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Lavorgna M, Dragone M, Russo C, D’Abrosca G, Nugnes R, Orlo E, della Valle M, Isernia C, Malgieri G, Iacovino R, Isidori M. Characterization of Complexes between Imidacloprid and β-Cyclodextrin: Evaluation of the Toxic Activity in Algae and Rotifers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28073049. [PMID: 37049814 PMCID: PMC10096419 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28073049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new formulations can be driven by the knowledge of host–guest complexes using cyclodextrins which have the ability to include guest molecules within their hydrophobic cavities, improving the physicochemical properties of the guest. To rationally explore new pesticide formulations, the effects of cyclodextrins on the properties of such guest molecules need to be explored. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid systemic insecticide used worldwide. In this study, the inclusion complexes of Imidacloprid (IMI) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were prepared in the solid state by co-precipitation and the physical mixing method, with a stoichiometry of 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios. The obtained products, Imidacloprid:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (IMI:β-CD), were characterized in the solid state by Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD). In solution, the 1:1 stoichiometry for the inclusion complexes was established by the Job plot method, and the binding constant of IMI:β-CD was determined by UV–vis titration. The toxicity was determined in producers and primary consumers of the freshwater trophic chain, the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus, respectively. The results indicated that Imidacloprid forms inclusion complexes with CDs showing improved physicochemical properties compared to free Imidacloprid. The formation of the inclusion complex reduced the chronic toxicity in rotifers when IMI concentrations were close to those of environmental concern (tenths/hundredths of micromoles/L). Therefore, CD inclusion complexes could provide important advantages to be considered for the future industrial production of new formulations.
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Liu Q, Perez A. Assessing a computational pipeline to identify binding motifs to the α2 β1 integrin. Front Chem 2023; 11:1107400. [PMID: 36860646 PMCID: PMC9968975 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1107400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrins in the cell surface interact with functional motifs found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that queue the cell for biological actions such as migration, adhesion, or growth. Multiple fibrous proteins such as collagen or fibronectin compose the ECM. The field of biomechanical engineering often deals with the design of biomaterials compatible with the ECM that will trigger cellular response (e.g., in tissue regeneration). However, there are a relative few number of known integrin binding motifs compared to all the possible peptide epitope sequences available. Computational tools could help identify novel motifs, but have been limited by the challenges in modeling the binding to integrin domains. We revisit a series of traditional and novel computational tools to assess their performance in identifying novel binding motifs for the I-domain of the α2β1 integrin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alberto Perez
- Department of Chemistry and Quantum Theory Project, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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3
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Theillet FX, Luchinat E. In-cell NMR: Why and how? PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 132-133:1-112. [PMID: 36496255 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy has been applied to cells and tissues analysis since its beginnings, as early as 1950. We have attempted to gather here in a didactic fashion the broad diversity of data and ideas that emerged from NMR investigations on living cells. Covering a large proportion of the periodic table, NMR spectroscopy permits scrutiny of a great variety of atomic nuclei in all living organisms non-invasively. It has thus provided quantitative information on cellular atoms and their chemical environment, dynamics, or interactions. We will show that NMR studies have generated valuable knowledge on a vast array of cellular molecules and events, from water, salts, metabolites, cell walls, proteins, nucleic acids, drugs and drug targets, to pH, redox equilibria and chemical reactions. The characterization of such a multitude of objects at the atomic scale has thus shaped our mental representation of cellular life at multiple levels, together with major techniques like mass-spectrometry or microscopies. NMR studies on cells has accompanied the developments of MRI and metabolomics, and various subfields have flourished, coined with appealing names: fluxomics, foodomics, MRI and MRS (i.e. imaging and localized spectroscopy of living tissues, respectively), whole-cell NMR, on-cell ligand-based NMR, systems NMR, cellular structural biology, in-cell NMR… All these have not grown separately, but rather by reinforcing each other like a braided trunk. Hence, we try here to provide an analytical account of a large ensemble of intricately linked approaches, whose integration has been and will be key to their success. We present extensive overviews, firstly on the various types of information provided by NMR in a cellular environment (the "why", oriented towards a broad readership), and secondly on the employed NMR techniques and setups (the "how", where we discuss the past, current and future methods). Each subsection is constructed as a historical anthology, showing how the intrinsic properties of NMR spectroscopy and its developments structured the accessible knowledge on cellular phenomena. Using this systematic approach, we sought i) to make this review accessible to the broadest audience and ii) to highlight some early techniques that may find renewed interest. Finally, we present a brief discussion on what may be potential and desirable developments in the context of integrative studies in biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois-Xavier Theillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Enrico Luchinat
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Piazza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena, Italy; CERM - Magnetic Resonance Center, and Neurofarba Department, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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4
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High-Resolution Conformational Analysis of RGDechi-Derived Peptides Based on a Combination of NMR Spectroscopy and MD Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911039. [PMID: 36232339 PMCID: PMC9569650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of integrin in pathological processes such as tumor progression and metastasis formation has inspired intense efforts to design novel pharmaceutical agents modulating integrin functions in order to provide new tools for potential therapies. In the past decade, we have investigated the biological proprieties of the chimeric peptide RGDechi, containing a cyclic RGD motif linked to an echistatin C-terminal fragment, able to specifically recognize αvβ3 without cross reacting with αvβ5 and αIIbβ3 integrin. Additionally, we have demonstrated using two RGDechi-derived peptides, called RGDechi1-14 and ψRGDechi, that chemical modifications introduced in the C-terminal part of the peptide alter or abolish the binding to the αvβ3 integrin. Here, to shed light on the structural and dynamical determinants involved in the integrin recognition mechanism, we investigate the effects of the chemical modifications by exploring the conformational space sampled by RGDechi1-14 and ψRGDechi using an integrated natural-abundance NMR/MD approach. Our data demonstrate that the flexibility of the RGD-containing cycle is driven by the echistatin C-terminal region of the RGDechi peptide through a coupling mechanism between the N- and C-terminal regions.
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5
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Bose D, Roy L, Chatterjee S. Peptide therapeutics in the management of metastatic cancers. RSC Adv 2022; 12:21353-21373. [PMID: 35975072 PMCID: PMC9345020 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra02062a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading health concern threatening lives of millions of patients worldwide. Peptide-based drugs provide a valuable alternative to chemotherapeutics as they are highly specific, cheap, less toxic and easier to synthesize compared to other drugs. In this review, we have discussed various modes in which peptides are being used to curb cancer. Our review highlights specially the various anti-metastatic peptide-based agents developed by targeting a plethora of cellular factors. Herein we have given a special focus on integrins as targets for peptide drugs, as these molecules play key roles in metastatic progression. The review also discusses use of peptides as anti-cancer vaccines and their efficiency as drug-delivery tools. We hope this work will give the reader a clear idea of the mechanisms of peptide-based anti-cancer therapeutics and encourage the development of superior drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debopriya Bose
- Department of Biophysics Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus EN 80, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar Kolkata 700091 WB India
| | - Laboni Roy
- Department of Biophysics Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus EN 80, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar Kolkata 700091 WB India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics Bose Institute Unified Academic Campus EN 80, Sector V, Bidhan Nagar Kolkata 700091 WB India
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Abstract
In-cell structural biology aims at extracting structural information about proteins or nucleic acids in their native, cellular environment. This emerging field holds great promise and is already providing new facts and outlooks of interest at both fundamental and applied levels. NMR spectroscopy has important contributions on this stage: It brings information on a broad variety of nuclei at the atomic scale, which ensures its great versatility and uniqueness. Here, we detail the methods, the fundamental knowledge, and the applications in biomedical engineering related to in-cell structural biology by NMR. We finally propose a brief overview of the main other techniques in the field (EPR, smFRET, cryo-ET, etc.) to draw some advisable developments for in-cell NMR. In the era of large-scale screenings and deep learning, both accurate and qualitative experimental evidence are as essential as ever to understand the interior life of cells. In-cell structural biology by NMR spectroscopy can generate such a knowledge, and it does so at the atomic scale. This review is meant to deliver comprehensive but accessible information, with advanced technical details and reflections on the methods, the nature of the results, and the future of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois-Xavier Theillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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7
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Farina B, Andrea C, Del Gatto A, Comegna D, Di Gaetano S, Capasso D, Paladino A, Acconcia C, Teresa Gentile M, Saviano M, Fattorusso R, Zaccaro L, Russo L. A novel approach for studying receptor-ligand interactions on living cells surface by using NUS/T1ρ-NMR methodologies combined with computational techniques: The RGDechi15D-α vβ 5 integrin complex. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:3303-3318. [PMID: 34188779 PMCID: PMC8207173 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural investigations of receptor-ligand interactions on living cells surface by high-resolution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) are problematic due to their short lifetime, which often prevents the acquisition of experiments longer than few hours. To overcome these limitations, we developed an on-cell NMR-based approach for exploring the molecular determinants driving the receptor-ligand recognition mechanism under native conditions. Our method relies on the combination of high-resolution structural and dynamics NMR data with Molecular Dynamics simulations and Molecular Docking studies. The key point of our strategy is the use of Non Uniform Sampling (NUS) and T1ρ-NMR techniques to collect atomic-resolution structural and dynamics information on the receptor-ligand interactions with living cells, that can be used as conformational constraints in computational studies. In fact, the application of these two NMR methodologies allows to record spectra with high S/N ratio and resolution within the lifetime of cells. In particular, 2D NUS [1H–1H] trNOESY spectra are used to explore the ligand conformational changes induced by receptor binding; whereas T1ρ-based experiments are applied to characterize the ligand binding epitope by defining two parameters: T1ρ Attenuation factor and T1ρ Binding Effect. This approach has been tested to characterize the molecular determinants regulating the recognition mechanism of αvβ5-integrin by a selective cyclic binder peptide named RGDechi15D. Our data demonstrate that the developed strategy represents an alternative in-cell NMR tool for studying, at atomic resolution, receptor-ligand recognition mechanism on living cells surface. Additionally, our application may be extremely useful for screening of the interaction profiling of drugs with their therapeutic targets in their native cellular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biancamaria Farina
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis Company, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Corvino Andrea
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania - Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (CESTEV) University of Naples Federico II, Via Tommaso De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Paladino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, via Francesco de Sanctis, Benevento 82100, Italy
| | - Clementina Acconcia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania - Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Gentile
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania - Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Institute of Crystallography-CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania - Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania - Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
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8
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Parisi E, Capasso D, Capobianco A, Peluso A, Di Gaetano S, Fusco S, Manfredi C, Mozzillo R, Pinto G, Centore R. Tautomeric and conformational switching in a new versatile N-rich heterocyclic ligand. Dalton Trans 2020; 49:14452-14462. [PMID: 33043951 DOI: 10.1039/d0dt02572k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A new N-rich triazolo-triazole derivative, 4-methyl-7-(pyrazin-2-yl)-2H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,2-c][1,2,4]triazole (C8H7N7), bearing a pyrazine residue at 7-position of the triazolo-triazole bicycle, was synthesized, and its acid-base and metal coordination properties were evaluated in solution. The results showed amphoteric behavior and the formation of stable complexes with Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) in pH intervals in which the ligand is neutral or deprotonated. Computational studies were performed in order to evaluate the stability of the different tautomers/conformers of the ligand, and the proton position in the neutral and acidic forms. Single crystal X-ray analysis of the free neutral ligand (2H/s-trans tautomer/conformer), and of its singly protonated (2H-3H/s-trans), doubly protonated (2H-3H-7H/s-trans) and deprotonated forms showed that the influence of the pyrazine ring on the triazolo-triazole system is mainly as electron withdrawing and chelating group, and proton acceptor. Different coordination modes have been evidenced for the neutral and deprotonated ligand. Upon metal coordination, the neutral ligand switches from 2H/s-trans to 3H/s-cis tautomer/conformer forming five-membered chelate rings, while the anionic deprotonated ligand forms six-membered chelate rings in the s-trans conformation. Altogether, five different tautomers/conformers of the ligand were isolated and characterized. In vitro tests confirmed the general antiproliferative activity of triazolo-triazole compounds and the importance of substitution in position 7 for their selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuele Parisi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Domenica Capasso
- CESTEV, University of Naples Federico II, Via De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Amedeo Capobianco
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Andrea Peluso
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, I-84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- CNR-Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Sandra Fusco
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Carla Manfredi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rosaria Mozzillo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Pinto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Roberto Centore
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
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Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, and DNA Binding Studies of Nucleoamino Acid-Containing Pt(II) Complexes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13100284. [PMID: 33007911 PMCID: PMC7600948 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We here report our studies on the reaction with the platinum(II) ion of a nucleoamino acid constituted by the l-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid linked to the thymine nucleobase through a methylenecarbonyl linker. The obtained new platinum complexes, characterized by spectroscopic and mass spectrometric techniques, were envisaged to exploit synergistic effects due to the presence of both the platinum center and the nucleoamino acid moiety. The latter can be potentially useful to protect the complexes from early deactivation, as well as to facilitate their cell internalization. The biological activity of the complexes in terms of antiproliferative effects was evaluated in vitro on different cancer cell lines and healthy cells, showing the best results on human cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells along with good selectivity for cancer over normal cells. In contrast, the metal-free nucleoamino acid did not show any cytotoxicity on both normal and cancer cell lines. Finally, the ability of the novel Pt(II) complexes to bind various DNA model systems was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses proving that the newly obtained compounds can potentially target DNA, similarly to other well-known anticancer Pt complexes, with a peculiar G-quadruplex vs. duplex selectivity.
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10
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Capasso D, Del Gatto A, Comegna D, Russo L, Fattorusso R, Saviano M, Di Gaetano S, Zaccaro L. Selective Targeting of αvβ5 Integrin in HepG2 Cell Line by RGDechi15D Peptide. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184298. [PMID: 32961684 PMCID: PMC7570809 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the research community has become increasingly concerned with the receptor αvβ5, a member of the well-known integrin family. Different ongoing studies have evidenced that αvβ5 integrin regulates not only physiological processes but also a wide array of pathological events, suggesting the receptor as a valuable biomarker to specifically target for therapeutic/diagnostic purposes. Remarkably, in some tumors the involvement of the receptor in cell proliferation, tumor dissemination and angiogenesis is well-documented. In this scenario, the availability of a selective αvβ5 antagonist without ‘off-target’ protein effects may improve survival rate in patients with highly aggressive tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. We recently reported a cyclic peptide, RGDechi15D, obtained by structure-activity studies. To our knowledge it represents the first peptide-based molecule reported in the literature able to specifically bind αvβ5 integrin and not cross react with αvβ3. Here we demonstrated the ability of the peptide to diminish both adhesion and invasion of HepG2 cells, an in vitro model system for hepatocellular carcinoma, to reduce the cell proliferation through an apoptotic process, and to interfere with the PI3K pathway. The peptide, also decreases the formation of new vessels in endothelial cells. Taken together these results indicate that the peptide can be considered a promising molecule with properties suited to be assessed in the future for its validation as a selective therapeutic/diagnostic weapon in hepatocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Capasso
- CESTEV, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80145 Naples, Italy;
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy;
| | - Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy;
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Michele Saviano
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (S.D.G.); (L.Z.)
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- CIRPeB, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80134 Naples, Italy; (A.D.G.); (R.F.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (S.D.G.); (L.Z.)
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Pirone L, Del Gatto A, Di Gaetano S, Saviano M, Capasso D, Zaccaro L, Pedone E. A Multi-Targeting Approach to Fight SARS-CoV-2 Attachment. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:186. [PMID: 32850973 PMCID: PMC7416604 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The public health has declared an international state of emergency due to the spread of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) representing a real pandemic threat so that to find potential therapeutic agents is a dire need. To this aim, the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein represents a crucial target for vaccines, therapeutic antibodies, and diagnostics. Since virus binding to ACE-2 alone could not be sufficient to justify such severe infection, in order to facilitate medical countermeasure development and to search for new targets, two further regions of S protein have been taken into consideration here. One is represented by the recently identified ganglioside binding site, exactly localized in our study in the galectin-like domain, and the other one by the putative integrin binding sites contained in the RBD. We propose that a cooperating therapy using inhibitors against multiple targets altogether i.e., ACE2, integrins and sugars could be definitely more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CESTEV, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
- CIRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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12
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Targeting Tumors Using Peptides. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25040808. [PMID: 32069856 PMCID: PMC7070747 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25040808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To penetrate solid tumors, low molecular weight (Mw < 10 KDa) compounds have an edge over antibodies: their higher penetration because of their small size. Because of the dense stroma and high interstitial fluid pressure of solid tumors, the penetration of higher Mw compounds is unfavored and being small thus becomes an advantage. This review covers a wide range of peptidic ligands—linear, cyclic, macrocyclic and cyclotidic peptides—to target tumors: We describe the main tools to identify peptides experimentally, such as phage display, and the possible chemical modifications to enhance the properties of the identified peptides. We also review in silico identification of peptides and the most salient non-peptidic ligands in clinical stages. We later focus the attention on the current validated ligands available to target different tumor compartments: blood vessels, extracelullar matrix, and tumor associated macrophages. The clinical advances and failures of these ligands and their therapeutic conjugates will be discussed. We aim to present the reader with the state-of-the-art in targeting tumors, by using low Mw molecules, and the tools to identify new ligands.
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13
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Ragucci S, Ruggiero A, Russo R, Landi N, Valletta M, Chambery A, Russo L, Di Maro A. Correlation of structure, function and protein dynamics in myoglobins from Eurasian woodcock, chicken and ostrich. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:851-866. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1719201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ragucci
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessio Ruggiero
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Nicola Landi
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Mariangela Valletta
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
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14
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Farina B, Del Gatto A, Comegna D, Di Gaetano S, Capasso D, Isernia C, Saviano M, Fattorusso R, Zaccaro L, Russo L. Conformational studies of RGDechi peptide by natural-abundance NMR spectroscopy. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3166. [PMID: 30884005 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are heterodimeric cell-surface proteins that play important roles during developmental and pathological processes. Diverse human pathologies involve integrin adhesion including thrombotic diseases, inflammation, tumour progression, fibrosis, and infectious diseases. Although in the past decade, novel integrin-inhibitor drugs have been developed for integrin-based medical applications, the structural determinants modulating integrin-ligands recognition mechanisms are still poorly understood, reducing the number of integrin subtype exclusive antagonists. In this scenario, we have very recently showed, by means of chemical and biological assays, that a chimeric peptide (named RGDechi), containing a cyclic RGD motif linked to an echistatin C-terminal fragment, is able to interact with the components of integrin family with variable affinities, the highest for αv β3. Here, in order to understand the mechanistic details driving the molecular recognition mechanism of αv β3 by RGDechi, we have performed a detailed structural and dynamics characterization of the free peptide by natural abundance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Our data indicate that RGDechi presents in solution an heterogeneous conformational ensemble characterized by a more constrained and rigid pentacyclic ring and a largely unstructured acyclic region. Moreover, we propose that the molecular recognition of αv β3 integrin by RGDechi occurs by a combination of conformational selection and induced fit mechanisms. Finally, our study indicates that a detailed NMR characterization, by means of natural abundance 15 N and 13 C, of a mostly unstructured bioactive peptide may provide the molecular basis to get essential structural insights into the binding mechanism to the biological partner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Isernia
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Caserta, Italy
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15
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Therapeutic Potential of a Novel α vβ₃ Antagonist to Hamper the Aggressiveness of Mesenchymal Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sub-Type. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11020139. [PMID: 30682838 PMCID: PMC6406933 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11020139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mesenchymal sub-type of triple negative breast cancer (MES-TNBC) has a highly aggressive behavior and worse prognosis, due to its invasive and stem-like features, that correlate with metastatic dissemination and resistance to therapies. Furthermore, MES-TNBC is characterized by the expression of molecular markers related to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The altered expression of αvβ3 integrin has been well established as a driver of cancer progression, stemness, and metastasis. Here, we showed that the high levels of αvβ3 are associated with MES-TNBC and therefore exploited the possibility to target this integrin to reduce the aggressiveness of this carcinoma. To this aim, MES-TNBC cells were treated with a novel peptide, named ψRGDechi, that we recently developed and characterized for its ability to selectively bind and inhibit αvβ3 integrin. Notably, ψRGDechi was able to hamper adhesion, migration, and invasion of MES-TNBC cells, as well as the capability of these cells to form vascular-like structures and mammospheres. In addition, this peptide reversed EMT program inhibits mesenchymal markers. These findings show that targeting αvβ3 integrin by ψRGDechi, it is possible to inhibit some of the malignant properties of MES-TNBC phenotype.
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16
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Bolzati C, Salvarese N, Carpanese D, Seraglia R, Meléndez-Alafort L, Rosato A, Capasso D, Saviano M, Del Gatto A, Comegna D, Zaccaro L. [ 99mTc][Tc(N)PNP43]-Labeled RGD Peptides As New Probes for a Selective Detection of αvβ 3 Integrin: Synthesis, Structure-Activity and Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Med Chem 2018; 61:9596-9610. [PMID: 30278131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
New integrin-selective molecules suitable for therapeutic or imaging purposes are currently of interest in development of effective personalized medical platforms. RGDechi is a bifunctional peptide selective for integrin αvβ3. Herein, RGDechi and three truncated derivatives functionalized with a cysteine (1-4) were synthesized and labeled with the [99mTc][Tc(N)PNP43]-synthon ([PNP43 = (CH3)2P(CH2)2N(C2H4OCH3)(CH2)2P(CH3)2]) (99mTc1-4) as a basis for selective integrin recognition. The pharmacological parameters of all radiolabeled peptides were assessed along with the pharmacokinetic profiles of the most promising 99mTc1 and 99mTc2 compounds both on healthy and melanoma-bearing mice. Their metabolism and metabolite identification are also reported. 99mTc1-2 are able to discriminate between endogenously expressed integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5 and possess favorable pharmacokinetics characterized by low liver uptake and rapid elimination from nontarget tissues resulting in positive target-to-nontarget ratios. Results are encouraging; the presented construct can be considered the starting point for the development of agents for the selective detection of αvβ3 expression by SPECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bolzati
- Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy ICMATE-CNR , Corso Stati Uniti, 4 , 35127 Padova , Italy
| | - Nicola Salvarese
- Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy ICMATE-CNR , Corso Stati Uniti, 4 , 35127 Padova , Italy
| | - Debora Carpanese
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS , Via Gattamelata, 64 , 35128 Padova , Italy
| | - Roberta Seraglia
- Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry and Technologies for Energy ICMATE-CNR , Corso Stati Uniti, 4 , 35127 Padova , Italy
| | | | - Antonio Rosato
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS , Via Gattamelata, 64 , 35128 Padova , Italy.,Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology , University of Padua , via Gattamelata, 64 , 35138 Padova , Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy , University of Naples '' Federico II '', Naples , Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Institute of Cristallography IC-CNR , Via Amendola 122/O , 70126 Bari , Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging IBB-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Napoli , Italy
| | - Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging IBB-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Napoli , Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging IBB-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16 , 80134 Napoli , Italy
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17
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Nardelli F, Paissoni C, Quilici G, Gori A, Traversari C, Valentinis B, Sacchi A, Corti A, Curnis F, Ghitti M, Musco G. Succinimide-Based Conjugates Improve IsoDGR Cyclopeptide Affinity to α vβ 3 without Promoting Integrin Allosteric Activation. J Med Chem 2018; 61:7474-7485. [PMID: 29883545 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The isoDGR sequence is an integrin-binding motif that has been successfully employed as a tumor-vasculature-homing molecule or for the targeted delivery of drugs and diagnostic agents to tumors. In this context, we previously demonstrated that cyclopeptide 2, the product of the conjugation of c(CGisoDGRG) (1) to 4-( N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxamide, can be successfully used as a tumor-homing ligand for nanodrug delivery to neoplastic tissues. Here, combining NMR, computational, and biochemical methods, we show that the succinimide ring contained in 2 contributes to stabilizing interactions with αvβ3, an integrin overexpressed in the tumor vasculature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that various cyclopeptides containing the isoDGR sequence embedded in different molecular scaffolds do not induce αvβ3 allosteric activation and work as pure integrin antagonists. These results could be profitably exploited for the rational design of novel isoDGR-based ligands and tumor-targeting molecules with improved αvβ3-binding properties and devoid of adverse integrin-activating effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Paissoni
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy.,Dipartimento di Chimica , Università degli Studi di Milano , Via Golgi 19 , 20133 Milan , Italy
| | - Giacomo Quilici
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, CNR , Via Mario Bianco 9 , 20131 Milan , Italy
| | | | | | - Angelina Sacchi
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
| | - Angelo Corti
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
| | - Flavio Curnis
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
| | - Michela Ghitti
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
| | - Giovanna Musco
- IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele , Via Olgettina 60 , 20132 Milan , Italy
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18
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Russo L, Farina B, Del Gatto A, Comegna D, Di Gaetano S, Capasso D, Liguoro A, Malgieri G, Saviano M, Fattorusso R, Zaccaro L. Deciphering RGDechi peptide‐α
5
β
1
integrin interaction mode in isolated cell membranes. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Russo
- Department of EnvironmentalBiological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania—Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43Caserta81100 Italy
| | - Biancamaria Farina
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive PeptideUniversity of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive PeptideUniversity of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Annamaria Liguoro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Gaetano Malgieri
- Department of EnvironmentalBiological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania—Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43Caserta81100 Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Institute of Crystallography‐CNR, Via Amendola 122/OBari70126 Italy
| | - Roberto Fattorusso
- Department of EnvironmentalBiological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania—Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi 43Caserta81100 Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive PeptideUniversity of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging‐CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive PeptideUniversity of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 16Naples80134 Italy
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19
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Di Gaetano S, Del Gatto A, Pirone L, Comegna D, Zaccaro L, Saviano M, Arcà B, Capasso D, Pedone E. A selective α
v
β
5
integrin antagonist hidden into the anophelin family protein cE5 from the malaria vector
Anopheles gambiae. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNRNaples Italy
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II,”Naples Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNRNaples Italy
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II,”Naples Italy
| | - Luciano Pirone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNRNaples Italy
| | | | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNRNaples Italy
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II,”Naples Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II,”Naples Italy
- Institute of Crystallography, CNRBari Italy
| | - Bruno Arcà
- Department of Public Health and Infectious DiseasesDivision of Parasitology, “Sapienza” UniversityRome Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of PharmacyUniversity of Naples Federico IINaples Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNRNaples Italy
- Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II,”Naples Italy
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20
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Depalo N, Corricelli M, De Paola I, Valente G, Iacobazzi RM, Altamura E, Debellis D, Comegna D, Fanizza E, Denora N, Laquintana V, Mavelli F, Striccoli M, Saviano M, Agostiano A, Del Gatto A, Zaccaro L, Curri ML. NIR Emitting Nanoprobes Based on Cyclic RGD Motif Conjugated PbS Quantum Dots for Integrin-Targeted Optical Bioimaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:43113-43126. [PMID: 29148709 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b14155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Here, silica-coated PbS quantum dots (QDs) with photoluminescence emission properties in the near-infrared (NIR) region are proposed as potential effective single particle optical nanoprobes for future in vivo imaging of tumors. The dispersibility in aqueous medium of hydrophobic PbS QDs was accomplished by growing a silica shell on their surface by exploiting a base assisted water-in-oil microemulsion method. The silica-coated PbS QDs were then conjugated with a specifically designed cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide that is able to specifically recognize αvβ3 integrins, which are overexpressed in angiogenic tumor-induced vasculatures and on some solid tumors, to achieve tumor-specific targeting. The cRGD peptide PbS silica-coated QDs were systematically characterized, at each step of their preparation, by means of complementary optical and structural techniques, demonstrating appropriate colloidal stability and the maintenance of their optical futures in aqueous solutions. The cellular uptake of cRGD peptide functionalized luminescent nanostructures in human melanoma cells, where overexpression of αvβ3 was observed, was assessed by means of confocal microscopy analysis and cytometric study. The selectivity of the cRGD peptide PbS silica-coated QDs for the αvβ3 integrin was established, consequently highlighting the significant potential of the developed NIR emitting nanostructures as optically traceable nanoprobes for future αvβ3 integrin receptor in vivo targeting in the NIR region.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Depalo
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - M Corricelli
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - I De Paola
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - G Valente
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - R M Iacobazzi
- Istituto Tumori IRCCS Giovanni Paolo II , Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - D Comegna
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - E Fanizza
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - N Denora
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - M Striccoli
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - M Saviano
- Istituto di Cristallografia-CNR Bari , Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - A Agostiano
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - A Del Gatto
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - L Zaccaro
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - M L Curri
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici-CNR SS Bari , Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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21
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Comegna D, Zannetti A, Del Gatto A, de Paola I, Russo L, Di Gaetano S, Liguoro A, Capasso D, Saviano M, Zaccaro L. Chemical Modification for Proteolytic Stabilization of the Selective α vβ 3 Integrin RGDechi Peptide: in Vitro and in Vivo Activities on Malignant Melanoma Cells. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9874-9884. [PMID: 29144748 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we report the synthesis and biological characterization of the new peptide ψRGDechi as the first step toward novel-targeted theranostics in melanoma. This pseudopeptide is designed from our previously reported RGDechi peptide, known to bind selectively αvβ3 integrin, and differs for a modified amide bond at the main protease cleavage site. This chemical modification drastically reduces the enzymatic degradation in serum, compared to its parental peptide, resulting in an overall magnification of the biological activity on a highly expressing αvβ3 human metastatic melanoma cell line. Selective inhibition of cell adhesion, wound healing, and invasion are demonstrated; near-infrared fluorescent ψRGDechi derivative is able to detect αvβ3 integrin in human melanoma xenografts in a selective fashion. More, molecular docking studies confirm that ψRGDechi recognizes the receptor similarly to RGDechi. All these findings pave the way for the future employment of this novel peptide as promising targeting probe and therapeutic agent in melanoma disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Comegna
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonella Zannetti
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Del Gatto
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Ivan de Paola
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Liguoro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Institute of Crystallography-CNR , Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Laura Zaccaro
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging-CNR , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center of Bioactive Peptide, University of Naples Federico II , Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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22
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Gaglione R, Pirone L, Farina B, Fusco S, Smaldone G, Aulitto M, Dell'Olmo E, Roscetto E, Del Gatto A, Fattorusso R, Notomista E, Zaccaro L, Arciello A, Pedone E, Contursi P. Insights into the anticancer properties of the first antimicrobial peptide from Archaea. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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23
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Madge PD, Maggioni A, Pascolutti M, Amin M, Waespy M, Bellette B, Thomson RJ, Kelm S, von Itzstein M, Haselhorst T. Structural characterisation of high affinity Siglec-2 (CD22) ligands in complex with whole Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) Daudi cells by NMR spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36012. [PMID: 27808110 PMCID: PMC5093622 DOI: 10.1038/srep36012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Siglec-2 undergoes constitutive endocytosis and is a drug target for autoimmune diseases and B cell-derived malignancies, including hairy cell leukaemia, marginal zone lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). An alternative to current antibody-based therapies is the use of liposomal nanoparticles loaded with cytotoxic drugs and decorated with Siglec-2 ligands. We have recently designed the first Siglec-2 ligands (9-biphenylcarboxamido-4-meta-nitrophenyl-carboxamido-Neu5Acα2Me, 9-BPC-4-mNPC-Neu5Acα2Me) with simultaneous modifications at C-4 and C-9 position. In the current study we have used Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy to monitor the binding of 9-BPC-4-mNPC-Neu5Acα2Me to Siglec-2 present on intact Burkitt's lymphoma Daudi cells. Pre-treatment of cells with periodate resulted in significantly higher STD NMR signal intensities for 9-BPC-4-mNPC-Neu5Acα2Me as the cells were more susceptible to ligand binding because cis-binding on the cell surface was removed. Quantification of STD NMR effects led to a cell-derived binding epitope of 9-BPC-4-mNPC-Neu5Acα2Me that facilitated the design and synthesis of C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-9 tetra-substituted Siglec-2 ligands showing an 88-fold higher affinity compared to 9-BPC-Neu5Acα2Me. This is the first time a NMR-based binding study of high affinity Siglec-2 (CD22) ligands in complex with whole Burkitt's lymphoma Daudi cells has been described that might open new avenues in developing tailored therapeutics and personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Madge
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Andrea Maggioni
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Mauro Pascolutti
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Moein Amin
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Mario Waespy
- Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Bernadette Bellette
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Robin J Thomson
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Sørge Kelm
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia.,Centre for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, Department of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Mark von Itzstein
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
| | - Thomas Haselhorst
- Institute for Glycomics, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, 4222, Australia
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