Alessia Montesano

Dr. Alessia Montesano


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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31 December 2019 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AMAlessia Montesano
Alessia Montesano
Elena De FeliceElena De Felice
Elena De Felice
ALAdele Leggieri
Adele Leggieri
APAntonio Palladino
Antonio Palladino
Carla LuciniCarla Lucini
Carla Lucini
Livia D'AngeloLivia D'Angelo
Livia D'Angelo
Nesfatin-1 (Nesf-1) was identified as an anorexigenic and well conserved molecule in rodents and fish. While tissue distribution of NUCB2 (Nucleobindin 2)/Nesf-1 is discretely known in vertebrates, reports on ontogenetic expression are scarce. Here, we examine the age-related central and peripheral expression of NUCB2/Nesf-1 in the teleost African turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri, a consolidated model organism for aging research. We focused our analysis on brain areas responsible for the regulation of food intake and the rostral intestinal bulb, which is analogous of the mammalian stomach. We hypothesize that in our model, the stomach equivalent structure is the main source of NUCB2 mRNA, displaying higher expression levels than those observed in the brain, mainly during aging. Remarkably, its expression significantly increased in the rostral intestinal bulb compared to the brain, which is likely due to the typical anorexia of aging. When analyzing the pattern of expression, we confirmed the distribution in diencephalic areas involved in food intake regulation at all age stages. Interestingly, in the rostral bulb, NUCB2 mRNA was localized in the lining epithelium of young and old animals, while Nesf-1 immunoreactive cells were distributed in the submucosae. Taken together, our results represent a useful basis for gaining deeper knowledge regarding the mechanisms that regulate food intake during vertebrate aging.