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Cutone A, Musci G, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Lactoferrin, the Moonlighting Protein of Innate Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15888. [PMID: 37958871 PMCID: PMC10650585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115888] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), a naturally occurring glycoprotein involved in innate immunity, was first discovered in bovine milk [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.C.); (G.M.)
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2
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Pasquadibisceglie A, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Musci G, Polticelli F. Membrane Transporters Involved in Iron Trafficking: Physiological and Pathological Aspects. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1172. [PMID: 37627237 PMCID: PMC10452680 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential transition metal for its involvement in several crucial biological functions, the most notable being oxygen storage and transport. Due to its high reactivity and potential toxicity, intracellular and extracellular iron levels must be tightly regulated. This is achieved through transport systems that mediate cellular uptake and efflux both at the level of the plasma membrane and on the membranes of lysosomes, endosomes and mitochondria. Among these transport systems, the key players are ferroportin, the only known transporter mediating iron efflux from cells; DMT1, ZIP8 and ZIP14, which on the contrary, mediate iron influx into the cytoplasm, acting on the plasma membrane and on the membranes of lysosomes and endosomes; and mitoferrin, involved in iron transport into the mitochondria for heme synthesis and Fe-S cluster assembly. The focus of this review is to provide an updated view of the physiological role of these membrane proteins and of the pathologies that arise from defects of these transport systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, 00146 Rome, Italy;
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, 00146 Rome, Italy
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3
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Amadei M, Niro A, Fullone MR, Miele R, Polticelli F, Musci G, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Genetic Incorporation of Dansylalanine in Human Ferroportin to Probe the Alternating Access Mechanism of Iron Transport. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11919. [PMID: 37569293 PMCID: PMC10418311 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511919] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroportin (Fpn), a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters, is the only known iron exporter found in mammals and plays a crucial role in regulating cellular and systemic iron levels. MFSs take on different conformational states during the transport cycle: inward open, occluded, and outward open. However, the precise molecular mechanism of iron translocation by Fpn remains unclear, with conflicting data proposing different models. In this work, amber codon suppression was employed to introduce dansylalanine (DA), an environment-sensitive fluorescent amino acid, into specific positions of human Fpn (V46, Y54, V161, Y331) predicted to undergo major conformational changes during metal translocation. The results obtained indicate that different mutants exhibit distinct fluorescence spectra depending on the position of the fluorophore within the Fpn structure, suggesting that different local environments can be probed. Cobalt titration experiments revealed fluorescence quenching and blue-shifts of λmax in Y54DA, V161DA, and Y331DA, while V46DA exhibited increased fluorescence and blue-shift of λmax. These observations suggest metal-induced conformational transitions, interpreted in terms of shifts from an outward-open to an occluded conformation. Our study highlights the potential of genetically incorporating DA into Fpn, enabling the investigation of conformational changes using fluorescence spectroscopy. This approach holds great promise for the study of the alternating access mechanism of Fpn and advancing our understanding of the molecular basis of iron transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Amadei
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.); (M.R.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Antonella Niro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Fullone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.); (M.R.F.); (R.M.)
| | - Rossella Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.); (M.R.F.); (R.M.)
| | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.N.); (G.M.)
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4
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Ianiro G, D'Ezio V, Carpinelli L, Casella C, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Rosa L, Valenti P, Colasanti M, Musci G, Cutone A, Persichini T. Iron Saturation Drives Lactoferrin Effects on Oxidative Stress and Neurotoxicity Induced by HIV-1 Tat. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097947. [PMID: 37175651 PMCID: PMC10178013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Trans-Activator of Transcription (Tat) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) is involved in virus replication and infection and can promote oxidative stress in human astroglial cells. In response, host cells activate transcription of antioxidant genes, including a subunit of System Xc- cystine/glutamate antiporter which, in turn, can trigger glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. Here, we present data on the efficacy of bovine Lactoferrin (bLf), both in its native (Nat-bLf) and iron-saturated (Holo-bLf) forms, in counteracting oxidative stress in U373 human astroglial cells constitutively expressing the viral protein (U373-Tat). Our results show that, dependent on iron saturation, both Nat-bLf and Holo-bLf can boost host antioxidant response by up-regulating System Xc- and the cell iron exporter Ferroportin via the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway, thus reducing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-mediated lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in astrocytes. In U373-Tat cells, both forms of bLf restore the physiological internalization of Transferrin (Tf) Receptor 1, the molecular gate for Tf-bound iron uptake. The involvement of astrocytic antioxidant response in Tat-mediated neurotoxicity was evaluated in co-cultures of U373-Tat with human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. The results show that the Holo-bLf exacerbates Tat-induced excitotoxicity on SH-SY5Y, which is directly dependent on System-Xc- upregulation, thus highlighting the mechanistic role of iron in the biological activities of the glycoprotein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Ianiro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Veronica D'Ezio
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cecilia Casella
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Roma, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Colasanti
- Department of Science, University "ROMA TRE", 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
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Zaccaria M, Dawson W, Russel Kish D, Reverberi M, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Domin M, Cristiglio V, Chan B, Dellafiora L, Gabel F, Nakajima T, Genovese L, Momeni B. Experimental-theoretical study of laccase as a detoxifier of aflatoxins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:860. [PMID: 36650163 PMCID: PMC9845376 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigate laccase-mediated detoxification of aflatoxins, fungal carcinogenic food contaminants. Our experimental comparison between two aflatoxins with similar structures (AFB1 and AFG2) shows significant differences in laccase-mediated detoxification. A multi-scale modeling approach (Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Density Functional Theory) identifies the highly substrate-specific changes required to improve laccase detoxifying performance. We employ a large-scale density functional theory-based approach, involving more than 7000 atoms, to identify the amino acid residues that determine the affinity of laccase for aflatoxins. From this study we conclude: (1) AFB1 is more challenging to degrade, to the point of complete degradation stalling; (2) AFG2 is easier to degrade by laccase due to its lack of side products and favorable binding dynamics; and (3) ample opportunities to optimize laccase for aflatoxin degradation exist, especially via mutations leading to π-π stacking. This study identifies a way to optimize laccase for aflatoxin bioremediation and, more generally, contributes to the research efforts aimed at rational enzyme optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Zaccaria
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - William Dawson
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Kobe, 6500047, Japan
| | | | - Massimo Reverberi
- Department of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marek Domin
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | | | - Bun Chan
- RIKEN Center for Computational Science, Kobe, 6500047, Japan.,Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 8528521, Japan
| | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Frank Gabel
- CEA/CNRS/IBS, University Grenoble Alpes, 38044, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Luigi Genovese
- CEA/INAC-MEM/L-Sim, University Grenoble Alpes, 38044, Grenoble, France
| | - Babak Momeni
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA.
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Rosa L, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Vasilyev V, Cutone A. Editorial: Nutraceuticals: New perspectives and approaches in human health and disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1003529. [PMID: 36120354 PMCID: PMC9480615 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1003529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vadim Vasilyev
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antimo Cutone,
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Angiulli E, Casini A, Vaccaro R, Cioni C, Toni M. Synuclein Analysis in Adult Xenopus laevis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116058. [PMID: 35682736 PMCID: PMC9181771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The α-, β- and γ-synucleins are small soluble proteins expressed in the nervous system of mammals and evolutionary conserved in vertebrates. After being discovered in the cartilaginous fish Torpedo californica, synucleins have been sequenced in all vertebrates, showing differences in the number of genes and splicing isoforms in different taxa. Although α-, β- and γ-synucleins share high homology in the N-terminal sequence, suggesting their evolution from a common ancestor, the three isoforms also differ in molecular characteristics, expression levels and tissue distribution. Moreover, their functions have yet to be fully understood. Great scientific interest on synucleins mainly derives from the involvement of α-synuclein in human neurodegenerative diseases, collectively named synucleinopathies, which involve the accumulation of amyloidogenic α-synuclein inclusions in neurons and glia cells. Studies on synucleinopathies can take advantage of the development of new vertebrate models other than mammals. Moreover, synuclein expression in non-mammalian vertebrates contribute to clarify the physiological role of these proteins in the evolutionary perspective. In this paper, gene expression levels of α-, β- and γ-synucleins have been analysed in the main organs of adult Xenopus laevis by qRT-PCR. Moreover, recombinant α-, β- and γ-synucleins were produced to test the specificity of commercial antibodies against α-synuclein used in Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Finally, the secondary structure of Xenopus synucleins was evaluated by circular dichroism analysis. Results indicate Xenopus as a good model for studying synucleinopathies, and provide a useful background for future studies on synuclein functions and their evolution in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Angiulli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Arianna Casini
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.V.)
| | - Rosa Vaccaro
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.V.)
| | - Carla Cioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
| | - Mattia Toni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.A.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.C.B.d.P.); (M.T.)
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Cutone A, Nemčovič M, Pakanová Z, Baráth P, Musci G. Production of Recombinant Human Ceruloplasmin: Improvements and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158228. [PMID: 34360993 PMCID: PMC8347646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (CP) plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis in vertebrates together with the iron exporter ferroportin. Mutations in the CP gene give rise to aceruloplasminemia, a rare neurodegenerative disease for which no cure is available. Many aspects of the (patho)physiology of CP are still unclear and would benefit from the availability of recombinant protein for structural and functional studies. Furthermore, recombinant CP could be evaluated for enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of aceruloplasminemia. We report the production and preliminary characterization of high-quality recombinant human CP in glycoengineered Pichia pastoris SuperMan5. A modified yeast strain lacking the endogenous ferroxidase has been generated and employed as host for heterologous expression of the secreted isoform of human CP. Highly pure biologically active protein has been obtained by an improved two-step purification procedure. Glycan analysis indicates that predominant glycoforms HexNAc2Hex8 and HexNAc2Hex11 are found at Asn119, Asn378, and Asn743, three of the canonical four N-glycosylation sites of human CP. The availability of high-quality recombinant human CP represents a significant advancement in the field of CP biology. However, productivity needs to be increased and further careful glycoengineering of the SM5 strain is mandatory in order to evaluate the possible therapeutic use of the recombinant protein for enzyme replacement therapy of aceruloplasminemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.B.d.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Marek Nemčovič
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.N.); (Z.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Zuzana Pakanová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.N.); (Z.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Peter Baráth
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 84538 Bratislava, Slovakia; (M.N.); (Z.P.); (P.B.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Correspondence: (M.C.B.d.P.); (G.M.)
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Pasqua M, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Fanelli G, Utsumi R, Eguchi Y, Trirocco R, Prosseda G, Grossi M, Colonna B. Host - Bacterial Pathogen Communication: The Wily Role of the Multidrug Efflux Pumps of the MFS Family. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:723274. [PMID: 34381818 PMCID: PMC8350985 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.723274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial pathogens are able to survive within diverse habitats. The dynamic adaptation to the surroundings depends on their ability to sense environmental variations and to respond in an appropriate manner. This involves, among others, the activation of various cell-to-cell communication strategies. The capability of the bacterial cells to rapidly and co-ordinately set up an interplay with the host cells and/or with other bacteria facilitates their survival in the new niche. Efflux pumps are ubiquitous transmembrane transporters, able to extrude a large set of different molecules. They are strongly implicated in antibiotic resistance since they are able to efficiently expel most of the clinically relevant antibiotics from the bacterial cytoplasm. Besides antibiotic resistance, multidrug efflux pumps take part in several important processes of bacterial cell physiology, including cell to cell communication, and contribute to increase the virulence potential of several bacterial pathogens. Here, we focus on the structural and functional role of multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), the largest family of transporters, highlighting their involvement in the colonization of host cells, in virulence and in biofilm formation. We will offer an overview on how MFS multidrug transporters contribute to bacterial survival, adaptation and pathogenicity through the export of diverse molecules. This will be done by presenting the functions of several relevant MFS multidrug efflux pumps in human life-threatening bacterial pathogens as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella/E. coli, Acinetobacter baumannii.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pasqua
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Fanelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Ryutaro Utsumi
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoko Eguchi
- Department of Science and Technology on Food Safety, Kindai University, Kinokawa, Japan
| | - Rita Trirocco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianni Prosseda
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Milena Grossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Colonna
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin", Istituto Pasteur Italia, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Cutone A, Ianiro G, Lepanto MS, Rosa L, Valenti P, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Musci G. Lactoferrin in the Prevention and Treatment of Intestinal Inflammatory Pathologies Associated with Colorectal Cancer Development. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3806. [PMID: 33348646 PMCID: PMC7766217 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The connection between inflammation and cancer is well-established and supported by genetic, pharmacological and epidemiological data. The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, have been described as important promoters for colorectal cancer development. Risk factors include environmental and food-borne mutagens, dysbalance of intestinal microbiome composition and chronic intestinal inflammation, with loss of intestinal epithelial barrier and enhanced cell proliferation rate. Therapies aimed at shutting down mucosal inflammatory response represent the foundation for IBDs treatment. However, when applied for long periods, they can alter the immune system and promote microbiome dysbiosis and carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is imperative to find new safe substances acting as both potent anti-inflammatory and anti-pathogen agents. Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein essential in innate immunity, is generally recognized as safe and used as food supplement due to its multifunctionality. Lf possesses a wide range of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties against different aseptic and septic inflammatory pathologies, including IBDs. Moreover, Lf exerts anti-adhesive, anti-invasive and anti-survival activities against several microbial pathogens that colonize intestinal mucosa of IBDs patients. This review focuses on those activities of Lf potentially useful for the prevention/treatment of intestinal inflammatory pathologies associated with colorectal cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.C.); (G.I.)
| | - Giusi Ianiro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.C.); (G.I.)
| | - Maria Stefania Lepanto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (L.R.); (P.V.)
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (L.R.); (P.V.)
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.S.L.); (L.R.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy; (A.C.); (G.I.)
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Tortosa V, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Iacovelli F, Pasquadibisceglie A, Falconi M, Musci G, Polticelli F. Dynamical Behavior of the Human Ferroportin Homologue from Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus: Insight into the Ligand Recognition Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6785. [PMID: 32947891 PMCID: PMC7555787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the major facilitator superfamily of transporters (MFS) play an essential role in many physiological processes such as development, neurotransmission, and signaling. Aberrant functions of MFS proteins are associated with several diseases, including cancer, schizophrenia, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. MFS transporters are also involved in multidrug resistance in bacteria and fungi. The structures of most MFS members, especially those of members with significant physiological relevance, are yet to be solved. The lack of structural and functional information impedes our detailed understanding, and thus the pharmacological targeting, of these transporters. To improve our knowledge on the mechanistic principles governing the function of MSF members, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the inward-facing and outward-facing crystal structures of the human ferroportin homologue from the Gram-negative bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (BdFpn). Several simulations with an excess of iron ions were also performed to explore the relationship between the protein's dynamics and the ligand recognition mechanism. The results reinforce the existence of the alternating-access mechanism already described for other MFS members. In addition, the reorganization of salt bridges, some of which are conserved in several MFS members, appears to be a key molecular event facilitating the conformational change of the transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tortosa
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.T.); (A.P.)
| | | | - Federico Iacovelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | | | - Mattia Falconi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (F.I.); (M.F.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy; (V.T.); (A.P.)
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, 00146 Rome, Italy
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Cutone A, Rosa L, Ianiro G, Lepanto MS, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Valenti P, Musci G. Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030456. [PMID: 32183434 PMCID: PMC7175311 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time. Recently, the use of nutraceuticals as natural compounds corroborating anti-cancer standard therapy is emerging as a promising tool for their relative abundance, bioavailability, safety, low-cost effectiveness, and immuno-compatibility with the host. In this review, we outlined the anti-cancer properties of Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune defense. Lf shows high bioavailability after oral administration, high selectivity toward cancer cells, and a wide range of molecular targets controlling tumor proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasization. Of note, Lf is able to promote or inhibit cell proliferation and migration depending on whether it acts upon normal or cancerous cells, respectively. Importantly, Lf administration is highly tolerated and does not present significant adverse effects. Moreover, Lf can prevent development or inhibit cancer growth by boosting adaptive immune response. Finally, Lf was recently found to be an ideal carrier for chemotherapeutics, even for the treatment of brain tumors due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus globally appearing as a promising tool for cancer prevention and treatment, especially in combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | - Giusi Ianiro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Maria Stefania Lepanto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (G.M.)
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Cutone A, Colella B, Pagliaro A, Rosa L, Lepanto MS, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Valenti P, Di Bartolomeo S, Musci G. Native and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin differently hinder migration in a model of human glioblastoma by reverting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like process and inhibiting interleukin-6/STAT3 axis. Cell Signal 2019; 65:109461. [PMID: 31678680 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.109461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain cancer, is characterized by fast growth, migration and invasion of the surrounding parenchyma, with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like process being mostly responsible for tumour spreading and dissemination. A number of actors, including cadherins, vimentin, transcriptional factors such as SNAIL, play critical roles in the EMT process. The interleukin (IL)-6/STAT3 axis has been related to enhanced glioblastoma's migration and invasion abilities as well. Here, we present data on the differential effects of native and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (bLf), an iron-chelating glycoprotein of the innate immune response, in inhibiting migration in a human glioblastoma cell line. Through a wound healing assay, we found that bLf was able to partially or completely hinder cell migration, depending on its iron saturation rate. At a molecular level, bLf down-regulated both SNAIL and vimentin expression, while inducing a notable increase in cadherins' levels and inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 axis. Again, these effects positively correlated to bLf iron-saturation state, with the Holo-form resulting more efficient than the native one. Overall, our data suggest that bLf could represent a novel and efficient adjuvant treatment for glioblastoma's standard therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Barbara Colella
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Andrea Pagliaro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Lepanto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy.
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Cutone A, Polticelli F, Rosa L, Lepanto MS, Valenti P, Musci G. The ferroportin-ceruloplasmin system and the mammalian iron homeostasis machine: regulatory pathways and the role of lactoferrin. Biometals 2018; 31:399-414. [PMID: 29453656 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-018-0087-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [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: 01/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the last 20 years, several new genes and proteins involved in iron metabolism in eukaryotes, particularly related to pathological states both in animal models and in humans have been identified, and we are now starting to unveil at the molecular level the mechanisms of iron absorption, the regulation of iron transport and the homeostatic balancing processes. In this review, we will briefly outline the general scheme of iron metabolism in humans and then focus our attention on the cellular iron export system formed by the permease ferroportin and the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin. We will finally summarize data on the role of the iron binding protein lactoferrin on the regulation of the ferroportin/ceruloplasmin couple and of other proteins involved in iron homeostasis in inflamed human macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090, Pesche, IS, Italy
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.,National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C.da Fonte Lappone, 86090, Pesche, IS, Italy.
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Tortosa V, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Brandi V, Musci G, Polticelli F. An improved structural model of the human iron exporter ferroportin. Insight into the role of pathogenic mutations in hereditary hemochromatosis type 4. Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/bams-2017-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFerroportin (Fpn) is a membrane protein representing the major cellular iron exporter, essential for metal translocation from cells into plasma. Despite its pivotal role in human iron homeostasis, many questions on Fpn structure and biology remain unanswered. In this work, we present two novel and more reliable structural models of human Fpn (hFpn; inward-facing and outward-facing conformations) obtained using as templates the recently solved crystal structures of a bacterial homologue of hFpn,
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Cutone A, Rosa L, Lepanto MS, Scotti MJ, Berlutti F, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Musci G, Valenti P. Lactoferrin Efficiently Counteracts the Inflammation-Induced Changes of the Iron Homeostasis System in Macrophages. Front Immunol 2017; 8:705. [PMID: 28663751 PMCID: PMC5471297 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human lactoferrin (hLf), an 80-kDa multifunctional iron-binding cationic glycoprotein, is constitutively secreted by exocrine glands and by neutrophils during inflammation. hLf is recognized as a key element in the host immune defense system. The in vitro and in vivo experiments are carried out with bovine Lf (bLf), which shares high sequence homology and identical functions with hLf, including anti-inflammatory activity. Here, in “pure” M1 human macrophages, obtained by stimulation with a mixture of 10 pg/ml LPS and 20 ng/ml IFN-γ, as well as in a more heterogeneous macrophage population, challenged with high-dose of LPS (1 µg/ml), the effect of bLf on the expression of the main proteins involved in iron and inflammatory homeostasis, namely ferroportin (Fpn), membrane-bound ceruloplasmin (Cp), cytosolic ferritin (Ftn), transferrin receptor 1, and cytokines has been investigated. The increase of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines, following the inflammatory treatments, is associated with both upregulation of cytosolic Ftn and downregulation of Fpn, membrane-bound Cp, and transferrin receptor 1. All these changes take part into intracellular iron overload, a very unsafe condition leading in vivo to higher host susceptibility to infections as well as iron deficiency in the blood and anemia of inflammation. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to counteract the persistence of the inflammatory status to rebalance iron levels between tissues/secretions and blood. Moreover, levels of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 were increased in cells treated with high doses of LPS. Conversely, IL-10 decreased when the LPS/IFN-γ mix was used, suggesting that only the inflammation triggered by LPS high doses can switch on an anti-inflammatory response in our macrophagic model. Here, we demonstrate that bLf, when included in the culture medium, significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-1β production and efficiently prevented the changes of Fpn, membrane-bound Cp, cytosolic Ftn, and transferrin receptor 1 in “pure” M1 macrophages, as well as in the more heterogeneous macrophage population. In addition, the decrease of IL-10 induced by the LPS/IFN-γ mix was counteracted by bovine lactoferrin. Several drugs capable of modulating macrophagic phenotypes are emerging as attractive molecules for treating inflammation, and in this sense, bovine lactoferrin is no exception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Berlutti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy
| | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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Cutone A, Howes BD, Miele AE, Miele R, Giorgi A, Battistoni A, Smulevich G, Musci G, di Patti MCB. Pichia pastoris Fep1 is a [2Fe-2S] protein with a Zn finger that displays an unusual oxygen-dependent role in cluster binding. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31872. [PMID: 27546548 PMCID: PMC4992955 DOI: 10.1038/srep31872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Fep1, the iron-responsive GATA factor from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, has been characterised both in vivo and in vitro. This protein has two Cys2-Cys2 type zinc fingers and a set of four conserved cysteines arranged in a Cys-X5-Cys-X8-Cys-X2-Cys motif located between the two zinc fingers. Electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopic analyses in anaerobic and aerobic conditions indicate that Fep1 binds iron in the form of a [2Fe-2S] cluster. Site-directed mutagenesis shows that replacement of the four cysteines with serine inactivates this transcriptional repressor. Unexpectedly, the inactive mutant is still able to bind a [2Fe-2S] cluster, employing two cysteine residues belonging to the first zinc finger. These two cysteine residues can act as alternative cluster ligands selectively in aerobically purified Fep1 wild type, suggesting that oxygen could play a role in Fep1 function by causing differential localization of the [Fe-S] cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Dip. Scienze Biochimiche 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Barry D Howes
- Dip. Chimica 'Ugo Schiff', Università di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Adriana E Miele
- Dip. Scienze Biochimiche 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Rossella Miele
- Dip. Scienze Biochimiche 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Giorgi
- Dip. Scienze Biochimiche 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Giulietta Smulevich
- Dip. Chimica 'Ugo Schiff', Università di Firenze, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Dip. Bioscienze e Territorio, Università del Molise, Pesche, Italy
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Toni M, Cioni C, De Angelis F, di Patti MCB. Synuclein expression in the lizard Anolis carolinensis. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2016; 202:577-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-016-1108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Tortosa V, di Patti MCB, Musci G, Polticelli F. The human iron exporter ferroportin. Insight into the transport mechanism by molecular modeling. Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems 2016. [DOI: 10.1515/bams-2015-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractFerroportin, a membrane protein belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters, is the only vertebrate iron exporter known so far. Several ferroportin mutations lead to the so-called ferroportin disease or type 4 hemochromatosis, characterized by two distinct iron accumulation phenotypes depending on whether the mutation affects the activity of the protein or its degradation pathway. Through extensive molecular modeling analyses using the structure of all known major facilitator superfamily members as templates, multiple structural models of ferroportin in the three mechanistically relevant conformations (inward open, occluded, and outward open) have been obtained. The best models, selected on the ground of experimental data available on wild-type and mutant ferroportion, provide for the first time a prediction at the atomic level of the dynamics of the transporter. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for iron export is proposed.
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Polticelli F, Tortosa V, Furbetta PA, Musci G. A bacterial homologue of the human iron exporter ferroportin. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:3829-35. [PMID: 26608034 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A bacterial homologue of the human iron exporter ferroportin found in the predatory Gram-negative bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus has been investigated. Molecular modelling, expression in recombinant form and iron binding and transport assays demonstrate that B. bacteriovorus ferroportin (bdFpn) is indeed an orthologue of human ferroportin. Key residues corresponding to those essential for iron binding and transport in human ferroportin are conserved in the bacterial homologue and are predicted to be correctly clustered in the central cavity of the protein. Mutation of these residues grossly affects the iron binding and transport ability of bdFpn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy; National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy.
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Musci G, Polticelli F, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Ceruloplasmin-ferroportin system of iron traffic in vertebrates. World J Biol Chem 2014; 5:204-215. [PMID: 24921009 PMCID: PMC4050113 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.v5.i2.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Safe trafficking of iron across the cell membrane is a delicate process that requires specific protein carriers. While many proteins involved in iron uptake by cells are known, only one cellular iron export protein has been identified in mammals: ferroportin (SLC40A1). Ceruloplasmin is a multicopper enzyme endowed with ferroxidase activity that is found as a soluble isoform in plasma or as a membrane-associated isoform in specific cell types. According to the currently accepted view, ferrous iron transported out of the cell by ferroportin would be safely oxidized by ceruloplasmin to facilitate loading on transferrin. Therefore, the ceruloplasmin-ferroportin system represents the main pathway for cellular iron egress and it is responsible for physiological regulation of cellular iron levels. The most recent findings regarding the structural and functional features of ceruloplasmin and ferroportin and their relationship will be described in this review.
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Cutone A, Frioni A, Berlutti F, Valenti P, Musci G, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Lactoferrin prevents LPS-induced decrease of the iron exporter ferroportin in human monocytes/macrophages. Biometals 2014; 27:807-13. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-014-9742-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Fullone MR, Paiardini A, Miele R, Marsango S, Gross DC, Omura S, Ros-Herrera E, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Laganà A, Pascarella S, Grgurina I. Insight into the structure-function relationship of the nonheme iron halogenases involved in the biosynthesis of 4-chlorothreonine - Thr3 fromStreptomycessp. OH-5093 and SyrB2 fromPseudomonas syringaepv.syringaeB301DR. FEBS J 2012; 279:4269-82. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.12017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2012] [Revised: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 09/19/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Fullone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Alessandro Paiardini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Rossella Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Sara Marsango
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Dennis C. Gross
- Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology; Texas A&M University; College Station; TX; USA
| | - Satoshi Omura
- Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences; Kitasato University; Tokyo; Japan
| | - Enric Ros-Herrera
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | | | - Aldo Laganà
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
| | - Ingeborg Grgurina
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’; Sapienza University of Rome; Italy
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Barba M, Sobolev AP, Zobnina V, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Cervoni L, Spiezia MC, Schininà ME, Pietraforte D, Mannina L, Musci G, Polticelli F. Cupricyclins, novel redox-active metallopeptides based on conotoxins scaffold. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30739. [PMID: 22319584 PMCID: PMC3272027 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly stable natural scaffolds which tolerate multiple amino acid substitutions represent the ideal starting point for the application of rational redesign strategies to develop new catalysts of potential biomedical and biotechnological interest. The knottins family of disulphide-constrained peptides display the desired characteristics, being highly stable and characterized by hypervariability of the inter-cysteine loops. The potential of knottins as scaffolds for the design of novel copper-based biocatalysts has been tested by engineering a metal binding site on two different variants of an ω-conotoxin, a neurotoxic peptide belonging to the knottins family. The binding site has been designed by computational modelling and the redesigned peptides have been synthesized and characterized by optical, fluorescence, electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The novel peptides, named Cupricyclin-1 and -2, bind one Cu2+ ion per molecule with nanomolar affinity. Cupricyclins display redox activity and catalyze the dismutation of superoxide anions with an activity comparable to that of non-peptidic superoxide dismutase mimics. We thus propose knottins as a novel scaffold for the design of catalytically-active mini metalloproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Barba
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Laura Cervoni
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M. Eugenia Schininà
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Pietraforte
- Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Mannina
- Institute of Chemical Methodologies, CNR, Monterotondo Stazione, Italy
- Department of Drug Sciences and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
- STAAM Department, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Fabio Polticelli
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Roma Tre Section, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Persichini T, De Francesco G, Capone C, Cutone A, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Colasanti M, Musci G. Reactive oxygen species are involved in ferroportin degradation induced by ceruloplasmin mutant Arg701Trp. Neurochem Int 2012; 60:360-4. [PMID: 22281056 PMCID: PMC3314996 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The ceruloplasmin mutant R701W, that causes a dramatic phenotype in the young heterozygous patient carrying this mutation, has been shown to have profound effects also in cell culture models. Here we show that Golgi rearrangement and degradation of the iron exporter ferroportin, that follow transfection of cells with this mutant, are accompanied by the massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. Scavenging ROS production with different antioxidants, including reduced glutathione and zinc, restores Golgi morphology and rescues ferroportin on the cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Persichini
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, v.le Marconi 446, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Giovanni De Francesco
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University, p.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Caterina Capone
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, v.le Marconi 446, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Nutritional Environmental and Microbiological Sciences and Technologies, University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 87100 Campobasso, Italy
| | | | - Marco Colasanti
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, v.le Marconi 446, Rome 00146, Italy
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biology, University Roma Tre, v.le Marconi 446, Rome 00146, Italy
- Department of Nutritional Environmental and Microbiological Sciences and Technologies, University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 87100 Campobasso, Italy
- Corresponding author. Address: Department of Nutritional Environmental and Microbiological Sciences and Technologies, University of Molise, via De Sanctis snc, 87100 Campobasso, Italy. Tel.: +39 0874404160; fax: +39 0874404100.
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Persichini T, Maio N, di Patti MCB, Rizzo G, Toscano S, Colasanti M, Musci G. Corrigendum to “Interleukin-1β induces ceruloplasmin and ferroportin-1 gene expression via Map Kinases and C/EBPβ, AP-1, and NF-κB activation” [Neurosci. Lett. 484 (2010) 133–138]. Neurosci Lett 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2011.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Marsango S, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Barra D, Miele R. Evidence that prokineticin receptor 2 exists as a dimer in vivo. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 68:2919-29. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0601-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2010] [Revised: 10/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Miele R, Lattanzi R, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Paiardini A, Negri L, Barra D. Expression of Bv8 in Pichia pastoris to identify structural features for receptor binding. Protein Expr Purif 2010; 73:10-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2010.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 04/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Persichini T, Maio N, di Patti MCB, Rizzo G, Toscano S, Colasanti M, Musci G. Interleukin-1β induces ceruloplasmin and ferroportin-1 gene expression via MAP kinases and C/EBPβ, AP-1, and NF-κB activation. Neurosci Lett 2010; 484:133-8. [PMID: 20727382 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2010] [Revised: 08/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that IL-1β was able to increase iron efflux from glial cells through a coordinate induction of both ferroportin-1 (Fpn) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) synthesis. In this study, we have investigated the signaling pathways that are involved in the transcriptional activation of the Cp and Fpn. Our data show that the expression of Cp and Fpn in response to IL-1β requires the activation of MAP kinase pathways as a consequence of an IL-1β receptor stimulation. Moreover, we have observed that IL-1β regulates the expression of Cp and Fpn genes through (i) p38 MAPK-mediated activation of C/EBP transcription factor, (ii) ERK1/2-, JNK1- and partially p38 MAPK-dependent activation of AP-1, and through (iii) activation of NF-κB partially mediated by p38 MAPK.
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Maio N, Polticelli F, De Francesco G, Rizzo G, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Musci G. Role of external loops of human ceruloplasmin in copper loading by ATP7B and Ccc2p. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:20507-13. [PMID: 20430895 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.090027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceruloplasmin is a multicopper oxidase required for correct iron homeostasis.Previously, we have identified a ceruloplasmin mutant associated with the iron overload disease aceruloplasminemia, which was unable to acquire copper from the mammalian pump ATP7B but could be produced in an enzymatically active form in yeast. Here, we report the expression of recombinant ceruloplasmin in the yeast Pichia pastoris and the study of the role of five surface-exposed loops in copper incorporation by comparing the efficiencies of mammalian ATP7B and yeast Ccc2p. The possibility to "mix and match" mammalian and yeast multicopper oxidases and copper ATPases can provide clues on the molecular features underlying the process of copper loading in multicopper oxidases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunziata Maio
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università ROMA TRE, 00146 Rome
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Marsango S, di Patti MCB, Barra D, Miele R. The Bv8 gene from Bombina orientalis: molecular cloning, genomic organization and functional characterization of the promoter. Peptides 2009; 30:2182-90. [PMID: 19747954 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2009] [Revised: 08/28/2009] [Accepted: 09/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Bv8 is a secreted peptide from Bombina variegata skin glands with a molecular mass close to 8kDa that is conserved in fish, amphibians and mammals. Bv8 has diverse regulatory roles, including an involvement in hematopoiesis and immunomodulation. Here we report the genomic organization of the gene from Bombina orientalis coding for the Bv8 homolog (Bo8). It contains three exons separated by two large introns. Several putative transcription factor binding sites have been identified in the promoter sequence. Functional analysis of this region was performed using a yeast genetic system. The results indicate that the transcription factors AP-1, NF-kappaB and NFAT are involved in the regulation of the expression of Bo8. Hence, amphibians are a useful model for the study of transcriptional regulation of all Bv8 homologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Marsango
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A Rossi Fanelli, Università La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Cioni C, Bordieri L, Miele R, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Effect of hyperosmotic stress on the gene expression and activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the preoptic-hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the euryhaline fish Oreochromis mossambicus. Zoolog Sci 2009; 26:163-70. [PMID: 19341335 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.26.163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We examined the effects of hyperosmotic stress on the gene expression and activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the preoptic/hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the euryhaline tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique tilapia) by means of semiquantitative RT-PCR and NADPHd histochemistry. Expression of nos1 was rapidly and transiently up-regulated in the preoptic region and hypothalamus in response to a salinity change (70% seawater, SW). Expression levels increased 4 h after the salinity change and then returned to basal levels within 8 h of the hyperosmotic challenge. NADPHd histochemistry revealed that positive magnocellular and gigantocellular preoptic neurons increased in number 4 h after the salinity change, while the number of parvocellular preoptic neurons reactive for NADPHd showed no significant change. These results indicate that the nNOS gene expression and NOS activity are stimulated in the preoptic/ hypothalamic neurosecretory system in response to hyperosmotic stress and suggest that NO influences neuronal responses to short-term osmotic stimulation in euryhaline fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cioni
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, Sapienza University, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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di Patti MCB, Maio N, Rizzo G, De Francesco G, Persichini T, Colasanti M, Polticelli F, Musci G. Dominant mutants of ceruloplasmin impair the copper loading machinery in aceruloplasminemia. J Biol Chem 2008; 284:4545-54. [PMID: 19095659 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m805688200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The multicopper oxidase ceruloplasmin plays a key role in iron homeostasis, and its ferroxidase activity is required to stabilize cell surface ferroportin, the only known mammalian iron exporter. Missense mutations causing the rare autosomal neurodegenerative disease aceruloplasminemia were investigated by testing their ability to prevent ferroportin degradation in rat glioma C6 cells silenced for endogenous ceruloplasmin. Most of the mutants did not complement (i.e. did not stabilize ferroportin) because of the irreversible loss of copper binding ability. Mutant R701W, which was found in a heterozygous very young patient with severe neurological problems, was unable to complement per se but did so in the presence of copper-glutathione or when the yeast copper ATPase Ccc2p was co-expressed, indicating that the protein was structurally able to bind copper but that metal loading involving the mammalian copper ATPase ATP7B was impaired. Notably, R701W exerted a dominant negative effect on wild type, and it induced the subcellular relocalization of ATP7B. Our results constitute the first evidence of "functional silencing" of ATP7B as a novel molecular defect in aceruloplasminemia. The possibility to reverse the deleterious effects of some aceruloplasminemia mutations may disclose new possible therapeutic strategies.
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Miele R, Barra D, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. A GATA-type transcription factor regulates expression of the high-affinity iron uptake system in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Arch Biochem Biophys 2007; 465:172-9. [PMID: 17592720 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2007.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [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: 03/21/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ferroxidase Fet3 and the permease Ftr1 constitute a well-conserved high-affinity iron uptake system in yeast. We have investigated the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of Fet3 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Isolation and functional analysis of the Fet3 promoter indicate that a GATA sequence element plays a role in iron-dependent expression of Fet3. A GATA-type transcription factor, which we have named Fep1, has been partially cloned and it is shown to belong to the family of iron-responsive fungal GATA-factors. These factors share the presence of two Cys(2)-Cys(2) zinc-finger motifs and a set of four conserved cysteines, and are involved in the regulation of siderophore biosynthesis and/or high-affinity iron uptake. Disruption of the FEP1 gene in P. pastoris leads to constitutively high expression of Fet3, irrespective of iron levels, indicating that Fep1 is a transcriptional repressor. EMSA analyses evidence that Fep1 binds to DNA only in the presence of iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Miele
- Department of Biochemical Sciences A. Rossi Fanelli, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
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De Domenico I, Ward DM, di Patti MCB, Jeong SY, David S, Musci G, Kaplan J. Ferroxidase activity is required for the stability of cell surface ferroportin in cells expressing GPI-ceruloplasmin. EMBO J 2007; 26:2823-31. [PMID: 17541408 PMCID: PMC1894773 DOI: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2007] [Accepted: 05/04/2007] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroportin (Fpn), a ferrous iron Fe(II) transporter responsible for the entry of iron into plasma, is regulated post-translationally through internalization and degradation following binding of the hormone hepcidin. Cellular iron export is impaired in mice and humans with aceruloplasminemia, an iron overload disease due to mutations in the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (Cp). In the absence of Cp Fpn is rapidly internalized and degraded. Depletion of extracellular Fe(II) by the yeast ferroxidase Fet3p or iron chelators can maintain cell surface Fpn in the absence of Cp. Iron remains bound to Fpn in the absence of multicopper oxidases. Fpn with bound iron is recognized by a ubiquitin ligase, which ubiquitinates Fpn on lysine 253. Mutation of lysine 253 to alanine prevents ubiquitination and maintains Fpn-iron on cell surface in the absence of ferroxidase activity. The requirement for a ferroxidase to maintain iron transport activity represents a new mechanism of regulating cellular iron export, a new function for Cp and an explanation for brain iron overload in patients with aceruloplasminemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana De Domenico
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Diane McVey Ward
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Suh Young Jeong
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Samuel David
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-alimentari, Ambientali e Microbiologiche, Università del Molise, Campobasso, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-alimentari, Ambientali e Microbiologiche, Università del Molise, Campobasso, Italy. Tel.: +1 39 0874 404879; Fax: +1 39 0874 404652; E-mail:
| | - Jerry Kaplan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 50 North Medical Drive, 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Tel.: +1 801 581 7427; Fax: +1 801 581 6001; E-mail:
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De Domenico I, Lania A, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Battistoni A, Musci G, Desideri A. Purification and characterization of recombinant Caulobacter crescentus Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase. Biochim Biophys Acta 2006; 1764:105-9. [PMID: 16213200 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2005.08.021] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2005] [Revised: 08/20/2005] [Accepted: 08/24/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase from Caulobacter crescentus has been expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized. The corresponding recombinant protein has a molecular weight typical of a homodimeric Cu,ZnSODs and an activity comparable to that of other prokaryotic enzymes. The copper active site is characterized by a peculiar axial geometry as evidenced by its electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum, moreover, the copper atom displays a low accessibility toward external chelating agents indicating a lower solvent accessibility when compared to other prokaryotic enzymes. Investigation of the enzyme thermal stability through differential scanning calorimetry indicates the occurrence of two transitions at low and higher temperature that are found to be due to the apo and holo protein, respectively, confirming that the metals have a crucial role in the stabilization of this class of enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana De Domenico
- Department of Microbiological, Genetic and Molecular Sciences, University of Messina, Salita Sperone, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Bordieri L, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Miele R, Cioni C. Partial cloning of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) cDNA and regional distribution of nNOS mRNA in the central nervous system of the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 142:123-33. [PMID: 16274840 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 06/17/2005] [Revised: 09/23/2005] [Accepted: 09/29/2005] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A constitutive NOS complementary DNA (cDNA) was partially cloned by RT-PCR from the brain of a teleost, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), using degenerate primers against conserved regions of NOS. The predicted 206-long amino acid sequence showed a high degree of identity with other vertebrate neuronal NOS (nNOS) protein sequences. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that Nile tilapia NOS clustered with other known nNOS. Using the coupled reaction of semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Southern blotting, the basal tissue expression pattern of the cloned nNOS gene was investigated in discrete areas of the central nervous system (CNS) and in the heart and skeletal muscle tissue. As revealed, expression of nNOS transcripts was detected in all the CNS regions examined, whereas nNOS gene was not expressed in the heart and skeletal muscle. The distribution pattern of nNOS gene expression showed the highest expression levels in the forebrain followed by the optic tectum, the brainstem and the spinal cord, whereas scarce expression was detected in the cerebellum. Cellular expression of nNOS mRNA was analyzed in the CNS by means of in situ hybridization. According to the RT-PCR results, most nNOS mRNA expressing neurons are localized in the telencephalon and diencephalon, whereas in the mesencephalic optic tectum, the brainstem and the spinal cord, nNOS mRNA expressing neurons are relatively more scattered. A very low hybridization signal was detected in the cerebellar cortex. These results suggest that NO is involved in numerous brain functions in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Bordieri
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, "La Sapienza" University, via A. Borelli, 50 00161 Rome, Italy
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Felice MR, De Domenico I, Lania A, Alaleona F, Musci G. Specific aspartate residues in FET3 control high-affinity iron transport inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Yeast 2005; 22:677-87. [PMID: 16032772 DOI: 10.1002/yea.1237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on a set of six aspartate residues of Fet3, the multicopper ferroxidase involved in high-affinity iron transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in order to comprehend the molecular determinants of the protein function. Asp312, Asp315, Asp319 and Asp320 were predicted by homology modelling to be located in a negatively charged surface-exposed loop of the protein. Other two aspartate residues (Asp278 and Asp279) are placed close to the type 1 copper- and iron-binding sites, possibly linking these sites to the negatively charged region. In vivo results showed that mutation of Asp319 and Asp320 to yield D319N and D320N derivatives strongly impairs the ability of the yeast to grow under iron-limiting conditions. In particular, substitution of Asp320 with asparagine essentially abolished the Fet3-dependent iron transport activity. All other mutants (D278Q, D279N, D312N and D315I) behaved essentially as the wild-type protein. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the soluble forms of D319N and D320N showed significant changes of the copper sites' geometry in D319N but not in D320N. At variance with the membrane-bound forms, soluble D319N and D320N derivatives were highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation, suggesting that replacement of Asp319 or Asp320 locally modifies the structure of Fet3, making the protein sensitive to proteolysis when it is not protected by the membrane environment. In turn, this might be evidence of a shielding role of the permease Ftr1, which could interact with Fet3 at the level of the aspartate-rich negatively charged region.
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di Patti MCB, Persichini T, Mazzone V, Polticelli F, Colasanti M, Musci G. Interleukin-1beta up-regulates iron efflux in rat C6 glioma cells through modulation of ceruloplasmin and ferroportin-1 synthesis. Neurosci Lett 2004; 363:182-6. [PMID: 15172111 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 01/19/2004] [Revised: 03/26/2004] [Accepted: 04/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A number of pathologies, including neurodegeneration and inflammation, have been associated with iron dysmetabolism in the brain. Hence, systems involved in iron homeostasis at the cellular level have aroused considerable interest in recent years. The iron exporter ferroportin-1 (FP) and the multicopper oxidase ceruloplasmin (CP) are essential for iron efflux from cells. By using RT-PCR, we demonstrate that FP and CP gene expression is up-regulated by treatment with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in rat C6 cells, taken as a glial cellular model. Following stimulation with IL-1beta, a higher expression level of CP and FP was also confirmed by Western blotting. Moreover, IL-1beta has been found to increase iron efflux from C6 cells, suggesting that both proteins may play a crucial role in iron homeostasis in pathological brain conditions, such as inflammatory and/or neurodegenerative diseases.
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Galli I, Musci G, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Sequential reconstitution of copper sites in the multicopper oxidase CueO. J Biol Inorg Chem 2003; 9:90-5. [PMID: 14648285 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-003-0501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 07/07/2003] [Accepted: 10/17/2003] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
CueO belongs to the family of multicopper oxidases which are characterized by the presence of multiple copper-binding sites with different structural and functional properties. These enzymes share the ability to couple the one-electron oxidation of substrate to reduction of oxygen to water by way of a functional unit composed of a mononuclear type 1 blue copper site, which is the entry site for electrons, and of a trinuclear copper cluster formed by type 2 and binuclear type 3 sites, where oxygen binding and reduction take place. The mechanism of copper incorporation in CueO has been investigated by optical and EPR spectroscopy. The results indicate unambiguously that the process is sequential, with type 1 copper being the first to be reconstituted, followed by type 2 and type 3 sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Galli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche 'A. Rossi Fanelli', Università degli Studi di Roma 'La Sapienza', P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Roma, Italy
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Angelaccio S, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC. Site-directed mutagenesis by the megaprimer PCR method: variations on a theme for simultaneous introduction of multiple mutations. Anal Biochem 2002; 306:346-9. [PMID: 12123677 DOI: 10.1006/abio.2002.5689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiana Angelaccio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Giartosio A, Rotilio G, Battistoni A. Analysis of Cu,ZnSOD conformational stability by differential scanning calorimetry. Methods Enzymol 2002; 349:49-61. [PMID: 11912929 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(02)49320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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Musci G, di Patti MCB, Calabrese L. Spectroscopic and functional effects of chloride on human ceruloplasmin. J Inorg Biochem 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/0162-0134(93)85177-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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