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Zhu P, Bi X, Su D, Li X, Chen B, Li J, Zhao L, Wang Y, Xu S, Wu X. Thiolutin, a selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, attenuates cyclophosphamide-induced impairment of sperm and fertility in mice. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2024; 46:172-182. [PMID: 38174705 DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2023.2298894] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in male infertility. Our study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of Thiolutin (THL), an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, on oligoasthenospermia (OA) and to elucidate its mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen from 50 OA and 20 healthy males were analyzed to assess the sperm quality and levels of inflammatory markers. Their correlation was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneal injected by cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg/day for five days to induce OA, followed by a two-week treatment with THL or L-carnitine. Reproductive organ size and H&E staining were determined to observe the organ and seminiferous tubule morphology. ELISA and western blotting were utilized to measure sex hormone levels, inflammatory markers, and NLRP3 inflammasome levels. Furthermore, male and female mice were co-housed to observe pregnancy success rates. RESULTS OA patients exhibited a decrease in sperm density and motility compared to healthy individuals, along with elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and NLRP3 inflammasome. In vivo, THL ameliorated OA-induced atrophy of reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance, and improved sperm density, motility, spermatogenesis and pregnancy success rates with negligible adverse effects on weight or liver-kidney function. THL also demonstrated to be able to inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and associated proteins in OA mice. DISCUSSION THL can improve sperm quality and hormonal balance in OA mice through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Thus, THL holds promising potential as a therapeutic agent for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Zhu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xingyu Bi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Dan Su
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Bingbing Chen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Juhua Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lijiang Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yaoqing Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Suming Xu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xueqing Wu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Children's Hospital of Shanxi and Women Health Center, Taiyuan, China
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Qiu C, Arora P, Malik I, Laperuta AJ, Pavlovic EM, Ugochukwu S, Naik M, Kaplan CD. Thiolutin has complex effects in vivo but is a direct inhibitor of RNA polymerase II in vitro. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2546-2564. [PMID: 38214235 PMCID: PMC10954460 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Thiolutin is a natural product transcription inhibitor with an unresolved mode of action. Thiolutin and the related dithiolopyrrolone holomycin chelate Zn2+ and previous studies have concluded that RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) inhibition in vivo is indirect. Here, we present chemicogenetic and biochemical approaches to investigate thiolutin's mode of action in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We identify mutants that alter sensitivity to thiolutin. We provide genetic evidence that thiolutin causes oxidation of thioredoxins in vivo and that thiolutin both induces oxidative stress and interacts functionally with multiple metals including Mn2+ and Cu2+, and not just Zn2+. Finally, we show direct inhibition of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription initiation by thiolutin in vitro in support of classical studies that thiolutin can directly inhibit transcription in vitro. Inhibition requires both Mn2+ and appropriate reduction of thiolutin as excess DTT abrogates its effects. Pause prone, defective elongation can be observed in vitro if inhibition is bypassed. Thiolutin effects on Pol II occupancy in vivo are widespread but major effects are consistent with prior observations for Tor pathway inhibition and stress induction, suggesting that thiolutin use in vivo should be restricted to studies on its modes of action and not as an experimental tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Payal Arora
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Indranil Malik
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mandar Naik
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Craig D Kaplan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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Kirsch SH, Haeckl FPJ, Müller R. Beyond the approved: target sites and inhibitors of bacterial RNA polymerase from bacteria and fungi. Nat Prod Rep 2022; 39:1226-1263. [PMID: 35507039 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00067e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 2016 to 2022RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the central enzyme in bacterial gene expression representing an attractive and validated target for antibiotics. Two well-known and clinically approved classes of natural product RNAP inhibitors are the rifamycins and the fidaxomycins. Rifampicin (Rif), a semi-synthetic derivative of rifamycin, plays a crucial role as a first line antibiotic in the treatment of tuberculosis and a broad range of bacterial infections. However, more and more pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop resistance, not only against Rif and other RNAP inhibitors. To overcome this problem, novel RNAP inhibitors exhibiting different target sites are urgently needed. This review includes recent developments published between 2016 and today. Particular focus is placed on novel findings concerning already known bacterial RNAP inhibitors, the characterization and development of new compounds isolated from bacteria and fungi, and providing brief insights into promising new synthetic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne H Kirsch
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - F P Jake Haeckl
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany. .,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.,Department of Pharmacy, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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Garrido-Godino AI, Cuevas-Bermúdez A, Gutiérrez-Santiago F, Mota-Trujillo MDC, Navarro F. The Association of Rpb4 with RNA Polymerase II Depends on CTD Ser5P Phosphatase Rtr1 and Influences mRNA Decay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042002. [PMID: 35216121 PMCID: PMC8875030 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rtr1 is an RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) CTD-phosphatase that influences gene expression during the transition from transcription initiation to elongation and during transcription termination. Rtr1 interacts with the RNA pol II and this interaction depends on the phosphorylation state of the CTD of Rpb1, which may influence dissociation of the heterodimer Rpb4/7 during transcription. In addition, Rtr1 was proposed as an RNA pol II import factor in RNA pol II biogenesis and participates in mRNA decay by autoregulating the turnover of its own mRNA. Our work shows that Rtr1 acts in RNA pol II assembly by mediating the Rpb4/7 association with the rest of the enzyme. RTR1 deletion alters RNA pol II assembly and increases the amount of RNA pol II associated with the chromatin that lacks Rpb4, decreasing Rpb4-mRNA imprinting and, consequently, increasing mRNA stability. Thus, Rtr1 interplays RNA pol II biogenesis and mRNA decay regulation. Our data also indicate that Rtr1 mediates mRNA decay regulation more broadly than previously proposed by cooperating with Rpb4. Interestingly, our data include new layers in the mechanisms of gene regulation and in the crosstalk between mRNA synthesis and decay by demonstrating how the association of Rpb4/7 to the RNA pol II influences mRNA decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I. Garrido-Godino
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain; (A.I.G.-G.); (A.C.-B.); (F.G.-S.); (M.d.C.M.-T.)
| | - Abel Cuevas-Bermúdez
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain; (A.I.G.-G.); (A.C.-B.); (F.G.-S.); (M.d.C.M.-T.)
| | - Francisco Gutiérrez-Santiago
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain; (A.I.G.-G.); (A.C.-B.); (F.G.-S.); (M.d.C.M.-T.)
| | - Maria del Carmen Mota-Trujillo
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain; (A.I.G.-G.); (A.C.-B.); (F.G.-S.); (M.d.C.M.-T.)
| | - Francisco Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Experimental-Genética, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain; (A.I.G.-G.); (A.C.-B.); (F.G.-S.); (M.d.C.M.-T.)
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Aceite de Oliva y Olivar, Universidad de Jaén, Paraje de las Lagunillas, s/n, E-23071 Jaén, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-953-212-771; Fax: +34-953-211-875
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Chan AN, Wever WJ, Massolo E, Allen SE, Li B. Reducing Holomycin Thiosulfonate to its Disulfide with Thiols. Chem Res Toxicol 2018; 32:400-404. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N. Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3290, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Walter J. Wever
- Department of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Elisabetta Massolo
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3290, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Scott E. Allen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3290, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Abstract
Natural products harbor unique and complex structures that provide valuable antibiotic scaffolds. With an increase in antibiotic resistance, natural products once again hold promise for new antimicrobial therapies, especially those with unique scaffolds that have been overlooked due to a lack of understanding of how they function. Dithiolopyrrolones (DTPs) are an underexplored class of disulfide-containing natural products, which exhibit potent antimicrobial activities against multidrug-resistant pathogens. DTPs were thought to target RNA polymerase, but conflicting observations leave the mechanisms elusive. Using a chemical genomics screen in Escherichia coli, we uncover a mode of action for DTPs-the disruption of metal homeostasis. We show that holomycin, a prototypical DTP, is reductively activated, and reduced holomycin chelates zinc with high affinity. Examination of reduced holomycin against zinc-dependent metalloenzymes revealed that it inhibits E. coli class II fructose bisphosphate aldolase, but not RNA polymerase. Reduced holomycin also strongly inhibits metallo-β-lactamases in vitro, major contributors to clinical carbapenem resistance, by removing active site zinc. These results indicate that holomycin is an intracellular metal-chelating antibiotic that inhibits a subset of metalloenzymes and that RNA polymerase is unlikely to be the primary target. Our work establishes a link between the chemical structures of DTPs and their antimicrobial action; the ene-dithiol group of DTPs enables high-affinity metal binding as a central mechanism to inhibit metabolic processes. Our study also validates the use of chemical genomics in characterizing modes of actions of antibiotics and emphasizes the potential of metal-chelating natural products in antimicrobial therapy.
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Synergistic effect of antibiotics and pesticides on wood-damaging fungi. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 1993. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02898598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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