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Xie H, Qiang P, Wang Y, Xia F, Liu P, Li M. Discovery and mechanism studies of a novel ATG4B inhibitor Ebselen by drug repurposing and its anti-colorectal cancer effects in mice. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:206. [PMID: 36539845 PMCID: PMC9767854 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00944-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cysteine protease ATG4B, a key autophagy protein, is an attractive target for colorectal cancer therapy. However, ATG4B inhibitors with higher efficiency, safety, and clear mechanism are still limited. In this study, we discovered ATG4B inhibitors based on the FDA-approved drug library through FRET-based high-throughput screening and gel-based analysis. Among the nine hits, compound Ebselen showed the most potent ATG4B inhibitory activity (IC50 = 189 nM) and exhibited controllable selectivity and structural optimizable possibility against ATG4A and caspases. We then performed mass spectrometry assay and cysteine mutations to confirm that Ebselen could covalently bind to ATG4B at Cys74. Moreover, Cys292 and Cys361 instead of Cys74 are responsible for the redox-oligomerization and efficient activity inhibition of ATG4B. Ultimately through cell culture and mouse xenograft tumor models, we established the impact of Ebselen on autophagy and tumor suppression via ATG4B inhibition other than apoptosis. These results suggest that old drug Ebselen as an ATG4B inhibitor through oxidative modification may be repurposed as a promising anti-colorectal cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huazhong Xie
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
| | - Pengfei Qiang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
| | - Yao Wang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
| | - Fan Xia
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
| | - Peiqing Liu
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
| | - Min Li
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006 Guangdong China
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2
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Fan YM, Zhang YL, Bahreyni A, Luo H, Mohamud Y. Coxsackievirus Protease 2A Targets Host Protease ATG4A to Impair Autophagy. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092026. [PMID: 36146840 PMCID: PMC9502984 DOI: 10.3390/v14092026] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Enteroviruses (EVs) are medically important RNA viruses that cause a broad spectrum of human illnesses for which limited therapy exists. Although EVs have been shown to usurp the cellular recycling process of autophagy for pro-viral functions, the precise manner by which this is accomplished remains to be elucidated. In the current manuscript, we sought to address the mechanism by which EVs subvert the autophagy pathway using Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) as a model. We showed that CVB3 infection selectively degrades the autophagy cysteine protease ATG4A but not other isoforms. Exogenous expression of an N-terminally Flag-labeled ATG4A demonstrated the emergence of a 43-kDa cleavage fragment following CVB3 infection. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis coupled with site-directed mutagenesis and in vitro cleavage assays revealed that CVB3 protease 2A cleaves ATG4A before glycine 374. Using a combination of genetic silencing and overexpression studies, we demonstrated a novel pro-viral function for the autophagy protease ATG4A. Additionally, cleavage of ATG4A was associated with a loss of autophagy function of the truncated cleavage fragment. Collectively, our study identified ATG4A as a novel substrate of CVB3 protease, leading to disrupted host cellular function and sheds further light on viral mechanisms of autophagy dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyun Michelle Fan
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Yizhuo Lyanne Zhang
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Amirhossein Bahreyni
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
| | - Honglin Luo
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (Y.M.)
| | - Yasir Mohamud
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (Y.M.)
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3
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Breedon SA, Gupta A, Storey KB. Regulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy During Anoxia in the Freshwater Crayfish, Faxonius virilis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 24:626-639. [PMID: 35567599 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-022-10132-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ability of an animal to survive prolonged periods of oxygen deprivation is a critical area of study, both in terms of its importance to better understanding the physiology of these incredible animals and to its potential applicability to medical fields. The freshwater crayfish, Faxonius virilis, is one such animal capable of resisting anoxia, but it remains understudied and much of the metabolic mechanisms underlying this anoxia tolerance remain largely unprofiled. This study examines the activity and regulation of apoptosis and autophagy in F. virilis in response to 20-h anoxia. Apoptosis signaling was assessed through pro- and anti-apoptosis targets, whereas autophagy was assessed via expression response of multiple autophagy proteins. An anoxia-triggered, tissue-specific result arose, potentially based on the importance of individual organ integrity through hypometabolism. Tail muscle, which showed increased expression profiles of all three target groups, contrasted with hepatopancreas, which appeared to not be susceptible to either apoptotic or autophagic signaling during anoxia. This is likely due to the importance of the hepatopancreas, given that apoptosis or autophagy of this organ at any significant level could be fatal to the organism. The data provides a comprehensive overview of the responses and integration of multiple stress-responsive signaling pathways in F. virilis that provide a novel contribution to our understanding of pro-survival mechanisms supporting invertebrate anoxia resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Breedon
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aakriti Gupta
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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4
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Luong AM, Koestel J, Bhati KK, Batoko H. Cargo receptors and adaptors for selective autophagy in plant cells. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:2104-2132. [PMID: 35638898 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Plant selective (macro)autophagy is a highly regulated process whereby eukaryotic cells spatiotemporally degrade some of their constituents that have become superfluous or harmful. The identification and characterization of the factors determining this selectivity make it possible to integrate selective (macro)autophagy into plant cell physiology and homeostasis. The specific cargo receptors and/or scaffold proteins involved in this pathway are generally not structurally conserved, as are the biochemical mechanisms underlying recognition and integration of a given cargo into the autophagosome in different cell types. This review discusses the few specific cargo receptors described in plant cells to highlight key features of selective autophagy in the plant kingdom and its integration with plant physiology, so as to identify evolutionary convergence and knowledge gaps to be filled by future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai My Luong
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, University of Louvain Croix du Sud 4, L7.07.14, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Koestel
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, University of Louvain Croix du Sud 4, L7.07.14, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Kaushal Kumar Bhati
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, University of Louvain Croix du Sud 4, L7.07.14, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Henri Batoko
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, University of Louvain Croix du Sud 4, L7.07.14, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Borg DJ, Faridi P, Giam KL, Reeves P, Fotheringham AK, McCarthy DA, Leung S, Ward MS, Harcourt BE, Ayala R, Scheijen JL, Briskey D, Dudek NL, Schalkwijk CG, Steptoe R, Purcell AW, Forbes JM. Short Duration Alagebrium Chloride Therapy Prediabetes Does Not Inhibit Progression to Autoimmune Diabetes in an Experimental Model. Metabolites 2021; 11:426. [PMID: 34203471 PMCID: PMC8305727 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11070426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms by which advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis are poorly understood. Since life-long pharmacotherapy with alagebrium chloride (ALT) slows progression to experimental T1D, we hypothesized that acute ALT therapy delivered prediabetes, may be effective. However, in female, non-obese diabetic (NODShiLt) mice, ALT administered prediabetes (day 50-100) did not protect against experimental T1D. ALT did not decrease circulating AGEs or their precursors. Despite this, pancreatic β-cell function was improved, and insulitis and pancreatic CD45.1+ cell infiltration was reduced. Lymphoid tissues were unaffected. ALT pre-treatment, prior to transfer of primed GC98 CD8+ T cell receptor transgenic T cells, reduced blood glucose concentrations and delayed diabetes, suggesting islet effects rather than immune modulation by ALT. Indeed, ALT did not reduce interferon-γ production by leukocytes from ovalbumin-pre-immunised NODShiLt mice and NODscid recipients given diabetogenic ALT treated NOD splenocytes were not protected against T1D. To elucidate β-cell effects, NOD-derived MIN6N8 β-cell major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class Ia surface antigens were examined using immunopeptidomics. Overall, no major changes in the immunopeptidome were observed during the various treatments with all peptides exhibiting allele specific consensus binding motifs. As expected, longer MHC Class Ia peptides were captured bound to H-2Db than H-2Kb under all conditions. Moreover, more 10-12 mer peptides were isolated from H-2Db after AGE modified bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) treatment, compared with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or AGE-BSA+ALT treatment. Proteomics of MIN6N8 cells showed enrichment of processes associated with catabolism, the immune system, cell cycling and presynaptic endocytosis with AGE-BSA compared with BSA treatments. These data show that short-term ALT intervention, given prediabetes, does not arrest experimental T1D but transiently impacts β-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Borg
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
- Pregnancy and Development, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Pouya Faridi
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.F.); (K.L.G.); (R.A.); (N.L.D.); (A.W.P.)
| | - Kai Lin Giam
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.F.); (K.L.G.); (R.A.); (N.L.D.); (A.W.P.)
| | - Peta Reeves
- Tolerance and Autoimmunity Group, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.R.); (R.S.)
| | - Amelia K. Fotheringham
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
| | - Domenica A. McCarthy
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
| | - Sherman Leung
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
| | - Micheal S. Ward
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
| | - Brooke E. Harcourt
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Rochelle Ayala
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.F.); (K.L.G.); (R.A.); (N.L.D.); (A.W.P.)
| | - Jean L. Scheijen
- Laboratory for Metabolism and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.L.S.); (C.G.S.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - David Briskey
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4067, Australia;
| | - Nadine L. Dudek
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.F.); (K.L.G.); (R.A.); (N.L.D.); (A.W.P.)
| | - Casper G. Schalkwijk
- Laboratory for Metabolism and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.L.S.); (C.G.S.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, 6211 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raymond Steptoe
- Tolerance and Autoimmunity Group, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (P.R.); (R.S.)
| | - Anthony W. Purcell
- Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.F.); (K.L.G.); (R.A.); (N.L.D.); (A.W.P.)
| | - Josephine M. Forbes
- Glycation and Diabetes Complications, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia; (D.J.B.); (A.K.F.); (D.A.M.); (S.L.); (M.S.W.); (B.E.H.)
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Mater Clinical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
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Yang G, Li Y, Zhao Y, Ouyang L, Chen Y, Liu B, Liu J. Targeting Atg4B for cancer therapy: Chemical mediators. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 209:112917. [PMID: 33077263 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Atg4, a pivotal macroautophagy/autophagy-related cysteine protein family, which regulate autophagy through either cleaving Atg8 homologs for its further lipidation or delipidating Atg8 homologs from the autophagosome. There are four homologs, Atg4A, Atg4B, Atg4C, and Atg4D. Among them, an increasing amount of evidence indicates that Atg4B possessed superior catalytic efficiency toward the Atg8 substrate, as well as regulates autophagy process and plays a key role in the development of several human cancers. Recently, efforts have been contributed to the exploration of Atg4B inhibitors or activators. In this review, we comprehensively clarify the function of Atg4B in autophagy and cancer biology, as well as the relationship between pharmacological function and structure-activity of small molecule drugs targeting Atg4B. The development of novel drugs targeting Atg4B could be well applied in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxia Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yuqian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, And Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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7
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Johansen T, Lamark T. Selective Autophagy: ATG8 Family Proteins, LIR Motifs and Cargo Receptors. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:80-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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8
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Quantitative bioanalytical LC–MS/MS assay for S130 in rat plasma-application to a pharmacokinetic study. Bioanalysis 2019; 11:1469-1481. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2019-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: An innovative Atg4B inhibitor, S130, exhibited a negative influence on colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. To assist reliable toxicodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation, an LC–MS/MS assay of S130 in rat plasma must be necessary. Results: An LC–MS/MS assay for determination of S130 in rat plasma has been first developed and fully verified whose values met the admissible limits as per the US FDA guidelines. Chromatographic separation was achieved by using an isocratic elution after 3 min. MS was conducted under the ESI+ mode fitted with selected reaction monitoring. The calibration curve proved acceptable linearity over 0.50–800 ng/ml. Conclusion: The developed LC–MS/MS assay of S130 in rat plasma is easily applicable in pharmacokinetics study and the further toxicological evaluation.
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Targeting ATG4 in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050649. [PMID: 31083460 PMCID: PMC6562779 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated degradation pathway that enables the degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic components to sustain metabolic homoeostasis. Recently, autophagy has been reported to have an astonishing number of connections to cancer, as tumor cells require proficient autophagy in response to metabolic and therapeutic stresses to sustain cell proliferation. Autophagy-related gene 4 (ATG4) is essential for autophagy by affecting autophagosome formation through processing full-length microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (pro-LC3) and lipidated LC3. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that ATG4B expression is elevated in certain types of cancer, implying that ATG4B is a potential anticancer target. In this review, we address the central roles of ATG4B in the autophagy machinery and in targeted cancer therapy. Specifically, we discuss how pharmacologically inhibiting ATG4B can benefit cancer therapies.
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10
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Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process triggered in the cell by a wide range of stress stimuli, both external (including nutrient deprivation) and internal (like the presence of protein aggregates or damaged organelles). First described in yeast, this pathway has recently gained major importance due to its role in several pathologies, from inflammatory processes to cancer or aging. However, its analysis can be easily misinterpreted if it is not done properly, leading to conflicting results. Here, the classical autophagy flux study by Western blot is described, as a first and basic analysis of the status of autophagy in a given system.
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Liu PF, Chang HW, Cheng JS, Lee HP, Yen CY, Tsai WL, Cheng JT, Li YJ, Huang WC, Lee CH, Ger LP, Shu CW. Map1lc3b and Sqstm1 Modulated Autophagy for Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Certain Subsites of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2018; 7:jcm7120478. [PMID: 30477228 PMCID: PMC6306869 DOI: 10.3390/jcm7120478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and can be divided into three major subsites: buccal mucosal SCC (BMSCC), tongue SCC (TSCC), and lip SCC (LSCC). The autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (MAP1LC3B) and adaptor sequestosome 1(SQSTM1) are widely used proteins to evaluate autophagy in tumor tissues. However, the role of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 in OSCC is not fully understood, particularly in certain subsites. With a tissue microarray comprised of 498 OSCC patients, including 181 BMSCC, 244 TSCC, and 73 LSCC patients, we found that the expression levels of MAP1LC3B and cytoplasmic SQSTM1 were elevated in the tumor tissues of three subsites compared with those in adjacent normal tissues. MAP1LC3B was associated with a poor prognosis only in TSCC. SQSTM1 was associated with poor differentiation in three subsites, while the association with lymph node invasion was only observed in BMSCC. Interestingly, MAP1LC3B was positively correlated with SQSTM1 in the tumor tissues of BMSCC, whereas it showed no correlation with SQSTM1 in adjacent normal tissue. The coexpression of higher MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 demonstrated a significantly worse disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with BMSCC and LSCC, but not TSCC. The knockdown of MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 reduced autophagy, cell proliferation, invasion and tumorspheres of BMSCC cells. Additionally, silencing both MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 enhanced the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel in the tumorspheres of BMSCC cells. Taken together, MAP1LC3B and SQSTM1 might modulate autophagy to facilitate tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in OSCC, particularly in BMSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Feng Liu
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
- Department of Optometry, Shu-Zen Junior College of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung 82144, Taiwan.
| | - Hsueh-Wei Chang
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Jin-Shiung Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
| | - Huai-Pao Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
- Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung 91202, Taiwan.
| | - Ching-Yu Yen
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Section, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 71004, Taiwan.
- Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Lun Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
| | - Jiin-Tsuey Cheng
- Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Jing Li
- Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
| | - Wei-Chieh Huang
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Hsin Lee
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
| | - Luo-Pin Ger
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan.
| | - Chih-Wen Shu
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
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12
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Fu Y, Hong L, Xu J, Zhong G, Gu Q, Gu Q, Guan Y, Zheng X, Dai Q, Luo X, Liu C, Huang Z, Yin XM, Liu P, Li M. Discovery of a small molecule targeting autophagy via ATG4B inhibition and cell death of colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Autophagy 2018; 15:295-311. [PMID: 30176161 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2018.1517073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Atg4 homologs are cysteine proteases, which play key roles in the macroautophagy/autophagy process by cleaving Atg8 homologs for conjugation to lipid membranes and for deconjugation of Atg8 homologs from membranes. Expression of ATG4B is significantly increased in colorectal cancer cells compared to normal cells, suggesting that ATG4B may be important for cancer biology. Inhibition of ATG4B may reduce the autophagy activity, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to therapeutic agents. Thus, developing specific and potent ATG4B inhibitors for research as well as for potential therapeutic uses is highly needed. In this study, we integrated in silico screening and in vitro assays to discover a potent ATG4B inhibitor, named S130, from a noncommercial library. This chemical binds to ATG4B with strong affinity and specifically suppresses the activity of ATG4B but not other proteases. S130 did not cause the impairment of autophagosome fusion, nor did it result in the dysfunction of lysosomes. Instead, S130 might attenuate the delipidation of LC3-II on the autolysosomes to suppress the recycling of LC3-I, which normally occurs after LC3-II cleavage by ATG4B. Intriguingly, S130 induced cell death, which was accompanied with autophagy stress and could be further exacerbated by nutrient deprivation. Such cytotoxicity could be partially reversed by enhancing ATG4B activity. Finally, we found that S130 was distributed in tumor tissues in vivo and was also effective in arresting the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Thus, this study indicates that ATG4B is a potential anticancer target and S130 might be a novel small-molecule candidate for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Fu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Liang Hong
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Jiecheng Xu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Guoping Zhong
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Qiong Gu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Qianqian Gu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Yanping Guan
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Xueping Zheng
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Qi Dai
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Xia Luo
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Cui Liu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Zhiying Huang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Xiao-Ming Yin
- b Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Indiana University School of Medicine , Indianapolis , IN , USA
| | - Peiqing Liu
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Min Li
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National and Local United Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
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13
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Altered Expression of Autophagy-related Genes in Human Colon Cancer. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH AND HYPOTHESIS IN MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.14218/erhm.2018.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Autophagy is a physiologic mechanism, which utilizes the self-digestion of cell organelles to promote cellular homeostasis, such as in the setting of dysfunctional cellular components, cellular stress or energy-deprived states. In vitro studies have pointed toward the key role of autophagy in colorectal cancer. However, in vivo studies from human colorectal cancer tissues are lacking. Methods: We collected tissue samples from six patients with colon cancer who received curative surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. We also obtained normal colonic mucosa biopsy from five unrelated polyp-free individuals who were matched to cases individually by age, sex, ethnicity, and colon segment. Total RNA was successfully extracted from fresh frozen tissue biopsies of five tumor tissues and five unrelated normal tissues. We tested the expression levels of 84 genes in a predefined autophagy pathway using the RT2 Profiler PCR array. We compared differences using Student’s t-test. The false-discovery rate was used for multiple testing adjustment. We also used the TCGA dataset to validate our findings. Results: We observed significant differential expression between colon cancer tissue and normal colon mucosa for 29 genes in the autophagy pathway (p < 0.05). After multiple testing adjustment, the expression of 17 genes was significantly down-regulated, with fold-change greater than 2 in colon cancer; these included ATG4A, ATG4C, ATG4D, and CTSS (q < 0.10). The down-regulation was observed in both early and late stage colon cancer. We observed the same down-regulation of multiple autophagy-related genes using the TCGA data. The ATG9B gene was the only statistically non-significantly up-regulated gene after multiple testing adjustment. Conclusions: This pilot study showed the down-regulation of multiple autophagy pathway genes in human colon cancer, corroborating the increasing clinical relevance of autophagy in human colorectal carcinogenesis. This preliminary finding should be validated in larger studies.
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14
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Chu J, Fu Y, Xu J, Zheng X, Gu Q, Luo X, Dai Q, Zhang S, Liu P, Hong L, Li M. ATG4B inhibitor FMK-9a induces autophagy independent on its enzyme inhibition. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 644:29-36. [PMID: 29510087 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Atg4 is essential for autophagosome formation and Atg8 recycle with the function of processing the precursor and the lipidated Atg8-family proteins. Abnormal autophagic activity is involved in a variety of pathophysiological diseases and ATG4B is of interest as a potential therapeutic target due to its key roles in autophagy process. So ATG4B inhibitors are highly needed. FMK-9a is the most potent inhibitor reported so far. In this study, we confirmed FMK-9a could suppress ATG4B activity in vitro and in cells, with an IC50 of 260 nM. Besides, FMK-9a could also attenuate the process of cleavage of pro-LC3 and the delipidation of LC3-PE. Importantly, FMK-9a could induce autophagy both in HeLa and MEF cells regardless of its inhibition on ATG4B activity. Moreover, FMK-9a induced autophagy required FIP200 and ATG5. In conclusion, we demonstrated that ATG4B inhibitor FMK-9a induces autophagy independent on its enzyme inhibition. Thus, FMK-9a may plays multiple roles in autophagy process and cannot simply take it as an ATG4B inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Chu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yuanyuan Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Jiecheng Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xueping Zheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Qianqian Gu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xia Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Qi Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Shuxian Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Peiqing Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Liang Hong
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
| | - Min Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
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15
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Maruyama T, Noda NN. Autophagy-regulating protease Atg4: structure, function, regulation and inhibition. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2017; 71:ja2017104. [PMID: 28901328 PMCID: PMC5799747 DOI: 10.1038/ja.2017.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that contributes to cellular homeostasis through degradation of various targets such as proteins, organelles and microbes. Since autophagy is related to various diseases such as infection, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, it is attracting attention as a new therapeutic target. Autophagy is mediated by dozens of autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, among which Atg4 is the sole protease that regulates autophagy through the processing and deconjugating of Atg8. As the Atg4 activity is essential and highly specific to autophagy, Atg4 is a prospective target for developing autophagy-specific inhibitors. In this review article, we summarize our current knowledge of the structure, function and regulation of Atg4 including efforts to develop Atg4-specific inhibitors.The Journal of Antibiotics advance online publication, 13 September 2017; doi:10.1038/ja.2017.104.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuro Maruyama
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuo N Noda
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Tokyo, Japan
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