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Agrawal P, Chen S, de Pablos A, Jame-Chenarboo F, Miera Saenz de Vega E, Darvishian F, Osman I, Lujambio A, Mahal LK, Hernando E. Integrated in vivo functional screens and multi-omics analyses identify α-2,3-sialylation as essential for melanoma maintenance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.584072. [PMID: 38559078 PMCID: PMC10979837 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.584072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Glycosylation is a hallmark of cancer biology, and altered glycosylation influences multiple facets of melanoma growth and progression. To identify glycosyltransferases, glycans, and glycoproteins essential for melanoma maintenance, we conducted an in vivo growth screen with a pooled shRNA library of glycosyltransferases, lectin microarray profiling of benign nevi and melanoma patient samples, and mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomics. We found that α-2,3 sialyltransferases ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2 and corresponding α-2,3-linked sialosides are upregulated in melanoma compared to nevi and are essential for melanoma growth in vivo and in vitro. Glycoproteomics revealed that glycoprotein targets of ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2 are enriched in transmembrane proteins involved in growth signaling, including the amino acid transporter Solute Carrier Family 3 Member 2 (SLC3A2/CD98hc). CD98hc suppression mimicked the effect of ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2 silencing, inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation. We found that both CD98hc protein stability and its pro-survival effect in melanoma are dependent upon α-2,3 sialylation mediated by ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2. In summary, our studies reveal that α-2,3-sialosides functionally contribute to melanoma maintenance, supporting ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2 as novel therapeutic targets in these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Agrawal
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Shuhui Chen
- Department of Chemistry, New York University
| | - Ana de Pablos
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncologicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Iman Osman
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health
- Department of Dermatology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | | | - Lara K. Mahal
- Department of Chemistry, New York University
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health
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Structure of the human heterodimeric transporter 4F2hc-LAT2 in complex with Anticalin, an alternative binding protein for applications in single-particle cryo-EM. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18269. [PMID: 36310334 PMCID: PMC9618567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryo-EM structure determination of relatively small and flexible membrane proteins at high resolution is challenging. Increasing the size and structural features by binding of high affinity proteins to the biomolecular target allows for better particle alignment and may result in structural models of higher resolution and quality. Anticalins are alternative binding proteins to antibodies, which are based on the lipocalin scaffold and show potential for theranostic applications. The human heterodimeric amino acid transporter 4F2hc-LAT2 is a membrane protein complex that mediates transport of certain amino acids and derivatives thereof across the plasma membrane. Here, we present and discuss the cryo-EM structure of human 4F2hc-LAT2 in complex with the anticalin D11vs at 3.2 Å resolution. Relative high local map resolution (2.8-3.0 Å) in the LAT2 substrate binding site together with molecular dynamics simulations indicated the presence of fixed water molecules potentially involved in shaping and stabilizing this region. Finally, the presented work expands the application portfolio of anticalins and widens the toolset of binding proteins to promote high-resolution structure solution by single-particle cryo-EM.
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Kahya U, Köseer AS, Dubrovska A. Amino Acid Transporters on the Guard of Cell Genome and Epigenome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:E125. [PMID: 33401748 PMCID: PMC7796306 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis is driven by metabolic reprogramming. Oncogenic mutations and epigenetic alterations that cause metabolic rewiring may also upregulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Precise regulation of the intracellular ROS levels is critical for tumor cell growth and survival. High ROS production leads to the damage of vital macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, causing genomic instability and further tumor evolution. One of the hallmarks of cancer metabolism is deregulated amino acid uptake. In fast-growing tumors, amino acids are not only the source of energy and building intermediates but also critical regulators of redox homeostasis. Amino acid uptake regulates the intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response signaling, mTOR-mediated antioxidant defense, and epigenetic adaptations of tumor cells to oxidative stress. This review summarizes the role of amino acid transporters as the defender of tumor antioxidant system and genome integrity and discusses them as promising therapeutic targets and tumor imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uğur Kahya
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ayşe Sedef Köseer
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay–National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany; (U.K.); (A.S.K.)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anticalin proteins are engineered versions of lipocalins that constitute a novel class of clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals. The lipocalins exhibit a central β-barrel with eight antiparallel β-strands and an α-helix attached to its side. Four structurally variable loops at the open end of the β-barrel form a pronounced binding pocket, which can be reshaped to generate specificities toward diverse disease-relevant molecular targets. AREAS COVERED This article reviews the current status of Anticalin engineering, from the basic principles to the development of Anticalins with high target affinity and specificity via combinatorial protein design and directed evolution, including examples of Anticalin-based drug candidates under preclinical and clinical development. EXPERT OPINION Combinatorial gene libraries together with powerful molecular selection techniques have enabled the expansion of the natural ligand specificities of lipocalins from small molecules to peptides and proteins. This biomolecular concept has been validated by structural analyses of a series of Anticalin•target complexes. Promising Anticalin lead candidates have reached different preclinical and clinical development stages in the areas of (immuno)oncology, metabolic, and respiratory diseases, as antidotes to treat intoxications and as novel antibiotics. Thus, Anticalins offer an alternative to antibodies with promising and potentially superior features as next-generation biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Ilyukhina
- Chair of Biological Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Arne Skerra
- Chair of Biological Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
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Deuschle FC, Schiefner A, Brandt C, Skerra A. Design of a surrogate Anticalin protein directed against CD98hc for preclinical studies in mice. Protein Sci 2020; 29:1774-1783. [PMID: 32463547 PMCID: PMC7380666 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The human CD98 heavy chain (CD98hc) offers a promising biomedical target both for tumor therapy and for drug delivery to the brain. We have previously developed a cognate Anticalin protein with picomolar affinity and demonstrated its effectiveness in a xenograft animal model. Due to the lack of cross‐reactivity with the murine ortholog, we now report the development and X‐ray structural analysis of an Anticalin with high affinity toward CD98hc from mouse. This binding protein recognizes the same protruding epitope loop—despite distinct structure—in the membrane receptor ectodomain as the Anticalin selected against human CD98hc. Thus, this surrogate Anticalin should be useful for the preclinical assessment of CD98hc targeting in vivo and support the translational development for medical application in humans. PDB Code(s): 6SUA;
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Schiefner
- Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Corinna Brandt
- Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - Arne Skerra
- Lehrstuhl für Biologische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
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Deuschle FC, Morath V, Schiefner A, Brandt C, Ballke S, Reder S, Steiger K, Schwaiger M, Weber W, Skerra A. Development of a high affinity Anticalin ® directed against human CD98hc for theranostic applications. Theranostics 2020; 10:2172-2187. [PMID: 32089738 PMCID: PMC7019167 DOI: 10.7150/thno.38968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhanced amino acid supply and dysregulated integrin signaling constitute two hallmarks of cancer and are pivotal for metastatic transformation of cells. In line with its function at the crossroads of both processes, overexpression of CD98hc is clinically observed in various cancer malignancies, thus rendering it a promising tumor target. Methods: We describe the development of Anticalin proteins based on the lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) scaffold against the human CD98hc ectodomain (hCD98hcED) using directed evolution and protein design. X-ray structural analysis was performed to identify the epitope recognized by the lead Anticalin candidate. The Anticalin - with a tuned plasma half-life using PASylation® technology - was labeled with 89Zr and investigated by positron emission tomography (PET) of CD98-positive tumor xenograft mice. Results: The Anticalin P3D11 binds CD98hc with picomolar affinity and recognizes a protruding loop structure surrounded by several glycosylation sites within the solvent exposed membrane-distal part of the hCD98hcED. In vitro studies revealed specific binding activity of the Anticalin towards various CD98hc-expressing human tumor cell lines, suggesting broader applicability in cancer research. PET/CT imaging of mice bearing human prostate carcinoma xenografts using the optimized and 89Zr-labeled Anticalin demonstrated strong and specific tracer accumulation (8.6 ± 1.1 %ID/g) as well as a favorable tumor-to-blood ratio of 11.8. Conclusion: Our findings provide a first proof of concept to exploit CD98hc for non-invasive biomedical imaging. The novel Anticalin-based αhCD98hc radiopharmaceutical constitutes a promising tool for preclinical and, potentially, clinical applications in oncology.
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