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Ou LP, Liu YJ, Qiu ST, Yang C, Tang JX, Li XY, Liu HF, Ye ZN. Glutaminolysis is a Potential Therapeutic Target for Kidney Diseases. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:2789-2807. [PMID: 39072347 PMCID: PMC11283263 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s471711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming contributes to the progression and prognosis of various kidney diseases. Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid in the body and participates in more metabolic processes than other amino acids. Altered glutamine metabolism is a prominent feature in different kidney diseases. Glutaminolysis converts glutamine into the TCA cycle metabolite, alpha-ketoglutarate, via a cascade of enzymatic reactions. This metabolic pathway plays pivotal roles in inflammation, maladaptive repair, cell survival and proliferation, redox homeostasis, and immune regulation. Given the crucial role of glutaminolysis in bioenergetics and anaplerotic fluxes in kidney pathogenesis, studies on this cascade could provide a better understanding of kidney diseases, thus inspiring the development of potential methods for targeted therapy. Emerging evidence has shown that targeting glutaminolysis is a promising therapeutic strategy for ameliorating kidney disease. In this narrative review, equation including keywords related to glutamine, glutaminolysis and kidney are subjected to an exhaustive search on Pubmed database, we identified all relevant articles published before 1 April, 2024. Afterwards, we summarize the regulation of glutaminolysis in major kidney diseases and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we highlight therapeutic strategies targeting glutaminolysis and their potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ping Ou
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-Jian Liu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shi-Tong Qiu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Yang
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji-Xin Tang
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yu Li
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua-Feng Liu
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Nan Ye
- Institute of Nephrology, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Autophagy and Major Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, People’s Republic of China
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Freidman N, Briot C, Ryan R. Characterizing unexpected interactions of a glutamine transporter inhibitor with members of the SLC1A transporter family. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102178. [PMID: 35752361 PMCID: PMC9293768 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The solute carrier 1A family comprises a group of membrane proteins that act as dual-function amino acid transporters and chloride (Cl−) channels and includes the alanine serine cysteine transporters (ASCTs) as well as the excitatory amino acid transporters. ASCT2 is regarded as a promising target for cancer therapy, as it can transport glutamine and other neutral amino acids into cells and is upregulated in a range of solid tumors. The compound L-γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide (GPNA) is widely used in studies probing the role of ASCT2 in cancer biology; however, the mechanism by which GPNA inhibits ASCT2 is not entirely clear. Here, we used electrophysiology and radiolabelled flux assays to demonstrate that GPNA activates the Cl− conductance of ASCT2 to the same extent as a transported substrate, whilst not undergoing the full transport cycle. This is a previously unreported phenomenon for inhibitors of the solute carrier 1A family but corroborates a body of literature suggesting that the structural requirements for transport are distinct from those for Cl− channel formation. We also show that in addition to its currently known targets, GPNA inhibits several of the excitatory amino acid transporters. Together, these findings raise questions about the true mechanisms of its anticancer effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Freidman
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chelsea Briot
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renae Ryan
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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3
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Scalise M, Console L, Cosco J, Pochini L, Galluccio M, Indiveri C. ASCT1 and ASCT2: Brother and Sister? SLAS DISCOVERY 2021; 26:1148-1163. [PMID: 34269129 DOI: 10.1177/24725552211030288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The SLC1 family includes seven members divided into two groups, namely, EAATs and ASCTs, that share similar 3D architecture; the first one includes high-affinity glutamate transporters, and the second one includes SLC1A4 and SLC1A5, known as ASCT1 and ASCT2, respectively, responsible for the traffic of neutral amino acids across the cell plasma membrane. The physiological role of ASCT1 and ASCT2 has been investigated over the years, revealing different properties in terms of substrate specificities, affinities, and regulation by physiological effectors and posttranslational modifications. Furthermore, ASCT1 and ASCT2 are involved in pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This has driven research in the pharmaceutical field aimed to find drugs able to target the two proteins.This review focuses on structural, functional, and regulatory aspects of ASCT1 and ASCT2, highlighting similarities and differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Jessica Cosco
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Italy.,CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology (IBIOM), Bari, Italy
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Prelowska MK, Mehlich D, Ugurlu MT, Kedzierska H, Cwiek A, Kosnik A, Kaminska K, Marusiak AA, Nowis D. Inhibition of the ʟ-glutamine transporter ASCT2 sensitizes plasma cell myeloma cells to proteasome inhibitors. Cancer Lett 2021; 507:13-25. [PMID: 33713737 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proteasome inhibitors (PIs), used in the treatment of plasma cell myeloma (PCM), interfere with the degradation of misfolded proteins leading to activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) and cell death. However, despite initial strong antimyeloma effects, PCM cells eventually develop acquired resistance to PIs. The pleiotropic role of ʟ-glutamine (Gln) in cellular functions makes inhibition of Gln metabolism a potentially good candidate for combination therapy. Here, we show that PCM cells, both sensitive and resistant to PIs, express membrane Gln transporter (ASCT2), require extracellular Gln for survival, and are sensitive to ASCT2 inhibitors (ASCT2i). ASCT2i synergistically potentiate the cytotoxic activity of PIs by inducing apoptosis and modulating autophagy. Combination of ASCT2 inhibitor V9302 and proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib upregulates the intracellular levels of ROS and oxidative stress markers and triggers catastrophic UPR as shown by upregulated spliced Xbp1 mRNA, ATF3 and CHOP levels. Moreover, analysis of RNA sequencing revealed that the PI in combination with ASCT2i reduced the levels of Gln metabolism regulators such as MYC and NRAS. Analysis of PCM patients' data revealed that upregulated ASCT2 and other Gln metabolism regulators are associated with advanced disease stage and with PIs resistance. Altogether, we identified a potent therapeutic approach that may prevent acquired resistance to PIs and may contribute to the improvement of treatment of patients suffering from PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika K Prelowska
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland; Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Dawid Mehlich
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland; Doctoral School of Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Department of Methodology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - M Talha Ugurlu
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna Kedzierska
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Cwiek
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Kosnik
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Klaudia Kaminska
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna A Marusiak
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dominika Nowis
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
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5
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Target the human Alanine/Serine/Cysteine Transporter 2(ASCT2): Achievement and Future for Novel Cancer Therapy. Pharmacol Res 2020; 158:104844. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Baguet T, Verhoeven J, Pauwelyn G, Hu J, Lambe P, De Lombaerde S, Piron S, Donche S, Descamps B, Goethals I, Vanhove C, De Vos F, Beyzavi MH. Radiosynthesis, in vitro and preliminary in vivo evaluation of the novel glutamine derived PET tracers [ 18F]fluorophenylglutamine and [ 18F]fluorobiphenylglutamine. Nucl Med Biol 2020; 86-87:20-29. [PMID: 32447069 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2020.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glucose has been deemed the driving force of tumor growth for decades. However, research has shown that several tumors metabolically shift towards glutaminolysis. The development of radiolabeled glutamine derivatives could be a useful molecular imaging tool for visualizing these tumors. We elaborated on the glutamine-derived PET tracers by developing two novel probes, namely [18F]fluorophenylglutamine and [18F]fluorobiphenylglutamine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Both tracers were labelled with fluorine-18 using our recently reported ruthenium-based direct aromatic fluorination method. Their affinity was evaluated with a [3H]glutamine inhibition experiment in a human PC-3 and a rat F98 cell line. The imaging potential of [18F]fluorophenylglutamine and [18F]fluorobiphenylglutamine was tested using a mouse PC-3 and a rat F98 tumor model. RESULTS The radiosynthesis of both tracers was successful with overall non-decay corrected yields of 18.46 ± 4.18% (n = 10) ([18F]fluorophenylglutamine) and 8.05 ± 3.25% (n = 5) ([18F]fluorobiphenylglutamine). In vitro inhibition experiments showed a moderate and low affinity of fluorophenylglutamine and fluorobiphenylglutamine, respectively, towards the human ASCT-2 transporter. Both compounds had a low affinity towards the rat ASCT-2 transporter. These results were endorsed by the in vivo experiments with low uptake of both tracers in the F98 rat xenograft, low uptake of [18F]FBPG in the mice PC-3 xenograft and a moderate uptake of [18F]FPG in the PC-3 tumors. CONCLUSION We investigated the imaging potential of two novel PET radiotracers [18F]FPG and [18F]FBPG. [18F]FPG is the first example of a glutamine radiotracer derivatized with a phenyl group which enables the exploration of further derivatization of the phenyl group to increase the affinity and imaging qualities. We hypothesize that increasing the affinity of [18F]FPG by optimizing the substituents of the arene ring can result in a high-quality glutamine-based PET radiotracer. Advances in Knowledge and Implications for patient care: We hereby report novel glutamine-based PET-tracers. These tracers are tagged on the arene group with fluorine-18, hereby preventing in vivo defluorination, which can occur with alkyl labelled tracers (e.g. (2S,4R)4-[18F]fluoroglutamine). [18F]FPG shows clear tumor uptake in vivo, has no in vivo defluorination and has a straightforward production. We believe this tracer is a good starting point for the development of a high-quality tracer which is useful for the clinical visualization of the glutamine transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Baguet
- Laboratory of Radiopharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | | | - Glenn Pauwelyn
- Laboratory of Radiopharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jiyun Hu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, AR, USA
| | - Patricia Lambe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, AR, USA
| | | | - Sarah Piron
- Laboratory of Radiopharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Donche
- Ghent University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Benedicte Descamps
- IBiTech-MEDISIP Ghent University, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ingeborg Goethals
- Ghent University Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- IBiTech-MEDISIP Ghent University, Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Filip De Vos
- Laboratory of Radiopharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Hassan Beyzavi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, AR, USA.
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Scalise M, Pochini L, Galluccio M, Console L, Indiveri C. Glutamine transporters as pharmacological targets: From function to drug design. Asian J Pharm Sci 2020; 15:207-219. [PMID: 32373200 PMCID: PMC7193454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajps.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the different targets of administered drugs, there are membrane transporters that play also a role in drug delivery and disposition. Moreover, drug-transporter interactions are responsible for off-target effects of drugs underlying their toxicity. The improvement of the drug design process is subjected to the identification of those membrane transporters mostly relevant for drug absorption, delivery and side effect production. A peculiar group of proteins with great relevance to pharmacology is constituted by the membrane transporters responsible for managing glutamine traffic in different body districts. The interest around glutamine metabolism lies in its physio-pathological role; glutamine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid because highly proliferative cells have an increased request of glutamine that cannot be satisfied only by endogenous synthesis. Then, glutamine transporters provide cells with this special nutrient. Among the glutamine transporters, SLC1A5, SLC6A14, SLC6A19, SLC7A5, SLC7A8 and some members of SLC38 family are the best characterized, so far, in both physiological and pathological conditions. Few 3D structures have been solved by CryoEM; other structural data on these transporters have been obtained by computational analysis. Interactions with drugs have been described for several transporters of this group. For some of them, the studies are at an advanced stage, for others, the studies are still in nuce and novel biochemical findings open intriguing perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department of DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department of DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy
| | - Michele Galluccio
- Department of DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department of DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department of DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra), University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS) 87036, Italy
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Amino Acid Transporters and Exchangers from the SLC1A Family: Structure, Mechanism and Roles in Physiology and Cancer. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1268-1286. [DOI: 10.1007/s11064-019-02934-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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9
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Solute carrier transporters: the metabolic gatekeepers of immune cells. Acta Pharm Sin B 2020; 10:61-78. [PMID: 31993307 PMCID: PMC6977534 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Solute carrier (SLC) transporters meditate many essential physiological functions, including nutrient uptake, ion influx/efflux, and waste disposal. In its protective role against tumors and infections, the mammalian immune system coordinates complex signals to support the proliferation, differentiation, and effector function of individual cell subsets. Recent research in this area has yielded surprising findings on the roles of solute carrier transporters, which were discovered to regulate lymphocyte signaling and control their differentiation, function, and fate by modulating diverse metabolic pathways and balanced levels of different metabolites. In this review, we present current information mainly on glucose transporters, amino-acid transporters, and metal ion transporters, which are critically important for mediating immune cell homeostasis in many different pathological conditions.
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Key Words
- 3-PG, 3-phosphoglyceric acid
- ABC, ATP-binding cassette
- AIF, apoptosis-inducing factor
- AP-1, activator protein 1
- ASCT2, alanine serine and cysteine transporter system 2
- ATP, adenosine triphosphate
- BCR, B cell receptor
- BMDMs, bone marrow-derived macrophages
- CD45R, a receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase
- CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- DC, dendritic cells
- EAATs, excitatory amino acid transporters
- ER, endoplasmic reticulum
- ERRα, estrogen related receptor alpha
- FFA, free fatty acids
- G-6-P, glucose 6-phosphate
- GLUT, glucose transporters
- GSH, glutathione
- Glucose
- Glutamine
- HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha
- HIV-1, human immunodeficiency virus type 1
- Hk1, hexokinase-1
- IFNβ, interferon beta
- IFNγ, interferon gamma
- IKK, IκB kinase
- IKKβ, IκB kinase beta subunit
- IL, interleukin
- LDHA, lactate dehydrogenase A
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide
- Lymphocytes
- Lyn, tyrosine-protein kinase
- MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase
- MCT, monocarboxylate transporters
- MS, multiple sclerosis
- Metal ion
- NADPH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
- NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells
- NO, nitric oxide
- NOD2, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 2
- PEG2, prostaglandin E2
- PI-3K/AKT, phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase/serine–threonine kinase
- PPP, pentose phosphate pathway
- Pfk, phosphofructokinase
- RA, rheumatoid arthritis
- RLR, RIG-I-like receptor
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SLC, solute carrier
- SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus
- SNAT, sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporters
- STAT, signal transducers and activators of transcription
- Solute carrier
- TAMs, tumor-associated macrophages
- TCA, tricarboxylic acid
- TCR, T cell receptor
- TLR, toll-like receptor
- TNF, tumor necrosis factor
- TRPM7, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 7
- Teffs, effector T cells
- Th1/2/17, type 1/2/17 helper T cells
- Tregs, regulatory T cells
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- ZIP, zrt/irt-like proteins
- iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase
- iTregs, induced regulatory T cells
- mTORC1, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1
- α-KG, α-ketoglutaric acid
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Abstract
The transport of materials across membranes is a vital process for all aspects of cellular function, including growth, metabolism, and communication. Protein transporters are the molecular gates that control this movement and serve as key points of regulation for these processes, thus representing an attractive class of therapeutic targets. With more than 400 members, the solute carrier (SLC) membrane transport proteins are the largest family of transporters, yet, they are pharmacologically underexploited relative to other protein families and many of the available chemical tools possess suboptimal selectivity and efficacy. Fortuitously, there is increased interest in elucidating the physiological roles of SLCs as well as growing recognition of their therapeutic potential. This Perspective provides an overview of the SLC superfamily, including their biochemical and functional features, as well as their roles in various human diseases. In particular, we explore efforts and associated challenges toward drugging SLCs, as well as highlight opportunities for future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Leandro Gallo
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Appaso Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Richard Hawkins
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Christopher G Parker
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States.,Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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Garibsingh RAA, Schlessinger A. Advances and Challenges in Rational Drug Design for SLCs. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:790-800. [PMID: 31519459 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There are over 420 human solute carrier (SLC) transporters from 65 families that are expressed ubiquitously in the body. The SLCs mediate the movement of ions, drugs, and metabolites across membranes and their dysfunction has been associated with a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Thus, SLCs are emerging as important targets for therapeutic intervention. Recent technological advances in experimental and computational biology allow better characterization of SLC pharmacology. Here we describe recent approaches to modulate SLC transporter function, with an emphasis on the use of computational approaches and computer-aided drug design (CADD) to study nutrient transporters. Finally, we discuss future perspectives in the rational design of SLC drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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12
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Liu D, Ding Q, Fu Y, Song Z, Peng Y. Rh-Catalyzed C–H Amidation of 2-Arylbenzo[d]thiazoles: An Approach to Single Organic Molecule White Light Emitters in the Solid State. Org Lett 2019; 21:2523-2527. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.9b00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecules, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Qiuping Ding
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecules, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Yang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecules, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Zhibin Song
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecules, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
| | - Yiyuan Peng
- Key Laboratory of Functional Small Organic Molecules, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, China
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13
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Ndaru E, Garibsingh RAA, Shi Y, Wallace E, Zakrepine P, Wang J, Schlessinger A, Grewer C. Novel alanine serine cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) inhibitors based on sulfonamide and sulfonic acid ester scaffolds. J Gen Physiol 2019; 151:357-368. [PMID: 30718375 PMCID: PMC6400523 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201812276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The neutral amino acid transporter alanine serine cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) belongs to the solute carrier 1 (SLC1) family of transport proteins and transports neutral amino acids, such as alanine and glutamine, into the cell in exchange with intracellular amino acids. This amino acid transport is sodium dependent, but not driven by the transmembrane Na+ concentration gradient. Glutamine transport by ASCT2 is proposed to be important for glutamine homoeostasis in rapidly growing cancer cells to fulfill the energy and nitrogen demands of these cells. Thus, ASCT2 is thought to be a potential anticancer drug target. However, the pharmacology of the amino acid binding site is not well established. Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of ASCT2 inhibitors based on an amino acid scaffold with a sulfonamide/sulfonic acid ester linker to a hydrophobic group. The compounds were designed based on an improved ASCT2 homology model using the human glutamate transporter hEAAT1 crystal structure as a modeling template. The compounds were shown to inhibit with a competitive mechanism and a potency that scales with the hydrophobicity of the side chain. The most potent compound binds with an apparent affinity, K i, of 8 ± 4 µM and can block the alanine response with a K i of 40 ± 23 µM at 200 µM alanine concentration. Computational analysis predicts inhibitor interactions with the binding site through molecular docking. In conclusion, the sulfonamide/sulfonic acid ester scaffold provides facile synthetic access to ASCT2 inhibitors with a potentially large variability in chemical space of the hydrophobic side chain. These inhibitors will be useful chemical tools to further characterize the role of ASCT2 in disease as well as improve our understanding of inhibition mechanisms of this transporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Ndaru
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
| | - Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - YueYue Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
| | - Evan Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
| | - Paul Zakrepine
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
| | - Jiali Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Christof Grewer
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
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14
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Discovery and development of small molecule modulators targeting glutamine metabolism. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 163:215-242. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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15
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The role of ASCT2 in cancer: A review. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 837:81-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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16
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Scalise M, Pochini L, Console L, Losso MA, Indiveri C. The Human SLC1A5 (ASCT2) Amino Acid Transporter: From Function to Structure and Role in Cell Biology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:96. [PMID: 30234109 PMCID: PMC6131531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SLC1A5, known as ASCT2, is a neutral amino acid transporter belonging to the SLC1 family and localized in the plasma membrane of several body districts. ASCT2 is an acronym standing for Alanine, Serine, Cysteine Transporter 2 even if the preferred substrate is the conditionally essential amino acid glutamine, with cysteine being a modulator and not a substrate. The studies around amino acid transport in cells and tissues began in the '60s by using radiolabeled compounds and competition assays. After identification of murine and human genes, the function of the coded protein has been studied in cell system and in proteoliposomes revealing that this transporter is a Na+ dependent antiporter of neutral amino acids, some of which are only inwardly transported and others are bi-directionally exchanged. The functional asymmetry merged with the kinetic asymmetry in line with the physiological role of amino acid pool harmonization. An intriguing function has been described for ASCT2 that is exploited as a receptor by a group of retroviruses to infect human cells. Interactions with scaffold proteins and post-translational modifications regulate ASCT2 stability, trafficking and transport activity. Two asparagine residues, namely N163 and N212, are the sites of glycosylation that is responsible for the definitive localization into the plasma membrane. ASCT2 expression increases in highly proliferative cells such as inflammatory and stem cells to fulfill the augmented glutamine demand. Interestingly, for the same reason, the expression of ASCT2 is greatly enhanced in many human cancers. This finding has generated interest in its candidacy as a pharmacological target for new anticancer drugs. The recently solved 3D structure of ASCT2 will aid in the rational design of such therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariafrancesca Scalise
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lorena Pochini
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Lara Console
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria A Losso
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Cesare Indiveri
- Department DiBEST (Biologia, Ecologia, Scienze Della Terra) Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.,CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnology, Bari, Italy
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17
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Li YX, Yang JY, Alcantara M, Abelian G, Kulkarni A, Staubli U, Foster AC. Inhibitors of the Neutral Amino Acid Transporters ASCT1 and ASCT2 Are Effective in In Vivo Models of Schizophrenia and Visual Dysfunction. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 367:292-301. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.251116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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18
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Garibsingh RAA, Otte NJ, Ndaru E, Colas C, Grewer C, Holst J, Schlessinger A. Homology Modeling Informs Ligand Discovery for the Glutamine Transporter ASCT2. Front Chem 2018; 6:279. [PMID: 30137742 PMCID: PMC6066518 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Alanine-Serine-Cysteine transporter (SLC1A5, ASCT2), is a neutral amino acid exchanger involved in the intracellular homeostasis of amino acids in peripheral tissues. Given its role in supplying glutamine to rapidly proliferating cancer cells in several tumor types such as triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma, ASCT2 has been identified as a key drug target. Here we use a range of computational methods, including homology modeling and ligand docking, in combination with cell-based assays, to develop hypotheses for structure-function relationships in ASCT2. We perform a phylogenetic analysis of the SLC1 family and its prokaryotic homologs to develop a useful multiple sequence alignment for this protein family. We then generate homology models of ASCT2 in two different conformations, based on the human EAAT1 structures. Using ligand enrichment calculations, the ASCT2 models are then compared to crystal structures of various homologs for their utility in discovering ASCT2 inhibitors. We use virtual screening, cellular uptake and electrophysiology experiments to identify a non-amino acid ASCT2 inhibitor that is predicted to interact with the ASCT2 substrate binding site. Our results provide insights into the structural basis of substrate specificity in the SLC1 family, as well as a framework for the design of future selective and potent ASCT2 inhibitors as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel-Ann A Garibsingh
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nicholas J Otte
- Origins of Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elias Ndaru
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Claire Colas
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christof Grewer
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, United States
| | - Jeff Holst
- Origins of Cancer Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Sun A, Liu X, Tang G. Carbon-11 and Fluorine-18 Labeled Amino Acid Tracers for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tumors. Front Chem 2018; 5:124. [PMID: 29379780 PMCID: PMC5775220 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2017.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells have an increased nutritional demand for amino acids (AAs) to satisfy their rapid proliferation. Positron-emitting nuclide labeled AAs are interesting probes and are of great importance for imaging tumors using positron emission tomography (PET). Carbon-11 and fluorine-18 labeled AAs include the [1-11C] AAs, labeling alpha-C- AAs, the branched-chain of AAs and N-substituted carbon-11 labeled AAs. These tracers target protein synthesis or amino acid (AA) transport, and their uptake mechanism mainly involves AA transport. AA PET tracers have been widely used in clinical settings to image brain tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on the fundamental concepts and the uptake mechanism of AAs, AA PET tracers and their clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixia Sun
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translational Application of Medical Radiopharmaceuticals and Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ganghua Tang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Translational Application of Medical Radiopharmaceuticals and Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Scopelliti AJ, Font J, Vandenberg RJ, Boudker O, Ryan RM. Structural characterisation reveals insights into substrate recognition by the glutamine transporter ASCT2/SLC1A5. Nat Commun 2018; 9:38. [PMID: 29295993 PMCID: PMC5750217 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02444-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo a shift in metabolism where they become reliant on nutrients such as the amino-acid glutamine. Glutamine enters the cell via the alanine/serine/cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) that is upregulated in several cancers to maintain an increased supply of this nutrient and are therefore an attractive target in cancer therapeutic development. ASCT2 belongs to the glutamate transporter (SLC1A) family but is the only transporter in this family able to transport glutamine. The structural basis for glutamine selectivity of ASCT2 is unknown. Here, we identify two amino-acid residues in the substrate-binding site that are responsible for conferring glutamine selectivity. We introduce corresponding mutations into a prokaryotic homologue of ASCT2 and solve four crystal structures, which reveal the structural basis for neutral amino acid and inhibitor binding in this family. This structural model of ASCT2 may provide a basis for future development of selective ASCT2 inhibitors to treat glutamine-dependent cancers. Cancer cells are reliant on nutrients such as glutamine, which enter the cell via the alanine/serine/cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2). Here, authors use crystallography to show which amino-acid residues in the substrate-binding site are responsible for conferring glutamine selectivity to ASCT2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Scopelliti
- Transporter Biology Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Josep Font
- Transporter Biology Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Robert J Vandenberg
- Transporter Biology Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Olga Boudker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Renae M Ryan
- Transporter Biology Group, Discipline of Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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21
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Engineering Tumour Cell-Binding Synthetic Polymers with Sensing Dense Transporters Associated with Aberrant Glutamine Metabolism. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6077. [PMID: 28729677 PMCID: PMC5519697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06438-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased glutamine uptake toward the elevated glutaminolysis is one of the hallmarks of tumour cells. This aberrant glutamine metabolism has recently attracted considerable attention as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. Herein, we developed glutamine-functionalized polymer to achieve a selective high affinity to tumour cells overexpressing glutaminolysis-related transporter ASCT2. In in vitro study, our developed polymer exhibited faster and higher cellular uptake in tumour cells than that in normal cells. Uptake inhibition study revealed the dominant contribution of ASCT2 to the polymer-cell interaction. Furthermore, the binding affinity of the polymer to tumour cells was estimated to be comparable to that of the potent ligand molecules reported in the literature. In in vivo study, the polymer showed prolonged retention at tumour site after intratumoral injection. This study offers a novel approach for designing tumour cell-binding synthetic polymers through the recognition of dense transporters related to tumour-associated metabolism.
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22
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Masle-Farquhar E, Bröer A, Yabas M, Enders A, Bröer S. ASCT2 (SLC1A5)-Deficient Mice Have Normal B-Cell Development, Proliferation, and Antibody Production. Front Immunol 2017; 8:549. [PMID: 28553292 PMCID: PMC5427077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
SLC1A5 (solute carrier family 1, member 5) is a small neutral amino acid exchanger that is upregulated in rapidly proliferating lymphocytes but also in many primary human cancers. Furthermore, cancer cell lines have been shown to require SLC1A5 for their survival in vitro. One of SLC1A5's primary substrates is the immunomodulatory amino acid glutamine, which plays an important role in multiple key processes, such as energy supply, macromolecular synthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, and resistance against oxidative stress. These processes are also essential to immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, B and T lymphocytes. We show here that mice with a stop codon in Slc1a5 have reduced glutamine uptake in activated lymphocytes and primary fibroblasts. B and T cell populations and maturation in resting mice were not affected by absence of SLC1A5. Antibody production in resting and immunized mice and the germinal center response to immunization were also found to be normal. SLC1A5 has been recently described as a novel target for the treatment of a variety of cancers, and our results indicate that inhibition of SLC1A5 in cancer therapy may be tolerated well by the immune system of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Masle-Farquhar
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Angelika Bröer
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Mehmet Yabas
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Anselm Enders
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stefan Bröer
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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23
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Li J, Smith JA, Dawson ES, Fu A, Nickels ML, Schulte ML, Manning HC. Optimized Translocator Protein Ligand for Optical Molecular Imaging and Screening. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 28:1016-1023. [PMID: 28156095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Translocator protein (TSPO) is a validated target for molecular imaging of a variety of human diseases and disorders. Given its involvement in cholesterol metabolism, TSPO expression is commonly elevated in solid tumors, including glioma, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. TSPO ligands capable of detection by optical imaging are useful molecular tracers for a variety of purposes that range from quantitative biology to drug discovery. Leveraging our prior optimization of the pyrazolopyrimidine TSPO ligand scaffold for cancer imaging, we report herein a new generation of TSPO tracers with superior binding affinity and suitability for optical imaging and screening. In total, seven candidate TSPO tracers were synthesized and vetted in this study; the most promising tracer identified (29, Kd = 0.19 nM) was the result of conjugating a high-affinity TSPO ligand to a fluorophore used routinely in biological sciences (FITC) via a functional carbon linker of optimal length. Computational modeling suggested that an n-alkyl linker of eight carbons in length allows for positioning of the bulky fluorophore distal to the ligand binding domain and toward the solvent interface, minimizing potential ligand-protein interference. Probe 29 was found to be highly suitable for in vitro imaging of live TSPO-expressing cells and could be deployed as a ligand screening and discovery tool. Competitive inhibition of probe 29 quantified by fluorescence and 3H-PK11195 quantified by traditional radiometric detection resulted in equivalent affinity data for two previously reported TSPO ligands. This study introduces the utility of TSPO ligand 29 for in vitro imaging and screening and provides a structural basis for the development of future TSPO imaging ligands bearing bulky signaling moieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Jarrod A Smith
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Eric S Dawson
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Allie Fu
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Michael L Nickels
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Michael L Schulte
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - H Charles Manning
- Interdisciplinary Materials Science Program, ∥Vanderbilt University Center for Structural Biology, and ■Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.,Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), §Center for Molecular Probes, ⊥Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, #Department of Biochemistry, ¶Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), and ▽Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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24
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Structure activity relationships of benzylproline-derived inhibitors of the glutamine transporter ASCT2. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 27:398-402. [PMID: 28057420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.12.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The glutamine transporter ASCT2 has been identified as a promising target to inhibit rapid growth of cancer cells. However, ASCT2 pharmacology is not well established. In this report, we performed a systematic structure activity analysis of a series of substituted benzylproline derivatives. Substitutions on the phenyl ring resulted in compounds with characteristics of ASCT2 inhibitors. Apparent binding affinity increased with increasing hydrophobicity of the side chain. In contrast, interaction of the ASCT2 binding site with specific positions on the phenyl ring was not observed. The most potent compound inhibits the ASCT2 anion conductance with a Ki of 3μM, which is in the same range as that of more bulky and higher molecular weight inhibitors recently reported by others. The experimental results are consistent with computational analysis based on docking of the inhibitors against an ASCT2 homology model. The benzylproline scaffold provides a valuable tool for further improving binding potency of future ASCT2 inhibitors.
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25
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Hassanein M, Hight MR, Buck JR, Tantawy MN, Nickels ML, Hoeksema MD, Harris BK, Boyd K, Massion PP, Manning HC. Preclinical Evaluation of 4-[18F]Fluoroglutamine PET to Assess ASCT2 Expression in Lung Cancer. Mol Imaging Biol 2016; 18:18-23. [PMID: 25971659 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-015-0862-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alanine-serine-cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) expression has been demonstrated as a promising lung cancer biomarker. (2S,4R)-4-[(18)F]Fluoroglutamine (4-[(18)F]fluoro-Gln) positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated in preclinical models of non-small cell lung cancer as a quantitative, non-invasive measure of ASCT2 expression. PROCEDURES In vivo microPET studies of 4-[(18)F]fluoro-Gln uptake were undertaken in human cell line xenograft tumor-bearing mice of varying ASCT2 levels, followed by a genetically engineered mouse model of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung cancer. The relationship between a tracer accumulation and ASCT2 levels in tumors was evaluated by IHC and immunoblotting. RESULT 4-[(18)F]Fluoro-Gln uptake, but not 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose, correlated with relative ASCT2 levels in xenograft tumors. In genetically engineered mice, 4-[(18)F]fluoro-Gln accumulation was significantly elevated in lung tumors, relative to normal lung and cardiac tissues. CONCLUSIONS 4-[(18)F]Fluoro-Gln PET appears to provide a non-invasive measure of ASCT2 expression. Given the potential of ASCT2 as a lung cancer biomarker, this and other tracers reflecting ASCT2 levels could emerge as precision imaging diagnostics in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Hassanein
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Thoracic Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Matthew R Hight
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jason R Buck
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Mohammed N Tantawy
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Michael L Nickels
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Megan D Hoeksema
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Bradford K Harris
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Kelli Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Pierre P Massion
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Thoracic Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - H Charles Manning
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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Selwan EM, Finicle BT, Kim SM, Edinger AL. Attacking the supply wagons to starve cancer cells to death. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:885-907. [PMID: 26938658 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The constitutive anabolism of cancer cells not only supports proliferation but also addicts tumor cells to a steady influx of exogenous nutrients. Limiting access to metabolic substrates could be an effective and selective means to block cancer growth. In this review, we define the pathways by which cancer cells acquire the raw materials for anabolism, highlight the actionable proteins in each pathway, and discuss the status of therapeutic interventions that disrupt nutrient acquisition. Critical open questions to be answered before apical metabolic inhibitors can be successfully and safely deployed in the clinic are also outlined. In summary, recent studies provide strong support that substrate limitation is a powerful therapeutic strategy to effectively, and safely, starve cancer cells to death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Selwan
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Brendan T Finicle
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Seong M Kim
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Aimee L Edinger
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
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Schulte ML, Khodadadi AB, Cuthbertson ML, Smith JA, Manning HC. 2-Amino-4-bis(aryloxybenzyl)aminobutanoic acids: A novel scaffold for inhibition of ASCT2-mediated glutamine transport. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2015; 26:1044-1047. [PMID: 26750251 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report the discovery of 2-amino-4-bis(aryloxybenzyl)aminobutanoic acids as novel inhibitors of ASCT2(SLC1A5)-mediated glutamine accumulation in mammalian cells. Focused library development led to two novel ASCT2 inhibitors that exhibit significantly improved potency compared with prior art in C6 (rat) and HEK293 (human) cells. The potency of leads reported here represents a 40-fold improvement over our most potent, previously reported inhibitor and represents, to our knowledge, the most potent pharmacological inhibitors of ASCT2-mediated glutamine accumulation in live cells. These and other compounds in this novel series exhibit tractable chemical properties for further development as potential therapeutic leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Schulte
- Vanderbilt Center for Molecular Probes, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Alexandra B Khodadadi
- Vanderbilt Center for Molecular Probes, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - Madison L Cuthbertson
- Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
| | - Jarrod A Smith
- Vanderbilt Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
| | - H Charles Manning
- Vanderbilt Center for Molecular Probes, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, United States; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, United States
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Silveira-Dorta G, Martín VS, Padrón JM. Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of glutamic acid-based dipeptides. Amino Acids 2015; 47:1527-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-015-1987-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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