Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tabitha Jenkins, Jerome Gouge
Summary: The article discusses the important role of reactive oxygen species in cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as the mechanisms of maintaining redox balance in cells. The dual role of Nrf2 in cells is emphasized, with its activation preventing tumorigenesis in healthy cells but promoting tumor development and metastasis in cancer with constitutive activation. In addition, Nrf2 is also involved in preventing programmed cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lukasz Swiatek, Elwira Sieniawska, Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally, Nabeelah Bibi Sadeer, Krzysztof Kamil Wojtanowski, Barbara Rajtar, Malgorzata Polz-Dacewicz, Mehmet Yavuz Paksoy, Gokhan Zengin
Summary: This study evaluates the chemical properties and biological activities of O. aquatica and O. silaifolia, including antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic, and antiviral activities. The results show that O. aquatica has high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, while the methanolic extract of O. silaifolia exhibits strong inhibitory effects on certain enzymes. Both plant extracts show selective toxicity towards cancer cells, and the aqueous extract of O. aquatica shows significant antiviral activity against HSV-1.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ray-Yu Yang, Abel Wend-Soo Zongo, Yu-Chen Chen, Meng-Tsan Chiang, Daniel Zogona, Chun-Yin Huang, Hsien-Tsung Yao
Summary: This study investigates the effects of green and purple sweet potato leaves on hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, membrane transporters, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolism and accumulation in rats. The results indicate that sweet potato leaves can increase hepatic antioxidant activity, facilitate xenobiotic detoxification, and reduce benzo[a]pyrene accumulation.
Article
Entomology
Jixin Pang, Yuejin Peng, Teng Di, Guangzu Du, Bin Chen
Summary: This study investigates the pathogenic process of Metarhizium rileyi and identifies key factors affecting its virulence. It also provides a theoretical basis for the use of Metarhizium rileyi in the systematic control of Spodoptera frugiperda, a destructive crop pest.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tatiana Botin, Luis Ramirez-Chamorro, Jasmina Vidic, Philippe Langella, Isabelle Martin-Verstraete, Jean-Marc Chatel, Sandrine Auger
Summary: This study investigated the impact of oxidative stress on various strains of faecalibacteria and found that they exhibited different sensitivities to oxidative stress. Through genomic analysis and experimental validation, it was discovered that the bacteria have protective mechanisms against oxidative stress, and a gene regulatory network model for F. longum L2-6 in response to oxidative stress was proposed.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karina Borba Paulino dos Santos, Ana Flavia Gatto Raimundo, Eduardo Makiyama Klosowski, Byanca Thais Lima de Souza, Marcio Shigueaki Mito, Renato Polimeni Constantin, Gislaine Cristiane Mantovanelli, Juliana Morais Mewes, Paulo Francisco Veiga Bizerra, Paulo Vinicius Moreira da Costa Menezes, Karina Sayuri Utsunomiya, Eduardo Hideo Gilglioni, Rogerio Marchiosi, Wanderley Dantas dos Santos, Osvaldo Ferrarese-Filho, Wilker Caetano, Paulo Cesar de Souza Pereira, Renato Sonchini Goncalves, Jorgete Constantin, Emy Luiza Ishii-Iwamoto, Rodrigo Polimeni Constantin
Summary: Toluidine blue O (TBO) has been identified as a new photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT). This study investigates the effects of TBO on mitochondrial bioenergetic functions and reveals that TBO has an affinity for mitochondria regardless of photostimulation. Under photostimulation, TBO induces oxidative damage and decreases glutathione levels in mitochondria. TBO also uncouples oxidative phosphorylation and inhibits respiratory chain complexes and ATP synthase complex. Without photostimulation, TBO impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism and inhibits gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis while stimulating glycogenolysis and glycolysis.
PHOTOCHEMICAL & PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sara da Silva, Rosa Perez-Gregorio, Nuno Mateus, Victor Freitas, Ricardo Dias
Summary: It has been shown that certain gluten peptides that are resistant to proteolysis can directly affect the structure and function of intestinal cells by modulating inflammatory gene expression and oxidative stress. However, current in vitro models do not fully resemble mature enterocytes in terms of their characteristic features. This study thoroughly characterized and compared the peptide profile and pro-oxidative effect of two different gastrointestinal gliadin digestions, highlighting the dependence of gliadin-induced cell effects on pepsin activity.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junghwan Lee, Chang-Hwa Song
Summary: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in innate immunity against pathogens, with ROS directly attacking pathogens, regulating immune signals, inducing autophagy, and activating inflammation. The production of ROS by pathogens not only affects cell death but also the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The regulation of host defense mechanisms by ROS and the interaction between microbial pathogen-induced ROS and the ER and mitochondria remain unclear.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Se Yong Park, Raju Gurung, Jung Ho Hwang, Alam Zeb, Jong-Ik Hwang, Sung Jean Park, Han-Joo Maeng, Dongyun Shin, Seung Hyun Oh
Summary: Oxidative stress caused by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a major factor in the development of human diseases. Activation of NRF2 by inhibiting KEAP1 has shown promising results in combating oxidative stress-related diseases. In this study, a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) called SD2267 was developed, which induced the degradation of KEAP1 and subsequent activation of NRF2.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni
Summary: Oxidases, specifically FAD-containing enzymes such as glucose oxidase, have shown promise in cancer therapy by producing reactive oxygen species in tumors and potentially modulating cytotoxic compound production. Advances in nanotechnologies and protein engineering have improved tumor specificity, making oxidase-based ROS production a mature and applicable approach in clinical settings.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anne Cortleven, Venja M. Roeber, Manuel Frank, Jonas Bertels, Vivien Lortzing, Gerrit T. S. Beemster, Thomas Schmuelling
Summary: Photoperiod stress causes transcriptional reprogramming resembling plant pathogen defense responses and induces systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in the absence of a pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jiaying Wu, Lin Zhao, Shaojuan Lai, Hongshun Yang
Summary: Heat and acidic electrolysed water were effective in reducing the amount of L. monocytogenes on salmon in this study, with AEW playing a main role and its bactericidal ability strengthened by heat in the combined treatment. Short time heat may activate the cells' protective system by accumulating amino acids and organic acids. Notably, significant decreases in certain amino acids were observed under the synergic stress of heat and AEW treatment. Pathway analysis revealed disturbed pathways explaining the bactericidal mechanism.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qianqian Xu, Xinyu Gao, Mei Wen, Yihong Liu, Yuqing Li, Chuanwan Wei, Xianbo Wu, Yuyan Zou, Jianghua Li, Xilong Li, You-Nian Liu, Wansong Chen
Summary: This study presents a concept of using piezoelectric enzymes in combination with biocomputation ability to achieve precise control over enzymatic catalysis in tumors. A biocomputing platform based on a Boolean logic-based algorithm is constructed, which outputs cytotoxicity for programed tumor killing. The combination of piezoelectric enzymes and biocomputation strategy provides an intelligent and effective approach for catalytic tumor eradication.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rim Nassar, Barbara Vernus, Gilles Carnac, Gilles Fouret, Benedicte Goustard, Francois Casas, Lionel Tintignac, Isabelle Cassar-Malek, Brigitte Picard, Iban Seiliez, Thomas Brioche, Christelle Koechlin-Ramonatxo, Christelle Bertrand-Gaday, Aline Hamade, Fadia Najjar, Beatrice Chabi, Anne Bonnieu
Summary: Myostatin deficiency leads to increased protein degradation in post-mortem muscle, primarily through enhanced calpain activity. Autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome, and caspase systems are not upregulated in this process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong Jiang, Pratik Thapa, Na Ding, Yanning Hao, Aziza Alshahrani, Chi Wang, B. Mark Evers, Qiou Wei
Summary: Intracellular antioxidant enzymes are critical for maintaining redox homeostasis, but their role in promoting malignancy in cancer cells is still poorly understood. This study reveals that the Srx-miR143-Fascin axis plays a crucial role in promoting the malignancy of colorectal cancer.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Valentina Margarita, Nicholas P. Bailey, Paola Rappelli, Nicia Diaz, Daniele Dessi, Jennifer M. Fettweis, Robert P. Hirt, Pier Luigi Fiori
Summary: The endosymbiotic relationship between T. vaginalis and M. hominis modulates the parasite's pathobiology. A newly discovered nonculturable mycoplasma species, Ca. M. girerdii, is closely associated with the protozoon. The composition of different microbial consortia influences the growth of the parasite and significantly modulates its transcriptomic profile, including metabolic enzymes and virulence genes. The presence and ratios of endosymbionts may contribute to modulating protozoan virulence. These findings highlight the importance of considering pathogenic entities as microbial ecosystems and the development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitaliy B. Borisov, Elena Forte
Summary: This review summarizes recent studies on the molecular basis of the effects of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite on microbial respiration and energy conservation. The possible molecular mechanisms underlying bacteria's resistance to RNS, including unique respiratory oxygen reductases and cytochromes, are discussed. Although a complete picture of the impact of RNS on microbial bioenergetics is not yet available, the rapidly developing research in this area will help in developing new methods of treating infectious diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Valentina Margarita, Le Chi Cao, Nicholas P. Bailey, Thuy Ha Thi Ngoc, Thi Minh Chau Ngo, Phuong Anh Ton Nu, Nicia Diaz, Daniele Dessi, Robert P. Hirt, Pier Luigi Fiori, Paola Rappelli
Summary: Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Metronidazole is the only effective drug to treat trichomoniasis, but resistance against it is increasing. Mycoplasma hominis can establish an endosymbiosis with T. vaginalis and influences its pathobiology. This study shows that the presence of M. hominis increases the sensitivity of T. vaginalis to metronidazole, while Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii has no effect on metronidazole resistance.
Letter
Virology
Fabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna, Ilenia Azzena, Marta Giovanetti, Domenico Benvenuto, Silvia Angeletti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Stefano Pascarella, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Massimo Ciccozzi
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Gaglianone, Maria Elena Laugieri, Adriana Lucely Rojas, Maria Rosaria Coppola, Francesco Piacente, Pier Luigi Fiori, Michela Giulia Tonetti
Summary: In this study, the first committed and limiting step of the L-rhamnose biosynthetic pathway in Trichomonas vaginalis was identified and characterized. The L-rhamnose synthesis in T. vaginalis proceeds through a mechanism different from typical eukaryotic pathways and involves separate enzymes for epimerase and reductase activities. Understanding the L-rhamnose biosynthetic pathway can provide insights into the formation of complex glycan structures and the development of selective inhibitors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna, Domenico Benvenuto, Alessandra Borsetti, Ilenia Azzena, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Marta Giovanetti, Antonello Maruotti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Arnaldo Caruso, Francesca Caccuri, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Stefano Pascarella, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: Genetic and structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 BQ.1 suggests no evidence of a particularly dangerous or high expansion capability. However, genome-based monitoring should continue for a better understanding of its descendants and other lineages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Fabio Scarpa, Elena Imperia, Ilenia Azzena, Marta Giovanetti, Domenico Benvenuto, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Antonello Maruotti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Alessandra Borsetti, Arnaldo Caruso, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Allegra Via, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Virology
Fabio Scarpa, Marta Giovanetti, Ilenia Azzena, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Elena Imperia, Liliana Bazzani, Alessandra Borsetti, Antonello Maruotti, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 BF.7 variant, which is common in Asia, has shown relatively low transmission capability and is less virulent compared to other Omicron variants. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing genome-based monitoring to understand the real situation.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Fabio Scarpa, Daria Sanna, Ilenia Azzena, Marco Casu, Piero Cossu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Domenico Benvenuto, Elena Imperia, Marta Giovanetti, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Stefano Pascarella, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: Recombination is the main driver of RNA virus evolution, and during the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 produced several recombinants. The most recent recombinant, XBB or Gryphon, is a combination of BJ.1 and BM.1.1.1 lineages. Genetic analysis revealed that XBB and its descendant XBB.1 have slightly higher genetic variability and expansion capabilities compared to their parental lineages. However, they do not currently pose a specific danger or have high expansion capabilities. Ongoing genome-based monitoring is necessary to identify if further mutations in XBB could increase its danger or generate new subvariants with different expansion capabilities.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabio Scarpa, Ilenia Azzena, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Silvia Angeletti, Elena Imperia, Marta Giovanetti, Antonello Maruotti, Alessandra Borsetti, Roberto Cauda, Antonio Cassone, Allegra Via, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: Since the beginning of the pandemic, new variants have been emerging, and the XBB.1.5 SARS-CoV-2 variant is one of the most recent. This study aimed to assess the potential hazard of this new subvariant using a comprehensive approach that integrates genetic variability, phylodynamics, and structural/immunoinformatic analyses. The findings suggest that XBB.1.5 spreads more slowly compared to previous concerning variants and does not pose a high risk of viral expansion.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabio Scarpa, Ilenia Azzena, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Marta Giovanetti, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Borsetti, Eleonora Cella, Miriana Quaranta, Stefano Pascarella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi, Igor Rogozin
Summary: The XBB.1.16 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has the potential to evade immune response but its evolutionary rate is slower than dangerous lineages. Structural analysis shows no significant differences from previous lineages, indicating no exceptional danger or high expansion capability. Continuous genome-based monitoring is important for understanding its descendants and other lineages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Virology
Fabio Scarpa, Stefano Pascarella, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Marta Giovanetti, Ilenia Azzena, Chiara Locci, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Miriana Quaranta, Eleonora Cella, Daria Sanna, Massimo Ciccozzi
Summary: The novel variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, EG.5 lineage, currently lacks substantial evidence of widespread transmission capacity and exhibits relatively low genetic variability. The advantages observed in this variant seem to stem from genetic drift rather than enhanced dangerousness. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing genome-based monitoring.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Fabio Scarpa, Chiara Locci, Ilenia Azzena, Marco Casu, Pier Luigi Fiori, Alessandra Ciccozzi, Marta Giovanetti, Miriana Quaranta, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Stefano Pascarella, Massimo Ciccozzi, Daria Sanna
Summary: Recombination events are common in RNA viruses and the XBF SARS-CoV-2 lineage is a recent recombinant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Genetic analyses show that XBF does not have significant expansion potential or a higher contagion rate compared to other lineages. Cautionary measures should still be taken and genome-based monitoring remains important for detecting changes in viral genome composition.
Review
Microbiology
Valentina Margarita, Antonella Congiargiu, Nicia Diaz, Pier Luigi Fiori, Paola Rappelli
Summary: This review provides an overview of the complex relationship between Trichomonas vaginalis and two endosymbiotic microorganisms, emphasizing the influence of the endosymbionts on the pathogenic characteristics of the protozoon and the interactions among the symbionts.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Valentina Margarita, Gavino Carboni, Nicia Diaz, Paola Rappelli, Pier Luigi Fiori
Summary: This study investigates the influence of endosymbiotic association with trichomonad cells on the antibiotic susceptibility of M. hominis, revealing higher resistance to certain antibiotics in intracellular strains associated with T. vaginalis.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)