Publications by authors named "Nunzio Perta"
Polyphenols have gained increasing attention for their therapeutic potential, particularly in conditions like cancer, due to their established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent research highlights their ability to bind to transition metals, such as copper. This is particularly noteworthy given the key role of copper both in the initiation and progression of cancer.
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- Reliable point-of-care rapid tests are essential for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and managing its spread, but variants can reduce the effectiveness of current diagnostic tests due to changes in how they interact with antibodies.
- Researchers have developed a graphene field-effect transistor (gFET) biosensor that focuses on the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and the ACE2 receptor, significantly improving detection sensitivity compared to traditional methods.
- This biosensor has shown the ability to detect multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 with high sensitivity, making it a promising tool for rapid and effective viral detection in clinical settings.
Background: The main mechanism underlying cancer dissemination is the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process is orchestrated by cytokines like TGFβ, involving "non-canonical" AKT- or STAT3-driven pathways. Recently, the alteration of copper homeostasis seems involved in the onset and progression of cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe translation factor IF5A is a highly conserved protein playing a well-recognized and well-characterized role in protein synthesis; nevertheless, some of its features as well as its abundance in the cell suggest that it may perform additional functions related to RNA metabolism. Here, we have undertaken a structural and functional characterization of aIF5A from the crenarchaeal model organism. We confirm the association of aIF5A with several RNA molecules in vivo and demonstrate that the protein is endowed with a ribonuclease activity which is specific for long and structured RNA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe eco-evolutionary history of penguins is characterised by shifting from temperate to cold environments. Breeding in Antarctica, the Emperor penguin appears as an extreme outcome of this process, with unique features related to insulation, heat production and energy management. However, whether this species actually diverged from a less cold-adapted ancestor, more ecologically similar to its sister species, the King penguin, is still an open question.
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- The study investigates how transposable elements (TEs) in fish gill transcriptomes respond to varying salinity levels in three different species: giant marbled eel, chum salmon, and marine medaka.
- Findings show that juvenile eels exhibit significant TE activity when transitioning between salty and freshwater environments.
- The research also identifies a unique krüppel-associated box (KRAB)-like domain in fish, suggesting a potential interaction with TRIM33 that may enable the NuRD complex's function in these species.