1
|
Zhang W, Xiao L, Li D, Hu Y, Yu W. New Strategies for Responding to SARS-CoV-2: The Present and Future of Dual-Target Drugs. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11522-11542. [PMID: 38967785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in millions of deaths, posing a serious threat to public health and safety. Rapid mutations of SARS-CoV-2 and complex interactions among multiple targets during infection pose a risk of expiry for small molecule inhibitors. This suggests that the traditional concept of "one bug, one drug" could be ineffective in dealing with the coronavirus. The dual-target drug strategy is expected to be the key to ending coronavirus infections. However, the lack of design method and improper combination of dual-targets poses obstacle to the discovery of new dual-target drugs. In this Perspective, we summarized the profiles concerning drug design methods, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological parameters of dual-target drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Importantly, we underscored how target combination and rational drug design illuminate the development of dual-target drugs for SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lecheng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Dianyang Li
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yuxuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xie X, Lan Q, Zhao J, Zhang S, Liu L, Zhang Y, Xu W, Shao M, Peng J, Xia S, Zhu Y, Zhang K, Zhang X, Zhang R, Li J, Dai W, Ge Z, Hu S, Yu C, Wang J, Ma D, Zheng M, Yang H, Xiao G, Rao Z, Lu L, Zhang L, Bai F, Zhao Y, Jiang S, Liu H. Structure-based design of pan-coronavirus inhibitors targeting host cathepsin L and calpain-1. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:54. [PMID: 38443334 PMCID: PMC10914734 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01758-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory disease caused by coronavirus infection remains a global health crisis. Although several SARS-CoV-2-specific vaccines and direct-acting antivirals are available, their efficacy on emerging coronaviruses in the future, including SARS-CoV-2 variants, might be compromised. Host-targeting antivirals provide preventive and therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance and manage future outbreak of emerging coronaviruses. Cathepsin L (CTSL) and calpain-1 (CAPN1) are host cysteine proteases which play crucial roles in coronaviral entrance into cells and infection-related immune response. Here, two peptidomimetic α-ketoamide compounds, 14a and 14b, were identified as potent dual target inhibitors against CTSL and CAPN1. The X-ray crystal structures of human CTSL and CAPN1 in complex with 14a and 14b revealed the covalent binding of α-ketoamide groups of 14a and 14b to C25 of CTSL and C115 of CAPN1. Both showed potent and broad-spectrum anticoronaviral activities in vitro, and it is worth noting that they exhibited low nanomolar potency against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs) with EC50 values ranging from 0.80 to 161.7 nM in various cells. Preliminary mechanistic exploration indicated that they exhibited anticoronaviral activity through blocking viral entrance. Moreover, 14a and 14b exhibited good oral pharmacokinetic properties in mice, rats and dogs, and favorable safety in mice. In addition, both 14a and 14b treatments demonstrated potent antiviral potency against SARS-CoV-2 XBB 1.16 variant infection in a K18-hACE2 transgenic mouse model. And 14b also showed effective antiviral activity against HCoV-OC43 infection in a mouse model with a final survival rate of 60%. Further evaluation showed that 14a and 14b exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory effects in Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages and in mice with acute pneumonia. Taken together, these results suggested that 14a and 14b are promising drug candidates, providing novel insight into developing pan-coronavirus inhibitors with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Xie
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiaoshuai Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jinyi Zhao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Sulin Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yumin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Maolin Shao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jingjing Peng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Keke Zhang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xian Lin Road, Jiangsu, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianglei Zhang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Ruxue Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Jian Li
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xian Lin Road, Jiangsu, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhao Dai
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen Ge
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xian Lin Road, Jiangsu, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Shulei Hu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Changyue Yu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiang Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dakota Ma
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xian Lin Road, Jiangsu, 210023, Nanjing, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Haitao Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Zihe Rao
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Leike Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Fang Bai
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Yao Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, China.
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Hong Liu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies and School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 138 Xian Lin Road, Jiangsu, 210023, Nanjing, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fernández-de-la-Pradilla A, Royo S, Schirmeister T, Barthels F, Świderek K, González FV, Moliner V. Impact of the Warhead of Dipeptidyl Keto Michael Acceptors on the Inhibition Mechanism of Cysteine Protease Cathepsin L. ACS Catal 2023; 13:13354-13368. [PMID: 37881790 PMCID: PMC10594577 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c02748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Cathepsin L (CatL) is a lysosomal cysteine protease whose activity has been related to several human pathologies. However, although preclinical trials using CatL inhibitors were promising, clinical trials have been unsuccessful up to now. We are presenting a study of two designed dipeptidyl keto Michael acceptor potential inhibitors of CatL with either a keto vinyl ester or a keto vinyl sulfone (KVS) warhead. The compounds were synthesized and experimentally assayed in vitro, and their inhibition molecular mechanism was explored based on molecular dynamics simulations at the density functional theory/molecular mechanics level. The results confirm that both compounds inhibit CatL in the nanomolar range and show a time-dependent inhibition. Interestingly, despite both presenting almost equivalent equilibrium constants for the reversible formation of the noncovalent enzyme/inhibitor complex, differences are observed in the chemical step corresponding to the enzyme-inhibitor covalent bond formation, results that are mirrored by the computer simulations. Theoretically determined kinetic and thermodynamic results, which are in very good agreement with the experiments, afford a detailed explanation of the relevance of the different structural features of both compounds having a significant impact on enzyme inhibition. The unprecedented binding interactions of both inhibitors in the P1' site of CatL represent valuable information for the design of inhibitors. In particular, the peptidyl KVS can be used as a starting lead compound in the development of drugs with medical applications for the treatment of cancerous pathologies since sulfone warheads have previously shown promising cell stability compared to other functions such as carboxylic esters. Future improvements can be guided by the atomistic description of the enzyme-inhibitor interactions established along the inhibition reaction derived from computer simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Santiago Royo
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabian Barthels
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Świderek
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Florenci V. González
- Departament
de Química Inorgànica i Orgànica, Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp
Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Y, Wang K, Sun H, Wu S, Wang H, Shi Y, Li X, Yan H, Yang G, Wu M, Li Y, Ding X, Si S, Jiang J, Du Y, Li Y, Hong B. Omicsynin B4 potently blocks coronavirus infection by inhibiting host proteases cathepsin L and TMPRSS2. Antiviral Res 2023; 214:105606. [PMID: 37076089 PMCID: PMC10110284 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a major threat to public health and requires identification of novel therapeutic agents to address the unmet medical needs. Small molecules impeding viral entry through inhibition of spike protein priming proteases could have potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Omicsynin B4, a pseudo-tetrapeptides identified from Streptomyces sp. 1647, has potent antiviral activity against influenza A viruses in our previous study. Here, we found omicsynin B4 exhibited broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity against HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 prototype and its variants in multiple cell lines. Further investigations revealed omicsynin B4 blocked the viral entry and might be related to the inhibition of host proteases. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediated pseudovirus assay supported the inhibitory activity on viral entry of omicsynin B4 with a more potent inhibition of Omicron variant, especially when overexpression of human TMPRSS2. Moreover, omicsynin B4 exhibited superior inhibitory activity in the sub-nanomolar range against CTSL, and a sub-micromolar inhibition against TMPRSS2 in biochemical assays. The molecular docking analysis confirmed that omicsynin B4 fits well in the substrate binding sites and forms a covalent bond to Cys25 and Ser441 in CTSL and TMPRSS2, respectively. In conclusion, we found that omicsynin B4 may serve as a natural protease inhibitor for CTSL and TMPRSS2, blocking various coronavirus S protein-driven entry into cells. These results further highlight the potential of omicsynin B4 as an attractive candidate as a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus agent that could rapidly respond to emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kun Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hongmin Sun
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Huiqiang Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xingxing Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Haiyan Yan
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ge Yang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Mengyuan Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yihong Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaotian Ding
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuyi Si
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Du
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Bin Hong
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Patra J, Rana D, Arora S, Pal M, Mahindroo N. Falcipains: Biochemistry, target validation and structure-activity relationship studies of inhibitors as antimalarials. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 252:115299. [PMID: 36996716 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a tropical disease with significant morbidity and mortality burden caused by Plasmodium species in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Pathogenic Plasmodium species have lately become increasingly resistant to approved chemotherapeutics and combination therapies. Therefore, there is an emergent need for identifying new druggable targets and novel chemical classes against the parasite. Falcipains, cysteine proteases required for heme metabolism in the erythrocytic stage, have emerged as promising drug targets against Plasmodium species that infect humans. This perspective discusses the biology, biochemistry, structural features, and genetics of falcipains. The efforts to identify selective or dual inhibitors and their structure-activity relationships are reviewed to give a perspective on the design of novel compounds targeting falcipains for antimalarial activity evaluating reasons for hits and misses for this important target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeevan Patra
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Devika Rana
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Smriti Arora
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Mintu Pal
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, Punjab, 151001, India
| | - Neeraj Mahindroo
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Energy Acres, Bidholi, Via Prem Nagar, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; School of Health Sciences and Technology, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, 124 Paud Road, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra, 411038, India.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Previti S, Ettari R, Di Chio C, Ravichandran R, Bogacz M, Hellmich UA, Schirmeister T, Cosconati S, Zappalà M. Development of Reduced Peptide Bond Pseudopeptide Michael Acceptors for the Treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27123765. [PMID: 35744891 PMCID: PMC9229991 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is an endemic protozoan disease widespread in the sub-Saharan region that is caused by T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. The development of molecules targeting rhodesain, the main cysteine protease of T. b. rhodesiense, has led to a panel of inhibitors endowed with micro/sub-micromolar activity towards the protozoa. However, whilst impressive binding affinity against rhodesain has been observed, the limited selectivity towards the target still remains a hard challenge for the development of antitrypanosomal agents. In this paper, we report the synthesis, biological evaluation, as well as docking studies of a series of reduced peptide bond pseudopeptide Michael acceptors (SPR10–SPR19) as potential anti-HAT agents. The new molecules show Ki values in the low-micro/sub-micromolar range against rhodesain, coupled with k2nd values between 1314 and 6950 M−1 min−1. With a few exceptions, an appreciable selectivity over human cathepsin L was observed. In in vitro assays against T. b. brucei cultures, SPR16 and SPR18 exhibited single-digit micromolar activity against the protozoa, comparable to those reported for very potent rhodesain inhibitors, while no significant cytotoxicity up to 70 µM towards mammalian cells was observed. The discrepancy between rhodesain inhibition and the antitrypanosomal effect could suggest additional mechanisms of action. The biological characterization of peptide inhibitor SPR34 highlights the essential role played by the reduced bond for the antitrypanosomal effect. Overall, this series of molecules could represent the starting point for further investigations of reduced peptide bond-containing analogs as potential anti-HAT agents
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (M.Z.); Tel.: +39-090-676-6411 (M.Z.)
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
| | - Carla Di Chio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rahul Ravichandran
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Marta Bogacz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Institute of Organic Chemistry & Macromolecular Chemistry, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Humboldtstraße 10, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.B.); (U.A.H.)
- Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max von Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiF, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (R.R.); (S.C.)
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (R.E.); (C.D.C.)
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (M.Z.); Tel.: +39-090-676-6411 (M.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Development of novel dipeptide nitriles as inhibitors of rhodesain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 236:114328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
8
|
Costanzi E, Kuzikov M, Esposito F, Albani S, Demitri N, Giabbai B, Camasta M, Tramontano E, Rossetti G, Zaliani A, Storici P. Structural and Biochemical Analysis of the Dual Inhibition of MG-132 against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro/3CLpro) and Human Cathepsin-L. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:11779. [PMID: 34769210 PMCID: PMC8583849 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
After almost two years from its first evidence, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to afflict people worldwide, highlighting the need for multiple antiviral strategies. SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro/3CLpro) is a recognized promising target for the development of effective drugs. Because single target inhibition might not be sufficient to block SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication, multi enzymatic-based therapies may provide a better strategy. Here we present a structural and biochemical characterization of the binding mode of MG-132 to both the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, and to the human Cathepsin-L, suggesting thus an interesting scaffold for the development of double-inhibitors. X-ray diffraction data show that MG-132 well fits into the Mpro active site, forming a covalent bond with Cys145 independently from reducing agents and crystallization conditions. Docking of MG-132 into Cathepsin-L well-matches with a covalent binding to the catalytic cysteine. Accordingly, MG-132 inhibits Cathepsin-L with nanomolar potency and reversibly inhibits Mpro with micromolar potency, but with a prolonged residency time. We compared the apo and MG-132-inhibited structures of Mpro solved in different space groups and we identified a new apo structure that features several similarities with the inhibited ones, offering interesting perspectives for future drug design and in silico efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Costanzi
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.); (B.G.)
| | - Maria Kuzikov
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (M.K.); (A.Z.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany
| | - Francesca Esposito
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (F.E.); (M.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Simone Albani
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-9) and Institute for Advanced Simulations (IAS-5) “Computational Biomedicine”, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (S.A.); (G.R.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Nicola Demitri
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.); (B.G.)
| | - Barbara Giabbai
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.); (B.G.)
| | - Marianna Camasta
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (F.E.); (M.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (F.E.); (M.C.); (E.T.)
| | - Giulia Rossetti
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-9) and Institute for Advanced Simulations (IAS-5) “Computational Biomedicine”, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (S.A.); (G.R.)
- Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (ITMP), 22525 Hamburg, Germany; (M.K.); (A.Z.)
| | - Paola Storici
- Elettra—Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (E.C.); (N.D.); (B.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Müller P, Maus H, Hammerschmidt SJ, Knaff P, Mailänder V, Schirmeister T, Kersten C. Interfering with Host Proteases in SARS-CoV-2 Entry as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:635-665. [PMID: 34042026 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210526111318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to its fast international spread and substantial mortality, the coronavirus disease COVID-19 evolved to a global threat. Since currently, there is no causative drug against this viral infection available, science is striving for new drugs and approaches to treat the new disease. Studies have shown that the cell entry of coronaviruses into host cells takes place through the binding of the viral spike (S) protein to cell receptors. Priming of the S protein occurs via hydrolysis by different host proteases. The inhibition of these proteases could impair the processing of the S protein, thereby affecting the interaction with the host-cell receptors and preventing virus cell entry. Hence, inhibition of these proteases could be a promising strategy for treatment against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss the current state of the art of developing inhibitors against the entry proteases furin, the transmembrane serine protease type-II (TMPRSS2), trypsin, and cathepsin L.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Müller
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hannah Maus
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Josef Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philip Knaff
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Volker Mailänder
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute for Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kamel NA, El Wakeel LM, Aboshanab KM. Exploring SARS-CoV-2 Spikes Glycoproteins for Designing Potential Antiviral Targets. Viral Immunol 2021; 34:510-521. [PMID: 34018828 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2021.0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Till today, the globe is still struggling with the newly emerging infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has resulted in multiple fatalities from SARSs all around the world. A year after the global pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 79 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and over 1.7 million deaths, making it one of the worst and most difficult pandemics encompassed in the modern history. The ongoing triad of escalating infections, mortality, and economic loss has urgently called for recognizing SARS-CoV-2 cell entry mechanisms as a crucial step in the initial stages of infection and to which possible interventional strategies should be targeted. To mediate host cell infections, Coronaviruses utilize the immunogenic studded spikes glycoproteins on its surface as a key factor for attachment, fusion, and entrance to host cells. Herein, we shed the light on a potential strategy involving disruption of SARS-CoV-2 S protein interaction with host cell receptors through design of neutralizing antibodies targeting receptor binding domain in S1 subunit, small peptide inhibitors, peptide fusion inhibitors against S2, host cell angiotensin converting enzymes 2 (ACE2), and protease inhibitors, aiming to pave the way for controlling viral cell entrance. In this review, we also highlight the recent research advances in the antiviral drugs that target the highly exposed spike protein, aiming to stem the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noha A Kamel
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University (MIU), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Lamia M El Wakeel
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khaled M Aboshanab
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sivaraman H, Er SY, Choong YK, Gavor E, Sivaraman J. Structural Basis of SARS-CoV-2- and SARS-CoV-Receptor Binding and Small-Molecule Blockers as Potential Therapeutics. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2020; 61:465-493. [PMID: 32574109 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-061220-093932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, deadly coronaviruses, with the most recent being the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) 2019 pandemic, have majorly challenged public health. The path for virus invasion into humans and other hosts is mediated by host-pathogen interactions, specifically virus-receptor binding. An in-depth understanding of the virus-receptor binding mechanism is a prerequisite for the discovery of vaccines, antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors that can interrupt this interaction and prevent or cure infection. In this review, we discuss the viral entry mechanism, the known structural aspects of virus-receptor interactions (SARS-CoV-2 S/humanACE2, SARS-CoV S/humanACE2, and MERS-CoV S/humanDPP4), the key protein domains and amino acid residues involved in binding, and the small-molecule inhibitors and other drugs that have (as of June 2020) exhibited therapeutic potential. Specifically, we review the potential clinical utility of two transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-targeting protease inhibitors, nafamostat mesylate and camostat mesylate, as well as two novel potent fusion inhibitors and the repurposed Ebola drug, remdesivir, which is specific to RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, against human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hariharan Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543;
| | - Shi Yin Er
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543;
| | - Yeu Khai Choong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543;
| | - Edem Gavor
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543;
| | - J Sivaraman
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cannalire R, Stefanelli I, Cerchia C, Beccari AR, Pelliccia S, Summa V. SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors: Small Molecules and Peptides Targeting Virus or Host Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165707. [PMID: 32784899 PMCID: PMC7460888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The pandemic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection is forcing the scientific community to unprecedented efforts to explore all possible approaches against COVID-19. In this context, targeting virus entry is a promising antiviral strategy for controlling viral infections. The main strategies pursued to inhibit the viral entry are considering both the virus and the host factors involved in the process. Primarily, direct-acting antivirals rely on inhibition of the interaction between ACE2 and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the Spike (S) protein or targeting the more conserved heptad repeats (HRs), involved in the membrane fusion process. The inhibition of host TMPRSS2 and cathepsins B/L may represent a complementary strategy to be investigated. In this review, we discuss the development entry inhibitors targeting the S protein, as well as the most promising host targeting strategies involving TMPRSS2 and CatB/L, which have been exploited so far against CoVs and other related viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Cannalire
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Irina Stefanelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Carmen Cerchia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | | | - Sveva Pelliccia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Summa
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli “Federico II”, via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (R.C.); (I.S.); (C.C.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-678656
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wang G, Zhang J, Dai Y, Xu Q, Zhu Q. Local renal complement activation mediates immune kidney injury by inducing endothelin-1 signalling and inflammation in trichloroethylene-sensitised mice. Toxicol Lett 2020; 333:130-139. [PMID: 32763311 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used industrial solvent that causes trichloroethylene hypersensitivity syndrome (THS) with multi-system damage, including kidney injury. Clinical studies have shown that the complement system is important for TCE-induced kidney injury. Our previous study found excessive deposition of complement C3, mainly on the glomerulus, indicating that local renal complement is activated after TCE sensitisation. However, whether local renal complement activation mediates TCE-induced immune kidney injury and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Therefore, we established a TCE percutaneous sensitisation BALB/c mouse model to explore the mechanisms by pretreating with or without the complement activation antagonist, cathepsin L inhibitor (CatLi). As expected, more C3 and C3a were detected mainly on glomerulus of TCE positive sensitisation (TCE+) mice. Renal dysfunction and pathological damage were also clearly observed in TCE+ mice. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of ET-1 increased significantly with local renal complement activation after TCE sensitisation, leading to cytokines release and inflammation. In addition, activation of p38MAPK and NF-κBp65 pathways were detected in kidneys of TCE+ mice, and CatLi pretreatment decreased these changes through complement activation antagonisation. Our research uncovered a novel role of local renal complement activation during immune kidney injury after TCE sensitisation through induction of ET-1 signalling and inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiu Wang
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiaxiang Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health and Environment Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuying Dai
- Department of Occupational Health and Environment Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qiongying Xu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environment Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qixing Zhu
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Maiorana S, Ettari R, Previti S, Amendola G, Wagner A, Cosconati S, Hellmich UA, Schirmeister T, Zappalà M. Peptidyl Vinyl Ketone Irreversible Inhibitors of Rhodesain: Modifications of the P2 Fragment. ChemMedChem 2020; 15:1552-1561. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Santina Maiorana
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Roberta Ettari
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Santo Previti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| | - Giorgio Amendola
- DiSTABiFUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Via Vivaldi 43 81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Annika Wagner
- Department Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Max von Laue Str. 9 60438 Frankfurt Germany
- Department of Chemistry Section BiochemistryUniversity of Mainz Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Sandro Cosconati
- DiSTABiFUniversity of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Via Vivaldi 43 81100 Caserta Italy
| | - Ute A. Hellmich
- Department Centre for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ) Max von Laue Str. 9 60438 Frankfurt Germany
- Department of Chemistry Section BiochemistryUniversity of Mainz Johann-Joachim-Becherweg 30 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Tanja Schirmeister
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical SciencesUniversity of Mainz Staudingerweg 5 55128 Mainz Germany
| | - Maria Zappalà
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Messina Viale Annunziata 98168 Messina Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dana D, Pathak SK. A Review of Small Molecule Inhibitors and Functional Probes of Human Cathepsin L. Molecules 2020; 25:E698. [PMID: 32041276 PMCID: PMC7038230 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cathepsin L belongs to the cathepsin family of proteolytic enzymes with primarily an endopeptidase activity. Although its primary functions were originally thought to be only of a housekeeping enzyme that degraded intracellular and endocytosed proteins in lysosome, numerous recent studies suggest that it plays many critical and specific roles in diverse cellular settings. Not surprisingly, the dysregulated function of cathepsin L has manifested itself in several human diseases, making it an attractive target for drug development. Unfortunately, several redundant and isoform-specific functions have recently emerged, adding complexities to the drug discovery process. To address this, a series of chemical biology tools have been developed that helped define cathepsin L biology with exquisite precision in specific cellular contexts. This review elaborates on the recently developed small molecule inhibitors and probes of human cathepsin L, outlining their mechanisms of action, and describing their potential utilities in dissecting unknown function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dibyendu Dana
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of The City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sanjai K. Pathak
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Queens College of The City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Flushing, NY 11367, USA
- Ph.D. Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), 365 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yuan L, Sheng L, He W, Zou C, Hu B, Liu J, Ge W, Liu Y, Wang J, Ma E. Discovery of novel cathepsin inhibitors with potent anti-metastatic effects in breast cancer cells. Bioorg Chem 2018; 81:672-680. [PMID: 30253340 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It is still challenging to determine the potential targets of natural products, which is essential for further drug research and development. Due to its novel mechanism of action of inducing autophagy effects in breast cancer cells, asperphenamate has received our considerable attention. However, its unknown target inevitably impedes further study. In our previous work, the target enzyme of asperphenamate was predicted as cathepsin by the natural product consensus pharmacophore strategy. Then, asperphenamate and its three derivatives were chosen to study in detail by molecular docking calculations with AutoDock 4 suite. The docking results showed the three derivatives interacted more tightly with either cathepsin L or cathepsin S than with asperphenamate. The ortho-benzyloxyl phenylacetyl derivative 1 andp-toluenesulfonyl derivative 3 showed similar interactions with cathepsin L and adopted a better geometric shape within the binding pocket than did the N-CBZ-piperidyl analog 2. On the other hand, compound 2 formed more hydrogen bonds than 1 and 3 to make it tightly bind within cathepsin S. The cathepsin inhibitory activity assay verified the molecular simulation results. Compound 2 was remarkably less active than 1 and 3 against cathepsin L. However, compound 2 showed the strongest potency against cathepsin S with IC50 of 13.12 ± 0.29 μM. Considering that cathepsin S plays a vital role in the process of metastasis in breast cancer cells, the inhibitory effect of 2 on migration and invasion was further studied in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells by wound healing and transwell chamber assays. The results illustrated that 2 exhibited an apparent inhibitory ability to the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Next, 2 will be chosen as a lead compound to develop novel double functional chemotherapeutic agents with both novel mechanisms of action against apoptosis-resistant cancer cells, such as inducing autophagy and inhibiting cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Lei Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Wenhui He
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Chunyang Zou
- Department of Pharmacy, Liaoning Vocational College of Medicine, Shenyang 110101, PR China
| | - Baichun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Wentao Ge
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Jian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery (Shenyang Pharmaceutical University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
| | - Enlong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Damasceno TF, Dias RO, de Oliveira JR, Salinas RK, Juliano MA, Ferreira C, Terra WR. Active subsite properties, subsite residues and targeting to lysosomes or midgut lumen of cathepsins L from the beetle Tenebrio molitor. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 89:17-30. [PMID: 28838758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cathepsins L are the major digestive peptidases in the beetle Tenebrio molitor. Two digestive cathepsins L (TmCAL2 and TmCAL3) from it had their 3D structures solved. The aim of this paper was to study in details TmCAL3 specificity and properties and relate them to its 3D structure. Recombinant TmCAL3 was assayed with 64 oligopeptides with different amino acid replacements in positions P2, P1, P1' and P2'. Results showed that TmCAL3 S2 specificity differs from the human enzyme and that its specificities also explain why on autoactivation two propeptide residues remain in the enzyme. Data on free energy of binding and of activation showed that S1 and S2' are mainly involved in substrate binding, S1' acts in substrate binding and catalysis, whereas S2 is implied mainly in catalysis. Enzyme subsite residues were identified by docking with the same oligopeptide used for kinetics. The subsite hydrophobicities were calculated from the efficiency of hydrolysis of different amino acid replacements in the peptide and from docking data. The results were closer for S1 and S2' than for S1' and S2, indicating that the residue subsites that were more involved in transition state binding are different from those binding the substrate seen in docking. Besides TmCAL1-3, there are nine other cathepsins L, most of them more expressed at midgut. They are supposed to be directed to lysosomes by a Drosophila-like Lerp receptor and/or motifs in their prodomains. The mannose 6-phosphate lysosomal sorting machinery is absent from T. molitor transcriptome. Cathepsin L direction to midgut contents seems to depend on overexpression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ticiane F Damasceno
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Renata O Dias
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Juliana R de Oliveira
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de Maio, 100, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Roberto K Salinas
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Maria A Juliano
- Departamento de Biofísica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de Maio, 100, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Clelia Ferreira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Walter R Terra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 748, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Setzer MS, Byler KG, Ogungbe IV, Setzer WN. Natural Products as New Treatment Options for Trichomoniasis: A Molecular Docking Investigation. Sci Pharm 2017; 85:scipharm85010005. [PMID: 28134827 PMCID: PMC5388143 DOI: 10.3390/scipharm85010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomoniasis, caused by the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common non-viral sexually-transmitted disease, and there can be severe complications from trichomoniasis. Antibiotic resistance in T. vaginalis is increasing, but there are currently no alternatives treatment options. There is a need to discover and develop new chemotherapeutic alternatives. Plant-derived natural products have long served as sources for new medicinal agents, as well as new leads for drug discovery and development. In this work, we have carried out an in silico screening of 952 antiprotozoal phytochemicals with specific protein drug targets of T. vaginalis. A total of 42 compounds showed remarkable docking properties to T. vaginalis methionine gamma-lyase (TvMGL) and to T. vaginalis purine nucleoside phosphorylase (TvPNP). The most promising ligands were polyphenolic compounds, and several of these showed docking properties superior to either co-crystallized ligands or synthetic enzyme inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Snow Setzer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| | - Kendall G Byler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| | - Ifedayo Victor Ogungbe
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - William N Setzer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Structure Based Docking and Molecular Dynamic Studies of Plasmodial Cysteine Proteases against a South African Natural Compound and its Analogs. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23690. [PMID: 27030511 PMCID: PMC4814779 DOI: 10.1038/srep23690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of potential drug targets as well as development of novel antimalarial chemotherapies with unique mode of actions due to drug resistance by Plasmodium parasites are inevitable. Falcipains (falcipain-2 and falcipain-3) of Plasmodium falciparum, which catalyse the haemoglobin degradation process, are validated drug targets. Previous attempts to develop peptide based drugs against these enzymes have been futile due to the poor pharmacological profiles and susceptibility to degradation by host enzymes. This study aimed to identify potential non-peptide inhibitors against falcipains and their homologs from other Plasmodium species. Structure based virtual docking approach was used to screen a small non-peptidic library of natural compounds from South Africa against 11 proteins. A potential hit, 5α-Pregna-1,20-dien-3-one (5PGA), with inhibitory activity against plasmodial proteases and selectivity on human cathepsins was identified. A 3D similarity search on the ZINC database using 5PGA identified five potential hits based on their docking energies. The key interacting residues of proteins with compounds were identified via molecular dynamics and free binding energy calculations. Overall, this study provides a basis for further chemical design for more effective derivatives of these compounds. Interestingly, as these compounds have cholesterol-like nuclei, they and their derivatives might be well tolerated in humans.
Collapse
|
20
|
Reversible, partial inactivation of plant betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase by betaine aldehyde: mechanism and possible physiological implications. Biochem J 2016; 473:873-85. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20151084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The activity of plant BADH enzymes may be down-regulated in the short term by a novel and physiologically relevant mechanism, consisting of the reversible formation of a thiohemiacetal between a conserved non-essential cysteine residue and the substrate betaine aldehyde.
Collapse
|
21
|
Korb O, Kuhn B, Hert J, Taylor N, Cole J, Groom C, Stahl M. Interactive and Versatile Navigation of Structural Databases. J Med Chem 2016; 59:4257-66. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Korb
- Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, U.K
| | - Bernd Kuhn
- Roche
Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Hert
- Roche
Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Neil Taylor
- Desert Scientific Software Pty Ltd., Level 5 Nexus Building, Norwest Business Park, 4 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153, Australia
| | - Jason Cole
- Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, U.K
| | - Colin Groom
- Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, U.K
| | - Martin Stahl
- Roche
Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Grenzacherstrasse 124, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Cleary JA, Doherty W, Evans P, Malthouse JPG. Quantifying tetrahedral adduct formation and stabilization in the cysteine and the serine proteases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2015; 1854:1382-91. [PMID: 26169698 PMCID: PMC7185411 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Two new papain inhibitors have been synthesized where the terminal α-carboxyl groups of Z-Phe-Ala-COOH and Ac-Phe-Gly-COOH have been replaced by a proton to give Z-Phe-Ala-H and Ac-Phe-Gly-H. We show that for papain, replacing the terminal carboxylate group of a peptide inhibitor with a hydrogen atom decreases binding 3–4 fold while replacing an aldehyde or glyoxal group with a hydrogen atom decreases binding by 300,000–1,000,000 fold. Thiohemiacetal formation by papain with aldehyde or glyoxal inhibitors is shown to be ~ 10,000 times more effective than hemiacetal or hemiketal formation with chymotrypsin. It is shown using effective molarities, that for papain, thiohemiacetal stabilization is more effective with aldehyde inhibitors than with glyoxal inhibitors. The effective molarity obtained when papain is inhibited by an aldehyde inhibitor is similar to the effective molarity obtained when chymotrypsin is inhibited by glyoxal inhibitors showing that both enzymes can stabilize tetrahedral adducts by similar amounts. Therefore the greater potency of aldehyde and glyoxal inhibitors with papain is not due to greater thiohemiacetal stabilization by papain compared to the hemiketal and hemiacetal stabilization by chymotrypsin, instead it reflects the greater intrinsic reactivity of the catalytic thiol group of papain compared to the catalytic hydroxyl group of chymotrypsin. It is argued that while the hemiacetals and thiohemiacetals formed with the serine and cysteine proteases respectively can mimic the catalytic tetrahedral intermediate they are also analogues of the productive and non-productive acyl intermediates that can be formed with the cysteine and serine proteases. We compare thiohemiacetal and hemiacetal stabilization by papain and chymotrypsin. An aldehyde or glyoxal group increases binding by 300,000–1,000,000 fold. Thiohemiacetal formation is ~ 10,000 fold greater than hemiacetal formation. Thiohemiacetal formation is more effective with aldehyde than glyoxal inhibitors. Both papain and chymotrypsin stabilize tetrahedral adducts by similar amounts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Cleary
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - William Doherty
- School of Chemistry, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Paul Evans
- School of Chemistry, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - J Paul G Malthouse
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Martynov AG, Elpidina EN, Perkin L, Oppert B. Functional analysis of C1 family cysteine peptidases in the larval gut of Тenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:75. [PMID: 25757364 PMCID: PMC4336737 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1306-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Larvae of the tenebrionids Tenebrio molitor and Tribolium castaneum have highly compartmentalized guts, with primarily cysteine peptidases in the acidic anterior midgut that contribute to the early stages of protein digestion. RESULTS High throughput sequencing was used to quantify and characterize transcripts encoding cysteine peptidases from the C1 papain family in the gut of tenebrionid larvae. For T. castaneum, 25 genes and one questionable pseudogene encoding cysteine peptidases were identified, including 11 cathepsin L or L-like, 11 cathepsin B or B-like, and one each F, K, and O. The majority of transcript expression was from two cathepsin L genes on chromosome 10 (LOC659441 and LOC659502). For cathepsin B, the major expression was from genes on chromosome 3 (LOC663145 and LOC663117). Some transcripts were expressed at lower levels or not at all in the larval gut, including cathepsins F, K, and O. For T. molitor, there were 29 predicted cysteine peptidase genes, including 14 cathepsin L or L-like, 13 cathepsin B or B-like, and one each cathepsin O and F. One cathepsin L and one cathepsin B were also highly expressed, orthologous to those in T. castaneum. Peptidases lacking conservation in active site residues were identified in both insects, and sequence analysis of orthologs indicated that changes in these residues occurred prior to evolutionary divergence. Sequences from both insects have a high degree of variability in the substrate binding regions, consistent with the ability of these enzymes to degrade a variety of cereal seed storage proteins and inhibitors. Predicted cathepsin B peptidases from both insects included some with a shortened occluding loop without active site residues in the middle, apparently lacking exopeptidase activity and unique to tenebrionid insects. Docking of specific substrates with models of T. molitor cysteine peptidases indicated that some insect cathepsins B and L bind substrates with affinities similar to human cathepsin L, while others do not and have presumably different substrate specificity. CONCLUSIONS These studies have refined our model of protein digestion in the larval gut of tenebrionid insects, and suggest genes that may be targeted by inhibitors or RNA interference for the control of cereal pests in storage areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Martynov
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo, 143025, Russia. .,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics and A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Elena N Elpidina
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Lindsey Perkin
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA.
| | - Brenda Oppert
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS, 66502, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Dana D, De S, Rathod P, Davalos AR, Novoa DA, Paroly S, Torres VM, Afzal N, Lankalapalli RS, Rotenberg SA, Chang EJ, Subramaniam G, Kumar S. Development of a highly potent, selective, and cell-active inhibitor of cysteine cathepsin L-A hybrid design approach. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:10875-8. [PMID: 25089379 DOI: 10.1039/c4cc04037f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
A hybrid-design approach is undertaken to develop a highly potent and selective inhibitor of human cathepsin L. Studies involving human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells establish that this inhibitor can successfully block intracellular cathepsin L activity, and retard the cell-migratory potential of these highly metastatic cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dibyendu Dana
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Queens College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Queens, New York 11367-1597, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Biniossek ML, Nägler DK, Becker-Pauly C, Schilling O. Proteomic identification of protease cleavage sites characterizes prime and non-prime specificity of cysteine cathepsins B, L, and S. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:5363-73. [PMID: 21967108 DOI: 10.1021/pr200621z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cysteine cathepsins mediate proteome homeostasis and have pivotal functions in diseases such as cancer. To better understand substrate recognition by cathepsins B, L, and S, we applied proteomic identification of protease cleavage sites (PICS) for simultaneous profiling of prime and non-prime specificity. PICS profiling of cathepsin B endopeptidase specificity highlights strong selectivity for glycine in P3' due to an occluding loop blocking access to the primed subsites. In P1', cathepsin B has a partial preference for phenylalanine, which is not found for cathepsins L and S. Occurrence of P1' phenylalanine often coincides with aromatic residues in P2. For cathepsin L, PICS identifies 845 cleavage sites, representing the most comprehensive PICS profile to date. Cathepsin L specificity is dominated by the canonical preference for aromatic residues in P2 with limited contribution of prime-site selectivity determinants. Profiling of cathepsins B and L with a shorter incubation time (4 h instead of 16 h) did not reveal time-dependency of individual specificity determinants. Cathepsin S specificity was profiled at pH 6.0 and 7.5. The PICS profiles at both pH values display a high degree of similarity. Cathepsin S specificity is primarily guided by aliphatic residues in P2 with limited importance of prime-site residues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Biniossek
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
|