Evaluating the potential of non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin analogs for targeting Toxoplasma gondii cyclophilin: Insights from structural studies.

Toxoplasmosis persists as a prevalent disease, facing challenges from parasite resistance and treatment side effects. Consequently, identifying new drugs by exploring novel protein targets is essential for effective intervention. Cyclosporin A (CsA) possesses antiparasitic activity against Toxoplasma gondii, with cyclophilins identified as possible targets.

Oxygen-resistant [FeFe]hydrogenases: new biocatalysis tools for clean energy and cascade reactions.

The use of enzymes to generate hydrogen, instead of using rare metal catalysts, is an exciting area of study in modern biochemistry and biotechnology, as well as biocatalysis driven by sustainable hydrogen. Thus far, the oxygen sensitivity of the fastest hydrogen-producing/exploiting enzymes, [FeFe]hydrogenases, has hindered their practical application, thereby restricting innovations mainly to their [NiFe]-based, albeit slower, counterparts. Recent exploration of the biodiversity of clostridial hydrogen-producing enzymes has yielded the isolation of representatives from a relatively understudied group.

CYP116B5-SOX: An artificial peroxygenase for drug metabolites production and bioremediation.

CYP116B5 is a class VII P450 in which the heme domain is linked to a FMN and 2Fe2S-binding reductase. Our laboratory has proved that the CYP116B5 heme domain (CYP116B5-hd) is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of substrates using HO. Recently, the Molecular Lego approach was applied to join the heme domain of CYP116B5 to sarcosine oxidase (SOX), which provides HO in-situ by the sarcosine oxidation.

Cascade reactions with two non-physiological partners for NAD(P)H regeneration via renewable hydrogen.

An attractive application of hydrogenases, combined with the availability of cheap and renewable hydrogen (i.e., from solar and wind powered electrolysis or from recycled wastes), is the production of high-value electron-rich intermediates such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides.

Albumin/Mitotane Interaction Affects Drug Activity in Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cells: Smoke and Mirrors on Mitotane Effect with Possible Implications for Patients' Management.

Background: Mitotane is the only drug approved for the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Although it has been used for many years, its mechanism of action remains elusive. H295R cells are, in ACC, an essential tool to evaluate drug mechanisms, although they often lead to conflicting results.