Review
Neurosciences
Xiang Li, Wenjun Wang, Jianghong Yan, Fancai Zeng
Summary: This review discusses the role of glutamate transporters in Parkinson's disease, comparing the expression of different types of glutamate transporter genes using bioinformatics and suggesting that they may be potential targets for the treatment of PD.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Iris Alvarez-merz, Maria-dolores Munoz, Jesus M. Hernandez-guijo, Jose M. Solis
Summary: Non-excitatory amino acids (AA) can induce membrane depolarization and affect synaptic transmission during hypoxia. The mixture of L-alanine, glycine, L-glutamine, and L-serine can reliably provoke this effect. AA transporters, such as system N and alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2), may serve as therapeutic targets for brain ischemia treatment.
TRANSLATIONAL STROKE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Dmitry A. Gruzdev, Evgeny N. Chulakov, Galina L. Levit, Victor P. Krasnov
Summary: A series of new purine and 2-aminopurine conjugates with closo- or nido-carborane fragments attached via polyfunctional amino acid residues were synthesized. Derivatives of (S)-lysine and (S)-glutamic acid containing two closo-carborane residues and a free carboxyl group were used as boron-containing building blocks. The obtained purine and 2-aminopurine conjugates containing 18-20 boron atoms per molecule possess good solubility in water and aqueous ethanol, making them potential agents for boron delivery to tumor cells in boron neutron capture therapy.
TETRAHEDRON LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yoshikatsu Kanai
Summary: Cancer cells require a massive supply of nutrients, including amino acids. LAT1 is an amino acid transporter that is specifically expressed in cancer cells. High expression of LAT1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients. Inhibition of LAT1 can suppress cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. LAT1 can also be used as a target for cancer diagnosis and specific delivery of anti-tumor drugs.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abhijit Das, Gregory Gauthier-Coles, Stefan Broer, Caroline D. Rae
Summary: This study examined the cycling of glutamine and alanine in the cerebellum by inhibiting amino acid transporters. The results indicate that the cerebellum has tightly coupled cells and that glutamate/glutamine, as well as alanine cycling, play a major role in this part of the brain.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zheng Zhang, Penghui He, Dongbo Cai, Shouwen Chen
Summary: This review focuses on the genetic and metabolic engineering of microorganisms for gamma-PGA production, including strategies to enhance raw materials utilization, precursor supply, gamma-PGA synthetase gene cluster, transcription regulation, cofactor regeneration, energy engineering, and blocking synthetic pathways of by-products. The expression of gamma-PGA synthetase, glutamate racemase, and gamma-PGA hydrolase were manipulated to obtain gamma-PGA with different configurations and molecular weights. The review also discusses the metabolic engineering of other hosts for high-level production of gamma-PGA.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Baczewska, Elzbieta Supruniuk, Klaudia Bojczuk, Pawel Guzik, Patrycja Milewska, Katarzyna Kononczuk, Jakub Dobroch, Adrian Chabowski, Pawel Knapp
Summary: The study aimed to assess the dominant energy substrate transport mechanism in ovarian cancer cells and predict clinical outcomes using genomic aberrations. The researchers found differential gene expression in high-grade serous carcinoma and suggested the potential use of glucose and lactate transport as therapeutic targets to impede ovarian cancer growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zuying Zhang, Wenchao Chen, Liu Tao, Xixing Wei, Lingling Gao, Yadi Gao, Jinwei Suo, Weiwu Yu, Yuanyuan Hu, Baoru Yang, Huifeng Jiang, Mohamed A. Farag, Jiasheng Wu, Lili Song
Summary: Exogenous ethylene treatment significantly increased the levels of amino acids, especially umami amino acids, in Torreya grandis nuts. Glutamic and aspartic acids showed a 1.9-fold and 2.1-fold increase, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed differential expression of genes involved in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. RT-qPCR confirmed upregulation of biosynthesis genes (TgGOGAT1, TgAATC1, TgAATC4) and suppression of degradation enzymes (TgGS2, TgGAD1, TgGAD3, TgASNS1) after ethylene treatment. Ethylene treatment appears to enhance umami taste-active amino acids and improve the quality of T. grandis nuts.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Limin Wang, Shengbao Chen, Bo Yu
Summary: This review presents the advances in gamma-PGA synthesis and metabolic engineering strategies for improving its diversity. The importance of structural diversity in various applications is discussed, along with future research directions.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Physiology
Emmanuel A. Adomako, Orson W. Moe
Summary: Knowledge of UA crystallopathies predated the identification of UA, and understanding how the body handles and transports UA has proved challenging. Advances in molecular phenotyping have shed light on this field, particularly in the study of transport mechanisms. This review focuses on the best-characterized transporters and compounds that modulate UA transport, with the expectation of further widening and deepening our knowledge in this evolving field.
Article
Physiology
Nedra Abdelli, Alison Ramser, Elizabeth S. Greene, Lesleigh Beer, Travis W. Tabler, Sara K. Orlowski, Jose Francisco Perez, David Sola-Oriol, Nicholas B. Anthony, Sami Dridi
Summary: The study revealed that heat stress affects body weight and the gene expression of nutrient transporters in the jejunum of different broiler populations, showing diverse impacts among populations.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guoliang Wang, Qing Liu, Young M. Yang, Soo-Ung Lee, Jee-Soo Han, Kyoung-Jin Jang, Dong Y. Kang, Nipin Sp, Zhandong Li, Tao Tong
Summary: Gamma-PGA, a naturally occurring biopolymer, has various favorable properties such as water solubility, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for diverse applications in medicine including as a vaccine adjuvant, tissue engineering material, and contrast agent.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hee Cheol Kim, Eunu Kim, Bo Min Hong, Su A. Park, Won Ho Park
Summary: In this study, a tyramine-modified poly(γ-glutamic acid) was synthesized for 3D bioprinting of a photocrosslinked hydrogel. The gelation time decreased with increasing tyramine substitution, and the optimal photoinitiation conditions were found to be Ru2+ concentration of 0.5 mM and sodium persulfate of 40 mM. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel were in agreement with the crosslinking density and molecular weight between crosslinks. The cytotoxicity and proliferative ability of the hydrogel were excellent, and a lattice structure was successfully fabricated via 3D bioprinting.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Masahiko Nakamoto, Moe Noguchi, Akihiro Nishiguchi, Joao F. F. Mano, Michiya Matsusaki, Mitsuru Akashi
Summary: Researchers have developed a highly stretchable hydrogel based on the crosslinking structure between calcium cations and alendronates conjugated with poly-gamma-glutamate. The hydrogel exhibits 2000% stretchability and reversible stretching without failure at a strain of 250%. By adjusting the concentration of the crosslinker or calcium chloride, the fracture strain and stress of the hydrogel can be controlled. This biodegradable polymer-based hydrogel shows promise in applications such as tissue engineering.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Justus Kuemper, Jerome Meyers, Rebecca Sebers, Nils Kurig, Regina Palkovits
Summary: Acrylonitrile is an important industrial chemical produced by the SOHIO process using fossil resources. To achieve sustainable production, a new route using biogenic substrates and electrolysis is proposed. The electrochemical synthesis of green acrylonitrile using d,l-glutamic acid as a substrate is achieved through electro-oxidative decarboxylation and non-Kolbe electrolysis, resulting in a two-step process with a maximum yield of 41.1%.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Giorgia Catinella, Gigliola Borgonovo, Sabrina Dallavalle, Martina L. Contente, Andrea Pinto
Summary: Saffron, traditionally used as a food additive, has great potential for promoting health due to the presence of safranal as one of its main constituents. Efficient bioconversion of picrocrocin extracted from saffron residues using a halo-thermophilic beta-glucosidase can yield natural safranal. A one-pot, 2-step chemo-enzymatic transformation process has been established for more efficient and sustainable production.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Raffaella Pacchiana, Nidula Mullappilly, Andrea Pinto, Stefania Bova, Stefania Forciniti, Gregorio Cullia, Elisa Dalla Pozza, Emanuela Bottani, Ilaria Decimo, Ilaria Dando, Stefano Bruno, Paola Conti, Massimo Donadelli
Summary: This study tested the effects of 3-bromo-isoxazoline derivatives on pancreatic ductal-adenocarcinoma cells and found that these compounds inhibited cell proliferation. Two promising compounds were selected for in vivo testing and one of them, AXP-3019, effectively blocked PDAC-cell growth without apparent toxicity. These findings support the idea that targeting the glycolytic pathway, specifically GAPDH, is an effective therapy for pancreatic cancer, and 3-bromo-isoxazoline derivatives represent a new class of anti-cancer compounds.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Francesca Annunziata, Martina L. Contente, Valentina Anzi, Silvia Donzella, Paola Conti, Francesco Molinari, Piera Anna Martino, Gabriele Meroni, Valerio Massimo Sora, Lucia Tamborini, Andrea Pinto
Summary: This study synthesized a collection of nature-inspired lipophilic phenolic esters using immobilized lipase in cyclopentyl methyl ether. The obtained compounds showed enhanced lipophilicity compared to the parent non-esterified compounds, making them potential additives in the food industry.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia Pinna, Tommaso Laurenzi, Fabio Forlani, Luca Palazzolo, Claire Beatrice Nolan, Michael S. S. Christodoulou, Paolo Cortesi, Andrea Pinto, Ivano Eberini, Andrea Kunova, Sabrina Dallavalle
Summary: The European Farm to Fork strategy requires reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, which exposes vulnerable agricultural sectors like European risiculture to devastating diseases and endangers food security. Therefore, novel scaffolds need to be identified for the synthesis of environmentally friendly fungicides.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter Riber Johnsen, Cecilia Pinna, Luce Mattio, Mathilde Bech Strube, Mattia Di Nunzio, Stefania Iametti, Sabrina Dallavalle, Andrea Pinto, Hanne Frokiaer
Summary: This study compares the effects of seven different structural types of stilbenoids on the modulation of cytokine production and antioxidant response. Monomeric compounds showed dose-dependent inhibition of cytokine production induced by E. coli, with resveratrol and piceatannol also inhibiting IL-10 production. All monomers, except trimethoxy-resveratrol, inhibited cytokine production induced by L. acidophilus. However, the dimer dehydro-delta-viniferin remarkably enhanced IL-12 production induced by L. acidophilus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Andrea Galbiati, Stefania Bova, Raffaella Pacchiana, Chiara Borsari, Marco Persico, Aureliano Zana, Stefano Bruno, Massimo Donadelli, Caterina Fattorusso, Paola Conti
Summary: Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) plays a crucial role in cancer cell metabolism and is considered a potential target for anticancer drugs. Compound 11, a spirocyclic derivative, was identified as a covalent inhibitor of human GAPDH (hGAPDH) with higher reactivity than other known inhibitors. Computational studies confirmed the importance of conformational rigidification for stabilizing the interaction between the inhibitor and the binding site. Compound 11 selectively reacted with the activated cysteine of hGAPDH and inhibited cancer cell growth. These findings suggest that compound 11 has potential for the development of anticancer agents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Galbiati, Aureliano Zana, Chiara Borsari, Marco Persico, Stefania Bova, Oleh Tkachuk, Alexandra Ioana Corfu, Lucia Tamborini, Nicoletta Basilico, Caterina Fattorusso, Stefano Bruno, Silvia Parapini, Paola Conti
Summary: This study investigated the significance of chirality for the natural compound 3-Br-acivicin (3-BA) and its derivatives. The (5S, aS) isomers displayed significant antiplasmodial activity, suggesting their uptake might be mediated by the L-amino acid transport system. Stereochemistry only affected target binding for two subclasses, but led to significant differences in antimalarial activity for all subclasses, indicating that stereoselective uptake might be responsible for the enhanced activity of (5S, aS) isomers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marten Beeg, Sara Baroni, Arianna Piotti, Alessia Porta, Ada De Luigi, Alfredo Cagnotto, Marco Gobbi, Luisa Diomede, Mario Salmona
Summary: We developed and validated a technology platform for designing and testing peptides inhibiting the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based pseudoviruses. We generated a cyclic peptide library derived from the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The cyclic peptide c9_05 showed effective inhibition against the Wuhan and UK variants, but was negligible against the Omicron variant and the B.1.351 (South African) spike.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara Vicinanza, Francesca Annunziata, Desiree Pecora, Andrea Pinto, Lucia Tamborini
Summary: A facile and convenient lipase-catalyzed flow approach has been developed for synthesizing tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol methyl carbonates in neat dimethylcarbonate, with quantitative yield and high catalyst productivity. The biocatalytic approach can also be used for preparing value-added symmetrical tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol carbonates.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Agostina Colacicco, Giorgia Catinella, Cecilia Pinna, Alessandro Pellis, Stefano Farris, Lucia Tamborini, Sabrina Dallavalle, Francesco Molinari, Martina Letizia Contente, Andrea Pinto
Summary: An efficient one-pot, 2-step flow bioprocess has been developed for obtaining the aglycones of hesperidin (HES) and rutin (RT). The strategy involves co-immobilizing commercially available α-rhamnosidase and extremophilic β-glycosidase on glyoxyl-agarose beads to create a high-performing multi-active biocatalyst. By optimizing the reaction conditions and implementing a flow switch, the process achieves high productivity, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
G. Erol, P. Schmidt, A. Pancaro, J. Diaz, L. Polito, I. Nelissen, D. Spencer, M. De Simoni, M. Gobbi, S. Fumagalli
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael S. Christodoulou, Martina Letizia Contente, Sabrina Dallavalle, Andrea Pinto
Summary: A highly-productive strategy using an acyltransferase from Mycobacterium smegmatis was developed for the preparation of aminooxo-acids in water. The reaction showed excellent yields and rapid reactions, and the process was considered to be cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The method was successfully applied for the preparation of a key intermediate in SAHA synthesis.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Fuying Zhu, Yamei Lin
Summary: In this study, a low-metal iron-supported catalyst (Fe20/NC-Mg) was reported for the efficient synthesis of quinoxaline compounds, using water as a solvent and without additional bases. The synergistic effect of FeNx site and Mg (OH)2 nanorods in the catalyst played a key role in achieving high yields (82-91%) in 16 examples. The gram-level synthesis and reusability of the catalysts after four cycles demonstrated its industrial application potential.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Mikhail Kozlov, Alexey Tyurin, Andrey Dmitrenok, Vyacheslav Rusak, Aleksander Fedorov, Igor Zavarzin, Yulia Volkova
Summary: This study presents a novel and practical synthesis method for phosphorus-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazolines using phosphorylthioformic acid hydrazides and ketones. The protocol demonstrates operational simplicity, availability of reagents, and tolerance towards different functional groups.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jisna Jose, Thomas Mathew
Summary: 2-Cyclopentenone and its derivatives are highly esteemed synthetic intermediates with exceptional utility in organic synthesis. They are favored structural motifs in numerous pharmaceutical drugs and natural products, highlighting their significance. The review discusses the various methods used to synthesize cyclopentenones from 2016 to 2023.
