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Torres-Obreque K, Kleingesinds EK, Santos JHPM, Carretero G, Rabelo J, Converti A, Monteiro G, Pessoa A, Rangel-Yagui CO. PEGylation versus glycosylation: effect on the thermodynamics and thermostability of crisantaspase. Prep Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 54:503-513. [PMID: 37698175 DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2023.2249100] [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] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Thermostability is an important and desired feature of therapeutic proteins and is critical for the success or failure of protein drugs development. It can be increased by PEGylation-binding of poly(ethylene glycol) moieties-or glycosylation-post-translational modification to add glycans. Here, the thermostability and thermodynamic parameters of native, PEGylated, and glycosylated versions of the antileukemic enzyme crisantaspase were investigated. First-order kinetics was found to describe the irreversible deactivation process. Activation energy of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction (E*) was estimated for native, PEGylated, and glycosylated enzyme (10.2, 14.8, and 18.8 kJ mol-1 respectively). Half-life decreased progressively with increasing temperature, and longer half-life was observed for PEG-crisantaspase (87.74 min) at 50 °C compared to the native form (9.79 min). The activation energy of denaturation of PEG-crisantaspase (307.1 kJ mol-1) was higher than for crisantaspase (218.1 kJ mol-1) and Glyco-crisantaspase (120.0 kJ mol-1), which means that more energy is required to overcome the energy barrier of the unfolding process. According to our results, PEG-crisantaspase is more thermostable than its native form, while Glyco-crisantaspase is more thermosensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Torres-Obreque
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - João H P M Santos
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Carretero
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jheniffer Rabelo
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Attilio Converti
- Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Pole of Chemical Engineering, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlota O Rangel-Yagui
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Miranda J, Lefin N, Beltran JF, Belén LH, Tsipa A, Farias JG, Zamorano M. Enzyme Engineering Strategies for the Bioenhancement of L-Asparaginase Used as a Biopharmaceutical. BioDrugs 2023; 37:793-811. [PMID: 37698749 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00622-5] [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] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Over the past few years, there has been a surge in the industrial production of recombinant enzymes from microorganisms due to their catalytic characteristics being highly efficient, selective, and biocompatible. L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme belonging to the class of amidohydrolases that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-asparagine into L-aspartic acid and ammonia. It has been widely investigated as a biologic agent for its antineoplastic properties in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The demand for L-ASNase is mainly met by the production of recombinant type II L-ASNase from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. However, the presence of immunogenic proteins in L-ASNase sourced from prokaryotes has been known to result in adverse reactions in patients undergoing treatment. As a result, efforts are being made to explore strategies that can help mitigate the immunogenicity of the drug. This review gives an overview of recent biotechnological breakthroughs in enzyme engineering techniques and technologies used to improve anti-leukemic L-ASNase, taking into account the pharmacological importance of L-ASNase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javiera Miranda
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1145, 4811230, Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, Chile
| | - Nicolás Lefin
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1145, 4811230, Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, Chile
| | - Jorge F Beltran
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1145, 4811230, Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, Chile
| | - Lisandra Herrera Belén
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomas, Santiago, Chile
| | - Argyro Tsipa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Jorge G Farias
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1145, 4811230, Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, Chile
| | - Mauricio Zamorano
- Chemical Engineering Department, Universidad de la Frontera, Francisco Salazar 1145, 4811230, Temuco, Región de la Araucanía, Chile.
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3
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Hao L, Zhang M, Yang C, Pan X, Wu D, Lin H, Ma D, Yao Y, Fu W, Chang J, Yang Y, Zhuang Z. The epigenetic regulator Set9 harmonizes fungal development, secondary metabolism, and colonization capacity of Aspergillus flavus. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 403:110298. [PMID: 37392609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
As a widely distributed food-borne pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus flavus and its secondary metabolites, mainly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), pose a great danger to humans. It is urgent to reveal the complex regulatory network of toxigenic and virulence of this fungus. The bio-function of Set9, a SET-domain-containing histone methyltransferase, is still unknown in A. flavus. By genetic engineering means, this study revealed that, through catalyzing H4K20me2 and -me3, Set9 is involved in fungal growth, reproduction, and mycotoxin production via the orthodox regulation pathway, and regulates fungal colonization on crop kernels through adjusting fungal sensitivity reactions to oxidation stress and cell wall integrity stress. Further domain deletion and point mutation inferred that the SET domain is the core element in catalyzing H4K20 methylation, and D200 site of the domain is the key amino acid in the active center of the methyltransferase. Combined with RNA-seq analysis, this study revealed that Set9 regulates the aflatoxin gene cluster by the AflR-like protein (ALP), other than traditional AflR. This study revealed the epigenetic regulation mechanism of fungal morphogenesis, secondary metabolism, and pathogenicity of A. flavus mediated by the H4K20-methyltransferase Set9, which might provide a potential new target for early prevention of contamination of A. flavus and its deadly mycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Hao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mengjuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Chi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Institute of Edible Mushroom, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350014, China
| | - Xiaohua Pan
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Propagated Sensation along Meridian, Fujian Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China
| | - Dandan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Hong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Dongmei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China; College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yanfang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wangzhuo Fu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jiarui Chang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yanling Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Zhenhong Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Fungi and Mycotoxins of Fujian Province, Key Laboratory of Biopesticide and Chemical Biology of Education Ministry, Proteomic Research Center, and School of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
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Qin X, Costa-Silva TA, Pessoa A, Long PF. A scoping review to compare and contrast quality assurance aspects of l-asparaginase biosimilars. Int J Pharm 2023; 632:122523. [PMID: 36581108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
l-asparaginase is a first-line medicine used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Differing quality of marketed l-asparaginase biosimilars has been reported to adversely influence treatment outcomes. Herein, the quality of l-asparaginase biosimilars intended for clinical use was reviewed in sight of quality assurance parameters using English and Chinese language database searching, which provided information for possible improvements to the manufacture of this medicine. Ten articles met inclusion criteria, and quality attributes that measured potency, specific activity, purity and host cell proteins (HCPs) were identified. Biosimilars manufactured in high-income countries represented good quality in all aspects. Biosimilars manufactured in high-middle/middle-income countries, however, suggested poorer quality control particularly over removal of HCPs. Future work should now focus on establishing pharmacopeia monographs to establish equivalent quality assurance for l-asparaginase biosimilars manufactured between countries. Standardization of the quality profile, analytical methods and the limits of critical quality parameters, are essential to ensure appropriated efficacy and safety of clinical grade l-asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwei Qin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tales A Costa-Silva
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paul F Long
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK; Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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5
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Freitas M, Souza P, Homem-de-Mello M, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Silveira D, Ferreira Filho EX, Pessoa Junior A, Sarker D, Timson D, Inácio J, Magalhães PO. L-Asparaginase from Penicillium sizovae Produced by a Recombinant Komagataella phaffii Strain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15060746. [PMID: 35745665 PMCID: PMC9227789 DOI: 10.3390/ph15060746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase is an important enzyme in the pharmaceutical field used as treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia due to its ability to hydrolyze L-asparagine, an essential amino acid synthesized by normal cells, but not by neoplastic cells. Adverse effects of L-asparaginase formulations are associated with its glutaminase activity and bacterial origin; therefore, it is important to find new sources of L-asparaginase produced by eukaryotic microorganisms with low glutaminase activity. This work aimed to identify the L-asparaginase gene sequence from Penicillium sizovae, a filamentous fungus isolated from the Brazilian Savanna (Cerrado) soil with low glutaminase activity, and to biosynthesize higher yields of this enzyme in the yeast Komagataella phaffii. The L-asparaginase gene sequence of P. sizovae was identified by homology to L-asparaginases from species of Penicillium of the section Citrina: P. citrinum and P. steckii. Partial L-asparaginase from P. sizovae, lacking the periplasmic signaling sequence, was cloned, and expressed intracellularly with highest enzymatic activity achieved by a MUT+ clone cultured in BMM expression medium; a value 5-fold greater than that obtained by native L-asparaginase in P. sizovae cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first literature report of the heterologous production of an L-asparaginase from a filamentous fungus by a yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Freitas
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
| | - Paula Souza
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
| | - Mauricio Homem-de-Mello
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
| | - Yris M. Fonseca-Bazzo
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
| | - Damaris Silveira
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
| | | | - Adalberto Pessoa Junior
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil;
| | - Dipak Sarker
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (D.S.); (D.T.); (J.I.)
| | - David Timson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (D.S.); (D.T.); (J.I.)
| | - João Inácio
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4GJ, UK; (D.S.); (D.T.); (J.I.)
| | - Pérola O. Magalhães
- Health Sciences School, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil; (M.F.); (P.S.); (M.H.-d.-M.); (Y.M.F.-B.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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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: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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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Modi T, Regufe da Mota S, Gervais D. l-Asparaginase and HCP quantification by SWATH LC-MS/MS for new and improved purification step in Erwinia chrysanthemil-asparaginase manufacture. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2021; 209:114537. [PMID: 34929569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2021.114537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Erwinase® or Erwinaze® are the proprietary names for the L-asparaginase enzyme derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi.L-asparaginase is an integral part of the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in children and adolescents. E. chrysanthemiL-asparaginase was first developed in the early 1970s at Porton Down and is currently manufactured by Porton Biopharma Ltd. One of the early purification steps during E. chrysanthemiL-asparaginase manufacture, involves use of batch cation exchange carboxymethyl resin, and alternatives to this older technology are currently under investigation using mass spectrometry to understand the impact of resin changes on the impurity profile. In this study, a novel SWATH library was developed for E. chrysanthemi proteome and used to evaluate this potential process change on product yield and host cell protein (HCP) profile and clearance. An ELISA assay is currently used as a quality control release test for quantifying HCPs at the Drug Substance (DS) stage, but these early extract samples are too crude for interference-free analysis by ELISA. Given that ELISA assay could not be used in the assessment of new resin options, SWATH LC-MS/MS analysis proved to be pivotal in selecting a resin for further scale-up and implementation. The data quantified that L-asparaginase from the new process step was 2.28-fold higher in concentration than in legacy-process samples. The new step, using a modern ion exchanger, was at least equivalent and in some cases outperformed the legacy resin step in terms of HCP clearance for 78.2% of total HCPs (528 of 675 total proteins).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapasvi Modi
- Porton Biopharma Limited, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | | | - David Gervais
- Porton Biopharma Limited, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
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8
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Modi T, Gervais D. Improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of a novel PEGylated native Erwinia chrysanthemi L-Asparaginase. Invest New Drugs 2021; 40:21-29. [PMID: 34468906 PMCID: PMC8763762 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-021-01173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. Erwinase® (native Erwinia chrysanthemi L-Asparaginase (nErA)) is an approved second-line treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in children and adolescents, who develop hypersensitivity or neutralising antibodies to E.coli derived L-Asparaginases (ASNases). However, nErA has a short in vivo half-life requiring frequent dosing schedules in patients. In this study, nErA was covalently conjugated to PEG molecules with the aim of extending its half-life in vivo. Methods. Firstly, efficacy of this novel product PEG-nErA was investigated on human ALL cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM and CCRF-HSB2), in vitro. Secondly, its pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics were determined, in vivo (12 rats in each group). Results. It was found that the specific activity (U/mg of enzyme) and the kinetic constant (KM) of nErA remained unaltered post PEGylation. PEG-nErA was shown to have similar cytotoxicity to nErA (IC50: 0.06–0.17 U/mL) on human ALL cell lines, in vitro. Further, when compared to nErA, PEG-nErA showed a significantly improved half-life in vivo, which meant that L-Asparagine (Asn) levels in plasma remained depleted for up to 25 days with a four-fold lower dose (100 U/kg) compared with 72 h for nErA at 400 U/kg dose. Conclusion. Overall, this next generation product PEG-nErA (with improved PK and PD characteristics compared to nErA) would bring a significant advantage to the therapeutic needs of ALL patients and should be further explored in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapasvi Modi
- Porton Biopharma Limited, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK.
| | - David Gervais
- Porton Biopharma Limited, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
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9
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Lubkowski J, Wlodawer A. Structural and biochemical properties of L-asparaginase. FEBS J 2021; 288:4183-4209. [PMID: 34060231 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
l-Asparaginase (a hydrolase converting l-asparagine to l-aspartic acid) was the first enzyme to be used in clinical practice as an anticancer agent after its approval in 1978 as a component of a treatment protocol for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Structural and biochemical properties of l-asparaginases have been extensively investigated during the last half-century, providing an accurate structural description of the enzyme isolated from a variety of sources, as well as clarifying the mechanism of its activity. This review provides a critical assessment of the current state of knowledge of primarily structural, but also selected biochemical properties of 'bacterial-type' l-asparaginases from different organisms. The most extensively studied members of this enzyme family are l-asparaginases highly homologous to one of the two enzymes from Escherichia coli (usually referred to as EcAI and EcAII). Members of this enzyme family, although often called bacterial-type l-asparaginases, have been also identified in such divergent organisms as archaea or eukarya. Over 100 structural models of l-asparaginases have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank during the last 30 years. One of the prime achievements of structure-centered approaches was the elucidation of the details of the mechanism of enzymatic action of this unique hydrolase that utilizes a side chain of threonine as the primary nucleophile. The molecular basis of other important properties of these enzymes, such as their substrate specificity, is still being evaluated. Results of structural and mechanistic studies of l-asparaginases are being utilized in efforts to improve the clinical properties of this important anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Lubkowski
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Alexander Wlodawer
- Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
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10
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Castro D, Marques ASC, Almeida MR, de Paiva GB, Bento HBS, Pedrolli DB, Freire MG, Tavares APM, Santos-Ebinuma VC. L-asparaginase production review: bioprocess design and biochemical characteristics. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:4515-4534. [PMID: 34059941 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11359-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the past decades, the production of biopharmaceuticals has gained high interest due to its great sensitivity, specificity, and lower risk of negative effects to patients. Biopharmaceuticals are mostly therapeutic recombinant proteins produced through biotechnological processes. In this context, L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, L-ASNase (E.C. 3.5.1.1)) is a therapeutic enzyme that has been abundantly studied by researchers due to its antineoplastic properties. As a biopharmaceutical, L-ASNase has been used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), and other lymphoid malignancies, in combination with other drugs. Besides its application as a biopharmaceutical, this enzyme is widely used in food processing industries as an acrylamide mitigation agent and as a biosensor for the detection of L-asparagine in physiological fluids at nano-levels. The great demand for L-ASNase is supplied by recombinant enzymes from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. However, production processes are associated to low yields and proteins associated to immunogenicity problems, which leads to the search for a better enzyme source. Considering the L-ASNase pharmacological and food importance, this review provides an overview of the current biotechnological developments in L-ASNase production and biochemical characterization aiming to improve the knowledge about its production. KEY POINTS: • Microbial enzyme applications as biopharmaceutical and in food industry • Biosynthesis process: from the microorganism to bioreactor technology • Enzyme activity and kinetic properties: crucial for the final application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Castro
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Sofia C Marques
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mafalda R Almeida
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Gabriela B de Paiva
- Department of Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Heitor B S Bento
- Department of Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Danielle B Pedrolli
- Department of Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Mara G Freire
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana P M Tavares
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Valéria C Santos-Ebinuma
- Department of Engineering Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP - São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil.
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Costa-Silva T, Costa I, Biasoto H, Lima G, Silva C, Pessoa A, Monteiro G. Critical overview of the main features and techniques used for the evaluation of the clinical applicability of L-asparaginase as a biopharmaceutical to treat blood cancer. Blood Rev 2020; 43:100651. [DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2020.100651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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12
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What makes a good new therapeutic l-asparaginase? World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 35:152. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2731-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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13
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Quality Control and Downstream Processing of Therapeutic Enzymes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1148:55-80. [PMID: 31482494 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7709-9_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic enzymes are a commercially minor but clinically important area of biopharmaceuticals. An array of therapeutic enzymes has been developed for a variety of human diseases, including leukaemia and enzyme-deficiency diseases such as Gaucher's disease. Production and testing of therapeutic enzymes is strictly governed by regulatory bodies in each country around the world, and batch-to-batch consistency is crucially important. Manufacture of a batch starts with the fermentation or cell culture stage. After expression of the therapeutic enzyme in a cell culture bioreactor, robust and reproducible protein purification, or downstream processing (DSP) of the target product, is critical to ensuring safe delivery of these medicines. Modern processing technology, including the use of disposable processing equipment, has greatly improved the DSP development pathway in terms of robustness and speed to clinic. Once purified, the drug substance undergoes rigorous quality control (QC) testing according to current regulatory guidance, to enable release to the clinic and patient. QC testing is conducted to ensure the safety, purity, identity, potency and strength of the medicinal product, requiring multiple analytical methods that are rigorously validated and monitored for robust performance. Several case studies, including L-asparaginase and asfotase alfa, are discussed to illustrate the methods described herein.
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Wlodarczyk SR, Costa-Silva TA, Pessoa-Jr A, Madeira P, Monteiro G. Effect of osmolytes on the activity of anti-cancer enzyme L-Asparaginase II from Erwinia chrysanthemi. Process Biochem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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15
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Development of a capillary zone electrophoresis method to quantify E. coli l-asparaginase and its acidic variants. Talanta 2018; 182:83-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.01.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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16
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Vidya J, Sajitha S, Ushasree MV, Sindhu R, Binod P, Madhavan A, Pandey A. Genetic and metabolic engineering approaches for the production and delivery of L-asparaginases: An overview. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2017; 245:1775-1781. [PMID: 28596071 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
L-asparaginase is one of the protein drugs for countering leukemia and lymphoma. A major challenge in the therapeutic potential of the enzyme is its immunogenicity, low-plasma half-life and glutaminase activity that are found to be the reasons for toxicities attributed to asparaginase therapy. For addressing these challenges, several research and developmental activities are going on throughout the world for an effective drug delivery for treatment of cancer. Hence there is an urgent need for the development of asparaginase with improved properties for efficient drug delivery. The strategies selected should be economically viable to ensure the availability of the drug at low cost. The current review addresses various strategies adopted for the production of asparaginase from different sources, approaches for increasing the therapeutic efficiency of the protein and new drug delivery systems for L-asparaginase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jalaja Vidya
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India.
| | - Syed Sajitha
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Mrudula Vasudevan Ushasree
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Parameswaran Binod
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Aravind Madhavan
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India; Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Jagathy, Thiruvananthapuram 695 014, India
| | - Ashok Pandey
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695 019, Kerala, India; Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab, India
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Gervais D, Hayzen J, Orphanou C, McEntee A, Hallam C, Brehm R. Understanding the process-induced formation of minor conformational variants of Erwinia chrysanthemi l-asparaginase. Enzyme Microb Technol 2017; 98:26-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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18
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Costa IM, Schultz L, de Araujo Bianchi Pedra B, Leite MSM, Farsky SHP, de Oliveira MA, Pessoa A, Monteiro G. Recombinant L-asparaginase 1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: an allosteric enzyme with antineoplastic activity. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36239. [PMID: 27824095 PMCID: PMC5099943 DOI: 10.1038/srep36239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) (EC 3.5.1.1) is an important enzyme for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Currently, the enzyme is obtained from bacteria, Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. The bacterial enzymes family is subdivided in type I and type II; nevertheless, only type II have been employed in therapeutic proceedings. However, bacterial enzymes are susceptible to induce immune responses, leading to a high incidence of adverse effects compromising the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, alternative sources of L-ASNase may be useful to reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has the ASP1 gene responsible for encoding L-asparaginase 1 (ScASNase1), an enzyme predicted as type II, like bacterial therapeutic isoforms, but it has been poorly studied. Here we characterised ScASNase1 using a recombinant enzyme purified by affinity chromatography. ScASNase1 has specific activity of 196.2 U/mg and allosteric behaviour, like type I enzymes, but with a low K0.5 = 75 μM like therapeutic type II. We showed through site-directed mutagenesis that the T64-Y78-T141-K215 residues are involved in catalysis. Furthermore, ScASNase1 showed cytotoxicity for the MOLT-4 leukemic cell lineage. Our data show that ScASNase1 has characteristics described for the two subfamilies of l-asparaginase, types I and II, and may have promising antineoplastic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Munhoz Costa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Schultz
- Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Coastal Campus, São Vicente/SP 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Araujo Bianchi Pedra
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Mariana Silva Moreira Leite
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Sandra H P Farsky
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio de Oliveira
- Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University - UNESP, Coastal Campus, São Vicente/SP 11330-900, Brazil
| | - Adalberto Pessoa
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Gisele Monteiro
- Department of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP 05508-000, Brazil
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Partial purification and characterization of L-asparaginase from an endophytic Talaromyces pinophilus isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma amada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Fu Y, Wu Y, Wei Y, Chen X, Xu J, Xu X. Development of a thermally stable formulation for l -asparaginase storage in aqueous conditions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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21
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Structural Characterisation of Non-Deamidated Acidic Variants of Erwinia chrysanthemi L-asparaginase Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering and Ion-Mobility Mass Spectrometry. Pharm Res 2015; 32:3636-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-015-1722-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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22
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Identification of Functional Regions in the Rhodospirillum rubrum l-Asparaginase by Site-Directed Mutagenesis. Mol Biotechnol 2014; 57:251-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s12033-014-9819-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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23
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Gervais D, King D. Capillary isoelectric focusing of a difficult-to-denature tetrameric enzyme using alkylurea–urea mixtures. Anal Biochem 2014; 465:90-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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