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Tecce N, de Alteriis G, de Alteriis G, Verde L, Tecce MF, Colao A, Muscogiuri G. Harnessing the Synergy of SGLT2 Inhibitors and Continuous Ketone Monitoring (CKM) in Managing Heart Failure among Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:753. [PMID: 38610175 PMCID: PMC11011472 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070753] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) management in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is particularly challenging due to its increased prevalence and the associated risks of hospitalization and mortality, driven by diabetic cardiomyopathy. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-is) offer a promising avenue for treating HF, specifically the preserved ejection fraction variant most common in T1D, but their utility is hampered by the risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This review investigates the potential of SGLT2-is in T1D HF management alongside emergent Continuous Ketone Monitoring (CKM) technology as a means to mitigate DKA risk through a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. The evidence suggests that SGLT2-is significantly reduce HF hospitalization and enhance cardiovascular outcomes. However, their application in T1D patients remains limited due to DKA concerns. CKM technology emerges as a crucial tool in this context, offering real-time monitoring of ketone levels, which enables the safe incorporation of SGLT2-is into treatment regimes by allowing for early detection and intervention in the development of ketosis. The synergy between SGLT2-is and CKM has the potential to revolutionize HF treatment in T1D, promising improved patient safety, quality of life, and reduced HF-related morbidity and mortality. Future research should aim to employ clinical trials directly assessing this integrated approach, potentially guiding new management protocols for HF in T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Tecce
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (G.d.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Giorgio de Alteriis
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giulia de Alteriis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (G.d.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Ludovica Verde
- Centro Italiano per la Cura e il Benessere del Paziente con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (G.d.A.); (A.C.)
- Cattedra Unesco “Educazione alla Salute e Allo Sviluppo Sostenibile”, University Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanna Muscogiuri
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (G.d.A.); (A.C.)
- Cattedra Unesco “Educazione alla Salute e Allo Sviluppo Sostenibile”, University Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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Buonocore M, Grimaldi M, Santoro A, Covelli V, Marino C, Napolitano E, Novi S, Tecce MF, Ciaglia E, Montella F, Lopardo V, Perugini V, Santin M, D’Ursi AM. Exploiting the Features of Short Peptides to Recognize Specific Cell Surface Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15610. [PMID: 37958593 PMCID: PMC10650159 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115610] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibodies are the macromolecules of choice to ensure specific recognition of biomarkers in biological assays. However, they present a range of shortfalls including a relatively high production cost and limited tissue penetration. Peptides are relatively small molecules able to reproduce sequences of highly specific paratopes and, although they have less biospecificity than antibodies, they offer advantages like ease of synthesis, modifications of their amino acid sequences and tagging with fluorophores and other molecules required for detection. This work presents a strategy to design peptide sequences able to recognize the CD44 hyaluronic acid receptor present in the plasmalemma of a range of cells including human bone marrow stromal mesenchymal cells. The protocol of identification of the optimal amino acid sequence was based on the combination of rational design and in silico methodologies. This protocol led to the identification of two peptide sequences which were synthesized and tested on human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) for their ability to ensure specific binding to the CD44 receptor. Of the two peptides, one binds CD44 with sensitivity and selectivity, thus proving its potential to be used as a suitable alternative to this antibody in conventional immunostaining. In the context of regenerative medicine, the availability of this peptide could be harnessed to functionalize tissue engineering scaffolds to anchor stem cells as well as to be integrated into systems such as cell sorters to efficiently isolate MSCs from biological samples including various cell subpopulations. The data here reported can represent a model for developing peptide sequences able to recognize hBM-MSCs and other types of cells and for their integration in a range of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Buonocore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Grimaldi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
| | - Angelo Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- Scuola di Specializzazione in Farmacia Ospedaliera, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Verdiana Covelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Enza Napolitano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sara Novi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
| | - Elena Ciaglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.C.); (F.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Francesco Montella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.C.); (F.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Valentina Lopardo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (E.C.); (F.M.); (V.L.)
| | - Valeria Perugini
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4AT, UK; (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Matteo Santin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Devices, School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4AT, UK; (V.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Anna Maria D’Ursi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy or (M.B.); (M.G.); (A.S.); or (V.C.); (C.M.); (E.N.); (S.N.); (M.F.T.)
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Novi S, Vestuto V, Campiglia P, Tecce N, Bertamino A, Tecce MF. Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Natural Compounds in Diet-Associated Hepatic Inflammation. Nutrients 2023; 15:2748. [PMID: 37375652 DOI: 10.3390/nu15122748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common causes of chronic liver disease and are increasingly emerging as a global health problem. Such disorders can lead to liver damage, resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation of infiltrating immune cells. These are some of the common features of ALD progression in ASH (alcoholic steatohepatitis) and NAFLD to NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). Hepatic steatosis, followed by fibrosis, lead to a continuous progression accompanied by angiogenesis. This process creates hypoxia, which activates vascular factors, initiating pathological angiogenesis and further fibrosis. This forms a vicious cycle of ongoing damage and progression. This condition further exacerbates liver injury and may contribute to the development of comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome as well as hepatocellular carcinoma. Increasing evidence suggests that anti-angiogenic therapy may have beneficial effects on these hepatic disorders and their exacerbation. Therefore, there is a great interest to deepen the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of natural anti-angiogenic products that could both prevent and control liver diseases. In this review, we focus on the role of major natural anti-angiogenic compounds against steatohepatitis and determine their potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of liver inflammation caused by an imbalanced diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Novi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Vestuto
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Nicola Tecce
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Medical School of Naples, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessia Bertamino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via G. Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
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Carbone D, Vestuto V, Ferraro MR, Ciaglia T, Pecoraro C, Sommella E, Cascioferro S, Salviati E, Novi S, Tecce MF, Amodio G, Iraci N, Cirrincione G, Campiglia P, Diana P, Bertamino A, Parrino B, Ostacolo C. Metabolomics-assisted discovery of a new anticancer GLS-1 inhibitor chemotype from a nortopsentin-inspired library: From phenotype screening to target identification. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 234:114233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Sasso FC, Zuchegna C, Tecce MF, Capasso A, Adinolfi LE, Romano A, Bartollino S, Porcellini A, Costagliola C. High glucose concentration produces a short-term increase in pERK1/2 and p85 proteins, having a direct angiogenetic effect by an action similar to VEGF. Acta Diabetol 2020; 57:947-958. [PMID: 32130518 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-020-01501-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Excessive glucose serum concentration, endothelial dysfunction and microangiopathy are key features of diabetes mellitus, being both diagnostic parameters and pathogenetic mechanisms. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is importantly implicated in the physiology and pathology of blood vessels, including diabetic vascular damage. METHODS These factors certainly affect endothelial cells, and to evaluate mechanisms involved, we took advantage of telomerase-immortalized human microvascular endothelial (TIME) cells. TIME cells were exposed to different glucose concentrations and to VEGF treatments. Culture conditions also included the use of basement membrane extract, as an in vitro differentiation model. Cell morphology was then evaluated in the different conditions, and cellular proteins were extracted to analyze specific protein products by Western blot. RESULTS High glucose concentrations and VEGF did substantially affect neither morphology nor growth of cultured TIME cells, while both considerably increased differentiation into "capillary-like" structures when cells were cultured on basement membrane extract. CONCLUSIONS Under these conditions, high glucose concentration and VEGF also produced a short-term increase in pERK1/2 and p85 proteins, while total and phosphorylated AKT were not affected. These data suggest a direct angiogenetic effect of glucose, affecting intracellular transduction mechanisms with an action similar to that of VEGF. This effect on endothelial cell proliferation and differentiation could be part of pathogenetic mechanisms producing diabetic microvascular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinando Carlo Sasso
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Dalla Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Candida Zuchegna
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Luigi Elio Adinolfi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Dalla Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Piazza Miraglia 2, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Romano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Bartollino
- Department of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio Porcellini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Costagliola
- Department of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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Buonerba A, Lapenta R, Donniacuo A, Licasale M, Vezzoli E, Milione S, Capacchione C, Tecce MF, Falqui A, Piacentini R, Grassi C, Grassi A. NIR multiphoton ablation of cancer cells, fluorescence quenching and cellular uptake of dansyl-glutathione-coated gold nanoparticles. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11380. [PMID: 32647291 PMCID: PMC7347844 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68397-1] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Theranostics based on two-photon excitation of therapeutics in the NIR region is an emerging and powerful tool in cancer therapy since this radiation deeply penetrates healthy biological tissues and produces selective cell death. Aggregates of gold nanoparticles coated with glutathione corona functionalized with the dansyl chromophore (a-DG-AuNPs) were synthesized and found efficient nanodevice for applications in photothermal therapy (PTT). Actually the nanoparticle aggregation enhances the quenching of radiative excitation and the consequent conversion into heat. The a-DG-AuNPs are readily internalized in Hep G2 where the chromophore acts as both antenna and transducer of the NIR radiation under two-photons excitation, determining efficient cell ablation via photothermal effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Buonerba
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), and Consorzio Inter-universitario Previsione e Prevenzione dei Grandi Rischi (Cu.G.Ri.), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy. .,Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Rosita Lapenta
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Anna Donniacuo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Magda Licasale
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Elena Vezzoli
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefano Milione
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Carmine Capacchione
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Andrea Falqui
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. .,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Grassi
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084, Fisciano, SA, Italy
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Grimaldi M, Palisi A, Marino C, Montoro P, Capasso A, Novi S, Tecce MF, D’Ursi AM. NMR-based metabolomic profile of hypercholesterolemic human sera: Relationship with in vitro gene expression? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231506. [PMID: 32298312 PMCID: PMC7162471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypercholesterolaemia is considered an important cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In a previous investigation, we demonstrated that cultured hepatoma cells treated with hypercholesterolaemic sera compared with cells treated with normocholesterolaemic sera show overexpression of mRNAs related to mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase (HMGCS2). In the present work, using an NMR metabolomic analysis, we demonstrate that the hypercholesterolaemic blood sera previously used to treat cultured hepatoma cells are characterized by a metabolomic profile that is significantly different from the normocholesterolaemic sera. Acetate, acetone, 2-hydroxybutyrate, cysteine, valine, and glutamine are the metabolites distinguishing the two groups. Abnormalities in the concentrations of these metabolites reflect alterations in energy-related pathways, such as pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pyruvate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the citrate cycle, and ketone bodies. Regarding ketone bodies, the pathway is regulated by HMGCS2; therefore, serum samples previously found to be able to increase HMGCS2 mRNA levels in cultured cells also contain higher amounts of the metabolites of its encoded enzyme protein product.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelica Palisi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Carmen Marino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Paola Montoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sara Novi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Anna Maria D’Ursi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Rescigno T, Capasso A, Bisceglia B, Tecce MF. Short Exposures to an Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF MF) Enhance Protein but not mRNA Alkaline Phosphatase Expression in Human Osteosarcoma Cells. Open Biochem J 2018; 12:65-77. [PMID: 29760814 PMCID: PMC5906974 DOI: 10.2174/1874091x01812010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Among electromagnetic fields treatments used in orthopedics, extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) need more detailed information about the molecular mechanisms of their effects and exposure conditions. Objective Evaluation of the effects of an ELF MF exposure system, recently introduced among current clinical treatments for fracture healing and other bone diseases, on Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity and expression in a human osteosarcoma cell line (SaOS-2), as marker typically associated to osteogenesis and bone tissue regeneration. Method Cells were exposed to the ELF MF physical stimulus (75 Hz, 1.5 mT) for 1h. Cell viability, enzymatic activity, protein and mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase were then measured at different times after exposure (0, 4 and 24 h). Results Data demonstrate that this signal is active on an osteogenic process already one hour after exposure. Treatment was, in fact, capable, even after an exposure shorter than those commonly used in clinical applications, to significantly up-regulate alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity. This regulation is produced essentially through an increase of ALP protein level, without changes of its mRNA concentration, while assessed magnetic field did not affect cell growth and viability and did not produce temperature variations. Conclusion Tested low-frequency magnetic field affects cellular ALP expression with a posttranslational mechanism, without the involvement of regulations at gene transcription and mRNA level. This molecular effect is likely produced even within treated tissues during therapies with this signal and may be implicated in the induction of observed effects in treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Rescigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Bruno Bisceglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
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Rescigno T, Capasso A, Tecce MF. Involvement of nutrients and nutritional mediators in mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase gene expression. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3306-3314. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tania Rescigno
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Fisciano Salerno Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Fisciano Salerno Italy
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Rescigno T, Capasso A, Tecce MF. Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Cell Cycle Pathways in Breast Cell Lines With Different Transformation Degree. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:1226-36. [PMID: 26480024 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), abundant in fish, have been shown to affect development and progression of some types of cancer, including breast cancer. The aim of our study was to further analyze and clarify the effects of these nutrients on the molecular mechanisms underlying breast cancer. Following treatments with DHA we examined cell viability, death, cell cycle, and some molecular effects in breast cell lines with different transformation, phenotypic, and biochemical characteristics (MCF-10A, MCF-7, SK-BR-3, ZR-75-1). These investigations showed that DHA is able to affect cell viability, proliferation, and cell cycle progression in a different way in each assayed breast cell line. The activation of ERK1/2 and STAT3 pathways and the expression and/or activation of molecules involved in cell cycle regulation such as p21(Waf1/Cip1) and p53, are very differently regulated by DHA treatments in each cell model. DHA selectively: (i) arrests non tumoral MCF-10A breast cells in G0 /G1 cycle phase, activating p21(Waf1/Cip1) , and p53, (ii) induces to death highly transformed breast cells SK-BR-3, reducing ERK1/2 and STAT3 phosphorylation and (iii) only slightly affects each analyzed process in MCF-7 breast cell line with transformation degree lower than SK-BR-3 cells. These findings suggest a more relevant inhibitory role of DHA within early development and late progression of breast cancer cell transformation and a variable effect in the other phases, depending on individual molecular properties and degree of malignancy of each clinical case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Rescigno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
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De Rosa MC, Caputo M, Zirpoli H, Rescigno T, Tarallo R, Giurato G, Weisz A, Torino G, Tecce MF. Identification of Genes Selectively Regulated in Human Hepatoma Cells by Treatment With Dyslipidemic Sera and PUFAs. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:2059-66. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariella Caputo
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition; Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Hylde Zirpoli
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition; Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Tania Rescigno
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition; Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Roberta Tarallo
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics; Department of Medicine and Surgery; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Gaetano Torino
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition; Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition; Department of Pharmacy; University of Salerno; Italy
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Montella M, D'Arena G, Crispo A, Capunzo M, Nocerino F, Grimaldi M, Barbieri A, D'Ursi AM, Tecce MF, Amore A, Galdiero M, Ciliberto G, Giudice A. Role of Sex Hormones in the Development and Progression of Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Endocrinol 2015; 2015:854530. [PMID: 26491442 PMCID: PMC4600563 DOI: 10.1155/2015/854530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in developed countries. Epidemiological reports indicate that the incidence of HBV-related HCC is higher in males and postmenopausal females than other females. Increasing evidence suggests that sex hormones such as androgens and estrogens play an important role in the progression of an HBV infection and in the development of HBV-related HCC. While androgen is supposed to stimulate the androgen signaling pathway and cooperate to the increased transcription and replication of HBV genes, estrogen may play a protecting role against the progression of HBV infections and in the development of HBV-related HCC through decreasing HBV RNA transcription and inflammatory cytokines levels. Additionally, sex hormones can also affect HBV-related hepatocarcinogenesis by inducing epigenetic changes such as the regulation of mRNA levels by microRNAs (miRNAs), DNA methylation, and histone modification in liver tissue. This review describes the molecular mechanisms underlying the gender disparity in HBV-related HCC with the aim of improving the understanding of key factors underneath the sex disparity often observed in HBV infections. Furthermore, the review will propose more effective prevention strategies and treatments of HBV-derived diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Montella
- Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
- *Maurizio Montella:
| | - Giovanni D'Arena
- Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS, Cancer Referral Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Anna Crispo
- Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Capunzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, 84081 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Flavia Nocerino
- Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Grimaldi
- Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Barbieri
- Animal Facility, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria D'Ursi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Alfonso Amore
- Department of Surgery, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- National Cancer Institute “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Giudice
- Epidemiology Unit, National Cancer Institute of Naples “G. Pascale Foundation”, IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Caputo M, De Rosa MC, Rescigno T, Zirpoli H, Vassallo A, De Tommasi N, Torino G, Tecce MF. Binding of polyunsaturated fatty acids to LXRα and modulation of SREBP-1 interaction with a specific SCD1 promoter element. Cell Biochem Funct 2014; 32:637-46. [PMID: 25264165 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is the rate limiting enzyme in unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. This enzyme has an important role in the regulation of hepatic lipogenesis and lipid oxidation, and alterations in these pathways may lead to several diseases. We examined, in HepG2 cell cultures, the mechanism of SCD1 regulation considering the involvement of two transcription factors: liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), also investigating the effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on this process. The analysis of SCD1 promoter allowed to identify a functional SREBP-1 binding site (SRE 1). LXRα activation increased SCD1 protein level through upregulation of SREBP-1 and its consequent binding to SRE 1 sequence. Polyunsaturated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5) and arachidonic acid (AA, C20:4) were able to reduce SREBP-1 binding to SCD1 promoter, while saturated stearic acid (SA, C18:0) did not give any effect. Surface plasmon resonance analysis showed a direct binding of DHA, EPA and AA to LXRα. These data indicate a direct inhibitory interaction of PUFAs with LXRα, a consequent reduction of SREBP-1 and of its binding to SCD1 promoter. This information provides a mechanism to explain the regulation of lipogenic pathways induced by PUFAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Caputo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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Giudice A, Crispo A, Massimiliano G, D’Arena G, Tecce MF, Grimaldi M, Amore A, Esposito E, Montella M. Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Circadian Disruption, Antioxidants and Pancreatic Carcinoma: an Overview. JGLD 2014. [DOI: 10.15403/jgld-1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The incidence and number of deaths caused by pancreatic tumours have been gradually rising, while the incidence and mortality of other common cancers have been declining. Risk factors for this malignant disease include cigarette smoking, family history of chronic pancreatitis, advancing age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-0 blood group, a high-fat diet, alcohol consumption and possibly Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B virus infections. Metabolic diseases have become the leading cause of death in many countries. Our paper serves as a focused and updated discussion about the development of novel preventive strategies for this deadly disease.
Abbreviations. ARE: antioxidant response element; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; IGFs: insulin-like growthfactors; IGF1R: IGF-1 receptor; MetS: metabolic syndrome; NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease;NAFPD: non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease; NASH: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; NASP: non-alcoholic steatopancreatitis; PPARγ : peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; PPARs: peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors.
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15
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Giudice A, Crispo A, Massimiliano G, D'Arena G, Tecce MF, Grimaldi M, Amore A, Esposito E, Montella M. Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, circadian disruption, antioxidants and pancreatic carcinoma: an overview. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis 2014; 23:73-7. [PMID: 24689100] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and number of deaths caused by pancreatic tumours have been gradually rising, while the incidence and mortality of other common cancers have been declining. Risk factors for this malignant disease include cigarette smoking, family history of chronic pancreatitis, advancing age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-0 blood group, a high-fat diet, alcohol consumption and possibly Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis B virus infections. Metabolic diseases have become the leading cause of death in many countries. Our paper serves as a focused and updated discussion about the development of novel preventive strategies for this deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Giudice
- Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS - Naples, Italy.
| | - Anna Crispo
- Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS - Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni D'Arena
- Department of Onco- Hematology, IRCCS Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata,Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | | | - Maria Grimaldi
- Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS - Naples, Italy
| | - Alfonso Amore
- Department of Surgery, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Surgery, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS, Naples Italy
| | - Maurizio Montella
- Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori Fondazione Giovanni Pascale - IRCCS - Naples, Italy
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Caputo M, Zirpoli H, De Rosa MC, Rescigno T, Chiadini F, Scaglione A, Stellato C, Giurato G, Weisz A, Tecce MF, Bisceglia B. Effect of low frequency (LF) electric fields on gene expression of a bone human cell line. Electromagn Biol Med 2013; 33:289-95. [PMID: 23977831 DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2013.822387] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the effects, on cultured human SaOS-2 cells, of exposures to the low frequency (LF) electric signal (60 kHz sinusoidal wave, 24.5 V peak-to-peak voltage, amplitude modulated by a 12.5 Hz square wave, 50% duty cycle) from an apparatus of current clinical use in bone diseases requiring regenerating processes. Cells in flasks were exposed to a capacitively coupled electric field giving electric current density in the sample of 4 µA/cm(2). The whole expressed cellular mRNAs were systematically analyzed by "DNA microchips" technology to identify all individual species quantitatively affected by field exposure. Comparisons were made between RNA samples from exposed and control sham-exposed cells. Results indicated that immediately and 4 h after exposure there were almost no differentially modulated mRNA species. However, samples obtained at 24 h after exposure showed a small number of limitedly differential signals (7 down-regulated and 3 up-regulated with a cut-off value of ±1.5; 38 and 11, respectively, with a cut-off value of ±1.3), which included mostly mRNA encoding transcription factors and DNA binding proteins. Nevertheless, in identical experimental conditions, we previously demonstrated enzymatic changes of alkaline phosphatase occurring immediately after exposure and declining in a few hours. Therefore, since enzymatic changes occur before those observed at gene regulation level, it is conceivable that only earlier effects are directly due the treatment and then these effects are later able to affect gene expression only indirectly.
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Festa M, Caputo M, Cipolla C, D'Acunto CW, Rossi AG, Tecce MF, Capasso A. The involvement of xanthohumol in the expression of annexin in human malignant glioblastoma cells. Open Biochem J 2013; 7:1-10. [PMID: 23407460 PMCID: PMC3568876 DOI: 10.2174/1874091x01307010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant and resistant tumor of the central nervous system in humans and new therapeutic strategies are urgently required. Recently, we have shown that the potential chemotherapeutic polyphenol xanthohumol (XH), isolated from Humulus Lupulus, induces apoptosis of human T98G glioblastoma cells by increasing reactive oxygen species and activating MAPK pathways. Then we have found, by western blotting and microscopic analysis, that XH up-regulates cytosolic levels of ANXA1 and induces translocation of the protein on the cell membrane of T98G cells in a time-dependent manner with significant effects observed after 24 h. On the basis of the above evidence, the aim of this work was to investigate the role of intracellular and cell membrane localized ANXA1 in GBM cells. RT-PCR analysis has shown that XH up-regulates mRNA levels of ANXA1 after 16 h treatment. To demonstrate the involvement of ANXA1 in apoptosis of GBM cells we down-regulated ANXA1 expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA) and then analysed apoptosis in the presence and absence of apoptotic stimuli. Importantly, apoptosis induced by XH was reduced in siRNA-ANXA1 transfected cells where western blot analysis shows a significant reduction of ANXA1 protein levels. To investigate the role of ANXA1 expression on the cell membrane of T98G cells as potential "eat-me" signal we studied phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by human macrophages. We incubated apoptotic T98G cells with human blood monocyte derived macrophages (M=). After co-incubation period we analysed the percentage of M= phagocytosing the apoptotic cells by cytofluorimetric FACS analysis and by confocal microscopy. Our results show that XH induces phagocytosis of apoptotic T98G cells by human M= in a concentration-effect manner, a processes that is dependent on caspase mediated apoptosis. ANXA1 acts as an "eat-me" signal on the cell membrane of T98G cells, and interestingly, apoptotic siRNA-ANXA1 transfected cells are not completely ingested by M=. These results were confirmed by incubating apoptotic cells with a neutralizing anti-ANXA1 antiboby and ANXA1 membrane depletion by EDTA washing. ANXA1 was also detected in supernatants of apoptotic cells and the incubation of enriched supernatants enhanced the percentage of phagocytosis by M=. These results demonstrated that ANXA1 is involved both in the apoptosis and phagocytosis of glioblastoma cells. This study shows a possible role of ANXA1 in maintenance of brain homeostasis and may lead to novel therapeutic approaches for neuro-inflammatory diseases and chemotherapy targets in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Festa
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
| | - M Caputo
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
| | - C Cipolla
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
| | - CW D'Acunto
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
| | - AG Rossi
- University of Edinburgh, MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, UK
| | - MF Tecce
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
| | - A Capasso
- University of Salerno, Department of Pharmacy, Italy
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Zirpoli H, Caputo M, Carraturo A, Torino G, Fazio A, Attya M, Rastrelli L, Tecce MF. Selective action of human sera differing in fatty acids and cholesterol content on in vitro gene expression. J Cell Biochem 2012; 113:815-23. [PMID: 22021027 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.23409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Serum constituents might directly affect metabolic diseases pathogenesis and are commonly used as diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to investigate the human serum effect on in vitro gene expression, related to nutrients action and involved in lipid metabolism. In detail, 40 human sera were firstly analyzed in fatty acids profile by gas-chromatography. Then samples were tested through direct addition within culture medium on Hep G2 human hepatoma cells, comparing samples from hypercholesterolemic (average 273 mg/dl) versus normocholesterolemic male subjects (average 155 mg/dl), since this condition is a relevant disease risk factor and is typically consequent to nutritional style. Hypercholesterolemic sera produced a 0.4-fold reduction of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA (P < 0.05) and a 1.5-fold increase of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) mRNA (P < 0.01). Samples with higher concentrations of n-6 fatty acids produced a higher expression of UGT1A1 mRNA. Total fatty acids [docosahexaenoic, eicosopentanoic, arachidonic, linolenic, and linoleic acid (DHA, EPA, AA, LNA, and LA, respectively)] in each serum resulted roughly inverse with trend of SREBP-1c mRNA expression. Serum AA, LA, and trans fatty acids were more abundant in hypercholesterolemic subjects (P < 0.01) while DHA as quota of detected fatty acids was significantly higher in normocholesterolemic subjects (P < 0.05). While it is not possible to indicate which component was responsible for the observed gene modulations, our data indicate that sera differing in lipid profiles, mainly associated with dietary behavior, differentially affect gene expression known to be involved in metabolic and nutritional related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hylde Zirpoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Salerno, via Ponte Don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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Monteleone F, Caputo M, Tecce MF, Capasso A. Duloxetine in the treatment of depression: an overview. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem 2012; 11:174-83. [PMID: 21919872 DOI: 10.2174/187152411798047807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Revised: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a disorder that can be classified in the categories of non-organic psychiatric disorders and mood disorders. Mood tone is an important psychic function involved in the adaptation to both our internal and external world. It is flexible, that is, it goes up when we are in positive and favorable conditions, but it goes down when we are in negative and unpleasant states. We can define depression as a condition when mood tone loses its flexibility, it goes down and it's no longer influenced by favorable external events. In fact, depression is characterized by changes in the way how the affected individual thinks, feels and acts. Even if this change occurs gradually, a depressed subject is not the same as before. For example, a brilliant student could be persuaded to be not able to finish his studies; an affectionate mother could start to neglect her sons; an enterprising worker could lose every interest for his activity. Moreover, a depressed person doesn't care of his aspect or of himself. The surviving instinct could leave place to the desire to stop his own life. The most evident characteristic of depression in the adulthood is a sad mood, a gloomy solitary and apathetic attitude. A depressed subject could cry also with no apparent reason, he could have difficulty falling asleep or he could wake up very early in the morning and no longer returns to sleep. Or, instead, he could sleep more than usually and he could feel tired persistently. He could lose appetite and weight, or, in some cases, he could eat much more than usually and he could gain weight. Typically, a depressed person feels himself in a extremely negative way, he could think to be hopeless and helpless and he often condemns himself for small guilty. A depressed subject is pessimistic about himself and his own future; he loses interest in all what happens around him and he gets no satisfaction from the activities that before were pleasant. Some persons can be depressed also if they don't show evident signs of depression, but they complain for physical symptoms or they abuse of alcohol or other substances. It has been estimated that in the industrialized Western world one to six persons has a depressive episode at least once during his life; at present, the incidence of depression in the general population is around 5% with clear cut prevalence in the female sex. This leads to high social costs: behind the short-term inability, we have to consider also the long term inability (it has been estimated that, in 2020, depression will represent the second most frequent cause of permanent inability) as well as the suicide risk, the proved major susceptibility of depressed subjects to various non-psychiatric pathologies and the increased rate of premature deaths of depressed individuals as compared to the general population. The present work not only evaluates the drugs used for the treatment of depression, but it focuses also on those studies that investigated the efficacy of a second generation drug: Duloxetine that has a higher selectivity of action and a better tolerability profile as compared to first generation medications. These characteristics make Duloxetine the most effective therapeutic choice to improve both psychological and somatic symptoms of depression in order to get higher rates of symptomatic remission on depressive episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Monteleone
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Salerno, Fisciano (Salerno) Italy
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Galano G, Caputo M, Tecce MF, Capasso A. Efficacy and tolerability of vinorelbine in the cancer therapy. Curr Drug Saf 2012; 6:185-93. [PMID: 22122393 DOI: 10.2174/157488611797579302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 07/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vinorelbine (VRN) is one of the most representative compounds of its class: the vinca alkaloids. VRN interferes with microtubule assembly. VRN shows a better therapeutic index than the parent compound vincristine and vinblastine probably because of its higher affinity for mitotic microtubules. VNR high affinity for mitotic microtubules causes a high clinical efficacy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and for breast cancer (BC), together with a good tolerability at therapeutically effective doses. The vinca alkaloids are structurally similar compounds comprised of 2 multiringed units, vindoline and catharanthine. Unlike other vinca alkaloids, the catharanthine unit is the site of structural modification for VRN. The antitumor activity of VNR is thought to be due primarily to inhibition of mitosis at metaphase through its interaction with tubulin. Like other vinca alkaloids, VNR may also interfere with: 1) amino acid, cyclic AMP, and glutathione metabolism, 2) calmodulin-dependent Ca²⁺-transport ATPase activity, 3) cellular respiration, and 4) nucleic acid and lipid biosynthesis. The VNR is also characterized by improved hematologic tolerance and less neurotoxicity compared to parent compound. The aim of this review is 1) to explore the efficacy and tolerability of VNR in cancer therapy and 2) to examine the more recent approaches to improve the efficacy and tolerability of VNR in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Galano
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084 Fisciano-SA, Italy
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Caputo M, Zirpoli H, Di Benedetto R, De Nadai K, Tecce MF. Perspectives of choroidal neovascularization therapy. Curr Drug Targets 2011; 12:234-42. [PMID: 20887238 DOI: 10.2174/138945011794182791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Vision loss secondary to Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) is becoming a major disease condition in developed world. CNV is typically secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and these conditions are major, and also substantially increasing, causes of blindness among aged people. Several therapeutic options are currently available to treat CNV with variable efficacy on disease progress. Among existing treatments there are laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapies, local corticosteroids and, more recently, the use of anti-angiogenic factors. Although by these treatments very effective results are obtained and their further improvement is still possible, it is also reasonable and necessary to look for more successful and definitive alternatives. The research in this direction is already very active and it can be expected that applications of the more recent molecular technologies will bring important advances also for CNV. These will likely regard the use of gene therapy and of new target specific factors. Gene therapies methodologies are rapidly becoming closer to current clinical use and, since the eye is a particularly favourable organ for drug delivery, their ocular use is probably going to be among the first successful applications of these techniques. In addition to its specific technology, gene therapy requires the knowledge of specific genes to be modulated to adequately affect pathogenesis and progression of the disease in which has to be applied. This will also be true for the use of novel target specific drugs such as antibodies and other molecules able to affect cellular factors and pathways also related to disease development. For this reason, a major direction of future CNV therapies will be the identification of specific gene, gene products, metabolic pathways and metabolites related to the disease. This information, in addition to be suitable for gene and target specific therapies, will also allow the development of new procedures to improve diagnosis and/or prognostic evaluation of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Caputo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
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Bisceglia B, Zirpoli H, Caputo M, Chiadini F, Scaglione A, Tecce MF. Induction of alkaline phosphatase activity by exposure of human cell lines to a low-frequency electric field from apparatuses used in clinical therapies. Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 32:113-9. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.20630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Pizza V, Bisogno A, Lamaida E, Agresta A, Bandieramonte G, Volpe A, Galasso R, Galasso L, Caputo M, Tecce MF, Capasso A. Migraine and coronary artery disease: an open study on the genetic polymorphism of the 5, 10 methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) genes. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem 2010; 10:91-6. [PMID: 20518725 DOI: 10.2174/187152410791196404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic factors that increase susceptibility to oxidative stress, endothelial disfunction and, possibly, stroke include angiotensin-converting enzyme gene deletion polymorphism (ACE-DD) and the methylentetrahydropholate reductase (MTHFR) C677-TT polymorphism. The relationship of ACE-DD genotype to ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease is controversial, but it has been independently linked to lacunar infarction, in the absence of carotid atheroma. Lea et al. (2005) reported that the ACE DD genotype acts in combination with the MTHFR T/T genotype to increase migraine susceptibility, with the greatest effect in those with aura. The "TT" polymorphism is also associated with an increased risk of migraine with aura, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of ACE and MTHFR genes polymorphisms in a consecutive series of migrainous patients and of patients affected by myocardial infarction. We studied a series of 103 migrainous patients (1), whose age was between 13 and 75 years (81 suffering from migraine without aura, MwA, 9 from migraine with aura, MWA, 13 from mixed forms MwA-MWA, according to ICHD-II 2004 criteria) and of 336 patients (2) suffering from ischaemic cardiopathy (myocardial infarction, MI). The analysis, based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and on reverse-hybridization, showed as follows: MTHFR (C677T): 60 patients (58%) (1) and 186 (56%) (2) were heterozygous; 9 patients (9%) (1) and 54 (16%) (2) were mutated. The result of 1 patient (2) was unknown. MTHFR (A1298C): 54 patients (52%) (1) and 146 (44%) (2) were heterozygous, 7 patients (7%) (1) and 33 (10%) (2) were mutated. The result of 1 patient (2) was unknown. ACE (evaluated on 101 patients (1) and 245 (2)): 45 patients (43%) (1) and 133 (54%) (2) had an ID genotype; 42 (41%) (1) and 87 (36%) (2) had a DD genotype. The results of our study confirm the high incidence in the genetic polymorphisms ACE and MTHFR in migraineuse. These data are confirmed in the sample of patients affected by myocardial infarction. This gives evidence of a strong relationship between migraine and major vascular diseases and let us hypothesize an important role of ACE and MTHFR system in the pathogenetic model of migraine for its capability to interfere with the endothelial regulation tone. Once an effective role in the genesis of migraine and in the increased risk of migrainous patients to evolve into an ischemic pathology has been obviously assigned to this genetic mutation, future researches must aim through wider and more controlled casistics also to clarify the role that drugs acting on these systems may have on the resolution of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Pizza
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, S. Luca Hospital, Vallo della Lucania (Sa), Italy
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Caputo M, Zirpoli H, Torino G, Tecce MF. Selective regulation of UGT1A1 and SREBP-1c mRNA expression by docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids. J Cell Physiol 2010; 226:187-93. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Gallo C, Renzi P, Loizzo S, Loizzo A, Piacente S, Festa M, Caputo M, Tecce MF, Capasso A. Potential therapeutic effects of vitamin e and C on placental oxidative stress induced by nicotine: an in vitro evidence. Open Biochem J 2010; 4:77-82. [PMID: 20676222 PMCID: PMC2911599 DOI: 10.2174/1874091x01004010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 03/30/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been a few studies that examined the oxidative stress effects of nicotine during pregnancy and lactation. The adverse effect of prenatal smoking exposure on human fetal development and growth has been a major public health issue. Active or passive smoking during pregnancy can result in a wide variety of adverse outcomes, including intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), prematurity, stillbirth, and the sudden infant death syndrome. Smoking in pregnancy has also been associated with an increased risk of attention deficit and learning problems in childhood. Some studies argued that as a principal component of tobacco smoke, nicotine alone is responsible for the majority of negative reproductive outcomes. Nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine can cross the placental barrier. The level of nicotine in fetal tissues was found to be equal to or greater than the plasma nicotine level in the mothers. The oxidative stress induce by nicotine has been increasingly postulated as a major contributor to endothelial dysfunction. A large body of research has investigated the potential role of antioxidant nutrients in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction in women. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the potential benefit of antioxidant supplementation on markers of placental oxidative stress in an in vitro model of endothelial dysfunction induced by nicotine, since it was previously found that nicotine is able to trigger the placental secretion of stress molecules. In this regard, we evaluated the effects of vitamin C, vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), alone or in combination, in placental villi culture after exposure to nicotine. The effect of antioxidant nutrients on trophoblast cells proliferation and vitality was also evaluated. The results obtained suggest that in a patho-physiological condition, such as endothelial dysfunction induced by nicotine, the deleterious effect of reactive oxygen species may be counteracted by an antioxidant therapy, and there is the need to investigate the optimum dosing and timing of antioxidants administration, since an inappropriate antioxidant treatment in pregnant women may have deleterious consequences, reducing placental cells proliferation until to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Gallo
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Universita' di Roma "La Sapienza" Via dei Marsi 78, (00185) Roma
| | - Paolo Renzi
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Universita' di Roma "La Sapienza" Via dei Marsi 78, (00185) Roma
| | - Stefano Loizzo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299 (00161) Roma
| | - Alberto Loizzo
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299 (00161) Roma
| | - Sonia Piacente
- Dipartimento di Science Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo (84084), Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Michela Festa
- Dipartimento di Science Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo (84084), Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mariella Caputo
- Dipartimento di Science Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo (84084), Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Mario Felice Tecce
- Dipartimento di Science Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo (84084), Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Dipartimento di Science Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo (84084), Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
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Zirpoli H, Caputo M, Carraturo A, Torino G, Fazio A, Attya M, Rastrelli L, Tecce MF. Selective effect of dyslipidemic human sera on in vitro gene expression. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.924.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hylde Zirpoli
- Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of SalernoSalernoItaly
| | | | | | - Gaetano Torino
- Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of SalernoSalernoItaly
| | | | | | - Luca Rastrelli
- Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of SalernoSalernoItaly
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Notarnicola M, Messa C, Cavallini A, Bifulco M, Tecce MF, Eletto D, Di Leo A, Montemurro S, Laezza C, Caruso MG. Higher farnesyl diphosphate synthase activity in human colorectal cancer inhibition of cellular apoptosis. Oncology 2005; 67:351-8. [PMID: 15713990 DOI: 10.1159/000082918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 02/04/2004] [Accepted: 05/15/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPs) produces FPP which is considered a branch-point intermediate in the synthesis of sterols and isoprenylated cellular metabolites. In this study we investigated whether detectable FPPs activity was present in human colorectal cancer (CRC), also evaluating in vitro the role of this enzyme in the growth and apoptosis of CRC cells by using Pamidronate (PAM), a FPPs activity inhibitor. METHODS The activity level of FPPs was determined in CRC and the normal surrounding mucosa of 50 patients by radiochemical assay. The FPPs mRNA expression was investigated in 15 of 50 patients by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). K-ras mutation was evaluated using PCR and restriction enzyme analysis. Cell growth and apoptosis, after PAM treatment, in human CRC cell line DLD-1 were measured by MTT test and DNA fragmentation, respectively. RESULTS FPPs activity was detectable in human CRC. FPPs activity and its mRNA were significantly more abundant in cancer samples than in normal mucosa. In vitro PAM resulted in a significant reduction of cell growth and also gave rise to a marked proapoptotic effect. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence of the presence of FPPs activity in human CRC. Moreover, FPPs enzyme was found to play a significant role in colon cancer proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Notarnicola
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
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Casalino E, Calzaretti G, Sblano C, Landriscina V, Felice Tecce M, Landriscina C. Antioxidant effect of hydroxytyrosol (DPE) and Mn2+ in liver of cadmium-intoxicated rats. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2002; 133:625-32. [PMID: 12458190 DOI: 10.1016/s1532-0456(02)00180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Liver TBARS formation in cadmium-intoxicated rats was completely reduced by administering a low amount of MnCl(2) (2 mg/kg b.w.) 1 h before intoxication. A similar antioxidant effect was first shown by hydroxytyrosol (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanol, (DPE), a phenolic compound present in olive oil, given twice to rats (9 mg/kg b.w.) after cadmium administration. The antioxidant properties shown in vivo by both Mn(2+) and DPE were also active in vitro when rat liver microsomes were subjected to lipid peroxidation by cadmium or other prooxidant systems. The increase in liver glutathione concentrations occurring in cadmium-intoxicated rats, was also found, for the first time, 24 h after MnCl(2) administration. Unlike cadmium intoxication, which caused a higher formation of both glutathione and TBARS, Mn(2+) induced glutathione synthesis without any TBARS formation. The same situation was also observed when cadmium plus Mn(2+) or cadmium plus DPE was given to rats. Our data show that: (a). both DPE and low Mn(2+) concentrations may have an antioxidant effect in the livers of cadmium-intoxicated rats and (b). Mn(2+), like cadmium, induces liver glutathione synthesis and this effect is probably independent of TBARS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Casalino
- Department of Pharmaco-Biology, University of Bari, Str Prov Per Casamassima, Km 3, 70010 Valenzano,(Ba), Italy
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Iacomino G, Tecce MF, Grimaldi C, Tosto M, Russo GL. Transcriptional response of a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line to sodium butyrate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2001; 285:1280-9. [PMID: 11478796 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.2001.5323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Taking advantage of the DNA array screening technology, we analysed the effect of sodium butyrate on mRNA transcription in human HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells. Out of 588 mRNA species analysed, only 119 resulted expressed. Among these, 60 exhibited a variable degree of modulation after butyrate treatment. Genes linked to the cell growth, apoptosis and oxidative metabolism appeared the most significantly affected. Furthermore, many of the differentially expressed genes are transcription factors and this may account for the variability of the biological effects of butyrate. The pattern of butyrate-affected genes may represent a reference in further analyses of gene expression of intestinal cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Iacomino
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Alimentazione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Roma 52 A/C, Avellino, 83100, Italy
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Santillo M, Mondola P, Serù R, Annella T, Cassano S, Ciullo I, Tecce MF, Iacomino G, Damiano S, Cuda G, Paternò R, Martignetti V, Mele E, Feliciello A, Avvedimento EV. Opposing functions of Ki- and Ha-Ras genes in the regulation of redox signals. Curr Biol 2001; 11:614-9. [PMID: 11369207 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00159-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Ras p21 signaling is involved in multiple aspects of growth, differentiation, and stress response [1-2]. There is evidence pointing to superoxides as relays of Ras signaling messages. Chemicals with antioxidant activity suppress Ras-induced DNA synthesis. The inhibition of Ras significantly reduces the production of superoxides by the NADPH-oxidase complex [3]. Kirsten and Harvey are nonallelic Ras cellular genes that share a high degree of structural and functional homology. The sequences of Ki- and Ha-Ras proteins are almost identical. They diverge only in the 20-amino acid hypervariable domain at the COOH termini. To date, their functions remain indistinguishable [4]. We show that Ki- and Ha-Ras genes differently regulate the redox state of the cell. Ha-Ras-expressing cells produce high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by inducing the NADPH-oxidase system. Ki-Ras, on the other hand, stimulates the scavenging of ROS by activating posttranscriptionally the mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), via an ERK1/2-dependent pathway. Glutamic acid substitution of the four lysine residues in the polybasic stretch at the COOH terminus of Ki-Ras completely abolishes the activation of Mn-SOD, although it does not inhibit ERK1/2-induced transcription. In contrast, an alanine substitution of the cysteine of the CAAX box has very little effect on Mn-SOD activity but eliminates ERK1/2- dependent transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Santillo
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e di Scienze del Comportamento-Sezione di Fisiologia, Napoli, Italy
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Crescenzi E, Criniti V, Pianese M, Tecce MF, Palumbo G. Differential expression of antiapoptotic genes in human endometrial carcinoma: bcl-XL succeeds bcl-2 function in neoplastic cells. Gynecol Oncol 2000; 77:419-28. [PMID: 10831353 DOI: 10.1006/gyno.2000.5803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous histochemical observations have suggested a possible involvement of the bcl-2 family genes in the acquisition of neoplastic phenotype of the endometrium. Since knowledge of the type and function of genes controlling the transformed cell may result in new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches, we have investigated at the molecular level the biological role of bcl-2 family genes in endometrial neoplastic cells. METHODS To investigate the relationship between the sensitivity to apoptosis and the expression of the bcl-2 family genes, we set up a model system consisting of four human endometrial carcinoma cell lines. This system constitutes an array of two cell pairs presenting, respectively, endometrioid and adenosquamous phenotypes. G2 and G3 gradings are represented within each pair; in addition, each set contains one cell line that is apoptosis-sensitive and one that is resistant. Transfection of bcl-2 and bcl-XL into apoptosis-sensitive cells was used to monitor the biological function of protective genes. RESULTS A differential pattern of expression of bcl-2 family genes was observed in apoptosis-sensitive versus resistant cells, independent from the histological subtype. Resistant lines exhibited high amounts of Bcl-XL and low amounts of Bcl-2. Bax expression clearly correlates with cellular susceptibility to apoptosis. Transfection of bcl-XL resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement in resistance toward apoptosis. In contrast, the main effect of bcl-2 constitutive overexpression was to drastically abate the proliferative potential of transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate, at the molecular level, that bcl-XL is selected as an apoptosis-protective gene in place of bcl-2 while bax retains its dominant proapototic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Crescenzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Molecolare e Cellulare "L. Califano,", Università di Napoli "Federico II,", Naples, 80131, Italy
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Condorelli G, Vigliotta G, Iavarone C, Caruso M, Tocchetti CG, Andreozzi F, Cafieri A, Tecce MF, Formisano P, Beguinot L, Beguinot F. PED/PEA-15 gene controls glucose transport and is overexpressed in type 2 diabetes mellitus. EMBO J 1998; 17:3858-66. [PMID: 9670003 PMCID: PMC1170721 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/17.14.3858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have used differential display to identify genes whose expression is altered in type 2 diabetes thus contributing to its pathogenesis. One mRNA is overexpressed in fibroblasts from type 2 diabetics compared with non-diabetic individuals, as well as in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues, two major sites of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. The levels of the protein encoded by this mRNA are also elevated in type 2 diabetic tissues; thus, we named it PED for phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes. PED cloning shows that it encodes a 15 kDa phosphoprotein identical to the protein kinase C (PKC) substrate PEA-15. The PED gene maps on human chromosome 1q21-22. Transfection of PED/PEA-15 in differentiating L6 skeletal muscle cells increases the content of Glut1 transporters on the plasma membrane and inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose transport and cell-surface recruitment of Glut4, the major insulin-sensitive glucose transporter. These effects of PED overexpression are reversed by blocking PKC activity. Overexpression of the PED/PEA-15 gene may contribute to insulin resistance in glucose uptake in type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Condorelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare and Centro di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Sperimentale del C.N.R., Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Crescenzi E, Zullo F, Tecce MF, Palumbo G. Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs in normal and neoplastic (adenocarcinoma) human endometrium. Gynecol Oncol 1996; 63:228-33. [PMID: 8910632 DOI: 10.1006/gyno.1996.0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Individual mRNA species from normal and neoplastic endometrium obtained from the same patient were comparatively studied by exploiting the "differential display" methodology. The mRNAs were extracted from tissues, reverse transcribed, and amplified by PCR using appropriate primers. The cDNA electrophoretic bands which were frankly different on the basis of their quantitative expression were excised from the gels and reamplified. Each of these sequences was subsequently screened for the capacity to hybridize to RNA preparations from normal endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma samples, first from the original patient and then from a group of selected patients. Of many, only two sequences, thereafter named N5.5 and T16.2, respectively, successfully passed the two sieving tests and were chosen for further analysis. It appears that N5.5 recognizes an mRNA which is expressed more abundantly in normal than in neoplastic (adenocarcinoma) endometrium; in contrast, T16.2 seems to preferentially recognize an mRNA which is expressed in tumoral tissues. These two sequences have been cloned and sequenced; they do not show any identity or significant similarity to any other known sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Crescenzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, University of Naples, Italy
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Palumbo G, Caruso M, Crescenzi E, Tecce MF, Roberti G, Colasanti A. Targeted gene transfer in eucaryotic cells by dye-assisted laser optoporation. J Photochem Photobiol B 1996; 36:41-6. [PMID: 8988610 DOI: 10.1016/s1011-1344(96)07335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The blue beam of an Argon laser (488 nm) has been focused on the cell membrane in the presence of phenol-red, an usual component of cell culture media, through a 100 x objective. At the site of the beam impact, due probably to local temperature changes, the cell membrane modifies its permeability. As a consequence of the hit, circular areas, whose radius may be apparently regulated by changing the irradiation time and/or the radiation intensity (energy), appear on the wall, last for a short time and fade spontaneously within 1-2 minutes. No evident sings of cell injury or hurt have been observed afterward. Plasmid DNA, purposely added to culture fluid, easily slips in the cytoplasm; utilizing such approach, thereafter indicated as "optoporation', we have successfully transfected two genes, namely beta-galactosidase and chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase in murine NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Therefore optoporation represents an additional procedure for gene transfer with several advantages over already available methods: (1) it only takes advantage of the presence of phenol-red, a normal cell medium component, with no need of addition of extraneous substances; (2) it is a very mild treatment virtually suitable for any cell type and (3) it allows transfection of selected cells even in the presence of cells of different type (providing that they are morphologically distinguishable).
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Affiliation(s)
- G Palumbo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Molecolare e Cellulare L. Califano, Naples, Italy.
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35
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Telford JL, Ghiara P, Dell'Orco M, Comanducci M, Burroni D, Bugnoli M, Tecce MF, Censini S, Covacci A, Xiang Z. Gene structure of the Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin and evidence of its key role in gastric disease. J Exp Med 1994; 179:1653-58. [PMID: 8163943 PMCID: PMC2191472 DOI: 10.1084/jem.179.5.1653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 431] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The gram negative, microaerophilic bacterium Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human gastric mucosa and establishes a chronic infection that is tightly associated with atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric carcinoma. Cloning of the H. pylori cytotoxin gene shows that the protein is synthesized as a 140-kD precursor that is processed to a 94-kD fully active toxin. Oral administration to mice of the purified 94-kD protein caused ulceration and gastric lesions that bear some similarities to the pathology observed in humans. The cloning of the cytotoxin gene and the development of a mouse model of human gastric disease will provide the basis for the understanding of H. pylori pathogenesis and the development of therapeutics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Telford
- Department of Molecular Biology, Immunobiological Research Institute Siena, Italy
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Tecce MF, Petracca R, Giuliani MM, Ruoppolo M, Marino G, Malorni A, Pucci P. Characterization by mass spectrometry of a recombinant hepatitis delta virus antigen and its proteolytic products. Eur J Biochem 1992; 204:515-21. [PMID: 1541267 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1992.tb16662.x] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The recombinant hepatitis delta virus antigen was obtained as a chimaeric protein fused to the C-terminus of the phage MS2 RNA polymerase. Following induction of the temperature-sensitive promoter, two major polypeptides of about 34 kDa and 29 kDa, and two minor peptides about 21 kDa and 18 kDa, were obtained on PAGE. The 34-kDa protein was identified as the expected recombinant protein by confirming 82% of the primary structure using fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry. The most represented degradation product, i.e. the 29-kDa polypeptide, was also characterized by means of mass spectrometry and found to be produced by cleavage between amino acids 261 and 265. The presence of two main protein bands, with a similar difference in size, is also a typical feature of delta antigens, both extracted and recombinant, and it is considered to be derived either from heterogeneity of viral sequences, which can encode hepatitis delta antigen proteins of 195 and 214 amino acids, or from proteolysis of a single precursor. Since the data were obtained with a single viral sequence coding for 195 amino acids fused to 106 residues from MS2 polymerase, there is direct evidence that intrinsic structural properties of the protein sequence are able to cause a specific proteolysis resulting in the presence of two major forms, of which the smaller is 35-40 amino acids at the C-terminus. The recombinant protein can be used as an antigenic substitute of viral antigens both for immunoassays and for the preparation of anti-(hepatitis delta virus) antisera.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Tecce
- Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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Pucci P, Siciliano R, Malorni A, Marino G, Tecce MF, Ceccarini C, Terrana B. Human alpha-fetoprotein primary structure: a mass spectrometric study. Biochemistry 1991; 30:5061-6. [PMID: 1709810 DOI: 10.1021/bi00234a032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The amino acid sequence of human alpha-fetoprotein, a 67-kDa protein present in mammalian embryonic serum, was verified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric (FAB/MS) analyses of three different enzymatic digests of the protein. Human alpha-fetoprotein obtained from a large-scale cell culture was digested with trypsin and V-8 protease either separately on two different samples or combined on the same one. The V-8 protease digest of the protein was partially fractionated by HPLC; the other samples were directly analyzed by FAB/MS without previous purification steps. About 90% of the alpha-fetoprotein amino acid sequence was verified by mass spectrometric analysis; this also confirmed that the cell-derived protein is identical with the hepatoma-derived protein. FAB analysis revealed that the N terminus of the mature protein is arginine rather than threonine, with the threonine occupying the second position. Therefore, the processing site of the alpha-fetoprotein signal peptide during maturation of the protein occurs at the N-terminal side of the arginine residue formerly indicated as residue-1. Thus mature alpha-fetoprotein contains 591 amino acids rather than 590.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pucci
- Servizio di Spettrometria di Massa, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Napoli, Italy
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Abstract
Within the idiotype/anti-idiotype network, immunoglobulins act alternatively as reactive molecules and as antigens. To investigate the antigenic properties of immunoglobulins, we evaluated the immunogenicity in rabbits of three murine monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies and of their F(ab')2 fragments. These antibodies, bearing the internal image of a human melanoma antigen, may be useful in view of a human therapeutic application. The effect was evaluated as specific anti-anti-idiotypic response, related to the immunogenicity of the idiotypic epitopes in the combining sites of the immunoglobulins, and as total anti-murine immunoglobulin response, which represents the recognition of all the immunological determinants of the molecule. The results showed that the administration of the F(ab')2 fragments results in either higher or similar degrees of anti-anti-idiotypic immunization, compared to those induced by the whole immunoglobulins. Nevertheless, when anti-anti-idiotypic immunogenicity was increased, the anti-murine response did not increase proportionally. This suggests that the use for in vivo administration of F(ab')2 fragments is more convenient than the use of their original molecules, since this results, at least, in a similar or eventually in an increased specific immunogenicity, while the possibility of aspecific recognition is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Tassi
- Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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39
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Tecce MF, Terrana B, Giuliani MM, Ceccarini C. Characterization of in vitro expressed human alpha-fetoprotein as highly reproducible reference material for clinical immunoassays. J Nucl Med Allied Sci 1990; 34:213-6. [PMID: 1709209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M F Tecce
- Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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40
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Terrana B, Tecce MF, Manetti R, Ceccarini C, Lamba D, Segre AL. Unique structure of glycopeptide from alpha-fetoprotein produced in human hepatoma cell line, as determined by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Clin Chem 1990; 36:879-82. [PMID: 1694115] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Determination of alpha-fetoprotein is used in diagnosis of tumors and neural tube defects. A good reliable source of alpha-fetoprotein would be an obvious advantage to the preparation of diagnostic reagents and their standardization. We have recently developed a method for the production of alpha-fetoprotein from a human hepatoma cell line. This method, which is suitable for scaling up, allowed us to produce 40 g of alpha-fetoprotein from culture supernatant liquid through a simple purification procedure. We have previously shown this protein to be identical to alpha-fetoprotein produced from other sources. However, because the presence of different glycoforms has been reported in alpha-fetoprotein preparations, both from human sources and from other species, it was important to establish the type and extent of glycosylation of alpha-fetoprotein prepared by our method. By using 1H-NMR spectroscopy we were able to establish that our product contains a single N-linked biantennary, fully sialylated complex-type oligosaccharide, typical of human hepatomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Terrana
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
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41
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Terrana B, Tecce MF, Manetti R, Ceccarini C, Lamba D, Segre AL. Unique structure of glycopeptide from alpha-fetoprotein produced in human hepatoma cell line, as determined by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Clin Chem 1990. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/36.6.879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Determination of alpha-fetoprotein is used in diagnosis of tumors and neural tube defects. A good reliable source of alpha-fetoprotein would be an obvious advantage to the preparation of diagnostic reagents and their standardization. We have recently developed a method for the production of alpha-fetoprotein from a human hepatoma cell line. This method, which is suitable for scaling up, allowed us to produce 40 g of alpha-fetoprotein from culture supernatant liquid through a simple purification procedure. We have previously shown this protein to be identical to alpha-fetoprotein produced from other sources. However, because the presence of different glycoforms has been reported in alpha-fetoprotein preparations, both from human sources and from other species, it was important to establish the type and extent of glycosylation of alpha-fetoprotein prepared by our method. By using 1H-NMR spectroscopy we were able to establish that our product contains a single N-linked biantennary, fully sialylated complex-type oligosaccharide, typical of human hepatomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Terrana
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
| | - M F Tecce
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
| | - R Manetti
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
| | | | - D Lamba
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
| | - A L Segre
- Centro Ricerche Sclavo, Siena, Italy
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42
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Conti R, Ceccarini C, Tecce MF. Thyroid hormone effect on alpha-fetoprotein and albumin coordinate expression by a human hepatoma cell line. Biochim Biophys Acta 1989; 1008:315-21. [PMID: 2474323 DOI: 10.1016/0167-4781(89)90022-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The action of triiodothyronine on the production of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin in serum-free cultures of Hep G2 human hepatoma cells was examined. Our data showed that a marked inhibition (up to 8-fold) of alpha-fetoprotein secretion and an increase in albumin (up to 4-fold) are produced by 10(-8) M triiodothyronine. These effects were slow in their onset and for completion required 20-25 days of treatment with the hormone. However, an exposure of the cells to triiodothyronine for only the first 4 h was sufficient to affect, in a similar way, the secretion of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin when measured 15 days after treatment. The secretion of the two proteins parallels their intracellular levels. The decrease in alpha-fetoprotein production can be explained by a reduction of the RNA coding for the protein. The same is essentially true also for albumin increased secretion and related mRNA expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Conti
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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43
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Giuliani MM, Ricci S, Ratti G, Pucci P, Marino G, Malorni A, Ceccarini C, Terrana B, Tecce MF. Synthesis and characterization of a recombinant fragment of human alpha-fetoprotein with antigenic selectivity versus albumin. Protein Eng 1989; 2:605-10. [PMID: 2479004 DOI: 10.1093/protein/2.8.605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A DNA sequence coding for human alpha-fetoprotein amino acid sequence 38-119 was synthesized and cloned in a bacterial expression vector. The alpha-fetoprotein sequence was selected as the least homologous to albumin, since the two proteins have an overall amino acid identity of approximately 38%. A chimeric protein was obtained which was purified by preparative electrophoresis and characterized in its primary structure by fast atom bombardment mass spectometry. About 70% of the alpha-fetoprotein sequence was physically mapped and found to correspond to the amino acids encoded in the synthetic gene. The use of this recombinant protein allowed the selection of monoclonal antibodies recognizing both the recombinant fragment and native alpha-fetoprotein. These antibodies should allow the development of an immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein with absolute selectivity versus albumin. This might result in more sensitive clinical determinations, avoiding the possibility of cross-reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Giuliani
- Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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44
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Giuliani MM, Conti R, Ceccarini C, Terrana B, Tecce MF. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing a recombinant portion of human alpha-fetoprotein with antigenic selectivity versus albumin. J Nucl Med Allied Sci 1989; 33:94-7. [PMID: 2480433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Determination of serum alpha-fetoprotein is useful in the clinical management of liver cancer, but it has not been particularly helpful in the early diagnosis of this disease, since also non-neoplastic liver diseases may result in small increases of its serum concentration. To improve the clinical performance of this assay, we have previously developed an in vitro culture system, in which the expression of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin could be coordinately modulated by thyroid hormone. This system allowed large scale production and purification of native alpha-fetoprotein to be used as reference material. In addition, we synthesized and cloned in a bacterial expression vector a DNA sequence coding of human alpha-fetoprotein amino acid sequence 38-119. This alpha-fetoprotein sequence was chosen since it is the least homologous to albumin, being the amino acid sequence of the two proteins extremely similar with an overall identity of about 38%. Now we have obtained three hybridomas recognizing with high affinity and specificity both the recombinant fragment and native alpha-fetoprotein. These antibodies, which therefore recognize the native protein in the amino acid sequence 38-119, should allow the development of an immunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein with absolute selectivity versus albumin. This might result in more sensitive clinical determinations, avoiding the possibility of cross-reactions.
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45
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Tecce MF, Terrana B. High-yield and high-degree purification of human alpha-fetoprotein produced by adaptation of the human hepatoma cell line Hep G2 in a serum-free medium. Anal Biochem 1988; 169:306-11. [PMID: 2454595 DOI: 10.1016/0003-2697(88)90289-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The human hepatoma cell line Hep G2 secretes both albumin and alpha-fetoprotein when grown in the presence of serum. The present report describes how adaptation to growth in serum-free medium results in a progressive switch in the expression of the two proteins; i.e., alpha-fetoprotein becomes the main protein secreted while albumin production is greatly reduced. The culture supernatant obtained, being very enriched in the protein, allows the development of a purification procedure by preparative electrophoresis. By this procedure it is possible to easily obtain large amounts of alpha-fetoprotein from a constant and unlimited source. The availability of these protein preparations should improve the reproducibility and the quality of standardization in clinical immunoassays for alpha-fetoprotein and should permit a more accurate study of the structure and biological functions of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Tecce
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Sclavo Research Center, Siena, Italy
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46
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Tecce MF, Dozin B, Magnuson MA, Nikodem VM. Transcriptional regulation by thyroid hormone of an mRNA homologous to a protease inhibitor. Biochemistry 1986; 25:5831-4. [PMID: 3778884 DOI: 10.1021/bi00367a073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We have previously cloned a cDNA of a rat liver mRNA, designated 4-12B, markedly induced by triiodothyronine (T3) at a pretranslational level [Magnuson, M.A., Dozin, B., & Nikodem, V.M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5906-5912]. Here we show that this hormonal effect is due in part to an increase of the rate of transcription of the 4-12B gene. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of 4-12B cDNA has been determined, revealing significant similarity with the sequences of the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors and a very high homology with contrapsin, a mouse serum trypsin inhibitor, at the level of nucleotide and amino acid sequence (77.9 and 66.8%, respectively). The optimized alignment of the putative reactive center region of 4-12B with four related members of this superfamily revealed that lysine-serine residues are located at the reactive site or adjacent to it, thus suggesting that the triiodothyronine-regulated rat 4-12B mRNA might code for a protease inhibitor with trypsin-like specificity. Although not enough data are presently available to assign definitively antitryptic activity to this protein, the high degree of similarity with members of the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors leaves no doubt that 4-12B is a member of this superfamily.
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47
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Magnuson MA, Morioka H, Tecce MF, Nikodem VM. Coding nucleotide sequence of rat liver malic enzyme mRNA. J Biol Chem 1986; 261:1183-6. [PMID: 3753699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleotide sequence of the mRNA for malic enzyme ((S)-malate NADP+ oxidoreductase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating, EC 1.1.1.40) from rat liver was determined from three overlapping cDNA clones. Together, these clones contain 2078 nucleotides complementary to rat liver malic enzyme mRNA. The single open reading frame of 1761 nucleotides codes for a 585-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of about 65,460 daltons. The cloned cDNAs contain the complete 3'-noncoding region of 301 nucleotides for the major mRNA species of rat liver and 16 nucleotides of the 5'-noncoding region. Amino acid sequences of seven tryptic peptides (67 amino acids) from the purified protein are distributed through the single open reading frame and show excellent correspondence with the translated nucleotide sequence. The putative NADP-binding site for malic enzyme was identified by amino acid sequence homology with the NADP-binding site of the enoyl reductase domain of fatty acid synthetase.
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48
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Abstract
Controlled freezing and thawing of 19 S calf thyroglobulin resulted in a specific and reproducible breakdown of the protein. Beside the elementary chain (300,000 Da), new, discrete bands are revealed by gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate under reducing conditions. These new species consist of a major peptide of 100,000 Da and several faster-migrating bands. Most of these polypeptides were purified by preparative gel electrophoresis and individually digested in formic acid with CNBr. A comparative gel electrophoresis under denaturating and reducing conditions of (i) the fragments obtained from the native protein, (ii) the electrophoretically purified elementary chain, (iii) the 100,000-Da peptide, and (iv) a smaller fragment (of about 50,000) was performed. It revealed a very close homology among the peptide maps of the intact 19 S, the elementary chain, and the 100,000-Da peptide. Furthermore, it was shown that the digestion products of the smaller fragment, present in the peptide map of the native protein, were absent in both the elementary chain and the 100,000-Da species. These results support the idea that calf thyroglobulin, even though it has an apparently complex molecular organization, contains structural motifs which are repeated in the elementary chain.
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49
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Abstract
The two half-sized subunits of 19 S thyroglobulin have been separated and analyzed. They share the same peptide composition and carbohydrate content. The only difference was the iodine level, which was about three times higher in the faster electrophoretic subunit.
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50
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Abstract
A very simple procedure which enhances sensitivity in visualizing proteins stained by all standard procedures in polyacrylamide gels is described. The process, based on the use of concentrated polyethylene glycol 6000 solutions, produces a conspicuous, reversible, and uniform size reduction of gels. The entity of the reduction depends principally on the polyethylene glycol 6000 concentration and on the acrylamide content of gels. Using an appropriate polyethylene glycol 6000 concentration, it is possible to regulate the final size and then the sensitivity as needed. Depending upon the above conditions it is possible to increase the sensitivity by a factor of 4-6 or more. Reduction of the gel volume by such a factor may eliminate the need for the cumbersome and frequently impossible preconcentration of samples. Besides the Coomassie blue stained gels, silver stained gels may also be treated in a similar manner with a consequent further enhancement in sensitivity. In addition, gels containing radiolabeled materials can be autoradiographed in times proportionally shorter, without significant sacrifice of resolution.
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