Biomedical subjects

M Letizia Trincavelli

Publications and source records attributed to M Letizia Trincavelli.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

New pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridones as selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonists: synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modelling studies.

A series of ethyl 4-amino-1-(2-chloro-2-phenylethyl)-6-oxo-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxylates () has been synthesized as potential A(1) adenosine receptor (A(1) AR) ligands. Binding affinities of the new compounds were determined for adenosine A(1), A(2A) and A(3) receptors. Compounds and showed good affinity (K(i)= 299 nM and 517 nM, respectively) and selectivity towards A(1) AR, whereas showed good affinity for A(2A) AR (K(i)= 290 nM), higher than towards A(1) AR (K(i)= 1000 nM). The only arylamino derivative of the series displayed high affinity (K(i)= 4.6 nM) and selectivity for A(3) AR. Molecular modelling and 3D-QSAR (CoMFA) studies carried out on the most active compounds gave further support to the pharmacological results.

Models, Molecular↗

PubMed2004

Adenosine: old passion, new perspectives.

In this review is summarized my research in the adenosine field from the beginning of my carrier to day. My research began preparing the degree thesis with Prof. Carlo Alfonso Rossi, about the purification and characterization of adenosine deaminase. My scientific interest for adenosine has spread during the years and I have been interested in the study of ARs and their related transduction and in the study of molecular mechanisms involved in homologous and heterologous AR receptor regulation.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

Involvement of mitogen protein kinase cascade in agonist-mediated human A(3) adenosine receptor regulation.

It has been suggested that A(3) adenosine receptors (ARs) play a role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia with dual and opposite neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects. This could be due to a receptor regulation mediated by rapid phosphorylation and desensitization carried out by intracellular kinases. In this study, we investigated the involvement of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK 1 and 2), members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, in A(3) AR phosphorylation. A(3) AR mediated the activation of ERK 1/2 with a typical transient monophasic kinetics (5 min). The activation was not affected by hypertonic sucrose cell pre-treatment, suggesting that this effect occurred independently of receptor internalization. The involvement of MAPK cascade in the A(3) AR regulation process was evaluated using two well-characterized MAPK kinase inhibitors, PD98059 (2-(2'-amino-3'-methoxyphenyl)oxanaphthalen-4-one) and U0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis (aminophenylthio) butadiene). The exposure of cells to PD98059 prevented MAPK activation and inhibited homologous A(3) AR desensitization and internalization, impairing agonist-mediated receptor phosphorylation. PD98059 inhibited the membrane translocation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK(2)), which is involved in A(3) AR homologous phosphorylation, suggesting this kinase as a target for the MAPK cascade. On the contrary, the chemically unrelated inhibitor of the MAPK cascade, U0126, did not significantly affect GRK(2) membrane translocation or receptor internalization. Nevertheless, the inhibitor induced a significant impairment of receptor phosphorylation and desensitization. These results suggested that the MAPK cascade is involved in A(3) AR regulation by a feedback mechanism which controls GRK(2) activity and probably involves a direct receptor phosphorylation.

Adenosine-5'-(N-ethylcarboxamide)↗

PubMed2002

Upregulation of mitochondrial peripheral benzodiazepine receptor expression by cytokine-induced damage of human pancreatic islets.

Cytokines produced by immune system cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are candidate mediators of islet beta-cell destruction in autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. After 72 h exposure of human pancreatic islets to a cytotoxic cytokine combination of interleukin 1 beta (50 U/ml), tumor necrosis factor alpha (1,000 U/ml), and interferon gamma (1,000 U/ml), an increase of cell death vs. control islets was demonstrated by TUNEL and cell death detection ELISA method. Islet death was associated with apoptosis and mitochondrial swelling as evidenced by electron microscopy. This effect was correlated with a marked decrease of Bcl-2 mRNA expression (without any major change of Bax mRNA) and a marked increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA. Since peripheral benzodiazepine receptors constitute the aspecific mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and that it has been suggested to be involved in cytokine-induced cell death, we evaluated the effects of the cytotoxic cytokines on PBR density and mRNA expression. We demonstrated that cytokine treatment of human islets induced an increase of maximum density of (3)H1-(2-chlorophenyl-N-methyl-1-methylpropyl)-3- isoquinolinecarboxamide binding sites, (5,110+/-193 vs. 3,421+/-336 fmol/mg proteins, P<0.05) with no significant change in the affinity constant value (9.45+/-0.869 vs. 8.7+/-1.159 nM). Moreover, an increase of the expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor mRNA was observed, suggesting an increased transcription from the coding gene. These results suggest a possible role of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in the organism response to tissue damage associated with inflammatory mediator production.

Adult↗