Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tomislav Roncevic, Marco Gerdol, Mario Mardirossian, Matko Males, Svjetlana Cvjetan, Monica Benincasa, Ana Maravic, Goran Gajski, Lucija Krce, Ivica Aviani, Jerko Hrabar, Zeljka Trumbic, Maik Derks, Alberto Pallavicini, Markus Weingarth, Larisa Zoranic, Alessandro Tossi, Ivona Mladineo
Summary: This study reveals the important role of antimicrobial peptides in the survival of the marine parasite Anisakis and elucidates their mechanism of action against bacterial infections. These peptides exhibit potent bactericidal activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains, making them promising candidates for further drug development.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chiara Manfrin, Luca Mirimin, Massimo Zanetti, Elisabetta Pizzul, Piero G. Giulianini, Alberto Pallavicini
Summary: This study developed and validated a new species-specific assay based on hydrolysis probe chemistry to detect P. parva environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples collected in northern Italy. The results from both qPCR and qdPCR techniques showed similar findings, indicating the potential of the newly developed eDNA approach for monitoring topmouth gudgeon in freshwater ecosystems.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Amy M. Campbell, Chris Hauton, Craig Baker-Austin, Ronny van Aerle, Jaime Martinez-Urtaza
Summary: This review proposes a framework that combines genomic evolutionary analysis with climate time-series data to understand past and future evolutionary pathogen responses to climate change. Recommendations are presented to increase the feasibility of interdisciplinary applications, including the importance of robust spatiotemporal metadata accompanying genome submission to databases. These workflows will inform accessible public health tools and early-warning systems to aid decision-making and mitigate future human health threats.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
H. Thatcher, T. Stamp, D. Wilcockson, P. J. Moore
Summary: As offshore wind energy developments increase globally, it is crucial to understand their impact on the marine environment. This study focused on the movements and habitat utilization of European lobsters within an offshore wind farm. The results suggest that certain areas within the wind farm provide suitable habitat for lobsters due to the artificial reef effects created by the addition of artificial hard substrate. This highlights the potential fishery opportunities in future offshore wind farm developments.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Ivona Mladineo, Tomislav Roncevic, Marco Gerdol, Alessandro Tossi
Summary: Parasitic helminths have developed host defense peptides (HDPs) and proteins to modulate the microbiome and defend against pathogenic isolates. These HDPs often have membranolytic activity towards bacteria, while being non-toxic to host cells. The study on helminthic HDPs is still largely underexplored and this review promotes their research as potential leads for combating antibiotic resistance.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nicolo Gualandi, Davide Fracarossi, Damiano Riommi, Marco Sollitto, Samuele Greco, Mario Mardirossian, Sabrina Pacor, Tiago Hori, Alberto Pallavicini, Marco Gerdol
Summary: Mussels have a highly efficient innate immune system that allows them to tolerate infections well. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in mussels exhibit gene presence/absence variation (PAV), resulting in a unique repertoire of defense molecules for each individual. The CRP-I gene cluster in the blue mussel was characterized, revealing the presence of numerous paralogous genes and pseudogenes. These CRP-I peptides are unlikely to function as antimicrobial agents or protease inhibitors, but they may play a role in defense against eukaryotic parasites.
Article
Zoology
Alberto Ugolini, Takahiko Hariyama, David C. Wilcockson, Luca Mercatelli
Summary: Many species of insects and crustaceans use celestial polarization as a compass cue. However, the sandhopper Talitrus saltator does not utilize skylight polarization as a compass cue when navigating sandy shores. Through tests conducted in confined conditions, it has been confirmed that T. saltator perceives polarized light and uses radiance gradients as compass cues in zonal orientation.
ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Annalisa Scapolatiello, Chiara Manfrin, Samuele Greco, Tomislav Roncevic, Alberto Pallavicini, Sanja Puljas, Marco Gerdol
Summary: The cave systems of the Neretva River basin in the Dinaric Karst are home to the endangered stygobiotic bivalve mollusk Congeria kusceri, which is facing rapid decline due to habitat degradation and lack of effective conservation regulations. The alteration of seasonal changes in water temperatures and alkalinity is likely involved in its disappearance, as it affects shell growth, spawning, and gametogenic cycles. RNA sequencing reveals tissue-specific gene expression and a shift in energy allocation towards reproductive organs during early autumn.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chiara Manfrin, Saul Ciriaco, Marco Segarich, Andrea Aiello, Fiorella Florian, Massimo Avian, Antonio Terlizzi, Piero G. Giulianini, Maurizio Spoto, Alberto Pallavicini
Summary: A species-specific assay based on hydrolysis probe chemistry was developed to detect Haplosporidium pinnae DNA in feces and pseudofeces of Pinna nobilis. The assay successfully detected H. pinnae in the feces of fan mussels in spring but not during summer. This noninvasive method can be used to monitor early-stage H. pinnae infections and routinely screen for the pathogen in live fan mussels and other environmental matrices.
Article
Fisheries
Samuele Greco, Giacomo Voltarel, Anastasia Serena Gaetano, Chiara Manfrin, Alberto Pallavicini, Piero Giulio Giulianini, Marco Gerdol
Summary: Antarctica is an extreme continent with freezing temperatures and harsh conditions, but the Antarctic Ocean is surprisingly diverse in terms of living organisms. This study focuses on the Antarctic scallop Adamussium colbecki and investigates its molecular adaptations to survive in freezing waters. The analysis reveals over-expression of genes involved in mRNA regulation, protein degradation, and cytoskeletal maintenance, shedding light on the adaptive traits of this species.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Letizia Pugnetti, Debora Curci, Carlotta Bidoli, Marco Gerdol, Fulvio Celsi, Sara Renzo, Monica Paci, Sara Lega, Martina Nonnis, Alessandra Maestro, Liza Vecchi Brumatti, Paolo Lionetti, Alberto Pallavicini, Danilo Licastro, Paolo Edomi, Giuliana Decorti, Gabriele Stocco, Marianna Lucafo, Matteo Bramuzzo
Summary: Thalidomide acts as an effective immunomodulator in pediatric IBD patients through its interaction with CRBN, which mediates the degradation of target proteins. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed changes in gene expression after thalidomide treatment, affecting pathways related to calcium ion concentration and intracellular signaling. Connectivity Map analysis confirmed the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in thalidomide's immunomodulatory effects. In vitro experiments further validated the alterations observed in patients. These findings provide new potential targets for understanding thalidomide's mechanism in pediatric IBD.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Lisetto, Mariagiulia Fattorini, Andrea Lanza, Marco Gerdol, Martin Griffin, Zhuo Wang, Fortunato Ferrara, Daniele Sblattero
Summary: Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional protein involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Its role in these processes is controversial due to different effects depending on localization, cell type, or experimental conditions. This study characterized the enzymatic and functional properties of TG2 proteins in zebrafish and demonstrated their similarities to the human ortholog.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)