Augusto Parente
Università della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, DiSTABiF, Department Member
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The complete amino-acid sequence of BS-RNAse, a dimeric ribonuclease isolated from bovine seminal plasma, was determined. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated subunit chain of the enzyme was cleaved by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The... more
The complete amino-acid sequence of BS-RNAse, a dimeric ribonuclease isolated from bovine seminal plasma, was determined. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated subunit chain of the enzyme was cleaved by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The resulting peptides, purified by cation-exchange chromatography were sequenced by dansyl-Edman, subtractive Edman degradation and carboxypeptidase A and B digestion. Chymotryptic peptides were used for the alignment. Automated Edman degradation of the native protein, through the N-terminal 41 amino-acid residues, completed the sequence information. The subunit chain of BS-RNAse, composed of 124 amino-acid residues, with a molecular mass of 13,610 Da, is highly homologous (81%) to pancreatic ribonuclease A. A good degree of homology (31%) was also found with human angiogenin. No N-linked carbohydrate-attachment sites, such as Asn-X-Ser/Thr, were found in the protein.
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Research Interests: Humanities, Biology, Medicine, Animals, Male, and 13 morePeptides, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, Cattle, Amino Acids, Time Factors, Protein Conformation, Molecular weight, Semen, Carboxypeptidases, Amino Acid Sequence, Biochemistry and cell biology, Ribonucleases, and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
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ABSTRACT Four novel basic peroxidases, named AaP-1, AaP-2, AaP-3, and AaP-4, were purified from Asparagus acutifolius L. seeds by cation-exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The four proteins showed a similar electrophoretic... more
ABSTRACT Four novel basic peroxidases, named AaP-1, AaP-2, AaP-3, and AaP-4, were purified from Asparagus acutifolius L. seeds by cation-exchange and gel filtration chromatographies. The four proteins showed a similar electrophoretic mobility of 46 kDa while, by MALDI-TOF MS, different Mr values of 42758.3, 41586.9, 42796.3, and 41595.5 were determined for AaP-1, AaP-2, AaP-3, and AaP-4, respectively. N-terminal sequences of AaPs 1-4 up to residue 20 showed a high percentage of identity with the peroxidase from Glycine max. In addition, AaP-1, AaP-2, AaP-3, and AaP-4 were found to be glycoproteins, containing 21.75, 22.27, 25.62, and 18.31 % of carbohydrates, respectively. Peptide mapping and MALDI-TOF MS analysis of AaPs 1-4 showed that the structural differences between AaP-1 and AaP-2 and AaP-3 and AaPs-4 were mainly due to their glycan content. We also demonstrate that AaPs were able to remove phenolic compounds from olive oil mill wastewaters with a higher catalytic efficiency with respect to horseradish peroxidase, thus representing candidate enzymes for potential biotechnological applications in the environmental field.
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Research Interests: Bioinformatics, Biology, Medicine, Molecular modeling, Protein synthesis, and 15 moreComputer Simulation, Computer Model, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Protein Conformation, Amino Acid Sequence, Ricin, Biological Macromolecules, Passifloraceae, Charge Distribution, Chemical Structure, Computational Method, Biochemistry and cell biology, Molecular Sequence Data, and proteolysis
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During the last few years, the incidence and mortality of human melanoma have rapidly increased. Metastatic spread of malignant melanoma is often associated with cancer progression with poor prognosis and survival. These processes are... more
During the last few years, the incidence and mortality of human melanoma have rapidly increased. Metastatic spread of malignant melanoma is often associated with cancer progression with poor prognosis and survival. These processes are controlled by dynamic interactions between tumor melanocytes and neighboring stromal cells, whose deregulation leads to the acquisition of cell proliferation capabilities and invasiveness. It is increasingly clear that a key role in carcinogenesis is played by secreted molecules either by tumor and surrounding stromal cells. To address the issue of the proteins secreted during cancer progression, the proteomic profiling of secretomes of cancer cell lines from different melanoma metastases of the same patient (PE-MEL-41, PE-MEL-47, and PE-MEL-43) was performed by applying a shotgun LC-MS/MS-based approach. The results provide a list of candidate proteins associated with the metastatic potential of PE-MEL melanoma cell lines. Among them, several matricellular proteins previously reported as involved in melanoma aggressiveness were identified (i.e., SPARC, osteopontin). In addition, the extracellular matrix protein 1 that stimulates proliferation and angiogenesis of endothelial cells as well as the fibronectin, involved in cell adhesion and motility, were identified. The present work provides the basis to clarify the complex extracellular protein networks implicated in human melanoma cell invasion, migration, and motility.
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During recent years, increased efforts have focused on elucidating the pluripotency and self‐renewal of stem cells. Differentiation towards the different lineages has attracted significant attention given the potential use of stem cells... more
During recent years, increased efforts have focused on elucidating the pluripotency and self‐renewal of stem cells. Differentiation towards the different lineages has attracted significant attention given the potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Embryonic stem cell differentiation is a complex process coordinated by strictly regulated extracellular signals that act in an autocrine and/or paracrine manner. Through secreted molecules, stem cells affect local niche biology and influence the cross‐talking with the surrounding tissues. Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that fundamental cell functions, including proliferation and differentiation, are strictly regulated by the complex set of molecules secreted from cells. The understanding of this molecular language could largely increase our knowledge on pathways regulating stem cell differentiation. Here, we have used a proteomics platform to investigate the profile of proteins secreted during differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells. We have followed the dynamics of protein secretion by comparing the secretomes at different time points of murine embryonic stem cell cardiac and neural differentiation. In addition to previously reported molecules, we have identified many secreted proteins not described so far as released from embryonic stem cells nor shown to be differentially released during the process of cardiomyogenesis and neurogenesis.
Research Interests: Biomedicine, Biology, Proteomics, Cell Biology, Medicine, and 15 moreBiological Sciences, Neural stem cell, Cell Differentiation, Mice, Animals, Cellular differentiation, Embryonic Stem Cell, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Heart, Embryonic Stem Cells, Neurons, LC MS, Cell Survival, Neurosphere, and Medical and Health Sciences
Research Interests: Biochemistry, Biology, Biological Chemistry, Medicine, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreCell line, Biological, Ribosome, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Angiosperms, Protein isoforms, Amino Acid Sequence, Cell free System, Ribosomes, Adenine, PLANT PROTEINS, Protein Biosynthesis, Molecular Sequence Data, and Medical and Health Sciences
The elongation factor 2 (aEF-2) has been purified to homogeneity from the extreme thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus. It is the only target protein which is ADP-ribosylated by diphtheria toxin in presence of NAD and... more
The elongation factor 2 (aEF-2) has been purified to homogeneity from the extreme thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus solfataricus. It is the only target protein which is ADP-ribosylated by diphtheria toxin in presence of NAD and this modification abolishes its property to support poly(Phe) synthesis in vitro. The factor is constituted by a single polypeptide chain with a relative molecular mass of 78,000 and an isoelectric point of 5.9. aEF-2 is resistant to heat denaturation as shown by the fact that its capability to be ADP-ribosylated was only 10% reduced after 4 h treatment at 80 degrees C. Its amino acid composition does not reveal significant differences with that of analogous factors in other sources; nevertheless, the deviation function indicates that aEF-2 is related to Sulfolobus acidocaldarius and eukaryotes EF-2 more than to eubacterial EF-G or other archaebacterial EF-2.
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The presence of an acetyl blocking group at the N-terminus of the coat protein of papaya mosaic virus has been identified by FAB mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we have found that the N-terminal sequence of the protein is four amino-acid... more
The presence of an acetyl blocking group at the N-terminus of the coat protein of papaya mosaic virus has been identified by FAB mass spectrometry. Furthermore, we have found that the N-terminal sequence of the protein is four amino-acid residues (AC-Ser-Lys-Ser-Ser-) longer than that previously reported, while Glu instead of Gln is the C-terminal residue. The present paper shows that PMV-protein is made up of 215 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 22,960 Da.
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ABSTRACT A lectin was purified from the latex of Euphorbia marginata by affinity chromatography on acid-treated Sepharose 6B and elution with lactose. The lectin is a glocoprotein composed of two identical subunits with Mr 30 000, approx.... more
ABSTRACT A lectin was purified from the latex of Euphorbia marginata by affinity chromatography on acid-treated Sepharose 6B and elution with lactose. The lectin is a glocoprotein composed of two identical subunits with Mr 30 000, approx. The haemagglutinating activity of the lectin is not specific for any human blood group, and is inhibited by galactose and galactose-containing sugars and by gentiobiose. The lectin is strongly mitogenic for human T-lymphocytes and induces the release of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α cultured mononuclear cells.
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Research Interests: Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Medicine, Cell line, Humans, and 11 morePeptides, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Trypsin, Nickel, Affinity chromatography, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), Amino Acid Sequence, Organometallic Compounds, Nitrilotriacetic Acid, Biochemistry and cell biology, and Molecular Sequence Data
Research Interests: Mass Spectrometry, Cell Cycle, Proteomics, Nanotechnology, Biological Sciences, and 12 moreCell line, Humans, Expression Profiling, High Pressure Liquid Chromatography, Proteome analysis, Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis, Two dimensional Gel Electrophoresis, Proteome, Estradiol, Breast Cancer Cells, Breast Neoplasms, and Medical and Health Sciences
The complete amino-acid sequence of the dimeric and cooperative myoglobin from the radular muscles of Nassa mutabilis, a common edible gastropod mollusc on the Italian coast, has been determined. The molecule is a homodimer. The monomer... more
The complete amino-acid sequence of the dimeric and cooperative myoglobin from the radular muscles of Nassa mutabilis, a common edible gastropod mollusc on the Italian coast, has been determined. The molecule is a homodimer. The monomer is composed of 147 amino-acid residues, with a molecular mass of 15,760 Da. Its sequence is homologous with those of the dimeric myoglobins of the gastropod molluscs of the Prosobranchia subclass Busycon canaliculatum (63% conserved residues) and Cerithidea rhizophorarum (46% conserved residues). The rate of autoxidation to met-myoglobin of N. mutabilis oxymyoglobin at 25 degrees C is strongly pH-dependent with relative minimal rate values in the pH range 7 to 8.
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ABSTRACT In this work, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization (UPLC-ESI)-MS/MS methodology based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the selective and sensitive detection and quantification of durum wheat... more
ABSTRACT In this work, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization (UPLC-ESI)-MS/MS methodology based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the selective and sensitive detection and quantification of durum wheat adulteration has been developed and fully validated. The targeted analysis was performed by monitoring specific transitions at m/z 543.7 > 657.4 and m/z 543.7 > 299.2 of a species-specific marker derived from a tryptic peptide of puroindoline a (Pin-a), a cysteine-rich protein selectively present only in common wheat. In addition, two transitions at m/z 500.4 > 725.4 and m/z 500.4 > 561.9 of a reference peptide belonging to purothionin A-1, present in both species, were also monitored. The calibration curves obtained on binary mixtures with known percentages of common/durum wheat flours showed linearity (coefficient of regression, r ≥ 0.99) over concentrations that ranged between 80 and 1%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the Pin-a marker in wheat flours were 0.01 and 0.03%, respectively. The identified Pin-a marker was also found to be highly diagnostic for the quantification of common wheat in raw materials (kernels) and processed products (pasta), thus offering new opportunities to assess food authenticity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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PD-L4, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein from Phytolacca dioica leaves, has been successfully crystallized using vapour diffusion methods and PEG 4000 as a precipitant agent. In addition, crystals of a PD-L4 mutant, which has been... more
PD-L4, a type 1 ribosome inactivating protein from Phytolacca dioica leaves, has been successfully crystallized using vapour diffusion methods and PEG 4000 as a precipitant agent. In addition, crystals of a PD-L4 mutant, which has been recently observed to have a lower polynucleotide-adenosine glycosidase activity on DNA, rRNA and poly (A) substrates, have been obtained. To gather information on PD-L4 reaction mechanism both forms have been co-crystallized with adenine, the major product of their catalytic reaction. Diffraction patterns extend to atomic resolution and crystals belong to the orthorhombic P2(1)2(1)2(1) space group, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Structure determination has been achieved using molecular replacement; preliminary electron density maps have clearly given evidence of adenine binding.
1. Adult chicken hemoglobins were analysed by ion exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing and a minor hemoglobin fraction (HbK) was isolated. 2. Analysis of the constituent chains shows that HbK differs from the two major... more
1. Adult chicken hemoglobins were analysed by ion exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing and a minor hemoglobin fraction (HbK) was isolated. 2. Analysis of the constituent chains shows that HbK differs from the two major hemoglobins HbA and HbD in the alpha globin. 3. The amino acid composition, the tryptic peptide maps, the results of carboxypeptidase digestion and the functional properties show that the HbK alpha globin is quite similar to that of HbA except that the C-terminal amino acid Arg 141 is lacking. 4. HbK must then be considered a Koelliker-type hemoglobin.
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The complete amino-acid sequence of BS-RNAse, a dimeric ribonuclease isolated from bovine seminal plasma, was determined. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated subunit chain of the enzyme was cleaved by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The... more
The complete amino-acid sequence of BS-RNAse, a dimeric ribonuclease isolated from bovine seminal plasma, was determined. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated subunit chain of the enzyme was cleaved by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The resulting peptides, purified by cation-exchange chromatography were sequenced by dansyl-Edman, subtractive Edman degradation and carboxypeptidase A and B digestion. Chymotryptic peptides were used for the alignment. Automated Edman degradation of the native protein, through the N-terminal 41 amino-acid residues, completed the sequence information. The subunit chain of BS-RNAse, composed of 124 amino-acid residues, with a molecular mass of 13,610 Da, is highly homologous (81%) to pancreatic ribonuclease A. A good degree of homology (31%) was also found with human angiogenin. No N-linked carbohydrate-attachment sites, such as Asn-X-Ser/Thr, were found in the protein.
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Double-stranded RNA, resistant to the action of pancreatic monomeric RNAase A, is actively degraded by seminal dimeric RNAase BS-1. Evidence is presented that a monomeric derivative of seminal RNAase degrades double-stranded RNA as... more
Double-stranded RNA, resistant to the action of pancreatic monomeric RNAase A, is actively degraded by seminal dimeric RNAase BS-1. Evidence is presented that a monomeric derivative of seminal RNAase degrades double-stranded RNA as efficiently as the parent dimeric molecule. This finding is discussed in the light of the hypothesis previously advanced that two active sites simultaneously available on an enzyme molecule may be responsible for degradation of double-stranded polyribonucleotides.
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Procedures are described for preparing monomeric selectively S-carboxamido-methylated and S-aminoethylated derivatives of seminal ribonuclease. The main properties of the derivatives, including their extinction coefficients, have been... more
Procedures are described for preparing monomeric selectively S-carboxamido-methylated and S-aminoethylated derivatives of seminal ribonuclease. The main properties of the derivatives, including their extinction coefficients, have been determined. Their catalytic activities and that of the S-carboxymethyl derivative have been tested. On double-stranded RNA as a substrate the monomeric derivatives are less active than the native dimeric enzyme, but much more active than pancreatic ribonuclease. On yeast RNA as a substrate the amino-ethyl derivative is found to be less active (80%) than the native enzyme, while the other two are over 30 percent more active. The monomers are stable in solution and when lyophilized from acetic acid solution do not associate to the same extent as pancreatic or native seminal ribonucleases.
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In this work, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization (UPLC-ESI)-MS/MS methodology based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the selective and sensitive detection and quantification of durum wheat... more
In this work, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization (UPLC-ESI)-MS/MS methodology based on multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for the selective and sensitive detection and quantification of durum wheat adulteration has been developed and fully validated. The targeted analysis was performed by monitoring specific transitions at m/z 543.7 > 657.4 and m/z 543.7 > 299.2 of a species-specific marker derived from a tryptic peptide of puroindoline a (Pin-a), a cysteine-rich protein selectively present only in common wheat. In addition, two transitions at m/z 500.4 > 725.4 and m/z 500.4 > 561.9 of a reference peptide belonging to purothionin A-1, present in both species, were also monitored. The calibration curves obtained on binary mixtures with known percentages of common/durum wheat flours showed linearity (coefficient of regression, r ≥ 0.99) over concentrations that ranged between 80 and 1%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantificatio...
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The amino acid sequence of the coat protein of the potexvirus papaya mosaic virus (PMV) has been determined, using a combination of the Edman degradation procedure (manual and automated) and mass spectrometry. The amino acid sequence is... more
The amino acid sequence of the coat protein of the potexvirus papaya mosaic virus (PMV) has been determined, using a combination of the Edman degradation procedure (manual and automated) and mass spectrometry. The amino acid sequence is compared with that of the coat protein of potato virus X (PVX) as reported (S. Yu. Morozov, V. M. Zakhariev, B. K. Chernov, V. S. Prasolov, Yu. V. Kozlov, J. G. Atabekov, and K. G. Skyabin, Dokl. Acad. Nauk, SSSR 271, 211-215,1983). PMV has 73 of 211 amino acid residues in common with PVX and has 25 fewer residues in the polypeptide chain. Also 10 of a possible 16 proline residues are in similar positions in both proteins, including a sequence of 3 prolines at the carboxyl end. Furthermore, the 2 cysteine residues in PMV correspond with 2 of the 3 cysteines in PVX.
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The RNase found in bull semen, although a member of the mammalian superfamily of ribonucleases, possesses some unusual properties. Besides its unique structure and enzymic properties, it displays antispermatogenic, antitumor and... more
The RNase found in bull semen, although a member of the mammalian superfamily of ribonucleases, possesses some unusual properties. Besides its unique structure and enzymic properties, it displays antispermatogenic, antitumor and immunosuppressive activities. Seminal RNase belongs to an interesting group of RNases, the RISBASES (RIbonucleases with Special, i.e. non catalytic, Biological Actions) other members of which include angiogenin, selectively neurotoxic RNases, a lectin and the self-incompatibility factors from a flowering plant.
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WSCI (Wheat Subtilisin/Chymotrypsin Inhibitor) is a small protein belonging to the Potato inhibitor I family exhibiting a high content of essential amino acid. In addition to bacterial subtilisins and mammalian chymotrypsins, WSCI... more
WSCI (Wheat Subtilisin/Chymotrypsin Inhibitor) is a small protein belonging to the Potato inhibitor I family exhibiting a high content of essential amino acid. In addition to bacterial subtilisins and mammalian chymotrypsins, WSCI inhibits chymotrypsin-like activities isolated from digestive traits of a number of insect larvae. In vivo, as suggested for many plant proteinase inhibitors, WSCI seems to play a role of natural defence against attacks of pests and pathogens. The functional region of WSCI, containing the inhibitor reactive site (Met48-Glu49), corresponds to an extended flexible loop (Val42-Asp53) whose architecture is somehow stabilized by a number of secondary interactions established with a small β-sheet located underneath. The aim of this study was to employ a WSCI molecule as a stable scaffold to obtain recombinant inhibitors with new acquired anti-proteinase activity or, alternatively, inactive WSCI variants. A gene sequence coding for the native WSCI, along with genes coding for muteins with different specficities, could be exploited to obtain transformed non-food use plants with improved insect resistance. On the other hand, the genetic transformation of cereal plants over-expressing inactive WSCI muteins could represent a possible strategy to improve the nutritional quality of cereal-based foods, without risk of interference with human or animal digestive enzymes. Here, we described the characterization of four muteins containing single/multiple amino acid substitutions at the WSCI reactive site and/or at its proximity. Modalities of interaction of these muteins with proteinases (subtilisin, trypsin and chymotrypsin) were investigated by time course hydrolysis and molecular simulations studies.
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During the last few years, the incidence and mortality of human melanoma have rapidly increased. Metastatic spread of malignant melanoma is often associated with cancer progression with poor prognosis and survival. These processes are... more
During the last few years, the incidence and mortality of human melanoma have rapidly increased. Metastatic spread of malignant melanoma is often associated with cancer progression with poor prognosis and survival. These processes are controlled by dynamic interactions between tumor melanocytes and neighboring stromal cells, whose deregulation leads to the acquisition of cell proliferation capabilities and invasiveness. It is increasingly clear that a key role in carcinogenesis is played by secreted molecules either by tumor and surrounding stromal cells. To address the issue of the proteins secreted during cancer progression, the proteomic profiling of secretomes of cancer cell lines from different melanoma metastases of the same patient (PE-MEL-41, PE-MEL-47, and PE-MEL-43) was performed by applying a shotgun LC-MS/MS-based approach. The results provide a list of candidate proteins associated with the metastatic potential of PE-MEL melanoma cell lines. Among them, several matricellular proteins previously reported as involved in melanoma aggressiveness were identified (i.e., SPARC, osteopontin). In addition, the extracellular matrix protein 1 that stimulates proliferation and angiogenesis of endothelial cells as well as the fibronectin, involved in cell adhesion and motility, were identified. The present work provides the basis to clarify the complex extracellular protein networks implicated in human melanoma cell invasion, migration, and motility.
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Wild asparagus, Asparagus acutifolius L., produces edible spears used in local diets of Mediterranean countries for millenia. Recently, interest has risen for its cultivation as frugal crop for niche markets, but only limited information... more
Wild asparagus, Asparagus acutifolius L., produces edible spears used in local diets of Mediterranean countries for millenia. Recently, interest has risen for its cultivation as frugal crop for niche markets, but only limited information exists on the nutritional values of this vegetable. In this paper, the nutritional values and metabolic profile (i.e. moisture content, total proteins, lipids and phenols, folic
Research Interests: Analytical Chemistry, Food, Folic acid, Food Analysis, Nitric oxide, and 15 morePhenolic compound, Ascorbic Acid, Moisture Content, Fatty Acid, Food Sciences, Nutritional Value, Dry Matter, Palmitic Acid, Fatty Acid Composition, Fresh Weight, total acidity, Phenolic Acid, Food Composition Analysis, Total protein, and Radical scavenging activity
ABSTRACT The present work is aimed to evaluate the nutritional values, antioxidative and antiproliferative properties, and the chemical composition of wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) from Raviscanina, a small agricultural center... more
ABSTRACT The present work is aimed to evaluate the nutritional values, antioxidative and antiproliferative properties, and the chemical composition of wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) from Raviscanina, a small agricultural center near Caserta (Italy). Macronutrient components (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) of wild asparagus were determined as well as free and protein amino acids. Fructose was the most abundant sugar present. Total phenol and flavonoid contents in the analyzed samples were determined. An antioxidant screening was carried out on a lipophilic (CHCl3) extract and an alcoholic (MeOH) one, opportunely prepared through Soxhlet extraction. Spectrophotometric techniques, relying on the reaction of the DPPH radical and the ABTS cation radical, were applied in order to determine the radical scavenging capabilities of the analyzed extracts. The quantification of the nitric oxide (•NO) scavenging activity of both extracts was also determined. The ferricyanide method was applied to define Fe(III) reducing capability. The ORAC-fluorescein method was also performed. The antiproliferative effects towards human HepG2, A549, HeLa, and SK-N-BE(2) cell lines were evaluated. High performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet detection (HPLC–UV) was used to identify and quantify the main metabolites in the two investigated extracts. In particular, the alcoholic extract, rich in rutin and isoquercetrin, exhibited marked radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. The presence of ursolic acid and its isomer oleanolic acid as constituents of CHCl3 extract could explain its inhibitory effect detected on the proliferation of HeLa and, HepG2 tested cell lines.
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To investigate whether and how the severity of medial degeneration (MD) lesions varies along the circumference of the dilated intrapericardial aorta. Two groups of aortic wall specimens, respectively harvested 1cm distal to the... more
To investigate whether and how the severity of medial degeneration (MD) lesions varies along the circumference of the dilated intrapericardial aorta. Two groups of aortic wall specimens, respectively harvested 1cm distal to the non-coronary (NC) sinus (right postero-lateral wall) and to the right coronary sinus (anterior wall) in 22 patients undergoing surgery for dilatation of the intrapericardial aorta associated with aortic valve disease, were separately sent for pathology, morphometry and ultrastructural examination. MD lesions found at histology were classified into three degrees of severity. MD mean degree and morphometric findings in postero-lateral ('NC') and anterior ('coronary') specimens were compared by paired t-test. Correlation between degree of aortic dilatation at echocardiography and severity of MD was assessed separately for each of the two groups of specimens. After the preliminary results of the morphological study, we decided to send the specimens for biochemical investigation of protein electrophoretic patterns. This was performed in the last seven patients of this series. At histology, MD was found in all cases. A higher mean MD degree was found in the NC group (2.59+/-0.50 versus 1.59+/-0.67 in the coronary group; P<0.001). At morphometry, normal smooth muscle cells in the NC specimens were significantly reduced (P=0.012) and the length (P=0.011) and number (P=0.015) of elastic fibres reduced and increased, respectively. Correlation between aortic ratio and MD degree was significant in the NC specimens (P<0.001), not in the coronary ones (P=0.227). Quantitative differences between coronary and NC proteins from the same patient and between coronary proteins from different patients were found at electrophoresis. However, at this stage of the study, the sample was too small to allow for the identification of proteins involved in those differences. MD lesions in dilated intrapericardial aorta are more severe in the right postero-lateral wall area, likely due to haemodynamic stress asymmetry.
Research Interests: Apoptosis, Humans, Smooth muscle, Female, Male, and 15 moreAged, Middle Aged, Adult, Degeneration, Group, Reproducibility of Results, Aortic Valve Disease, Aorta, Aortic Valve, Severity of Illness Index, Aortic valve stenosis, Smooth muscle cell, Cardiovascular medicine and haematology, ascending aorta, and Coronary Vessels
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