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Iron is by far the most widespread and essential transition metal, possessing crucial biological functions for living systems. Despite chemical advantages, iron biology has forced organisms to face with some issues: ferric iron insolubility and ferrous-driven formation of toxic radicals. For these reasons, acquisition and transport of iron constitutes a formidable challenge for cells and organisms, which need to maintain adequate iron concentrations within a narrow range, allowing biological processes without triggering toxic effects. Higher organisms have evolved extracellular carrier proteins to acquire, transport and manage iron. In recent years, a renewed interest in iron biology has highlighted the role of iron-proteins dysregulation in the onset and/or exacerbation of different pathological conditions. However, to date, no resolutive therapy for iron disorders has been found. In this review, we outline the efficacy of Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family mainly secreted by exocrine glands and neutrophils, as a new emerging orchestrator of iron metabolism and homeostasis, able to counteract iron disorders associated to different pathologies, including iron deficiency and anemia of inflammation in blood, Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases in the brain and cystic fibrosis in the lung.

The anti-SARS-Cov-2 activity of the iron-binding protein Lactoferrrin has been investigated in epithelial and macrophagic cell models using a Pseudovirus decorated with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein. The human and, even more, the nutraceutically available bovine Lactoferrin inhibit pseudoviral infection in all cellular models tested. The bovine protein efficiently counteracts the deleterious effects of purified Spike on iron and inflammatory homeostasis, as shown by restored levels of the main proteins of the iron-handling system and, in the case of macrophagic THP-1 cells, of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. A direct interaction between Lactoferrin and Spike is likely at the basis of the observed effects, as demonstrated by an in vitro pull-down assay. Finally, in silico approaches have been applied to analyze the interactions of human and bovine Lactoferrins with Transferrin Receptor 1, a potential gate for SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells, as well as the binding of the bovine protein to different variants of concern of the SARS-Cov-2 Spike glycoprotein. Our results give hope for the employment of bovine Lactoferrin as an adjuvant of the standard of care therapies in COVID-19 treatment.

The ferroxidase ceruloplasmin (CP) plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis in vertebrates together with the iron exporter ferroportin. Mutations in the CP gene give rise to aceruloplasminemia, a rare neurodegenerative disease for which no cure is available. Many aspects of the (patho)physiology of CP are still unclear and would benefit from the availability of recombinant protein for structural and functional studies. Furthermore, recombinant CP could be evaluated for enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of aceruloplasminemia. We report the production and preliminary characterization of high-quality recombinant human CP in glycoengineered Pichia pastoris SuperMan5. A modified yeast strain lacking the endogenous ferroxidase has been generated and employed as host for heterologous expression of the secreted isoform of human CP. Highly pure biologically active protein has been obtained by an improved two-step purification procedure. Glycan analysis indicates that predominant glycoforms HexNAc2Hex8 and HexNAc2Hex11 are found at Asn119, Asn378, and Asn743, three of the canonical four N-glycosylation sites of human CP. The availability of high-quality recombinant human CP represents a significant advancement in the field of CP biology. However, productivity needs to be increased and further careful glycoengineering of the SM5 strain is mandatory in order to evaluate the possible therapeutic use of the recombinant protein for enzyme replacement therapy of aceruloplasminemia patients.

Bacterial pathogens are able to survive within diverse habitats. The dynamic adaptation to the surroundings depends on their ability to sense environmental variations and to respond in an appropriate manner. This involves, among others, the activation of various cell-to-cell communication strategies. The capability of the bacterial cells to rapidly and co-ordinately set up an interplay with the host cells and/or with other bacteria facilitates their survival in the new niche. Efflux pumps are ubiquitous transmembrane transporters, able to extrude a large set of different molecules. They are strongly implicated in antibiotic resistance since they are able to efficiently expel most of the clinically relevant antibiotics from the bacterial cytoplasm. Besides antibiotic resistance, multidrug efflux pumps take part in several important processes of bacterial cell physiology, including cell to cell communication, and contribute to increase the virulence potential of several bacterial pathogens. Here, we focus on the structural and functional role of multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS), the largest family of transporters, highlighting their involvement in the colonization of host cells, in virulence and in biofilm formation. We will offer an overview on how MFS multidrug transporters contribute to bacterial survival, adaptation and pathogenicity through the export of diverse molecules. This will be done by presenting the functions of several relevant MFS multidrug efflux pumps in human life-threatening bacterial pathogens as Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella/E. coli, Acinetobacter baumannii.

International audience; Fep1 is an iron-responsive GATA-type transcriptional repressor present in numerous fungi. The DNA-binding domain of this protein is characterized by the presence of two zinc fingers of the Cys2-Cys2 type and a Cys-X5-Cys-X8-Cys-X2-Cys motif located between the two zinc fingers, that is involved in binding of a [2Fe-2S] cluster. In this work, biophysical characterization of the DNA-binding domain of Pichia pastoris Fep1 and of the complex of the protein with cognate DNA has been undertaken. The results obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation sedimentation velocity, small-angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry indicate that Fep1 is a natively unstructured protein that is able to bind DNA forming 1:1 and 2:1 complexes more compact than the individual partners. Complex formation takes place independently of the presence of a stoichiometric [2Fe-2S] cluster, suggesting that the cluster may play a role in recruiting other protein(s) required for regulation of transcription in response to changes in intracellular iron levels.

We demonstrate a path towards full Quantum Mechanics (QM) characterization of enzymatic activity. As a case-study, we investigate the detoxification of aflatoxin, a carcinogenic food contaminant, by laccase, a versatile oxidase capable of—but not efficient for—degrading aflatoxin. We use a combination of quantitative experimentation and QM modeling to show that low enzymatic steric affinity for aflatoxin is the main bottleneck, rather that the oxidative activity of laccase. To identify the structural elements responsible for low reaction rates, we perform a density functional theory (DFT) based modeling of both the substrate and the enzyme in a full QM simulation of more than 7,000 atoms. Thanks to our approach we point to amino acid residues that determine the affinity of laccase for aflatoxin. We show that these residues are substrate-dependent, making a full QM approach necessary for enzyme optimization. Altogether, we establish a roadmap for rational enzyme engineering applicable beyond our case study.

Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time. Recently, the use of nutraceuticals as natural compounds corroborating anti-cancer standard therapy is emerging as a promising tool for their relative abundance, bioavailability, safety, low-cost effectiveness, and immuno-compatibility with the host. In this review, we outlined the anti-cancer properties of Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune defense. Lf shows high bioavailability after oral administration, high selectivity toward cancer cells, and a wide range of molecular targets controlling tumor proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasization. Of note, Lf is able to promote or inhibit cell proliferation and migration depending on whether it acts upon normal or cancerous cells, respectively. Importantly, Lf administration is highly tolerated and does not present significant adverse effects. Moreover, Lf can prevent development or inhibit cancer growth by boosting adaptive immune response. Finally, Lf was recently found to be an ideal carrier for chemotherapeutics, even for the treatment of brain tumors due to its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, thus globally appearing as a promising tool for cancer prevention and treatment, especially in combination therapies.

Members of the major facilitator superfamily of transporters (MFS) play an essential role in many physiological processes such as development, neurotransmission, and signaling. Aberrant functions of MFS proteins are associated with several diseases, including cancer, schizophrenia, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer&rsquo, s disease. MFS transporters are also involved in multidrug resistance in bacteria and fungi. The structures of most MFS members, especially those of members with significant physiological relevance, are yet to be solved. The lack of structural and functional information impedes our detailed understanding, and thus the pharmacological targeting, of these transporters. To improve our knowledge on the mechanistic principles governing the function of MSF members, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the inward-facing and outward-facing crystal structures of the human ferroportin homologue from the Gram-negative bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (BdFpn). Several simulations with an excess of iron ions were also performed to explore the relationship between the protein&rsquo, s dynamics and the ligand recognition mechanism. The results reinforce the existence of the alternating-access mechanism already described for other MFS members. In addition, the reorganization of salt bridges, some of which are conserved in several MFS members, appears to be a key molecular event facilitating the conformational change of the transporter.

Simple Summary Colorectal cancer is the third most deadly and fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. Beside incorrect lifestyles, such as smoking or excessive consumption of red meat and alcohol, inflammatory bowel diseases are considered driving factors for colorectal cancer onset and development. It is known that chronic inflammatory processes can lead to both intestinal barrier disruption and perturbation of microbial flora, thus increasing cancer risk. To date, no treatment against these inflammatory pathologies has proved efficient and resolutive. The glycoprotein lactoferrin, a safe supplement for infant and adult foods, is involved in immune defense and endowed with a number of properties, including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. This review outlines the most recent studies on lactoferrin as a potential candidate in the prevention and treatment of intestinal inflammatory pathologies that are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer. Abstract The connection between inflammation and cancer is well-established and supported by genetic, pharmacological and epidemiological data. The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, have been described as important promoters for colorectal cancer development. Risk factors include environmental and food-borne mutagens, dysbalance of intestinal microbiome composition and chronic intestinal inflammation, with loss of intestinal epithelial barrier and enhanced cell proliferation rate. Therapies aimed at shutting down mucosal inflammatory response represent the foundation for IBDs treatment. However, when applied for long periods, they can alter the immune system and promote microbiome dysbiosis and carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is imperative to find new safe substances acting as both potent anti-inflammatory and anti-pathogen agents. Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein essential in innate immunity, is generally recognized as safe and used as food supplement due to its multifunctionality. Lf possesses a wide range of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties against different aseptic and septic inflammatory pathologies, including IBDs. Moreover, Lf exerts anti-adhesive, anti-invasive and anti-survival activities against several microbial pathogens that colonize intestinal mucosa of IBDs patients. This review focuses on those activities of Lf potentially useful for the prevention/treatment of intestinal inflammatory pathologies associated with colorectal cancer development.

Fep1, the iron-dependent GATA-type transcriptional repressor of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, has a dimeric structure and binds an iron–sulfur cluster of the [2Fe–2S] type. In this work, we extend the characterization of this protein by analysis of the optical and CD spectroscopic properties of a set of mutants where cysteines within the conserved Cys-X5-Cys-X8-Cys-X2-Cys motif have been targeted, in order to evaluate their role as [2Fe–2S] ligands. The results suggest that all four cysteine residues are essential because replacing them with serines in different combinations invariably produces a protein unable to correctly bind the [2Fe–2S] cluster.

Ferroportin (Fpn) is a membrane protein representing the major cellular iron exporter, essential for metal translocation from cells into plasma. Despite its pivotal role in human iron homeostasis, many questions on Fpn structure and biology remain unanswered. In this work, we present two novel and more reliable structural models of human Fpn (hFpn; inward-facing and outward-facing conformations) obtained using as templates the recently solved crystal structures of a bacterial homologue of hFpn, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Fpn. In the absence of an experimentally solved structure of hFpn, the structural predictions described here allow to analyze the role of pathogenic mutations in the Fpn-linked hereditary hemochromatosis disease and represent a valuable alternative for reliable structure-based functional studies on this human iron exporter.

The synuclein (syn) family comprises three proteins: α-, β- and γ-syns. In humans, they are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and in tumors. Members of the syn family were sequenced in representative species of all vertebrates and the comparative analysis of amino acid sequences suggests that syns are evolutionarily conserved, but information about their expression in vertebrate lineages is still scarce and completely lacking in reptiles. In this study, the expression of genes coding for α-, β- and γ-syns was analyzed in the green lizard Anolis carolinensis by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Results demonstrate good expression levels of the three syns in the lizard nervous system, similarly to human syns. This, together with the high identity between lizard and human syns, suggests that these proteins fulfill evolutionarily conserved functions. However, differences between lizard and humans in the expression of syn variants (two different variants of γ-syn were detected in A. carolinensis) and differences in some amino acids in key positions for the regulation of protein conformation and affinity for lipid and metal ions also suggest that these proteins may have acquired different functional specializations in the two lineages.

Ferroportin, a membrane protein belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters, is the only vertebrate iron exporter known so far. Several ferroportin mutations lead to the so-called ferroportin disease or type 4 hemochromatosis, characterized by two distinct iron accumulation phenotypes depending on whether the mutation affects the activity of the protein or its degradation pathway. Through extensive molecular modeling analyses using the structure of all known major facilitator superfamily members as templates, multiple structural models of ferroportin in the three mechanistically relevant conformations (inward open, occluded, and outward open) have been obtained. The best models, selected on the ground of experimental data available on wild-type and mutant ferroportion, provide for the first time a prediction at the atomic level of the dynamics of the transporter. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for iron export is proposed.

Glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain cancer, is characterized by fast growth, migration and invasion of the surrounding parenchyma, with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like process being mostly responsible for tumour spreading and dissemination. A number of actors, including cadherins, vimentin, transcriptional factors such as SNAIL, play critical roles in the EMT process. The interleukin (IL)-6/STAT3 axis has been related to enhanced glioblastoma's migration and invasion abilities as well. Here, we present data on the differential effects of native and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (bLf), an iron-chelating glycoprotein of the innate immune response, in inhibiting migration in a human glioblastoma cell line. Through a wound healing assay, we found that bLf was able to partially or completely hinder cell migration, depending on its iron saturation rate. At a molecular level, bLf down-regulated both SNAIL and vimentin expression, while inducing a notable increase in cadherins' levels and inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 axis. Again, these effects positively correlated to bLf iron-saturation state, with the Holo-form resulting more efficient than the native one. Overall, our data suggest that bLf could represent a novel and efficient adjuvant treatment for glioblastoma's standard therapeutic approaches.

In the last 20 years, several new genes and proteins involved in iron metabolism in eukaryotes, particularly related to pathological states both in animal models and in humans have been identified, and we are now starting to unveil at the molecular level the mechanisms of iron absorption, the regulation of iron transport and the homeostatic balancing processes. In this review, we will briefly outline the general scheme of iron metabolism in humans and then focus our attention on the cellular iron export system formed by the permease ferroportin and the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin. We will finally summarize data on the role of the iron binding protein lactoferrin on the regulation of the ferroportin/ceruloplasmin couple and of other proteins involved in iron homeostasis in inflamed human macrophages.

Mutations of SLC40A1 encoding ferroportin (Fpn), the unique cellular iron exporter, severely affect iron homeostasis causing type 4 hereditary hemochromatosis, an autosomal dominant iron overload condition with variable phenotypic manifestations. This disease can be classified as type 4A, better known as “ferroportin disease”, which is due to “loss of function” mutations that lead to decreased iron export from cells, or as type 4B hemochromatosis, which is caused by “gain of function” mutations, conferring partial or complete resistance to hepcidin-mediated Fpn degradation. In this work, we discuss clinical and molecular findings on a group of patients in whom a SLC40A1 single copy missense variant was identified. Three novel variants, p.D181N, p.G204R and p.R296Q were functionally characterized. Fpn D181N and R296Q mutants can be classified as full or partial loss of function, respectively. Replacement of G204 with arginine appears to cause a more complex defect with impact both on iron export function and hepcidin sensitivity. This finding confirms the difficulty of predicting the effect of a mutation on the molecular properties of Fpn in order to provide an exhaustive explanation to the wide variability of the phenotype in type 4 hereditary hemochromatosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is generated via the oxidation of l-arginine by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Three NOS isoforms, nNOS, iNOS and eNOS, are known in vertebrates, whereas a single NOS isoform is usually expressed in invertebrates, sharing structural and functional characteristics with nNOS or iNOS depending on the species. The present paper is focused on the constitutive Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nNOS recently sequenced by our group in the neogastropod Stramonita haemastoma (ShNOS). In this paper we provide new data on cellular distribution of ShNOS in the CNS (pedal ganglion) and peripheral organs (osphradium, tentacle, eye and foot) obtained by WB, IF, CM and NADPHd. Results demonstrated that NOS-like proteins are widely expressed in sensory receptor elements, neurons and epithelial cells. The detailed study of NOS distribution in peripheral and central neurons suggested that NOS is both intracellular and presynaptically located. Present findings confirm that NO may have a key role in the central neuronal circuits of gastropods and in sensory perception. The physiological relevance of NOS enzymes in the same organs was suggested by thermal stress experiments demonstrating that the constitutive expression of ShNOS is modulated in a time- and organ-dependent manner in response to environmental stressors.

Human lactoferrin (hLf), an 80 kDa multifunctional iron binding cationic glycoprotein, is constitutively secreted by exocrine glands and by neutrophils during inflammation. HLf is recognized as a key element in the host immune defense system. The in vitro and in vivo experiments are carried out with bovine Lf (bLf), which shares high sequence homology and identical functions with hLf including anti-inflammatory activity. Here, in ‘pure’ M1 human macrophages, obtained by stimulation with a mixture of 10 pg/ml LPS and 20 ng/ml IFN-γ, as well as in a more heterogeneous macrophage population, challenged with high-dose of LPS (1 µg/ml), the effect of bLf on the expression of the main proteins involved in iron and inflammatory homeostasis, namely ferroportin, membrane-bound ceruloplasmin, cytosolic ferritin and transferrin receptor 1 and cytokines has been investigated. The increase of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines, following the inflammatory treatments, is associated with both up-regulation of cytosolic ferritin and down-regulation of ferroportin, membrane-bound ceruloplasmin and transferrin receptor 1. All these changes take part into intracellular iron overload, a very unsafe condition leading in vivo to higher host susceptibility to infections as well as iron deficiency in the blood and anemia of inflammation. It is therefore of utmost importance to counteract the persistence of the inflammatory status to rebalance iron levels between tissues/secretions and blood. Moreover, levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were increased in cells treated with high doses of LPS. Conversely, IL-10 decreased when the LPS/IFN-γ mix was used, suggesting that only the inflammation triggered by LPS high doses can switch on an anti-inflammatory response in our macrophagic model. Here, we demonstrate that bLf, when included in the culture medium, significantly reduced IL-6 and IL-1β production and efficiently prevented the changes of ferroportin, membrane-bound ceruloplasmin, cytosolic ferritin and transferrin receptor 1 in ‘pure’ M1 macrophages, as well as in the more heterogeneous macrophage population. In addition, the decrease of IL-10 induced by the LPS/IFN-γ mix was counteracted by bovine lactoferrin. Several drugs capable of modulating macrophagic phenotypes are emerging as attractive molecules for treating inflammation and in this sense bovine lactoferrin is no exception.

A structural model of human ferroportin has been built using two Escherichia coli proteins belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters. A potential iron binding site was identified in the inward-open conformation of the model, and its relevance was tested through measurement of iron export of HEK293T cells expressing wild-type or mutated ferroportin. Aspartates 39 and 181 were found to be essential for the transport ability of the protein. Noteworthy, the D181V mutation is naturally found in type 4 hemochromatosis with reticuloendothelial system iron retention phenotype. The outward-open conformation of ferroportin was also predicted, and showed that significant conformational changes must occur in the inward- to outward-open transition of ferroportin. In particular, putative iron ligands move several ångströms away from each other, leading to the logical conclusion that the iron binding site is not occupied by the metal in the outward-open conformation of ferroportin. © 2014 FEBS.

Fep1, the iron-responsive GATA factor from the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, has been characterised both in vivo and in vitro. This protein has two Cys2-Cys2 type zinc fingers and a set of four conserved cysteines arranged in a Cys-X5-Cys-X8-Cys-X2-Cys motif located between the two zinc fingers. Electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopic analyses in anaerobic and aerobic conditions indicate that Fep1 binds iron in the form of a [2Fe-2S] cluster. Site-directed mutagenesis shows that replacement of the four cysteines with serine inactivates this transcriptional repressor. Unexpectedly, the inactive mutant is still able to bind a [2Fe-2S] cluster, employing two cysteine residues belonging to the first zinc finger. These two cysteine residues can act as alternative cluster ligands selectively in aerobically purified Fep1 wild type, suggesting that oxygen could play a role in Fep1 function by causing differential localization of the [Fe-S] cluster.

The ceruloplasmin mutant R701W, that causes a dramatic phenotype in the young heterozygous patient carrying this mutation, has been shown to have profound effects also in cell culture models. Here we show that Golgi rearrangement and degradation of the iron exporter ferroportin, that follow transfection of cells with this mutant, are accompanied by the massive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. Scavenging ROS production with different antioxidants, including reduced glutathione and zinc, restores Golgi morphology and rescues ferroportin on the cell membrane.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been characterized in several opistobranchs and pulmonates but it was much less investigated in prosobranchs, which include more than 20,000 species and account for most of the gastropod diversity. Therefore, new data from this large group are needed for a better knowledge of the molecular evolution of NOS enzymes in molluscs. This study focused on NOS expressed in the nervous system of the prosobranch neogastropod Stramonita haemastoma. In this study we report compelling evidence on the expression of a constitutive Ca2+/CaM-dependent neuronal NOS in the central and peripheral nervous system. The prevailing neuronal localization of NADPHd activity was demonstrated by NADPHd histochemistry in both central and peripheral nervous system structures. L-arginine/citrulline assays suggested that Stramonita NOS is a constitutive enzyme which is both cytosolic and membrane-bound. Molecular cloning of the full-length Stramonita NOS (Sh-NOS) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by 5′ and 3′ RACE showed that Sh-NOS is a protein of 1,517 amino acids, containing a PDZ domain at the N-terminus and sharing similar regulatory domains to the mammalian neuronal NOS (nNOS). Regional expression of the Sh-NOS gene was evaluated by RT-PCR. This analysis showed different expression levels in the nerve ring, the osphradium, the cephalic tentacles, the buccal tissues, and the foot, whereas NOS expression was not found in the salivary glands and the gland of Leiblein. The present data provide a solid background for further studies addressing the specific functions of NO in neogastropods. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:364–383, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The ferroxidase Fet3 and the permease Ftr1 constitute a well-conserved high-affinity iron uptake system in yeast. We have investigated the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of Fet3 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. Isolation and functional analysis of the Fet3 promoter indicate that a GATA sequence element plays a role in iron-dependent expression of Fet3. A GATA-type transcription factor, which we have named Fep1, has been partially cloned and it is shown to belong to the family of iron-responsive fungal GATA-factors. These factors share the presence of two Cys(2)-Cys(2) zinc-finger motifs and a set of four conserved cysteines, and are involved in the regulation of siderophore biosynthesis and/or high-affinity iron uptake. Disruption of the FEP1 gene in P. pastoris leads to constitutively high expression of Fet3, irrespective of iron levels, indicating that Fep1 is a transcriptional repressor. EMSA analyses evidence that Fep1 binds to DNA only in the presence of iron.

A bacterial homologue of the human iron exporter ferroportin found in the predatory Gram-negative bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus has been investigated. Molecular modelling, expression in recombinant form and iron binding and transport assays demonstrate that B. bacteriovorus ferroportin (bdFpn) is indeed an orthologue of human ferroportin. Key residues corresponding to those essential for iron binding and transport in human ferroportin are conserved in the bacterial homologue and are predicted to be correctly clustered in the central cavity of the protein. Mutation of these residues grossly affects the iron binding and transport ability of bdFpn.

A constitutive NOS complementary DNA (cDNA) was partially cloned by RT-PCR from the brain of a teleost, the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), using degenerate primers against conserved regions of NOS. The predicted 206-long amino acid sequence showed a high degree of identity with other vertebrate neuronal NOS (nNOS) protein sequences. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed that Nile tilapia NOS clustered with other known nNOS. Using the coupled reaction of semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Southern blotting, the basal tissue expression pattern of the cloned nNOS gene was investigated in discrete areas of the central nervous system (CNS) and in the heart and skeletal muscle tissue. As revealed, expression of nNOS transcripts was detected in all the CNS regions examined, whereas nNOS gene was not expressed in the heart and skeletal muscle. The distribution pattern of nNOS gene expression showed the highest expression levels in the forebrain followed by the optic tectum, the brainstem and the spinal cord, whereas scarce expression was detected in the cerebellum. Cellular expression of nNOS mRNA was analyzed in the CNS by means of in situ hybridization. According to the RT-PCR results, most nNOS mRNA expressing neurons are localized in the telencephalon and diencephalon, whereas in the mesencephalic optic tectum, the brainstem and the spinal cord, nNOS mRNA expressing neurons are relatively more scattered. A very low hybridization signal was detected in the cerebellar cortex. These results suggest that NO is involved in numerous brain functions in teleosts.

Site-directed mutagenesis was performed on a set of six aspartate residues of Fet3, the multicopper ferroxidase involved in high-affinity iron transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in order to comprehend the molecular determinants of the protein function. Asp312, Asp315, Asp319 and Asp320 were predicted by homology modelling to be located in a negatively charged surface-exposed loop of the protein. Other two aspartate residues (Asp278 and Asp279) are placed close to the type 1 copper- and iron-binding sites, possibly linking these sites to the negatively charged region. In vivo results showed that mutation of Asp319 and Asp320 to yield D319N and D320N derivatives strongly impairs the ability of the yeast to grow under iron-limiting conditions. In particular, substitution of Asp320 with asparagine essentially abolished the Fet3-dependent iron transport activity. All other mutants (D278Q, D279N, D312N and D315I) behaved essentially as the wild-type protein. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of the soluble forms of D319N and D320N showed significant changes of the copper sites' geometry in D319N but not in D320N. At variance with the membrane-bound forms, soluble D319N and D320N derivatives were highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation, suggesting that replacement of Asp319 or Asp320 locally modifies the structure of Fet3, making the protein sensitive to proteolysis when it is not protected by the membrane environment. In turn, this might be evidence of a shielding role of the permease Ftr1, which could interact with Fet3 at the level of the aspartate-rich negatively charged region.

A number of pathologies, including neurodegeneration and inflammation, have been associated with iron dysmetabolism in the brain. Hence, systems involved in iron homeostasis at the cellular level have aroused considerable interest in recent years. The iron exporter ferroportin-1 (FP) and the multicopper oxidase ceruloplasmin (CP) are essential for iron efflux from cells. By using RT-PCR, we demonstrate that FP and CP gene expression is up-regulated by treatment with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in rat C6 cells, taken as a glial cellular model. Following stimulation with IL-1beta, a higher expression level of CP and FP was also confirmed by Western blotting. Moreover, IL-1beta has been found to increase iron efflux from C6 cells, suggesting that both proteins may play a crucial role in iron homeostasis in pathological brain conditions, such as inflammatory and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

Molecular cloning of the biosynthetic gene cluster involved in the production of free 4-chlorothreonine in Streptomyces sp. OH-5093 showed the presence of six ORFs: thr1, thr2, thr3, orf1, orf2 and thr4. According to bioinformatic analysis, thr1, thr2, thr3 and thr4 encode a free-standing adenylation domain, a carrier protein, an Fe(II) nonheme α-ketoglutarate-dependent halogenase and a thioesterase, respectively, indicating the role of these genes in the activation and halogenation of threonine and the release of 4-chlorothreonine in a pathway closely reflecting the formation of this amino acid in the biosynthesis of the lipodepsipeptide syringomycin from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B301DR. Orf1 and orf2 show sequence similarity with alanyl/threonyl-tRNA synthetases editing domains and drug metabolite transporters, respectively. We show that thr3 can replace the halogenase gene syrB2 in the biosynthesis of syringomycin, by functional complementation of the mutant P. s. pv. syringae strain BR135A1 inactivated in syrB2. We also provide an insight into the structure–function relationship of halogenases Thr3 and SyrB2 using homology modelling and site-directed mutagenesis. Database Nucleotide sequence data have been deposited in the ebi.ac.uk/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers: thr1 (gi:378781338|CCF23454); thr2 (gi:378781340|CCF23456); thr3 (gi:378781341|CCF23457); orf1 (gi:378781342|CCF23458); orf2 (gi:378781343|CCF23459); thr4 (gi:378781344|CCF23460)

Prokineticins are proteins that regulate diverse biological processes including gastrointestinal motility, angiogenesis, circadian rhythm, and innate immune response. Prokineticins bind two closed related G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), PKR1 and PKR2. In general, these receptors act as molecular switches to relay activation to heterotrimeric G-proteins and a growing body of evidence points to the fact that GPCRs exist as homo- or heterodimers. We show here by Western-blot analysis that PKR2 has a dimeric structure in neutrophils. By heterologous expression of PKR2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we examined the mechanisms of intermolecular interaction of PKR2 dimerization. The potential involvement of three types of mechanisms was investigated: coiled-coil, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions between transmembrane domains. Characterization of differently deleted or site-directed PKR2 mutants suggests that dimerization proceeds through interactions between transmembrane domains. We demonstrate that co-expressing binding-deficient and signaling-deficient forms of PKR2 can re-establish receptor functionality, possibly through a domain-swapping mechanism.

Ceruloplasmin is a multicopper oxidase required for correct iron homeostasis.Previously, we have identified a ceruloplasmin mutant associated with the iron overload disease aceruloplasminemia, which was unable to acquire copper from the mammalian pump ATP7B but could be produced in an enzymatically active form in yeast. Here, we report the expression of recombinant ceruloplasmin in the yeast Pichia pastoris and the study of the role of five surface-exposed loops in copper incorporation by comparing the efficiencies of mammalian ATP7B and yeast Ccc2p. The possibility to "mix and match" mammalian and yeast multicopper oxidases and copper ATPases can provide clues on the molecular features underlying the process of copper loading in multicopper oxidases.

Astrocytes accumulate iron under chronic oxidative stress conditions in ageing and neurological disorders. The soybean isoflavone genistein possesses antioxidant properties and selective estrogen-like activities. Here, a possible role of genistein in modulation of iron transport was explored in glial cells. Genistein significantly increased iron export through estrogen receptor-beta-dependent p38 MAPK activation. Evidence is presented that this effect is associated to a p38 MAPK-triggered up-regulation of the iron export system made by ceruloplasmin and ferroportin-1, a pathway requiring activation of the transcription factor C/EBP.

Bv8 is an amphibian peptide belonging to the widely distributed AVIT protein family. The mammalian orthologues of Bv8 were named prokineticin 1 and prokineticin 2. Two G-protein-coupled receptors for Bv8–prokineticins have been identified. The biological activities of Bv8/PK proteins range from angiogenesis and involvement in reproduction and cancer, to neuronal survival and neurogenesis, hypothalamic hormone secretion, circadian rhythm control and immunomodulatory processes. Identifying the structural determinants required for receptor binding of Bv8–PKs is mandatory for the design of PKR antagonists, which may be useful in the treatment and prevention of various disease states. Here we describe a procedure for the production in Pichia pastoris of Bv8 and 3 mutants: W24A-Bv8, in which the tryptophan in position 24 is substituted by alanine, the double mutant M1-W24A-Bv8, that contains an additional methionine at the N-terminus and Bv8-TyrTyr that includes two additional tyrosines at the C-terminus. The results evidence a relevant role of tryptophan 24 in Bv8–PKRs interaction.

Previously, we demonstrated that IL-1β was able to increase iron efflux from glial cells through a coordinate induction of both ferroportin-1 (Fpn) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) synthesis. In this study, we have investigated the signaling pathways that are involved in the transcriptional activation of the Cp and Fpn. Our data show that the expression of Cp and Fpn in response to IL-1β requires the activation of MAP kinase pathways as a consequence of an IL-1β receptor stimulation. Moreover, we have observed that IL-1β regulates the expression of Cp and Fpn genes through (i) p38 MAPK-mediated activation of C/EBP transcription factor, (ii) ERK1/2-, JNK1- and partially p38 MAPK-dependent activation of AP-1, and through (iii) activation of NF-κB partially mediated by p38 MAPK.