Structural characterization of the Hepatitis C Virus NS3 protease from genotype 3a: The basis of the genotype 1b vs. 3a inhibitor potency shift

AbstractThe first structural characterization of the genotype 3a Hepatitis C Virus NS3 protease is reported, providing insight into the differential susceptibility of 1b and 3a proteases to certain inhibitors. Interaction of the 3a NS3 protease with a P2–P4 macrocyclic and a linear phenethylamide inhibitor was investigated. In addition, the effect of the NS4A cofactor binding on the conformation of the protease was analyzed. Complexation of NS3 with the phenethylamide inhibitor significantly stabilizes the protease but binding does not involve residues 168 and 123, two key amino acids underlying the different inhibition of genotype 1b vs. 3a proteases by P2–P4 macrocycles. Therefore, we studied the dynamic behavior of these two residues in the phenethylamide complex, serving as a model of the situation in the apo 3a protein, in order to explore the structural basis of the inhibition potency shift between the proteases of the genotypes 1b and 3a

Le macrofite acquatiche come bioindicatori della qualità delle acque: applicazioni al Bacino del Fiume Tevere

Valutazione delle macrofite acquatiche come bioindicatori della qualità delle acque corrent

Distribution and ecology of red algae in Italian rivers

reshwater red algae are rarely documented in Italy, although their presence is quite common in European watercourses. The few data available about this algal group are reported in broader studies concerning algal flora of Italian rivers. This paper is aimed to broaden the knowledge on red algae in Italian running waters, by providing new findings on this algal group occurrence in Italy. Samples of Lemanea fluviatilis, Batrachospermum gelatinosum, Bangia atropurpurea, Compsopogon caeruleus, Hildenbrandia rivularis and samples at sporophytic Chantransia stage, were collected from 29 sites along 16 watercourses of central Italy. For each species, we provided a review on the geographical distribution, mainly at European and Italian scale. We also contributed to better define the autoecology of these species, by increasing data on their ecology and defining quantitatively their ecological responses to main environmental factors. In this study we recorded the first finding of a spontaneous population of the subtropical C. caeruleus in Italy

Clinical outcome of patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer treated with trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102): a single Italian institution compassionate use programme

TAS-102 improves overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) refractory to standard treatments. However, predictive biomarkers of efficacy are currently lacking

Clinical outcome and molecular characterisation of chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients with long-term efficacy of regorafenib treatment

To investigate the potential predictors of response to regorafenib, in chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with long-term efficacy from regorafenib treatment