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de Arriba MDC, Fernández G, Chacón-Solano E, Mataix M, Martínez-Santamaría L, Illera N, Carrión-Marchante R, Martín ME, Larcher F, González VM, Del Río M, Carretero M. FPR2 DNA Aptamers for Targeted Therapy of Wound Repair. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2238-2248.e8. [PMID: 34979109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wounds represent a major health problem worldwide. Some of the available therapies based on recombinant proteins usually fail owing to the hostile environment found at the wound bed. Aptamers appear as an attractive alternative to recombinant factors owing in part to their stability, sensitivity, specificity, and low-cost production. In this study, the Cell-Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment technology was employed to generate aptamers that specifically recognize and modulate the function of the FPR2, a receptor expressed in a variety of cells involved in wound repair. Three aptamers were obtained that specifically bound to FPR2 stable transfectants generated in HaCaT cells. The targeted aptamers were shown to act as FPR2 agonists in different in vitro functional assays, including wound healing assays, and elicited a similar pattern of response to that obtained with other known FPR2 peptide agonists, such as the human LL37 cathelicidin. We have also obtained in vivo evidence for the prohealing activities of one of these FPR2 aptamers in a skin-humanized mouse model developed by us, previously shown to accurately recreate the main phases of physiological human wound repair process. In conclusion, we provide evidence of the potential therapeutic value of FPR2 aptamers for cutaneous repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Del Carmen de Arriba
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace, University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), CB06/07/0019, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Esteban Chacón-Solano
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace, University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Mataix
- Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Martínez-Santamaría
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace, University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), CB06/07/0019, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Illera
- Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Fernando Larcher
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace, University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), CB06/07/0019, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor M González
- Aptus Biotech SL, Madrid, Spain; Aptamer Group, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcela Del Río
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace, University Carlos III of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), CB06/07/0019, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Carretero
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), CB06/07/0019, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute Fundación Jiménez Díaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain; Epithelial Biomedicine Division, Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology Research (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain.
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Hernández-Jiménez M, Martín-Vílchez S, Ochoa D, Mejía-Abril G, Román M, Camargo-Mamani P, Luquero-Bueno S, Jilma B, Moro MA, Fernández G, Piñeiro D, Ribó M, González VM, Lizasoain I, Abad-Santos F. First-in-human phase I clinical trial of a TLR4-binding DNA aptamer, ApTOLL: Safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2022; 28:124-135. [PMID: 35402075 PMCID: PMC8938885 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
ApTOLL is an aptamer that antagonizes Toll-like receptor 4 and improves functional outcomes in models of ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to characterize the safety and pharmacokinetics of ApTOLL in healthy volunteers. A first-in-human dose-ascending, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial to assess safety and pharmacokinetics of ApTOLL (30-min infusion intravenously) was performed in 46 healthy adult male volunteers. The study was divided into two parts: part A included seven single ascending dose levels, and part B had one multiple dose cohort. Safety and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. No serious adverse events or biochemistry alterations were detected at any dose nor at any administration pattern studied. Maximum concentration was detected at the end of the infusion and mean half-life was 9.3 h. Interestingly, exposure increased in the first four levels receiving doses from 0.7 mg to 14 mg (AUC of 2,441.26 h∗ng/mL to 23,371.11 h∗ng/mL) but remained stable thereafter (mean of 23,184.61 h∗ng/mL after 70 mg). Consequently, the multiple dose study did not show any accumulation of ApTOLL. These results show an excellent safety and adequate pharmacokinetic profile that, together with the efficacy demonstrated in nonclinical studies, provide the basis to start clinical trials in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Hernández-Jiménez
- AptaTargets S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28035 Madrid, Spain
- Corresponding author AptaTargets S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28035 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Samuel Martín-Vílchez
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Ochoa
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gina Mejía-Abril
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Román
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Camargo-Mamani
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Luquero-Bueno
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernd Jilma
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - María A. Moro
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Piñeiro
- AptaTargets S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28035 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Ribó
- AptaTargets S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28035 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M. González
- Aptus Biotech S.L., Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, 28034 Madrid, Spain
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Lizasoain
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Abad-Santos
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IP), 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Vergara-Barberán M, Lerma-García MJ, Simó-Alfonso EF, García-Hernández M, Martín ME, García-Sacristán A, González VM, Herrero-Martínez JM. Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers for highly selective recognition of the major allergen of olive pollen Ole e 1. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1192:339334. [PMID: 35057930 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, single-stranded DNA aptamers with binding affinity to Ole e 1, the major allergen of olive pollen, were selected using systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) method. Binding of the aptamers was firstly established by enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA) and aptaprecipitation assays. Additionally, aptamer-modified monolithic capillary chromatography was used in order to evaluate the recognition of this allergenic protein against other non-target proteins. The results indicated that AptOle1#6 was the aptamer that provided the highest affinity for Ole e 1. The selected aptamer showed good selective recognition of this protein, being not able to retain other non-target proteins (HSA, cyt c, and other pollen protein such as Ole e 9). The feasibility of the affinity monolithic column was demonstrated by selective recognition of Ole e 1 in an allergy skin test. The stability and reproducibility of this monolithic column was suitable, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in retention times and peak area values of 7.8 and 9.3%, respectively (column-to-column reproducibility). This is the first study that describes the design of an efficient DNA aptamer for this relevant allergen.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Vergara-Barberán
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C. Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Jesús Lerma-García
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C. Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ernesto F Simó-Alfonso
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C. Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta García-Hernández
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Herrero-Martínez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Valencia, C. Doctor Moliner 50, E-46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
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Serumula W, Fernandez G, Gonzalez VM, Parboosing R. Anti-HIV Aptamers: Challenges and Prospects. Curr HIV Res 2022; 20:7-19. [PMID: 34503417 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x19666210908114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection continues to be a significant health burden in many countries around the world. Current HIV treatment through a combination of different antiretroviral drugs (cART) effectively suppresses viral replication, but drug resistance and crossresistance are significant challenges. This has prompted the search for novel targets and agents, such as nucleic acid aptamers. Nucleic acid aptamers are oligonucleotides that attach to the target sites with high affinity and specificity. This review provides a target-by-target account of research into anti-HIV aptamers and summarises the challenges and prospects of this therapeutic strategy, specifically in the unique context of HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Serumula
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
| | - Geronimo Fernandez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Aptus Biotech SL, Avda. Cardenal Herrera Oria, 298-28035 Madrid. Spain
| | - Victor M Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of KwaZulu-Natal, c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 5th Floor Laboratory Building, 800 Bellair Road, Mayville, Durban 4091, South Africa
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5
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Aira C, Klett-Mingo JI, Ruiz T, Garcia-Sacristán A, Martín-Valls GE, Mateu E, Gómez-Laguna J, Rueda P, González VM, Rodríguez MJ, López L. Development of an antigen Enzyme-Linked AptaSorbent Assay (ELASA) for the detection of swine influenza virus in field samples. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1181:338933. [PMID: 34556218 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are highly variable pathogens that infect a wide range of mammalian and avian species. According to the internal conserved proteins (nucleoprotein: NP, and matrix proteins: M), these viruses are classified into type A, B, C, and D. Influenza A virus in swine is of significant importance to the industry since it is responsible for endemic infections that lead to high economic loses derived from poor weight gain, reproductive disorders, and the role it plays in Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC). To date, swine influenza virus (SIV) diagnosis continues to be based in complex and expensive technologies such as RT-qPCR. In this study, we aimed to improve actual tools by the implementation of aptamers as capture molecules. First, three different aptamers have been selected using as target the recombinant NP of Influenza A virus expressed in insect cells. Then, these molecules have been used for the development of an Enzyme-Linked AptaSorbent Assay (ELASA) in combination with specific monoclonal antibodies for Influenza A detection. A total of 171 field samples (nasal swabs) have been evaluated with the newly developed assay obtaining a 79.7% and 98.1% sensitivity and specificity respectively, using real time RT-PCR as standard assay. These results suggest that the assay is a promising method that could be used for Influenza A detection in analysis laboratories facilitating surveillance labours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Aira
- Eurofins-Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (Eurofins-INGENASA), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Tamara Ruiz
- Eurofins-Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (Eurofins-INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Enric Mateu
- Institut de Recerca I Tecnologia Alimentaria, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaime Gómez-Laguna
- Department of Anatomy, Comparative Pathology, and Toxicology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Paloma Rueda
- Eurofins-Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (Eurofins-INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Manuel González
- Aptamer Group. IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Rodríguez
- Eurofins-Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (Eurofins-INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lissette López
- Eurofins-Inmunología y Genética Aplicada S.A. (Eurofins-INGENASA), Madrid, Spain
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Carrión-Marchante R, Frezza V, Salgado-Figueroa A, Pérez-Morgado MI, Martín ME, González VM. DNA Aptamers against Vaccinia-Related Kinase (VRK) 1 Block Proliferation in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14050473. [PMID: 34067799 PMCID: PMC8156982 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) 1 is a serin/threonine kinase that plays an important role in DNA damage response (DDR), phosphorylating some proteins involved in this process such as 53BP1, NBS1 or H2AX, and in the cell cycle progression. In addition, VRK1 is overexpressed in many cancer types and its correlation with poor prognosis has been determined, showing VRK1 as a new therapeutic target in oncology. Using in vitro selection, high-affinity DNA aptamers to VRK1 were selected from a library of ssDNA. Selection was monitored using the enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA), and the selected aptamer population was cloned and sequenced. Three aptamers were selected and characterized. These aptamers recognized the protein kinase VRK1 with an affinity in the nanomolar range and showed a high sensibility. Moreover, the treatment of the MCF7 breast cell line with these aptamers resulted in a decrease in cyclin D1 levels, and an inhibition of cell cycle progression by G1 phase arrest, which induced apoptosis in cells. These results suggest that these aptamers are specific inhibitors of VRK1 that might be developed as potential drugs for the treatment of cancer.
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Mayoral-Varo V, Sánchez-Bailón MP, Calcabrini A, García-Hernández M, Frezza V, Martín ME, González VM, Martín-Pérez J. The Relevance of the SH2 Domain for c-Src Functionality in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030462. [PMID: 33530373 PMCID: PMC7865352 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of Src family kinases (SFKs) in human tumors has been always associated with tyrosine kinase activity and much less attention has been given to the SH2 and SH3 adapter domains. Here, we studied the role of the c-Src-SH2 domain in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To this end, SUM159PT and MDA-MB-231 human cell lines were employed as model systems. These cells conditionally expressed, under tetracycline control (Tet-On system), a c-Src variant with point-inactivating mutation of the SH2 adapter domain (R175L). The expression of this mutant reduced the self-renewal capability of the enriched population of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), demonstrating the importance of the SH2 adapter domain of c-Src in the mammary gland carcinogenesis. In addition, the analysis of anchorage-independent growth, proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, all processes associated with tumorigenesis, showed that the SH2 domain of c-Src plays a very relevant role in their regulation. Furthermore, the transfection of two different aptamers directed to SH2-c-Src in both SUM159PT and MDA-MB-231 cells induced inhibition of their proliferation, migration, and invasiveness, strengthening the hypothesis that this domain is highly involved in TNBC tumorigenesis. Therefore, the SH2 domain of c-Src could be a promising therapeutic target and combined treatments with inhibitors of c-Src kinase enzymatic activity may represent a new therapeutic strategy for patients with TNBC, whose prognosis is currently very negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Mayoral-Varo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas A, Sols/Dpto. Bioquímica (CSIC/UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.P.S.-B.); (A.C.)
| | - María Pilar Sánchez-Bailón
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas A, Sols/Dpto. Bioquímica (CSIC/UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.P.S.-B.); (A.C.)
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annarica Calcabrini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas A, Sols/Dpto. Bioquímica (CSIC/UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.P.S.-B.); (A.C.)
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marta García-Hernández
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Servicio Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Ctra. Colmenar Viejo km 9100, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-H.); (V.F.); (M.E.M.); (V.M.G.)
| | - Valerio Frezza
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Servicio Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Ctra. Colmenar Viejo km 9100, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-H.); (V.F.); (M.E.M.); (V.M.G.)
| | - María Elena Martín
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Servicio Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Ctra. Colmenar Viejo km 9100, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-H.); (V.F.); (M.E.M.); (V.M.G.)
| | - Víctor M. González
- Grupo de Aptámeros, Servicio Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Ctra. Colmenar Viejo km 9100, 28034 Madrid, Spain; (M.G.-H.); (V.F.); (M.E.M.); (V.M.G.)
| | - Jorge Martín-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas A, Sols/Dpto. Bioquímica (CSIC/UAM), Arturo Duperier 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (V.M.-V.); (M.P.S.-B.); (A.C.)
- Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias del Hospital La Paz (IdiPAZ), Paseo de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +34-91-585-4416; Fax: +34-91-585-4401
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Pinto-Díez C, Ferreras-Martín R, Carrión-Marchante R, González VM, Martín ME. Deeping in the Role of the MAP-Kinases Interacting Kinases (MNKs) in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082967. [PMID: 32340135 PMCID: PMC7215568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-interacting kinases (MNKs) are involved in oncogenic transformation and can promote metastasis and tumor progression. In human cells, there are four MNKs isoforms (MNK1a/b and MNK2a/b), derived from two genes by alternative splicing. These kinases play an important role controlling the expression of specific proteins involved in cell cycle, cell survival and cell motility via eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) regulation, but also through other substrates such as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1, polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor and Sprouty 2. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of MNK in human cancers, describing the studies conducted to date to elucidate the mechanism involved in the action of MNKs, as well as the development of MNK inhibitors in different hematological cancers and solid tumors.
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Frezza V, Pinto-Díez C, Fernández G, Soto M, Martín ME, García-Sacristán A, González VM. DNA aptamers targeting Leishmania infantum H3 protein as potential diagnostic tools. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1107:155-163. [PMID: 32200890 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a parasite of the genus Leishmania that affects millions of people worldwide. These parasites are characterized by the presence of a DNA-containing granule, the kinetoplastid, located in the single mitochondrion at the base of the cell's flagellum. Interestingly, these flagellates do not condense chromatin during mitosis, possibly due to the specific molecular features of their histones. Although histones are extremely conserved proteins, kinetoplastid core histone sequences diverge significantly from those of higher eukaryotes. This divergence makes kinetoplastid core histones potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets. Aptamers are short single-stranded nucleic acids that are able to recognize target molecules with high affinity and specificity. Their binding capacity is a consequence of the particular three-dimensional structure acquired depending on their sequence. These molecules are currently used for detection, diagnosis and therapeutic purpose. Starting from a previously obtained ssDNA aptamer population against rLiH3 protein we have isolated two individual aptamers, AptLiH3#4 and AptLiH3#10. Next, we have performed ELONA, Western blot and slot blot assays to establish aptamer specificity and affinity for LiH3 histone. In addition, ELONA assays using peptides corresponding to overlapped sequences of LiH3 were made to map the aptamers:LiH3 interaction. Finally, different assays using aptamers were performed in order to evaluate the possibility of using these aptamers as sensing molecule to recognize the endogenous protein LiH3. Our results indicate that both aptamers have high affinity and specificity for the target and are able to detect the endogenous LiH3 histone protein in promastigotes lysates. In silico analysis reveals that these two aptamers have different potential secondary structure among them, however, both of them are able to recognize the same peptide sequences present in the protein. In conclusion, our findings indicate that these aptamers could be used for LiH3 histone detection and, in consequence, as potential biosensing molecules in a diagnostic tool for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Frezza
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Pinto-Díez
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), C/ Nicolás Cabrera 1, Campus de Cantoblanco, CP-28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Víctor M González
- Grupo de Aptámeros. Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Carretera de Colmenar Viejo Km.9.100, CP-28034, Madrid, Spain; Aptus Biotech SL, Av. Cardenal Herrera Oria 298, CP-28035, Madrid, Spain.
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10
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Solana JC, Ramírez L, Cook ECL, Hernández-García E, Sacristán S, Martín ME, Manuel González V, Reguera RM, Balaña-Fouce R, Fresno M, Requena JM, Iborra S, Soto M. Subcutaneous Immunization of Leishmania HSP70-II Null Mutant Line Reduces the Severity of the Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010141. [PMID: 32210040 PMCID: PMC7157689 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmania infantum parasites cause a severe form of visceral leishmaniasis in human and viscerocutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs. Recently, we reported that immunization with an attenuated L. infantum cell line, lacking the hsp70-II gene, protects against the development of murine cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this work, we analyzed the vaccine potential of this cell line towards the long-term protection against murine visceral leishmaniasis. This model shows an organ-dependent evolution of the disease. The infection can resolve in the liver but chronically affect spleen and bone marrow. Twelve weeks after subcutaneous administration of attenuated L. infantum, Bagg Albino (BALB/c) mice were challenged with infective L. infantum parasites expressing the luciferase-encoding gene. Combining in vivo bioimaging techniques with limiting dilution experiments, we report that, in the initial phase of the disease, vaccinated animals presented lower parasite loads than unvaccinated animals. A reduction of the severity of liver damage was also detected. Protection was associated with the induction of rapid parasite-specific IFN-γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, the vaccine was unable to control the chronic phase of the disease, since we did not find differences in the parasite burdens nor in the immune response at that time point.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Solana
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emma C. L. Cook
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Hernández-García
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Sacristán
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Manuel González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa María Reguera
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rafael Balaña-Fouce
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Manuel Fresno
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José María Requena
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Iborra
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT. Complutense University School of Medicine and 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (M.S.); Tel.: +34-91-394-7220 (S.I.); +34-91-196-4647 (M.S.)
| | - Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.I.); (M.S.); Tel.: +34-91-394-7220 (S.I.); +34-91-196-4647 (M.S.)
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11
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Vera-Puente O, Rodriguez-Antolin C, Salgado-Figueroa A, Michalska P, Pernia O, Reid BM, Rosas R, Garcia-Guede A, SacristÁn S, Jimenez J, Esteban-Rodriguez I, Martin ME, Sellers TA, León R, Gonzalez VÍM, De Castro J, Ibanez de Caceres I. MAFG is a potential therapeutic target to restore chemosensitivity in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species. Transl Res 2018; 200:1-17. [PMID: 30053382 PMCID: PMC7787305 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvant chemotherapy for solid tumors based on platinum-derived compounds such as cisplatin is the treatment of choice in most cases. Cisplatin triggers signaling pathways that lead to cell death, but it also induces changes in tumor cells that modify the therapeutic response, thereby leading to cisplatin resistance. We have recently reported that microRNA-7 is silenced by DNA methylation and is involved in the resistance to platinum in cancer cells through the action of the musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein G (MAFG). In the present study, we first confirm the miR-7 epigenetic regulation of MAFG in 44 normal- and/or tumor-paired samples in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We also provide translational evidence of the role of MAFG and the clinical outcome in NSCLC by the interrogation of two extensive in silico databases of 2019 patients. Moreover, we propose that MAFG-mediated resistance could be conferred due to lower reactive oxygen species production after cisplatin exposure. We developed specifically selected aptamers against MAFG, with high sensitivity to detect the protein at a nuclear level probed by aptacytochemistry and histochemistry analyses. The inhibition of MAFG activity through the action of the specific aptamer apMAFG6F increased the levels of reactive oxygen species production and the sensitivity to cisplatin. We report first the specific nuclear identification of MAFG as a novel detection method for diagnosis in NSCLC, and then we report that MAFG modulates the redox response and confers cell protection against free radicals generated after platinum administration, thus also being a promising therapeutic target.
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MESH Headings
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemistry
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/genetics
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/pharmacology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cisplatin/therapeutic use
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA Methylation
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/physiology
- Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics
- Gene Expression
- Gene Silencing
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Lung Neoplasms/genetics
- MafG Transcription Factor/antagonists & inhibitors
- MafG Transcription Factor/genetics
- MafG Transcription Factor/physiology
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/physiology
- Oxidation-Reduction
- Prognosis
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Repressor Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/physiology
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Transfection
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Vera-Puente
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Antolin
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Salgado-Figueroa
- Department of Biochemistry Research, Laboratory of Aptamers, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrycja Michalska
- Biomedical Research Foundation of University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain; Institute Teófilo Hernando and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olga Pernia
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Brett M Reid
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, MOFFITT Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - RocÍo Rosas
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alvaro Garcia-Guede
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia SacristÁn
- Department of Biochemistry Research, Laboratory of Aptamers, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Jimenez
- Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Esteban-Rodriguez
- Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain; Department of Pathology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martin
- Department of Biochemistry Research, Laboratory of Aptamers, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas A Sellers
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, MOFFITT Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Rafael León
- Biomedical Research Foundation of University Hospital La Princesa, Madrid, Spain; Institute Teófilo Hernando and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - VÍctor M Gonzalez
- Department of Biochemistry Research, Laboratory of Aptamers, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier De Castro
- Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Ibanez de Caceres
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, INGEMM, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Biomarkers and Experimental Therapeutics in Cancer, IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Fernández G, Moraga A, Cuartero MI, García-Culebras A, Peña-Martínez C, Pradillo JM, Hernández-Jiménez M, Sacristán S, Ayuso MI, Gonzalo-Gobernado R, Fernández-López D, Martín ME, Moro MA, González VM, Lizasoain I. TLR4-Binding DNA Aptamers Show a Protective Effect against Acute Stroke in Animal Models. Mol Ther 2018; 26:2047-2059. [PMID: 29910175 PMCID: PMC6094477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates brain damage after stroke, development of TLR4 antagonists is a promising therapeutic strategy for this disease. Our aim was to generate TLR4-blocking DNA aptamers to be used for stroke treatment. From a random oligonucleotide pool, we identified two aptamers (ApTLR#1R, ApTLR#4F) with high affinity for human TLR4 by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Optimized truncated forms (ApTLR#1RT, ApTLR#4FT) were obtained. Our data demonstrate specific binding of both aptamers to human TLR4 as well as a TLR4 antagonistic effect. ApTLR#4F and ApTLR#4FT showed a long-lasting protective effect against brain injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), an effect that was absent in TLR4-deficient mice. Similar effects were obtained in other MCAO models, including in rat. Additionally, efficacy of ApTLR#4FT in a model of brain ischemia-reperfusion in rat supports the use of this aptamer in patients undergoing artery recanalization induced by pharmacological or mechanical interventions. The absence of major toxicology aspects and the good safety profile of the aptamers further encourage their future clinical positioning for stroke therapy and possibly other diseases in which TLR4 plays a deleterious role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Moraga
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - María I Cuartero
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alicia García-Culebras
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Peña-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús M Pradillo
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Silvia Sacristán
- Laboratorio de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Irene Ayuso
- Grupo de Investigación Neurovascular, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rafael Gonzalo-Gobernado
- Grupo de Investigación Neurovascular, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - David Fernández-López
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Laboratorio de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Moro
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor M González
- Laboratorio de Aptámeros, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Lizasoain
- Unidad de Investigación Neurovascular, Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), 28041 Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Chonco L, Fernández G, Kalhapure R, Hernáiz MJ, García-Oliva C, Gonzalez VM, Martín ME, Govender T, Parboosing R. Novel DNA Aptamers Against CCL21 Protein: Characterization and Biomedical Applications for Targeted Drug Delivery to T Cell-Rich Zones. Nucleic Acid Ther 2018; 28:242-251. [PMID: 29733244 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2017.0689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21 (CCL21) is a cytokine that attracts CCR7-positive cells to the T cell (paracortical) zone of lymph nodes by directional migration of these cells along the CCL21 gradient. In this article, we sought to mimic this chemotactic mechanism, by identifying a novel aptamer that binds CCL21 with high affinity. In vitro selection of DNA aptamers was performed by the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay were used to screen for high-affinity aptamers against human and mouse CCL21 protein, respectively. Three such aptamers were identified. Surface plasmon resonance showed equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for these three aptamers in the nano to picomolar range. Cytotoxicity assays showed <10% toxicity in HEK293 and HL-60 cells. Last, in vivo biodistribution was successfully performed and CCL21 chemokine-binding aptamers were quantified within the draining lymph nodes and spleen using qPCR. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that one of the aptamers showed significantly higher presence in the paracortex than the control aptamer. The use of anti-CCL21 aptamers to mimic the chemotaxis mechanism thus represents a promising approach to achieve targeted delivery of drugs to the T cell-rich zones of the lymph node. This may be important for the treatment of HIV infection and the eradication of HIV reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Chonco
- 1 Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service/University of KwaZulu-Natal , c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- 2 Aptus Biotech SL , Madrid, Spain
- 3 Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal , Madrid, Spain
| | - Rahul Kalhapure
- 4 Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban, South Africa
| | - María J Hernáiz
- 5 Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid , Madrid, Spain
| | - Cecilia García-Oliva
- 5 Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid , Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor M Gonzalez
- 2 Aptus Biotech SL , Madrid, Spain
- 3 Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal , Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- 2 Aptus Biotech SL , Madrid, Spain
- 3 Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal , Madrid, Spain
| | - Thirumala Govender
- 4 Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban, South Africa
| | - Raveen Parboosing
- 1 Department of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service/University of KwaZulu-Natal , c/o Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa
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14
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Pinto-Díez C, García-Recio EM, Pérez-Morgado MI, García-Hernández M, Sanz-Criado L, Sacristán S, Toledo-Lobo MV, Pérez-Mies B, Esteban-Rodríguez I, Pascual A, Garcia-Villanueva M, Martínez-Jañez N, González VM, Martín ME. Increased expression of MNK1b, the spliced isoform of MNK1, predicts poor prognosis and is associated with triple-negative breast cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 9:13501-13516. [PMID: 29568373 PMCID: PMC5862594 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MAP kinase interacting kinases (MNKs) modulate the function of oncogene eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) through phosphorylation, which is necessary for oncogenic transformation. MNK1 gives rise to two mRNAs and thus two MNK1 isoforms, named MNK1a and MNK1b. MNK1b, the splice variant of human MNK1a, is constitutively active and independent of upstream MAP kinases. In this study, we have analyzed the expression of both MNK1 isoforms in 69 breast tumor samples and its association with clinicopathologic/prognostic characteristics of breast cancer. MNK1a and MNK1b expression was significantly increased in tumors relative to the corresponding adjacent normal tissue (p < 0.001). In addition, MNK1b overexpression was found in most of the triple-negative tumors and was associated with a shorter overall and disease-free survival time. Overexpression of MNK1b in MDA-MB-231 cells induced an increase in the expression of the MCL1 antiapoptotic protein and promoted proliferation, invasion and colony formation. In conclusion, a high expression level of MNK1b protein could be used as a marker of poor prognosis in breast cancer patients and it could be a therapeutic target in triple-negative tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Pinto-Díez
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva M. García-Recio
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Lara Sanz-Criado
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Sacristán
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Val Toledo-Lobo
- 2 Departamento de Biomedicina y Biotecnología, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez-Mies
- 3 Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alejandro Pascual
- 3 Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Víctor M. González
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- 1 Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
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15
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Garde E, Ramírez L, Corvo L, Solana JC, Martín ME, González VM, Gómez-Nieto C, Barral A, Barral-Netto M, Requena JM, Iborra S, Soto M. Analysis of the Antigenic and Prophylactic Properties of the Leishmania Translation Initiation Factors eIF2 and eIF2B in Natural and Experimental Leishmaniasis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:112. [PMID: 29675401 PMCID: PMC5895769 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Different members of intracellular protein families are recognized by the immune system of the vertebrate host infected by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Here, we have analyzed the antigenic and immunogenic properties of the Leishmania eIF2 and eIF2B translation initiation factors. An in silico search in Leishmania infantum sequence databases allowed the identification of the genes encoding the α, β, and γ subunits and the α, β, and δ subunits of the putative Leishmania orthologs of the eukaryotic initiation factors F2 (LieIF2) or F2B (LieIF2B), respectively. The antigenicity of these factors was analyzed by ELISA using recombinant versions of the different subunits. Antibodies against the different LieIF2 and LieIF2B subunits were found in the sera from human and canine visceral leishmaniasis patients, and also in the sera from hamsters experimentally infected with L. infantum. In L. infantum (BALB/c) and Leishmania major (BALB/c or C57BL/6) challenged mice, a moderate humoral response against these protein factors was detected. Remarkably, these proteins elicited an IL-10 production by splenocytes derived from infected mice independently of the Leishmania species employed for experimental challenge. When DNA vaccines based on the expression of the LieIF2 or LieIF2B subunit encoding genes were administered in mice, an antigen-specific secretion of IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines was observed. Furthermore, a partial protection against murine CL development due to L. major infection was generated in the vaccinated mice. Also, in this work we show that the LieIF2α subunit and the LieIF2Bβ and δ subunits have the capacity to stimulate IL-10 secretion by spleen cells from naïve mice. B-lymphocytes were identified as the major producers of this anti-inflammatory cytokine. Taking into account the data found in this study, it may be hypothesized that these proteins act as virulence factors implicated in the induction of humoral responses as well as in the production of the down-regulatory IL-10 cytokine, favoring a pathological outcome. Therefore, these proteins might be considered markers of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Garde
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Corvo
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - José C. Solana
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M. González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Gómez-Nieto
- Parasitology Unit, LeishmanCeres Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Aldina Barral
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Manoel Barral-Netto
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ, Salvador, Brazil
| | - José M. Requena
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Iborra
- Immunobiology of Inflammation Laboratory, Department of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute (imas12), Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Salvador Iborra
| | - Manuel Soto
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Manuel Soto
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González VM, Martín ME, Fernández G, García-Sacristán A. Use of Aptamers as Diagnostics Tools and Antiviral Agents for Human Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2016; 9:ph9040078. [PMID: 27999271 PMCID: PMC5198053 DOI: 10.3390/ph9040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate diagnosis is the key factor for treatment of viral diseases. Time is the most important factor in rapidly developing and epidemiologically dangerous diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and SARS. Chronic viral diseases such as HIV-1 or HCV are asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic and the therapeutic success mainly depends on early detection of the infective agent. Over the last years, aptamer technology has been used in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications and, concretely, several strategies are currently being explored using aptamers against virus proteins. From a diagnostics point of view, aptamers are being designed as a bio-recognition element in diagnostic systems to detect viral proteins either in the blood (serum or plasma) or into infected cells. Another potential use of aptamers is for therapeutics of viral infections, interfering in the interaction between the virus and the host using aptamers targeting host-cell matrix receptors, or attacking the virus intracellularly, targeting proteins implicated in the viral replication cycle. In this paper, we review how aptamers working against viral proteins are discovered, with a focus on recent advances that improve the aptamers' properties as a real tool for viral infection detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor M González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS)-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana García-Sacristán
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Rodriguez P, Pérez-Morgado MI, Gonzalez VM, Martín ME, Nieto A. Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by DNA Aptamers Targeting a Cellular Component of Translation Initiation. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2016; 5:e308. [PMID: 27070300 PMCID: PMC5014521 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of the influenza virus hinders the use of broad spectrum antiviral drugs and favors the appearance of resistant strains. Single-stranded DNA aptamers represent an innovative approach with potential application as antiviral compounds. The mRNAs of influenza virus possess a 5'cap structure and a 3'poly(A) tail that makes them structurally indistinguishable from cellular mRNAs. However, selective translation of viral mRNAs occurs in infected cells through a discriminatory mechanism, whereby viral polymerase and NS1 interact with components of the translation initiation complex, such as the eIF4GI and PABP1 proteins. We have studied the potential of two specific aptamers that recognize PABP1 (ApPABP7 and ApPABP11) to act as anti-influenza drugs. Both aptamers reduce viral genome expression and the production of infective influenza virus particles. The interaction of viral polymerase with the eIF4GI translation initiation factor is hindered by transfection of infected cells with both PABP1 aptamers, and ApPABP11 also inhibits the association of NS1 with PABP1 and eIF4GI. These results indicate that aptamers targeting the host factors that interact with viral proteins may potentially have a broad therapeutic spectrum, reducing the appearance of escape mutants and resistant subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Rodriguez
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Madrid, Spain
- Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Spain
| | - M Isabel Pérez-Morgado
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M Gonzalez
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra, Colmenar Km. 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain. E-mail:
| | - Amelia Nieto
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Madrid, Spain
- Ciber de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, C.S.I.C., Darwin 3, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain. E-mail:
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García-Recio EM, Pinto-Díez C, Pérez-Morgado MI, García-Hernández M, Fernández G, Martín ME, González VM. Characterization of MNK1b DNA Aptamers That Inhibit Proliferation in MDA-MB231 Breast Cancer Cells. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2016; 5:e275. [PMID: 26730812 PMCID: PMC5012548 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated expression levels of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) promote cancer development and progression. MAP kinase interacting kinases (MNKs) modulate the function of eIF4E through the phosphorylation that is necessary for oncogenic transformation. Therefore, pharmacologic MNK inhibitors may provide a nontoxic and effective anticancer strategy. MNK1b is a truncated isoform of MNK1a that is active in the absence of stimuli. Using in vitro selection, high-affinity DNA aptamers to MNK1b were selected from a library of ssDNA. Selection was monitored using the enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay (ELONA), and the selected aptamer population was cloned and sequenced. Four groups of aptamers were identified, and the affinities of one representative for rMNK1b were determined using ELONA and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Two aptamers, named apMNK2F and apMNK3R, had a lower Kd in the nmol/l range. The secondary structure of the selected aptamers was predicted using mFold, and the QGRS Mapper indicated the presence of potential G-quadruplex structures in both aptamers. The selected aptamers were highly specific against MNK1, showing higher affinity to MNK1b than to MNK1a. Interestingly, both aptamers were able to produce significant translation inhibition and prevent tumor cell proliferation and migration and colony formation in breast cancer cells. These results indicate that MNK1 aptamers have an attractive therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M García-Recio
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Pinto-Díez
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Isabel Pérez-Morgado
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta García-Hernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/ Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerónimo Fernández
- Aptus Biotech SL, c/ Faraday, 7, Parque Científico de Madrid, Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M González
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. E-mail:
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Genes CM, de Lucio H, González VM, Sánchez-Murcia PA, Rico E, Gago F, Fasel N, Jiménez-Ruiz A. A functional BH3 domain in an aquaporin from Leishmania infantum. Cell Death Discov 2016; 2:16043. [PMID: 27551533 PMCID: PMC4979448 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the absence of sequences showing significant similarity to any of the members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins in protozoa, experiments carried out in yeast or trypanosomatids have demonstrated that ectopic expression of some of these members alters their response to different death stimuli. Because the BH3 domain is the smallest common signature in all the proteins of this family of apoptosis regulators and also because they are essential for molecular interactions between antagonistic members, we looked for sequences with significant similarity to the BH3 motif in the Leishmania infantum genome. Among the top scoring ones, we found the MYLALQNLGDEV amino-acid stretch at the C terminus of a previously described aquaporin, now renamed as Li-BH3AQP. This motif is highly conserved in homologous proteins from other species of the Leishmania genus. The association of Li-BH3AQP with human Bcl-XL was demonstrated by both co-immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid experiments. Ectopic expression of Li-BH3AQP reduced viability of HeLa cells and this deleterious effect was abrogated by the simultaneous overexpression of Bcl-XL. Although we were not able to demonstrate a reduction in parasite viability when the protein was overexpressed in Leishmania promastigotes, a prodeath effect could be observed when the parasites overexpressing Li-BH3AQP were treated with staurosporine or antimycin A. Surprisingly, these parasites were more resistant, compared with wild-type parasites, to hypotonic stress or nutrient deprivation. The prodeath activity was abolished upon replacement of two highly conserved amino acids in this BH3 domain. Taken together, these results point to Li-BH3AQP as the first non-enzymatic protein ever described in trypanosomatids that is involved in cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Genes
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - H de Lucio
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - V M González
- Laboratory of aptamers, Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - P A Sánchez-Murcia
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Medicina, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - E Rico
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - F Gago
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad de Alcalá, Facultad de Medicina, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
| | - N Fasel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 155 Chemin des Boveresses, Epalinges 1066, Switzerland
| | - A Jiménez-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares 28805, Spain
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Soto M, Corvo L, Garde E, Ramírez L, Iniesta V, Bonay P, Gómez-Nieto C, González VM, Martín ME, Alonso C, Coelho EAF, Barral A, Barral-Netto M, Iborra S. Coadministration of the Three Antigenic Leishmania infantum Poly (A) Binding Proteins as a DNA Vaccine Induces Protection against Leishmania major Infection in BALB/c Mice. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0003751. [PMID: 25955652 PMCID: PMC4425485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Highly conserved intracellular proteins from Leishmania have been described as antigens in natural and experimental infected mammals. The present study aimed to evaluate the antigenicity and prophylactic properties of the Leishmania infantum Poly (A) binding proteins (LiPABPs). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Three different members of the LiPABP family have been described. Recombinant tools based on these proteins were constructed: recombinant proteins and DNA vaccines. The three recombinant proteins were employed for coating ELISA plates. Sera from human and canine patients of visceral leishmaniasis and human patients of mucosal leishmaniasis recognized the three LiPABPs. In addition, the protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine based on the combination of the three Leishmania PABPs has been tested in a model of progressive murine leishmaniasis: BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. The induction of a Th1-like response against the LiPABP family by genetic vaccination was able to down-regulate the IL-10 predominant responses elicited by parasite LiPABPs after infection in this murine model. This modulation resulted in a partial protection against L. major infection. LiPABP vaccinated mice showed a reduction on the pathology that was accompanied by a decrease in parasite burdens, in antibody titers against Leishmania antigens and in the IL-4 and IL-10 parasite-specific mediated responses in comparison to control mice groups immunized with saline or with the non-recombinant plasmid. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE The results presented here demonstrate for the first time the prophylactic properties of a new family of Leishmania antigenic intracellular proteins, the LiPABPs. The redirection of the immune response elicited against the LiPABP family (from IL-10 towards IFN-γ mediated responses) by genetic vaccination was able to induce a partial protection against the development of the disease in a highly susceptible murine model of leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (MS); (SI)
| | - Laura Corvo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Garde
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Virginia Iniesta
- LeishmanCeres Laboratory (GLP Compliance Certified), Parasitology Unit. Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Pedro Bonay
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Gómez-Nieto
- LeishmanCeres Laboratory (GLP Compliance Certified), Parasitology Unit. Veterinary Faculty, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Víctor M. González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo A. F. Coelho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde: Infectologia e Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica, COLTEC, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Aldina Barral
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Manoel Barral-Netto
- Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Salvador Iborra
- Immunobiology of Inflammation Laboratory, Department of Vascular Biology and Inflammation, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail: (MS); (SI)
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Guerra-Pérez N, Ramos E, García-Hernández M, Pinto C, Soto M, Martín ME, González VM. Molecular and Functional Characterization of ssDNA Aptamers that Specifically Bind Leishmania infantum PABP. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140048. [PMID: 26457419 PMCID: PMC4601788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY A poly (A)-binding protein from Leishmania infantum (LiPABP) has been recently cloned and characterized in our laboratory. Although this protein shows a very high homology with PABPs from other eukaryotic organisms including mammals and other parasites, exist divergences along the sequence that convert them in potential diagnostic markers and/or therapeutics targets. Aptamers are oligonucleotide ligands that are selected in vitro by their affinity and specificity for the target as a consequence of the particular tertiary structure that they are able to acquire depending on their sequence. Development of high-affinity molecules with the ability to recognize specifically Leishmania proteins is essential for the progress of this kind of study. RESULTS We have selected a ssDNA aptamer population against a recombinant 6xHIS-LiPABP protein (rLiPABP) that is able to recognize the target with a low Kd. Cloning, sequencing and in silico analysis of the aptamers obtained from the population yielded three aptamers (ApPABP#3, ApPABP#7 and ApPABP#11) that significantly bound to PABP with higher affinity than the naïve population. These aptamers were analyzed by ELONA and slot blot to establish affinity and specificity for rLiPABP. Results demonstrated that the three aptamers have high affinity and specificity for the target and that they are able to detect an endogenous LiPABP (eLiPABP) protein amount corresponding to 2500 L. infantum promastigotes in a significant manner. The functional analysis of the aptamers also revealed that ApPABP#11 disrupts the binding of both Myc-LiPABP and eLiPABP to poly (A) in vitro. On the other hand, these aptamers are able to bind and purify LiPABP from complex mixes. CONCLUSION Results presented here demonstrate that aptamers represent new reagents for characterization of LiPABP and that they can affect LiPABP activity. At this respect, the use of these aptamers as therapeutic tool affecting the physiological role of PABP has to be analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Guerra-Pérez
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Edurne Ramos
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Celia Pinto
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Soto
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Elena Martín
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M. González
- Laboratory of aptamers, Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Hernández-Jiménez M, Sacristán S, Morales C, García-Villanueva M, García-Fernández E, Alcázar A, González VM, Martín ME. Apoptosis-related proteins are potential markers of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) injury. Neurosci Lett 2014; 558:143-8. [PMID: 24269372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) causes high mortality and long-term morbidity rates. The magnitude of the neuronal damage depends on the duration and severity of the initial insult combined with the deleterious effects of reperfusion and apoptosis. Currently, a diagnosis of HIE is based largely on the neurological and histological findings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify apoptosis-related proteins that might serve as potential markers of HIE injury. As an initial step toward reaching this objective, we analyzed changes in protein levels in an in vitro model of hypoxia using antibody arrays, and we have identified changes in the expression level of two proteins involved in apoptosis, Smac-DIABLO and cathepsin D. We obtained brain sections from eight neonatal HIE patients and performed histological staining, TUNEL assays and Smac-DIABLO and cathepsin D immunolocalization. Our results revealed a high number of TUNEL-positive cells, including neurons, astrocytes and ependymal cells, in the various regions that were analyzed. Interestingly, many of the areas that were positive for TUNEL staining did not appear to be damaged in the histological evaluation. In addition, using immunostaining, we found that Smac-DIABLO and cathepsin D had the same regional distribution pattern. Taken together, these findings indicate that these two proteins could serve as markers to identify injured regions that might not to be detectable using histological observations alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Sacristán
- Servicio de Neurobiología-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal-IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Morales
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Alberto Alcázar
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal-IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor M González
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal-IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - M Elena Martín
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal-IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, Spain.
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Grozio A, Gonzalez VM, Millo E, Sturla L, Vigliarolo T, Bagnasco L, Guida L, D'Arrigo C, De Flora A, Salis A, Martin EM, Bellotti M, Zocchi E. Selection and characterization of single stranded DNA aptamers for the hormone abscisic Acid. Nucleic Acid Ther 2013; 23:322-31. [PMID: 23971905 PMCID: PMC3760064 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2013.0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is a small molecule involved in pivotal physiological functions in higher plants. Recently, ABA has been also identified as an endogenous hormone in mammals, regulating different cell functions including inflammatory processes, stem cell expansion, insulin release, and glucose uptake. Aptamers are short, single-stranded (ss) oligonucleotidesable to recognize target molecules with high affinity. The small size of the ABA molecule represented a challenge for aptamer development and the aim of this study was to develop specific anti-ABA DNA aptamers. Biotinylated abscisic acid (bio-ABA) was immobilized on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads. DNA aptamers against bio-ABA were selected with 7 iterative rounds of the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment method (SELEX), each round comprising incubation of the ABA-binding beads with the ssDNA sequences, DNA elution, electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The PCR product was cloned and sequenced. The binding affinity of several clones was determined using bio-ABA immobilized on streptavidin-coated plates. Aptamer 2 and aptamer 9 showed the highest binding affinity, with dissociation constants values of 0.98 ± 0.14 μM and 0.80 ± 0.07 μM, respectively. Aptamers 2 and 9 were also able to bind free, unmodified ABA and to discriminate between different ABA enantiomers and isomers. Our findings indicate that ssDNA aptamers can selectively bind ABA and could be used for the development of ABA quantitation assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Grozio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Victor M. Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrico Millo
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Sturla
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Tiziana Vigliarolo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Biochemistry, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Bagnasco
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Guida
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Cristina D'Arrigo
- Institute for Macromolecular Studies, National Research Council, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio De Flora
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Annalisa Salis
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena M. Martin
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, IRYCIS-Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Bellotti
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Zocchi
- Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Martín ME, García-Hernández M, García-Recio EM, Gómez-Chacón GF, Sánchez-López M, González VM. DNA aptamers selectively target Leishmania infantum H2A protein. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78886. [PMID: 24205340 PMCID: PMC3804487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania produce leishmaniasis which affects millions people around the world. Understanding the molecular characteristics of the parasite can increase the knowledge about the mechanisms underlying disease development and progression. Thus, the study of the molecular features of histones has been considered of particular interest because Leishmania does not condense the chromatin during mitosis and, consequently, a different role for these proteins in the biology of the parasite can be expected. Furthermore, the sequence divergences in the amino and in the carboxy-terminal domains of the kinetoplastid core histones convert them in potential diagnostic and/or therapeutics targets. Aptamers are oligonucleotide ligands that are selected in vitro by their affinity and specificity for the target as a consequence of the particular tertiary structure that they are able to acquire depending on their sequence. Development of high-affinity molecules with the ability to recognize specifically Leishmania histones is essential for the progress of this kind of study. Two aptamers which specifically recognize Leishmania infantum H2A histone were cloned from a previously obtained ssDNA enriched population. These aptamers were sequenced and subjected to an in silico analysis. ELONA, slot blot and Western blot were performed to establish aptamer affinity and specificity for LiH2A histone and ELONA assays using peptides corresponding to overlapped sequences of LiH2A were made mapping the aptamers:LiH2A interaction. As "proofs of concept", aptamers were used to determine the number of parasites in an ELONA platform and to purify LiH2A from complex mixtures. The aptamers showed different secondary structures among them; however, both of them were able to recognize the same peptides located in a side of the protein. In addition, we demonstrate that these aptamers are useful for LiH2A identification and also may be of potential application as diagnostic system and as a laboratory tool with purification purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Elena Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Eva M. García-Recio
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Víctor M. González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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25
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Hernández-Jiménez M, Ayuso MI, Pérez-Morgado MI, García-Recio EM, Alcázar A, Martín ME, González VM. eIF4F complex disruption causes protein synthesis inhibition during hypoxia in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012; 1823:430-8. [PMID: 22178387 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2011.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Poor oxygenation (hypoxia) influences important physiological and pathological situations, including development, ischemia, stroke and cancer. Hypoxia induces protein synthesis inhibition that is primarily regulated at the level of initiation step. This regulation generally takes place at two stages, the phosphorylation of the subunit α of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2 and the inhibition of the eIF4F complex availability by dephosphorylation of the inhibitory protein 4E-BP1 (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1). The contribution of each of them is mainly dependent of the extent of the oxygen deprivation. We have evaluated the regulation of hypoxia-induced translation inhibition in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells subjected to a low oxygen concentration (0.1%) at several times. Our findings indicate that protein synthesis inhibition occurs primarily by the disruption of eIF4F complex through 4E-BP1 dephosphorylation, which is produced by the inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity via the activation of REDD1 (regulated in development and DNA damage 1) protein in a hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1)-dependent manner, as well as the translocation of eIF4E to the nucleus. In addition, this mechanism is reinforced by the increase in 4E-BP1 levels, mainly at prolonged times of hypoxia.
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Moreno M, González VM, Rincón E, Domingo A, Domínguez E. Aptasensor based on the selective electrodeposition of protein-linked gold nanoparticles on screen-printed electrodes. Analyst 2011; 136:1810-5. [PMID: 21394378 DOI: 10.1039/c1an15070g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The electrodeposition of DNA-gold nanoparticles previously developed in our group has been used as starting point for the electrodeposition of proteins attached to gold nanoparticles. We have performed a proof of principle by developing a methodology based on the electrodeposition of proteins bound to gold nanoparticles on screen-printed gold microelectrodes using, in a first approach, horseradish peroxide-conjugated gold nanoparticles (gold-HRP). The electrodeposition was achieved at a current positive potential of 800 mV vs. Ag/AgCl and the functionality of the electrodeposited HRP-particles was tested by electrochemical reduction of H(2)O(2). Furthermore, we used this proof of concept in an aptasensor application to detect Leishmania infantum KMP-11. Hence, we have demonstrated not only the functionality of the electrodeposition of proteins bound to gold nanoparticles, but also the utility of the method with the aim of developing a real biosensor containing multiple enzymes or proteins in a multimodular device.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moreno
- Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
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Guerra N, Vega-Sendino M, Pérez-Morgado MI, Ramos E, Soto M, Gonzalez VM, Martín ME. Identification and functional characterization of a poly(A)-binding protein from Leishmania infantum (LiPABP). FEBS Lett 2011; 585:193-8. [PMID: 21115009 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2010.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression regulation in Leishmania has been related to post-transcriptional events involving mainly sequences present in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. PABPs are high-affinity poly(A)-binding proteins that are implicated in the regulation of translation initiation, RNA stability and other important biological processes. We describe a PABP from Leishmania infantum (LiPABP) that shows a very high homology with PABPs from other eukaryotic organisms, including mammals and other parasites. LiPABP conserves the main domains present in other PABPs, maintains poly(A)-binding properties and is phosphorylated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Using the sera from dogs infected with L. infantum, we demonstrate that LiPABP is expressed in L. infantum promastigotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Guerra
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, IRyCIS, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Moreno M, González VM. Advances on aptamers targeting Plasmodium and trypanosomatids. Curr Med Chem 2011; 18:5003-10. [PMID: 22050748 DOI: 10.2174/092986711797535218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2011] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides (ssDNA or RNA) selected from combinatorial libraries by an in vitro process and possess a specific three-dimensional structure depending on its sequence. These molecules are able to recognize and, eventually, alter the activity of their targets by binding directly in a similar way to antibodies. Over the last years, aptamer technology has been used in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications and, concretely, several strategies are currently being explored using aptamers against Plasmodium and trypanosomatid proteins associated with parasitic diseases which affect hundreds of millions people. One approach tries to block the interaction between the parasite and the host using aptamers targeting host-cell matrix receptors. A second strategy consists in attack the parasite intracellularly targeting heme group or interfering in the intracellular RNA transport. In another strategy, aptamers targeting invariant polypeptides could be used as a specific drug delivery system into the parasite. Finally, aptamers addressed to re-direct the immune response of the infected host are being studied. Other potential use of the aptamers is as biorecognition element in diagnostic systems for parasitic diseases. In this paper, we briefly review how aptamers against Plasmodium and trypanosomatids are discovered, with a focus on recent advances that improve the aptamers properties as a real tool for parasite fighting.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moreno
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
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29
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Piñeiro D, González VM, Salinas M, Elena Martín M. Analysis of the protein expression changes during taxol-induced apoptosis under translation inhibition conditions. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 345:131-44. [PMID: 20717708 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0566-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Taxol is currently used in chemotherapeutic treatments of different types of cancers. In this article, we demonstrate that taxol induces apoptosis and translation down-regulation in human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cells. Antibody arrays are a promising new tool for the analysis of protein levels changes in cells responding to different stimuli. Using this approach, we have identified changes in the expression of 38 proteins (20 down-regulated and 18 up-regulated), implicated in several cellular processes mainly in apoptosis, cell cycle and signal transduction pathways, and also cytoskeleton proteins. Among them, we have confirmed a considerable decrease in the expression of p14(ARF) and a significant increase in the levels of dystrophin and c-Myc. It is known that c-Myc mRNA has an internal ribosome entry segment (IRES) element in its 5'UTR that could regulate its expression under global protein synthesis inhibition conditions. We demonstrate that after taxol treatment, the c-Myc IRES activity is maintained meanwhile cap-dependent activity is inhibited. In addition, an increase in c-Myc mRNA was also observed after taxol treatment. We conclude that taxol-induced c-Myc expression is regulated at both transcriptional and translational levels, the last of them by a mechanism mediated by IRES.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Piñeiro
- Servicio Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (Irycis), Ctra. Colmenar km 9,100, 28034, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that adopt specific three-dimensional structures binding with high affinity and specificity to their targets. These molecules are being currently used with detection and diagnosis purposes. Parasites of the genus Leishmania cause leishmaniosis in humans and animals. Interestingly, Leishmania do not condense their chromatin during mitosis, and histone genes could be responsible for this fact. Although histones are extremely conserved proteins, reflecting their apparent universality of function, sequence similarity of kinetoplastid core histones with that of higher eukaryotes is found predominantly in the globular region. However, high sequence divergences in the N-terminal and C-terminal domains are found that convert them into potential diagnostic and/or therapeutics targets. We have successfully isolated a pool of DNA aptamers, named SELH3, which binds to Leishmania infantum H3 with high affinity and specificity. Thus, it appears that this novel anti-H3 aptamer population may be of potential application as a diagnostic system for leishmaniosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edurne Ramos
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Moreno M, Rincon E, Pérez JM, González VM, Domingo A, Dominguez E. Selective immobilization of oligonucleotide-modified gold nanoparticles by electrodeposition on screen-printed electrodes. Biosens Bioelectron 2009; 25:778-83. [PMID: 19783422 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2009.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Revised: 08/17/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Here, we describe a proof of concept procedure for the selective immobilization of oligonucleotides functionalized gold nanoparticle probes (affinity modules) on arrayed screen-printed gold electrodes. Current microarrays are using many different ways to address their DNA probes onto the transducer area. For that reason, we have mixed the electrodeposition of metals, which is a very well known process, in addition with the DNA-gold nanoparticles formation, which is an area of great interest in biosensing applications in the field of genomics, clinical and warfare applications. Combining these fields, we have developed a novel method for the immobilization of gold nanoparticles conjugated with oligonucleotides (affinity modules) onto screenprinting gold electrodes through electrodeposition at a current positive potential of 800mV vs. Ag/AgCl. The modules were selectively immobilized onto the electrode surface being, afterwards, ready for a successful hybridization. The gold colloids take the advantage of being a carrier that allows the immobilization of any kind of bioreceptor in the same conditions and the capability of quality control analysis before the electrodeposition procedure. With this system, we avoided non-specific interactions between the transduction layer and the bioreceptor and in the case of DNA oligonucleotides allowed us the immobilization of multiple sequences in a multimodular device for a further industrial process of cheaper biochip fabrication.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moreno
- Departamento Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
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Abanades DR, Ramírez L, Iborra S, Soteriadou K, González VM, Bonay P, Alonso C, Soto M. Key role of the 3' untranslated region in the cell cycle regulated expression of the Leishmania infantum histone H2A genes: minor synergistic effect of the 5' untranslated region. BMC Mol Biol 2009; 10:48. [PMID: 19460148 PMCID: PMC2691400 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-10-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2008] [Accepted: 05/21/2009] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histone synthesis in Leishmania is tightly coupled to DNA replication by a post-transcriptional mechanism operating at the level of translation. RESULTS In this work we have analyzed the implication of the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTR) in the cell cycle regulated expression of the histone H2A in Leishmania infantum. For that purpose, L. infantum promastigotes were stably transfected with different plasmid constructs in which the CAT coding region used as a reporter was flanked by the 5' and 3' UTR regions of the different H2A genes. We report that in spite of their sequence differences, histone H2A 5' and 3' UTRs conferred a cell cycle dependent pattern of expression on the CAT reporter since de novo synthesis of CAT increased when parasites enter the S phase. Using one established L. infantum cell line we showed that CAT expression is controlled by the same regulatory events that control the endogenous histone gene expression. Thus, although we did not detect changes in the level of CAT mRNAs during cell cycle progression, a drastic change in the polysome profiles of CAT mRNAs was observed during the progression from G1 to S phase. In the S phase CAT mRNAs were on polyribosomal fractions, but in the G1 phase the association of CAT transcripts with ribosomes was impaired. Furthermore, it was determined that the addition of just the H2A 3' UTR to the CAT reporter gene is sufficient to achieve a similar pattern of post-transcriptional regulation indicating that this region contains the major regulatory sequences involved in the cell cycle dependent expression of the H2A genes. On the other hand, although CAT transcripts bearing the H2A 5' alone were translated both in the G1 and S phase, higher percentages of transcripts were detected on polyribosomes in the S phase correlating with an increase in the de novo synthesis of CAT. Thus, it can be concluded that this region also contributes, although to a minor extent than the 3' UTR, in the enhancement of translation in the S phase relative to the G1 phase. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that both, the 5' and the 3' UTRs contain sequence elements that contribute to the cell cycle expression of L. infantum H2A. The 3' UTR region is essential for cell cycle dependent translation of the L. infantum H2A transcripts whereas the 5' UTR has a minor contribution in their S phase dependent translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Abanades
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Ramírez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Iborra
- Unidad de Inmunología Viral, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Crta. Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ketty Soteriadou
- Laboratory of Molecular Parasitology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127 Vas. Sophias, 115 21 Athens, Greece
| | - Victor M González
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Bonay
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Alonso
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Soto
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Soto M, Ramírez L, Pineda MA, González VM, Entringer PF, de Oliveira CI, Nascimento IP, Souza AP, Corvo L, Alonso C, Bonay P, Brodskyn C, Barral A, Barral-Netto M, Iborra S. Searching Genes Encoding Leishmania Antigens for Diagnosis and Protection. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.3814/2009/173039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Piñeiro D, González VM, Hernández-Jiménez M, Salinas M, Martín ME. Translation regulation after taxol treatment in NIH3T3 cells involves the elongation factor (eEF)2. Exp Cell Res 2007; 313:3694-706. [PMID: 17825817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2007] [Revised: 07/24/2007] [Accepted: 07/24/2007] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Changes to the translational machinery that occur during apoptosis have been described in the last few years. The two principal ways in which translational factors are modified during apoptosis are: (i) changes in protein phosphorylation and (ii) specific proteolytic cleavages. Taxol, a member of a new class of anti-tubulin drugs, is currently used in chemotherapeutic treatments of different types of cancers. We have previously demonstrated that taxol induces calpain-mediated apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells [Piñeiro et al., Exp. Cell Res., 2007, 313:369-379]. In this study we found that translation was significantly inhibited during taxol-induced apoptosis in these cells. We have studied the phosphorylation status and expression levels of eIF2a, eIF4E, eIF4G and the regulatory protein 4E-BP1, all of which are implicated in translation regulation. We found that taxol treatment did not induce changes in eIF2alpha phosphorylation, but strongly decreased eIF4G, eIF4E and 4E-BP1 expression levels. MDL28170, a specific inhibitor of calpain, prevented reduction of eIF4G, but not of eIF4E or 4E-BP1 levels. Moreover, the calpain inhibitor did not block taxol-induced translation inhibition. All together these findings demonstrated that none of these factors are responsible for the taxol-induced protein synthesis inhibition. On the contrary, taxol treatment increased elongation factor eEF2 phosphorylation in a calpain-independent manner, supporting a role for eEF2 in taxol-induced translation inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Piñeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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O'Loghlen A, González VM, Jurado T, Salinas M, Martín ME. Characterization of the activity of human MAP kinase-interacting kinase Mnk1b. Biochim Biophys Acta 2007; 1773:1416-27. [PMID: 17590453 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2007.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/21/2007] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase interacting kinase 1b (Mnk1b) is a splice variant of human Mnk1a, which has been identified in our laboratory [A. O'Loghlen, V.M. Gonzalez, D. Pineiro, M.I. Perez-Morgado, M. Salinas, M.E. Martin, Identification and molecular characterization of Mnk1b, a splice variant of human MAP kinase-interacting kinase Mnk1, Exp. Cell Res. 299 (2004) 343-355]. Mnk1b has much higher basal eIF4E kinase activity than Mnk1a. Because Mnk1b presents different features in its C-terminus with respect to Mnk1a, we have studied in this paper the potential role of these structural differences in determining the higher basal eIF4E kinase activity as well as the subcellular localization of Mnk1b. In this paper, we demonstrate that phosphorylation of the Thr209 and Thr214 in the activation loop of Mnk1b is necessary for its activation. However, the different kinase activity between Mnk1a and Mnk1b is independent of the phosphorylation status of the activation loop residues. By deletion of the C-terminal tail in Mnk1a, we confirmed that the absence of this sequence is not responsible for the higher eIF4E kinase activity present in Mnk1b. Moreover, our findings support a crucial role of the 12 amino acids, particularly the Ala344, in the C-terminal specific region of Mnk1b (Mnk1bSR), on the kinase activity of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana O'Loghlen
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar km. 9,100. E-28034 Madrid, Spain
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Ramos E, Piñeiro D, Soto M, Abanades DR, Martín ME, Salinas M, González VM. A DNA aptamer population specifically detects Leishmania infantum H2A antigen. J Transl Med 2007; 87:409-16. [PMID: 17334412 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.3700535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that are selected in vitro by their affinity and specificity for the target. Binding is a consequence of the particular tertiary structure that they are able to acquire, depending on their sequence. Parasites of the genus Leishmania belongs to the lower eukaryote order Kinetoplastida that causes leishmaniosis in man and animals. Histone genes in Leishmania are of considerable interest because these flagellates do not condense their chromatin during mitosis. Thus, the study of the structural features of histones has been considered of particular interest and, as a result, in recent years a great number of histone genes have been characterized in trypanosomatids. Histones are extremely conserved proteins, reflecting their apparent universality of function. Sequence similarity of kinetoplastid core histones those of higher eukaryotes is found predominantly in the globular region with high sequence divergences in the N- and in the C-terminal domains. These divergences indicate that they may be potential diagnostic and/or therapeutics targets. We have successfully isolated a pool of DNA sequences, named SELH2A, which specifically binds to Leishmania infantum H2A. When tested in an enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay, slot blot and Western blot analysis, the aptamer pool exhibited specificity in its ability to bind only to H2A antigen but not to other proteins from L. infantum including other histones. Thus, it appears that this novel anti-H2A aptamer population may be of potential application as a diagnostic system for leishmaniosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edurne Ramos
- The Departamento de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
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Piñeiro D, Martín ME, Guerra N, Salinas M, González VM. Calpain inhibition stimulates caspase-dependent apoptosis induced by taxol in NIH3T3 cells. Exp Cell Res 2007; 313:369-79. [PMID: 17145055 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2006] [Revised: 10/16/2006] [Accepted: 10/19/2006] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Taxol is an anticancer drug that triggers apoptosis in a wide spectrum of cancers such as ovarian, breast, lung, head and neck, and bladder carcinoma by both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis mechanisms. However, the exact signaling pathways involved in taxol-induced apoptosis strongly depend on the cellular background and they are not completely established yet. In this study we demonstrate that taxol induces caspase-3-independent apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells by a calpain-mediated mechanism. Taxol treatment produced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m) which could be responsible of Ca(2+) release from the mitochondria and the consequent calpain activation. Interestingly, we show that calpain produced proteolysis of caspase-3 and demonstrate that, accordingly, calpain inhibition increased taxol-induced apoptosis. In addition, we reveal that poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was processed by calpain in taxol-treated cells and by caspase-3 after calpain inhibition. In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time that calpain could play an important role modulating taxol-induced apoptosis. Further studies are needed to address the potentiality of inducing apoptosis by a combined use of taxol and calpain inhibitors in cells with increased calpain activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Piñeiro
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra Colmenar km 9,100, 28034 Madrid, Spain
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Alzate JF, Alvarez-Barrientos A, González VM, Jiménez-Ruiz A. Heat-induced programmed cell death in Leishmania infantum is reverted by Bcl-X(L) expression. Apoptosis 2006; 11:161-71. [PMID: 16502255 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-006-4570-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of reports indicate that single-celled organisms are able to die following what seems to be an ordered program of cell death with strong similarities to apoptosis from higher eukaryotes. DNA degradation and several other apoptotic-like processes have also been described in the parasitic protozoa Leishmania. However, the existence of an apoptotic death in this parasite is still a matter of controversy. Our results indicate that most of the processes of macromolecular degradation and organelle dysfunction observed in mammalian cells during apoptosis can also be reproduced in promastigotes of the genus Leishmania when incubated at temperatures above 38 degrees C. These processes can be partially reversed by the expression of the anti-apoptotic mammalian gene Bcl-X(L), which suggests that this family of apoptosis-regulating proteins was present very early in the evolution of eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Alzate
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus Universitario, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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Alzate JF, Ramírez-Pineda JR, González VM, Patiño E, Vélez ID, Jiménez-Ruiz A. Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis: cloning of the histone H1 genes by representational difference analysis. Exp Parasitol 2006; 112:126-9. [PMID: 16289088 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2005.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2005] [Revised: 09/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/24/2005] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We report the use of representational difference analysis to identify genes that have up-regulated expression in the amastigote life-cycle stage of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. This simultaneous process of selection and amplification allowed the cloning of several specific DNA fragments. One of them shows a high percentage of similarity with histone H1 genes from other Trypanosomatids and, as expected, is up-regulated in the amastigote life-cycle stage. The gene is present in two copies that are expressed at different levels in promastigotes and also in amastigotes, which seems to be a consequence of their different 3' untranslated regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F Alzate
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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O'Loghlen A, González VM, Salinas M, Martín ME. Suppression of human Mnk1 by small interfering RNA increases the eukaryotic initiation factor 4F activity in HEK293T cells. FEBS Lett 2004; 578:31-5. [PMID: 15581611 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.10.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2004] [Revised: 10/21/2004] [Accepted: 10/21/2004] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Short-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have proved to be a useful tool in studying gene function in plants, invertebrates and mammalian systems. Herein, we report the use of siRNAs for targeting the human MAP kinase-interacting kinase Mnk1 gene. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the designed siRNA in silencing Mnk1 in the human cell line HEK293T and shows that Mnk1 suppression decreases eukaryotic initiation factor 4E phosphorylation without causing any change in global protein synthesis rate and cell proliferation. Interestingly, suppression of Mnk1 results in a significant increase in eukaryotic initiation factor 4F complex formation after 72 h of transfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana O'Loghlen
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar km 9, 100. 28034 Madrid, Spain
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O'Loghlen A, González VM, Piñeiro D, Pérez-Morgado MI, Salinas M, Martín ME. Identification and molecular characterization of Mnk1b, a splice variant of human MAP kinase-interacting kinase Mnk1. Exp Cell Res 2004; 299:343-55. [PMID: 15350534 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2004] [Revised: 05/28/2004] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we report the identification and molecular characterization of a splice variant of human Mnk1 which has been named as Mnk1b. Human Mnk1b mRNA is homologous to human Mnk1 mRNA but lacking a region corresponding to exon 19, which causes a change in the reading frame generating a stop codon. The resulting protein lacks the last 89 amino acids at the C-terminal region that are replaced by 12 amino acids with an entirely new sequence. The C-terminal end in Mnk1 corresponds to the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) binding site. Although Mnk1b lacks this domain and, consequently, is not phosphorylated by ERK1/2, it is able, however, to phosphorylate eIF4E in vitro and in vivo in a mitogen-activated protein kinases-independent manner. This result suggests that Mnk1b may play a key role in regulating protein translation in the absence of stimuli. Interestingly, a significant population of cells shows Mnk1b within the nucleus whereas Mnk1 is always detected in the cytoplasm. This fact may be explained because Mnk1b maintains the nuclear localization signal (NLS) but lacks the nuclear export sequence (NES).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana O'Loghlen
- Servicio de Bioquímica-Investigación, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Ctra. Colmenar km 9,100. 28034 Madrid, Spain
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Imaizumi K, Benito A, Kiryu-Seo S, Gonzalez V, Inohara N, Lieberman AP, Kiyama H, Nuñez G, Leiberman AP. Critical role for DP5/Harakiri, a Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only Bcl-2 family member, in axotomy-induced neuronal cell death. J Neurosci 2004; 24:3721-5. [PMID: 15084651 PMCID: PMC6729341 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5101-03.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The survival of neurons is maintained primarily by neurotrophic factors that suppress the apoptotic program. Axotomy or removal of peripheral targets causes neuronal cell death, but the mechanisms involved in the induction of this type of cell death remain poorly understood. Here, we show that DP5/Harakiri, a Bcl-2 homology domain 3-only member of the Bcl-2 family, is induced in motoneurons after transection of the hypoglossal nerve in mice and in sympathetic neurons after nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. To assess the role of DP5 in neuronal cell death, mutant mice deficient in DP5 were generated by gene targeting. DP5-/- mice were viable and exhibited normal postnatal development. Notably, motoneurons from DP5-/- mice were highly protected from cell death induced by resection of the hypoglossal nerve compared with motoneurons from DP5+/+ littermate mice. In addition, deficiency of DP5 in superior cervical ganglia (SCG) neurons resulted in delayed neuronal cell death triggered by NGF withdrawal. Analysis of SCG neurons from DP5-/- mice revealed increased preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced activation of caspase-3 compared with neurons from wild-type mice. These results indicate that DP5 plays an important role in neuronal cell death induced by axotomy and NGF deprivation through the regulation of mitochondrial function and caspase-3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Imaizumi
- Division of Structural Cellular Biology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara 630-0101, Japan
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Moreno M, Rincón E, Piñeiro D, Fernández G, Domingo A, Jiménez-Ruíz A, Salinas M, González VM. Selection of aptamers against KMP-11 using colloidal gold during the SELEX process. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2003; 308:214-8. [PMID: 12901856 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-291x(03)01352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
SELEX procedure is a methodology in which single stranded oligonucleotides are selected from a wide variety of sequences based on their interaction with a target molecule. We have designed a novel SELEX methodology using colloidal gold to select high affinity single stranded DNA aptamers against Leishmania infantum KMP-11. Kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (KMP-11) is a major component of the cell membrane of kinetoplastid parasites. Although its function is not known, the fact that KMP-11 is a cytoskeleton-associated protein suggests that it may be involved in mobility or in some other aspects of the flagellar structure. We have isolated a single stranded DNA aptamer population that binds specifically to L. infantum KMP-11. This population has been characterized in a series of in vitro experiments suggesting that it may be used as a powerful tool to further investigate the role of KMP-11 during Leishmania development and/or as a diagnostic tool in Leishmania infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Moreno
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Alvarez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus Universitario, Universidad de Alcalá, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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Fuertes MA, Pérez JM, González VM, Alonso C. A kinetic model for the B-Z transition of poly[d(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)] and poly[d(G-m5C)].poly[d(G-m5C)]. J Biol Inorg Chem 2001; 6:675-82. [PMID: 11681701 DOI: 10.1007/s007750100244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of the kinetic data of the B-Z conformational changes induced by salt in sized double-stranded poly[d(G-C)].poly[d(G-C)] and poly[d(G-m5C)].poly[d(G-m5C)] polymers indicated that there exists a salt threshold which reveals some largely, as yet, unrecognised characteristics of the transition. It was observed that there is a direct correlation between the length of the polymer and the rate of the B-Z transition when the salt concentration in the polymer solution is lower than the salt threshold. The correlation is inverse when the salt concentration is higher than the salt threshold. Thus, the molecular mechanism of the B- to Z-DNA transition varies depending on whether the salt concentration is higher or lower than the threshold. In this context, we have found that the contrasting results reported in the literature describing the rate of the B-Z transition are not contradictory but complementary. The finding of a salt threshold leads to the establishment of a relationship between the cooperativity index of the B-Z transition and the polymer chain length. That relationship is dependent on the chemical structure of the polymer but is temperature independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Fuertes
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Spain.
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Abstract
It is generally accepted that DNA damage and subsequent induction of apoptosis may be the primary cytotoxic mechanism of cisplatin and other DNA-binding antitumor drugs (Fisher,1994). Because the final step of apoptosis is characterized by morphological changes in the nucleus, the death signals of the execution phase must be transmitted from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Thus, the recognition and processing of cisplatin-induced DNA damage through"classic" apoptosis, requires that a nuclear signal, generated at the initiation phase, be transmitted to the cytoplasm to be processed through the effector and execution phases. At the end of the execution phase, the apoptotic signal must come back to the nucleus to produce internucleosomal DNA degradation. Therefore, the induction of apoptosis from detection and subsequent processing of cisplatin-induced DNA damage seems to be a long and complex process of cell death. However, because cisplatin is a nonspecific drug and reacts not only with DNA but also with proteins,we cannot rule out the possibility that in some cases of cisplatin-induced apoptosis, an easier process of initiation, such as damage to cytoplasmic proteins, may take place (Pérez, 1998). Thus, damage to proteins is worth considering as a factor contributing to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Moreover, it is possible that cisplatin damage to proteins could induce apoptosis at the execution phase level. In fact, initiation of apoptosis at the execution phase (activation of caspases) has been previously reported for the cell killing produced by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Golstein et al., 1991). Although apoptosis and necrosis are conceptually distinct forms of cell death with very different morphological and biochemical characteristics, these two types of demise may occur simultaneously in tissues or cell cultures exposed to the same insult (Eguchi et al., 1997, Zhan et al., 1999). In fact, both types of cell death have been found in the same population of cisplatin-treated cells (Pestell et al., 2000). Moreover, it has been hypothesized that in a tissue or cell population,apoptosis and necrosis might be two extremes of a continuum of possible types of cell demise. Individual cell death would be decided by factors such as the availability of energy and the metabolic condition of the cell (Leist et al., 1997). Thus, some cells might die as a result of an unfinished apoptotic program. In fact, in L1210 leukemic cells, cisplatin-induced cell death seems to be the result of a defective apoptotic program that lacks some morphological and biochemical characteristics attributed to apoptosis (Segal-Bendirdjian and Jacquemin-Sablon, 1995). In addition, at high doses, cisplatin could damage molecules involved in cellular energy supply (i.e., ATP) and also proteins directly or indirectly involved in the apoptotic process (i.e., p53, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspases), leading to necrotic cell death. In fact, in cisplatin-resistant keratinocytes transformed by H-ras oncogene, a high dose of cisplatin (312 microM) induces characteristic features of necrotic cell death(Pérez et al., 1999). Thus, depending on the level of cellular damage induced by cisplatin, necrosis could take place either directly or as a consequence of an unfinished apoptotic program. In summary, a growing body of evidence suggests that cisplatin-induced cell death does not always come from "classic"apoptosis. Depending on both cisplatin dose and cellular status, cisplatin may also induced cell death by a defective apoptotic program or even by necrosis. Elucidation of the conditions under which the apoptotic program induced by cisplatin as well as other antitumor drugs is totally or partially executed may have important implications for the outcome of cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Gonzalez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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González VM, Fuertes MA, Pérez-Alvarez MJ, Cervantes G, Moreno V, Alonso C, Pérez JM. Induction of apoptosis by the bis-Pt(III) complex [Pt(2)(2-mercaptopyrimidine)(4)Cl(2)]. Biochem Pharmacol 2000; 60:371-9. [PMID: 10856432 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-2952(00)00329-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed both the cytotoxicity and the type of cell death produced by the novel binuclear Pt(III) compound Pt-Spym ([Pt(2)(2-mercaptopyrimidine)(4)Cl(2)]) in kidney human fibroblasts and in human tumor cell lines (HeLa, CH1, CH1cisR and HL-60). The data showed that Pt-Spym displayed higher cytotoxicity against these tumor cells than cisplatin. In contrast, Pt-Spym had low toxicity against normal human fibroblasts. Interestingly, Pt-Spym circumvented cisplatin resistance in CH1cisR cells. We also observed that Pt-Spym induced the characteristic changes attributed to apoptosis in cells with normal levels of p53 protein (CH1 and CH1cisR) and with low levels of p53 protein (HeLa), but not in cells lacking p53 (HL-60). Interestingly, Western blot data indicated that apoptosis induction by Pt-Spym in HeLa, CH1, and CH1cisR cells was not associated with drastic changes in p53 levels. However, cis-DDP strongly decreased p53 levels in CH1 and CH1cisR cells and abolish p53 protein in HeLa cells. Altogether, these results suggest that induction of apoptosis by Pt-Spym requires the presence of p53 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M González
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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del Peso L, González VM, Hernández R, Barr FG, Núñez G. Regulation of the forkhead transcription factor FKHR, but not the PAX3-FKHR fusion protein, by the serine/threonine kinase Akt. Oncogene 1999; 18:7328-33. [PMID: 10602488 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1203159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Akt, a proto-oncogene that encodes a cytosolic serine/threonine kinase, can phosphorylate and modulate the activity of several proteins involved in cellular metabolism and survival. Recently, two mammalian highly related forkhead transcription factors FKHRL1 and AFX and their nematode homologue Daf-16 have been found to be targets of this kinase. Here we show that Akt, but not inactive Akt, represses the transcriptional activity of FKHR, another member of the forkhead family. FKHR mutants with alanine substitutions at three Akt phosphorylation consensus sites (T24, S256 and S319) were inhibited by Akt, but mutation of all three sites rendered FKHR resistant to suppression. By contrast, the transcriptional activity of the oncogenic PAX3-FKHR fusion protein, containing two consensus phosphorylation sites, was not inhibited by Akt. Importantly, Akt inhibited the translocation of FKHR to the nucleus, providing a mechanism by which Akt might regulate the transcriptional activity of FKHR. Consistent with this model, the localization of the PAX3-FKHR fusion protein was nuclear and was not altered by Akt. These results provide evidence that Akt inhibits the transcriptional activity of FKHR by controlling its trafficking into the nucleus and that oncogenic PAX3-FKHR can escape this negative regulation by Akt.
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Affiliation(s)
- L del Peso
- Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, MI 48109, USA
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Fuertes MA, Pérez JM, González VM, Alonso C. Empirical validation of a two-state kinetic model for the B-Z transition of double-stranded poly[d(G-m5C)]. J Biol Inorg Chem 1999; 4:759-65. [PMID: 10631607 DOI: 10.1007/s007750050348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A formula based on a first-order kinetic equation is derived to evaluate the rate constant of the B-Z transition of a synthetic double-stranded poly[d(G-m5C)] in terms of the salt concentration, the absolute temperature, and the cooperativity index. The validity of the formula was tested using circular dichroism spectroscopy after variation of the type of salt (NaCl, MgCl2), the salt concentration, and the temperature of the polynucleotide solution. A consequence of the proposed function is that in conditions of high salt there is a predictable salt threshold which determines the particular molecular mechanism of the B-Z transition. The paper also describes the way in which this threshold level is temperature dependent. A detailed comparison of our data with the experimental data found by other authors is given. The function agrees quantitatively with the experiments and explains the contrasting results found in the literature about the influence in the B-Z transition of both the temperature and the polymer size.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Fuertes
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM) Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
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Cervantes G, Marchal S, Prieto MJ, Pérez JM, González VM, Alonso C, Moreno V. DNA interaction and antitumor activity of a Pt(III) derivative of 2-mercaptopyridine. J Inorg Biochem 1999; 77:197-203. [PMID: 10643659 DOI: 10.1016/s0162-0134(99)00191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The complex [Pt2(Spy-)4Cl2], where Spy- is deprotonated 2-mercaptopyridine, was prepared and analyzed spectroscopically. A single signal in the 195Pt NMR spectrum indicates the equivalence of the two Pt(III) ions. The interaction of this complex with DNA was studied by circular dichroism and the modifications caused by the complex in plasmid pBR322 DNA were imaged by atomic force microscopy. Preliminary results showed higher activity against HeLa and U937 tumor lines for the Pt-2-mercaptopyridine complex in comparison with cisplatin. The values of LC50 were lower than those obtained for cisplatin. Promising perspectives for this compound are expected due to its similarity with the analogous Pt and 2-mercaptopyrimidine antitumor compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cervantes
- Departament de Química Inorgànica, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
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