PRIN 2020 - 2020Y78C7J_LS9_4 - BERTOLI GLORIA - PRESERVE - CUP B93C22000650005 (DSB.AD007.269)

Thematic area

Biomedical sciences

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute of molecular bioimaging and physiology (IBSBC)

Project manager

GLORIA RITA BERTOLI
Phone number: 02-21717544
Email: gloria.bertoli@ibfm.cnr.it

Abstract

Objective is promoting the integration of minor species of legumes in diets, to reduce the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases, as Colon Cancer (CRC). The project focuses on the study of the leguminous Vigna Bowman Birk Inhibitors (BBIs), molecules able to inhibit CRC-associated serine proteases and cancer-associated inflammation. The 1 phase will bioprospect different BBI forms and their functional value to select the most promising BBI isoforms and their related plants in terms of anticancer activity and resistance to extreme growing conditions, respectively. In 2 phase the mechanisms of action of different forms of Vigna's BBIs will be investigated by transcriptomics and metagenomics analyses on BBI-treated CRC cells, in order to identify BBI's cellular targets. Finally, in vivo experiments will evaluate, by PET imaging and the use of specific radiotracers, the effects and safety of BBI forms, introduced with diet, monitoring CRC progression and inflammation in living mouse models. These will allow the comprehension of Vigna's BBIs effects, to create proper dietary supplements for CRC prevention and treatment, clarifying the relationship between inflammation, cancer and diet.

Goals

The PRESERVE project has the objective of promoting the integration of certain minor varieties of legumes in western diets to reduce the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases, such as Colon Cancer (CRC). The project focuses on leguminous Vigna genus plants, with the aim of selecting the most sustainable accessions in terms of cultivation with the highest nutritional/bioactivity value. We will focus on the analysis of a group of Vigna small protease inhibitor, the Bowman Birk Inhibitors (BBIs): BBIs are inhibitors of cancer-associated serine protease, overexpressed in CRC, also associated to inflammatory processes. In the first bioprospecting phase, dedicated to the phylogenetic analysis of the BBI forms, we will estimate their biodiversity and their functional value. The most promising varieties (more resistant to extreme growing conditions and overexpressing the BBIs) will be used to isolate different isoforms of Vigna's BBIs; their mechanisms of action on CRC cells and on CRC-mouse model will be studied in the second phase of the project by biochemical, metabolic, transcriptomics, metagenomics approaches and by PET imaging on in vivo models.

Start date of activity

01/05/2022

Keywords

Biodiversity, nutraceuticals,, functional foods, drug discovery,, biological bases of cancer, legumes

Last update: 15/06/2025