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Fares J, Petrosyan E, Kanojia D, Dmello C, Cordero A, Duffy JT, Yeeravalli R, Sahani MH, Zhang P, Rashidi A, Arrieta VA, Ulasov I, Ahmed AU, Miska J, Balyasnikova IV, James CD, Sonabend AM, Heimberger AB, Lesniak MS. Metixene is an incomplete autophagy inducer in preclinical models of metastatic cancer and brain metastases. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e161142. [PMID: 37847564 PMCID: PMC10721147 DOI: 10.1172/jci161142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A paucity of chemotherapeutic options for metastatic brain cancer limits patient survival and portends poor clinical outcomes. Using a CNS small-molecule inhibitor library of 320 agents known to be blood-brain barrier permeable and approved by the FDA, we interrogated breast cancer brain metastasis vulnerabilities to identify an effective agent. Metixene, an antiparkinsonian drug, was identified as a top therapeutic agent that was capable of decreasing cellular viability and inducing cell death across different metastatic breast cancer subtypes. This agent significantly reduced mammary tumor size in orthotopic xenograft assays and improved survival in an intracardiac model of multiorgan site metastases. Metixene further extended survival in mice bearing intracranial xenografts and in an intracarotid mouse model of multiple brain metastases. Functional analysis revealed that metixene induced incomplete autophagy through N-Myc downstream regulated 1 (NDRG1) phosphorylation, thereby leading to caspase-mediated apoptosis in both primary and brain-metastatic cells, regardless of cancer subtype or origin. CRISPR/Cas9 KO of NDRG1 led to autophagy completion and reversal of the metixene apoptotic effect. Metixene is a promising therapeutic agent against metastatic brain cancer, with minimal reported side effects in humans, which merits consideration for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Fares
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Edgar Petrosyan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Deepak Kanojia
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Crismita Dmello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alex Cordero
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joseph T. Duffy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ragini Yeeravalli
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mayurbhai H. Sahani
- Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Aida Rashidi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Victor A. Arrieta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ilya Ulasov
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Atique U. Ahmed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jason Miska
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Irina V. Balyasnikova
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - C. David James
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adam M. Sonabend
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy B. Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Maciej S. Lesniak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Chen J, Rodriguez AS, Morales MA, Fang X. Autophagy Modulation and Its Implications on Glioblastoma Treatment. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:8687-8703. [PMID: 37998723 PMCID: PMC10670099 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a vital cellular process that functions to degrade and recycle damaged organelles into basic metabolites. This allows a cell to adapt to a diverse range of challenging conditions. Autophagy assists in maintaining homeostasis, and it is tightly regulated by the cell. The disruption of autophagy has been associated with many diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This review will center its discussion on providing an in-depth analysis of the current molecular understanding of autophagy and its relevance to brain tumors. We will delve into the current literature regarding the role of autophagy in glioma pathogenesis by exploring the major pathways of JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR and summarizing the current therapeutic interventions and strategies for glioma treatment. These treatments will be evaluated on their potential for autophagy induction and the challenges associated with their utilization. By understanding the mechanism of autophagy, clinical applications for future therapeutics in treating gliomas can be better targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
| | - Andrea Salinas Rodriguez
- Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
| | - Maximiliano Arath Morales
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
| | - Xiaoqian Fang
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA;
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3
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Ma Y, Wu S, Zhao F, Li H, Li Q, Zhang J, Li H, Yuan Z. Hirudin inhibits glioma growth through mTOR-regulated autophagy. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:2701-2713. [PMID: 37539490 PMCID: PMC10494300 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common primary malignant brain tumour, and survival is poor. Hirudin has anticancer pharmacological effects through suppression of glioma cell progression, but the molecular target and mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we observed that hirudin dose- and time-dependently inhibited glioma invasion, migration and proliferation. Mechanistically, hirudin activated LC3-II but not Caspase-3 to induce the autophagic death of glioma cells by decreasing the phosphorylation of mTOR and its downstream substrates ULK1, P70S6K and 4EBP1. Furthermore, hirudin inhibited glioma growth and induced changes in autophagy in cell-derived xenograft (CDX) nude mice, with a decrease in mTOR activity and activation of LC3-II. Collectively, our results highlight a new anticancer mechanism of hirudin in which hirudin-induced inhibition of glioma progression through autophagy activation is likely achieved by inhibition of the mTOR signalling pathway, thus providing a molecular basis for hirudin as a potential and effective clinical drug for glioma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ma
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Senbin Wu
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Fanyi Zhao
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Huifeng Li
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Qiaohong Li
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Jingzhi Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Hua Li
- Laboratory animal center, The Second Affiliated HospitalGuangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhongmin Yuan
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and DiseaseGuangzhouChina
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain‐Inspired IntelligenceGuangzhouChina
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Wan Z, Zuo X, Wang S, Zhou L, Wen X, Yao Y, Song J, Gu J, Wang Z, Liu R, Luo C. Identification of angiogenesis-related genes signature for predicting survival and its regulatory network in glioblastoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:17445-17467. [PMID: 37434432 PMCID: PMC10501277 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is notorious for malignant neovascularization that contributes to undesirable outcome. However, its mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to identify prognostic angiogenesis-related genes and the potential regulatory mechanisms in GBM. RNA-sequencing data of 173 GBM patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially transcription factors (DETFs), and reverse phase protein array (RPPA) chips. Differentially expressed genes from angiogenesis-related gene set were extracted for univariate Cox regression analysis to identify prognostic differentially expressed angiogenesis-related genes (PDEARGs). A risk predicting model was constructed based on 9 PDEARGs, namely MARK1, ITGA5, NMD3, HEY1, COL6A1, DKK3, SERPINA5, NRP1, PLK2, ANXA1, SLIT2, and PDPN. Glioblastoma patients were stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups according to their risk scores. GSEA and GSVA were applied to explore the possible underlying GBM angiogenesis-related pathways. CIBERSORT was employed to identify immune infiltrates in GBM. The Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations among DETFs, PDEARGs, immune cells/functions, RPPA chips, and pathways. A regulatory network centered by three PDEARGs (ANXA1, COL6A1, and PDPN) was constructed to show the potential regulatory mechanisms. External cohort of 95 GBM patients by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay demonstrated that ANXA1, COL6A1, and PDPN were significantly upregulated in tumor tissues of high-risk GBM patients. Single-cell RNA sequencing also validated malignant cells expressed high levels of the ANXA1, COL6A1, PDPN, and key DETF (WWTR1). Our PDEARG-based risk prediction model and regulatory network identified prognostic biomarkers and provided valuable insight into future studies on angiogenesis in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Wan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaokun Zuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Siqiao Wang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of OrthopedicsJinxian County People's HospitalNanchangChina
| | - Xiaojing Wen
- Department of InfectionJinxian County People's HospitalNanchangChina
| | - Ying Yao
- Department of Operating Room, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jiefang Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Juan Gu
- Department of Operating Room, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhimin Wang
- Department of Emergency, Ruijin Hospital Luwan BranchShanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Ran Liu
- The Medical School of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou CityPeople's Republic of China
| | - Chun Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, School of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Filippone A, Casili G, Scuderi SA, Mannino D, Lanza M, Campolo M, Paterniti I, Capra AP, Colarossi C, Bonasera A, Lombardo SP, Cuzzocrea S, Esposito E. Sodium Propionate Contributes to Tumor Cell Growth Inhibition through PPAR-γ Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010217. [PMID: 36612214 PMCID: PMC9818202 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve the outcome of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), has a potent antiproliferative effect on various tumor cell types. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ligands possess anticancer properties. We aimed to investigate the PPAR-γ/SCFAs interaction in in vitro and in vivo models of GBM. The U87 cell line was used in the in vitro study and was treated with sodium propionate (SP). U87 cells were silenced by using PPAR-γ siRNA or Ctr siRNA. In the in vivo study, BALB/c nude mice were inoculated in the right flank with 3 × 106 U-87 cells. SP (doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg) and GW9662 (1 mg/kg) were administered. In vitro exposure of GBM to SP resulted in prominent apoptosis activation while the autophagy pathway was promoted by SP treatments by influencing autophagy-related proteins. Knockdown of PPAR-γ sensitized GBM cells and blocked the SP effect. In vivo, SP was able to decrease tumor growth and to resolve GBM tissue features. SP promoted apoptosis and autophagy pathways and tumor cell proliferation leading to cell cycle arrest through a PPAR-γ-dependent mechanism suggesting that the PPAR-γ/SCFAs axis could be targeted for the management of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Filippone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna Casili
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Sarah Adriana Scuderi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Deborah Mannino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Lanza
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Michela Campolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Irene Paterniti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Paola Capra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Colarossi
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo, 7-95029 Catania, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bonasera
- Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Via Penninazzo, 7-95029 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Esposito
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D׳Alcontres, 31-98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-6765208
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Neurotransmitters: Potential Targets in Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163970. [PMID: 36010960 PMCID: PMC9406056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aiming to discover potential treatments for GBM, this review connects emerging research on the roles of neurotransmitters in the normal neural and the GBM microenvironments and sheds light on the prospects of their application in the neuropharmacology of GBM. Conventional therapy is blamed for its poor effect, especially in inhibiting tumor recurrence and invasion. Facing this dilemma, we focus on neurotransmitters that modulate GBM initiation, progression and invasion, hoping to provide novel therapy targeting GBM. By analyzing research concerning GBM therapy systematically and scientifically, we discover increasing insights into the regulatory effects of neurotransmitters, some of which have already shown great potential in research in vivo or in vitro. After that, we further summarize the potential drugs in correlation with previously published research. In summary, it is worth expecting that targeting neurotransmitters could be a promising novel pharmacological approach for GBM treatment. Abstract For decades, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a type of the most lethal brain tumor, has remained a formidable challenge in terms of its treatment. Recently, many novel discoveries have underlined the regulatory roles of neurotransmitters in the microenvironment both physiologically and pathologically. By targeting the receptors synaptically or non-synaptically, neurotransmitters activate multiple signaling pathways. Significantly, many ligands acting on neurotransmitter receptors have shown great potential for inhibiting GBM growth and development, requiring further research. Here, we provide an overview of the most novel advances concerning the role of neurotransmitters in the normal neural and the GBM microenvironments, and discuss potential targeted drugs used for GBM treatment.
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Antoniciello F, Roncarati D, Zannoni A, Chiti E, Scarlato V, Chiappori F. Targeting the Essential Transcription Factor HP1043 of Helicobacter pylori: A Drug Repositioning Study. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:887564. [PMID: 35647033 PMCID: PMC9135449 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.887564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens are a very challenging problem nowadays. Helicobacter pylori is one of the most widespread and successful human pathogens since it colonizes half of the world population causing chronic and atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-lymphoma, and even gastric adenocarcinoma. Moreover, it displays resistance to numerous antibiotics. One of the H. pylori pivotal transcription factors, HP1043, plays a fundamental role in regulating essential cellular processes. Like other bacterial transcription factors, HP1043 does not display a eukaryote homolog. These characteristics make HP1043 a promising candidate to develop novel antibacterial strategies. Drug repositioning is a relatively recent strategy employed in drug development; testing approved drugs on new targets considerably reduces the time and cost of this process. The combined computational and in vitro approach further reduces the number of compounds to be tested in vivo. Our aim was to identify a subset of known drugs able to prevent HP1043 binding to DNA promoters. This result was reached through evaluation by molecular docking the binding capacity of about 14,350 molecules on the HP1043 dimer in both conformations, bound and unbound to the DNA. Employing an ad hoc pipeline including MMGBSA molecular dynamics, a selection of seven drugs was obtained. These were tested in vitro by electrophoretic mobility shift assay to evaluate the HP1043–DNA interaction. Among these, three returned promising results showing an appreciable reduction of the DNA-binding activity of HP1043. Overall, we applied a computational methodology coupled with experimental validation of the results to screen a large number of known drugs on one of the H. pylori essential transcription factors. This methodology allowed a rapid reduction of the number of drugs to be tested, and the drug repositioning approach considerably reduced the drug design costs. Identified drugs do not belong to the same pharmaceutical category and, by computational analysis, bound different cavities, but all display a reduction of HP1043 binding activity on the DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Antoniciello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Roncarati
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annamaria Zannoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Chiti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Scarlato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Chiappori
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche–Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (ITB-CNR), Segrate (Mi), Italy
- *Correspondence: Federica Chiappori,
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