Maria Assunta Costa

Research staff

Degree cum laude in Biological Sciences, University of Palermo (1984). Health Finalized Research Grant at IBS (now IBIM), CNR Palermo (1987.06 to 1989.05) Scholarship at IBS (now IBIM), CNR Palermo (1990.01 to 1991.12) Scholarship at IBS (now IBIM), CNR Palermo (1992.03 to 1993.2) Holder of a Contract of Presidential Decree at IBS (now IBIM), CNR Palermo (1994.12 to 1998.02) Researcher at IBIM, CNR Palermo (1998.02.16 to 2013.08.31) Researcher at IBF, CNR Palermo (2013.09.01 to date)

orcid://0000-0003-3377-6123,

Contact:

- Email mariaassunta.costa@ibf.cnr.it
- Phone +39-091-6809539
- Location Palermo

Research interests:

- Extraction, identification and characterization of naturally occurring compounds and study of their biological activity on cell lines. (Principal investigator)
- Study of natural and chemically modified natural polymers for biotechnological applications
- Development of bio-adhesives for wet environments from marine mussels
- Laboratory of protein engineering for production of recombinant proteins.
- Biomolecular Aggregation Processes
- Protein aggregation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases
- Extraction and characterization of polyphenols from complex systems of agri-food origin; study of antioxidant properties and of neuroprotective and anti-amyloidogenic effects in neurodegenerative processes
- Liposome as drug delivery system

Further collaborations:

- Clelia Dispenza, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Palermo Jesus Lozano Sanchez, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Granada

Key publications:

Ditta LA, Rao E, Provenzano F, Sánchez JL, Santonocito R, Passantino R, Costa MA, Sabatino MA, Dispenza C, Giacomazza D, San Biagio PL, Lapasin R (2020). Agarose/?-carrageenan-based hydrogel film enriched with natural plant extracts for the treatment of cutaneous wounds. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 164, 2818-2830. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.170.

Provenzano F, Sánchez JL, Rao E, Santonocito R, Ditta LA, Borrás Linares I, Passantino R, Campisi P, Dia MG, Costa MA, Segura-Carretero A, San Biagio PL, Giacomazza D (2019). Water Extract of Cryphaea heteromalla (Hedw.) D. Mohr Bryophyte as a Natural Powerful Source of Biologically Active Compounds. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, 5560. doi: 10.3390/ijms20225560

Costa MA, Mangione MR, Santonocito R, Passantino R, Giacomazza D, Librizzi F, Moran O, Carrotta R (2018). Biophysical characterization of asolectin-squalene liposomes. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 170, 479-487. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.06.032

Giacomazza D, D'Andrea D, Provenzano A, Picone P, Provenzano F, Guarrasi V, Raimondo M, San Biagio PL, Passantino R, Mangione MR, Di Carlo M, Costa MA (2018). The precious content of the olive mill wastewater: The protective effects of the antioxidant fraction in cell cultures. CyTA: journal of food 16, 658-666. doi:10.1080/19476337.2018.1458752

Presti G, Guarrasi V, Gulotta E, Provenzano F, Provenzano A, Giuliano S, Monfreda M, Mangione MR, Passantino R, San Biagio PL, Costa MA and Giacomazza D (2017). Bioactive compounds from extra virgin olive oils: Correlation between phenolic content and oxidative stress cell protection, Biophysical Chemistry 230, 109-116. doi: 10.1016/j.bpc.2017.09.002

Publications (38):

A new ginger extract characterization: immunomodulatory, antioxidant effects and differential gene expression
Roberta Russo; Maria Assunta Costa; Nadia Lampiasi; Marco Chiaramonte; Alessia Provenzano; Maria Rosalia Mangione; Rosa Passantino; Francesca Zito
Food bioscience (Print), 2023

Recombinant mussel protein Pvfp5? enhances cell adhesion of poly(vinyl alcohol)/k-carrageenan hydrogel scaffolds
Muscolino Emanuela, Costa Maria Assunta, Sabatino Maria Antonietta, Alessi Sabina, Bulone Donatella, San Biagio Pier Luigi, Passantino Rosa, Giacomazza Daniela and Dispenza Clelia
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.05.068

miR-126-3p and miR-21-5p as Hallmarks of Bio-Positive Ageing; Correlation Analysis and Machine Learning Prediction in Young to Ultra-Centenarian Sicilian Population
Accardi G.; Bono F.; Cammarata G.; Aiello A.; Herrero M.T.; Alessandro R.; Augello G.; Carru C.; Colomba P.; Costa M.A.; De Vivo I.; Ligotti M.E.; Curto A.L.; Passantino R.; Taverna S.; Zizzo C.; Duro G.; Caruso C.; Candore G.
Cells, 2022
DOI: 10.3390/cells11091505

Valorization of Apple Peels through the Study of the Effects on the Amyloid Aggregation Process of kappa-Casein
Guarrasi Valeria; Rappa Giacoma Cinzia; Costa Maria Assunta; Librizzi Fabio; Raimondo Marco; Di Stefano Vita; Germana Maria Antonietta and Vilasi Silvia
Molecules (Basel, Online), 2021
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082371

Can Be miR-126-3p a Biomarker of Premature Aging? An Ex Vivo and In Vitro Study in Fabry Disease
Lo Curto A; Taverna S; Costa MA; Passantino R; Augello G; Adamo G; Aiello A ; Colomba P; Zizzo C; Zora M; Accardi G; Candore G; Francofonte D; Di Chiara T; Alessandro R; Caruso C; Duro G; Cammarata G;
Cells, 2021

Agarose/k-carrageenan-based hydrogel film enriched with natural plant extracts for the treatment of cutaneous wounds
Lorena Anna Ditta; Estella Rao; Fiorenza Provenzano; Jesús Lozano Sánchez; Radha Santonocito; Rosa Passantino; Maria Assunta Costa; Maria Antonietta Sabatino; Clelia Dispenza; Daniela Giacomazza; Pier Luigi San Biagio; Romano Lapasin
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.170

Agarose/ -carrageenan-based hydrogel !lm enriched with natural plant extracts for the treatment of cutaneous wounds
Lorena Anna Ditta (a) , Estella Rao(a) , Fiorenza Provenzano (a) , Jesús Lozano Sánchez (b,c), Radha Santonocito (a), Rosa Passantino (a), Maria Assunta Costa (a), Maria Antonietta Sabatino (d), Clelia Dispenza (a, d), Daniela Giacomazza (a), Pier Luigi San Biagio (a), Romano Lapasin (e)
International journal of biological macromolecules, 2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.170

Water extract of cryphaea heteromalla (Hedw.) d. mohr bryophyte as a natural powerful source of biologically active compounds
Provenzano F, Sánchez JL, Rao E, Santonocito R, Ditta LA, Borrás Linares I, Passantino R, Campisi P, Dia MG, Costa MA, Segura-Carretero A, San Biagio PL, Giacomazza D
International journal of molecular sciences (Print), 2019
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225560

Recombinant mussel protein Pvfp-5beta: a potential tissue bioadhesive
Santonocito R, Venturella F, Dal Piaz F, Morando MA, Provenzano A, Rao E, Costa MA, Bulone D, San Biagio PL, Giacomazza D, Sicorello A, Alfano C, Passantino R, Pastore A
Journal of biological chemistry (Online), 2019
DOI: 10.1074/jbc.RA119.009531

Biochemical and biophysical characterization of water-soluble pectin from Opuntia ficus indica and its potential biological activity
Lefsih K, Giacomazza D, Passantino R, Costa MA, Bulone D, Mangione MR, Guarrasi V, Mingoia F, San Biagio PL, Madani K
Phytochemistry, 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.06.015

The precious content of the olive mill wastewater: The protective effects of the antioxidant fraction in cell cultures
Giacomazza D, D'Andrea D, Provenzano A, Picone P, Provenzano F, Guarrasi V, Raimondo M, San Biagio PL, Passantino R, Mangione MR, Di Carlo M, Costa MA
CyTA: journal of food (Online), 2018
DOI: 10.1080/19476337.2018.1458752

Biophysical characterization of asolectin-squalene liposomes
Costa MA, Mangione MR, Santonocito R, Passantino R, Giacomazza D, Librizzi F, Moran O, Carrotta R
Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces (Print), 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.06.032

Bioactive compounds from extra virgin olive oils: Correlation between phenolic content and oxidative stress cell protection
Presti G, Guarrasi V, Gulotta E, Provenzano F, Provenzano A, Giuliano S, Monfreda M, Mangione MR, Passantino R, San Biagio PL, Costa MA, Giacomazza D
Biophysical chemistry (Print), 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2017.09.002

Pectin from Opuntia ficus indica: Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction and preliminary characterization
Lefsih K, Giacomazza D, Dahmoune F, Mangione MR, Bulone D, San Biagio PL, Passantino R, Costa MA, Guarrasi V, Madani K
Food chemistry, 2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.10.073

Multiple IgE recognition on the major allergen of the Parietaria pollen Par j 2
Valeria Longo, Maria Assunta Costa, Fabio Cibella, Giuseppina Cuttitta, Stefania La Grutta, Paolo Colombo
Molecular immunology, 2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.09.012

Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Complexes of Nonionic Amphiphilic Cyclodextrins and a meso-Tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine Tributyltin(IV) Derivative: Potential Nanotherapeutics against Melanoma
Antonino Mazzaglia+ Maria Luisa Bondì, Angela Scala, Francesca Zito, Giovanna Barbieri, Francesco Crea, Giuseppina Vianelli, Placido G. Mineo, Tiziana Fiore, Claudia Pellerito, Lorenzo Pellerito, and Maria Assunta Costa.
Biomacromolecules, 2013
DOI: 10.1021/bm400849n

Characterization of a Par j 1/Par j 2 mutant hybrid with reduced allergenicity for immunotherapy of Parietaria allergy.
Bonura A; Passantino R; Costa MA; Montana G; Melis M; Bondì ML; Butteroni C; Barletta B; Corinti S; Di Felice G; Colombo P.
Clinical & experimental allergy (Online), 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2011.03938.x.

Effects of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR engagement on melanoma cells.
Giovanna Barbieri, Emilio Rimini and Maria Assunta Costa.
International journal of oncology, 2011
DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2011.988

Apoptosis and cell growth arrest in A375 human melanoma cells by diorganotin(IV) and triorganotin(IV) complexes of [meso-Tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine] manganese(III)chloride
Costa, Maria Assunta; Zito, Francesca; Emma, Maria Rita; Pellerito, Lorenzo; Fiore, Tiziana; Pellerito, Claudia; Barbieri, Giovanna
International journal of oncology, 2011
DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2010.889

Effects of two organotin(IV)(sulfonatophenyl)porphinates on MAPKs and on the growth of A375 human melanoma cells
Maria Assunta Costa 1, Letizia Gulino 1, Lorenzo Pellerito 2, Tiziana Fiore 2, Claudia Pellerito 2 and Giovanna Barbieri 1
Oncology Reports, 2009
DOI: 10.3892/or_00000261

Diorganotin(IV) and triorganotin(IV) complexes of meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine induce apoptosis in A375 human melanoma cells
Maria Assunta Costa a,*, Lorenzo Pellerito b, Vincenzo Izzo a, Tiziana Fiore b, Claudia Pellerito b, Mario Melis a, Maria Teresa Musmeci c, Giovanna Barbieri*,a
Cancer letters (Print), 2006
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.07.021

Electrophoresis of proteins and DNA on horizontal sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels
Vincenzo Izzo 1; Maria A Costa 1; Renata Di Fiore 1; Giovanni Duro 1; Daniele Bellavia 2; Eleonora Cascone 2; Paolo Colombo 1; Maria C Gioviale 3 and Rainer Barbieri2
Immunity & ageing, 2006
DOI: 10.1186/1742-4933-3-7

Assignment of disulphide bridges in Parj 2.0101, a major allergen of Parietaria judaica pollen
Amoresano A, Pucci P, Duro G, Colombo P, Costa MA, Izzo V, Lamba D and Geraci D
Biological chemistry (Print), 2003

The allergens of Parietaria
Colombo P, Bonura A , Costa M. A, Izzo V, Passantino R, Amoroso S, Geraci D.
International archives of allergy and immunology, 2003
DOI: 10.1159/000069520

Heat shock protein-27 protects human bronchial epithelial cells against oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis: possible implication in asthma.
1.Merendino AM, 2.Paul C, 1.3.Vignola AM, 4.Costa MA, 3.Melis M, 3.Chiappara G, 3.Izzo V, 5.Bousquet J, 2.Arrigo AP.
Cell stress & chaperones, 2002

The IgE-binding epitopes of rPar j 2, a major allergen of Parietaria judaica pollen, are heterogeneously recognized among allergic subjects
Costa M.A.; Duro G.; Izzo V.; Colombo P.; Mirisola M.G.; Locorotondo G.; Cocchiara R.; Geraci D.
Allergy (Cph.), 2000

IDENTIFICATION OF AN IMMUNODOMINANT IGE EPITOPE OF THE PARIETARIA JUDAICA MAJOR ALLERGEN.
COLOMBO P., KENNEDY D., RAMSDALE T., COSTA M.A., DURO G., IZZO V., SALVADORI S., GUERRINI S., COCCHIARA R., MIRISOLA M.G., WOOD S., GERACI D.
The Journal of immunology (1950), 1998

An update on allergens. Parietaria pollen allergens.
Colombo P.; Duro G.; Costa M.A.; Izzo V.; Mirisola M.; Locorotondo G.; Cocchiara R.; Geraci D.
Allergy (Cph.), 1998

Isolation and characterization of two cDNA clones coding for isoforms of the Parietaria judaica major allergen Parj 1.0101" Int. Arch. Allergy Immunol. 112, 348-355
Duro G. · Colombo P. · Costa M.A. · Izzo V. · Porcasi R. · Di Fiore R. · Locorotondo G. · Cocchiara R. · Geraci D.
International archives of allergy and immunology (Online), 1997
DOI: 10.1159/000237479

cDNA cloning, sequence analysis and allergological characterization of Par j 2.0101, a new major allergen of the Parietaria judaica pollen
Duro G.; Colombo P.; Costa M.A.; Izzo V.; Porcasi R.; Di Fiore R.; Locorotondo G.; Mirisola M.G.; Cocchiara R.; Geraci D.
FEBS letters (Print), 1996

Isolation of proteins and nucleic acids by electrophoresis on disposable gel columns
Costa M.A.; Duro G.; Porcasi R.; Colombo P.; Locorotondo G.; Geraci D.; Izzo V.
Electrophoresis (Weinh., Print), 1996

cDNA cloning, expression and primary structure of Parj 1, a major allergen of Parietaria judaica pollen.
M.A. Costa a, P. Colombo a, V. Izzo a, H. Kennedy a, S. Venturella a, R. Cocchiara a, G. Mistrello b, P. Falagiani b, D. Geraci a*
FEBS letters (Print), 1994

Simple and inexpensive dot-blot apparatus
Barbieri R.; Duro G.; Costa M.A.; Izzo V.
Analytical biochemistry (Print), 1994

Voltage gradient electrophoresis of nucleic acids on agarose gels
Barbieri R.; Izzo V.; Costa M.A.; Giudice G.; Duro G.
Analytical biochemistry (Print), 1993

A method for eluting DNA in a wide range of molecular weights from agarose gels
Duro G.; Izzo V.; Barbieri R.; Cantone M.; Costa M.A.; Giudice G.
Analytical biochemistry (Print), 1991

Readthrough transcription occurs at the rho dependent signal F1 TIV in suppressor cells
La Farina M.; Izzo V.; Costa M.A.; Barbieri R.; Duro G.; Vitale M.; Mutolo V.
Nucleic acids research, 1990

Lack of major differences between the sequences of 26S ribosomal RNAs from eggs and intestines of sea urchin
Duro G.; Barbieri R.; Costa M.A.; Izzo V.; Giudice G.
Acta embryologiae et morphologiae experimentalis (1980), 1989

Intragenomic recombination between homologous regions of genes II and IV promotes formation of bacteriophage f1 miniphages
La Farina M.; Izzo V.; Duro G.; Barbieri R.; Costa M.A.; Mutolo V.
Nucleic acids research, 1987