Publications by authors named "A Rondina"
Background: Since the beginning of the pandemic, contact tracing has been one of the most relevant issues to understand SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and, in this context, the analysis of quasispecies may turn out to be a useful tool for outbreak investigations. Analysis of the intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNVs) found in the nsp2, ORF3, and ORF7 genes of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted in order to correctly identify virus transmission chain among patients hospitalized in Brescia Civic Hospital.
Methods: During the period between August and October 2023, 13 nasopharyngeal specimens, collected from patients admitted to Brescia Civic Hospital, were tested for SARS-CoV-2 positivity and molecularly characterized.
Article Synopsis
- HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (p17) can alter the activity of different cells and is released from infected cells, with variants (vp17s) found more in patients with lymphoma displaying specific amino acid changes that promote B cell growth.
- These vp17s are unstable and their growth-promoting activity is linked to misfolding that reveals a functional site interacting with protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), whereas the well-folded reference p17 (refp17) does not affect B cell functions.
- Computational studies reveal that the clonogenic ability of vp17s stems from shifts in protein structure and H-bond networks, highlighting key residues Trp16 and Tyr29 that are critical for maintaining
Article Synopsis
- HIV-1 matrix protein p17 variants (vp17s) have amino acid insertions and exhibit stronger B cell growth and clonogenic activity than the wild-type version (refp17).
- Higher prevalence of vp17s has been observed in people living with HIV-1 who have lymphoma, suggesting a possible link to lymphomagenesis.
- The study explored the molecular mechanisms behind vp17s development, identifying mutation hot spots in the matrix protein region and demonstrating that these areas contribute to genetic recombination events that might lead to vp17s formation.
During COVID-19 pandemic, consensus genomic sequences were used for rapidly monitor the spread of the virus worldwide. However, less attention was paid to intrahost genetic diversity. In fact, in the infected host, SARS-CoV-2 consists in an ensemble of replicating and closely related viral variants so-called quasispecies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease mainly caused by the deletion of the Phe 508 (F508del) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that is thus withheld in the endoplasmic reticulum and rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Cystic fibrosis remains a potentially fatal disease, but it has become treatable as a chronic condition due to some CFTR-rescuing drugs that, when used in combination, increase in their therapeutic effect due to a synergic action. Also, dietary supplementation of natural compounds in combination with approved drugs could represent a promising strategy to further alleviate cystic fibrosis symptoms.
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