Giuseppina Rea

Summary

Affiliation: National Research Council of Italy - Institute of Crystallography
Location: Rome, Italy
Summary:
Giuseppina Rea, PhD in Biology, has experience in plant molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology and protein engineering applied to fundamental research and technological transfer.
Research activities are mainly focused on the molecular mechanisms and signal networks involved in the light events of photosynthesis and the structure/function relationships of the pigment-protein complexes involved in these processes. These studies are mainly performed on the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides to produce strains with improved photosynthetic performance and exploit them as biological farms in nutraceutical applications, life regenerative supporting system in space research and bio-sensing elements in development of biosensors for food quality assessment and environmental monitoring. The activity covers a wide variety of methodologies: i)computational-aided bioengineering of photosynthetic proteins; ii) site-directed and random mutagenesis targeted to the D1 reaction center protein; iii)chloroplast transformation; iv)isolation and expression profile of genes involved in different metabolic processes; v) metabolite profiling of photosynthesis functional metabolites; vi)designing of miniaturised optical biosensors for multiparametric fluorescence measurements of different photosynthesis-based biomediators.
Publications:
1. Rea, G., Antonacci, A., Lambreva, M., Pastorelli, S., Tibuzzi, A., Ferrari, S., Fischer, D., Johanningmeier, U., Oleszek, W., Doroszewska, T., Rizzo, A.M., Berselli, P.V., Berra, B., Bertoli, A., Pistelli, L., Ruffoni, B., Calas-Blanchard, C., Marty, J.L., Litescu, S.C., Diaconu, M., Touloupakis, E., Ghanotakis, D., Giardi, M.T. (2011) Integrated plant biotechnologies applied to safer and healthier food production: the Nutra-Snack manufacturing chain. Trends in Food Science & Technology. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2011.04.005.
2. G. Rea, M. Lambreva, F. Polticelli, I. Bertalan, A. Antonacci, S. Pastorelli, M. Damasso, U. Johanningmeier, M.T. Giardi (2011). Directed evolution and in silico analysis of reaction centre proteins reveal molecular signatures of photosynthesis adaptation to radiation pressure. PLoS ONE 6(1): e16216.
3. J. Cano, D. Giannini, G. Pezzotti, G. Rea, M.T. Giardi (2011) Space impact and technological transfer of a biosensor facility to Earth application. Recent Patents on Space Technology. Vol.1, Issue no. 1.
4. T. Lavecchia, G. Rea, A. Antonacci, and M.T. Giardi. Healthy and Adverse Effects of Plant-Derived Functional Metabolites- the Need of Revealing Their Content and Bioactivity in a Complex Food Matrix. Critical Review in Food Science and Nutrition. Accepted paper.
5. G. Rea, F. Polticelli, A. Antonacci, V. Scognamiglio, P. Katiyar, SA Kulkarni, U. Johanningmeier, Giardi MT (2009) Structure-based design of novel Chlamydomonas reinhardtii D1-D2 photosynthetic proteins for herbicide monitoring. Protein Sci 18 (10): 2139-51.
6. MT Giardi, V. Scognamiglio, G. Rea, G. Rodio, A. Antonacci, M. Lambreva, G. Pezzotti, U. Johanningmeier (2009). Optical biosensors for environmental monitoring based on computational and biotechnological tools for engineering the photosynthetic D1 protein of C. reinhardtii. Biosens Bioelectron 25, 294-300.
7. M. Damasso, T. Dachev, G. Falzetta, M. T. Giardi, G. Rea, A. Zanini. (2009) The radiation environment observed by Liulin-Photo and R3D-B3 spectrum-dosimeters inside and outside Foton-M3 spacecraft. Radiation Measurements 44, 263-272.
8. V. Scognamiglio, D. Raffi, M. Lambreva, G. Rea, A. Tibuzzi, G. Pezzotti, U. Johanningmeier, M. T. Giardi (2009) Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genetic variants as probes for fluorescence sensing system in detection of pollutants. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 394(4), 1081-7.
9. G. Rea, A. Serafini, A. Margonelli, C. Faraloni, A. Zanini, I. Bertalan, U. Johanningmeier, M.T. Giardi (2008). Ionizing radiation impacts photochemical quantum yield and oxygen evolution activity of photosystem II in photosynthetic microorganisms. International Journal Radiation Biology, 84 (11):867-77.
10. A. Tibuzzi, G. Pezzotti, T. Lavecchia, G. Rea, M.T. Giardi (2008). A portable light-excitation equipped bio-amperometer for electrogenic biomaterials to support the technical development of most biosensors. Sensors & Transducers Journal, Vol. 88, 2, pp. 9-20
11. R. Angelini, A. Tisi, G. Rea, M. M. Chen, M. Botta, R. Federico and A. Cona (2008) Involvement of Polyamine Oxidase in Wound Healing. Plant Physiol. 146: 162-177.
12. A. Tibuzzi, G. Rea, G. Pezzotti, D. Esposito, U. Johanningmeier and M. T. Giardi (2007). A new miniaturized multiarrays biosensor system for fluorescence detection. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter: 19, 395006.
13. G. Rea, M. Volpicella, F. De Leo, L. Zolla, R. Gallerani, L. R Ceci. (2007). Characterization of three members of the multigene family coding for isoforms of the chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein Lhcb1 in spinach. Physiologia plantarum 130 (1), 167-176.
14. A. Cona, G. Rea, M. Botta, F. Corelli, R. Federico and R. Angelini (2006). Flavin-containing polyamine oxidase is a hydrogen peroxide source in the oxidative response to the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin in Zea mays L. Journal. Exp. Bot. 57 (10), 2277-2289.
15. A. Cona, G. Rea, R. Angelini, R. Federico, P. Tavladoraki (2006). Functions of amine oxidases in plant development and defence. Trends Plant Sci. 11 (2), 80-88.
16. G. Rea, P. Iacovacci, P. Ferrante, M. Zelli, B. Brunetto, D. Lamba, A. Boffi, C. Pini and R. Federico (2004). Refolding of the Cupressus arizonica major pollen allergen Cup a1.02 overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Protein Expression and Purification 37 (2), 419-425.
17. G. Rea, A. Bocedi, M. Cervelli (2004). What is the biological function of the polyamines? IUBMB Life 56 (3), 167-169.
18. G. Rea, M. C. de Pinto, R. Tavazza, V. Gobbi, P. Ferrante, R. Federico, S. Biondi, L. De Gara, R. Angelini, P. Tavladoraki (2004). Ectopic expression of maize polyamine oxidase and pea copper amine oxidase in the cell wall of tobacco plants provides evidence for the limiting amount of freely available polyamines in the extracellular space. Plant Physiol. 134, 1414-1426.
19. G. Rea, O. Metoui, A. Infantino, R. Federico and R. Angelini (2002). Copper amine oxidase expression in defence responses to wounding and Ascochyta rabiei invasion. Plant Physiol. 128, 865-875.
20. L. Marcocci, S. Nocera, M.B. Roig, G. Rea, B. Mondovì and R. Federico (2001). Enrichment of a human leukemia cell line (K562) with a plant histaminase. Inflamm. Res. 50, Supplement 2, 134-135.
21. M. Laurenzi, G. Rea, R. Federico, P. Tavladoraki and R. Angelini (1999). De-etiolation causes a phytochrome-mediated increase of polyamine oxidase expression in outer tissues of the maize mesocotyl: a role in the photomodulation of growth and cell wall differentiation. Planta, 208 (2), 146-154.
22. G. Rea, M. Laurenzi, E. Tranquilli, R. D Ovidio, R. Federico, R. Angelini (1998); Developmentally and wound regulated expression of the gene encoding a cell wall copper amine oxidase in chickpea seedlings. FEBS Lett. 437(3), 177-182.
23. P. Tavladoraki, M. Eugenia Schininà, F. Cecconi, S. Di Agostino, F. Manera, G. Rea, P. Mariottini, R. Federico and R. Angelini (1998). Maize polyamine oxidase: primary structure from protein and cDNA sequencing. FEBS Lett. 426 (1), 62-66.
24. G. Rea, R. Federico, L. Riccioni, A. Porta-Puglia and R. Angelini (1998). Copper containing Amine Oxidase: a role in defense mechanisms in chickpea and soybean. Valladolid, 3rd European Conference on Grain Legumes. Proceedings, Part I, Session III: Responses of resistant plants to infection.
25. L. Ercolini, R. Angelini, R. Federico, G. Rea, G. Venturini and P. Ascenzi (1998). Competitive Inhibition of Lens culinaris L. Copper Amine Oxidase by Amiloride, p-Aminobenzamidine, Clonidine, 4,6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole and Gabexate Mesylate: A Comparative Study. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition 15 (6), 465-71.
26. R. Angelini, G. Rea, R. Federico and R. DOvidio (1996). Spatial distribution and temporal accumulation of mRNA encoding diamine oxidase during lentil (Lens culinaris Medicus) seedling development. Plant Sci. 119, 103-113.

Publications

  1. ncbi Maize polyamine oxidase: primary structure from protein and cDNA sequencing
    P Tavladoraki
    Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
    FEBS Lett 426:62-6. 1998
  2. ncbi Structure-based design of novel Chlamydomonas reinhardtii D1-D2 photosynthetic proteins for herbicide monitoring
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy
    Protein Sci 18:2139-51. 2009
  3. ncbi Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genetic variants as probes for fluorescence sensing system in detection of pollutants
    V Scognamiglio
    Department of Agrofood, CNR, Institute of Crystallography, Rome Research Area, Rome, Italy
    Anal Bioanal Chem 394:1081-7. 2009
  4. ncbi Ionizing radiation impacts photochemical quantum yield and oxygen evolution activity of Photosystem II in photosynthetic microorganisms
    Giuseppina Rea
    IC CNR, Area of Research of Rome, Department of Agrofood, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
    Int J Radiat Biol 84:867-77. 2008
  5. ncbi Involvement of polyamine oxidase in wound healing
    Riccardo Angelini
    Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita Roma Tre, Viale G Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
    Plant Physiol 146:162-77. 2008
  6. ncbi Flavin-containing polyamine oxidase is a hydrogen peroxide source in the oxidative response to the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin in Zea mays L
    Alessandra Cona
    Dipartimento di Biologia, , Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    J Exp Bot 57:2277-89. 2006
  7. ncbi Functions of amine oxidases in plant development and defence
    Alessandra Cona
    Dipartimento di Biologia, , Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    Trends Plant Sci 11:80-8. 2006
  8. ncbi Refolding of the Cupressus arizonica major pollen allergen Cup a1.02 overexpressed in Escherichia coli
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, CNR, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P O Box 10, I 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy
    Protein Expr Purif 37:419-25. 2004
  9. ncbi Ectopic expression of maize polyamine oxidase and pea copper amine oxidase in the cell wall of tobacco plants
    Giuseppina Rea
    Department of Biology, , Rome 00146, Italy
    Plant Physiol 134:1414-26. 2004
  10. ncbi Directed evolution and in silico analysis of reaction centre proteins reveal molecular signatures of photosynthesis adaptation to radiation pressure
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Italy
    PLoS ONE 6:e16216. 2011

Collaborators

Detail Information

Publications12

  1. ncbi Maize polyamine oxidase: primary structure from protein and cDNA sequencing
    P Tavladoraki
    Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
    FEBS Lett 426:62-6. 1998
    ..The primary structure of the mature protein was independently confirmed by extensive amino acid sequencing. Structural relationships with flavin-containing monoamine oxidases are also discussed...
  2. ncbi Structure-based design of novel Chlamydomonas reinhardtii D1-D2 photosynthetic proteins for herbicide monitoring
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy
    Protein Sci 18:2139-51. 2009
    ....
  3. ncbi Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genetic variants as probes for fluorescence sensing system in detection of pollutants
    V Scognamiglio
    Department of Agrofood, CNR, Institute of Crystallography, Rome Research Area, Rome, Italy
    Anal Bioanal Chem 394:1081-7. 2009
    ..It follows that the response of the multibiomediators is associated to a particular herbicide subclass and can be useful to monitor several species of pollutants...
  4. ncbi Ionizing radiation impacts photochemical quantum yield and oxygen evolution activity of Photosystem II in photosynthetic microorganisms
    Giuseppina Rea
    IC CNR, Area of Research of Rome, Department of Agrofood, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
    Int J Radiat Biol 84:867-77. 2008
    ..The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of space ionizing radiation exposure on the photosynthetic activity of various microorganisms...
  5. ncbi Involvement of polyamine oxidase in wound healing
    Riccardo Angelini
    Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita Roma Tre, Viale G Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
    Plant Physiol 146:162-77. 2008
    ....
  6. ncbi Flavin-containing polyamine oxidase is a hydrogen peroxide source in the oxidative response to the protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin in Zea mays L
    Alessandra Cona
    Dipartimento di Biologia, , Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    J Exp Bot 57:2277-89. 2006
    ....
  7. ncbi Functions of amine oxidases in plant development and defence
    Alessandra Cona
    Dipartimento di Biologia, , Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
    Trends Plant Sci 11:80-8. 2006
    ..Furthermore, aminoaldehydes and 1,3-diaminopropane from polyamine oxidation are involved in secondary metabolite synthesis and abiotic stress tolerance...
  8. ncbi Refolding of the Cupressus arizonica major pollen allergen Cup a1.02 overexpressed in Escherichia coli
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, CNR, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P O Box 10, I 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy
    Protein Expr Purif 37:419-25. 2004
    ..02 allergen suitable for structural biology studies and for the molecular and functional characterization of the IgE binding sites...
  9. ncbi Ectopic expression of maize polyamine oxidase and pea copper amine oxidase in the cell wall of tobacco plants
    Giuseppina Rea
    Department of Biology, , Rome 00146, Italy
    Plant Physiol 134:1414-26. 2004
    ....
  10. ncbi Directed evolution and in silico analysis of reaction centre proteins reveal molecular signatures of photosynthesis adaptation to radiation pressure
    Giuseppina Rea
    Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council, Monterotondo, Italy
    PLoS ONE 6:e16216. 2011
    ..These results led us to hypothesize an archaean atmosphere less challenging in terms of ionizing radiation than the present one...
  11. ncbi Optical biosensors for environmental monitoring based on computational and biotechnological tools for engineering the photosynthetic D1 protein of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
    Maria Teresa Giardi
    Institute of Crystallography, Area of Research of Rome, Department of Agrofood, CNR, Via Salaria km 29 300, 00015, Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
    Biosens Bioelectron 25:294-300. 2009
    ..8 x 10(-11) and 3.0 x 10(-9), depending on the target analyte. In addition, biomediator regeneration without obvious deterioration in performance was demonstrated...
  12. ncbi Question: What is the biological function of the polyamines?
    Giuseppina Rea
    IUBMB Life 56:167-9. 2004