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  1. Article ; Online: Editorial

    Laura Marchetti / David Porciani / Stefania Mitola / Chiara Giacomelli

    Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Vol

    Molecular Insights Into Ligand-Receptor Interactions on the Cell Surface

    2022  Volume 9

    Keywords ligand-receptor interactions ; membrane receptor ; CXCR4 ; receptor fluorolabeling ; co-receptor ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-05-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Differential regulation of mRNA fate by the human Ccr4-Not complex is driven by coding sequence composition and mRNA localization

    Sarah L. Gillen / Chiara Giacomelli / Kelly Hodge / Sara Zanivan / Martin Bushell / Ania Wilczynska

    Genome Biology, Vol 22, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2021  Volume 31

    Abstract: Abstract Background Regulation of protein output at the level of translation allows for a rapid adaptation to dynamic changes to the cell’s requirements. This precise control of gene expression is achieved by complex and interlinked biochemical processes ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Regulation of protein output at the level of translation allows for a rapid adaptation to dynamic changes to the cell’s requirements. This precise control of gene expression is achieved by complex and interlinked biochemical processes that modulate both the protein synthesis rate and stability of each individual mRNA. A major factor coordinating this regulation is the Ccr4-Not complex. Despite playing a role in most stages of the mRNA life cycle, no attempt has been made to take a global integrated view of how the Ccr4-Not complex affects gene expression. Results This study has taken a comprehensive approach to investigate post-transcriptional regulation mediated by the Ccr4-Not complex assessing steady-state mRNA levels, ribosome position, mRNA stability, and protein production transcriptome-wide. Depletion of the scaffold protein CNOT1 results in a global upregulation of mRNA stability and the preferential stabilization of mRNAs enriched for G/C-ending codons. We also uncover that mRNAs targeted to the ER for their translation have reduced translational efficiency when CNOT1 is depleted, specifically downstream of the signal sequence cleavage site. In contrast, translationally upregulated mRNAs are normally localized in p-bodies, contain disorder-promoting amino acids, and encode nuclear localized proteins. Finally, we identify ribosome pause sites that are resolved or induced by the depletion of CNOT1. Conclusions We define the key mRNA features that determine how the human Ccr4-Not complex differentially regulates mRNA fate and protein synthesis through a mechanism linked to codon composition, amino acid usage, and mRNA localization.
    Keywords Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Genetics ; QH426-470
    Subject code 612
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: High Adenosine Extracellular Levels Induce Glioblastoma Aggressive Traits Modulating the Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome

    Deborah Pietrobono / Chiara Giacomelli / Laura Marchetti / Claudia Martini / Maria Letizia Trincavelli

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 21, Iss 7706, p

    2020  Volume 7706

    Abstract: Glioblastoma is an aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor influenced by the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) play a pivotal role. Adenosine (ADO), a purinergic signal molecule, can reach up to high ... ...

    Abstract Glioblastoma is an aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor influenced by the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) play a pivotal role. Adenosine (ADO), a purinergic signal molecule, can reach up to high micromolar concentrations in TME. The activity of specific adenosine receptor subtypes on glioma cells has been widely explored, as have the effects of MSCs on tumor progression. However, the effects of high levels of ADO on glioma aggressive traits are still unclear as is its role in cancer cells-MSC cross-talk. Herein, we first studied the role of extracellular Adenosine (ADO) on isolated human U343MG cells as a glioblastoma cellular model, finding that at high concentrations it was able to prompt the gene expression of Snail and ZEB1, which regulate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, even if a complete transition was not reached. These effects were mediated by the induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Additionally, ADO affected isolated bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) by modifying the pattern of secreted inflammatory cytokines. Then, the conditioned medium (CM) of BM-MSCs stimulated with ADO and a co-culture system were used to investigate the role of extracellular ADO in GBM–MSC cross-talk. The CM promoted the increase of glioma motility and induced a partial phenotypic change of glioblastoma cells. These effects were maintained when U343MG cells and BM-MSCs were co-cultured. In conclusion, ADO may affect glioma biology directly and through the modulation of the paracrine factors released by MSCs overall promoting a more aggressive phenotype. These results point out the importance to deeply investigate the role of extracellular soluble factors in the glioma cross-talk with other cell types of the TME to better understand its pathological mechanisms.
    Keywords glioblastoma ; adenosine ; tumor microenvironment ; mesenchymal stromal cells ; co-culture ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 570
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Cytokine secretion responsiveness of lymphomonocytes following cortisol cell exposure

    Eleonora Da Pozzo / Chiara Giacomelli / Chiara Cavallini / Claudia Martini

    PLoS ONE, Vol 13, Iss 7, p e

    Sex differences.

    2018  Volume 0200924

    Abstract: The stress hormone cortisol has been recognized as a coordinator of immune response. However, its different ability to modulate the release of inflammatory mediators in males and females has not been clarified yet. Indeed, the dissection of cortisol ... ...

    Abstract The stress hormone cortisol has been recognized as a coordinator of immune response. However, its different ability to modulate the release of inflammatory mediators in males and females has not been clarified yet. Indeed, the dissection of cortisol specific actions may be difficult due to the complex hormonal and physio-pathological individual status. Herein, the release of inflammatory mediators following increasing cortisol concentrations was investigated in an in vitro model of primary human male and female lymphomonocytes. The use of a defined cellular model to assess sex differences in inflammatory cytokine secretion could be useful to exclude the effects of divergent and fluctuating sex hormone levels occurring in vivo. Herein, the cells were challenged with cortisol concentrations resembling the plasma levels achieving in physiological and stressful conditions. The production of cytokines and other molecules involved in inflammatory process was determined. In basal conditions, male cells presented higher levels of some pro-inflammatory molecules (NF-kB and IDO-1 mRNAs, IL-6 and kynurenine) than female cells. Following cortisol exposure, the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8, were increased in male cells. Conversely, in female cells IL-6 release was unchanged and IL-8 levels were decreased. Anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, did not change in male cells and increased in female cells. Interestingly, kynurenine levels were higher in female cells than in male cells following cortisol stimulus. These results highlighted that cortisol differently affects male and female lymphomonocytes, shifting the cytokine release in favour of a pro-inflammatory pattern in male cells and an anti-inflammatory secretion profile in female cells, opening the way to study the influences of other stressful factors involved in the neurohumoral changes occurring in the response to stress conditions.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Identification of a Novel p53 Modulator Endowed with Antitumoural and Antibacterial Activity through a Scaffold Repurposing Approach

    Elisa Nuti / Valeria La Pietra / Simona Daniele / Doretta Cuffaro / Lidia Ciccone / Chiara Giacomelli / Carolina Cason / Alfonso Carotenuto / Vincenzo Maria D’Amore / Eleonora Da Pozzo / Barbara Costa / Riccardo Di Leo / Manola Comar / Luciana Marinelli / Claudia Martini / Armando Rossello

    Pharmaceuticals, Vol 15, Iss 1318, p

    2022  Volume 1318

    Abstract: Intracellular pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis , have been recently shown to induce degradation of p53 during infection, thus impairing the protective response of the host cells. Therefore, p53 reactivation by disruption of the p53–MDM2 complex ... ...

    Abstract Intracellular pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis , have been recently shown to induce degradation of p53 during infection, thus impairing the protective response of the host cells. Therefore, p53 reactivation by disruption of the p53–MDM2 complex could reduce infection and restore pro-apoptotic effect of p53. Here, we report the identification of a novel MDM2 inhibitor with potential antitumoural and antibacterial activity able to reactivate p53. A virtual screening was performed on an in-house chemical library, previously synthesised for other targets, and led to the identification of a hit compound with a benzo[a]dihydrocarbazole structure, RM37. This compound induced p53 up-regulation in U343MG glioblastoma cells by blocking MDM2–p53 interaction and reduced tumour cell growth. NMR studies confirmed its ability to dissociate the MDM2–p53 complex. Notably, RM37 reduced Chlamydia infection in HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner and ameliorated the inflammatory status associated with infection.
    Keywords p53 modulator ; antibacterial activity ; glioblastoma multiforme ; p53–MDM2 complex ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; virtual screening ; Medicine ; R ; Pharmacy and materia medica ; RS1-441
    Subject code 572
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: De novo Neurosteroidogenesis in Human Microglia

    Lorenzo Germelli / Eleonora Da Pozzo / Chiara Giacomelli / Chiara Tremolanti / Laura Marchetti / Christian H. Wetzel / Elisabetta Barresi / Sabrina Taliani / Federico Da Settimo / Claudia Martini / Barbara Costa

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 22, Iss 3115, p

    Involvement of the 18 kDa Translocator Protein

    2021  Volume 3115

    Abstract: Neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of microglial functions and are capable of counteracting their excessive reactivity. This action has mainly been ascribed to neuroactive steroids released from other sources, as microglia have been defined ... ...

    Abstract Neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of microglial functions and are capable of counteracting their excessive reactivity. This action has mainly been ascribed to neuroactive steroids released from other sources, as microglia have been defined unable to produce neurosteroids de novo. Unexpectedly, immortalized murine microglia recently exhibited this de novo biosynthesis; herein, de novo neurosteroidogenesis was characterized in immortalized human microglia. The results demonstrated that C20 and HMC3 microglial cells constitutively express members of the neurosteroidogenesis multiprotein machinery—in particular, the transduceosome members StAR and TSPO, and the enzyme CYP11A1. Moreover, both cell lines produce pregnenolone and transcriptionally express the enzymes involved in neurosteroidogenesis. The high TSPO expression levels observed in microglia prompted us to assess its role in de novo neurosteroidogenesis. TSPO siRNA and TSPO synthetic ligand treatments were used to reduce and prompt TSPO function, respectively. The TSPO expression downregulation compromised the de novo neurosteroidogenesis and led to an increase in StAR expression, probably as a compensatory mechanism. The pharmacological TSPO stimulation the de novo neurosteroidogenesis improved in turn the neurosteroid-mediated release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that de novo neurosteroidogenesis occurs in human microglia, unravelling a new mechanism potentially useful for future therapeutic purposes.
    Keywords 18 kDa TSPO ; human microglial cells ; neurosteroidogenesis ; neurosteroids ; CYP11A1 ; StAR protein ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 616
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: The Ionophoric Activity of a Pro-Apoptotic VEGF165 Fragment on HUVEC Cells

    Stefania Zimbone / Anna M. Santoro / Diego La Mendola / Chiara Giacomelli / Maria L. Trincavelli / Marianna F. Tomasello / Danilo Milardi / Sara García-Viñuales / Michele F. M. Sciacca / Claudia Martini / Giulia Grasso

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 21, Iss 2866, p

    2020  Volume 2866

    Abstract: Copper plays an important role as a regulator in many pathologies involving the angiogenesis process. In cancerogenesis, tumor progression, and angiogenic diseases, copper homeostasis is altered. Although many details in the pathways involved are still ... ...

    Abstract Copper plays an important role as a regulator in many pathologies involving the angiogenesis process. In cancerogenesis, tumor progression, and angiogenic diseases, copper homeostasis is altered. Although many details in the pathways involved are still unknown, some copper-specific ligands have been successfully used as therapeutic agents. Copper-binding peptides able to modulate angiogenesis represent a possible way to value new drugs. We previously reported that a fragment (VEGF73-101) of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165), a potent angiogenic, induced an apoptotic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative copper ionophoric activity of VEGF73-101, as well as establish a relationship between the structure of the peptide fragment and the cytotoxic activity in the presence of copper(II) ions. Here, we studied the stoichiometry and the conformation of the VEGF73-101/Cu(II) complexes and some of its mutated peptides by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of all peptides in the absence and presence of copper ions by cell viability and cytofuorimetric assays. The obtained results suggest that VEGF73-101 could be considered an interesting candidate in the development of new molecules with ionophoric properties as agents in antiangiogenic therapeutic approaches.
    Keywords copper ; peptides ; vascular endothelial growth factor ; ionophore ; HUVEC ; apoptosis ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 500 ; 540
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Carnosol controls the human glioblastoma stemness features through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition modulation and the induction of cancer stem cell apoptosis

    Chiara Giacomelli / Simona Daniele / Letizia Natali / Caterina Iofrida / Guido Flamini / Alessandra Braca / M. Letizia Trincavelli / Claudia Martini

    Scientific Reports, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2017  Volume 17

    Abstract: Abstract A high cell proliferation rate, invasiveness and resistance to chemotherapy are the main features of glioblastoma (GBM). GBM aggressiveness has been widely associated both with a minor population of cells presenting stem-like properties (cancer ... ...

    Abstract Abstract A high cell proliferation rate, invasiveness and resistance to chemotherapy are the main features of glioblastoma (GBM). GBM aggressiveness has been widely associated both with a minor population of cells presenting stem-like properties (cancer stem-like cells, CSCs) and with the ability of tumor cells to acquire a mesenchymal phenotype (epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EMT). Carnosol (CAR), a natural inhibitor of MDM2/p53 complex, has been attracted attention for its anti-cancer effects on several tumor types, including GBM. Herein, the effects of CAR on U87MG-derived CSC viability and stemness features were evaluated. CAR decreased the rate of CSC formation and promoted the CSC apoptotic cell death through p53 functional reactivation. Moreover, CAR was able to control the TNF-α/TGF-β-induced EMT, counteracting the effects of the cytokine on EMT master regulator genes (Slug, Snail, Twist and ZEB1) and modulating the activation of miR-200c, a key player in the EMT process. Finally, CAR was able to increase the temozolomide (TMZ) anti-proliferative effects. These findings demonstrate that CAR affected the different intracellular mechanism of the complex machinery that regulates GBM stemness. For the first time, the diterpene was highlighted as a promising lead for the development of agents able to decrease the stemness features, thus controlling GBM aggressiveness.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Publishing Group
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Microglial Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Phenotypes Are Modulated by Translocator Protein Activation

    Eleonora Da Pozzo / Chiara Tremolanti / Barbara Costa / Chiara Giacomelli / Vladimir M. Milenkovic / Stefanie Bader / Christian H. Wetzel / Rainer Rupprecht / Sabrina Taliani / Federico Da Settimo / Claudia Martini

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 20, Iss 18, p

    2019  Volume 4467

    Abstract: A key role of the mitochondrial Translocator Protein 18 KDa (TSPO) in neuroinflammation has been recently proposed. However, little is known about TSPO-activated pathways underlying the modulation of reactive microglia. In the present work, the TSPO ... ...

    Abstract A key role of the mitochondrial Translocator Protein 18 KDa (TSPO) in neuroinflammation has been recently proposed. However, little is known about TSPO-activated pathways underlying the modulation of reactive microglia. In the present work, the TSPO activation was explored in an in vitro human primary microglia model (immortalized C20 cells) under inflammatory stimulus. Two different approaches were used with the aim to (i) pharmacologically amplify or (ii) silence, by the lentiviral short hairpin RNA, the TSPO physiological function. In the TSPO pharmacological stimulation model, the synthetic steroidogenic selective ligand XBD-173 attenuated the activation of microglia. Indeed, it reduces and increases the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. Such ligand-induced effects were abolished when C20 cells were treated with the steroidogenesis inhibitor aminoglutethimide. This suggests a role for neurosteroids in modulating the interleukin production. The highly steroidogenic ligand XBD-173 attenuated the neuroinflammatory response more effectively than the poorly steroidogenic ones, which suggests that the observed modulation on the cytokine release may be influenced by the levels of produced neurosteroids. In the TSPO silencing model, the reduction of TSPO caused a more inflamed phenotype with respect to scrambled cells. Similarly, during the inflammatory response, the TSPO silencing increased and reduced the release of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. In conclusion, the obtained results are in favor of a homeostatic role for TSPO in the context of dynamic balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mediators in the human microglia-mediated inflammatory response. Interestingly, our preliminary results propose that the TSPO expression could be stimulated by NF-κB during activation of the inflammatory response.
    Keywords translocator protein 18 KDa ; human microglial cells ; neuroinflammation ; interleukins ; neurosteroids ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-09-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: TSPO PIGA Ligands Promote Neurosteroidogenesis and Human Astrocyte Well-Being

    Eleonora Da Pozzo / Chiara Giacomelli / Barbara Costa / Chiara Cavallini / Sabrina Taliani / Elisabetta Barresi / Federico Da Settimo / Claudia Martini

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 17, Iss 7, p

    2016  Volume 1028

    Abstract: The steroidogenic 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is an emerging, attractive therapeutic tool for several pathological conditions of the nervous system. Here, 13 high affinity TSPO ligands belonging to our previously described N,N-dialkyl-2- ... ...

    Abstract The steroidogenic 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) is an emerging, attractive therapeutic tool for several pathological conditions of the nervous system. Here, 13 high affinity TSPO ligands belonging to our previously described N,N-dialkyl-2-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylamide (PIGA) class were evaluated for their potential ability to affect the cellular Oxidative Metabolism Activity/Proliferation index, which is used as a measure of astrocyte well-being. The most active PIGA ligands were also assessed for steroidogenic activity in terms of pregnenolone production, and the values were related to the metabolic index in rat and human models. The results showed a positive correlation between the increase in the Oxidative Metabolism Activity/Proliferation index and the pharmacologically induced stimulation of steroidogenesis. The specific involvement of steroid molecules in mediating the metabolic effects of the PIGA ligands was demonstrated using aminoglutethimide, a specific inhibitor of the first step of steroid biosynthesis. The most promising steroidogenic PIGA ligands were the 2-naphthyl derivatives that showed a long residence time to the target, in agreement with our previous data. In conclusion, TSPO ligand-induced neurosteroidogenesis was involved in astrocyte well-being.
    Keywords translocator protein ; neurosteroidogenesis ; PIGA ligands ; cellular proliferation ; oxidative metabolism ; astrocytes ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5 ; Chemistry ; QD1-999
    Subject code 500
    Language English
    Publishing date 2016-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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