xtal

New paper online!

Gomes, AS, Ramos H, Gomes S, Loureiro JB, Soares J, Barcherini V, Monti P, Fronza G, Oliveira C, Domingues L, Bastos M, Dourado DFAR, Carvalho AL, Romão MJ, Pinheiro B, Marcelo F, Carvalho A, Santos MMM, Saraiva L.  2020.  SLMP53-1 interacts with wild-type and mutant p53 DNA-binding domain and reactivates multiple hotspot mutations, 2020. 1864(1):129440. AbstractWebsite

BackgroundHalf of human cancers harbour TP53 mutations that render p53 inactive as a tumor suppressor. As such, reactivation of mutant (mut)p53 through restoration of wild-type (wt)-like function represents one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. Recently, we have reported the (S)-tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinone SLMP53-1 as a new reactivator of wt and mutp53 R280K with in vitro and in vivo p53-dependent antitumor activity. The present work aimed a mechanistic elucidation of mutp53 reactivation by SLMP53-1.
Methods and results
By cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), it is shown that SLMP53-1 induces wt and mutp53 R280K thermal stabilization, which is indicative of intermolecular interactions with these proteins. Accordingly, in silico studies of wt and mutp53 R280K DNA-binding domain with SLMP53-1 unveiled that the compound binds at the interface of the p53 homodimer with the DNA minor groove. Additionally, using yeast and p53-null tumor cells ectopically expressing distinct highly prevalent mutp53, the ability of SLMP53-1 to reactivate multiple mutp53 is evidenced.
Conclusions
SLMP53-1 is a p53-activating agent with the ability to directly target wt and a set of hotspot mutp53.
General Significance
This work reinforces the encouraging application of SLMP53-1 in the personalized treatment of cancer patients harboring distinct p53 status.

Visit us!

Waiting for visitors to our spot in the European Researchers' Night!

Our activity is called “the bacterial machines that produce fuel for our machines"!

NOVA BIOPHYSICA 2019

Maria João was present at the opening of the NOVA BIOPHYSICA 2019 Conference, as Director of UCIBIO.

GLUPOR13 @ Porto

Correia, VG, Pinheiro BA, Carvalho AL, Palma AS.  2019.  Resistance to Aminoglycosides. Antibiotic Drug Resistance. :1-38.: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Abstract

Summary The emergence of bacterial resistance to different antibiotics in clinical use, together with the knowledge on the mechanisms by which bacteria resist the action of aminoglycosides, have contributed to the renewed interest in these molecules as potential antimicrobials. Here, we give an overview on natural and semisynthetic aminoglycosides and their structural features and modes of action, focusing on the structural insight underlying resistance mechanisms. Developments on carbohydrate chemistry and microarray technology are highlighted as powerful approaches toward generation of new aminoglycosides and for screening their interactions with RNAs and proteins. The link between antibiotic uptake and the human gut microbiome is also addressed, focusing on gut microbiome function and composition, antibiotic-induced alterations in host health, and antibiotic resistance. In addition, strategies to modulate human microbiome responses to antibiotics are discussed as novel approaches for aminoglycoside usage and for the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy.

New book chapter online!

Correia, V.G., Pinheiro, B.A., Carvalho, A.L. and Palma, A.S. (2020). Resistance to Aminoglycosides. In Antibiotic Drug Resistance (eds J.‐L. Capelo‐Martínez and G. Igrejas). doi:10.1002/9781119282549.ch1

ENURS 2019

With several poster and oral presentations, the XTAL group was present today in the ENURS2019, the yearly national meeting of the Portuguese users of synchrotron radiation. Very interesting and diverse subjects showing what synchrotrons can do for national research!

EUSO2019

Viviana got to meet the Portuguese and Dutch Prime-Ministers!

Together with other PhD students and young post-docs from UCIBIO, in a visit to FCT from the Dutch Prime-Minister.

12th International Conference on Hydrogenases

Maria João Romão giving a plenary talk at the 12th International Conference on Hydrogenases:

“Metal-dependent formate dehydrogenases and the reversible interconversion of CO2 and formate”

Peixoto, D, Malta G, Cruz H, Barroso S, Carvalho AL, Ferreira LM, Branco PS.  2019.  N-Heterocyclic olefin catalysis for the ring opening of cyclic amidine compounds: a pathway to the synthesis of ε-caprolactam and γ-lactam-derived amines, 2019. The Journal of Organic Chemistry. : American Chemical Society AbstractWebsite

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The XTAL at the ESRF SAXS beamline

Francisco Leisico, Diana Ribeiro, Raquel Santos, Raquel Costa & Ana Luísa (taking pictures) in the SAXS beamline, today. All goes well!