1
|
Qureshi G, Gediya P, Gehlot P, Ghate M, Vyas VK. 3D-QSAR assisted design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel substituted benzamides as procaspase-3 activators and anticancer agents. J Mol Struct 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.135464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
|
2
|
Nwaefulu ON, Al-Shar'i NA, Owolabi JO, Sagineedu SR, Woei LC, Wai LK, Islam MK, Jayanthi S, Stanslas J. The impact of cycleanine in cancer research: a computational study. J Mol Model 2022; 28:340. [PMID: 36194315 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-022-05326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is imposing a global health burden because of the steady increase in new cases. Moreover, current anticancer therapeutics are associated with many drawbacks, mainly the emergence of resistance and the severe adverse effects. Therefore, there is a continuous need for developing new anticancer agents with novel mechanisms of action and lower side effects. Natural products have been a rich source of anticancer medication. Cycleanine, a natural product, was reported to exert an antiproliferative effect on ovarian cancer cells by causing apoptosis through activation of caspases 3/7 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase to form poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1). It is well-established that PARP1 is associated with carcinogenesis, and different PARP1 inhibitors are approved as anticancer drugs. In this study, the cytotoxic activity of cycleanine was computationally investigated to determine whether it is a PARP1 inhibitor or a caspase activator. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were utilized for this purpose. The results showed that cycleanine has a good binding affinity to PARP1; moreover, MD simulation showed that it forms a stable complex with the enzyme. Consequently, the results showed that cycleanine is a potential inhibitor of the PARP1 enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ogochukwu Ngozi Nwaefulu
- Pharmacotherapeutics Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nizar A Al-Shar'i
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Josephine Omonkhelin Owolabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
| | - Sreenivasa Rao Sagineedu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lim Chee Woei
- Pharmacotherapeutics Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lam Kok Wai
- Centre for Drug and Herbal Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Kaisarul Islam
- Pharmacotherapeutics Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sivaraman Jayanthi
- Computational Drug Design Lab, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore-632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Johnson Stanslas
- Pharmacotherapeutics Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vo PHT, Nguyen TDT, Tran HT, Nguyen YN, Doan MT, Nguyen PH, Lien GTK, To DC, Tran MH. Cytotoxic components from the leaves of Erythrophleum fordii induce human acute leukemia cell apoptosis through caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 31:127673. [PMID: 33161122 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cassaine diterpenoids as erythrofordins A-C (1-3), pseudo-erythrosuamin (4), and erythrofordin U (5) isolated from the leaves of Vietnamese Erythrophleum fordii Oliver were tested cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cancer cells. The results showed that these metabolites exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 and KG cells with IC50 values ranging from 15.2 ± 1.5 to 42.2 ± 3.6 µM. Treatment with erythrofordin B led to the apoptosis of HL-60 and KG cells due to the activation of caspase 3, caspase 9, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Erythrofordin B significantly increased Bak protein expression, but downregulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, in HL-60 cells. In silico results demonstrated that erythrofordin B can bind to both the procaspase-3 allosteric site and the PARP-1 active site, with binding energies of -7.36 and -10.76 kcal/mol, respectively. These results indicated that the leaves of Vietnamese E. fordii, which contain cassaine diterpenoids, can induce the apoptosis of human leukemia cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Hien Thi Vo
- University of Science, Vietnam National University Hochiminh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, Hochiminh City 748000, Viet Nam
| | - Thuy Duong Thi Nguyen
- Biomedical Science Department, VNUK Institute for Research & Executive Education, The University of Danang, 158A Le Loi, Hai Chau District, Danang City 551000, Viet Nam
| | - Hoa Thanh Tran
- Biomedical Science Department, VNUK Institute for Research & Executive Education, The University of Danang, 158A Le Loi, Hai Chau District, Danang City 551000, Viet Nam
| | - Yen Nhi Nguyen
- University of Science, Vietnam National University Hochiminh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, Hochiminh City 748000, Viet Nam
| | - Minh Thu Doan
- Biomedical Science Department, VNUK Institute for Research & Executive Education, The University of Danang, 158A Le Loi, Hai Chau District, Danang City 551000, Viet Nam
| | - Phi Hung Nguyen
- Institute of Natural Products Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 122100, Viet Nam
| | - Giang Thi Kim Lien
- The University of Danang, 41 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, Danang City 551000, Viet Nam
| | - Dao Cuong To
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 12116, Viet Nam; Phenikaa Research and Technology Institute (PRATI), A&A Green Phoenix Group JSC, 167 Hoang Ngan, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 11313, Viet Nam.
| | - Manh Hung Tran
- University of Science, Vietnam National University Hochiminh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, Hochiminh City 748000, Viet Nam.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cassaine Diterpenoid Amide from Stem Bark of Erythrophleum fordii Suppresses Cytotoxic and Induces Apoptosis of Human Leukemia Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25143304. [PMID: 32708204 PMCID: PMC7397343 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25143304] [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] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cassaine diterpenoids amides from the stem bark of Vietnamese Erythrophleum fordii Oliver were screened for their cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells. The cell proliferation assay results showed that, among the active compounds, 3β-acetyl-nor-erythrophlamide (3AEP) exhibited the most potential cytotoxicity against human leukemia HL-60 and KG cells with IC50 values of 12.0 ± 1.2 and 18.1 ± 2.7 µM, respectively. Treatment of 3AEP resulted in the apoptosis of HL-60 cells via the activation of caspase 3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Molecular docking in silico results showed that the 3AEP can bind to both the procaspase-3 allosteric site and the PARP-1 active site, with binding energies of −7.51 and −9.63 kcal/mol respectively. These results indicated that the stem bark of Vietnamese E. fordii and its cassaine diterpenoid amides may be useful in the apoptosis induction of human leukemia cancer cells.
Collapse
|
5
|
Masood N, Dubey V, Luqman S. Activation of Caspase-3 by Terpenoids and Flavonoids in Different Types of Cancer Cells. Curr Top Med Chem 2020; 20:1876-1887. [PMID: 32648841 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200710101859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caspase-3 is accountable for the execution of apoptosis. Recently, it has gained attention as a promising target for the discovery of natural products as anticancer agents. METHODS We examined the efficacy of two different sets of natural products (terpenoids and flavonoids) towards caspase-3 activity adopting in silico, cell-free and cell-based activity and real-time gene expression analysis. RESULTS It was observed that terpenes activate caspase-3 activity in both the cell-free and cell-based systems, which was supported by the gene expression analysis, binding energy and activation constant. Flavonoids' action, however, was limited to the cell-based system and transcriptional regulation suggesting their indirect association, which enhanced the enzyme activity and up-regulated the expression of mRNA levels in the cells. Among the tested natural products, (+) carvone was observed to be the best activator of caspase-3 in K562 (34.4 μM), WRL-68 (22.3 μM), HeLa (18.7 μM), MCF-7 (39.4 μM) and MDA-MB-231 cell lines (45.1 μM). CONCLUSION Overall, terpenoids have a persistent activation of caspase-3 in all the investigated systems, while flavonoids circuitously affect the enzyme activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nusrat Masood
- Molecular Bioprospection Department of Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vijaya Dubey
- Molecular Bioprospection Department of Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Suaib Luqman
- Molecular Bioprospection Department of Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow-226015, Uttar Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huan LC, Anh DT, Truong BX, Duc PH, Hai PT, Duc-Anh L, Huong LTT, Park EJ, Lee HJ, Kang JS, Tran PT, Thanh Hai DT, Kim Oanh DT, Han SB, Nam NH. New Acetohydrazides Incorporating 2-Oxoindoline and 4-Oxoquinazoline: Synthesis and Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Caspase Activation Activity. Chem Biodivers 2020; 17:e1900670. [PMID: 31943757 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201900670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In our search for new small molecules activating procaspase-3, we have designed and synthesized a series of new acetohydrazides incorporating both 2-oxoindoline and 4-oxoquinazoline scaffolds. Biological evaluation showed that a number of these acetohydrazides were comparably or even more cytotoxic against three human cancer cell lines (SW620, colon cancer; PC-3, prostate cancer; NCI-H23, lung cancer) in comparison to PAC-1, a first procaspase-3 activating compound, which was used as a positive control. One of those new compounds, 2-(6-chloro-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)-N'-[(3Z)-5-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene]acetohydrazide activated the caspase-3 activity in U937 human lymphoma cells by 5-fold higher than the untreated control. Three of the new compounds significantly induced necrosis and apoptosis in U937 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Le Cong Huan
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Duong Tien Anh
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Bui Xuan Truong
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Phan Huy Duc
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Pham-The Hai
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Lai Duc-Anh
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Le-Thi-Thu Huong
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi National University, 144 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Eun Jae Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31, Osongsaengmyung-1, Heungdeok, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31, Osongsaengmyung-1, Heungdeok, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Soon Kang
- Bio-Evaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28116, Republic of Korea
| | - Phuong-Thao Tran
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Dinh Thi Thanh Hai
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Dao Thi Kim Oanh
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| | - Sang-Bae Han
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-31, Osongsaengmyung-1, Heungdeok, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Nguyen-Hai Nam
- Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 13-15 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, 10000, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Moreira J, Ribeiro D, Silva PMA, Nazareth N, Monteiro M, Palmeira A, Saraiva L, Pinto M, Bousbaa H, Cidade H. New Alkoxy Flavone Derivatives Targeting Caspases: Synthesis and Antitumor Activity Evaluation. Molecules 2018; 24:molecules24010129. [PMID: 30602686 PMCID: PMC6337158 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The antitumor activity of natural flavonoids has been exhaustively reported. Previously it has been demonstrated that prenylation of flavonoids allows the discovery of new compounds with improved antitumor activity through the activation of caspase-7 activity. The synthesis of twenty-five flavonoids (4–28) with one or more alkyl side chains was carried out. The synthetic approach was based on the reaction with alkyl halide in alkaline medium by microwave (MW) irradiation. The in vitro cell growth inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was investigated in three human tumor cell lines. Among the tested compounds, derivatives 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 18 revealed potent growth inhibitory activity (GI50 < 10 μM), being the growth inhibitory effect of compound 13 related with a pronounced caspase-7 activation on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and yeasts expressing human caspase-7. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model predicted that hydrophilicity, pattern of ring substitution/shape, and presence of partial negative charged atoms were the descriptors implied in the growth inhibitory effect of synthesized compounds. Docking studies on procaspase-7 allowed predicting the binding of compound 13 to the allosteric site of procaspase-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Moreira
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Diana Ribeiro
- CESPU, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia M A Silva
- CESPU, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
| | - Nair Nazareth
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Madalena Monteiro
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Andreia Palmeira
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Lucília Saraiva
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Madalena Pinto
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Hassan Bousbaa
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
- CESPU, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
| | - Honorina Cidade
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dong N, Liu X, Zhao T, Wang L, Li H, Zhang S, Li X, Bai X, Zhang Y, Yang B. Apoptosis-inducing effects and growth inhibitory of a novel chalcone, in human hepatic cancer cells and lung cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 105:195-203. [PMID: 29857299 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.05.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is an important biological phenomenon, which affects many diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we observed that chalcone 9X, an aromatic ketone, induced apoptosis of human hepatic and lung cancer cells and inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. This compound strongly suppressed the growth of tumor in a mouse model of xenograft tumors. The anticancer activity of chalcone 9X was equivalent to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a positive control agent, whereas the toxic effect of chalcone 9X in non-cancer cells was weaker than 5-FU. Molecular docking results showed that chalcone 9X could act on the active sites of pro-apoptotic proteins capspases-3 and -8 to induce apoptotic death of cancer cells. Our findings suggest that chalcone 9X might be considered a candidate compound of novel anticancer drug in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naiwei Dong
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicine Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Baojian Road 157, Nangang District, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Tong Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Huimin Li
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Shuqian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Xue Bai
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China.
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutis of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The role of caspase proteases in regulated processes such as apoptosis and inflammation has been studied for more than two decades, and the activation cascades are known in detail. Apoptotic caspases also are utilized in critical developmental processes, although it is not known how cells maintain the exquisite control over caspase activity in order to retain subthreshold levels required for a particular adaptive response while preventing entry into apoptosis. In addition to active site-directed inhibitors, caspase activity is modulated by post-translational modifications or metal binding to allosteric sites on the enzyme, which stabilize inactive states in the conformational ensemble. This review provides a comprehensive global view of the complex conformational landscape of caspases and mechanisms used to select states in the ensemble. The caspase structural database provides considerable detail on the active and inactive conformations in the ensemble, which provide the cell multiple opportunities to fine tune caspase activity. In contrast, the current database on caspase modifications is largely incomplete and thus provides only a low-resolution picture of global allosteric communications and their effects on the conformational landscape. In recent years, allosteric control has been utilized in the design of small drug compounds or other allosteric effectors to modulate caspase activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Clay Clark
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington, Texas 76019, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Roth HS, Hergenrother PJ. Derivatives of Procaspase-Activating Compound 1 (PAC-1) and their Anticancer Activities. Curr Med Chem 2016; 23:201-41. [PMID: 26630918 PMCID: PMC4968085 DOI: 10.2174/0929867323666151127201829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PAC-1 induces the activation of procaspase-3 in vitro and in cell culture by chelation of inhibitory labile zinc ions via its ortho-hydroxy-N-acylhydrazone moiety. First reported in 2006, PAC-1 has shown promise in cell culture and animal models of cancer, and a Phase I clinical trial in cancer patients began in March 2015 (NCT02355535). Because of the considerable interest in this compound and a well-defined structure-activity relationship, over 1000 PAC-1 derivatives have been synthesized in an effort to vary pharmacological properties such as potency and pharmacokinetics. This article provides a comprehensive examination of all PAC-1 derivatives reported to date. A survey of PAC-1 derivative libraries is provided, with an indepth discussion of four derivatives on which extensive studies have been performed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul J Hergenrother
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 261 Roger Adams Laboratory, Box 36-5, 600 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Matsuo T, Yamada K, Ishida M, Miura Y, Yamanaka M, Hirota S. Effect of a Procaspase-Activating Compound on the Catalytic Activity of Mature Caspase-3. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2015. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20150139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Matsuo
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| | - Keita Yamada
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| | - Masaya Ishida
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| | - Yoshiyuki Miura
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| | - Masaru Yamanaka
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| | - Shun Hirota
- Graduate School of Materials Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Roth HS, Botham RC, Schmid SC, Fan TM, Dirikolu L, Hergenrother PJ. Removal of Metabolic Liabilities Enables Development of Derivatives of Procaspase-Activating Compound 1 (PAC-1) with Improved Pharmacokinetics. J Med Chem 2015; 58:4046-65. [PMID: 25856364 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Procaspase-activating compound 1 (PAC-1) is an o-hydroxy-N-acylhydrazone that induces apoptosis in cancer cells by chelation of labile inhibitory zinc from procaspase-3. PAC-1 has been assessed in a wide variety of cell culture experiments and in vivo models of cancer, with promising results, and a phase 1 clinical trial in cancer patients has been initiated (NCT02355535). For certain applications, however, the in vivo half-life of PAC-1 could be limiting. Thus, with the goal of developing a compound with enhanced metabolic stability, a series of PAC-1 analogues were designed containing modifications that systematically block sites of metabolic vulnerability. Evaluation of the library of compounds identified four potentially superior candidates with comparable anticancer activity in cell culture, enhanced metabolic stability in liver microsomes, and improved tolerability in mice. In head-to-head experiments with PAC-1, pharmacokinetic evaluation in mice demonstrated extended elimination half-lives and greater area under the curve values for each of the four compounds, suggesting them as promising candidates for further development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Howard S Roth
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Rachel C Botham
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Steven C Schmid
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Timothy M Fan
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Levent Dirikolu
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Paul J Hergenrother
- †Department of Chemistry, ‡Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, and §Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Morgan CW, Julien O, Unger EK, Shah NM, Wells JA. Turning on caspases with genetics and small molecules. Methods Enzymol 2014; 544:179-213. [PMID: 24974291 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-417158-9.00008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Caspases, aspartate-specific cysteine proteases, have fate-determining roles in many cellular processes including apoptosis, differentiation, neuronal remodeling, and inflammation (for review, see Yuan & Kroemer, 2010). There are a dozen caspases in humans alone, yet their individual contributions toward these phenotypes are not well understood. Thus, there has been considerable interest in activating individual caspases or using their activity to drive these processes in cells and animals. We envision that such experimental control of caspase activity can not only afford novel insights into fundamental biological problems but may also enable new models for disease and suggest possible routes to therapeutic intervention. In particular, localized, genetic, and small-molecule-controlled caspase activation has the potential to target the desired cell type in a tissue. Suppression of caspase activation is one of the hallmarks of cancer and thus there has been significant enthusiasm for generating selective small-molecule activators that could bypass upstream mutational events that prevent apoptosis. Here, we provide a practical guide that investigators have devised, using genetics or small molecules, to activate specific caspases in cells or animals. Additionally, we show genetically controlled activation of an executioner caspase to target the function of a defined group of neurons in the adult mammalian brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Morgan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Graduate Group in Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Olivier Julien
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Unger
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nirao M Shah
- Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
| | - James A Wells
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Modulating caspase activity: beyond the active site. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2013; 23:812-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
|
15
|
Fuchs JE, von Grafenstein S, Huber RG, Wallnoefer HG, Liedl KR. Specificity of a protein-protein interface: local dynamics direct substrate recognition of effector caspases. Proteins 2013; 82:546-55. [PMID: 24085488 PMCID: PMC4282588 DOI: 10.1002/prot.24417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are prototypes of multispecific protein–protein interfaces. Proteases recognize and cleave protein and peptide substrates at a well-defined position in a substrate binding groove and a plethora of experimental techniques provide insights into their substrate recognition. We investigate the caspase family of cysteine proteases playing a key role in programmed cell death and inflammation, turning caspases into interesting drug targets. Specific ligand binding to one particular caspase is difficult to achieve, as substrate specificities of caspase isoforms are highly similar. In an effort to rationalize substrate specificity of two closely related caspases, we investigate the substrate promiscuity of the effector Caspases 3 and 7 by data mining (cleavage entropy) and by molecular dynamics simulations. We find a strong correlation between binding site rigidity and substrate readout for individual caspase subpockets explaining more stringent substrate readout of Caspase 7 via its narrower conformational space. Caspase 3 subpockets S3 and S4 show elevated local flexibility explaining the more unspecific substrate readout of that isoform in comparison to Caspase 7. We show by in silico exchange mutations in the S3 pocket of the proteases that a proline residue in Caspase 7 contributes to the narrowed conformational space of the binding site. These findings explain the substrate specificities of caspases via a mechanism of conformational selection and highlight the crucial importance of binding site local dynamics in substrate recognition of proteases. Proteins 2014; 82:546–555.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian E Fuchs
- Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
MacKenzie SH, Schipper JL, England EJ, Thomas ME, Blackburn K, Swartz P, Clark AC. Lengthening the intersubunit linker of procaspase 3 leads to constitutive activation. Biochemistry 2013; 52:6219-31. [PMID: 23941397 DOI: 10.1021/bi400793s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The conformational ensemble of procaspase 3, the primary executioner in apoptosis, contains two major forms, inactive and active, with the inactive state favored in the native ensemble. A region of the protein known as the intersubunit linker (IL) is cleaved during maturation, resulting in movement of the IL out of the dimer interface and subsequent active site formation (activation-by-cleavage mechanism). We examined two models for the role of the IL in maintaining the inactive conformer, an IL-extension model versus a hydrophobic cluster model, and we show that increasing the length of the IL by introducing 3-5 alanines results in constitutively active procaspases. Active site labeling and subsequent analyses by mass spectrometry show that the full-length zymogen is enzymatically active. We also show that minor populations of alternately cleaved procaspase result from processing at D169 when the normal cleavage site, D175, is unavailable. Importantly, the alternately cleaved proteins have little to no activity, but increased flexibility of the linker increases the exposure of D169. The data show that releasing the strain of the short IL, in and of itself, is not sufficient to populate the active conformer of the native ensemble. The IL must also allow for interactions that stabilize the active site, possibly from a combination of optimal length, flexibility in the IL, and specific contacts between the IL and interface. The results provide further evidence that substantial energy is required to shift the protein to the active conformer. As a result, the activation-by-cleavage mechanism dominates in the cell.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H MacKenzie
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry and ‡Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
A mutation in the allosteric site of the caspase 3 dimer interface of Val266 to histidine abolishes activity of the enzyme, and models predict that the mutation mimics the action of small molecule allosteric inhibitors by preventing formation of the active site. Mutations were coupled to His266 at two sites in the interface, E124A and Y197C. We present results from X-ray crystallography, enzymatic activity and molecular dynamics simulations for seven proteins, consisting of single, double and triple mutants. The results demonstrate that considering allosteric inhibition of caspase 3 as a shift between discrete 'off-state' or 'on-state' conformations is insufficient. Although His266 is accommodated in the interface, the structural defects are propagated to the active site through a helix on the protein surface. A more comprehensive view of allosteric regulation of caspase 3 requires the representation of an ensemble of inactive states and shows that subtle structural changes lead to the population of the inactive ensemble.
Collapse
|
18
|
Zorn JA, Wolan DW, Agard NJ, Wells JA. Fibrils colocalize caspase-3 with procaspase-3 to foster maturation. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:33781-95. [PMID: 22872644 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.386128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most proteases are expressed as inactive precursors, or zymogens, that become activated by limited proteolysis. We previously identified a small molecule, termed 1541, that dramatically promotes the maturation of the zymogen, procaspase-3, to its mature form, caspase-3. Surprisingly, compound 1541 self-assembles into nanofibrils, and localization of procaspase-3 to the fibrils promotes activation. Here, we interrogate the biochemical mechanism of procaspase-3 activation on 1541 fibrils in addition to proteogenic amyloid-β(1-40) fibrils. In contrast to previous reports, we find no evidence that procaspase-3 alone is capable of self-activation, consistent with its fate-determining role in executing apoptosis. In fact, mature caspase-3 is >10(7)-fold more active than procaspase-3, making this proenzyme a remarkably inactive zymogen. However, we also show that fibril-induced colocalization of trace amounts of caspase-3 or other initiator proteases with procaspase-3 dramatically stimulates maturation of the proenzyme in vitro. Thus, similar to known cellular signaling complexes, these synthetic or natural fibrils can serve as platforms to concentrate procaspase-3 for trans-activation by upstream proteases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Zorn
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
MacKenzie SH, Clark AC. Death by caspase dimerization. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2012; 747:55-73. [PMID: 22949111 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-3229-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Controlled cell death, or apoptosis, occurs in response to many different environmental stimuli. The apoptotic cascade that occurs within the cell in response to these cues leads to morphological and biochemical changes that trigger the dismantling and packaging of the cell. Caspases are a family of cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases that play an integral role in the cascade that leads to apoptosis. Caspases are grouped as either initiators or effectors of apoptosis, depending on where they enter the cell death process. Prior to activation, initiator caspases are present as monomers that must dimerize for full activation whereas effector caspases are present as dimeric zymogens that must be processed for full activation. The stability of the dimer may be due predominately to the interactions in the dimer interface as each caspase has unique properties in this region that lend to its specific mode of activation. Moreover, dimerization is responsible for active site formation because both monomers contribute residues that enable the formation of a fully functional active site. Overall, dimerization plays a key role in the ability of caspases to form fully functional proteases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H MacKenzie
- Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Shea MA, Correia JJ, Brenowitz MD. Introduction: twenty five years of the Gibbs Conference on Biothermodynamics. Biophys Chem 2011; 159:1-5. [PMID: 21840113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2011.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, the Gibbs Conference on Biothermodynamics will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Since the inaugural meeting in 1987, it has brought together laboratories that lived, breathed and argued about the molecular logic of macromolecular machines. The participants have a deep commitment to understanding the nature of physico-chemical forces that govern regulation of biological systems, and share a passion for applying linkage theory. The collective goal is to understand how ligand binding, subunit assembly and conformational change drive what we observe as physiological processes such as regulated transport, enzyme cascades, gene regulation, membrane permeability, viral infection, intracellular trafficking and folding of macromolecules. In this special issue, articles by former organizers of the Gibbs Conference showcase the current breadth and depth of the field of biothermodynamics, and how thoroughly it is integrated with the study of macromolecular structures, computational modeling and physiological studies of human health and disease.
Collapse
|