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Catalani E, Brunetti K, Del Quondam S, Bongiorni S, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Lupidi G, Marcantoni E, Perrotta C, Achille G, Buonanno F, Ortenzi C, Cervia D. Exposure to the Natural Compound Climacostol Induces Cell Damage and Oxidative Stress in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster. TOXICS 2024; 12:102. [PMID: 38393197 PMCID: PMC10891975 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The ciliate Climacostomum virens produces the metabolite climacostol that displays antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity on human and rodent tumor cells. Given its potential as a backbone in pharmacological studies, we used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to evaluate how the xenobiotic climacostol affects biological systems in vivo at the organismal level. Food administration with climacostol demonstrated its harmful role during larvae developmental stages but not pupation. The midgut of eclosed larvae showed apoptosis and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus demonstrating gastrointestinal toxicity. Climacostol did not affect enteroendocrine cell proliferation, suggesting moderate damage that does not initiate the repairing program. The fact that climacostol increased brain ROS and inhibited the proliferation of neural cells revealed a systemic (neurotoxic) role of this harmful substance. In this line, we found lower expression of relevant antioxidant enzymes in the larvae and impaired mitochondrial activity. Adult offsprings presented no major alterations in survival and mobility, as well the absence of abnormal phenotypes. However, mitochondrial activity and oviposition behavior was somewhat affected, indicating the chronic toxicity of climacostol, which continues moderately until adult stages. These results revealed for the first time the detrimental role of ingested climacostol in a non-target multicellular organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
| | - Kashi Brunetti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
| | - Simona Del Quondam
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
| | - Silvia Bongiorni
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
| | - Gabriele Lupidi
- School of Science and Technology, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.L.); (E.M.)
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Science and Technology, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (G.L.); (E.M.)
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Achille
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (G.A.); (F.B.); (C.O.)
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (G.A.); (F.B.); (C.O.)
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy; (G.A.); (F.B.); (C.O.)
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (K.B.); (S.D.Q.); (S.P.); (A.M.F.)
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Buonanno F, Trenti F, Achille G, Vallesi A, Guella G, Ortenzi C. Chemical Defence by Sterols in the Freshwater Ciliate Stentor polymorphus. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121749. [PMID: 36552259 PMCID: PMC9774955 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Heterotrich ciliates typically retain toxic substances in specialized ejectable organelles, called extrusomes, which are used in predator-prey interactions. In this study, we analysed the chemical defence strategy of the freshwater heterotrich ciliate Stentor polymorphus against the predatory ciliate Coleps hirtus, and the microturbellarian flatworm Stenostomum sphagnetorum. The results showed that S. polymorphus is able to defend itself against these two predators by deploying a mix of bioactive sterols contained in its extrusomes. Sterols were isolated in vivo and characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as ergosterol, 7-dehydroporiferasterol, and their two peroxidized analogues. The assessment of the toxicity of ergosterol and ergosterol peroxide against various organisms, indicated that these sterols are essential for the effectiveness of the chemical defence in S. polymorphus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, Tourism (ECHT), University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesco Trenti
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38050 Trento, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.B.); (F.T.)
| | - Gabriele Achille
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, Tourism (ECHT), University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Adriana Vallesi
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38050 Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, Tourism (ECHT), University of Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy
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Alimenti C, Buonanno F, Di Giuseppe G, Guella G, Luporini P, Ortenzi C, Vallesi A. Bioactive Molecules from Ciliates: Structure, Activity, and Applicative Potential. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2022; 69:e12887. [PMID: 35014102 PMCID: PMC9542385 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12887] [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: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ciliates are a rich source of molecules synthesized to socialize, compete ecologically, and interact with prey and predators. Their isolation from laboratory cultures is often straightforward, permitting the study of their mechanisms of action and their assessment for applied research. This review focuses on three classes of these bioactive molecules: (i) water‐borne, cysteine‐rich proteins that are used as signaling pheromones in self/nonself recognition phenomena; (ii) cell membrane‐associated lipophilic terpenoids that are used in interspecies competitions for habitat colonization; (iii) cortical granule‐associated molecules of various chemical nature that primarily serve offence/defense functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Alimenti
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - F Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - G Di Giuseppe
- Unit of Protistology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; MARinePHARMA Center, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - G Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Lab, Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - P Luporini
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
| | - C Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100, Macerata, Italy
| | - A Vallesi
- Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032, Camerino, (MC), Italy
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Preliminary Data Related to the Effect of Climacostol Produced by the Freshwater Ciliate Climacostomum virens on Human Adenovirus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12060658. [PMID: 32570859 PMCID: PMC7354546 DOI: 10.3390/v12060658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The new epidemiological scenario has so far focused on the environmental circulation of human viral pathogens. Owing to the side effects of chemical disinfectants, there is an increasing need for knowledge on the use of virucidal compounds, especially those of a natural origin. Climacostol is a molecule produced by a freshwater ciliate and it exhibits activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens. We thus also speculated that there might be an effect on viral viability, which has never been tested. To evaluate such activity, we chose human adenovirus (HAdV), which is representative of waterborne viruses. We conducted experiments using HAdV serotype 5, whose titer was determined by infecting HeLa cell cultures. HAdV5 was shown to be sensitive to climacostol at a concentration of 0.0002 mg/mL, with an approximate 3 Log10 reduction when the initial titer of HAdV5 was approximately 104 and 103 TCID50/mL. These preliminary results could be an important starting point for further research aimed at improving the characterization of climacostol activity under different experimental conditions and against various viruses, including enveloped ones (i.e., the coronavirus). The production of climacostol by a protist living in fresh water also suggests a possible application in the activated sludge of wastewater treatment plants.
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Vallesi A, Pucciarelli S, Buonanno F, Fontana A, Mangiagalli M. Bioactive molecules from protists: Perspectives in biotechnology. Eur J Protistol 2020; 75:125720. [PMID: 32569992 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejop.2020.125720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
For hundreds of years, mankind has benefited from the natural metabolic processes of microorganisms to obtain basic products such as fermented foods and alcoholic beverages. More recently, microorganisms have been exploited for the production of antibiotics, vitamins and enzymes to be used in medicine and chemical industries. Additionally, several modern drugs, including those for cancer therapy, are natural products or their derivatives. Protists are a still underexplored source of natural products potentially of interest for biotechnological and biomedical applications. This paper focuses on some examples of bioactive molecules from protists and associated bacteria and their possible use in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Vallesi
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Sandra Pucciarelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of E.C.H.T. Università degli Studi di Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Angelo Fontana
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, CNR-Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Pozzuoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Mangiagalli
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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Buonanno F, Catalani E, Cervia D, Cimarelli C, Marcantoni E, Ortenzi C. Natural Function and Structural Modification of Climacostol, a Ciliate Secondary Metabolite. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E809. [PMID: 32471240 PMCID: PMC7356801 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The review highlights the main results of two decades of research on climacostol (5-[(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol), the resorcinolic lipid produced and used by the ciliated protozoan Climacostomum virens for chemical defense against a wide range of predators, and to assist its carnivorous feeding. After the first studies on the physiological function of climacostol, the compound and some analogues were chemically synthesized, thus allowing us to explore both its effect on different prokaryotic and eukaryotic biological systems, and the role of its relevant structural traits. In particular, the results obtained in the last 10 years indicate climacostol is an effective antimicrobial and anticancer agent, bringing new clues to the attempt to design and synthesize additional novel analogues that can increase or optimize its pharmacological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (E.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Cristina Cimarelli
- School of Science and Technology, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Science and Technology, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (C.C.); (E.M.)
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy;
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XIAP as a Target of New Small Organic Natural Molecules Inducing Human Cancer Cell Death. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11091336. [PMID: 31505859 PMCID: PMC6770071 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is an emerging crucial therapeutic target in cancer. We report on the discovery and characterisation of small organic molecules from Piper genus plants exhibiting XIAP antagonism, namely erioquinol, a quinol substituted in the 4-position with an alkenyl group and the alkenylphenols eriopodols A–C. Another isolated compound was originally identified as gibbilimbol B. Erioquinol was the most potent inhibitor of human cancer cell viability when compared with gibbilimbol B and eriopodol A was listed as intermediate. Gibbilimbol B and eriopodol A induced apoptosis through mitochondrial permeabilisation and caspase activation while erioquinol acted on cell fate via caspase-independent/non-apoptotic mechanisms, likely involving mitochondrial dysfunctions and aberrant generation of reactive oxygen species. In silico modelling and molecular approaches suggested that all molecules inhibit XIAP by binding to XIAP-baculoviral IAP repeat domain. This demonstrates a novel aspect of XIAP as a key determinant of tumour control, at the molecular crossroad of caspase-dependent/independent cell death pathway and indicates molecular aspects to develop tumour-effective XIAP antagonists.
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Catalani E, Buonanno F, Lupidi G, Bongiorni S, Belardi R, Zecchini S, Giovarelli M, Coazzoli M, De Palma C, Perrotta C, Clementi E, Prantera G, Marcantoni E, Ortenzi C, Fausto AM, Picchietti S, Cervia D. The Natural Compound Climacostol as a Prodrug Strategy Based on pH Activation for Efficient Delivery of Cytotoxic Small Agents. Front Chem 2019; 7:463. [PMID: 31316972 PMCID: PMC6609918 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We synthesized and characterized MOMO as a new small molecule analog of the cytotoxic natural product climacostol efficiently activated in mild extracellular acidosis. The synthesis of MOMO had a key step in the Wittig olefination for the construction of the carbon-carbon double bond in the alkenyl moiety of climacostol. The possibility of obtaining the target (Z)-alkenyl MOMO derivative in very good yield and without presence of the less active (E)-diastereomer was favored from the methoxymethyl ether (MOM)-protecting group of hydroxyl functions in aromatic ring of climacostol aldehyde intermediate. Of interest, the easy removal of MOM-protecting group in a weakly acidic environment allowed us to obtain a great quantity of climacostol in biologically active (Z)-configuration. Results obtained in free-living ciliates that share the same micro-environment of the climacostol natural producer Climacostomum virens demonstrated that MOMO is well-tolerated in a physiological environment, while its cytotoxicity is rapidly and efficiently triggered at pH 6.3. In addition, the cytostatic vs. cytotoxic effects of acidified-MOMO can be modulated in a dose-dependent manner. In mouse melanoma cells, MOMO displayed a marked pH-sensitivity since its cytotoxic and apoptotic effects become evident only in mild extracellular acidosis. Data also suggested MOMO being preferentially activated in the unique extra-acidic microenvironment that characterizes tumoural cells. Finally, the use of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster fed with an acidic diet supported the efficient activity and oral delivery of MOMO molecule in vivo. MOMO affected oviposition of mating adults and larvae eclosion. Reduced survival of flies was due to lethality during the larval stages while emerging larvae retained their ability to develop into adults. Interestingly, the gut of eclosed larvae exhibited an extended damage (cell death by apoptosis) and the brain tissue was also affected (reduced mitosis), demonstrating that orally activated MOMO efficiently targets different tissues of the developing fly. These results provided a proof-of-concept study on the pH-dependence of MOMO effects. In this respect, MOM-protection emerges as a potential prodrug strategy which deserves to be further investigated for the generation of efficient pH-sensitive small organic molecules as pharmacologically active cytotoxic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Gabriele Lupidi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Silvia Bongiorni
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Belardi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Giovarelli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Coazzoli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara De Palma
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital “Luigi Sacco”-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Clementi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “Luigi Sacco” (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Scientific Institute IRCCS “Eugenio Medea”, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Giorgio Prantera
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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Buonanno F, Catalani E, Cervia D, Proietti Serafini F, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Giorgi S, Lupidi G, Rossi FV, Marcantoni E, Petrelli D, Ortenzi C. Bioactivity and Structural Properties of Novel Synthetic Analogues of the Protozoan Toxin Climacostol. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11010042. [PMID: 30650514 PMCID: PMC6356496 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Climacostol (5-[(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol) is a resorcinol produced by the protozoan Climacostomum virens for defence against predators. It exerts a potent antimicrobial activity against bacterial and fungal pathogens, inhibits the growth of several human and rodent tumour cells, and is now available by chemical synthesis. In this study, we chemically synthesized two novel analogues of climacostol, namely, 2-methyl-5 [(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,3-diol (AN1) and 5-[(2Z)-non-2-en-1-yl]benzene-1,2,3-triol (AN2), with the aim to increase the activity of the native toxin, evaluating their effects on prokaryotic and free-living protists and on mammalian tumour cells. The results demonstrated that the analogue bearing a methyl group (AN1) in the aromatic ring exhibited appreciably higher toxicity against pathogen microbes and protists than climacostol. On the other hand, the analogue bearing an additional hydroxyl group (AN2) in the aromatic ring revealed its ability to induce programmed cell death in protistan cells. Overall, the data collected demonstrate that the introduction of a methyl or a hydroxyl moiety to the aromatic ring of climacostol can effectively modulate its potency and its mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Francesca Proietti Serafini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Simone Giorgi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Lupidi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Federico Vittorio Rossi
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Dezemona Petrelli
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage, and Tourism (ECHT), Università degli Studi di Macerata, 62100 Macerata, Italy.
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Dysfunctional autophagy induced by the pro-apoptotic natural compound climacostol in tumour cells. Cell Death Dis 2018; 10:10. [PMID: 30584259 PMCID: PMC6315039 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1254-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy occurs at a basal level in all eukaryotic cells and may support cell survival or activate death pathways. Due to its pathophysiologic significance, the autophagic machinery is a promising target for the development of multiple approaches for anti-neoplastic agents. We have recently described the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic mechanisms, targeting the tumour suppressor p53, of climacostol, a natural product of the ciliated protozoan Climacostomum virens. We report here on how climacostol regulates autophagy and the involvement of p53-dependent mechanisms. Using both in vitro and in vivo techniques, we show that climacostol potently and selectively impairs autophagy in multiple tumour cells that are committed to die by apoptosis. In particular, in B16-F10 mouse melanomas climacostol exerts a marked and sustained accumulation of autophagosomes as the result of dysfunctional autophagic degradation. We also provide mechanistic insights showing that climacostol affects autophagosome turnover via p53-AMPK axis, although the mTOR pathway unrelated to p53 levels plays a role. In particular, climacostol activated p53 inducing the upregulation of p53 protein levels in the nuclei through effects on p53 stability at translational level, as for instance the phosphorylation at Ser15 site. Noteworthy, AMPKα activation was the major responsible of climacostol-induced autophagy disruption in the absence of a key role regulating cell death, thus indicating that climacostol effects on autophagy and apoptosis are two separate events, which may act independently on life/death decisions of the cell. Since the activation of p53 system is at the molecular crossroad regulating both the anti-autophagic action of climacostol and its role in the apoptosis induction, it might be important to explore the dual targeting of autophagy and apoptosis with agents acting on p53 for the selective killing of tumours. These findings also suggest the efficacy of ciliate bioactive molecules to identify novel lead compounds in drug discovery and development.
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Nakajima K, Guo X, Nishibayashi Y. Cross-Coupling Reactions of Alkenyl Halides with 4-Benzyl-1,4- Dihydropyridines Associated with E
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Isomerization under Nickel and Photoredox Catalysis. Chem Asian J 2018; 13:3653-3657. [DOI: 10.1002/asia.201801542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazunari Nakajima
- Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources; School of Engineering; The University of Tokyo; Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Xifeng Guo
- Department of Systems Innovation; School of Engineering; The University of Tokyo; Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nishibayashi
- Department of Systems Innovation; School of Engineering; The University of Tokyo; Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
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Catalani E, Proietti Serafini F, Zecchini S, Picchietti S, Fausto AM, Marcantoni E, Buonanno F, Ortenzi C, Perrotta C, Cervia D. Natural products from aquatic eukaryotic microorganisms for cancer therapy: Perspectives on anti-tumour properties of ciliate bioactive molecules. Pharmacol Res 2016; 113:409-420. [PMID: 27650755 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several modern drugs, including those for cancer therapy, have been isolated from natural sources, are based on natural products and its derivatives, or mime natural products. Some of them are in clinical use, others in clinical trials. The success of natural products in drug discovery is related to their biochemical characteristics and to the technologic methods used to study their feature. Natural compounds may acts as chemo-preventive agents and as factors that increase therapeutic efficacy of existing drugs, thus overcoming cancer cell drug resistance that is the main factor determining the failure in conventional chemotherapy. Water environment, because of its physical and chemical conditions, shows an extraordinary collection of natural biological substances with an extensive structural and functional diversity. The isolation of bioactive molecules has been reported from a great variety of aquatic organisms; however, the therapeutic application of molecules from eukaryotic microorganisms remains inadequately investigated and underexploited on a systematic basis. Herein we describe the biological activities in mammalian cells of selected substances isolated from ciliates, free-living protozoa common almost everywhere there is water, focusing on their anti-tumour actions and their possible therapeutic activity. In particular, we unveil the cellular and molecular machine mediating the effects of cell type-specific signalling protein pheromone Er-1 and secondary metabolites, i.e. euplotin C and climacostol, in cancer cells. To support the feasibility of climacostol-based approaches, we also present novel findings and report additional mechanisms of action using both in vitro and in vivo models of mouse melanomas, with the scope of highlighting new frontiers that can be explored also in a therapeutic perspective. The high skeletal chemical difference of ciliate compounds, their sustainability and availability, also through the use of new organic synthesis/modifications processes, and the results obtained so far in biological studies provide a rationale to consider some of them a potential resource for the design of new anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Catalani
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesca Proietti Serafini
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvia Zecchini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital "Luigi Sacco"-ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Simona Picchietti
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fausto
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enrico Marcantoni
- School of Sciences and Technologies, Section of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Università degli Studi di Macerata, Italy
| | - Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco" (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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Sera Y, Masaki ME, Doe M, Buonanno F, Miyake A, Usuki Y, Iio H. Spirostomin, Defense Toxin of the Ciliate Spirostomum teres: Isolation, Structure Elucidation, and Synthesis. CHEM LETT 2015. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.150044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Sera
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University
| | - Miyuki Eiraku Masaki
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University
| | - Matsumi Doe
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino
- Department of Education Science, University of Macerata
| | - Akio Miyake
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino
| | - Yoshinosuke Usuki
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University
| | - Hideo Iio
- Division of Molecular Materials Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University
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DNA binding and oxidative DNA damage induced by climacostol-copper(II) complexes: implications for anticancer properties. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 206:109-16. [PMID: 23994247 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 08/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Climacostol is a natural toxin isolated from the freshwater ciliated protozoan Climacostomum virens and belongs to the group of resorcinolic lipids. Climacostol exerts a potent antimicrobial activity against a panel of bacterial and fungal pathogens. In addition it inhibits the growth of tumor cell lines in a dose-dependent manner by inducing programmed cell death via intrinsic pathway. In this work, we investigated the possibility that climacostol exerts a prooxidant effect, inducing plasmid DNA strand breakage and eukaryotic DNA damage in presence of Cu(II) ions. Inhibition of DNA breakage using SOD, catalase and neocuproine confirmed the involvement of reactive oxygen species and Cu(I) ions in the DNA damage. UV-visible absorption changes and mass spectrometric analysis identified a product of reaction as a deprotonated form of climacostol. Study of the interaction with DNA, using fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, showed that climacostol binds with DNA. Given the structure-activity relationship of this compound and the mechanism of its prooxidant effect, we propose that the Cu(II)-mediated oxidative DNA damage by climacostol could explain its antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity.
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Buonanno F, Harumoto T, Ortenzi C. The Defensive Function of Trichocysts inParamecium tetraureliaAgainst Metazoan Predators Compared with the Chemical Defense of Two Species of Toxin-containing Ciliates. Zoolog Sci 2013; 30:255-61. [DOI: 10.2108/zsj.30.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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16
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17
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Abstract
AbstractClimacostol is a resorcinol derivative that is produced by the ciliate Climacostomum virens. Exposure to purified climacostol results in lethal damage to the predatory ciliate Dileptus margaritifer and several other ciliates. To elucidate the mechanism of climacostol toxic action, we have investigated the effects of this compound on the swimming behavior of Tetrahymena thermophila and the respiratory system of isolated rat liver mitochondria. When added to living T. thermophila cells, climacostol markedly increased the turning frequency that was accompanied by a decrease in swimming velocity and subsequently by cell death. Observations by DIC and fluorescence microscopy showed morphological alterations in climacostol treated T. thermophila, indicating that climacostol might exert cytotoxic action on this organism. In the experiment with isolated rat liver mitochondria, climacostol was found to inhibit the NAD-linked respiration, but had no apparent effect on succinate-linked respiration. This finding indicates that climacostol specifically inhibits respiratory chain complex I in mitochondria. The combination of results suggest that the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration may be the cytotoxic mechanism of climacostol’s defenses against predatory protozoa.
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The protozoan toxin climacostol and its derivatives: Cytotoxicity studies on 10 species of free-living ciliates. Biologia (Bratisl) 2010. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-010-0071-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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19
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Structures, biological activities and phylogenetic relationships of terpenoids from marine ciliates of the genus Euplotes. Mar Drugs 2010; 8:2080-116. [PMID: 20714425 PMCID: PMC2920544 DOI: 10.3390/md8072080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2010] [Revised: 07/06/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, large scale axenic cell cultures of the marine species comprising the family Euplotidae have resulted in the isolation of several new classes of terpenoids with unprecedented carbon skeletons including the (i) euplotins, highly strained acetylated sesquiterpene hemiacetals; (ii) raikovenals, built on the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane ring system; (iii) rarisetenolides and focardins containing an octahydroazulene moiety; and (iv) vannusals, with a unique C30 backbone. Their complex structures have been elucidated through a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, molecular mechanics and quantum chemical calculations. Despite the limited number of biosynthetic experiments having been performed, the large diversity of ciliate terpenoids has facilitated the proposal of biosynthetic pathways whereby they are produced from classical linear precursors. Herein, the similarities and differences emerging from the comparison of the classical chemotaxonomy approach based on secondary metabolites, with species phylogenesis based on genetic descriptors (SSU-rDNA), will be discussed. Results on the interesting ecological and biological properties of ciliate terpenoids are also reported.
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Guella G, Frassanito R, Mancini I, Sandron T, Modeo L, Verni F, Dini F, Petroni G. Keronopsamides, a New Class of Pigments from Marine Ciliates. European J Org Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.200900905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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René O, Lapointe D, Fagnou K. Domino Palladium-Catalyzed Heck-Intermolecular Direct Arylation Reactions. Org Lett 2009; 11:4560-3. [DOI: 10.1021/ol901799p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier René
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - David Lapointe
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Keith Fagnou
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, 10 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
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Buonanno F, Quassinti L, Bramucci M, Amantini C, Lucciarini R, Santoni G, Iio H, Ortenzi C. The protozoan toxin climacostol inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human tumor cell lines. Chem Biol Interact 2008; 176:151-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2008] [Revised: 07/21/2008] [Accepted: 07/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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24
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Bioactive Phenolic Lipids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-5995(05)80032-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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25
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Buonanno F. Variations in the efficiency of ciliate extrusomal toxins against a common ciliate predator, the catenulidStenostomum Sphagnetorum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1080/11250000509356688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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26
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Terazima MN, Harumoto T. Defense Function of Pigment Granules in the Ciliate Blepharisma japonicum against Two Predatory Protists,Amoeba proteus (Rhizopodea) and Climacostomum virens (Ciliata). Zoolog Sci 2004; 21:823-8. [PMID: 15333994 DOI: 10.2108/zsj.21.823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The defense function of pigment granules in the red ciliate Blepharisma japonicum against two predatory protists, Amoeba proteus and Climacostomum virens, was investigated by (1) comparing normally-pigmented and albino mutant cells of B. japonicum as the prey of these predators and (2) comparing resistance of the predators to blepharismin, the toxic pigment contained in the pigment granules of B. japonicum. Normally pigmented cells which contained more blepharismin than albino cells were less vulnerable to A. proteus than albino cells, but not to C. virens. C. virens was more resistant than A. proteus to the lethal effect of blepharismin. The results indicate that pigment granules of B. japonicum function as defense organelles against A. proteus but not against C. virens and suggest that successful defense against a predator depends on the susceptibility of the predator to blepharismin.
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Miyake A, Buonanno F, Saltalamacchia P, Masaki ME, Iio H. Chemical defence by means of extrusive cortical granules in the heterotrich ciliate Climacostomum virens. Eur J Protistol 2003. [DOI: 10.1078/0932-4739-00900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abe Y, Mori K. Simple synthesis of climacostol, a defensive secretion by the ciliate Climacostomum virens. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2001; 65:2110-2. [PMID: 11676032 DOI: 10.1271/bbb.65.2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Climacostol [1,3-dihydroxy-5-[(Z)-2'-nonenyl]benzene, 1], a defensive secretion by the protozoan ciliate Climacostomum virens against predators, was synthesized in a 43% overall yield in three steps by starting from methyl 1,3-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenylacetate (3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Abe
- Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Graduate School of Science, Science University of Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Miyake A, Harumoto T, Iio H. Defence function of pigment granules in Stentor coeruleus. Eur J Protistol 2001. [DOI: 10.1078/0932-4739-00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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