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Obsilova V, Obsil T. Look for the Scaffold: Multifaceted Regulation of Enzyme Activity by 14-3-3 Proteins. Physiol Res 2024; 73:S401-S412. [PMID: 38647170 PMCID: PMC11412345 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzyme activity is regulated by several mechanisms, including phosphorylation. Phosphorylation is a key signal transduction process in all eukaryotic cells and is thus crucial for virtually all cellular processes. In addition to its direct effect on protein structure, phosphorylation also affects protein-protein interactions, such as binding to scaffolding 14-3-3 proteins, which selectively recognize phosphorylated motifs. These interactions then modulate the catalytic activity, cellular localisation and interactions of phosphorylated enzymes through different mechanisms. The aim of this mini-review is to highlight several examples of 14-3-3 protein-dependent mechanisms of enzyme regulation previously studied in our laboratory over the past decade. More specifically, we address here the regulation of the human enzymes ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2, procaspase-2, calcium-calmodulin dependent kinases CaMKK1/2, and death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) and yeast neutral trehalase Nth1.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Obsilova
- Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic. or
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2
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Amason ME, Li L, Harvest CK, Lacey CA, Miao EA. Validation of the Intermolecular Disulfide Bond in Caspase-2. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:49. [PMID: 38248479 PMCID: PMC10813798 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Caspases are a family of proteins involved in cell death. Although several caspase members have been well characterized, caspase-2 remains enigmatic. Caspase-2 has been implicated in several phenotypes, but there has been no consensus in the field about its upstream activating signals or its downstream protein targets. In addition, the unique ability of caspase-2 to form a disulfide-bonded dimer has not been studied in depth. Herein, we investigate the disulfide bond in the context of inducible dimerization, showing that disulfide bond formation is dimerization dependent. We also explore and review several stimuli published in the caspase-2 field, test ferroptosis-inducing stimuli, and study in vivo infection models. We hypothesize that the disulfide bond will ultimately prove to be essential for the evolved function of caspase-2. Proving this will require the discovery of cell death phenotypes where caspase-2 is definitively essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Amason
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lupeng Li
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carissa K. Harvest
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carolyn A. Lacey
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Edward A. Miao
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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3
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Pockes S, Walters MA, Ashe KH. Targeting caspase-2 interactions with tau in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Transl Res 2023; 254:34-40. [PMID: 36343883 PMCID: PMC9991976 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Targeting amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles has failed to provide effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). A more fruitful pathway to ADRD therapeutics may be the development of therapies that target common signaling pathways that disrupt synaptic connections and impede communication between neurons. In this review, we present our characterization of a signaling pathway common to several neurological diseases featuring dementia including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Huntington's disease. This signaling pathway features the cleavage of tau by caspase-2 (Casp2) yielding Δtau314 (Casp2/tau/Δtau314). Through a not yet fully delineated mechanism, Δtau314 catalyzes the mislocalization and accumulation of tau to dendritic spines leading to the internalization of AMPA receptors and the concomitant weakening of synaptic transmission. Here, we review the accumulated evidence supporting Casp2 as a druggable target and its importance in ADRD. Additionally, we provide a brief overview of our initial medicinal chemistry explorations aimed at the preparation of novel, brain penetrant Casp2 inhibitors. We anticipate that this review will spark broader interest in Casp2 as a target for restoring synaptic dysfunction in ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Michael A Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
| | - Karen H Ashe
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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4
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Conjunctival epitheliopathy induced by topical exposure to bacterial peptidoglycan, muramyl dipeptide. Exp Eye Res 2023; 227:109383. [PMID: 36634837 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Noninfectious exudative conjunctivitis can be experimentally produced in rabbits by application of the apoptogenic bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan, muramyl dipeptide (MDP) to the ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute conjunctival cytopathology induced by unilateral ocular surface exposure to MDP. Hematoxylin and eosin staining assessed bilateral tear cytopathology and conjunctival histopathology. The caspases levels in conjunctival tissue and tears were measured in standard assays utilizing p-nitroanaline tagged caspase-specific substrates. Immunofluorescent antibody identified intracellular caspase-3, nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG; 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) in tear and conjunctiva cells. DNA extracted from conjunctival tissues and pooled tear fluids were visualized by ethydium bromide agarose gel electrophoresis. Onset of ipsilateral conjunctivitis was due to an epitheliopathy characterized by loss of conjunctival epithelial cell adherence, exuviation of conjunctival epithelial cells, and neutrophil infiltration. Caspase-3 levels were significantly higher in exuviated cells in ipsilateral than contralateral tear (p's ≤ 0.001) collected at 3-5 h post MDP. Significantly higher caspase-2, -3, -6, -8 and -9 (p's ≤ 0.03) levels were detected in ipsilateral than contralateral conjunctival tissue at 5 h. Polymeric DNA was detected in ipsilateral but not contralateral conjunctival tissue and tears. Caspase-3, NF-κβ, and 8-OHdG positive neutrophils were detected in bilateral conjunctiva and tear. The caspase-3/NF-κβ epithelial cells and polymeric DNA in conjunctival tissue and shedding of caspase positive cells and polymeric DNA into ipsilateral tears support MDP induction of acute programmed cell death in vivo. The results suggest that ipsilateral exudative conjunctivitis is due to acute caspase-mediated conjunctival epitheliopathy induced by topical exposure to the bacterial peptidoglycan MDP.
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5
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Fei Z, Fei F, Huan Y, Wu XQ, Chen T, Dou YN, Jia B, He X, Wei DY. Necroptosis plays a crucial role in the exacerbation of retinal injury after blunt ocular trauma. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:922-928. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.353848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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6
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Weiss JG, Gallob F, Rieder P, Villunger A. Apoptosis as a Barrier against CIN and Aneuploidy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010030. [PMID: 36612027 PMCID: PMC9817872 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy is the gain or loss of entire chromosomes, chromosome arms or fragments. Over 100 years ago, aneuploidy was described to be a feature of cancer and is now known to be present in 68-90% of malignancies. Aneuploidy promotes cancer growth, reduces therapy response and frequently worsens prognosis. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is recognized as the main cause of aneuploidy. CIN itself is a dynamic but stochastic process consisting of different DNA content-altering events. These can include impaired replication fidelity and insufficient clearance of DNA damage as well as chromosomal mis-segregation, micronuclei formation, chromothripsis or cytokinesis failure. All these events can disembogue in segmental, structural and numerical chromosome alterations. While low levels of CIN can foster malignant disease, high levels frequently trigger cell death, which supports the "aneuploidy paradox" that refers to the intrinsically negative impact of a highly aberrant karyotype on cellular fitness. Here, we review how the cellular response to CIN and aneuploidy can drive the clearance of karyotypically unstable cells through the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, we discuss the different modes of p53 activation triggered in response to mitotic perturbations that can potentially trigger CIN and/or aneuploidy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes G. Weiss
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Paediatrics I, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Filip Gallob
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Rieder
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Villunger
- Institute for Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43–512-9003-70380; Fax: +43–512-9003-73960
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7
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Bosc E, Anastasie J, Soualmia F, Coric P, Kim JY, Wang LQ, Lacin G, Zhao K, Patel R, Duplus E, Tixador P, Sproul AA, Brugg B, Reboud-Ravaux M, Troy CM, Shelanski ML, Bouaziz S, Karin M, El Amri C, Jacotot ED. Genuine selective caspase-2 inhibition with new irreversible small peptidomimetics. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:959. [PMID: 36379916 PMCID: PMC9666555 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05396-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Caspase-2 (Casp2) is a promising therapeutic target in several human diseases, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the design of an active-site-directed inhibitor selective to individual caspase family members is challenging because caspases have extremely similar active sites. Here we present new peptidomimetics derived from the VDVAD pentapeptide structure, harboring non-natural modifications at the P2 position and an irreversible warhead. Enzyme kinetics show that these new compounds, such as LJ2 or its specific isomers LJ2a, and LJ3a, strongly and irreversibly inhibit Casp2 with genuine selectivity. In agreement with the established role of Casp2 in cellular stress responses, LJ2 inhibits cell death induced by microtubule destabilization or hydroxamic acid-based deacetylase inhibition. The most potent peptidomimetic, LJ2a, inhibits human Casp2 with a remarkably high inactivation rate (k3/Ki ~5,500,000 M-1 s-1), and the most selective inhibitor, LJ3a, has close to a 1000 times higher inactivation rate on Casp2 as compared to Casp3. Structural analysis of LJ3a shows that the spatial configuration of Cα at the P2 position determines inhibitor efficacy. In transfected human cell lines overexpressing site-1 protease (S1P), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and Casp2, LJ2a and LJ3a fully inhibit Casp2-mediated S1P cleavage and thus SREBP2 activation, suggesting a potential to prevent NASH development. Furthermore, in primary hippocampal neurons treated with β-amyloid oligomers, submicromolar concentrations of LJ2a and of LJ3a prevent synapse loss, indicating a potential for further investigations in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Bosc
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Julie Anastasie
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Feryel Soualmia
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Pascale Coric
- Université de Paris, CNRS, CiTCoM, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Ju Youn Kim
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Lily Q Wang
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Gullen Lacin
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
- MicroBrain Biotech S.A.S. 52 Avenue de l'Europe, Marly-Le-Roi, F-78160, France
| | - Kaitao Zhao
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronak Patel
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Duplus
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Philippe Tixador
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Andrew A Sproul
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bernard Brugg
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Michelle Reboud-Ravaux
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Carol M Troy
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Shelanski
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Serge Bouaziz
- Université de Paris, CNRS, CiTCoM, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Michael Karin
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Chahrazade El Amri
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France
| | - Etienne D Jacotot
- INSERM U1164, CNRS UMR 8256, Sorbonne Université, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, F-75005, France.
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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8
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Hlynialuk C, Kemper L, Leinonen-Wright K, Petersen RC, Ashe K, Smith B. Caspase-2 mRNA levels are not elevated in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, or Lewy Body dementia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274784. [PMID: 36129947 PMCID: PMC9491574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspase-2 is a member of the caspase family that exhibits both apoptotic and non-apoptotic properties, and has been shown to mediate synaptic deficits in models of several neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Lewy Body dementia (LBD). Our lab previously reported that caspase-2 protein levels are elevated in these diseases, leading us to hypothesize that elevated caspase-2 protein levels are due to increased transcription of caspase-2 mRNA. There are two major isoforms of caspase-2 mRNA, caspase-2L and caspase-2S. We tested our hypothesis by measuring the levels of these mRNA isoforms normalized to levels of RPL13 mRNA, a reference gene that showed no disease-associated changes. Here, we report no increases in caspase-2L mRNA levels in any of the three diseases studied, AD (with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)), HD and LBD, disproving our hypothesis. Caspase-2S mRNA showed a non-significant downward trend in AD. We also analyzed expression levels of SNAP25 and βIII-tubulin mRNA. SNAP25 mRNA was significantly lower in AD and there were downward trends in MCI, LBD, and HD. βIII-tubulin mRNA expression remained unchanged between disease groups and controls. These findings indicate that factors besides transcriptional regulation cause increases in caspase-2 protein levels. The reduction of SNAP25 mRNA expression suggests that presynaptic dysfunction contributes to cognitive deficits in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Hlynialuk
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Lisa Kemper
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Kailee Leinonen-Wright
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Ronald C. Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Karen Ashe
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Smith
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
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9
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Bresinsky M, Strasser JM, Hubmann A, Vallaster B, McCue WM, Fuller J, Singh G, Nelson KM, Cuellar ME, Finzel BC, Ashe KH, Walters MA, Pockes S. Characterization of caspase-2 inhibitors based on specific sites of caspase-2-mediated proteolysis. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200095. [PMID: 35642311 PMCID: PMC9616052 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of the caspase-2 (Casp2)-mediated ∆tau314 cleavage product and its associated impact on tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, the design of selective Casp2 inhibitors has become a focus in medicinal chemistry research. In the search for new lead structures with respect to Casp2 selectivity and drug-likeness, we have taken an approach by looking more closely at the specific sites of Casp2-mediated proteolysis. Using seven selected protein cleavage sequences, we synthesized a peptide series of 53 novel molecules and studied them using in vitro pharmacology, molecular modeling, and crystallography. Regarding Casp2 selectivity, AcITV(Dab)D-CHO (23) and AcITV(Dap)D-CHO (26) demonstrated the best selectivity (1-6-fold), although these trends were only moderate. However, some analogous tetrapeptides, most notably AcDKVD-CHO (45), showed significantly increased Casp3 selectivities (>100-fold). Tetra- and tripeptides display decreased or no Casp2 affinity, supporting the assumption that a motif of five amino acids is required for efficient Casp2 inhibition. Overall, the results provide a reasonable basis for the development of both selective Casp2 and Casp3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Jessica M. Strasser
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Alexander Hubmann
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bernadette Vallaster
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - William M. McCue
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Jessica Fuller
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Nelson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Matthew E. Cuellar
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Barry C. Finzel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Karen H. Ashe
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- GRECC, Minneapolis VA Hospital, 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
| | - Michael A. Walters
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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10
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Bresinsky M, Strasser JM, Vallaster B, Liu P, McCue WM, Fuller J, Hubmann A, Singh G, Nelson KM, Cuellar ME, Wilmot CM, Finzel BC, Ashe KH, Walters MA, Pockes S. Structure-Based Design and Biological Evaluation of Novel Caspase-2 Inhibitors Based on the Peptide AcVDVAD-CHO and the Caspase-2-Mediated Tau Cleavage Sequence YKPVD314. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:20-40. [PMID: 35059567 PMCID: PMC8762753 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.1c00251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first described by Alois Alzheimer over 100 years ago, but there is still no overarching theory that can explain its cause in detail. There are also no effective therapies to treat either the cause or the associated symptoms of this devastating disease. A potential approach to better understand the pathogenesis of AD could be the development of selective caspase-2 (Casp2) probes, as we have shown that a Casp2-mediated cleavage product of tau (Δtau314) reversibly impairs cognitive and synaptic function in animal models of tauopathies. In this article, we map out the Casp2 binding site through the preparation and assay of a series of 35 pentapeptide inhibitors with the goal of gaining selectivity against caspase-3 (Casp3). We also employed computational docking methods to understand the key interactions in the binding pocket of Casp2 and the differences predicted for binding at Casp3. Moreover, we crystallographically characterized the binding of selected pentapeptides with Casp3. Furthermore, we engineered and expressed a series of recombinant tau mutants and investigated them in an in vitro cleavage assay. These studies resulted in simple peptidic inhibitors with nanomolar affinity, for example, AcVDV(Dab)D-CHO (24) with up to 27.7-fold selectivity against Casp3. Our findings provide a good basis for the future development of selective Casp2 probes and inhibitors that can serve as pharmacological tools in planned in vivo studies and as lead compounds for the design of bioavailable and more drug-like small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Bresinsky
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Jessica M. Strasser
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Bernadette Vallaster
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Peng Liu
- Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States
| | - William M. McCue
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Jessica Fuller
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Alexander Hubmann
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany
| | - Gurpreet Singh
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Kathryn M. Nelson
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Matthew E. Cuellar
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Carrie M. Wilmot
- Department
of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Barry C. Finzel
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States
| | - Karen H. Ashe
- Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States
| | - Michael A. Walters
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States,
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute
of Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, Regensburg 93053, Germany,Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414, United States,Department
of Neurology, University of Minnesota, 2101 6th Street SE, Minneapolis 55455, United States,
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11
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Abstract
DNA mutation is a common event in the human body, but in most situations, it is fixed right away by the DNA damage response program. In case the damage is too severe to repair, the programmed cell death system will be activated to get rid of the cell. However, if the damage affects some critical components of this system, the genetic scars are kept and multiply through mitosis, possibly leading to cancer someday. There are many forms of programmed cell death, but apoptosis and necroptosis represent the default and backup strategy, respectively, in the maintenance of optimal cell population as well as in cancer prevention. For the same reason, the ideal approach for cancer treatment is to induce apoptosis in the cancer cells because it proceeds 20 times faster than tumor cell proliferation and leaves no mess behind. Induction of necroptosis can be the second choice in case apoptosis becomes hard to achieve, however, necroptosis finishes the job at a cost-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianmei Meng
- Inner Mongolia Institute of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, 74506The Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Tong Dang
- Inner Mongolia Institute of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, 74506The Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China
| | - Jianyuan Chai
- Inner Mongolia Institute of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia Engineering Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Digestive Diseases, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, 74506The Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou, China.,Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Injury and Cancer, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA.,College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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12
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Falfushynska H, Sokolov EP, Fisch K, Gazie H, Schulz-Bull DE, Sokolova IM. Biomarker-based assessment of sublethal toxicity of organic UV filters (ensulizole and octocrylene) in a sentinel marine bivalve Mytilus edulis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149171. [PMID: 34329935 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The global occurrence of organic UV filters in the marine environment is of increasing ecotoxicological concern. Here we assessed the toxicity of UV filters ensulizole and octocrylene in the blue mussels Mytilus edulis exposed to 10 or 100 μg l-1 of octocrylene and ensulizole for two weeks. An integrated battery of biochemical and molecular biomarkers related to xenobiotics metabolism and cellular toxicity (including oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, autophagy and inflammation) was used to assess the toxicity of these UV filters in the mussels. Octocrylene (but not ensulizole) accumulated in the mussel tissues during the waterborne exposures. Both studied UV filters induced sublethal toxic effects in M. edulis at the investigated concentrations. These effects involved induction of oxidative stress, genotoxicity (indicated by upregulation of DNA damage sensing and repair markers), upregulation of apoptosis and inflammation, and dysregulation of the xenobiotic biotransformation system. Octocrylene induced cellular stress in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas ensulizole appeared to be more toxic at the lower (10 μg l-1) studied concentration than at 100 μg l-1. The different concentration-dependence of sublethal effects and distinct toxicological profiles of ensulizole and octocrylene show that the environmental toxicity is not directly related to lipophilicity and bioaccumulation potential of these UV filters and demonstrate the importance of using bioassays for toxicity assessment of emerging pollutants in coastal marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina Falfushynska
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany; Department of Human Health, Physical Rehabilitation and Vital Activity, Ternopil V. Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Eugene P Sokolov
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research, Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany
| | - Kathrin Fisch
- Department Marine Chemistry, Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestr. 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Hatem Gazie
- Department Marine Chemistry, Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestr. 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Detlef E Schulz-Bull
- Department Marine Chemistry, Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Seestr. 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany
| | - Inna M Sokolova
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany; Department of Maritime Systems, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
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13
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The p53-caspase-2 axis in the cell cycle and DNA damage response. Exp Mol Med 2021; 53:517-527. [PMID: 33854186 PMCID: PMC8102494 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-021-00590-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Caspase-2 was discovered almost three decades ago. It was one of the first two mammalian homologs of CED-3, the other being interleukin 1β-converting enzyme (ICE/caspase-1). Despite high similarity with CED-3 and its fly and mammalian counterparts (DRONC and caspase-9, respectively), the function of caspase-2 in apoptosis has remained enigmatic. A number of recent studies suggest that caspase-2 plays an important role in the regulation of p53 in response to cellular stress and DNA damage to prevent the proliferation and accumulation of damaged or aberrant cells. Here, we review these recent observations and their implications in caspase-2-mediated cellular death, senescence, and tumor suppression.
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14
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Kopeina GS, Zhivotovsky B. Caspase-2 as a master regulator of genomic stability. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 31:712-720. [PMID: 33752921 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genomic instability underlies genesis and the development of various types of cancer. During tumorigenesis, cancer initiating cells assume a set of features, which allow them to survive and proliferate. Different mutations and chromosomal alterations promote a selection of the most aggressive cancer clones that worsen the prognosis of the disease. Despite that caspase-2 was described as a protease fulfilling an initiator and an effector function in apoptosis, it has recently been discovered to play an important role in the maintenance of genomic integrity and normal chromosome configuration. This protein is able to stabilize p53 and affect the level of transcription factors, which activates cell response to oxidative stress. Here we focus on the discussion on the mechanism(s) of how caspase-2 regulates genomic stability and decreases tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gelina S Kopeina
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia; Division of Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden.
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15
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Liu P, Ashe KH. The molecular implications of a caspase-2-mediated site-specific tau cleavage in tauopathies. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:1774-1775. [PMID: 33510072 PMCID: PMC8328769 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.306073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Liu
- Department of Neurology; N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Karen H Ashe
- Department of Neurology; Department of Neuroscience; N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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16
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Jacotot É. [Caspase inhibition: From cellular biology and thanatology to potential clinical agents]. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:1143-1154. [PMID: 33296631 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspases are a family of cysteine proteases well known for their central roles during apoptosis and inflammation. They also intervene in non-apoptotic regulated cell death pathways and contribute to a large number of physiological mechanisms. The development of therapeutic approaches targeting caspases has generated strong industrial interest since the 1990s, prompting intense research on biological mechanisms, and the development of numerous synthetic inhibitors. Most of these inhibitors are derivatives of peptides or mimetics capable of interacting with the active site of caspases. However, the structural conservation between the different caspases is a challenge for the development of selective inhibitors. To date 5 caspase inhibitors, targeting either Caspase-1, -2 or multiple caspases, have been investigated in clinical settings, and there is still no marketing authorization. The Pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan reached clinical phase III and was proven to be safe but failed to demonstrate efficacy against NASH. Contrary to initial assumptions, selective Caspase-3 inhibitors have not reached the clinical level, while QPI-1007, a siRNA directed against Caspase-2, is currently undergoing a multicentric phase III clinical study for the treatment of ischemic optic neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Étienne Jacotot
- Inserm U1164, Sorbonne Université UMR 8256, équipe Stress neuronal et vieillissement (Neuronal Stress and Aging, NSA), Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75005 Paris, France - Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, Étas-Unis
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17
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Kalabova D, Filandr F, Alblova M, Petrvalska O, Horvath M, Man P, Obsil T, Obsilova V. 14-3-3 protein binding blocks the dimerization interface of caspase-2. FEBS J 2020; 287:3494-3510. [PMID: 31961068 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Among all species, caspase-2 (C2) is the most evolutionarily conserved caspase required for effective initiation of apoptosis following death stimuli. C2 is activated through dimerization and autoproteolytic cleavage and inhibited through phosphorylation at Ser139 and Ser164 , within the linker between the caspase recruitment and p19 domains of the zymogen, followed by association with the adaptor protein 14-3-3, which maintains C2 in its immature form procaspase (proC2). However, the mechanism of 14-3-3-dependent inhibition of C2 activation remains unclear. Here, we report the structural characterization of the complex between proC2 and 14-3-3 by hydrogen/deuterium mass spectrometry and protein crystallography to determine the molecular basis for 14-3-3-mediated inhibition of C2 activation. Our data reveal that the 14-3-3 dimer interacts with proC2 not only through ligand-binding grooves but also through other regions outside the central channel, thus explaining the isoform-dependent specificity of 14-3-3 protein binding to proC2 and the substantially higher binding affinity of 14-3-3 protein to proC2 than to the doubly phosphorylated peptide. The formation of the complex between 14-3-3 protein and proC2 does not induce any large conformational change in proC2. Furthermore, 14-3-3 protein interacts with and masks both the nuclear localization sequence and the C-terminal region of the p12 domain of proC2 through transient interactions in which both the p19 and p12 domains of proC2 are not firmly docked onto the surface of 14-3-3. This masked region of p12 domain is involved in C2 dimerization. Therefore, 14-3-3 protein likely inhibits proC2 activation by blocking its dimerization surface. DATABASES: Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 6SAD and 6S9K.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Kalabova
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Filandr
- Division BIOCEV, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslava Alblova
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Olivia Petrvalska
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Horvath
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Man
- Division BIOCEV, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Obsil
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic.,Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Obsilova
- Division BIOCEV, Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
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18
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Zhang M, Chen L, Xu F, Jiang L, Yan W, Kunwar B, Tang F, Yang K, Shen C, Huang H, Lv J, Qin C, Wu X, Zeng S, Li M, Zhong S, Chen Q. Involvement of Upregulated P53-Induced Death Domain Protein in Retinal Ganglion Cells Apoptosis After Optic Nerve Crush. Curr Mol Med 2019; 20:51-59. [PMID: 31533600 DOI: 10.2174/1566524019666190918160032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purpose:
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) apoptosis is a common characteristic
of optic neuropathies. p53-induced protein with a death domain (PIDD) is a well-known
regulator of genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis, which is constitutively cleaved into
three main fragments: PIDD-N, PIDD-C and PIDD-CC. Thus, we aim to determine the
physiological relevance of PIDD in RGCs apoptosis in an optic nerve crush (ONC)
model.
Methods:
All animals were evenly randomized into four groups: sham-control group,
con-siRNA group, ONC group, and PIDD-siRNA group (ONC +PIDD-siRNA).
Expressions of PIDD, caspase-2, Brn3a and tBid in ONC model were analyzed by
Western blot and immunofluorescence. Mean densities of RGCs/mm2 were calculated
with Fluoro-Gold (FG). Moreover, we tested the effect of PIDD-siRNA on ONC-induced
RGCs apoptosis using TUNEL staining.
Results:
The level of full-length PIDD was weakly present and showed no significant
differences at any time points. PIDD-CC and PIDD-C were significantly up-regulated in
the retina at 3 days after ONC. Meanwhile, the expression of PIDD was significantly
increased in Brn3a (a marker of RGCs) positive cells, indicating that the localization of
PIDD appeared to be confined to RGCs. Furthermore, inhibition of PIDD prevented
RGCs apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-2 and tBid activation.
Conclusions:
Taken together, PIDD may play a crucial role in RGCs apoptosis after
ONC, and this process may be relevant to caspase-2 and tBid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyuan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lifei Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Fan Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Wenya Yan
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Bibhav Kunwar
- Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chaolan Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jian Lv
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chen Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaonian Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Siming Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shan Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China
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19
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CrmA orthologs from diverse poxviruses potently inhibit caspases-1 and -8, yet cleavage site mutagenesis frequently produces caspase-1-specific variants. Biochem J 2019; 476:1335-1357. [PMID: 30992316 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Poxviruses encode many proteins that enable them to evade host anti-viral defense mechanisms. Spi-2 proteins, including Cowpox virus CrmA, suppress anti-viral immune responses and contribute to poxviral pathogenesis and lethality. These proteins are 'serpin' protease inhibitors, which function via a pseudosubstrate mechanism involving initial interactions between the protease and a cleavage site within the serpin. A conformational change within the serpin interrupts the cleavage reaction, deforming the protease active site and preventing dissociation. Spi-2 proteins like CrmA potently inhibit caspases-1, -4 and -5, which produce proinflammatory cytokines, and caspase-8, which facilitates cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated target cell death. It is not clear whether both of these functions are equally perilous for the virus, or whether only one must be suppressed for poxviral infectivity and spread but the other is coincidently inhibited merely because these caspases are biochemically similar. We compared the caspase specificity of CrmA to three orthologs from orthopoxviruses and four from more distant chordopoxviruses. All potently blocked caspases-1, -4, -5 and -8 activity but exhibited negligible inhibition of caspases-2, -3 and -6. The orthologs differed markedly in their propensity to inhibit non-mammalian caspases. We determined the specificity of CrmA mutants bearing various residues in positions P4, P3 and P2 of the cleavage site. Almost all variants retained the ability to inhibit caspase-1, but many lacked caspase-8 inhibitory activity. The retention of Spi-2 proteins' caspase-8 specificity during chordopoxvirus evolution, despite this function being readily lost through cleavage site mutagenesis, suggests that caspase-8 inhibition is crucial for poxviral pathogenesis and spread.
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20
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Potent and selective caspase-2 inhibitor prevents MDM-2 cleavage in reversine-treated colon cancer cells. Cell Death Differ 2019; 26:2695-2709. [PMID: 30976094 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0329-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Most caspases can be positioned unambiguously within the regulated cell death networks of apoptosis and pyroptosis, but the role of caspase-2, a highly conserved protease within the family, remains enigmatic. This is mainly due to lack of selective chemical and biochemical tools for the investigation of this protease. In this study, we used our hybrid combinatorial substrate library (HyCoSuL) approach to broadly profile caspase-2 substrate specificity using peptide scanning libraries. This screen uncovered previously unknown caspase-2 peptidyl substrate preferences, which were further used to develop caspase-2 selective fluorogenic substrates and covalent, irreversible AOMK inhibitors. Finally, we used the champion inhibitor (NH-23-C2) in reversine-treated HCT-116 colon cancer cells to selectively block caspase-2 activity and caspase-2-mediated MDM-2 cleavage. In addition, we showed that NH-23-C2 does not block caspase-3 or caspase-8, which makes it a powerful chemical tool to dissect the true role of caspase-2 in various biological setups.
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21
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Transcriptome profiling of caspase-2 deficient EμMyc and Th-MYCN mouse tumors identifies distinct putative roles for caspase-2 in neuronal differentiation and immune signaling. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:56. [PMID: 30670683 PMCID: PMC6343006 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1296-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Caspase-2 is a highly conserved cysteine protease with roles in apoptosis and tumor suppression. Our recent findings have also demonstrated that the tumor suppression function of caspase-2 is context specific. In particular, while caspase-2 deficiency augments lymphoma development in the EμMyc mouse model, it leads to delayed neuroblastoma development in Th-MYCN mice. However, it is unclear how caspase-2 mediates these differential outcomes. Here we utilized RNA sequencing to define the transcriptomic changes caused by caspase-2 (Casp2−/−) deficiency in tumors from EμMyc and Th-MYCN mice. We describe key changes in both lymphoma and neuroblastoma-associated genes and identified differential expression of the EGF-like domain-containing gene, Megf6, in the two tumor types that may contribute to tumor outcome following loss of Casp2. We identified a panel of genes with altered expression in Th-MYCN/Casp2−/− tumors that are strongly associated with neuroblastoma outcome, with roles in melanogenesis, Wnt and Hippo pathway signaling, that also contribute to neuronal differentiation. In contrast, we found that key changes in gene expression in the EμMyc/Casp2−/− tumors, are associated with increased immune signaling and T-cell infiltration previously associated with more aggressive lymphoma progression. In addition, Rap1 signaling pathway was uniquely enriched in Casp2 deficient EμMyc tumors. Our findings suggest that Casp2 deficiency augments immune signaling pathways that may be in turn, enhance lymphomagenesis. Overall, our study has identified new genes and pathways that contribute to the caspase-2 tumor suppressor function and highlight distinct roles for caspase-2 in different tissues.
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22
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Caspases orchestrate microglia instrumental functions. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 171:50-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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23
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Egorshina AY, Zamaraev AV, Lavrik IN, Zhivotovsky BD, Kopeina GS. Caspase-2 as an Oncosupressor and Metabolism Regulator: What Life Will Bring over the Long Run? Mol Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893318050060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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24
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Lim Y, De Bellis D, Dorstyn L, Kumar S. p53 accumulation following cytokinesis failure in the absence of caspase-2. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:2050-2052. [PMID: 30082771 PMCID: PMC6219490 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0161-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Revised: 06/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Lim
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Dylan De Bellis
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Loretta Dorstyn
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Sharad Kumar
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia and SA Pathology, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
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25
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Gao D, Zhang J, Bai L, Li F, Dong Y, Li Q. Melittin induces NSCLC apoptosis via inhibition of miR-183. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:4511-4523. [PMID: 30122943 PMCID: PMC6078185 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s169806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has one of the highest mortality rates among cancers worldwide, with a poor prognosis. Previous studies have reported that melittin, an active component of apitoxin, exerts anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects via vascular endothelial growth factor or FoxO1. Methods CCK8, flow cytometry assay and Western blotting were performed to evaluate the effect of melittin on NSCLC. Results The present study demonstrates that melittin activated caspase-2 by inhibiting miR-183 expression and, thus, induced NSCLC apoptosis in both NCI-H441 cancer cell line assays and an in vivo xenograft model. The results of the cell-based assays showed that melittin (2 μg/mL) robustly suppressed miR-183 expression level and resulted in decreased invasion and migration abilities of NCI-H441 cells. Additionally, a flow cytometry assay and Western blotting showed that melittin induced NSCLC NCI-H441 cell apoptosis along with significant elevation of caspase-2 and Bax, which are regulators of cell apoptosis, and reduced Bcl-2 protein expression compared with dimethyl sulfoxide control. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of melittin (5 mg/kg) significantly suppressed NSCLC tumor growth compared with vehicle group tumors, determined through tumor size and weight. Conclusion Taken together, the aforementioned findings contribute to identification of a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of NSCLC, in patients diagnosed with a high expression of miR-183. Moreover, this article provides solid evidence for the inhibitory effect of melittin on NSCLC cancer cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqi Gao
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
| | - Lu Bai
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
| | - Fubo Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
| | - Yi Dong
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
| | - Qingshan Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000, China,
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Wilson CH, Kumar S. Caspases in metabolic disease and their therapeutic potential. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1010-1024. [PMID: 29743560 PMCID: PMC5988802 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Caspases, a family of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases, are central to the maintenance of cellular and organismal homoeostasis by functioning as key mediators of the inflammatory response and/or apoptosis. Both metabolic inflammation and apoptosis play a central role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disease such as obesity and the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH) to more severe liver disease. Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the leading global health challenges associated with the development of numerous comorbidities including insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes and early mortality. Despite the high prevalence, current treatment strategies including lifestyle, dietary, pharmaceutical and surgical interventions, are often limited in their efficacy to manage or treat obesity, and there are currently no clinical therapies for NAFLD/NASH. As mediators of inflammation and cell death, caspases are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of these metabolic diseases. As such, pan-caspase inhibitors that act by blocking apoptosis have reached phase I/II clinical trials in severe liver disease. However, there is still a lack of knowledge of the specific and differential functions of individual caspases. In addition, cross-talk between alternate cell death pathways is a growing concern for long-term caspase inhibition. Evidence is emerging of the important cell-death-independent, non-apoptotic functions of caspases in metabolic homoeostasis that may be of therapeutic value. Here, we review the current evidence for roles of caspases in metabolic disease and discuss their potential targeting as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire H Wilson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia & SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
| | - Sharad Kumar
- Centre for Cancer Biology, University of South Australia & SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
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Caspase-2 deficiency enhances whole-body carbohydrate utilisation and prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3136. [PMID: 29072701 PMCID: PMC5682682 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Caspase-2 has been shown to be involved in metabolic homeostasis. Here, we show that caspase-2 deficiency alters basal energy metabolism by shifting the balance in fuel choice from fatty acid to carbohydrate usage. At 4 weeks of age, whole-body carbohydrate utilisation was increased in Casp2-/- mice and was maintained into adulthood. By 17 weeks of age, Casp2-/- mice had reduced white adipose mass, smaller white adipocytes decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma triglycerides but maintained normal insulin levels. When placed on a 12-week high-fat diet (HFD), Casp2-/- mice resisted the development of obesity, fatty liver, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. In addition, HFD-fed Casp2-/- mice had reduced white adipocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and expansion of both subcutaneous and visceral adipose depots. Increased expression of UCP1 and the maintenance of adiponectin levels in white adipose tissue of HFD-fed Casp2-/- mice indicated increased browning and adipocyte hyperplasia. We found that while the preference for whole-body carbohydrate utilisation was maintained, HFD-fed Casp2-/- mice were not impaired in their ability to switch to utilising fats as a fuel source. Our findings suggest that caspase-2 impacts basal energy metabolism by regulating adipocyte biology and fat expansion, most likely via a non-apoptotic function. Furthermore, we show that caspase-2 deficiency shifts the balance in fuel choice towards increased carbohydrate utilisation and propose that this is due to mild energy stress. As a consequence, Casp2-/- mice show an adaptive remodelling of adipose tissue that protects from HFD-induced obesity and improves glucose homeostasis while paradoxically increasing their susceptibility to oxidative stress induced damage and premature ageing.
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Kalabova D, Smidova A, Petrvalska O, Alblova M, Kosek D, Man P, Obsil T, Obsilova V. Human procaspase-2 phosphorylation at both S139 and S164 is required for 14-3-3 binding. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 493:940-945. [PMID: 28943433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.09.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Procaspase-2 phosphorylation at several residues prevents its activation and blocks apoptosis. This process involves procaspase-2 phosphorylation at S164 and its binding to the scaffolding protein 14-3-3. However, bioinformatics analysis has suggested that a second phosphoserine-containing motif may also be required for 14-3-3 binding. In this study, we show that human procaspase-2 interaction with 14-3-3 is governed by phosphorylation at both S139 and S164. Using biochemical and biophysical approaches, we show that doubly phosphorylated procaspase-2 and 14-3-3 form an equimolar complex with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range. Furthermore, our data indicate that other regions of procaspase-2, in addition to phosphorylation motifs, may be involved in the interaction with 14-3-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Kalabova
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Uvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aneta Smidova
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Olivia Petrvalska
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslava Alblova
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Dalibor Kosek
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Man
- BIOCEV-Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Obsil
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic; Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12843 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Obsilova
- Department of Structural Biology of Signaling Proteins, Division BIOCEV, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic.
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