1. The Entomotoxic fungal lectin Marasmius oreades agglutinin disrupts the midgut epithelium of Colorado Potato beetle larvaePrimož Žigon, Urban Bogataj, Sergej Praček, Tjaša Peternel, Polona Mrak, Maja Ivana Smodiš Škerl, Márta Ladányi, Katarina Karničar, Marko Fonović, Anastasija Panevska, Matej Skočaj, Dušan Turk, Nada Žnidaršič, Jaka Razinger, Jerica Sabotič, 2026, original scientific article Keywords: agricultural, biopesticide, entomotoxicity, European honeybee (Apis mellifera), fungan lectin, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, gut epithelium, plant protection
Published in DiRROS: 03.03.2026; Views: 326; Downloads: 316
 Full text (11,84 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
2. Magnetic field-driven strategies for biofilm disruption : from iron oxide nanoparticles to adaptive swarms of magnetic microrobotsMaja Caf, Parvaneh Esmaeilnejad-Ahranjani, Jelena Kološnjaj Tabi, Jerica Sabotič, Aleš Berlec, Nika Zaveršek, Stane Pajk, Abida Zahirović, Muriel Golzio, Irena Milošević, Slavko Kralj, 2026, review article Abstract: Biofilms, structured communities of microbial cells embedded in extracellular polymeric substances, are notorious for their resilience against conventional antimicrobial treatments. They contribute significantly to chronic infections and industrial biofouling, necessitating innovative strategies for their eradication. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have emerged as a promising tool in combating biofilms due to their biocompatibility and unique physicochemical properties, which enable magnetic delivery of antibacterial agents, magnetic hyperthermia, magneto-mechanical actuation including mechanical biofilm disruption, and reversible dynamic magnetic assembly into hierarchical structures. This review describes developing stages of magnetic nanoscale weapons against biofilms ranging from individual iron oxide nanoparticles to complex hierarchical nanoparticle assemblies in the form of magnetic robots and their swarms. A vast array of possible antibiofilm and antibacterial functionalities originating from iron ions, individual iron oxide nanoparticles, spherical nanoparticle assemblies, magnetic robots, and swarms of robots are presented. Magnetic nanotools offer significant improvements and advantages over conventional methods for biofilm eradication, yet their successful future applications depend on addressing and overcoming critical material, biological, and engineering challenges.
Keywords: biofilm, magnetic nanoparticles, magneto-mechanical actuation, microrobots, nanorobots
Published in DiRROS: 13.01.2026; Views: 426; Downloads: 504
Full text (6,12 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
3. Magnetomechanical detachment of bacterial biofilms using anisotropic magnetic iron oxide nanochainsMatija Šavli, Manca Černila, Maja Caf, Abida Zahirović, Nika Zaveršek, Sebastjan Nemec, Spase Stojanov, Anja Klančnik, Jerica Sabotič, Slavko Kralj, Aleš Berlec, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Bacterial biofilms attach to various surfaces and represent an important clinical and public health problem, as they are highly recalcitrant and are often associated with chronic, nonhealing diseases and healthcare-associated infections. Antibacterial agents are often not sufficient for their elimination and have to be combined with mechanical removal. Mechanical forces can be generated by actuating nonspherical (anisotropic) magnetically responsive nanoparticles in a rotating magnetic field. We have thus prepared anisotropic superparamagnetic nanochains in the size range of 0.5−1 μm by magnetically assembling several iron oxide nanoparticle clusters and coating them with a layer of silica with different shell morphologies: smooth, moderately rough, and highly rough. The silica surface was additionally functionalized with carboxylic groups to increase colloidal stability. The efficacy of the nanochains in biofilm removal was studied systematically with three different model nonpathogenic bacterial species Escherichia coli, Lactococcus lactis, and Pseudomonas fragi; two different magnetic field strengths; two stirring speeds; and two treatment durations. All bacterial species were engineered to express fluorescent proteins to enable quantification of biofilm removal by colony-forming unit count and fluorescence measurements. Nanochains removed >90% of Gram-negative E. coli and P. fragi with a stronger magnetic field, and <90% of Gram-positive L. lactis with a weaker magnetic field. Surface roughness of nanochains, duration, and stirring speed also affected removal, but the effect could not be generalized. In contrast to their effects on biofilms, the functionalized nanochains showed no toxicity to Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, regardless of whether magnetomechanical force was employed or not. In summary, we demonstrated that remotely controlled spatial movement of nanoparticles can generate sufficient mechanical forces to disperse attached biofilms while retaining safety in an epithelial cell model.
Keywords: bacterial biofilm, magnetomechanical detachment, magnetic nanoparticles, nanochains
Published in DiRROS: 09.09.2025; Views: 640; Downloads: 392
Full text (6,84 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
4. Different glycosylation profiles of cystatin F alter the cytotoxic potential of natural killer cellsEmanuela Senjor, Martina Pirro, Urban Švajger, Mateja Prunk, Jerica Sabotič, Anahid Jewett, Paul J. Hensbergen, Milica Perišić, Janko Kos, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Cystatin F, a cysteine peptidase inhibitor, is a potent modulator of NK cytotoxicity. By inhibiting granule-mediated cytotoxicity pathway, cystatin F induces formation of non-functional NK cell stage, called split-anergy. We show that N-glycosylation determines the localization and cellular function of cystatin F. Cystatin F mostly exhibited high-mannose glycosylation in U-937 cells, both high-mannose and complex glycosylation in NK-92 and primary NKs, and predominantly complex glycosylation in super-charged NKs. Manipulating N-glycosylation with kifunensine increased high-mannose glycosylation of cystatin F and lysosome localisation, which decreased cathepsin C activity and reduced NK cytotoxicity. Mannose-6-phosphate could significantly reduce the internalization of extracellular cystatin F. By comparing NK cells with different cytotoxic potentials, we found that high-mannose cystatin F was strongly associated with lysosomes and cathepsin C in NK-92 cell line. In contrast, in highly cytotoxic super-charged NKs, cystatin F with complex glycosylation was associated with the secretory pathway and less prone to inhibit cathepsin C. Modulating glycosylation to alter cystatin F localisation could increase the cytotoxicity of NK cells, thereby enhancing their therapeutic potential for treating cancer patients.
Keywords: cystatin F, immunosuppression, NK cells, N-Glycosylation
Published in DiRROS: 04.09.2025; Views: 577; Downloads: 203
Full text (3,96 MB) |
5. |
6. |
7. Cysteine cathepsins as regulators of the cytotoxicity of NK and T cellsMilica Perišić, Jerica Sabotič, Anahid Jewett, Janko Kos, 2014, review article Abstract: Cysteine cathepsins are lysosomal peptidases involved at different levels in the processes of the innate and adaptive immune responses. Some, such as cathepsins B, L, and H are expressed constitutively in most immune cells. In cells of innate immunity they play a role in cell adhesion and phagocytosis. Other cysteine cathepsins are expressed more specifically. Cathepsin X promotes dendritic cell maturation, adhesion of macrophages, and migration of T cells. Cathepsin S is implicated in major histocompatibility complex class II antigen presentation, whereas cathepsin C, expressed in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, is involved in processing pro-granzymes into proteolytically active forms, which trigger cell death in their target cells. The activity of cysteine cathepsins is controlled by endogenous cystatins, cysteine protease inhibitors. Of these, cystatin F is the only cystatin that is localized in endosomal/lysosomal vesicles. After proteolytic removal of its N-terminal peptide, cystatin F becomes a potent inhibitor of cathepsin C with the potential to regulate pro-granzyme processing and cell cytotoxicity. This review is focused on the role of cysteine cathepsins and their inhibitors in the molecular mechanisms leading to the cytotoxic activity of T lymphocytes and NK cells in order to address new possibilities for regulation of their function in pathological processes.
Published in DiRROS: 04.09.2025; Views: 542; Downloads: 400
Full text (5,16 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
8. Exposure to specific fungal lectins during adhesionimpairs biofilm formation of Listeria on polystyreneNikolaja Janež, Márta Ladányi, Meta Sterniša, Blaž Jug, Tanja Zupan, Tjaša Peternel, Aleksandar Sebastijanović, Milica Perišić, Katarina Karničar, Ajda Taler-Verčič, Dušan Turk, Anja Klančnik, Janez Štrancar, Jerica Sabotič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium that can form biofilms in food processing plants, allowing the bacteria to survive despite the control measures applied. As the surface of the bacteria is covered with versatile polysaccharides and proteins, these influence the interactions of the bacterium with any surface. The unique properties and high stability of fungal proteins make them good candidates for the control of bacteria by targeting surface structures. We screened a group of fungal lectins and protease inhibitors from different fungal species, protein folds and known targets for their antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against model strains of Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes. Several of them significantly decreased the viability of biofilm bacteria, but had no effect on bacterial growth parameters at 37°C and thus had no antibacterial activity. Fungal lectins significantly impaired biofilm development even at room temperature, which was attributed to exposure to lectins during adhesion. The tested fungal proteins also reduced biofilm development on biological model surfaces. The observed antibiofilm activity of fungal proteins suggests that they have the potential to modulate interactions between bacteria and/or between bacteria and surfaces, which could be used in the future to reduce surface contamination by Listeria.
Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, biofilm
Published in DiRROS: 13.01.2025; Views: 916; Downloads: 657
Full text (4,70 MB)
This document has many files! More... |
9. A new network for the advancement of marine biotechnology in Europe and beyondAna Rotter, Ariola Bacu, Michèle Barbier, Francesco Bertoni, Atle M. Bones, M. Leonor Cancela, Jens Carlsson, Maria F. Carvalho, Marta Cegłowska, Meltem Conk Dalay, Jerica Sabotič, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Marine organisms produce a vast diversity of metabolites with biological activities useful for humans, e.g., cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, insecticidal, herbicidal, anticancer, pro-osteogenic and pro-regenerative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, cholesterol-lowering, nutritional, photoprotective, horticultural or other beneficial properties. These metabolites could help satisfy the increasing demand for alternative sources of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food, feed, and novel bio-based products. In addition, marine biomass itself can serve as the source material for the production of various bulk commodities (e.g., biofuels, bioplastics, biomaterials). The sustainable exploitation of marine bio-resources and the development of biomolecules and polymers are also known as the growing field of marine biotechnology. Up to now, over 35,000 natural products have been characterized from marine organisms, but many more are yet to be uncovered, as the vast diversity of biota in the marine systems remains largely unexplored. Since marine biotechnology is still in its infancy, there is a need to create effective, operational, inclusive, sustainable, transnational and transdisciplinary networks with a serious and ambitious commitment for knowledge transfer, training provision, dissemination of best practices and identification of the emerging technological trends through science communication activities. A collaborative (net)work is today compelling to provide innovative solutions and products that can be commercialized to contribute to the circular bioeconomy. This perspective article highlights the importance of establishing such collaborative frameworks using the example of Ocean4Biotech, an Action within the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) that connects all and any stakeholders with an interest in marine biotechnology in Europe and beyond.
Keywords: marine biotechnology, marine natural products, blue growth, marine biodiversity and chemodiversity, responsible research and innovation, stakeholder engagement, science communication, sustainability
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 1503; Downloads: 750
Full text (1010,29 KB)
This document has many files! More... |
10. |
