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Ghaemi B, Tanwar S, Singh A, Arifin DR, McMahon MT, Barman I, Bulte JWM. Cell-Penetrating and Enzyme-Responsive Peptides for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Role of Arginine Residue Length on Cell Penetration and In Vivo Systemic Toxicity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:11159-11171. [PMID: 38385360 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
For the improved delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents, the conjugation of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) increases the cellular uptake and water solubility of agents. Among the various CPPs, arginine-rich peptides have been the most widely used. Combining CPPs with enzyme-responsive peptides presents an innovative strategy to target specific intracellular enzymes in cancer cells and when combined with the appropriate click chemistry can enhance theranostic drug delivery through the formation of intracellular self-assembled nanostructures. However, one drawback of CPPs is their high positive charge which can cause nonspecific binding, leading to off-target accumulation and potential toxicity. Hence, balancing cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and biocompatibility is essential for future clinical efficacy. We synthesized six cancer-specific, legumain-responsive RnAANCK peptides containing one to six arginine residues, with legumain being an asparaginyl endopeptidase that is overexpressed in aggressive prostate tumors. When conjugated to Alexa Fluor 488, R1-R6AANCK peptides exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent cell penetration in prostate cancer cells, which was higher for peptides with higher R values, reaching a plateau after approximately 120 min. Highly aggressive DU145 prostate tumor cells, but not less aggressive LNCaP cells, self-assembled nanoparticles in the cytosol after the cleavage of the legumain-specific peptide. The in vivo biocompatibility was assessed in mice after the intravenous injection of R1-R6AANCK peptides, with concentrations ranging from 0.0125 to 0.4 mmol/kg. The higher arginine content in R4-6 peptides showed blood and urine indicators for the impairment of bone marrow, liver, and kidney function in a dose-dependent manner, with instant hemolysis and morbidity in extreme cases. These findings underscore the importance of designing peptides with the optimal arginine residue length for a proper balance of cell-specific penetration, toxicity, and in vivo biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Ghaemi
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Swati Tanwar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Aruna Singh
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Dian R Arifin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Michael T McMahon
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ishan Barman
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of MR Research, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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2
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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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3
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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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4
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Smyth P, Sasiwachirangkul J, Williams R, Scott CJ. Cathepsin S (CTSS) activity in health and disease - A treasure trove of untapped clinical potential. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101106. [PMID: 35868042 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Amongst the lysosomal cysteine cathepsin family of proteases, cathepsin S (CTSS) holds particular interest due to distinctive properties including a normal restricted expression profile, inducible upregulation and activity at a broad pH range. Consequently, while CTSS is well-established as a member of the proteolytic cocktail within the lysosome, degrading unwanted and damaged proteins, it has increasingly been shown to mediate a number of distinct, more selective roles including antigen processing and antigen presentation, and cleavage of substrates both intra and extracellularly. Increasingly, aberrant CTSS expression has been demonstrated in a variety of conditions and disease states, marking it out as both a biomarker and potential therapeutic target. This review seeks to contextualise CTSS within the cysteine cathepsin family before providing an overview of the broad range of pathologies in which roles for CTSS have been identified. Additionally, current clinical progress towards specific inhibitors is detailed, updating the position of the field in exploiting this most unique of proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Smyth
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Jutharat Sasiwachirangkul
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Rich Williams
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Christopher J Scott
- The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.
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5
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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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6
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Identification of the Cysteine Protease Legumain as a Potential Chronic Hypoxia-Specific Multiple Myeloma Target Gene. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020292. [PMID: 35053409 PMCID: PMC8773999 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy, which is characterized by clonal proliferation of neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow. This microenvironment is characterized by low oxygen levels (1–6% O2), known as hypoxia. For MM cells, hypoxia is a physiologic feature that has been described to promote an aggressive phenotype and to confer drug resistance. However, studies on hypoxia are scarce and show little conformity. Here, we analyzed the mRNA expression of previously determined hypoxia markers to define the temporal adaptation of MM cells to chronic hypoxia. Subsequent analyses of the global proteome in MM cells and the stromal cell line HS-5 revealed hypoxia-dependent regulation of proteins, which directly or indirectly upregulate glycolysis. In addition, chronic hypoxia led to MM-specific regulation of nine distinct proteins. One of these proteins is the cysteine protease legumain (LGMN), the depletion of which led to a significant growth disadvantage of MM cell lines that is enhanced under hypoxia. Thus, herein, we report a methodologic strategy to examine MM cells under physiologic hypoxic conditions in vitro and to decipher and study previously masked hypoxia-specific therapeutic targets such as the cysteine protease LGMN.
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7
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Legumain Induces Oral Cancer Pain by Biased Agonism of Protease-Activated Receptor-2. J Neurosci 2020; 41:193-210. [PMID: 33172978 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1211-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most painful cancers, which interferes with orofacial function including talking and eating. We report that legumain (Lgmn) cleaves protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) in the acidic OSCC microenvironment to cause pain. Lgmn is a cysteine protease of late endosomes and lysosomes that can be secreted; it exhibits maximal activity in acidic environments. The role of Lgmn in PAR2-dependent cancer pain is unknown. We studied Lgmn activation in human oral cancers and oral cancer mouse models. Lgmn was activated in OSCC patient tumors, compared with matched normal oral tissue. After intraplantar, facial or lingual injection, Lgmn evoked nociception in wild-type (WT) female mice but not in female mice lacking PAR2 in NaV1.8-positive neurons (Par2Nav1.8), nor in female mice treated with a Lgmn inhibitor, LI-1. Inoculation of an OSCC cell line caused mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia that was reversed by LI-1. Par2Nav1.8 and Lgmn deletion attenuated mechanical allodynia in female mice with carcinogen-induced OSCC. Lgmn caused PAR2-dependent hyperexcitability of trigeminal neurons from WT female mice. Par2 deletion, LI-1, and inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase or protein kinase A (PKA) prevented the effects of Lgmn. Under acidified conditions, Lgmn cleaved within the extracellular N terminus of PAR2 at Asn30↓Arg31, proximal to the canonical trypsin activation site. Lgmn activated PAR2 by biased mechanisms in HEK293 cells to induce Ca2+ mobilization, cAMP formation, and PKA/protein kinase D (PKD) activation, but not β-arrestin recruitment or PAR2 endocytosis. Thus, in the acidified OSCC microenvironment, Lgmn activates PAR2 by biased mechanisms that evoke cancer pain.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most painful cancers. We report that legumain (Lgmn), which exhibits maximal activity in acidic environments, cleaves protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) on neurons to produce OSCC pain. Active Lgmn was elevated in OSCC patient tumors, compared with matched normal oral tissue. Lgmn evokes pain-like behavior through PAR2 Exposure of pain-sensing neurons to Lgmn decreased the current required to generate an action potential through PAR2 Inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA) prevented the effects of Lgmn. Lgmn activated PAR2 to induce calcium mobilization, cAMP formation, and activation of protein kinase D (PKD) and PKA, but not β-arrestin recruitment or PAR2 endocytosis. Thus, Lgmn is a biased agonist of PAR2 that evokes cancer pain.
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8
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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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9
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Zhang Z, Tian Y, Ye K. δ-secretase in neurodegenerative diseases: mechanisms, regulators and therapeutic opportunities. Transl Neurodegener 2020; 9:1. [PMID: 31911834 PMCID: PMC6943888 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-019-0179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is a cysteine protease that cleaves its protein substrates on the C-terminal side of asparagine residues. Converging lines of evidence indicate that AEP may be involved in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and frontotemporal dementia. AEP is activated in the aging brain, cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP) and promotes the production of amyloid-β (Aβ). We renamed AEP to δ-secretase to emphasize its role in APP fragmentation and Aβ production. AEP also cleaves other substrates, such as tau, α-synuclein, SET, and TAR DNA-binding protein 43, generating neurotoxic fragments and disturbing their physiological functions. The activity of δ-secretase is tightly regulated at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Here, we review the recent advances in the role of δ-secretase in neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on its biochemical properties and the transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of its activity, and discuss the clinical implications of δ-secretase as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060 People’s Republic of China
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
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10
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Ruan S, Xie R, Qin L, Yu M, Xiao W, Hu C, Yu W, Qian Z, Ouyang L, He Q, Gao H. Aggregable Nanoparticles-Enabled Chemotherapy and Autophagy Inhibition Combined with Anti-PD-L1 Antibody for Improved Glioma Treatment. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:8318-8332. [PMID: 31610656 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b03968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shaobo Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Rou Xie
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Lin Qin
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Meinan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Wenqi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center, West China Hospital and collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center, West China Hospital and collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Huile Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
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Eddie SL, Gregson A, Graham E, Burton S, Harrison T, Burden R, Scott CJ, Mullan PB, Williams R. Identification and SAR exploration of a novel series of Legumain inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1546-1548. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Lenci E, Innocenti R, Di Francescantonio T, Menchi G, Bianchini F, Contini A, Trabocchi A. Identification of highly potent and selective MMP2 inhibitors addressing the S1′ subsite with d-proline-based compounds. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:1891-1902. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Flat SAR of P3-methylsulphonamide based small molecule legumain inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:413-416. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2015.11.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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