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Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia and other neurological manifestations, with a poor prognosis and a lack of effective therapies. The amyloid aggregation of the ataxin-3 protein is a hallmark of SCA3 and one of the main biochemical events prompting its onset, making it a prominent target for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Here, we tested the efficacy of an aqueous Lavado cocoa extract and its polyphenolic components against ataxin-3 aggregation and neurotoxicity. The combination of biochemical assays and atomic force microscopy morphological analysis provided clear evidence of cocoa flavanols’ ability to hinder ATX3 amyloid aggregation through direct physical interaction, as assessed by NMR spectroscopy. The chemical identity of the flavanols was investigated by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. The use of the preclinical model Caenorhabditis elegans allowed us to demonstrate cocoa flavanols’ ability to ameliorate ataxic phenotypes in vivo. To the best of our knowledge, Lavado cocoa is the first natural source whose extract is able to directly interfere with ATX3 aggregation, leading to the formation of off-pathway species.

The authentication and traceability of craft beers is an important issue for both beer consumers and producers. Reliable analytical methods able to identify and discriminate products are needed to protect the craft brew market against fraud and counterfeit. Here, 1H NMR analysis of 31 beer samples, differing for beer style and brewing method (craft or industrial) was combined with multivariate statistical analysis, following both an untargeted and a targeted approach. NMR-based analysis of beer samples was sped developing a specific protocol enabling the automatic identification and quantification of metabolites in approximately thirty seconds per spectrum. A clear discrimination was achieved by exploiting 1H NMR analysis and multivariate chemometric methods and the targeted approach identified the metabolites responsible for the segregation. Overall, this study reports an analytical approach addressing beer traceability and is the starting point for the development of a standardized protocol for the discrimination of industrial and craft beers.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains an important neurological manifestation that adversely affects a patient’s quality of life. HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (p17) has been detected in autoptic brain tissue of HAND individuals who presented early with severe AIDS encephalopathy. We hypothesised that the ability of p17 to misfold may result in the generation of toxic assemblies in the brain and may be relevant for HAND pathogenesis. A multidisciplinary integrated approach has been applied to determine the ability of p17 to form soluble amyloidogenic assemblies in vitro. To provide new information into the potential pathogenic role of soluble p17 species in HAND, their toxicological capability was evaluated in vivo. In C. elegans, capable of recognising toxic assemblies of amyloidogenic proteins, p17 induces a specific toxic effect which can be counteracted by tetracyclines, drugs able to hinder the formation of large oligomers and consequently amyloid fibrils. The intrahippocampal injection of p17 in mice reduces their cognitive function and induces behavioral deficiencies. These findings offer a new way of thinking about the possible cause of neurodegeneration in HIV-1-seropositive patients, which engages the ability of p17 to form soluble toxic assemblies.

Carbohydrates are one of the most powerful and versatile classes of biomolecules that nature uses to regulate organisms’ biochemistry, modulating plenty of signaling events within cells, triggering a plethora of physiological and pathological cellular behaviors. In this framework, glycan carrier systems or carbohydrate-decorated materials constitute interesting and relevant tools for medicinal chemistry applications. In the last few decades, efforts have been focused, among others, on the development of multivalent glycoconjugates, biosensors, glycoarrays, carbohydrate-decorated biomaterials for regenerative medicine, and glyconanoparticles. This review aims to provide the reader with a general overview of the different carbohydrate carrier systems that have been developed as tools in different medicinal chemistry approaches relying on carbohydrate-protein interactions. Given the extent of this topic, the present review will focus on selected examples that highlight the advancements and potentialities offered by this specific area of research, rather than being an exhaustive literature survey of any specific glyco-functionalized system.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-Associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) remains an important neurological manifestation that adversely affects a patient's quality of life. HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (p17) has been detected in autoptic brain tissue of HAND individuals who presented early with severe AIDS encephalopathy. We hypothesised that the ability of p17 to misfold may result in the generation of toxic assemblies in the brain and may be relevant for HAND pathogenesis. A multidisciplinary integrated approach has been applied to determine the ability of p17 to form soluble amyloidogenic assemblies in vitro. To provide new information into the potential pathogenic role of soluble p17 species in HAND, their toxicological capability was evaluated in vivo. In C. elegans, capable of recognising toxic assemblies of amyloidogenic proteins, p17 induces a specific toxic effect which can be counteracted by tetracyclines, drugs able to hinder the formation of large oligomers and consequently amyloid fibrils. The intrahippocampal injection of p17 in mice reduces their cognitive function and induces behavioral deficiencies. These findings offer a new way of thinking about the possible cause of neurodegeneration in HIV-1-seropositive patients, which engages the ability of p17 to form soluble toxic assemblies.

Nutritional factors play a pivotal role for healthy aging and longevity. This is related to the antioxidant properties of the molecules present in some foods. Due to the high content of polyphenols, Green Coffee Extract (GCE) is a powerful antioxidant. Nevertheless, little is known about its effect on aging. We demonstrated the benefic effects of GCE on stress resistance, fertility and adult mean lifespan using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. The mean and maximum lifespan of worms treated with GCE increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, and animals pre-treated were more resistant to oxidative stress. NMR and UPLC/ESI-HRMS analyses of GCE confirmed a significant content of chlorogenic acids, being 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) the most abundant isomer. The major activity demonstrated by GCE in comparison to the pure 5-CQA on C. elegans phenotypes clearly demonstrated the importance of the employment of a natural extract to develop functional foods and supplements.

The cationic glycolipid IAXO-102, a potent TLR4 antagonist targeting both MD-2 and CD14 co-receptors, has been used as scaffold to design new potential TLR4 modulators and fluorescent labels for the TLR4 receptor complex (membrane TLR4.MD-2 dimer and CD14). The primary amino group of IAXO-102, not involved in direct interaction with MD-2 and CD14 receptors, has been exploited to covalently attach a fluorescein (molecules 1 and 2) or to link two molecules of IAXO-102 through diamine and diammonium spacers, obtaining ‘dimeric’ molecules 3 and 4. The structure-based rational design of compounds 1-4 was guided by the optimization of MD-2 and CD14 binding. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited TLR4 activation, in a concentration-dependent manner, and signaling in HEK-Blue TLR4 cells. The fluorescent labeling of murine macrophages by molecule 1 was inhibited by LPS and was also abrogated when cell surface proteins were digested by trypsin, thus suggesting an interaction of fluorescent probe 1 with membrane proteins of the TLR4 receptor system.

In the last decades, food science has greatly developed, turning from the consideration of food as mere source of energy to a growing awareness on its importance for health and particularly in reducing the risk of diseases. Such vision led to an increasing attention towards the origin and quality of raw materials as well as their derived food products. The continuous advance in molecular biology allowed setting up efficient and universal omics tools to unequivocally identify the origin of food items and their traceability. In this review, we considered the application of a genomics approach known as DNA barcoding in characterizing the composition of foodstuffs and its traceability along the food supply chain. Moreover, metabolomics analytical strategies based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS) were discussed as they also work well in evaluating food quality. The combination of both approaches allows us to define a sort of molecular labelling of food that is easily understandable by the operators involved in the food sector: producers, distributors, and consumers. Current technologies based on digital information systems such as web platforms and smartphone apps can facilitate the adoption of such molecular labelling.

Lo scopo del presente lavoro è la progettazione, la sintesi e la caratterizzazione di nuove small molecules, attive come ligandi di LPS (lipopolisaccaridi)-binding proteins. Gli LPS, o endotossine batteriche, sono macromolecole anfifiliche ubiquitarie sulla membrana esterna dei batteri Gram-negativi. Le proteine che legano gli LPS studiate nel corso di questo progetto di tesi di dottorato appartengono a due categorie: le proteine batteriche di trasporto Lpt e il sistema recettoriale TLR4, che comprende anche i co-recettori LBP, CD14, MD2. Le proteine Lpt, e in particolare la proteina LptC, sono responsabili del meccanismo di esportazione del LPS alla superficie cellulare, che è uno step fondamentale della via biosintetica dell’LPS. Pertanto, la biogenesi dell’LPS rappresenta un target ideale per lo sviluppo di nuovi antibiotici contro i batteri Gram-negativi. Inoltre, le strutture delle proteine Lpt sono state risolte, ma il meccanismo di trasporto è ancora da elucidare. Nel presente lavoro di tesi sono stati utilizzate diverse tecniche per studiare l'interazione tra LPS e LptC, con particolare attenzione agli studi di interazione via NMR. Inoltre, un nuovo LPS fluorescente è stato prodotto ed è stato utilizzato come tool per studi di interazione LPS-LptC con tecniche di fluorescenza. Sono state anche sviluppate alcune nuove molecole sintetiche. Questi glicolipidi sono stati progettati e sintetizzati per ottenere ligandi di LptC e, in prospettiva, potenziali antibiotici contro i batteri Gram-negativi. Il Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), il recettore dell'immunità innata, riconosce l’LPS aiutato da altre proteine (LBP, CD14 e MD-2) ed è responsabile dell'induzione della risposta infiammatoria. Molecole sintetiche in grado di modulare l'attività dei recettori dell’immunità innata sono un potente mezzo per studiare il sistema recettoriale TLR4 e hanno grande interesse farmacologico come adiuvanti vaccinali (agonisti), agenti antisepsi e anti-infiammatori (antagoni, The purpose of this work is the design, synthesis and characterization of new small molecules, active as ligands of two different lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding proteins. LPS, or bacterial endotoxin, is an amphiphilic macromolecule ubiquitous on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS binding proteins studied during this thesis project belong to two classes: the bacterial proteins of the Lpt transport machinery and the mammalian TLR4 receptor system, including the co-receptors LBP, CD14, MD-2. Lpt proteins, and in particular the protein LptC, are responsible for the export mechanism of LPS to the cell surface of Gram negative bacteria, which is a fundamental step of the LPS biosynthetic pathway. Therefore, the LPS biogenesis represents an ideal target for development of novel antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the structures of Lpt proteins have been elucidated, but very little is known about the mechanism of LPS transport. In this thesis work different techniques were used to study the interaction between LPS and LptC, particularly NMR binding studies. Moreover, a new fluorescent LPS was produced and it was used as a tool to perform LPS-LptC interaction studies with fluorescence techniques. Some new synthetic molecules were also developed during this thesis. Glycolipidic small molecules were designed and synthesized in order to obtain LptC ligands and, in perspective, potential antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the innate immunity receptor, recognizes LPS, helped by other proteins (LBP, CD14 and MD-2), and it is responsible for the induction of inflammatory responses. Synthetic small molecules able to modulate innate immunity receptors activity are a powerful mean to study the TLR4 receptor system and have great pharmacological interest as vaccine adjuvants (agonists), antisepsis and anti-inflammatory agents (antagonists). Antagonist activity on TLR4 receptor system of amino glycolipids (IAXO

Monosaccharide lipid A mimetics based on a glucosamine core linked to two fatty acid chains and bearing one or two phosphate groups have been synthesized. Compounds 1 and 2, each with one phosphate group, were practically inactive in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and cytokine production in HEK-blue cells and murine macrophages, but compound 3, with two phosphate groups, was found to be active in efficiently inhibiting TLR4 signal in both cell types. The direct interaction between compound 3 and the MD-2 coreceptor was investigated by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling/docking analysis. This compound also interacts directly with the CD14 receptor, stimulating its internalization by endocytosis. Experiments on macrophages show that the effect on CD14 reinforces the activity on MD-2·TLR4 because compound 3's activity is higher when CD14 is important for TLR4 signaling (i.e., at low LPS concentration). The dual targeting of MD-2 and CD14, accompanied by good solubility in water and lack of toxicity, suggests the use of monosaccharide 3 as a lead compound for the development of drugs directed against TLR4-related syndromes.