Prof. Andrea Cavaggioni, MD

Full Professor of Physiology

Curriculum and Publications

Curriculum

Born on 1937.

1961: MD Degree, University of Pisa, Italy.

1971: Professor of Human Physiology.

1962: Research Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

1963: National Institute of Health at Departement of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

1971: European Molecular Biology Organization, l'Institut de Génétique Moléculaire di Gif sur Yvette.

1983 al 1991: Professor of Human Physiology, University of Parma.

From 1992: Professor of Human Physiology, University of Padova .

Andrea Cavaggioni has been working on the physiology and biochemistry of reception for 30 years. He gave two contributions, one concerning vision and the other one olfaction. The former concerns the process of phototransduction ( G-protein, G-protein/phosphodiesterase relationship, cAMP-dependent permeability, calcium/permeability relationship) and the latter the intraspecific communication mediated by urinary proteins in the mouse.
He has been working with several techniques: electrophysiology, experimental neurosurgery, radioisotopes, fluorescence and biological luminescence, X-ray diffraction, purification and characterization of proteins and enzymes, odorant-binding tests, molecular biology and heterologous protein expression.

Publications

1:  Bondi M, Cavaggioni A, Michieli P, Schiavon M, Travain G. Delayed effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on the survival of rats after acute decompression.
Undersea Hyperb Med. 2005 Mar-Apr;32(2):121-8.

2:  Castagliuolo I, Galeazzi F, Ferrari S, Elli M, Brun P, Cavaggioni A, Tormen
D, Sturniolo GC, Morelli L, Palu G. Beneficial effect of auto-aggregating Lactobacillus crispatus on experimentally induced colitis in mice.
FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2005 Feb 1;43(2):197-204.

3:  Mucignat-Caretta C, Cavaggioni A, Caretta A. Male urinary chemosignals differentially affect aggressive behavior in male mice.
J Chem Ecol. 2004 Apr;30(4):777-91.

4:  Cavaggioni A, Mucignat-Caretta C, Zagotto G. Absolute configuration of 2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole in male mouse urine.
Chem Senses. 2003 Nov;28(9):791-7.

5:  Zancanaro C, Merigo F, Mucignat-Caretta C, Cavaggioni A. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in the mouse vomeronasal organ during prenatal development.
Eur J Neurosci. 2002 Aug;16(4):659-64.

6:  Altavilla G, Calistri A, Cavaggioni A, Favero M, Mucignat-Caretta C, Palu G. Brain resistance to HSV-1 encephalitis in a mouse model.
J Neurovirol. 2002 Jun;8(3):180-90.

7:  Hurst JL, Payne CE, Nevison CM, Marie AD, Humphries RE, Robertson DH, Cavaggioni A, Beynon RJ. Individual recognition in mice mediated by major urinary proteins.
Nature. 2001 Dec 6;414(6864):631-4.

8:  Sartor G, Pagani R, Ferrari E, Sorbi RT, Cavaggioni A, Cavatorta P, Spisni
A. Determining the binding capability of the mouse major urinary proteins using
2-naphthol as a fluorescent probe.
Anal Biochem. 2001 May 1;292(1):69-75.

9:  Cavaggioni A, Mucignat-Caretta C. Major urinary proteins, alpha(2U)-globulins and aphrodisin.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 2000 Oct 18;1482(1-2):218-28. Review.

10:  Boggian I, Buzzacaro E, Calistri A, Calvi P, Cavaggioni A, Mucignat-Caretta
C, Palu G. Asymptomatic herpes simplex type 1 virus infection of the mouse brain.
J Neurovirol. 2000 Aug;6(4):303-13.

11:  Pecere T, Gazzola MV, Mucignat C, Parolin C, Vecchia FD, Cavaggioni A,
Basso G, Diaspro A, Salvato B, Carli M, Palu G. Aloe-emodin is a new type of anticancer agent with selective activity against neuroectodermal tumors.
Cancer Res. 2000 Jun 1;60(11):2800-4.

12:  Zancanaro C, Mucignat-Caretta C, Merigo F, Cavaggioni A. Immunohistochemical investigation of the vomeronasal organ. Nitric oxide
synthase expression in the mouse during postnatal development.
Neurosci Lett. 1999 Jul 2;269(1):5-8.

13:  Zancanaro C, Caretta CM, Merigo F, Cavaggioni A, Osculati F.  alpha-Gustducin expression in the vomeronasal organ of the mouse.
Eur J Neurosci. 1999 Dec;11(12):4473-5.

14:  Palu G, Cavaggioni A, Calvi P, Franchin E, Pizzato M, Boschetto R, Parolin
C, Chilosi M, Ferrini S, Zanusso A, Colombo F. Gene therapy of glioblastoma multiforme via combined expression of suicide and cytokine genes: a pilot study in humans.
Gene Ther. 1999 Mar;6(3):330-7.

15:  Cavaggioni A, Mucignat C, Tirindelli R. Pheromone signalling in the mouse: role of urinary proteins and vomeronasal organ.
Arch Ital Biol. 1999 May;137(2-3):193-200. Review.

16:  Colombo F, Zanusso M, Casentini L, Cavaggioni A, Franchin E, Calvi P, Palu
G. Gene stereotactic neurosurgery for recurrent malignant gliomas.
Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 1997;68(1-4 Pt 1):245-51.

17:  Ferrari E, Lodi T, Sorbi RT, Tirindelli R, Cavaggioni A, Spisni A.  Expression of a lipocalin in Pichia pastoris: secretion, purification and binding activity of a recombinant mouse major urinary protein.
FEBS Lett. 1997 Jan 13;401(1):73-7.

18:  Mucignat-Caretta C, Caretta A, Cavaggioni A. Acceleration of puberty onset in female mice by male urinary proteins.
J Physiol. 1995 Jul 15;486 ( Pt 2):517-22.

19:  Mucignat Caretta C, Caretta A, Cavaggioni A. Pheromonally accelerated puberty is enhanced by previous experience of the same stimulus.
Physiol Behav. 1995 May;57(5):901-3.

20:  Bocskei Z, Groom CR, Flower DR, Wright CE, Phillips SE, Cavaggioni A, Findlay JB, North AC. Pheromone binding to two rodent urinary proteins revealed by X-ray crystallography.
Nature. 1992 Nov 12;360(6400):186-8.

21:  Bacchini A, Gaetani E, Cavaggioni A. Pheromone binding proteins of the mouse, Mus musculus.
Experientia. 1992 Apr 15;48(4):419-21.

22:  Bocskei Z, Findlay JB, North AC, Phillips SE, Somers WS, Wright CE,
Lionetti C, Tirindelli R, Cavaggioni A. Crystallization of and preliminary X-ray data for the mouse major urinary protein and rat alpha-2u globulin.
J Mol Biol. 1991 Apr 20;218(4):699-701.

23:  Cavaggioni A, Findlay JB, Tirindelli R. Ligand binding characteristics of homologous rat and mouse urinary proteins and pyrazine-binding protein of calf.
Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1990;96(3):513-20.

24:  Tirindelli R, Keen JN, Cavaggioni A, Eliopoulos EE, Findlay JB. Complete amino acid sequence of pyrazine-binding protein from cow nasal mucosa.
Eur J Biochem. 1989 Nov 20;185(3):569-72.

25:  Cavaggioni A. Some aspects of calcium regulation in cell biology.
Biosci Rep. 1989 Aug;9(4):421-36. Review.

26:  Caretta A, Cavaggioni A, Grimaldi R, Sorbi RT. Regulation of cyclic GMP binding to retinal rod membranes by calcium.
Eur J Biochem. 1988 Oct 15;177(1):139-46.

27:  Bignetti E, Cattaneo P, Cavaggioni A, Damiani G, Tirindelli R. The pyrazine-binding protein and olfaction.
Comp Biochem Physiol B. 1988;90(1):1-5. Review.

28:  Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT, Keen JN, Pappin DJ, Findlay JB. Homology between the pyrazine-binding protein from nasal mucosa and major urinary proteins.
FEBS Lett. 1987 Feb 23;212(2):225-8.

29:  Avanzini F, Bignetti E, Bordi C, Carfagna G, Cavaggioni A, Ferrari G, Sorbi
RT, Tirindelli R. Immunocytochemical localization of pyrazine-binding protein in bovine nasal mucosa.
Cell Tissue Res. 1987 Feb;247(2):461-4.

30:  Caretta A, Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT. Binding stoichiometry of a fluorescent cGMP analogue to membranes of retinal rod outer segments.
Eur J Biochem. 1985 Nov 15;153(1):49-53.

31:  Bignetti E, Cavaggioni A, Pelosi P, Persaud KC, Sorbi RT, Tirindelli R. Purification and characterisation of an odorant-binding protein from cow nasal tissue.
Eur J Biochem. 1985 Jun 3;149(2):227-31.

32:  Caretta A, Cavaggioni A. Fast ionic flux activated by cyclic GMP in the membrane of cattle rod outer segments.
Eur J Biochem. 1983 Apr 15;132(1):1-8.

33:  Cavaggioni A, Caretta A, Melegari M. Intracellular mechanism of photoreceptor excitation.
Arch Ital Biol. 1982 May;120(1-3):236-41.

34:  Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT. Cyclic GMP releases calcium from disc membranes of vertebrate photoreceptors.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Jun;78(6):3964-8.

35:  Bignetti E, Cavaggioni A, Fasella P, Ottonello S, Rossi GL. Light and GTP effects on the turbidity of frog visual membrane suspensions.
Mol Cell Biochem. 1980 Apr 18;30(2):93-9.

36:  Caretta A, Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT. Cyclic GMP and the permeability of the disks of the frog photoreceptors.
J Physiol. 1979 Oct;295:171-8.

37:  Caretta A, Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT. Phosphodiesterase and GTPase in rod outer segments. Kinetics in vitro.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1979 Feb 19;583(1):1-13.

38:  Bignetti E, Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT. Light-activated hydrolysis of GTP and cyclic GMP in the rod outer segments.
J Physiol. 1978 Jun;279:55-69.

39:  Bignetti E, Cavaggioni A. Metabolism of the frog outer segments: a kinetic study.
J Physiol. 1977 Sep;270(3):705-17.

40:  Carretta A, Cavaggioni A. On the metabolism of the rod outer segments.
J Physiol. 1976 Jun;257(3):687-97.

41:  Sorbi RT, Cavaggioni A. Effect of strong illumination on the ion efflux from the isolated discs of frog photoreceptors.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1975 Jul 18;394(4):577-85.

42:  Chabre M, Cavaggioni A. X-ray diffraction studies of retinal rods. II. Light effect on the osmotic properties.
Biochim Biophys Acta. 1975 Mar 25;382(3):336-43.

43:  Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT, Turini S. Efflux of potassium from isolated rod outer segments: a photic effect.
J Physiol. 1973 Aug;232(3):609-20.

44:  Chabre M, Cavaggioni A. Light induced changes in ionic flux in the retinal rod.
Nat New Biol. 1973 Jul 25;244(134):118-20.

45:  Chabre M, Cavaggioni A, Osborne HB, Gulik-Krzywicki T, Olive J. A rhodopsin-lipid-water lamellar system: its characterisation by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.
FEBS Lett. 1972 Oct 1;26(1):197-202.

46:  Cavaggioni A, Sorbi RT, Turini S. Efflux of potassium from the isolated frog retina: a study of the photic effect.
J Physiol. 1972 Apr;222(2):427-45.

47:  Turni S, Sorbi RT, Cavaggioni A. The effect of illumination of the efflux of radioactive potassium and rubidium from the isolated frog retina.
Vision Res. 1971 Oct;11(10):1196-7.

48:  Sorbi RT, Cavaggioni A. Illumination of the isolated frog retina and efflux of tracer potassium and rubidium.
Vision Res. 1971 Sep;11(9):985-93.

49:  Cavaggioni A, Peracchia G, Rosati G. Electrical activity of the ganglion cells in irradiated retinas.
Radiat Res. 1969 Sep;39(3):685-704.

50:  Cavaggioni A, Zampollo A. The pupillary reflex and the pre-tectal region of the cat.
Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1968 Nov;25(5):516.

51:  Cavaggioni A, Madarasz I, Zampollo A. Photic reflex and pretectal region.
Arch Ital Biol. 1968 Sep;106(3):227-42.

52:  Cavaggioni A, Zampollo A. [Pupillary reflex and pretectal region in the cat]
Riv Neurol. 1968 Mar-Apr;38(2):169-71. Italian.

53:  Cavaggioni A. The dark-discharge of the eye in the unrestrained cat.
Pflugers Arch. 1968;304(1):75-80.

54:  Cavaggioni A, Goldstein MH Jr, Friedman DH. A further note on the time course of cortical facilitation after photic stimulation.
Arch Ital Biol. 1966 Dec;104(4):503-10.

55:  Arduini A, Cavaggioni A. Transmission of tonic activity through lateral geniculate body and visual cortex.
Arch Ital Biol. 1965 Dec 10;103(4):652-67.

56:  Cavaggioni A, Goldstein MH Jr. Facilitation and inhibition in the visual system after photic stimulation.
Arch Ital Biol. 1965 Sep 10;103(3):397-420.

57:  ARDUINI A, CAVAGGIONI A. [Tonic activity of the retina registered with semi-microelectrodes.]
Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1961 Dec 31;37:1393-5. Italian.

58:  CAVAGGIONI A, GIANNELLI G, SANTIBANEZ G. [Changes, over a period of time, in the behavior of the phenomena of adaptation of the potential induced by photic stimulation of the occipital cortex and lateral geniculate body.] Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1959 Mar 31;35(6):301-2. Italian.