1
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Mukherjee A, Huang Y, Oh S, Sanchez C, Chang YF, Liu X, Bradshaw GA, Benites NC, Paulsson J, Kirschner MW, Sung Y, Elgeti J, Basan M. Homeostasis of cytoplasmic crowding by cell wall fluidization and ribosomal counterions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.31.555748. [PMID: 37808635 PMCID: PMC10557573 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
In bacteria, algae, fungi, and plant cells, the wall must expand in concert with cytoplasmic biomass production, otherwise cells would experience toxic molecular crowding1,2or lyse. But how cells achieve expansion of this complex biomaterial in coordination with biosynthesis of macromolecules in the cytoplasm remains unexplained3, although recent works have revealed that these processes are indeed coupled4,5. Here, we report a striking increase of turgor pressure with growth rate in E. coli, suggesting that the speed of cell wall expansion is controlled via turgor. Remarkably, despite this increase in turgor pressure, cellular biomass density remains constant across a wide range of growth rates. By contrast, perturbations of turgor pressure that deviate from this scaling directly alter biomass density. A mathematical model based on cell wall fluidization by cell wall endopeptidases not only explains these apparently confounding observations but makes surprising quantitative predictions that we validated experimentally. The picture that emerges is that turgor pressure is directly controlled via counterions of ribosomal RNA. Elegantly, the coupling between rRNA and turgor pressure simultaneously coordinates cell wall expansion across a wide range of growth rates and exerts homeostatic feedback control on biomass density. This mechanism may regulate cell wall biosynthesis from microbes to plants and has important implications for the mechanism of action of antibiotics6.
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2
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Lebek T, Malaguti M, Boezio GL, Zoupi L, Briscoe J, Elfick A, Lowell S. PUFFFIN: an ultra-bright, customisable, single-plasmid system for labelling cell neighbourhoods. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00154-w. [PMID: 38997504 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00154-w] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell communication coordinates developmental processes, maintains homeostasis, and contributes to disease. Therefore, understanding the relationship between cells in a shared environment is crucial. Here we introduce Positive Ultra-bright Fluorescent Fusion For Identifying Neighbours (PUFFFIN), a cell neighbour-labelling system based upon secretion and uptake of positively supercharged fluorescent protein s36GFP. We fused s36GFP to mNeonGreen or to a HaloTag, facilitating ultra-bright, sensitive, colour-of-choice labelling. Secretor cells transfer PUFFFIN to neighbours while retaining nuclear mCherry, making identification, isolation, and investigation of live neighbours straightforward. PUFFFIN can be delivered to cells, tissues, or embryos on a customisable single-plasmid construct composed of interchangeable components with the option to incorporate any transgene. This versatility enables the manipulation of cell properties, while simultaneously labelling surrounding cells, in cell culture or in vivo. We use PUFFFIN to ask whether pluripotent cells adjust the pace of differentiation to synchronise with their neighbours during exit from naïve pluripotency. PUFFFIN offers a simple, sensitive, customisable approach to profile non-cell-autonomous responses to natural or induced changes in cell identity or behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamina Lebek
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
- Centre for Engineering Biology, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, UK
| | | | - Lida Zoupi
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | | | - Alistair Elfick
- Institute for Bioengineering, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 3DW, UK
- UK Centre for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK.
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3
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Zhao X, Zhang Y, Trejo-Cerro O, Kaplan E, Li Z, Albertsboer F, El Hammiri N, Mariz FC, Banks L, Ottonello S, Müller M. A safe and potentiated multi-type HPV L2-E7 nanoparticle vaccine with combined prophylactic and therapeutic activity. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:119. [PMID: 38926425 PMCID: PMC11208501 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00914-z] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized as the primary cause of cervical and other malignant cancers. There are six licensed prophylactic vaccines available against HPV, but none of them shows any significant therapeutic effect on pre-existing infections or lesions. Thus, a prophylactic vaccine also endowed with therapeutic activity would afford protection regardless of the vaccine recipients HPV-infection status. Here, we describe the refinement and further potentiation of a dual-purpose HPV nanoparticle vaccine (hereafter referred to as cPANHPVAX) relying on eight different HPV L2 peptide epitopes and on the E7 oncoantigens from HPV16 and 18. cPANHPVAX not only induces anti-HPV16 E7 cytotoxic T-cell responses in C57BL/6 mice, but also anti-HPV18 E7 T-cell responses in transgenic mice with the A2.DR1 haplotype. These cytotoxic responses add up to a potent, broad-coverage humoral (HPV-neutralizing) response. cPANHPVAX safety was further improved by deletion of the pRb-binding domains of E7. Our dual-purpose vaccine holds great potential for clinical translation as an immune-treatment capable of targeting active infections as well as established HPV-related malignancies, thus benefiting both uninfected and infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueer Zhao
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Yueru Zhang
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Oscar Trejo-Cerro
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ecem Kaplan
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhe Li
- B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Femke Albertsboer
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Neyla El Hammiri
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Filipe Colaço Mariz
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lawrence Banks
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simone Ottonello
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martin Müller
- Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
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4
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Kim Y, Kim D, Hieu NM, Byun H, Ahn JH. PySupercharge: a python algorithm for enabling ABC transporter bacterial secretion of all proteins through amino acid mutation. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:115. [PMID: 38643109 PMCID: PMC11031901 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02342-z] [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: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The process of producing proteins in bacterial systems and secreting them through ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is an area that has been actively researched and used due to its high protein production capacity and efficiency. However, some proteins are unable to pass through the ABC transporter after synthesis, a phenomenon we previously determined to be caused by an excessive positive charge in certain regions of their amino acid sequence. If such an excessive charge is removed, the secretion of any protein through ABC transporters becomes possible. RESULTS In this study, we introduce 'linear charge density' as the criteria for possibility of protein secretion through ABC transporters and confirm that this criterion can be applied to various non-secretable proteins, such as SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, botulinum toxin light chain, and human growth factors. Additionally, we develop a new algorithm, PySupercharge, that enables the secretion of proteins containing regions with high linear charge density. It selectively converts positively charged amino acids into negatively charged or neutral amino acids after linear charge density analysis to enable protein secretion through ABC transporters. CONCLUSIONS PySupercharge, which also minimizes functional/structural stability loss of the pre-mutation proteins through the use of sequence conservation data, is currently being operated on an accessible web server. We verified the efficacy of PySupercharge-driven protein supercharging by secreting various previously non-secretable proteins commonly used in research, and so suggest this tool for use in future research requiring effective protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerin Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Korea Science Academy of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Busan, South Korea
| | - Danny Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Korea Science Academy of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Busan, South Korea
| | - Nguyen-Mihn Hieu
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Korea Science Academy of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Busan, South Korea
| | - Hyunjong Byun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jung Hoon Ahn
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Korea Science Academy of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Busan, South Korea.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.
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5
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Giancola JB, Grimm JB, Jun JV, Petri YD, Lavis LD, Raines RT. Evaluation of the Cytosolic Uptake of HaloTag Using a pH-Sensitive Dye. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:908-915. [PMID: 38525961 PMCID: PMC11186736 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00713] [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] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The efficient cytosolic delivery of proteins is critical for advancing novel therapeutic strategies. Current delivery methods are severely limited by endosomal entrapment, and detection methods lack sophistication in tracking the fate of delivered protein cargo. HaloTag, a commonly used protein in chemical biology and a challenging delivery target, is an exceptional model system for understanding and exploiting cellular delivery. Here, we employed a combinatorial strategy to direct HaloTag to the cytosol. We established the use of Virginia Orange, a pH-sensitive fluorophore, and Janelia Fluor 585, a similar but pH-agnostic fluorophore, in a fluorogenic assay to ascertain protein localization within human cells. Using this assay, we investigated HaloTag delivery upon modification with cell-penetrating peptides, carboxyl group esterification, and cotreatment with an endosomolytic agent. We found efficacious cytosolic entry with two distinct delivery methods. This study expands the toolkit for detecting the cytosolic access of proteins and highlights that multiple intracellular delivery strategies can be used synergistically to effect cytosolic access. Moreover, HaloTag is poised to serve as a platform for the delivery of varied cargo into human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- JoLynn B. Giancola
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jonathan B. Grimm
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn VA 20147, United States
| | - Joomyung V. Jun
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yana D. Petri
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Luke D. Lavis
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn VA 20147, United States
| | - Ronald T. Raines
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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6
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Basan M, Mukherjee A, Huang Y, Oh S, Sanchez C, Chang YF, Liu X, Bradshaw G, Benites N, Paulsson J, Kirschner M, Sung Y, Elgeti J. Homeostasis of cytoplasmic crowding by cell wall fluidization and ribosomal counterions. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4138690. [PMID: 38699329 PMCID: PMC11065075 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4138690/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
In bacteria, algae, fungi, and plant cells, the wall must expand in concert with cytoplasmic biomass production, otherwise cells would experience toxic molecular crowding1,2 or lyse. But how cells achieve expansion of this complex biomaterial in coordination with biosynthesis of macromolecules in the cytoplasm remains unexplained3, although recent works have revealed that these processes are indeed coupled4,5. Here, we report a striking increase of turgor pressure with growth rate in E. coli, suggesting that the speed of cell wall expansion is controlled via turgor. Remarkably, despite this increase in turgor pressure, cellular biomass density remains constant across a wide range of growth rates. By contrast, perturbations of turgor pressure that deviate from this scaling directly alter biomass density. A mathematical model based on cell wall fluidization by cell wall endopeptidases not only explains these apparently confounding observations but makes surprising quantitative predictions that we validated experimentally. The picture that emerges is that turgor pressure is directly controlled via counterions of ribosomal RNA. Elegantly, the coupling between rRNA and turgor pressure simultaneously coordinates cell wall expansion across a wide range of growth rates and exerts homeostatic feedback control on biomass density. This mechanism may regulate cell wall biosynthesis from microbes to plants and has important implications for the mechanism of action of antibiotics6.
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7
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Narum S, Deal B, Ogasawara H, Mancuso JN, Zhang J, Salaita K. An Endosomal Escape Trojan Horse Platform to Improve Cytosolic Delivery of Nucleic Acids. ACS NANO 2024; 18:6186-6201. [PMID: 38346399 PMCID: PMC10906071 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Endocytosis is a major bottleneck toward cytosolic delivery of nucleic acids, as the vast majority of nucleic acid drugs remain trapped within endosomes. Current trends to overcome endosomal entrapment and subsequent degradation provide varied success; however, active delivery agents such as cell-penetrating peptides have emerged as a prominent strategy to improve cytosolic delivery. Yet, these membrane-active agents have poor selectivity for endosomal membranes, leading to toxicity. A hallmark of endosomes is their acidic environment, which aids in degradation of foreign materials. Here, we develop a pH-triggered spherical nucleic acid that provides smart antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) release upon endosomal acidification and selective membrane disruption, termed DNA EndosomaL Escape Vehicle Response (DELVR). We anchor i-Motif DNA to a nanoparticle (AuNP), where the complement strand contains both an ASO sequence and a functionalized endosomal escape peptide (EEP). By orienting the EEP toward the AuNP core, the EEP is inactive until it is released through acidification-induced i-Motif folding. In this study, we characterize a small library of i-Motif duplexes to develop a structure-switching nucleic acid sequence triggered by endosomal acidification. We evaluate antisense efficacy using HIF1a, a hypoxic indicator upregulated in many cancers, and demonstrate dose-dependent activity through RT-qPCR. We show that DELVR significantly improves ASO efficacy in vitro. Finally, we use fluorescence lifetime imaging and activity measurement to show that DELVR benefits synergistically from nuclease- and pH-driven release strategies with increased ASO endosomal escape efficiency. Overall, this study develops a modular platform that improves the cytosolic delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics and offers key insights for overcoming intracellular barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Narum
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute
of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Brendan Deal
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Hiroaki Ogasawara
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | | | - Jiahui Zhang
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute
of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute
of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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8
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Malaguti M, Lebek T, Blin G, Lowell S. Enabling neighbour labelling: using synthetic biology to explore how cells influence their neighbours. Development 2024; 151:dev201955. [PMID: 38165174 PMCID: PMC10820747 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201955] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cell-cell interactions are central to development, but exploring how a change in any given cell relates to changes in the neighbour of that cell can be technically challenging. Here, we review recent developments in synthetic biology and image analysis that are helping overcome this problem. We highlight the opportunities presented by these advances and discuss opportunities and limitations in applying them to developmental model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Malaguti
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tamina Lebek
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Guillaume Blin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Sally Lowell
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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9
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Kulshrestha S, Goel A. Protein therapeutics as an emerging strategy to deal with skin cancer: A short review. Exp Dermatol 2024; 33:e14981. [PMID: 37983960 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has turned into a global menace with an exponential increase in the rate of death every year. Amongst all forms of cancers, skin cancer is the one becoming more common day by day because of the increased exposure to ultraviolet rays, chemicals, pollutants, etc. Skin cancer is of three types namely basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma which is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with a low survival rate and easy relapse. Melanoma is also notorious for being multi-drug resistant which accounts for its low survival rates in it. Many kinds of therapeutics are been practiced in the contemporary world, but among them, protein therapeutics is been emerging as a promising field with multiple molecular pathway targets that have revolutionized the science of oncology. Proteins acts as small-molecule targets for cancer cells by binding to the cell surface receptors. Proteins including bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) and some toxin proteins are been tried on for dealing with melanoma targeting the major pathways including MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT. The protein therapeutics also targets the tumour microenvironment including myofibrils, lymphatic vessels etc., thus inducing tumour cell death. In the review, several kinds of proteins and their function toward cell death will be highlighted in the context of skin cancer. In addition to this, the review will look into the inhibition of the function of other inflammatory pathways by inflammasomes and cytokines, both of which have a role in preventing cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anjana Goel
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
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10
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Feng X, Chang R, Zhu H, Yang Y, Ji Y, Liu D, Qin H, Yin J, Rong H. Engineering Proteins for Cell Entry. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4868-4882. [PMID: 37708383 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Proteins are essential for life, as they participate in all vital processes in the body. In the past decade, delivery of active proteins to specific cells and organs has attracted increasing interest. However, most proteins cannot enter the cytoplasm due to the cell membrane acting as a natural barrier. To overcome this challenge, various proteins have been engineered to acquire cell-penetrating capacity by mimicking or modifying natural shuttling proteins. In this review, we provide an overview of the different types of engineered cell-penetrating proteins such as cell-penetrating peptides, supercharged proteins, receptor-binding proteins, and bacterial toxins. We also discuss some strategies for improving endosomal escape such as pore formation, the proton sponge effect, and hijacking intracellular trafficking pathways. Finally, we introduce some novel methods and technologies for designing and detecting engineered cell-penetrating proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruilong Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haichao Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yue Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dingkang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hai Qin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Guizhou Hospital, No. 206, Sixian Street, Baiyun District, Guiyang, Guizhou 550014, China
| | - Jun Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haibo Rong
- Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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11
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Graceffa V. Intracellular protein delivery: New insights into the therapeutic applications and emerging technologies. Biochimie 2023; 213:82-99. [PMID: 37209808 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.05.011] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The inability to cross the plasma membranes traditionally limited the therapeutic use of recombinant proteins. However, in the last two decades, novel technologies made delivering proteins inside the cells possible. This allowed researchers to unlock intracellular targets, once considered 'undruggable', bringing a new research area to emerge. Protein transfection systems display a large potential in a plethora of applications. However, their modality of action is often unclear, and cytotoxic effects are elevated, whereas experimental conditions to increase transfection efficacy and cell viability still need to be identified. Furthermore, technical complexity often limits in vivo experimentation, while challenging industrial and clinical translation. This review highlights the applications of protein transfection technologies, and then critically discuss the current methodologies and their limitations. Physical membrane perforation systems are compared to systems exploiting cellular endocytosis. Research evidence of the existence of either extracellular vesicles (EVs) or cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs)- based systems, that circumvent the endosomal systems is critically analysed. Commercial systems, novel solid-phase reverse protein transfection systems, and engineered living intracellular bacteria-based mechanisms are finally described. This review ultimately aims at finding new methodologies and possible applications of protein transfection systems, while helping the development of an evidence-based research approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Graceffa
- Cellular Health and Toxicology Research Group (CHAT), Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment (MISHE), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, Ireland.
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12
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Tomazini A, Shifman JM. Targeting Ras with protein engineering. Oncotarget 2023; 14:672-687. [PMID: 37395750 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ras proteins are small GTPases that regulate cell growth and division. Mutations in Ras genes are associated with many types of cancer, making them attractive targets for cancer therapy. Despite extensive efforts, targeting Ras proteins with small molecules has been extremely challenging due to Ras's mostly flat surface and lack of small molecule-binding cavities. These challenges were recently overcome by the development of the first covalent small-molecule anti-Ras drug, sotorasib, highlighting the efficacy of Ras inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. However, this drug exclusively inhibits the Ras G12C mutant, which is not a prevalent mutation in most cancer types. Unlike the G12C variant, other Ras oncogenic mutants lack reactive cysteines, rendering them unsuitable for targeting via the same strategy. Protein engineering has emerged as a promising method to target Ras, as engineered proteins have the ability to recognize various surfaces with high affinity and specificity. Over the past few years, scientists have engineered antibodies, natural Ras effectors, and novel binding domains to bind to Ras and counteract its carcinogenic activities via a variety of strategies. These include inhibiting Ras-effector interactions, disrupting Ras dimerization, interrupting Ras nucleotide exchange, stimulating Ras interaction with tumor suppressor genes, and promoting Ras degradation. In parallel, significant advancements have been made in intracellular protein delivery, enabling the delivery of the engineered anti-Ras agents into the cellular cytoplasm. These advances offer a promising path for targeting Ras proteins and other challenging drug targets, opening up new opportunities for drug discovery and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atilio Tomazini
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Julia M Shifman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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13
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Ebrahimi SB, Samanta D. Engineering protein-based therapeutics through structural and chemical design. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2411. [PMID: 37105998 PMCID: PMC10132957 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38039-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics have led to new paradigms in disease treatment. Projected to be half of the top ten selling drugs in 2023, proteins have emerged as rivaling and, in some cases, superior alternatives to historically used small molecule-based medicines. This review chronicles both well-established and emerging design strategies that have enabled this paradigm shift by transforming protein-based structures that are often prone to denaturation, degradation, and aggregation in vitro and in vivo into highly effective therapeutics. In particular, we discuss strategies for creating structures with increased affinity and targetability, enhanced in vivo stability and pharmacokinetics, improved cell permeability, and reduced amounts of undesired immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha B Ebrahimi
- Drug Product Development-Steriles, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA.
| | - Devleena Samanta
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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14
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Ji Y, Liu D, Zhu H, Bao L, Chang R, Gao X, Yin J. Unstructured Polypeptides as a Versatile Drug Delivery Technology. Acta Biomater 2023; 164:74-93. [PMID: 37075961 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Although polyethylene glycol (PEG), or "PEGylation" has become a widely applied approach for improving the efficiency of drug delivery, the immunogenicity and non-biodegradability of this synthetic polymer have prompted an evident need for alternatives. To overcome these caveats and to mimic PEG -or other natural or synthetic polymers- for the purpose of drug half-life extension, unstructured polypeptides are designed. Due to their tunable length, biodegradability, low immunogenicity and easy production, unstructured polypeptides have the potential to replace PEG as the preferred technology for therapeutic protein/peptide delivery. This review provides an overview of the evolution of unstructured polypeptides, starting from natural polypeptides to engineered polypeptides and discusses their characteristics. Then, it is described that unstructured polypeptides have been successfully applied to numerous drugs, including peptides, proteins, antibody fragments, and nanocarriers, for half-life extension. Innovative applications of unstructured peptides as releasable masks, multimolecular adaptors and intracellular delivery carriers are also discussed. Finally, challenges and future perspectives of this promising field are briefly presented. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: : Polypeptide fusion technology simulating PEGylation has become an important topic for the development of long-circulating peptide or protein drugs without reduced activity, complex processes, and kidney injury caused by PEG modification. Here we provide a detailed and in-depth review of the recent advances in unstructured polypeptides. In addition to the application of enhanced pharmacokinetic performance, emphasis is placed on polypeptides as scaffolders for the delivery of multiple drugs, and on the preparation of reasonably designed polypeptides to manipulate the performance of proteins and peptides. This review will provide insight into future application of polypeptides in peptide or protein drug development and the design of novel functional polypeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dingkang Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haichao Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lichen Bao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruilong Chang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiangdong Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Jun Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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15
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Rajapaksha SP, Nawagamuwage SU. Anticorrelated position fluctuation of lipids in forming membrane water pores: molecular dynamics simulations study with dengue virus capsid protein. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:11395-11404. [PMID: 34343444 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1958698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The traffic of molecules into or out of cells is regulated by many membrane-associated mechanisms. Membrane pores are considered as one of the major passage mechanisms, although molecular-level understanding of pore formation is still vague. The opening of a membrane pore depends on many factors, including the influence of some proteins. The ability of the cell-penetrating peptides and supercharged proteins to form membrane pores has been reported. We studied pore formation through dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers by supercharged dengue virus capsid (C) protein. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the formation of membrane pores by a combined effect of the C protein and the membrane electric field. Analyses of simulated trajectories showed highly correlated vertical position fluctuations between the Cα atom of the membrane-anchored arginine residues and the phosphorus atoms of the surrounding DPPC lipids. Certain regions of the bilayer were negatively correlated while the others were positively correlated with respect to the fluctuations of the Cα atom of the anchored arginine residues. When positively correlated lipids in one leaflet vertically aligned with the negatively correlated lipids in the other leaflet, a local anticorrelated region was generated by weakening the bilayer. The membrane pore was always formed close to this anticorrelated region. Once formed, the C protein followed the hydrated pathway provided by the water-filled pores to cross the membrane.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneth P Rajapaksha
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Sithara U Nawagamuwage
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
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16
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Pistono P, Huang P, Brauer DD, Francis MB. Fitness Landscape-Guided Engineering of Locally Supercharged Virus-like Particles with Enhanced Cell Uptake Properties. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:3367-3378. [PMID: 36378277 PMCID: PMC9764284 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based nanoparticles are useful models for the study of self-assembly and attractive candidates for drug delivery. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are especially promising platforms for expanding the repertoire of therapeutics that can be delivered effectively as they can deliver many copies of a molecule per particle for each delivery event. However, their use is often limited due to poor uptake of VLPs into mammalian cells. In this study, we use the fitness landscape of the bacteriophage MS2 VLP as a guide to engineer capsid variants with positively charged surface residues to enhance their uptake into mammalian cells. By combining mutations with positive fitness scores that were likely to produce assembled capsids, we identified two key double mutants with internalization efficiencies as much as 67-fold higher than that of wtMS2. Internalization of these variants with positively charged surface residues depends on interactions with cell surface sulfated proteoglycans, and yet, they are biophysically similar to wtMS2 with low cytotoxicity and an overall negative charge. Additionally, the best-performing engineered MS2 capsids can deliver a potent anticancer small-molecule therapeutic with efficacy levels similar to antibody-drug conjugates. Through this work, we were able to establish fitness landscape-based engineering as a successful method for designing VLPs with improved cell penetration. These findings suggest that VLPs with positive surface charge could be useful in improving the delivery of small-molecule- and nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige
E. Pistono
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California94720, United States
| | - Paul Huang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California94720, United States
| | - Daniel D. Brauer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California94720, United States
| | - Matthew B. Francis
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California94720, United States
- Materials
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California94720, United States
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17
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Wang L, Geng J, Chen L, Guo X, Wang T, Fang Y, Belingon B, Wu J, Li M, Zhan Y, Shang W, Wan Y, Feng X, Li X, Wang H. Improved transfer efficiency of supercharged 36 + GFP protein mediate nucleic acid delivery. Drug Deliv 2022; 29:386-398. [PMID: 35075948 PMCID: PMC8794074 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2030430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential of nucleic acid therapeutics to treat diseases by targeting specific cells has resulted in its increasing number of uses in clinical settings. However, the major challenge is to deliver bio-macromolecules into target cells and/or subcellular locations of interest ahead in the development of delivery systems. Although, supercharged residues replaced protein 36 + GFP can facilitate itself and cargoes delivery, its efficiency is still limited. Therefore, we combined our recent progress to further improve 36 + GFP based delivery efficiency. We found that the penetration efficacy of 36 + GFP protein was significantly improved by fusion with CPP-Dot1l or treatment with penetration enhancer dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in vitro. After safely packaged with plasmid DNA, we found that the efficacy of in vitro and in vivo transfection mediated by 36 + GFP-Dot1l fusion protein is also significantly improved than 36 + GFP itself. Our findings illustrated that fusion with CPP-Dot1l or incubation with DMSO is an alternative way to synergically promote 36 + GFP mediated plasmid DNA delivery in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jingping Geng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Linlin Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Affiliated Ren He Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xiangli Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Tao Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yanfen Fang
- College of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Hubei, China
| | - Bonn Belingon
- School of Medicine, Institute of Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiao Wu
- Affiliated Ren He Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Manman Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Ying Zhan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Wendou Shang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yingying Wan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xuemei Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xianghui Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
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18
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Chen Y, Ming D, Zhu L, Huang H, Jiang L. Tailoring the Tag/Catcher System by Integrating Covalent Bonds and Noncovalent Interactions for Highly Efficient Protein Self-Assembly. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3936-3947. [PMID: 35998650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Covalent bonds and noncovalent interactions play crucial roles in enzyme self-assembly. Here, we designed a Tag/Catcher system named NGTag/NGCatcher in which the Catcher is a highly charged protein that can bind proteins with positively charged tails and rapidly form a stable isopeptide bond with NGTag. In this study, we present a multienzyme strategy based on covalent bonds and noncovalent interactions. In vitro, mCherry, YFP, and GFP can form protein-rich three-dimensional networks based on NGCatcher, NGTag, and RK (Arginine/Lysine) tails, respectively. Furthermore, this technology was applied to improve lycopene production in Escherichia coli. Three key enzymes were involved in lycopene production variants from Deinococcus wulumuqiensis R12 of NGCatcher_CrtE, NGTag_Idi, and RKIspARK, where the multienzyme complexes were clearly observed in vivo and in vitro, and the lycopene production in vivo was 17.8-fold higher than that in the control group. The NGTag/NGCatcher system will provide new opportunities for in vivo and in vitro multienzyme catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.,College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Dengming Ming
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - He Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.,School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
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19
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A mitotic chromatin phase transition prevents perforation by microtubules. Nature 2022; 609:183-190. [PMID: 35922507 PMCID: PMC9433320 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05027-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dividing eukaryotic cells package extremely long chromosomal DNA molecules into discrete bodies to enable microtubule-mediated transport of one genome copy to each of the newly forming daughter cells1–3. Assembly of mitotic chromosomes involves DNA looping by condensin4–8 and chromatin compaction by global histone deacetylation9–13. Although condensin confers mechanical resistance to spindle pulling forces14–16, it is not known how histone deacetylation affects material properties and, as a consequence, segregation mechanics of mitotic chromosomes. Here we show how global histone deacetylation at the onset of mitosis induces a chromatin-intrinsic phase transition that endows chromosomes with the physical characteristics necessary for their precise movement during cell division. Deacetylation-mediated compaction of chromatin forms a structure dense in negative charge and allows mitotic chromosomes to resist perforation by microtubules as they are pushed to the metaphase plate. By contrast, hyperacetylated mitotic chromosomes lack a defined surface boundary, are frequently perforated by microtubules and are prone to missegregation. Our study highlights the different contributions of DNA loop formation and chromatin phase separation to genome segregation in dividing cells. Histone deacetylation at the onset of mitosis induces a chromatin-intrinsic phase transition that endows chromosomes with the physical characteristics necessary for their precise movement during cell division.
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20
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Exogenous loading of extracellular vesicles, virus-like particles, and lentiviral vectors with supercharged proteins. Commun Biol 2022; 5:485. [PMID: 35590035 PMCID: PMC9120435 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03440-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell membrane-based biovesicles (BVs) are important candidate drug delivery vehicles and comprise extracellular vesicles, virus-like particles, and lentiviral vectors. Here, we introduce a non-enzymatic assembly of purified BVs, supercharged proteins, and plasmid DNA called pDNA-scBVs. This multicomponent vehicle results from the interaction of negative sugar moieties on BVs and supercharged proteins that contain positively charged amino acids on their surface to enhance their affinity for pDNA. pDNA-scBVs were demonstrated to mediate floxed reporter activation in culture by delivering a Cre transgene. We introduced pDNA-scBVs containing both a CRE-encoding plasmid and a BV-packaged floxed reporter into the brains of Ai9 mice. Successful delivery of both payloads by pDNA-scBVs was confirmed with reporter signal in the striatal brain region. Overall, we developed a more efficient method to load isolated BVs with cargo that functionally modified recipient cells. Augmenting the natural properties of BVs opens avenues for adoptive extracellular interventions using therapeutic loaded cargo.
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21
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Guo R, Sinha NJ, Misra R, Tang Y, Langenstein M, Kim K, Fagan JA, Kloxin CJ, Jensen G, Pochan DJ, Saven JG. Computational Design of Homotetrameric Peptide Bundle Variants Spanning a Wide Range of Charge States. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:1652-1661. [PMID: 35312288 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
With the ability to design their sequences and structures, peptides can be engineered to realize a wide variety of functionalities and structures. Herein, computational design was used to identify a set of 17 peptides having a wide range of putative charge states but the same tetrameric coiled-coil bundle structure. Calculations were performed to identify suitable locations for ionizable residues (D, E, K, and R) at the bundle's exterior sites, while interior hydrophobic interactions were retained. The designed bundle structures spanned putative charge states of -32 to +32 in units of electron charge. The peptides were experimentally investigated using spectroscopic and scattering techniques. Thermal stabilities of the bundles were investigated using circular dichroism. Molecular dynamics simulations assessed structural fluctuations within the bundles. The cylindrical peptide bundles, 4 nm long by 2 nm in diameter, were covalently linked to form rigid, micron-scale polymers and characterized using transmission electron microscopy. The designed suite of sequences provides a set of readily realized nanometer-scale structures of tunable charge that can also be polymerized to yield rigid-rod polyelectrolytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nairiti J Sinha
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.,NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Rajkumar Misra
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Yao Tang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Matthew Langenstein
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Kyunghee Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Fagan
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Christopher J Kloxin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Grethe Jensen
- NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Darrin J Pochan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Jeffery G Saven
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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22
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Burger M, Kaelin S, Leroux J. The TFAMoplex-Conversion of the Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A into a DNA Transfection Agent. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104987. [PMID: 35038234 PMCID: PMC8922101 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-viral gene delivery agents, such as cationic lipids, polymers, and peptides, mainly rely on charge-based and hydrophobic interactions for the condensation of DNA molecules into nanoparticles. The human protein mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), on the other hand, has evolved to form nanoparticles with DNA through highly specific protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Here, the properties of TFAM are repurposed to create a DNA transfection agent by means of protein engineering. TFAM is covalently fused to Listeria monocytogenes phospholipase C (PLC), an enzyme that lyses lipid membranes under acidic conditions, to enable endosomal escape and human vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1), which is intended to protect the DNA from cytoplasmic defense mechanisms. The TFAM/DNA complexes (TFAMoplexes) are stabilized by cysteine point mutations introduced rationally in the TFAM homodimerization site, resulting in particles, which show maximal activity when formed in 80% serum and transfect HeLa cells in vitro after 30 min of incubation under challenging cell culture conditions. The herein developed TFAM-based DNA scaffolds combine interesting characteristics in an easy-to-use system and can be readily expanded with further protein factors. This makes the TFAMoplex a promising tool in protein-based gene delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Burger
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 3Zurich8093Switzerland
| | - Seraina Kaelin
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 3Zurich8093Switzerland
| | - Jean‐Christophe Leroux
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)Department of Chemistry and Applied BiosciencesInstitute of Pharmaceutical SciencesVladimir‐Prelog‐Weg 3Zurich8093Switzerland
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23
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Barakat S, Berksöz M, Zahedimaram P, Piepoli S, Erman B. Nanobodies as molecular imaging probes. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 182:260-275. [PMID: 35240292 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Camelidae derived single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), commonly known as nanobodies (Nbs), are the smallest antibody fragments with full antigen-binding capacity. Owing to their desirable properties such as small size, high specificity, strong affinity, excellent stability, and modularity, nanobodies are on their way to overtake conventional antibodies in terms of popularity. To date, a broad range of nanobodies have been generated against different molecular targets with applications spanning basic research, diagnostics, and therapeutics. In the field of molecular imaging, nanobody-based probes have emerged as a powerful tool. Radioactive or fluorescently labeled nanobodies are now used to detect and track many targets in different biological systems using imaging techniques. In this review, we provide an overview of the use of nanobodies as molecular probes. Additionally, we discuss current techniques for the generation, conjugation, and intracellular delivery of nanobodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Barakat
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Melike Berksöz
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Pegah Zahedimaram
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Sofia Piepoli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, 34342, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Batu Erman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bogazici University, 34342, Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey.
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24
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Ebrahimi SB, Samanta D, Kusmierz CD, Mirkin CA. Protein transfection via spherical nucleic acids. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:327-357. [PMID: 35039669 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-021-00642-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The efficient transfection of functional proteins into cells can serve as a means for regulating cellular processes toward solving fundamental challenges in biology and medicine. However, the use of proteins as effective intracellular agents is hindered by their low cellular uptake and susceptibility to degradation. Over the past 15 years, our group has been developing spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), nanoparticles functionalized with a dense radially oriented shell of nucleic acids. These structures actively enter cells and have opened new frontiers in chemical sensing, biodiagnostics and therapeutics. Recently, we have shown that proteins can be used as structurally precise and homogeneous nanoparticle cores in SNAs. The resultant protein SNAs (ProSNAs) allow previously cell-impermeable proteins to actively enter cells, exhibit high degrees of stability and activity both in cell culture and in vivo, and show enhanced pharmacokinetics. Consequently, these modular structures constitute a plug-and-play platform in which the protein core and nucleic acid shell can be independently varied to achieve a desired function. Here, we describe the synthesis of ProSNAs through the chemical modification of solvent-accessible surface residues (3-5 d). We also discuss design considerations, strategies for characterization, and applications of ProSNAs in cellular transfection, biological sensing and functional enzyme delivery in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha B Ebrahimi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Devleena Samanta
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Caroline D Kusmierz
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Chad A Mirkin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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25
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Horn JM, Obermeyer AC. Genetic and Covalent Protein Modification Strategies to Facilitate Intracellular Delivery. Biomacromolecules 2021; 22:4883-4904. [PMID: 34855385 PMCID: PMC9310055 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protein-based therapeutics represent a rapidly growing segment of approved disease treatments. Successful intracellular delivery of proteins is an important precondition for expanded in vivo and in vitro applications of protein therapeutics. Direct modification of proteins and peptides for improved cytosolic translocation are a promising method of increasing delivery efficiency and expanding the viability of intracellular protein therapeutics. In this Review, we present recent advances in both synthetic and genetic protein modifications for intracellular delivery. Active endocytosis-based and passive internalization pathways are discussed, followed by a review of modification methods for improved cytosolic delivery. After establishing how proteins can be modified, general strategies for facilitating intracellular delivery, such as chemical supercharging or inclusion of cell-penetrating motifs, are covered. We then outline protein modifications that promote endosomal escape. We finally examine the delivery of two potential classes of therapeutic proteins, antibodies and associated antibody fragments, and gene editing proteins, such as cas9.
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26
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Arunmanee W, Duangkaew M, Taweecheep P, Aphicho K, Lerdvorasap P, Pitchayakorn J, Intasuk C, Jiraratmetacon R, Syamsidi A, Chanvorachote P, Chaotham C, Pornputtapong N. Resurfacing receptor binding domain of Colicin N to enhance its cytotoxic effect on human lung cancer cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5225-5234. [PMID: 34630940 PMCID: PMC8479544 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Colicin N (ColN) is a bacteriocin secreted by Escherichia coli (E. coli) to kill other Gram-negative bacteria by forcefully generating ion channels in the inner membrane. In addition to its bactericidal activity, ColN have been reported to selectively induce apoptosis in human lung cancer cells via the suppression of integrin modulated survival pathway. However, ColN showed mild toxicity against human lung cancer cells which could be improved for further applications. The protein resurfacing strategy was chosen to engineer ColN by extensive mutagenesis at solvent-exposed residues on ColN. The highly accessible Asp and Glu on wildtype ColN (ColNWT) were replaced by Lys to create polycationic ColN (ColN+12). Previous studies have shown that increase of positive charges on proteins leads to the enhancement of mammalian cell penetration as well as increased interaction with negatively charged surface of cancer cells. Those solvent-exposed residues of ColN were identified by Rosetta and AvNAPSA (Average number of Neighboring Atoms Per Sidechain Atom) approaches. The findings revealed that the structural features and stability of ColN+12 determined by circular dichroism were similar to ColNWT. Furthermore, the toxicity of ColN+12 was cancer selective. Human lung cancer cells, H460 and H23, were sensitive to ColN but human dermal papilla cells were not. ColN+12 also showed more potent toxicity than ColNWT in cancer cells. This confirmed that polycationic resurfacing method has enabled us to improve the anticancer activity of ColN towards human lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanatchaporn Arunmanee
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Methawee Duangkaew
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pornchanok Taweecheep
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kanokpol Aphicho
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Panuwat Lerdvorasap
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jesada Pitchayakorn
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chayada Intasuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Runglada Jiraratmetacon
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Armini Syamsidi
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Tadulako University, Central Sulawesi 94118, Indonesia
| | - Pithi Chanvorachote
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Cell-based Drug and Health Products Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chatchai Chaotham
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Cell-based Drug and Health Products Development Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Natapol Pornputtapong
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Corresponding author.
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von Stockert AR, Luongo A, Langhans M, Brandstetter T, Rühe J, Meckel T, Biesalski M. Reducing Unspecific Protein Adsorption in Microfluidic Papers Using Fiber-Attached Polymer Hydrogels. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21196348. [PMID: 34640668 PMCID: PMC8512548 DOI: 10.3390/s21196348] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microfluidic paper combines pump-free water transport at low cost with a high degree of sustainability, as well as good availability of the paper-forming cellulosic material, thus making it an attractive candidate for point-of-care (POC) analytics and diagnostics. Although a number of interesting demonstrators for such paper devices have been reported to date, a number of challenges still exist, which limit a successful transfer into marketable applications. A strong limitation in this respect is the (unspecific) adsorption of protein analytes to the paper fibers during the lateral flow assay. This interaction may significantly reduce the amount of analyte that reaches the detection zone of the microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD), thereby reducing its overall sensitivity. Here, we introduce a novel approach on reducing the nonspecific adsorption of proteins to lab-made paper sheets for the use in µPADs. To this, cotton linter fibers in lab-formed additive-free paper sheets are modified with a surrounding thin hydrogel layer generated from photo-crosslinked, benzophenone functionalized copolymers based on poly-(oligo-ethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) and poly-dimethyl acrylamide (PDMAA). This, as we show in tests similar to lateral flow assays, significantly reduces unspecific binding of model proteins. Furthermore, by evaporating the transport fluid during the microfluidic run at the end of the paper strip through local heating, model proteins can almost quantitatively be accumulated in that zone. The possibility of complete, almost quantitative protein transport in a µPAD opens up new opportunities to significantly improve the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of paper-based lateral flow assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ritter von Stockert
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry (MAP), Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (A.R.v.S.); (M.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Anna Luongo
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces, Institute for Microsystems Technology, Technical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (A.L.); (T.B.)
| | - Markus Langhans
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry (MAP), Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (A.R.v.S.); (M.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Thomas Brandstetter
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces, Institute for Microsystems Technology, Technical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (A.L.); (T.B.)
| | - Jürgen Rühe
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Physics of Interfaces, Institute for Microsystems Technology, Technical Faculty, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany; (A.L.); (T.B.)
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Tobias Meckel
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry (MAP), Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (A.R.v.S.); (M.L.); (T.M.)
| | - Markus Biesalski
- Laboratory of Macromolecular Chemistry and Paper Chemistry (MAP), Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany; (A.R.v.S.); (M.L.); (T.M.)
- Correspondence: (J.R.); (M.B.)
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Knox S, Wissner R, Piszkiewicz S, Schepartz A. Cytosolic Delivery of Argininosuccinate Synthetase Using a Cell-Permeant Miniature Protein. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:641-649. [PMID: 34056094 PMCID: PMC8155463 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Citrullinemia type I (CTLN-I) results from the absence or deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase (AS), a 46 kDa enzyme that acts in the cytosol of hepatocytes to convert aspartic acid and citrulline into argininosuccinic acid. AS is an essential component of the urea cycle, and its absence or deficiency results in the harmful accumulation of ammonia in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. No disease-modifying treatment of CTLN-I exists. Here we report that the cell-permeant miniature protein (CPMP) ZF5.3 (ZF) can deliver AS to the cytosol of cells in culture and the livers of healthy mice. The fusion protein ZF-AS is catalytically active in vitro, stabilized in plasma, and traffics successfully to the cytosol of cultured Saos-2 and SK-HEP-1 cells, achieving cytosolic concentrations greater than 100 nM. This value is 3-10-fold higher than the concentration of endogenous AS (11 ± 1 to 44 ± 5 nM). When injected into healthy C57BL/6 mice, ZF-AS reaches the mouse liver to establish concentrations almost 200 nM above baseline. These studies demonstrate that ZF5.3 can deliver a complex enzyme to the cytosol at therapeutically relevant concentrations and support its application as an improved delivery vehicle for therapeutic proteins that function in the cytosol, including enzyme replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan
L. Knox
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Rebecca Wissner
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Samantha Piszkiewicz
- Department
of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department
of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- California
Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- E-mail:
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29
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Arafiles JVV, Hirose H, Hirai Y, Kuriyama M, Sakyiamah MM, Nomura W, Sonomura K, Imanishi M, Otaka A, Tamamura H, Futaki S. Discovery of a Macropinocytosis‐Inducing Peptide Potentiated by Medium‐Mediated Intramolecular Disulfide Formation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202016754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hisaaki Hirose
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Yusuke Hirai
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Masashi Kuriyama
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Maxwell Mamfe Sakyiamah
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
| | - Wataru Nomura
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
- Current address: Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku Hiroshima 734-8553 Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sonomura
- Center for Genomic Medicine Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University Kyoto 606-8501 Japan
- Life Science Research Center, Technology Research Laboratory Shimadzu Corporation Kyoto 604-8445 Japan
| | - Miki Imanishi
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Akira Otaka
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tokushima University Tokushima 770-8505 Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tamamura
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
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30
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Arafiles JVV, Hirose H, Hirai Y, Kuriyama M, Sakyiamah MM, Nomura W, Sonomura K, Imanishi M, Otaka A, Tamamura H, Futaki S. Discovery of a Macropinocytosis‐Inducing Peptide Potentiated by Medium‐Mediated Intramolecular Disulfide Formation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:11928-11936. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.202016754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hisaaki Hirose
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Yusuke Hirai
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Masashi Kuriyama
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Maxwell Mamfe Sakyiamah
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
| | - Wataru Nomura
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
- Current address: Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences Hiroshima University 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku Hiroshima 734-8553 Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Sonomura
- Center for Genomic Medicine Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University Kyoto 606-8501 Japan
- Life Science Research Center, Technology Research Laboratory Shimadzu Corporation Kyoto 604-8445 Japan
| | - Miki Imanishi
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Akira Otaka
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tokushima University Tokushima 770-8505 Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tamamura
- Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering Tokyo Medical and Dental University 2-3-10 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0062 Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Gokasho Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
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31
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Pannecoucke E, Van Trimpont M, Desmet J, Pieters T, Reunes L, Demoen L, Vuylsteke M, Loverix S, Vandenbroucke K, Alard P, Henderikx P, Deroo S, Baatz F, Lorent E, Thiolloy S, Somers K, McGrath Y, Van Vlierberghe P, Lasters I, Savvides SN. Cell-penetrating Alphabody protein scaffolds for intracellular drug targeting. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/13/eabe1682. [PMID: 33771865 PMCID: PMC7997521 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe1682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic scope of antibody and nonantibody protein scaffolds is still prohibitively limited against intracellular drug targets. Here, we demonstrate that the Alphabody scaffold can be engineered into a cell-penetrating protein antagonist against induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein MCL-1, an intracellular target in cancer, by grafting the critical B-cell lymphoma 2 homology 3 helix of MCL-1 onto the Alphabody and tagging the scaffold's termini with designed cell-penetration polypeptides. Introduction of an albumin-binding moiety extended the serum half-life of the engineered Alphabody to therapeutically relevant levels, and administration thereof in mouse tumor xenografts based on myeloma cell lines reduced tumor burden. Crystal structures of such a designed Alphabody in complex with MCL-1 and serum albumin provided the structural blueprint of the applied design principles. Collectively, we provide proof of concept for the use of Alphabodies against intracellular disease mediators, which, to date, have remained in the realm of small-molecule therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin Pannecoucke
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maaike Van Trimpont
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tim Pieters
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lindy Reunes
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Demoen
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Savvas N Savvides
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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32
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Soares BP, Santos JH, Martins M, Almeida MR, Santos NV, Freire MG, Santos-Ebinuma VC, Coutinho JA, Pereira JF, Ventura SP. Purification of green fluorescent protein using fast centrifugal partition chromatography. Sep Purif Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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33
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Anson F, Kanjilal P, Thayumanavan S, Hardy JA. Tracking exogenous intracellular casp-3 using split GFP. Protein Sci 2021; 30:366-380. [PMID: 33165988 PMCID: PMC7784757 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cytosolic protein delivery promises diverse applications from therapeutics, to genetic modification and precision research tools. To achieve effective cellular and subcellular delivery, approaches that allow protein visualization and accurate localization with greater sensitivity are essential. Fluorescently tagging proteins allows detection, tracking and visualization in cellulo. However, undesired consequences from fluorophores or fluorescent protein tags, such as nonspecific interactions and high background or perturbation to native protein's size and structure, are frequently observed, or more troublingly, overlooked. Distinguishing cytosolically released molecules from those that are endosomally entrapped upon cellular uptake is particularly challenging and is often complicated by the inherent pH-sensitive and hydrophobic properties of the fluorophore. Monitoring localization is more complex in delivery of proteins with inherent protein-modifying activities like proteases, transacetylases, kinases, etc. Proteases are among the toughest cargos due to their inherent propensity for self-proteolysis. To implement a reliable, but functionally silent, tagging technology in a protease, we have developed a caspase-3 variant tagged with the 11th strand of GFP that retains both enzymatic activity and structural characteristics of wild-type caspase-3. Only in the presence of cytosolic GFP strands 1-10 will the tagged caspase-3 generate fluorescence to signal a non-endosomal location. This methodology facilitates easy screening of cytosolic vs. endosomally-entrapped proteins due to low probabilities for false positive results, and further, allows tracking of the resultant cargo's translocation. The development of this tagged casp-3 cytosolic reporter lays the foundation to probe caspase therapeutic properties, charge-property relationships governing successful escape, and the precise number of caspases required for apoptotic cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Anson
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Pintu Kanjilal
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - S. Thayumanavan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery at the Institute for Applied Life SciencesUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jeanne A. Hardy
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- The Center for Bioactive Delivery at the Institute for Applied Life SciencesUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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34
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The Development of Antisense RNA Treatments Using Engineered Protein Substrates. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1339:47-49. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-78787-5_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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35
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Congdon MD, Gildersleeve JC. Enhanced Binding and Reduced Immunogenicity of Glycoconjugates Prepared via Solid-State Photoactivation of Aliphatic Diazirine Carbohydrates. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 32:133-142. [PMID: 33325683 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biological conjugation is an important tool employed for many basic research and clinical applications. While useful, common methods of biological conjugation suffer from a variety of limitations, such as (a) requiring the presence of specific surface-exposed residues, such as lysines or cysteines, (b) reducing protein activity, and/or (c) reducing protein stability and solubility. Use of photoreactive moieties including diazirines, azides, and benzophenones provide an alternative, mild approach to conjugation. Upon irradiation with UV and visible light, these functionalities generate highly reactive carbenes, nitrenes, and radical intermediates. Many of these will couple to proteins in a non-amino-acid-specific manner. The main hurdle for photoactivated biological conjugation is very low yield. In this study, we developed a solid-state method to increase conjugation efficiency of diazirine-containing carbohydrates to proteins. Using this methodology, we produced multivalent carbohydrate-protein conjugates with unaltered protein charge and secondary structure. Compared to carbohydrate conjugates prepared with amide linkages to lysine residues using standard NHS conjugation, the photoreactive prepared conjugates displayed up to 100-fold improved binding to lectins and diminished immunogenicity in mice. These results indicate that photoreactive bioconjugation could be especially useful for in vivo applications, such as lectin targeting, where high binding affinity and low immunogenicity are desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly D Congdon
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Jeffrey C Gildersleeve
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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36
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Soetens E, Ballegeer M, Saelens X. An Inside Job: Applications of Intracellular Single Domain Antibodies. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10121663. [PMID: 33322697 PMCID: PMC7764588 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sera of camelid species contain a special kind of antibody that consists only of heavy chains. The variable antigen binding domain of these heavy chain antibodies can be expressed as a separate entity, called a single domain antibody that is characterized by its small size, high solubility and oftentimes exceptional stability. Because of this, most single domain antibodies fold correctly when expressed in the reducing environment of the cytoplasm, and thereby retain their antigen binding specificity. Single domain antibodies can thus be used to target a broad range of intracellular proteins. Such intracellular single domain antibodies are also known as intrabodies, and have proven to be highly useful tools for basic research by allowing visualization, disruption and even targeted degradation of intracellular proteins. Furthermore, intrabodies can be used to uncover prospective new therapeutic targets and have the potential to be applied in therapeutic settings in the future. In this review we provide a brief overview of recent advances in the field of intracellular single domain antibodies, focusing on their use as research tools and potential therapeutic applications. Special attention is given to the available methods that allow delivery of single domain antibodies into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Soetens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; (E.S.); (M.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
Proteinaceous liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurs when a polypeptide coalesces into a dense phase to form a liquid droplet (i.e., condensate) in aqueous solution. In vivo, functional protein-based condensates are often referred to as membraneless organelles (MLOs), which have roles in cellular processes ranging from stress responses to regulation of gene expression. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins containing seed maturation protein domains (SMP; PF04927) have been linked to storage tolerance of orthodox seeds. The mechanism by which anhydrobiotic longevity is improved is unknown. Interestingly, the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana is the only animal known to express such a protein (AfrLEA6) in its anhydrobiotic embryos. Ectopic expression of AfrLEA6 (AWM11684) in insect cells improves their desiccation tolerance and a fraction of the protein is sequestered into MLOs, while aqueous AfrLEA6 raises the viscosity of the cytoplasm. LLPS of AfrLEA6 is driven by the SMP domain, while the size of formed MLOs is regulated by a domain predicted to engage in protein binding. AfrLEA6 condensates formed in vitro selectively incorporate target proteins based on their surface charge, while cytoplasmic MLOs formed in AfrLEA6-transfected insect cells behave like stress granules. We suggest that AfrLEA6 promotes desiccation tolerance by engaging in two distinct molecular mechanisms: by raising cytoplasmic viscosity at even modest levels of water loss to promote cell integrity during drying and by forming condensates that may act as protective compartments for desiccation-sensitive proteins. Identifying and understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern anhydrobiosis will lead to significant advancements in preserving biological samples.
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38
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Knox SL, Steinauer A, Alpha-Cobb G, Trexler A, Rhoades E, Schepartz A. Quantification of protein delivery in live cells using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Methods Enzymol 2020; 641:477-505. [PMID: 32713536 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a quantitative single-molecule method that measures the concentration and rate of diffusion of fluorophore-tagged molecules, both large and small, in vitro and within live cells, and even within discrete cellular compartments. FCS is exceptionally well-suited to directly quantify the efficiency of intracellular protein delivery-specifically, how well different "cell-penetrating" proteins and peptides guide proteinaceous materials into the cytosol and nuclei of live mammalian cells. This article provides an overview of the procedures necessary to execute robust FCS experiments and evaluate endosomal escape efficiencies: preparation of fluorophore-tagged proteins, incubation with mammalian cells and preparation of FCS samples, setup and execution of an FCS experiment, and a detailed discussion of and custom MATLAB® script for analyzing the resulting autocorrelation curves in the context of appropriate diffusion models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Knox
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Garrett Alpha-Cobb
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Adam Trexler
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Elizabeth Rhoades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States.
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Kardani K, Bolhassani A, Agi E, Hashemi A. B1 protein: a novel cell penetrating protein for in vitro and in vivo delivery of HIV-1 multi-epitope DNA constructs. Biotechnol Lett 2020; 42:1847-1863. [PMID: 32449070 PMCID: PMC7246087 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-020-02918-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Enhancement of the potential ability of biomacromolecules to cross cell membranes is a critical step for development of effective therapeutic vaccine especially DNA vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. The supercharged proteins were known as powerful weapons for delivery of different types of cargoes such as DNA and protein. Hence, we applied B1 protein with + 43 net charges obtained from a single frameshift in the gene encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) for delivery of two multi-epitope DNA constructs (nef-vpu-gp160-p24 and nef-vif-gp160-p24) in vitro and in vivo for the first time. For this purpose, B1 protein was generated in bacterial expression system under native conditions, and used to interact with both DNA constructs. Results Our data indicated that B1 protein (~ 27 kDa) was able to form a stable nanoparticle (~ 80–110 nm) with both DNA constructs at nitrogen: phosphate (N: P) ratio of 1:1. Moreover, the transfection efficiency of B1 protein for DNA delivery into HEK-293T cell line indicated that the cellular uptake of nef-vif-gp160-p24 DNA/ B1 and nef-vpu-gp160-p24 DNA/ B1 nanoparticles was about 32–35% with lower intensity as compared to TurboFect commercial reagent. On the other hand, immunization of BALB/c mice with different modalities demonstrated that B1 protein could enhance the levels of antibody, IFN-gamma and Granzyme B eliciting potent and strong Th1-directed cellular immunity. Conclusion Generally, our findings showed the potency of B1 protein as a promising gene delivery system to improve an effective therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Elnaz Agi
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Hashemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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40
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Ma C, Malessa A, Boersma AJ, Liu K, Herrmann A. Supercharged Proteins and Polypeptides. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e1905309. [PMID: 31943419 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201905309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrostatic interactions play a vital role in nature. Biomacromolecules such as proteins are orchestrated by electrostatics, among other intermolecular forces, to assemble and organize biochemistry. Natural proteins with a high net charge exist in a folded state or are unstructured and can be an inspiration for scientists to artificially supercharge other protein entities. Recent findings show that supercharging proteins allows for control of their properties such as temperature resistance and catalytic activity. One elegant method to transfer the favorable properties of supercharged proteins to other proteins is the fabrication of fusions. Genetically engineered, supercharged unstructured polypeptides (SUPs) are just one promising fusion tool. SUPs can also be complexed with artificial entities to yield thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals and liquids. These architectures represent novel bulk materials that are sensitive to external stimuli. Interestingly, SUPs undergo fluid-fluid phase separation to form coacervates. These coacervates can even be directly generated in living cells or can be combined with dissipative fiber assemblies that induce life-like features. Supercharged proteins and SUPs are developed into exciting classes of materials. Their synthesis, structures, and properties are summarized. Moreover, potential applications are highlighted and challenges are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Malessa
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Arnold J Boersma
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
- DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, 52056, Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Pan S, Jeon T, Luther DC, Duan X, Rotello VM. Cytosolic Delivery of Functional Proteins In Vitro through Tunable Gigahertz Acoustics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:15823-15829. [PMID: 32150373 PMCID: PMC7392053 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b21131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular delivery is essential to therapeutic applications such as genome engineering and disease diagnosis. Current methods lack simple, noninvasive strategies and are often hindered by long incubation time or high toxicity. Hydrodynamic approaches offer rapid and controllable delivery of small molecules, but thus far have not been demonstrated for delivering functional proteins. In this work, we developed a robust hydrodynamic approach based on gigahertz (GHz) acoustics to achieve rapid and noninvasive cytosolic delivery of biologically active proteins. With this method, GHz-based acoustic devices trigger oscillations through a liquid medium (acoustic streaming), generating shear stress on the cell membrane and inducing transient nanoporation. This mechanical effect enhances membrane permeability and enables cytosolic access to cationic proteins without disturbing their bioactivity. We evaluated the versatility of this approach through the delivery of cationic fluorescent proteins to a range of cell lines, all of which displayed equally efficient delivery speed (≤20 min). Delivery of multiple enzymatically active proteins with functionality related to apoptosis or genetic recombination further demonstrated the relevance of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Pan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, College of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Taewon Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 710 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, United States
| | - David C. Luther
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Xuexin Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology & Instruments, College of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Corresponding Author, . Tel./Fax: +86 2227401002 (X.D.)
| | - Vincent M. Rotello
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 710 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Corresponding Author, . Tel./Fax: +86 2227401002 (X.D.)
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Zhu X, Tang R, Wang S, Chen X, Hu J, Lei C, Huang Y, Wang H, Nie Z, Yao S. Protein@Inorganic Nanodumpling System for High-Loading Protein Delivery with Activatable Fluorescence and Magnetic Resonance Bimodal Imaging Capabilities. ACS NANO 2020; 14:2172-2182. [PMID: 31990525 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b09024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Efficient protein delivery into the target cell is highly desirable for protein therapeutics. Current approaches for protein delivery commonly suffer from low-loading protein capacity, poor specificity for target cells, and invisible protein release. Herein, we report a protein@inorganic nanodumpling (ND) system as an intracellular protein delivery platform. Similar to a traditional Chinese food, the dumpling, ND consists of a protein complex "filling" formed by metal-ion-directed self-assembly of protein cargos fused to histidine-rich green fluorescent proteins (H39GFPs), which are further encapsulated by an external surface "wrapper" of manganese dioxide (MnO2) via in situ biomineralization. This ND structure allows for a high loading capacity (>63 wt %) for protein cargos with enhanced stability. NDs can be targeted and internalized into cancer cells specifically through folic acid receptors by surface-tailored folic acid. The protein cargo release is in a bistimuli-responsive manner, triggered by an either reductive or acidic intracellular microenvironment. Moreover, the MnO2 nanowrapper is an efficient fluorescence quencher for inner fused GFPs and also a "switch-on" magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agent via triggered release of Mn2+ ions, which enables activatable fluorescence/MRI bimodal imaging of protein release. Finally, the ND is highly potent and specific to deliver functional protein ribonuclease A (RNase A) into cultured target cells and the tumor site in a xenografted mouse model, eliminating the tumor cells with high therapeutic efficacy. Our approach provides a promising alternative to advance protein-based cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Hunan Normal University , Changsha 410081 , P. R. China
| | - Rui Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Shigong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Xiaoye Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Hu
- College of Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Chunyang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Honghui Wang
- College of Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Zhou Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
| | - Shouzhuo Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology , Hunan University , Changsha 410082 , P. R. China
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43
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Vahabpour R, Basimi P, Roohvand F, Asadi H, Irani GM, Zabihollahi R, Bolhassani A. Anti-viral Effects of Superpositively Charged Mutant of Green Fluorescent Protein. Protein Pept Lett 2020; 26:930-939. [PMID: 31441722 DOI: 10.2174/0929866526666190823145916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supercharged GFP proteins were known as effective carriers for delivery of macromolecules into eukaryotic cells as well as fluorescent fusion tags for in vitro and in vivo detection. OBJECTIVE Herein, anti-viral effects of +36 GFP and its anti-tumor effects were studied in vitro and in vivo, respectively. METHODS We evaluated anti-HIV, anti-HSV, and anti-HCV effects of +36 GFP in vitro using ELISA, and real time PCR as common techniques for their detection, respectively. Moreover, we assessed the role of +36 GFP for eliciting HPV-related anti-tumor effects in mice due to the lack of HPV replication in vitro. RESULTS Our data showed that +36 GFP efficiently enter the cells and augment the transfection rate of HPV16E7 antigen, as well. Furthermore, +36 GFP significantly reduced HCV, HIV and HSV replication up to 75%, 49% and 43% in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells, HIV-infected Hela cells and HSV-infected Vero cells, respectively. On the other hand, mice immunization with +36 GFP complexed with HPV16 E7 antigen (+36GFP + E7) or fused to HPV16 E7 antigen (+36GFP-E7) elicited a higher Th1 cellular immune response with the predominant IgG2a, IgG2b, IFN-γ and Granzyme B levels than those induced by other groups. These regimens protected mice against TC- 1 tumor challenge (~ 67%) compared to E7 protein alone (~ 33%). These data suggested that +36 GFP can act as an anti-viral agent at certain dose due to its high efficiency in cell penetration in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION Generally, +36 GFP targets viral replication in vitro as well as helps to suppress the growth of HPV-related tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rouhollah Vahabpour
- Department of Medical Lab Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences; Tehran, Iran
| | - Parya Basimi
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Asadi
- Deputy of Research, Technology and Education, Research Section, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholnaz M Irani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rezvan Zabihollahi
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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44
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Deng H, Yan S, Huang Y, Lei C, Nie Z. Design strategies for fluorescent proteins/mimics and their applications in biosensing and bioimaging. Trends Analyt Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.115757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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45
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Electromigration of cell surface macromolecules in DC electric fields during cell polarization and galvanotaxis. J Theor Biol 2019; 478:58-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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46
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Xiao W, Green TIP, Liang X, Delint RC, Perry G, Roberts MS, Le Vay K, Back CR, Ascione R, Wang H, Race PR, Perriman AW. Designer artificial membrane binding proteins to direct stem cells to the myocardium. Chem Sci 2019; 10:7610-7618. [PMID: 31588312 PMCID: PMC6764276 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc02650a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a new cell membrane modification methodology where the inherent heart tissue homing properties of the infectious bacteria Streptococcus gordonii are transferred to human stem cells. This is achieved via the rational design of a chimeric protein-polymer surfactant cell membrane binding construct, comprising the cardiac fibronectin (Fn) binding domain of the bacterial adhesin protein CshA fused to a supercharged protein. Significantly, the protein-polymer surfactant hybrid spontaneously inserts into the plasma membrane of stem cells without cytotoxicity, instilling the cells with a high affinity for immobilized fibronectin. Moreover, we show that this cell membrane reengineering approach significantly improves retention and homing of stem cells delivered either intracardially or intravenously to the myocardium in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Xiao
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK .
| | - Thomas I P Green
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK .
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials , University of Bristol , BS8 1FD , UK
| | - Xiaowen Liang
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute , The University of Queensland , Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba , QLD 4102 , Australia
| | - Rosalia Cuahtecontzi Delint
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK .
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials , University of Bristol , BS8 1FD , UK
| | - Guillaume Perry
- Sorbonne Université , Laboratoire d'Electronique et d'Electromagnétisme, L2E , F-75005 , Paris , France
| | - Michael S Roberts
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute , The University of Queensland , Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba , QLD 4102 , Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Science , University of South Australia , Adelaide , SA 5001 , Australia
| | - Kristian Le Vay
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK .
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials , University of Bristol , BS8 1FD , UK
| | - Catherine R Back
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre , University of Bristol , BS8 1TQ , UK
| | - Raimomdo Ascione
- Translational Biomedical Research Centre and Bristol Heart Institute , University of Bristol , Bristol , UK
| | - Haolu Wang
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute , The University of Queensland , Translational Research Institute , Woolloongabba , QLD 4102 , Australia
| | - Paul R Race
- School of Biochemistry , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre , University of Bristol , BS8 1TQ , UK
| | - Adam W Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine , University of Bristol , BS8 1TD , UK .
- BrisSynBio Synthetic Biology Research Centre , University of Bristol , BS8 1TQ , UK
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47
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Govindaraj V, Ungati H, Jakka SR, Bose S, Mugesh G. Directing Traffic: Halogen‐Bond‐Mediated Membrane Transport. Chemistry 2019; 25:11180-11192. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201902243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vijayakumar Govindaraj
- Department of Inorganic & Physical ChemistryIndian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Harinarayana Ungati
- Department of Inorganic & Physical ChemistryIndian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Surendar R. Jakka
- Department of Inorganic & Physical ChemistryIndian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Sritama Bose
- Department of Inorganic & Physical ChemistryIndian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Govindasamy Mugesh
- Department of Inorganic & Physical ChemistryIndian Institute of Science Bangalore 560012 India
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48
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Du F, Kruziki MA, Zudock EJ, Zhang Y, Lown PS, Hackel BJ. Engineering an EGFR-binding Gp2 domain for increased hydrophilicity. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:526-535. [PMID: 30536855 PMCID: PMC6358468 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Gp2 domain is a 45 amino-acid scaffold that has been evolved for specific, high-affinity binding towards multiple targets and was proven useful in molecular imaging and biological antagonism. It was hypothesized that Gp2 may benefit from increased hydrophilicity for improved physiological distribution as well as for physicochemical robustness. We identified seven exposed hydrophobic sites for hydrophilic mutations and experimentally evaluated single mutants, which yielded six mutations that do not substantially hinder expression, binding affinity or specificity (to epidermal growth factor receptor), and thermal stability. Eight combinations of these mutations improved hydrophilicity relative to the parental Gp2 clone as assessed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (p < 0.05). Secondary structures and refolding abilities of the selected single mutants and all multimutants were unchanged relative to the parental ligand. A variant with five hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic mutations was identified with enhanced solubility as well as reasonable binding affinity ( K d = 53-63 nM), recombinant yield (1.3 ± 0.8 mg/L), and thermal stability ( T m = 53 ± 3°C). An alternative variant with a cluster of three leucine-to-hydrophilic mutations was identified with increased solubility, nominally increased binding affinity ( K d = 13-28 nM) and reasonable thermal stability ( T m = 54.0 ± 0.6°C) but reduced yield (0.4 ± 0.3 mg/L). In addition, a ≥7°C increase in the midpoint of thermal denaturation was observed in one of the single mutants (T21N). These mutants highlight the physicochemical tradeoffs associated with hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic mutation within a small protein, improve the solubility and hydrophilicity of an existent molecular imaging probe, and provide a more hydrophilic starting point for discovery of new Gp2 ligands towards additional targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifan Du
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Max A Kruziki
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Elizabeth J Zudock
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Patrick S Lown
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Benjamin J Hackel
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Abstract
Inherited retinal degeneration (IRD), a group of rare retinal diseases that primarily lead to the progressive loss of retinal photoreceptor cells, can be inherited in all modes of inheritance: autosomal dominant (AD), autosomal recessive (AR), X-linked (XL), and mitochondrial. Based on the pattern of inheritance of the dystrophy, retinal gene therapy has 2 main strategies. AR, XL, and AD IRDs with haploinsufficiency can be treated by inserting a functional copy of the gene using either viral or nonviral vectors (gene augmentation). Different types of viral vectors and nonviral vectors are used to transfer plasmid DNA both in vitro and in vivo. AD IRDs with gain-of-function mutations or dominant-negative mutations can be treated by disrupting the mutant allele with (and occasionally without) gene augmentation. This review article aims to provide an overview of ocular gene therapy for treating IRDs using gene augmentation with viral or nonviral vectors or gene disruption through different gene-editing tools, especially with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirmohsen Arbabi
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amelia Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Hossein Ameri
- Department of Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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50
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Steinauer A, LaRochelle JR, Knox SL, Wissner RF, Berry S, Schepartz A. HOPS-dependent endosomal fusion required for efficient cytosolic delivery of therapeutic peptides and small proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:512-521. [PMID: 30610181 PMCID: PMC6329960 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1812044116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein therapeutics represent a significant and growing component of the modern pharmacopeia, but their potential to treat human disease is limited because most proteins fail to traffic across biological membranes. Recently, we discovered a class of cell-permeant miniature proteins (CPMPs) containing a precisely defined, penta-arginine (penta-Arg) motif that traffics readily to the cytosol and nucleus of mammalian cells with efficiencies that rival those of hydrocarbon-stapled peptides active in animals and man. Like many cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), CPMPs enter the endocytic pathway; the difference is that CPMPs containing a penta-Arg motif are released efficiently from endosomes, while other CPPs are not. Here, we seek to understand how CPMPs traffic from endosomes into the cytosol and what factors contribute to the efficiency of endosomal release. First, using two complementary cell-based assays, we exclude endosomal rupture as the primary means of endosomal escape. Next, using an RNA interference screen, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, and confocal imaging, we identify VPS39-a gene encoding a subunit of the homotypic fusion and protein-sorting (HOPS) complex-as a critical determinant in the trafficking of CPMPs and hydrocarbon-stapled peptides to the cytosol. Although CPMPs neither inhibit nor activate HOPS function, HOPS activity is essential to efficiently deliver CPMPs to the cytosol. CPMPs localize within the lumen of Rab7+ and Lamp1+ endosomes and their transport requires HOPS activity. Overall, our results identify Lamp1+ late endosomes and lysosomes as portals for passing proteins into the cytosol and suggest that this environment is prerequisite for endosomal escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Steinauer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8107
| | - Jonathan R LaRochelle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103
| | - Susan L Knox
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8107
| | | | - Samuel Berry
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114
| | - Alanna Schepartz
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8107;
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103
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