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Ranglani S, Ashton A, Mahfooz K, Komorowska J, Graur A, Kabbani N, Garcia-Rates S, Greenfield S. A Novel Bioactive Peptide, T14, Selectively Activates mTORC1 Signalling: Therapeutic Implications for Neurodegeneration and Other Rapamycin-Sensitive Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9961. [PMID: 37373106 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129961] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
T14 modulates calcium influx via the α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor to regulate cell growth. Inappropriate triggering of this process has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer, whereas T14 blockade has proven therapeutic potential in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of these pathologies. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is critical for growth, however its hyperactivation is implicated in AD and cancer. T14 is a product of the longer 30mer-T30. Recent work shows that T30 drives neurite growth in the human SH-SY5Y cell line via the mTOR pathway. Here, we demonstrate that T30 induces an increase in mTORC1 in PC12 cells, and ex vivo rat brain slices containing substantia nigra, but not mTORC2. The increase in mTORC1 by T30 in PC12 cells is attenuated by its blocker, NBP14. Moreover, in post-mortem human midbrain, T14 levels correlate significantly with mTORC1. Silencing mTORC1 reverses the effects of T30 on PC12 cells measured via AChE release in undifferentiated PC12 cells, whilst silencing mTORC2 does not. This suggests that T14 acts selectively via mTORC1. T14 blockade offers a preferable alternative to currently available blockers of mTOR as it would enable selective blockade of mTORC1, thereby reducing side effects associated with generalised mTOR blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanskar Ranglani
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Anna Ashton
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Kashif Mahfooz
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Joanna Komorowska
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Alexandru Graur
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Nadine Kabbani
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Sara Garcia-Rates
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Susan Greenfield
- Neuro Bio Ltd., Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
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Hasan S, Ahmed M, Garcia-Ratés S, Greenfield S. Antagonising a novel toxin "T14" in Alzheimer's disease: Comparison of receptor blocker versus antibody effects in vitro. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114120. [PMID: 36521245 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114120] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A 14mer peptide, T14, is a possible signaling molecule driving neurodegeneration. Its levels are doubled in the Alzheimer brain, but its effects can be blocked at the target alpha-7 receptor by a cyclised variant, 'NBP14', which has beneficial effects, in a transgenic mouse model, on the behavioral and histochemical profile. Since the antagonism of T14 has evident therapeutic potential, we explore here an alternative method of preventing its action by comparing the efficacy of NBP14 with a proprietorial polyclonal antibody against T14, 'Ab-19', at inhibiting three distinct effects of the peptide in PC12 cells: calcium influx, cell viability and compensatory acetylcholinesterase (AChE) release. None of these three parameters was affected by either blocking agent when applied alone. However, both NBP14 and the Ab-19 exhibited a dose-dependent profile against the actions of T14 in all three scenarios: the least sensitive effect observed was in the lower dose range, for both the antibody and the receptor blocker, in antagonizing T14-triggered release of AChE: this parameter is interpreted as indirect compensation for the T14-induced compromise of cell viability, triggered by the enhanced influx of calcium through the initial binding of the peptide to an allosteric site on the alpha-7 receptor. As such, it is the most delayed and indirect index of T14 action and thus the least relatively impacted by lowest doses of either NBP14 or Ab-19. In all three scenarios however the effects of T14 are successfully offset by either agent and thus offer two potentially very different therapies against Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibah Hasan
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK.
| | - Mehreen Ahmed
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Sara Garcia-Ratés
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Susan Greenfield
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Building F5, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK
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Pepper C, Tu H, Morrill P, Garcia-Rates S, Fegan C, Greenfield S. Tumor cell migration is inhibited by a novel therapeutic strategy antagonizing the alpha-7 receptor. Oncotarget 2017; 8:11414-11424. [PMID: 28077796 PMCID: PMC5355275 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A 14mer peptide (T14) derived from the C-terminus of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) selectively activates metastatic breast cancer cells via the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor (α7 nAChR). This naturally occurring peptide is also present in brain, is elevated in Alzheimer's disease, and is antagonised by a cyclized variant (NBP-14). Here we investigated the effects of NBP-14 in six different cancer cell lines, primary leukemia B-cells and normal B-cells. All cells tested expressed α7 nAChR, intracellular and extracellular T14. However, NBP-14 showed low toxicity and weak anti-proliferative effects in the majority of the cell lines and was even less toxic in normal B-cells when compared to primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (P < 0.001). Given the potential role of T14 peptide in metastasis, we next investigated the effects of NBP-14 on tumor cell migration, where it caused a dose-dependent reduction. The extent of NBP-14 inhibition positively correlated with the migration of the cells (r2 = 0.45; P = 0.06). Furthermore, NBP-14 preferentially inhibited the migration of primary leukemia cells when compared with normal B-cells (P = 0.0002); when the normal B-cell data was excluded, this correlation was strengthened (r2 = 0.80; P = 0.006). Importantly, the constitutive α7 nAChR expression positively correlated with intracellular T14 levels (r2 = 0.91; P = 0.0003) and inversely correlated with extracellular T14 levels in the cell culture supernatants (r2 = −0.79; P = 0.034). However, in the presence of NBP-14, α7 nAChR expression was reduced (P = 0.04) and the most migratory cells showed the largest reduction in expression. In conclusion, NBP-14-mediated antagonism of the α7 nAChR offers a novel therapeutic strategy with the potential to inhibit tumor cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Pepper
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Henry Tu
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, UK
| | - Paul Morrill
- Neuro-Bio Ltd, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, UK
| | | | - Chris Fegan
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
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Blanco‐Míguez A, Gutiérrez‐Jácome A, Pérez‐Pérez M, Pérez‐Rodríguez G, Catalán‐García S, Fdez‐Riverola F, Lourenço A, Sánchez B. From amino acid sequence to bioactivity: The biomedical potential of antitumor peptides. Protein Sci 2016; 25:1084-95. [PMID: 27010507 PMCID: PMC4941772 DOI: 10.1002/pro.2927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chemoprevention is the use of natural and/or synthetic substances to block, reverse, or retard the process of carcinogenesis. In this field, the use of antitumor peptides is of interest as, (i) these molecules are small in size, (ii) they show good cell diffusion and permeability, (iii) they affect one or more specific molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis, and (iv) they are not usually genotoxic. We have checked the Web of Science Database (23/11/2015) in order to collect papers reporting on bioactive peptide (1691 registers), which was further filtered searching terms such as "antiproliferative," "antitumoral," or "apoptosis" among others. Works reporting the amino acid sequence of an antiproliferative peptide were kept (60 registers), and this was complemented with the peptides included in CancerPPD, an extensive resource for antiproliferative peptides and proteins. Peptides were grouped according to one of the following mechanism of action: inhibition of cell migration, inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, antioxidative mechanisms, inhibition of gene transcription/cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, disorganization of tubulin structure, cytotoxicity, or unknown mechanisms. The main mechanisms of action of those antiproliferative peptides with known amino acid sequences are presented and finally, their potential clinical usefulness and future challenges on their application is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Blanco‐Míguez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Alberto Gutiérrez‐Jácome
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Martín Pérez‐Pérez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Gael Pérez‐Rodríguez
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Sandra Catalán‐García
- Asturias, INDRA Software LabsC/Jimena Fernández De La Vega, 140 P. Científico Tecnológico, EdGijón33203Spain
| | - Florentino Fdez‐Riverola
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
| | - Anália Lourenço
- ESEI ‐ Escuela Superior De Ingeniería Informática, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario as Lagoas S/N, Universidad De VigoOurense32004Spain
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of MinhoCampus De GualtarBraga4710‐057Portugal
| | - Borja Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry of Dairy ProductsInstituto De Productos Lácteos De Asturias (IPLA), Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)VillaviciosaAsturiasSpain
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Badin AS, Eraifej J, Greenfield S. High-resolution spatio-temporal bioactivity of a novel peptide revealed by optical imaging in rat orbitofrontal cortex in vitro: Possible implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Neuropharmacology 2013; 73:10-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Discovering and targeting the basic mechanism of neurodegeneration: The role of peptides from the C-terminus of acetylcholinesterase. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 203:543-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Garcia-Ratés S, Lewis M, Worrall R, Greenfield S. Additive toxicity of β-amyloid by a novel bioactive peptide in vitro: possible implications for Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54864. [PMID: 23390503 PMCID: PMC3563650 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background β-amyloid is regarded as a significant factor in Alzheimer’s disease: but inefficient therapies based on this rationale suggests that additional signalling molecules or intermediary mechanisms must be involved in the actual initiation of the characteristic degeneration of neurons. One clue could be that acetylcholinesterase, also present in amyloid plaques, is aberrant in peripheral tissues such as blood and adrenal medulla that can be implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this study was to assess the bioactivity of a fragment of acetylcholinesterase responsible for its non-enzymatic functions, a thirty amino acid peptide (“T30”) which has homologies with β-amyloid. Methods Cell viability was measured by sulforhodamine B assay and also lactate dehydrogenase assay: meanwhile, changes in the status of living cells was monitored by measuring release of acetylcholinesterase in cell perfusates using the Ellman reagent. Findings T30 peptide and β-amyloid each have toxic effects on PC12 cells, comparable to hydrogen peroxide. However only the two peptides selectively then evoke a subsequent, enhanced release in acetylcholinesterase that could only be derived from the extant cells. Moreover, unlike hydrogen peroxide, the T30 peptide selectively shifted a sub-threshold dose of β-amyloid to a toxic effect, which also resulted in a comparable enhanced release of acetylcholinesterase. Interpretation This is the first study comparing directly the bioactivity of β-amyloid with a peptide derived from acetylcholinesterase: the similarity in action suggests that the sequence homology between the two compounds might have a functional and/or pathological relevance. The subsequent enhanced release of acetylcholinesterase from the extant cells could reflect a primary ‘compensatory’ response of cells prone to degeneration, paradoxically providing further availability of the toxic C-terminal peptide to modulate the potency of β-amyloid. Such a cycle of events may provide new insights into the mechanism of continuing selective cell loss in Alzheimer’s disease and related degenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Garcia-Ratés
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Bond CE, Zimmermann M, Greenfield SA. Upregulation of alpha7 Nicotinic Receptors by Acetylcholinesterase C-Terminal Peptides. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4846. [PMID: 19287501 PMCID: PMC2654408 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is well known as a potent calcium ionophore that, in the brain, has been implicated in excitotoxicity and hence in the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Previous research implied that the activity of this receptor may be modified by exposure to a peptide fragment derived from the C-terminal region of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This investigation was undertaken to determine if the functional changes observed could be attributed to peptide binding interaction with the α7-nAChR, or peptide modulation of receptor expression. Methodology/Principal Findings This study provides evidence that two peptides derived from the C-terminus of acetylcholinesterase, not only selectively displace specific bungarotoxin binding at the α7-nAChR, but also alter receptor binding properties for its familiar ligands, including the alternative endogenous agonist choline. Of more long-term significance, these peptides also induce upregulation of α7-nAChR mRNA and protein expression, as well as enhancing receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane. Conclusions/Significance The results reported here demonstrate a hitherto unknown relationship between the α7-nAChR and the non-enzymatic functions of acetylcholinesterase, mediated independently by its C-terminal domain. Such an interaction may prove valuable as a pharmacological tool, prompting new approaches for understanding, and combating, the process of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie E Bond
- Institute for the Future of the Mind, Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
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Battisti V, Schetinger MRC, Maders LDK, Santos KF, Bagatini MD, Correa MC, Spanevello RM, do Carmo Araújo M, Morsch VM. Changes in acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity in lymphocytes and whole blood in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients. Clin Chim Acta 2009; 402:114-8. [PMID: 19185568 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2008.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2008] [Revised: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 12/22/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes and it is the most common form of cancer in children. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is well known as having non-cholinergic functions and has been detected in the blood and plasma of humans including in lymphocytes. Thus, we investigated whole blood and lymphocyte AChE activity in patients with ALL. METHODS This study was performed on 72 children with ALL divided into 4 groups: newly diagnosed, remission induction, remission maintenance and out-of-treatment and one control group of 50 healthy subjects. We determined AChE activity in whole blood and lymphocytes of these patients. RESULTS Results demonstrated that whole blood AChE activity was enhanced in the newly diagnosed group and reduced in the remission induction and remission maintenance groups in relation to the control group. For lymphocyte AChE activity we found an increase in the newly diagnosed group and a decrease in the remission induction group in relation to the control. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that AChE activity was altered in ALL patients. This fact may be related with the essential role played by AChE in the development of hematological disease and its contribution to the regulation of immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Battisti
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus Universitário, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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Old and new questions about cholinesterases. Chem Biol Interact 2008; 175:30-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2008.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2007] [Revised: 04/25/2008] [Accepted: 04/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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