scholarly journals Modulation of Amyloidogenic Peptide Aggregation by Photoactivatable CO-Releasing Ruthenium(II) Complexes

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Florio ◽  
Maria Cuomo ◽  
Ilaria Iacobucci ◽  
Giarita Ferraro ◽  
Ahmed M. Mansour ◽  
...  

Three Ru(II)-based CO-releasing molecules featuring bidentate benzimidazole and terpyridine derivatives as ligands were investigated for their ability to modulate the aggregation process of the second helix of the C-terminal domain of nucleophosmin 1, namely nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1)264–277, a model amyloidogenic system, before and after irradiation at 365 nm. Thioflavin T (ThT) binding assays and UV/Vis absorption spectra indicate that binding of the compounds to the peptide inhibits its aggregation and that the inhibitory effect increases upon irradiation (half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values in the high micromolar range). Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data of the peptide in the presence of one of these compounds confirm that the modulation of amyloid aggregation relies on the formation of adducts obtained when the Ru compounds react with the peptide upon releasing of labile ligands, like chloride and carbon monoxide. This mechanism of action explains the subtle different behavior of the three compounds observed in ThT experiments. Overall, data support the hypothesis that metal-based CO releasing molecules can be used to develop metal-based drugs with potential application as anti-amyloidogenic agents.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Florio ◽  
Anna Maria Malfitano ◽  
Sarah Di Somma ◽  
Carolin Mügge ◽  
Wolfgang Weigand ◽  
...  

Platinum(II) complexes with different cinnamic acid derivatives as ligands were investigated for their ability to inhibit the aggregation process of amyloid systems derived from Aβ, Yeast Prion Protein Sup35p and the C-terminal domain of nucleophosmin 1. Thioflavin T binding assays and circular dichroism data indicate that these compounds strongly inhibit the aggregation of investigated peptides exhibiting IC50 values in the micromolar range. MS analysis confirms the formation of adducts between peptides and Pt(II) complexes that are also able to reduce amyloid cytotoxicity in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Overall data suggests that bidentate ligands based on β-hydroxy dithiocinnamic esters can be used to develop platinum or platinoid compounds with anti-amyloid aggregation properties.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3015
Author(s):  
Sara La Manna ◽  
Daniele Florio ◽  
Ilaria Iacobucci ◽  
Fabiana Napolitano ◽  
Ilaria De Benedictis ◽  
...  

Herein the effects of three platinum complexes, namely (SP-4-2)-(2,2′-bipyridine)dichloridoplatinum(II), Pt-bpy, (SP-4-2)-dichlorido(1,10-phenanthroline) platinum(II), Pt-phen, and (SP-4-2)-chlorido(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)platinum(II) chloride, Pt-terpy, on the aggregation of an amyloid model system derived from the C-terminal domain of Aβ peptide (Aβ21–40) were investigated. Thioflavin T (ThT) binding assays revealed the ability of Pt(II) compounds to repress amyloid aggregation in a dose-dependent way, whereas the ability of Aβ21–40 peptide to interfere with ligand field of metal complexes was analyzed through UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic data provided micromolar EC50 values and allowed to assess that the observed inhibition of amyloid aggregation is due to the formation of adducts between Aβ21–40 peptide and complexes upon the release of labile ligands as chloride and that they can explore different modes of coordination toward Aβ21–40 with respect to the entire Aβ1–40 polypeptide. In addition, conformational studies through circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy suggested that Pt-terpy induces soluble β-structures of monomeric Aβ21–40, thus limiting self-recognition. Noticeably, Pt-terpy demonstrated the ability to reduce the cytotoxicity of amyloid peptide in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Presented data corroborate the hypothesis to enlarge the application field of already known metal-based agents to neurodegenerative diseases, as potential neurodrugs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florio ◽  
Iacobucci ◽  
Ferraro ◽  
Mansour ◽  
Morelli ◽  
...  

The effect of analogue Pd(II)-, Pt(II)-, and Au(III) compounds featuring 2-(2’-pyridyl)benzimidazole on the aggregation propensity of amyloid-like peptides derived from Aβ and from the C-terminal domain of nucleophosmin 1 was investigated. Kinetic profiles of aggregation were evaluated using thioflavin binding assays, whereas the interactions of the compounds with the peptides were studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The results indicate that the compounds modulate the aggregation of the investigated peptides using different mechanisms, suggesting that the reactivity of the metal center and the physicochemical properties of the metals (rather than those of the ligands and the geometry of the metal compounds) play a crucial role in determining the anti-aggregation properties.


1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (05) ◽  
pp. 834-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Suehiro ◽  
Yoshio Oura ◽  
Motoo Ueda ◽  
Eizo Kakishita

SummaryWe investigated the effect of staphylokinase (SAK), which has specific thrombolytic properties, on human platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation induced with collagen was observed following preincubation of platelets in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or washed platelet suspension (WP) with SAK at 37° C for 30 min. SAK inhibited platelet aggregation in PRP only at the highest examined concentration (1 x 10-4 g/ml). Although SAK did not inhibit platelet aggregation in WP which contained fibrinogen, it did when the platelets had been preincubated with SAK and plasminogen. The most effective concentration in WP was 1 x 10-6 g/ml. The effect could be inhibited by adding aprotinin or α2-antiplasmin. The highest generation of plasmin in the same preincubation fluid was detected at 1 x 10-6 g/ml SAK. We concluded that SAK can inhibit platelet aggregation in WP by generating plasmin and/or fibrinogen degradation products, but is only partially effective in PRP because of the existence of α2-antiplasmin.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2371
Author(s):  
Valeria Guarrasi ◽  
Giacoma Cinzia Rappa ◽  
Maria Assunta Costa ◽  
Fabio Librizzi ◽  
Marco Raimondo ◽  
...  

Waste valorization represents one of the main social challenges when promoting a circular economy and environmental sustainability. Here, we evaluated the effect of the polyphenols extracted from apple peels, normally disposed of as waste, on the amyloid aggregation process of κ-casein from bovine milk, a well-used amyloidogenic model system. The effect of the apple peel extract on protein aggregation was examined using a thioflavin T fluorescence assay, Congo red binding assay, circular dichroism, light scattering, and atomic force microscopy. We found that the phenolic extract from the peel of apples of the cultivar “Fuji”, cultivated in Sicily (Caltavuturo, Italy), inhibited κ-casein fibril formation in a dose-dependent way. In particular, we found that the extract significantly reduced the protein aggregation rate and inhibited the secondary structure reorganization that accompanies κ-casein amyloid formation. Protein-aggregated species resulting from the incubation of κ-casein in the presence of polyphenols under amyloid aggregation conditions were reduced in number and different in morphology.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1327
Author(s):  
Paulina Bolibok ◽  
Bartosz Szymczak ◽  
Katarzyna Roszek ◽  
Artur P. Terzyk ◽  
Marek Wiśniewski

Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most exciting and widely used materials. A new method of nanographene oxide (n-GO) formation is presented. The described unique sequence of ultrasonication in dimethyl sulfoxide solution allows us to obtain different sizes of n-GO sheets by controlling the timing of the cutting and re-aggregation processes. The obtained n-GO exhibits only minor spectral changes, mainly due to the formation of S-containing surface groups; thus, it can be concluded that the material is not reduced during the process. Maintaining the initial oxygen functionalities together with the required nano-size (down to 200 nm) and high homogeneity are beneficial for extensive applications of n-GO. Moreover, we prove that the obtained material is evidently biocompatible. The calculated half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) increases by 5-fold, i.e., from 50 to 250 µg/mL, when GO is converted to n-GO. As a consequence, the new n-GO neither disturbs blood flow even in the narrowest capillaries nor triggers a toxic influence in surrounding cells. Thus, it can be a serious candidate for drugs and biomolecule carriers administered systemically.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052
Author(s):  
Rameez Hassan Pirzada ◽  
Muhammad Haseeb ◽  
Maria Batool ◽  
MoonSuk Kim ◽  
Sangdun Choi

The rapid spread of the virus, the surge in the number of deaths, and the unavailability of specific SARS-CoV-2 drugs thus far necessitate the identification of drugs with anti-COVID-19 activity. SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell and assembles a multisubunit RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex of viral nonstructural proteins that plays a substantial role in the transcription and replication of the viral genome. Therefore, RdRp is among the most suitable targets in RNA viruses. Our aim was to investigate the FDA approved antiviral drugs having potential to inhibit the viral replication. The methodology adopted was virtual screening and docking of FDA-approved antiviral drugs into the RdRp protein. Top hits were selected and subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to understand the dynamics of RdRp in complex with these drugs. The antiviral activity of the drugs against SARS-CoV-2 was assessed in Vero E6 cells. Notably, both remdesivir (half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) 6.6 μM, 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) > 100 µM, selectivity index (SI) = 15) and ledipasvir (EC50 34.6 μM, CC50 > 100 µM, SI > 2.9) exerted antiviral action. This study highlights the use of direct-acting antiviral drugs, alone or in combination, for better treatments of COVID-19.


2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (6) ◽  
pp. G1195-G1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shi Liu ◽  
Lijie Wang ◽  
J. D. Z. Chen

Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) has been shown to alter motor and sensory functions of the stomach. However, its effects on other organs of the gut have rarely been investigated. The study was performed in 12 dogs implanted with two pairs of electrodes, one on the serosa of the stomach and the other on the colon. The study was composed of two experiments. Experiment 1 was designed to study the effects of GES on rectal tone and compliance in nine dogs compared with colonic electrical stimulation (CES). Rectal tone and compliance were assessed before and after GES or CES. Experiment 2 was performed to study the involvement of sympathetic pathway in 8 of the 12 dogs. The rectal tone was recorded for 30–40 min at baseline and 20 min after intravenous guanethidine. GES or CES was given for 20 min 20 min after the initiation of the infusion. It was found that both GES and CES reduced rectal tone with comparable potency. Rectal compliance was altered neither with GES, nor with CES. The inhibitory effect of GES but not CES on rectal tone was abolished by an adrenergic blockade, guanethidine. GES inhibited rectal tone with a comparable potency with CES but did not alter rectal compliance. The inhibitory effect of GES on rectal tone is mediated by the sympathetic pathway. It should be noted that electrical stimulation of one organ of the gut may have a beneficial or adverse effect on another organ of the gut.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein Elganzory

Abstract New complexes of Cu(I,II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) of thiosemicarbazide ligand 1-(p-(methylanilinocetyl-4-phenyl-thiosemicarbazide)(H2LB) have been prepared and characterized by 1HNMR, Mass spectra, FT-IR, elemental analyses, molar conductance, UV-visible spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) and X-ray diffraction pattern before and after irradiation. The results confirmed that gamma ray enhanced the stability of irradiated compounds as compared to non-irradiated compounds. XRD patterns proved that increasing the crystallinity of the samples and the particles in nano range after gamma irradiation. The obtained data indicated that the Cu(I) and Cd(II) ions coordinated to the ligand through the (C = O), N(2)H and (C = S), the ligand behaves as neutral tridentate. While in complexes Cu(II) and Zn(II)complexes (B2 and B3) the ligand behave as neutral tetradentate and coordination take place via (C = O) and two N(2)H. These studies revealed that, two kinds of stereochemical geometries; Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were predicted to be octahedral, Cu(I) and Cd(II)complexes were found to be tetrahedral. The theoretical conformational structure analyses were performed using density functional theory for ligand and complexes at B3LYP functional with 6-31G(++)d,p basis set for ligand and LANL2DZ basis set for complexes. The ligand and its metal complexes have been tested for their inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria against gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli). Results suggested that in case of 1µg/ml and 5µg/ml for Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have higher activity than other complexes. The chelation could facilitate the ability to cross the cell membrane of E. coli and can be explained by Tweedy’s chelation theory. Molecular docking investigation proved that; the Zn(II) complex had interesting interactions with active site amino acids of topoisomerase II DNA gyrase enzymes (code: 2XCT).


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