Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Venturi, Barbara Rossi, Mariagrazia Tortora, Renato Torre, Andrea Lapini, Paolo Foggi, Marco Paolantoni, Sara Catalini
Summary: Molecular insights on the thermal unfolding and aggregation of beta-lactoglobulin were obtained using FTIR and UV Resonance Raman investigations. A new in situ and in real-time approach was proposed to distinguish the two unfolding pathways of beta-lactoglobulin under different pH conditions. The conformational change of beta-lactoglobulin and the formation of amyloid aggregates were studied using FTIR spectroscopy and UVRR technique. The results revealed the importance of tryptophan-containing regions in the formation of amyloid aggregates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mantas Ziaunys, Andrius Sakalauskas, Tomas Sneideris, Vytautas Smirnovas
Summary: Protein aggregation into amyloid fibrils is associated with various disorders, but the mechanisms behind the conversion of non-harmful proteins into such aggregates are not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that multiple types of protein aggregates may co-exist in tissues of patients with amyloid-related disorders, potentially influencing each other.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mantas Ziaunys, Kamile Mikalauskaite, Andrius Sakalauskas, Vytautas Smirnovas
Summary: The aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins is related to various diseases, with limited treatment options currently available. The challenge in the discovery of potential anti-amyloid molecules lies in identifying the actual inhibitors from complex mixtures. This study successfully scavenged potential aggregation-inhibiting molecules from different compounds and effectively separated them from the aggregates.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parastoo Shouhani, Seifollah Bahramikia, Seyed Hesamaldin Hejazi
Summary: This study investigated the anti-amyloidogenic and destabilizing effects of pyrogallol, a phenolic compound, on human insulin protein. The results showed that pyrogallol effectively reduced the formation of amyloid fibrils and caused shift in their position. This study has significant implications for the design of new anti-amyloid drugs in the future.
JOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panagiotis M. Spatharas, Georgia I. Nasi, Paraskevi L. Tsiolaki, Marilena K. Theodoropoulou, Nikos C. Papandreou, Andreas Hoenger, Ioannis P. Trougakos, Vassiliki A. Iconomidou
Summary: Clusterin is identified as a glycoprotein involved in amyloid formation and has aggregation-prone regions that can form amyloid-like fibrils while also inhibiting amyloid-beta fibril formation. These findings suggest a potential role of clusterin in the molecular mechanism of inhibiting amyloid formation and indicate a possible involvement of molecular chaperones with amyloidogenic properties in regulating amyloid formation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Beeta Kumari, Manisha Yadav, Manoj Kumar, Pratibha Kushwaha, Rajesh Kumar
Summary: The macromolecular crowding effect transforms acid-denatured ferricytochrome c (cyt cIII) (UA-state) to molten-globule (MGMC-state) at pH 1.85. The magnitudes of crowding-induced stabilization free energy (∆G) and preferential hydration (∆ΓW) were found to be decreased as the size and shape of the crowder towards refolding and stabilization of UA-state to MGMC-state. Macromolecular crowding increased the thermodynamic stability of acid-denatured cyt cIII and the size and shape of crowder control the crowding-induced thermodynamic stabilization of MGMC-state.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Gardon, Nina Becker, Nick Raehse, Christoph Hoelbling, Athina Apostolidis, Celina M. Schulz, Kevin Bochinsky, Lothar Gremer, Henrike Heise, Nils-Alexander Lakomek
Summary: In this study, we investigated the fibril formation kinetics of bovine PI3K-SH3 using a combination of solution NMR, high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR, and solid-state NMR. Our results showed that fibril elongation is the main mechanism contributing to the increase in fibril mass. We propose a combined approach using both solution NMR and solid-state NMR to simultaneously track monomer depletion and fibril mass growth.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Sulatskaya, Anastasiia O. Kosolapova, Alexander G. Bobylev, Mikhail Belousov, Kirill S. Antonets, Maksim Sulatsky, Irina M. Kuznetsova, Konstantin K. Turoverov, Olesya Stepanenko, Anton A. Nizhnikov
Summary: Both amyloids and beta-barrel proteins have beta-sheet-rich structures, with the latter being able to form functional amyloids in vivo. These beta-barrel amyloid proteins can interact with each other and form toxic oligomers, potentially contributing to the development of amyloidoses. Rapidly growing discoveries suggest that the number and diversity of functions of amyloid-forming beta-barrel proteins are significantly greater than currently understood.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Laneri, Sara Garcia-Vinuales, Valeria Lanza, Nadia Licciardello, Danilo Milardi, Salvatore Sortino, Giuseppe Grasso
Summary: This article proposes dipyridamole as a new diagnostic tool and potential therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative diseases. It highlights the molecule's sensitivity to early stage amyloid formation and its ability to enhance ubiquitin chain growth.
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fatemeh Bardineshin, Seifollah Bahramikia, Reza Khodarahmi, Faranak Hadi
Summary: Mesalazine demonstrates inhibitory and destabilizing effects on human insulin fibrillation, suggesting its therapeutic potential in the treatment of insulin amyloidosis.
JOURNAL OF FLUORESCENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Ermakova, Olga Makshakova, Rauf Kurbanov, Ilya Ibraev, Yuriy Zuev, Igor Sedov
Summary: Uperin 3.5, a natural peptide from the skin of toadlets, consisting of 17 amino acids, possesses antimicrobial and amyloidogenic properties. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that Uperin 3.5 and its mutants undergo spontaneous aggregation, transitioning from random coils to β-rich structures. The initial and crucial step in the aggregation process involves peptide dimerization and the formation of small β-sheets. The mutant peptides exhibit increased aggregation rate due to decreased positive charge and increased hydrophobic residues.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander G. Bobylev, Roman S. Fadeev, Liya G. Bobyleva, Margarita I. Kobyakova, Yuri M. Shlyapnikov, Daniil V. Popov, Ivan M. Vikhlyantsev
Summary: The study found that amyloid aggregates of smooth-muscle titin can impair cell adhesion and lead to cell death. The surface roughness may be a key factor contributing to the highly antiadhesive properties. The negative impact of amyloid aggregates on cell adhesion is likely intrinsic to other amyloid proteins with similar structure and properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Evelyn Rose Kamski-Hennekam, Jinfeng Huang, Rashik Ahmed, Giuseppe Melacini
Summary: The ability of ATP to modulate protein solubility is critical in understanding proteinopathies like Parkinson's disease. ATP levels decline with age, which is the most significant risk factor for Parkinson's. This study shows that ATP affects multiple stages of alpha-synuclein aggregation, and the disruption of ATP's function may play a role in Parkinson's etiology.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marc Rico-Pasto, Annamaria Zaltron, Sebastian J. Davis, Silvia Frutos, Felix Ritort
Summary: This study experimentally verifies the existence of a molten globule intermediate in the protein folding process and reveals some thermodynamic properties of this intermediate.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanaa Sharari, Nishant N. Vaikath, Magdalini Tsakou, Simona S. Ghanem, Kostas Vekrellis
Summary: AD is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory impairment and cognitive deficits. Currently, there is no proven medication to cure or prevent the disease progression. However, using inhibitors to block the aggregation of Aβ peptide in the CNS shows promise as a therapeutic intervention. Herbal phenolic compounds, such as SA and DMyr, have been shown to inhibit the aggregation and toxicity of Aβ40 and Aβ42, while Gn Rb1 had no effect. These compounds could potentially be used as effective treatments for AD and related disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Del Giudice, Alessandra Pesce, Flora Cozzolino, Maria Monti, Annalisa Relini, Renata Piccoli, Angela Arciello, Daria Maria Monti
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claudia Capitini, Jayneil R. Patel, Antonino Natalello, Cristiano D'Andrea, Annalisa Relini, James A. Jarvis, Leila Birolo, Alessia Peduzzo, Michele Vendruscolo, Paolo Matteini, Christopher M. Dobson, Alfonso De Simone, Fabrizio Chiti
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
P. Patrizia Mangione, Guglielmo Verona, Alessandra Corazza, Julien Marcoux, Diana Canetti, Sofia Giorgetti, Sara Raimondi, Monica Stoppini, Marilena Esposito, Annalisa Relini, Claudio Canale, Maurizia Valli, Loredana Marchese, Giulia Faravelli, Laura Obici, Philip N. Hawkins, Graham W. Taylor, Julian D. Gillmore, Mark B. Pepys, Vittorio Bellotti
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2018)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chiara Lambruschini, Silvia Villa, Luca Banfi, Fabio Canepa, Fabio Morana, Annalisa Relini, Paola Riani, Renata Riva, Fulvio Silvetti
BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cristiano D'Andrea, Antonino Foti, Maximilien Cottat, Martina Banchelli, Claudia Capitini, Francesco Barreca, Claudio Canale, Marella de Angelis, Annalisa Relini, Onofrio M. Marago, Roberto Pini, Fabrizio Chiti, Pietro G. Gucciardi, Paolo Matteini
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Capitini, Giulia Fani, Mirella Vivoli Vega, Amanda Penco, Claudio Canale, Lisa D. Cabrita, Martino Calamai, John Christodoulou, Annalisa Relini, Fabrizio Chiti
Summary: The study found that both the full-length and C-terminal domain of TDP-43 have a tendency to form filaments under in vitro conditions, and these filaments possess a largely disordered secondary structure. Additionally, the filaments do not exhibit clear amyloid-like characteristics.
AMYLOID-JOURNAL OF PROTEIN FOLDING DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Campora, Claudio Canale, Elena Gatta, Bruno Tasso, Erik Laurini, Annalisa Relini, Sabrina Pricl, Marco Catto, Michele Tonelli
Summary: Two series of naphthoquinone and anthraquinone derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for their potential in targeting factors involved in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Naphthoquinone 2 showed strong inhibitory activity against key enzymes and protein aggregation related to AD, making it a promising candidate for therapy.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ester Canepa, Sebastian Salassi, Federica Simonelli, Riccardo Ferrando, Ranieri Rolandi, Chiara Lambruschini, Fabio Canepa, Silvia Dante, Annalisa Relini, Giulia Rossi
Summary: Studies comparing the effects of negatively and positively charged gold nanoparticles on model neutral lipid membranes show that neither type significantly damages the liposomes. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that there is no difference in energy barriers for membrane penetration between the two types of charged nanoparticles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ester Canepa, Davide Bochicchio, Matteo Gasbarri, Davide Odino, Claudio Canale, Riccardo Ferrando, Fabio Canepa, Francesco Stellacci, Giulia Rossi, Silvia Dante, Annalisa Relini
Summary: Cholesterol content in plasma membranes affects the passive internalization of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles within lipid bilayers, leading to a significant reduction in the amount of internalized nanoparticles.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Samira Jadavi, Ester Canepa, Alberto Diaspro, Claudio Canale, Annalisa Relini, Silvia Dante
Summary: This study investigated the interactions of alpha-synuclein with neuronal membranes by modeling external and internal membrane leaflets with different lipid mixtures. The results showed that membranes composed of the internal leaflet mixture were more stable in the presence of alpha-syn, while damage to membranes made of the external leaflet mixture was concentration-dependent and related to lipid domain fluidity rather than the presence of negatively charged lipids.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Canepa, Annalisa Relini, Davide Bochicchio, Enrico Lavagna, Andrea Mescola
Summary: Functional peptides play a crucial role in biomedical and clinical applications. The interactions between peptides and cell membranes are non-specific and regulated by peptide amphipathicity and surface structural flexibility. The mechanistic details of peptide-membrane interactions are still poorly understood, limiting the biomimetic potential. Amphiphilic AuNPs provide a powerful tool to investigate these interactions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ester Canepa, Davide Bochicchio, Giorgia Brosio, Paulo Henrique Jacob Silva, Francesco Stellacci, Silvia Dante, Giulia Rossi, Annalisa Relini
Summary: Membrane fusion is essential for eukaryotic cell functionality and is regulated by specialized proteins, lipid composition, and ion environment. Liposomes decorated with amphiphilic Au nanoparticles (AuLips) have been shown to act as tunable fusion machinery, triggered by divalent ions and tunable by liposome cholesterol content. This research provides new mechanistic details on the fusogenic activity of AuNPs and demonstrates their potential as artificial fusogenic agents for biomedical applications.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sajedeh Kerdegari, Paolo Canepa, Davide Odino, Reinier Oropesa-Nunez, Annalisa Relini, Ornella Cavalleri, Claudio Canale
Summary: This article reviews the advancements made in cell/tissue mechanics and adhesion using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)-based approaches. AFM offers high force sensitivity and a wide range of detectable forces, making it suitable for studying various biological issues. It enables accurate control of probe position during experiments, providing subcellular resolution mechanical maps of biological samples. The importance of mechanobiology in biotechnological and biomedical fields is recognized. The article discusses cell mechanosensing, the relationship between cell mechanical properties and pathological states (with a focus on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases), and the role of AFM in characterizing pathological mechanisms and developing new diagnostic tools using cell mechanics as tumor biomarkers. The article also highlights AFM's unique ability to study cell adhesion at the single-cell level and its relevance to understanding pathologies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Silvia Errico, Giacomo Lucchesi, Davide Odino, Stefano Muscat, Claudia Capitini, Chiara Bugelli, Claudio Canale, Riccardo Ferrando, Gianvito Grasso, Denise Barbut, Martino Calamai, Andrea Danani, Michael Zasloff, Annalisa Relini, Gabriella Caminati, Michele Vendruscolo, Fabrizio Chiti
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ester Canepa, Sebastian Salassi, Anna Lucia de Marco, Chiara Lambruschini, Davide Odino, Davide Bochicchio, Fabio Canepa, Claudio Canale, Silvia Dante, Rosaria Brescia, Francesco Stellacci, Giulia Rossi, Annalisa Relini
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Chadda, Alexander G. Kozlov, Binh Nguyen, Timothy M. Lohman, Eric A. Galburt
Summary: In this study, it was found that the DNA damage response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis differs from well-studied model bacteria. The DNA repair helicase UvrD1 in Mtb is activated through a redox-dependent process and is closely associated with the homo-dimeric Ku protein. Additionally, Ku protein is shown to stimulate the helicase activity of UvrD1.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)