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Sardelli L, Campanile M, Boeri L, Donnaloja F, Fanizza F, Perottoni S, Petrini P, Albani D, Giordano C. A novel on-a-chip system with a 3D-bioinspired gut mucus suitable to investigate bacterial endotoxins dynamics. Mater Today Bio 2024; 24:100898. [PMID: 38204482 PMCID: PMC10776420 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The possible pathogenic impact of pro-inflammatory molecules produced by the gut microbiota is one of the hypotheses considered at the basis of the biomolecular dialogue governing the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Among these molecules, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) produced by Gram-negative gut microbiota strains may have a potential key role due to their toxic effects in both the gut and the brain. In this work, we engineered a new dynamic fluidic system, the MINERVA device (MI-device), with the potential to advance the current knowledge of the biological mechanisms regulating the microbiota-gut molecular crosstalk. The MI-device supported the growth of bacteria that are part of the intestinal microbiota under dynamic conditions within a 3D moving mucus model, with features comparable to the physiological conditions (storage modulus of 80 ± 19 Pa, network mesh size of 41 ± 3 nm), without affecting their viability (∼ 109 bacteria/mL). The integration of a fluidically optimized and user-friendly design with a bioinspired microenvironment enabled the sterile extraction and quantification of the LPS produced within the mucus by bacteria (from 423 ± 34 ng/mL to 1785 ± 91 ng/mL). Compatibility with commercially available Transwell-like inserts allows the user to precisely control the transport phenomena that occur between the two chambers by selecting the pore density of the insert membrane without changing the design of the system. The MI-device is able to provide the flow of sterile medium enriched with LPS directly produced by bacteria, opening up the possibility of studying the effects of bacteria-derived molecules on cells in depth, as well as the assessment and characterization of their effects in a physiological or pathological scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. Sardelli
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M. Campanile
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - L. Boeri
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Donnaloja
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F. Fanizza
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - S. Perottoni
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - P. Petrini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - D. Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - C. Giordano
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering ‘Giulio Natta,’ Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Galluzzi S, Marizzoni M, Babiloni C, Albani D, Antelmi L, Bagnoli C, Bartres-Faz D, Cordone S, Didic M, Farotti L, Fiedler U, Forloni G, Girtler N, Hensch T, Jovicich J, Leeuwis A, Marra C, Molinuevo JL, Nobili F, Pariente J, Parnetti L, Payoux P, Del Percio C, Ranjeva JP, Rolandi E, Rossini PM, Schönknecht P, Soricelli A, Tsolaki M, Visser PJ, Wiltfang J, Richardson JC, Bordet R, Blin O, Frisoni GB. Clinical and biomarker profiling of prodromal Alzheimer's disease in workpackage 5 of the Innovative Medicines Initiative PharmaCog project: a 'European ADNI study'. J Intern Med 2016; 279:576-91. [PMID: 26940242 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the validation of biomarkers for early AD diagnosis and for use as a surrogate outcome in AD clinical trials is of considerable research interest. OBJECTIVE To characterize the clinical profile and genetic, neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers of prodromal AD in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients enrolled in the IMI WP5 PharmaCog (also referred to as the European ADNI study). METHODS A total of 147 aMCI patients were enrolled in 13 European memory clinics. Patients underwent clinical and neuropsychological evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) and lumbar puncture to assess the levels of amyloid β peptide 1-42 (Aβ42), tau and p-tau, and blood samples were collected. Genetic (APOE), neuroimaging (3T morphometry and diffusion MRI) and EEG (with resting-state and auditory oddball event-related potential (AO-ERP) paradigm) biomarkers were evaluated. RESULTS Prodromal AD was found in 55 aMCI patients defined by low Aβ42 in the cerebrospinal fluid (Aβ positive). Compared to the aMCI group with high Aβ42 levels (Aβ negative), Aβ positive patients showed poorer visual (P = 0.001), spatial recognition (P < 0.0005) and working (P = 0.024) memory, as well as a higher frequency of APOE4 (P < 0.0005), lower hippocampal volume (P = 0.04), reduced thickness of the parietal cortex (P < 0.009) and structural connectivity of the corpus callosum (P < 0.05), higher amplitude of delta rhythms at rest (P = 0.03) and lower amplitude of posterior cingulate sources of AO-ERP (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION These results suggest that, in aMCI patients, prodromal AD is characterized by a distinctive cognitive profile and genetic, neuroimaging and neurophysiological biomarkers. Longitudinal assessment will help to identify the role of these biomarkers in AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Galluzzi
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Marizzoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy.,IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Albani
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - L Antelmi
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Bagnoli
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy
| | - D Bartres-Faz
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona and Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - S Cordone
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | - M Didic
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, Marseille, France.,Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, APHM Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France
| | - L Farotti
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - U Fiedler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - G Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
| | - N Girtler
- Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - T Hensch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - J Jovicich
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - A Leeuwis
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Centre, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Marra
- Department of Gerontology, Neurosciences & Orthopedics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - J L Molinuevo
- Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, and IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - F Nobili
- Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - J Pariente
- INSERM, Imagerie Cérébrale et Handicaps Neurologiques, Toulouse, France
| | - L Parnetti
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Perugia, Italy
| | - P Payoux
- INSERM, Imagerie Cérébrale et Handicaps Neurologiques, Toulouse, France
| | - C Del Percio
- SDN Istituto di Ricerca Diagnostica e Nucleare, Naples, Italy
| | - J-P Ranjeva
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, Marseille, France.,Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, APHM Hôpital Timone Adultes, Marseille, France
| | - E Rolandi
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy
| | - P M Rossini
- Department of Gerontology, Neurosciences & Orthopedics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - P Schönknecht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - A Soricelli
- SDN Istituto di Ricerca Diagnostica e Nucleare, Naples, Italy
| | - M Tsolaki
- Third Neurologic Clinic, Medical School, G. Papanikolaou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - P J Visser
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Centre, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - J C Richardson
- Neurosciences Therapeutic Area, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage, UK
| | - R Bordet
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1171 - Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - O Blin
- Mediterranean Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - G B Frisoni
- Laboratory of Alzheimer's Neuroimaging & Epidemiology, Saint John of God Clinical Research Centre, Brescia, Italy.,Memory Clinic and LANVIE - Laboratory of Neuroimaging of Aging, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Lee S, Zheng Y, Albani D, Colussi V, Dorth J, Sohn J. SU-F-J-121: Dosimetric Evaluation of Active Breathing Coordinator-Response Gating System Linked to Linear Accelerator in Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy. Med Phys 2016. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4956029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Castagna R, Tunesi M, Saglio B, Della Pina C, Sironi A, Albani D, Bertarelli C, Falletta E. Ultrathin electrospun PANI nanofibers for neuronal tissue engineering. J Appl Polym Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/app.43885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Castagna
- Dipartimento Di Chimica, Materiali E Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta,”; Politecnico Di Milano; Piazza L. Da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
- Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Material Science and Technology; INSTM, UdR Milano Politecnico; via G. Giusti 9 Firenze 50121 Italy
| | - M. Tunesi
- Dipartimento Di Chimica, Materiali E Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta,”; Politecnico Di Milano; Piazza L. Da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
- Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Material Science and Technology; INSTM, UdR Milano Politecnico; via G. Giusti 9 Firenze 50121 Italy
| | - B. Saglio
- Dipartimento Di Chimica, Materiali E Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta,”; Politecnico Di Milano; Piazza L. Da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
- Center for Nano Science and Technology @PoliMi; Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia; via Pascoli 70/3 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - C. Della Pina
- Dipartimento Di Chimica; Università Degli Studi Di Milano; CNR-ISTM, via Golgi 19 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - A. Sironi
- Dipartimento Di Chimica; Università Degli Studi Di Milano; CNR-ISTM, via Golgi 19 Milano 20133 Italy
| | - D. Albani
- Department of Neuroscience; IRCCS-Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche “Mario Negri,”; via La Masa 19 Milan 20156 Italy
| | - C. Bertarelli
- Dipartimento Di Chimica, Materiali E Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta,”; Politecnico Di Milano; Piazza L. Da Vinci 32 Milano 20133 Italy
- Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Material Science and Technology; INSTM, UdR Milano Politecnico; via G. Giusti 9 Firenze 50121 Italy
| | - E. Falletta
- Dipartimento Di Chimica; Università Degli Studi Di Milano; CNR-ISTM, via Golgi 19 Milano 20133 Italy
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Yuan J, Albani D, Zheng Y, Wessels B, Lo S, Yao M. Experimental Validation of Monte Carlo Simulations Based on a Virtual Source Model for Tomotherapy in a Rando Phantom. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.07.2099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Albani D, Cantley J, Sherertz T, Ellis R, Herrmann K, Podder T. SU-E-T-237: Deformable Image Registration and Deformed Dose Composite for Volumetric Evaluation of Multimodal Gynecological Cancer Treatments. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4924598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Cantley J, Albani D, Ellis R, Sherertz T, Herrmann K, Podder T. SU-E-T-680: Rigid Registration Image Fusion for Volumetric Dose Evaluation of Gynecological Patients Treated with EBRT and HDR Brachytherapy. Med Phys 2015. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4925043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Fabbri C, Crisafulli C, Gurwitz D, Stingl J, Calati R, Albani D, Forloni G, Calabrò M, Martines R, Kasper S, Zohar J, Juven-Wetzler A, Souery D, Montgomery S, Mendlewicz J, Girolamo GD, Serretti A. Neuronal cell adhesion genes and antidepressant response in three independent samples. Pharmacogenomics J 2015; 15:538-48. [PMID: 25850031 DOI: 10.1038/tpj.2015.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drug-effect phenotypes in human lymphoblastoid cell lines recently allowed to identify CHL1 (cell adhesion molecule with homology to L1CAM), GAP43 (growth-associated protein 43) and ITGB3 (integrin beta 3) as new candidates for involvement in the antidepressant effect. CHL1 and ITGB3 code for adhesion molecules, while GAP43 codes for a neuron-specific cytosolic protein expressed in neuronal growth cones; all the three gene products are involved in synaptic plasticity. Sixteen polymorphisms in these genes were genotyped in two samples (n=369 and 90) with diagnosis of major depressive episode who were treated with antidepressants in a naturalistic setting. Phenotypes were response, remission and treatment-resistant depression. Logistic regression including appropriate covariates was performed. Genes associated with outcomes were investigated in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) genome-wide study (n=1861) as both individual genes and through a pathway analysis (Reactome and String databases). Gene-based analysis suggested CHL1 rs4003413, GAP43 rs283393 and rs9860828, ITGB3 rs3809865 as the top candidates due to their replication across the largest original sample and the STAR*D cohort. GAP43 molecular pathway was associated with both response and remission in the STAR*D, with ELAVL4 representing the gene with the highest percentage of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with outcomes. Other promising genes emerging from the pathway analysis were ITGB1 and NRP1. The present study was the first to analyze cell adhesion genes and their molecular pathways in antidepressant response. Genes and biomarkers involved in neuronal adhesion should be considered by further studies aimed to identify predictors of antidepressant response.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fabbri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Crisafulli
- Department of Biomedical Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - D Gurwitz
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Italy
| | - J Stingl
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, University Bonn Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - R Calati
- Faculty Centre for Translational Medicine, University Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - D Albani
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milan, Italy
| | - G Forloni
- Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milan, Italy
| | - M Calabrò
- Department of Biomedical Science and Morphological and Functional Images, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Martines
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milan, Italy
| | - S Kasper
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Zohar
- Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Juven-Wetzler
- Department of Psychiatry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Souery
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Medicale, Universitè Libre de Bruxelles and Psy Pluriel, Centre Européen de Psychologie Medicale, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - J Mendlewicz
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - G D Girolamo
- Faculty Centre for Translational Medicine, University Bonn, Medical Faculty, Bonn, Germany
| | - A Serretti
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Albani D, Fabien J, Brindle J, Zhang Y, Dobbins D, Wessels B, Ellis R, Podder T. SU-E-T-432: Dosimetric Computation of Cyberknife SBRT Plans for Treatment of Kidney and Adrenal Gland. Med Phys 2013. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4814866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Gallucci M, Mazzuco S, Ongaro F, Di Giorgi E, Mecocci P, Cesari M, Albani D, Forloni GL, Durante E, Gajo GB, Zanardo A, Siculi M, Caberlotto L, Regini C. Body mass index, lifestyles, physical performance and cognitive decline: the "Treviso Longeva (TRELONG)" study. J Nutr Health Aging 2013; 17:378-84. [PMID: 23538662 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-012-0397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The relative contributions of risk factors, as body mass index (BMI), depression, chronic diseases, smoking, and lifestyles (as physical and performance activity, social contacts and reading habit) to cognitive decline in the elderly are unclear. We explored these variables in relation to 7-year cognitive decline in long-lived Italian elderly. DESIGN Secondary data analysis of a longitudinal study of a representative, age-stratified, population sample. SETTING The TREVISO LONGEVA (TRELONG) Study, in Treviso, Italy. PARTICIPANTS 120 men and 189 women, age 77 years and older (mean age 80.2 ± 6.9 years) survivors after seven years of follow up. MEASUREMENTS Cognitive decline measured as difference between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in 2003 and in 2010; Body mass index (BMI), handgrip, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, social contacts, reading habit, sight, hearing, schooling, mediterranean diet and multiple clinical and survey data recorded at baseline in 2003. RESULTS In separate univariate analyses, age, SPPB score < 5, depressive symptoms (GDS) and more comorbidities (CCI) were associated with greater cognitive decline. Otherwise higher BMI, higher handgrip, reading habit, non-deteriorated sight and hearing, and schooling were protective. In a final multivariate model, age and higher BMI were associated with greater cognitive decline while reading habits was protective. SPPB score < 5 tends, though weakly, to be associated with greater cognitive decline. These associations remained with multivariate adjustment for gender, schooling, Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI) and baseline MMSE. CONCLUSION Age and higher baseline BMI, independent of gender, and other confounding factors, are risk factors for cognitive decline. Reading habit plays a protective role seven years later among northern Italian adults aged 70 years or older. Low physical performance tends, though weakly, to be associated with greater cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gallucci
- Cognitive Impairment Centre, General Hospital of Treviso, Piazza Ospedale, Treviso, Italy.
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Gallucci M, Mariotti E, Saraggi D, Stecca T, Oddo MG, Bergamelli C, Boldrini P, Mazzuco S, Ongaro F, Mecocci P, Di Paola F, Bendini M, Forloni GL, Albani D, Antuono P, Caberlotto L, Zanardo A, Siculi M, Gajo GB, Durante E, Buscato G. THE TREVISO DEMENTIA (TREDEM) STUDY: A BIOMEDICAL, NEURORADIOLOGICAL, NEUROPSYChOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL INVESTIGATION OF DEMENTIA IN NORTH-EASTERN ITALY. J Frailty Aging 2012; 1:24-31. [PMID: 27092934 DOI: 10.14283/jfa.2012.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of dementia increases exponentially with age but knowledge of real disease-modifying interventions is still limited. Objectives: To describe the study design and methods of a large prospective cohort study aimed at exploring the complex underlying relationships existing among cognition, frailty, and health-related events in older persons with cognitive impairment. Design: Prospective cohort study of a representative population of outpatients attending the Treviso Cognitive Impairment Center between 2000 and 2010. Setting: The TREVISO DEMENTIA (TREDEM) Study conducted in Treviso, Italy. Participants: 490 men and 874 women, mean age 79.1 ± 7.8 years (range 40.2–100 years). Measurements: Physiological data, biochemical parameters, clinical conditions, neuroradiological parameters (e.g., brain atrophy and cerebral vascular lesions identified by computerized tomography scans), neuropsychological assessment, and physical function markers were measured at baseline. Patients were followed-up to 10 years. Results: The final sample included in the study was predominantly composed of women and characterized by an initial physical function impairment and increased vascular risk profile. Cognitive function of the sample population showed moderate cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination 20.2 ± 6.3; Clinical Dementia Rating 1.2 ± 0.7), and a prevalence of vascular dementia of 26.9%. Cortical, subcortical and hippocampus atrophy were all significantly correlated with age and cognitive function. Conclusion: Results obtained from the preliminary analyses conducted in the TREDEM study suggest that the database will support the accomplishment of important goals in understanding the nature of cognitive frailty and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gallucci
- Maurizio Gallucci, MD. Cognitive Impairment Center, General Hospital of Treviso, Piazza Ospedale, 1, I-31100 Treviso, Italy. Phone: +39 (0422) 322-024 e-mail:
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12
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Batelli S, Peverelli E, Rodilossi S, Forloni G, Albani D. Macroautophagy and the proteasome are differently involved in the degradation of alpha-synuclein wild type and mutated A30P in an in vitro inducible model (PC12/TetOn). Neuroscience 2011; 195:128-37. [PMID: 21906659 PMCID: PMC3188703 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Revised: 08/04/2011] [Accepted: 08/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Many data suggest that alpha synuclein (α-syn) aggregation is involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) neurotoxicity and is accelerated by the pathogenetic point mutation A30P. The triplication of α-syn gene has been linked to early-onset familial PD, suggesting that the cellular dosage of α-syn is an important modulator of its toxicity. To verify this point, we developed an inducible model of α-syn expression (both wild type [WT] and mutated A30P) in rat PC12/TetOn cells. At low expression level, both α-syn(WT) and (A30P) did not aggregate, were not toxic, and displayed a protective action against oxidative stress triggered by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). By increasing α-syn expression, its antioxidant function was no longer detectable as for the A30P form, but again no aggregation and cell death were present both for the WT and the mutated protein. To clarify why α-syn did not accumulate at high expression level, we inhibited macroautophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and the proteasome by MG132. In presence of 3-MA, α-syn(WT) accumulated, A11 anti-oligomer antibody-positive aggregates were detectable, and cell toxicity was evident, while proteasome inhibition did not increase α-syn(WT) accumulation. Macroautophagy or proteasome inhibition slightly increased α-syn(A30P) toxicity, with no detectable aggregation. This model can provide useful details about α-syn function, aggregation, and degradation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Batelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy
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Gallucci M, Antuono P, Ongaro F, Forloni P, Albani D, Amici G, Regini C. Physical activity, socialization and reading in the elderly over the age of seventy: What is the relation with cognitive decline? Evidence from “The Treviso Longeva (TRELONG) study”. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2009; 48:284-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2008.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2007] [Revised: 02/04/2008] [Accepted: 02/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Albani D, Giorgetti L, Pitto L, Luo M, Cantoni RM, Erra Pujada M, Rotino GL, Cella R. Proliferation-dependent pattern of expression of a dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase gene from Daucus carota. Eur J Histochem 2005; 49:107-15. [PMID: 15967738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The pattern of expression of a carrot dhfr-ts gene was evaluated in different plant organs, in somatic embryos, and in hypocotyl explants induced to dedifferentiate in vitro by the addition of the synthetic auxin 2,4 dichorophenoxyacetic acid. The promoter of this gene was also placed upstream of a uidA (GUS) reporter gene and, using biolistic and protoplasts transient expression assays, was shown to drive a particularly high level of expression in actively growing suspension cells. The results from these expression analyses combined with the presence of putative cell cycle-related cis-acting elements in the dhfr-ts promoter, strongly point to a cell division-dependent expression of this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Dipartimento di Botanica ed Ecologia vegetale, Università di Sassari, Italy
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15
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Sala Frigerio C, Piscopo P, Calabrese E, Crestini A, Malvezzi Campeggi L, Civita di Fava R, Fogliarino S, Albani D, Marcon G, Cherchi R, Piras R, Forloni G, Confaloni A. PEN-2 gene mutation in a familial Alzheimer's disease case. J Neurol 2005; 252:1033-6. [PMID: 16170650 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-005-0799-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2004] [Revised: 12/22/2004] [Accepted: 01/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Genetic evidence indicates a central role of cerebral accumulation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beside presenilin 1 and 2, three other recently discovered proteins (Aph 1, PEN 2 and nicastrin) are associated with gamma-secretase activity, the enzymatic complex generating Abeta. Alterations in genes encoding these proteins were candidates for a role in AD. The PEN 2 gene was examined for unknown mutations and polymorphisms in sporadic and familial Alzheimer patients. Samples from age-matched controls (n=253), sporadic AD (SAD, n=256) and familial AD (FAD, n=140) were screened with DHPLC methodology followed by sequencing. Scanning the gene identified for the first time a missense mutation (D90N) in a patient with FAD. Three intronic polymorphisms were also identified, one of which had a higher presence of the mutated allele in AD subjects carrying the allele epsilon4 of apolipoprotein E than controls. The pathogenic role of the PEN-2 D90N mutation in AD is not clear, but the findings might lead to new studies on its functional and genetic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sala Frigerio
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via Eritrea 62, 20157, Milano, Italy
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16
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Lévesque-Lemay M, Albani D, Aldcorn D, Hammerlindl J, Keller W, Robert LS. Expression of CCAAT-binding factor antisense transcripts in reproductive tissues affects plant fertility. Plant Cell Rep 2003; 21:804-808. [PMID: 12789526 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-003-0588-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2002] [Revised: 12/30/2002] [Accepted: 01/02/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have previously isolated a CCAAT-binding factor B subunit gene ( BnCBF-B) from Brassica napus that is widely expressed in different plant tissues and whose role is still unknown. To investigate the importance of this transcription factor subunit in plant reproductive tissues, we targeted antisense BnCBF-B transcripts to the tapetum of transgenic B. napus plants. Of the 24 independent transformants, 13 yielded reduced quantities of viable pollen, of which five were unable to produce the elongated siliques indicative of normal seed set. The decrease in pollen viability probably resulted from the precocious degeneration of the tapetal cell layer observed in these plants. Surprisingly, the male-sterile phenotype was also accompanied by a decrease in female fertility, which could be due to the expression of the antisense BnCBF-B transcripts in the female reproductive structures of the transgenic plants. These results suggest that the BnCBF-B gene plays a critical non-redundant role in plant reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lévesque-Lemay
- Central Experimental Farm, Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, 960 Carling Ave, K1A 0C6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Zucchi I, Bini L, Albani D, Valaperta R, Liberatori S, Raggiaschi R, Montagna C, Susani L, Barbieri O, Pallini V, Vezzoni P, Dulbecco R. Dome formation in cell cultures as expression of an early stage of lactogenic differentiation of the mammary gland. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:8660-5. [PMID: 12077301 PMCID: PMC124351 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.132259399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of the development of the mammary gland at the molecular level in the animal is difficult because of the complex tissue organization of the gland. We have previously developed an in vitro system for genetic analysis of mammary cell differentiation, based on the cell line LA7 clonally derived from a rat mammary adenocarcinoma. This cell line, after induction with DMSO, differentiates forming structures called domes. This process is under strict gene regulation, and we have previously identified several of the genes involved. In the present paper, we have defined the meaning of dome formation in relation to mammary development, by showing that treatment of LA7 cells with the lactogenic hormones hydrocortisone and prolactin induces dome formation; in the animal, these hormones precede and accompany milk production. Moreover, dome formation is accompanied by expression within the cells of the milk protein genes WDMN1 and beta-casein, which are differentiation markers for the gland during pregnancy and lactation. We also show that two proteins, highly expressed in the mammary gland during lactation, HSP90-beta and annexin I, are strongly expressed in DMSO-induced LA7 cells. Both proteins are essential in the formation of domes because when their synthesis is blocked by antisense RNA oligonucleotides, dome formation is abolished. Thus our in vitro system is a model for lobulo-alveolar development, and the genes identified in the pathway of dome formation are likely to be involved in the early differentiation steps occurring in the rat mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Zucchi
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate-Milan, Italy.
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18
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Diomede L, Albani D, Bianchi M, Salmona M. Endotoxin regulates the maturation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 through the induction of cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001; 12:625-30. [PMID: 11781189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Endotoxin (LPS), by raising the levels of cytokines, markedly influences lipid metabolism. To clarify the molecular mechanism of this effect, we examined the action of endotoxin in vitro and in vivo on the regulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1). In HepG2 cells stimulated with LPS, a dose-dependent increase in the level of the mature form of SREBP-1 was observed. For in vivo studies, endotoxin was administered intraperitoneally to CD1 mice fed with a standard or a cholesterol-enriched diet to increase the basal levels of circulating and liver cholesterol. Endotoxin raised cholesterol levels and stimulated the maturation of hepatic SREBP-1 in both normal and cholesterol-fed mice, indicating that the lipogenic effect of LPS was independent of endogenous sterol levels. To assess whether the lipogenic effect of endotoxin was linked to cytokine production, we administered LPS to C57Bl/6J endotoxin-sensitive and to C3H/HeJ endotoxin-resistant mice, which do not produce tumor necrosis factor in response to LPS. Significant induction of cholesterol levels and SREBP-1 activation was observed only in C57Bl/6J mice, indicating that cytokine production is crucial for the regulation of SREBP-1, and that the transcriptional activation of cholesterol biosynthesis may be part of the acute-phase response.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Diomede
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Via Eritrea 62, 20157 Milan, Italy.
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19
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Diomede L, Albani D, Sottocorno M, Donati MB, Bianchi M, Fruscella P, Salmona M. In vivo anti-inflammatory effect of statins is mediated by nonsterol mevalonate products. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001; 21:1327-32. [PMID: 11498461 DOI: 10.1161/hq0801.094222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study set out to clarify whether the inhibition of sterol or nonsterol derivatives arising from mevalonate biotransformation plays a major role in the in vivo anti-inflammatory action of statins. Hepatic synthesis of all these derivatives was inhibited in mice by administered statins, whereas squalestatin inhibited only sterol derivatives. Using a short-term treatment schedule, we found that statins reduced the hepatic activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase without affecting blood cholesterol. This treatment inhibited lipopolysaccharide- and carrageenan-induced pouch leukocyte recruitment and the exudate production of interleukin-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and RANTES. Coadministration of mevalonate reversed the effect of statin on leukocyte recruitment. The inhibition of sterol synthesis by squalestatin did not have any anti-inflammatory effect, indicating that the biosynthesis of nonsterol compounds arising from mevalonate is crucial for the in vivo regulation of cytokine and chemokine production by statins. Their inhibition by statins may account for the reported anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs and may provide a biochemical basis for the recently reported effects of statins in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Diomede
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy.
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20
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Zucchi I, Bini L, Valaperta R, Ginestra A, Albani D, Susani L, Sanchez JC, Liberatori S, Magi B, Raggiaschi R, Hochstrasser DF, Pallini V, Vezzoni P, Dulbecco R. Proteomic dissection of dome formation in a mammary cell line: role of tropomyosin-5b and maspin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:5608-13. [PMID: 11331746 PMCID: PMC33260 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.091101898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2001] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work we extended the study of genes controlling the formation of specific differentiation structures called "domes" formed by the rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line LA7 under the influence of DMSO. We have reported previously that an interferon-inducible gene, rat-8, and the beta-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) play a fundamental role in this process. Now, we used a proteomic approach to identify proteins differentially expressed either in DMSO-induced LA7 or in 106A10 cells. Two differentially expressed proteins were investigated. The first, tropomyosin-5b, strongly expressed in DMSO-induced LA7 cells, is needed for dome formation because its synthesis inhibition by the antisense RNA technology abolished domes. The second protein, maspin, strongly expressed in the uninduced 106A10 cell line, inhibits dome formation because 106A10 cells, transfected with rat8 cDNA (the function of which is required for the organization of these structures), acquired the ability to develop domes when cultured in presence of an antimaspin antibody. Dome formation in these cultures are accompanied by ENaC beta-subunit expression in the absence of DMSO. Therefore, dome formation requires the expression of tropomyosin-5b, in addition to the ENaC beta-subunit and the rat8 proteins, and is under the negative control of maspin.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Zucchi
- Istituto Tecnologie Biomediche Avanzate, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via F. lli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate-Milan, Italy.
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21
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Fruscella P, Romano M, Albani D, Bernasconi S, Luini W, Bruno A, Salmona M, Diomede L. Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity by hypercholesterolaemia reduces leukocyte recruitment and MCP-1 production. Cytokine 2000; 12:1100-3. [PMID: 10880257 DOI: 10.1006/cyto.1999.0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To clarify the relationship between cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation we studied the effect of hypercholesterolaemia on in vivo cytokine production and leukocyte migration, in a murine model of local inflammation. Hypercholesterolaemia reduced of 40% the leukocyte recruitment by inhibiting interleukin-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 production in the pouch exudate, without affecting vascular permeability or leukocytes motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fruscella
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
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22
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Romano M, Diomede L, Sironi M, Massimiliano L, Sottocorno M, Polentarutti N, Guglielmotti A, Albani D, Bruno A, Fruscella P, Salmona M, Vecchi A, Pinza M, Mantovani A. Inhibition of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 synthesis by statins. J Transl Med 2000; 80:1095-100. [PMID: 10908155 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.3780115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The beneficial effects of statins on the reduction of cardiovascular events has been partly attributed to their anti-inflammatory properties. In the complex of the different pathogenetic events leading to atherosclerosis, recent data suggest a central role of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), because mice knock-out for MCP-1 or its receptor CC-chemokine receptor 2 were considerably resistant to plaque formation. In this study we investigated the effect of different statins on in vitro and in vivo production of MCP-1. Lovastatin and simvastatin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of MCP-1 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide or inactivated Streptococcus hemoliticus and in human endothelial cells exposed to interleukin-1beta. The addition of mevalonate overrode the inhibitory effect of statins indicating that mevalonate-derived products are important for chemokine production. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of statins was investigated using the mouse air-pouch model of local inflammation. Lovastatin and pravastatin were orally administered to mice according to a treatment schedule that significantly inhibited the hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity without affecting total blood cholesterol. At the dose of 10 mg/kg, lovastatin and pravastatin reduced by approximately 50% the lipopolysaccharide-induced leukocytes recruitment and the exudate MCP-1 production. In conclusion, statins, by inhibiting mevalonate-derived products, reduced both in vitro and in vivo the production of chemokines involved in leukocyte migration, and this effect is unrelated to their cholesterol-lowering action.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Romano
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Richerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
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23
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Albani D, Mariconti L, Ricagno S, Pitto L, Moroni C, Helin K, Cella R. DcE2F, a functional plant E2F-like transcriptional activator from Daucus carota. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:19258-67. [PMID: 10748129 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m909390199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In animal cells the progression of the cell cycle through G(1)/S transition and S phase is under the control of the pRB/E2F regulatory pathway. The E2F transcription factors are key activators of genes coding for several regulatory proteins and for enzymes involved in nucleotide and DNA synthesis. In this report we have detected the presence of E2F-like DNA binding activities in carrot nuclear extracts, and we have isolated a carrot cDNA (DcE2F) encoding a plant E2F homologue. The DcE2F gene is expressed in proliferating cells and is induced during the G(1)/S transition of the cell cycle. Supershift experiments using anti-DcE2F antiserum have confirmed that the DcE2F protein is a component of the carrot E2F-like nuclear activities. DNA binding assays have demonstrated that the DcE2F protein can recognize a canonical E2F cis-element in association with a mammalian DP protein. Furthermore, transactivation assays have revealed that DcE2F is a functional transcription factor that can transactivate, together with a DP partner, an E2F-responsive reporter gene in both plant and mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Department of Botany and Plant Ecology, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 25, 07100 Sassari.
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24
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Balduyck M, Albani D, Jourdain M, Mizon C, Tournoys A, Drobecq H, Fourrier F, Mizon J. Inflammation-induced systemic proteolysis of inter-alpha-inhibitor in plasma from patients with sepsis. J Lab Clin Med 2000; 135:188-98. [PMID: 10695665 DOI: 10.1067/mlc.2000.104462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inter-alpha-inhibitor (IalphaI) is a human plasma serine proteinase inhibitor. It contains one light peptide chain called bikunin that exerts antiproteinase activity and other antiinflammatory functions. Bikunin is covalently linked to two heavy chains that, after tissular diffusion, stabilize the extracellular matrix. Owing to its negative acute-phase reactant character and its susceptibility to proteolysis, IalphaI has been implicated in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Moreover, IalphaI has been shown to exert a protective effect on a pig model of endotoxic shock. Twenty patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a septic syndrome were included in the present study. IalphaI and antithrombin III (ATIII) levels were measured on admission. Sequential measurements of IalphaI could be done in 4 patients. We demonstrate that IalphaI levels are significantly decreased in plasma samples collected on admission from patients with sepsis (59 +/- 32 mg/L vs 241 +/- 70 mg/L; P < .0001). This decrease was greater in severe sepsis and septic shock than in sepsis. Death was not predictable from initiol IalphaI levels. In 2 patients with a favorable course, IalphaI values regularly increased during the ICU stay. By sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblot analysis and microsequencing, we characterized IalphaI-related components in plasma from several patients; they obviously arise from IalphaI through proteolytic cleavage. Thus, systemic proteolysis and decreased biosynthesis both contribute to the fall in the plasma level of IalphaI. Because IalphaI is very sensitive to proteolysis by polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) that are stimulated during sepsis, we suggest that IalphaI plasma level would be a useful marker for neutrophil proteinase activity. ATIII, as well as IalphaI, is considered a negative acute phase protein. Because in vitro ATIII is less susceptible than IalphaI to proteolysis by PMNs and because their relative levels weakly correlated, we suggest that an unspecific systemic proteolysis is not significantly involved in the ATIII deficiency occurring in sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Balduyck
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lille, France
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25
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Diomede L, Salmona M, Albani D, Bianchi M, Bruno A, Salmona S, Nicolini U. Alteration of SREBP activation in liver of trisomy 21 fetuses. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999; 260:499-503. [PMID: 10403796 DOI: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.0930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that trisomy 21 (T21) fetuses have an intrinsic lipid metabolism abnormality resulting in higher serum cholesterol levels than their matched controls. In an attempt to clarify the biochemical basis of this derangement we analyzed the liver cholesterol levels and activation of the sterol regulatory element binding proteins SREBP-1 and SREBP-2. We report here for the first time that SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 are present in human fetal liver and their activation follows a different regulatory pattern. Moreover T21 fetuses show a peculiar pattern of SREBP activation which, at variance from control fetuses, involves sterol-independent maturation of SREBP-1. Multiple defects accompanied the lipid derangement in T21, resulting in high circulating and tissue cholesterol. This may serve as an early biochemical marker of an unknown, possibly genetically determined mechanism, whose consequence on lipid homeostasis during postnatal and adult life is still not understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Diomede
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri,", Milan, 20157, Italy.
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26
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Albani D, Balduyck M, Mizon C, Mizon J. Inter-alpha-inhibitor as marker for neutrophil proteinase activity: an in vitro investigation. J Lab Clin Med 1997; 130:339-47. [PMID: 9341994 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2143(97)90029-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Human neutrophil proteinases have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of inflammatory diseases. The degradation of plasma proteins such as coagulation and fibrinolysis factors has been attributed to the excessive release of elastase in septicemia and in other conditions in which heightened proteolysis occurs. Inter-alpha-inhibitor (IalphaI) is particularly sensitive to cleavage by leukocyte proteinases. For this reason, the determination of IalphaI has been proposed as a method for evaluating plasma protein proteolysis by neutrophil enzymes. In this article we provide evidence that intact residual IalphaI can be accurately quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) determination without interference from fragments released from IalphaI by incubation with triggered neutrophils. We demonstrate that under these conditions IalphaI was quickly and steadily proteolyzed in a cell dose-dependent manner. Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha1PI) partially protected IalphaI; however, the proteolysis persisted when IalphaI was incubated with stimulated neutrophils in the presence of a large relative excess of alpha1PI over the amount of elastase theoretically present in cells. For the same amount of alpha1PI, serum provided a better protection than alpha1PI alone but did not completely inhibit the IalphaI degradation. Therefore, ELISA determination of IalphaI might be useful for monitoring the in vivo activity of neutrophil proteinases in systemic proteolytic states.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lille, France
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27
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Hong HP, Gerster JL, Datla RSS, Albani D, Scoles G, Keller W, Robert LS. The promoter of aBrassica napus polygalacturonase gene directs pollen expression ofβ-glucuronidase in transgenicBrassica plants. Plant Cell Rep 1997; 16:373-378. [PMID: 30727644 DOI: 10.1007/bf01146776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/1996] [Revised: 09/22/1996] [Accepted: 10/10/1996] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A 647-bp 5'-flanking fragment obtained from genomic clone Sta 44G(2) belonging to a family of polygalacturonase genes expressed inBrassica napus pollen was fused to theβ-glucuronidase (GUS) marker gene. This fusion construct was introduced intoB. napus plants viaAgrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. Analysis of the transgenicB. napus plants revealed that this promoter fragment is sufficient to direct GUS expression specifically in the anther and that GUS activity increases in pollen during maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Hong
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, 110 Gymnasium Road, S7N 0W9, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - J L Gerster
- Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Central Experimental Farm, K1A 0C6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - R S S Datla
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, 110 Gymnasium Road, S7N 0W9, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - D Albani
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, 110 Gymnasium Road, S7N 0W9, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - G Scoles
- Department of Crop Science and Plant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - W Keller
- Plant Biotechnology Institute, National Research Council, 110 Gymnasium Road, S7N 0W9, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - L S Robert
- Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre, Central Experimental Farm, K1A 0C6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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28
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Albani D, Hammond-Kosack MC, Smith C, Conlan S, Colot V, Holdsworth M, Bevan MW. The wheat transcriptional activator SPA: a seed-specific bZIP protein that recognizes the GCN4-like motif in the bifactorial endosperm box of prolamin genes. Plant Cell 1997; 9:171-84. [PMID: 9061949 PMCID: PMC156909 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.9.2.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The conserved bifactorial endosperm box found in the promoter of wheat storage protein genes comprises two different cis elements that are thought to be involved in regulating endosperm-specific gene expression. Endosperm nuclear extracts contain binding activities. One is called ESBF-I, which binds to the endosperm motif (EM), and the other is called ESBF-II, which binds to the GCN4-like motif(GLM). Here, we present a functional analysis of the endosperm box of a low-molecular-weight glutenin gene found on the 1D1 chromosome of hexaploid wheat (LMWG-1D1) in transgenic tobacco plants. Our analysis demonstrates the necessity of the EM and GLM for endosperm-specific gene expression and suggests the presence in tobacco of functional counterparts of wheat ESBF-I and ESBF-II. Furthermore, we describe the isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding SPA, a seed-specific basic leucine zipper protein from wheat that can activate transcription from the GLMs of the -326-bp LMWG-1D1 promoter in both maize and tobacco leaf protoplasts. This activation is also partially dependent on the presence of functional EMs, suggesting interactions between SPA with ESBF-I-like activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Molecular Genetics Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich, United Kingdom
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Mizon C, Balduyck M, Albani D, Michalski C, Burnouf T, Mizon J. Development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human plasma inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) using specific antibodies against each of the H1 and H2 heavy chains. J Immunol Methods 1996; 190:61-70. [PMID: 8601712 DOI: 10.1016/0022-1759(95)00257-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (ITI) is a serine-proteinase inhibitor of human plasma enzymes. ITI is composed of three polypeptide chains covalently linked: bikunin, responsible for the antiprotease activity and two heavy chains H1 and H2. Human plasma also contains other components immunologically related to ITI such as pre-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (paI), inter-alpha-like inhibitor (IalphaLI) and free bikunin. The ELISA procedure we propose exclusively measures native ITI within the range 12.5-200 microgram/l. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were less than 5.6% and 8.7%, respectively. When ITI was added to plasma samples, full recovery was obtained. EDTA-plasma from 30 healthy individuals revealed a mean level of 241.5 mg/l (range 145.5-506). The high specificity, sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy of the present assay should facilitate the specific measurement of native ITI in blood and thus might represent a useful tool for further physiopathological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mizon
- Laboratoire de Biochimie, Faculte de Pharmacie, Lille, France
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Abstract
The CCAAT motif present in the promoter of several genes is recognized in yeast and animals by a highly specific heteromeric factor (variously called HAP, CBF, CP1 or NF-Y) which is composed of a minimum of three subunits. A plant homologue of the CBF-B/HAP2 subunit is described for the first time in this report. Sequence comparison of the Brassica napus (Bn) CCAAT-binding factor (CBF) B subunit with the homologous yeast and animal proteins revealed that the critical amino-acid domains involved in DNA binding and subunit assembly are also conserved in plants. Interestingly, the Gln-rich regions found in the animal and yeast proteins, which may be involved in transcriptional activation, are absent in the Bn CBF-B subunit. The analysis of various cDNAs and of a genomic clone revealed the presence of alternatively spliced transcripts which could originate from different promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Plant Research Centre, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Albani D, Côté MJ, Armstrong KC, Chen Q, Segal A, Robert LS. PCR amplification of microdissected wheat chromosome arms in a simple 'single tube' reaction. Plant J 1993; 4:899-903. [PMID: 8275107 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1993.04050899.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A novel method for the adaptor-mediated PCR amplification of microdissected chromosome arms is described. This simple and versatile protocol eliminates the need for enzymatic micromanipulation in nanoliter volumes and permits the efficient amplification of as little as two wheat chromosome arms in a 'single tube' reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Plant Research Centre, Agriculture Canada Research Branch, Ottawa, Ontario
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Albani D, Sardana R, Robert LS, Altosaar I, Arnison PG, Fabijanski SF. A Brassica napus gene family which shows sequence similarity to ascorbate oxidase is expressed in developing pollen. Molecular characterization and analysis of promoter activity in transgenic tobacco plants. Plant J 1992; 2:331-42. [PMID: 1303799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
The genomic clone named Bp10 contains a member of a small pollen-specific gene family of B. napus. The expression of the Bp10 gene family is maximal in early binucleate microspores and declines considerably in mature trinucleate pollen. Homologues of the Bp10 genes are expressed in the pollen of other plant species. The pollen-specific expression of the gene contained in the genomic clone was confirmed in tobacco plants transformed with a chimeric Bp10 promoter/GUS construct. A promoter fragment of 396 bp is sufficient to direct a strong and correct spatial and temporal expression in transgenic plants. The Bp10 gene family codes for proteins of 62 kDa showing approximately 30% sequence identify to cucumber and pumpkin ascorbate oxidases (AAOs). However, the AAO active centres are not conserved in the Bp10 products, suggesting an evolutionary relationship but a different enzymatic activity for these proteins. Expression of a recombinant Bp10 protein in E. coli inhibits bacterial growth on minimal medium, suggesting the production of an enzymatically active polypeptide in bacteria. No AAO activity could be correlated with the expression of the recombinant protein. Moreover, substances affecting AAO activity do not appear to influence the inhibitory activity of the protein produced in bacteria. However, as indicated by the rescue of bacterial growth in the presence of sodium bicarbonate or gaseous CO2, the Bp10 protein activity could be modulated by CO2 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Albani D, Altosaar I, Arnison PG, Fabijanski SF. A gene showing sequence similarity to pectin esterase is specifically expressed in developing pollen of Brassica napus. Sequences in its 5' flanking region are conserved in other pollen-specific promoters. Plant Mol Biol 1991; 16:501-13. [PMID: 1868195 DOI: 10.1007/bf00023417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Differential screening of a Brassica napus genomic library led to the isolation of the clone named Bp 19 containing a gene which is highly expressed during microspore development. The accumulation of Bp19 mRNA starts in uninucleate microspores, increases during development reaching a peak in the late stages but declines considerably in mature pollen. The nucleotide sequence of the entire coding region and of extended portions of the 5' and 3' flanking regions was determined. Several homologous cDNA clones were also isolated and sequenced. The Bp 19 gene contains a single intron of 137 bp and gives origin to a mRNA of ca. 1.9 kb which codes for a polypeptide of 584 amino acids. Bp 19 protein has an estimated molecular weight of 63 kilodaltons and has a highly hydrophobic amino terminal region which shows features of a signal peptide. The carboxy half of the Bp 19 protein, starting at amino acid 269, has striking sequence similarity to the pectin esterases of tomato and of the plant pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi. Four short domains are extremely well conserved in all the three proteins and therefore could represent catalytic sites responsible for enzyme activity. Comparison of the 5' flanking region of the Bp 19 gene with the sequence of other pollen-specific promoters revealed the presence of several conserved regions. These short promoter sequences could correspond to regulatory elements responsible for pollen-specific gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Ottawa, Ont., Canada
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Albani D, Robert LS, Donaldson PA, Altosaar I, Arnison PG, Fabijanski SF. Characterization of a pollen-specific gene family from Brassica napus which is activated during early microspore development. Plant Mol Biol 1990; 15:605-22. [PMID: 2102378 DOI: 10.1007/bf00017835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we describe the isolation and characterization of a genomic clone (Bp4) from Brassica napus which contains three members of a pollen-specific multigene family. This family is composed of 10 to 15 closely related genes which are expressed in early stages of microspore development. The complete nucleotide sequence of the clone Bp4 and of three homologous cDNA clones is reported. One of the genes (Bp4B) contained in the genomic clone is believed to be non-functional because of sequence rearrangements in its 5' region and intron splicing sites. The remaining genes (Bp4A and Bp4C), as well as the cDNA clones, appear to code for small proteins of unique structure. Three different types of proteins can be predicted as a result of the deletion of carboxy or amino terminal portions of a conserved core protein. These proteins all share a common alternation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains. A fragment of the genomic clone containing the gene Bp4A, as well as the non-functional gene Bp4B, was introduced into tobacco plants via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The functional gene Bp4A is expressed in transgenic tobacco plants and shows spatial and temporal regulation consistent with the expression patterns seen in Brassica napus.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Ottawa, Ont., Canada
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Albani D, Parisi B, Carbonera D, Cella R. Dihydrofolate reductase from Daucus carota cell suspension cultures: purification, molecular and kinetic characterization. Plant Mol Biol 1985; 5:363-372. [PMID: 24306990 DOI: 10.1007/bf00037557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/1985] [Revised: 08/07/1985] [Accepted: 08/19/1985] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The purification of dihydrofolate reductase (5, 6, 7, 8 tetrahydrofolate: NADP(+) oxidoreductase, E.C.: 1.5.1.3) from Daucus carota to apparent homogeneity, is described. The enzyme is a soluble protein with a molecular weight of 183 000±2 500, composed of identical subunits of 58 400±1 000. The enzyme is only weakly recognized by antibodies against human DHFR. The carrot DHFR is characterized by a pH optimum of 5.9, Km values for dihydrofolate and NADPH of 3.7 μM and 2.2 μM, respectively and a turnover number of 4 750 or 1 500 when referring to the 183 K form or the 58 K monomer, respectively. Molecular and kinetic properties are remarkably different from those reported for the soybean enzyme. Sensitivity to methotrexate is similar to that of bacterial and mammalian enzymes while sensitivity to trimethoprim and dihydrotriazine is intermediate between the two groups of organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Albani
- Dipartimento di Genetica e Microbiologia, Via S. Epifanio, 14, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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