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Cytotoxicity and Molecular Alterations Induced by Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptide Smp43 in Breast Cancer Cell Lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10474-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
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2
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Varricchio A, Ramesh SA, Yool AJ. Novel Ion Channel Targets and Drug Delivery Tools for Controlling Glioblastoma Cell Invasiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111909. [PMID: 34769339 PMCID: PMC8584308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprising more than half of all brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a leading cause of brain cancer-related deaths worldwide. A major clinical challenge is presented by the capacity of glioma cells to rapidly infiltrate healthy brain parenchyma, allowing the cancer to escape control by localized surgical resections and radiotherapies, and promoting recurrence in other brain regions. We propose that therapies which target cellular motility pathways could be used to slow tumor dispersal, providing a longer time window for administration of frontline treatments needed to directly eradicate the primary tumors. An array of signal transduction pathways are known to be involved in controlling cellular motility. Aquaporins (AQPs) and voltage-gated ion channels are prime candidates as pharmacological targets to restrain cell migration in glioblastoma. Published work has demonstrated AQPs 1, 4 and 9, as well as voltage-gated potassium, sodium and calcium channels, chloride channels, and acid-sensing ion channels are expressed in GBM and can influence processes of cell volume change, extracellular matrix degradation, cytoskeletal reorganization, lamellipodial and filopodial extension, and turnover of cell-cell adhesions and focal assembly sites. The current gap in knowledge is the identification of optimal combinations of targets, inhibitory agents, and drug delivery systems that will allow effective intervention with minimal side effects in the complex environment of the brain, without disrupting finely tuned activities of neuro-glial networks. Based on published literature, we propose that co-treatments using AQP inhibitors in addition to other therapies could increase effectiveness, overcoming some limitations inherent in current strategies that are focused on single mechanisms. An emerging interest in nanobodies as drug delivery systems could be instrumental for achieving the selective delivery of combinations of agents aimed at multiple key targets, which could enhance success in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanah Varricchio
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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3
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Díaz-García A, Varela D. Voltage-Gated K +/Na + Channels and Scorpion Venom Toxins in Cancer. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:913. [PMID: 32655396 PMCID: PMC7325878 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ion channels have recently been recognized as novel therapeutic targets in cancer research since they are overexpressed in different histological tissues, and their activity is linked to proliferation, tumor progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis. Voltage gated-potassium channels (VGKC) are involved in cell proliferation, cancer progression, cell cycle transition, and apoptosis. Moreover, voltage-dependent sodium channels (VGSC) contribute to decreases in extracellular pH, which, in turn, promotes cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, VGSC and VGKC modulate voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel activity by controlling the membrane potential and regulating Ca2+ influx, which functions as a second messenger in processes related to proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. The subgroup of these types of channels that have shown a high oncogenic potential have become known as "oncochannels", and the evidence has highlighted them as key potential therapeutic targets. Scorpion venoms contain a high proportion of peptide toxins that act by modulating voltage-gated Na+/K+ channel activity. Increasing scientific data have pointed out that scorpion venoms and their toxins can affect the activity of oncochannels, thus showing their potential for anticancer therapy. In this review, we provide an update of the most relevant voltage-gated Na+\K+ ion channels as cellular targets and discuss the possibility of using scorpion venom and toxins for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Díaz-García
- LifEscozul Chile SpA, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus of Ion Channel-Associated Diseases (MiNICAD), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Varela
- Millennium Nucleus of Ion Channel-Associated Diseases (MiNICAD), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Program of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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4
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Scorpion Toxins and Ion Channels: Potential Applications in Cancer Therapy. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12050326. [PMID: 32429050 PMCID: PMC7290751 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12050326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis, a genetically directed process of cell death, has been studied for many years, and the biochemical mechanisms that surround it are well known and described. There are at least three pathways by which apoptosis occurs, and each pathway depends on extra or intracellular processes for activation. Apoptosis is a vital process, but disturbances in proliferation and cell death rates can lead to the development of diseases like cancer. Several compounds, isolated from scorpion venoms, exhibit inhibitory effects on different cancer cells. Indeed, some of these compounds can differentiate between healthy and cancer cells within the same tissue. During the carcinogenic process, morphological, biochemical, and biological changes occur that enable these compounds to modulate cancer but not healthy cells. This review highlights cancer cell features that enable modulation by scorpion neurotoxins. The properties of the isolated scorpion neurotoxins in cancer cells and the potential uses of these compounds as alternative treatments for cancer are discussed.
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BenAissa R, Othman H, Villard C, Peigneur S, Mlayah-Bellalouna S, Abdelkafi-Koubaa Z, Marrakchi N, Essafi-Benkhadir K, Tytgat J, Luis J, Srairi-Abid N. AaHIV a sodium channel scorpion toxin inhibits the proliferation of DU145 prostate cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 521:340-346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Li S, Han J, Guo G, Sun Y, Zhang T, Zhao M, Xu Y, Cui Y, Liu Y, Zhang J. Voltage-gated sodium channels β3 subunit promotes tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by facilitating p53 degradation. FEBS Lett 2019; 594:497-508. [PMID: 31626714 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors and play an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we show that VGSCs auxiliary β3 subunit, encoded by the SCN3B gene, promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in HepG2 cells by promoting p53 degradation. β3 significantly increases HepG2 cell proliferation, promotes tumor growth in mouse xenograft models, and suppresses senescence and apoptosis. We found that β3 knockdown stabilizes p53 protein, leading to potentiation of p53-induced cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that β3 could bind to p53, promoting p53 ubiquitination and degradation by stabilizing the p53/MDM2 complex. Our results suggest that β3 is a novel negative regulator of p53 and a potential oncogenic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Jiadi Han
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Guili Guo
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yudi Sun
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yijia Xu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yong Cui
- School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
| | - Jinghai Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutical Science, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China.,School of Medical Devices, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
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Doudou NR, Kampo S, Liu Y, Ahmmed B, Zeng D, Zheng M, Mohamadou A, Wen QP, Wang S. Monitoring the Early Antiproliferative Effect of the Analgesic-Antitumor Peptide, BmK AGAP on Breast Cancer Using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion With a Reduced Distribution of Four b-Values. Front Physiol 2019; 10:708. [PMID: 31293432 PMCID: PMC6598093 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantitatively assess the early therapeutic effect of the analgesic–antitumor peptide BmK AGAP on breast cancer and also evaluate the medical value of a reduced distribution of four b-values. Methods: IVIM diffusion MRI using 10 b-values and 4 b-values (0–1,000 s/mm2) was performed at five different time points on BALB/c mice bearing xenograft breast tumors treated with BmK AGAP. Variability in Dslow, Dfast, PF, and ADC derived from the set of 10 b-values and 4 b-values was assessed to evaluate the antitumor effect of BmK AGAP on breast tumor. Results: The data showed that PF values significantly decreased in rBmK AGAP-treated mice on day 12 (P = 0.044). PF displayed the greatest AUC but with a poor medical value (AUC = 0.65). The data showed no significant difference between IVIM measurements acquired from the two sets of b-values at different time points except in the PF on the day 3. The within-subject coefficients of variation were relatively higher in Dfast and PF. However, except for a case noticed on day 0 in PF measurements, the results indicated no statistically significant difference at various time points in the rBmK AGAP-treated or the untreated group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: IVIM showed poor medical value in the early evaluation of the antiproliferative effect of rBmK AGAP in breast cancer, suggesting sensitivity in PF. A reduced distribution of four b-values may provide remarkable measurements but with a potential loss of accuracy in the perfusion-related parameter PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Raissa Doudou
- Department of Radiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sylvanus Kampo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yajie Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bulbul Ahmmed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dewei Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Minting Zheng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Aminou Mohamadou
- Department of Radiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qing-Ping Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shaowu Wang
- Department of Radiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Kampo S, Ahmmed B, Zhou T, Owusu L, Anabah TW, Doudou NR, Kuugbee ED, Cui Y, Lu Z, Yan Q, Wen QP. Scorpion Venom Analgesic Peptide, BmK AGAP Inhibits Stemness, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Down-Regulating PTX3 in Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2019; 9:21. [PMID: 30740360 PMCID: PMC6355678 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A scorpion peptide reported to exhibit both analgesic and antitumor activity in animal models may present as an alternative therapeutic agent for breast cancer. We aimed to investigate the effect of Buthus martensii Karsch antitumor-analgesic peptide (BmK AGAP) on breast cancer cell stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We treated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with different concentrations of rBmK AGAP and observed that rBmK AGAP inhibited cancer cell stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion. Analysis by qPCR, ELISA, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, sphere formation, colony assay, transwell migration, and invasion assays demonstrated rBmK AGAP treatment decreased the expressions of Oct4, Sox2, N-cadherin, Snail, and increased the expression of E-cadherin. rBmK AGAP inhibited breast cancer cell stemness, EMT, migration, and invasion by down-regulating PTX3 through NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling Pathway in vitro and in vivo. Xenograft tumor model confirmed inhibition of tumor growth, stem-like features, and EMT by rBmK AGAP. Thus, rBmK AGAP is a potential therapeutic agent against breast cancer and related pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvanus Kampo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, School of Medicine and Health Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Bulbul Ahmmed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lawrence Owusu
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Thomas Winsum Anabah
- Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, School of Medicine and Health Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | | | - Eugene Dogkotenge Kuugbee
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine and Health Science, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Yong Cui
- School of Life Science and Bio-pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhili Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qiu Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qing-Ping Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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Liu X, Liu X, Sunchen S, Liu M, Shen C, Wu J, Zhao W, Yu B, Liu J. A novel tumor-activated ALA fusion protein for specific inhibition on the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. Drug Deliv 2018; 24:1811-1817. [PMID: 29172777 PMCID: PMC8241173 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2017.1406560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this research was to develop a novel ALA fusion protein for target to the malignant cells surface with high uPAR expression and locally release of the scorpion toxin AGAP in an uPA-cleavable manner. It will provide an effective approach for controlled release of the peptide toxins to treat cancerous cells. METHODS The ALA fusion proteins were expressed in pichia pastoris, and the recombinant proteins were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The proteins were added to human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) in order to investigate the characteristic of selective targeting and releasing of scorpion toxin AGAP in cancer cells with high uPAR expression. The inhibitory effect of ALA on MDA-MB-231, MCF7, LO2 and HEK-293 was evaluated by MTT assay. Moreover, the antiproliferation mechanism of ALA was determined by flow cytometric and western blot analysis. RESULTS The results showed that ALA could target MDA-MB-231 cells and the scorpion toxin AGAP could be released with high efficiency and selectivity. ALA inhibited the growth and invasion of breast cancer cells MDA-MB231. Also, cell apoptosis pathway was found to be associated with the inhibition mechanism of ALA according to the data of flow cytometric and western blot analysis. Therefore, ALA could be a novel antitumor candidate for targeting treatment of malignant cell. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully demonstrated that fusion of biotoxins with tumor target domain could provide a simple yet effective way to delivery of peptide or protein drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Xintong Liu
- c School of Life Science and Technology , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Suwen Sunchen
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Meixia Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Chen Shen
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Juanjuan Wu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Wanli Zhao
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Boyang Yu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
| | - Jihua Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China.,b Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, Department of Biotechnology of TCM , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , PR China
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan M. Akef
- National Organization for Research and Control of Biologicals (NORCB), Giza, Egypt
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