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M. Caruso

Bio: M. Caruso is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Taxus & Kitasatospora. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 137 citations.

Papers
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Journal Article
TL;DR: In both populations, the production of taxanes was quantitatively low and only in few cases reached the 50-100 ng per litre and the capability to produce taxanes seems not to be related to the geographical origin of isolation sources of the fungal taxon but with a particular tree from which the fungus was isolates.
Abstract: The fungal and actinomycete populations of internal tissues of woody branches, shoots and leaves of different plants belonging to the genus Taxus were investigated. 22 plants of Taxus baccata and one of Taxus brevifolia were sampled in different habitats located in central-northern Italy. 150 fungal and 71 actinomycete strains were isolated, some of them from woody tissues, others from herbaceous ones. Both microbial populations are composed of representatives of different genera and for the first time the presence of actinomycetes inside living tissues of plant above-ground organs is reported. Fungi and actinomycetes were screened for taxane production. Different liquid media were used for strain growth and the culture extracts were assayed by a competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay (CIEIA) using a commercial kit employing a polyclonal antibody. The production of taxanes was detected in 15 out of 150 fungal strains and in 10 out of 71 actinomycetes, isolated both from woody and herbaceous tissues. In both populations, the production of taxanes was quantitatively low and only in few cases reached the 50-100 ng per litre. The capability to produce taxanes seems not to be related to the geographical origin of isolation sources of the fungal taxon but with a particular tree from which the fungus was isolates.

112 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: The strain P&U 22869, which produces paclitaxel and related taxanes, discovered during the course of endophytic actinomycetes screening on Taxus baccata plants, was classified as Kitasatospora sp.
Abstract: The strain P&U 22869, which produces paclitaxel and related taxanes, discovered during the course of endophytic actinomycetes screening on Taxus baccata plants, was classified as Kitasatospora sp. on the basis of its morphological characteristics observed by light and scanning electron microscopy, the presence of the major constituents of its cell wall and the 16S rDNA sequence. The morphophysiological profile of the strain was compared with those of the valid and invalid species described for this genus. The paclitaxel production detected by means of monoclonal antibody assay (CIEA) was confirmed by LC-MS analysis and its concentration determined by HPLC. The de novo paclitaxel biosynthesis operated by strain P&U 22869 was demonstrated by biosynthesis experiments with labeled precursors.

34 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on new endophyte-related findings in biology and ecology, and also summarises the various metabolites isolated from endophytes.

857 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Effort has been made through this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in cancer therapies using phytomolecules with their mechanism of action on nuclear and cellular factors.
Abstract: Cancer is a frightful disease and represents one of the biggest health-care issues for the human race and demands a proactive strategy for cure. Plants are reservoirs for novel chemical entities and provide a promising line for research on cancer. Hitherto, being effective, chemotherapy is accompanied by certain unbearable side effects. Nevertheless, plants and plant derived products is a revolutionizing field as these are Simple, safer, eco-friendly, low-cost, fast, and less toxic as compared with conventional treatment methods. Phytochemicals are selective in their functions and acts specifically on tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Carcinogenesis is complex phenomena that involves many signaling cascades. Phytochemicals are considered suitable candidates for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners. The research is in progress for developing potential candidates (those can block or slow down the growth of cancer cells without any side effects) from these phytochemicals. Many phytochemicals and their derived analogs have been identified as potential candidates for anticancer therapy. Effort has been made through this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in cancer therapies using phytomolecules with their mechanism of action on nuclear and cellular factors. Furthermore, drugs for cancer treatment and their limitations have also been discussed.

389 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: New findings in the isolation methods, bio- and chemical diversity of endophytic actinobacteria are focused on and the potential biotechnological application is revealed.
Abstract: Endophytic actinobacteria, which exist in the inner tissues of living plants, have attracted increasing attention among taxonomists, ecologists, agronomists, chemists and evolutionary biologists. Numerous studies have indicated that these prolific actinobacteria appear to have a capacity to produce an impressive array of secondary metabolites exhibiting a wide variety of biological activity, such as antibiotics, antitumor and anti-infection agents, plant growth promoters and enzymes, and may contribute to their host plants by promoting growth and enhancing their ability of withstanding the environmental stresses. These microorganisms may represent an underexplored reservoir of novel species of potential interest in the discovery of novel lead compounds and for exploitation in pharmaceutical, agriculture and industry. This review focuses on new findings in the isolation methods, bio- and chemical diversity of endophytic actinobacteria and reveals the potential biotechnological application. The facing problems and strategies for biodiversity research and bioactive natural products producing are also discussed.

334 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Lead phytochemicals with their action mechanisms on nuclear and cellular factors involved in carcinogenesis and druggability parameters and clinical development of anticancer phytomolecules have been discussed.
Abstract: Cancer is a serious concern at present. A large number of patients die each year due to cancer illnesses in spite of several interventions available. Development of an effective and side effects lacking anticancer therapy is the trending research direction in healthcare pharmacy. Chemical entities present in plants proved to be very potential in this regard. Bioactive phytochemicals are preferential as they pretend differentially on cancer cells only, without altering normal cells. Carcinogenesis is a complex process and includes multiple signaling events. Phytochemicals are pleiotropic in their function and target these events in multiple manners; hence they are most suitable candidate for anticancer drug development. Efforts are in progress to develop lead candidates from phytochemicals those can block or retard the growth of cancer without any side effect. Several phytochemicals manifest anticancer function in vitro and in vivo. This article deals with these lead phytomolecules with their action mechanisms on nuclear and cellular factors involved in carcinogenesis. Additionally, druggability parameters and clinical development of anticancer phytomolecules have also been discussed.

249 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

246 citations