Giuseppe Castaldo
Giuseppe Castaldo
e-mail:
affiliation: Università di Napoli Federico II
research area(s): Genetics And Genomics, Experimental Medicine
Course: Genetics and Molecular Medicine
University/Istitution: Università di Napoli Federico II
Giuseppe Castaldo, born in 1961. 1980: MD (Summa cum laude), 1990: PhD in Clinical Biochemistry (Summa cum laude), University of Naples "Federico II". European Specialist in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 1998: Associate Professor; 2001: Full Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology; 2002-2006: Dean, Faculty of Sciences, University of Molise. 2006: Full Professor of Sciences and Techniques of Laboratory Medicine, University of Naples Federico II. Stages: University of Nancy (France, Prof. G. Siest); Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX, Prof. CT. Caskey); Lab. de Genetique Moleculaire, Univ. Paris 12 (France, prof. M. Goossens). Recent studies: Cystic Fibrosis and haemophilia: gene analysis, search of new mutations, genotype-phenotype correlation, studies on genes modifier of phenotype. Analysis of specific mRNAs in blood from cancer patients (analytical procedures and diagnostic role to detect circulating micrometastases). Genetics and epigenetics of suicide. G.C. was involved (also as coordinator) in dozens of studies supported by International, National and Regional grants. G.C. is Author of 70 articles on international peer reviewed journals; he is regularly invited as speaker and chairman to International Meetings in Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in serum: development of novel original procedures for electrophoretic separation of GGT isoenzymes; biochemical characterization of serum isoenzymes; physiopathological correlations with chronic liver diseases and liver cancer.

- Analysis of biochemical markers in serum and ascitic fluid: set-up of analytical procedures and diagnostic correlations with neoplastic diseases (i.e., differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non neoplastic ascites; differential diagnosis between liver cancer and chronic liver diseases; differential diagnosis between primary and metastatic liver neoplasia); statistical analysis of the data through multivariate discriminant analysis and jackknife validation.

- Analysis of Cystic Fibrosis gene: molecular epidemiology of mutations in southern Italy, development of original analytical procedures, quality control programs, prenatal diagnosis and cascade screening. Relationships between the genotype and the clinical expression of the disease also in pair of siblings affected by CF.

- Analysis of modifier genes of cystic fibrosis pulmonary and liver phenotype (beta-defensin, mannose binding lectin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, CAP70, HFE). Study of antimicrobial and chemotactic activity of synthetic peptides of innate immunity.

- Development of RT-PCR original procedures for the analysis of mRNA species specifically expressed by neoplastic cells; analysis of CEA and other mRNA in circulating cells for the early diagnosis of micrometastasis in patients bearing lung cancer.

- Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of Aldolase A mRNA in liver bioptic samples for the differential diagnosis between liver cancer and chronic liver diseases.

- Analysis of F8c and F9 genes in patients bearing haemophilia. Set up of novel procedures for molecular analysis (DHPLC); molecular epidemiology of mutations in southern Italy; genotype-pehnotype correlations, study of molecular markers of thrombophilia as putative modifier genes of haemophilic phenotype.

- Genetics and epigenetics of suicide. Analysis of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor)/ TrkB receptor system in suicide victims. Study of the variants and the methylation degree of CpG island in promoter regions of these genes in a population of suicides and controls to identify a possible correlation between a specific polymorphism or DNA methylation and suicidal behaviour.
1. Scudiero O, Nardone G, Omodei D, Tatangelo F, Vitale DF, Salvatore F, Castaldo G (2006) A mannose-binding lectin defective haplotype is a risk factor for gastric cancer. Clin Chem 52:1625-7.
2. Daniele A, Cardillo G, Pennino C, Carbone MT, Scognamiglio D, Correra A, Pignero A, Castaldo G, Salvatore F (2007) Molecular epidemiology of phenylalanine hydroxilase deficiency in Southern Italy: a 96% detection rate with ten novel mutations. Ann Hum Genet 71:185-93.
3. Castaldo G, D'Argenio V, Nardiello P, Zarrilli F, Sanna V, Rocino A, Coppola A, Di Minno G, Salvatore F (2007) Haemophilia A: molecular insights. Clin Chem Lab Med 45:450-61. Review.
4. Margaglione M, Castaman GC, Morfini M, Rocino A, Santagostino E, Tagariello G, Tagliaferri AR, Zanon E, Bicocchi MP, Castaldo G, Peyvandi F, Santacroce R, Torricelli F, Grandone E, Mannucci PM, and the AICE-Genetics Study Group (2008) The Italian AICE-Genetics Hemophilia A database: results and correlation with clinical phenotype. Haematologica 93:722-8.
5. Santacroce R, Acquila M, Belvini D, Castaldo G, Garagiola I, Giacomelli SH, Lombardi AM, Minuti B, Riccardi F, Salviato R, Tagliabue L, Grandone E, Margaglione M. and the AICE-Genetics Study Group (2008) Identification of 217 unreported mutations in the F8 gene 3 in a group of 1,410 unselected Italian patients with hemophilia A. J Hum Genet 53:275-8.
6. Daniele A, Cardillo G, Pennino C, Carbone MT, Scognamiglio D, Esposito L, Correra A, Castaldo G, Zagari A, Salvatore F (2008) Five human phenylalanine hydroxylase proteins identified in mild hyperphenylalaninemia patients are disease-causing variants. Biochem Biophys Acta 1782:378-84.
7. Zarrilli F, Angiolillo A, Castaldo G, Chiariotti L, Keller S, Sacchetti S, Marusic A, Zagar T, Carli V, Roy A, Sarchiapone M (2009) Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genetic polymorphism (Val66Met) in suicide: a study of 512 cases. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 150:599-600.
8. Elce A, Boccia A, Cardillo G, Giordano S, Tomaiuolo R, Paolella G, Castaldo G (2009) Three novel CFTR polymorphic repeats improve segregation analysis for cystic fibrosis. Clin Chem 55:1372-9.
9. Tomaiuolo R, Degiorgio D, Coviello D.A., Baccarelli A, Elce A, Raia V, Motta V, Seia M, Castaldo G, Colombo C (2009) An MBL2 haplotype and ABCB4 variants modulate the risck of liver disease in cystic fibrosis patients: A multicentric study. Digest Liver Dis 41:817-22.
10. Bartlett JR, Friedman KJ, Ling SC, Castaldo G, Gene Modifier Study Group (2009) Genetic modifiers of liver disease in cystic fibrosis. JAMA 302:1076-83.
11. Keller S, Sarchiapone M, Zagar T, Zarrilli F, Sacchetti S, Carli V, Ferraro A, Lembo F, Angiolillo A, Jovanovic N, Tomaiuolo R, Monticelli A, Roy A, Marusic A, Cocozza S, Fusco A, Bruni CB, Castaldo G, Chiariotti L (2010) Increased BDNF promoter methylation in Wernicke's area of suicide subjects. Arch Gen Psychiat 67:1-11.
12. Berni Canani R, Terrin G, Cardillo G, Tomaiuolo R, Castaldo G (2010) Congenital diarrheal disorders: improved understanding of gene defects is leading to advances in intestinal physiology and clinical management. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 50:360-6.
13. Scudiero O, Galdiero S, Cantisani M, Di Noto R, Vitiello M, Galdiero M, Naclerio G, Cassiman JJ, Pedone C, Castaldo G, Salvatore F (2010) Novel synthetic, salt-resistant analogs of human beta-defensins 1 and 3 endowed with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 54:2312-22.
14. Castaldo G, Lembo F, Tomaiuolo R (2010) Review: Molecular diagnostics: between chips and customized medicine. Clin Chem Lab Med 48:973-82.
Project Title:
Study of factors implicated in CFTR expression regulation.


Project Title:
Genetic and epigenetic factors related to suicidal and violent behavior.