Article
Chemistry, Applied
Run-Hui Ma, Wei Wang, Cai-Ping Hou, Yi-Fei Man, Zhi-Jing Ni, Kiran Thakur, Jian-Guo Zhang, Zhao-Jun Wei
Summary: It was found that bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glycosylated bovine serum albumin (GBSA) prepared in a nature deep eutectic solvent system show stronger interactions with kaempferol (Kae). GBSA-Kae nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited higher zeta-potential values, lower polydispersity index (PDI), higher encapsulation efficiency (EE), and loading capacity (LC) compared to BSA-Kae NPs. Structural characterization and stability analysis confirmed the stability of GBSA-Kae NPs. This study provides a theoretical foundation for improving the solubility and stability of Kae during its delivery and transport.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Alexandra N. Kovacs, Norbert Varga, Adam Juhasz, Edit Csapo
Summary: A protein-polysaccharide-based potential nanocarrier system has been developed using a simple, one-step preparation method, avoiding long-term heating and the use of hard to remove crosslinking agents, surfactants, and toxic organic solvents. The pH-dependent quantitative relationship between BSA and HyA has been detailed in this study, with the particle charge titrations studies supporting a core-shell type structure of the colloidal complex nanoconjugates. The study also included drug encapsulation capacity and dissolution profiles for IBU and 2-PA as model drugs.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefano Liberi, Sara Linciano, Giulia Moro, Luca De Toni, Laura Cendron, Alessandro Angelini
Summary: Gemfibrozil is an orally administered lipid-regulating drug commonly used to treat hypertriglyceridemia and other lipid metabolism disorders. However, it can alter the distribution and concentration of co-administered drugs, potentially causing adverse effects. This study discovered the binding sites between Gemfibrozil and human serum albumin, providing a basis for the development of safer and more effective derivatives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam Juhasz, Gyongyi Gombar, Egon F. Varkonyi, Marek Wojnicki, Ditta Ungor, Edit Csapo
Summary: Fluorescent gold nanoclusters have been successfully used as fluorescent markers for imaging of cells and tissues, and their potential role in drug delivery monitoring is coming to the fore. In addition, the development of biosensors using structure-tunable fluorescent nanoclusters is also a prominent research field. The primary motivation of this article is to carry out a series of tests to partially fill the scientific gap in the thermodynamic characterization of the interaction between nanoclusters and relevant biomolecules/proteins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chanya Archapraditkul, Kanokwan Janon, Deanpen Japrung, Prapasiri Pongprayoon
Summary: Microalbuminuria level is a good indicator for diabetes and renal failure, but the loss of urinary albumin after preservation and storage hinders accurate testing. This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to reveal the structural and dynamic properties of albumin fragments. Short fragments lose their secondary structure, while larger polypeptides can maintain their folds. Fragment F8 (subdomain IIIB) is the most stable and could serve as an alternative biomarker. This research provides fundamental insights for clinical albumin detection, sample stability, and urine peptidomics analysis.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julita A. Talaj, Kamil Zielinski, Anna Bujacz
Summary: Serum albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining the appropriate free drug concentration in the blood. This study compares the crystal structures of albumin complexes from three different animal species with diclofenac, a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The analysis reveals both common and unique binding sites for diclofenac in these albumins, none of which overlap with those in human serum albumin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Antonello Merlino
Summary: This article highlights the binding between anticancer metallodrugs and human serum albumin (HSA), as well as the effect on HSA structure. The study discusses the possibility of using metallodrug/HSA adducts as anticancer agents. It is found that metal compounds can bind with HSA through coordinative bonds and non-covalent interactions, primarily at specific binding sites in the HSA structure, such as Cys34, His105, His146, etc. This research can contribute to the design of new metallodrugs with improved pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Mingmin Zhang, Robin A. Hutchinson
Summary: Three process variations were developed to synthesize dextran-bovine serum albumin (BSA) model conjugate through the Maillard reaction and a Schiff base-Amadori solid phase rearrangement mechanism. The purified conjugate solution was further heated to form nanogels with a hydrodynamic diameter of 195-400 nm.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jitti Niramitranon, Deanpen Japrung, Apaporn Boonmee, Skorn Koonawootrittriron, Thanathip Suwanasopee, Danai Jattawa, Prapasiri Pongprayoon
Summary: Porcine serum albumin (PSA) is a potential biomarker for detecting pork contamination in halal beef products. Molecular dynamic simulations were used to understand the properties of PSA, which showed high hydrophobicity and unique electrostatic properties. Unlike Bovine serum albumin (BSA), PSA does not have a large electropositive patch, making it distinguishable from BSA. The larger drug binding pockets of PSA compared to other albumins indicate its ability to accommodate a wider range of ligands.
MOLECULAR SIMULATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiahui Dai, Chao Chen, Man Yin, Huixing Li, Wenbo Li, Zhaowei Zhang, Qian Wang, Zhongyu Du, Xiangyu Xu, Yunfei Wang
Summary: Three different shapes of gold nanoparticles were synthesized and studied for their interactions with human serum albumin (HSA). The results showed that the three types of gold nanoparticles have different binding abilities and abilities to induce conformational changes in HSA.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Abdul Hadi Mahmud, Nurul Mahira Salahuddin, Abdul Mutalib Md Jani, Noor Fitrah Abu Bakar, Siti Aimi Sarah Zainal Abidin, Zainiharyati Mohd Zain, Kim-Fatt Low
Summary: A voltammetric immunosensor was developed for detecting porcine serum albumin (PSA) in raw meat products adulterated with pork. The study utilized nanoporous alumina (NPA) millirods as the biorecognition platform, which were covalently bioconjugated with anti-PSA antibodies. The PSA was then tagged with gold nanoparticles as the signaling probe and quantified using voltammetric analysis. The immunosensor showed high specificity and sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 50 pg/mL. Real-world applicability was successfully validated using pork/beef adulterated mixtures with a limit of detection of 0.05% (w/w).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dipak Kumar Sahoo, Souradip Dasgupta, Tanuja Kistwal, Anindya Datta
Summary: This paper investigates the binding interactions between Human serum albumin (HSA) and Znsalampy using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The binding constant is estimated from the quenching of HSA's single Trp residue by Znsalampy. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is used to monitor the protein-ligand binding. The location of Znsalampy in its complex with HSA is determined through competitive binding experiments and molecular docking calculations. The Znsalampy-HSA interaction falls within the ideal range for biological applications and Znsalampy is found to be in proximity to Sudlow's site I. The esterase activity of HSA is unaffected in the presence of Znsalampy. Thus, Znsalampy may be a potential probe and biomarker in biomedical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mojtaba Azari-Anpar, Kambiz Jahanbin, Pascal Degraeve, Farideh Tabatabaei Yazdi, Isabelle Adt, Nadia Oulahal, Didier Le Cerf
Summary: This paper describes the structural elucidation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides P35 exopolysaccharide (EPS-LM) produced by a goat cheese isolate. The analysis included determination of optical rotation degree, macromolecular characterization, sugar units and methylation analyses, FT-IR, 1D NMR spectroscopy, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. EPS-LM was found to be a high molecular weight dextran composed of D-glucose units with α(1 → 6) linkages and α(1 → 3) branches. The interaction between EPS-LM and bovine serum albumin was investigated using surface plasmon resonance, revealing the involvement of van der Waals and hydrogen binding forces. The findings suggest potential applications of Ln. mesenteroides P35α-D-glucan in the biopolymer, medical, and food industries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lu Ding, Yanyu Zhao, Huihui Li, Qiujuan Zhang, Weiting Yang, Bo Fu, Qinhe Pan
Summary: Fluorescent probes with in-situ visual feature have gained attention for detecting doxycycline (DC), a widely used tetracycline antibiotic in animal husbandry. Bovine serum albumin-capped gold nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) were used as a ratiometric fluorescent probe to selectively detect DC among tetracycline antibiotics. BSA-AuNCs showed the highest response toward DC, with simple synthesis, short response time (1 min), and low detection limit. This work proposes an efficient strategy for designing fluorescent probes to selectively detect DC among tetracycline antibiotics.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Korey P. Carter, Katherine M. Shield, Kurt F. Smith, Zachary R. Jones, Jennifer N. Wacker, Leticia Arnedo-Sanchez, Tracy M. Mattox, Liane M. Moreau, Karah E. Knope, Stosh A. Kozimor, Corwin H. Booth, Rebecca J. Abergel
Summary: Transplutonium elements are a group of metals at the edge of the periodic table, with properties that are less predictable due to their scarcity and radioactivity. Studies on the heaviest element einsteinium highlight the need for further exploration of actinide elements, especially those that are scarce and short-lived.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Damiano Cirri, Lorenzo Chiaverini, Alessandro Pratesi, Tiziano Marzo
Summary: Since the accidental discovery of cisplatin, numerous inorganic molecules have been synthesized in search of new anticancer drugs with powerful activity and safety. Unfortunately, the ideal combination has yet to be achieved. Apart from cisplatin, only two platinum-based drugs, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, have been approved globally, both of which are cisplatin-like molecules. Therefore, we aim to summarize the reasons for the lack of newly approved molecules and rationalize the critical steps in the discovery and approval process of improved anticancer metallodrugs, stimulating an open and critical scientific debate.
COMMENTS ON INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Francesca Binacchi, Cassandra Elia, Damiano Cirri, Corjan van de Griend, Xue-Quan Zhou, Luigi Messori, Sylvestre Bonnet, Alessandro Pratesi, Tarita Biver
Summary: Metal compounds are attractive ligands for various nucleic acids. Five metal complexes with aminopyridyl-2,2'-bipyridine tetradentate ligands and quasi-planar geometry were studied for their binding to different nucleic acid molecules. The binding preferences and structural features of the metal complexes were analyzed using spectroscopy and melting methods.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Canil, Juan Gurruchaga-Pereda, Simona Braccini, Lorella Marchetti, Tiziana Funaioli, Fabio Marchetti, Alessandro Pratesi, Luca Salassa, Chiara Gabbiani
Summary: Photoactivatable Pt(IV) prodrugs have great potential as metal-based drugs due to their chemical inertness in oxidized form and selective targeting compared to Pt(II) compounds. A new Pt(IV) complex, soluble in water and unreactive until reduction, was synthesized. The complex exhibited rapid and efficient photoreduction with visible light, facilitated by a catalytic system based on flavin and NADH. The reactivity of the prodrug against biological targets was only observed after photoreduction to its Pt(II) analogue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ester Giorgi, Francesca Binacchi, Carlo Marotta, Damiano Cirri, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: Despite progress, cancer still poses challenges due to side effects, resistance, and poor selectivity of current metal-based therapies. New strategies reviewed include using heterobimetallic complexes containing different metal centers and conjugating metal complexes to target cancer cells. Examples of targeting organelles and the entire cancer cell were highlighted.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damiano Cirri, Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Michele Mannelli, Tania Gamberi, Francesca Magherini, Matteo Becatti, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi, Luigi Messori
Summary: A panel of four novel gold(I) complexes, inspired by the clinically established gold drug auranofin, were prepared and characterized. The differences in their interactions with model proteins were analyzed, and their cytotoxic effects on ovarian cancer cells were quantitated. These novel gold complexes showed potential as effective anticancer agents.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Carlo Marotta, Ester Giorgi, Francesca Binacchi, Damiano Cirri, Chiara Gabbiani, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: The discovery of cisplatin's antineoplastic properties in 1965 renewed the interest in metal complexes for medicinal applications. Researchers have been studying safer and more effective alternatives to cisplatin, including platinum(IV)-based compounds. These compounds have attracted attention because they can be reduced in cells to activate the platinum center and offer advantages such as reducing side effects. This review summarizes the recent achievements in the field of Pt(IV) prodrugs.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mikel Bernabeu de Maria, Diego Tesauro, Filippo Prencipe, Michele Saviano, Luigi Messori, Christine Enjalbal, Ryszard Lobinski, Luisa Ronga
Summary: Methylmercury, mercury (II), and mercury (I) chlorides were found to react with vasopressin and its mono- and diselenium analogues to form various mercury-peptide adducts. The replacement of Cys by SeCys in vasopressin increased reactivity towards methylmercury, resulting in the formation of -Se/S-Hg-Se-bridged structures and subsequent demethylation of methylmercury. Competitive experiments showed that CH3HgCl preferred to react with the diselenium analogue rather than vasopressin. The diselenium peptide also demonstrated the ability to displace CH3Hg moieties bound to S in vasopressin. These findings suggest the potential use of selenopeptides for methylmercury chelation and detoxification strategies.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Luigi Messori
Summary: Gold compounds have shown promise as anticancer agents with innovative modes of action, targeting proteins rather than nucleic acids. Through ESI MS measurements, the reactions of various gold compounds with model proteins have been explored, revealing adduct formation and key features of these reactions. This review focuses on five gold compounds and their reactions with four biomolecular targets, showing that cytotoxic gold drugs selectively target cancer cell proteins, particularly cysteine and selenocysteine proteome, leading to severe damage and altered redox state, ultimately causing cancer cell death.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Geri, Lara Massai, Marko Novinec, Iztok Turel, Luigi Messori
Summary: Medicinal gold compounds exert their pharmacological effects by binding to protein targets. In this study, the reactions between seven representative gold compounds and the cysteine protease cathepsin B were explored, revealing strong interactions with the free cysteine in the enzyme. The findings suggest that the chemical nature of the gold compound plays a significant role in its interaction with proteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Damiano Cirri, Tiziano Marzo, Alessandro Pratesi
Summary: This article describes an unprecedented palladium/arsenic-based catalytic cycle for the hydration of nitriles to amides, which takes place under exceptionally mild conditions of neutral pH and moderate temperature (60°C). The versatility of this new catalytic cycle was tested on various nitriles, ranging from aliphatic to aromatic. The effect of ring substitution with electron withdrawing and electron donating groups, as well as potentially interferent functional groups such as hydroxy or pyridinic nitrogen, was investigated. Furthermore, a pilot study on the potential scalability of this approach for industrial production is presented, demonstrating its potential and rapid scale-up capability.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Veronica Ghini, Michele Mannelli, Lara Massai, Andrea Geri, Stefano Zineddu, Tania Gamberi, Luigi Messori, Paola Turano
Summary: NMR metabolomics is a valuable approach for studying changes in cancer cell metabolism caused by anticancer drugs. This study investigates the significant metabolic alterations induced by two cytotoxic gold carbene compounds in A2780 ovarian cancer cells and compares them to auranofin, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatrice Campanella, Simona Braccini, Giulio Bresciani, Michele De Franco, Valentina Gandin, Federica Chiellini, Alessandro Pratesi, Guido Pampaloni, Lorenzo Biancalana, Fabio Marchetti
Summary: Diiron vinyliminium complexes are promising organometallics with potential anticancer activity. The synthesis and evaluation of [Fe2Cp2(CO)(mu-CO){mu-eta(1):eta(3)-C(R-3)C(R-4)CN(R-1)(R-2)}]CF3SO3 (2a-c, 4a-d) complexes were performed, including their solubility in D2O, Log P-ow, stability in D2O/Me2SO-d(6) mixture, and antiproliferative activity against ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A2780cisR, as well as the nontumoral cell line Balb/3T3 clone A31. The cytotoxicity data of 50 vinyliminium complexes were correlated with the structural properties, showing a positive correlation between octanol-water partition coefficient and relative antiproliferative activity on ovarian cancer cell lines. However, the effects of different substituents provided guidelines for the development of novel, more effective compounds. Three additional complexes (4p-r) were designed, synthesized, and biologically investigated, revealing their ability to inhibit thioredoxin reductase enzyme and induce cancer cell production of reactive oxygen species.
