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Liu Q, Jiang L, Zhao Y, Su F, Li J, Tian X, Liu W, Jiang X, Xu Y, Tao F. Paeoniflorigenone inhibits ovarian cancer metastasis through targeting the MUC1/Wnt/β‑catenin pathway. Int J Mol Med 2024; 54:60. [PMID: 38785138 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2024.5384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies. Currently, chemoradiotherapy is the primary clinical treatment approach for OC; however, it has severe side effects and a high rate of recurrence. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop innovative therapeutic options. Paeoniflorigenone (PFG) is a monoterpene compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Paeoniae Radix Rubra. PFG can inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells; however, its anticancer activity against OC has yet to be elucidated. Mucin 1 (MUC1) is highly expressed in various malignant tumors, and is associated with tumor proliferation, metastasis and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, MUC1 affects numerous signaling pathways in tumor cells. In order to develop a possible treatment approach for metastatic OC, the antitumor activity of PFG in OC cells was investigated using Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, Edu assay, flow cytometry, Transwell assay and western blot analysis. In addition, it was assessed how PFG affects MUC1 expression and function. The experiments revealed that PFG significantly inhibited OC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. PFG also induced S‑phase cell cycle arrest in OC cells. Furthermore, PFG inhibited MUC1 promoter activity, which led to a decrease in MUC1 protein expression. By contrast, MUC1 promoted OC progression, including cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell migration. Stable knockdown of MUC1 in OC cells improved the ability of PFG to block the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway, and to limit tumor cell invasion and migration, whereas MUC1 overexpression partially counteracted the antitumor effects of PFG. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that PFG may inhibit the MUC1/Wnt/β‑catenin pathway to induce anti‑metastatic, anti‑invasive and anti‑EMT effects on OC. Notably, MUC1 may be a direct target of PFG. Thus, PFG holds promise as a specific antitumor agent for the treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Liu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Liqin Jiang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Fang Su
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Xinxin Tian
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P.R. China
| | - Wenhong Liu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Xiawei Jiang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Ye Xu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Fangfang Tao
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
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Dongrui Z, Miyamoto M, Yokoo H, Demizu Y. Innovative peptide architectures: advancements in foldamers and stapled peptides for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:699-723. [PMID: 38753534 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2350568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Peptide foldamers play a critical role in pharmaceutical research and biomedical applications. This review highlights recent (post-2020) advancements in novel foldamers, synthetic techniques, and their applications in pharmaceutical research. AREAS COVERED The authors summarize the structures and applications of peptide foldamers such as α, β, γ-peptides, hydrocarbon-stapled peptides, urea-type foldamers, sulfonic-γ-amino acid foldamers, aromatic foldamers, and peptoids, which tackle the challenges of traditional peptide drugs. Regarding antimicrobial use, foldamers have shown progress in their potential against drug-resistant bacteria. In drug development, peptide foldamers have been used as drug delivery systems (DDS) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors. EXPERT OPINION These structures exhibit resistance to enzymatic degradation, are promising for therapeutic delivery, and disrupt crucial PPIs associated with diseases such as cancer with specificity, versatility, and stability, which are useful therapeutic properties. However, the complexity and cost of their synthesis, along with the necessity for thorough safety and efficacy assessments, necessitate extensive research and cross-sector collaboration. Advances in synthesis methods, computational modeling, and targeted delivery systems are essential for fully realizing the therapeutic potential of foldamers and integrating them into mainstream medical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dongrui
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Maho Miyamoto
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hidetomo Yokoo
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Science of Okayama University, Kita, Japan
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Fujita M, Tsuchiya K, Kurohara T, Fukuhara K, Misawa T, Demizu Y. In silico optimization of peptides that inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 84:117264. [PMID: 37003158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117264] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway causes transcriptional activation through the interaction between β-catenin and T cell-specific transcription factor (TCF) and regulates a wide variety of cellular responses, including proliferation, differentiation and cell motility. Excessive transcriptional activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is implicated in developing or exacerbating various cancers. We have recently reported that liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1)-derived peptides inhibit the β-catenin/TCF interaction. In addition, we developed a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-conjugated LRH-1-derived peptide that inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells and specifically inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Nonetheless, the inhibitory activity of the CPP-conjugated LRH-1-derived peptide was unsatisfactory (ca. 20 μM), and improving the bioactivity of peptide inhibitors is required for their in vivo applications. In this study, we optimized the LRH-1-derived peptide using in silico design to enhance its activity further. The newly designed peptides showed binding affinity toward β-catenin comparable to the parent peptide. In addition, the CPP-conjugated stapled peptide, Penetratin-st6, showed excellent inhibition (ca. 5 μM). Thus, the combination of in silico design by MOE and MD calculations has revealed that logical molecular design of PPI inhibitory peptides targeting β-catenin is possible. This method can be also applied to the rational design of peptide-based inhibitors targeting other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minami Fujita
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tsuchiya
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan; Graduate School of Pharmacy, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan.
| | - Takashi Kurohara
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Fukuhara
- Graduate School of Pharmacy, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Misawa
- Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Yosuke Demizu
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Division of Organic Chemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
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Bottens RA, Yamada T. Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) as Therapeutic and Diagnostic Agents for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225546. [PMID: 36428639 PMCID: PMC9688740 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs) are short peptides consisting of <30 amino acids. Their ability to translocate through the cell membrane while carrying large cargo biomolecules has been the topic of pre-clinical and clinical trials. The ability to deliver cargo complexes through membranes yields potential for therapeutics and diagnostics for diseases such as cancer. Upon cellular entry, some CPPs have the ability to target specific organelles. CPP-based intracellular targeting strategies hold tremendous potential as they can improve efficacy and reduce toxicities and side effects. Further, recent clinical trials show a significant potential for future CPP-based cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CPPs based on systematic searches in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases until 30 September 2022. We highlight targeted delivery and explore the potential uses for CPPs as diagnostics, drug delivery, and intrinsic anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Bottens
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Tohru Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Richard & Loan Hill Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and Engineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Correspondence:
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