1
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Promising Perspectives of the Antiproliferative GPER Inverse Agonist ERα17p in Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040653. [PMID: 36831322 PMCID: PMC9954065 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α (ERα) corresponds to a large platform in charge of the recruitment of a panel of molecules, including steroids and related heterocyclic derivatives, oligonucleotides, peptides and proteins. Its 295-311 region is particularly targeted by post-translational modifications, suggesting that it could be crucial for the control of transcription. In addition to anionic phospholipids, the ERα 295-311 fragment interacts with Ca2+-calmodulin, the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), ERα and possibly importins. More recently, we have demonstrated that it is prone to interacting with the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). In light of these observations, the pharmacological profile of the corresponding peptide, namely ERα17p, has been explored in breast cancer cells. Remarkably, it exerts apoptosis through GPER and induces a significant decrease (more than 50%) of the size of triple-negative breast tumor xenografts in mice. Herein, we highlight not only the promising therapeutic perspectives in the use of the first peptidic GPER modulator ERα17p, but also the opportunity to modulate GPER for clinical purposes.
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2
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Identification of a human estrogen receptor α tetrapeptidic fragment with dual antiproliferative and anti-nociceptive action. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1326. [PMID: 36693877 PMCID: PMC9873809 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28062-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthetic peptide ERα17p (sequence: PLMIKRSKKNSLALSLT), which corresponds to the 295-311 region of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα), induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In mice and at low doses, it promotes not only the decrease of the size of xenografted triple-negative human breast tumors, but also anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. Recently, we have shown that these effects were due to its interaction with the seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor GPER. Following modeling studies, the C-terminus of this peptide (sequence: NSLALSLT) remains compacted at the entrance of the GPER ligand-binding pocket, whereas its N-terminus (sequence: PLMI) engulfs in the depth of the same pocket. Thus, we have hypothesized that the PLMI motif could support the pharmacological actions of ERα17p. Here, we show that the PLMI peptide is, indeed, responsible for the GPER-dependent antiproliferative and anti-nociceptive effects of ERα17p. By using different biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the NSLALSLT part of ERα17p is responsible for aggregation. Overall, the tetrapeptide PLMI, which supports the action of the parent peptide ERα17p, should be considered as a hit for the synthesis of new GPER modulators with dual antiproliferative and anti-nociceptive actions. This study highlights also the interest to modulate GPER for the control of pain.
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3
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Otzen DE, Dueholm MS, Najarzadeh Z, Knowles TPJ, Ruggeri FS. In situ Sub-Cellular Identification of Functional Amyloids in Bacteria and Archaea by Infrared Nanospectroscopy. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2001002. [PMID: 34927901 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202001002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Formation of amyloid structures is originally linked to human disease. However, amyloid materials are found extensively in the animal and bacterial world where they stabilize intra- and extra-cellular environments like biofilms or cell envelopes. To date, functional amyloids have largely been studied using optical microscopy techniques in vivo, or after removal from their biological context for higher-resolution studies in vitro. Furthermore, conventional microscopies only indirectly identify amyloids based on morphology or unspecific amyloid dyes. Here, the high chemical and spatial (≈20 nm) resolution of Infrared Nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to investigate functional amyloid from Escherichia coli (curli), Pseudomonas (Fap), and the Archaea Methanosaeta (MspA) in situ is exploited. It is demonstrated that AFM-IR identifies amyloid protein within single intact cells through their cross β-sheet secondary structure, which has a unique spectroscopic signature in the amide I band of protein. Using this approach, nanoscale-resolved chemical images and spectra of purified curli and Methanosaeta cell wall sheaths are provided. The results highlight significant differences in secondary structure between E. coli cells with and without curli. Taken together, these results suggest that AFM-IR is a new and powerful label-free tool for in situ investigations of the biophysical state of functional amyloid and biomolecules in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Morten S Dueholm
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, Aalborg, 9220, Denmark
| | - Zahra Najarzadeh
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus C, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB30HE, UK
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, WE 6703, the Netherlands
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Wageningen University, Wageningen, WE 6703, the Netherlands
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4
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Waeytens J, Mathurin J, Deniset-Besseau A, Arluison V, Bousset L, Rezaei H, Raussens V, Dazzi A. Probing amyloid fibril secondary structures by infrared nanospectroscopy: experimental and theoretical considerations. Analyst 2021; 146:132-145. [PMID: 33107501 DOI: 10.1039/d0an01545h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are composed of aggregated peptides or proteins in a fibrillary structure with a higher β-sheet content than their native structure. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy only provides bulk analysis of a sample therefore it is impossible to discriminate between different aggregated structures. To overcome this limitation, near-field techniques like AFM-IR have emerged in the last twenty years to allow infrared nanospectroscopy. This technique obtains IR spectra with a spatial resolution of ten nanometres, the size of isolated fibrils. Here, we present essential practical considerations to avoid misinterpretations and artefacts during these analyses. Effects of polarization of the incident IR laser, illumination configuration and coating of the AFM probes are discussed, including the advantages and drawbacks of their use. This approach will improve interpretation of AFM-IR spectra especially for the determination of secondary structures of species not accessible using classical ATR-FTIR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehan Waeytens
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgique.
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5
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Infrared nanospectroscopy reveals the molecular interaction fingerprint of an aggregation inhibitor with single Aβ42 oligomers. Nat Commun 2021; 12:688. [PMID: 33514697 PMCID: PMC7846799 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20782-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant efforts have been devoted in the last twenty years to developing compounds that can interfere with the aggregation pathways of proteins related to misfolding disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. However, no disease-modifying drug has become available for clinical use to date for these conditions. One of the main reasons for this failure is the incomplete knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the process by which small molecules interact with protein aggregates and interfere with their aggregation pathways. Here, we leverage the single molecule morphological and chemical sensitivity of infrared nanospectroscopy to provide the first direct measurement of the structure and interaction between single Aβ42 oligomeric and fibrillar species and an aggregation inhibitor, bexarotene, which is able to prevent Aβ42 aggregation in vitro and reverses its neurotoxicity in cell and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Our results demonstrate that the carboxyl group of this compound interacts with Aβ42 aggregates through a single hydrogen bond. These results establish infrared nanospectroscopy as a powerful tool in structure-based drug discovery for protein misfolding diseases. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pathological protein aggregation remains incomplete. Here, single molecule infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) offers insight into the structure of Aβ42 oligomeric and fibrillar species and their interaction with an aggregation inhibitor, paving the way for single molecule drug discovery studies.
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6
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Mallet C, Boudieu L, Lamoine S, Coudert C, Jacquot Y, Eschalier A. The Antitumor Peptide ERα17p Exerts Anti-Hyperalgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Actions Through GPER in Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:578250. [PMID: 33815268 PMCID: PMC8011567 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.578250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent inflammation and persistent pain are major medical, social and economic burdens. As such, related pharmacotherapy needs to be continuously improved. The peptide ERα17p, which originates from a part of the hinge region/AF2 domain of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα), exerts anti-proliferative effects in breast cancer cells through a mechanism involving the hepta-transmembrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). It is able to decrease the size of xenografted human breast tumors, in mice. As GPER has been reported to participate in pain and inflammation, we were interested in exploring the potential of ERα17p in this respect. We observed that the peptide promoted anti-hyperalgesic effects from 2.5 mg/kg in a chronic mice model of paw inflammation induced by the pro-inflammatory complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). This action was abrogated by the specific GPER antagonist G-15, leading to the conclusion that a GPER-dependent mechanism was involved. A systemic administration of a Cy5-labeled version of the peptide allowed its detection in both, the spinal cord and brain. However, ERα17p-induced anti-hyperalgesia was detected at the supraspinal level, exclusively. In the second part of the study, we have assessed the anti-inflammatory action of ERα17p in mice using a carrageenan-evoked hind-paw inflammation model. A systemic administration of ERα17p at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg was responsible for reduced paw swelling. Overall, our work strongly suggests that GPER inverse agonists, including ERα17p, could be used to control hyperalgesia and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Mallet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, NEURO-DOL Basics & Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ANALGESIA Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- *Correspondence: Christophe Mallet,
| | - Ludivine Boudieu
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, NEURO-DOL Basics & Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ANALGESIA Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sylvain Lamoine
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, NEURO-DOL Basics & Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ANALGESIA Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Catherine Coudert
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, NEURO-DOL Basics & Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ANALGESIA Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Yves Jacquot
- Université de Paris, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, CiTCoM, CNRS UMR 8038, INSERM U1268, Paris, France
| | - Alain Eschalier
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, NEURO-DOL Basics & Clinical Pharmacology of Pain, Clermont-Ferrand, France
- ANALGESIA Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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7
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Shen Y, Ruggeri FS, Vigolo D, Kamada A, Qamar S, Levin A, Iserman C, Alberti S, George-Hyslop PS, Knowles TPJ. Biomolecular condensates undergo a generic shear-mediated liquid-to-solid transition. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 15:841-847. [PMID: 32661370 PMCID: PMC7116851 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-020-0731-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-less organelles resulting from liquid-liquid phase separation of biopolymers into intracellular condensates control essential biological functions, including messenger RNA processing, cell signalling and embryogenesis1-4. It has recently been discovered that several such protein condensates can undergo a further irreversible phase transition, forming solid nanoscale aggregates associated with neurodegenerative disease5-7. While the irreversible gelation of protein condensates is generally related to malfunction and disease, one case where the liquid-to-solid transition of protein condensates is functional, however, is that of silk spinning8,9. The formation of silk fibrils is largely driven by shear, yet it is not known what factors control the pathological gelation of functional condensates. Here we demonstrate that four proteins and one peptide system, with no function associated with fibre formation, have a strong propensity to undergo a liquid-to-solid transition when exposed to even low levels of mechanical shear once present in their liquid-liquid phase separated form. Using microfluidics to control the application of shear, we generated fibres from single-protein condensates and characterized their structural and material properties as a function of shear stress. Our results reveal generic backbone-backbone hydrogen bonding constraints as a determining factor in governing this transition. These observations suggest that shear can play an important role in the irreversible liquid-to-solid transition of protein condensates, shed light on the role of physical factors in driving this transition in protein aggregation-related diseases and open a new route towards artificial shear responsive biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shen
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniele Vigolo
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ayaka Kamada
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Seema Qamar
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aviad Levin
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Iserman
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon Alberti
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Peter St George-Hyslop
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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8
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Ghosh G, Fernández G. pH- and concentration-dependent supramolecular self-assembly of a naturally occurring octapeptide. Beilstein J Org Chem 2020; 16:2017-2025. [PMID: 32874348 PMCID: PMC7445398 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.16.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based biopolymers represent highly promising biocompatible materials with multiple applications, such as tailored drug delivery, tissue engineering and regeneration, and as stimuli-responsive materials. Herein, we report the pH- and concentration-dependent self-assembly and conformational transformation of the newly synthesized octapeptide PEP-1. At pH 7.4, PEP-1 forms β-sheet-rich secondary structures into fractal-like morphologies, as verified by circular dichroism (CD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectroscopy assay, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Upon changing the pH value (using pH 5.5 and 13.0), PEP-1 forms different types of secondary structures and resulting morphologies due to electrostatic repulsion between charged amino acids. PEP-1 can also form helical or random-coil secondary structures at a relatively low concentration. The obtained pH-sensitive self-assembly behavior of the target octapeptide is expected to contribute to the development of novel drug nanocarrier assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutam Ghosh
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Correnstraße 40, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Gustavo Fernández
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Correnstraße 40, 48149 Münster, Germany
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9
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Waeytens J, Van Hemelryck V, Deniset-Besseau A, Ruysschaert JM, Dazzi A, Raussens V. Characterization by Nano-Infrared Spectroscopy of Individual Aggregated Species of Amyloid Proteins. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25122899. [PMID: 32599698 PMCID: PMC7356528 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are composed of aggregated peptides or proteins in a fibrillar structure with a higher β-sheet content than in their native structure. To characterize them, we used an innovative tool that coupled infrared spectroscopy with atomic force microscopy (AFM-IR). With this method, we show that we can detect different individual aggregated species from oligomers to fibrils and study their morphologies by AFM and their secondary structures based on their IR spectra. AFM-IR overcomes the weak spatial resolution of usual infrared spectroscopy and achieves a resolution of ten nanometers, the size of isolated fibrils. We characterized oligomers, amyloid fibrils of Aβ42 and fibrils of α-synuclein. To our surprise, we figured out that the nature of some surfaces (ZnSe) used to study the samples induces destructuring of amyloid samples, leading to amorphous aggregates. We strongly suggest taking this into consideration in future experiments with amyloid fibrils. More importantly, we demonstrate the advantages of AFM-IR, with a high spatial resolution (≤ 10 nm) allowing spectrum recording on individual aggregated supramolecular entities selected thanks to the AFM images or on thin layers of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehan Waeytens
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgique; (J.W.); (J.-M.R.)
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique d’Orsay, CNRS UMR8000, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91400 Orsay, France; (A.D.-B.); (A.D.)
| | | | - Ariane Deniset-Besseau
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique d’Orsay, CNRS UMR8000, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91400 Orsay, France; (A.D.-B.); (A.D.)
| | - Jean-Marie Ruysschaert
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgique; (J.W.); (J.-M.R.)
| | - Alexandre Dazzi
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique d’Orsay, CNRS UMR8000, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, F-91400 Orsay, France; (A.D.-B.); (A.D.)
| | - Vincent Raussens
- Structure et Fonction des Membranes Biologiques, Université libre de Bruxelles, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgique; (J.W.); (J.-M.R.)
- Correspondence:
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10
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Trichet M, Lappano R, Belnou M, Salazar Vazquez LS, Alves I, Ravault D, Sagan S, Khemtemourian L, Maggiolini M, Jacquot Y. Interaction of the Anti-Proliferative GPER Inverse Agonist ERα17p with the Breast Cancer Cell Plasma Membrane: From Biophysics to Biology. Cells 2020; 9:E447. [PMID: 32075246 PMCID: PMC7072814 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The peptide ERα17p, which corresponds to the 295-311 fragment of the hinge/AF2 domains of the human estrogen receptor α (ERα), exerts apoptosis in breast cancer cells through a mechanism involving the G protein-coupled estrogen-dependent receptor GPER. Besides this receptor-mediated mechanism, we have detected a direct interaction (Kd value in the micromolar range) of this peptide with lipid vesicles mimicking the plasma membrane of eukaryotes. The reversible and not reversible pools of interacting peptide may correspond to soluble and aggregated membrane-interacting peptide populations, respectively. By using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, we have shown that the interaction of the peptide with this membrane model was associated with its folding into β sheet. A slight leakage of the 5(6)-fluorescein was also observed, indicating lipid bilayer permeability. When the peptide was incubated with living breast cancer cells at the active concentration of 10 μM, aggregates were detected at the plasma membrane under the form of spheres. This insoluble pool of peptide, which seems to result from a fibrillation process, is internalized in micrometric vacuoles under the form of fibrils, without evidence of cytotoxicity, at least at the microscopic level. This study provides new information on the interaction of ERα17p with breast cancer cell membranes as well as on its mechanism of action, with respect to direct membrane effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël Trichet
- Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Service de Microscopie éLectronique (IBPS-SME), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Rosamaria Lappano
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Mathilde Belnou
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Lilian Shadai Salazar Vazquez
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Isabel Alves
- Institute of Chemistry & Biology of Membranes & Nanoobjects (CBMN), CNRS UMR 5248, Université de Bordeaux, Institut Polytechnique Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France;
| | - Delphine Ravault
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Sandrine Sagan
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Lucie Khemtemourian
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
- Institute of Chemistry & Biology of Membranes & Nanoobjects (CBMN), CNRS UMR 5248, Université de Bordeaux, Institut Polytechnique Bordeaux, 33600 Pessac, France;
| | - Marcello Maggiolini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Yves Jacquot
- Laboratoire des Biomolécules, LBM, CNRS UMR 7203, Sorbonne Université, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; (M.B.); (L.S.S.V.); (D.R.); (S.S.); (L.K.)
- Cibles Thérapeutiques et Conception de Médicaments (CiTCoM), CNRS UMR 8038, U1268 INSERM, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Paris Descartes, 75006 Paris, France
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11
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Lipiec E, Ruggeri FS, Benadiba C, Borkowska AM, Kobierski JD, Miszczyk J, Wood BR, Deacon GB, Kulik A, Dietler G, Kwiatek WM. Infrared nanospectroscopic mapping of a single metaphase chromosome. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:e108. [PMID: 31562528 PMCID: PMC6765102 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The integrity of the chromatin structure is essential to every process occurring within eukaryotic nuclei. However, there are no reliable tools to decipher the molecular composition of metaphase chromosomes. Here, we have applied infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) to demonstrate molecular difference between eu- and heterochromatin and generate infrared maps of single metaphase chromosomes revealing detailed information on their molecular composition, with nanometric lateral spatial resolution. AFM-IR coupled with principal component analysis has confirmed that chromosome areas containing euchromatin and heterochromatin are distinguishable based on differences in the degree of methylation. AFM-IR distribution of eu- and heterochromatin was compared to standard fluorescent staining. We demonstrate the ability of our methodology to locate spatially the presence of anticancer drug sites in metaphase chromosomes and cellular nuclei. We show that the anticancer 'rule breaker' platinum compound [Pt[N(p-HC6F4)CH2]2py2] preferentially binds to heterochromatin, forming localized discrete foci due to condensation of DNA interacting with the drug. Given the importance of DNA methylation in the development of nearly all types of cancer, there is potential for infrared nanospectroscopy to be used to detect gene expression/suppression sites in the whole genome and to become an early screening tool for malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Lipiec
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
- Institute of Physics, Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Centre for Biospectroscopy and School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Francesco S Ruggeri
- Institute of Physics, Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, CB21EW, UK
| | - Carine Benadiba
- Institute of Physics, Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anna M Borkowska
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jan D Kobierski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy Jagiellonian University Medical College, PL-31007 Cracow, Poland
| | - Justyna Miszczyk
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bayden R Wood
- Centre for Biospectroscopy and School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen B Deacon
- School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Monash University, 3800 Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrzej Kulik
- Institute of Physics, Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Dietler
- Institute of Physics, Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Wojciech M Kwiatek
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Krakow, Poland
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12
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Ruggeri FS, Charmet J, Kartanas T, Peter Q, Chia S, Habchi J, Dobson CM, Vendruscolo M, Knowles TPJ. Microfluidic deposition for resolving single-molecule protein architecture and heterogeneity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3890. [PMID: 30250131 PMCID: PMC6155325 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Scanning probe microscopy provides a unique window into the morphology, mechanics, and structure of proteins and their complexes on the nanoscale. Such measurements require, however, deposition of samples onto substrates. This process can affect conformations and assembly states of the molecular species under investigation and can bias the molecular populations observed in heterogeneous samples through differential adsorption. Here, we show that these limitations can be overcome with a single-step microfluidic spray deposition platform. This method transfers biological solutions to substrates as microdroplets with subpicoliter volume, drying in milliseconds, a timescale that is shorter than typical diffusion times of proteins on liquid–solid interfaces, thus avoiding surface mass transport and change to the assembly state. Finally, the single-step deposition ensures the attachment of the full molecular content of the sample to the substrate, allowing quantitative measurements of different molecular populations within heterogeneous systems, including protein aggregates. Manual sample deposition on a substrate can introduce artifacts in quantitative AFM measurements. Here the authors present a microfluidic spray device for reliable deposition of subpicoliter droplets which dry out in milliseconds after landing on the surface, thereby avoiding protein self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jerome Charmet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.,WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Tadas Kartanas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Quentin Peter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Sean Chia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Johnny Habchi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK. .,Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
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13
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Ramer G, Ruggeri FS, Levin A, Knowles TPJ, Centrone A. Determination of Polypeptide Conformation with Nanoscale Resolution in Water. ACS NANO 2018; 12:6612-6619. [PMID: 29932670 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b01425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The folding and acquisition of proteins native structure is central to all biological processes of life. By contrast, protein misfolding can lead to toxic amyloid aggregates formation, linked to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders. To shed light on the molecular basis of protein function and malfunction, it is crucial to access structural information on single protein assemblies and aggregates under native conditions. Yet, current conformation-sensitive spectroscopic methods lack the spatial resolution and sensitivity necessary for characterizing heterogeneous protein aggregates in solution. To overcome this limitation, here we use photothermal-induced resonance to demonstrate that it is possible to acquire nanoscale infrared spectra in water with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Using this approach, we probe supramolecular aggregates of diphenylalanine, the core recognition module of the Alzheimer's β-amyloid peptide, and its derivative Boc-diphenylalanine. We achieve nanoscale resolved IR spectra and maps in air and water with comparable SNR and lateral resolution, thus enabling accurate identification of the chemical and structural state of morphologically similar networks at the single aggregate ( i. e., fibril) level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Ramer
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology , National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg , Maryland 20899 , United States
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics , University of Maryland , College Park , Maryland 20742 , United States
| | | | - Aviad Levin
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB2 1EW , United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics , University of Cambridge , J J Thomson Avenue , Cambridge CB3 0HE , United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Centrone
- Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology , National Institute of Standards and Technology , Gaithersburg , Maryland 20899 , United States
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14
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifu Xiao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Zachary D Schultz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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15
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Ruggeri FS, Habchi J, Cerreta A, Dietler G. AFM-Based Single Molecule Techniques: Unraveling the Amyloid Pathogenic Species. Curr Pharm Des 2017; 22:3950-70. [PMID: 27189600 PMCID: PMC5080865 DOI: 10.2174/1381612822666160518141911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background A wide class of human diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, is due to the failure of a specific peptide or protein to keep its native functional conformational state and to undergo a conformational change into a misfolded state, triggering the formation of fibrillar cross-β sheet amyloid aggregates. During the fibrillization, several coexisting species are formed, giving rise to a highly heterogeneous mixture. Despite its fundamental role in biological function and malfunction, the mechanism of protein self-assembly and the fundamental origins of the connection between aggregation, cellular toxicity and the biochemistry of neurodegeneration remains challenging to elucidate in molecular detail. In particular, the nature of the specific state of proteins that is most prone to cause cytotoxicity is not established. Methods: In the present review, we present the latest advances obtained by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based techniques to unravel the biophysical properties of amyloid aggregates at the nanoscale. Unraveling amyloid single species biophysical properties still represents a formidable experimental challenge, mainly because of their nanoscale dimensions and heterogeneous nature. Bulk techniques, such as circular dichroism or infrared spectroscopy, are not able to characterize the heterogeneity and inner properties of amyloid aggregates at the single species level, preventing a profound investigation of the correlation between the biophysical properties and toxicity of the individual species. Conclusion: The information delivered by AFM based techniques could be central to study the aggregation pathway of proteins and to design molecules that could interfere with amyloid aggregation delaying the onset of misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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16
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Dazzi A, Prater CB. AFM-IR: Technology and Applications in Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemical Imaging. Chem Rev 2016; 117:5146-5173. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 532] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Dazzi
- Laboratoire
de Chimie Physique, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Craig B. Prater
- Anasys Instruments, 325 Chapala
St., Santa Barbara, California 93101, United States
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17
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Application of Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy to the Analysis of the Interaction Between the Estrogen Receptor Alpha and Coactivators: The Case of Calmodulin. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1366:241-259. [PMID: 26585140 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3127-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
The estrogen receptor α ligand-binding domain (ERα-LBD) binds the natural hormone 17β-estradiol (E2) to induce transcription and cell proliferation. This process occurs with the contribution of protein and peptide partners (also called coactivators) that can modulate the structure of ERα, and therefore its specificity of action. As with most transcription factors, ERα exhibits a high content of α helix, making it difficult to routinely run spectroscopic studies capable of deciphering the secondary structure of the different partners under binding conditions. Ca(2+)-calmodulin, a protein also highly structured in α-helix, is a key coactivator for ERα activity. Here, we show how circular dichroism can be used to study the interaction of ERα with Ca(2+)-calmodulin. Our approach allows the determination not only of the conformational changes induced upon complex formation but also the dissociation constant (K d) of this interaction.
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