Pharmacy and biochemistry- Universidade de São Paulo, 1986
Molecular Biology - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, 1989 - Master
Chemical Biology- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - 1993- PhD
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Biochemistry, General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, Pharmacology
164
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
BmooMPα-I ameliorates aortic fibrosis and hypertrophy in 2K1C hypertensive rats by reducing matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity Wictoria Farias Dias, Jorge Eduardo Chang Estrada, Stefanne de Cassia Pereira Silva, Pricila Rodrigues Gonçalves, Anderson Maciel Lima, Moises Hamoy, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Andreimar Martins Soares, Marta Chagas Monteiro, Raquel Fernanda Gerlach, Keuri Eleuterio Rodrigues, Alejandro Ferraz Prado Toxicon, 2026 Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) is the major MMP involved in hypertension and plays a central role in vascular remodeling in response to hemodynamic changes by promoting upregulation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), vascular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. BmooMPα-I, a metalloproteinase isolated from Bothrops moojeni venom, exhibits kininogenase activity, is capable of hydrolyzing angiotensin I, and exerts antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects. This study evaluated the effect of BmooMPα-I on MMP-2 activity and expression, TGF-β1 expression, redox balance, and vascular remodeling in the aorta of two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. Male Wistar rats (180-200g) underwent 2K1C surgery, and Sham animals underwent the same procedure without the arterial clip. After two weeks, animals were divided into four groups: Sham vehicle (saline), Sham BmooMPα-I 1 μg/kg, 2K1C vehicle, and 2K1C BmooMPα-I 1 μg/kg. Animals were treated daily for two weeks. A sustained increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed in 2K1C animals, accompanied by increased activity and expression of MMP-2 and TGF-β1, oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, and fibrosis in the aorta compared to Sham animals (p < 0.05). After two weeks of BmooMPα-I treatment, 2K1C animals showed a significant reduction in SBP, along with decreased MMP-2 activity and expression, as well TGF-β1 levels. Additionally, BmooMPα-I reversed oxidative stress, hypertrophy, and collagen deposition in the aorta compared to the 2K1C vehicle group (p < 0.05), reaching values similar to Sham (p < 0.05). We conclude that BmooMPα-I exerts an antihypertensive effect and reduces MMP-2 activity and expression, negatively modulates TGF-β1 expression, and reverses oxidative stress, vascular remodeling, and fibrosis.
A Novel Trypsin Inhibitor With Immunomodulatory Activity From the Leaves of Cissus verticillata subsp. verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C.E. Jarvis Luis Afonso Silveira Farias, Robson Raion de Vasconcelos Alves, Abdênego Rodrigues da Silva, Georon Ferreira de Sousa, Pollyanna Michelle da Silva, Ana Rosa Peixoto, Roberto Araújo Sá, Thâmarah de Albuquerque Lima, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Cristiane Moutinho Lagos de Melo, Thiago Henrique Napoleão, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva, Maria Tereza dos Santos Correia Chemistry and Biodiversity, 2025 In this study, we purified and characterized a trypsin inhibitor (CvLTI) from the leaves of Cissus verticillata subsp. verticillata. CvLTI was isolated using a trypsin‐agarose column and evaluated for stability towards heating (30°C– 100°C) and incubation at different pH values (2.0–10.0). Furthermore, CvLTI was investigated for antibacterial activity against phytopathogens, hemolytic activity as well as cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). CvLTI (14.3 kDa, pI 5.3) showed sequence similarities with an endochitinase and showed a trypsin inhibitory activity thermostable and higher at acidic pH. The inhibitor exerted bacteriostatic effects on Pectobacterium isolates (minimum inhibitory concentration: 462 µg/mL). CvLTI showed hemolytic activity with an EC50 of 33 µg/mL. CvLTI (12.5 and 25.0 µg/mL) induced the release of cytokines interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10 and tumor necrosis factor‐α by PBMCs. These data will drive further studies on the toxicity, antitumor, and anti‐inflammatory potentials of safe doses of CvLTI.
Surface hydrophobic clusters modulate the folding stability and molecular recognition of the disintegrin jarastatin Ariana A. Vasconcelos, Russolina B. Zingali, Fabio C.L. Almeida Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2025 Disintegrins are cysteine-rich proteins found in snake venoms. These proteins selectively bind to integrins, which play a key role in the regulation of many physiopathological processes. They are coreless proteins that display almost all hydrophobic residues on the protein surface. The exposed hydrophobic residues form surface clusters stabilized by the interaction with the hydrophilic residues in the vicinity and the hydration shell. In the present work, we aimed to determine the stability of surface hydrophobic clusters (SHCs) and their role in protein folding and biological activity. We used urea denaturation curves followed by 1 H and 15 N chemical shifts to determine the free energy of unfolding (ΔG F-U ) and CLEANEX experiments to measure the water exchange rates of the surface amides (k ex ). The amides with higher local stability and protection from water exchange are those near or at the SHCs, which form a hydrophobic face. SHCs act as foldons, guiding oxidative folding and contributing to the formation of the disulfide bond framework, which is essential for establishing the concave shape and, ultimately, the binding cleft. On the opposite side of the protein are the residues with lower local stability and amides that exchange fast with water. This face coincides with the binding cleft of the protein to the αVβ3 integrin. Taken together, the present work established a correlation between protein hydration and the binding surface.
Bothrops jararacussu Venom Inactivated by High Hydrostatic Pressure Enhances the Immunogenicity Response in Horses and Triggers Unexpected Cross-Reactivity with Other Snake Venoms Ricardo Teixeira-Araujo, Marisa Carvalho Suarez, Carlos Correa-Netto, Luis Eduardo Ribeiro da Cunha, Debora Foguel, Russolina Benedeta Zingali Toxins, 2025 High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) has been used for viral inactivation to facilitate vaccine development when immunogenicity is maintained or even increased. In this work, we used HHP to inactivate Bothrops jararacussu venom. Our protocol promotes the loss of or decrease in many biological activities in venom. Horses were immunized with pressurized venom, and in contrast to native venom, this procedure does not induce any damage to animals. Furthermore, the serum obtained with pressurized venom efficiently neutralized all biological activities of B. jararacussu venom. Antibody titrations were higher in serum produced with pressurized venom compared to that produced by native venom, and this antivenom was not only effective against the venom of B. jararacussu but against the venom of other species and genera. In conclusion, our data show a new technique for producing hyperimmune serum using venom inactivated by HHP, and this method is associated with a reduction in toxic effects in immunized animals and higher potency.
Embryos extract from germinated yellow soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) inhibits promastigotes form of Leishmania amazonensis P. M. Pedrote, D. M. D. Bouts, C. L. A. Passos, J. D. Inácio, L.F.O. Gervazoni, R. Zingali, M. S. Almeida, K. M. S. Cabral, C. Follmer, E. E. Almeida-Amaral, E. Fialho Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2025 We investigated the effect of extracts of the germinated seeds of yellow soybean cultivar BRS 258 (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. The yellow soybean embryos extract (YSEE) was fractionated on a Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration column coupled to AKTA. Then, the fractions were applied on a 1D SDS-PAGE gels and analyzed using a Micromass ESI-Q-ToF mass spectrometer coupled to a NanoUPLC. The anti-Leishmania properties of the soybean and the Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) urease were evaluated by measuring promastigotes mitochondrial activity using the MTT method. The YSEE reduced significantly L. amazonensis promastigotes cell viability (94.9%) and this inhibition can be related to an embryo-specific urease. We suggest that this enzyme was able to reduce the cell viability of L. amazonensis, since an anti-Leishmania activity was confirmed with an isolated urease of the legume Jack bean. The results suggest a possible relationship of soybean embryos with urease and leishmanicidal activities. Up to now, no data were found in the literature that demonstrates an anti-Leishmaniaactivity from an embryo-specific urease of soybean.
Cutaneous glands of the striped toad, Rhinella crucifer (Wied-Neuwied, 1821) (Amphibia: Bufonidae): Histological study and bioactivities of glandular secretions Géssica Gomes Barbosa, Tulíbia Laurindo Silva, Ana Patrícia Silva de Oliveira, Thâmarah de Albuquerque Lima, Pollyanna Michelle da Silva, Carlos José Correia de Santana, Jeymesson Raphael Cardoso Vieira, Dyeime Ribeiro de Sousa, Francisco Assis Leite Souza, Rafael Pereira, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Romero Marcos Pedrosa Brandão Costa, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva, Gilberto Gonçalves Rodrigues, Mariana S. Castro, Thiago Henrique Napoleão Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2024
Dengue virus non-structural protein 3 inhibits mitochondrial respiration by impairing complex I function Bruna G. Sousa, Nathane C. Mebus-Antunes, Lorena O. Fernandes-Siqueira, Marjolly B. Caruso, Georgia N. Saraiva, Clara F. Carvalho, Thais C. Neves-Martins, Antonio Galina, Russolina B. Zingali, Julianna D. Zeidler, Andrea T. Da Poian Msphere, 2024 Dengue virus (DENV) infection is known to affect host cell metabolism, but the molecular players involved are still poorly known. Using a proteomics approach, we identified six DENV proteins associated with mitochondria isolated from infected hepatocytes, and most of the peptides identified were from NS3. We also found an at least twofold decrease of several electron transport system (ETS) host proteins. Thus, we investigated whether NS3 could modulate the ETS function by incubating recombinant DENV NS3 constructs in mitochondria isolated from mouse liver. We found that NS3pro (NS3 protease domain), but not the correspondent catalytically inactive mutant (NS3proS135A), impairs complex I (CI)-dependent NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity, but not the activities of complexes II, III, IV, or V. Accordingly, using high-resolution respirometry, we found that both NS3pro and full-length NS3 decrease the respiratory rates associated with malate/pyruvate oxidation in mitochondria. The NS3-induced impairment in mitochondrial respiration occurs without altering either leak respiration or mitochondria’s capacity to maintain membrane potential, suggesting that NS3 does not deeply affect mitochondrial integrity. Remarkably, CI activity is also inhibited in DENV-infected cells, supporting that the NS3 effects observed in isolated mitochondria may be relevant in the context of the infection. Finally, in silico analyses revealed the presence of potential NS3 cleavage sites in 17 subunits of mouse CI and 16 subunits of human CI, most of them located on the CI surface, suggesting that CI is prone to undergo proteolysis by NS3. Our findings suggest that DENV NS3 can modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics by directly affecting CI function. IMPORTANCE Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide, affecting about 400 million people yearly. Despite its importance, many molecular aspects of dengue pathogenesis remain poorly known. For several years, our group has been investigating DENV-induced metabolic alterations in the host cells, focusing on the bioenergetics of mitochondrial respiration. The results of the present study reveal that the DENV non-structural protein 3 (NS3) is found in the mitochondria of infected cells, impairing mitochondrial respiration by directly targeting one of the components of the electron transport system, the respiratory complex I (CI). NS3 acts as the viral protease during the DENV replication cycle, and its proteolytic activity seems necessary for inhibiting CI function. Our findings uncover new nuances of DENV-induced metabolic alterations, highlighting NS3 as an important player in the modulation of mitochondria function during infection.
Potential Biotechnological Applications of Venoms from the Viperidae Family in Central America for Thrombosis Jorge Eduardo Chang Estrada, Taissa Nunes Guerrero, Daniel Fernando Reyes-Enríquez, Erica Santos Nardy, Roseane Guimarães Ferreira, Cristian José Ruiz Calderón, Irmgardt A. Wellmann, Kaio Murilo Monteiro Espíndola, Alejandro Ferraz do Prado, Andreimar Martins Soares, Marcos Roberto de Mattos Fontes, Marta Chagas Monteiro, Russolina Benedeta Zingali Toxins, 2024
Polyclonal F(ab’)2 fragments of equine antibodies raised against the spike protein neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants with high potency Luis Eduardo R. Cunha, Adilson A. Stolet, Marcelo A. Strauch, Victor A.R. Pereira, Carlos H. Dumard, Andre M.O. Gomes, Fábio L. Monteiro, Luiza M. Higa, Patrícia N.C. Souza, Juliana G. Fonseca, Francisco E. Pontes, Leonardo G.R. Meirelles, José W.M. Albuquerque, Carolina Q. Sacramento, Natalia Fintelman-Rodrigues, Tulio M. Lima, Renata G.F. Alvim, Federico F. Marsili, Marcella Moreira Caldeira, Russolina B. Zingali, Guilherme A.P. de Oliveira, Thiago M.L. Souza, Alexandre S. Silva, Rodrigo Muller, Daniela del Rosário Flores Rodrigues, Luciana Jesus da Costa, Arthur Daniel R. Alves, Marcelo Alves Pinto, Andréa C. Oliveira, Herbert L.M. Guedes, Amilcar Tanuri, Leda R. Castilho, Jerson L. Silva Iscience, 2021
Chalcones identify cTXNPx as a potential antileishmanial drug target Douglas O. Escrivani, Rebecca L. Charlton, Marjolly B. Caruso, Gabriela A. Burle-Caldas, Maria Paula G. Borsodi, Russolina B. Zingali, Natalia Arruda-Costa, Marcos V. Palmeira-Mello, Jéssica B. de Jesus, Alessandra M. T. Souza, Bárbara Abrahim-Vieira, Stefanie Freitag-Pohl, Ehmke Pohl, Paul W. Denny, Bartira Rossi-Bergmann, Patrick G. Steel Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2021
Portulaca elatior root contains a trehalose-binding lectin with antibacterial and antifungal activities José Dayvid Ferreira da Silva, Suéllen Pedrosa da Silva, Pollyanna Michelle da Silva, Amanda Mota Vieira, Larissa Cardoso Correa de Araújo, Thâmarah de Albuquerque Lima, Ana Patrícia Silva de Oliveira, Lidiane Vasconcelos do Nascimento Carvalho, Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta, Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rêgo, Irapuan Oliveira Pinheiro, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Maria do Socorro de Mendonça Cavalcanti, Thiago Henrique Napoleão, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2019
A proteomic approach to compare saliva from individuals with and without oral leukoplakia Danielle Resende Camisasca, Lorena da Rós Gonçalves, Márcia Regina Soares, Vanessa Sandim, Fábio César Sousa Nogueira, Carlos Henrique Saraiva Garcia, Rodrigo Santana, Silvia Paula de Oliveira, Luisa Aguirre Buexm, Paulo Antônio Silvestre de Faria, Fernando Luiz Dias, Denise de Abreu Pereira, Russolina B. Zingali, Gilda Alves, Simone Queiroz Chaves Lourenço Journal of Proteomics, 2017
Differences between renal effects of venom from two Bothrops jararaca populations from southeastern and southern Brazil Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge, Antônio Rafael Coelho Jorge, Ramon Róseo Paula Pessoa Bezerra de Menezes, Clarissa Perdigão Mello, Danya Bandeira Lima, João Alison de Moraes Silveira, Natacha Teresa Queiroz Alves, Aline Diogo Marinho, Rafael Matos Ximenes, Carlos Corrêa-Netto, Larissa Gonçalves Machado, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Alice Maria Costa Martins, Helena Serra Azul Monteiro Toxicon, 2017
Evaluation of antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and hemolytic activities from venom of the spider Lasiodora sp. Felipe Roberto Borba Ferreira, Pollyanna Michelle da Silva, Tatiana Soares, Larissa Gonçalves Machado, Larissa Cardoso Corrêa de Araújo, Teresinha Gonçalves da Silva, Gabriela Souto Vieira de Mello, Maira Galdino da Rocha Pitta, Moacyr Jesus Barreto de Melo Rego, Emmanuel Viana Pontual, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Thiago Henrique Napoleão, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva Toxicon, 2016
Biotechnological value of Moringa oleifera seed cake as source of insecticidal lectin against Aedes aegypti Ana Patrícia Silva de Oliveira, Livia Lais de Santana Silva, Thâmarah de Albuquerque Lima, Emmanuel Viana Pontual, Nataly Diniz de Lima Santos, Luana Cassandra Breitenbach Barroso Coelho, Daniela Maria do Amaral Ferraz Navarro, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Thiago Henrique Napoleão, Patrícia Maria Guedes Paiva Process Biochemistry, 2016
Ecotin: Exploring a feasible antithrombotic profile Luciana Serrão Wermelinger, Flávia Serra Frattani, Tatiana Correa Carneiro-Lobo, Charles S. Craik, Helena Carla Castro, Russolina Benedeta Zingali International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2015
New insights on the Golgi complex of Tritrichomonas foetus IVONE De ANDRADE ROSA, MARJOLLY BRIGIDO CARUSO, SILAS PESSINI RODRIGUES, REINALDO BARROS GERALDO, LUIZA WILGES KIST, MAURICIO REIS BOGO, LUIZ GONZAGA, ANA TEREZA R DE VASCONCELOS, JOSE ANDRES MORGADO-DÍAZ, RUSSOLINA BENEDETA ZINGALI, MARLENE BENCHIMOL Parasitology, 2014
Molecular characterization of Rhodnius prolixus' embryonic cuticle Paula S. Souza-Ferreira, Mônica F. Moreira, Geórgia C. Atella, Ana Lúcia Oliveira-Carvalho, Roberto Eizemberg, David Majerowicz, Ana C.A. Melo, Russolina B. Zingali, Hatisaburo Masuda Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2014
Keratinases and sulfide from Bacillus subtilis SLC to recycle feather waste Sabrina Martins Lage Cedrola, Ana Cristina Nogueira de Melo, Ana Maria Mazotto, Ulysses Lins, Russolina Benedeta Zingali, Alexandre Soares Rosado, Raquel S. Peixoto, Alane Beatriz Vermelho World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2012
Analysis of the salivary proteome in gingivitis patients L. da R. Gonçalves, M. R. Soares, F. C. S. Nogueira, C. H. S. Garcia, D. R. Camisasca, G. Domont, A. C. R. Feitosa, D. A. Pereira, R. B. Zingali, G. Alves Journal of Periodontal Research, 2011
Biodegradation of feather waste by extracellular keratinases and gelatinases from Bacillus spp. Ana Maria Mazotto, Ana Cristina N. de Melo, Andrew Macrae, Alexandre Soares Rosado, Raquel Peixoto, Sabrina M. L. Cedrola, Sônia Couri, Russolina B. Zingali, Ana Lúcia V. Villa, Leon Rabinovitch, Jeane Q. Chaves, Alane B. Vermelho World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2011
Identificación molecular y actividad sobre sustratos cromogénicos de la venombina A del veneno de la serpiente peruana Bothrops atrox Revista Peruana De Biologia, 2010
Bothrops insularis venomics: A proteomic analysis supported by transcriptomic-generated sequence data Richard H. Valente, Patrícia R. Guimarães, Magno Junqueira, Ana Gisele C. Neves-Ferreira, Márcia R. Soares, Alex Chapeaurouge, Monique R.O. Trugilho, Ileana R. León, Surza L.G. Rocha, Ana Lucia Oliveira-Carvalho, Luciana S. Wermelinger, Denis L.S. Dutra, Luciana I. Leão, Inácio L.M. Junqueira-de-Azevedo, Paulo L. Ho, Russolina B. Zingali, Jonas Perales, Gilberto B. Domont Journal of Proteomics, 2009
Secretome of HepG2 cells infected with dengue virus: Implications for pathogenesis Luiza M. Higa, Marjolly B. Caruso, Flávia Canellas, Marcia R. Soares, Ana Lúcia Oliveira-Carvalho, Donat A. Chapeaurouge, Priscila M. Almeida, Jonas Perales, Russolina B. Zingali, Andrea T. Da Poian Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Proteins and Proteomics, 2008
Purification, physicochemical characterization and N-terminal-amino acid sequence of a phospholipase A2 from Bothrops jararaca venom. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas Sociedade Brasileira De Biofisica Et Al, 1993
Partial purification and some physicochemical properties of phospholipases A2 from the venom of the bushmaster snake (Lachesis muta). Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas Sociedade Brasileira De Biofisica Et Al, 1993
Biochemical and pharmacological screening of snake (Bothrops) venoms: Characterization of components acting on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 1988