Article
Polymer Science
Aleksei I. Ryzhkov, Fedor V. Drozdov, Georgij V. Cherkaev, Aziz M. Muzafarov
Summary: In this work, carbosilane dendrons were synthesized based on the natural terpenoid limonene, allowing the preservation of its double bond while acting as the growth center. The selectivity of hydrosilylation and hydrothiolation reactions resulted in the formation of carbosilane dendrons with specific structures. This synthesis method opens up wide possibilities for obtaining various macromolecules.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Sanz del Olmo, Juan Carlos Garcia, Rafael Gomez, F. Javier de la Mata, Paula Ortega
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in human pathophysiological processes, and redox-active groups such as polyphenols are involved in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. In this study, a new family of first-generation carbosilane dendrons functionalised with polyphenols at the focal point and dimethylammonium groups at the periphery was successfully synthesized using two strategies. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric methods, and a correlation between the number of hydroxyl groups and antioxidant activity was established.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elvis Awuni
Summary: Protein-protein interactions have become promising targets for alternative drugs. Peptide-based PPI inhibitors have been developed as the next-generation therapeutics to combat antimicrobial resistance. This study used computer modeling strategies to predict key MreB-CbtA interactions to facilitate the design of antiMreB peptide candidates.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lata Rani, Ankita Arora, Sasmita Majhi, Abhijit Mishra, Sairam S. Mallajosyula
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring promising candidates for antibiotics with low bacterial resistance, capable of killing both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by forming membrane pores. Experimental and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies shed light on the mode of action and mechanism of AMPs, providing insights for the design of more efficient antimicrobial peptides.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Viktar Abashkin, Elzbieta Pedziwiatr-Werbicka, Katarzyna Horodecka, Victoriya Zhogla, Egor Ulashchik, Vadim Shmanai, Dzmitry Shcharbin, Maria Bryszewska
Summary: The leading cause of death, cancer, necessitates the development of new effective treatment systems, such as genetic therapy using siRNA. This study explores the use of dendronized and PEGylated silver nanoparticles as potential vectors to deliver proapoptotic siRNA (siMCL-1) to target cells. Through various methods, stable siRNA and AgNP complexes were obtained and shown to efficiently deliver siRNAs to tumor cells, resulting in significant cell death due to apoptosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yeng-Tseng Wang, Tian-Lu Cheng
Summary: MDM2 and MDMX are potential targets for p53-dependent cancer therapy. Researchers used advanced computational methods to investigate the interactions between MDM2/MDMX and cyclic peptide-based inhibitors, aiming to improve the accuracy of peptide-protein structural prediction for cyclic peptide drug design. Advancements in computing power and methods hold promise for addressing challenges in cyclic peptide drug design.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sonia Bruna, Josefina Perles, Isabel Cuadrado
Summary: The construction of a novel family of structurally well-defined, ferrocenyl rich, dendritic macromolecules based on carbosilane skeletons and siloxane linkages has been achieved. The key monomer used was triferrocenylvinylsilane, and a convergent growth approach was utilized. Various branched structures, including dendrons, dendrimers, and dendronized polymers, were successfully prepared and characterized. These metallomacromolecules exhibited electronic interactions between the triferrocenyl moieties and showed potential for applications in electrochemistry.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nadezhda N. Sheveleva, Maxim Dolgushev, Erkki Lahderanta, Denis A. Markelov
Summary: Functionalizing the internal structure of dendrimers can result in changes in their properties. This study investigates the rheological behavior of functionalized dendrimer melts and finds that functionalized dendrimers behave like colloidal particles in crowded environments.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Max E. Distler, Michelle H. Teplensky, Katherine E. Bujold, Caroline D. Kusmierz, Michael Evangelopoulos, Chad A. Mirkin
Summary: The study introduces a method for synthesizing and utilizing DNA dendrons to deliver biomolecules to living cells. It shows that DNA dendrons interact with scavenger receptor-A on cell surfaces, leading to their rapid endocytosis and increased cellular uptake of biomolecules. Additionally, when conjugated to peptides, dendrons enhance the cellular delivery and activity of various peptides, expanding the scope of deliverable biomolecules to cells.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Isabel M. Prados, Andrea Barrios-Gumiel, Francisco J. de la Mata, M. Luisa Marina, M. Concepcion Garcia
Summary: This study proposes a more sustainable alternative for protein extraction using magnetic nanoparticles coated with carboxylate-terminated carbosilane dendrons. It investigates the interaction of proteins with MNPs under different conditions and the suitable disruption of interactions post-extraction. Additionally, the method was successfully applied to the recovery/purification of proteins from food byproducts.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Monika Szadkowska, Michal Olewniczak, Anna Kloska, Elzbieta Jankowska, Malgorzata Kapusta, Bartosz Rybak, Dariusz Wyrzykowski, Wioletta Zmudzinska, Artur Gieldon, Aleksandra Kocot, Anna-Karina Kaczorowska, Lukasz Nierzwicki, Joanna Makowska, Tadeusz Kaczorowski, Magdalena Plotka
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a global public health problem. Antimicrobial peptides derived from the LysC enzyme show potent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The peptides form transmembrane pores and disrupt the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane, leading to the loss of bacterial viability.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alfredo Pereira, Elizabeth Valdes-Munoz, Adolfo Marican, Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas, Sekar Vijayakumar, Oscar Valdes, Diana Rafael, Fernanda Andrade, Paulina Abaca, Daniel Bustos, Esteban F. Duran-Lara
Summary: Due to the growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is a need for new antimicrobial treatment options. This study focused on the rational design of hydrogels as potential delivery systems for cationic antimicrobial peptides (cAMPs). The researchers used docking and Molecular Dynamics simulations to select the best hydrogel candidates based on their interaction with two types of cAMPs. The results showed that MN4-CM5-CL1 hydrogel (HG2) was the most promising candidate for future in vitro or in vivo experiments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominika Wrobel, Antonin Edr, Eliska Zemanova, Tomas Strasak, Alena Semeradtova, Jan Maly
Summary: Two types of dendritic structures (DDN-1 and DDN-2) interacted with model lipid vesicles, and the strength of interaction depended on the surface charge of the vesicles. The interaction was more significant with vesicles of higher negative charge. As the concentration of the dendritic structures increased, the interaction also occurred in the hydrophobic part of the bilayer, leading to the formation of dendritic clusters. Therefore, the dendritic structures can be promising platforms for the decoration of exosomes or other natural lipid vehicles, enabling targeted drug delivery or theranostic applications.
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF LIPIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jiajia Song, Shudong Peng, Jing Yang, Fang Zhou, Huayi Suo
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and identify antibacterial peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria in Chinese pickles. A total of 14 LAB strains with antibacterial activity were identified, among which L. fermentum SHY10 exhibited the most effective antibacterial activity. LC-MS/MS identified three novel ABPs, with the NQGPLGNAHR peptide showing significant antibacterial activity. Molecular docking analysis revealed the interaction of this peptide with DNA gyrase and dihydrofolate reductase.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
P. Lopez-Barona, C. Verdu-Exposito, T. Martin-Perez, N. Gomez-Casanova, T. Lozano-Cruz, P. Ortega, R. Gomez, J. Perez-Serrano, I Heredero-Bermejo
Summary: This study demonstrates a novel treatment strategy for Acanthamoeba keratitis, showing that different generations of cationic carbosilane dendrons derived from 4-phenylbutyric acid and the combination of chlorhexidine digluconate have amoebicidal activity against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Quintana-Sanchez, Natalia Gomez-Casanova, Javier Sanchez-Nieves, Rafael Gomez, Jaroslaw Rachuna, Slawomir Wasik, Jacek Semaniak, Barbara Maciejewska, Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa, Karol Ciepluch, F. Javier de la Mata, Michal Arabski
Summary: The search for new microbicides against biofilm-forming bacteria is urgent. Cationic multivalent dendrimers have potential as antibacterials and carriers of active molecules. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of cationic carbosilane (CBS) dendrimers, with and without modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG), against planktonic and biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa culture. The presence of PEG reduced antibacterial activity, but combining the CBS dendrimers with endolysin improved the antimicrobial effect.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Daniel Pulido, Veronica Casado-Anguera, Marc Gomez-Autet, Natalia Llopart, Estefania Moreno, Nil Casajuana-Martin, Sergi Ferre, Leonardo Pardo, Vicent Casado, Miriam Royo
Summary: This study successfully designed and synthesized heterobivalent ligands that can simultaneously bind to adenosine A(2A) receptors and dopamine D-2 receptors, and demonstrated their binding to the receptor heteromer through various experimental techniques.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rajae Zahli, Ann Karolin Scheu, Jamal Abrini, Jose L. Copa-Patino, Amajoud Nadia, Skali Senhaji Nadia, Juan Soliveri
Summary: The prevalence of Salmonella in poultry samples was found to be 9.84%, with major serovars including S. Hadar, S. Typhimurium, and S. Chester. 80.95% of Salmonella isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic. The study also detected nine different MLST sequence types, with ST1954 being the most common.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Sara Quintana-Sanchez, Andrea Barrios-Gumiel, Javier Sanchez-Nieves, Jose L. Copa-Patino, F. Javier de la Mata, Rafael Gomez
Summary: In this study, a system capable of interacting with bacteria and removing them from water was designed by grafting cationic carbosilane dendrons on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. The results showed that dendronized nanoparticles were able to capture over 90% of bacteria, with the size of the dendritic system playing a more significant role in the interaction with Gram-positive bacteria and the density of cationic groups playing a more significant role in the interaction with Gram-negative bacteria. The modified nanoparticles were characterized and their interaction with bacteria was analyzed, demonstrating their potential application in water treatment.
BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alba Martin-Moreno, Rafael Cena-Diez, Maria Jesus Serramia, Jose Luis Jimenez, Rafael Gomez-Ramirez, Mariangeles Munoz-Fernandez
Summary: The G2-S16 dendrimer has been shown to be an efficient and safe vaginal microbicide for preventing HIV-1 infection, as it does not cause vaginal irritation or tissue damage and has no damaging effects on organs or blood parameters.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elena Royo-Rubio, Vanessa Martin-Canadilla, Marco Rusnati, Maria Milanesi, Tania Lozano-Cruz, Rafael Gomez, Jose Luis Jimenez, Maria Angeles Munoz-Fernandez
Summary: This study proposes the use of PEGylated cationic carbosilane dendrimers as inhibitors of HSV-2 and HCMV infections and confirms their high efficacy, providing valid candidates for the treatment against Herpesviridae infections.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Natalia Gomez-Casanova, Alba Torres-Cano, Alba Xiaohe Elias-Rodriguez, Tania Lozano, Paula Ortega, Rafael Gomez, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Irene Heredero-Bermejo
Summary: In this study, the efficacy of dendritic wedges with cationic charges on the surface against Candida glabrata biofilms was explored, and synergistic effects were observed when combined with amphotericin B. This research highlights the urgent need for new antifungal drugs to combat the emergence of Candida glabrata as a major pathogen in hospital settings.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Sanchez-Milla, Ester Hernandez-Corroto, Javier Sanchez-Nieves, Rafael Gomez, Maria Luisa Marina, Maria Concepcion Garcia, F. Javier de la Mata
Summary: Enzyme immobilization is a powerful strategy for enzyme stabilization and recyclability. This study evaluated the immobilization effects of different dendrimers supported on silica for the protease enzyme Alcalase. Results showed that SiO2-G(0)PAMAM-NH2 exhibited the most favorable behavior. Unlike CBS supports, the enzyme immobilized on this support did not retain peptides released during digestion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Philipp F. Popp, Tania Lozano-Cruz, Franziska Duerr, Addis Londaitsbehere, Johanna Hartig, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Rafael Gomez, Thorsten Mascher, Ainhoa Revilla-Guarinos
Summary: The threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is increasing, but the development of new therapeutic countermeasures has stopped. Carbosilane dendritic systems with antimicrobial properties can be used as synthetic molecules for therapeutics. The bow-tie topology of BDTL049 has strong bactericidal properties against Bacillus subtilis. In this study, a fluorescent-labeled version of BDTL049 was synthesized to study its interaction with bacterial membrane, and a mutational study of known resistance determinants was conducted. The compound also showed high cytotoxicity in human cells. These insights highlight the potential and challenges of BDTL049 as an antimicrobial agent.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcin Holota, Sylwia Michlewska, Sandra Garcia-Gallego, Natalia Sanz del Olmo, Paula Ortega, Maria Bryszewska, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Maksim Ionov
Summary: Copper carbosilane metallodendrimers were conjugated with conventional anticancer drugs and showed enhanced effectiveness against cancer cells. The combination therapy significantly decreased cancer cell viability and induced apoptosis and necrosis. The presence of copper ions in the dendrimer structures enhanced the anticancer properties of the whole nanosystem.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elzbieta Okla, Piotr Bialecki, Marta Kedzierska, Elzbieta Pedziwiatr-Werbicka, Katarzyna Milowska, Samuel Takvor, Rafael Gomez, Francisco Javier de la Mata, Maria Bryszewska, Maksim Ionov
Summary: Drug delivery systems such as dendrimers, liposomes, polymers or gold/silver nanoparticles could advance modern medicine by overcoming biological barriers. This study evaluated the biophysical properties and biological safety of pegylated gold nanoparticles complexed with therapeutic siRNA against APOE4. The results showed that the complexes were stable and non-toxic to healthy cells, suggesting their potential use in delivering nucleic acids and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sylwia Michlewska, Marek Maly, Dagmara Wojkowska, Kamil Karolczak, Elzbieta Skiba, Marcin Holota, Malgorzata Kubczak, Paula Ortega, Cezary Watala, F. Javier de la Mata, Maria Bryszewska, Maksim Ionov
Summary: In this study, a carbosilane metallodendrimer containing a ruthenium complex was conjugated with anti-cancer drugs, and it was found that the ruthenium enhanced the effectiveness of the drugs. The results showed that stable nanocomplexes were formed between the dendrimer and the drugs, improving their efficacy against cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jose Luis Perez-Diaz, Tania Martin-Perez, Cristina del alamo, Juan Sanchez-Garcia-Casarrubios, Jose Luis Copa-Patino, Juan Soliveri, Jose M. Orellana-Muriana, Jorge Perez-Serrano, Francisco Jose Llerena-Aguilar
Summary: This study experimentally tested different types of disinfecting fogs against Bacillus thuringiensis spores, a surrogate for Bacillus anthracis, both in the air and on various surfaces. The fog technology successfully removed spores from the air in just 20 minutes with a 1-minute application. The dynamics and characteristics of the fog were critical for optimal decontamination.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia Sanz del Olmo, Juan Carlos Garcia, Rafael Gomez, F. Javier de la Mata, Paula Ortega
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in human pathophysiological processes, and redox-active groups such as polyphenols are involved in maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis. In this study, a new family of first-generation carbosilane dendrons functionalised with polyphenols at the focal point and dimethylammonium groups at the periphery was successfully synthesized using two strategies. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated using spectrophotometric methods, and a correlation between the number of hydroxyl groups and antioxidant activity was established.