Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aimo Kannt, Sridharan Rajagopal, Mahanandeesha S. Hallur, Indu Swamy, Rajendra Kristam, Saravanakumar Dhakshinamoorthy, Joerg Czech, Gernot Zech, Herman Schreuder, Sven Ruf
Summary: Nicotinamide-N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) to nicotinamide (Nam). Its expression in various tissues has been linked to metabolic diseases, and potent small molecule inhibitors with different binding modes have been identified through X-ray crystallographic studies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wanfeng Xu, Ling Hou, Ping Li, Ling Li
Summary: The interference of NNMT expression was found to reduce lipid accumulation and triglyceride content, as well as decrease the expression of certain genes and proteins related to lipid metabolism. This suggests that NNMT plays an important role in the function and metabolism of adipocytes.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Annalisa Roberti, Agustin F. Fernandez, Mario F. Fraga
Summary: NNMT acts as a key link between cellular metabolism and epigenetic gene regulation, playing a central role in various pathologies. Targeting NNMT pathways represents a current pharmaceutical challenge for treating a range of metabolic-related diseases and cancers.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Roberto Campagna, Valentina Pozzi, Davide Sartini, Eleonora Salvolini, Valerio Brisigotti, Elisa Molinelli, Anna Campanati, Annamaria Offidani, Monica Emanuelli
Summary: Skin cancers, including malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, are the most common type of malignancy in white populations, with increasing incidence rates globally. Due to their aggressive behavior and often late diagnosis, they pose a significant challenge for healthcare systems. Identifying new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapy is crucial. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is emerging as a key player in the progression of various malignancies, including skin cancers, making it a potential target for future research in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Campagna, Valentina Pozzi, Graziana Spinelli, Davide Sartini, Giulio Milanese, Andrea Benedetto Galosi, Monica Emanuelli
Summary: NNMT is an enzyme that is overexpressed in major urologic neoplasms, showing correlation with pathological progression, prognostic parameters, and patient survival. It is also detectable in peripheral body fluids, indicating potential as a promising biomarker for early detection of these cancers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Campagna, Lukasz Mateuszuk, Kamila Wojnar-Lason, Patrycja Kaczara, Anna Tworzydlo, Agnieszka Kij, Robert Bujok, Jacek Mlynarski, Yu Wang, Davide Sartini, Monica Emanuelli, Stefan Chlopicki
Summary: Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) plays an important role in endothelial cells by regulating cell viability, possibly through the modulation of SIRT1 expression levels under oxidative stress insult.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oksana Stepinska, Dorota Dymkowska, Lukasz Mateuszuk, Krzysztof Zablocki
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in the metabolic response of human aortic endothelial cells. The findings suggest that this enzyme may affect NAD(+) synthesis and epigenetic modifications of chromatin by regulating intracellular nicotinamide and S-adenosylmethionine levels. The specific metabolic role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in vascular endothelium is still unclear and further research is needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xu Huang, Jiacheng Liu, Wei Huang
Summary: The study identified S100A8 as a common immune gene and diagnostic biomarker for osteoarthritis (OA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), suggesting that immune regulation may play a central role in the pathogenesis of OA and MetS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Salima Akter, Hajara Akhter, Habib Sadat Chaudhury, Md Hasanur Rahman, Andrew Gorski, Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Yoonhwa Shin, Md Ataur Rahman, Minh Nam Nguyen, Tae Gyu Choi, Sung-Soo Kim
Summary: This article summarizes the common pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and its relationship with carbohydrates, intrauterine nutrition, genetic predisposition, lifestyle factors, and treatment methods. It emphasizes the importance of dietary carbohydrates as key factors in the etiology and therapeutic targets of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Article
Oncology
Jun Yang, Qingchao Tong, Ying Zhang, Shijin Yuan, Yuzhen Gao, Ke Deng, Yanzhong Wang, Jie Lu, Xinyou Xie, Zhe Zhang, Jun Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of NNMT expression in CRC and found that its overexpression was associated with unfavorable clinical characteristics and survival outcomes. Particularly, high NNMT expression in tumor stroma cells was strongly correlated with metastasis and poor survival in CRC patients. Functional experiments demonstrated that stromal cells with high NNMT expression secreted 1-MAN to promote migration and invasion of CRC cells. Overall, NNMT may serve as a potential prognostic indicator in CRC patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julie Sarrand, Laurie Baglione, Dorian Parisis, Muhammad Soyfoo
Summary: Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects exocrine glands. It is characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and dysfunction of the glandular tissues. In addition to dry eyes and dry mouth, patients commonly experience fatigue, pain, and other systemic symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Renata Novak Kujundzic, Marin Prpic, Nikola Dakovic, Nina Dabelic, Marko Tomljanovic, Anamarija Mojzes, Ana Frobe, Koraljka Gall Troselj
Summary: Overexpression and activity of NNMT in cancer can disrupt NAD(+) homeostasis and reduce cellular methylation potential. The inhibitory effect of 2-PY on PARP-1 activity, which cancels out NNMT's positive effect on cellular NAD(+) flux, is often overlooked.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Aimei Liu, Mingyue Guo, Lixuan He, Maria-Aranzazu Martinez, Marta Martinez, Bernardo Lopez-Torres, Maria-Rosa Martinez-Larranaga, Xu Wang, Arturo Anadon, Irma Ares
Summary: Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common contaminant in cereals for infants and can cause growth retardation and inflammation in children. The present research reveals that nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) acts as a self-protective factor in DON-exposed cells, alleviating cell growth inhibition by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karen H. DeBalsi, John J. Newman, Laura A. Sommerville, John Phillips III, Rizwan Hamid, Joy P. Cogan, Joshua M. Fessel, Anne Evans, Adam Kennedy
Summary: We presented a case study of a 20-year-old male with an unknown neurodegenerative disease, and found that the patient had a dysfunction in nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) through metabolic profiling analysis. This study serves as an important reference in the rare disease literature and demonstrates the utility of metabolomics in diagnosing uncharacterized metabolic diseases.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marta Pelczynska, Malgorzata Moszak, Pawel Bogdanski
Summary: Magnesium is an essential nutrient for maintaining vital physiological functions, and its deficiency may lead to metabolic disorders associated with obesity. High magnesium intake through diet and/or supplementation can prevent chronic metabolic complications by limiting adipose tissue accumulation and improving glucose and insulin metabolism. However, more randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate magnesium supplementation strategies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiziana Bacchetti, Gianna Ferretti, Federico Carbone, Stefano Ministrini, Fabrizio Montecucco, Tannaz Jamialahmadi, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: Low circulating HDL levels are linked to ASCVD and other chronic diseases, with oxidative stress impacting HDL activity. The enzymes MPO and PON1 play opposing roles in modifying HDL structure and function, with a high MPO/PON1 ratio potentially serving as a marker for cardiovascular disease.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tiziana Bacchetti, Eleonora Salvolini, Veronica Pompei, Roberto Campagna, Elisa Molinelli, Valerio Brisigotti, Lucrezia Togni, Guendalina Lucarini, Davide Sartini, Anna Campanati, Monica Mattioli-Belmonte, Corrado Rubini, Gianna Ferretti, Annamaria Offidani, Monica Emanuelli
Summary: The study suggests that PON2 expression levels may be positively correlated with tumor aggressiveness in both BCC and melanoma.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sofia Pugnaloni, Sonila Alia, Marcello Gabrielli, Alice Di Paolo, Imma Turco, Laura Mazzanti, Roberto Orsini, Arianna Vignini, Gianna Ferretti
Summary: This study evaluated the Glycaemic Index and polyphenol content of Senatore Cappelli pasta. The results showed that Senatore Cappelli pasta is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, and the Glycaemic Index is influenced by the pasta shape. These findings provide valuable data for personalized diet planning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCES AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Md Obaidul Islam, Tiziana Bacchetti, Hicham Berrougui, Abdelouahed Khalil, Gianna Ferretti
Summary: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between diabetes mellitus and bladder cancer. Dysfunctional HDL in diabetes can promote bladder cancer cell proliferation and increase oxidative stress levels.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Luisa Bellachioma, Gabriele Rocchetti, Camilla Morresi, Erika Martinelli, Luigi Lucini, Gianna Ferretti, Elisabetta Damiani, Tiziana Bacchetti
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and sensory traits of infusions from different brewing processes and saffron flower portions. Tepals showed higher polyphenol and flavonoid content compared to stamen infusions, and their content depended more on brewing temperature. Multivariate statistics highlighted polyphenols discriminating different brewing processes. Cold brewing successfully extracted phenolic compounds and provided better sensory properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Silvia Di Lodovico, Tiziana Bacchetti, Simonetta D'Ercole, Sara Covone, Morena Petrini, Mara Di Giulio, Paola Di Fermo, Firas Diban, Gianna Ferretti, Luigina Cellini
Summary: Resistant wound microorganisms pose a serious challenge in treating infected chronic wounds, but the use of natural extracts, such as Capparis spinose aqueous extract, may offer a valid alternative. This study found that the extract has antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but no effect against Candida albicans. Additionally, the extract also displayed significant antivirulence effects, inhibiting motility, and biofilm formation of the pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Camilla Morresi, Marzia Vasarri, Luisa Bellachioma, Gianna Ferretti, Donatella Degl'Innocenti, Tiziana Bacchetti
Summary: This study investigates the effects of Posidonia oceanica leaf extract (POE) on glucose transport, intestinal barrier integrity, and antioxidant protection in Caco-2 cells. The results show that POE decreases glucose uptake, improves barrier integrity, and has protective antioxidant effects.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zahra Najafi Arab, Danial Khayatan, Seyed Mehrad Razavi, Kimia Zare, Elnaz Kheradkhah, Saeideh Momtaz, Gianna Ferretti, Tiziana Bacchetti, Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Seyed Ahmad Emami, Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, chronic liver disease, and neurodegenerative diseases are major causes of mortality, with oxidative stress and free radicals playing important roles in their development. Antioxidants, including paraoxonases (PONs), can scavenge free radicals and mitigate their adverse effects. Modulating the expression of PON1, an important antioxidant enzyme, can have beneficial effects in various diseases by regulating inflammatory and oxidative stress signaling pathways. Dietary factors can influence PON1 expression and activity, making them important for disease prevention and treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiziana Bacchetti, Roberto Campagna, Davide Sartini, Monia Cecati, Camilla Morresi, Luisa Bellachioma, Erika Martinelli, Gabriele Rocchetti, Luigi Lucini, Gianna Ferretti, Monica Emanuelli
Summary: The floral buds of C. spinosa subsp. rupestris contain polyphenols and glucosinolates that exhibit higher cytotoxicity and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cancer cells compared to normal cells. Upregulation of the expression of the enzyme PON2 was observed in cancer cells. This suggests that CSE may protect tumor cells from apoptosis induced by glucosinolates and polyphenols through the overexpression of PON2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angelica Giuliani, Camilla Morresi, Gabriele Mazzuferi, Luisa Bellachioma, Deborah Ramini, Jacopo Sabbatinelli, Fabiola Olivieri, Tiziana Bacchetti, Gianna Ferretti
Summary: Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) play a crucial role in transporting cholesterol to tissues and their oxidative modification is a major risk factor for atherogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sphingomyelinase (SMase) treatment on LDL properties and its impact on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results showed that both ox-LDLs and SMase-LDLs increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulated the antioxidant enzyme Paraoxonase 2 (PON2). However, only SMase-LDLs induced the activation of the feedback loop enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) to counteract the detrimental effects of ROS. Furthermore, SMase-LDLs had a stronger pro-apoptotic and proinflammatory effect on HUVECs compared to ox-LDLs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Camilla Morresi, Alessia Luccarini, Fabio Marcheggiani, Gianna Ferretti, Elisabetta Damiani, Tiziana Bacchetti
Summary: PON2, an intracellular protein, plays a protective role against cell oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study explored the modulation of PON2 in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to UVA radiation and found that PON2 is up-regulated immediately after UVA exposure and gradually decreases in the post-exposure phase. This upregulation may be related to the increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and could play an important role in mitigating UVA-induced damage and preventing the consequences of UV exposure.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tiziana Bacchetti, Camilla Morresi, Gianna Ferretti, Anders Larsson, Torbjoern Akerfeldt, Michael Svensson
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise on HDL composition and functional properties in overweight/obese subjects. The results showed that exercise training improved HDL functionality in overweight/obese adults, without significant reduction in BMI or modifications of glucose and lipid biochemical parameters. The study also found a significant correlation between serum MPO/PON ratios, HDL redox activity and ox-LDLs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luisa Bellachioma, Emanuela Marini, Gloria Magi, Armanda Pugnaloni, Bruna Facinelli, Gabriele Rocchetti, Erika Martinelli, Luigi Lucini, Camilla Morresi, Tiziana Bacchetti, Gianna Ferretti
Summary: Several bioactive compounds with potential health-promoting properties were found in stigmas and tepals of Crocus sativus. The extracts from stigmas and tepals showed antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties against two important Gram-positive biofilm-forming human pathogens. The higher antibacterial activity of tepals compared to stigmas was associated with higher levels of phycompounds. Therefore, Crocus sativus could be used as functional ingredient by the food and pharmaceutical industries.
