Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roberto Docampo, Anibal Eugenio Vercesi
Summary: This review discusses the mechanisms of mitochondrial oxidant generation and removal, and the involvement of Ca2+ in trypanosome cell death, highlighting the need for further studies on ROS generation, defense mechanisms, and mitochondrial permeability transition pore in trypanosomatids.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guilherme Rodrigo R. M. Dos Santos, Ana Catarina Rezende Leite, Noelia Lander, Miguel Angel Chiurillo, Anibal Eugenio Vercesi, Roberto Docampo
Summary: Letm1 is crucial for mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release in Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting growth, metabolism, and cell viability.
Article
Immunology
Nubia Carolina Manchola Varon, Guilherme Rodrigo R. M. dos Santos, Walter Colli, Maria Julia M. Alves
Summary: The interaction between Trypanosoma cruzi and mammalian cells involves adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and an early phase of calcium signaling. The increase in intracellular calcium concentration during this interaction depends on Ca2+ uptake from the medium and is crucial for host cell invasion. The mitochondrion plays a significant role in Ca2+ homeostasis in Trypomastigotes during their interaction with ECM.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Y. Ana, J. D. Rojas Marquez, L. Fozzatti, R. E. Baigorri, C. Marin, B. A. Maletto, F. M. Cerban, R. Radi, L. Piacenza, C. C. Stempin
Summary: The study revealed that Trypanosoma cruzi infection triggers an exacerbated metabolism and mitochondrial oxidative stress in CD4 T cells, leading to an increased risk of cell apoptosis that may not be prevented by antioxidants.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Elizabeth Murphy, Julia Liu
Summary: Cardiomyocytes have a high density of mitochondria, which play a crucial role in energy production and cellular functions. The regulation of mitochondrial calcium and reactive oxygen species is important in the development of cardiovascular disease.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Raquel S. Negreiros, Noelia Lander, Miguel A. Chiurillo, Anibal E. Vercesi, Roberto Docampo
Summary: Pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis, is transported into the mitochondria through the mitochondrial pyruvate carriers MPC1 and MPC2. Knockout of MPC1 and MPC2 in Trypanosoma cruzi affects pyruvate-driven respiration, host cell invasion, and intracellular replication of amastigotes.
Article
Microbiology
Francis M. S. Saraiva, Daniela Cosentino-Gomes, Job D. F. Inacio, Elmo E. Almeida-Amaral, Orlando Louzada-Neto, Ana Rossini, Natalia P. Nogueira, Jose R. Meyer-Fernandes, Marcia C. Paes
Summary: This study investigated the response of T. cruzi epimastigotes to hypoxia and found that under low oxygen conditions, the parasites produced more ROS and used increased glycolysis and fermentation pathways to sustain ATP production, allowing them to survive and proliferate in the insect vector.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ioana Stejerean-Todoran, Katharina Zimmermann, Christine S. Gibhardt, Adina Vultur, Christian Ickes, Batool Shannan, Zurine Bonilla del Rio, Anna Wolling, Sabrina Cappello, Hsu-Min Sung, Magdalena Shumanska, Xin Zhang, Maithily Nanadikar, Muhammad U. Latif, Anna Wittek, Felix Lange, Andrea Waters, Patricia Brafford, Jorg Wilting, Henning Urlaub, Dorthe M. Katschinski, Peter Rehling, Christof Lenz, Stefan Jakobs, Volker Ellenrieder, Alexander Roesch, Michael P. Schon, Meenhard Herlyn, Hedwig Stanisz, Ivan Bogeski
Summary: MCUA expression correlates with melanoma patient survival and MCUA knockdown suppresses melanoma cell growth and stimulates migration and invasion. Knockdown of MCUA reduces tumor volumes but promotes lung metastases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yasmin Pedra-Rezende, Michelle C. Fernandes, Camila Mesquita-Rodrigues, Renata Stiebler, Ana Cristina S. Bombaca, Nathalia Pinho, Patricia Cuervo, Solange L. De Castro, Rubem F. S. Menna-Barreto
Summary: Chagas disease is a neglected illness mainly affecting rural populations in Latin America, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite's life cycle involves stress conditions such as variations in nutrient availability and pH, impacting mitochondrial function and autophagy. Acidic and nutritional stress induced metacyclogenesis phenotypes, while alkaline stress led to an increase in autophagic flux as a survival mechanism.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ana Cristina S. Bombaca, Leonardo A. Silva, Otavio Augusto Chaves, Lorrainy S. da Silva, Juliana M. C. Barbosa, Ari M. da Silva, Aurelio B. B. Ferreira, Rubem F. S. Menna-Barreto
Summary: This study introduces a novel anti-protozoan drug N4 and its mechanism of action against Trypanosoma cruzi, showing high activity in all parasite stages and indicating it as a potential alternative treatment for Chagas disease. The results presented here may serve as a good starting point for the development of alternative treatments for Chagas disease and for understanding the mechanism of naphthoimidazoles in T. cruzi.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Madalyn. M. M. Won, Timothy Krueger, Markus Engstler, Barbara A. Burleigh
Summary: Throughout its life cycle, the parasitic protist Trypanosoma cruzi adapts to different host environments and switches between motile extracellular stages and a nonmotile intracellular amastigote stage. Contrary to previous beliefs, the flagellum of T. cruzi amastigotes is shown to be motile and exhibits periodic beating inside host cells. This discovery suggests that flagellar motility may play an active role in the parasite infection process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonardo S. Lara, Guilherme C. Lechuga, Caroline dos S. Moreira, Thais B. Santos, Vitor F. Ferreira, David R. da Rocha, Mirian C. S. Pereira
Summary: Chagas disease remains a serious public health problem in Latin America, with current clinical treatments considered inadequate, emphasizing the need for discovering new effective and safe drugs. Research analyzed a series of naphthoquinone derivatives for biological activity and structure-activity relationship, identifying 1g as a promising compound against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, current compounds were unable to reduce parasite load or prevent mouse mortality in infection.
Review
Neurosciences
Gretchen A. Johnson, Raghu R. Krishnamoorthy, Dorota L. Stankowska
Summary: Efficient cellular communication is crucial for brain functions such as muscle contractions, memory formation, decision-making, and task execution. Calcium signaling is related to mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction may play a significant role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases and aging.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Min Jeong Kim, Jin Mo Ku, Se Hyang Hong, Hyo In Kim, Yun Young Kwon, Joon-Sang Park, Deok Hyun Jung, Yong Cheol Shin, Seong-Gyu Ko
Summary: Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in American men, with chemotherapy being a common treatment method. However, the study focused on investigating the molecular mechanism of JI017 in human prostate cancer cells, revealing its induction of apoptosis through the ER stress pathway. Various experiments were conducted to demonstrate that JI017 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation via ROS-mediated ER stress pathway and induces cell death.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Oscar Hernan Rodriguez-Bejarano, Catalina Avendano, Manuel Alfonso Patarroyo
Summary: Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, is mainly transmitted by insect bites. The parasite's lifecycle includes an intracellular phase and infective forms, involving various signaling cascades and intracellular associations for recognition and internalization in host cells.
Article
Oncology
Ana Gabriela Salvio, Donaldo Botelho Veneziano, Lilian Tan Moriyama, Natalia Mayumi Inada, Clovis Grecco, Cristina Kurachi, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
Summary: The Single-visit PDT protocol showed better outcomes at the 30-day-after biopsy and lower recurrence rates compared to the Standard PDT protocol. Less pain was observed during the illumination in the second session of Single-visit PDT. After 60 months of follow-up, Single-visit PDT demonstrated higher cumulative probability of recurrence-free cases.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
M. P. Romero, I Jibaja, J. Bucheli, N. Inada, V Bagnato
Summary: This study used Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to treat external genital warts (CA) lesions and found that PDT is a promising and safe treatment option with significant effects on CA lesions.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Deyvid S. Porto, Ana Cassales, Heloisa Ciol, Natalia M. Inada, Elisabete Frollini
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of microcrystalline cellulose as a polyol in the synthesis of polyurethane films. The films exhibit transparency, high crystallinity, and moderate hydrophobicity. Biocompatibility tests show non-cytotoxicity, indicating potential applications in coatings, packaging, and dressings.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marcos R. Chiaratti, Patrick F. Chinnery
Summary: It was previously believed that humans only have one type of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but recent studies have discovered that mixed populations of mtDNA are actually common. The levels of heteroplasmy, or mixed mtDNA, can change significantly during transmission and contribute to mitochondrial diseases and other late onset disorders. While initially thought to be stochastic, the segregation of mtDNA heteroplasmy is now known to be regulated by specific mechanisms. This review provides a synthesis of recent literature on the selection mechanisms for and against mtDNA variants and highlights the gaps in our understanding of this process.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Correction
Biochemical Research Methods
Loraine C. Goenaga-Mafud, Yordania Matos Gamez, Carolina P. Campos, Jose D. Vollet-Filho, Natalia Mayumi Inada, Cristina Kurachi, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
Summary: Organ transplantations have a growing medical importance as more individuals are in need of organs. The increase in discarded organs is mainly due to donor infections. This study demonstrates the feasibility of reducing bacterial load in a kidney model using UV-C as a germicidal agent. The results show the effectiveness of this technique.
JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bianca G. Queiroz, Heloisa Ciol, Natalia M. Inada, Elisabete Frollini
Summary: The article focuses on the use of the LiCl/DMAc solvent system with TFA to deconstruct sisal fibers and dissolve their main components in order to generate hydrogels. The crosslinked hydrogels showed improved compressive strength and reduced water absorption capacity. The study suggests potential applications in fields where significant compressive strength is required, such as biomedicine and agriculture.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Bismarck M. Santiago, Welder A. Baldassini, Marcos R. Chiaratti, Anand K. Pandey, Juliana A. Torrecilhas, Rodrigo N. S. Torres, Richard Ribeiro, Dante P. D. Lanna, Guilherme L. Pereira, Rogerio A. Curi, Luis Artur L. Chardulo, Otavio R. Machado Neto
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of castration on the expression of genes in skeletal muscles and the quality of beef. Results showed that castrated steers had increased expression of genes related to fat metabolism compared to intact bulls. This led to higher intramuscular fat content and different fatty acid profiles in the beef produced by steers and bulls. Despite a 180-day feeding period, crossbred bulls did not exhibit substantial increases in intramuscular fat or improved fatty acid profile compared to steers.
Article
Reproductive Biology
Angelica C. dos Santos, Daniel C. Joaquim, Ricardo P. Nociti, Carolina H. Macabelli, Rafael V. Sampaio, Aline S. Oliveira, Maico O. Pita, Robinson A. M. de Oliveira, Juliano C. da Silveira, Flavio V. Meirelles, Osnir Y. Watanabe, Yeda F. Watanabe, Marcos R. Chiaratti
Summary: Micro-vibration treatment during in vitro embryo culture improves the cryoresistance of bovine embryos, but it may also lead to epigenetic and transcriptional abnormalities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
German Dario Ramirez-Zamudio, Maria Julia Generoso Ganga, Guilherme Luis Pereira, Ricardo Perecin Nociti, Marcos Roberto Chiaratti, Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke, Luis Artur Loyola Chardulo, Welder Angelo Baldassini, Otavio Rodrigues Machado-Neto, Rogerio Abdallah Curi
Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different diets on adipogenesis and lipogenesis in calves. It was found that calves receiving creep feeding had higher intramuscular fat content and marbling score compared to those without creep feeding. Differentially expressed genes related to fatty acid metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis, and insulin sensitivity were identified.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deyvid S. Porto, Clara Maria Gonsalves de Faria, Natalia M. Inada, Elisabete Frollini
Summary: To create films and synthesize solvent-free and catalyst-free bio-based polyurethanes simultaneously, hex-amethylene diisocyanate trimer was used to produce a low-viscosity reaction medium for dispersing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). The resulting films exhibited high Tg, tensile strength, and Young's modulus. The dispersed MCC and CNC formed stiffer films compared to their counterparts. The films were transparent and showed high crystallinity, as well as favorable interaction with physiological fluids.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Bismarck Santiago, Welder Baldassini, Otavio Machado Neto, Luis Artur Chardulo, Rodrigo Torres, Guilherme Pereira, Rogerio Curi, Marcos Roberto Chiaratti, Pedro Padilha, Laura Alessandroni, Mohammed Gagaoua
Summary: This study investigated the skeletal muscle proteome of crossbred bulls and steers to explain the differences in carcass and meat quality traits. The results showed that steers had better meat quality, while bulls had higher carcass fatness. The proteomic analysis revealed differences in protein expression related to energy metabolism, catabolic processes, oxidative stress, and muscle contraction.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Lucas D. Dias, Antonio S. N. Aguiar, Nicolas J. de Melo, Natalia M. Inada, Leonardo L. Borges, Gilberto L. B. de Aquino, Ademir J. Camargo, Vanderlei S. Bagnato, Hamilton B. Napolitano
Summary: This study evaluated the action of curcumin as a photosensitizer against S. aureus through both experimental and computational methods. The results showed that the photodynamic effects and photobleaching process of curcumin were related to its molecular orbital energies. In addition, molecular docking analysis demonstrated that curcumin could bind to the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase of S. aureus. Overall, this study provided insights into the mechanism of action of curcumin as a photosensitizer for the inactivation of S. aureus bacteria.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Nicolas Junhiti de Melo, Johan S. D. Tovar, Livia Nordi Dovigo, Lucas D. Dias, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, Natalia Mayumi Inada
Summary: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an alternative method to combat bacterial resistance. The present study compared natural and synthetic curcumin and found that there were no statistical differences in the photoinactivation of S.aureus bacteria. However, synthetic curcumin is preferred due to its controlled availability and less environmental impact.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Karina J. J. Lagos, David Garcia, Coralia Fabiola Cuadrado, Larissa Marila de Souza, Natasha Ferreira Mezzacappo, Ana Paula da Silva, Natalia Inada, Vanderlei Bagnato, Maria Paulina Romero
Summary: Carbon dots (CDs) are carbon-based materials with sizes usually below 10 nm, which exhibit attractive properties such as low toxicity, good stability, and high conductivity. This review summarizes four types of CDs and their preparation methods. Additionally, it focuses on the application of CDs as a novel class of broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, particularly due to their photoactivation capability. The article presents recent advances in utilizing CDs as photosensitizers and photothermal agents in antibacterial strategies.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Joedson Dantas Goncalves, Jose Bento Sterman Ferraz, Flavio Vieira Meirelles, Ricardo Perecin Nociti, Maria Emilia Franco Oliveira
Summary: Our study compared the mechanisms of cervical dilation in sheep and cows in different phases of the reproductive cycle. We found differences in gene expression between the follicular and luteal phases in both species. The PI3K/Akt pathway was identified as an important mechanism in cervical relaxation.
