Silvia Sacchi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Silvia Sacchi

Research paper thumbnail of Identity of the NMDA receptor coagonist is synapse specific and developmentally regulated in the hippocampus

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014

Author contributions: J.-M.B. and J.-P.M. designed research; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., N.Y., I.R., S.C.... more Author contributions: J.-M.B. and J.-P.M. designed research; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., N.Y., I.R., S.C., K.A.O., and J.-M.B. performed research; H.W. and L.P. contributed new reagents/ analytic tools; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., J.-M.B., and J.-P.M. analyzed data; and M.M., J.-M.B., and J.-P.M. wrote the paper.

Research paper thumbnail of D-Amino Acid Oxidase Inhibitors as a Novel Class of Drugs for Schizophrenia Therapy

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2013

Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligan... more Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligand for the glycinemodulatory binding site on the NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in various brain areas. Cellular concentrations of D-serine are regulated by synthesis due to the enzyme serine racemase (isomerization reaction) and by degradation due to the same enzyme (elimination reaction) as well as by the FAD-containing flavoenzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO, oxidative deamination reaction). Several findings have linked low levels of D-serine to schizophrenia: D-serine concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid have been reported to be decreased in schizophrenia patients while human DAAO activity and expression are increased; oral administration of Dserine improved positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as add-on therapy to typical and atypical antipsychotics. This evidence indicates that increasing NMDA receptor function, perhaps by inhibiting DAAO-induced degradation of D-serine may alleviate symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, it has been suggested that co-administration of D-serine with a human DAAO inhibitor may be a more effective means of increasing D-serine levels in the brain. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of the structure-function relationships in human DAAO and of the compounds recently developed to inhibit its activity (specifically the ones recently exploited for schizophrenia treatment).

Research paper thumbnail of Structure-function relationships in human D-amino acid oxidase

Amino Acids

Since D-amino acids were identified in mammals, D-serine has been one of the most extensively stu... more Since D-amino acids were identified in mammals, D-serine has been one of the most extensively studied "unnatural amino acids". This brain-enriched transmitter-like molecule plays a pivotal role in the human central nervous system by modulating the activity of NMDA receptors. Physiological levels of D-serine are required for normal brain development and function; thus, any alterations in neuromodulator concentrations might result in NMDA receptor dysfunction, which is known to be involved in several pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration(s), epilepsy, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In the brain, the concentration of D-serine stored in cells is defined by the activity of two enzymes: serine racemase (responsible for both the synthesis and degradation) and D-amino acid oxidase (which catalyzes D-serine degradation). Both enzymes emerged recently as new potential therapeutic targets for NMDA receptor-related diseases. In this review we have focused on human...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of ligand binding on human D-amino acid oxidase: Implications for the development of new drugs for schizophrenia treatment

In human brain the flavoprotein D-amino acid oxidase (hDAAO) is responsible for the degradation o... more In human brain the flavoprotein D-amino acid oxidase (hDAAO) is responsible for the degradation of the neuromodulator D-serine, an important effector of NMDA-receptor mediated neurotransmission. Experimental evidence supports the concept that D-serine concentration increase by hDAAO inhibition may represent a valuable therapeutic approach to improve the symptoms in schizophrenia patients. This study investigated the effects on hDAAO conformation and stability of the substrate D-serine (or of the pseudo-substrate trifluoro-D-alanine), the FAD cofactor, and two inhibitors (benzoate, a classical substrate-competitive inhibitor and the drug chlorpromazine (CPZ), which competes with the cofactor). We demonstrated that all these compounds do not alter the interaction of hDAAO with its physiological partner pLG72. The ligands used affect the tertiary structure of hDAAO differently: benzoate or trifluoro-D-alanine binding increases the amount of the holoenzyme form in solution and stabilizes the flavoprotein, while CPZ binding favors a protein conformation resembling that of the apoprotein, which is more sensitive to degradation. Interestingly, the apoprotein form of hDAAO binds the substrate D-serine: this interaction increases FAD binding thus increasing the amount of active holoenzyme in solution. Benzoate and CPZ similarly modify the short-term cellular D-serine concentration but affect the cellular concentration of hDAAO differently. In conclusion, the different alteration of hDAAO conformation and stability by the ligands used represents a further parameter to take into consideration during the development of new drugs to cope schizophrenia.

Research paper thumbnail of D-amino acid oxidase inhibitors as a novel class of drugs for schizophrenia therapy

Current pharmaceutical design, 2013

Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligan... more Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligand for the glycine modulatory binding site on the NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in various brain areas. Cellular concentrations of D-serine are regulated by synthesis due to the enzyme serine racemase (isomerization reaction) and by degradation due to the same enzyme(elimination reaction) as well as by the FAD-containing flavoenzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO, oxidative deamination reaction).Several findings have linked low levels of D-serine to schizophrenia: D-serine concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid have been reported to be decreased in schizophrenia patients while human DAAO activity and expression are increased; oral administration of D-serine improved positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as add-on therapy to typical and atypical antipsychotics.This evidence indicates that increasing NMDA receptor function, perhaps by inhibiting DA...

Research paper thumbnail of On the Role of D-amino Acid Oxidase in Neurotransmission and Schizophrenia

... 459 fiDAA 0-pLG72 interaction The interaction between hDAAO and pLG72 was inferred by yeast t... more ... 459 fiDAA 0-pLG72 interaction The interaction between hDAAO and pLG72 was inferred by yeast two-hybrid experiments and preliminary investigated by in vitro experiments using ... t *»' 400 ' / *4:1 !* 300 • i„ ■* 200 F ; 100 i ■ 0.5:1 ■ ni nil 0 2 4 e e hDAAO:pLG72 ratio Figure 3 ...

Research paper thumbnail of On the Relevance of the Flavin Binding to Human D-Amino Acid Oxidase

Research paper thumbnail of Functional investigation of human D Functional investigation of human D-amino acid oxidase amino acid oxidase amino acid oxidase-pLG72 interaction pLG72 interaction as an insight in the molecular basis of schizophrenia susceptibility

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicity variation of Oscillatoria cultures under different photoperiodic regimes and growth stages

Research paper thumbnail of Active site and reaction mechanism of Rhodotorula gracilis D-amino acid oxidase: a crystallographic and site-directed mutagenesis approach

Research paper thumbnail of Structure and function of Rhodothorula gracilis D-amino acid oxidase. 1. Site-directed mutagenesis of tyrosine 223 and 238

Research paper thumbnail of Engineering a new D-amino acid oxidase: an evoluted evoluted enzyme and its applications

Research paper thumbnail of Active site of yeast D-amino acid oxidase: mutations and inferences

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular basis of schizophrenia: characterization of human D-amino acid oxidase

Research paper thumbnail of INVESTIGATING THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: THE EFFECT OF PLG72 INTERACTION ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF HUMAN D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of COMBINATORIAL AND COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGES TO DESIGN THE SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY OF D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of LIGAND-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES IN HUMAN D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of In vivo STUDIES ON THE D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE-pLG72 INTERACTION IN HUMAN BRAIN

Research paper thumbnail of ENZYME FACTORY": ENGINEERING OF NEW BIOCATALYSTS STARTING FROM A COMMON SCAFFOLD

Research paper thumbnail of SYMPOSIA COMUNICATIONS

Research paper thumbnail of Identity of the NMDA receptor coagonist is synapse specific and developmentally regulated in the hippocampus

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2014

Author contributions: J.-M.B. and J.-P.M. designed research; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., N.Y., I.R., S.C.... more Author contributions: J.-M.B. and J.-P.M. designed research; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., N.Y., I.R., S.C., K.A.O., and J.-M.B. performed research; H.W. and L.P. contributed new reagents/ analytic tools; M.L.B., M.M., S.S., J.-M.B., and J.-P.M. analyzed data; and M.M., J.-M.B., and J.-P.M. wrote the paper.

Research paper thumbnail of D-Amino Acid Oxidase Inhibitors as a Novel Class of Drugs for Schizophrenia Therapy

Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2013

Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligan... more Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligand for the glycinemodulatory binding site on the NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in various brain areas. Cellular concentrations of D-serine are regulated by synthesis due to the enzyme serine racemase (isomerization reaction) and by degradation due to the same enzyme (elimination reaction) as well as by the FAD-containing flavoenzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO, oxidative deamination reaction). Several findings have linked low levels of D-serine to schizophrenia: D-serine concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid have been reported to be decreased in schizophrenia patients while human DAAO activity and expression are increased; oral administration of Dserine improved positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as add-on therapy to typical and atypical antipsychotics. This evidence indicates that increasing NMDA receptor function, perhaps by inhibiting DAAO-induced degradation of D-serine may alleviate symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Furthermore, it has been suggested that co-administration of D-serine with a human DAAO inhibitor may be a more effective means of increasing D-serine levels in the brain. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of the structure-function relationships in human DAAO and of the compounds recently developed to inhibit its activity (specifically the ones recently exploited for schizophrenia treatment).

Research paper thumbnail of Structure-function relationships in human D-amino acid oxidase

Amino Acids

Since D-amino acids were identified in mammals, D-serine has been one of the most extensively stu... more Since D-amino acids were identified in mammals, D-serine has been one of the most extensively studied "unnatural amino acids". This brain-enriched transmitter-like molecule plays a pivotal role in the human central nervous system by modulating the activity of NMDA receptors. Physiological levels of D-serine are required for normal brain development and function; thus, any alterations in neuromodulator concentrations might result in NMDA receptor dysfunction, which is known to be involved in several pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration(s), epilepsy, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In the brain, the concentration of D-serine stored in cells is defined by the activity of two enzymes: serine racemase (responsible for both the synthesis and degradation) and D-amino acid oxidase (which catalyzes D-serine degradation). Both enzymes emerged recently as new potential therapeutic targets for NMDA receptor-related diseases. In this review we have focused on human...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of ligand binding on human D-amino acid oxidase: Implications for the development of new drugs for schizophrenia treatment

In human brain the flavoprotein D-amino acid oxidase (hDAAO) is responsible for the degradation o... more In human brain the flavoprotein D-amino acid oxidase (hDAAO) is responsible for the degradation of the neuromodulator D-serine, an important effector of NMDA-receptor mediated neurotransmission. Experimental evidence supports the concept that D-serine concentration increase by hDAAO inhibition may represent a valuable therapeutic approach to improve the symptoms in schizophrenia patients. This study investigated the effects on hDAAO conformation and stability of the substrate D-serine (or of the pseudo-substrate trifluoro-D-alanine), the FAD cofactor, and two inhibitors (benzoate, a classical substrate-competitive inhibitor and the drug chlorpromazine (CPZ), which competes with the cofactor). We demonstrated that all these compounds do not alter the interaction of hDAAO with its physiological partner pLG72. The ligands used affect the tertiary structure of hDAAO differently: benzoate or trifluoro-D-alanine binding increases the amount of the holoenzyme form in solution and stabilizes the flavoprotein, while CPZ binding favors a protein conformation resembling that of the apoprotein, which is more sensitive to degradation. Interestingly, the apoprotein form of hDAAO binds the substrate D-serine: this interaction increases FAD binding thus increasing the amount of active holoenzyme in solution. Benzoate and CPZ similarly modify the short-term cellular D-serine concentration but affect the cellular concentration of hDAAO differently. In conclusion, the different alteration of hDAAO conformation and stability by the ligands used represents a further parameter to take into consideration during the development of new drugs to cope schizophrenia.

Research paper thumbnail of D-amino acid oxidase inhibitors as a novel class of drugs for schizophrenia therapy

Current pharmaceutical design, 2013

Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligan... more Over the years, accumulating evidence has indicated that D-serine represents the endogenous ligand for the glycine modulatory binding site on the NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in various brain areas. Cellular concentrations of D-serine are regulated by synthesis due to the enzyme serine racemase (isomerization reaction) and by degradation due to the same enzyme(elimination reaction) as well as by the FAD-containing flavoenzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO, oxidative deamination reaction).Several findings have linked low levels of D-serine to schizophrenia: D-serine concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid have been reported to be decreased in schizophrenia patients while human DAAO activity and expression are increased; oral administration of D-serine improved positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia as add-on therapy to typical and atypical antipsychotics.This evidence indicates that increasing NMDA receptor function, perhaps by inhibiting DA...

Research paper thumbnail of On the Role of D-amino Acid Oxidase in Neurotransmission and Schizophrenia

... 459 fiDAA 0-pLG72 interaction The interaction between hDAAO and pLG72 was inferred by yeast t... more ... 459 fiDAA 0-pLG72 interaction The interaction between hDAAO and pLG72 was inferred by yeast two-hybrid experiments and preliminary investigated by in vitro experiments using ... t *»' 400 ' / *4:1 !* 300 • i„ ■* 200 F ; 100 i ■ 0.5:1 ■ ni nil 0 2 4 e e hDAAO:pLG72 ratio Figure 3 ...

Research paper thumbnail of On the Relevance of the Flavin Binding to Human D-Amino Acid Oxidase

Research paper thumbnail of Functional investigation of human D Functional investigation of human D-amino acid oxidase amino acid oxidase amino acid oxidase-pLG72 interaction pLG72 interaction as an insight in the molecular basis of schizophrenia susceptibility

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicity variation of Oscillatoria cultures under different photoperiodic regimes and growth stages

Research paper thumbnail of Active site and reaction mechanism of Rhodotorula gracilis D-amino acid oxidase: a crystallographic and site-directed mutagenesis approach

Research paper thumbnail of Structure and function of Rhodothorula gracilis D-amino acid oxidase. 1. Site-directed mutagenesis of tyrosine 223 and 238

Research paper thumbnail of Engineering a new D-amino acid oxidase: an evoluted evoluted enzyme and its applications

Research paper thumbnail of Active site of yeast D-amino acid oxidase: mutations and inferences

Research paper thumbnail of Molecular basis of schizophrenia: characterization of human D-amino acid oxidase

Research paper thumbnail of INVESTIGATING THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: THE EFFECT OF PLG72 INTERACTION ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF HUMAN D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of COMBINATORIAL AND COMPUTATIONAL CHALLENGES TO DESIGN THE SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY OF D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of LIGAND-INDUCED CONFORMATIONAL CHANGES IN HUMAN D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE

Research paper thumbnail of In vivo STUDIES ON THE D-AMINO ACID OXIDASE-pLG72 INTERACTION IN HUMAN BRAIN

Research paper thumbnail of ENZYME FACTORY": ENGINEERING OF NEW BIOCATALYSTS STARTING FROM A COMMON SCAFFOLD

Research paper thumbnail of SYMPOSIA COMUNICATIONS