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Di Natale C, Coppola S, Vespini V, Tkachenko V, Russo S, Luciani G, Vitiello G, Ferranti F, Mari S, Ferraro P, Maffettone PL, Grilli S. Highly sensitive detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker Tau by using the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 254:116234. [PMID: 38522234 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
It is largely documented that neurodegenerative diseases can be effectively treated only if early diagnosed. In this context, the structural changes of some biomolecules such as Tau, seem to play a key role in neurodegeneration mechanism becoming eligible targets for an early diagnosis. Post-translational modifications are responsible to drive the Tau protein towards a transition phase from a native disorder conformation into a preaggregation state, which then straight recruits the final fibrillization process. Here, we show for the first time the detection of pre-aggregated Tau in artificial urine at femto-molar level, through the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet (p-jet) technique. An excellent linear calibration curve is demonstrated at the femto-molar level with a limit of detection (LOD) of 130 fM. Moreover, for the first time we show here the structure stability of the protein after p-jet application through a deep spectroscopic investigation. Thanks to the small volumes required and the relatively compact and cost-effective characteristics, this technique represents an innovative breakthrough in monitoring the early stage associated to neurodegeneration syndromes in different scenarios of point of care (POC) and such as for example in long-term human space exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Di Natale
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy.
| | - Sara Coppola
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Veronica Vespini
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Volodymyr Tkachenko
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Simone Russo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), Via Della Lastruccia, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, 80078, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Mari
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Via Del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Pier Luca Maffettone
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Simonetta Grilli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy.
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2
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Florio D, Luciano P, Di Natale C, Marasco D. The effects of histidine substitution of aromatic residues on the amyloidogenic properties of the fragment 264-277 of nucleophosmin 1. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107404. [PMID: 38678777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Histidine (His) plays a key role in mediating protein interactions and its unique side chain determines pH responsive self-assembling processes and thus in the formation of nanostructures. In this study, To identify novel self-assembling bioinspired sequences, we analyzed a series of peptide sequences obtained through the point mutation of aromatic residues of 264-277 fragment of nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) with single and double histidines. Through several orthogonal biophysical techniques and under different pH and ionic strength conditions we evaluated the effects of these substitutions in the amyloidogenic features of derived peptides. The results clearly indicate that both the type of aromatic mutated residue and its position can have different effect on amyloid-like behaviors. They corroborate the crucial role exerted by Tyr271 in the self-assembling process of CTD of NPM1 in AML mutated form and add novel insights in the accurate investigation of how side chain orientations can determine successful design of innovative bioinspired materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Luciano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Department of Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale (DICMAPI), Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
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3
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Scarel E, De Corti M, Polentarutti M, Pierri G, Tedesco C, Marchesan S. Self-assembly of heterochiral, aliphatic dipeptides with Leu. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3559. [PMID: 38111175 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
This work describes the self-assembly behavior of heterochiral, aliphatic dipeptides, l-Leu-d-Xaa (Xaa = Ala, Val, Ile, Leu), in green solvents such as acetonitrile (MeCN) and buffered water at neutral pH. Interestingly, water plays a structuring role because at 1% v/v, it enables dipeptide self-assembly in MeCN to yield organogels, which then undergo transition towards crystals. Other organic solvents and oils were tested for gelation, and metastable gels were formed in tetrahydrofuran, although at high peptide concentration (80 mM). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the dipeptides' supramolecular packing modes in amphipathic layers, as opposed to water channels reported for the homochiral Leu-Leu, or hydrophobic columns reported for homochiral Leu-Val and Leu-Ile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Scarel
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco De Corti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Pierri
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Consiglia Tedesco
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "A. Zambelli", University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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4
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Parisi E, Adorinni S, Garcia AM, Kralj S, De Zorzi R, Marchesan S. Self-assembling tripeptide forming water-bound channels and hydrogels. J Pept Sci 2023; 29:e3524. [PMID: 37226306 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
D-Ser(tBu)-L-Phe-L-Trp is described as a self-assembling tripeptide that yields nanofibrillar hydrogels at physiological conditions (phosphate buffer at pH 7.4). The peptide is characterized by several spectroscopic methods, such as circular dichroism and fluorescence, oscillatory rheometry, and transmission electron microscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals supramolecular packing into water-bound channels and allows the visualization of the intermolecular interactions holding together peptide stacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Parisi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Adorinni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ana M Garcia
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Slavko Kralj
- Department for Materials Synthesis, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rita De Zorzi
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchesan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Yang S, Wang M, Wang T, Sun M, Huang H, Shi X, Duan S, Wu Y, Zhu J, Liu F. Self-assembled short peptides: Recent advances and strategies for potential pharmaceutical applications. Mater Today Bio 2023; 20:100644. [PMID: 37214549 PMCID: PMC10199221 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled short peptides have intrigued scientists due to the convenience of synthesis, good biocompatibility, low toxicity, inherent biodegradability and fast response to change in the physiological environment. Therefore, it is necessary to present a comprehensive summary of the recent advances in the last decade regarding the construction, route of administration and application of self-assembled short peptides based on the knowledge on their unique and specific ability of self-assembly. Herein, we firstly explored the molecular mechanisms of self-assembly of short peptides, such as non-modified amino acids, as well as Fmoc-modified, N-functionalized, and C-functionalized peptides. Next, cell penetration, fusion, and peptide targeting in peptide-based drug delivery were characterized. Then, the common administration routes and the potential pharmaceutical applications (drug delivery, antibacterial activity, stabilizers, imaging agents, and applications in bioengineering) of peptide drugs were respectively summarized. Last but not least, some general conclusions and future perspectives in the relevant fields were briefly listed. Although with certain challenges, great opportunities are offered by self-assembled short peptides to the fascinating area of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihua Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Department of Phase I Clinical Trials Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Mingge Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Tianye Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, The First Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116000, China
| | - Mengchi Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Hanwei Huang
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Department of Phase I Clinical Trials Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Xianbao Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, China
| | - Shijie Duan
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Department of Phase I Clinical Trials Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Phase I Clinical Trials Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110102, China
| | - Jiaming Zhu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Funan Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology and General Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumors, China Medical University, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110001, China
- Department of Phase I Clinical Trials Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110102, China
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6
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La Manna S, Florio D, Di Natale C, Marasco D. Modulation of hydrogel networks by metal ions. J Pept Sci 2022:e3474. [PMID: 36579727 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembling hydrogels are receiving great attention for both biomedical and technological applications. Self-assembly of protein/peptides as well as organic molecules is commonly induced in response to external triggers such as changes of temperature, concentration, or pH. An interesting strategy to modulate the morphology and mechanical properties of the gels implies the use of metal ions, where coordination bonds regulate the dynamic cross-linking in the construction of hydrogels, and coordination geometries, catalytic, and redox properties of metal ions play crucial roles. This review aims to discuss recent insights into the supramolecular assembly of hydrogels involving metal ions, with a focus on self-assembling peptides, as well as applications of metallogels in biomedical fields including tissue engineering, sensing, wound healing, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara La Manna
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Florio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Di Natale
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Center for Advanced Biomaterials for Healthcare@CRIB, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Insights into Network of Hot Spots of Aggregation in Nucleophosmin 1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314704. [PMID: 36499032 PMCID: PMC9736328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In a protein, point mutations associated with diseases can alter the native structure and provide loss or alteration of functional levels, and an internal structural network defines the connectivity among domains, as well as aggregate/soluble states' equilibria. Nucleophosmin (NPM)1 is an abundant nucleolar protein, which becomes mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. NPM1-dependent leukemogenesis, which leads to its aggregation in the cytoplasm (NPMc+), is still obscure, but the investigations have outlined a direct link between AML mutations and amyloid aggregation. Protein aggregation can be due to the cooperation among several hot spots located within the aggregation-prone regions (APR), often predictable with bioinformatic tools. In the present study, we investigated potential APRs in the entire NPM1 not yet investigated. On the basis of bioinformatic predictions and experimental structures, we designed several protein fragments and analyzed them through typical aggrsegation experiments, such as Thioflavin T (ThT), fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments, carried out at different times; in addition, their biocompatibility in SHSY5 cells was also evaluated. The presented data clearly demonstrate the existence of hot spots of aggregation located in different regions, mostly in the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the entire NPM1 protein, and provide a more comprehensive view of the molecular details potentially at the basis of NPMc+-dependent AML.
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