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Xu B, Anderson BM, Mountford SJ, Thompson PE, Mintern JD, Edgington-Mitchell LE. Cathepsin X deficiency alters the processing and localisation of cathepsin L and impairs cleavage of a nuclear cathepsin L substrate. Biol Chem 2024; 405:351-365. [PMID: 38410910 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0355] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Proteases function within sophisticated networks. Altering the activity of one protease can have sweeping effects on other proteases, leading to changes in their activity, structure, specificity, localisation, stability, and expression. Using a suite of chemical tools, we investigated the impact of cathepsin X, a lysosomal cysteine protease, on the activity and expression of other cysteine proteases and their inhibitors in dendritic cells. Among all proteases examined, cathepsin X gene deletion specifically altered cathepsin L levels; pro-cathepsin L and its single chain accumulated while the two-chain form was unchanged. This effect was recapitulated by chemical inhibition of cathepsin X, suggesting a dependence on its catalytic activity. We demonstrated that accumulation of pro- and single chain cathepsin L was not due to a lack of direct cleavage by cathepsin X or altered glycosylation, secretion, or mRNA expression but may result from changes in lysosomal oxidative stress or pH. In the absence of active cathepsin X, nuclear cathepsin L and cleavage of the known nuclear cathepsin L substrate, Lamin B1, were diminished. Thus, cathepsin X activity selectively regulates cathepsin L, which has the potential to impact the degree of cathepsin L proteolysis, the nature of substrates that it cleaves, and the location of cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangyan Xu
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, 2281 Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Bethany M Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, 2281 Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Simon J Mountford
- Medicinal Chemistry, 2541 Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Philip E Thompson
- Medicinal Chemistry, 2541 Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Justine D Mintern
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, 2281 Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Laura E Edgington-Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology, 2281 Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne , Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
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2
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Ziegler AR, Dufour A, Scott NE, Edgington-Mitchell LE. Ion Mobility-Based Enrichment-Free N-Terminomics Analysis Reveals Novel Legumain Substrates in Murine Spleen. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100714. [PMID: 38199506 PMCID: PMC10862022 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100714] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant levels of the asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain have been linked to inflammation, neurodegeneration, and cancer, yet our understanding of this protease is incomplete. Systematic attempts to identify legumain substrates have been previously confined to in vitro studies, which fail to mirror physiological conditions and obscure biologically relevant cleavage events. Using high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), we developed a streamlined approach for proteome and N-terminome analyses without the need for N-termini enrichment. Compared to unfractionated proteomic analysis, we demonstrate FAIMS fractionation improves N-termini identification by >2.5 fold, resulting in the identification of >2882 unique N-termini from limited sample amounts. In murine spleens, this approach identifies 6366 proteins and 2528 unique N-termini, with 235 cleavage events enriched in WT compared to legumain-deficient spleens. Among these, 119 neo-N-termini arose from asparaginyl endopeptidase activities, representing novel putative physiological legumain substrates. The direct cleavage of selected substrates by legumain was confirmed using in vitro assays, providing support for the existence of physiologically relevant extra-lysosomal legumain activity. Combined, these data shed critical light on the functions of legumain and demonstrate the utility of FAIMS as an accessible method to improve depth and quality of N-terminomics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Ziegler
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nichollas E Scott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Laura E Edgington-Mitchell
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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3
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Ehsan M, Hu RS, Wang M, Hou JL, Rashid M, Malik MI. Immune modulation of goat monocytes by Fasciola gigantica Legumain-1 protein (Fg-LGMN-1). Exp Parasitol 2024; 256:108671. [PMID: 38081528 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108671] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Legumains belonging to C_13 peptidase family of proteins, and are ubiquitously disseminated among all vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, and have been implicated in innumerable biological and cellular functionality. Herein, we characterized and evaluated immunoregulatory characteristics of Legumain-1 from Fasciola gigantica (Fg-LGMN-1) during its interaction with host immune cells. The isopropyl-ß-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) stimulated RFg-LGMN-1 protein was positively detected by rat serum containing anti-RFg-LGMN-1 polyclonal antibodies. Furthermore, the uptake of RFg-LGMN-1 by goat monocytes was successfully confirmed using Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). The immunohistochemical analysis revealed the native localization of LGMN-1 protein on the periphery and internal structures such as suckers, pharynx, and genital pore of the adult parasite, thereby validating its presence in excretory-secretory (ES) products of F. gigantica. The RFg-LGMN-1 co-incubated with concanavalin-A (Con-A) stimulated the increase of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-10, and IL-17 in monocytes derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the concentration-dependent manner. However, the IL-4 cytokine in response to the RFg-LGMN-1 protein declined. These results illuminated the role of LGMN-1 during the parasite-host interface. Our findings elaborated additional evidence that Legumain protein play a role in the manipulating host immune responses during parasite infections. However, further evaluation of RFg-LGMN-1 protein in context of its immunomodulatory roles should be conducted to enhance our understandings of the mechanisms employed by F. gigantica to evade host immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ehsan
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab Province 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Rui-Si Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China.
| | - Meng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China.
| | - Jun-Ling Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730046, China.
| | - Muhammad Rashid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab Province 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Irfan Malik
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab Province 63100, Pakistan.
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4
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Krummenacher D, He W, Kuhn B, Schnider C, Beurier A, Brom V, Sivasothy T, Marty C, Tosstorff A, Hewings DS, Mesch S, Pinard E, Brändlin M, Hochstrasser R, Westwood P, Rothe J, Kronenberger A, Morandi F, Gutbier S, Schuler A, Heer D, Gloria LE, Joedicke L, Rudolph MG, Müller L, Grüninger F, Baumann K, Kaniyappan S, Manevski N, Bartels B. Discovery of Orally Available and Brain Penetrant AEP Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023; 66:17026-17043. [PMID: 38090813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most widespread form of dementia, with one of the pathological hallmarks being the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These tangles consist of phosphorylated Tau fragments. Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is a key Tau cleaving enzyme that generates aggregation-prone Tau fragments. Inhibition of AEP to reduce the level of toxic Tau fragment formation could represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Here, we report the first orthosteric, selective, orally bioavailable, and brain penetrant inhibitors with an irreversible binding mode. We outline the development of the series starting from reversible molecules and demonstrate the link between inhibition of AEP and reduction of Tau N368 fragment both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Krummenacher
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Weiping He
- WuXi AppTec (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, 666 GaoXin Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430075, China
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schnider
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Angélica Beurier
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Brom
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Thulase Sivasothy
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Christine Marty
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Tosstorff
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - David S Hewings
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Mesch
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuel Pinard
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Mathis Brändlin
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Remo Hochstrasser
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Paul Westwood
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Judith Rothe
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Kronenberger
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Federica Morandi
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Simon Gutbier
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Schuler
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Heer
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Ludivine Esteves Gloria
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Joedicke
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Markus G Rudolph
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Lutz Müller
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Grüninger
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Karlheinz Baumann
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Senthilvelrajan Kaniyappan
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Manevski
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
| | - Björn Bartels
- Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel CH-4070, Switzerland
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5
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Goettig P, Koch NG, Budisa N. Non-Canonical Amino Acids in Analyses of Protease Structure and Function. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14035. [PMID: 37762340 PMCID: PMC10531186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
All known organisms encode 20 canonical amino acids by base triplets in the genetic code. The cellular translational machinery produces proteins consisting mainly of these amino acids. Several hundred natural amino acids serve important functions in metabolism, as scaffold molecules, and in signal transduction. New side chains are generated mainly by post-translational modifications, while others have altered backbones, such as the β- or γ-amino acids, or they undergo stereochemical inversion, e.g., in the case of D-amino acids. In addition, the number of non-canonical amino acids has further increased by chemical syntheses. Since many of these non-canonical amino acids confer resistance to proteolytic degradation, they are potential protease inhibitors and tools for specificity profiling studies in substrate optimization and enzyme inhibition. Other applications include in vitro and in vivo studies of enzyme kinetics, molecular interactions and bioimaging, to name a few. Amino acids with bio-orthogonal labels are particularly attractive, enabling various cross-link and click reactions for structure-functional studies. Here, we cover the latest developments in protease research with non-canonical amino acids, which opens up a great potential, e.g., for novel prodrugs activated by proteases or for other pharmaceutical compounds, some of which have already reached the clinical trial stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Goettig
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Nikolaj G. Koch
- Biocatalysis Group, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Nediljko Budisa
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
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6
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Wilkinson IVL, Castro-Falcón G, Roda-Serrat MC, Purdy TN, Straetener J, Brauny MM, Maier L, Brötz-Oesterhelt H, Christensen LP, Sieber SA, Hughes CC. The Cyanobacterial "Nutraceutical" Phycocyanobilin Inhibits Cysteine Protease Legumain. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202200455. [PMID: 36538283 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200455] [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: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The blue biliprotein phycocyanin, produced by photo-autotrophic cyanobacteria including spirulina (Arthrospira) and marketed as a natural food supplement or "nutraceutical," is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anticancer activity. These diverse biological activities have been specifically attributed to the phycocyanin chromophore, phycocyanobilin (PCB). However, the mechanism of action of PCB and the molecular targets responsible for the beneficial properties of PCB are not well understood. We have developed a procedure to rapidly cleave the PCB pigment from phycocyanin by ethanolysis and then characterized it as an electrophilic natural product that interacts covalently with thiol nucleophiles but lacks any appreciable cytotoxicity or antibacterial activity against common pathogens and gut microbes. We then designed alkyne-bearing PCB probes for use in chemical proteomics target deconvolution studies. Target identification and validation revealed the cysteine protease legumain (also known as asparaginyl endopeptidase, AEP) to be a target of PCB. Inhibition of this target may account for PCB's diverse reported biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel V L Wilkinson
- Center for Protein Assemblies (CPA), Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Str. 8, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Gabriel Castro-Falcón
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Maria C Roda-Serrat
- Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Trevor N Purdy
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jan Straetener
- Department of Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Melanie M Brauny
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Microbiome-Host-Interaction Lab, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lisa Maier
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Microbiome-Host-Interaction Lab, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Heike Brötz-Oesterhelt
- Department of Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lars P Christensen
- Department of Green Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
| | - Stephan A Sieber
- Center for Protein Assemblies (CPA), Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Ernst-Otto-Fischer-Str. 8, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Chambers C Hughes
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Microbial Bioactive Compounds, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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7
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Calugi L, Lenci E, Bianchini F, Contini A, Trabocchi A. Modular synthesis of 2,4-diaminoanilines as CNS drug-like non-covalent inhibitors of asparagine endopeptidase. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 63:116746. [PMID: 35430537 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116746] [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: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), also called legumain, is a pH-dependent endolysosomal cysteine protease that cleaves its substrates after asparagine residues. Recent studies showed that it possesses δ-secretase activity and that it is implicated in numerous neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Following evidence of aryl-morpholines as useful asparagine endopeptidase inhibitors, a series of morpholinoanilines with diverse substituents at ortho position were synthesized in view of improving the potency and scope of this molecular scaffold, allowing to identify ethyl 2-isonipecotate-4-morpholinoaniline possessing inhibition potency in the nanomolar range. CNS MPO (CNS MultiParameter Optimization) calculations revealed that most of the compounds developed in this work show physicochemical parameters in the desirable range for CNS drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Calugi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Lenci
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences ''Mario Serio", University of Florence, Viale 8 Morgagni 50, I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Contini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Venezian 21, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Trabocchi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
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8
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Bowles M, Proulx C. Solid phase submonomer azapeptide synthesis. Methods Enzymol 2021; 656:169-190. [PMID: 34325786 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2021.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Azapeptides contain at least one aza-amino acid, where the α-carbon has been replaced by a nitrogen atom, and have found broad applicability in fields ranging from medicinal chemistry to biomaterials. In this chapter, we provide a step-by-step protocol for the solid phase submonomer synthesis of azapeptides, which includes three steps: (1) hydrazone activation and coupling onto a resin-bound peptide, (2) chemoselective semicarbazone functionalization for installation of the aza-amino acid side chain, and (3) orthogonal deprotection of the semicarbazone to complete the monomer addition cycle. We focus on semicarbazone functionalization by N-alkylation with primary alkyl halides, and describe conditions for coupling onto aza-amino acids. Such divergent methods accelerate the synthesis of peptidomimetics and allow the rapid introduction of a wide variety of natural and unnatural side chains directly on solid support using easily accessible submonomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Bowles
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Caroline Proulx
- Department of Chemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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9
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Target Enzymes Considered for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2010728. [PMID: 33224974 PMCID: PMC7669341 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2010728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Various amyloidogenic proteins have been suggested to be involved in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Particularly, the aggregation of misfolded amyloid-β and hyperphosphorylated tau and α-synuclein are linked to the pathogenesis of AD and PD, respectively. In order to care the diseases, multiple small molecules have been developed to regulate the aggregation pathways of these amyloid proteins. In addition to controlling the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins, maintaining the levels of the proteins in the brain by amyloid degrading enzymes (ADE; neprilysin (NEP), insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), asparagine endopeptidase (AEP), and ADAM10) is also essential to cure AD and PD. Therefore, numerous biological molecules and chemical agents have been investigated as either inducer or inhibitor against the levels and activities of ADE. Although the side effect of enhancing the activity of ADE could occur, the removal of amyloidogenic proteins could result in a relatively good strategy to treat AD and PD. Furthermore, since the causes of ND are diverse, various multifunctional (multitarget) chemical agents have been designed to control the actions of multiple risk factors of ND, including amyloidogenic proteins, metal ions, and reactive oxygen species. Many of them, however, were invented without considerations of regulating ADE levels and actions. Incorporation of previously created molecules with the chemical agents handling ADE could be a promising way to treat AD and PD. This review introduces the ADE and molecules capable of modulating the activity and expression of ADE.
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10
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Poreba M. Recent advances in the development of legumain-selective chemical probes and peptide prodrugs. Biol Chem 2020; 400:1529-1550. [PMID: 31021817 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2019-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Legumain, which is also known as vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE) or asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), is a cysteine protease that was first discovered and characterized in the leguminous seeds of the moth bean in the early 1990s. Later, this enzyme was also detected in higher organisms, including eukaryotes. This pH-dependent protease displays the highest activity in acidic endolysosomal compartments; however, legumain also displays nuclear, cytosolic and extracellular activity when stabilized by other proteins or intramolecular complexes. Based on the results from over 25 years of research, this protease is involved in multiple cellular events, including protein degradation and antigen presentation. Moreover, when dysregulated, this protease contributes to the progression of several diseases, with cancer being the well-studied example. Research on legumain biology was undoubtedly facilitated by the use of small molecule chemical tools. Therefore, in this review, I present the historical perspectives and most current strategies for the development of small molecule substrates, inhibitors and activity-based probes for legumain. These tools are of paramount importance in elucidating the roles of legumain in multiple biological processes. Finally, as this enzyme appears to be a promising molecular target for anticancer therapies, the development of legumain-activated prodrugs is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Poreba
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
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11
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Tonali N, Correia I, Lesma J, Bernadat G, Ongeri S, Lequin O. Introducing sequential aza-amino acids units induces repeated β-turns and helical conformations in peptides. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:3452-3458. [PMID: 32091060 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob02654a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A major current issue in medicinal chemistry is the design of small peptide analogues resistant to proteolysis and able to adopt preferential conformations, while preserving the selectivity and efficiency of natural peptides. Whereas the introduction of one aza-Gly in peptides has proven numerous biological and structural interest, the conformational effect of sequential aza-Gly or aza-amino acids bearing side chains has not been investigated. In this work, experimental NMR and X-ray data together with in silico conformational studies reveal that the introduction of two consecutive aza-amino acids in pseudotripeptides induces the formation of stable hydrogen-bonded β-turn structures. Notably, this stabilization effect relies on the presence of side chains on aza-amino acids, as more flexible conformations are observed with aza-Gly residues. Remarkably, a longer aza/aza/α/aza/aza/α pseudohexapeptide containing substituted aza-amino acids adopts repeated β-turns conformations which interconvert with a fully helical structure mimicking a 310 helix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolo Tonali
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, 92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France.
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12
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Martínez-Fábregas J, Prescott A, van Kasteren S, Pedrioli DL, McLean I, Moles A, Reinheckel T, Poli V, Watts C. Lysosomal protease deficiency or substrate overload induces an oxidative-stress mediated STAT3-dependent pathway of lysosomal homeostasis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5343. [PMID: 30559339 PMCID: PMC6297226 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07741-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse cellular processes depend on the lysosomal protease system but how cells regulate lysosomal proteolytic capacity is only partly understood. We show here that cells can respond to protease/substrate imbalance in this compartment by de novo expression of multiple lysosomal hydrolases. This response, exemplified here either by loss of asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) or other lysosomal cysteine proteases, or by increased endocytic substrate load, is not dependent on the transcription factor EB (TFEB) but rather is triggered by STAT3 activation downstream of lysosomal oxidative stress. Similar lysosomal adaptations are seen in mice and cells expressing a constitutively active form of STAT3. Our results reveal how cells can increase lysosomal protease capacity under ‘fed’ rather than ‘starved’ conditions that activate the TFEB system. In addition, STAT3 activation due to lysosomal stress likely explains the hyperproliferative kidney disease and splenomegaly observed in AEP-deficient mice. How cells regulate their lysosomal proteolytic capacity is only partly understood. Here, the authors show that lysosomal protease deficiency or substrate overload induces lysosomal stress leading to activation of a STAT3-dependent, TFEB-independent pathway of lysosomal hydrolase expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Martínez-Fábregas
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
| | - Alan Prescott
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Sander van Kasteren
- Division of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, 2333CC, Netherlands
| | - Deena Leslie Pedrioli
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.,Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Winterthurestrasse190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irwin McLean
- Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Anna Moles
- Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona, Spanish Research Council, Barcelona, 08036, Spain
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Medical Faculty, Albert-Ludwigs-University, Freiburg, D-79104, Germany
| | - Valeria Poli
- Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Colin Watts
- Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
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13
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Bizet F, Tonali N, Soulier JL, Oliva A, Kaffy J, Crousse B, Ongeri S. Towards a general synthesis of di-aza-amino acids containing peptides. NEW J CHEM 2018. [DOI: 10.1039/c8nj03635g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Three synthetic routes are studied and compared to introduce two consecutive aza-amino acids bearing various side chains into peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faustine Bizet
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Nicolo Tonali
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Jean-Louis Soulier
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Agostino Oliva
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Julia Kaffy
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Benoit Crousse
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
| | - Sandrine Ongeri
- BioCIS, Univ. Paris-Sud
- CNRS, Université Paris Saclay
- 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Clément
- 92296 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex
- France
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14
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Hartmann D, Šíma R, Konvičková J, Perner J, Kopáček P, Sojka D. Multiple legumain isoenzymes in ticks. Int J Parasitol 2017; 48:167-178. [PMID: 29113783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
By searching nucleotide databases for the North American Lyme disease vector, Ixodes scapularis, we have complemented the previously characterized European Ixodes ricinus legumain IrAE1 with a full set of nine analogous genes (isae1-9). Six of these were PCR confirmed as genes present in all tick genomes tested. The absolute mRNA copy number examined by quantitative (q)PCR enabled expression profiling and an absolute comparison of mRNA levels for individual I. scapularis (Is)AEs in tick tissues. Four IsAEs (1, 2, 4, 9) were expressed solely in the gut and thus are proposed to be involved in host blood digestion. Expression qPCR profiling over developmental stages confirmed IsAE1, the direct analogue of previously characterized I. ricinus IrAE1, as the principle legumain transcript in partially engorged females, and demonstrated its strong regulation by on-host feeding in larvae, nymphs and females. In contrast, IsAE2 was the predominant gut legumain in unfed nymphs, unfed females and males. In-silico, IsAE1 and IsAE2 protein three-dimensional structural models displayed minimal differences in overall proenzyme structures, even in comparison with recently resolved crystal structures of mammalian prolegumain. Three functional studies were performed in I. ricinus with IsAE1/IsAE2 analogues: double IrAE1/IrAE2 RNA interference silencing, feeding of ticks on IrAE1+IrAE2 immunized hosts and in vitro membrane tick feeding on blood containing a legumain-specific inhibitor. The latter experiment led to reduced weights of fully engorged ticks and limited oviposition, and indicated the potential of legumain inhibitors for novel anti-tick interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Hartmann
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Šíma
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Konvičková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic; Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Perner
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kopáček
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Sojka
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice CZ-370 05, Czech Republic.
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15
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Jafari A, Qanie D, Andersen TL, Zhang Y, Chen L, Postert B, Parsons S, Ditzel N, Khosla S, Johansen HT, Kjærsgaard-Andersen P, Delaisse JM, Abdallah BM, Hesselson D, Solberg R, Kassem M. Legumain Regulates Differentiation Fate of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Is Altered in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:373-386. [PMID: 28162997 PMCID: PMC5312427 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Secreted factors are a key component of stem cell niche and their dysregulation compromises stem cell function. Legumain is a secreted cysteine protease involved in diverse biological processes. Here, we demonstrate that legumain regulates lineage commitment of human bone marrow stromal cells and that its expression level and cellular localization are altered in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. As shown by genetic and pharmacological manipulation, legumain inhibited osteoblast (OB) differentiation and in vivo bone formation through degradation of the bone matrix protein fibronectin. In addition, genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of legumain activity led to precocious OB differentiation and increased vertebral mineralization in zebrafish. Finally, we show that localized increased expression of legumain in bone marrow adipocytes was inversely correlated with adjacent trabecular bone mass in a cohort of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Our data suggest that altered proteolytic activity of legumain in the bone microenvironment contributes to decreased bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Legumain determines differentiation fate of BMSCs in vitro and in vivo Legumain regulates BMSC proliferation independent of its enzymatic activity Inhibition of legumain leads to precocious bone formation in zebrafish Legumain is overexpressed in bone marrow adipocytes of osteoporotic patients
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas Jafari
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Danish Stem Cell Center (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Diyako Qanie
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Thomas L Andersen
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/ Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 7100, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Li Chen
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Benno Postert
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Stuart Parsons
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Nicholas Ditzel
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Sundeep Khosla
- Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | | | - Jean-Marie Delaisse
- Department of Clinical Cell Biology, Vejle/ Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 7100, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Basem M Abdallah
- Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, Hofuf 6996, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Rigmor Solberg
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Moustapha Kassem
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Danish Stem Cell Center (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Molecular Endocrinology & Stem Cell Research Unit (KMEB), Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital & University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsloewsvej 25, 1st Floor, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; Stem Cell Unit, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia.
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16
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Hong JA, Choi NE, La YK, Nam HY, Seo J, Lee J. Development of a smart activity-based probe to detect subcellular activity of asparaginyl endopeptidase in living cells. Org Biomol Chem 2017; 15:8018-8022. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ob01467h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A smart activity-based probe that generates a turn-on fluorescence signal in response to enzyme activity was developed, allowing dynamic imaging of subcellular enzyme activity in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Ah Hong
- Department of Global Medical Science
- Sungshin University
- Seoul 01133
- Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Eun Choi
- Department of Global Medical Science
- Sungshin University
- Seoul 01133
- Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo-Kyoung La
- Department of Global Medical Science
- Sungshin University
- Seoul 01133
- Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Yeon Nam
- Department of Chemistry
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Seo
- Department of Chemistry
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
- Gwangju 61005
- Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoun Lee
- Department of Global Medical Science
- Sungshin University
- Seoul 01133
- Republic of Korea
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17
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Counter Selection Substrate Library Strategy for Developing Specific Protease Substrates and Probes. Cell Chem Biol 2016; 23:1023-35. [PMID: 27478158 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Legumain (AEP) is a lysosomal cysteine protease that was first characterized in leguminous seeds and later discovered in higher eukaryotes. AEP upregulation is linked to a number of diseases including inflammation, arteriosclerosis, and tumorigenesis. Thus this protease is an excellent molecular target for the development of new chemical markers. We deployed a hybrid combinatorial substrate library (HyCoSuL) approach to obtain P1-Asp fluorogenic substrates and biotin-labeled inhibitors that targeted legumain. Since this approach led to probes that were also recognized by caspases, we introduced a Counter Selection Substrate Library (CoSeSuL) approach that biases the peptidic scaffold against caspases, thus delivering highly selective legumain probes. The selectivity of these tools was validated using M38L and HEK293 cells. We also propose that the CoSeSuL methodology can be considered as a general principle in the design of selective probes for other protease families where selectivity is difficult to achieve by conventional sequence-based profiling.
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18
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Shen L, Li H, Shi Y, Wang D, Gong J, Xun J, Zhou S, Xiang R, Tan X. M2 tumour-associated macrophages contribute to tumour progression via legumain remodelling the extracellular matrix in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30347. [PMID: 27464733 PMCID: PMC4964568 DOI: 10.1038/srep30347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of M2 tumour-associated macrophages on the pathogenesis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are still controversial. Our data showed that the number of CD163-positive M2 macrophages correlated negatively with DLBCL prognosis. Macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes significantly suppressed tumour growth in a xenograft mouse model of DLBCL using OCI-Ly3 cells. Moreover, M2 polarization of macrophages induced legumain expression in U937 cells. Exogenous legumain promoted degradation of fibronectin and collagen I, which was abolished by administration of a legumain inhibitor RR-11a. Overexpression of legumain in Raw 264.7 cells also induced tube formation of endothelial cells in matrigel. In the xenograft mouse model of DLBCL, decreased fibronectin and collagen I, as well as increased legumain expression and angiogenesis were found at the late stage tumours compared with early stage tumours. Co-localization of legumain and fibronectin was observed in the extracellular matrix of tumour tissues. Administration of the legumain inhibitor to the xenograft DLBCL model suppressed tumour growth, angiogenesis and collagen deposition compared with the control. Taken together, our results suggest that M2 tumour-associated macrophages affect degradation of the extracellular matrix and angiogenesis via overexpression of legumain, and therefore play an active role in the progression of DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Shen
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Honghao Li
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yuzhi Shi
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Dekun Wang
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Junbo Gong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Modern Drug Delivery and High Efficiency in Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jing Xun
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Sifan Zhou
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Rong Xiang
- Department of Immunology, Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaoyue Tan
- Department of Pathology Medical School of Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
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19
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Zhang Z, Xie M, Ye K. Asparagine endopeptidase is an innovative therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2016; 20:1237-45. [PMID: 27115710 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2016.1182990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is a pH-dependent endolysosomal cysteine protease that cleaves its substrates after asparagine residues. Our most recent study identifies that it possesses the delta-secretase activity, and that it is implicated in numerous neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and stroke. Accumulating evidence supports that the inhibition of AEP exhibits beneficial effects for treating these devastating diseases. AREAS COVERED Based on recent evidence, it is clear that AEP cleaves its substrate, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), tau and SET, and plays a critical role in neuronal cell death in various neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. In this article, the basic biology of AEP, its knockout phenotypes in mouse models, its substrates in neurodegenerative diseases, and its small peptidyl inhibitors and prodrugs are discussed. In addition, we discuss the potential of AEP as a novel therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. EXPERT OPINION AEP plays a unique role in numerous biological processes, depending on both pH and context. Most striking is our most recent finding; that AEP is activated in an age-dependent manner and simultaneously cleaves both APP and tau, thereby unifying both major pathological events in AD. Thus, AEP acts as an innovative trigger for neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of AEP will provide a disease-modifying treatment for neurodegenerative diseases including AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- a Department of Neurology , Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University , Wuhan , China.,b Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Manling Xie
- b Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
| | - Keqiang Ye
- b Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA
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20
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Zhen Y, Chunlei G, Wenzhi S, Shuangtao Z, Na L, Rongrong W, Xiaohe L, Haiying N, Dehong L, Shan J, Xiaoyue T, Rong X. Clinicopathologic significance of legumain overexpression in cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16599. [PMID: 26607955 PMCID: PMC4660395 DOI: 10.1038/srep16599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Since reports on the clinical significance of legumain in cancer have shown inconsistent results, we systematically evaluated clinical indicators of legumain in cancer. We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO databases and the Wangfang and CNKI databases in China by using "legumain" and ("neoplasms" OR "cancer") as search terms. We included case-controlled studies of legumain and cancer. The quality of the studies was evaluated by using Lichtenstein's guidelines, and valid data was extracted for analysis. In total, 10 articles were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that legumain was overexpressed in cancer compared with in normal tissue and was higher in stage III-IV disease than in I-II disease. Moreover, legumain overexpression was correlated with poor prognosis and clinical stage. Furthermore, Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that among patients with rectal cancer, those with tumors overexpressing legumain had shorter overall survival than those in the low expression group (P < 0.05). Legumain appears to be involved in tumor development and deterioration; thus, it can potentially be developed into both a marker for monitoring and diagnosing tumors and a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhen
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Guo Chunlei
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Shen Wenzhi
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Zhao Shuangtao
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Na
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Wang Rongrong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Xiaohe
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Niu Haiying
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Luo Dehong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Jiang Shan
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Tan Xiaoyue
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
| | - Xiang Rong
- Department of Tumor Molecular Biology, Nankai University School of Medicine, Tianjin 371000, China
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21
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Structure and function of legumain in health and disease. Biochimie 2015; 122:126-50. [PMID: 26403494 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2015.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The last years have seen a steady increase in our understanding of legumain biology that is driven from two largely uncoupled research arenas, the mammalian and the plant legumain field. Research on legumain, which is also referred to as asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) or vacuolar processing enzyme (VPE), is slivered, however. Here we summarise recent important findings and put them into a common perspective. Legumain is usually associated with its cysteine endopeptidase activity in lysosomes where it contributes to antigen processing for class II MHC presentation. However, newly recognized functions disperse previously assumed boundaries with respect to their cellular compartmentalisation and enzymatic activities. Legumain is also found extracellularly and even translocates to the cytosol and the nucleus, with seemingly incompatible pH and redox potential. These different milieus translate into changes of legumain's molecular properties, including its (auto-)activation, conformational stability and enzymatic functions. Contrasting its endopeptidase activity, legumain can develop a carboxypeptidase activity which remains stable at neutral pH. Moreover, legumain features a peptide ligase activity, with intriguing mechanistic peculiarities in plant and human isoforms. In pathological settings, such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease, the proper association of legumain activities with the corresponding cellular compartments is breached. Legumain's increasingly recognized physiological and pathological roles also indicate future research opportunities in this vibrant field.
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22
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Hou L, Cooley J, Swanson R, Ong PC, Pike RN, Bogyo M, Olson ST, Remold-O'Donnell E. The protease cathepsin L regulates Th17 cell differentiation. J Autoimmun 2015; 65:56-63. [PMID: 26343333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Previously we reported that IL-17(+) T cells, primarily IL-17(+) γδ cells, are increased in mice lacking the protease inhibitor serpinB1 (serpinb1(-/-) mice). Here we show that serpinB1-deficient CD4 cells exhibit a cell-autonomous and selective deficiency in suppressing T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation. This suggested an opposing role for one or more protease in promoting Th17 differentiation. We found that several SerpinB1-inhibitable cysteine cathepsins are induced in Th17 cells, most prominently cathepsin L (catL); this was verified by peptidase assays, active site labeling and Western blots. Moreover, Th17 differentiation was suppressed by both broad cathepsin inhibitors and catL selective inhibitors. CatL is present in Th17 cells as single chain (SC)- and two-chain (TC)-forms. Inhibiting asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) blocked conversion of SC-catL to TC-catL and increased generation of serpinb1(-/-) Th17 cells, but not wild-type Th17 cells. These findings suggest that SC-catL is biologically active in promoting Th17 generation and is counter-regulated by serpinB1 and secondarily by AEP. Thus, in addition to regulation by cytokines and transcription factors, differentiation of CD4 cells to Th17 cells is actively regulated by a catL-serpinB1-AEP module. Targeting this protease regulatory module could be an approach to treating Th17 cell-driven autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifei Hou
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Jessica Cooley
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard Swanson
- Department of Periodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Poh Chee Ong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Robert N Pike
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Matthew Bogyo
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven T Olson
- Department of Periodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Eileen Remold-O'Donnell
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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23
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D'Costa ZC, Higgins C, Ong CW, Irwin GW, Boyle D, McArt DG, McCloskey K, Buckley NE, Crawford NT, Thiagarajan L, Murray JT, Kennedy RD, Mulligan KA, Harkin DP, Waugh DJJ, Scott CJ, Salto-Tellez M, Williams R, Mullan PB. TBX2 represses CST6 resulting in uncontrolled legumain activity to sustain breast cancer proliferation: a novel cancer-selective target pathway with therapeutic opportunities. Oncotarget 2015; 5:1609-20. [PMID: 24742492 PMCID: PMC4057604 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
TBX2 is an oncogenic transcription factor known to drive breast cancer proliferation. We have identified the cysteine protease inhibitor Cystatin 6 (CST6) as a consistently repressed TBX2 target gene, co-repressed through a mechanism involving Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1). Exogenous expression of CST6 in TBX2-expressing breast cancer cells resulted in significant apoptosis whilst non-tumorigenic breast cells remained unaffected. CST6 is an important tumor suppressor in multiple tissues, acting as a dual protease inhibitor of both papain-like cathepsins and asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) such as Legumain (LGMN). Mutation of the CST6 LGMN-inhibitory domain completely abrogated its ability to induce apoptosis in TBX2-expressing breast cancer cells, whilst mutation of the cathepsin-inhibitory domain or treatment with a pan-cathepsin inhibitor had no effect, suggesting that LGMN is the key oncogenic driver enzyme. LGMN activity assays confirmed the observed growth inhibitory effects were consistent with CST6 inhibition of LGMN. Knockdown of LGMN and the only other known AEP enzyme (GPI8) by siRNA confirmed that LGMN was the enzyme responsible for maintaining breast cancer proliferation. CST6 did not require secretion or glycosylation to elicit its cell killing effects, suggesting an intracellular mode of action. Finally, we show that TBX2 and CST6 displayed reciprocal expression in a cohort of primary breast cancers with increased TBX2 expression associating with increased metastases. We have also noted that tumors with altered TBX2/CST6 expression show poor overall survival. This novel TBX2-CST6-LGMN signaling pathway, therefore, represents an exciting opportunity for the development of novel therapies to target TBX2 driven breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zenobia C D'Costa
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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24
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Chen YJ, Wu SC, Chen CY, Tzou SC, Cheng TL, Huang YF, Yuan SS, Wang YM. Peptide-based MRI contrast agent and near-infrared fluorescent probe for intratumoral legumain detection. Biomaterials 2013; 35:304-15. [PMID: 24120038 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.09.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that intratumoral legumain promotes tumorigenesis. To monitor legumain activity in tumors, we developed a new MRI contrast agent ([Gd-NBCB-TTDA-Leg(L)]) and a NIR fluorescence probe (CyTE777-Leg(L)-CyTE807). The MRI contrast agent was prepared by introduction of cyclobutyl and benzyl group residues to TTDA (3,6,10-tri(carboxymethyl)-3,6,10-triaza-dodecanedioic acid), followed by the attachment of a legumain-specific substrate peptide (Leg(L)). The NIR fluorescence probe was designed by conjugating two NIR fluorochromes (CyTE777 and CyTE807) with Leg(L). Peptide cleavage of the MRI contrast agent by legumain can increase its hydrophobicity and promote rotational correlation time (τ(R)). Peptide cleavage of the NIR probes by the legumain relieves the self quench of the probe. Peptide cleavage of the MRI contrast agent and the NIR fluorescence probe by legumain were confirmed by T1 relaxometric studies and by fluorescence studies, respectively. In vivo MR images showed that [Gd-NBCB-TTDA-Leg(L)] attained 55.3 fold (254.2% versus 4.6%, at 2.0 h post-injection) higher imaging enhancement, as compared with control contrast agent bearing a noncleaveable peptide ([Gd-NBCB-TTDA-Leg(D)], in the CT-26 (legumain(+)) tumors. Similarly, optical imaging probe CyTE777-Leg(L)-CyTE807 attained 15.2 fold (3.34 × 10(9) photons/min versus 0.22 × 10(9) photons/min, at 24.0 h post-injection) higher imaging enhancement in the CT-26 (legumain(+)) tumors, compared to a NIR control probe (CyTE777-Leg(D)-CyTE807). These data indicate that the [Gd-NBCB-TTDA-Leg(L)] and the CyTE777-Leg(L)-CyTE807 probes may be promising tools to image the legumain-expressing cancers for diagnoses and targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Chen
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, 75 Bo-Ai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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25
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The TvLEGU-1, a legumain-like cysteine proteinase, plays a key role in Trichomonas vaginalis cytoadherence. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:561979. [PMID: 23509742 PMCID: PMC3581150 DOI: 10.1155/2013/561979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 09/21/2012] [Accepted: 09/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The goal of this paper was to characterize a Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteinase (CP) legumain-1 (TvLEGU-1) and determine its potential role as a virulence factor during T. vaginalis infection. A 30-kDa band, which migrates in three protein spots (pI~6.3, ~6.5, and ~6.7) with a different type and level of phosphorylation, was identified as TvLEGU-1 by one- and two-dimensional Western blot (WB) assays, using a protease-rich trichomonad extract and polyclonal antibodies produced against the recombinant TvLEGU-1 (anti-TvLEGU-1r). Its identification was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Immunofluorescence, cell binding, and WB assays showed that TvLEGU-1 is upregulated by iron at the protein level, localized on the trichomonad surface and in lysosomes and Golgi complex, bound to the surface of HeLa cells, and was found in vaginal secretions. Additionally, the IgG and Fab fractions of the anti-TvLEGU-1r antibody inhibited trichomonal cytoadherence up to 45%. Moreover, the Aza-Peptidyl Michael Acceptor that inhibited legumain proteolytic activity in live parasites also reduced levels of trichomonal cytoadherence up to 80%. In conclusion, our data show that the proteolytic activity of TvLEGU-1 is necessary for trichomonal adherence. Thus, TvLEGU-1 is a novel virulence factor upregulated by iron. This is the first report that a legumain-like CP plays a role in a pathogen cytoadherence.
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26
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Serim S, Haedke U, Verhelst SHL. Activity-based probes for the study of proteases: recent advances and developments. ChemMedChem 2012; 7:1146-59. [PMID: 22431376 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are important targets for the treatment of human disease. Several protease inhibitors have failed in clinical trials due to a lack of in vivo specificity, indicating the need for studies of protease function and inhibition in complex, disease-related models. The tight post-translational regulation of protease activity complicates protease analysis by traditional proteomics methods. Activity-based protein profiling is a powerful technique that can resolve this issue. It uses small-molecule tools-activity-based probes-to label and analyze active enzymes in lysates, cells, and whole animals. Over the last twelve years, a wide variety of protease activity-based probes have been developed. These synthetic efforts have enabled techniques ranging from real-time in vivo imaging of protease activity to high-throughput screening of uncharacterized proteases. This Review introduces the general principles of activity-based protein profiling and describes the recent advancements in probe design and analysis techniques, which have increased the knowledge of protease biology and will aid future protease drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevnur Serim
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS(M)), Lehrstuhl für Chemie der Biopolymere, Technische Universität München, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354 Freising, Germany
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