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Krutzke L, Rösler R, Allmendinger E, Engler T, Wiese S, Kochanek S. Process- and product-related impurities in the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine. eLife 2022; 11:78513. [PMID: 35781137 PMCID: PMC9313527 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and Ad26.COV2.S are approved vaccines inducing protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans by expressing the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed protein content and protein composition of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and Ad26.COV2.S by biochemical methods and by mass spectrometry. Four out of four tested lots of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 contained significantly higher than expected levels of host cell proteins (HCPs) and of free viral proteins. The most abundant contaminating HCPs belonged to the heat-shock protein and cytoskeletal protein families. The HCP content exceeded the 400 ng specification limit per vaccine dose, as set by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for this vaccine, by at least 25-fold and the manufacturer’s batch-release data in some of the lots by several hundred-fold. In contrast, three tested lots of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine contained only very low amounts of HCPs. As shown for Ad26.COV2.S production of clinical grade adenovirus vaccines of high purity is feasible at an industrial scale. Correspondingly, purification procedures of the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine should be modified to remove protein impurities as good as possible. Our data also indicate that standard quality assays, as they are used in the manufacturing of proteins, have to be adapted for vectored vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Krutzke
- Department of Gene Therapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Reinhild Rösler
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Tatjana Engler
- Department of Gene Therapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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2
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Endogenous Peptide Inhibitors of HIV Entry. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1366:65-85. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-8702-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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3
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Holch A, Bauer R, Olari LR, Rodriguez AA, Ständker L, Preising N, Karacan M, Wiese S, Walther P, Ruiz-Blanco YB, Sanchez-Garcia E, Schumann C, Münch J, Spellerberg B. Respiratory ß-2-Microglobulin exerts pH dependent antimicrobial activity. Virulence 2021; 11:1402-1414. [PMID: 33092477 PMCID: PMC7588194 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2020.1831367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The respiratory tract is a major entry site for microbial pathogens. To combat bacterial infections, the immune system has various defense mechanisms at its disposal, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). To search for novel AMPs from the respiratory tract, a peptide library from human broncho-alveolar-lavage (BAL) fluid was screened for antimicrobial activity by radial diffusion assays allowing the efficient detection of antibacterial activity within a small sample size. After repeated testing-cycles and subsequent purification, we identified ß-2-microglobulin (B2M) in antibacterially active fractions. B2M belongs to the MHC-1 receptor complex present at the surface of nucleated cells. It is known to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli and to facilitate phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. Using commercially available B2M we confirmed a dose-dependent inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and L. monocytogenes. To characterize AMP activity within the B2M sequence, peptide fragments of the molecule were tested for antimicrobial activity. Activity could be localized to the C-terminal part of B2M. Investigating pH dependency of the antimicrobial activity of B2M demonstrated an increased activity at pH values of 5.5 and below, a hallmark of infection and inflammation. Sytox green uptake into bacterial cells following the exposure to B2M was determined and revealed a pH-dependent loss of bacterial membrane integrity. TEM analysis showed areas of disrupted bacterial membranes in L. monocytogenes incubated with B2M and high amounts of lysed bacterial cells. In conclusion, B2M as part of a ubiquitous cell surface complex may represent a potent antimicrobial agent by interfering with bacterial membrane integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Holch
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital , Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard Bauer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital , Ulm, Germany
| | - Lia-Raluca Olari
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University Hospital , Ulm, Germany
| | - Armando A Rodriguez
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany.,Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University , Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany
| | - Nico Preising
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany
| | - Merve Karacan
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University , Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany
| | - Yasser B Ruiz-Blanco
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational Biochemistry, Center of Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Schumann
- Pneumology, Thoracic Oncology, Sleep and Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, Clinics Kempten-Allgäu, Kempten and Immenstadt , Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University Hospital , Ulm, Germany.,Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center , Ulm, Germany
| | - Barbara Spellerberg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital , Ulm, Germany
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4
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Gilg A, Harms M, Olari LR, Urbanowitz AK, Bonig H, Münch J. Absence of the CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X4 from pharmaceutical human serum albumin preparations. J Transl Med 2021; 19:190. [PMID: 33941197 PMCID: PMC8094565 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02859-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endogenous Peptide Inhibitor of CXCR4 (EPI-X4) is a natural antagonist of the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). EPI-X4 is a 16-mer peptide that is released from human serum albumin (HSA) by acidic aspartic proteases such as Cathepsin D and E. Since human serum albumin (HSA) is an important medicinal substance we asked whether different pharmaceutical HSA products contain EPI-X4 which could have been generated during manufacturing and whether HSA can serve as a substrate for cathepsins despite of the presence of stabilizers like caprylate. METHODS Eight pharmaceutical HSA preparations representing all currently used fractionation technologies were analyzed. The previously described specific EPI-X4 ELISA was used for quantification; in vitro EPI-X4 generation by acidification in the presence or absence of cathepsins was followed by quantification with ELISA. RESULTS None of the pharmaceutical HSA preparations tested contained EPI-X4. Acidification of HSA did not generate EPI-X4. Addition of cathepsins D and E to acidified HSA yielded high concentrations of EPI-X4 in all HSA preparations, indistinguishable between individual products. CONCLUSION Medicinal HSA preparations per se do not contain EPI-X4, but will replenish its precursor which can be cleaved to EPI-X4 in vivo, environmental conditions permitting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gilg
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mirja Harms
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lia-Raluca Olari
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Urbanowitz
- German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen, Institute Frankfurt, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Halvard Bonig
- German Red Cross Blood Donor Service Baden-Wuerttemberg-Hessen, Institute Frankfurt, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, Goethe University, 60528, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Dept. of Medicine, Div. of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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5
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González García M, Rodríguez A, Alba A, Vázquez AA, Morales Vicente FE, Pérez-Erviti J, Spellerberg B, Stenger S, Grieshober M, Conzelmann C, Münch J, Raber H, Kubiczek D, Rosenau F, Wiese S, Ständker L, Otero-González A. New Antibacterial Peptides from the Freshwater Mollusk Pomacea poeyana (Pilsbry, 1927). Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10111473. [PMID: 33113998 PMCID: PMC7690686 DOI: 10.3390/biom10111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are biomolecules with antimicrobial activity against a broad group of pathogens. In the past few decades, AMPs have represented an important alternative for the treatment of infectious diseases. Their isolation from natural sources has been widely investigated. In this sense, mollusks are promising organisms for the identification of AMPs given that their immune system mainly relies on innate response. In this report, we characterized the peptide fraction of the Cuban freshwater snail Pomacea poeyana (Pilsbry, 1927) and identified 37 different peptides by nanoLC-ESI-MS-MS technology. From these peptide sequences, using bioinformatic prediction tools, we discovered two potential antimicrobial peptides named Pom-1 (KCAGSIAWAIGSGLFGGAKLIKIKKYIAELGGLQ) and Pom-2 (KEIERAGQRIRDAIISAAPAVETLAQAQKIIKGG). Database search revealed that Pom-1 is a fragment of Closticin 574 previously isolated from the bacteria Clostridium tyrobutyrium, and Pom-2 is a fragment of cecropin D-like peptide first isolated from Galleria mellonella hemolymph. These sequences were chemically synthesized and evaluated against different human pathogens. Interestingly, structural predictions of both peptides in the presence of micelles showed models that comprise two alpha helices joined by a short loop. The CD spectra analysis of Pom-1 and Pom-2 in water showed for both structures a high random coil content, a certain content of α-helix and a low β-sheet content. Like other described AMPs displaying a disordered structure in water, the peptides may adopt a helical conformation in presence of bacterial membranes. In antimicrobial assays, Pom-1 demonstrated high activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and moderate activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes. Neither of the two peptides showed antifungal action. Pom-1 moderately inhibits Zika Virus infection but slightly enhances HIV-1 infectivion in vitro. The evaluation of cell toxicity on primary human macrophages did not show toxicity on THP-1 cells, although slight overall toxicity was observed in high concentrations of Pom-1. We assume that both peptides may play a key role in innate defense of P. poeyana and represent promising antimicrobial candidates for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melaine González García
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 street, 10400 Havana, Cuba; (M.G.G.); (J.P.-E.)
| | - Armando Rodríguez
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
- Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Annia Alba
- Reference Center for Research and Diagnosis, Pedro Kourí Institute for Tropical Medicine, 11400 Havana, Cuba; (A.A.); (A.A.V.)
| | - Antonio A. Vázquez
- Reference Center for Research and Diagnosis, Pedro Kourí Institute for Tropical Medicine, 11400 Havana, Cuba; (A.A.); (A.A.V.)
| | - Fidel E. Morales Vicente
- General Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Zapata y G, 10400 Havana, Cuba;
- Synthetic Peptides Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, P.O. Box 6162, 10600 Havana, Cuba
| | - Julio Pérez-Erviti
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 street, 10400 Havana, Cuba; (M.G.G.); (J.P.-E.)
| | - Barbara Spellerberg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.S.); (S.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Steffen Stenger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.S.); (S.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Mark Grieshober
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.S.); (S.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Carina Conzelmann
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (C.C.); (J.M.)
| | - Heinz Raber
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (H.R.); (D.K.); (F.R.)
| | - Dennis Kubiczek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (H.R.); (D.K.); (F.R.)
| | - Frank Rosenau
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (H.R.); (D.K.); (F.R.)
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility for Functional Peptidomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany;
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (A.O.-G.)
| | - Anselmo Otero-González
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 street, 10400 Havana, Cuba; (M.G.G.); (J.P.-E.)
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (A.O.-G.)
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6
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Microtiter plate-based antibody-competition assay to determine binding affinities and plasma/blood stability of CXCR4 ligands. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16036. [PMID: 32994431 PMCID: PMC7525492 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is involved in several intractable disease processes, including HIV infection, cancer cell metastasis, leukemia cell progression, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, CXCR4 represents a promising drug target and several CXCR4 antagonizing agents are in preclinical or clinical development. Important parameters in drug lead evaluation are determination of binding affinities to the receptor and assessment of their stability and activity in plasma or blood of animals and humans. Here, we designed a microtiter plate-based CXCR4 antibody competition assay that enables to measure inhibitory concentrations (IC50 values) and affinity constants (Ki values) of CXCR4 targeting drugs. The assay is based on the observation that most if not all CXCR4 antagonists compete with binding of the fluorescence-tagged CXCR4 antibody 12G5 to the receptor. We demonstrate that this antibody-competition assay allows a convenient and cheap determination of binding affinities of various CXCR4 antagonists in living cells within just 3 h. Moreover, the assay can be performed in the presence of high concentrations of physiologically relevant body fluids, and thus is a useful readout to evaluate stability (i.e. half-life) of CXCR4 ligands in serum/plasma, and even whole human and mouse blood ex vivo. Thus, this optimized 12G5 antibody-competition assay allows a robust and convenient determination and calculation of various important pharmacological parameters of CXCR4 receptor-drug interaction and may not only foster future drug development but also animal welfare by reducing the number of experimental animals.
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7
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Choosang J, Thavarungkul P, Kanatharana P, Numnuam A. AuNPs/PpPD/PEDOT:PSS-Fc modified screen-printed carbon electrode label-free immunosensor for sensitive and selective determination of human serum albumin. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.104709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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8
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Groß R, Bauer R, Krüger F, Rücker-Braun E, Olari LR, Ständker L, Preising N, Rodríguez AA, Conzelmann C, Gerbl F, Sauter D, Kirchhoff F, Hagemann B, Gačanin J, Weil T, Ruiz-Blanco YB, Sanchez-Garcia E, Forssmann WG, Mankertz A, Santibanez S, Stenger S, Walther P, Wiese S, Spellerberg B, Münch J. A Placenta Derived C-Terminal Fragment of β-Hemoglobin With Combined Antibacterial and Antiviral Activity. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:508. [PMID: 32328038 PMCID: PMC7153485 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta acts as physical and immunological barrier against the transmission of viruses and bacteria from mother to fetus. However, the specific mechanisms by which the placenta protects the developing fetus from viral and bacterial pathogens are poorly understood. To identify placental peptides and small proteins protecting from viral and bacterial infections, we generated a peptide library from 10 kg placenta by chromatographic means. Screening the resulting 250 fractions against Herpes-Simplex-Virus 2 (HSV-2), which is rarely transmitted through the placenta, in a cell-based system identified two adjacent fractions with significant antiviral activity. Further rounds of chromatographic purification and anti-HSV-2 testing allowed to purify the bioactive peptide. Mass spectrometry revealed the presence of a 36-mer derived from the C-terminal region of the hemoglobin β subunit. The purified and corresponding chemically synthesized peptide, termed HBB(112–147), inhibited HSV-2 infection in a dose-dependent manner, with a mean IC50 in the median μg/ml range. Full-length hemoglobin tetramer had no antiviral activity. HBB(112–147) did not impair infectivity by direct targeting of the virions but prevented HSV-2 infection at the cell entry level. The peptide was inactive against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1, Rubella and Zika virus infection, suggesting a specific anti-HSV-2 mechanism. Notably, HBB(112–147) has previously been identified as broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. It is abundant in placenta, reaching concentrations between 280 and 740 μg/ml, that are well sufficient to inhibit HSV-2 and prototype Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. We here additionally show, that HBB(112–147) also acts potently against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (including a multi-drug resistant strain) in a dose dependent manner, while full-length hemoglobin is inactive. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity of HBB(112–147) was increased under acidic conditions, a hallmark of infection and inflammatory conditions. Indeed, we found that HBB(112–147) is released from the hemoglobin precursor by Cathepsin D and Napsin A, acidic proteases highly expressed in placental and other tissues. We propose that upon viral or bacterial infection, the abundant hemoglobin precursor is proteolytically processed to release HBB(112–147), a broadly active antimicrobial innate immune defense peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rüdiger Groß
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard Bauer
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Franziska Krüger
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Elke Rücker-Braun
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lia-Raluca Olari
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Nico Preising
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Armando A Rodríguez
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.,Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carina Conzelmann
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Fabian Gerbl
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hagemann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmina Gačanin
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja Weil
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic Chemistry I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Yasser B Ruiz-Blanco
- Computational Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Computational Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Annette Mankertz
- WHO Measles/Rubella European RRL and NRC Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Santibanez
- WHO Measles/Rubella European RRL and NRC Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steffen Stenger
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit of Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Barbara Spellerberg
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.,Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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An Interaction Network of the Human SEPT9 Established by Quantitative Mass Spectrometry. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2019; 9:1869-1880. [PMID: 30975701 PMCID: PMC6553528 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Septins regulate the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, vesicle transport and fusion, chromosome alignment and segregation, and cytokinesis in mammalian cells. SEPT9 is part of the core septin hetero-octamer in human cells which is composed of SEPT2, SEPT6, SEPT7, and SEPT9. SEPT9 has been linked to a variety of intracellular functions as well as to diseases and diverse types of cancer. A targeted high-throughput approach to systematically identify the interaction partners of SEPT9 has not yet been performed. We applied a quantitative proteomics approach to establish an interactome of SEPT9 in human fibroblast cells. Among the newly identified interaction partners were members of the myosin family and LIM domain containing proteins. Fluorescence microscopy of SEPT9 and its interaction partners provides additional evidence that SEPT9 might participate in vesicle transport from and to the plasma membrane as well as in the attachment of actin stress fibers to cellular adhesions.
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10
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Groß A, Kracher B, Kraus JM, Kühlwein SD, Pfister AS, Wiese S, Luckert K, Pötz O, Joos T, Van Daele D, De Raedt L, Kühl M, Kestler HA. Representing dynamic biological networks with multi-scale probabilistic models. Commun Biol 2019; 2:21. [PMID: 30675519 PMCID: PMC6336720 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-018-0268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dynamic models analyzing gene regulation and metabolism face challenges when adapted to modeling signal transduction networks. During signal transduction, molecular reactions and mechanisms occur in different spatial and temporal frames and involve feedbacks. This impedes the straight-forward use of methods based on Boolean networks, Bayesian approaches, and differential equations. We propose a new approach, ProbRules, that combines probabilities and logical rules to represent the dynamics of a system across multiple scales. We demonstrate that ProbRules models can represent various network motifs of biological systems. As an example of a comprehensive model of signal transduction, we provide a Wnt network that shows remarkable robustness under a range of phenotypical and pathological conditions. Its simulation allows the clarification of controversially discussed molecular mechanisms of Wnt signaling by predicting wet-lab measurements. ProbRules provides an avenue in current computational modeling by enabling systems biologists to integrate vast amounts of available data on different scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Groß
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Barbara Kracher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johann M. Kraus
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Silke D. Kühlwein
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Astrid S. Pfister
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Katrin Luckert
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Pötz
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Joos
- NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Dries Van Daele
- Department of Computer Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Luc De Raedt
- Department of Computer Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Michael Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Hans A. Kestler
- Institute of Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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11
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Pepin ME, Koentges C, Pfeil K, Gollmer J, Kersting S, Wiese S, Hoffmann MM, Odening KE, von zur Mühlen C, Diehl P, Stachon P, Wolf D, Wende AR, Bode C, Zirlik A, Bugger H. Dysregulation of the Mitochondrial Proteome Occurs in Mice Lacking Adiponectin Receptor 1. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:872. [PMID: 31920982 PMCID: PMC6923683 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Decreased serum adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetes has been linked to the onset of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic complications by impairing AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α signaling via impaired adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) signaling. Here, we aimed to characterize the previously undefined role of disrupted AdipoR1 signaling on the mitochondrial protein composition of cardiac, renal, and hepatic tissues as three organs principally associated with diabetic complications. Comparative proteomics were performed in mitochondria isolated from the heart, kidneys and liver of Adipor1 -/- mice. A total of 790, 1,573, and 1,833 proteins were identified in cardiac, renal and hepatic mitochondria, respectively. While 121, 98, and 78 proteins were differentially regulated in cardiac, renal, and hepatic tissue of Adipor1-/- mice, respectively; only 15 proteins were regulated in the same direction across all investigated tissues. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins revealed disproportionate representation of proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation conserved across tissue types. Curated pathway analysis identified HNF4, NRF1, LONP, RICTOR, SURF1, insulin receptor, and PGC-1α as candidate upstream regulators. In high fat-fed non-transgenic mice with obesity and insulin resistance, AdipoR1 gene expression was markedly reduced in heart (-70%), kidney (-80%), and liver (-90%) (all P < 0.05) as compared to low fat-fed mice. NRF1 was the only upstream regulator downregulated both in Adipor1-/- mice and in high fat-fed mice, suggesting common mechanisms of regulation. Thus, AdipoR1 signaling regulates mitochondrial protein composition across all investigated tissues in a functionally conserved, yet molecularly distinct, manner. The biological significance and potential implications of impaired AdipoR1 signaling are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Pepin
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Christoph Koentges
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Pfeil
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johannes Gollmer
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sophia Kersting
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wiese
- Core Unit Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael M. Hoffmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja E. Odening
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Constantin von zur Mühlen
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Diehl
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Stachon
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Wolf
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adam R. Wende
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Christoph Bode
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Zirlik
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heiko Bugger
- Division of Cardiology and Angiology I, Heart Center Freiburg University, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Heiko Bugger
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12
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Kragh-Hansen U. Possible Mechanisms by Which Enzymatic Degradation of Human Serum Albumin Can Lead to Bioactive Peptides and Biomarkers. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:63. [PMID: 30038906 PMCID: PMC6046381 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Partial enzymatic degradation of human serum albumin in vivo can lead to the generation of peptides with novel functions or to peptides that might serve as biomarkers for disease. In pathological conditions, biomarkers are possibly produced from the protein in the lysosomes and set free by cell death, or cell death could release acid endoproteases which produce biomarkers by degrading extracellular albumin. Alternatively, lysosomes or secretory granules can be stimulated to release enzymes which produce bioactive peptides from albumin. In physiological conditions, it is proposed that bioactive peptides can be made by enzymatic attack on the protein bound to the endosomal neonatal Fc receptor. The peptides formed could leave the cell, together with native albumin, by exocytosis. Thus, the receptor could have a new function in addition to saving albumin from degradation in the lysosomes. Large amounts of albumin are degraded every day, and this fact can compensate for the short in vivo half-lives of the bioactive peptides. One or more of the procedures outlined above could also apply to other plasma proteins or to structural proteins.
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13
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Bosso M, Ständker L, Kirchhoff F, Münch J. Exploiting the human peptidome for novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents. Bioorg Med Chem 2017; 26:2719-2726. [PMID: 29122440 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.10.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases and cancers are leading causes of death and pose major challenges to public health. The human peptidome encompasses millions of compounds that display an enormous structural and functional diversity and represents an excellent source for the discovery of endogenous agents with antimicrobial and/or anticancer activity. Here, we discuss how to exploit the human peptidome for novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents through the generation of peptide libraries from human body fluids and tissues and stepwise purification of bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Bosso
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ludger Ständker
- Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Core Facility Functional Peptidomics, Ulm University Medical Center, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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14
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Müller JA, Zirafi O, Roan NR, Lee SJ, Münch J. Evaluation of EPI-X4 as a urinary peptide biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of late acute GvHD. Bone Marrow Transplant 2016; 51:1137-9. [PMID: 27042833 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2016.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J A Müller
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - O Zirafi
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - N R Roan
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology, The J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - S J Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany.,Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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15
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Zirafi O, Hermann PC, Münch J. Proteolytic processing of human serum albumin generates EPI-X4, an endogenous antagonist of CXCR4. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 99:863-8. [PMID: 26965637 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.2mr1115-521rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is an important G protein-coupled receptor. Signaling via CXCL12 regulates a number of important biologic processes, including immune responses, organogenesis, or hematopoiesis. Dysregulation of CXCR4 signaling is associated with a variety of diseases, such as cancer development and metastasis, immunodeficiencies, or chronic inflammation. Here, we review our findings on endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 as a novel antagonist of CXCR4. This peptide is a 16-residue fragment of human serum albumin and was isolated as an inhibitor of CXCR4-tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from a blood-derived peptide library. Endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 binds the second extracellular loop of CXCR4, thereby preventing engagement of CXCL12 and antagonizing the receptor. Consequently, endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 inhibits CXCL12-mediated migration of CXCR4-expressing cells in vitro, mobilizes hematopoietic stem cells, and suppresses inflammatory responses in vivo. We discuss the generation of endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4, its relevance as biomarker for disease, and its role in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome pathogenesis and cancer. Furthermore, we discuss why optimized endogenous peptide inhibitor of CXCR4 derivatives might have advantages over other CXCR4 antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onofrio Zirafi
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick C Hermann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; and
| | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Ulm Peptide Pharmaceuticals, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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16
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Buske C, Kirchhoff F, Münch J. EPI-X4, a novel endogenous antagonist of CXCR4. Oncotarget 2016; 6:35137-8. [PMID: 26459389 PMCID: PMC4742086 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Buske
- Ulm University Medical Center, Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank Kirchhoff
- Ulm University Medical Center, Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Ulm University Medical Center, Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm, Germany
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17
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Discovery and characterization of an endogenous CXCR4 antagonist. Cell Rep 2015; 11:737-47. [PMID: 25921529 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.03.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling controls multiple physiological processes and its dysregulation is associated with cancers and inflammatory diseases. To discover as-yet-unknown endogenous ligands of CXCR4, we screened a blood-derived peptide library for inhibitors of CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 strains. This approach identified a 16 amino acid fragment of serum albumin as an effective and highly specific CXCR4 antagonist. The endogenous peptide, termed EPI-X4, is evolutionarily conserved and generated from the highly abundant albumin precursor by pH-regulated proteases. EPI-X4 forms an unusual lasso-like structure and antagonizes CXCL12-induced tumor cell migration, mobilizes stem cells, and suppresses inflammatory responses in mice. Furthermore, the peptide is abundant in the urine of patients with inflammatory kidney diseases and may serve as a biomarker. Our results identify EPI-X4 as a key regulator of CXCR4 signaling and introduce proteolysis of an abundant precursor protein as an alternative concept for chemokine receptor regulation.
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