL to bind to proteins, using serum albumin as a model protein. We demonstrated the oligolysine-protein binding by CD experiments which suggested that AOL, positively charged under physiological conditions, binds to the protein regions rich in anionic residues. Finally, the morphology characterization of the solid oligolysine, performed by scanning electron microscopy, showed different crystal forms including cubic-shaped crystals confirming the high purity of AOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Caterina Vicidomini
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Vincenzo Costanzo
- CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Centro Regionale di Competenza (CRdC) Tecnologie, Via Nuova Agnano, Napoli, Italy
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Roviello GN, Musumeci D. Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine. RSC Adv 2016; 6:63578-63585. [PMID: 28496969 PMCID: PMC5361140 DOI: 10.1039/c6ra08765e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article we describe two solid-phase synthetic routes to obtain a nucleo-oligolysine α-peptide containing all four natural nucleobases.
In this article we describe two solid-phase synthetic routes to obtain a nucleo-oligolysine α-peptide containing all four natural nucleobases. The first one is based on the oligomerization of the nucleobase-containing monomers, easily synthesized as herein described. The second strategy has the advantage of avoiding the solution synthesis of the monomeric building blocks, leading to the final nucleopeptide by direct solid-phase couplings of the suitably protected nucleobases with the free amino groups on the growing peptide chain still anchored to the resin. Both strategies are general and can be applied to the synthesis of nucleopeptides having backbones formed by any other diamino acid moiety decorated with the four nucleobases. We also report the CD and UV studies on the hybridization properties of the obtained nucleopeptide, containing all four nucleobases on alternate lysines in the sequence, towards complementary DNA and RNA strands. The nucleo-oligolysine with a mixed-base sequence did not prove to bind complementary DNA, but was able to recognize the complementary RNA forming a complex with a higher melting temperature than that of the corresponding RNA/RNA natural duplex and comparable with that of the analogous PNA/RNA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-81-2534585
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-81-2534585.,Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche , 80126 Napoli , Italy . ; Tel: +39-81-674143
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Roviello GN, Roviello V, Autiero I, Saviano M. Solid phase synthesis of TyrT, a thymine-tyrosine conjugate with poly(A) RNA-binding ability. RSC Adv 2016; 6:27607-27613. [PMID: 29057072 PMCID: PMC5647564 DOI: 10.1039/c6ra00294c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
TyrT nucleoamino amide interacts with poly(A) RNA.
The present work deals with the synthesis and characterization of a novel nucleoamino acid derivative based on a l-tyrosine moiety to which a thymine nucleobase was anchored by means of an amide bond to the N-alpha group. This derivative, denominated by us TyrT, belongs to the family of the nucleobase–amino acid conjugates that show a wide range of biological activities, frequently associated with their ability to interact with nucleic acids. In this respect, the interaction of TyrT with poly(A), a proposed RNA target for anticancer strategies, was studied by circular dichroism (CD) which suggested its ability to bind this RNA. Moreover, the modification of the morphology of a sample of TyrT in the presence of poly(A) was visualised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) which was in agreement with the evidence that the thyminyl l-tyrosine interacts with poly(A). Finally, computational analyses have been performed to hypothesize the binding mode from a structural point of view, suggesting that the binding is mainly kept via hydrophobic contacts, reproducing a stacking-like interaction between the thymine ring of TyrT and the two successive adenine rings of a poly(A) model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR (UOS Napoli Centro) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-81-2534585
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica , dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI) , Università di Napoli "Federico II" , 80125 Napoli , Italy
| | - Ida Autiero
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR (UOS Napoli Centro) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-81-2534585
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Roviello GN, Vicidomini C, Di Gaetano S, Capasso D, Musumeci D, Roviello V. Solid phase synthesis and RNA-binding activity of an arginine-containing nucleopeptide. RSC Adv 2016; 6:14140-14148. [PMID: 29057071 PMCID: PMC5635565 DOI: 10.1039/c5ra25809j] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we report the solid phase synthesis and characterization (LC-ESIMS, CD) of a cationic nucleobase-containing α-peptide, composed of both l-arginine residues and l-lysine-based nucleoamino acids sequentially present in the structure. The binding properties of this novel basic nucleopeptide towards nucleic acids were investigated by CD spectroscopy which revealed the ability of the thymine-containing oligomer to bind both adenine-containing DNA (dA12) and RNA (poly rA) molecules inducing high conformational variations in the nucleic acid structures. Moreover, the artificial oligonucleotide inhibited the enzymatic activity of HIV reverse transcriptase, opening the door to the exploitation of novel antiviral strategies inspired to this molecular tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Roviello
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - (Mezzacannone site and Headquarters) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-081-2534585
| | - C Vicidomini
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - (Mezzacannone site and Headquarters) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-081-2534585
| | - S Di Gaetano
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - (Mezzacannone site and Headquarters) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-081-2534585
| | - D Capasso
- Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Dipartimento di Farmacia , 80134 Napoli , Italy
| | - D Musumeci
- CNR , Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - (Mezzacannone site and Headquarters) , 80134 Napoli , Italy . ; ; Tel: +39-081-2534585
- Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche , 80126 Napoli , Italy
| | - V Roviello
- Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica , dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI) , 80125 Napoli , Italy
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Roviello GN, Roviello V, Autiero I, Saviano M. Correction: Solid phase synthesis of TyrT, a thymine–tyrosine conjugate with poly(A) RNA-binding ability. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra90074g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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] Open
Abstract
Correction for ‘Solid phase synthesis of TyrT, a thymine–tyrosine conjugate with poly(A) RNA-binding ability’ by Giovanni N. Roviello et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 27607–27613.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N. Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini – CNR (UOS Napoli Centro)
- 80134 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI)
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Ida Autiero
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini – CNR (UOS Napoli Centro)
- 80134 Napoli
- Italy
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Roviello GN, Musumeci D. Correction: Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra90072k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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] Open
Abstract
Correction for ‘Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine’ by Giovanni N. Roviello et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 63578–63585.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- CNR
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini
- 80134 Napoli
- Italy
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
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Roviello GN, Musumeci D, Roviello V, Pirtskhalava M, Egoyan A, Mirtskhulava M. Natural and artificial binders of polyriboadenylic acid and their effect on RNA structure. Beilstein J Nanotechnol 2015; 6:1338-1347. [PMID: 26199837 PMCID: PMC4505092 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.6.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The employment of molecular tools with nucleic acid binding ability to specifically control crucial cellular functions represents an important scientific area at the border between biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry. In this review we describe several molecular systems of natural or artificial origin, which are able to bind polyriboadenylic acid (poly(rA)) both in its single-stranded or structured forms. Due to the fundamental role played by the poly(rA) tail in the maturation and stability of mRNA, as well as in the initiation of the translation process, compounds able to bind this RNA tract, influencing the mRNA fate, are of special interest for developing innovative biomedical strategies mainly in the field of anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università di Napoli “Federico II”, 80125 Napoli, Italy
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Roviello GN, Musumeci D, Roviello V. Cationic peptides as RNA compaction agents: a study on the polyA compaction activity of a linear alpha,epsilon-oligo-L-lysine. Int J Pharm 2015; 485:244-8. [PMID: 25772417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2015.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we investigate the compaction activity of a sequential alpha,epsilon-peptide composed of l-lysines towards two RNA targets, in view of its possible pharmaceutical application in RNA-targeting and RNA delivery. The basic oligolysine, object of the present study, proved not only to be efficient in compacting the single-stranded polyA RNA, but also to strongly interact with the polyA·polyU complex, as evidenced by CD-binding and UV-melting experiments. In particular, the marked differences in the CD spectra of the RNA targets upon addition of the peptide, as well as the different UV melting behaviour for the polyA·polyU complex in the presence and absence of the peptide, sustain the hypothesis of a strong RNA compaction capacity of the alpha,epsilon-oligolysine. Finally, by using HPLC analysis, we found a good resistance of the peptide against the lytic action of human serum, an important requirement in view of in vitro/in vivo biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini - CNR, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Roviello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale(DICMaPI), Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80125 Napoli, Italy
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Vicidomini C, Panico M, Greco A, Gargiulo S, Coda ARD, Zannetti A, Gramanzini M, Roviello GN, Quarantelli M, Alfano B, Tavitian B, Dollé F, Salvatore M, Brunetti A, Pappatà S. In vivo imaging and characterization of [(18)F]DPA-714, a potential new TSPO ligand, in mouse brain and peripheral tissues using small-animal PET. Nucl Med Biol 2014; 42:309-16. [PMID: 25537727 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), a biochemical marker of neuroinflammation, is highly expressed in the brain activated microglia and it is also expressed by peripheral inflammatory cells and normal peripheral tissues. Thus, development of radioligands for the TSPO may contribute to further understanding the in vivo TSPO function in central and peripheral inflammatory processes and other pathologies. Here, we report the biodistribution, the specific binding and the radiometabolites of [(18)F]DPA-714, a promising fluorinated PET radiotracer, in normal mice using a microPET/CT scanner. METHODS The in vivo biodistribution and kinetics of [(18)F]DPA-714 were measured in mice brain and peripheral tissues. Specific binding to TSPO sites was assessed using pharmacological competitive studies by means of saturation experiments performed by i.v. injection of 1mg/kg of unlabeled DPA-714 or 3mg/kg of unlabeled PK11195. A region of interest analysis was performed to generate time-activity curves in the brain, heart, lung, kidney, spleen and liver. Metabolites assay was performed in the plasma and peripheral organs by radio-HPLC. RESULTS [(18)F]DPA-714 reached high concentration in lung, heart, kidney and spleen, tissues well known to be rich in TSPO sites. [(18)F]DPA-714 kinetics were faster in the lung and slower in the kidney. Pre-injection of unlabeled DPA-714 or PK11195 inhibited about 80% of [(18)F]DPA-714 uptake in the lung and heart (p<0.0005). The percentage of inhibition in the kidney was lower and achieved at later times only with DPA-714 (p<0.05) but not with PK11195. Sixty minutes after radiotracer injection only unmetabolized radioligand was found in the brain, lung, heart and spleen. CONCLUSION These results suggest that [(18)F]DPA-714 is a suitable PET ligand for imaging in mice brain and peripheral tissues since it binds with high specificity TSPO binding sites and it is almost unchanged at 60 minutes after radiotracer injection in the brain and TSPO-rich regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Vicidomini
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Panico
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Adelaide Greco
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Gargiulo
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Daniela Coda
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Zannetti
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Matteo Gramanzini
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Bruno Alfano
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Bertrand Tavitian
- Inserm U970, PARCC, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France; CEA, I2BM, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, Orsay, France
| | - Frederic Dollé
- CEA, I2BM, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, Orsay, France
| | - Marco Salvatore
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate, s.c.a.r.l., Naples, Italy
| | - Sabina Pappatà
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy.
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Roviello GN, Roviello V, Musumeci D, Pedone C. Synthesis of a novel benzodifuran derivative and its molecular recognition of poly rA RNA. Biol Chem 2014; 394:1235-9. [PMID: 23729622 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2013-0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In this manuscript, we describe a synthetic approach to a novel benzodifuran derivative as well as CD studies regarding its ability to interact with DNA and RNA. After the chemical synthesis and ESI-MS and NMR characterization, this heteroaromatic molecule was investigated by CD spectroscopy in order to evaluate it as a potential nucleic acid binder. Interestingly, the benzodifuran compound was found to be able to induce conformational changes in both DNA and RNA homoadenine molecules forming in the latter case a complex with a 6:1 benzodifuran/nucleobase stoichiometric ratio, as evidenced by CD titration experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni N Roviello
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Napoli, Italy.
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Roviello GN, Roviello G, Musumeci D, Capasso D, Di Gaetano S, Costanzo M, Pedone C. Synthesis and supramolecular assembly of 1,3-bis(1′-uracilyl)-2-propanone. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03713h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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