A5031631274- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- MicroRNA in disease regulation
- Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Carbohydrate Chemistry and Synthesis
- Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms
- Circular RNAs in diseases
- Synthesis and Characterization of Heterocyclic Compounds
- Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
- Bioactive Compounds and Antitumor Agents
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
- Cancer Mechanisms and Therapy
- Mechanisms of cancer metastasis
- Magnetism in coordination complexes
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Venous Thromboembolism Diagnosis and Management
- Synthesis and Reactions of Organic Compounds
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
University of Naples Federico II
2015-2024
Naples Anesthesia & Physician Associates
2016
Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale
2015
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Napoli
2015
Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems
2008
University of Basilicata
2008
Scripps Research Institute
1996-1998
Leiden University
1997
University of California, San Diego
1996
Background Through negative regulation of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) can function in cancers as oncosuppressors, and they show altered expression various tumor types. Here we have investigated medulloblastoma tumors (MBs), which arise from an early impairment developmental processes the cerebellum, where Notch signaling is involved many cell-fate-determining stages. MBs occur bimodally, with peak incidence seen between 3–4 years 8–9 age, although it also adults. regulates a subset...
Background Through negative regulation of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) can function as oncosuppressors in cancers, and themselves show altered expression various tumor types. Here, we have investigated medulloblastoma tumors (MBs), which arise from an early impairment developmental processes the cerebellum, where Notch signaling is involved many cell-fate-determining stages. regulates a subset MB cells that stem-cell-like properties promote growth. On basis this evidence, hypothesized...
The complex between distamycin A and the parallel DNA quadruplex [d(TGGGGT)]4 has been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). To unambiguously assert that interacts with grooves of [d(TGGGGT)]4, we have analyzed profile a modified quadruplex, namely [d(TGGMeGGT)]4, applied recently developed differential frequency-saturation transfer difference (DF-STD) method, for assessing ligand−DNA binding mode. three-dimensional structure 4:1 A/[d(TGGGGT)]4 determined an...
Abstract In this paper, we report studies concerning thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) dimeric derivatives in which the 3′-ends of two TBA sequences have been joined by means linkers containing adenosine or thymidine residues and/or a glycerol moiety. CD and electrophoretic investigations indicate that all modified aptamers are able to form G-quadruplex domains resembling parent structure. However, isothermal titration calorimetry measurements aptamer/thrombin interaction point different...
Stable nucleic acid lipid vesicles (SNALPs) encapsulating miR-34a to treat multiple myeloma (MM) were developed. Wild type or completely 2'-O-methylated (OMet) MiR-34a was used in this study. Moreover, SNALPs conjugated with transferrin (Tf) order target MM cells overexpressing receptors (TfRs). The of chemical backbone did not significantly affect the characteristics terms mean size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential, while encapsulation an OMet resulted a significant increase miRNA...
Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a worldwide plant containing toxic substances, which represent an important chemical hazard for animals, including humans. Ptaquiloside, 1, norsesquiterpenoid glucoside, the major carcinogen of bracken detected in food chain, particularly milk from farm animals. To date, ptaquiloside has been shown cows feeding on diet fern. This first study that shows systematic detection ptaquiloside, and reports its direct quantitation pooled raw healthy sheep goats...
Many antiproliferative G-quadruplexes (G4s) arise from the folding of GT-rich strands. Among these, Thrombin Binding Aptamer (TBA), as a rare example, adopts monomolecular well-defined G4 structure. Nevertheless, potential anticancer properties TBA are severely hampered by its anticoagulant action and, consequently, no related studies have appeared so far in literature. We wish to report here that suitable chemical modifications sequence can preserve over activity. Particularly, we replaced...
Here we report investigations, based on circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular modelling, differential scanning calorimetry and prothrombin time assay, analogues of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) in which individual thymidines were replaced by 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine residues. The whole data clearly indicate that all derivatives are able to fold a G-quadruplex structure very similar 'chair-like' conformation typical TBA. However, only ODNs TBA-F4:...
miR-125b, ubiquitously expressed and frequently dysregulated in several tumors, has gained special interest the field of cancer research, displaying either oncogenic or oncosuppressor potential based on tumor type. We have previously demonstrated its tumor-suppressive role multiple myeloma (MM), but analysis molecular mechanisms needs additional investigation. The purpose this study was to explore effects miR-125b chemically modified analogs modulating cell viability cancer-associated...
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of G-quadruplex structures formed by d(TG 3 T) and its modified analogs containing a 5′-5′ or 3′-3′ inversion polarity sites, namely d(3′TG5′-5′G 2 T3′), d(3′T5′-5′G T3′) d(5′TG3′-3′G T5') demonstrates formation with tetrameric topology distinct cation-binding preferences. All oligonucleotides are able to form quadruplex two binding although the also form, in variable amounts, only one bound cation. The inter-quartet cavities at sites bind ammonium ions less...
Degradation of nucleic acids in biological environments is the major drawback therapeutic use aptamers. Among approaches used to circumvent this negative aspect, introduction 3'-3' inversion polarity sites at sequence 3'-end has successfully been proposed. However, ends never exploited for G-quadruplex forming In communication we describe CD, UV, electrophoretic and biochemical investigations concerning thrombin binding aptamer analogues containing one or two inversions oligonucleotide ends....
The biophysical and biological properties of unprecedented anti-HIV aptamers are presented. most active aptamer (1L) shows a significant affinity to the HIV protein gp120.
In this article, we report a structural study, based on NMR and CD spectroscopies, molecular modelling of all possible d(TG3T) d(TG4T) analogues containing two 8-methyl-2′-deoxyguanosine residues (M). Particularly, the potential ability these modified to orientate strands then affect folding topology tetramolecular quadruplex structures has been investigated. Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) TMMGT (T12) TMMGGT (F12) form parallel quadruplexes, characterized by an all-syn M-tetrad at 5′-side...
We report an investigation into analogues of the thrombin binding aptamer (TBA). Individual thymidines were replaced by unusual residue 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (hmU). This differs from canonical thymidine a hydroxyl group on 5-methyl group. NMR and CD data clearly indicate that all TBA derivatives retain ability to fold "chair-like" quadruplex structure. The presence hmU does not significantly affect thermal stability modified aptamers compared parent, except for analogue H9, which...
Genetic modifications during development of paediatric groups 3 and 4 medulloblastoma are responsible for their highly metastatic properties poor patient survival rates. PRUNE1 is expressed in group 3, which characterized by TGF-β signalling activation, c-MYC amplification, OTX2 expression. We describe the process activation pathway that includes its binding to NME1, upregulation, SNAIL (SNAI1) PTEN inhibition. The newly identified small molecule pyrimido-pyrimidine derivative AA7.1 enhances...
Abstract The thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) possesses promising antiproliferative properties. However, its development as an anticancer agent is drastically impaired by concomitant anticoagulant activity. Therefore, suitable chemical modifications in the TBA sequence would be required order to preserve over In this paper, we report structural investigations, based on circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), biological evaluation of four pairs enantiomeric...