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Senra MVX. In silico characterization of cysteine-stabilized αβ defensins from neglected unicellular microeukaryotes. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:82. [PMID: 36966312 PMCID: PMC10040121 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of multi-resistant pathogens have increased dramatically in recent years, becoming a major public-health concern. Among other promising antimicrobial molecules with potential to assist in this worldwide struggle, cysteine-stabilized αβ (CS-αβ) defensins are attracting attention due their efficacy, stability, and broad spectrum against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protists, including many known human pathogens. RESULTS Here, 23 genomes of ciliated protists were screened and two CS-αβ defensins with a likely antifungal activity were identified and characterized, using bioinformatics, from a culturable freshwater species, Laurentiella sp. (LsAMP-1 and LsAMP-2). Although any potential cellular ligand could be predicted for LsAMP-2; evidences from structural, molecular dynamics, and docking analyses suggest that LsAMP-1 may form stably associations with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP2), a phospholipid found on many eukaryotic cells, which could, in turn, represent an anchorage mechanism within plasma membrane of targeted cells. CONCLUSION These data stress that more biotechnology-oriented studies should be conducted on neglected protists, such ciliates, which could become valuable sources of novel bioactive molecules for therapeutic uses.
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Ye T, Jiang Y, Chen S, Xu Y, Li L, Shin MK, Chen X. The widely reported but poorly studied ciliate family Folliculinidae (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Heterotrichea): a revision with notes on its taxonomy, morphology and phylogenetic relationships. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:471-492. [PMID: 37078084 PMCID: PMC10077228 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-022-00152-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Ciliates of the heterotrich family Folliculinidae are widespread in various habitats and are distinguished by their transparent loricae of various shapes, conspicuous peristomial lobes, and dimorphic life cycles. They usually attach firmly to the surface of substrates, feed on bacteria and microalgae, and play a significant role in energy flow and material cycling in the microbial food web. However, little is known regarding their biodiversity and systematics. In this work, we establish the terminology of the family Folliculinidae and select six crucial features for genus recognition. Based on previous studies, we revise the classification of Folliculinidae, supply improved diagnoses for each of the 33 folliculinid genera, and provide a key to their identification. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences revealed that the family is monophyletic and comprises two subclades (subclades I II) which can be identified by the flexibility of their peristomial lobes and the sculpturing of their necks. Furthermore, we investigate the evolutionary relationships of folliculinids using the six chosen generic features. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-022-00152-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Ye
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315800 China
- Laboratory of Marine Protozoan Biodiversity and Evolution, Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209 China
| | - Yaohan Jiang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, and College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Shuchang Chen
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315800 China
| | - Yixiang Xu
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315800 China
| | - Lifang Li
- Laboratory of Marine Protozoan Biodiversity and Evolution, Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209 China
| | - Mann Kyoon Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Xiangrui Chen
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315800 China
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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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4
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Morphology, Life Cycle, and SSU rDNA-based Phylogeny of Two Folliculinid Ciliates (Ciliophora, Heterotrichea, Folliculinidae) Collected from Subtropical Coastal Wetlands of China. Protist 2021; 172:125844. [PMID: 34916151 DOI: 10.1016/j.protis.2021.125844] [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: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Most ciliates of the heterotrich family Folliculinidae are flagship periphytic species. They are characterized by their transparent lorica, conspicuous peristomial lobes, and dimorphic life cycle. However, the understanding of their biodiversity and systematics is relatively poor. In the present study, we investigate the morphology and phylogenetic affinities of Ampullofolliculina lageniformis Hadži, 1951 and Metafolliculina producta (Wright, 1859) Dons, 1934, collected from subtropical coastal wetlands in China. An integrative approach combining investigations of their morphology, life cycle and ecology was used. Phylogenetic analyses based on small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences showed that: all folliculinid genera form a monophyletic clade; the two genera with flexible peristomial lobes, Metafolliculina and Eufolliculina, are closely related; the other three genera with inflexible peristomial lobes, Ampullofolliculina, Diafolliculina and Folliculina, group together.
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5
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Heinrich M, Jiang H, Scotti F, Booker A, Walt H, Weckerle C, Maake C. Medicinal plants from the Himalayan region for potential novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin treatments. J Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 73:956-967. [PMID: 33886964 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Adequate treatment of wounds remains one of the major medical needs globally, most notably in the regions with poor or limited access to health care. In many local and traditional systems of medicine, plants are often widely used for treating infected wounds. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The overarching aim of this project was selection of potential species for use in a future treatment by combining with plant resources with aspects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Specifically, we focussed on species used locally in the Himalayan region for the treatment of skin disorders and then assessed the existing pharmacological evidence for key species based on the published evidence available. METHODS Database searches were performed to identify relevant publications describing local and traditional uses of plants in the Himalayan region of Bhutan, PR China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), species were researched in terms of their distribution including in different climatic regions, focussing on species mostly found in higher climatic zones (based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification). For species used in three or more countries and restricted to the higher altitudes, data on safety, pharmacology, as it relates to dermatological conditions, and phytochemistry were retrieved. KEY FINDINGS The study identified a total of 606 species that are used in the treatment of various skin conditions often associated with infections reported in 84 articles. Common weeds like Ageratum conyzoides and Bidens pilosa, widely used and cultivated species like Centealla asiatiaca and Prunus armenica were excluded. This ultimately led to the identification of a core group of five widely used species restricted to the Himalayan region (Cedrus deodara, Nardostachys jatamansi, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii and Valeriana jatamansi). CONCLUSIONS Here we apply a novel approach comprising an assessment of the published information on the use of medicinal plants (i.e. local and traditional knowledge) in the context of their potential to be used in a biomedical form of clinical treatment - aPDT. Then, once sustainable sourcing based on access and benefit-sharing arrangements is in place, these species are investigated for their potential in wound treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a new baseline for primary health care in some of the regions of the world with poor or limited access to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heinrich
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,'Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine', and 'Chinese Medicine Research Center', China Medical University, Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Haiping Jiang
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Scotti
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Booker
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Heinrich Walt
- Department for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Weckerle
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Maake
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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New contributions to the phylogeny of the ciliate class Heterotrichea (Protista, Ciliophora): analyses at family-genus level and new evolutionary hypotheses. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 64:606-620. [PMID: 33068287 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-020-1817-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Heterotrichous ciliates play an important role in aquatic ecosystem energy flow processes and many are model organisms for research in cytology, regenerative biology, and toxicology. In the present study, we combine both morphological and molecular data to infer phylogenetic relationships at family-genus level and propose new evolutionary hypotheses for the class Heterotrichea. The main results include: (1) 96 new ribosomal DNA sequences from 36 populations, representing eight families and 13 genera, including three poorly annotated genera, Folliculinopsis, Ampullofolliculina and Linostomella; (2) the earliest-branching families are Spirostomidae in single-gene trees and Peritromidae in the concatenated tree, but the family Peritromidae probably represents the basal lineage based on its possession of many "primitive" morphological characters; (3) some findings in molecular trees are not supported by morphological evidence, such as the family Blepharismidae is one of the most recent branches and the relationship between Fabreidae and Folliculinidae is very close; (4) the systematic positions of Condylostomatidae, Climacostomidae, and Gruberiidae remain uncertain based either on morphological or molecular data; and (5) the monophyly of each genus included in the present study is supported by the molecular phylogenetic trees, except for Blepharisma in the SSU rDNA tree and Folliculina in the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 tree.
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7
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Cavaleiro J, Oliveira NB, Ribeiro TA, Guimarães LF, Fernandes NM, da Silva-Neto ID, Marszaukowski F, Wohnrath K, Barreto CB, Schweikert M, Petroni G, Ortenzi C, Buonanno F, Picciani PHS, Oliveira ON, Soares CAG. Distinguishing Activities in the Photodynamic Arsenals of the Pigmented Ciliates Blepharisma sinuosum Sawaya, 1940 and Blepharisma japonicum Suzuki, 1954 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea). Photochem Photobiol 2020; 96:1251-1266. [PMID: 32472704 DOI: 10.1111/php.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Blepharismins are photodynamic hypericin-like dianthrones produced as a variable pigment blend in Blepharisma ciliates and mostly studied in the Afro-Asiatic Blepharisma japonicum. The present work describes the bioactivity of pigments from the Brazilian Blepharisma sinuosum. Comparative analyses showed that the pigments from both species can trigger photo-induced modifications in phospholipids, but different redox properties and biological activities were assigned for each pigment blend. Stronger activities were detected for B. sinuosum pigments, with the lethal concentration LC50 10 × lower than B. japonicum pigments in light-irradiated tests against Bacillus cereus and less than half for treatments on the human HeLa tumor cells. HPLC showed B. sinuosum producing a simpler pigment blend, mostly with the blepharismin-C (~ 70%) and blepharismin-E (~ 30%) types. Each blepharismin engaged a specific dose-response profile on sensitive cells. The blepharismin-B and blepharismin-C were the most toxic pigments, showing LC50 ~ 2.5-3.0 µm and ~ 100 µm on B. cereus and HeLa cells, respectively, after illumination. Similarity clustering analysis compiling the bioactivity data revealed two groups of blepharismins: the most active, B and C, and the less active, A, D and E. The B. sinuosum pigment blend includes one representative of each clade. Functional and medical implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Cavaleiro
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathally B Oliveira
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Talita A Ribeiro
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lohaine F Guimarães
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Noemi M Fernandes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Inácio D da Silva-Neto
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Flávia Marszaukowski
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Karen Wohnrath
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, UEPG, Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Cleber B Barreto
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, IFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michael Schweikert
- Institute for Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, Department of Biobased Materials, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Giulio Petroni
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Unità di Protistologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- Dipartimento di SFBCT, Laboratorio di Protistologia e Didattica della Biologia, Università di Macerata, UNIMC, Macerata, Italy
| | - Federico Buonanno
- Dipartimento di SFBCT, Laboratorio di Protistologia e Didattica della Biologia, Università di Macerata, UNIMC, Macerata, Italy
| | - Paulo H S Picciani
- Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Instituto de Macromoléculas Eloisa Mano, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo N Oliveira
- Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto G Soares
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Biofunctional Nanodevices Development Group, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Luo J, Ma M, Lu B, Li X, Warren A, Shi Y, Chen X. The Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Poorly known Heterotrich Ciliate Ampullofolliculina lageniformis Hadži, 1951 (Ciliophora: Heterotrichea). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2019; 66:925-936. [PMID: 31112318 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ampullofolliculina Hadži, 1951 is a monotypic genus, the only species being A. lageniformis which was first discovered in estuarine habitats in the U.S. and has never been redescribed. In the present study, we investigated the taxonomy and phylogeny of A. lageniformis Hadži, 1951 based on analyses of a population collected from a brackish wetland in Ningbo, China. The main characteristics of this species are as follows: trophont about 450-700 μm long in vivo with two short, rounded peristomial lobes of equal size; lorica flask-shaped, transparent and smooth with a short, wide neck at the base of which two transparent valves are asymmetrically inserted; cortex with brownish to reddish cortical granules and greenish pigment granules; about 80 somatic kineties evenly arranged; moniliform macronucleus with 4-8 ellipsoidal nodules; swarmer dark green, vermiform in shape, about 200-350 μm long in vivo, with about 60 adoral membranelles and 85 somatic kineties, no mouth nor paroral membrane. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from SSU rDNA sequences show that A. lageniformis is closely related to Folliculina and Eufolliculina which nest within a large clade that comprises five families, i.e. Stentoridae, Blepharismidae, Fabreidae, Maristentoridae, and Folliculinidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Luo
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Mingzhen Ma
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Borong Lu
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xinghao Li
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Alan Warren
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Yuhong Shi
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Xiangrui Chen
- School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
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9
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Buonanno F, Anesi A, Guella G, Ortenzi C. Blepharismins used for chemical defense in two ciliate species of the genus Blepharisma, B. stoltei and B. undulans (Ciliophora: Heterotrichida). THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2017.1353145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. Buonanno
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata , Italy
| | - A. Anesi
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento , Italy
| | - G. Guella
- Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento , Italy
- Biophysical Institute, CNR , Italy
| | - C. Ortenzi
- Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata , Italy
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Buonanno F, Anesi A, Giuseppe GD, Guella G, Ortenzi C. Chemical Defense by Erythrolactones in the Euryhaline Ciliated Protist, Pseudokeronopsis erythrina. Zoolog Sci 2017; 34:42-51. [PMID: 28148211 DOI: 10.2108/zs160123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pseudokeronopsis erythrina produces three new secondary metabolites, erythrolactones A2, B2 and C2, and their respective sulfate esters (A1, B1, C1), the structures of which have been recently elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic data coupled to high resolution mass measurements (HR-MALDI-TOF). An analysis of the discharge of the protozoan pigment granules revealed that the non-sulfonated erythrolactones are exclusively stored in these cortical organelles, which are commonly used by a number of ciliates as chemical weapons in offense/defense interactions with prey and predators. We evaluated the toxic activity of pigment granule discharge on a panel of free-living ciliates and micro-invertebrates, and the activity of each single purified erythrolactone on three ciliate species. We also observed predator-prey interactions of P. erythrina with unicellular and multicellular predators. Experimental results confirm that only P. erythrina cells with discharged pigment granules were preferentially or exclusively hunted and eaten by at least some of its predators, whereas almost all intact (fully pigmented) cells remained alive. Our results indicate that erythrolactones are very effective as a chemical defense in P. erythrina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Buonanno
- 1 Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata, Piazzale Bertelli, 1, 62100 Macerata, Italy
| | - Andrea Anesi
- 2 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Graziano Di Giuseppe
- 3 Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via Alessandro Volta 4, 56126, Pisa, Italy
| | - Graziano Guella
- 2 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, 38123 Povo (Trento), Italy.,4 Biophysical Institute, CNR, Via alla Cascata 56/C, 38123 Povo (Trento), Italy
| | - Claudio Ortenzi
- 1 Laboratory of Protistology and Biology Education, Department of ECHT, University of Macerata, Piazzale Bertelli, 1, 62100 Macerata, Italy
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11
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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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Shoaf AL, Bayse CA. TD-DFT and structural investigation of natural photosensitive phenanthroperylene quinone derivatives. NEW J CHEM 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj02448j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Structural modification of the phenanthroperylene quinone core affects the electronic structure of a series of natural product photosensitizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L. Shoaf
- Deparment of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Old Dominion University
- Norfolk
- USA
| | - Craig A. Bayse
- Deparment of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Old Dominion University
- Norfolk
- USA
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Diversity of extracellular proteins during the transition from the ‘proto-apicomplexan’ alveolates to the apicomplexan obligate parasites. Parasitology 2015; 143:1-17. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182015001213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe recent completion of high-coverage draft genome sequences for several alveolate protozoans – namely, the chromerids, Chromera velia and Vitrella brassicaformis; the perkinsid Perkinsus marinus; the apicomplexan, Gregarina niphandrodes, as well as high coverage transcriptome sequence information for several colpodellids, allows for new genome-scale comparisons across a rich landscape of apicomplexans and other alveolates. Genome annotations can now be used to help interpret fine ultrastructure and cell biology, and guide new studies to describe a variety of alveolate life strategies, such as symbiosis or free living, predation, and obligate intracellular parasitism, as well to provide foundations to dissect the evolutionary transitions between these niches. This review focuses on the attempt to identify extracellular proteins which might mediate the physical interface of cell–cell interactions within the above life strategies, aided by annotation of the repertoires of predicted surface and secreted proteins encoded within alveolate genomes. In particular, we discuss what descriptions of the predicted extracellular proteomes reveal regarding a hypothetical last common ancestor of a pre-apicomplexan alveolate – guided by ultrastructure, life strategies and phylogenetic relationships – in an attempt to understand the evolution of obligate parasitism in apicomplexans.
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Gale RW, Papoulias DM, Schmitt CJ. Bioaccumulation of Stentorin, the Probable Causative Agent for Discolored ("Purple") Eggs and Ovaries in Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from Eufaula Lake, Oklahoma, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:9639-9647. [PMID: 26230836 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b02273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Observations of reddish to "purple" discolored eggs in the ovaries of adult female blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) from the northern arm of Eufaula Lake, a eutrophic multiuse impoundment in east-central Oklahoma, were first reported in 2006. Blue catfish eggs are normally cream to light yellow. Reports peaked in 2007-2008 and declined through 2009-2010; purple eggs have not been reported between 2010 and 2014. In the laboratory, all tissues and fluids of affected fish were strongly orange-red fluorescent under UV illumination, with the fluorescence most apparent in the lipid-rich ovaries and eggs. The causative agent was isolated chromatographically and confirmed by mass spectrometry as stentorin (1,3,4,6,8,10,11,13-octahydroxy-2,5-diisopropyl-phenanthro[1,10,9,8,o,p,q,r,a]perylene-7,14-dione), the fluorescent, lipophilic pigment associated with the photoreceptor protein of the ciliated protozoan Stentor coeruleus (Heterotrichea; Stentoridae). Larval medaka (Orizias latipes) readily consumed S. coeruleus in the laboratory and were observed to fluoresce in the same manner as the affected blue catfish. Potential deleterious effects of stentorin bioaccumulation remain to be determined, as do the geographic extent and the identities of other fluorescent compounds isolated from catfish eggs and ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Gale
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri 65201-8709, United States
| | - Diana M Papoulias
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri 65201-8709, United States
| | - Christopher J Schmitt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, Missouri 65201-8709, United States
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Cluster dynamics in Maristentor dinoferus, a gregarious benthic ciliate with zooxanthellae and a hypericin-like pigment, in relation to biofilm grazing by the fish Ctenochaetus striatus. Symbiosis 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-014-0295-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Höfle G, Reinecke S, Laude U, Spitzner D. Amethystin, the coloring principle of Stentor amethystinus. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2014; 77:1383-1389. [PMID: 24882688 DOI: 10.1021/np5001363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Among the ciliates, Stentor amethystinus stands out for its conspicuous red-violet color compared to its blue- and red-colored relatives Stentor coeruleus and Blepharisma japonicum. Rich blooms in German lakes allowed us to collect sufficient organisms to isolate the pigments and elucidate the structure of the main component amethystin (4) by spectroscopic methods as a carboxy derivative of blepharismin. Depending on conditions, the carboxy group appears as an orthoester or as a mixture of the orthoester and small amounts of a hydroxylactone. Derivatives of both isomeric forms were obtained by acetylation and methylation supporting the proposed structures. On reaction of amethystin with base in the presence of oxygen, oxyamethystin and, under vigorous conditions, p-hydroxybenzoic acid were formed. In addition to 4, two homologues, an isomer of amethystin, and stentorin F (1b) were identified in the primary extract. Further, a biosynthetic scheme is proposed linking stentorin, blepharismin, and amethystin type compounds to the hypothetical protostentorin as a common intermediate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Höfle
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) , Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Biology of the Marine Heterotrophic Dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina: Current Status and Future Directions. Microorganisms 2013; 1:33-57. [PMID: 27694763 PMCID: PMC5029500 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms1010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotrophic dinoflagellates are prevalent protists in marine environments, which play an important role in the carbon cycling and energy flow in the marine planktonic community. Oxyrrhismarina (Dinophyceae), a widespread heterotrophic dinoflagellate, is a model species used for a broad range of ecological, biogeographic, and evolutionary studies. Despite the increasing research effort on this species, there lacks a synthesis of the existing data and a coherent picture of this organism. Here we reviewed the literature to provide an overview of what is known regarding the biology of O. marina, and identify areas where further studies are needed. As an early branch of the dinoflagellate lineage, O. marina shares similarity with typical dinoflagellates in permanent condensed chromosomes, less abundant nucleosome proteins compared to other eukaryotes, multiple gene copies, the occurrence of trans-splicing in nucleus-encoded mRNAs, highly fragmented mitochondrial genome, and disuse of ATG as a start codon for mitochondrial genes. On the other hand, O. marina also exhibits some distinct cytological features (e.g., different flagellar structure, absence of girdle and sulcus or pustules, use of intranuclear spindle in mitosis, presence of nuclear plaque, and absence of birefringent periodic banded chromosomal structure) and genetic features (e.g., a single histone-like DNA-associated protein, cob-cox3 gene fusion, 5' oligo-U cap in the mitochondrial transcripts of protein-coding genes, the absence of mRNA editing, the presence of stop codon in the fused cob-cox3 mRNA produced by post-transcriptional oligoadenylation, and vestigial plastid genes). The best-studied biology of this dinoflagellate is probably the prey and predators types, which include a wide range of organisms. On the other hand, the abundance of this species in the natural waters and its controlling factors, genome organization and gene expression regulation that underlie the unusual cytological and ecological characteristics are among the areas that urgently need study.
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Singh O, Gabani P. Extremophiles: radiation resistance microbial reserves and therapeutic implications. J Appl Microbiol 2011; 110:851-61. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.04971.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Rastogi RP, Sinha RP, Singh SP, Häder DP. Photoprotective compounds from marine organisms. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2010; 37:537-58. [PMID: 20401734 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-010-0718-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2010] [Accepted: 03/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The substantial loss in the stratospheric ozone layer and consequent increase in solar ultraviolet radiation on the earth's surface have augmented the interest in searching for natural photoprotective compounds in organisms of marine as well as freshwater ecosystems. A number of photoprotective compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), scytonemin, carotenoids and several other UV-absorbing substances of unknown chemical structure have been identified from different organisms. MAAs form the most common class of UV-absorbing compounds known to occur widely in various marine organisms; however, several compounds having UV-screening properties still need to be identified. The synthesis of scytonemin, a predominant UV-A-photoprotective pigment, is exclusively reported in cyanobacteria. Carotenoids are important components of the photosynthetic apparatus that serve both light-harvesting and photoprotective functions, either by direct quenching of the singlet oxygen or other toxic reactive oxygen species or by dissipating the excess energy in the photosynthetic apparatus. The production of photoprotective compounds is affected by several environmental factors such as different wavelengths of UVR, desiccation, nutrients, salt concentration, light as well as dark period, and still there is controversy about the biosynthesis of various photoprotective compounds. Recent studies have focused on marine organisms as a source of natural bioactive molecules having a photoprotective role, their biosynthesis and commercial application. However, there is a need for extensive work to explore the photoprotective role of various UV-absorbing compounds from marine habitats so that a range of biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications can be found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh P Rastogi
- Laboratory of Photobiology and Molecular Microbiology, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Photobiological Aspects of the Mutualistic Association Between Paramecium bursaria and Chlorella. ENDOSYMBIONTS IN PARAMECIUM 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-92677-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Mukherjee P, Adhikary R, Halder M, Petrich JW, Miskovsky P. Accumulation and interaction of hypericin in low-density lipoprotein--a photophysical study. Photochem Photobiol 2008; 84:706-12. [PMID: 18435618 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00234.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation and interaction of hypericin with the biologically important macromolecule, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is investigated using various steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. It is concluded that multiple hypericins can penetrate considerably deeply into the LDL molecule. Up to approximately 20 nonaggregated hypericin molecules can enter LDL; but upon increasing the hypericin concentration, the fluorescence lifetime of hypericin decreases drastically, suggesting most likely the self-quenching of aggregated hypericin. There is also evidence of energy transfer from tryptophans of the constituent protein, apoB-100, to hypericin in LDL. The results demonstrate the ability of LDL to solubilize hypericin (a known photosensitizer) in nonaggregated form, which has implications for the construction of drug delivery systems.
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