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Wu G, Qin S, Gu K, Zhou Y. PYCR2, induced by c-Myc, promotes the invasiveness and metastasis of breast cancer by activating AKT signalling pathway. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 166:106506. [PMID: 38101533 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2023.106506] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 2 (PYCR2) expression is aberrantly upregulated in colon cancer. However, the functions and underlying mechanisms of PYCR2 in breast cancer remain elusive. The primary objective of the present study was to elucidate the function of PYCR2 in breast cancer and investigate whether PYCR2 may be transcriptionally regulated by c-Myc to activate the AKT signaling pathway. METHODS Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the expression of PYCR2 in breast cancer and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Western blot and RT-qPCR were utilized to detect PYCR2 expression in breast cancer cells. Cellular functionalities were evaluated through Transwell assays in vitro and lung metastasis formation assays in vivo. Moreover, the impact of PYCR2 on the activation of AKT signaling was determined through western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. The transcriptional regulation of PYCR2 expression by c-Myc was evaluated via both western blot analysis and luciferase gene reporter assay. RESULTS PYCR2 overexpression was noted in breast cancer. Silencing PYCR2 expression attenuated the invasive and metastatic abilities of breast cancer cells. Furthermore, the activation of the AKT signaling pathway is indispensable for the promotion of invasion and metastasis mediated by PYCR2. Lastly, the binding of c-Myc to the promoter sequence of PYCR2 resulted in the upregulation of PYCR2 transcription. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results indicate that PYCR2 is transcriptionally regulated by c-Myc and promotes invasion and metastasis in breast cancer through the activation of the AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214062, China.
| | | | - Ke Gu
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214062, China.
| | - Yanjun Zhou
- Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214062, China.
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2
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Xu T, Wu Z, Yuan Q, Zhang X, Liu Y, Wu C, Song M, Wu J, Jiang J, Wang Z, Chen Z, Zhang M, Huang M, Ji N. Proline is increased in allergic asthma and promotes airway remodeling. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167395. [PMID: 37432745 PMCID: PMC10543727 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proline and its synthesis enzyme pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) are implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), yet how proline and PYCR1 function in allergic asthmatic airway remodeling via EMT has not yet been addressed to our knowledge. In the present study, increased levels of plasma proline and PYCR1 were observed in patients with asthma. Similarly, proline and PYCR1 in lung tissues were high in a murine allergic asthma model induced by house dust mites (HDMs). Pycr1 knockout decreased proline in lung tissues, with reduced airway remodeling and EMT. Mechanistically, loss of Pycr1 restrained HDM-induced EMT by modulating mitochondrial fission, metabolic reprogramming, and the AKT/mTORC1 and WNT3a/β-catenin signaling pathways in airway epithelial cells. Therapeutic inhibition of PYCR1 in wild-type mice disrupted HDM-induced airway inflammation and remodeling. Deprivation of exogenous proline relieved HDM-induced airway remodeling to some extent. Collectively, this study illuminates that proline and PYCR1 involved with airway remodeling in allergic asthma could be viable targets for asthma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Yuan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xijie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Chaojie Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meijuan Song
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingxian Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengxia Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongqi Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingshun Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Antibody Drug, Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mao Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ningfei Ji
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Meeks KR, Tanner JJ. Expression and kinetic characterization of PYCR3. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 733:109468. [PMID: 36414121 PMCID: PMC9772221 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2022.109468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PYCRs are proline biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) to proline in humans. PYCRs - especially PYCR1 - are upregulated in many types of cancers and have been implicated in the altered metabolism of cancer cells. Of the three isoforms of PYCR, PYCR3 remains the least studied due in part to the lack of a robust recombinant expression. Herein, we describe a procedure for the expression of soluble SUMO-PYCR3 in Escherichia coli, purification of the fusion protein, and removal of the SUMO tag. PYCR3 is active with either NADPH or NADH as the coenzyme. Bi-substrate kinetic measurements obtained by varying the concentrations of both L-P5C and NADH, along with product inhibition data for l-proline, suggest a random ordered bi bi mechanism. A panel of 19 proline analogs was screened for inhibition, and the kinetics of competitive inhibition (with L-P5C) were measured for five of the compounds screened, including N-formyl-l-proline, a validated inhibitor of PYCR1. N-formyl-l-proline was found to be ten times more selective for PYCR1 over PYCR3. The SUMO-PYCR3 expression system should be useful for testing the isoform specificity of PYCR1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylen R Meeks
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States; Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States.
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Hyroššová P, Milošević M, Škoda J, Vachtenheim Jr J, Rohlena J, Rohlenová K. Effects of metabolic cancer therapy on tumor microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1046630. [PMID: 36582801 PMCID: PMC9793001 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1046630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor metabolism for cancer therapy is an old strategy. In fact, historically the first effective cancer therapeutics were directed at nucleotide metabolism. The spectrum of metabolic drugs considered in cancer increases rapidly - clinical trials are in progress for agents directed at glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, glutaminolysis and several others. These pathways are essential for cancer cell proliferation and redox homeostasis, but are also required, to various degrees, in other cell types present in the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. How metabolism-targeted treatments impact these tumor-associated cell types is not fully understood, even though their response may co-determine the overall effectivity of therapy. Indeed, the metabolic dependencies of stromal cells have been overlooked for a long time. Therefore, it is important that metabolic therapy is considered in the context of tumor microenvironment, as understanding the metabolic vulnerabilities of both cancer and stromal cells can guide new treatment concepts and help better understand treatment resistance. In this review we discuss recent findings covering the impact of metabolic interventions on cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and their implications for metabolic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Hyroššová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Mirko Milošević
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Josef Škoda
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Vachtenheim Jr
- 3rd Department of Surgery, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jakub Rohlena
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,*Correspondence: Kateřina Rohlenová, ; Jakub Rohlena,
| | - Kateřina Rohlenová
- Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia,*Correspondence: Kateřina Rohlenová, ; Jakub Rohlena,
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Moita MR, Silva MM, Diniz C, Serra M, Hoet RM, Barbas A, Simão D. Transcriptome and proteome profiling of activated cardiac fibroblasts supports target prioritization in cardiac fibrosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1015473. [PMID: 36531712 PMCID: PMC9751336 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1015473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activated cardiac fibroblasts (CF) play a central role in cardiac fibrosis, a condition associated with most cardiovascular diseases. Conversion of quiescent into activated CF sustains heart integrity upon injury. However, permanence of CF in active state inflicts deleterious heart function effects. Mechanisms underlying this cell state conversion are still not fully disclosed, contributing to a limited target space and lack of effective anti-fibrotic therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS To prioritize targets for drug development, we studied CF remodeling upon activation at transcriptomic and proteomic levels, using three different cell sources: primary adult CF (aHCF), primary fetal CF (fHCF), and induced pluripotent stem cells derived CF (hiPSC-CF). RESULTS All cell sources showed a convergent response upon activation, with clear morphological and molecular remodeling associated with cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Quantitative proteomic analysis identified known cardiac fibrosis markers, such as FN1, CCN2, and Serpine1, but also revealed targets not previously associated with this condition, including MRC2, IGFBP7, and NT5DC2. CONCLUSION Exploring such targets to modulate CF phenotype represents a valuable opportunity for development of anti-fibrotic therapies. Also, we demonstrate that hiPSC-CF is a suitable cell source for preclinical research, displaying significantly lower basal activation level relative to primary cells, while being able to elicit a convergent response upon stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Raquel Moita
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marta M. Silva
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Diniz
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Margarida Serra
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - René M. Hoet
- Department of Pathology, CARIM - School of Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel Simão
- iBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
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Moinul M, Khatun S, Amin SA, Jha T, Gayen S. Recent trends in fragment-based anticancer drug design strategies against different targets: A mini-review. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Li Y, Xu J, Bao P, Wei Z, Pan L, Zhou J, Wang W. Survival and clinicopathological significance of PYCR1 expression in cancer: A meta-analysis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:985613. [PMID: 36119513 PMCID: PMC9480090 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.985613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Proline metabolism is closely related to the occurrence and development of cancer. Δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR) is the last enzyme in proline biosynthesis. As one of the enzyme types, PYCR1 takes part in the whole process of the growth, invasion, and drug resistance of cancer cells. This study investigated PYCR1 expressions in cancers together with their relationship to clinical prognosis. Methods A thorough database search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. RevMan5.3 software was used for the statistical analysis. Results Eight articles were selected, and 728 cancer patients were enrolled. The cancer types include lung, stomach, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma. The meta-analysis results showed that the expression of PYCR1 was higher in the clinical stage III–IV group than that in the clinical stage I–II group (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.03–2.71), higher in the lymph node metastasis group than in the non-lymph node metastasis group (OR = 1.57, 95%CI: 1.06–2.33), and higher in the distant metastasis group than in the non-distant metastasis group (OR = 3.46, 95%CI: 1.64–7.29). However, there was no statistical difference in PYCR1 expression between different tumor sizes (OR = 1.50, 95%CI: 0.89–2.53) and degrees of differentiation (OR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.54–1.24). Conclusion PYCR1 had a high expression in various cancers and was associated with cancer volume and metastasis. The higher the PYCR1 expression was, the poorer the cancer prognosis was. The molecular events and biological processes mediated by PYCR1 might be the underlying mechanisms of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiahuan Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | | | - Zhijing Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Wang,
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8
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Xiao S, Yao X, Ye J, Tian X, Yin Z, Zhou L. Epigenetic modification facilitates proline synthase PYCR1 aberrant expression in gastric cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2022; 1865:194829. [PMID: 35654390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2022.194829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) upregulation contributes to the progression of gastric cancer (GC) and indicates poor survival. However, PYCR1 expression profile in GC subtypes and the mechanism behind its upregulation are not well-studied. METHODS PYCR1 expression profiles in GC subtypes and different stages of gastric carcinogenesis were assessed in different GC cohorts. Genetic alterations and epigenetic modulation in PYCR1 regulation were further investigated using bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments. RESULTS PYCR1 expression was significantly higher in intestinal-type GC and associated molecular subtypes in TCGA and ACRG GC cohorts. During the cascade of intestinal-type GC, PYCR1 was continuously increased from normal gastric tissues through to atrophic gastritis, to intraepithelial neoplasia, and to GC. Copy number alterations in PYCR1 were associated with PYCR1 transcript expression. One CpG island was observed in PYCR1 promoter region, and the hypomethylation occurred at this region could contribute to PYCR1 transcriptional activation in GC. Besides, H3K27ac combination was found in PYCR1 promoter, and acetyltransferase p300 induced H3K27ac could promote PYCR1 expression in GC. CONCLUSIONS PYCR1 expression varies across GC subtypes, with intestinal-type GC and associated molecular subtypes having the highest expression. Hypomethylation at CpG sites and p300-induced H3K27ac modification within PYCR1 promoter could contribute to maintaining PYCR1 overexpression in GC. These results provide us with a new insight into epigenetic modulation in mitochondrial proline metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China
| | - Xingyu Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China
| | - Juxiang Ye
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China
| | - Xueli Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihao Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China
| | - Liya Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Beijing, China.
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Kay EJ, Paterson K, Riera-Domingo C, Sumpton D, Däbritz JHM, Tardito S, Boldrini C, Hernandez-Fernaud JR, Athineos D, Dhayade S, Stepanova E, Gjerga E, Neilson LJ, Lilla S, Hedley A, Koulouras G, McGregor G, Jamieson C, Johnson RM, Park M, Kirschner K, Miller C, Kamphorst JJ, Loayza-Puch F, Saez-Rodriguez J, Mazzone M, Blyth K, Zagnoni M, Zanivan S. Cancer-associated fibroblasts require proline synthesis by PYCR1 for the deposition of pro-tumorigenic extracellular matrix. Nat Metab 2022; 4:693-710. [PMID: 35760868 PMCID: PMC9236907 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Elevated production of collagen-rich extracellular matrix is a hallmark of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and a central driver of cancer aggressiveness. Here we find that proline, a highly abundant amino acid in collagen proteins, is newly synthesized from glutamine in CAFs to make tumour collagen in breast cancer xenografts. PYCR1 is a key enzyme for proline synthesis and highly expressed in the stroma of breast cancer patients and in CAFs. Reducing PYCR1 levels in CAFs is sufficient to reduce tumour collagen production, tumour growth and metastatic spread in vivo and cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Both collagen and glutamine-derived proline synthesis in CAFs are epigenetically upregulated by increased pyruvate dehydrogenase-derived acetyl-CoA levels. PYCR1 is a cancer cell vulnerability and potential target for therapy; therefore, our work provides evidence that targeting PYCR1 may have the additional benefit of halting the production of a pro-tumorigenic extracellular matrix. Our work unveils new roles for CAF metabolism to support pro-tumorigenic collagen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Kay
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karla Paterson
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, EEE Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Carla Riera-Domingo
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Saverio Tardito
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Ekaterina Stepanova
- Translational Control and Metabolism, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Enio Gjerga
- Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Joint Research Centre for Computational Biomedicine (JRC-COMBINE), Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Sergio Lilla
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ann Hedley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Grace McGregor
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig Jamieson
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Thomas Graham Building, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Radia Marie Johnson
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Morag Park
- Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kristina Kirschner
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Crispin Miller
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jurre J Kamphorst
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Fabricio Loayza-Puch
- Translational Control and Metabolism, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Bioquant, Heidelberg, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Joint Research Centre for Computational Biomedicine (JRC-COMBINE), Aachen, Germany
| | - Massimiliano Mazzone
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Tumor Inflammation and Angiogenesis, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen Blyth
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michele Zagnoni
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, EEE Department, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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Oudaert I, Satilmis H, Vlummens P, De Brouwer W, Maes A, Hose D, De Bruyne E, Ghesquière B, Vanderkerken K, De Veirman K, Menu E. Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase 1: a novel target for sensitizing multiple myeloma cells to bortezomib by inhibition of PRAS40-mediated protein synthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:45. [PMID: 35105345 PMCID: PMC8805317 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02250-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable cancer despite advances in therapy. Therefore, the search for new targets is still essential to uncover potential treatment strategies. Metabolic changes, induced by the hypoxic bone marrow, contribute to both MM cell survival and drug resistance. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 and 2 (PYCR1 and PYCR2) are two mitochondrial enzymes that facilitate the last step in the glutamine-to-proline conversion. Overexpression of PYCR1 is involved in progression of several cancers, however, its’ role in hematological cancers is unknown. In this study, we investigated whether PYCR affects MM viability, proliferation and response to bortezomib. Methods Correlation of PYCR1/2 with overall survival was investigated in the MMRF CoMMpass trial (653 patients). OPM-2 and RPMI-8226 MM cell lines were used to perform in vitro experiments. RPMI-8226 cells were supplemented with 13C-glutamine for 48 h in both normoxia and hypoxia (< 1% O2, by chamber) to perform a tracer study. PYCR1 was inhibited by siRNA or the small molecule inhibitor pargyline. Apoptosis was measured using Annexin V and 7-AAD staining, viability by CellTiterGlo assay and proliferation by BrdU incorporation. Differential protein expression was evaluated using Western Blot. The SUnSET method was used to measure protein synthesis. All in vitro experiments were performed in hypoxic conditions. Results We found that PYCR1 and PYCR2 mRNA expression correlated with an inferior overall survival. MM cells from relapsed/refractory patients express significantly higher levels of PYCR1 mRNA. In line with the strong expression of PYCR1, we performed a tracer study in RPMI-8226 cells, which revealed an increased conversion of 13C-glutamine to proline in hypoxia. PYCR1 inhibition reduced MM viability and proliferation and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that PYCR1 silencing reduced protein levels of p-PRAS40, p-mTOR, p-p70, p-S6, p-4EBP1 and p-eIF4E levels, suggesting a decrease in protein synthesis, which we also confirmed in vitro. Pargyline and siPYCR1 increased bortezomib-mediated apoptosis. Finally, combination therapy of pargyline with bortezomib reduced viability in CD138+ MM cells and reduced tumor burden in the murine 5TGM1 model compared to single agents. Conclusions This study identifies PYCR1 as a novel target in bortezomib-based combination therapies for MM. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02250-3.
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11
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Westbrook RL, Bridges E, Roberts J, Escribano-Gonzalez C, Eales KL, Vettore LA, Walker PD, Vera-Siguenza E, Rana H, Cuozzo F, Eskla KL, Vellama H, Shaaban A, Nixon C, Luuk H, Lavery GG, Hodson DJ, Harris AL, Tennant DA. Proline synthesis through PYCR1 is required to support cancer cell proliferation and survival in oxygen-limiting conditions. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110320. [PMID: 35108535 PMCID: PMC8822494 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The demands of cancer cell proliferation alongside an inadequate angiogenic response lead to insufficient oxygen availability in the tumor microenvironment. Within the mitochondria, oxygen is the major electron acceptor for NADH, with the result that the reducing potential produced through tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity and mitochondrial respiration are functionally linked. As the oxidizing activity of the TCA cycle is required for efficient synthesis of anabolic precursors, tumoral hypoxia could lead to a cessation of proliferation without another means of correcting the redox imbalance. We show that in hypoxic conditions, mitochondrial pyrroline 5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) activity is increased, oxidizing NADH with the synthesis of proline as a by-product. We further show that PYCR1 activity is required for the successful maintenance of hypoxic regions by permitting continued TCA cycle activity, and that its loss leads to significantly increased hypoxia in vivo and in 3D culture, resulting in widespread cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Westbrook
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Esther Bridges
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Cancer Research UK Molecular Oncology Laboratories, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK; MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Jennie Roberts
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Cristina Escribano-Gonzalez
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Katherine L Eales
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lisa A Vettore
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Paul D Walker
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Elias Vera-Siguenza
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Himani Rana
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Federica Cuozzo
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Kattri-Liis Eskla
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hans Vellama
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Abeer Shaaban
- University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Colin Nixon
- Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Glasgow, Switchback Road, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Hendrik Luuk
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Gareth G Lavery
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - David J Hodson
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Adrian L Harris
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis Group, Cancer Research UK Molecular Oncology Laboratories, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Daniel A Tennant
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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12
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Bogner AN, Tanner JJ. Structure-affinity relationships of reversible proline analog inhibitors targeting proline dehydrogenase. Org Biomol Chem 2022; 20:895-905. [PMID: 35018940 PMCID: PMC8864676 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob02328d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) catalyzes the first step of proline catabolism, the FAD-dependent oxidation of L-proline to Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate. PRODH plays a central role in the metabolic rewiring of cancer cells, which has motivated the discovery of inhibitors. Here, we studied the inhibition of PRODH by 18 proline-like compounds to understand the structural and chemical features responsible for the affinity of the best-known inhibitor, S-(-)-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid (1). The compounds were screened, and then six were selected for more thorough kinetic analysis: cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (2), cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (3), cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (4), cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (16), 2-oxobutyric acid (17), and (2S)-oxetane-2-carboxylic acid (18). These compounds are competitive inhibitors with inhibition constants in the range of 1.4-6 mM, compared to 0.3 mM for 1. Crystal structures of PRODH complexed with 2, 3, 4, and 18 were determined. All four inhibitors bind in the proline substrate site, but the orientations of their rings differ from that of 1. The binding of 3 and 18 is accompanied by compression of the active site to enable nonpolar contacts with Leu513. Compound 2 is unique in that the additional carboxylate displaces a structurally conserved water molecule from the active site. Compound 18 also destabilizes the conserved water, but by an unexpected non-steric mechanism. The results are interpreted using a chemical double mutant thermodynamic cycle. This analysis revealed unanticipated synergism between ring size and hydrogen bonding to the conserved water. These structure-affinity relationships provide new information relevant to the development of new inhibitor design strategies targeting PRODH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N. Bogner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - John J. Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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13
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Stine ZE, Schug ZT, Salvino JM, Dang CV. Targeting cancer metabolism in the era of precision oncology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 21:141-162. [PMID: 34862480 PMCID: PMC8641543 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 137.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
One hundred years have passed since Warburg discovered alterations in cancer metabolism, more than 70 years since Sidney Farber introduced anti-folates that transformed the treatment of childhood leukaemia, and 20 years since metabolism was linked to oncogenes. However, progress in targeting cancer metabolism therapeutically in the past decade has been limited. Only a few metabolism-based drugs for cancer have been successfully developed, some of which are in - or en route to - clinical trials. Strategies for targeting the intrinsic metabolism of cancer cells often did not account for the metabolism of non-cancer stromal and immune cells, which have pivotal roles in tumour progression and maintenance. By considering immune cell metabolism and the clinical manifestations of inborn errors of metabolism, it may be possible to isolate undesirable off-tumour, on-target effects of metabolic drugs during their development. Hence, the conceptual framework for drug design must consider the metabolic vulnerabilities of non-cancer cells in the tumour immune microenvironment, as well as those of cancer cells. In this Review, we cover the recent developments, notable milestones and setbacks in targeting cancer metabolism, and discuss the way forward for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chi V Dang
- The Wistar Institute Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research New York, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Hu CAA. Isozymes of P5C reductase (PYCR) in human diseases: focus on cancer. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1835-1840. [PMID: 34291342 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03048-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Δ1-Pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase (PYCR or P5CR) catalyzes the conversion of P5C to L-proline (Pro) with concomitant oxidation of a cofactor, NADPH or NADH. Mammalian PYCR have been studied since 1950' and currently three isozymes of human PYCR, 1, 2, and L, have been identified and characterized and their roles in genetic diseases and cancer biology have been keenly investigated. These three isozymes are encoded by three different genes localized at three different chromosomes, and catalyze NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of P5C to Pro important for the transfer of oxidizing potential across the mitochondrion and cell. The review summarizes the current understanding of these three human PYCR isozymes and their roles in diseases with a focus on cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-An A Hu
- MSC08 4670, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA.
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15
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Forlani G, Sabbioni G, Ragno D, Petrollino D, Borgatti M. Phenyl-substituted aminomethylene-bisphosphonates inhibit human P5C reductase and show antiproliferative activity against proline-hyperproducing tumour cells. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:1248-1257. [PMID: 34107832 PMCID: PMC8205077 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1919890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In certain cancers, such as breast, prostate and some lung and skin cancers, the gene for the enzyme catalysing the second and last step in proline synthesis, δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) reductase, has been found upregulated. This leads to a higher proline content that exacerbates the effects of the so-called proline-P5C cycle, with tumour cells effectively using this method to increase cell survival. If a method of reducing or inhibiting P5C reductase could be discovered, it would provide new means of treating cancer. To address this point, the effect of some phenyl-substituted derivatives of aminomethylene-bisphosphonic acid, previously found to interfere with the catalytic activity of plant and bacterial P5C reductases, was evaluated in vitro on the human isoform 1 (PYCR1), expressed in E. coli and affinity purified. The 3.5-dibromophenyl- and 3.5-dichlorophenyl-derivatives showed a remarkable effectiveness, with IC50 values lower than 1 µM and a mechanism of competitive type against both P5C and NADPH. The actual occurrence in vivo of enzyme inhibition was assessed on myelogenous erythroleukemic K562 and epithelial breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell lines, whose growth was progressively impaired by concentrations of the dibromo derivative ranging from 10-6 to 10-4 M. Interestingly, growth inhibition was not relieved by the exogenous supply of proline, suggesting that the effect relies on the interference with the proline-P5C cycle, and not on proline starvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Forlani
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sabbioni
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Daniele Ragno
- Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Davide Petrollino
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monica Borgatti
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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16
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Bogner AN, Stiers KM, Tanner JJ. Structure, biochemistry, and gene expression patterns of the proline biosynthetic enzyme pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR), an emerging cancer therapy target. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1817-1834. [PMID: 34003320 PMCID: PMC8599497 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02999-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Proline metabolism features prominently in the unique metabolism of cancer cells. Proline biosynthetic genes are consistently upregulated in multiple cancers, while the proline catabolic enzyme proline dehydrogenase has dual, context-dependent pro-cancer and pro-apoptotic functions. Furthermore, the cycling of proline and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate through the proline cycle impacts cellular growth and death pathways by maintaining redox homeostasis between the cytosol and mitochondria. Here we focus on the last enzyme of proline biosynthesis, Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, known as PYCR in humans. PYCR catalyzes the NAD(P)H-dependent reduction of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate to proline and forms the reductive half of the proline metabolic cycle. We review the research on the three-dimensional structure, biochemistry, inhibition, and cancer biology of PYCR. To provide a global view of PYCR gene upregulation in cancer, we mined RNA transcript databases to analyze differential gene expression in 28 cancer types. This analysis revealed strong, widespread upregulation of PYCR genes, especially PYCR1. Altogether, the research over the past 20 years makes a compelling case for PYCR as a cancer therapy target. We conclude with a discussion of some of the major challenges for the field, including developing isoform-specific inhibitors, elucidating the function of the long C-terminus of PYCR1/2, and characterizing the interactome of PYCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Bogner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Kyle M Stiers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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17
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Kay EJ, Koulouras G, Zanivan S. Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Production in Activated Fibroblasts: Roles of Amino Acid Metabolism in Collagen Synthesis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:719922. [PMID: 34513697 PMCID: PMC8429785 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.719922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major component of the tumour microenvironment in most tumours, and are key mediators of the response to tissue damage caused by tumour growth and invasion, contributing to the observation that tumours behave as 'wounds that do not heal'. CAFs have been shown to play a supporting role in all stages of tumour progression, and this is dependent on the highly secretory phenotype CAFs develop upon activation, of which extracellular matrix (ECM) production is a key element. A collagen rich, stromal ECM has been shown to influence tumour growth and metastasis, exclude immune cells and impede drug delivery, and is associated with poor prognosis in many cancers. CAFs also extensively remodel their metabolism to support cancer cells, however, it is becoming clear that metabolic rewiring also supports intrinsic functions of activated fibroblasts, such as increased ECM production. In this review, we summarise how fibroblasts metabolically regulate ECM production, focussing on collagen production, at the transcriptional, translational and post-translational level, and discuss how this can provide possible strategies for effectively targeting CAF activation and formation of a tumour-promoting stroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Kay
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Grigorios Koulouras
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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18
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Forlani G, Nocek B, Ruszkowski M. Peculiar substrate specificity of δ 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase in the obligately fermentative bacterium Zymomonas mobilis. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:6205-6211. [PMID: 34331182 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06591-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The enzyme that catalyzes the last step in proline synthesis, δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase, showed in most cases a distinct preference in vitro for NADPH as the electron donor. METHODS AND RESULTS A Zymomonas mobilis gene coding for a δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase was cloned and heterologously expressed, and the recombinant protein was purified and characterized. The enzyme showed higher affinity to, and higher catalytic rate with NADH, with a specific activity of about 600 nkat (mg protein)-1. The molecular basis of this feature was investigated by analysis of the dinucleotide binding domain in silico. CONCLUSIONS We postulate that the main determinants of coenzyme preference for P5C reductases are the length and the sequence of the motif A, whereas the overall sequence identity is insufficient to predict it a priori. Results are discussed in view of the obligately fermentative metabolism of this bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Forlani
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, via L. Borsari 46, 44100, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Boguslaw Nocek
- The Bioscience Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, 60439, USA.,AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Milosz Ruszkowski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61704, Poznan, Poland
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19
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Li Y, Bie J, Song C, Liu M, Luo J. PYCR, a key enzyme in proline metabolism, functions in tumorigenesis. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1841-1850. [PMID: 34273023 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR), the last enzyme in proline synthesis that converts P5C into proline, was found promoting cancer growth and inhibiting apoptosis through multiple approaches, including regulating cell cycle and redox homeostasis, and promoting growth signaling pathways. Proline is abnormally up-regulated in multiple cancers and becomes one of the critical players in the reprogramming of cancer metabolism. As the last key enzymes in proline generation, PYCRs have been the subject of many investigations, and have been demonstrated to play an indispensable role in promoting tumorigenesis and cancer progression. In this article, we will thoroughly review the recent investigations on PYCRs in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Juntao Bie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Chen Song
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Minghui Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jianyuan Luo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of Protein Posttranslational Modifications and Cell Function, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center for Medical Genetics, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China.
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20
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Bhingarkar A, Vangapandu HV, Rathod S, Hoshitsuki K, Fernandez CA. Amino Acid Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Acute and Chronic Myeloid Leukemias. Front Oncol 2021; 11:694526. [PMID: 34277440 PMCID: PMC8281237 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.694526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amino acid (AA) metabolism plays an important role in many cellular processes including energy production, immune function, and purine and pyrimidine synthesis. Cancer cells therefore require increased AA uptake and undergo metabolic reprogramming to satisfy the energy demand associated with their rapid proliferation. Like many other cancers, myeloid leukemias are vulnerable to specific therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic dependencies. Herein, our review provides a comprehensive overview and TCGA data analysis of biosynthetic enzymes required for non-essential AA synthesis and their dysregulation in myeloid leukemias. Furthermore, we discuss the role of the general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) and-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways of AA sensing on metabolic vulnerability and drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aboli Bhingarkar
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hima V. Vangapandu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sanjay Rathod
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Keito Hoshitsuki
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Christian A. Fernandez
- Center for Pharmacogenetics and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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21
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Manujyothi R, Aneeja T, Anilkumar G. Solvent-free synthesis of propargylamines: an overview. RSC Adv 2021; 11:19433-19449. [PMID: 35479216 PMCID: PMC9033675 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra03324g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Propargylamines are a class of compounds with many pharmaceutical and biological properties. A green approach to synthesize such compounds is very relevant. This review aims to describe the solvent-free synthetic approaches towards propargylamines via A3 and KA2 coupling reactions covering the literature up to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Manujyothi
- Institute for Integrated Programmes and Research in Basic Sciences (IIRBS), Mahatma Gandhi University Priyadarsini Hills P O Kottayam Kerala 686560 India +91-481-2731036
| | - Thaipparambil Aneeja
- School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University Priyadarsini Hills P O Kottayam Kerala 686560 India
| | - Gopinathan Anilkumar
- Institute for Integrated Programmes and Research in Basic Sciences (IIRBS), Mahatma Gandhi University Priyadarsini Hills P O Kottayam Kerala 686560 India +91-481-2731036
- School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University Priyadarsini Hills P O Kottayam Kerala 686560 India
- Advanced Molecular Materials Research Centre (AMMRC), Mahatma Gandhi University Priyadarsini Hills P O Kottayam Kerala 686560 India
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22
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Ding Z, Ericksen RE, Lee QY, Han W. Reprogramming of mitochondrial proline metabolism promotes liver tumorigenesis. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1807-1815. [PMID: 33646427 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-02961-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated cellular energetics has recently been recognized as a hallmark of cancer and garnered attention as a potential targeting strategy for cancer therapeutics. Cancer cells reprogram metabolic activities to meet bio-energetic, biosynthetic and redox requirements needed to sustain indefinite proliferation. In many cases, metabolic reprogramming is the result of complex interactions between genetic alterations in well-known oncogenes and tumor suppressors and epigenetic changes. While the metabolism of the two most abundant nutrients, glucose and glutamine, is reprogrammed in a wide range of cancers, accumulating evidence demonstrates that additional metabolic pathways are also critical for cell survival and growth. Proline metabolism is one such metabolic pathway that promotes tumorigenesis in multiple cancer types, including liver cancer, which is the fourth main cause of cancer mortality in the world. Despite the recent spate of approved treatments, including targeted therapy and combined immunotherapies, there has been no significant gain in clinical benefits in the majority of liver cancer patients. Thus, exploring novel therapeutic strategies and identifying new molecular targets remains a top priority for liver cancer. Two of the enzymes in the proline biosynthetic pathway, pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR1) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 18 Family Member A1 (ALDH18A1), are upregulated in liver cancer of both human and animal models, while proline catabolic enzymes, such as proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) are downregulated. Here we review the latest evidence linking proline metabolism to liver and other cancers and potential mechanisms of action for the proline pathway in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobing Ding
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #02-02 Helios, 11 Biopolis Way, Singapore, 138667, Singapore
| | - Russell E Ericksen
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #02-02 Helios, 11 Biopolis Way, Singapore, 138667, Singapore
| | - Qian Yi Lee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #02-02 Helios, 11 Biopolis Way, Singapore, 138667, Singapore
| | - Weiping Han
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #02-02 Helios, 11 Biopolis Way, Singapore, 138667, Singapore.
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23
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Christensen EM, Bogner AN, Vandekeere A, Tam GS, Patel SM, Becker DF, Fendt SM, Tanner JJ. In crystallo screening for proline analog inhibitors of the proline cycle enzyme PYCR1. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18316-18327. [PMID: 33109600 PMCID: PMC7939384 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.016106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 (PYCR1) catalyzes the biosynthetic half-reaction of the proline cycle by reducing Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) to proline through the oxidation of NAD(P)H. Many cancers alter their proline metabolism by up-regulating the proline cycle and proline biosynthesis, and knockdowns of PYCR1 lead to decreased cell proliferation. Thus, evidence is growing for PYCR1 as a potential cancer therapy target. Inhibitors of cancer targets are useful as chemical probes for studying cancer mechanisms and starting compounds for drug discovery; however, there is a notable lack of validated inhibitors for PYCR1. To fill this gap, we performed a small-scale focused screen of proline analogs using X-ray crystallography. Five inhibitors of human PYCR1 were discovered: l-tetrahydro-2-furoic acid, cyclopentanecarboxylate, l-thiazolidine-4-carboxylate, l-thiazolidine-2-carboxylate, and N-formyl l-proline (NFLP). The most potent inhibitor was NFLP, which had a competitive (with P5C) inhibition constant of 100 μm The structure of PYCR1 complexed with NFLP shows that inhibitor binding is accompanied by conformational changes in the active site, including the translation of an α-helix by 1 Å. These changes are unique to NFLP and enable additional hydrogen bonds with the enzyme. NFLP was also shown to phenocopy the PYCR1 knockdown in MCF10A H-RASV12 breast cancer cells by inhibiting de novo proline biosynthesis and impairing spheroidal growth. In summary, we generated the first validated chemical probe of PYCR1 and demonstrated proof-of-concept for screening proline analogs to discover inhibitors of the proline cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandra N Bogner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Anke Vandekeere
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriela S Tam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Sagar M Patel
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Donald F Becker
- Department of Biochemistry, Redox Biology Center, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Sarah-Maria Fendt
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - John J Tanner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
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Huang W, Chen J, Weng W, Xiang Y, Shi H, Shan Y. Development of cancer prognostic signature based on pan-cancer proteomics. Bioengineered 2020; 11:1368-1381. [PMID: 33200655 PMCID: PMC8291886 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2020.1847398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Utilizing genomic data to predict cancer prognosis was insufficient. Proteomics can improve our understanding of the etiology and progression of cancer and improve the assessment of cancer prognosis. And the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) has generated extensive proteomics data of the vast majority of tumors. Based on CPTAC, we can perform a proteomic pan-carcinoma analysis. We collected the proteomics data and clinical features of cancer patients from CPTAC. Then, we screened 69 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with R software in five cancers: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), children’s brain tumor tissue consortium (CBTTC), clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRC), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). GO and KEGG analysis were performed to clarify the function of these proteins. We also identified their interactions. The DEPs-based prognostic model for predicting over survival was identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression model in training cohort. Then, we used the time-dependent receiver operating characteristics analysis to evaluate the ability of the prognostic model to predict overall survival and validated it in validation cohort. The results showed that the DEPs-based prognostic model could accurately and effectively predict the survival rate of most cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanqing Weng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
| | - Yukai Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
| | - Hongqi Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
| | - Yunfeng Shan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, China
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25
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Li Q. Application of Fragment-Based Drug Discovery to Versatile Targets. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:180. [PMID: 32850968 PMCID: PMC7419598 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a powerful method to develop potent small-molecule compounds starting from fragments binding weakly to targets. As FBDD exhibits several advantages over high-throughput screening campaigns, it becomes an attractive strategy in target-based drug discovery. Many potent compounds/inhibitors of diverse targets have been developed using this approach. Methods used in fragment screening and understanding fragment-binding modes are critical in FBDD. This review elucidates fragment libraries, methods utilized in fragment identification/confirmation, strategies applied in growing the identified fragments into drug-like lead compounds, and applications of FBDD to different targets. As FBDD can be readily carried out through different biophysical and computer-based methods, it will play more important roles in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Biomass High Value Utilization, Guangdong Provincial Bioengineering Institute, Guangzhou Sugarcane Industry Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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