Biomedical subjects

Menotti Ruvo

Publications and source records attributed to Menotti Ruvo.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Abeta(25-35) and its C- and/or N-blocked derivatives: copper driven structural features and neurotoxicity.

The toxic properties of beta-amyloid protein, Abeta(1-42), the major component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, depend on nucleation-dependent oligomerization and aggregation. In addition, Abeta(1-42) toxicity is favored by the presence of trace metals, which affect the secondary structure of the peptide. A peptide comprising 11 residues within Abeta(1-42) [Abeta(25-35)] aggregates and retains the neurotoxic activity of Abeta(1-42). We have used both Abeta(25-35) and its C-amidated or N-acetylated/C-amidated derivatives to investigate the role of copper(II) in modulating the conformation and aggregation state as well as the neurotoxic properties of amyloid peptides. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements were performed to verify the formation of copper(II)/Abeta(25-35) complexes and to determine the coordination mode, respectively. Abeta(25-35) and its derivatives were analyzed by circular dichroism spectroscopy to assess their secondary structure, subjected to thioflavine-T (Th-T) binding assay to reveal beta-sheet structured aggregates formation, and imaged by scanning force microscopy. Toxicity was assessed on mature cultures of rat cortical neurons. We found that beta-sheet-structured species of Abeta(25-35) were neurotoxic, whereas the random-coil-structured derivatives were devoid of effect. Interestingly, copper promoted the random-coil/beta-sheet transition of Abeta(25-35), with ensuing peptide toxicity, but it induced the toxicity of the N-acetylated/C-amidated derivative without affecting peptide folding. Moreover, copper did not influence either the folding or the activity of the C-amidated Abeta(25-35), suggesting that blockade of the C-terminus of Abeta peptides might be sufficient to prevent Abeta toxicity.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗

PubMed2007

Does tetracycline bind helix 2 of prion? An integrated spectroscopical and computational study of the interaction between the antibiotic and alpha helix 2 human prion protein fragments.

We demonstrate here that tetracycline (TC) can strongly interact (KD' = 189 +/- 7 nM) with model peptides derived from the C-terminal globular domain of the prion protein, hPrP [173-195], and that interaction concerns residues within the C-terminal half of the helix 2, a short region previously indicated as endowed with ambivalent conformational behavior and implicated in PrP conversion to the beta-sheet-rich, infective scrapie variant. Data have been confirmed by binding studies with the N-terminal truncated 180-195 variant that displays a dissociation constant of 483 +/- 30 nM. Remarkably, TC does not influence the structure of the N-terminally fluoresceinated peptides that both show alpha-helical conformations. Docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations suggest a direct, strong interaction of the antibiotic with exposed side chain functional groups of threonines 190-193 on the solvent-exposed surface of helix 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

The chemical synthesis of the GstI protein by NCL on a X-Met site.

The small GstI protein (63 amino acids) of Rhizobium leguminosarum is the endogenous inhibitor of the glnII (glutamine synthetase II) gene expression. It has been suggested that GstI has a predominantly beta-structure and mediates the block of translation and stabilization of glnII mRNA through direct binding to its 5' untranslated region. Because of the unavailability of adequate amounts of purified recombinant protein, the mechanism as well as the protein tridimensional structure remain very poorly understood. To obtain the full-length protein, we have undertaken the chemical synthesis of the protein by different approaches. In a first attempt, the stepwise synthesis was unsuccessful, with strong aggregation experienced on the N-terminal side, after residue 44 from the C-terminus. In a second approach, we set up the conditions to carry out a native chemical ligation (NCL). Albeit the protein contains two Cysteine residues, located at positions 40 and 47, to minimize the size of the N-terminal segment to be synthesized, we have devised an alternative strategy of ligation on Met32, utilizing homoCys as the ligating moiety and then alkylating the resulting polypeptide with methyl iodide. New conditions to quantitatively methylate thiol groups in complex polypeptides have been conceived, obtaining the protein in very good yields and purity. A CD spectroscopy investigation has revealed that the protein does not adopt canonical secondary structures but is very rich in beta-structure (approximately 60%), in agreement with a previous study carried out on samples obtained by recombinant methods.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Solution structure of mouse Cripto CFC domain and its inactive variant Trp107Ala.

We report here for the first time the solution structures at pH 3 and pH 6 of the synthetic CFC domain of mouse Cripto and of the point mutated variant W107A that is unable to bind to the Alk4 Cripto receptor. NMR data confirm that the CFC domain has a C1-C4, C2-C6, C3-C5 disulfide pattern and show that structures are rather flexible and globally extended, with three noncanonical antiparallel strands. His104 and Trp107 side chains protrude from a protein edge and are strongly exposed to solvent, supporting previous evidence of direct involvement in receptor binding. On the opposite molecule side, several nonpolar residues are gathered, forming a large hydrophobic patch that supposedly acts as interface with the cell membrane or the adjacent EGF-like domain. A second hydrophilic patch surrounding His104 and Trp107 is present only in the wild type variant, suggesting a possible involvement in modulating Alk4 recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Chemical synthesis of mouse cripto CFC variants.

We report for the first time the chemical synthesis of refolded CFC domain of mouse Cripto (mCFC) and of two variants bearing mutations on residues W107 and H104 involved in Alk4 binding. The domains undergo spontaneous and quantitative refolding in about 4 h, yet with very different kinetics. Disulfide linkages have been assessed by enzyme digestion and mass spectrometry analysis of resulting fragments, and the first experimental studies on structural organization have been conducted by circular dichroism spectroscopy under different pH conditions. Upon refolding, the domains considerably change their conformations, although they do not assume canonical structures, and become highly resistant to enzyme degradation. A comparative study of receptor binding shows that the CFC domain can bind Alk4 and confirms the importance of W107 and H104 for receptor recognition.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗

PubMed2006

The prion protein: Structural features and related toxic peptides.

Prion diseases are characterized by the conversion of the physiological cellular form of the prion protein (PrP(C)) into an insoluble, partially protease-resistant abnormal scrapie form (PrP(Sc)). PrP(C) is normally expressed in mammalian cell and is highly conserved among species, although its role in cellular function remains elusive. The conversion of PrP(C) to PrP(Sc) parallels a conformational change of the polypeptide from a predominantly alpha-helical to a highly beta-sheet secondary structure. The pathogenesis and molecular basis of the consequent nerve cell loss are not understood. Limited structural information is available on aggregate formation by this protein as the possible cause of these diseases and on its toxicity. This brief overview focuses on the large amount of structure-activity studies based on the prion fragment approach, hinging on peptides derived from the unstructured N-terminal and globular C-terminal domains. It is well documented that most of the fragments with regular secondary structure, with the exception of helices 1 and 3, possess a high beta-sheet propensity and tendency to form beta-sheet-like aggregates. In this context, helix 2 plays a crucial role because it is able to adopt both misfolded and partially helical conformation. However, only a few mutants are able to display its intrinsic neurotoxicity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The human prion protein alpha2 helix: a thermodynamic study of its conformational preferences.

We have synthesized both free and terminally-blocked peptide corresponding to the second helical region of the globular domain of normal human prion protein, which has recently gained the attention of structural biologists because of a possible role in the nucleation process and fibrillization of prion protein. The profile of the circular dichroism spectrum of the free peptide was that typical of alpha-helix, but was converted to that of beta-structure in about 16 h. Instead, below 2.1 x 10(-5) M, the spectrum of the blocked peptide exhibited a single band centered at 200 nm, unequivocally associated to random conformations, which did not evolve even after 24 h. Conformational preferences of this last peptide have been investigated as a function of temperature, using trifluoroethanol or low-concentration sodium dodecyl sulfate as alpha- or beta-structure inducers, respectively. Extrapolation of free energy data to zero concentration of structuring agent highlighted that the peptide prefers alpha-helical to beta-type organization, in spite of results from prediction algorithms. However, the free energy difference between the two forms, as obtained by a thermodynamic cycle, is subtle (roughly 5-8 kJ mol(-1) at any temperature from 280 K to 350 K), suggesting conformational ambivalence. This result supports the view that, in the prion protein, the structural behavior of the peptide is governed by the cellular microenvironment.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

A new ligand for immunoglobulin g subdomains by screening of a synthetic peptide library.

By screening a synthetic peptide library of general formula (NH(2)-Cys1-X2-X3-X4)(2)-Lys-Gly-OH, a disulfide-bridged cyclic peptide, where X2-X3-X4 is the tripeptide Phe-His-His, has been selected as a ligand for immunoglobulin G (IgG). The peptide, after a preliminary chromatographic characterization, has proved useful as a new affinity ligand for the purification of polyclonal as well as monoclonal antibodies from biological fluids, with recovery yields of up to 90% (90% purity). The ligand is able to bind antibody fragments containing both Fab and Fc from different antibody isotypes, a fact suggesting the presence of at least two different antibody-binding sites. While the recognition site on Fab is unknown, comparative binding studies with Fc, in association with the striking similarities of the peptide (named Fc-receptor mimetic, FcRM) with a region of the human FcgammaRIII receptor, strongly indicate that the peptide could recognize a short amino acid stretch of the lower hinge region, which has a key role in autoimmune disease triggering. The unique properties make the ligand attractive for both the purification of antibody fragments and as a lead for the generation of Fc-receptor antagonists.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 by the insulin receptor is necessary for insulin metabolic signaling.

In L6 myoblasts, insulin receptors with deletion of the C-terminal 43 amino acids (IR(Delta43)) exhibited normal autophosphorylation and IRS-1/2 tyrosine phosphorylation. The L6 cells expressing IR(Delta43) (L6(IRDelta43)) also showed no insulin effect on glucose uptake and glycogen synthase, accompanied by a >80% decrease in insulin induction of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK-1) activity and tyrosine phosphorylation and of protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation at Thr(308). Insulin induced the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-dependent coprecipitation of PDK-1 with wild-type IR (IR(WT)), but not IR(Delta43). Based on overlay blotting, PDK-1 directly bound IR(WT), but not IR(Delta43). Insulin-activated IR(WT), and not IR(Delta43), phosphorylated PDK-1 at tyrosines 9, 373, and 376. The IR C-terminal 43-amino-acid peptide (C-terminal peptide) inhibited in vitro PDK-1 tyrosine phosphorylation by the IR. Tyr-->Phe substitution prevented this inhibitory action. In the L6(hIR) cells, the C-terminal peptide coprecipitated with PDK-1 in an insulin-stimulated fashion. This peptide simultaneously impaired the insulin effect on PDK-1 coprecipitation with IR(WT), on PDK-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, on PKB phosphorylation at Thr(308), and on glucose uptake. Upon insulin exposure, PDK-1 membrane persistence was significantly reduced in L6(IRDelta43) compared to control cells. In L6 cells expressing IR(WT), the C-terminal peptide also impaired insulin-dependent PDK-1 membrane persistence. Thus, PDK-1 directly binds to the insulin receptor, followed by PDK-1 activation and insulin metabolic effects.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

PubMed2002

The endocannabinoid system protects rat glioma cells against HIV-1 Tat protein-induced cytotoxicity. Mechanism and regulation.

Cannabinoids modulate nitric oxide (NO) levels in cells of the central nervous system. Here we studied the effect of cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists on the release of NO and cell toxicity induced by the human immuno-deficiency virus-1 Tat protein (HIV-1 Tat) in rat glioma C6 cells. The CB(1) and CB(2) agonist WIN 55,212-2 inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and NO release caused by treatment of C6 cells with HIV-1 Tat and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The effect of WIN 55,212-2 was uniquely due to CB(1) receptors, as shown by experiments carried out with selective CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists and antagonists. CB(1) receptor stimulation also inhibited HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma-induced and NO-mediated cell toxicity. Moreover, cell treatment with HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma induced a significant inhibition of CB(1), but not CB(2), receptor expression. This effect was mimicked by the NO donor GSNO, suggesting that the inhibition of CB(1) expression was due to HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma-induced NO overexpression. HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma treatment also induced a significant inhibition of the uptake of the endocannabinoid anandamide by C6 cells with no effect on anandamide hydrolysis. These findings show that the endocannabinoid system, through the modulation of the l-arginine/NO pathway, reduces HIV-1 Tat-induced cytotoxicity, and is itself regulated by HIV-1 Tat.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Sequence-simplification and chimeric assembly: new models of peptide antigen modification.

Sequence-simplified variants of a 15-mer peptide antigen, identified by amino acid side chains in alternating positions were synthesized introducing glycine residues alternatively in the parent peptide sequence and used to induce antibodies in rabbit. They reacted to a significant extent with anti-parent peptide antibodies, and in addition, affinity purified antibodies against these halved forms recognized with similar affinity and specificity, the starting peptide in affinity chromatography, optical biosensor and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) experiments, while no cross-reactivity was detected between reduced antigens. These findings suggest that a peptide antigen can display two molecular surfaces of recognition, identified by side chains of residues in alternating positions. Each surface can even take part in antigen/antibody interaction independently, thus indicating the possibility to select and assembly sequence-simplified forms belonging to different epitopes, also deriving from different molecules, to generate new structures incorporating a two-fold antigen/antibody specificity. Two "chimeric" forms were then synthesized starting from the P15 and P13 complementary peptides, both able to bind interleukin 2. These structures, showing simultaneously trans-surfaces of recognition belonging to both parent forms, have been found to retain antigenic properties against antibodies of simplified P15 derivatives showing the same molecular surface of recognition. In addition, anti-chimeric antibodies recognized both P15 and P13 starting peptides, while no cross-antibody recognition was observed between chimeric antigens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Novel molecular targets for systemic lupus erythematosus.

For a long time the complement cascade has been believed to be the predominant pathway to inflammation and tissue destruction in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Recently, new evidences show that FcRs may share the primacy with complement cascade, playing an equal or greater role in the disease process. The generation of specific mouse strains deficient in individual components has clarified the different role played by complement and Fc receptors in their interaction with ICs, illustrating that complement is essential for innate immunity against microbial pathogens, requiring natural antibodies to mediate its protective effects, whereas FcyRs have evolved as the principal system for coupling antigen-antibody complexes to effector cells and initiate the inflammatory cascade. Validation of FcRs as new therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases, in particular for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), has been provided by a large number of studies where the biological action of soluble forms of FcyRs or of monoclonal antibodies targeting Fc receptors has been assessed. Additional support to the role of FcRs in SLE has been provided by data obtained with compounds derived from combinatorial chemistry, such as TG19320, a tetrameric tripeptide which interferes with IgG/FcgammaR interaction in vitro and prevents glomerulonephritis in vivo in a SLE susceptible mouse strain. These findings might open the way to new therapeutic approaches for disorders where the role of FcRs has been established, including not only autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma, but also acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Animals↗