Gabrielle Lupeti de Cena

Mrs. Gabrielle Lupeti de Cena


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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13 September 2022 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GCGabrielle Lupeti de Cena
Gabrielle Lupeti de Cena
BSBruna Vitória Scavassa
Bruna Vitória Scavassa
KCKatia Conceição
Katia Conceição
The therapeutic potential of venom-derived peptides, such as bioactive peptides (BAPs), is determined by specificity, stability, and pharmacokinetics properties. BAPs, including anti-infective or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), share several physicochemical characteristics and are potential alternatives to antibiotic-based therapies and drug delivery systems, respectively. This study used in silico methods to predict AMPs and CPPs derived from natterins from the venomous fish Thalassophryne nattereri. Fifty-seven BAPs (19 AMPs, 8 CPPs, and 30 AMPs/CPPs) were identified using the web servers CAMP, AMPA, AmpGram, C2Pred, and CellPPD. The physicochemical properties were analyzed using ProtParam, PepCalc, and DispHred tools. The membrane-binding potential and cellular location of each peptide were analyzed using the Boman index by APD3, and TMHMM web servers. All CPPs and two AMPs showed high membrane-binding potential. Fifty-four peptides were located in the plasma membrane. Peptide immunogenicity, toxicity, allergenicity, and ADMET parameters were evaluated using several web servers. Sixteen antiviral peptides and 37 anticancer peptides were predicted using the web servers Meta-iAVP and ACPred. Secondary structures and helical wheel projections were predicted using the PEP-FOLD3 and Heliquest web servers. Fifteen peptides are potential lead compounds and were selected to be further synthesized and tested experimentally in vitro to validate the in silico screening. The use of computer-aided design for predicting peptide structure and activity is fast and cost-effective and facilitates the design of potent therapeutic peptides. The results demonstrate that toxins form a natural biotechnological platform in drug discovery, and the presence of CPP and AMP sequences in toxin families opens new possibilities in toxin biochemistry research.

6 March 2020 in 3 Biotech
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
KCKatia Conceição
Katia Conceição
GCGabrielle Lupeti de Cena
Gabrielle Lupeti de Cena
VSVerônica A. da Silva
Verônica A. da Silva
XNXisto Antonio Oliveira Neto
Xisto Antonio Oliveira Neto
VAVitor Martins Andrade
Vitor Martins Andrade
Monica Lopes-FerreiraMonica Lopes-Ferreira
Monica Lopes-Ferreira