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Gigli L, Silva JM, Cerofolini L, Macedo AL, Geraldes CFGC, Suturina EA, Calderone V, Fragai M, Parigi G, Ravera E, Luchinat C. Machine Learning-Enhanced Quantum Chemistry-Assisted Refinement of the Active Site Structure of Metalloproteins. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:10713-10725. [PMID: 38805564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c01274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the fine structural details of inhibitor binding at the active site of metalloenzymes can have a profound impact on the rational drug design targeted to this broad class of biomolecules. Structural techniques such as NMR, cryo-EM, and X-ray crystallography can provide bond lengths and angles, but the uncertainties in these measurements can be as large as the range of values that have been observed for these quantities in all the published structures. This uncertainty is far too large to allow for reliable calculations at the quantum chemical (QC) levels for developing precise structure-activity relationships or for improving the energetic considerations in protein-inhibitor studies. Therefore, the need arises to rely upon computational methods to refine the active site structures well beyond the resolution obtained with routine application of structural methods. In a recent paper, we have shown that it is possible to refine the active site of cobalt(II)-substituted MMP12, a metalloprotein that is a relevant drug target, by matching to the experimental pseudocontact shifts (PCS) those calculated using multireference ab initio QC methods. The computational cost of this methodology becomes a significant bottleneck when the starting structure is not sufficiently close to the final one, which is often the case with biomolecular structures. To tackle this problem, we have developed an approach based on a neural network (NN) and a support vector regression (SVR) and applied it to the refinement of the active site structure of oxalate-inhibited human carbonic anhydrase 2 (hCAII), another prototypical metalloprotein target. The refined structure gives a remarkably good agreement between the QC-calculated and the experimental PCS. This study not only contributes to the knowledge of CAII but also demonstrates the utility of combining machine learning (ML) algorithms with QC calculations, offering a promising avenue for investigating other drug targets and complex biological systems in general.
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Di Cesare F, Calgaro M, Ghini V, Squarzanti DF, De Prisco A, Visciglia A, Zanetta P, Rolla R, Savoia P, Amoruso A, Azzimonti B, Vitulo N, Tenori L, Luchinat C, Pane M. Exploring the Effects of Probiotic Treatment on Urinary and Serum Metabolic Profiles in Healthy Individuals. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:3866-3878. [PMID: 37970754 PMCID: PMC10696601 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. They are used to promote gut health and alleviate various disorders. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the potential effects of probiotics on human physiology. In the presented study, the effects of probiotic treatment on the metabolic profiles of human urine and serum using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomic approach were investigated. Twenty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study, and they received two different dosages of probiotics for 8 weeks. During the study, urine and serum samples were collected from volunteers before and during probiotic supplementation. The results showed that probiotics had a significant impact on the urinary and serum metabolic profiles without altering their phenotypes. This study demonstrated the effects of probiotics in terms of variations of metabolite levels resulting also from the different probiotic posology. Overall, the results suggest that probiotic administration may affect both urine and serum metabolomes, although more research is needed to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of these effects. NMR-based metabonomic analysis of biofluids is a powerful tool for monitoring host-gut microflora dynamic interaction as well as for assessing the individual response to probiotic treatment.
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Ghini V, Meoni G, Vignoli A, Di Cesare F, Tenori L, Turano P, Luchinat C. Fingerprinting and profiling in metabolomics of biosamples. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 138-139:105-135. [PMID: 38065666 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on metabolomics from an NMR point of view. It attempts to cover the broad scope of metabolomics and describes the NMR experiments that are most suitable for each sample type. It is addressed not only to NMR specialists, but to all researchers who wish to approach metabolomics with a clear idea of what they wish to achieve but not necessarily with a deep knowledge of NMR. For this reason, some technical parts may seem a bit naïve to the experts. The review starts by describing standard metabolomics procedures, which imply the use of a dedicated 600 MHz instrument and of four properly standardized 1D experiments. Standardization is a must if one wants to directly compare NMR results obtained in different labs. A brief mention is also made of standardized pre-analytical procedures, which are even more essential. Attention is paid to the distinction between fingerprinting and profiling, and the advantages and disadvantages of fingerprinting are clarified. This aspect is often not fully appreciated. Then profiling, and the associated problems of signal assignment and quantitation, are discussed. We also describe less conventional approaches, such as the use of different magnetic fields, the use of signal enhancement techniques to increase sensitivity, and the potential of field-shuttling NMR. A few examples of biomedical applications are also given, again with the focus on NMR techniques that are most suitable to achieve each particular goal, including a description of the most common heteronuclear experiments. Finally, the growing applications of metabolomics to foodstuffs are described.
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Ghini V, Vieri W, Celli T, Pecchioli V, Boccia N, Alonso-Vásquez T, Pelagatti L, Fondi M, Luchinat C, Bertini L, Vannucchi V, Landini G, Turano P. COVID-19: A complex disease with a unique metabolic signature. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011787. [PMID: 37943960 PMCID: PMC10662774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasma of COVID-19 patients contains a strong metabolomic/lipoproteomic signature, revealed by the NMR analysis of a cohort of >500 patients sampled during various waves of COVID-19 infection, corresponding to the spread of different variants, and having different vaccination status. This composite signature highlights common traits of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The most dysregulated molecules display concentration trends that scale with disease severity and might serve as prognostic markers for fatal events. Metabolomics evidence is then used as input data for a sex-specific multi-organ metabolic model. This reconstruction provides a comprehensive view of the impact of COVID-19 on the entire human metabolism. The human (male and female) metabolic network is strongly impacted by the disease to an extent dictated by its severity. A marked metabolic reprogramming at the level of many organs indicates an increase in the generic energetic demand of the organism following infection. Sex-specific modulation of immune response is also suggested.
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Vignoli A, Miolo G, Tenori L, Buonadonna A, Lombardi D, Steffan A, Scalone S, Luchinat C, Corona G. Novel metabolomics-biohumoral biomarkers model for predicting survival of metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas. iScience 2023; 26:107678. [PMID: 37752948 PMCID: PMC10518687 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare malignant tumors that are difficult to prognosticate using currently available instruments. Omics sciences could provide more accurate and individualized survival predictions for patients with metastatic STS. In this pilot, hypothesis-generating study, we integrated clinicopathological variables with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) plasma metabolomic and lipoproteomic profiles, capturing both tumor and host characteristics, to identify novel prognostic biomarkers of 2-year survival. Forty-five metastatic STS (mSTS) patients with prevalent leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma histotypes receiving trabectedin treatment were enrolled. A score combining acetate, triglycerides low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-2, and red blood cell count was developed, and it predicts 2-year survival with optimal results in the present cohort (84.4% sensitivity, 84.6% specificity). This score is statistically significant and independent of other prognostic factors such as age, sex, tumor grading, tumor histotype, frailty status, and therapy administered. A nomogram based on these 3 biomarkers has been developed to inform the clinical use of the present findings.
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Carniato F, Ricci M, Tei L, Garello F, Furlan C, Terreno E, Ravera E, Parigi G, Luchinat C, Botta M. Novel Nanogels Loaded with Mn(II) Chelates as Effective and Biologically Stable MRI Probes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2302868. [PMID: 37345577 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Here it is described nanogels (NG) based on a chitosan matrix, which are covalently stabilized by a bisamide derivative of Mn-t-CDTA (t-CDTA = trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid). the Mn(II) complex acts both as a contrast medium and as a cross-linking agent. These nanogels are proposed as an alternative to the less stable paramagnetic nanogels obtained by electrostatic interactions between the polymeric matrix and paramagnetic Gd(III) chelates. The present novel nanogels show: i) relaxivity values seven times higher than that of typical monohydrated Mn(II) chelates at the clinical fields, thanks to the combination of a restricted mobility of the complex with a fast exchange of the metal-bound water molecule; ii) high stability of the formulation over time at pH 5 and under physiological conditions, thus excluding metal leaking or particles aggregation; iii) good extravasation and accumulation, with a maximum contrast achieved at 24 h post-injection in mice bearing subcutaneous breast cancer tumor; iv) high T1 contrast (1 T) in the tumor 24 h post-injection. These improved properties pave the way for the use of these paramagnetic nanogels as promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes for in vitro and in vivo preclinical applications.
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Cerofolini L, Vasa K, Bianconi E, Salobehaj M, Cappelli G, Bonciani A, Licciardi G, Pérez-Ràfols A, Padilla-Cortés L, Antonacci S, Rizzo D, Ravera E, Viglianisi C, Calderone V, Parigi G, Luchinat C, Macchiarulo A, Menichetti S, Fragai M. Combining Solid-State NMR with Structural and Biophysical Techniques to Design Challenging Protein-Drug Conjugates. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202303202. [PMID: 37276329 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202303202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Several protein-drug conjugates are currently being used in cancer therapy. These conjugates rely on cytotoxic organic compounds that are covalently attached to the carrier proteins or that interact with them via non-covalent interactions. Human transthyretin (TTR), a physiological protein, has already been identified as a possible carrier protein for the delivery of cytotoxic drugs. Here we show the structure-guided development of a new stable cytotoxic molecule based on a known strong binder of TTR and a well-established anticancer drug. This example is used to demonstrate the importance of the integration of multiple biophysical and structural techniques, encompassing microscale thermophoresis, X-ray crystallography and NMR. In particular, we show that solid-state NMR has the ability to reveal effects caused by ligand binding which are more easily relatable to structural and dynamical alterations that impact the stability of macromolecular complexes.
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Mulder FAA, Tenori L, Licari C, Luchinat C. Practical considerations for rapid and quantitative NMR-based metabolomics. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2023; 352:107462. [PMID: 37141802 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2023.107462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
NMR is a key technology for metabolomics because of its robustness and reproducibility. Herein we discuss practical considerations that extend the utility of NMR spectroscopy. First, the long T1 spin relaxation times of small molecules limits high-throughput data acquisition because most experimental time is lost while waiting for signal recovery. In principle, the addition of a small amount of commercially-available paramagnetic gadolinium chelate allows cost-effective and efficient high-throughput mixture analysis with correct concentration determination. However, idle time caused by slow temperature regulation during sample exchanges, poses a next constraint. We show how, with proper care, NMR sample scanning times can be reduced additionally by a factor of two. Lastly, we describe how equidistant bucketing is a simple and fast procedure for metabolomic fingerprinting. The combination of these advancements help to make NMR metabolomics more versatile than it is today.
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Franzoi M, Niero G, Meoni G, Tenori L, Luchinat C, Penasa M, Cassandro M, De Marchi M. Effectiveness of mid-infrared spectroscopy for the prediction of cow milk metabolites. J Dairy Sci 2023:S0022-0302(23)00332-6. [PMID: 37296050 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy is acknowledged as one of the most powerful analytical methods with cross-cutting applications in dairy foods. To date, the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy for the collection of milk metabolic profile is hindered by costly and time-consuming sample preparation and analysis. The present study aimed at evaluating the accuracy of mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) as a rapid method for the prediction of cow milk metabolites determined through 1H NMR spectroscopy. Bulk milk (n = 72) and individual milk samples (n = 482) were analyzed through one-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy and MIRS. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified 35 milk metabolites, which were quantified in terms of relative abundance, and MIRS prediction models were developed on the same 35 milk metabolites, using partial least squares regression analysis. The best MIRS prediction models were developed for galactose-1-phosphate, glycerophosphocholine, orotate, choline, galactose, lecithin, glutamate, and lactose, with coefficient of determination in external validation from 0.58 to 0.85, and ratio of performance to deviation in external validation from 1.50 to 2.64. The remaining 27 metabolites were poorly predicted. This study represents a first attempt to predict milk metabolome. Further research is needed to specifically address whether developed prediction models may find practical application in the dairy sector, with particular regard to the screening of dairy cows' metabolic status, the quality control of dairy foods, and the identification of processed milk or incorrectly stored milk.
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Tang BJH, Li H, Yuan C, Parigi G, Luchinat C, Meade TJ. Molecular Engineering of Self-Immolative Bioresponsive MR Probes. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:10045-10050. [PMID: 37116079 PMCID: PMC10769484 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Real-time detection of bio-event in whole animals provides essential information for understanding biological and therapeutic processes. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging represents a non-invasive approach to generating three-dimensional anatomic images with high spatial-temporal resolution and unlimited depth penetration. We have developed several self-immolative enzyme-activatable agents that provide excellent in vivo contrast and function as gene expression reporters. Here, we describe a vast improvement in image contrast over our previous generations of these bioresponsive agents based on a new pyridyl-carbamate Gd(III) complex. The pyridyl-carbamate-based agent has a very low MR relaxivity in the "off-state" (r1 = 1.8 mM-1 s-1 at 1.41 T). However, upon enzymatic processing, it generates a significantly higher relaxivity with a Δr1 = 106% versus Δr1 ∼ 20% reported previously. Single X-ray crystal and nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion analyses offer mechanistic insights regarding MR signal enhancement at the molecular scale. This work demonstrates a pyridyl-carbamate-based self-immolative molecular platform for the construction of enzymatic bio-responsive MR agents, which can be adapted to a wide range of other targets for exploring stimuli-responsive materials and biomedical applications.
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Parigi G, Ravera E, Piccioli M, Luchinat C. Paramagnetic NMR restraints for the characterization of protein structural rearrangements. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 80:102595. [PMID: 37075534 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Mobility is a common feature of biomacromolecules, often fundamental for their function. Thus, in many cases, biomacromolecules cannot be described by a single conformation, but rather by a conformational ensemble. NMR paramagnetic data demonstrated quite informative to monitor this conformational variability, especially when used in conjunction with data from different sources. Due to their long-range nature, paramagnetic data can, for instance, i) clearly demonstrate the occurrence of conformational rearrangements, ii) reveal the presence of minor conformational states, sampled only for a short time, iii) indicate the most representative conformations within the conformational ensemble sampled by the molecule, iv) provide an upper limit to the weight of each conformation.
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Silva JM, Cerofolini L, Carvalho AL, Ravera E, Fragai M, Parigi G, Macedo AL, Geraldes CFGC, Luchinat C. Elucidating the concentration-dependent effects of thiocyanate binding to carbonic anhydrase. J Inorg Biochem 2023; 244:112222. [PMID: 37068394 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Many proteins naturally carry metal centers, with a large share of them being in the active sites of several enzymes. Paramagnetic effects are a powerful source of structural information and, therefore, if the native metal is paramagnetic, or it can be functionally substituted with a paramagnetic one, paramagnetic effects can be used to study the metal sites, as well as the overall structure of the protein. One notable example is cobalt(II) substitution for zinc(II) in carbonic anhydrase. In this manuscript we investigate the effects of sodium thiocyanate on the chemical environment of the metal ion of the human carbonic anhydrase II. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) titration of the cobalt(II) protein with thiocyanate shows that the EPR spectrum changes from A-type to C-type on passing from 1:1 to 1:1000-fold ligand excess. This indicates the occurrence of a change in the electronic structure, which may reflect a sizable change in the metal coordination environment in turn caused by a modification of the frozen solvent glass. However, paramagnetic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data indicate that the metal coordination cage remains unperturbed even in 1:1000-fold ligand excess. This result proves that the C-type EPR spectrum observed at large ligand concentration should be ascribed to the low temperature at which EPR measurements are performed, which impacts on the structure of the protein when it is destabilized by a high concentration of a chaotropic agent.
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Bellomo G, Paciotti S, Concha-Marambio L, Rizzo D, Wojdaƚa AL, Chiasserini D, Gatticchi L, Cerofolini L, Giuntini S, De Luca CMG, Ma Y, Farris CM, Pieraccini G, Bologna S, Filidei M, Ravera E, Lelli M, Moda F, Fragai M, Parnetti L, Luchinat C. Cerebrospinal fluid lipoproteins inhibit α-synuclein aggregation by interacting with oligomeric species in seed amplification assays. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:20. [PMID: 37005644 PMCID: PMC10068178 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00613-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is a prominent feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. Currently, α-syn seed amplification assays (SAAs) using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent the most promising diagnostic tools for synucleinopathies. However, CSF itself contains several compounds that can modulate the aggregation of α-syn in a patient-dependent manner, potentially undermining unoptimized α-syn SAAs and preventing seed quantification. METHODS In this study, we characterized the inhibitory effect of CSF milieu on detection of α-syn aggregates by means of CSF fractionation, mass spectrometry, immunoassays, transmission electron microscopy, solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a highly accurate and standardized diagnostic SAA, and different in vitro aggregation conditions to evaluate spontaneous aggregation of α-syn. RESULTS We found the high-molecular weight fraction of CSF (> 100,000 Da) to be highly inhibitory on α-syn aggregation and identified lipoproteins to be the main drivers of this effect. Direct interaction between lipoproteins and monomeric α-syn was not detected by solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, on the other hand we observed lipoprotein-α-syn complexes by transmission electron microscopy. These observations are compatible with hypothesizing an interaction between lipoproteins and oligomeric/proto-fibrillary α-syn intermediates. We observed significantly slower amplification of α-syn seeds in PD CSF when lipoproteins were added to the reaction mix of diagnostic SAA. Additionally, we observed a decreased inhibition capacity of CSF on α-syn aggregation after immunodepleting ApoA1 and ApoE. Finally, we observed that CSF ApoA1 and ApoE levels significantly correlated with SAA kinetic parameters in n = 31 SAA-negative control CSF samples spiked with preformed α-syn aggregates. CONCLUSIONS Our results describe a novel interaction between lipoproteins and α-syn aggregates that inhibits the formation of α-syn fibrils and could have relevant implications. Indeed, the donor-specific inhibition of CSF on α-syn aggregation explains the lack of quantitative results from analysis of SAA-derived kinetic parameters to date. Furthermore, our data show that lipoproteins are the main inhibitory components of CSF, suggesting that lipoprotein concentration measurements could be incorporated into data analysis models to eliminate the confounding effects of CSF milieu on α-syn quantification efforts.
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Kaster M, Levasseur MD, Edwardson TGW, Caldwell MA, Hofmann D, Licciardi G, Parigi G, Luchinat C, Hilvert D, Meade TJ. Engineered Nonviral Protein Cages Modified for MR Imaging. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:591-602. [PMID: 36626688 PMCID: PMC9945100 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Diagnostic medical imaging utilizes magnetic resonance (MR) to provide anatomical, functional, and molecular information in a single scan. Nanoparticles are often labeled with Gd(III) complexes to amplify the MR signal of contrast agents (CAs) with large payloads and high proton relaxation efficiencies (relaxivity, r1). This study examined the MR performance of two structurally unique cages, AaLS-13 and OP, labeled with Gd(III). The cages have characteristics relevant for the development of theranostic platforms, including (i) well-defined structure, symmetry, and size; (ii) the amenability to extensive engineering; (iii) the adjustable loading of therapeutically relevant cargo molecules; (iv) high physical stability; and (v) facile manufacturing by microbial fermentation. The resulting conjugates showed significantly enhanced proton relaxivity (r1 = 11-18 mM-1 s-1 at 1.4 T) compared to the Gd(III) complex alone (r1 = 4 mM-1 s-1). Serum phantom images revealed 107% and 57% contrast enhancements for Gd(III)-labeled AaLS-13 and OP cages, respectively. Moreover, proton nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (1H NMRD) profiles showed maximum relaxivity values of 50 mM-1 s-1. Best-fit analyses of the 1H NMRD profiles attributed the high relaxivity of the Gd(III)-labeled cages to the slow molecular tumbling of the conjugates and restricted local motion of the conjugated Gd(III) complex.
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Di Cesare F, Vignoli A, Luchinat C, Tenori L, Saccenti E. Exploration of Blood Metabolite Signatures of Colorectal Cancer and Polyposis through Integrated Statistical and Network Analysis. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020296. [PMID: 36837915 PMCID: PMC9965766 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide, generally evolves from adenomatous polyps. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathological evolution is crucial for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Integrative systems biology approaches offer an optimal point of view to analyze CRC and patients with polyposis. The present study analyzed the association networks constructed from a publicly available array of 113 serum metabolites measured on a cohort of 234 subjects from three groups (66 CRC patients, 76 patients with polyposis, and 92 healthy controls), which concentrations were obtained via targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In terms of architecture, topology, and connectivity, the metabolite-metabolite association network of CRC patients appears to be completely different with respect to patients with polyposis and healthy controls. The most relevant nodes in the CRC network are those related to energy metabolism. Interestingly, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism are found to be involved in both CRC and polyposis. Our results demonstrate that the characterization of metabolite-metabolite association networks is a promising and powerful tool to investigate molecular aspects of CRC.
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Gamage TH, Grabmayr H, Horvath F, Fahrner M, Misceo D, Louch WE, Gunnes G, Pullisaar H, Reseland JE, Lyngstadaas SP, Holmgren A, Amundsen SS, Rathner P, Cerofolini L, Ravera E, Krobath H, Luchinat C, Renger T, Müller N, Romanin C, Frengen E. A single amino acid deletion in the ER Ca 2+ sensor STIM1 reverses the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Stormorken syndrome-causing R304W mutation. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadd0509. [PMID: 36749824 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.add0509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Stormorken syndrome is a multiorgan hereditary disease caused by dysfunction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor protein STIM1, which forms the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel together with the plasma membrane channel Orai1. ER Ca2+ store depletion activates STIM1 by releasing the intramolecular "clamp" formed between the coiled coil 1 (CC1) and CC3 domains of the protein, enabling the C terminus to extend and interact with Orai1. The most frequently occurring mutation in patients with Stormorken syndrome is R304W, which destabilizes and extends the STIM1 C terminus independently of ER Ca2+ store depletion, causing constitutive binding to Orai1 and CRAC channel activation. We found that in cis deletion of one amino acid residue, Glu296 (which we called E296del) reversed the pathological effects of R304W. Homozygous Stim1 E296del+R304W mice were viable and phenotypically indistinguishable from wild-type mice. NMR spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations, and cellular experiments revealed that although the R304W mutation prevented CC1 from interacting with CC3, the additional deletion of Glu296 opposed this effect by enabling CC1-CC3 binding and restoring the CC domain interactions within STIM1 that are critical for proper CRAC channel function. Our results provide insight into the activation mechanism of STIM1 by clarifying the molecular basis of mutation-elicited protein dysfunction and pathophysiology.
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Cerofolini L, Ramberg KO, Padilla LC, Antonik P, Ravera E, Luchinat C, Fragai M, Crowley PB. Solid-state NMR - a complementary technique for protein framework characterization. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:776-779. [PMID: 36546612 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc05725e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Protein frameworks are an emerging class of biomaterial with medical and technological applications. Frameworks are studied mainly by X-ray diffraction or scattering techniques. Complementary strategies are required. Here, we report solid-state NMR analyses of a microcrystalline protein-macrocycle framework and the rehydrated freeze-dried protein. This methodology may aid the characterization of low-crystallinity frameworks.
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Licari C, Tenori L, Di Cesare F, Luchinat C, Giusti B, Kura A, De Cario R, Inzitari D, Piccardi B, Nesi M, Sarti C, Arba F, Palumbo V, Nencini P, Marcucci R, Gori AM, Sticchi E. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Metabolomics to Predict Early and Late Adverse Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis. J Proteome Res 2023; 22:16-25. [PMID: 36469426 PMCID: PMC9830637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic perturbations and inflammatory mediators play a fundamental role in both early and late adverse post-acute ischemic stroke outcomes. Using data from the observational MAGIC (MArker bioloGici nell'Ictus Cerebrale) study, we evaluated the effect of 130 serum metabolic features, using a nuclear magnetic spectroscopy approach, on the following outcomes: hemorrhagic transformation at 24 h after stroke, non-response to intravenous thrombolytic treatment with the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), and the 3 month functional outcome. Blood circulating metabolites, lipoproteins, and inflammatory markers were assessed at the baseline and 24 h after rt-PA treatment. Adjusting for the major determinants for unfavorable outcomes (i.e., age, sex, time onset-to-treatment, etc.), we found that acetone and 3-hydroxybutyrate were associated with symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation and with non-response to rt-PA; while 24 h after rt-PA, levels of triglycerides high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were associated with 3 month mortality. Cholesterol and phospholipids levels, mainly related to smaller and denser very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and LDL subfractions were associated with 3 month poor functional outcomes. We also reported associations between baseline 24 h relative variation (Δ) in VLDL subfractions and ΔC-reactive protein, Δinterleukin-10 levels with hemorrhagic transformation. All observed metabolic changes reflect a general condition of energy failure, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation that characterize the development of adverse outcomes.
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Risi E, Lisanti C, Vignoli A, Biagioni C, Paderi A, Cappadona S, Monte FD, Moretti E, Sanna G, Livraghi L, Malorni L, Benelli M, Puglisi F, Luchinat C, Tenori L, Biganzoli L. Risk assessment of disease recurrence in early breast cancer: A serum metabolomic study focused on elderly patients. Transl Oncol 2023; 27:101585. [PMID: 36403505 PMCID: PMC9676351 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2022.101585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that metabolomics predicts relapse in early breast cancer (eBC) patients, unselected by age. This study aims to identify a "metabolic signature" that differentiates eBC from advanced breast cancer (aBC) patients, and to investigate its potential prognostic role in an elderly population. METHODS Serum samples from elderly breast cancer (BC) patients enrolled in 3 onco-geriatric trials, were retrospectively analyzed via proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Three nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were acquired for each serum sample: NOESY1D, CPMG, Diffusion-edited. Random Forest (RF) models to predict BC relapse were built on NMR spectra, and resulting RF risk scores were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS Serum samples from 140 eBC patients and 27 aBC were retrieved. In the eBC cohort, median age was 76 years; 77% of patients had luminal, 10% HER2-positive and 13% triple negative (TN) BC. Forty-two percent of patients had tumors >2 cm, 43% had positive axillary nodes. Using NOESY1D spectra, the RF classifier discriminated free-from-recurrence eBC from aBC with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 81%, 67% and 70% respectively. We tested the NOESY1D spectra of each eBC patient on the RF models already calculated. We found that patients classified as "high risk" had higher risk of disease recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 3.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.58-7.37) than patients at low-risk. CONCLUSIONS This analysis suggests that a "metabolic signature", identified employing NMR fingerprinting, is able to predict the risk of disease recurrence in elderly patients with eBC independently from standard clinicopathological features.
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Vignoli A, Meoni G, Ghini V, Di Cesare F, Tenori L, Luchinat C, Turano P. NMR-Based Metabolomics to Evaluate Individual Response to Treatments. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 277:209-245. [PMID: 36318327 DOI: 10.1007/164_2022_618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to highlight the various aspects of metabolomics in relation to health and diseases, starting from the definition of metabolic space and of how individuals tend to maintain their own position in this space. Physio-pathological stimuli may cause individuals to lose their position and then regain it, or move irreversibly to other positions. By way of examples, mostly selected from our own work using 1H NMR on biological fluids, we describe the effects on the individual metabolomic fingerprint of mild external interventions, such as diet or probiotic administration. Then we move to pathologies (such as celiac disease, various types of cancer, viral infections, and other diseases), each characterized by a well-defined metabolomic fingerprint. We describe the effects of drugs on the disease fingerprint and on its reversal to a healthy metabolomic status. Drug toxicity can be also monitored by metabolomics. We also show how the individual metabolomic fingerprint at the onset of a disease may discriminate responders from non-responders to a given drug, or how it may be prognostic of e.g., cancer recurrence after many years. In parallel with fingerprinting, profiling (i.e., the identification and quantification of many metabolites and, in the case of selected biofluids, of the lipoprotein components that contribute to the 1H NMR spectral features) can provide hints on the metabolic pathways that are altered by a disease and assess their restoration after treatment.
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Cerofolini L, Parigi G, Ravera E, Fragai M, Luchinat C. Solid-state NMR methods for the characterization of bioconjugations and protein-material interactions. SOLID STATE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE 2022; 122:101828. [PMID: 36240720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssnmr.2022.101828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Protein solid-state NMR has evolved dramatically over the last two decades, with the development of new hardware and sample preparation methodologies. This technique is now ripe for complex applications, among which one can count bioconjugation, protein chemistry and functional biomaterials. In this review, we provide our account on this aspect of protein solid-state NMR.
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Niero G, Meoni G, Tenori L, Luchinat C, Visentin G, Callegaro S, Visentin E, Cassandro M, De Marchi M, Penasa M. Grazing affects metabolic pattern of individual cow milk. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9702-9712. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Di Cesare F, Tenori L, Luchinat C, Saccenti E. Association of Plasma Metabolites and Lipoproteins with Rh and ABO Blood Systems in Healthy Subjects. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:2655-2663. [PMID: 36255714 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.2c00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the associations between the levels of 27 plasma metabolites, 114 lipoprotein parameters, determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the ABO blood groups and the Rhesus (Rh) blood system in a cohort of n = 840 Italian healthy blood donors of both sexes. We observed good multivariate discrimination between the metabolomic and lipoproteomic profiles of subjects with positive and negative Rh. In contrast, we did not observe significant discrimination for the ABO blood group pairwise comparisons, suggesting only slight metabolic differences between these group-specific metabolic profiles. We report univariate associations (P-value < 0.05) between the subfraction HDL1 related to Apo A1, the subfraction HDL2 related to cholesterol and phospholipids, and the particle number of LDL2 related to free cholesterol, cholesterol, phospholipids, and Apo B and the ABO blood groups; we observed association of the lipid main fraction LDL4 related to free cholesterol, triglycerides, and Apo B; creatine; the particle number of LDL5; the subfraction LDL5 related to Apo B; the particle number of LDL4; and the subfraction LDL4 related to Apo B with Rh blood factors. These results suggest blood group-dependent (re)shaping of lipoprotein metabolism in healthy subjects, which may provide relevant information to explain the differential susceptibility to certain diseases observed in different blood groups.
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Risi E, Vignoli A, Lisanti C, Biagioni C, Paderi A, Cappadona Sciammetta S, Del Monte F, Moretti E, Sanna G, Livraghi L, Malorni L, Benelli M, Puglisi F, Luchinat C, Tenori L, Biganzoli L. 148P Serum metabolomics based risk assessment of disease recurrence in elderly patients with early breast cancer (eBC). Ann Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.07.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Ravera E, Gigli L, Fiorucci L, Luchinat C, Parigi G. The evolution of paramagnetic NMR as a tool in structural biology. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:17397-17416. [PMID: 35849063 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01838a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Paramagnetic NMR data contain extremely accurate long-range information on metalloprotein structures and, when used in the frame of integrative structural biology approaches, they allow for the retrieval of structural details to a resolution that is not achievable using other techniques. Paramagnetic data thus represent an extremely powerful tool to refine protein models in solution, especially when coupled to X-ray or cryoelectron microscopy data, to monitor the formation of complexes and determine the relative arrangements of their components, and to highlight the presence of conformational heterogeneity. More recently, theoretical and computational advancements in quantum chemical calculations of paramagnetic NMR observables are progressively opening new routes in structural biology, because they allow for the determination of the structure within the coordination sphere of the metal center, thus acting as a loupe on sites that are difficult to observe but very important for protein function.
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