1
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Shishparenok AN, Gladilina YA, Zhdanov DD. Engineering and Expression Strategies for Optimization of L-Asparaginase Development and Production. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15220. [PMID: 37894901 PMCID: PMC10607044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015220] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering for heterologous expression has advanced in recent years. Model systems such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pichia pastoris are often used as host microorganisms for the enzymatic production of L-asparaginase, an enzyme widely used in the clinic for the treatment of leukemia and in bakeries for the reduction of acrylamide. Newly developed recombinant L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) may have a low affinity for asparagine, reduced catalytic activity, low stability, and increased glutaminase activity or immunogenicity. Some successful commercial preparations of L-ASNase are now available. Therefore, obtaining novel L-ASNases with improved properties suitable for food or clinical applications remains a challenge. The combination of rational design and/or directed evolution and heterologous expression has been used to create enzymes with desired characteristics. Computer design, combined with other methods, could make it possible to generate mutant libraries of novel L-ASNases without costly and time-consuming efforts. In this review, we summarize the strategies and approaches for obtaining and developing L-ASNase with improved properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.S.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.S.); (Y.A.G.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (A.N.S.); (Y.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho—Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
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2
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Parashiva J, Nuthan BR, Rakshith D, Satish S. Endophytic Fungi as a Promising Source of Anticancer L-Asparaginase: A Review. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:282. [PMID: 37450223 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03392-z] [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: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginase is a tetrameric enzyme from the amidohydrolases family, that catalyzes the breakdown of L-asparagine into L-aspartic acid and ammonia. Since its discovery as an anticancer drug, it is used as one of the prime chemotherapeutic agents to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Apart from its use in the biopharmaceutical industry, it is also used to reduce the formation of a carcinogenic substance called acrylamide in fried, baked, and roasted foods. L-asparaginase is derived from many organisms including plants, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Currently, L-asparaginase preparations from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi are used in the clinical treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, they are associated with low yield and immunogenicity problems. At this juncture, endophytic fungi from medicinal plants have gained much attention as they have several advantages over the available bacterial preparations. Many medicinal plants have been screened for L-asparaginase producing endophytic fungi and several studies have reported potent L-asparaginase producing strains. This review provides insights into fungal endophytes from medicinal plants and their significance as probable alternatives for bacterial L-asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javaraiah Parashiva
- Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570 006, India
| | | | - Devaraju Rakshith
- Department of Microbiology, Yuvaraja's College, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570 005, India
| | - Sreedharamurthy Satish
- Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysuru, Karnataka, 570 006, India.
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3
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Pedroso A, Herrera Belén L, Beltrán JF, Castillo RL, Pessoa A, Pedroso E, Farías JG. In Silico Design of a Chimeric Humanized L-asparaginase. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087550. [PMID: 37108713 PMCID: PMC10144303 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer among children worldwide, characterized by an overproduction of undifferentiated lymphoblasts in the bone marrow. The treatment of choice for this disease is the enzyme L-asparaginase (ASNase) from bacterial sources. ASNase hydrolyzes circulating L-asparagine in plasma, leading to starvation of leukemic cells. The ASNase formulations of E. coli and E. chrysanthemi present notorious adverse effects, especially the immunogenicity they generate, which undermine both their effectiveness as drugs and patient safety. In this study, we developed a humanized chimeric enzyme from E. coli L-asparaginase which would reduce the immunological problems associated with current L-asparaginase therapy. For these, the immunogenic epitopes of E. coli L-asparaginase (PDB: 3ECA) were determined and replaced with those of the less immunogenic Homo sapiens asparaginase (PDB:4O0H). The structures were modeled using the Pymol software and the chimeric enzyme was modeled using the SWISS-MODEL service. A humanized chimeric enzyme with four subunits similar to the template structure was obtained, and the presence of asparaginase enzymatic activity was predicted by protein-ligand docking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Pedroso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Avenida Carlos Schorr 255, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Jorge F Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
| | - Rodrigo L Castillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Division, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 7500922, Chile
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Enrique Pedroso
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences Matanzas, Matanzas 42300, Cuba
| | - Jorge G Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile
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4
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Tosta Pérez M, Herrera Belén L, Letelier P, Calle Y, Pessoa A, Farías JG. L-Asparaginase as the gold standard in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a comprehensive review. Med Oncol 2023; 40:150. [PMID: 37060469 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
L-Asparaginase is an antileukemic drug long approved for clinical use to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common cancer in this population worldwide. However, the efficacy and its use as a drug have been subject to debate due to the variety of adverse effects that patients treated with it present, as well as the prompt elimination in plasma, the need for multiple administrations, and high rates of allergic reactions. For this reason, the search for new, less immunogenic variants has long been the subject of study. This review presents the main aspects of the L-asparaginase enzyme from a structural, pharmacological, and clinical point of view, from the perspective of its use in chemotherapy protocols in conjunction with other drugs in the different treatment phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Tosta Pérez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Pablo Letelier
- Precision Health Research Laboratory, Departamento de Procesos Diagnósticos y Evaluación, Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
| | - Yolanda Calle
- Department of Life Sciences, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge G Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
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5
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Gladilina YA, Shishparenok AN, Zhdanov DD. [Approaches for improving L-asparaginase expression in heterologous systems]. BIOMEDITSINSKAIA KHIMIIA 2023; 69:19-38. [PMID: 36857424 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20236901019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is one of the most demanded enzymes used in the pharmaceutical industry as a drug and in the food industry to prevent the formation of toxic acrylamide. Researchers aimed to improve specific activity and reduce side effects to create safer and more potent enzyme products. However, protein modifications and heterologous expression remain problematic in the production of asparaginases from different species. Heterologous expression in optimized producer strains is rationally organized; therefore, modified and heterologous protein expression is enhanced, which is the main strategy in the production of asparaginase. This strategy solves several problems: incorrect protein folding, metabolic load on the producer strain and codon misreading, which affects translation and final protein domains, leading to a decrease in catalytic activity. The main approaches developed to improve the heterologous expression of L-asparaginases are considered in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - D D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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6
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Belén LH, Beltrán JF, Pessoa A, Castillo RL, de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui C, Farías JG. Helicobacter pyloril-asparaginase: a study of immunogenicity from an in silico approach. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:286. [PMID: 36276451 PMCID: PMC9489821 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03359-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori has become the causal agent of multiple forms of gastric disease worldwide, including gastric cancer. The enzyme l-asparaginase (ASNase) has been studied as a virulence factor. In this work, we performed an in silico investigation to characterize the immunological profile of H. pylori ASNase (HpASNase) to ascertain the possible implication of HpASNase immunogenicity in the H. pylori virulence mechanism. We applied a workflow based on bioinformatics tools, which, by calculating the relative frequency of immunogenic T-cell and B-cell epitopes, allowed us to predict the immunogenicity and allergenicity of HpASNase in silico. We also visualized the epitopes by mapping them into the native structure of the enzyme. We report for the first time the T-cell and B-cell epitope composition that contributes to the immunogenicity of this HpASNase, as well as the regions that could generate a hypersensitivity response in humans. ASNase from H. pylori resulted in highly immunogenic and allergenic. The high immunogenicity of HpASNase could imply the pathogenic mechanisms of H. pylori. This knowledge could be important for the development of new drugs against H. pylori infections. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03359-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Jorge F. Beltrán
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo L. Castillo
- Department of Internal Medicine East, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlota de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge G. Farías
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Avda. Francisco Salazar 01145, P.O. Box: 54-D, Temuco, Chile
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7
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Alexandrova SS, Gladilina YA, Pokrovskaya MV, Sokolov NN, Zhdanov DD. [Mechanisms of development of side effects and drug resistance to asparaginase and ways to overcome them]. BIOMEDITSINSKAIA KHIMIIA 2022; 68:104-116. [PMID: 35485484 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20226802104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Asparaginase is one of the most important chemotherapeutic agents against acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of blood cancer. To date, both asparaginases from E. coli and Dickeya dadantii (formerly known as Erwinia chrysanthemi), used in hematology, induce chemoresistance in cancer cells and side effects in the form of hypersensitivity of immune reactions. Leukemic cells may be resistant to asparaginase due to the increased activity of asparagine synthetase and other mechanisms associated with resistance to asparaginase. Therefore, the search for new sources of L-asparaginases with improved pharmacological properties remains a promising and prospective study. This article discusses the mechanisms of development of resistance and drug resistance to L-asparaginase, as well as possible ways to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - N N Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | - D D Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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8
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Dobryakova NV, Zhdanov DD, Sokolov NN, Aleksandrova SS, Pokrovskaya MV, Kudryashova EV. Improvement of Biocatalytic Properties and Cytotoxic Activity of L-Asparaginase from Rhodospirillum rubrum by Conjugation with Chitosan-Based Cationic Polyelectrolytes. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040406. [PMID: 35455403 PMCID: PMC9029710 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginases (L-ASNases, EC 3.5.1.1) are a family of enzymes that are widely used for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemias. L-ASNase from Rhodospirillum rubrum (RrA) has a low molecular weight, low glutaminase activity, and low immunogenicity, making it a promising enzyme for antitumor drug development. In our work, the complex formation and covalent conjugation of the enzyme with synthetic or natural polycationic polymers was studied. Among non-covalent polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC), polyethyleneimine (PEI) yielded the highest effect on RrA, increasing its activity by 30%. The RrA-PEI complex had increased stability to trypsinolysis, with an inactivation constant decrease up to 10-fold compared to that of the native enzyme. The covalent conjugation of RrA with chitosan-PEI, chitosan-polyethylene glycol (chitosan-PEG), and chitosan-glycol resulted in an increase in the specific activity of L-asparagine (up to 30%). RrA-chitosan-PEG demonstrated dramatically (by 60%) increased cytotoxic activity for human chronic myeloma leukemia K562 cells in comparison to the native enzyme. The antiproliferative activity of RrA and its conjugates was significantly higher (up to 50%) than for that of the commercially available EcA at the same concentration. The results of this study demonstrated that RrA conjugates with polycations can become a promising strategy for antitumor drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia V. Dobryakova
- Chemical Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory St. 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (N.N.S.); (S.S.A.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (N.N.S.); (S.S.A.); (M.V.P.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (D.D.Z.); (E.V.K.)
| | - Nikolay N. Sokolov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (N.N.S.); (S.S.A.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Svetlana S. Aleksandrova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (N.N.S.); (S.S.A.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Marina V. Pokrovskaya
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (N.N.S.); (S.S.A.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Elena V. Kudryashova
- Chemical Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory St. 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence: (D.D.Z.); (E.V.K.)
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9
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Pokrovskaya MV, Pokrovsky VS, Aleksandrova SS, Sokolov NN, Zhdanov DD. Molecular Analysis of L-Asparaginases for Clarification of the Mechanism of Action and Optimization of Pharmacological Functions. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030599. [PMID: 35335974 PMCID: PMC8948990 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginases (EC 3.5.1.1) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia. These proteins with different biochemical, physicochemical and pharmacological properties are found in many organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and mammals. To date, asparaginases from E. coli and Dickeya dadantii (formerly known as Erwinia chrysanthemi) are widely used in hematology for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemias. However, their medical use is limited by side effects associated with the ability of these enzymes to hydrolyze L-glutamine, as well as the development of immune reactions. To solve these issues, gene-editing methods to introduce amino-acid substitutions of the enzyme are implemented. In this review, we focused on molecular analysis of the mechanism of enzyme action and to optimize the antitumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V. Pokrovskaya
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.P.); (S.S.A.); (N.N.S.)
| | - Vadim S. Pokrovsky
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Combined Treatment, N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Kashirskoe Shosse 24, 115478 Moscow, Russia
- Center of Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Federal Territory Sirius, Olimpiisky Prospect 1, 354340 Sochi, Russia
| | - Svetlana S. Aleksandrova
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.P.); (S.S.A.); (N.N.S.)
| | - Nikolay N. Sokolov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.P.); (S.S.A.); (N.N.S.)
| | - Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya Str. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (M.V.P.); (S.S.A.); (N.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia;
- Correspondence:
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10
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Van Trimpont M, Peeters E, De Visser Y, Schalk AM, Mondelaers V, De Moerloose B, Lavie A, Lammens T, Goossens S, Van Vlierberghe P. Novel Insights on the Use of L-Asparaginase as an Efficient and Safe Anti-Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040902. [PMID: 35205650 PMCID: PMC8870365 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) therapy is key for achieving the very high cure rate of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), yet its use is mostly confined to this indication. One main reason preventing the expansion of today’s FDA-approved L-ASNases to solid cancers is their high toxicity and side effects, which become especially challenging in adult patients. The design of optimized L-ASNase molecules provides opportunities to overcome these unwanted toxicities. An additional challenge to broader application of L-ASNases is how cells can counter the pharmacological effect of this drug and the identification of L-ASNases resistance mechanisms. In this review, we discuss recent insights into L-ASNase adverse effects, resistance mechanisms, and how novel L-ASNase variants and drug combinations can expand its clinical applicability, with a focus on both hematological and solid tumors. Abstract L-Asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme that hydrolyses the amino acid asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia. Systemic administration of bacterial L-ASNase is successfully used to lower the bioavailability of this non-essential amino acid and to eradicate rapidly proliferating cancer cells with a high demand for exogenous asparagine. Currently, it is a cornerstone drug in the treatment of the most common pediatric cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Since these lymphoblasts lack the expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS), these cells depend on the uptake of extracellular asparagine for survival. Interestingly, recent reports have illustrated that L-ASNase may also have clinical potential for the treatment of other aggressive subtypes of hematological or solid cancers. However, immunogenic and other severe adverse side effects limit optimal clinical use and often lead to treatment discontinuation. The design of optimized and novel L-ASNase formulations provides opportunities to overcome these limitations. In addition, identification of multiple L-ASNase resistance mechanisms, including ASNS promoter reactivation and desensitization, has fueled research into promising novel drug combinations to overcome chemoresistance. In this review, we discuss recent insights into L-ASNase adverse effects, resistance both in hematological and solid tumors, and how novel L-ASNase variants and drug combinations can expand its clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Van Trimpont
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Peeters
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yanti De Visser
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda M. Schalk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (A.M.S.); (A.L.)
| | - Veerle Mondelaers
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arnon Lavie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA; (A.M.S.); (A.L.)
- The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Tim Lammens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (M.V.T.); (E.P.); (Y.D.V.); (B.D.M.); (T.L.); (S.G.)
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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11
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Kiwumulo HF, Muwonge H, Ibingira C, Kirabira JB, Ssekitoleko RT. A systematic review of modeling and simulation approaches in designing targeted treatment technologies for Leukemia Cancer in low and middle income countries. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2021; 18:8149-8173. [PMID: 34814293 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2021404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Virtual experimentation is a widely used approach for predicting systems behaviour especially in situations where resources for physical experiments are very limited. For example, targeted treatment inside the human body is particularly challenging, and as such, modeling and simulation is utilised to aid planning before a specific treatment is administered. In such approaches, precise treatment, as it is the case in radiotherapy, is used to administer a maximum dose to the infected regions while minimizing the effect on normal tissue. Complicated cancers such as leukemia present even greater challenges due to their presentation in liquid form and not being localised in one area. As such, science has led to the development of targeted drug delivery, where the infected cells can be specifically targeted anywhere in the body. Despite the great prospects and advances of these modeling and simulation tools in the design and delivery of targeted drugs, their use by Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) researchers and clinicians is still very limited. This paper therefore reviews the modeling and simulation approaches for leukemia treatment using nanoparticles as an example for virtual experimentation. A systematic review from various databases was carried out for studies that involved cancer treatment approaches through modeling and simulation with emphasis to data collected from LMICs. Results indicated that whereas there is an increasing trend in the use of modeling and simulation approaches, their uptake in LMICs is still limited. According to the review data collected, there is a clear need to employ these tools as key approaches for the planning of targeted drug treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Haruna Muwonge
- Department of Medical Physiology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Charles Ibingira
- Department of Human Anatomy, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Circumventing the side effects of L-asparaginase. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111616. [PMID: 33932739 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of asparagine and successfully used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. L-asparaginase toxicity is either related to hypersensitivity to the foreign protein or to a secondary L-glutaminase activity that causes inhibition of protein synthesis. PEGylated versions have been incorporated into the treatment protocols to reduce immunogenicity and an alternative L-asparaginase derived from Dickeya chrysanthemi is used in patients with anaphylactic reactions to the E. coli L-asparaginase. Alternative approaches commonly explore new sources of the enzyme as well as the use of protein engineering techniques to create less immunogenic, more stable variants with lower L-glutaminase activity. This article reviews the main strategies used to overcome L-asparaginase shortcomings and introduces recent tools that can be used to create therapeutic enzymes with improved features.
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de Moura WAF, Schultz L, Breyer CA, de Oliveira ALP, Tairum CA, Fernandes GC, Toyama MH, Pessoa-Jr A, Monteiro G, de Oliveira MA. Functional and structural evaluation of the antileukaemic enzyme L-asparaginase II expressed at low temperature by different Escherichia coli strains. Biotechnol Lett 2020; 42:2333-2344. [PMID: 32638188 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-020-02955-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) affects lymphoblastic cells and is the most common neoplasm during childhood. Among the pharmaceuticals used in the treatment protocols for ALL, Asparaginase (ASNase) from Escherichia coli (EcAII) is an essential biodrug. Meanwhile, the use of EcAII in neoplastic treatments causes several side effects, such as immunological reactions, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, depression, and coagulation abnormalities. Commercial EcAII is expressed as a recombinant protein, similar to novel enzymes from different organisms; in fact, EcAII is a tetrameric enzyme with high molecular weight (140 kDa), and its overexpression in recombinant systems often results in bacterial cell death or the production of aggregated or inactive EcAII protein, which is related to the formation of inclusion bodies. On the other hand, several commercial expression strains have been developed to overcome these expression issues, but no studies on a systematic evaluation of the E. coli strains aiming to express recombinant asparaginases have been performed to date. In this study, we evaluated eleven expression strains at a low temperature (16 °C) with different characteristics to determine which is the most appropriate for asparaginase expression; recombinant wild-type EcAII (rEcAII) was used as a prototype enzyme and the secondary structure content, oligomeric state, aggregation and specific activity of the enzymes were assessed. Structural analysis suggested that a correctly folded tetrameric rEcAII was obtained using ArcticExpress (DE3), a strain that co-express chaperonins, while all other strains produced poorly folded proteins. Additionally, the enzymatic assays showed high specific activity of proteins expressed by ArcticExpress (DE3) when compared to the other strains used in this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Alfinito Feio de Moura
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Schultz
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alexandre Breyer
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Laura Pires de Oliveira
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Carlos Abrunhosa Tairum
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriella Costa Fernandes
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Marcos Hikari Toyama
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Pessoa-Jr
- Biochemical-Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Biochemical-Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
- Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Coastal Campus, São Vicente, São Paulo, 11330-900, Brazil.
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Immunogenicity assessment of fungal l-asparaginases: an in silico approach. SN APPLIED SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s42452-020-2021-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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15
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Belén LH, Lissabet JB, de Oliveira Rangel-Yagui C, Effer B, Monteiro G, Pessoa A, Farías Avendaño JG. A structural in silico analysis of the immunogenicity of l-asparaginase from Escherichia coli and Erwinia carotovora. Biologicals 2019; 59:47-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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