Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alfredo Pereira, Elizabeth Valdes-Munoz, Adolfo Marican, Gustavo Cabrera-Barjas, Sekar Vijayakumar, Oscar Valdes, Diana Rafael, Fernanda Andrade, Paulina Abaca, Daniel Bustos, Esteban F. Duran-Lara
Summary: Due to the growing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is a need for new antimicrobial treatment options. This study focused on the rational design of hydrogels as potential delivery systems for cationic antimicrobial peptides (cAMPs). The researchers used docking and Molecular Dynamics simulations to select the best hydrogel candidates based on their interaction with two types of cAMPs. The results showed that MN4-CM5-CL1 hydrogel (HG2) was the most promising candidate for future in vitro or in vivo experiments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Li, Long Chen, Nannan Shen, Rongzhen Xie, Matthew Sheridan, Xijian Chen, Daopeng Sheng, Duo Zhang, Zhifang Chai, Shuao Wang
Summary: Tc-99 is a long-lived radionuclide present in large amounts in used nuclear fuel. Designing anion-exchange materials with optimized Tc uptake property is a research goal beneficial for reducing the volume of secondary radioactive solid waste. However, challenges exist in the design philosophy with difficulties such as charge repulsion, steric hindrance, and insufficient reactive sites.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhi-Jun Li, Ji-Yu Liu, Yue Yu, Ke-Jian Chang, Huan Wang, Yi-Jun Li, Ke Gai
Summary: The development of high-performance ionic organic network (ION) adsorbents for water remediation is of great importance. In this study, the adsorption efficiency of IONs was optimized by increasing the density of charged sites and improving their accessibility. The researchers synthesized different organic network materials and found that materials with higher ionic density exhibited higher adsorption efficiency, and the accessibility of active sites could be improved by using a hard template. Additionally, they successfully used the synthesized materials to capture CrO42- ions in water with fast adsorption kinetics and high adsorption capacity.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Marialuisa Piccolo, Maria Grazia Ferraro, Federica Raucci, Claudia Riccardi, Anella Saviano, Irene Russo Krauss, Marco Trifuoggi, Michele Caraglia, Luigi Paduano, Daniela Montesarchio, Francesco Maione, Gabriella Misso, Rita Santamaria, Carlo Irace
Summary: The article introduces a new nanosystem for breast cancer cells based on ruthenium(III) complexes with improved biochemical properties, addressing challenges in cancer treatment. This new approach shows promising efficacy and safety in recent preclinical studies, opening up potential for clinical trials in the future.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ramesh Singh, Pankaj Yadav, Hema Naveena, Dhiraj Bhatia
Summary: Self-assembled DNA nanocages have great potential in bioimaging and payload delivery. However, the cellular uptake of tetrahedral nanocages is hindered by electrostatic repulsion. In this study, we enhance the cellular uptake of DNA nanocages through the functionalization of a model cage with a cationic lipid. The results demonstrate the enhancement in cellular uptake and suggest multiple applications in gene transfection, drug delivery, and targeted bioimaging.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Indrajit Srivastava, Parikshit Moitra, Muhammad Fayyaz, Subhendu Pandit, Taylor L. Kampert, Parinaz Fathi, Hamideh Rezvani Alanagh, Ketan Dighe, Maha Alafeef, Katherine Vuong, Musarrat Jabeen, Shuming Nie, Joseph Irudayaraj, Dipanjan Pan
Summary: This study presents a facile synthetic methodology for preparing multicolor carbon dots by controlling their optical properties through surface-state cross-linking of carboxylic acid groups. The changes in cellular internalization of these cross-linked CDs were demonstrated and validated using various characterization tools. Additionally, a triple-channel sensor array was fabricated to confirm the surface-state controlled PL mechanisms of these CDs for the identification of different analytes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatyana V. Popova, Inna A. Pyshnaya, Olga D. Zakharova, Andrey E. Akulov, Oleg B. Shevelev, Julia Poletaeva, Evgenii L. Zavjalov, Vladimir N. Silnikov, Elena I. Ryabchikova, Tatyana S. Godovikova
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of a theranostic system by conjugating anticancer nucleotides or boron-neutron capture therapy drugs to human serum albumin and reacting with gold nanoparticles. Despite a long circulation time, the accumulation of the therapeutic conjugates in the tumor was not significant.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Victor Gonzalez-Ruiz, Angel Cores, Olmo Martin-Camara, Karen Orellana, Victor Cervera-Carrascon, Patrycja Michalska, Ana I. Olives, Rafael Leon, M. Antonia Martin, J. Carlos Menendez
Summary: The use of cyclodextrins as drug nano-carrier systems for drug delivery is gaining importance in the pharmaceutical industry due to the interesting pharmacokinetic properties of the resulting inclusion complexes. This study showed that the complexes of camptothecin and luotonin A with cyclodextrins can enhance antitumor activity, suggesting potential for stable analogues of camptothecin in cancer treatment.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Wenjuan Qu, Yuhan Li, Ting Xiong, Yuhang Feng, Haile Ma, Nelson Dzidzorgbe Kwaku Akpabli-Tsigbe
Summary: The calcium-chelating zein peptide (Ca-ZP) showed high stability, antioxidant, and ACE inhibitory activities, along with a strong calcium-binding capacity and absorption bioavailability. This work offers a promising approach for preparing calcium-chelating zein peptides with potential applications as calcium supplements, antioxidants, and antihypertensive products.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beihua Xu, Li Yuan, Ying Hu, Zhiyuan Xu, Jiang-Jiang Qin, Xiang-Dong Cheng
Summary: In this study, fullerenol-DOX conjugates and folic acid-grafted FU-DOX conjugates were designed for improved selectivity and activity of DOX in cancer cells. Characterization showed that both conjugates had small diameter and low polydispersity, with pH sensitivity. The cellular uptake studies demonstrated enhanced intracellular accumulation of DOX and increased cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sarah Huff, Indrasena Reddy Kummetha, Lingzhi Zhang, Lingling Wang, William Bray, Jiekai Yin, Vanessa Kelley, Yinsheng Wang, Tariq M. Rana
Summary: In this study, a new class of FTO inhibitors with high selectivity against m(6)A RNA demethylase and potent antiproliferative effects in different cancer models were developed through rational design and optimization.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tania S. Morais, Fernanda Marques, Paulo J. Amorim Madeira, Maria Paula Robalo, Maria Helena Garcia
Summary: New water-soluble Ru(II) organometallic complexes with potential anticancer activity were synthesized and characterized. These complexes showed promising antiproliferative potential on breast adenocarcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines. Additionally, their interaction with human serum albumin was evaluated, highlighting their ability to strongly quench the intrinsic fluorescence of albumin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aynur Cot, Mustafa Cesme, Sultan Onur, Elif Aksakal, Irfan Sahin, Ferhan Tumer
Summary: New hybrid compounds belonging to the class of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles were synthesized and showed good antioxidant and anticancer activities. Compounds 6b and 6i exhibited the highest anticancer activity, potentially through interactions with fundamental residues in the binding pocket of MetAP-2.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Valentina Del Genio, Annarita Falanga, Emilie Allard-Vannier, Katel Herve-Aubert, Marilisa Leone, Rosa Bellavita, Rustem Uzbekov, Igor Chourpa, Stefania Galdiero
Summary: Self-assembled peptides have great potential as targeted drug delivery systems. In this study, self-assembled peptide-based nanofibers were developed with the inclusion of a cell-penetrating peptide and a matrix metalloproteinase-9 responsive sequence, enhancing the penetration and tumor-triggered cleavage to release Doxorubicin in Triple Negative Breast Cancer cells. The formulation was optimized and characterized. The loading and release kinetics of Doxo were studied in situ, and the cytotoxicity profiles were evaluated. The results confirm the promising potential of these nanofibers as novel nanovectors for Doxo delivery in Triple Negative Breast Cancer treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sarah Huff, Indrasena Reddy Kummetha, Lingzhi Zhang, Lingling Wang, William Bray, Jiekai Yin, Vanessa Kelley, Yinsheng Wang, Tariq M. Rana
Summary: Aberrant regulation of m(6)A RNA modification is implicated in the progression of multiple diseases, including cancer. A new class of FTO inhibitors derived from a previous lead FTO-04 has been designed with nanomolar potency and high selectivity against the homologous m(6)A RNA demethylase ALKBH5. These inhibitors show competitive activity against FTO and demonstrate potent antiproliferative effects in glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and gastric cancer models.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ester Colarusso, Sara Ceccacci, Maria Chiara Monti, Erica Gazzillo, Assunta Giordano, Maria Giovanna Chini, Maria Grazia Ferraro, Marialuisa Piccolo, Dafne Ruggiero, Carlo Irace, Stefania Terracciano, Ines Bruno, Giuseppe Bifulco, Gianluigi Lauro
Summary: Targeting bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9), a set of 2,4,5-trisubstituted-2,4-dihydro-3H- 1,2,4-triazol-3-one-based compounds was investigated for the development of new anticancer agents. Through in silico studies, chemical synthesis, biophysical and biological evaluation, compounds with promising selectivity and binding affinity for BRD9 were identified. The multidisciplinary approach used in this study accelerated the selection process and provided insights for the synthesis of novel BRD9 binders.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marco Campanile, Rosario Oliva, Gerardino D'Errico, Pompea Del Vecchio, Luigi Petraccone
Summary: LL-III is an anticancer peptide that can translocate across tumor cell membranes. However, the mechanism through which it enters the cell cytoplasm is still unknown. In this study, we used physico-chemical techniques to characterize the interaction of LL-III with liposomes resembling the lipid matrix of the tumor cell membrane. Our results show that the peptide selectively interacts with the model tumor cell membrane without disrupting the lipid bilayer, but alters its properties by promoting lipid reorganization and increasing membrane permeability.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierluigi Reveglia, Carmela Paolillo, Antonella Angiolillo, Gabriella Ferretti, Ruggero Angelico, Rossana Sirabella, Gaetano Corso, Carmela Matrone, Alfonso Di Costanzo
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population. It not only affects the brain, but also disturbs the overall metabolism of the body. Analysis of blood samples from patients with AD revealed significant dysregulation of metabolites, including upregulation of glycerophospholipids and ceramide, and downregulation of glutamic acid, other phospholipids, and sphingolipids. Pathway analysis showed that at least five metabolic pathways related to polar compounds were dysregulated in AD patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Grazia Ferraro, Marco Bocchetti, Claudia Riccardi, Marco Trifuoggi, Luigi Paduano, Daniela Montesarchio, Gabriella Misso, Rita Santamaria, Marialuisa Piccolo, Carlo Irace
Summary: Based on strong preclinical evidence, this study focuses on the treatment of challenging indications, such as TNBC, using a novel ruthenium-based metallotherapeutics. An experimental model was used to validate the potential of the liposomal nanoformulation HoThyRu/DOTAP, which effectively delivered the antiproliferative compound AziRu to inhibit TNBC cell growth, migration, and invasion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Platella, Andrea Criscuolo, Claudia Riccardi, Rosa Gaglione, Angela Arciello, Domenica Musumeci, Marina DellaGreca, Daniela Montesarchio
Summary: Despite their well-known and various bioactivities, in-depth studies on the interaction of natural compounds with cancer-related G-quadruplex structures have only recently been undertaken. In this study, a mini-library of phenanthrenoid analogues was investigated for their selective recognition of G-quadruplexes. Compounds 3 and 6 emerged as the most selective and active ligands, targeting the grooves/flanking residues of G-quadruplex structures. These compounds showed a preference for the hybrid telomeric G-quadruplex and exhibited anticancer activity in human cancer cells. Overall, these compounds are promising starting scaffolds for the design of analogues with high and selective anticancer activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Platella, Francesca Ghirga, Domenica Musumeci, Deborah Quaglio, Pasquale Zizza, Sara Iachettini, Carmen D'Angelo, Annamaria Biroccio, Bruno Botta, Mattia Mori, Daniela Montesarchio
Summary: In this study, five natural compounds were investigated as analogs of promising G-quadruplex-targeting ligands to identify highly effective and selective anticancer candidates. Among them, Dicentrine was found to be the most effective ligand for telomeric and oncogenic G-quadruplexes, showing good selectivity. In-depth studies demonstrated that Dicentrine thermally stabilizes G-quadruplexes without affecting the control duplex, with higher affinity for G-quadruplex structures. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that Dicentrine preferentially binds the G-quadruplex groove or the outer G-tetrad. Biological assays confirmed that Dicentrine promotes potent and selective anticancer activity by inducing cell cycle arrest through apoptosis, targeting G-quadruplex structures at telomeres.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rodolfo Esposito, Immacolata Speciale, Cristina De Castro, Gerardino D'Errico, Irene Russo Krauss
Summary: To protect human and environmental health, researchers are focusing on discovering and developing new molecules with high biocompatibility and biodegradability. Surfactants are particularly urgent in this matter, and biosurfactants derived from microorganisms are a promising alternative. Rhamnolipids, a well-known family of biosurfactants, have been extensively studied for their production and physicochemical characterization, although a clear structure-function relationship is still lacking. This review aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of the physicochemical properties of rhamnolipids under different solution conditions and their structure, while also addressing unresolved issues for their potential replacement of conventional surfactants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita Argenziano, Maria Laura Alfieri, Noemi Gallucci, Gerardino D'Errico, Lucia Panzella, Alessandra Napolitano
Summary: The search for new synthetic melanin-related pigments with antioxidant and photoprotective properties is important for dermo-cosmetic purposes. In this study, a melanin derived from 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) was synthesized and found to have similar structural properties to DHICA melanin. The synthesized pigment demonstrated stronger UV-visible absorption and improved solubility compared to DHICA melanin. Furthermore, the pigment exhibited marked antioxidant properties and enhanced inhibitory action against lipid peroxidation. These findings suggest that the melanin derived from DHICA has potential as a functional ingredient in dermo-cosmetic formulations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Riccardi, Antonella Campanella, Daniela Montesarchio, Pompea Del Vecchio, Rosario Oliva, Luigi Paduano
Summary: Ruthenium(III) complexes show promise as metal-based anticancer drugs. This study investigates the interaction of a Ru(III) complex embedded in a liposomal nanosystem with human serum proteins HSA and hTf, using fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The results suggest that the nanosystem can interact with the serum proteins without affecting their secondary structures.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruggero Angelico, Claudio Colombo, Erika Di Iorio, Martin Brtnicky, Jakub Fojt, Pellegrino Conte
Summary: Natural organic matter, such as humic substances (HS), is composed of complex structures stabilized by various interactions. Different models have been proposed to describe the physicochemical properties of HS, including a hydrogel-like structure or mass/surface fractals. This study critically reviews and revisits these models, aiming to provide key insights into the structural organization of HS and their roles in the environment.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Flaviana Di Lorenzo, Simone Nicolardi, Roberta Marchetti, Adele Vanacore, Noemi Gallucci, Katarzyna Duda, Ferran Nieto Fabregat, Ha Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Djamel Gully, James Saenz, Eric Giraud, Luigi Paduano, Antonio Molinaro, Gerardino D'Errico, Alba Silipo
Summary: The ability of Methylobacterium extorquens to grow on methanol as the sole carbon and energy source is influenced by the composition and function of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane. The LPS of M. extorquens is unique, with non-phosphorylated and heavily O-methylated core oligosaccharides, and a distinctive lipid A structure. These chemical features impact the resistance of the membrane to methanol, regulating membrane ordering and dynamics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michele Porto, Ruggero Angelico, Pietro Calandra, Valeria Loise, Abraham A. Abe, Cesare Oliviero Rossi, Paolino Caputo
Summary: In this investigation, the dynamics of two types of bitumens with different penetration grade were tested under unaged conditions and upon short- and long-term artificial aging using DSR and NMR. The study found that the gel-sol transition temperature increased with aging time, and unexpectedly, the viscosity parameters were correlated with those of simple liquids, indicating a shared basic process at the molecular level. NMR techniques were used to investigate the molecular dynamics, including self-diffusion coefficients and relaxation times, and it was found that the translational diffusion and relaxation times showed broad distributions and continuous unimodal distributions, respectively.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Virginia Venezia, Mariavittoria Verrillo, Noemi Gallucci, Rocco Di Girolamo, Giuseppina Luciani, Gerardino D'Errico, Luigi Paduano, Alessandro Piccolo, Giuseppe Vitiello
Summary: The waste-to-wealth strategy promotes the design of new value-added materials using biowastes. Humic Acids (HA) are intriguing due to their supramolecular associations, which enable adsorption, chelation, redox behavior, and antibacterial activity. Combining HA with semiconductor nanoparticles allows for the creation of nanostructured hybrids with advanced properties. The study provides insights into producing low-cost organo-inorganic nanomaterials with redox and biocide properties to address environmental and health issues.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
