1
|
In silico assessment of missense point mutations on human cathelicidin LL-37. J Mol Graph Model 2023; 118:108368. [PMID: 36335830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides are a diverse family of cationic amphipathic peptides with multiple activities. In humans, cathelicidin LL-37 is one of the main host defense peptides with a remarkable medical and biotechnological potential. Deregulation of LL-37 expression has been associated with inflammatory diseases. However the effects of point mutations driven by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on LL-37 are unknown. Here we applied an array of computational tools to investigate the effects of such mutations on LL-37 structure and activity. Due to the fact that, on cathelicidins, the prodomain is more conserved than the mature peptide, the SNP effect predictions were biased and, overall, resulted in neutral effects; and due to the slight changes in physicochemical properties, the antimicrobial predictions indicated the maintenance of such activity. Nonetheless, R07P, R07W, R29Q, R29W mutations reduced the peptide net charge, which in turn could result in less active LL-37 variants. Molecular dynamics data indicated that R07Q and N30Y mutations altered the LL-37 structure, leading to potential deleterious effects. In addition, the helix dipole is altered in G03A, R07P, R07W and L31P mutations, which could also alter the antimicrobial activity. Our results indicated that despite the mutations did not alter the residues from LL-37 active core, they could influence the antimicrobial activity and consequently, could be involved in inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
|
2
|
Caspi A, Entezari AA, Crutcher M, Snook AE, Waldman SA. Guanylyl cyclase C as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer. Per Med 2022; 19:457-472. [PMID: 35920071 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2022-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer remains a major cause of mortality in the USA, despite advances in prevention and screening. Existing therapies focus primarily on generic treatment such as surgical intervention and chemotherapy, depending on disease severity. As personalized medicine and targeted molecular oncology continue to develop as promising treatment avenues, there has emerged a need for effective targets and biomarkers of colorectal cancer. The transmembrane receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GUCY2C) regulates intestinal homeostasis and has emerged as a tumor suppressor. Further, it is universally expressed in advanced metastatic colorectal tumors, as well as other cancer types that arise through intestinal metaplasia. In this context, GUCY2C satisfies many characteristics of a compelling target and biomarker for gastrointestinal malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adi Caspi
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ariana A Entezari
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Madison Crutcher
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Department of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Adam E Snook
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Scott A Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, & Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Structural effects driven by rare point mutations in amylin hormone, the type II diabetes-associated peptide. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129935. [PMID: 34044067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amylin is a 37-amino-acid peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin, which participates in glucose homeostasis. This hormone is able to aggregate in a β-sheet conformation and deposit in islet amyloids, a hallmark in type II diabetes. Since amylin is a gene-encoded hormone, this peptide has variants caused by point mutations that can impact its functions. METHODS Here, we analyzed the structural effects caused by S20G and G33R point mutations which, according to the 1000 Genomes Project, have frequency in East Asian and European populations, respectively. The analyses were performed by means of aggrescan server, SNP functional effect predictors, and molecular dynamics. RESULTS We found that both mutations have aggregation potential and cause changes in the monomeric forms when compared with wild-type amylin. Furthermore, comparative analyses with pramlintide, an amylin drug analogue, allowed us to infer that second α-helix maintenance may be related to the aggregation potential. CONCLUSIONS The S20G mutation has been described as pathologically related, which is in agreement with our findings. In addition, our data suggest that the G33R mutation might have a deleterious effect. The data presented here also provide new therapy opportunities, whether for creating more effective drugs for diabetes or implementing specific treatment for patients with these mutations. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our data could help to better understand the impact of mutations on the wild-type amylin sequence, as a starting point for the evaluation and characterization of other variations. Moreover, these findings could improve the health of patients with type II diabetes.
Collapse
|
4
|
Yazar M, Özbek P. In Silico Tools and Approaches for the Prediction of Functional and Structural Effects of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Proteins: An Expert Review. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2020; 25:23-37. [PMID: 33058752 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2020.0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are single-base variants that contribute to human biological variation and pathogenesis of many human diseases. Among all SNP types, nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) can alter many structural, biochemical, and functional features of a protein such as folding characteristics, charge distribution, stability, dynamics, and interactions with other proteins/nucleotides. These modifications in the protein structure can lead nsSNPs to be closely associated with many multifactorial diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Predicting structural and functional effects of nsSNPs with experimental approaches can be time-consuming and costly; hence, computational prediction tools and algorithms are being widely and increasingly utilized in biology and medical research. This expert review examines the in silico tools and algorithms for the prediction of functional or structural effects of SNP variants, in addition to the description of the phenotypic effects of nsSNPs on protein structure, association between pathogenicity of variants, and functional or structural features of disease-associated variants. Finally, case studies investigating the functional and structural effects of nsSNPs on selected protein structures are highlighted. We conclude that creating a consistent workflow with a combination of in silico approaches or tools should be considered to increase the performance, accuracy, and precision of the biological and clinical predictions made in silico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Metin Yazar
- Department of Bioengineering, Marmara University, Göztepe, İstanbul, Turkey.,Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Istanbul Okan University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pemra Özbek
- Department of Bioengineering, Marmara University, Göztepe, İstanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
The mechanism of pulsed electric field (PEF) targeting location on the spatial conformation of pine nut peptide. J Theor Biol 2020; 492:110195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2020.110195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
6
|
Monteiro LLS, Franco OL, Alencar SA, Porto WF. Deciphering the structural basis for glucocorticoid resistance caused by missense mutations in the ligand binding domain of glucocorticoid receptor. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 92:216-226. [PMID: 31401440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid resistance hereditary condition may emerge from the occurrence of point mutations in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which could impair its functionality. Because the main feature of such pathology is the resistance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to the hormone cortisol, we used the GR ligand binding domain three-dimensional structure to perform computational analysis for eight variants known to cause this clinical condition (I559 N, V571A, D641V, G679S, F737L, I747 M, L753F and L773P), aiming to understand, on the atom scale, how they cause glucocorticoid resistance. We observed that the mutations generated a reduced affinity to cortisol and they alter some loop conformations, which could be a consequence from changes in protein motion, which in turn could result from the reduced stability of mutant GR structures. Therefore, the analyzed mutations compromise the GR ligand binding domain structure and cortisol binding, which could characterize the glucocorticoid resistance phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L L S Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - O L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação Em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - S A Alencar
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - W F Porto
- Porto Reports, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-Graduação Em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rappaport JA, Waldman SA. The Guanylate Cyclase C-cGMP Signaling Axis Opposes Intestinal Epithelial Injury and Neoplasia. Front Oncol 2018; 8:299. [PMID: 30131940 PMCID: PMC6091576 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C) is a transmembrane receptor expressed on the luminal aspect of the intestinal epithelium. Its ligands include bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins responsible for traveler's diarrhea, the endogenous peptide hormones uroguanylin and guanylin, and the synthetic agents, linaclotide, plecanatide, and dolcanatide. Ligand-activated GUCY2C catalyzes the synthesis of intracellular cyclic GMP (cGMP), initiating signaling cascades underlying homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium. Mouse models of GUCY2C ablation, and recently, human populations harboring GUCY2C mutations, have revealed the diverse contributions of this signaling axis to epithelial health, including regulating fluid secretion, microbiome composition, intestinal barrier integrity, epithelial renewal, cell cycle progression, responses to DNA damage, epithelial-mesenchymal cross-talk, cell migration, and cellular metabolic status. Because of these wide-ranging roles, dysregulation of the GUCY2C-cGMP signaling axis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bowel transit disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. This review explores the current understanding of cGMP signaling in the intestinal epithelium and mechanisms by which it opposes intestinal injury. Particular focus will be applied to its emerging role in tumor suppression. In colorectal tumors, endogenous GUCY2C ligand expression is lost by a yet undefined mechanism conserved in mice and humans. Further, reconstitution of GUCY2C signaling through genetic or oral ligand replacement opposes tumorigenesis in mice. Taken together, these findings suggest an intriguing hypothesis that colorectal cancer arises in a microenvironment of functional GUCY2C inactivation, which can be repaired by oral ligand replacement. Hence, the GUCY2C signaling axis represents a novel therapeutic target for preventing colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Rappaport
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Scott A Waldman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Porto WF, Marques FA, Pogue HB, de Oliveira Cardoso MT, do Vale MGR, da Silva Pires Á, Franco OL, de Alencar SA, Pogue R. Computational Investigation of Growth Hormone Receptor Trp169Arg Heterozygous Mutation in a Child With Short Stature. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:4762-4771. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William Farias Porto
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Porto ReportsBrasília – DFBrazil
| | - Felipe Albuquerque Marques
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Departamento de FarmáciaUniversidade CEUMASão‐Luis – MABrazil
- Departamento de BiomedicinaUniversidade CEUMASão‐Luis – MABrazil
| | - Huri Brito Pogue
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
| | - Maria Teresinha de Oliveira Cardoso
- Curso de MedicinaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Núcleo de Genética da Secretaria de Saúde do Distrito FederalBrasília – DFBrazil
| | | | - Állan da Silva Pires
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
- S‐Inova Biotech, Pós‐graduação em BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica Dom BoscoCampo GrandeMSBrazil
| | - Sérgio Amorim de Alencar
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
| | - Robert Pogue
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e BiotecnologiaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasília – DFBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pires ÁS, Porto WF, Castro PO, Franco OL, Alencar SA. Theoretical structural characterization of lymphoguanylin: A potential candidate for the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders. J Theor Biol 2017; 419:193-200. [PMID: 28214543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Guanylin peptides (GPs) are small cysteine-rich peptide hormones involved in salt absorption, regulation of fluids and electrolyte homeostasis. This family presents four members: guanylin (GN), uroguanylin (UGN), lymphoguanylin (LGN) and renoguanylin (RGN). GPs have been used as templates for the development of drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Currently, LGN is the only GP with only one disulfide bridge, making it a remarkable member of this family and a potential drug template; however, there is no structural information about this peptide. In fact, LGN is predicted to be highly disordered and flexible, making it difficult to obtain structural information using in vitro methods. Therefore, this study applied a series of 1μs molecular dynamics simulations in order to understand the structural behavior of LGN, comparing it to the C115Y variant of GN, which shows the same Cys to Tyr modification. LGN showed to be more flexible than GN C115Y. While the negatively charged N-terminal, despite its repellent behavior, seems to be involved mainly in pH-dependent activity, the hydrophobic core showed to be the determinant factor in LGN's flexibility, which could be essential in its activity. These findings may be determinant in the development of new medicines to help in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, our investigation of LGN structure clarified some issues in the structure-activity relationship of this peptide, providing new knowledge of guanylin peptides and clarifying the differences between GN C115Y and LGN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Állan S Pires
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - William F Porto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil; Porto Reports, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Pryscilla O Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil
| | - Octavio L Franco
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco,, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Sérgio A Alencar
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília-DF, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|