1
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Abd El-Aal AAA, Jayakumar FA, Reginald K. Dual-action potential of cationic cryptides against infections and cancers. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103764. [PMID: 37689179 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103764] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Cryptides are a subfamily of bioactive peptides embedded latently in their parent proteins and have multiple biological functions. Cationic cryptides could be used as modern drugs in both infectious diseases and cancers because their mechanism of action is less likely to be affected by genetic mutations in the treated cells, therefore addressing a current unmet need in these two areas of medicine. In this review, we present the current understanding of cryptides, methods to mine them sustainably using available online databases and prediction tools, with a particular focus on their antimicrobial and anticancer potential, and their potential applicability in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr A A Abd El-Aal
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fairen A Jayakumar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kavita Reginald
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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2
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Sohn YS, Losub-Amir A, Cardenas AE, Karmi O, Yahana MD, Gruman T, Rowland L, Marjault HB, Webb LJ, Mittler R, Elber R, Friedler A, Nechushtai R. A peptide-derived strategy for specifically targeting the mitochondria and ER of cancer cells: a new approach in fighting cancer. Chem Sci 2022; 13:6929-6941. [PMID: 35774163 PMCID: PMC9200128 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01934e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective anti-cancer therapy should exclusively target cancer cells and trigger in them a broad spectrum of cell death pathways that will prevent avoidance. Here, we present a new approach in cancer therapy that specifically targets the mitochondria and ER of cancer cells. We developed a peptide derived from the flexible and transmembrane domains of the human protein NAF-1/CISD2. This peptide (NAF-144-67) specifically permeates through the plasma membranes of human epithelial breast cancer cells, abolishes their mitochondria and ER, and triggers cell death with characteristics of apoptosis, ferroptosis and necroptosis. In vivo analysis revealed that the peptide significantly decreases tumor growth in mice carrying xenograft human tumors. Computational simulations of cancer vs. normal cell membranes reveal that the specificity of the peptide to cancer cells is due to its selective recognition of their membrane composition. NAF-144-67 represents a promising anti-cancer lead compound that acts via a unique mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sung Sohn
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Anat Losub-Amir
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Alfredo E Cardenas
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Science and Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA
| | - Ola Karmi
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center University of Missouri. 1201 Rollins St Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Merav Darash Yahana
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Tal Gruman
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Linda Rowland
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center University of Missouri. 1201 Rollins St Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Henri-Baptiste Marjault
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Lauren J Webb
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 2506 Speedway STOP A5300 Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - Ron Mittler
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center University of Missouri. 1201 Rollins St Columbia MO 65201 USA
| | - Ron Elber
- Institute for Computational Engineering and Science and Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA
| | - Assaf Friedler
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
| | - Rachel Nechushtai
- The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram Jerusalem 9190401 Israel
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3
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Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first define cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), give short overview of CPP history and discuss several aspects of CPP classification. Next section is devoted to the mechanism of CPP penetration into the cells, where direct and endocytic internalization of CPP is explained. Kinetics of internalization is discussed more extensively, since this topic is not discussed in other chapters of this book. At the end of this section some features of the thermodynamics of CPP interaction with the membrane is also presented. Finally, we present different cargoes that can be transferred into the cells by CPPs and briefly discuss the effect of cargo on the rate and efficiency of penetration into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matjaž Zorko
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ülo Langel
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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4
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Goyal R, Jerath G, Akhil R, Chandrasekharan A, Puppala ER, Ponneganti S, Sarma A, Naidu VGM, Santhoshkumar TR, Ramakrishnan V. Geometry encoded functional programming of tumor homing peptides for targeted drug delivery. J Control Release 2021; 333:16-27. [PMID: 33722612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Poly-peptide molecules have shown promising applications in drug delivery and tumor targeting. A series of tumor homing peptides were designed by exhaustively sampling low energy geometrical basins of amino acids at specific sites of a peptide molecule to induce a conformational lock. This peptide library was pruned to a limited set of eight molecules, employing electrostatic interactions, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. These designed and optimized peptides were synthesized and tested on various cell lines, including breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), cervical cancer (HeLa), osteosarcoma (U2-OS), and non-cancerous mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A) using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Peptides show differential uptake in cancerous MDA-MB-231, HeLa, U2-OS, and non-cancerous MCF-10A cells. Confocal imaging verified their ability to penetrate even in 3D tumorospheres of MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, experiments of mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and Caspase-3 activation confirmed that their cytotoxic effects are by apoptosis. Homing ability of the designed peptides in in vivo system and fluorescence imaging with clinical samples of human origin have further confirmed that the in vitro studies are qualitatively identical and quantitatively comparable in their ability to selectively recognize tumor cells. Overall, we present a roadmap for the functional programming of peptide-based homing and penetrating molecules that can perform selective tumor targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Goyal
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Gaurav Jerath
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - R Akhil
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Aneesh Chandrasekharan
- Cancer Research Program-1, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Eswara Rao Puppala
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Guwahati, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
| | - Srikanth Ponneganti
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Guwahati, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
| | - Anupam Sarma
- Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute, Tata Memorial Centre (Mumbai), Guwahati 781016, Assam, India
| | - V G M Naidu
- National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Guwahati, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
| | - T R Santhoshkumar
- Cancer Research Program-1, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
| | - Vibin Ramakrishnan
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
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5
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Affiliation(s)
- John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton UK
| | - Sarah Jones
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton Wolverhampton UK
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6
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Jones S, Osman S, Howl J. The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as a model system for the discovery and characterization of cell-penetrating peptides and bioportides. Chem Biol Drug Des 2019; 93:1036-1049. [PMID: 30790457 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The general utility of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea, an organism with remarkable regenerative capacity, was investigated as a convenient three-dimensional model to analyse the import of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and bioportides (bioactive CPPs) into complex tissues. The unpigmented planarian blastema, 3 days post head amputation, is a robust platform to assess the penetration of red-fluorescent CPPs into epithelial cells and deeper tissues. Three planarian proteins, Ovo, ZicA and Djeya, which collectively control head remodelling and eye regeneration following decapitation, are a convenient source of novel cationic CPP vectors. One example, Djeya1 (RKLAFRYRRIKELYNSYR), is a particularly efficient and seemingly inert CPP vector that could be further developed to assist the delivery of bioactive payloads across the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. Eye regeneration, following head amputation, was utilized in an effort to identify bioportides capable of influencing stem cell-dependent morphogenesis. These investigations identified the tetradecapeptide mastoparan (INLKALAALAKKIL) as a bioportide able to influence the gross morphology of head development. We conclude that, compared with cellular monolayers, the S. mediterranea system provides many advantages and will support the identification of bioportides able to selectively modify the biology of totipotent neoblasts and, presumably, other mammalian stem cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jones
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Shaimaa Osman
- Peptide Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - John Howl
- Molecular Pharmacology Group, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
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7
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Saxena M, Delgado Y, Sharma RK, Sharma S, Guzmán SLPDL, Tinoco AD, Griebenow K. Inducing cell death in vitro in cancer cells by targeted delivery of cytochrome c via a transferrin conjugate. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195542. [PMID: 29649293 PMCID: PMC5896948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major drawbacks of many of the currently used cancer drugs are off-target effects. Targeted delivery is one method to minimize such unwanted and detrimental events. To actively target lung cancer cells, we have developed a conjugate of the apoptosis inducing protein cytochrome c with transferrin because the transferrin receptor is overexpressed by many rapidly dividing cancer cells. Cytochrome c and transferrin were cross-linked with a redox sensitive disulfide bond for the intra-cellular release of the protein upon endocytosis by the transferrin receptor. Confocal results demonstrated the cellular uptake of the cytochrome c-transferrin conjugate by transferrin receptor overexpressing A549 lung cancer cells. Localization studies further validated that this conjugate escaped the endosome. Additionally, an in vitro assay showed that the conjugate could induce apoptosis by activating caspase-3. The neo-conjugate not only maintained an IC50 value similar to the well known drug cisplatin (50 μM) in A549 cancer cells but also was nontoxic to the normal lung (MRC5) cells. Our neo-conjugate holds promise for future development to target cancers with enhanced transferrin receptor expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Saxena
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Yamixa Delgado
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Rohit Kumar Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Shweta Sharma
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | | | - Arthur D. Tinoco
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Kai Griebenow
- Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
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8
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Howl J, Howl L, Jones S. The cationic tetradecapeptide mastoparan as a privileged structure for drug discovery: Enhanced antimicrobial properties of mitoparan analogues modified at position-14. Peptides 2018; 101:95-105. [PMID: 29337270 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mastoparan (MP) peptides, distributed in insect venoms, induce a local inflammatory response post envenomation. Most endogenous MPs share common structural elements within a tetradecapeptide sequence that adopts an amphipathic helix whilst traversing biological membranes and when bound to an intracellular protein target. Rational modifications to increase cationic charge density and amphipathic helicity engineered mitoparan (MitP), a mitochondriotoxic bioportide and potent secretagogue. Following intracellular translocation, MitP is accreted by mitochondria thus indicating additional utility as an antimicrobial agent. Hence, the objectives of this study were to compare the antimicrobial activities of a structurally diverse set of cationic cell penetrating peptides, including both MP and MitP sequences, and to chemically engineer analogues of MitP for potential therapeutic applications. Herein, we confirm that, like MP, MitP is a privileged structure for the development of antimicrobial peptides active against both prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens. Collectively, MitP and target-selective chimeric analogues are broad spectrum antibiotics, with the Gram-negative A. baumannii demonstrating particular susceptibility. Modifications of MitP by amino acid substitution at position-14 produced peptides, Δ14MitP analogues, with unique pharmacodynamic properties. One example, [Ser14]MitP, lacks both cytotoxicity against human cell lines and mast cell secretory activity yet retains selective activity against the encapsulated yeast C. neoformans.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom.
| | - Lewis Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Jones
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
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9
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A High-Throughput Synthetic Platform Enables the Discovery of Proteomimetic Cell Penetrating Peptides and Bioportides. Int J Pept Res Ther 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-018-9681-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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10
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Richardson A, Muir L, Mousdell S, Sexton D, Jones S, Howl J, Ross K. Modulation of mitochondrial activity in HaCaT keratinocytes by the cell penetrating peptide Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitoparan. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:82. [PMID: 29378648 PMCID: PMC5789630 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Biologically active cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are an emerging class of therapeutic agent. The wasp venom peptide mastoparan is an established CPP that modulates mitochondrial activity and triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells, as does the mastoparan analogue mitoparan (mitP). Mitochondrial depolarisation and activation of the caspase cascade also underpins the action of dithranol, a topical agent for treatment of psoriasis. The effects of a potent mitP analogue on mitochondrial activity were therefore examined to assess its potential as a novel approach for targeting mitochondria for the treatment of psoriasis. RESULTS In HaCaT keratinocytes treated with the mitP analogue Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitP for 24 h, a dose-dependent loss of mitochondrial activity was observed using the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. At 10 μmol L-1, MTT activity was less than 30% that observed in untreated cells. Staining with the cationic dye JC-1 suggested that Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitP also dissipated the mitochondrial membrane potential, with a threefold increase in mitochondrial depolarisation levels. However, caspase activity appeared to be reduced by 24 h exposure to Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitP treatment. Furthermore, Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitP treatment had little effect on overall cell viability. Our findings suggest Z-Gly-RGD(DPhe)-mitP promotes the loss of mitochondrial activity but does not appear to evoke apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Richardson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Lewis Muir
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Sasha Mousdell
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Darren Sexton
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Sarah Jones
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | - John Howl
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Kehinde Ross
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK.
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11
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Tian L, Zhang X, Haesen D, Bravo J, Fominaya J, Choquet S, Zini JM, Loisel S, Waelkens E, Janssens V, Rebollo A. Identification of PP2A/Set Binding Sites and Design of Interacting Peptides with Potential Clinical Applications. Int J Pept Res Ther 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-017-9633-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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12
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Kerkis I, de Brandão Prieto da Silva AR, Pompeia C, Tytgat J, de Sá Junior PL. Toxin bioportides: exploring toxin biological activity and multifunctionality. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:647-661. [PMID: 27554773 PMCID: PMC11107510 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Toxins have been shown to have many biological functions and to constitute a rich source of drugs and biotechnological tools. We focus on toxins that not only have a specific activity, but also contain residues responsible for transmembrane penetration, which can be considered bioportides-a class of cell-penetrating peptides that are also intrinsically bioactive. Bioportides are potential tools in pharmacology and biotechnology as they help deliver substances and nanoparticles to intracellular targets. Bioportides characterized so far are peptides derived from human proteins, such as cytochrome c (CYCS), calcitonin receptor (camptide), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (nosangiotide). However, toxins are usually disregarded as potential bioportides. In this review, we discuss the inclusion of some toxins and molecules derived thereof as a new class of bioportides based on structure activity relationship, minimization, and biological activity studies. The comparative analysis of the amino acid residue composition of toxin-derived bioportides and their short molecular variants is an innovative analytical strategy which allows us to understand natural toxin multifunctionality in vivo and plan novel pharmacological and biotechnological products. Furthermore, we discuss how many bioportide toxins have a rigid structure with amphiphilic properties important for both cell penetration and bioactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kerkis
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Celine Pompeia
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Jan Tytgat
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Louvain, Belgium
| | - Paulo L de Sá Junior
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP, 05503-900, Brazil.
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13
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Schmidt S, Adjobo-Hermans MJW, Kohze R, Enderle T, Brock R, Milletti F. Identification of Short Hydrophobic Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Cytosolic Peptide Delivery by Rational Design. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 28:382-389. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Schmidt
- Department
of Biochemistry (286), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Merel J. W. Adjobo-Hermans
- Department
of Biochemistry (286), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Kohze
- Department
of Biochemistry (286), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Thilo Enderle
- Roche
Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland Brock
- Department
of Biochemistry (286), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Milletti
- Roche
Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center New York, 430 East 29th Street, 10016 New York, New York, United States
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14
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Wang H, Ma J, Yang Y, Zeng F, Liu C. Highly Efficient Delivery of Functional Cargoes by a Novel Cell-Penetrating Peptide Derived from SP140-Like Protein. Bioconjug Chem 2016; 27:1373-81. [PMID: 27070736 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6b00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been successfully applied to deliver various functional macromolecules into cells in recent times. Here, we describe a novel CPP designated as hPP3 (KPKRKRRKKKGHGWSR), which were derived from human nuclear body protein SP140-like protein. The location of hPP3-FITC in cells was investigated using the fluorescence microscopy, and the internalization of hPP3 was quantitatively measured using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results showed that hPP3-FITC could enter into culturing cells, following a concentration-, incubation time-, serum-, and temperature-dependent manner. Uptake of hPP3-FITC into cells was significantly enhanced by DMSO pretreatment, and inhibited by heparin and the endocytosis inhibitors (chlorpromazine and sodium azide), while the potent lysosomotropic agent, chloroquine, showed small positive effects on hPP3-FITC penetrating. Moreover, hPP3 could mediate functional GFP, KLA, or NBD penetration. The findings of this study showed that human origin peptide hPP3 has the potential to act as a macromolecular carrier penetrating cellular membranes and promising delivery peptide as drug delivery vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Fanhui Zeng
- The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture , Enshi 445000, China
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15
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Jones S, Uusna J, Langel Ü, Howl J. Intracellular Target-Specific Accretion of Cell Penetrating Peptides and Bioportides: Ultrastructural and Biological Correlates. Bioconjug Chem 2015; 27:121-9. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jones
- Research
Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Uusna
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ülo Langel
- Institute
of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - John Howl
- Research
Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
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16
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Stalmans S, Bracke N, Wynendaele E, Gevaert B, Peremans K, Burvenich C, Polis I, De Spiegeleer B. Cell-Penetrating Peptides Selectively Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vivo. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139652. [PMID: 26465925 PMCID: PMC4605843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of peptides, which have the ability to cross cell membrane bilayers. CPPs themselves can exert biological activity and can be formed endogenously. Fragmentary studies demonstrate their ability to enhance transport of different cargoes across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, comparative, quantitative data on the BBB permeability of different CPPs are currently lacking. Therefore, the in vivo BBB transport characteristics of five chemically diverse CPPs, i.e. pVEC, SynB3, Tat 47-57, transportan 10 (TP10) and TP10-2, were determined. The results of the multiple time regression (MTR) analysis revealed that CPPs show divergent BBB influx properties: Tat 47-57, SynB3, and especially pVEC showed very high unidirectional influx rates of 4.73 μl/(g × min), 5.63 μl/(g × min) and 6.02 μl/(g × min), respectively, while the transportan analogs showed a negligible to low brain influx. Using capillary depletion, it was found that 80% of the influxed peptides effectively reached the brain parenchyma. Except for pVEC, all peptides showed a significant efflux out of the brain. Co-injection of pVEC with radioiodinated bovine serum albumin (BSA) did not enhance the brain influx of radiodionated BSA, indicating that pVEC does not itself significantly alter the BBB properties. A saturable mechanism could not be demonstrated by co-injecting an excess dose of non-radiolabeled CPP. No significant regional differences in brain influx were observed, with the exception for pVEC, for which the regional variations were only marginal. The observed BBB influx transport properties cannot be correlated with their cell-penetrating ability, and therefore, good CPP properties do not imply efficient brain influx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Stalmans
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Bracke
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Gevaert
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kathelijne Peremans
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Christian Burvenich
- Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ingeborgh Polis
- Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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17
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Howl J, Jones S. Cell penetrating peptide-mediated transport enables the regulated secretion of accumulated cargoes from mast cells. J Control Release 2015; 202:108-17. [PMID: 25660072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo utility of technologies employing cell penetrating peptides and bioportides may be compromised by the general capacity of polycationic peptides to activate mast cell secretion. Moreover, the same technologies could be exploited in a clinical setting either to directly modulate intrinsic exocytotic mechanisms or to load mast cells with bioactive cargoes. Comparative investigations identified two cell penetrating vectors, Tat and C105Y, which readily translocate into mast cells without inducing receptor-independent exocytosis. Efficient Tat transduction also enabled the intracellular delivery and accumulation of cargoes within discrete intracellular compartments. A tetramethylrhodamine-Tat conjugate is effectively translocated into the secretory lysosomes of RBL-2H3 cells. In contract, the intracellular delivery of avidin, as a non-covalent complex with a biotinylated Tat vector, is also efficient but the protein is predominantly accumulated outside of secretory lysosomes. Significantly, both cargoes can be subsequently released following mast cell stimulation either by mastoparan, a wasp venom secretagogue, or by the physiological mechanism of antigen-induced aggregation of high affinity IgE receptors. These studies indicate that mast cells could be exploited to direct the delivery of bioactive agents to disease sites as an innovative cell-mediated therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.
| | - Sarah Jones
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
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18
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Insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of bioportides: a strategy to target protein-protein interactions. Expert Rev Mol Med 2015; 17:e1. [DOI: 10.1017/erm.2014.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are reliable vehicles for the target-selective intracellular delivery of therapeutic agents. The identification and application of numerous intrinsically bioactive CPPs, now designated as bioportides, is further endorsement of the tremendous clinical potential of CPP technologies. The refinement of proteomimetic bioportides, particularly sequences that mimic cationic α-helical domains involved in protein-protein interactions (PPIs), provides tremendous opportunities to modulate this emergent drug modality in a clinical setting. Thus, a number of CPP-based constructs are currently undergoing clinical trials as human therapeutics, with a particular focus upon anti-cancer agents. A well-characterised array of synthetic modifications, compatible with modern solid-phase synthesis, can be utilised to improve the biophysical and pharmacological properties of bioportides and so achieve cell-and tissue-selective targeting in vivo. Moreover, considering the recent successful development of stapled α-helical peptides as anti-cancer agents, we hypothesise that similar structural modifications are applicable to the design of bioportides that more effectively modulate the many interactomes known to underlie human diseases. Thus, we propose that stapled-helical bioportides could satisfy all of the clinical requirements for metabolically stable, intrinsically cell-permeable agents capable of regulating discrete PPIs by a dominant negative mode of action with minimal toxicity.
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19
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Pandiscia LA, Schweitzer-Stenner R. Coexistence of Native-like and Non-Native Partially Unfolded Ferricytochrome c on the Surface of Cardiolipin-Containing Liposomes. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:1334-49. [DOI: 10.1021/jp5104752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leah A. Pandiscia
- Department
of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
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20
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Wang ZP, Ding XZ, Wang J, Li YM. Double-edged sword in cells: chemical biology studies of the vital role of cytochrome c in the intrinsic pre-apoptotic mitochondria leakage pathway. RSC Adv 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra16856a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides functioning as an electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, cytochrome c (cyt c) is also one of the determinants in the execution of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Peng Wang
- School of Medical Engineering
- Hefei University of Technology
- Hefei
- China
- Department of Chemistry
| | - Xiao-Zhe Ding
- Department of Chemistry
- School of Life Sciences
- Tsinghua University
- Beijing 100084
- China
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Medical Engineering
- Hefei University of Technology
- Hefei
- China
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- School of Medical Engineering
- Hefei University of Technology
- Hefei
- China
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21
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Lee I, Hüttemann M. Energy crisis: the role of oxidative phosphorylation in acute inflammation and sepsis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2014; 1842:1579-86. [PMID: 24905734 PMCID: PMC4147665 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an accomplice in most of the common human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion injury as seen in myocardial infarction and stroke, and sepsis. Inflammatory conditions, both acute and chronic, have recently been shown to affect mitochondrial function. We here discuss the role of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), focusing on acute inflammatory conditions, in particular sepsis and experimental sepsis models. We discuss mitochondrial alterations, specifically the suppression of oxidative metabolism and the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in disease pathology. Several signaling pathways including metabolic, proliferative, and cytokine signaling affect mitochondrial function and appear to be important in inflammatory disease conditions. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and cytochrome c, the latter of which plays a central role in apoptosis in addition to mitochondrial respiration, serve as examples for the entire OxPhos system since they have been studied in more detail with respect to cell signaling. We propose a model in which inflammatory signaling leads to changes in the phosphorylation state of mitochondrial proteins, including Tyr304 phosphorylation of COX catalytic subunit I. This results in an inhibition of OxPhos, a reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and consequently a lack of energy, which can cause organ failure and death as seen in septic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Icksoo Lee
- College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do 330-714, Republic of Korea
| | - Maik Hüttemann
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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22
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Tints K, Prink M, Neuman T, Palm K. LXXLL peptide converts transportan 10 to a potent inducer of apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:5680-98. [PMID: 24705462 PMCID: PMC4013589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15045680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Degenerate expression of transcription coregulator proteins is observed in most human cancers. Therefore, in targeted anti-cancer therapy development, intervention at the level of cancer-specific transcription is of high interest. The steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) is highly expressed in breast, endometrial, and prostate cancer. It is present in various transcription complexes, including those containing nuclear hormone receptors. We examined the effects of a peptide that contains the LXXLL-motif of the human SRC-1 nuclear receptor box 1 linked to the cell-penetrating transportan 10 (TP10), hereafter referred to as TP10-SRC1LXXLL, on proliferation and estrogen-mediated transcription of breast cancer cells in vitro. Our data show that TP10-SRC1LXXLL induced dose-dependent cell death of breast cancer cells, and that this effect was not affected by estrogen receptor (ER) status. Surprisingly TP10-SRC1LXXLL severely reduced the viability and proliferation of hormone-unresponsive breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the regulation of the endogenous ERα direct target gene pS2 was not affected by TP10-SRC1LXXLL in estrogen-stimulated MCF-7 cells. Dermal fibroblasts were similarly affected by treatment with higher concentrations of TP10-SRC1LXXLL and this effect was significantly delayed. These results suggest that the TP10-SRC1LXXLL peptide may be an effective drug candidate in the treatment of cancers with minimal therapeutic options, for example ER-negative tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairit Tints
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia.
| | - Madis Prink
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia.
| | | | - Kaia Palm
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia.
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23
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Copolovici DM, Langel K, Eriste E, Langel Ü. Cell-penetrating peptides: design, synthesis, and applications. ACS NANO 2014; 8:1972-94. [PMID: 24559246 DOI: 10.1021/nn4057269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 675] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The intrinsic property of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to deliver therapeutic molecules (nucleic acids, drugs, imaging agents) to cells and tissues in a nontoxic manner has indicated that they may be potential components of future drugs and disease diagnostic agents. These versatile peptides are simple to synthesize, functionalize, and characterize yet are able to deliver covalently or noncovalently conjugated bioactive cargos (from small chemical drugs to large plasmid DNA) inside cells, primarily via endocytosis, in order to obtain high levels of gene expression, gene silencing, or tumor targeting. Typically, CPPs are often passive and nonselective yet must be functionalized or chemically modified to create effective delivery vectors that succeed in targeting specific cells or tissues. Furthermore, the design of clinically effective systemic delivery systems requires the same amount of attention to detail in both design of the delivered cargo and the cell-penetrating peptide used to deliver it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Maria Copolovici
- Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology, Tartu University , 504 11 Tartu, Estonia
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24
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Stalmans S, Wynendaele E, Bracke N, Gevaert B, D’Hondt M, Peremans K, Burvenich C, De Spiegeleer B. Chemical-functional diversity in cell-penetrating peptides. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71752. [PMID: 23951237 PMCID: PMC3739727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a promising tool to overcome cell membrane barriers. They have already been successfully applied as carriers for several problematic cargoes, like e.g. plasmid DNA and (si)RNA, opening doors for new therapeutics. Although several hundreds of CPPs are already described in the literature, only a few commercial applications of CPPs are currently available. Cellular uptake studies of these peptides suffer from inconsistencies in used techniques and other experimental conditions, leading to uncertainties about their uptake mechanisms and structural properties. To clarify the structural characteristics influencing the cell-penetrating properties of peptides, the chemical-functional space of peptides, already investigated for cellular uptake, was explored. For 186 peptides, a new cell-penetrating (CP)-response was proposed, based upon the scattered quantitative results for cellular influx available in the literature. Principal component analysis (PCA) and a quantitative structure-property relationship study (QSPR), using chemo-molecular descriptors and our newly defined CP-response, learned that besides typical well-known properties of CPPs, i.e. positive charge and amphipathicity, the shape, structure complexity and the 3D-pattern of constituting atoms influence the cellular uptake capacity of peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Stalmans
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Bracke
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Gevaert
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias D’Hondt
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kathelijne Peremans
- Department of Medical Imaging and Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Christian Burvenich
- Department of Medical Imaging and Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration (DruQuaR) Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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25
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Lukanowska M, Howl J, Jones S. Bioportides: Bioactive cell-penetrating peptides that modulate cellular dynamics. Biotechnol J 2013; 8:918-30. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201200335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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26
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Muenzner J, Toffey JR, Hong Y, Pletneva EV. Becoming a peroxidase: cardiolipin-induced unfolding of cytochrome c. J Phys Chem B 2013; 117:12878-86. [PMID: 23713573 DOI: 10.1021/jp402104r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interactions of cytochrome c (cyt c) with a unique mitochondrial glycerophospholipid cardiolipin (CL) are relevant for the protein's function in oxidative phosphorylation and apoptosis. Binding to CL-containing membranes promotes cyt c unfolding and dramatically enhances the protein's peroxidase activity, which is critical in early stages of apoptosis. We have employed a collection of seven dansyl variants of horse heart cyt c to probe the sequence of steps in this functional transformation. Kinetic measurements have unraveled four distinct processes during CL-induced cyt c unfolding: rapid protein binding to CL liposomes; rearrangements of protein substructures with small unfolding energies; partial insertion of the protein into the lipid bilayer; and extensive protein restructuring leading to "open" extended structures. While early rearrangements depend on a hierarchy of foldons in the native structure, the later process of large-scale unfolding is influenced by protein interactions with the membrane surface. The opening of the cyt c structure exposes the heme group, which enhances the protein's peroxidase activity and also frees the C-terminal helix to aid in the translocation of the protein through CL membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Muenzner
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College , Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, United States
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27
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Mehta A, Shervington A, Howl J, Jones S, Shervington L. Can RNAi-mediated hsp90α knockdown in combination with 17-AAG be a therapy for glioma? FEBS Open Bio 2013; 3:271-8. [PMID: 23905009 PMCID: PMC3722647 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 promotes tumor progression and survival and has emerged as a vital therapeutic target. Previously we reported that the combinatorial treatment of 17AAG/sihsp90α significantly downregulated Hsp90α mRNA and protein levels in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Here we investigated the ability of cell penetrating peptide (Tat48–60 CPP)-mediated siRNA-induced hsp90α knockdown as a single agent and in combination with 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) to induce tumor growth inhibition in GBM and whether it possessed therapeutic implications. GBM and non-tumorigenic cells exposed to siRNA and/or 17-AAG were subsequently assessed by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, FACS analysis, quantitative Akt, LDH leakage and cell viability assays. PAGE was performed for serum stability assessment. A combination of siRNA/17-AAG treatment significantly induced Hsp90α gene and protein knockdown by 95% and 98%, respectively, concomitant to 84% Akt kinase activity attenuation, induced cell cycle arrest and tumor-specific cytotoxicity by 88%. Efficient complex formation between CPP and siRNA exhibited improved serum stability of the siRNA with minimal intrinsic toxicity in vitro. The preliminary in vivo results showed that combination therapy induced hsp90α knockdown and attenuated Akt kinase activity in intracranial glioblastoma mouse models. The results imply that RNAi-mediated hsp90α knockdown increases 17-AAG treatment efficacy in GBM. In addition, the cytotoxic response observed was the consequence of downregulation of hsp90α gene expression, reduced Akt kinase activity and S-G2/M cell cycle arrest. These results are novel and highlight the ability of Tat to efficiently deliver siRNA in GBM and suggest that the dual inhibition of Hsp90 has therapeutic potentials. 17-AAG–siRNA dual treatment exhibits significant anti-cancer activity in GBM. Combination therapy induced Hsp90α gene/protein knockdown causing Akt inactivation. Hsp90α inhibition causes S-G2/M cell cycle arrest and GBM-specific cytotoxicity. Efficient siRNA/CPP interaction improves serum stability of siRNA. RNAi-mediated hsp90α knockdown increases GBM sensitivity to 17-AAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi Mehta
- Brain Tumour North West (BTNW), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Preston PR1 2HE, UK
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28
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Jones S, Lukanowska M, Suhorutsenko J, Oxenham S, Barratt C, Publicover S, Copolovici DM, Langel Ü, Howl J. Intracellular translocation and differential accumulation of cell-penetrating peptides in bovine spermatozoa: evaluation of efficient delivery vectors that do not compromise human sperm motility. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:1874-89. [PMID: 23585561 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) translocate into spermatozoa and, if so, could they be utilized to deliver a much larger protein cargo? SUMMARY ANSWER Chemically diverse polycationic CPPs rapidly and efficiently translocate into spermatozoa. They exhibit differential accumulation within intracellular compartments without detrimental influences upon cellular viability or motility but they are relatively ineffective in transporting larger proteins. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN Endocytosis, the prevalent route of protein internalization into eukaryotic cells, is severely compromised in mature spermatozoa. Thus, the translocation of many bioactive agents into sperm is relatively inefficient. However, the delivery of bioactive moieties into mature spermatozoa could be significantly improved by the identification and utility of an efficient and inert vectorial delivery technology. STUDY DESIGN CPP translocation efficacies, their subsequent differential intracellular distribution and the influence of peptides upon viability were determined in bovine spermatozoa. Temporal analyses of sperm motility in the presence of exogenously CPPs utilized normozoospermic human donor samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS CPPs were prepared by manual, automated and microwave-enhanced solid phase synthesis. Confocal fluorescence microscopy determined the intracellular distribution of rhodamine-conjugated CPPs in spermatozoa. Quantitative uptake and kinetic analyses compared the translocation efficacies of chemically diverse CPPs and conjugates of biotinylated CPPs and avidin. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) conversion assays were employed to analyse the influence of CPPs upon sperm cell viability and sperm class assays determined the impact of CPPs on motility in capacitated and non-capacitated human samples. MAIN RESULTS Chemically heterogeneous CPPs readily translocated into sperm to accumulate within discrete intracellular compartments. Mitoparan (INLKKLAKL(Aib)KKIL), for example, specifically accumulated within the mitochondria located in the sperm midpiece. The unique plasma membrane composition of sperm is a critical factor that directly influences the uptake efficacy of structurally diverse CPPs. No correlations in efficacies were observed when comparing CPP uptake into sperm with either uptake into fibroblasts or direct translocation across a phosphatidylcholine membrane. These comparative investigations identified C105Y (CSIPPEVKFNKPFVYLI) as a most efficient pharmacokinetic modifier for general applications in sperm biology. Significantly, CPP uptake induced no detrimental influence upon either bovine sperm viability or the motility of human sperm. As a consequence of the lack of endocytotic machinery, the CPP-mediated delivery of much larger protein complexes into sperm is relatively inefficient when compared with the similar process in fibroblasts. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION It is possible that some CPPs could directly influence aspects of sperm biology and physiology that were not analysed in this study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS CPP technologies have significant potential to deliver selected bioactive moieties and so could modulate the biology and physiology of human sperm biology both prior- and post-fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jones
- Molecular Pharmacology Research Group, Research Institute in Healthcare Science, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
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29
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Cytochrome c causes pore formation in cardiolipin-containing membranes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:6269-74. [PMID: 23576757 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1303819110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria is a key signaling mechanism in apoptosis. Although extramitochondrial proteins are thought to initiate this release, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Cytochrome c (cyt c) binds to and penetrates lipid structures containing the inner mitochondrial membrane lipid cardiolipin (CL), leading to protein conformational changes and increased peroxidase activity. We describe here a direct visualization of a fluorescent cyt c crossing synthetic, CL-containing membranes in the absence of other proteins. We observed strong binding of cyt c to CL in phospholipid vesicles and bursts of cyt c leakage across the membrane. Passive fluorescent markers such as carboxyfluorescein and a 10-kDa dextran polymer crossed the membrane simultaneously with cyt c, although larger dextrans did not. The data show that these bursts result from the opening of lipid pores formed by the cyt c-CL conjugate. Pore formation and cyt c leakage were significantly reduced in the presence of ATP. We suggest a model, consistent with these findings, in which the formation of toroidal lipid pores is driven by initial cyt c-induced negative spontaneous membrane curvature and subsequent protein unfolding interactions. Our results suggest that the CL-cyt c interaction may be sufficient to allow cyt c permeation of mitochondrial membranes and that cyt c may contribute to its own escape from mitochondria during apoptosis.
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30
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MacEwan SR, Chilkoti A. Harnessing the power of cell-penetrating peptides: activatable carriers for targeting systemic delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2012; 5:31-48. [PMID: 22977001 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents aims to enhance the accumulation of these molecules in a solid tumor while avoiding uptake in healthy tissues. Tumor-specific accumulation has been pursued with passive targeting by the enhanced permeability and retention effect, as well as with active targeting strategies. Active targeting is achieved by functionalization of carriers to allow specific interactions between the carrier and the tumor environment. Functionalization of carriers with ligands that specifically interact with overexpressed receptors on cancer cells represents a classic approach to active tumor targeting. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) provide a non-specific and receptor-independent mechanism to enhance cellular uptake that offers an exciting alternative to traditional active targeting approaches. While the non-specificity of CPP-mediated internalization has the intriguing potential to make this approach applicable to a wide range of tumor types, their promiscuity is, however, a significant barrier to their clinical utility for systemically administered applications. Many approaches have been investigated to selectively turn on the function of systemically delivered CPP-functionalized carriers specifically in tumors to achieve targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics and imaging agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R MacEwan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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31
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Howl J, Matou-Nasri S, West DC, Farquhar M, Slaninová J, Ostenson CG, Zorko M, Ostlund P, Kumar S, Langel U, McKeating J, Jones S. Bioportide: an emergent concept of bioactive cell-penetrating peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:2951-66. [PMID: 22527714 PMCID: PMC11114504 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-0979-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have proven utility for the highly efficient intracellular delivery of bioactive cargoes that include peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides. The many strategies developed to utilize CPPs solely as pharmacokinetic modifiers necessarily requires them to be relatively inert. Moreover, it is feasible to combine one or multiple CPPs with bioactive cargoes either by direct chemical conjugation or, more rarely, as non-covalent complexes. In terms of the message-address hypothesis, this combination of cargo (message) linked to a CPP (address) as a tandem construct conforms to the sychnological organization. More recently, we have introduced the term bioportide to describe monomeric CPPs that are intrinsically bioactive. Herein, we describe the design and biochemical properties of two rhegnylogically organized monometic CPPs that collectively modulate a variety of biological and pathophysiological phenomena. Thus, camptide, a cell-penetrant sequence located within the first intracellular loop of a human calcitonin receptor, regulates cAMP-dependent processes to modulate insulin secretion and viral infectivity. Nosangiotide, a bioportide derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase, potently inhibits many aspects of the endothelial cell morphology and movement and displays potent anti-angiogenic activity in vivo. We conclude that, due to their capacity to translocate and target intracellular signaling events, bioportides represent an innovative generic class of bioactive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science, School of Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK.
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Davis RE, Williams M. Mitochondrial function and dysfunction: an update. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 342:598-607. [PMID: 22700430 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.192104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With the current explosion of knowledge on the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the genesis of various human disease states, there is an increased interest in targeting mitochondrial processes, pathways, and proteins for drug discovery efforts in cancer and cardiovascular, metabolic, and central nervous system diseases, the latter including autism and neurodegenerative diseases. We provide an update on understanding the central role of the mitochondrion in ATP and reactive oxygen species production and in controlling cell death pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Davis
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Jones S, Howl J. Enantiomer-Specific Bioactivities of Peptidomimetic Analogues of Mastoparan and Mitoparan: Characterization of Inverso Mastoparan as a Highly Efficient Cell Penetrating Peptide. Bioconjug Chem 2012; 23:47-56. [DOI: 10.1021/bc2002924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jones
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science,
School of
Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
| | - John Howl
- Research Institute in Healthcare Science,
School of
Applied Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom
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Thompson DB, Cronican JJ, Liu DR. Engineering and identifying supercharged proteins for macromolecule delivery into mammalian cells. Methods Enzymol 2012; 503:293-319. [PMID: 22230574 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-396962-0.00012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Supercharged proteins are a class of engineered or naturally occurring proteins with unusually high positive or negative net theoretical charge. Both supernegatively and superpositively charged proteins exhibit a remarkable ability to withstand thermally or chemically induced aggregation. Superpositively charged proteins are also able to penetrate mammalian cells. Associating cargo with these proteins, such as plasmid DNA, siRNA, or other proteins, can enable the functional delivery of these macromolecules into mammalian cells both in vitro and in vivo. The potency of functional delivery in some cases can exceed that of other current methods for macromolecule delivery, including the use of cell-penetrating peptides such as Tat and adenoviral delivery vectors. This chapter summarizes methods for engineering supercharged proteins, optimizing cell penetration, identifying naturally occurring supercharged proteins, and using these proteins for macromolecule delivery into mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Thompson
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Samir P, Link AJ. Analyzing the cryptome: uncovering secret sequences. AAPS JOURNAL 2011; 13:152-8. [PMID: 21327597 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-011-9252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian cryptome consists of bioactive peptides generated by the proteolysis of precursor proteins. It is speculated that the cryptide repertoire increases the complexity of the proteome by an order of magnitude. Cryptides have been found to function in a wide range of processes including neuronal signaling, antigen presentation, and the inflammatory response. Due to their potential as therapeutic agents, there has been an increasing interest in studying cryptides. In this review, we discuss different approaches for discovering these hidden peptides and how proteomic tools can be utilized to aid in their identification and characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parimal Samir
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2363, USA
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The multiple functions of cytochrome c and their regulation in life and death decisions of the mammalian cell: From respiration to apoptosis. Mitochondrion 2011; 11:369-81. [PMID: 21296189 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2011.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 384] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Revised: 01/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome c (Cytc) is essential in mitochondrial electron transport and intrinsic type II apoptosis. Mammalian Cytc also scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS) under healthy conditions, produces ROS with the co-factor p66(Shc), and oxidizes cardiolipin during apoptosis. The recent finding that Cytc is phosphorylated in vivo underpins a model for the pivotal role of Cytc regulation in making life and death decisions. An apoptotic sequence of events is proposed involving changes in Cytc phosphorylation, increased ROS via increased mitochondrial membrane potentials or the p66(Shc) pathway, and oxidation of cardiolipin by Cytc followed by its release from the mitochondria. Cytc regulation in respiration and cell death is discussed in a human disease context including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and sepsis.
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Verdurmen WPR, Brock R. Biological responses towards cationic peptides and drug carriers. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2010; 32:116-24. [PMID: 21167610 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In drug development, major resources are invested into the development of cellular delivery systems to increase the effectiveness of a large array of potential therapeutics, such as proteins and oligonucleotides. These carriers comprise cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), cationic lipids and cationic polymers. In recent years, evidence has been accumulating that these carriers not only act as mere pharmacokinetic modifiers but also interfere with cellular processes in various ways. In this review, we present an overview of the biological side effects associated with carrier systems. The focus will be on CPPs, which have been explored for a diverse set of cargos. Reported activities range from an induction of receptor internalization to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Ultimately, cell-penetrating molecules with such biological side effects might evolve into new bioactive agents that combine delivery capacity and pharmacophore in a single molecular entity. First examples for such molecules will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter P R Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Jones et al. (2010) propose an innovative strategy for the development of bioactive cell-penetrating peptides. They combine computer-based design with specific targeting to elaborate a potent cell-penetrating bioactive peptide derived from cytochrome C. This short chimera peptide induces tumor cell apoptosis by targeting and sequestering nucleoporin, a key component of the nuclear pore complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Divita
- CRBM-Department of Molecular Biophysics and Therapeutics, Centre de Recherches de Biochimie Macromoléculaire, UMR 5237, CNRS, UM-1, UM-2, Montpellier, France.
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