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Pota G, Armanetti P, Silvestri B, de Gennaro B, Zanfardino A, Napoli MD, Varcamonti M, Landi G, Pezzella A, Costantini A, Luciani G, Menichetti L. Biosustainable Hybrid Nanoplatforms as Photoacoustic Agents. Macromol Biosci 2024:e2400013. [PMID: 38509742 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202400013] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The development of biosafe theranostic nanoplatforms has attracted great attention due to their multifunctional behavior, reduced potential toxicity, and improved long-term safety. When considering photoacoustic contrast agents and photothermal conversion tools, melanin and constructs like melanin are highly appealing due to their ability to absorb optical energy and convert it into heat. Following a sustainable approach, in this study, silver-melanin like-silica nanoplatforms are synthesized exploiting different bio-available and inexpensive phenolic acids as potential melanogenic precursors and exploring their role in tuning the final systems architecture. The UV-Vis combined with X-Ray Diffraction investigation proves metallic silver formation, while Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis reveals that different morphologies can be obtained by properly selecting the phenolic precursors. By looking at the characterization results, a tentative formation mechanism is proposed to explain how phenolic precursors' redox behavior may affect the nanoplatforms' structure. The antibacterial activity experiments showed that all synthesized systems have a strong inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli, even at low concentrations. Furthermore, very sensitive Photoacoustic Imaging capabilities and significant photothermal behavior under laser irradiation are exhibited. Finally, a marked influence of phenol nature on the final system architecture is revealed resulting in a significant effect on both biological and photoacoustic features of the obtained systems. These melanin-based hybrid systems exhibit excellent potential as triggerable nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Paolo Armanetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, indirizzo Via G.Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Bruno de Gennaro
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Gianluca Landi
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili STEMS-CNR, Via Guglielmo Marconi, 4, Naples, 80125, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, Florence, 50121, Italy
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
- Department of Physics Ettore Pancini, University of Naples Federico II, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 21, Naples, 80126, Italy
| | - Aniello Costantini
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V.Tecchio, 80, Naples, NA, 80125, Italy
| | - Luca Menichetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, indirizzo Via G.Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy
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Di Napoli M, Castagliuolo G, Pio S, Di Nardo I, Russo T, Antonini D, Notomista E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A. Study of the Antimicrobial Activity of the Human Peptide SQQ30 against Pathogenic Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:145. [PMID: 38391531 PMCID: PMC10886087 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020145] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Given the continuous increase in antibiotic resistance, research has been driven towards the isolation of new antimicrobial molecules. Short, charged, and very hydrophobic antimicrobial peptides have a direct action against biological membranes, which are less prone to developing resistance. Using a bioinformatic tool, we chose the SQQ30 peptide, isolated from the human SOGA1 protein. The antimicrobial activity of this peptide against various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains and against a fungal strain was studied. A mechanism of action directed against biological membranes was outlined. When administered in combination with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin and with the TRS21 (buforin II), another antimicrobial peptide, SQQ30 can be used with a lower MIC, showing additivity and synergism, respectively. Particularly interesting is the ability of SQQ30 to bind LPS in Gram-negative strains, preventing the eukaryotic cell from releasing inflammatory mediators. Our study indicates SQQ30 as a novel and promising antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giusy Castagliuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Pio
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Nardo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Russo
- IPCB-Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Dario Antonini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Di Napoli M, Badalamenti N, Castagliuolo G, Merra R, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Bruno M, Sottile F. Chemical composition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities of Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. mucilage collected in Sicily, Italy. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37909244 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2272781] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In this work the mucilage obtained from the cladodes of a not previously investigated accession of Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. (syn. Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw), collected in Sicily, was analysed by 13C-NMR. The yield of mucilage extracted from cladodes in aqueous medium was 2.55%. The monosaccharides identified, after acidic hydrolyses of the mucilage, were arabinose (36.48%), galactose (32.31%), xylose (15.33%), glucose (10.45%) and rhamnose (5.40%). The mucilage showed a sufficient antimicrobial activity and excellent antioxidant property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Rosalia Merra
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca "Riutilizzo bio-based degli scarti da matrici agroalimentari" (RIVIVE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Sottile
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca "Riutilizzo bio-based degli scarti da matrici agroalimentari" (RIVIVE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Di Napoli M, Castagliuolo G, Badalamenti N, Vaglica A, Ilardi V, Varcamonti M, Bruno M, Zanfardino A. Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Italian Prangos trifida (Mill.) Herrnst. & Heyn. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:3772-3786. [PMID: 36458824 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2151062] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In this work, the essential oil of the aerial parts of a not previously investigated accession of Prangos trifida (Mill.) Herrnst. & Heyn (Apiaceae), collected in Northern Italy, was analysed by GC/MS. Twenty-five compounds were identified, accounting for 91.30% of the total oil, which is characterised by a high content of monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.26%). The main constituents of the essential oil were cis-β-ocimene (18.12%), α-phellandrene (12.14%), sylvestrene (11.32%), p-mentha-1,3,8-triene (9.56%) and α-pinene (8.85%). The essential oil of P. trifida showed a good antimicrobial activity directed above all against Gram-positive bacteria, and had an interesting antioxidant activity, thus making it an excellent candidate for future cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Pota G, Silvestri B, Vitiello G, Gallucci N, Di Girolamo R, Scialla S, Raucci MG, Ambrosio L, Di Napoli M, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Pezzella A, Luciani G. Towards nanostructured red-ox active bio-interfaces: Bioinspired antibacterial hybrid melanin-CeO 2 nanoparticles for radical homeostasis. Biomater Adv 2023; 153:213558. [PMID: 37467646 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Redox-active nano-biointerfaces are gaining weight in the field of regenerative medicine since they can act as enzymes in regulating physiological processes and enabling cell homeostasis, as well as the defense against pathogen aggression. In particular, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) stand as intriguing enzyme-mimicking nanoplatforms, owing to the reversible Ce+3/Ce+4 surface oxidation state. Moreover, surface functionalization leads to higher catalytic activity and selectivity, as well as more tunable enzyme-mimicking performances. Conjugation with melanin is an adequate strategy to boost and enrich CeO2 NPs biological features, because of melanin redox properties accounting for intrinsic antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory power. Herein, hybrid Melanin/CeO2 nanostructures were designed by simply coating the metal-oxide nanoparticles with melanin chains, obtained in-situ through ligand-to-metal charge transfer mechanism, according to a bioinspired approach. Obtained hybrid nanostructures underwent detailed physico-chemical characterization. Morphological and textural features were investigated through TEM, XRD and N2 physisorption. The nature of nanoparticle-melanin interaction was analyzed through FTIR, UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy. Melanin-coated hybrid nanostructures exhibited a relevant antioxidant activity, confirmed by a powerful quenching effect for DPPH radical, reaching 81 % inhibition at 33 μg/mL. A promising anti-inflammatory efficacy of the melanin-coated hybrid nanostructures was validated through a significant inhibition of BSA denaturation after 3 h. Meanwhile, the enzyme-mimicking activity was corroborated by a prolonged peroxidase activity after 8 h at 100 μg/mL and a relevant catalase-like action, by halving the H2O2 level in 30 min at 50 μg/mL. Antimicrobial assays attested that conjugation with melanin dramatically boosted CeO2 biocide activity against both Gram (-) and Gram (+) strains. Cytocompatibility tests demonstrated that the melanin coating not only enhanced the CeO2 nanostructures biomimicry, resulting in improved cell viability for human dermal fibroblast cells (HDFs), but mostly they proved that Melanin-CeO2 NPs were able to control the oxidative stress, modulating the production of nitrite and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in HDFs, under physiological conditions. Such remarkable outcomes make hybrid melanin-CeO2 nanozymes, promising redox-active interfaces for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy; CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Noemi Gallucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Scialla
- Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) CNR Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Raucci
- Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) CNR Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Luigi Ambrosio
- Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) CNR Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) CNR Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy; Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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Castagliuolo G, Di Napoli M, Vaglica A, Badalamenti N, Antonini D, Varcamonti M, Bruno M, Zanfardino A, Bazan G. Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Guss.) Jalas Essential Oil: An Ally against Oral Pathogens and Mouth Health. Molecules 2023; 28:4803. [PMID: 37375358 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Thymus L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, contains about 220 species with a distribution that mainly extends in Europe, northwest Africa, Ethiopia, Asia, and southern Greenland. Due to their excellent biological properties, fresh and/or dried leaves and aerial parts of several Thymus ssp. have been utilized in the traditional medicine of many countries. To evaluate not only the chemical aspects but also the biological properties, the essential oils (EOs), obtained from the pre-flowering and flowering aerial parts of Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Guss.) Jalas, endemic to Marettimo Island (Sicily, Italy), were investigated. The chemical composition of the EOs, obtained by classical hydrodistillation and GC-MS and GC-FID analyses, showed the occurrence of similar amounts of monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The main constituents of the pre-flowering oil were β-bisabolene (28.54%), p-cymene (24.45%), and thymol methyl ether (15.90%). The EO obtained from the flowering aerial parts showed as principal metabolites β-bisabolene (17.91%), thymol (16.26%), and limonene (15.59%). The EO of the flowering aerial parts, and its main pure constituents, β-bisabolene, thymol, limonene, p-cymene, and thymol methyl ether were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens and for their antibiofilm and antioxidant properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Castagliuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vaglica
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC-National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Dario Antonini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
- NBFC-National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bazan
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Migliore F, Hay Mele B, Soriente A, De Rosa M, Notomista E, Varcamonti M. Characterization of Linezolid-Analogue L3-Resistance Mutation in Staphylococcus aureus. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030700. [PMID: 36985273 PMCID: PMC10054786 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous study, a linezolid analogue, called 10f, was synthesized. The 10f molecule has an antimicrobial activity comparable to that of the parental compound. In this study, we isolated a Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strain resistant to 10f. After sequencing the 23S rRNA and the ribosomal proteins L3 (rplC) and L4 (rplD) genes, we found that the resistant phenotype was associated with a single mutation G359U in rplC bearing to the missense mutation G120V in the L3 protein. The identified mutation is far from the peptidyl transferase center, the oxazolidinone antibiotics binding site, thus suggesting that we identified a new and interesting example of a long-range effect in the ribosome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Migliore
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Hay Mele
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Annunziata Soriente
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Margherita De Rosa
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “Zambelli”, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Di Napoli M, Silvestri B, Castagliuolo G, Carpentieri A, Luciani G, Di Maro A, Sorbo S, Pezzella A, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M. High density polyethylene (HDPE) biodegradation by the fungus Cladosporium halotolerans. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:6881716. [PMID: 36478021 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiac148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is high molecular weight synthetic polymer, very hydrofobic and hardly biodegradable. To increase polyethylene bio-degradability it is very important to find microorganisms that improve the PE hydrophilic level and/or reduce the length of its polymeric chain by oxidation. In this study, we isolated Cladosporium halotolerans, a fungal species, from the gastric system of Galleria mellonella larvae. Here, we show that C. halotolerans grows in the presence of PE polymer, it is able to interact with plastic material through its hyphae and secretes enzymes involved in PE degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, University of Naples Federico II, Materials and Production Engineering, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giusy Castagliuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Carpentieri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, University of Naples Federico II, Materials and Production Engineering, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Via Vivaldi, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- University of Naples Federico II, CeSMA, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
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9
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Di Napoli M, Castagliuolo G, Badalamenti N, Maresca V, Basile A, Bruno M, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A. Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oil of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Leaves. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:plants11243573. [PMID: 36559685 PMCID: PMC9783700 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) is an aromatic fennel with important practices in medicinal and traditional fields, used in the treatment of digestive complications, and gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Its leaves and stems, tender and fresh, are used in the production of pasta dressing and main courses, while its seeds, with a strong smell of anise, are excellent flavoring for baked goods, meat dishes, fish, and alcoholic beverages. The aim of this work is concerning the extraction of essential oil (EO) from the leaves of F. vulgare subsp. vulgare var. vulgare, investigating antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant efficacy. In particular, GC-MS analysis showed how the chemical composition of EO was influenced by the massive presence of monoterpene hydrocarbons (α-pinene 33.75%) and phenylpropanoids (estragole 25.06%). F. vulgare subsp. vulgare var. vulgare EO shows excellent antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. This EO can inhibit biofilm formation at very low concentrations and has a good ability to scavenge oxygen radicals in vitro. F. vulgare subsp. vulgare var. vulgare EO also has an increased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes and decreased ROS levels in zymosan opsonized PMNs (OZ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Giusy Castagliuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Badalamenti N, Maresca V, Di Napoli M, Bruno M, Basile A, Zanfardino A. Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Prangos ferulacea Essential Oils. Molecules 2022; 27:7430. [PMID: 36364254 PMCID: PMC9657548 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl, which belongs to the Apiaceae family, is a species that mainly grows in the eastern Mediterranean region and in western Asia. It has been largely used in traditional medicine in several countries and it has been shown to possess several interesting biological properties. With the aim to provide new insights into the phytochemistry and pharmacology of this species, the essential oils of flowers and leaves from a local accession that grows in Sicily (Italy) and has not yet been previously studied were investigated. The chemical composition of both oils, obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves and flowers, was evaluated by GC-MS. This analysis allowed us to identify a new chemotype, characterized by a large amount of (Z)-β-ocimene. Furthermore, these essential oils have been tested for their possible antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. P. ferulacea essential oils exhibit moderate antimicrobial activity; in particular, the flower essential oil is harmful at low and wide spectrum concentrations. They also exhibit good antioxidant activity in vitro and in particular, it has been shown that the essential oils of the flowers and leaves of P. ferulacea caused a decrease in ROS and an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in OZ-stimulated PMNs. Therefore, these essential oils could be considered as promising candidates for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
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11
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Napolitano A, Di Napoli M, Castagliuolo G, Badalamenti N, Cicio A, Bruno M, Piacente S, Maresca V, Cianciullo P, Capasso L, Bontempo P, Varcamonti M, Basile A, Zanfardino A. The chemical composition of the aerial parts of Stachys spreitzenhoferi (Lamiaceae) growing in Kythira Island (Greece), and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative properties. Phytochemistry 2022; 203:113373. [PMID: 35977603 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The Stachys L. genus has been used in traditional medicine to treat skin inflammations, stomach disorders, and stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical profile and biological activity of the methanolic extract of Stachys spreitzenhoferi Heldr. (Lamiaceae) aerial parts, collected on the island of Kythira, South Greece. The analysis by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization and high-resolution mass spectrometry [LC-(-)ESI/HRMSn] of the methanol extract revealed the occurrence of thirty-six compounds - flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, iridoids, quinic acid derivatives, aliphatic alcohol glycosides, and oligosaccharides - highlighting the substantial presence, as main peaks, of the iridoid melittoside (2) along with flavonoid compounds such as 4'-O-methylisoscutellarein mono-acetyl-diglycoside/chrysoeriol mono-acetyl-diglycoside (24), trimethoxy- (35) and tetramethoxyflavones (36). This extract was tested for its antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive and negative pathogenic strains. The extract was not active against Gram-negative bacteria tested, but it possessed a good dose-dependent antimicrobial activity towards S. aureus (MIC: 1.0 mg/mL) and L. monocytogenes (MIC: 1.0 mg/mL) Gram-(+) strains. Furthermore, this extract has been tested for its possible antioxidant activity in vitro. In particular, it has been shown that these molecules cause a decrease in DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 radicals. The extract of S. spreitzenhoferi exhibited anti-DPPH activity (IC50: 0.17 mg/mL), anti-H2O2 activity (IC50: 0.125 mg/mL), and promising antiradical effect with an IC50 value of 0.18 mg/mL for anti-ABTS activity. S. spreitzenhoferi extract caused a decrease in ROS (at the concentration of 200 μg/mL) and an increase in the activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPX in OZ-stimulated PMNs. Furthermore, it exhibited antiproliferative activity against acute myeloid leukemia (U937 cell), causing 50% of cell death at the 0.75 mg/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Napolitano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, 84084, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy
| | - Giusy Castagliuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy
| | - Natale Badalamenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Adele Cicio
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca "Riutilizzo bio-based degli scarti da matrici agroalimentari" (RIVIVE), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Parco d'Orleans II, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Sonia Piacente
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, 84084, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Capasso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio 7,80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Bontempo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Via L. De Crecchio 7,80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy.
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy
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12
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Badalamenti N, Modica A, Ilardi V, Bruno M, Maresca V, Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Castagliuolo G, Varcamonti M, Basile A. Daucus carota subsp. maximus (Desf.) Ball from Pantelleria, Sicily (Italy): isolation of essential oils and evaluation of their bioactivity. Nat Prod Res 2021; 36:5842-5847. [PMID: 34927490 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2021.2018588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Daucus is a genus of economically important plants belonging to Apiaceae family spread in temperate regions. Species of this genus are used as food and several biological properties have reported. The chemical composition of the essential oils from different organs (roots, stems and flowers) of Daucus carota subsp. maximus, a species not previously investigated, was analyzed by GC-MS. Our results showed the presence of β-phellandrene as the most abundant component of stems and flowers and of γ-terpinene as a major compound of the oil from the roots. Flower essential oil caused a greater increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) cells compared to stem and root essential oils. The antimicrobial activity of the flower and stem oil were more effective, compared to root oil, against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natale Badalamenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Aurora Modica
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.,Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca "Riutilizzo bio-based degli scarti da matrici agroalimentari" (RIVIVE), Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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13
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Badalamenti N, Russi S, Bruno M, Maresca V, Vaglica A, Ilardi V, Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Varcamonti M, Cianciullo P, Calice G, Laurino S, Falco G, Basile A. Dihydrophenanthrenes from a Sicilian Accession of Himantoglossum robertianum (Loisel.) P. Delforge Showed Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antiproliferative Activities. Plants (Basel) 2021; 10:plants10122776. [PMID: 34961247 PMCID: PMC8708532 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The peculiar aspect that emerges from the study of Orchidaceae is the presence of various molecules, which are particularly interesting for pharmaceutical chemistry due to their wide range of biological resources. The aim of our study was to investigate the properties of two dihydrophenanthrenes, isolated, for the first time, from Himantoglossum robertianum (Loisel.) P. Delforge (Orchidaceae) bulbs and roots. Chemical and spectroscopic study of the bulbs and roots of Himantoglossumrobertianum (Loisel.) P. Delforge resulted in the isolation of two known dihydrophenanthrenes-loroglossol and hircinol-never isolated from this plant species. The structures were evaluated based on 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and two-dimensional spectra, and by comparison with the literature. These two molecules have been tested for their possible antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic activities. In particular, it has been shown that these molecules cause an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN); show antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and have anti-proliferative effects on gastric cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis effects. Therefore, these two molecules could be considered promising candidates for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natale Badalamenti
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.B.); (A.V.); (V.I.)
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (V.M.); (S.L.); Tel.: +39-081-2538508 (V.M.)
| | - Sabino Russi
- IRCCS CROB—Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy; (S.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.B.); (A.V.); (V.I.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca “Riutilizzo bio-based degli scarti da matrici agroalimentari” (RIVIVE), Università di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (V.M.); (S.L.); Tel.: +39-081-2538508 (V.M.)
| | - Alessandro Vaglica
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.B.); (A.V.); (V.I.)
| | - Vincenzo Ilardi
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, ed. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy; (M.B.); (A.V.); (V.I.)
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Piergiorgio Cianciullo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Giovanni Calice
- IRCCS CROB—Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy; (S.R.); (G.C.)
| | - Simona Laurino
- IRCCS CROB—Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, 85028 Rionero in Vulture, Italy; (S.R.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (V.M.); (S.L.); Tel.: +39-081-2538508 (V.M.)
| | - Geppino Falco
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.); (M.V.); (P.C.); (G.F.); (A.B.)
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14
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Siepi M, Oliva R, Masino A, Gaglione R, Arciello A, Russo R, Di Maro A, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Petraccone L, Del Vecchio P, Merola M, Pizzo E, Notomista E, Cafaro V. Environment-Sensitive Fluorescent Labelling of Peptides by Luciferin Analogues. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413312. [PMID: 34948103 PMCID: PMC8706149 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413312] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Environment-sensitive fluorophores are very valuable tools in the study of molecular and cellular processes. When used to label proteins and peptides, they allow for the monitoring of even small variations in the local microenvironment, thus acting as reporters of conformational variations and binding events. Luciferin and aminoluciferin, well known substrates of firefly luciferase, are environment-sensitive fluorophores with unusual and still-unexploited properties. Both fluorophores show strong solvatochromism. Moreover, luciferin fluorescence is influenced by pH and water abundance. These features allow to detect local variations of pH, solvent polarity and local water concentration, even when they occur simultaneously, by analyzing excitation and emission spectra. Here, we describe the characterization of (amino)luciferin-labeled derivatives of four bioactive peptides: the antimicrobial peptides GKY20 and ApoBL, the antitumor peptide p53pAnt and the integrin-binding peptide RGD. The two probes allowed for the study of the interaction of the peptides with model membranes, SDS micelles, lipopolysaccharide micelles and Escherichia coli cells. Kd values and binding stoichiometries for lipopolysaccharide were also determined. Aminoluciferin also proved to be very well-suited to confocal laser scanning microscopy. Overall, the characterization of the labeled peptides demonstrates that luciferin and aminoluciferin are previously neglected environment-sensitive labels with widespread potential applications in the study of proteins and peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialuisa Siepi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Rosario Oliva
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (R.G.); (A.A.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Antonio Masino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (R.G.); (A.A.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (R.G.); (A.A.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Rosita Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (A.D.M.)
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Luigi Petraccone
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (R.G.); (A.A.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Pompea Del Vecchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (R.G.); (A.A.); (L.P.); (P.D.V.)
| | - Marcello Merola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.S.); (A.M.); (A.Z.); (M.V.); (M.M.); (E.P.); (V.C.)
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15
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Tatti P, Tonolo G, Zanfardino A, Iafusco D. Letter to the Editor: CoVid-19 and type 1 diabetes: Every cloud has a silver lining. Searching the reason of a lower aggressiveness of the CoronaVirus disease in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2021; 181:108270. [PMID: 32540326 PMCID: PMC7834151 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P Tatti
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Ist INI, Rome, Italy.
| | - G Tonolo
- UOC Diabetologia, ASL2, Olbia, Italy
| | - A Zanfardino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - D Iafusco
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
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16
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Pota G, Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Cavasso D, Varcamonti M, D'Errico G, Pezzella A, Luciani G, Vitiello G. Bioinspired antibacterial PVA/Melanin-TiO 2 hybrid nanoparticles: the role of poly-vinyl-alcohol on their self-assembly and biocide activity. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021; 202:111671. [PMID: 33706162 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid Melanin-TiO2 nanoparticles are promising bioinspired antibacterial agents for biomedical coatings and food-packaging fields. However, due to a very low colloidal stability, they showed a high tendency to self-aggregate and rapidly precipitate, making not easy their use in aqueous medium to produce homogeneous antimicrobial coatings or nanocomposites. A valid strategy to improve their dispersion is the combination with a hydrophilic water-soluble polymer such as poly-vinyl-alcohol (PVA), which is a good choice to improve the colloidal stability of nanoparticles and to modulate their agglomeration. In this work, we propose an in-situ synthetic approach based on the hydrothermal route, by which the hybrid Melanin-TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared starting from the inorganic and organic precursors in the presence of PVA. Combined approach of TEM, XRD, TG/DSC, EPR and DLS techniques allows for assessing the PVA role in the formation of hybrids and on their morphological features as well as colloidal stability and aqueous dispersion. Antibacterial tests demonstrated the biocide activity of PVA/Melanin-TiO2 nanoparticles against Escherichia coli bacterial cultures, which resulted partially influenced by the PVA content. This study provides key information on the mutual influence of organic/inorganic components on the functional properties of the final hybrid nanocomposites, contributing to define a much more far-reaching implementation in the synthesis of bioinspired polymer-based nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Cavasso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy; CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardino D'Errico
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy; CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 4, 80126, Naples, Italy; Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078, Pozzuoli (NA), Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
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17
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Prencipe F, Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Rossi F, D’Errico S, Piccialli G, Mangiatordi GF, Saviano M, Ronga L, Varcamonti M, Tesauro D. Silver (I) N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: A Winning and Broad Spectrum of Antimicrobial Properties. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052497. [PMID: 33801394 PMCID: PMC7958610 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of antibacterial resistance has arisen as the main downside in fighting bacterial infections pushing researchers to develop novel, more potent and multimodal alternative drugs.Silver and its complexes have long been used as antimicrobial agents in medicine due to the lack of silver resistance and the effectiveness at low concentration as well as to their low toxicities compared to the most commonly used antibiotics. N-Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs) have been extensively employed to coordinate transition metals mainly for catalytic chemistry. However, more recently, NHC ligands have been applied as carrier molecules for metals in anticancer applications. In the present study we selected from literature two NHC-carbene based on acridinescaffoldand detailed nonclassicalpyrazole derived mono NHC-Ag neutral and bis NHC-Ag cationic complexes. Their inhibitor effect on bacterial strains Gram-negative and positivewas evaluated. Imidazolium NHC silver complex containing the acridine chromophore showed effectiveness at extremely low MIC values. Although pyrazole NHC silver complexes are less active than the acridine NHC-silver, they represent the first example of this class of compounds with antimicrobial properties. Moreover all complexesare not toxic and they show not significant activity againstmammalian cells (Hek lines) after 4 and 24 h. Based on our experimental evidence, we are confident that this promising class of complexes could represent a valuable starting point for developing candidates for the treatment of bacterial infections, delivering great effectiveness and avoiding the development of resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Prencipe
- Institute of Crystallography (IC) CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (F.P.); (G.F.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Cynthia, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Cynthia, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.)
| | - Filomena Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; (F.R.); (S.D.); (G.P.)
| | - Stefano D’Errico
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; (F.R.); (S.D.); (G.P.)
| | - Gennaro Piccialli
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; (F.R.); (S.D.); (G.P.)
| | | | - Michele Saviano
- Institute of Crystallography (IC) CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy; (F.P.); (G.F.M.); (M.S.)
| | - Luisa Ronga
- Universite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM, 64000 Pau, France;
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, via Cynthia, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.Z.); (M.D.N.)
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (D.T.); Tel.: +39-081-253-6643 (D.T.)
| | - Diego Tesauro
- Department of Pharmacy and Interuniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides (CIRPeB), University of Naples “Federico II”, via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy; (F.R.); (S.D.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.V.); (D.T.); Tel.: +39-081-253-6643 (D.T.)
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18
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Avossa J, Pota G, Vitiello G, Macagnano A, Zanfardino A, Di Napoli M, Pezzella A, D'Errico G, Varcamonti M, Luciani G. Multifunctional mats by antimicrobial nanoparticles decoration for bioinspired smart wound dressing solutions. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2021; 123:111954. [PMID: 33812582 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.111954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Developing advanced materials for wound dressings is a very challenging, yet unaddressed task. These systems are supposed to act as temporary skin substitutes, performing multiple functions, including fluid absorption and antimicrobial action, supporting cell proliferation and migration in order to promote the skin regeneration process. Following a global bioinspired approach, in this study, we developed a multifunctional textile for wound dressing applications. Biodegradable polyhydroxybutyrate/poly-3-caprolactone (PHB/PCL) mats were fabricated by electrospinning to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), thus providing structural and biochemical support to tissue regeneration. Furthermore, inspired by nature's strategy which exploits melanin as an effective weapon against pathogens infection, PHB/PCL mats were modified with hybrid Melanin-TiO2 nanostructures. These were combined to PHB/PCL mats following two different strategies: in-situ incorporation during electrospinning process, alternately ex-post coating by electrospraying onto obtained mats. All samples revealed huge water uptake and poor cytotoxicity towards HaCat eukaryotic cells. Melanin-TiO2 coating conferred PHB/PCL mats significant antimicrobial activity towards both Gram(+) and Gram(-) strains, marked hydrophilic properties as well as bioactivity which is expected to promote materials-cells interaction. This study is going to provide a novel paradigm for the design of active wound dressings for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Avossa
- Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland; Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research-National Research Council (IIA-CNR), Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 29,300, Monterotondo 00016, Italy
| | - G Pota
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - G Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy; CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, via della Lastruccia 3, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Macagnano
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research-National Research Council (IIA-CNR), Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 29,300, Monterotondo 00016, Italy
| | - A Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A Pezzella
- Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80126 Naples, Italy; Institute for Polymers Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, I-80078 Pozzuoli, NA, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Via G. Giusti, 9, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - G D'Errico
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, via della Lastruccia 3, Firenze, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - G Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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19
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Napoli MD, Luccia BD, Vitiello G, D'Errico G, Carpentieri A, Pezzella A, Pizzo E, Notomista E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A. Characterisation of EFV12 a bio-active small peptide produced by the human intestinal isolate Lactobacillus gasseri SF1109. Benef Microbes 2020; 11:815-824. [PMID: 33245013 DOI: 10.3920/bm2020.0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
EFV12 is a small bioactive peptide produced by Lactobacillus gasseri SF1109, a human intestinal isolate with probiotic features. In this study, EFV12 antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties are characterised. In particular, we propose a possible mechanism of action for EFV12 involving bacterial membranes targeting. Moreover, we show that this small peptide is able to bind lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and to counteract its inflammatory insult preventing LPS action on Toll-like receptor 4, thus interfering with extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases signalling pathways. Altogether these observations suggest that the bioactive peptide EFV12 is a good candidate to promote L. gasseri induced gut homeostasis and counteracting intestinal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - B Di Luccia
- Department of Pathology and immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, 425 Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - G Vitiello
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Industrial Production, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Napels, Italy
| | - G D'Errico
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A Carpentieri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
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20
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Di Napoli M, Maresca V, Sorbo S, Varcamonti M, Basile A, Zanfardino A. Proteins of the fruit pulp of Acca sellowiana have antimicrobial activity directed against the bacterial membranes. Nat Prod Res 2019; 35:2942-2946. [PMID: 31608664 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2019.1675655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Acca sellowiana is an evergreen plant that produces edible fruit whit high nutritional properties, and also contains clinically relevant bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and essential oils. Numerous biological activities were demonstrated for A. sellowiana fruits: antifungal and antitumoral and anti-oxidant. It was also showed a strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Fruit are generally considered recalcitrant plant tissues for the difficulty to obtain high quality protein due to a low protein content and the presence of interfering substances. For this reason, the objective of the present work was obtain high quantity of protein extract, to determine the location in the fruit of the molecules responsible for the antibacterial activity, separate them according to molecular weight, test their thermo resistance, study the timing of action, isolate the protein fraction having activity and hypothesise a mechanism of action directed against bacterial membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Maresca
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Sorbo
- C.e.S.M.A, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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21
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Vitiello G, Melone P, Silvestri B, Pezzella A, Di Donato P, D’Errico G, Di Napoli M, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Luciani G. Titanium based complexes with melanin precursors as a tool for directing melanogenic pathways. PURE APPL CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/pac-2018-1210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Bioinspired melanin based hybrid materials hold huge promise for developing multifunctional systems for a considerable set of applications. Yet, control of melanogenic pathway is a big challenge to allow rational design of nanostructured systems with tuned structures and improved properties. This study proves the ability of titanium ions interactions with melanin precursors in directing melanogenic pathway. To this purpose complementary spectroscopic evidences were collected to reveal that in the presence of a TiO2-sol, amino-acid complex of Ti(IV) ions and DOPA actually inhibits its cyclization, during oxidative process, thus leading to DOPA-based polyphenols, stable even in oxidative environment, rather than eumelanin. This hugely impacts on the biological properties of the final hybrid systems which, discloses relevant and durable antioxidant behavior but poor antimicrobial activity differently from DHICA-based hybrid nanostructures. Overall this study, discloses the high potential of ceramic templated approach in combination with the selection of melanin precursor in achieving a fine tuning of physico-chemical as well as bioactivity of melanin-TiO2 nanostructures, opening new scenarios towards the design of cutting-edge biomaterials with tailored biological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples “Federico II” , p.le V. Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
- CSGI, Consorzio interuniversitario per lo sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase, Sesto Fiorentino , via della Lastruccia 3 , Firenze , Italy
| | - Pietro Melone
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples “Federico II” , p.le V. Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples “Federico II” , p.le V. Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM) , Florence , Italy
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR , Via Campi Flegrei 34 , I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA) , Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 , I-80126 Naples , Italy
| | - Paola Di Donato
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB), CNR , Via Campi Flegrei 34 , I-80078 Pozzuoli (NA) , Italy
- Department of Science and Technology , University of Naples “Parthenope” , Centro Direzionale, Isola C4 , 80143 Naples , Italy
| | - Gerardino D’Errico
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 , I-80126 Naples , Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology , University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 , I-80126 Naples , Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology , University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 , I-80126 Naples , Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology , University of Naples “Federico II” Via Cintia 4 , I-80126 Naples , Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering , University of Naples “Federico II” , p.le V. Tecchio 80 , 80125 Naples , Italy , Tel.: +390817682433, Fax: +390817682595
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22
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Melone P, Vitiello G, Di Napoli M, Zanfardino A, Caso MF, Silvestri B, Varcamonti M, D'Errico G, Luciani G. Citric Acid Tunes the Formation of Antimicrobial Melanin-Like Nanostructures. Biomimetics (Basel) 2019; 4:E40. [PMID: 31151301 PMCID: PMC6630385 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics4020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has provided a valuable source of inspiration for developing high performance multifunctional materials. Particularly, catechol-containing amino acid l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) has aroused the interest to design hybrid multifunctional materials with superior adhesive ability. DOPA oxidative polymerization mediated by either melanogenic enzymes or an alkaline environment involving catechol intermolecular cross-linking, ultimately leads to melanin oligomers. Recently, relevant studies disclosed the ability of Ti-based nanostructures to tune melanin's supramolecular structure during its formation, starting from melanogenic precursors, thus improving both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In this work, we propose a novel biomimetic approach to design hybrid DOPA melanin-like nanostructures through a hydrothermal synthesis opportunely modified by using citric acid to control hydrolysis and condensation reactions of titanium alkoxide precursors. UV-Vis and Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic evidences highlighted the key role of citrate-Ti(IV) and DOPA-Ti(IV) complexes in controlling DOPA polymerization, which specifically occurred during the hydrothermal step, mediating and tuning its conversion to melanin-like oligomers. Trasmission electron microscopy (TEM) images proved the efficacy of the proposed synthesis approach in tuning the formation of nanosized globular nanostructures, with high biocide performances. The obtained findings could provide strategic guidelines to set up biomimetic processes, exploiting the catechol-metal complex to obtain hybrid melanin-like nanosystems with optimized multifunctional behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Melone
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Federica Caso
- Nanofaber Spin-Off at Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy.
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II" Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Gerardino D'Errico
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, via della Lastruccia 3, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy.
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II" Via Cintia 4, I-80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", p.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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23
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Pane K, Cafaro V, Avitabile A, Torres MDT, Vollaro A, De Gregorio E, Catania MR, Di Maro A, Bosso A, Gallo G, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Pizzo E, Di Donato A, Lu TK, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Notomista E. Identification of Novel Cryptic Multifunctional Antimicrobial Peptides from the Human Stomach Enabled by a Computational-Experimental Platform. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2105-2115. [PMID: 30124040 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Novel approaches are needed to combat antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe a computational-experimental framework for the discovery of novel cryptic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The computational platform, based on previously validated antimicrobial scoring functions, indicated the activation peptide of pepsin A, the main human stomach protease, and its N- and C-terminal halves as antimicrobial peptides. The three peptides from pepsinogen A3 isoform were prepared in a recombinant form using a fusion carrier specifically developed to express toxic peptides in Escherichia coli. Recombinant pepsinogen A3-derived peptides proved to be wide-spectrum antimicrobial agents with MIC values in the range 1.56-50 μM (1.56-12.5 μM for the whole activation peptide). Moreover, the activation peptide was bactericidal at pH 3.5 for relevant foodborne pathogens, suggesting that this new class of previously unexplored AMPs may contribute to microbial surveillance within the human stomach. The peptides showed no toxicity toward human cells and exhibited anti-infective activity in vivo, reducing by up to 4 orders of magnitude the bacterial load in a mouse skin infection model. These peptides thus represent a promising new class of antibiotics. We envision that computationally guided data mining approaches such as the one described here will lead to the discovery of antibiotics from previously unexplored sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Pane
- IRCCS SDN, Via E. Gianturco, 113, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Angela Avitabile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Marcelo Der Torossian Torres
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Adriana Vollaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Eliana De Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Catania
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Naples, Vanvitelli, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gallo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Donato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Synthetic Biology Group, MIT Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Biological Engineering, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
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24
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Zanfardino A, Bosso A, Gallo G, Pistorio V, Di Napoli M, Gaglione R, Dell'Olmo E, Varcamonti M, Notomista E, Arciello A, Pizzo E. Human apolipoprotein E as a reservoir of cryptic bioactive peptides: The case of ApoE 133-167. J Pept Sci 2018; 24:e3095. [PMID: 29900637 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive peptides derived from the receptor-binding region of human apolipoprotein E have previously been reported. All these peptides, encompassing fragments of this region or designed on the basis of short repeated cationic sequences identified in the same region, show toxic activities against a broad spectrum of bacteria and interesting immunomodulatory effects. However, the ability of these molecules to exert antibiofilm properties has not been described so far. In the present work, we report the characterization of a novel peptide, corresponding to residues 133 to 167 of human apolipoprotein E, here named ApoE (133-167). This peptide, besides presenting interesting properties comparable with those reported for other ApoE-derived peptides, such as a direct killing activity against a broad spectrum of bacteria or the ability to downregulate lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine release, is also endowed with significant antibiofilm properties. Indeed, the peptide is able to strongly affect the formation of the extracellular matrix and also the viability of encapsulated bacteria. Noteworthy, ApoE (133-167) is not toxic toward human and murine cell lines and is able to assume ordered conformations in the presence of membrane mimicking agents. Taken together, collected evidences about biological and structural properties of ApoE (133-167) open new perspectives in the design of therapeutic agents based on human-derived bioactive peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gallo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Pistorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eliana Dell'Olmo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy.,INBB-Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture e Biosistemi, Rome, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126, Naples, Italy
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Di Napoli M, Varcamonti M, Basile A, Bruno M, Maggi F, Zanfardino A. Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa activity of hemlock (Conium maculatum, Apiaceae) essential oil. Nat Prod Res 2018; 33:3436-3440. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1477151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Di Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Basile
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bruno
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and Technology (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Maggi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Lepore G, Bonfanti R, Bozzetto L, Di Blasi V, Girelli A, Grassi G, Iafusco D, Laviola L, Rabbone I, Schiaffini R, Bruttomesso D, Mammì F, Bruzzese M, Schettino M, Nuzzo M, Di Blasi V, Fresa R, Lambiase C, Iafusco D, Zanfardino A, Confetto S, Bozzetto L, Annuzzi G, Alderisio A, Riccardi G, Gentile S, Marino G, Guarino G, Zucchini S, Maltoni G, Suprani T, Graziani V, Nizzoli M, Acquati S, Cavani R, Romano S, Michelini M, Manicardi E, Bonadonna R, Dei Cas A, Dall'aglio E, Papi M, Riboni S, Manicardi V, Manicardi E, Manicardi E, Pugni V, Lasagni A, Street M, Pagliani U, Rossi C, Assaloni R, Brunato B, Tortul C, Zanette G, Li Volsi P, Zanatta M, Tonutti L, Agus S, Pellegrini M, Ceccano P, Pozzilli G, Anguissola B, Buzzetti R, Moretti C C, Leto G, Pozzilli P, Manfrini S, Maurizi A, Leotta S, Altomare M, Abbruzzese S, Carletti S, Suraci C, Filetti S, Manca Bitti M, Arcano S, Cavallo M, De Bernardinis M, Pitocco D, Caputo S, Rizzi A, Manto A, Schiaffini R, Cappa M, Benevento D, Frontoni S, Malandrucco I, Morano S, Filardi T, Lauro D, Marini M, Castaldo E, Sabato D, Tuccinardi F, Forte E, Viterbori P, Arnaldi C, Minuto N, d'Annunzio G, Corsi A, Rota R, Scaranna C, Trevisan R, Valentini U, Girelli A, Bonfadini S, Zarra E, Plebani A, Prandi E, Felappi B, Rocca A, Meneghini E, Galli P, Ruggeri P, Carrai E, Fugazza L, Baggi V, Conti D, Bosi E, Laurenzi A, Caretto A, Molinari C, Orsi E, Grancini V, Resi V, Bonfanti R, Favalli V, Bonura C, Rigamonti A, Bonomo M, Bertuzzi F, Pintaudi B, Disoteo O, Perseghin G, Perra S, Chiovato L, De Cata P, Zerbini F, Lovati E, Laneri M, Guerraggio L, Bossi A, De Mori V, Galetta M, Meloncelli I, Aiello A A, Di Vincenzo S, Nuzzi A, Fraticelli E, Ansaldi E, Battezzati M, Lombardi M, Balbo M, Lera R, Secco A, De Donno V, Cadario F, Savastio S, Ponzani C, Aimaretti G, Rabbone I, Ignaccolo G, Tinti D, Cerutti F, Bari F, Giorgino F, Piccinno E, Zecchino O, Cignarelli M, Lamacchia O, Picca G, De Cosmo S, Rauseo A, Tomaselli L, Tumminia A, Egiziano C, Scarpitta A, Maggio F, Cardella F, Roppolo R, Provenzano V, Fleres M, Scorsone A, Scatena A, Gregori G, Lucchesi S, Gadducci F, Di Cianni S, Pancani S, Del Prato S, Aragona M, Crisci I, Calianno A, Fattor B, Crazzolara D, Reinstadler P, Longhi S, Incelli G, Rauch S, Romanelli T, Orrasch M, Cauvin V, Franceschi R, Lalli C, Pianta A, Marangoni A, Aricò C, Marin N, Nogara N, Simioni N, Filippi A, Gidoni Guarneri G, Contin M.L M, Decata A, Bondesan L, Confortin L, Coracina A, Lombardi S, Costa Padova S, Cipponeri E, Scotton R, Galasso S, Boscari F, Zanon M, Vinci C, Lisato G, Gottardo L, Bonora E, Trombetta M, Negri C, Brangani C, Maffeis C, Sabbion A, Marigliano M. Metabolic control and complications in Italian people with diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2018; 28:335-342. [PMID: 29428572 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the degree of glycaemic control and the frequency of diabetic complications in Italian people with diabetes who were treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). METHODS AND RESULTS Questionnaires investigating the organisation of diabetes care centres, individuals' clinical and metabolic features and pump technology and its management were sent to adult and paediatric diabetes centres that use CSII for treatment in Italy. Information on standard clinical variables, demographic data and acute and chronic diabetic complications was derived from local clinical management systems. The sample consisted of 6623 people with diabetes, which was obtained from 93 centres. Of them, 98.8% had type 1 diabetes mellitus, 57.2% were female, 64% used a conventional insulin pump and 36% used a sensor-augmented insulin pump. The median glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level was 60 mmol/mol (7.6%). The HbA1c target (i.e. <58 mmol/mol for age <18 years and <53 mmol/mol for age >18 years) was achieved in 43.4% of paediatric and 23% of adult participants. Factors such as advanced pump functions, higher rate of sensor use, pregnancy in the year before the study and longer duration of diabetes were associated with lower HbA1c levels. The most common chronic complications occurring in diabetes were retinopathy, microalbuminuria and hypertension. In the year before the study, 5% of participants reported ≥1 episode of severe hypoglycaemic (SH) episodes (SH) and 2.6% reported ≥1 episode of ketoacidosis. CONCLUSIONS Advanced personal skills and use of sensor-based pump are associated with better metabolic control outcomes in Italian people with diabetes who were treated with CSII. The reduction in SH episodes confirms the positive effect of CSII on hypoglycaemia. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT 02620917 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Pane K, Verrillo M, Avitabile A, Pizzo E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Di Maro A, Rega C, Amoresano A, Izzo V, Di Donato A, Cafaro V, Notomista E. Chemical Cleavage of an Asp-Cys Sequence Allows Efficient Production of Recombinant Peptides with an N-Terminal Cysteine Residue. Bioconjug Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariavittoria Verrillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università 100, Portici 80055, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | - Camilla Rega
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, Caserta 81100, Italy
| | | | - Viviana Izzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Salerno, via S. Allende, Baronissi 84081, Italy
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Vitiello G, Zanfardino A, Tammaro O, Di Napoli M, Caso MF, Pezzella A, Varcamonti M, Silvestri B, D'Errico G, Costantini A, Luciani G. Bioinspired hybrid eumelanin–TiO2 antimicrobial nanostructures: the key role of organo–inorganic frameworks in tuning eumelanin's biocide action mechanism through membrane interaction. RSC Adv 2018; 8:28275-28283. [PMID: 35542468 PMCID: PMC9084248 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra04315a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic biocide efficacy of eumelanins can be markedly enhanced through a templated formation in the presence of a TiO2-sol, leading to hybrid TiO2–melanin nanostructures. However, mechanisms and processes behind biocide activity still remain poorly understood. This paper discloses the fundamental mechanism of action of these systems providing mechanistic information on their peculiar interaction with Escherichia coli strains. To this purpose biocide characterization is combined with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate radical species produced by the hybrids as well as their interactions with Gram(−) external bacterial membranes. Experimental results indicate that TiO2 mediated eumelanin polymerization leads to a peculiar mechanism of action of hybrid nanostructures, whose strong interactions with bacterial membranes enhance the action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by eumelanin degradation itself, also concurring with the final biocide action. These findings provide strategic information for the development of eumelanin-based systems with enhanced activity against drug-resistant strains. Hybrid TiO2/eumelanin nanostructures showed a peculiar biocide mechanism against Gram(−) bacteria, based on the ROS action, produced by eumelanin degradation under visible light irradiation, and the interactions with external bacterial membranes.![]()
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Vitiello G, Pezzella A, Zanfardino A, Silvestri B, Giudicianni P, Costantini A, Varcamonti M, Branda F, Luciani G. Antimicrobial activity of eumelanin-based hybrids: The role of TiO 2 in modulating the structure and biological performance. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2017; 75:454-462. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.12.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Bosso A, Pirone L, Gaglione R, Pane K, Del Gatto A, Zaccaro L, Di Gaetano S, Diana D, Fattorusso R, Pedone E, Cafaro V, Haagsman HP, van Dijk A, Scheenstra MR, Zanfardino A, Crescenzi O, Arciello A, Varcamonti M, Veldhuizen EJA, Di Donato A, Notomista E, Pizzo E. A new cryptic host defense peptide identified in human 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 β-like: from in silico identification to experimental evidence. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017; 1861:2342-2353. [PMID: 28454736 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/25/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Host defence peptides (HDPs) are evolutionarily conserved components of innate immunity. Human HDPs, produced by a variety of immune cells of hematopoietic and epithelial origin, are generally grouped into two families: beta structured defensins and variably-structured cathelicidins. We report the characterization of a very promising cryptic human HDP, here called GVF27, identified in 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 β-like protein. METHODS Conformational analysis of GVF27 and its propensity to bind endotoxins were performed by NMR, Circular Dichroism, Fluorescence and Dynamic Light Scattering experiments. Crystal violet and WST-1 assays, ATP leakage measurement and colony counting procedures were used to investigate antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, cytotoxicity and hemolytic activities. Anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS GVF27 possesses significant antibacterial properties on planktonic cells and sessile bacteria forming biofilm, as well as promising dose dependent abilities to inhibit attachment or eradicate existing mature biofilm. It is unstructured in aqueous buffer, whereas it tends to assume a helical conformation in mimic membrane environments as well as it is able to bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Notably it is not toxic towards human and murine cell lines and triggers a significant innate immune response by attenuating expression levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins and release of nitric oxide in LPS induced macrophages. CONCLUSION Human GVF27 may offer significant advantages as leads for the design of human-specific therapeutics. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Human cryptic host defence peptides are naturally no immunogenic and for this they are a real alternative for solving the lack of effective antibiotics to control bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | | | - R Gaglione
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | - K Pane
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - D Diana
- IBB, CNR, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - R Fattorusso
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | - V Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - H P Haagsman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | - A van Dijk
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | - M R Scheenstra
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | - A Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - O Crescenzi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A Arciello
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E J A Veldhuizen
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, Holland
| | - A Di Donato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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31
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Pane K, Durante L, Crescenzi O, Cafaro V, Pizzo E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Izzo V, Di Donato A, Notomista E. Antimicrobial potency of cationic antimicrobial peptides can be predicted from their amino acid composition: Application to the detection of “cryptic” antimicrobial peptides. J Theor Biol 2017; 419:254-265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Zanfardino A, Criscuolo G, Di Luccia B, Pizzo E, Ciavatta M, Notomista E, Carpentieri A, Pezzella A, Varcamonti M. Identification of a new small bioactive peptide from Lactobacillus gasseri supernatant. Benef Microbes 2017; 8:133-141. [DOI: 10.3920/bm2016.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ten lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, previously isolated from human ileal biopsy of healthy volunteers, were screened for production and secretion of molecules having anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Because many recent reports indicate that LAB secreted molecules may exert immune-modulatory action, we also tested the effect on human intestinal HCT116 cells challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharides. One of the Lactobacillus gasseri strains, SF1109, strongly inhibited: (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth; (2) Escherichia coli biofilm production; (3) LPS induction of P-ERK1/2 in HCT116 cells, and was selected for further characterisation of the secreted active molecule. Cell-free supernatant of the L. gasseri SF1109 was analysed and one 1.3 kDa peptide has been characterised. Eight out twelve amino acids of this peptide were identified allowing the synthesis of an octa-peptide which still presented the mentioned activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - G. Criscuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - B. Di Luccia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - E. Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M.L. Ciavatta
- CNR - Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - E. Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A. Carpentieri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - A. Pezzella
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - M. Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Zanfardino A, Migliardi A, D'Alonzo D, Lombardi A, Varcamonti M, Cordone A. Inactivation of MSMEG_0412 gene drastically affects surface related properties of Mycobacterium smegmatis. BMC Microbiol 2016; 16:267. [PMID: 27825305 PMCID: PMC5101647 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0888-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The outermost layer of mycobacterial cell wall is rich in lipids and glycolipids, surface molecules which differ among species. Mycobacterium smegmatis, an attractive model for the study of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic mycobacteria, presents glycopeptidolipids (GPLs). All the genes necessary for the biosynthesis of such molecules are clustered in a single region of 65 kb and among them, the msmeg_0412 gene has not been characterized yet. Here we report the isolation and subsequent analysis of a MSMEG_0412 null mutant strain. Results The inactivation of the msmeg_0412 gene had a drastic impact on bacterial surface properties which resulted in the lack of sliding motility, altered biofilm formation and enhanced drug susceptibility. The GPLs analysis showed that the observed mutant phenotype was due to GPLs deficiencies on the mycobacterial cell wall. In addition, we report that the expression of the gene is enhanced in the presence of lipidic substrates and that the encoded protein has a membrane localization. Conclusion msmeg_0412 plays a crucial role for GPLs production and translocation on M. smegmatis surface. Its deletion alters the surface properties and the antibiotic permeability of the mycobacterial cell barrier. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-016-0888-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Migliardi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele D'Alonzo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Cordone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
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Cateni F, Zacchigna M, Procida G, Zilic J, Cordone A, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M. Cholane and Lanostane Derivatives: Antimicrobial Evaluation. ChemistrySelect 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.201600556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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)
- F. Cateni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Trieste, P.zle Europa, 1; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - M. Zacchigna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Trieste, P.zle Europa, 1; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - G. Procida
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Trieste, P.zle Europa, 1; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - J. Zilic
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of Trieste, P.zle Europa, 1; 34127 Trieste Italy
| | - A. Cordone
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo; Via Cinthia - Edificio 7 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - A. Zanfardino
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo; Via Cinthia - Edificio 7 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - M. Varcamonti
- Department of Biology; University of Naples Federico II; Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo; Via Cinthia - Edificio 7 80126 Napoli Italy
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35
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Pane K, Sgambati V, Zanfardino A, Smaldone G, Cafaro V, Angrisano T, Pedone E, Di Gaetano S, Capasso D, Haney EF, Izzo V, Varcamonti M, Notomista E, Hancock REW, Di Donato A, Pizzo E. A new cryptic cationic antimicrobial peptide from human apolipoprotein E with antibacterial activity and immunomodulatory effects on human cells. FEBS J 2016; 283:2115-31. [PMID: 27028511 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 02/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess fast and broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as fungi. It has become increasingly evident that many AMPs, including those that derive from fragments of host proteins, are multifunctional and able to mediate various immunomodulatory functions and angiogenesis. Among these, synthetic apolipoprotein-derived peptides are safe and well tolerated in humans and have emerged as promising candidates in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Here, we report the characterization of a new AMP corresponding to residues 133-150 of human apolipoprotein E. Our results show that this peptide, produced either by chemical synthesis or by recombinant techniques in Escherichia coli, possesses a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. As shown for several other AMPs, ApoE (133-150) is structured in the presence of TFE and of membrane-mimicking agents, like SDS, or bacterial surface lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and an anionic polysaccharide, alginate, which mimics anionic capsular exo-polysaccharides of several pathogenic microorganisms. Noteworthy, ApoE (133-150) is not toxic toward several human cell lines and triggers a significant innate immune response, assessed either as decreased expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines in differentiated THP-1 monocytic cells or by the induction of chemokines released from PBMCs. This novel bioactive AMP also showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect on human keratinocytes, suggesting its potential use as a model for designing new immunomodulatory therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Pane
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Valeria Sgambati
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Tiziana Angrisano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, C.N.R., Naples, Italy
| | - Sonia Di Gaetano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, C.N.R., Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Capasso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Evan F Haney
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Viviana Izzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Baronissi (SA), Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Robert E W Hancock
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alberto Di Donato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Pane K, Durante L, Pizzo E, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Sgambati V, Di Maro A, Carpentieri A, Izzo V, Di Donato A, Cafaro V, Notomista E. Rational Design of a Carrier Protein for the Production of Recombinant Toxic Peptides in Escherichia coli. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146552. [PMID: 26808536 PMCID: PMC4726619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial uses of bioactive peptides require low cost, effective methods for their production. We developed a new carrier protein for high yield production of recombinant peptides in Escherichia coli very well suited for the production of toxic peptides like antimicrobial peptides. GKY20, a short antimicrobial peptide derived from the C-terminus of human thrombin, was fused to the C-terminus of Onconase, a small ribonuclease (104 amino acids), which efficiently drove the peptide into inclusion bodies with very high expression levels (about 200–250 mg/L). After purification of the fusion protein by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, peptide was obtained by chemical cleavage in diluted acetic acid of an acid labile Asp-Pro sequence with more than 95% efficiency. To improve peptide purification, Onconase was mutated to eliminate all acid labile sequences thus reducing the release of unwanted peptides during the acid cleavage. Mutations were chosen to preserve the differential solubility of Onconase as function of pH, which allows its selective precipitation at neutral pH after the cleavage. The improved carrier allowed the production of 15–18 mg of recombinant peptide per liter of culture with 96–98% purity without the need of further chromatographic steps after the acid cleavage. The antimicrobial activity of the recombinant peptide, with an additional proline at the N-terminus, was tested on Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains and was found to be identical to that measured for synthetic GKY20. This finding suggests that N-terminal proline residue does not change the antimicrobial properties of recombinant (P)GKY20. The improved carrier, which does not contain cysteine and methionine residues, Asp-Pro and Asn-Gly sequences, is well suited for the production of peptides using any of the most popular chemical cleavage methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Pane
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Durante
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Valeria Sgambati
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antimo Di Maro
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Seconda Università di Napoli, Caserta, Italy
| | - Andrea Carpentieri
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Viviana Izzo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Alberto Di Donato
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Notomista E, Falanga A, Fusco S, Pirone L, Zanfardino A, Galdiero S, Varcamonti M, Pedone E, Contursi P. The identification of a novel Sulfolobus islandicus CAMP-like peptide points to archaeal microorganisms as cell factories for the production of antimicrobial molecules. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:126. [PMID: 26338197 PMCID: PMC4559164 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0302-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pathogenic bacteria easily develop resistance to c
onventional antibiotics so that even relatively new molecules are quickly losing efficacy. This strongly encourages the quest of new antimicrobials especially for the treatment of chronic infections. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are small positively charged peptides with an amphipathic structure, active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, as well as protozoa. Results A novel (CAMP)-like peptide (VLL-28) was identified in the primary structure of a transcription factor, Stf76, encoded by pSSVx, a hybrid plasmid–virus from the archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus. VLL-28 displays chemical, physical and functional properties typical of CAMPs. Indeed, it has a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and acquires a defined structure in the presence of membrane mimetics. Furthermore, it exhibits selective leakage and fusogenic capability on vesicles with a lipid composition similar to that of bacterial membranes. VLL-28 localizes not only on the cell membrane but also in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli and retains the ability to bind nucleic acids. These findings suggest that this CAMP-like peptide could exert its antimicrobial activity both on membrane and intra cellular targets. Conclusions VLL-28 is the first CAMP-like peptide identified in the archaeal kingdom, thus pointing to archaeal microorganisms as cell factories to produce antimicrobial molecules of biotechnological interest. Furthermore, results from this work show that DNA/RNA-binding proteins could be used as sources of CAMPs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-015-0302-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Notomista
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Annarita Falanga
- Istituto di Biostrutture Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134, Naples, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Fusco
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Luciano Pirone
- Istituto di Biostrutture Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134, Naples, Italy. .,C.I.R.C.M.S.B. (Consorzio Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Chimica dei Metalli nei Sistemi Biologici), via Celso Ulpiani, 27, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Istituto di Biostrutture Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134, Naples, Italy. .,Department of Pharmacy and CiRPEB, University of Naples Federico II, 80100, Naples, Italy.
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
| | - Emilia Pedone
- Istituto di Biostrutture Bioimmagini, CNR, 80134, Naples, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Contursi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
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Pizzo E, Zanfardino A, Di Giuseppe AM, Bosso A, Landi N, Ragucci S, Varcamonti M, Notomista E, Di Maro A. A new active antimicrobial peptide from PD-L4, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein ofPhytolacca dioicaL.: A new function of RIPs for plant defence? FEBS Lett 2015; 589:2812-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vitiello G, Pezzella A, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Silvestri B, Costantini A, Branda F, Luciani G. Titania as a driving agent for DHICA polymerization: a novel strategy for the design of bioinspired antimicrobial nanomaterials. J Mater Chem B 2015; 3:2808-2815. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tb00039d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Organic materials are widely employed to tune surface chemistry and/or as structuring agents of inorganic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Vitiello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Alessandro Pezzella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Napoli “Federico II” via Cintia 4
- 80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Anna Zanfardino
- Dipartimento di Biologia
- Università di Napoli “Federico II” via Cintia 4
- 80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Mario Varcamonti
- Dipartimento di Biologia
- Università di Napoli “Federico II” via Cintia 4
- 80126 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Brigida Silvestri
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Aniello Costantini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Francesco Branda
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica
- dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale
- Università di Napoli “Federico II”
- 80125 Napoli
- Italy
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Piotto S, Concilio S, Sessa L, Porta A, Calabrese EC, Zanfardino A, Varcamonti M, Iannelli P. Small azobenzene derivatives active against bacteria and fungi. Eur J Med Chem 2013; 68:178-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Napoli M, Saturnino C, Cianciulli EI, Varcamonti M, Zanfardino A, Tommonaro G, Longo P. Silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity. J Organomet Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jorganchem.2012.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Sayem SMA, Manzo E, Ciavatta L, Tramice A, Cordone A, Zanfardino A, De Felice M, Varcamonti M. Anti-biofilm activity of an exopolysaccharide from a sponge-associated strain of Bacillus licheniformis. Microb Cell Fact 2011; 10:74. [PMID: 21951859 PMCID: PMC3196911 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-10-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Secondary metabolites ranging from furanone to exo-polysaccharides have been suggested to have anti-biofilm activity in various recent studies. Among these, Escherichia coli group II capsular polysaccharides were shown to inhibit biofilm formation of a wide range of organisms and more recently marine Vibrio sp. were found to secrete complex exopolysaccharides having the potential for broad-spectrum biofilm inhibition and disruption. Results In this study we report that a newly identified ca. 1800 kDa polysaccharide having simple monomeric units of α-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-glycerol-phosphate exerts an anti-biofilm activity against a number of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains without bactericidal effects. This polysaccharide was extracted from a Bacillus licheniformis strain associated with the marine organism Spongia officinalis. The mechanism of action of this compound is most likely independent from quorum sensing, as its structure is unrelated to any of the so far known quorum sensing molecules. In our experiments we also found that treatment of abiotic surfaces with our polysaccharide reduced the initial adhesion and biofilm development of strains such as Escherichia coli PHL628 and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Conclusion The polysaccharide isolated from sponge-associated B. licheniformis has several features that provide a tool for better exploration of novel anti-biofilm compounds. Inhibiting biofilm formation of a wide range of bacteria without affecting their growth appears to represent a special feature of the polysaccharide described in this report. Further research on such surface-active compounds might help developing new classes of anti-biofilm molecules with broad spectrum activity and more in general will allow exploring of new functions for bacterial polysaccharides in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Abu Sayem
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Zanfardino A, Restaino OF, Notomista E, Cimini D, Schiraldi C, De Rosa M, De Felice M, Varcamonti M. Isolation of an Escherichia coli K4 kfoC mutant over-producing capsular chondroitin. Microb Cell Fact 2010; 9:34. [PMID: 20478023 PMCID: PMC2889854 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-9-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chondroitin sulphate is a complex polysaccharide having important structural and protective functions in animal tissues. Extracted from animals, this compound is used as a human anti-inflammatory drug. Among bacteria, Escherichia coli K4 produces a capsule containing a non-sulphate chondroitin and its development may provide an efficient and cheap fermentative production of the polysaccharide. RESULTS A random N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis was performed on E. coli K4 to isolate mutants showing an increased production of chondroitin. Several mutants were isolated, one of which, here named VZ15, produced about 80% more chondroitin than the wild type E. coli. We found that the mutant has a missense mutation in the codon 313 of kfoC, the gene encoding chondroitin polymerase (K4CP), with a change from arginine to glutamine. A docking analysis to explain the increased productivity of the K4CP enzyme is presented. CONCLUSION The enhanced chondroitin production by the E. coli K4 mutant reported here shows the validity of the strain improvement strategy for more cost-friendly fermentative processes in the production of this pharmaceutically important but so-far expensive polysaccharide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zanfardino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Zanfardino A, Pizzo E, Di Maro A, Varcamonti M, D'Alessio G. The bactericidal action on Escherichia coli of ZF-RNase-3 is triggered by the suicidal action of the bacterium OmpT protease. FEBS J 2010; 277:1921-8. [PMID: 20214681 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07614.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
ZF-RNase-3 is one of the RNases from zebrafish (Danio rerio) with special (i.e. noncatalytic) properties. These include angiogenic and bactericidal activities. Given the interest of fish RNases as host-defense effectors, we studied the mechanism of the bactericidal action of ZF-RNase-3 on Escherichia coli as a model Gram-negative bacterium. The results obtained indicate that the bactericidal activity of ZF-RNase-3 is not lost when its catalytic RNase activity is obliterated. On the other hand, fully denatured ZF-RNase-3 conserves its bactericidal activity. When ZF-RNase-3 is added to E. coli cultures, it is cleaved at a specific Arg-Arg peptide bond, thus engendering two peptide fragments. The larger fragment (residues 31-124), produced by proteolysis and reduction of a disulfide, is recognized as the actual bactericidal agent. The protease responsible for the proteolytic attack has been identified with OmpT, an outer membrane E. coli omptin protease. However, the most remarkable result obtained in the present study is the finding that the microbicidal action of ZF-RNase-3 can be achieved only with the suicidal cooperation of the bacterium itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Zanfardino
- Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Pizzo E, Varcamonti M, Di Maro A, D Maro A, Zanfardino A, Giancola C, D'Alessio G. Ribonucleases with angiogenic and bactericidal activities from the Atlantic salmon. FEBS J 2008; 275:1283-95. [PMID: 18279393 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2008.06289.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The importance of fish in vertebrate evolution has been better recognized in recent years after the intense work carried out on fish genomics. The recent discovery that fish genomes comprise homologs of ribonucleases, studied before only in tetrapods, and the isolation of ribonucleases from zebrafish have suggested an experimental model for studying fish and vertebrate evolution. Thus, the cDNAs encoding the RNases from the Atlantic salmon were expressed, and the recombinant RNases (Ss-RNase-1 and Ss-RNase-2) were isolated and characterized as both proteins and for their biological activities. Salmon RNases are less active than RNase A in degrading RNA, but are both sensitive to the action of the human cytosolic RNase inhibitor. The two enzymes possess both angiogenic and bactericidal activities. However, catalytically inactivated Ss-RNases do not exert any angiogenic activity, but preserve their full bactericidal activity, which is surprisingly preserved even when the enzyme proteins are fully denatured. Analyses of the conformational stability of the two RNases has revealed that they are as stable as typical RNases of the superfamily, and Ss-RNase-2, the most active as an enzyme, is also the most resistant to thermal and chemical denaturation. The implications of these findings in terms of the evolution of early RNases, in particular of the physiological significance of the angiogenic and bactericidal activities of fish RNases, are analyzed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elio Pizzo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, Naples, Italy
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