A5058677310- Metal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Fungal and yeast genetics research
- Redox biology and oxidative stress
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
- Glutathione Transferases and Polymorphisms
- Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Protein Structure and Dynamics
- Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Sulfur Compounds in Biology
- Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
- Bioactive Compounds and Antitumor Agents
- Fermentation and Sensory Analysis
- Enzyme function and inhibition
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Aortic Disease and Treatment Approaches
- Synthesis and biological activity
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Metalloenzymes and iron-sulfur proteins
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
University of Naples Federico II
2012-2024
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Napoli
1982-2016
Biologie Labor
2015-2016
Nagoya University
2008
Marche Polytechnic University
2004
Leo Pharma (Denmark)
2002
Federico II University Hospital
1994
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
1989-1992
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
1991
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
1989
Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a flavoprotein catalysing the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and then uric acid, while simultaneously producing reactive oxygen species. Altered functions XO may lead severe pathological diseases, including gout-causing hyperuricemia oxidative damage tissues. These findings prompted research studies aimed at targeting activity this crucial enzyme. During course virtual screening study discovery novel inhibitors another oxidoreductase, superoxide dismutase, we...
In this work we show that increasing concentrations of monovalent cations cause the y-phosphate hydrolysis elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu)-bound GTP in absence aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) and ribosomes.The rate follows first order kinetics and, after a round hydrolysis, turnover reaction proceeds very slowly, since higher EF-Tu affinity for GDP than inhibits regeneration EF-Tu.GTP complex starting from EF-Tu-GDP free GTP.The most effective promoting hydrolytic process are K+ N&+; former at >1 M...
Cell division cycle 25 (Cdc25) proteins are highly conserved dual specificity phosphatases that regulate cyclin-dependent kinases and represent attractive drug targets for anticancer therapies. To discover more potent diverse inhibitors of Cdc25 biological activity, virtual screening was performed by docking 2.1 million compounds into the Cdc25B active site. An initial subset top-ranked selected assayed, 15 were found to have enzyme inhibition activity at micromolar concentration. Among...
Diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, induces apoptosis on the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y through mitochondrial dysfunction, affecting some antioxidant mechanisms. Indeed, time- and dose-dependent increase of is associated to an early enhancement reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) plays crucial role in defence against ROS, thus protecting several apoptotic stimuli. Diclofenac decreased protein levels enzymatic activity SOD2, without any...
Abstract The role of three amino acid residues (Q143, Y34, S82) rat mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (ratSOD2) in the enzymatic activity, thermostability, and post‐translational modification enzyme was investigated through site‐directed mutagenesis studies. Six recombinant forms were produced, carrying Q143 or H143 residue with without Y34F S82A replacement. All proteins bound manganese as active cofactor organized homotetramers. greatest effect on activity (sixfold reduction) observed...
Ascending aortic aneurysm (AsAA) is a consequence of medial degeneration (MD), deriving from apoptotic loss smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fragmentation elastin collagen fibers. Alterations extracellular matrix structure protein composition, typical degeneration, can modulate intracellular pathways. In this study we examined the relevance superoxide dismutase (SOD3) Akt in AsAA pathogenesis, evaluating their tissue distribution levels ascending tissues controls (n=6), patients affected by...
In the absence of ribosomal particles, elongation factor G (EF-G) promotes very little GTP hydrolysis.After addition some aliphatic alcohols to EF-G, rate nucleotide cleavage was significantly 'increased and GTPase activity easily detectable.The highest stimulation, nearly 16-fold, occurred with 2propanol at a 20% (v/v) concentration.The reaction showed characteristics an enzymatic catalysis, but three orders magnitude lower than that ribosome-dependent EF-G activity.Striking similarities...
Streptococcus mutans, the main pathogen involved in development of dental caries, is an aerotolerant microorganism. The bacterium lacks cytochromes and catalase, but possesses other antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SmSOD). Previous researches suggested that SmSOD belongs to 'cambialistic' group, functioning with Fe or Mn active site. A recombinant (rSmSOD) a His–tail has been produced characterised. Studies on metal uptake exchange proved rSmSOD binds either co-factor, even...
// Alessandra Capasso 1, * , Carmen Cerchia 2, Di Giovanni 2 Giuseppina Granato 1 Francesco Albano Simona Romano Emmanuele De Vendittis Maria Rosaria Ruocco Antonio Lavecchia Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy Pharmacy, "Drug Discovery" Laboratory, These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Ruocco, e-mail: mariarosaria.ruocco2@unina.it Lavecchia, antonio.lavecchia@unina.it Keywords:...
CDC25 phosphatases play a critical role in the regulation of cell cycle and thus represent attractive cancer therapeutic targets. We previously discovered 4-(2-carboxybenzoyl)phthalic acid (NSC28620) as new inhibitor endowed with promising anticancer activity breast, prostate, leukemia cells. Herein, we report structure-based optimization NSC28620, leading to identification series novel naphthylphenylketone naphthylphenylamine derivatives CDC25B inhibitors. Compounds 7j, 7i, 6e, 7f, 3 showed...
The regeneration of the GTP-bound from GDP-bound form purified human and yeast ras proteins occurs in vitro by a nucleotide-exchange reaction. For both dissociation protein-bound GDP is rate-limiting step presence Mg ions. rate formation ras. GTP complex stimulated weak Mg2+-chelating agents like ATP inorganic polyphosphates and, to lesser extent, ADP. This suggests possible mechanism regulation ras-dependent pathway(s) intracellular metabolic products.