Cell biology of disease
Keywords: Molecular pathology, RNA, membrane dynamics
Our laboratory aims to provide new insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying severe pathological conditions to promote/develop innovative therapeutic strategies. We focus on the RNA life cycle and its critical regulators, such as SMN protein. We are interested to understand how plasma membrane subdomains influence the RNA fate, in particular the mRNA traffic and local translation. We use a multi-disciplinary approach including cell imaging and biochemical methods to characterize novel RNA-protein interactions, subcellular localizations of selected RNA, and molecular networks associated to organelle/cellular compartments. We have a long-standing interest in neuromuscular disease, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophin (DMD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). We recently developed translational studies focusing on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to identify oncogenic molecular signature as well as novel drug targets.
Education:
1994: Degree in Biology, Sapienza University of Rome (110/110 cum laude).
1999: Master of Medicine (Clinical Pathology), Faculty of Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome (70/70 cum laude).
2008: PhD, Biotechnology and Biomedicine, University of L’Aquila, Department of Medicine.
Positions:
1992-1994 Research training at Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Experimental Medicine.
1995-2000: Research fellow at National Research Council-ITBM, Rome.
2001-2005: Research fellow at National Research Council-INMM, Rome.
2005-2010: Post-doctoral fellow at National Research Council-IBPM, Rome.
2010 up to now: Researcher (permanent position) at National Research Council, Rome. Research Project P.I.
Neuromuscular Diseases. Translational control and membrane remodelling: role of RNA-binding proteins.
Honors:
2009, 2011, 2013: Award for Best Poster at Telethon Conventions, Italy.
Patents:
Active CNR patent:
Granted USA patent n. US10301367B2 (2019)
Granted European patent n. EP3194600B1 (2019)
Inventors: Claudio Passananti, Nicoletta Corbi, Maria Grazia Di Certo, Elisabetta Mattei, Cinzia Pisani, Georgios Strimpakos, Siro Luvisetto.
Title: “Compositions and Methods for treatment of Muscular Dystrophy”.
Validated in Ireland, Germany, France and UK. International publication number: WO2016/016119.
Granted USA patent n. US10286085B2 (2019)
Granted European patent n. EP3030666B1 (2019)
Inventors: Claudio Passananti, Nicoletta Corbi, Maria Grazia Di Certo, Elisabetta Mattei, Cinzia Pisani, Georgios Strimpakos.
Title: “Compositions and Methods for treatment of Muscular Dystrophy”. From Italian patent application n TO2013A000669, 2013: “Vettore adeno-associato ricombinante muscolo specifico e suo impiego nel trattamento di patologie muscolari”. International publication number: WO2015/018503.
Granted USA patent n. US8,304,235 (2012)
Granted European patent n. EP2193200B1 (2011)
Granted Italian patent n. 1379230 (2010)
Inventors: Claudio Passananti, Maria Grazia Di Certo, Annalisa Onori, Nicoletta Corbi.
Title: “Nucleic acid codifying for a utrophin transcription specific regulating protein, protein codified thereby and uses thereof.” Validated in Italy, Germany, France and UK.
- Gabanella F, Onori A, Pisani C, Fiore M, Ferraguti G, Colizza A, de Vincentiis M, Ceccanti M, Inghilleri M, Corbi N, Passananti C, Di Certo MG. SMN Deficiency Destabilizes ABCA1 Expression in Human Fibroblasts: Novel Insights in Pathophysiology of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Feb 2;24(3):2916. doi: 10.3390/ijms24032916. PMID: 36769246; PMCID: PMC9917534.
- Gabanella F, Colizza A, Mottola MC, Francati S, Blaconà G, Petrella C, Barbato C, Greco A, Ralli M, Fiore M, Corbi N, Ferraguti G, Corsi A, Minni A, de Vincentiis M, Passananti C, Di Certo MG. The RNA-Binding Protein SMN as a Novel Player in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 16;24(2):1794. doi: 10.3390/ijms24021794.
- Gabanella F, Barbato C, Corbi N, Fiore M, Petrella C, de Vincentiis M, Greco A, Ferraguti G, Corsi A, Ralli M, Pecorella I, Di Gioia C, Pecorini F, Brunelli R, Passananti C, Minni A, Di Certo MG. Exploring Mitochondrial Localization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by Padlock Assay: A Pilot Study in Human Placenta. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Feb 14;23(4):2100. doi: 10.3390/ijms23042100. PMID: 35216211; PMCID: PMC8875563.
- Gabanella F, Onori A, Ralli M, Greco A, Passananti C, Di Certo MG. SMN protein promotes membrane compartmentalization of ribosomal protein S6 transcript in human fibroblasts. Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 4;10(1):19000. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76174-3.
- Gabanella F, Pisani C, Borreca A, Farioli-Vecchioli S, Ciotti MT, Ingegnere T, Onori A, Ammassari-Teule M, Corbi N, Canu N, Monaco L, Passananti C, Di Certo MG. SMN affects membrane remodelling and anchoring of the protein synthesis machinery. J Cell Sci. 2016 Feb 15;129(4):804-16. doi: 10.1242/jcs.176750.
Selected Research Programs
2022 Grande Progetto di Ateneo-Sapienza Università di Roma, titolo: “The oncogenic role of the RNA-binding protein SMN in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A translational study.” (Role: CNR Unit Investigator)
2018-2021 Lazio Innova Project 15286 Passananti (PI). Title: “Geni artificiali come strategia terapeutica per la Distrofia muscolare di Duchenne”. (Artificial genes as therapeutic strategy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy). (Role: Co-Investigator).
2017-2018 InterOmics Project 19699 Passananti (PI). Project title: “Cell-based Omics approaches to identify pathways implicated in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by the use of therapeutic artificial genes”. (Role: Co-Investigator).
2017-2019 Scientific Cooperation Agreement CNR-CONICET 11985 Corbi (PI). Project title: “Mechanisms of transcription in memory persistence. Role of NF-kB and Che-1” (Role: Co-Investigator).
2014-2017 Telethon project GGP14073 Corbi (PI). Project title: “Innovative therapeutic strategy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by AAV mediated delivery of artificial transcription factor genes.” (Role: Co-Investigator).
2013-2015 Association Française contre les Myopathies (AFM) grant number 15586 Monaco (PI). Project title: “Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a novel therapeutic strategy based on rAAV delivery of artificial transcription factors combined with anti-microRNAs”. (Role: Co-Investigator).
2011/2012 Telethon Project GGP10094 Mattei (PI). Project title: “Experimental gene therapy of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by artificial transcription factors upregulating the dystrophin-related Utrophin.” (Role: Co-Investigator).