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Petropoulos V, Uboldi L, Maiuri M, Cerullo G, Martinez-Fernandez L, Balanikas E, Markovitsi D. Effect of the DNA Polarity on the Relaxation of Its Electronic Excited States. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:10219-10224. [PMID: 37931204 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The DNA polarity, i.e., the order in which nucleobases are connected together via the phosphodiester backbone, is crucial for several biological processes. But, so far, there has not been experimental evidence regarding its effect on the relaxation of DNA electronic excited states. Here we examine this aspect for two dinucleotides containing adenine and guanine: 5'-dApdG-3' and 5'-dGpdA-3' in water. We used two different femtosecond transient absorption setups: one providing high temporal resolution and broad spectral coverage (330-650 nm) between 30 fs and 50 ps, and the other recording decays at selected wavelengths until 1.2 ns. The transient absorption spectra corresponding to the minima in the potential energy surface of the first excited state were computed by quantum chemistry methods. Our results show that the excited charge transfer state in 5'-dGpdA-3' is formed with a ∼75% higher quantum yield and exhibits slower decay (170 ± 10 ps vs 112 ± 12 ps) compared to 5'-dApdG-3'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis Petropoulos
- IFN-CNR, Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Uboldi
- IFN-CNR, Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Maiuri
- IFN-CNR, Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Cerullo
- IFN-CNR, Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Lara Martinez-Fernandez
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias and Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Sciences (IADCHEM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Excelencia UAM-CSIC, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Evangelos Balanikas
- Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Geneva-4, Switzerland
| | - Dimitra Markovitsi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie Physique, UMR8000, 91405 Orsay, France
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2
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Sabei A, Prentiss M, Prévost C. Modeling the Homologous Recombination Process: Methods, Successes and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14896. [PMID: 37834348 PMCID: PMC10573387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914896] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Homologous recombination (HR) is a fundamental process common to all species. HR aims to faithfully repair DNA double strand breaks. HR involves the formation of nucleoprotein filaments on DNA single strands (ssDNA) resected from the break. The nucleoprotein filaments search for homologous regions in the genome and promote strand exchange with the ssDNA homologous region in an unbroken copy of the genome. HR has been the object of intensive studies for decades. Because multi-scale dynamics is a fundamental aspect of this process, studying HR is highly challenging, both experimentally and using computational approaches. Nevertheless, knowledge has built up over the years and has recently progressed at an accelerated pace, borne by increasingly focused investigations using new techniques such as single molecule approaches. Linking this knowledge to the atomic structure of the nucleoprotein filament systems and the succession of unstable, transient intermediate steps that takes place during the HR process remains a challenge; modeling retains a very strong role in bridging the gap between structures that are stable enough to be observed and in exploring transition paths between these structures. However, working on ever-changing long filament systems submitted to kinetic processes is full of pitfalls. This review presents the modeling tools that are used in such studies, their possibilities and limitations, and reviews the advances in the knowledge of the HR process that have been obtained through modeling. Notably, we will emphasize how cooperative behavior in the HR nucleoprotein filament enables modeling to produce reliable information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afra Sabei
- CNRS, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Université de Paris, 13 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France;
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique-Fondation Edmond de Rotschild, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Mara Prentiss
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138, USA;
| | - Chantal Prévost
- CNRS, UPR 9080, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Université de Paris, 13 Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France;
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique-Fondation Edmond de Rotschild, PSL Research University, F-75005 Paris, France
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3
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Lee W, Iwasaki H, Tsubouchi H, Li HW. Hop2-Mnd1 and Swi5-Sfr1 stimulate Dmc1 filament assembly using distinct mechanisms. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8550-8562. [PMID: 37395447 PMCID: PMC10484676 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In meiosis, Dmc1 recombinase and the general recombinase Rad51 are responsible for pairing homologous chromosomes and exchanging strands. Fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) Swi5-Sfr1 and Hop2-Mnd1 stimulate Dmc1-driven recombination, but the stimulation mechanism is unclear. Using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and tethered particle motion (TPM) experiments, we showed that Hop2-Mnd1 and Swi5-Sfr1 individually enhance Dmc1 filament assembly on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and adding both proteins together allows further stimulation. FRET analysis showed that Hop2-Mnd1 enhances the binding rate of Dmc1 while Swi5-Sfr1 specifically reduces the dissociation rate during the nucleation, about 2-fold. In the presence of Hop2-Mnd1, the nucleation time of Dmc1 filaments shortens, and doubling the ss/double-stranded DNA (ss/dsDNA) junctions of DNA substrates reduces the nucleation times in half. Order of addition experiments confirmed that Hop2-Mnd1 binds on DNA to recruit and stimulate Dmc1 nucleation at the ss/dsDNA junction. Our studies directly support the molecular basis of how Hop2-Mnd1 and Swi5-Sfr1 act on different steps during the Dmc1 filament assembly. DNA binding of these accessory proteins and nucleation preferences of recombinases thus dictate how their regulation can take place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lee
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
| | - Hiroshi Iwasaki
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Hideo Tsubouchi
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
| | - Hung-Wen Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
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4
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Fan H. Single‐molecule tethered particle motion to study
protein‐DNA
interaction. J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.202300051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
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5
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Yu F, Zhang D, Zhao C, Zhao Q, Jiang G, Wang H. Flanking strand separation activity of RecA nucleoprotein filaments in DNA strand exchange reactions. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:2270-2283. [PMID: 36807462 PMCID: PMC10018334 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The recombinase RecA/Rad51 ATPase family proteins catalyze paramount DNA strand exchange reactions that are critically involved in maintaining genome integrity. However, it remains unclear how DNA strand exchange proceeds when encountering RecA-free defects in recombinase nucleoprotein filaments. Herein, by designing a series of unique substrates (e.g. truncated or conjugated incoming single-stranded DNA, and extended donor double-stranded DNA) and developing a two-color alternating excitation-modified single-molecule real-time fluorescence imaging assay, we resolve the two key steps (donor strand separation and new base-pair formation) that are usually inseparable during the reaction, revealing a novel long-range flanking strand separation activity of synaptic RecA nucleoprotein filaments. We further evaluate the kinetics and free energetics of strand exchange reactions mediated by various substrates, and elucidate the mechanism of flanking strand separation. Based on these findings, we propose a potential fundamental molecular model involved in flanking strand separation, which provides new insights into strand exchange mechanism and homologous recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhi Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Dapeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chubin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou 310024, China
- School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Glökler J, Lim TS, Ida J, Frohme M. Isothermal amplifications - a comprehensive review on current methods. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:543-586. [PMID: 34263688 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1937927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of nucleic acid amplification techniques has revolutionized the field of medical diagnostics in the last decade. The advent of PCR catalyzed the increasing application of DNA, not just for molecular cloning but also for molecular based diagnostics. Since the introduction of PCR, a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms and enzymes involved in DNA/RNA replication has spurred the development of novel methods devoid of temperature cycling. Isothermal amplification methods have since been introduced utilizing different mechanisms, enzymes, and conditions. The ease with which isothermal amplification methods have allowed nucleic acid amplification to be carried out has had a profound impact on the way molecular diagnostics are being designed after the turn of the millennium. With all the advantages isothermal amplification brings, the issues or complications surrounding each method are heterogeneous making it difficult to identify the best approach for an end-user. This review pays special attention to the various isothermal amplification methods by classifying them based on the mechanistic characteristics which include reaction formats, amplification information, promoter, strand break, and refolding mechanisms. We would also compare the efficiencies and usefulness of each method while highlighting the potential applications and detection methods involved. This review will serve as an overall outlook on the journey and development of isothermal amplification methods as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörn Glökler
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Wildau, Germany
| | - Theam Soon Lim
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Jeunice Ida
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Marcus Frohme
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, Wildau, Germany
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Influences of ssDNA-RecA Filament Length on the Fidelity of Homologous Recombination. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167143. [PMID: 34242669 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal double-strand breaks can be accurately repaired by homologous recombination, but genomic rearrangement can result if the repair joins different copies of a repeated sequence. Rearrangement can be advantageous or fatal. During repair, a broken double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is digested by the RecBCD complex from the 5' end, leaving a sequence gap that separates two 3' single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) tails. RecA binds to the 3' tails forming helical nucleoprotein filaments.A three-strand intermediate is formed when a RecA-bound ssDNA with L nucleotides invades a homologous region of dsDNA and forms a heteroduplex product with a length ≤ L bp. The homology dependent stability of the heteroduplex determines how rapidly and accurately homologous recombination repairs double-strand breaks. If the heteroduplex is sufficiently sequence matched, repair progresses to irreversible DNA synthesis. Otherwise, the heteroduplex should rapidly reverse. In this work, we present in vitro measurements of the L dependent stability of heteroduplex products formed by filaments with 90 ≤ L ≤ 420 nt, which is within the range observedin vivo. We find that without ATP hydrolysis, products are irreversible when L > 50 nt. In contrast, with ATP hydrolysis when L < 160 nt, products reverse in < 30 seconds; however, with ATP hydrolysis when L ≥ 320 nt, some products reverse in < 30 seconds, while others last thousands of seconds. We consider why these two different filament length regimes show such distinct behaviors. We propose that the experimental results combined with theoretical insights suggest that filaments with 250 ≲ L ≲ 8500 nt optimize DSB repair.
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Fan HF, Su S. The regulation mechanism of the C-terminus of RecA proteins during DNA strand-exchange process. Biophys J 2021; 120:3166-3179. [PMID: 34197804 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The C-terminus of Escherichia coli RecA protein can affect the DNA binding affinity, interact with accessory proteins, and regulate the RecA activity. A substantial upward shift in the pH-reaction profile of RecA-mediated DNA strand-exchange reactions was observed for C-terminal-truncated E. coli ΔC17 RecA, Deinococcus radiodurans RecA, and Deinococcus ficus RecA. Here, the process of RecA-mediated strand exchange from the beginning to the end was investigated with florescence resonance energy transfer and tethered particle motion experiments to determine the detailed regulation mechanism. RecA proteins with a shorter C-terminus possess more stable nuclei, higher DNA binding affinities, and lower protonation requirements for the formation of nucleoprotein filaments. Moreover, more stable synaptic complexes in the homologous sequence searching process were also observed for RecA proteins with a shorter C-terminus. Our results suggest that the C-terminus of RecA proteins regulates not only the formation of RecA nucleoprotein filaments but also the entrance of secondary DNA into RecA nucleoprotein filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Fang Fan
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Aerosol Science Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Shu Su
- Department of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Tirtom NE, Hsu Y, Li HW. Polyamines stimulate RecA-mediated recombination by condensing duplex DNA and stabilizing intermediates. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:11928-11935. [PMID: 32432615 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01061h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Polyamines are naturally occurring cationic molecules in cells. In addition to their roles in modulating gene expression and cell proliferation, they have been shown to stimulate DNA recombination. The molecular mechanism for stimulation is not clear. We utilized single-molecule tethered particle motion (TPM) experiments to investigate how polyamines stimulate RecA-mediated recombination. We showed that natural polyamines, spermine and spermidine, condense duplex DNA, but with different efficiencies. While ∼300 μM of spermine condenses 50% of duplex DNA, 2.0 mM of spermidine is required to achieve the same level of condensation. The condensation takes place in a stepwise manner, and is reversible upon removal of polyamines. We also showed that addition of polyamines stimulates the duplex capture activity of RecA filament and stabilizes the intermediates with longer dwell time. Through condensing duplex DNA and stabilizing the complex of RecA filaments and duplex DNA, polyamines stimulate the formation of functional intermediates by ∼20-fold, and promote recombination progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Wen Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
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10
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Balestra D, Maestri I, Branchini A, Ferrarese M, Bernardi F, Pinotti M. An Altered Splicing Registry Explains the Differential ExSpeU1-Mediated Rescue of Splicing Mutations Causing Haemophilia A. Front Genet 2019; 10:974. [PMID: 31649737 PMCID: PMC6796300 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00974] [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: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The exon recognition and removal of introns (splicing) from pre-mRNA is a crucial step in the gene expression flow. The process is very complex and therefore susceptible to derangements. Not surprisingly, a significant and still underestimated proportion of disease-causing mutations affects splicing, with those occurring at the 5’ splice site (5’ss) being the most severe ones. This led to the development of a correction approach based on variants of the spliceosomal U1snRNA, which has been proven on splicing mutations in several cellular and mouse models of human disease. Since the alternative splicing mechanisms are strictly related to the sequence context of the exon, we challenged the U1snRNA-mediated strategy in the singular model of the exon 5 of coagulation factor (F)VIII gene (F8) in which the authentic 5’ss is surrounded by various cryptic 5’ss. This scenario is further complicated in the presence of nucleotide changes associated with FVIII deficiency (Haemophilia A), which weaken the authentic 5’ss and create/strengthen cryptic 5’ss. We focused on the splicing mutations (c.602-32A > G, c.602-10T > G, c.602G > A, c.655G > A, c.667G > A, c.669A > G, c.669A > T, c.670G > T, c.670+1G > T, c.670+1G > A, c.670+2T > G, c.670+5G > A, and c.670+6T > C) found in patients with severe to mild Haemophilia A. Minigenes expression studies demonstrated that all mutations occurring within the 5’ss, both intronic or exonic, lead to aberrant transcripts arising from the usage of two cryptic intronic 5’ss at positions c.670+64 and c.670+176. For most of them, the observed proportion of correct transcripts is in accordance with the coagulation phenotype of patients. In co-transfection experiments, we identified a U1snRNA variant targeting an intronic region downstream of the defective exon (Exon Specific U1snRNA, U1sh7) capable to re-direct usage of the proper 5’ss (∼80%) for several mutations. However, deep investigation of rescued transcripts from +1 and +2 variants revealed only the usage of adjacent cryptic 5’ss, leading to frameshifted transcript forms. These data demonstrate that a single ExSpeU1 can efficiently rescue different mutations in the F8 exon 5, and provide the first evidence of the applicability of the U1snRNA-based approach to Haemophilia A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Balestra
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Iva Maestri
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessio Branchini
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mattia Ferrarese
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Francesco Bernardi
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Mirko Pinotti
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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