20 results on '"Caccialupi P"'
Search Results
2. Early life oxytocin treatment improves thermo-sensory reactivity and maternal behavior in neonates lacking the autism-associated gene Magel2
- Author
-
Da Prato, Laura Caccialupi, Zayan, Ugo, Abdallah, Dina, Point, Vanessa, Schaller, Fabienne, Pallesi-Pocachard, Emilie, Montheil, Aurélie, Canaan, Stéphane, Gaiarsa, Jean-Luc, Muscatelli, Françoise, and Matarazzo, Valéry
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. The Triticeae CBF Gene Cluster—To Frost Resistance and Beyond
- Author
-
Giovanni Caccialupi, Justyna Milc, Federica Caradonia, Muhammad Fazail Nasar, and Enrico Francia
- Subjects
abiotic stress ,Triticeae ,CBF transcription factors ,cold acclimation ,frost tolerance ,drought tolerance ,Cytology ,QH573-671 - Abstract
The pivotal role of CBF/DREB1 transcriptional factors in Triticeae crops involved in the abiotic stress response has been highlighted. The CBFs represent an important hub in the ICE-CBF-COR pathway, which is one of the most relevant mechanisms capable of activating the adaptive response to cold and drought in wheat, barley, and rye. Understanding the intricate mechanisms and regulation of the cluster of CBF genes harbored by the homoeologous chromosome group 5 entails significant potential for the genetic improvement of small grain cereals. Triticeae crops seem to share common mechanisms characterized, however, by some peculiar aspects of the response to stress, highlighting a combined landscape of single-nucleotide variants and copy number variation involving CBF members of subgroup IV. Moreover, while chromosome 5 ploidy appears to confer species-specific levels of resistance, an important involvement of the ICE factor might explain the greater tolerance of rye. By unraveling the genetic basis of abiotic stress tolerance, researchers can develop resilient varieties better equipped to withstand extreme environmental conditions. Hence, advancing our knowledge of CBFs and their interactions represents a promising avenue for improving crop resilience and food security.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Modulation of the thermosensory system by oxytocin
- Author
-
Ugo Zayan, Laura Caccialupi Da Prato, Françoise Muscatelli, and Valéry Matarazzo
- Subjects
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ,oxytocin ,thermo-sensory response ,neurodevelopment ,atypical sensory response ,Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry ,RC321-571 - Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone involved early in neurodevelopment and is implicated in multiple functions, including sensory modulation. Evidence of such modulation has been observed for different sensory modalities in both healthy and pathological conditions. This review summarizes the pleiotropic modulation that OT can exercise on an often overlooked sensory system: thermosensation. This system allows us to sense temperature variations and compensate for the variation to maintain a stable core body temperature. Oxytocin modulates autonomic and behavioral mechanisms underlying thermoregulation at both central and peripheral levels. Hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity for different sensory modalities, including thermosensitivity, is a common feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recapitulated in several ASD mouse models. These sensory dysregulations occur early in post-natal development and are correlated with dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system. In this study, we discussed the potential link between thermosensory atypia and the dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system in ASD.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. The Cross of Mars: Crusade Imagery and Theology in the Prologue to the Encounter with Cacciaguida (Par. xiv–xv).
- Author
-
Caccialupi, Gianluca
- Subjects
CRUSADES (Middle Ages) ,THEOLOGY ,FORESHADOWING (Literature) ,ECCLESIASTICAL law - Abstract
Beginning with Innocent III's pontificate, participation in the crusades became increasingly interpreted as imitatio Christi patientis. Innocent III's crusade theology was revived by later pontiffs and became ingrained in the collective imagination through preaching. This article shows how Dante draws on thirteenth-century crusade theology in his depiction of the cross of Mars, with special attention paid to imitatio Christi. Dante's rendering of his inner sacrifice (Par. xiv, 88–93) foreshadows the apparition of the cross and appears to have been influenced by the imagery of the crusader's vow as found in contemporary ecclesiastical documents. In these texts, crusaders are frequently depicted as participating in an inner sacrifice prompted by the fire of caritas that recalls Christ's own sacrifice. Reading Paradisoxiv-xv in light of this context – and with an awareness of the significance of Cacciaguida's placement in the same heaven – allows us to explore Dante's self-representation as a miles Christi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Plant Biostimulants Increase the Agronomic Performance of Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) in Northern Apennine Range
- Author
-
Giovanni Caccialupi, Federica Caradonia, Domenico Ronga, Mortadha Ben Hassine, Eleonora Truzzi, Stefania Benvenuti, and Enrico Francia
- Subjects
sustainability ,plant biostimulant ,biofertilizer ,fertilization ,lavandin ,Lamiaceae family ,Agriculture - Abstract
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is a shrub cultivated in the Mediterranean region for essential oils used to produce cosmetic, aromatherapy, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Nowadays, interest in plant biostimulants is rising due to their ability to increase biomass production in a sustainable way. The scope of the present study was to assess the effects of two plant biostimulants, one based on hydrolyzed proteins (FITOSIM®) and one based on seaweed extracts (FITOSTIM ALGA®), on the cultivar Grosso for two consecutive years in three different farms, located in the Italian Tuscan-Emilian Apennine Mountains. A difference in the efficiency of treatments among farms was shown, probably due to the plant age. In 2020, FITOSTIM ALGA® increased inflorescence fresh weights (+35%), while FITOSTIM® and FITOSTIM ALGA® enhanced stem and total fresh weights (+23% and +22%, respectively) compared to the untreated control. In 2021, both treatments enhanced the fresh and dry weights of inflorescence (+47% and +38%, respectively), while FITOSTIM ALGA® also improved the total plant dry weights (+34%). The plant biostimulants did not affect the chemical composition of essential oils. Our results indicate plant biostimulants as a supplement for sustainable management practices, enhancing Lavandin’s performance in mountainous agricultural areas.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Perinatal depression and developmental risk of the infant: Analysis of a clinical sample and assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Author
-
C. Pucci, M. Caccialupi O. P., M. Panfili, N. Giacchetti, F. Aceti, and C. Sogos
- Subjects
Mother-child interaction ,Child development ,COVID-19 ,Perinatal depression ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Introduction Studies on large samples agree on the negative impact of maternal perinatal depression (PD) on child’s cognitive development. Early experience with insensitive maternal interactions appears to be predictive of poorer cognitive functioning. These children present a higher risk for the onset of socioemotional development, nutrition, growth and sleep disorders. Research on Covid-19 pandemic suggests that families, particularly mothers, may be at increased risk of psychological distress. Objectives This study evaluates the effect of perinatal depression on child development and the impact of distress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods We designed a case-control study comparing, during Covid-19 pandemic, a group-A of children of mothers with PD (n=19), with a group-B of children of healthy mothers (n=21). The age of the children recruited was 4-35 months. Participating mothers underwent DP3-Interview and the socioemotional and adaptive-behavior Bayley’s scales by telephone and completed an online survey (IES-R). Results We found significantly lower scores on the Bayley socioemotional scale and in all the DP3-scales, in group-A. There is an inversely proportional correlation between the age of these children and overall development score of the DP3. On the IES-R scale, the medium scores in both groups show no psychological distress as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, although mothers with PD show borderline total scores and higher hyperarousal scale values. Conclusions This study confirms that PD is a risk factor for the onset of disorders in all areas of the child’s development. Mothers with PD are less likely to manage psychological distress secondary to the pandemic. Disclosure No significant relationships.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Perinatal depression as a risk-factor for infant sleep disturbances: Subjective data from a case-control study
- Author
-
M. Caccialupi O. P., C. Pucci, M. Colaiori, N. Giacchetti, F. Aceti, and C. Sogos
- Subjects
Perinatal depression ,sleep disorders ,Mother-child interaction ,Relational changes ,Psychiatry ,RC435-571 - Abstract
Introduction Perinatal period is characterized by a broad range of physical, psychological and relational changes. Maternal perinatal depression (PD) is defined as an episode of major depression with the onset from pregnancy to the first year after delivery. Depressive symptoms influence the earlier mother-child interaction and impact on child cognitive, affective and behavioral development. Objectives Purpose of our study was to evaluate the consequences of PD on sleep-wake patterns in the early stages of infant development. We aim to investigate the presence of poor sleep in infants/ toddlers and also to identify differences in sleep ecology variables. Methods We enrolled, from December 2019 to September 2020, a clinical sample of children born from women with PD (N=19, m.a.=13,7, SD= 7,6) and a healthy control group (N=21, m.a.=15,5, SD=5,43). Infant sleep data were obtained from the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ). Poor sleepers were defined by the following criteria: >3 night wakings, nocturnal wakefulness >1 hr or total sleep duration
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Psychosocial Indicators in North African Immigrant Women in Italy
- Author
-
Toselli, Stefania, Rinaldo, Natascia, Caccialupi, Maria Giovanna, and Gualdi-Russo, Emanuela
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Necdin shapes serotonergic development and SERT activity modulating breathing in a mouse model for Prader-Willi syndrome
- Author
-
Valéry Matarazzo, Laura Caccialupi, Fabienne Schaller, Yuri Shvarev, Nazim Kourdougli, Alessandra Bertoni, Clément Menuet, Nicolas Voituron, Evan Deneris, Patricia Gaspar, Laurent Bezin, Pascale Durbec, Gérard Hilaire, and Françoise Muscatelli
- Subjects
serotonin ,necdin ,Prader-Willi Syndrome ,respiration ,apnea ,neurodevelopment ,Medicine ,Science ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that presents with hypotonia and respiratory distress in neonates. The Necdin-deficient mouse is the only model that reproduces the respiratory phenotype of PWS (central apnea and blunted response to respiratory challenges). Here, we report that Necdin deletion disturbs the migration of serotonin (5-HT) neuronal precursors, leading to altered global serotonergic neuroarchitecture and increased spontaneous firing of 5-HT neurons. We show an increased expression and activity of 5-HT Transporter (SERT/Slc6a4) in 5-HT neurons leading to an increase of 5-HT uptake. In Necdin-KO pups, the genetic deletion of Slc6a4 or treatment with Fluoxetine, a 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, restored normal breathing. Unexpectedly, Fluoxetine administration was associated with respiratory side effects in wild-type animals. Overall, our results demonstrate that an increase of SERT activity is sufficient to cause the apneas in Necdin-KO pups, and that fluoxetine may offer therapeutic benefits to PWS patients with respiratory complications.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Bowman-Birk inhibitors in lentil: Heterologous expression, functional
- Author
-
Caccialupi P, Ceci LR, Siciliano RA, Pignone D, Clemente A, and Sonnante G.
- Abstract
A full-length cDNA, encoding a Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI), was isolated from lentil immature seeds. The deduced amino acid sequence was longer than that of the BBI extracted from lentil seeds and contained two binding sites; the first inhibitory site inhibits trypsin whereas the second one inhibits chymotrypsin. In order to characterize this lentil BBI, a longer (complete) and its C-terminally processed (mature) form were heterologously expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant BBI proteins proved to be active against trypsin and chymotrypsin, showing Ki values at nanomolar levels. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that complete BBI was composed of an array of molecular masses, whereas mature BBI showed the presence of a major peak of the expected size. The effects of mature BBI on the growth of human colon adenocarcinoma HT29 and colonic fibroblast CCD-18Co cells were evaluated. Lentil BBI was able to inhibit the growth of such cells at concentrations higher than 19 lM, in a concentration- dependent manner; by contrast, the CCD18-Co cells were unaffected. These data broaden our knowledge of the beneficial biological activities of naturally-occurring BBI proteins and address the need for systematic evaluation of natural variants in order to design novel strategies in preventive medicine.
- Published
- 2010
12. Characterization of a bowman-birk inhibitor from lentil: expression and antitumoral properties
- Author
-
Caccialupi P., Ceci L.R., Siciliano R.A., Clemente A., Pignone D., and Sonnante G.
- Abstract
Proteinase inhibitors are widely diffused in plants. In legumes, mainly two types of these inhibitors have been identified: the larger Kunitz inhibitor (16-21 kDa) generally with two disulfide bonds and one reactive site for trypsin or chymotrypsin, and the smaller (6-9 kDa), double-headed Bowman-Birk one (BBI), generally with seven disulfide bridges, a high cysteine content and two reactive sites, one for trypsin and the other for trypsin or chymotrypsin. These two reactive sites are separately distributed in two homologous active loops on the same polypeptide chain and can interact simultaneously and independently with two target proteases. In plants, the trypsin inhibitor site has the ability to inhibit animal digestive enzymes, thus representing an ideal candidate to protect plants against insect predation through genetic engineering, but may also be involved in the regulation of endogenous plant proteases. On the other hand, the chymotrypsin inhibitor site seems to be involved in the prevention or suppression of carcinogen-induced transformation in vitro and of carcinogenesis in animal model systems. Moreover, BBIs have also displayed anti-inflammatory activity and have been tested in the treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model disease for human multiple sclerosis. Two BBI gene classes have been reported in lentil, one coding a trypsin/trypsin inhibitor, the other encoding a trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor, even though the sequence of the latter was not complete at the 3' end. We isolated a complete cDNA sequence coding for lentil trypsin/chymotrypsin BBI. The inhibitor was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. After purification, recombinant molecules were analysed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and the inhibitory activity evaluated, by means of enzymatic assays using specific substrates for trypsin or chymotrypsin. The expressed lentil BBI showed an inhibitory activity similar to BBIs from other plants. The ability of lentil BBI to modulate the viability of human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 cells in vitro was also assessed.
- Published
- 2008
13. Bowman-Birk inhibitors from lentil: heterologous expression, characterization and anti-tumoral properties
- Author
-
Caccialupi P., Ceci L.R., Siciliano R.A., Pignone D., Clemente A., and Sonnante G.
- Abstract
The Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBIs) represent the most widespread class of serine proteinase inhibitors, and are widely found in legume seeds as well as in other legume organs or other plant families. BBIs are generally double-headed and their inhibitory domains are associated primarily with inhibition of the digestive enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The BBI trypsin inhibitor site has the ability to inhibit animal digestive enzymes and has been associated with the negative effect on bioavailability of dietary proteins and protein digestibility. The role of the trypsin proteinase inhibitors in the plant seems to be related to plant defence from attacks by insects, pathogens and other predators. On the other hand, many reports highlight the involvement of BBI chymotrypsin inhibitor site to prevent or suppress carcinogen-induced transformation in vitro and carcinogenesis in animal model systems. As a result, soybean extracts enriched in BBI have attained investigational new drug status with the US Food and Drug Administration and is being studied in the prevention of cancer. Two BBI gene classes have been reported in lentil, one coding for a trypsin/trypsin inhibitor, the other encoding a trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor, the sequence of the latter one being incomplete at the 3' end. In the present study, we report on the isolation of a complete cDNA sequence coding for lentil trypsin/chymotrypsin BBI. Two forms of the inhibitor were identified: a mature form, corresponding to the protein isolated from lentil seeds, and its C-terminal unprocessed form. In order to understand the implications of particular C-terminal amino acid residues for the specificity and potency of inhibition of key target proteases, the two forms were expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. After purification, recombinant molecules were analysed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and their inhibitory activities evaluated, by means of enzymatic assays using specific substrates for trypsin or chymotrypsin. Ki both for trypsin and chymotrypsin were comparable to other Ki observed for BBI proteins. The ability of lentil trypsin/chymotrypsin BBI to modulate the viability of human colorectal adenocarcinoma HT29 cells in vitro was assessed.
- Published
- 2008
14. A novel fatty acid binding protein produced by teratocytes of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi
- Author
-
Falabella, P., primary, Perugino, G., additional, Caccialupi, P., additional, Riviello, L., additional, Varricchio, P., additional, Tranfaglia, A., additional, Rossi, M., additional, Malva, C., additional, Graziani, F., additional, Moracci, M., additional, and Pennacchio, F., additional
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. A novel fatty acid binding protein produced by teratocytes of the aphid parasitoidAphidius ervi.
- Author
-
Falabella, P., Perugino, G., Caccialupi, P., Riviello, L., Varricchio, P., Tranfaglia, A., Rossi, M., Malva, C., Graziani, F., Moracci, M., and Pennacchio, F.
- Subjects
FATTY acids ,CARRIER proteins ,APHIDIUS ,GENES ,PARASITOIDS ,ARACHIDONIC acid - Abstract
Aphidius erviis an endophagous braconid, parasitoid of the pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum. A. erviteratocytes, deriving from the dissociation of the embryonic serosa, synthesize and release two major proteins into the host haemocoel. The gene of one of these proteins has been cloned and characterized. This gene codes for a 15.8 kDa protein belonging to the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, namedAe-FABP (A. ervi-FABP). It is abundantly present in the host haemolymph when the parasitoid larva attains its maximum growth rate. The recombinantAe-FABP binds to fatty acidsin vitro, showing a high affinity to C
14 –C18 saturated fatty acids and to oleic and arachidonic acid. The possible nutritional role for the parasitoid larva ofAe-FABP is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. L'usabilità nei depositi istituzionali.
- Author
-
Caccialupi, Roberta, Calvi, Licia, Cassella, Maria, and Conte, Georgia
- Abstract
In institutional repositories, usable and simple discovery and submission interfaces help to increase documents deposit as scholars have very little time to self-archive their publications. So far, usability evaluation of discovery and of submission interfaces in IRs has been limited. This paper intends to present the usability evaluation results of such an interface, i.e., of B@bele. B@bele is an application of DSpace I.b in use at the Multimedia Production Centre (CPM) of the University of Milano Bicocca. B@bele is not an institutional repository in the strict sense of the term, but it is employed within CPM as digital archive for individual researchers, as well as for administrative offices, research centers and for the multimedia projects managed by the CPM itself. The main objective of this study was not to evaluate the adequacy of the functionalities of this installation in relation to a specific context of use (for instance, as dissertation archive, as institutional or disciplinary repository or as platform for the publication of online journals), rather it was to test the usability of its interface for the primary activities that users need to perform regardless of the types of information that are archived and of their finalities. The main assumption is that a repository has to support and enhance users in accessing the information they need by adopting a clear navigation structure and an intuitive interface for both simple and advanced search. It should also enhance submission by adopting a simple and usable submission interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
17. Approach to residual life assessment of large steam turbine components
- Author
-
Caccialupi, A., Crudeli, R., Fazio, G. P., and Porro, F.
- Published
- 1994
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. A novel Fatty Acid Binding Protein produced by teratocytes of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi
- Author
-
Paola Varricchio, Patrizia Falabella, Carla Malva, Giuseppe Perugino, Francesco Pennacchio, Franco Graziani, A. Tranfaglia, P Caccialupi, M. Rossi, Lea Riviello, Marco Moracci, Falabella, P., Perugino, G., Caccialupi, P., Riviello, L., Varricchio, Paola, Tranfaglia, A., Rossi, M., Malva, C., Graziani, F., Moracci, Marco, and Pennacchio, Francesco
- Subjects
physiological interactions ,Molecular Sequence Data ,Wasps ,Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ,Anilino Naphthalenesulfonates ,Fatty acid-binding protein ,Host-Parasite Interactions ,Parasitoid ,Aphidiinae ,lipids ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,physiological interaction ,lipid ,Botany ,Hemolymph ,Genetics ,Animals ,Amino Acid Sequence ,Cloning, Molecular ,Molecular Biology ,DNA Primers ,Aphid ,Larva ,parasitoid nutrition ,Base Sequence ,biology ,fungi ,food and beverages ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,Blotting, Northern ,biology.organism_classification ,Acyrthosiphon pisum ,Blotting, Southern ,chemistry ,Biochemistry ,host regulation ,Aphids ,Insect Science ,Arachidonic acid ,lipids (amino acids, peptides, and proteins) ,Carrier Proteins ,Sequence Alignment - Abstract
Aphidius ervi is an endophagous braconid, parasitoid of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. A. ervi terato- cytes, deriving from the dissociation of the embryonic serosa, synthesize and release two major proteins into the host haemocoel. The gene of one of these proteins has been cloned and characterized. This gene codes for a 15.8 kDa protein belonging to the fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, named Ae-FABP (A. ervi-FABP). It is abundantly present in the host haemolymph when the parasitoid larva attains its maximum growth rate. The recombinant Ae-FABP binds to fatty acids in vitro, showing a high affinity to C14–C18 saturated fatty acids and to oleic and arachidonic acid. The possible nutritional role for the parasitoid larva of Ae-FABP is discussed.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. A gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase of Aphidius ervi venom induces apoptosis in the ovaries of host aphids.
- Author
-
Falabella P, Riviello L, Caccialupi P, Rossodivita T, Teresa Valente M, Luisa De Stradis M, Tranfaglia A, Varricchio P, Gigliotti S, Graziani F, Malva C, and Pennacchio F
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Aphids cytology, Aphids drug effects, Base Sequence, Chemical Fractionation, Female, Male, Molecular Sequence Data, Ovary cytology, Ovary drug effects, Sequence Alignment, Sequence Analysis, Protein, Wasp Venoms chemistry, Wasp Venoms enzymology, Wasps genetics, Wasps physiology, gamma-Glutamyltransferase chemistry, gamma-Glutamyltransferase isolation & purification, Aphids parasitology, Apoptosis drug effects, Wasp Venoms pharmacology, Wasps enzymology, gamma-Glutamyltransferase pharmacology
- Abstract
Parasitism by the endophagous braconid Aphidius ervi (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) has a negative impact on the reproductive activity of its host, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera, Aphididae). The host castration is induced by the parasitoid venom and is reproduced by the injection of chromatographic fractions highly enriched with two proteins, of 18 (p18) and 36 kDa (p36) in size, respectively. Here we demonstrate that these bioactive proteins trigger apoptosis of the cells in the germaria and ovariole sheath of the host aphid. Both p18 and p36 were internally sequenced and the gathered information was matched against the deduced amino acid sequence of the putative proteins encoded by cDNA clones, randomly selected from a cDNA library, which was raised using mRNA extracted from A. ervi venom glands. The identified cDNA clones contained an insert corresponding to the RNA product of an interrupted gene, made of six exons and five introns, which was found to be transcribed at higher levels in adult females of A. ervi than in males. This gene codes for a putative protein composed of 541 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 56.9 kDa, which contained the amino acid sequences experimentally determined for both p18 and p36. This putative protein showed a significant level of sequence identity with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases (gamma-GT), and it was named Ae-gamma-GT. The gamma-GTs are enzymes which play a key role in the metabolism of glutathione (GSH) and, as observed in most organisms, they are membrane-bound heterodimers formed by a large and a small subunit, which originate by post-translational processing of a single-chain precursor. The expression in insect cells of Ae-gamma-GT confirmed the occurrence of the expected post-translational processing, and demonstrated that, unlike other gamma-GTs, this protein is secreted in the extracellular environment. A measurable gamma-GT activity was detected in the venom of A. ervi and in the chromatographic fractions containing Ae-gamma-GT. Thus, we suggest that this venom protein may induce apoptosis in the host ovarioles by generating an alteration of the GSH metabolism and a consequent oxidative stress.
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Protein tyrosine phosphatases of Toxoneuron nigriceps bracovirus as potential disrupters of host prothoracic gland function.
- Author
-
Falabella P, Caccialupi P, Varricchio P, Malva C, and Pennacchio F
- Subjects
- Amino Acid Sequence, Animals, Base Sequence, DNA, Complementary genetics, Fat Body physiology, Molecular Sequence Data, Polydnaviridae genetics, Protein Biosynthesis physiology, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases biosynthesis, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases genetics, RNA, Messenger genetics, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases physiology, Sequence Alignment, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Wasps genetics, Lepidoptera parasitology, Lepidoptera physiology, Polydnaviridae enzymology, Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases physiology, Wasps virology
- Abstract
The genomic sequence of the bracovirus associated with the wasp Toxoneuron nigriceps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) (TnBV), an endophagous parasitoid of the tobacco budworm larvae, Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), contains a large gene family coding for protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Here we report the characterization of cDNAs for two of the viral PTPs isolated by screening a cDNA library from haemocytes of parasitized host larvae. The two encoded proteins show 70% amino acid identity and are expressed in the fat body of parasitized hosts. In addition, one was expressed in inactivated prothoracic glands (PTGs), 24 h after parasitoid oviposition. The rapid block of ecdysteroidogenesis does not appear to be due to inhibition of general protein synthesis, as indirectly indicated by the unaltered S6 kinase activity in the cytosolic extracts of basal PTGs from parasitized host larvae. Rather, TnBV PTP over-expression in inactivated host PTGs suggests that gland function may be affected by the disruption of the phosphorylation balance of key proteins regulating points upstream from the ribosomal S6 phosphorylation in the PTTH signaling cascade.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.