Some Italian research institutions and PI’s interested in participating
in the Victoria Land Transect Project
Guido di Prisco
Institute of Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology, CNR, Naples, Italy
1. Institute of Protein Biochemistry and Enzymology, CNR, Naples, Italy (PI: G di Prisco)
The research spans in several fields comprising physiology and biochemistry of terrestrial
and marine organisms, both vertebrates and invertebrates, which have colonised the Antarctic
environment: fish, birds, seals, extremophilic microorganism (thermophiles and psychrophiles).
 Fish (G di Prisco and co-workers). Some of these studies have been carried out for 20 years,
before the inception of PNRA, and have been addressed to the molecular bases of fish
biochemical and physiological adaptations to the low environmental temperatures, in order to
establish correlations with the framework of ecological constraints and – more in general – with
the mechanisms of evolution. Research on cold adaptation has been essentially aimed at
studying two biological systems of primary importance:
1. Respiration (oxygen-transport and storage system). The main target of these studies is
hemoglobin (Hb), the oxygen-carrying protein. Hb has been characterised in about half
the species of the dominant suborder Notothenioidei and in species of other suborders
(e.g. Zoarcoidei), from the structural and functional points of view, paying special
attention to (i) thermodynamics of oxygen binding; (ii) three-dimensional
crystallographic structure in two species whose Hbs have highly similar amino acid
sequences but are functionally very distinct; (iii) organisation and arrangement of globin
genes and transcriptionally inactive gene remnants of icefishes. From this and many
other points of view, at present notothenioids are in absolute terms the most thoroughly
characterised group of fish in the world. Their importance as a reference group for
teleosts of other latitudes is undisputed.
2. Metabolism (enzyme systems of key metabolic importance: erythrocyte glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase, liver L-glutamate dehydrogenase, muscle phosphorylase,
blood and gill carbonic anhydrase. The relationship between molecular structure and
catalytic behaviour has been investigated in relation to cold adaptation, especially
considering the thermodynamic response to temperature and pressure variations. Some
enzymes are studied in relation to the different physiology of red-blooded species and of
species whose blood is devoid of Hb (icefish).
 Extremophilic microorganism: thermophiles, alophiles and psychrophiles (G di Prisco, M
Antonietta Ciardiello). Several species of thermophiles (one of which, Bacillus
thermoantarcticus, is a novel species) and alophiles have been isolated from Mount Melbourne
and Edmonson Point. Taxonomical work has been carried out, as well as characterisation of
enzyme content and membrane lipids. A psychrophile (Psychrobacter sp. TAD1) has been
isolated from fresh continental water. Two glutamate dehydrogenases, each specific for either
NAD or NADP, have been purified and characterised, with respect to cold-adapted features. The
NADP-dependent enzyme has been overexpressed in Escherichia coli; the complete amino acid
sequence has been established.
Aims of participation in the Victoria Land Transect Project
The Project, foreseeing action within 6-7 degrees of latitude in the Ross Sea, tackle several
topics highly pertinent to our research, especially as far as distribution and biodiversity of the
species is concerned, as a function of (i) environmental dynamics and chronologies; (ii) effect of
sea-ice cover; (iii) effect of gradients of physico-chemical parameters along the transect; etc.
The systematic character of the Project activities will give us the opportunity to considerably
increase our knowledge on respiration and metabolism of Notothenioidei, as well as to continue the
studies on an expanded range of microbial species from land and sea (see Monticelli). Moreover,
monitoring (i) the distribution of species along the transect and (ii) the fine response of fish
adaptation mechanism to small physico-chemical variations in the environment (see Eastman and
co-workers), integrated with cytogenetic studies and phylogeny (see Pisano and co-workers), is an
essential step to continue our efforts aimed at understanding evolution also at the molecular level,
and above all to tackle other general aspects of the utmost importance, such as climate changes,
biodiversity, anthropogenic impact on the environment, the effect of the enhancement of UV-B
radiation due to ozone depletion on fish larvae (as an example) which often prosper at the water
surface, etc. These aspects are tightly linked to Global Change: a dramatic phenomenon bound to
become more and more crucial for the survival of mankind.
At the SCAR WG of Biology (Tokyo, 2000) it was stressed that the Project is correlated
with other important international programmes, such as EASIZ, EVOLANTA and ICEFISH, some
of which are SCAR-sponsored. Our research teams are deeply involved in all of these programmes.
2. Dept of Experimental, Environmental and Applied Biology, Univ of Genova, Italy
(PI: Eva Pisano)
and
3. National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France (PI: Catherine Ozouf-Costaz)
Our studies are focussed on Cytogenetics of Notothenioid fishes. The main aim is the
acquisition of genomic structural information by way of conventional and molecular cytogenetics,
in order to (see Eastman and co-workers; di Prisco and co-workers):
 contribute to the knowledge of fish biodiversity
 evaluate possible chromosomal intraspecific variations among populations of most common
species along the latitudinal gradient
 correlate genomic structural changes with main adaptive processes in the evolution of
notothenioid fish
4. University of Padova, Italy (PI: T Patarnello)
One of the current Antarctic research interest is the analysis of inter- and intra-specific
genetic diversity in finfish and krill species. Investigations have been carried out by means of
molecular markers such as sequence polymorphism at mitochondrial DNA, amplified fragment
length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and microsatellite nuclear loci. The results indicate the existence of
distinct genetic pools in the different areas of the Southern ocean for both fish and krill species.
Such genetic heterogeneity is more pronounced in the two fish species (Pleuragramma antarcticum
and Chionodraco spp.) as compared to the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. In both fish and krill
spatial as well as temporal genetic heterogeneity was evidenced. Our goals are: 1) to extend the
analysis of spatial and/or temporal variation at polymorphic loci; 2) to infer the genetic population
structure (in relation to biology); 3) to estimate the migration rates (in relation to biology); 4) to test
the effect of oceanographic factors on genetic diversity (micro- macro-geographic scale).
The species on which we intend to focus are: E. superba (Antarctic krill); E.
crystallorophias (ice krill); P. antarcticum (Antarctic silverfish); Chionodraco spp (icefish).
Molecular markers currently developed and routinely in use for the above listed species are:
 sequence polymorphism at hypervariable mitochondrial DNA loci
 amplified fragments length polymorphism (AFLPs)
 length polymorphism at variable number tandem repeat (VNTR, microsatellite) nuclear loci
Fish biology and biochemistry
1985 - D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Structural studies on hemoglobins from Antarctic marine organisms.
Ital J Biochem 34:457-460
1986 - di Prisco G. Antarctic fishes and cold adaptation. Proc 1st Symp on Marine Biochemistry,Ital
Biochem Soc, pp 51-68. Editoriale Grasso, Bologna
1986 - di Prisco G. Functional properties of hemoglobin from Antarctic fishes. Antarct J US
21(5):215-216
1986 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R, Condò S, Giardina B, Brunori M. Regulatory effects on oxygen
binding in Antarctic fish hemoglobin. Proc 1st Symp on Marine Biochemistry, Ital Biochem
Soc pp 113-115. Editoriale Grasso, Bologna
1988 - di Prisco G, Maresca B, Tota B. Marine biology of Antarctic organisms: Proceedings of the
International Conference on the Marine Biology of the Antarctic. In: G di Prisco, B
Maresca, B Tota (eds) Proc International Conference on Marine Biology of Antarctica,
Ravello, 1986. Comp Biochem Physiol 90B:459-460
1988 - D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Antarctic fish hemoglobin: an outline of the molecular structure and
oxygen binding properties. - 1. Molecular structure. In: G di Prisco, B Maresca, B Tota (eds)
Proc International Conference on Marine Biology of Antarctica, Ravello, 1986. Comp
Biochem Physiol 90B:579-584
1988 - di Prisco G, Giardina B, D'Avino R, Condò SG, Bellelli A, Brunori M. Antarctic fish
hemoglobin: an outline of the molecular structure and oxygen binding properties. - 2.
Oxygen binding properties. In: G di Prisco, B Maresca, B Tota (eds) Proc International
Conference on Marine Biology of Antarctica, Ravello, 1986. Comp Biochem Physiol
90B:585-591
1988 - di Prisco G. A study of hemoglobin in Antarctic fishes: purification and characterization of
hemoglobins from four species. In: G di Prisco, B Maresca, B Tota (eds) Proc International
Conference on Marine Biology of Antarctica, Ravello, 1986. Comp Biochem Physiol
90B:631-637
1988 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R, Camardella L, Caruso C, Romano M, RutiglianoB. Pesci antartici e
adattamento alle basse temperature. Acqua - Aria 4/88:445-451
1989 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Romano M, Camardella L, Rutigliano B, di Prisco G. Hemoglobins in
cold-adapted Antarctic teleosts. Ital J Biochem 38:33A-35A
1989 - D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Hemoglobin from the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta.
- 1. Purification and characterisation. Eur J Biochem 179:699-705
1989 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Romano M, Camardella L, Rutigliano B, di Prisco G. Hemoglobin
from the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta. - 2. Amino acid sequence of the
alpha- chain of Hb 1. Eur J Biochem 179:707-713
1989 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R. Molecular adaptation of the blood of Antarctic teleosts to
environmental conditions. Antarctic Science 1:119-124
1989 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Schininà ME, Rutigliano B, Romano M, Camardella L, Bossa F,
Barra D, di Prisco G. The amino acid sequence of the ###- and ß-chains of the two
hemoglobins of the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta. FEBS Letters 250:53-56
1989 - Camardella L, Caruso C, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Romano M, Rutigliano B. Life under
extreme conditions: biochemistry of cold adaptation in Antarctic fishes. CHIMICAoggi
7:65-68.
1989 - Camardella L, Carratore V, Caruso C, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Romano M, Rutigliano B,
Tamburrini M. Primary structure and functional features of hemoglobins from several
species of Antarctic teleosts. Proteine'89, Siena, R17:65-68
1989 - Macdonald JA, Wells RMG, di Prisco G. Thin-blooded Antarctic fishes: absence of
erythrocytes is a major factor determining low blood viscosity in ice-fishes. Proceedings of
the Physiological Society of New Zealand 9:25
1989 - di Prisco G. I pesci dell'Oceano Antartico e la loro evoluzione. Sapere 55:29-34
1989 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R, Caruso C, Romano M, Camardella L, Rutigliano B. The oxygen
transport in Antarctic fishes: structure and function of hemoglobin. Proceedings of the
International Symposium on Antarctic Research, Hangzhou, China, pp 311-316
1990 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R, Camardella L, Caruso C, Romano M, Rutigliano B. Structure and
function of hemoglobin in Antarctic fishes and evolutionary implications. Polar Biol
10:269-274
1990 - Natoli G, Calabrese L, Capo C, O'Neill P, di Prisco G. Icefish (Chaenocephalus aceratus)
Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase. Conservation of the enzyme properties in extreme adaptation.
Comp Biochem Physiol 95B:29-33
1990 - Wells RMG, Macdonald JA, di Prisco G. A rheological comparison of the haemoglobin-free
icefishes, Chionodraco kathleenae and Cryodraco antarcticus, with a red-blooded
nototheniid, Pagothenia bernacchii. J Fish Biol 36:595-609
1990 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Schininà ME, Rutigliano B, Romano M, Camardella L, Bossa F,
Barra D, di Prisco G. Hemoglobin from the Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps neglecta.
Amino acid sequence of the beta chain. Comp Biochem Physiol 96B:367-373
1990 - D'Avino R, Fago A, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. Structure and function of the hemoglobin of
the Antarctic teleost Aethotaxis mitopteryx.. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions,
Minerva Biotecnologica (suppl) 2:315
1990 - Tamburrini M, Condò SG, di Prisco G, Giardina B. Energy-saving mechanism of the
hemoglobin from the Antarctic fish P. bernacchii. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions,
Minerva Biotecnologica (suppl) 2:326
1990 - Tamburrini M, D'Avino R,Caruso C, Camardella L, Carratore V, Rutigliano B, Romano M,
di Prisco G. Amino acid sequence of the hemoglobin of the Antarctic teleost Pagothenia
bernacchii. J Prot Chem 9:354-355
1990 - D'Avino R, Camardella L, Carratore V, di Prisco G. The amino acid sequence of the ###
chain of Hb 2 completes the primary structure of the hemoglobins of the Antarctic fish
Notothenia coriiceps neglecta. Comp Biochem Physiol 97B:803-807
1991 - di Prisco G. Preface. In: G di Prisco (ed) Life under Extreme Conditions: Biochemical
Adaptation, pp V-VII. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York
1991 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Camardella L, Schininà ME, Rutigliano B, Romano M, Carratore V,
Barra D, di Prisco G. An overview of the molecular structure and functional properties of
the hemoglobins of a cold-adapted Antarctic teleost. In: G di Prisco (ed) Life under Extreme
Conditions: Biochemical Adaptation, pp 15-33. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New
York
1991 - Camardella L, Carratore V, Caruso C, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Romano M, Rutigliano B,
Tamburrini M. Studies on the molecular bases of adaptation to low temperatures in
Antarctic teleostea: hemoglobins and enzymes. In: B Battaglia, PM Bisol, V Varotto (eds)
Proc 1st Meet Biol in Antarctica, Rome 1989, pp 231-273. Edizioni Universitarie Patavine,
Padova
1991 - Caruso C, Rutigliano B, Romano M, di Prisco G. The hemoglobins of the cold-adapted
Antarctic teleost Cygnodraco mawsoni. Biochim Biophys Acta 1078:273-282
1991 - di Prisco G, Condò SG, Tamburrini M, Giardina B. Oxygen transport in extreme
environments. TIBS 16:471-474
1991 - di Prisco G, Maresca B, Tota B. Preface. In: G di Prisco, B Maresca, B Tota (eds) Biology
of Antarctic Fish, pp V-VI. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York
1991 - di Prisco G, D'Avino R, Caruso C, Tamburrini M, Camardella L, Rutigliano B, Carratore V,
Romano M. The biochemistry of oxygen transport in red-blooded Antarctic fishes. In: G di
Prisco, B Maresca, B Tota (eds) Biology of Antarctic Fish, pp 263-281. Springer-Verlag,
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York
1991 - Kunzmann A, Caruso C, di Prisco G. Haematological studies on a high-Antarctic fish:
Bathydraco marri Norman. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 152:243-255
1991 - Caruso C, Romano M, Tamburrini M, Polverino P, Carratore V, Rutigliano B, di Prisco G.
Structure and function of Hb C, a major hemoglobin found only in one Antarctic fish
species. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 2:17
1991 - Fago A, D'Avino R, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. The primary structure of the single
hemoglobin with no Root effect of an Antarctic fish. Italian Biochemical Society
Transactions 2:303
1992 - Tamburrini M, Brancaccio A, Ippoliti R, di Prisco G. The amino acid sequence and oxygenbinding properties of the single hemoglobin of the cold-adapted Antarctic teleost
Gymnodraco acuticeps. Arch Biochem Biophys 292:295-302
1992 - D'Avino R, Fago A, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. Theprimary structure and oxygen-binding
properties of the single haemoglobin of the high-Antarctic fish Aethotaxis mitopteryx
DeWitt. Polar Biol 12:135-140
1992 - Kunzmann A, Fago A, D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Haematological studies on Aethotaxis
mitopteryx DeWitt, a high-Antarctic fish with a single haemoglobin. Polar Biol 12:141-145
1992 - Camardella L, Caruso C, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Rutigliano B, Tamburrini M, Fermi G,
Perutz MF. Haemoglobin of the Antarctic fish Pagothenia bernacchii. Amino acid
sequence, oxygen equilibria and crystal structure of the carbomonoxy derivative. J Mol Biol
224:449-460
1992 - di Prisco G, Macdonald JA, Brunori M. Antarctic fishes survive exposure to carbon
monoxide. Experientia 48:473-475
1992 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from two
Antarctic fishes: the red-blooded Dissostichus mawsoni and the hemoglobinless icefish
Chionodraco hamatus. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 3:44 (S5.6)
1992 - D'Avino R, Fago A, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. Which is the physiological relevance of
hemoglobins without Root effect in Antarctic fish? Italian Biochemical Society Transactions
3:115 (B9)
1992 - di Prisco G, Tamburrini M. The hemoglobins of marine and fresh-water fish: the search for
correlations with physiological adaptation. Comp Biochem Physiol 102B:661-671
1992 - Caruso C, Rutigliano B, Riccio A, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. The amino acid sequence of
the single hemoglobin of the high-Antarctic fish Bathydraco marri Norman. Comp Biochem
Physiol 102B:941-946
1992 - Bellelli A, di Prisco G. Thermodynamic and stereochemical modelling of vertebrate
haemoglobin. In: S Egginton, HF Ross (eds) Society for Experimental Biology Seminar
Series 51: Oxygen Transport in Biological Systems, pp 103-134. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge
1992 - Scudiero R, De Prisco P, Camardella L, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Parisi E. Apparent
deficiency of metallothionein in the liver of the Antarctic icefish Chionodraco hamatus.
Identification and isolation of a zinc-containing protein unlike metallothionein. Comp
Biochem Physiol 103B:201-207
1992 - Fago A, D'Avino R, di Prisco G. The hemoglobins of Notothenia angustata, a temperate fish
belonging to a family largely endemic to the Antarctic Ocean. Eur J Biochem 210:963-970
1992 - di Prisco G. The Antarctic marine ecosystem: Italian contributions to the BIOMASS
Programme. BIOMASS Report Series 69:116-128
1993 - di Prisco G, Tamburrini M, Kunzmann A. Fisheries biology and structure and function of
fish haemoglobin. Ber Polarfoschung 121:92-98
1993 - Scudiero R, De Prisco PP, Capasso C, D'Avino R, Camardella L, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Characterisation of Zn-binding proteins isolated from marine Antarctic organisms. Italian
Biochemical Society Transactions 4:11
1993 - Fago A, Romano M, Tamburrini M, Coletta M, D'Avino R, di Prisco G. A polymerising
Root-effect fish hemoglobin with high subunit heterogeneity. Correlation with primary
structure. Eur J Biochem 218:829-835
1994 - D'Avino R, Caruso C, Tamburrini M, Romano M, Rutigliano B, Polverino de Laureto P,
Camardella L, Carratore V, di Prisco G. Molecular characterization of the functionally
distinct hemoglobins of the Antarctic fish Trematomus newnesi. J Biol Chem 269:9675-9681
1994 - di Prisco G, Camardella L, Carratore V, Caruso C, Ciardiello MA, D'Avino R, Fago A,
Riccio A, Romano M, Rutigliano B, Tamburrini M. Structure and function of hemoglobins,
enzymes and other proteins from Antarctic marine and terrestrial organisms. In Proc 2nd
Meet Biol in Antarctica, Padova 1992 (B Battaglia, PM Bisol, V Varotto, eds) pp 157-177.
Edizioni Universitarie Patavine, Padova
1994 - di Prisco G. Adattamenti ambientali nei vertebrati dei mari polari. In: Atti del Seminario "il
ruolo delle aree remote nello studio dei cambiamenti globali", CNR, Roma, 1993. Ambiente
Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica per l’Antartide, numero speciale),
pp 111-114
1995 - Cocca E, Ratnayake-Lecamwasam M, Parker SK, Camardella L, Ciaramella M, di Prisco G,
Detrich HW III. Genomic remnants of ###-globin genes in the hemoglobinless Antarctic
icefishes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:1817-1821
1995 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from the
blood cells of two Antarctic teleosts: correlation with cold adaptation. Biochim Biophys Acta
1250:76-82
1995 - Fago A, Carratore V, di Prisco G, Feuerlein RJ, Sottrup-Jensen L, Weber R. The cathodic
hemoglobin of Anguilla anguilla. Amino acid sequence and oxygen equilibria of a reverse
Bohr effect hemoglobin with high oxygen affinity and high phosphate sensitivity. J Biol
Chem 270:18897-18902
1995 - Pellegrini M, Giardina B, Olianas A, Sanna MT, Deiana AM, Salvadori S, di Prisco G,
Tamburrini M, Corda M. Structure/function relationships in the hemoglobin components
from moray (Muraena helena). Eur J Biochem 234:431-436
1995 - Ratnayake-Lecamwasam M, Parker SK, Detrich HW III, Cocca E, Camardella L, Ciaramella
M, di Prisco G. Do the hemoglobinless antarctic icefishes possess globin genes? Antarctic J
US 30:172-182
1996 - Tamburrini M, D'Avino R, Fago A, Carratore V, Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. The unique
hemoglobin system of Pleuragramma antarcticum, an Antarctic migratory teleost. J Biol
Chem 271:23780-23785
1996 - di Prisco G, Giardina B. Temperature adaptation: Molecular aspects. In: IA Johnston, AF
Bennett (eds) Society for Experimental Biology Seminar Series 59: Animals and
Temperature. Phenotypic and Evolutionary Adaptation, pp 23-51. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge
1996 - Coletta M, Ascenzi P, D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Proton-linked subunit kinetic heterogeneity
for carbon monoxide binding to hemoglobin from Chelidonichthys kumu. J Biol Chem
271:29859-29864
1996 - Scudiero R, Carginale V, Riggio M, Capasso C, Capasso A, Kille P, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Metallothioneins in Antarctic marine organisms. 41° Congresso Nazionale della Società
Italiana di Biochimica, Catania. Ital Biochem Soc Transactions 7:53
1996 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, Carratore, V, di Prisco G. L-glutamate dehydrogenase from
an Antarctic fish: structural and functional features. 41 Congresso Nazionale della Societa'
Italiana di Biochimica, Catania. Ital Biochem Soc Transactions 7:151
1997 - di Prisco G. Physiological and biochemical adaptations in fish to a cold marine environment.
In Proceedings of the SCAR 6th Biology Symposium “Antarctic Communities: Species,
Structure and Survival”, Venice (B Battaglia, J Valencia, DWH Walton, eds), pp 251-260.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
1997 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Enzymes in cold-adapted Antarctic fish: glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In Proceedings of the SCAR 6th Biology Symposium “Antarctic
Communities: Species, Structure and Survival”, Venice (B Battaglia, J Valencia, DWH
Walton, eds), pp 261-265. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
1997 - Scudiero R, Carginale V, Riggio M, Capasso C, Capasso A, Kille P, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Difference in hepatic metallothionein content in red-blooded and haemoglobinless Antarctic
fishes. Undetectable metallothionein levels in haemoglobinless fishes is accompanied by
accumulation of untranslated metallothionein mRNA. Biochem J 322:207-211
1997 - di Prisco G, Camardella L, Carratore V, Ciardiello MA, Cocca E, D'Avino R, Romano M,
Tamburrini M. Structure and function of hemoglobins and enzymes from Antarctic
organisms. The search for correlations with adaptive evolution. In Proceedings of the 3rd
Meeting on Biology in Antarctica, S. Margherita Ligure, 1996 (G di Prisco, S Focardi, P
Luporini, eds), pp 83-104. Camerino University Press
1997 - di Prisco G. Foreword. Comp Biochem Physiol 118A:975-976
1997 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, Carratore V, di Prisco G. Enzymes in Antarctic fish: Glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase. Comp Biochem Physiol
118A:1031-1036
1997 - Tamburrini M, D'Avino R, Carratore V; Kunzmann A, di Prisco G. The hemoglobin system
of Pleuragramma antarcticum: correlation of hematological and biochemical adaptations with
life style. Comp Biochem Physiol 118A:1037-1044
1997 - D'Avino R, di Prisco G. The hemoglobin system of Antarctic and non-Antarctic notothenioid
fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol 118A:1045-1049
1997 - Cocca E, Ratnayake-Lecamwasam M, Parker SK, Camardella L, Ciaramella M, di Prisco G,
Detrich HW III. Do the hemoglobinless icefishes have globin genes? Comp Biochem Physiol
118A:1027-1030
1997 - Stam WT, Beintema, JJ, D'Avino R, Tamburrini M, di Prisco G. Molecular evolution of
Antarctic fishes (Notothenioidei). J Mol Evol 45:437-445
1997 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Enzymes of Antarctic fishes: Effect of
temperature on catalysis. Cybium 21(4):443-450
1997 - di Prisco G. Antarctic marine organisms: Life style and biochemical adaptation. 42°
Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Biochimica, Ancona. Italian Biochemical
Society Transactions 9:120-123
1997 - Verde C, Scudiero R, Carginale V, di Prisco G, Parisi E. Evidence for differences in the
isoform-specific amount of metallothionein mRNA in different tissues of the Antarctic
icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus. 42° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di
Biochimica, Ancona. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 9:193
1997 - Carginale V, Scudiero R, Capasso C, Passaretti G, Capasso A, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Differential induction of metallothionein mRNA transripts in Antarctic icefish Chionodraco
hamatus after cadmium exposure. 42° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di
Biochimica, Ancona. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 9:200
1997 - Giangiacomo L, Vecchini P, Chiancone E, D'Avino R, di Prisco G. Effect of temperature
and pH on the subunit dissociation of Pagothenia bernacchii corbomonoxy hemoglobin. A
sedimentation equilibrium study. 42° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di
Biochimica, Ancona. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 9:381
1998 - di Prisco G, Tamburrini M, D'Avino R. Oxygen-transport system in extreme environments:
multiplicity and structure-function relationship in haemoglobins of Antarctic fish. In Cold
Ocean Physiology (HO Pörtner, RC Playle, eds), pp 143-165. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge
1998 - Smulevich G, Possenti M, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Coletta M. Spectroscopic studies of the
heme active site of hemoglobin from Chelidonichthys kumu. J Raman Spectroscopy 29:5765
1998 - Zhao Y, Ratnayake-Lecamwasam M, Parker SK, Cocca E, Camardella L, di Prisco G,
Detrich HW III. The major adult ###-globin gene of Antarctic teleosts and its remnants in the
hemoglobinless icefishes. Calibration of the mutational clock for nuclear genes. J Biol Chem
273:14745-14752
1998 - Carginale V, Scudiero R, Capasso C, Capasso A, Kille P, di Prisco G, Parisi E. Cadmiuminduced differential accumulation of metallothionein isoforms in the Antarctic icefish which
exhibits no basal protein but high endogenous mRNA levels. Biochem J 332:475-481
1998 - Capasso C, Riggio M, Scudiero R Carginale V, di Prisco G, Kay J, Kille P, Parisi E.
Molecular cloning and sequence determination of a novel aspartic proteinase from Antarctic
fish. Biochim Biophys Acta 1387:457-461
1998 - di Prisco G, Pisano E, Clarke A. Preface. In Fishes of Antarctica. A Biological Overview (G
di Prisco, E Pisano, A Clarke, eds), pp V-VI. Springer, Milano, Heidelberg, New York
1998 - Carginale V, Capasso A, Capasso C, Kille P, Parisi E, Passaretti GL, di Prisco G, Riggio M,
Scudiero R. Metallothionein in Antarctic fish. In Fishes of Antarctica. A Biological
Overview (G di Prisco, E Pisano, A Clarke, eds), pp 151-161. Springer, Milano, Heidelberg,
New York
1998 - di Prisco G. Molecular adaptations in Antarctic fish hemoglobins. In Fishes of Antarctica. A
Biological Overview (G di Prisco, E Pisano, A Clarke, eds), pp 339-353. Springer, Milano,
Heidelberg, New York
1998 - Stam WT, Beintema JJ, D’Avino R, Tamburrini M, Cocca E, di Prisco G. Evolutionary
studies on teleost hemoglobin sequences. In Fishes of Antarctica. A Biological Overview (G
di Prisco, E Pisano, A Clarke, eds), pp 355-359. Springer, Milano, Heidelberg, New York
1998 - di Prisco G. Basi fisiologiche, biochimiche e molecolari dell’adattamento evolutivo nei
teleostei. Conferenza Nazionale sull’Antartide - Sintesi delle attività scientifiche, Rome,
Italy, pp 34-43. MURST/PNRA
1998 - Tamburrini M, Romano M, Carratore V, Kunzmann A, Coletta M, di Prisco G. The
hemoglobins of the Antarctic fishes Artedidraco orianae and Pogonophryne scotti. Amino
acid sequence, lack of cooperativity and ligand binding properties. J Biol Chem 273:3245232459
1998 - D'Avino R., Tamburrini M., Cocca E., Stam W.T., Beintema J.J. and di Prisco G. The
evolution of hemoglobin in teleosts of the suborder Notothenioidei. Ital. J. Biochem.
47(2):119-121.
1999 - Carginale V, Scudiero R, Capasso A, Capasso C, Passaretti GL, di Prisco G, Kille P, Parisi
E. Accumulation of untranslated metallothionein mRNA in antarctic hemoglobinless fish
(icefish). In Metallothionein IV (C Klaassen, ed), pp 167-172. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel
1999 - Ciardiello MA, Schmitt B, di Prisco G, Hervé G. Hydrostatic pressure influence on Lglutamate dehydrogenase from the Antarctic fish Chaenocephalus aceratus. Mar Biol
134:631-636
1999 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Temperature adaptations in enzymes of Antarctic
fish. In Cold-adapted organisms. Ecology, physiology, enzymology and molecular biology
(R Margesin, F Schinner, eds), pp 297-304. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg
1999 - di Prisco G, D’Avino R, Tamburrini M. Structure and function of hemoglobins from
Antarctic organisms: the search for correlations with adaptive evolution. In Cold-adapted
organisms. Ecology, physiology, enzymology and molecular biology (R Margesin, F
Schinner, eds), pp 239-253. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg
1999 - Mazzarella L, D’Avino R, di Prisco G, Savino C, Vitagliano L, Moody PCE, Zagari A.
Crystal Structure of Trematomus newnesi haemoglobin re-opens the Root effect question. J
Mol Biol 287:897-906
2000 - Scudiero R, Verde C, Carginale V, Kille P, Capasso C, di Prisco G, Parisi E. Tissue-specific
regulation of metallothionein and metallothionein mRNA accumulation in the Antarctic
notothenioid Notothenia coriiceps. Polar Biol 23:17-23
2000 - di Prisco G. Life style and biochemical adaptation in Antarctic fishes. J Mar Systems 27:253265
2000 - di Prisco G, Carratore V, Cocca E, Riccio A, Tamburrini M. Molecular structure and
functional adaptations of hemoglobins from Antarctic marine organisms. Ital J Zool 67:3746
2000 - di Prisco G, Giardina B, Weber RE. Preface. In Hemoglobin function in vertebrates.
Molecular adaptations in extreme and temperate environments (G di Prisco, B Giardina, RE
Weber, eds). Springer Milan Heidelberg, pp V-VI
2000 - di Prisco G, Giardina B. Molecular aspects of temperature adaptation. In Hemoglobin
function in vertebrates. Molecular adaptations in extreme and temperate environments (G di
Prisco, B Giardina, RE Weber, eds). Springer Milan Heidelberg, pp 1-21
2000 - Tamburrini M, di Prisco G. Oxygen-transport system and mode of life in Antarctic fish. In
Hemoglobin function in vertebrates. Molecular adaptations in extreme and temperate
environments (G di Prisco, B Giardina, RE Weber, eds). Springer Milan Heidelberg, pp 5159
2000 - Tamburrini M, Corda M, Olianas A, Serra S, Giardina B, Verde C, di Prisco G, Pellegrini M.
Structure and function of the isolated hemoglobins of the brown moray, G. unicolor. 45°
Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Biochimica, Napoli. Italian Biochemical
Society Transactions 15:102
2000 - Ciardiello MA, Camardella L,Carratore V, di Prisco G. L-Glutamate dehydrogenase from
the Antarctic fish Chaenocephalus aceratus. Primary structure, function and thermodynamic
characterisation: relationship with cold adaptation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1543:11-23
2000 - Riccio A, Tamburrini M, Carratore V, di Prisco G. Functionally distinct haemoglobins of the
cryopelagic Antarctic teleost Pagothenia borchgrevinki. J Fish Biol 57 (suppl A):20-32
2000 - Cocca E, Detrich HW III, Parker SK, di Prisco G. A cluster of four globin genes from the
Antarctic fish Notothenia coriiceps. J Fish Biol 57 (Suppl A): 33-50
2001 - Giangiacomo L, D’Avino R, di Prisco G, Chiancone E. Hemoglobin of the Antarctic fishes
Trematomus bernacchii and Trematomus newnesi: Structural basis for the increased stability
of the liganded tetramer relative to human hemoglobin. Biochemistry 40:3062-3068
2001 - Pisano E, Mazzei F, Derome N, Ozouf-Costaz C, Hureau J-C, di Prisco G. Cytogenetics of
the bathydraconid fish Gymnodraco acuticeps (Perciformes, Notothenioidei): an
investigation within the I.C.E.FISH project (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea), in the framework
of the EASIZ Programme. Polar Biol, in press
2001 - di Prisco G. La modulazione della funzione dell’emoglobina come esempio di
differenziamento biochimico negli organismi marini delle regioni polari. In Biologia dello
Sviluppo (F Angelini, C Campanella, eds), in press
Terrestrial bacteria
1991 - Nicolaus B, Marsiglia F, Esposito E, Trincone A, Lama L, Sharp R, di Prisco G, Gambacorta
A. Isolation of five strains of thermophilic eubacteria in Antarctica. Polar Biol 11:425-429
1992 - Nicolaus B, Marsiglia F, Esposito E, Lama L, Trincone A, di Prisco G, Gambacorta A,
Valderrama MJ, Grant WD. Isolation of extremely halotolerant cocci from Antarctica.
FEMS Microbiology Letters 99:145-150
1994 - Nicolaus B, Esposito E, Lama L, Trincone A, Marsiglia F, di Prisco G, Gambacorta A.
Thermophilic isolates from Antarctica. In Proc 2nd Meet Biol in Antarctica, Padova 1992
(B Battaglia, PM Bisol, V Varotto, eds) pp 147-155. Edizioni Universitarie Patavine, Padova
1996 - Nicolaus B, Lama L, Esposito E, Manca MC, di Prisco G, Gambacorta A. "Bacillus
thermoantarcticus" sp. nov., from Mount Melbourne, Antarctica: a novel thermophilic
species. Polar Biol 16:101-104
1996 - Di Fraia R, di Prisco G, Camardella L. Properties of a glutamate dehydrogenase from the
Antarctic bacterial strain TAD1. 41 Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di
Biochimica, Catania. Ital Biochem Soc Transactions 7:276
1997 - Nicolaus B, Lama L, Esposito E, Manca MC, Improta R, Calandrelli V, di Prisco G,
Gambacorta A. Bacillus thermoantarcticus, a new thermophilic Antarctic microorganism
able to produce exopolysaccharides and exo-xylanolytic enzymes. In Proceedings of the 3rd
Meeting on Biology in Antarctica, S. Margherita Ligure, 1996 (G di Prisco, S Focardi, P
Luporini, eds), pp 121-134. Camerino University Press
1997 - Camardella L, Ciardiello MA, Di Fraia R, di Prisco G. Enzymes in Antarctic extremophilic
microorganisms. In Proceedings of the 3rd Meeting on Biology in Antarctica, S. Margherita
Ligure, 1996 (G di Prisco, S Focardi, P Luporini, eds), pp 135-140. Camerino University
Press
1998 - Sun K, Camardella L, di Prisco G, Hervé G. Properties of aspartate transcarbamylase from
TAD1, a psychrophilic bacterial strain isolated from Antarctica. FEMS Microbiology Letters
164:375-382
2000 - Di Fraia R, Wilquet V, Ciardiello MA, Carratore V, Antignani A, Camardella L, Glansdorff
N, di Prisco G. NADP+-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase in the Antarctic psychrotolerant
bacterium Psychrobacter sp. TAD1. Eur J Biochem 267:121-131
2000 - Ciardiello MA, Di Fraia R, Antignani A, Carratore V, Camardella L, di Prisco G. Glutamate
dehydrogenase from two Antarctic organisms, the icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus and the
bacterium Psychrobacter sp. TAD1. Ital J Zool 67:27-32
Sea birds
1992 - Giardina B, Condò SG, Galtieri A, Lania M, Tamburrini M, di Prisco G. Oxygen transport
and diving behavior: molecular adaptation of hemoglobin. Italian Biochemical Society
Transactions 3:39 (S5.1)
1993. Tamburrini M, Condò SG, Giardina B, di Prisco G. The hemoglobins of Antarctic penguins:
structure and functional adaptation. Italian Biochemical Society Transactions 4:12
1994 - Tamburrini M, Condò SG, di Prisco G, Giardina B. Adaptation to extreme environments:
Structure-function relationships in Emperor penguin haemoglobin. J Mol Biol 237:615-621
1996 - Romano M, Tamburrini M, Romano M, di Prisco G. Amino acid sequence and oxygenbinding properties of the two hemoglobins of the Antarctic bird Catharacta maccormicki.
41° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Biochimica, Catania. Ital Biochem Soc
Transactions 7:182
1999 - Tamburrini M, Romano M, Giardina B, di Prisco G. The myoglobin of Emperor penguin
(Aptenodytes forsteri): amino acid sequence and functional adaptation to extreme conditions.
Comp Biochem Physiol 122B:235-240
1999 - Riccio A., Tamburrini M., Giardina B. and di Prisco G. Molecular modelling analysis of the
hemoglobins of the Antarctic bird Catharacta maccormicki. Italian Biochemical Society
Transactions 13:25.
2000 - Tamburrini M, Giardina B, di Prisco G. Hemoglobin and myoglobin of Emperor penguin: an
example of molecular adaptation to extreme conditions. In Proceedings of the SCAR 7th
International Biology Symposium “Antarctic Ecosystems: models for wider ecological
understanding” (W Davison, C Howard-Williams, P Broady, eds). The Caxton Press,
Christchurch, New Zealand, pp 149-153
2000 - Riccio A, Tamburrini M, Giardina B, di Prisco G. Molecular modelling analysis of the
hemoglobins of the Antarctic bird Catharacta maccormicki. The hypothesis of a second
phosphate binding site. In Hemoglobin function in vertebrates. Molecular adaptations in
extreme and temperate environments (G di Prisco, B Giardina, RE Weber, eds). Springer
Milan Heidelberg, pp 83-89
2000 - Tamburrini M, Riccio A, Romano M, Giardina B, di Prisco G. Structural and functional
analysis of two haemoglobins of the Antarctic seabird Catharacta maccormicki.
Characterization of an additional phosphate binding site by molecular modelling. Eur J
Biochem 267:6089-6098
Marine mammals
1997 - Olianas A, Corda M, Pellegrini M, Fais A, di Prisco G, Tamburrini M, Romano M, Giardina
B. Effect of temperature on oxygen transport in a diving mammal (Balaenoptera physalus).
42° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Biochimica, Ancona. Italian Biochemical
Society Transactions 9:195
1998 - Olianas A., Corda M., Pellegrini M., Fais A., di Prisco G., Tamburrini M., Romano M. and
Giardina B. Effect of temperature on oxygen transport in a diving mammal (Balaenoptera
physalus). Ital. J. Biochem. 47(2):121.
1999 - Corda M, Tamburrini M, Romano M, Pellegrini M, Fais A, Castagnola M, di Prisco G,
Giardina B. A comparison of the functional properties of hemoglobin from diving mammals
in relation to their habitat. Ital Biochem Soc Transactions 13:26-27
2000 - Corda M, Tamburrini M, Pellegrini M, Olianas A, Fais A, De Rosa MC, di Prisco G,
Giardina B. Oxygen transport in diving vertebrates. In Hemoglobin function in vertebrates.
Molecular adaptations in extreme and temperate environments (G di Prisco, B Giardina, RE
Weber, eds). Springer Milan Heidelberg, pp 71-75
Benthic ecology
1992 - Scudiero R, De Prisco P, Capasso C, Camardella L, D'Avino R, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Differential expression of metal-binding proteins in sea urchin. Comparison between
Antarctic and temperate species. In: RJ Wegmann, MA Wegmann (eds) Recent Advances
in Cellular and Molecular Biology, pp 351-355. Peeters Press, Leuven
1997 - Capasso C, Scudiero R, Capasso C, D'Avino R, Camardella L, di Prisco G, Parisi E.
Purification and characterization of atypical Zn-binding polypeptides from the Antarctic sea
urchin Sterechinus neumayeri. In Proceedings of the SCAR 6th Biology Symposium
“Antarctic Communities: Species, Structure and Survival”, Venice (B Battaglia, J Valencia,
DWH Walton, eds), pp 305-308. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
1997 - Carginale V, Scudiero R, Riggio M, Capasso C, di Prisco G, Capasso A, Parisi E.
Expression and accumulation of metallothionein in Antarctic marine organisms. In
Proceedings of the 3rd Meeting on Biology in Antarctica, S. Margherita Ligure, 1996 (G di
Prisco, S Focardi, P Luporini, eds), pp 29-38. Camerino University Press
Various contributions
1987 - di Prisco G. Italian Expedition. BIOMASS Newsletter 9/1:11
1988 - di Prisco G. 3rd Italian Expedition to Antarctica, Terra Nova Bay, 1987-88. BIOMASS
Newsletter 9/2:10
1988 - di Prisco G. Antarctic Marine Biology Conference. BIOMASS Newsletter 9/2:8-9
1988 - di Prisco G. Antartide, un laboratorio naturale. BIOTEC 3(5):20-25
1989 - di Prisco G. 1. Il continente Antartide. NS nuovascienza 30(2):67-73
1989 - di Prisco G. 2. La presenza italiana in Antartide. NS nuovascienza 30(3):68-73
1989 - di Prisco G. Session 18.4: Biochemistry in Extreme Conditions. 19th FEBS Meeting News,
pp 1-2
1989 - di Prisco G. 2 contributions to Antarctic Fish Newsletter, No 1. Cybium 13(suppl):1-14
1990 - di Prisco G. Conference on Biology of Antarctic Fishes Held at Ravello, Italy. BIOMASS
Newsletter 12(1):14
1990 - di Prisco G. Ravello: Conferenza Internazionale sui pesci antartici. Biotec 5(5):18-22
1990 - di Prisco G. Basi molecolari dell'adattamento dei teleostei antartici alle basse temperature
ambientali (emoglobine ed enzimi). Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria TecnicoScientifica CNR per l’Antartide) 1:13
1990 - di Prisco G. Second International Conference, Biology of Antarctic Fishes ("Ravello 2").
Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per l’Antartide)
1:14-15
1990 - di Prisco G. L'Antartide: un laboratorio naturale. In: G Geraci (ed) Le Nuove Frontiere Della
Biologia, pp 29-32. CUEN, Napoli
1991 - di Prisco G. Ravello - Meeting Report of the Second International Antarctic Biology
Conference in Italy. Antarctic Fish Newsletter 1990, pp 8-12
1991 - di Prisco G. Italian Scientific Activity in the 1989-90 Season. Antarctic Fish Newsletter
1990, p 12
1991 - di Prisco G. Biological research at Italy's Terra Nova Bay Station. BIOMASS Newsletter
13(1):8
1991 - di Prisco G. Adattamento ambientale della fauna ittica (Adaptation of Antarctic fish to the
environment). In: C Baroni (ed) Antartide, il cuore bianco della Terra (Antarctica, the
Earth's white heart), pp 116-120. Studio Enrico Rainero editore
1991 - di Prisco G. Contributo alla formulazione del nuovo Programma Pluriennale del PNRA da
parte delle U.O. del CNR operanti in Scienze Biologiche. Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni
della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per l’Antartide) 3:23-28
1992 - di Prisco G. Alcuni incontri SCAR concernenti le Scienze Biologiche. Ambiente Antartide
(Quaderni della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per l’Antartide) 4:23-25
1995 - di Prisco G. Il programma CS-EASIZ. Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria
Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per l’Antartide) 6:43
1995 - di Prisco G. European Science Foundation Network "Fishes of the Antarctic Ocean".
Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per l’Antartide)
6:44-50
1995 - Clarke A, di Prisco G, Pisano E. (1) Report of the Workshop "Technical and theoretical
approaches to Antarctic fish evolution"; (2) Instructions for accessing the ESF Network
Bulletin Board. Ambiente Antartide (Quaderni della Segreteria Tecnico-Scientifica CNR per
l’Antartide) 6:50-53
1997 - di Prisco G. Evoluzione e adattamento alle basse temperature. Il Continente Antartico.
Schede del Museo per l’Antartide “Felice Ippolito” (pubblicato con il contributo del
MURST), 6 pp
1998 - di Prisco G, Giardina B. The Activity of two Italian teams in Palmer Station in winter 1996.
1. Molecular bases of cold adaptation: structure and function of proteins from Antarctic
organisms. 2. Studies on the adaptive strategies in Antarctic fish: peculiar aspects of the
oxidative metabolism. Newsletter of the Italian Biological Research in Antarctica, 19961998 (M Tamburrini, R D’Avino, eds), vol 2, pp 21-30
1999 - di Prisco G, Cocca E, Oreste U, Riccio A, Scudiero R, Giardina B, Pisano E, Pellegrino D,
Maffia M, Ozouf-Costaz C, Hureau J-C, Detrich HW III, Evans C, Macdonald JA. The 1999
I.C.E.FISH Programme: An International Collaboration to Investigate the Ecophysiological
Adaptations of Antarctic Fish. Newsletter of the Italian Biological Research in Antarctica,
1998-1999 (M Tamburrini, ed), vol 3, pp 85-147
1999 - di Prisco G. In Antarctica’s frigid waters form evolutionary caldron, interviewed by CK
Yoon, The New York Times, Science section, March 9, 1999
2001 - di Prisco G. La vita nei mari dell’Antartide: i pesci, la loro evoluzione ed il loro adattamento
all’ambiente. In ………… (C Baroni, CA Ricci, eds ), in press