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Yapryntseva MA, Zhivotovsky B, Gogvadze V. Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane: Mechanisms and consequences. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167317. [PMID: 38909847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane is а physiological process that can allow certain molecules to pass through it, such as low molecular weight solutes required for cellular respiration. This process is also important for the development of various modes of cell death. Depending on the severity of this process, cells can die by autophagy, apoptosis, or necrosis/necroptosis. Distinct types of pores can be opened at the outer mitochondrial membrane depending on physiological or pathological stimuli, and different mechanisms can be activated in order to open these pores. In this comprehensive review, all these types of permeabilization, the mechanisms of their activation, and their role in various diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Yapryntseva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, 119991 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris Zhivotovsky
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS, 119991 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Vladimir Gogvadze
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119192 Moscow, Russia; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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2
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Nguyen D, Osterlund E, Kale J, Andrews DW. The C-terminal sequences of Bcl-2 family proteins mediate interactions that regulate cell death. Biochem J 2024; 481:903-922. [PMID: 38985308 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Programmed cell death via the both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways is regulated by interactions of the Bcl-2 family protein members that determine whether the cell commits to apoptosis via mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Recently the conserved C-terminal sequences (CTSs) that mediate localization of Bcl-2 family proteins to intracellular membranes, have been shown to have additional protein-protein binding functions that contribute to the functions of these proteins in regulating MOMP. Here we review the pivotal role of CTSs in Bcl-2 family interactions including: (1) homotypic interactions between the pro-apoptotic executioner proteins that cause MOMP, (2) heterotypic interactions between pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins that prevent MOMP, and (3) heterotypic interactions between the pro-apoptotic executioner proteins and the pro-apoptotic direct activator proteins that promote MOMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dang Nguyen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Osterlund
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Justin Kale
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - David W Andrews
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Odette Cancer Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Li W, Li Y, Zhao J, Liao J, Wen W, Chen Y, Cui H. Release of damaged mitochondrial DNA: A novel factor in stimulating inflammatory response. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 258:155330. [PMID: 38733868 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a circular double-stranded genome that exists independently of the nucleus. In recent years, research on mtDNA has significantly increased, leading to a gradual increase in understanding of its physiological and pathological characteristics. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other factors can damage mtDNA. This damaged mtDNA can escape from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm or extracellular space, subsequently activating immune signaling pathways, such as NLR family pyrin domain protein 3 (NLRP3), and triggering inflammatory responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of mtDNA damage and leakage in the pathological mechanisms underlying various diseases including infectious diseases, metabolic inflammation, and immune disorders. Consequently, comprehensive investigation of mtDNA can elucidate the pathological mechanisms underlying numerous diseases. The prevention of mtDNA damage and leakage has emerged as a novel approach to disease treatment, and mtDNA has emerged as a promising target for drug development. This article provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms underlying mtDNA-induced inflammation, its association with various diseases, and the methods used for its detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Yuting Li
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of TCM Endocrinology, Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650021, China
| | - Jiabao Liao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Weibo Wen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China.
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of TCM Encephalopathy, Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650021, China.
| | - Huantian Cui
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Yunnan 650500, China.
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4
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Jenner A, Garcia-Saez AJ. The regulation of the apoptotic pore-An immunological tightrope walk. Adv Immunol 2024; 162:59-108. [PMID: 38866439 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Apoptotic pore formation in mitochondria is the pivotal point for cell death during mitochondrial apoptosis. It is regulated by BCL-2 family proteins in response to various cellular stress triggers and mediates mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). This allows the release of mitochondrial contents into the cytosol, which triggers rapid cell death and clearance through the activation of caspases. However, under conditions of low caspase activity, the mitochondrial contents released into the cytosol through apoptotic pores serve as inflammatory signals and activate various inflammatory responses. In this chapter, we discuss how the formation of the apoptotic pore is regulated by BCL-2 proteins as well as other cellular or mitochondrial proteins and membrane lipids. Moreover, we highlight the importance of sublethal MOMP in the regulation of mitochondrial-activated inflammation and discuss its physiological consequences in the context of pathogen infection and disease and how it can potentially be exploited therapeutically, for example to improve cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Jenner
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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5
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Rajiv Gandhi G, Sharanya CS, Jayanandan A, Haridas M, Edwin Hillary V, Rajiv Gandhi S, Sridharan G, Sivasubramanian R, Silva Vasconcelos AB, Montalvão MM, Antony Ceasar S, Sousa NFD, Scotti L, Scotti MT, Gurgel RQ, Quintans-Júnior LJ. Multitargeted molecular docking and dynamics simulation studies of flavonoids and volatile components from the peel of Citrus sinensis L. (Osbeck) against specific tumor protein markers. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3051-3080. [PMID: 37203996 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2212062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae), commonly known as the sweet orange, is a popular and widely consumed fruit with several medicinal properties. The present study aimed to perform the in silico screening of 18 flavonoids and eight volatile components from the peel of C. sinensis against apoptotic and inflammatory proteins, metalloprotease, and tumor suppressor markers. Flavonoids obtained higher probabilities than volatile components against selected anti-cancer drug targets. Hence, the data from the binding energies against the essential apoptotic and cell proliferation proteins substantiate that they may be promising compounds in developing effective candidates to block cell growth, proliferation, and induced cell death by activating the apoptotic pathway. Further, the binding stability of the selected targets and the corresponding molecules were analyzed by 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Chlorogenic acid has the most binding affinity against the important anti-cancer targets iNOS, MMP-9, and p53. The congruent binding mode to different drug targets focused on cancer shown by chlorogenic acid suggests that it may be a compound with significant therapeutic potential. Moreover, the binding energy predictions indicated that the compound had stable electrostatic and van der Waal energies. Thus, our data reinforce the medicinal importance of flavonoids from C. sinensis and expand the need for more studies, seeking to optimize results and amplify the impacts of further in vitro and in vivo studies. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopalsamy Rajiv Gandhi
- Division of Phytochemistry and Drug Design, Department of Biosciences, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Kochi, India
| | - Chelankara Suresh Sharanya
- Division of Phytochemistry and Drug Design, Department of Biosciences, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Kochi, India
| | - Abhithaj Jayanandan
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Kannur University, Thalassery, Kannur, India
| | - Madathilkovilakath Haridas
- Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Kannur University, Thalassery, Kannur, India
| | - Varghese Edwin Hillary
- Division of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Kochi, India
| | - Sathiyabama Rajiv Gandhi
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology (DFS), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), University Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe (HU-UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Gurunagarajan Sridharan
- Department of Biochemistry, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, India
| | - Rengaraju Sivasubramanian
- Department of Biochemistry, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, India
| | - Alan Bruno Silva Vasconcelos
- Postgraduate Program of Physiological Sciences (PROCFIS), Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Monalisa Martins Montalvão
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), University Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe (HU-UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Stanislaus Antony Ceasar
- Division of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, Kochi, India
| | - Natália Ferreira de Sousa
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Luciana Scotti
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Marcus Tullius Scotti
- Postgraduate Program in Natural and Synthetic Bioactive Products, Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Queiroz Gurgel
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), University Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe (HU-UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
| | - Lucindo José Quintans-Júnior
- Laboratory of Neuroscience and Pharmacological Assays (LANEF), Department of Physiology (DFS), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program of Health Sciences (PPGCS), University Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe (HU-UFS), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil
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Dehghan S, Kheshtchin N, Hassannezhad S, Soleimani M. Cell death classification: A new insight based on molecular mechanisms. Exp Cell Res 2023; 433:113860. [PMID: 38013091 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cells tend to disintegrate themselves or are forced to undergo such destructive processes in critical circumstances. This complex cellular function necessitates various mechanisms and molecular pathways in order to be executed. The very nature of cell death is essentially important and vital for maintaining homeostasis, thus any type of disturbing occurrence might lead to different sorts of diseases and dysfunctions. Cell death has various modalities and yet, every now and then, a new type of this elegant procedure gets to be discovered. The diversity of cell death compels the need for a universal organizing system in order to facilitate further studies, therapeutic strategies and the invention of new methods of research. Considering all that, we attempted to review most of the known cell death mechanisms and sort them all into one arranging system that operates under a simple but subtle decision-making (If \ Else) order as a sorting algorithm, in which it decides to place and sort an input data (a type of cell death) into its proper set, then a subset and finally a group of cell death. By proposing this algorithm, the authors hope it may solve the problems regarding newer and/or undiscovered types of cell death and facilitate research and therapeutic applications of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepehr Dehghan
- Department of Medical Basic Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Kheshtchin
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Maryam Soleimani
- Department of Medical Basic Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Gielecińska A, Kciuk M, Yahya EB, Ainane T, Mujwar S, Kontek R. Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis as alternative cell death pathways induced by chemotherapeutic agents? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189024. [PMID: 37980943 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
For decades, common chemotherapeutic drugs have been established to trigger apoptosis, the preferred immunologically "silent" form of cell death. The primary objective of this review was to show that various FDA-approved chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin, cyclosporine, doxorubicin, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, or vinblastine can trigger necroptosis and pyroptosis. We aimed to provide the advantages and disadvantages of the induction of the given type of cell death by chemotherapeutical agents. Moreover, we give a short overview of the molecular mechanism of each type of cell death and indicate the existing crosstalks between cell death types. Finally, we provide a comparison of cell death types to facilitate the exploration of cell death types induced by other chemotherapeutical agents. Understanding the cell death pathway induced by a drug can lessen side effects and assist the discovery of new combinations with synergistic effects and low systemic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gielecińska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland; University of Lodz, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Banacha Street 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - M Kciuk
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - E-B Yahya
- Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, University Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - T Ainane
- Superior School of Technology of Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, P.O. Box 170, Khenifra 54000, Morocco
| | - S Mujwar
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
| | - R Kontek
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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8
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Xie D, Song C, Qin T, Zhai Z, Cai J, Dai J, Sun T, Xu Y. Moschus ameliorates glutamate-induced cellular damage by regulating autophagy and apoptosis pathway. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18586. [PMID: 37903904 PMCID: PMC10616123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45878-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, causes short-term memory and cognition declines. It is estimated that one in three elderly people die from AD or other dementias. Chinese herbal medicine as a potential drug for treating AD has gained growing interest from many researchers. Moschus, a rare and valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine, was originally documented in Shennong Ben Cao Jing and recognized for its properties of reviving consciousness/resuscitation. Additionally, Moschus has the efficacy of "regulation of menstruation with blood activation, relief of swelling and pain" and is used for treating unconsciousness, stroke, coma, and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it is uncertain whether Moschus has any protective effect on AD patients. We explored whether Moschus could protect glutamate (Glu)-induced PC12 cells from cellular injury and preliminarily explored their related action mechanisms. The chemical compounds of Moschus were analyzed and identified by GC-MS. The Glu-induced differentiated PC12 cell model was thought to be the common AD cellular model. The study aims to preliminarily investigate the intervention effect of Moschus on Glu-induced PC12 cell damage as well as their related action mechanisms. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell apoptosis, autophagic vacuoles, autolysosomes or autophagosomes, proteins related to apoptosis, and the proteins related to autophagy were examined and analyzed. Seventeen active compounds of the Moschus sample were identified based on GC-MS analysis. In comparison to the control group, Glu stimulation increased cell viability loss, LDH release, mitochondrial damage, loss of MMP, apoptosis rate, and the number of cells containing autophagic vacuoles, and autolysosomes or autophagosomes, while these results were decreased after the pretreatment with Moschus and 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Furthermore, Glu stimulation significantly increased cleaved caspase-3, Beclin1, and LC3II protein expression, and reduced B-cell lymphoma 2/BAX ratio and p62 protein expression, but these results were reversed after pretreatment of Moschus and 3-MA. Moschus has protective activity in Glu-induced PC12 cell injury, and the potential mechanism might involve the regulation of autophagy and apoptosis. Our study may promote research on Moschus in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, and Moschus may be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Caiyou Song
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Tao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Zhenwei Zhai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jie Cai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Jingyi Dai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
| | - Tao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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Czabotar PE, Garcia-Saez AJ. Mechanisms of BCL-2 family proteins in mitochondrial apoptosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:732-748. [PMID: 37438560 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The proteins of the BCL-2 family are key regulators of mitochondrial apoptosis, acting as either promoters or inhibitors of cell death. The functional interplay and balance between the opposing BCL-2 family members control permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, leading to the release of activators of the caspase cascade into the cytosol and ultimately resulting in cell death. Despite considerable research, our knowledge about the mechanisms of the BCL-2 family of proteins remains insufficient, which complicates cell fate predictions and does not allow us to fully exploit these proteins as targets for drug discovery. Detailed understanding of the formation and molecular architecture of the apoptotic pore in the outer mitochondrial membrane remains a holy grail in the field, but new studies allow us to begin constructing a structural model of its arrangement. Recent literature has also revealed unexpected activities for several BCL-2 family members that challenge established concepts of how they regulate mitochondrial permeabilization. In this Review, we revisit the most important advances in the field and integrate them into a new structure-function-based classification of the BCL-2 family members that intends to provide a comprehensive model for BCL-2 action in apoptosis. We close this Review by discussing the potential of drugging the BCL-2 family in diseases characterized by aberrant apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Membrane Biophysics, Institute of Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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Maes ME, Donahue RJ, Schlamp CL, Marola OJ, Libby RT, Nickells RW. BAX activation in mouse retinal ganglion cells occurs in two temporally and mechanistically distinct steps. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:67. [PMID: 37752598 PMCID: PMC10521527 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pro-apoptotic BAX is a central mediator of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after optic nerve damage. BAX activation occurs in two stages including translocation of latent BAX to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and then permeabilization of the MOM to facilitate the release of apoptotic signaling molecules. As a critical component of RGC death, BAX is an attractive target for neuroprotective therapies and an understanding of the kinetics of BAX activation and the mechanisms controlling the two stages of this process in RGCs is potentially valuable in informing the development of a neuroprotective strategy. METHODS The kinetics of BAX translocation were assessed by both static and live-cell imaging of a GFP-BAX fusion protein introduced into RGCs using AAV2-mediated gene transfer in mice. Activation of BAX was achieved using an acute optic nerve crush (ONC) protocol. Live-cell imaging of GFP-BAX was achieved using explants of mouse retina harvested 7 days after ONC. Kinetics of translocation in RGCs were compared to GFP-BAX translocation in 661W tissue culture cells. Permeabilization of GFP-BAX was assessed by staining with the 6A7 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes a conformational change in this protein after MOM insertion. Assessment of individual kinases associated with both stages of activation was made using small molecule inhibitors injected into the vitreous either independently or in concert with ONC surgery. The contribution of the Dual Leucine Zipper-JUN-N-Terminal Kinase cascade was evaluated using mice with a double conditional knock-out of both Mkk4 and Mkk7. RESULTS ONC induces the translocation of GFP-BAX in RGCs at a slower rate and with less intracellular synchronicity than 661W cells, but exhibits less variability among mitochondrial foci within a single cell. GFP-BAX was also found to translocate in all compartments of an RGC including the dendritic arbor and axon. Approximately 6% of translocating RGCs exhibited retrotranslocation of BAX immediately following translocation. Unlike tissue culture cells, which exhibit simultaneous translocation and permeabilization, RGCs exhibited a significant delay between these two stages, similar to detached cells undergoing anoikis. Translocation, with minimal permeabilization could be induced in a subset of RGCs using an inhibitor of Focal Adhesion Kinase (PF573228). Permeabilization after ONC, in a majority of RGCs, could be inhibited with a broad spectrum kinase inhibitor (sunitinib) or a selective inhibitor for p38/MAPK14 (SB203580). Intervention of DLK-JNK axis signaling abrogated GFP-BAX translocation after ONC. CONCLUSIONS A comparison between BAX activation kinetics in tissue culture cells and in cells of a complex tissue environment shows distinct differences indicating that caution should be used when translating findings from one condition to the other. RGCs exhibit both a delay between translocation and permeabilization and the ability for translocated BAX to be retrotranslocated, suggesting several stages at which intervention of the activation process could be exploited in the design of a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Maes
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Ryan J Donahue
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cassandra L Schlamp
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Olivia J Marola
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Richard T Libby
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Robert W Nickells
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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11
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Cao X, Liu Q, Shi W, Liu K, Deng T, Weng X, Pan S, Yu Q, Deng W, Yu J, Wang Q, Xiao G, Xu X. Microfluidic fabricated bisdemethoxycurcumin thermosensitive liposome with enhanced antitumor effect. Int J Pharm 2023; 641:123039. [PMID: 37225026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is the main active ingredient that is isolated from Zingiberaceae plants, wherein it has excellent anti-tumor effects. However, insolubility in water limits its clinical application. Herein, we reported a microfluidic chip device that can load BDMC into the lipid bilayer to form BDMC thermosensitive liposome (BDMC TSL). The natural active ingredient glycyrrhizin was selected as the surfactant to improve solubility of BDMC. Particles of BDMC TSL had small size, homogenous size distribution, and enhanced cultimulative release in vitro. The anti-tumor effect of BDMC TSL on human hepatocellular carcinomas was investigated via 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, live/dead staining, and flowcytometry. These results showed that the formulated liposome had a strong cancer cell inhibitory, and presented a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on migration. Further mechanistic studies showed that BDMC TSL combined with mild local hyperthermia could significantly upregulate B cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein levels and decrease B cell lymphoma 2 protein levels, thereby inducing cell apoptosis. The BDMC TSL that was fabricated via microfluidic device were decomposed under mild local hyperthermia, which could beneficially enhance the anti-tumor effect of raw insoluble materials and promote translation of liposome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwan Shi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianwen Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuedi Weng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Siting Pan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingtong Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangnan Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Qilong Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gao Xiao
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, Fujian, P. R. China.
| | - Ximing Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China; Medicinal function development of new food resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research center, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Maes ME, Donahue RJ, Schlamp CL, Marola OJ, Libby RT, Nickells R. BAX activation in mouse retinal ganglion cells occurs in two temporally and mechanistically distinct steps. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2846437. [PMID: 37292963 PMCID: PMC10246290 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2846437/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Pro-apoptotic BAX is a central mediator of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after optic nerve damage. BAX activation occurs in two stages including translocation of latent BAX to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) and then permeabilization of the MOM to facilitate the release of apoptotic signaling molecules. As a critical component of RGC death, BAX is an attractive target for neuroprotective therapies and an understanding of the kinetics of BAX activation and the mechanisms controlling the two stages of this process in RGCs is potentially valuable in informing the development of a neuroprotective strategy. Methods The kinetics of BAX translocation were assessed by both static and live-cell imaging of a GFP-BAX fusion protein introduced into RGCs using AAV2-mediated gene transfer in mice. Activation of BAX was achieved using an acute optic nerve crush (ONC) protocol. Live-cell imaging of GFP-BAX was achieved using explants of mouse retina harvested 7 days after ONC. Kinetics of translocation in RGCs were compared to GFP-BAX translocation in 661W tissue culture cells. Permeabilization of GFP-BAX was assessed by staining with the 6A7 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes a conformational change in this protein after MOM insertion. Assessment of individual kinases associated with both stages of activation was made using small molecule inhibitors injected into the vitreous either independently or in concert with ONC surgery. The contribution of the Dual Leucine Zipper-JUN-N-Terminal Kinase cascade was evaluated using mice with a double conditional knock-out of both Mkk4 and Mkk7 . Results ONC induces the translocation of GFP-BAX in RGCs at a slower rate and with less intracellular synchronicity than 661W cells, but exhibits less variability among mitochondrial foci within a single cell. GFP-BAX was also found to translocate in all compartments of an RGC including the dendritic arbor and axon. Approximately 6% of translocating RGCs exhibited retrotranslocation of BAX immediately following translocation. Unlike tissue culture cells, which exhibit simultaneous translocation and permeabilization, RGCs exhibited a significant delay between these two stages, similar to detached cells undergoing anoikis. Translocation, with minimal permeabilization could be induced in a subset of RGCs using an inhibitor of Focal Adhesion Kinase (PF573228). Permeabilization after ONC, in a majority of RGCs, could be inhibited with a broad spectrum kinase inhibitor (sunitinib) or a selective inhibitor for p38/MAPK14 (SB203580). Intervention of DLK-JNK axis signaling abrogated GFP-BAX translocation after ONC. Conclusions A comparison between BAX activation kinetics in tissue culture cells and in cells of a complex tissue environment shows distinct differences indicating that caution should be used when translating findings from one condition to the other. RGCs exhibit both a delay between translocation and permeabilization and the ability for translocated BAX to be retrotranslocated, suggesting several stages at which intervention of the activation process could be exploited in the design of a therapeutic strategy.
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13
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Cao X, Liu Q, Adu-Frimpong M, Shi W, Liu K, Deng T, Yuan H, Weng X, Gao Y, Yu Q, Deng W, Yu J, Wang Q, Xiao G, Xu X. Microfluidic Generation of Near-Infrared Photothermal Vitexin/ICG Liposome with Amplified Photodynamic Therapy. AAPS PharmSciTech 2023; 24:82. [PMID: 36949351 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-023-02539-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma, in which a malignant tumor cell occurs in neural mesenchymal cells, has a rapid progression and poor prognosis, which is still far from desirable in clinical treatments. We developed a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device for the rapid and efficient preparation of vitexin/indocyanine green (ICG) liposomes. Vitexin could be released from liposome to kill cancer cell, which can potentially improve the glioma therapeutic effect and reduce the treatment time through synergistic photodynamic/photothermal therapies (PDT/PTT). The vitexin/ICG liposome was fabricated via LOC and its physicochemical property and release in vitro were evaluated. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method and live/dead staining were used to examine the enhanced antitumor effect of vitexin/ICG liposome in cooperation with PDT/PTT, while the related mechanism was explored by flow cytometry and western blot. The results were as follows: (1) The prepared vitexin/ICG liposome was smaller in size, homogenous in particle size distribution with significant low polydispersity index (PDI), and enhanced cumulative release in vitro. (2) We found that the formulated liposome presented strong cancer cell inhibition and suppression of its migration in a dose-dependent manner. (3) Further mechanistic studies showed that liposome combined with near-infrared irradiation could significantly upregulate levels of B cell lymphoma 2-associated X (Bax) protein and decrease B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) at protein levels. The vitexin/ICG liposomes prepared based on a simple LOC platform can effectively enhance the solubility of insoluble drugs, and the combined effect of PTT/PDT can effectively increase their antitumor effect, which provides a simple and valid method for the clinical translation of liposomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael Adu-Frimpong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Sciences, School of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS), Navrongo, UK-0215-5321, Ghana
| | - Wenwan Shi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianwen Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuedi Weng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihong Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingtong Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Deng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangnan Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China
| | - Qilong Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gao Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China.
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ximing Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Centre for Nano Drug/Gene Delivery and Tissue Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
- Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Jiangsu Provincial Research Center, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
- School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shanxi, 710072, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Matlou ML, Louis H, Charlie DE, Agwamba EC, Amodu IO, Tembu VJ, Manicum ALE. Anticancer Activities of Re(I) Tricarbonyl and Its Imidazole-Based Ligands: Insight from a Theoretical Approach. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:10242-10252. [PMID: 36969470 PMCID: PMC10035000 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Rhenium complexes have been observed experimentally to exhibit good inhibitory activity against malignant cells. Hence, our motivation is to explore this activity from a theoretical perspective. In the present study, density functional theory (DFT) and in silico molecular docking approaches were utilized to unravel the unique properties of metal-based rhenium tricarbonyl complexes as effective anticancer drugs. All DFT calculations and geometric optimizations were conducted using the well-established hybrid functional B3LYP-GD(BJ)/Gen/6-311++G(d,p)/LanL2DZ computational method. The FT-IR spectroscopic characterization of the complexes: fac-[Re(Pico)(CO)3(Pz)] (R1), fac-[Re(Pico)(CO)3(Py)] (R2), fac-[Re(Dfpc)(CO)3(H2O)] (R3), fac-[Re(Dfpc)(CO)3(Pz)] (R4), fac-[Re(Dfpc)(CO)3(Py)] (R5), fac-[Re(Tfpc)(CO)3(H2O)] (R6), fac-[Re(Tfpc)(CO)3(Py)] (R7), and fac-[Re(Tfpc)(CO)3(Im)] (R8) was explored. To gain insights into the electronic structural properties, bioactivity, and stability of these complexes, the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital analysis, binding energy, and topological analysis based on quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules were considered. The anticancer activities of the complexes were measured via in silico molecular docking against human BCL-2 protein (IG5M) and proapoptotic (agonist) BAX 1 protein (450O). The results showed that the studied complexes exhibited good binding affinity (-3.25 to -10.16 kcal/mol) and could cause significant disruption of the normal physiological functions of the studied proteins. The results of DFT calculations also showed that the studied complexes exhibited good stability and are suitable candidates for the development of anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabu L. Matlou
- Department
of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, P.O. Box X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Hitler Louis
- Computational
and Bio-Simulation Research Group, University
of Calabar, Calabar 540211, Nigeria
| | - Destiny E. Charlie
- Computational
and Bio-Simulation Research Group, University
of Calabar, Calabar 540211, Nigeria
| | - Ernest C. Agwamba
- Computational
and Bio-Simulation Research Group, University
of Calabar, Calabar 540211, Nigeria
- Department
of Chemistry, Covenant University, Ota 50001, Nigeria
| | - Ismail O. Amodu
- Computational
and Bio-Simulation Research Group, University
of Calabar, Calabar 540211, Nigeria
| | - Vuyelwa J. Tembu
- Department
of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, P.O. Box X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Amanda-Lee E. Manicum
- Department
of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, P.O. Box X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
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15
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Rouchidane Eyitayo A, Giraud MF, Daury L, Lambert O, Gonzalez C, Manon S. Cell-free synthesis and reconstitution of Bax in nanodiscs: Comparison between wild-type Bax and a constitutively active mutant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184075. [PMID: 36273540 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Bax is a major player in the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, by making the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane (OMM) permeable to various apoptogenic factors, including cytochrome c. In order to get further insight into the structure and function of Bax when it is inserted in the OMM, we attempted to reconstitute Bax in nanodiscs. Cell-free protein synthesis in the presence of nanodiscs did not yield Bax-containing nanodiscs, but it provided a simple way to purify full-length Bax without any tag. Purified wild-type Bax (BaxWT) and a constitutively active mutant (BaxP168A) displayed biochemical properties that were in line with previous characterizations following their expression in yeast and human cells followed by their reconstitution into liposomes. Both Bax variants were then reconstituted in nanodiscs. Size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy showed that nanodiscs formed with BaxP168A were larger than nanodiscs formed with BaxWT. This was consistent with the hypothesis that BaxP168A was reconstituted in nanodiscs as an active oligomer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marie-France Giraud
- IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France; CBMN, UMR5248, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France
| | | | | | | | - Stéphen Manon
- IBGC, UMR5095, CNRS, Université de Bordeaux, France.
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16
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Sunil V, Mozhi A, Zhan W, Teoh JH, Ghode PB, Thakor NV, Wang CH. In-situ vaccination using dual responsive organelle targeted nanoreactors. Biomaterials 2022; 290:121843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Wolf P, Schoeniger A, Edlich F. Pro-apoptotic complexes of BAX and BAK on the outer mitochondrial membrane. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2022; 1869:119317. [PMID: 35752202 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2022.119317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms the regulated cell death apoptosis is critically important for both ontogeny and homeostasis. Mitochondria are indispensable for stress-induced apoptosis. The BCL-2 protein family controls mitochondrial apoptosis and initiates cell death through the pro-apoptotic activities of BAX and BAK at the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Cellular survival is ensured by the retrotranslocation of mitochondrial BAX and BAK into the cytosol by anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins. BAX/BAK-dependent OMM permeabilization releases the mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt c), which initiates activation of caspase-9. The caspase cascade leads to cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and apoptotic body formation. Although it is clear that ultimately complexes of active BAX and BAK commit the cell to apoptosis, the nature of these complexes is still enigmatic. Excessive research has described a range of complexes, varying from a few molecules to several 10,000, in different systems. BAX/BAK complexes potentially form ring-like structures that could expose the inner mitochondrial membrane. It has been suggested that these pores allow the efflux of small proteins and even mitochondrial DNA. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge for mitochondrial BAX/BAK complexes and the interactions between these proteins and the membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wolf
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Axel Schoeniger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank Edlich
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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18
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Weng M, Shi C, Han H, Zhu H, Xiao Y, Guo H, Yu Z, Wu C. Sophocarpine inhibits tumor progression by antagonizing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in castration-resistant prostate cancer. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14042. [PMID: 36132221 PMCID: PMC9484452 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of sophocarpine on the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and the underlying molecular mechanism. Methods DU145 and PC3 cells (two CRPC cell lines), incubated with different concentrations of sophocarpine, were used. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, real-time cellular analysis, and colony formation assay were conducted to evaluate the proliferation of CRPC cells. Cytometry flow analysis was performed to evaluate the apoptosis rate of CRPC cells. Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays were performed and the levels of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were determined to analyze cell migration and invasion abilities. A xenografted tumor model of nude mice was used to examine the anti-cancer effect of sophocarpine on CRPC. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the activities of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway both in cells and tumor tissues. Results In vitro tests showed that sophocarpine suppressed the proliferation of CRPC cells, reduced the migration and invasion abilities, and increased the apoptosis rate. In vivo, sophocarpine decreased the weight and volume of tumor tissues. Mechanically, sophocarpine exerted its anti-cancer effects by inactivating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. Conclusion Sophocarpine inhibited the progression of CRPC by downregulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and showed a potential to be an anti-cancer agent against CRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Weng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenghao Shi
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hengyue Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanyi Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hangcheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhixian Yu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cunzao Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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19
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Gelles JD, Mohammed JN, Chen Y, Sebastian TM, Chipuk JE. A kinetic fluorescence polarization ligand assay for monitoring BAX early activation. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100174. [PMID: 35419554 PMCID: PMC9004659 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Developmental, homeostatic, and pharmacological pro-apoptotic signals converge by activating the BCL-2 family member BAX. Studies investigating molecular regulation of BAX are commonly limited to methodologies measuring endpoint phenotypes and do not assess activation of monomeric BAX. Here, we present FLAMBE, a fluorescence polarization ligand assay for monitoring BAX early activation, that measures activation-induced release of a peptide probe in real time. Using complementary parallel and tandem biochemical techniques, we validate, corroborate, and apply FLAMBE to a contemporary repertoire of BAX modulators, characterizing their contributions within the early steps of BAX activation. Additionally, we use FLAMBE to reveal that historically "dead" BAX mutants remain responsive to activation as quasi-functional monomers. We also identify data metrics for comparative analyses and demonstrate that FLAMBE data align with downstream functional observations. Collectively, FLAMBE advances our understanding of BAX activation and fills a methodological void for studying BAX with broad applications in cell biology and therapeutic development. MOTIVATION In vitro BAX activation studies are invaluable platforms for studying cellular and pharmacological modulators of apoptosis. The gold standard for studying BAX function relies on membrane permeabilization assays, which assess the pore-forming activity of oligomeric BAX. However, there are currently no rapid or kinetic assays to interrogate real-time activation of monomeric BAX in solution, thereby limiting any molecular insights that occur upstream of mitochondrial permeabilization. Furthermore, available methods to observe the activation of monomeric BAX suffer from low throughput and static observations. To address this methodological gap, we developed FLAMBE, a kinetic fluorescence polarization-based assay to measure monomeric BAX activation in solution via concomitant displacement of a labeled peptide. This approach maintains the benefits of rapid kinetic data generation in a low-cost microplate format without requiring specialized equipment or large quantities of protein. FLAMBE compliments available experimental strategies and expands the accessibility of investigators to monitor early steps within the BAX activation continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Gelles
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jarvier N. Mohammed
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tara M. Sebastian
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jerry Edward Chipuk
- Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology in Human Health and Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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20
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Physiological and pharmacological modulation of BAX. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:206-220. [PMID: 34848097 PMCID: PMC8840970 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) is a critical executioner of mitochondrial regulated cell death through its lethal activity of permeabilizing the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). While the physiological function of BAX ensures tissue homeostasis, dysregulation of BAX leads to aberrant cell death. Despite BAX being a promising therapeutic target for human diseases, historically the development of drugs has focused on antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, due to challenges in elucidating the mechanism of BAX activation and identifying druggable surfaces of BAX. Here, we discuss recent studies that have provided structure-function insights and identified regulatory surfaces that control BAX activation. Moreover, we emphasize the development of small molecule orthosteric, allosteric, and oligomerization modulators that provide novel opportunities for biological investigation and progress towards drugging BAX.
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21
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The concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic apoptosis. Biochem J 2022; 479:357-384. [PMID: 35147165 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulated cell death is a vital and dynamic process in multicellular organisms that maintains tissue homeostasis and eliminates potentially dangerous cells. Apoptosis, one of the better-known forms of regulated cell death, is activated when cell-surface death receptors like Fas are engaged by their ligands (the extrinsic pathway) or when BCL-2-family pro-apoptotic proteins cause the permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane (the intrinsic pathway). Both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis lead to the activation of a family of proteases, the caspases, which are responsible for the final cell demise in the so-called execution phase of apoptosis. In this review, I will first discuss the most common types of regulated cell death on a morphological basis. I will then consider in detail the molecular pathways of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, discussing how they are activated in response to specific stimuli and are sometimes overlapping. In-depth knowledge of the cellular mechanisms of apoptosis is becoming more and more important not only in the field of cellular and molecular biology but also for its translational potential in several pathologies, including neurodegeneration and cancer.
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22
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Bcl-2 Family Members and the Mitochondrial Import Machineries: The Roads to Death. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020162. [PMID: 35204663 PMCID: PMC8961529 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The localization of Bcl-2 family members at the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) is a crucial step in the implementation of apoptosis. We review evidence showing the role of the components of the mitochondrial import machineries (translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) and the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM)) in the mitochondrial localization of Bcl-2 family members and how these machineries regulate the function of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins in resting cells and in cells committed into apoptosis.
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23
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Townsend PA, Kozhevnikova MV, Cexus ONF, Zamyatnin AA, Soond SM. BH3-mimetics: recent developments in cancer therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:355. [PMID: 34753495 PMCID: PMC8576916 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The hopeful outcomes from 30 years of research in BH3-mimetics have indeed served a number of solid paradigms for targeting intermediates from the apoptosis pathway in a variety of diseased states. Not only have such rational approaches in drug design yielded several key therapeutics, such outputs have also offered insights into the integrated mechanistic aspects of basic and clinical research at the genetics level for the future. In no other area of medical research have the effects of such work been felt, than in cancer research, through targeting the BAX-Bcl-2 protein-protein interactions. With these promising outputs in mind, several mimetics, and their potential therapeutic applications, have also been developed for several other pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and tissue fibrosis, thus highlighting the universal importance of the intrinsic arm of the apoptosis pathway and its input to general tissue homeostasis. Considering such recent developments, and in a field that has generated so much scientific interest, we take stock of how the broadening area of BH3-mimetics has developed and diversified, with a focus on their uses in single and combined cancer treatment regimens and recently explored therapeutic delivery methods that may aid the development of future therapeutics of this nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Townsend
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
- University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Maria V Kozhevnikova
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russian Federation
| | - Surinder M Soond
- University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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24
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Russi M, Marson D, Fermeglia A, Aulic S, Fermeglia M, Laurini E, Pricl S. The fellowship of the RING: BRCA1, its partner BARD1 and their liaison in DNA repair and cancer. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 232:108009. [PMID: 34619284 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108009] [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] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and its partner - the BRCA1-associated RING domain protein 1 (BARD1) - are key players in a plethora of fundamental biological functions including, among others, DNA repair, replication fork protection, cell cycle progression, telomere maintenance, chromatin remodeling, apoptosis and tumor suppression. However, mutations in their encoding genes transform them into dangerous threats, and substantially increase the risk of developing cancer and other malignancies during the lifetime of the affected individuals. Understanding how BRCA1 and BARD1 perform their biological activities therefore not only provides a powerful mean to prevent such fatal occurrences but can also pave the way to the development of new targeted therapeutics. Thus, through this review work we aim at presenting the major efforts focused on the functional characterization and structural insights of BRCA1 and BARD1, per se and in combination with all their principal mediators and regulators, and on the multifaceted roles these proteins play in the maintenance of human genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Russi
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Domenico Marson
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alice Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Suzana Aulic
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fermeglia
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTs), DEA, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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25
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Protective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Protegrin-1 on Citrobacter rodentium Intestinal Infection in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179494. [PMID: 34502403 PMCID: PMC8431371 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious intestinal colitis, manifesting as intestinal inflammation, diarrhea, and epithelial barrier disruption, affects millions of humans worldwide and, without effective treatment, can result in death. In addition to this, the significant rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses an urgent need for alternative anti-infection therapies for the treatment of intestinal disorders. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are potential therapies that have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity due to their (1) unique mode of action, (2) broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and (3) protective role in GI tract maintenance. Protegrin-1 (PG-1) is an AMP of pig origin that was previously shown to reduce the pathological effects of chemically induced digestive tract inflammation (colitis) and to modulate immune responses and tissue repair. This study aimed to extend these findings by investigating the protective effects of PG-1 on pathogen-induced colitis in an infection study over a 10-day experimental period. The oral administration of PG-1 reduced Citrobacter rodentium intestinal infection in mice as evidenced by reduced histopathologic change in the colon, prevention of body weight loss, milder clinical signs of disease, and more effective clearance of bacterial infection relative to challenged phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated mice. Additionally, PG-1 treatment altered the expression of various inflammatory mediators during infection, which may act to resolve inflammation and re-establish intestinal homeostasis. PG-1 administered in its mature form was more effective relative to the pro-form (ProPG-1). To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the protective effects of PG-1 on infectious colitis.
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26
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Huang-Pu-Tong-Qiao Formula Ameliorates the Hippocampus Apoptosis in Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction Mice by Activating CREB/BDNF/TrkB Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5514175. [PMID: 34211563 PMCID: PMC8211510 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5514175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Huang-Pu-Tong-Qiao formula (HPTQ), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to improve cognitive impairment. However, the underlying neuroprotective mechanism of HPTQ treated for diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of HPTQ in DCD mice based on molecular docking. Methods To investigate the neuroprotective effect of HPTQ in DCD, the Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition (NOR) test was used to detect the learning and memory changes of mice; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to investigate the damage of hippocampal neurons; the western blot (WB) was used to examine the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) of hippocampus. To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of HPTQ in DCD, molecular docking was used to predict the possible target proteins of different active components in HPTQ and then the WB was used to verify the expression of key target proteins in the hippocampus of mice. Results HPTQ improved the learning and memory ability, hippocampal neuron damage, and the level of BDNF in the hippocampus of the DCD model treated with HFD/STZ for 12 weeks. Besides, the results of molecular docking showed that the main chemical components of HPTQ could be well combined with the targets of Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) and B-cell lymphoma2 (Bcl-2) and caspase-3. The levels of Bax/Bcl-2 protein ratio and caspase-3 increased in the DCD model while the HPTQ inhibited it. In addition, HPTQ restored DCD-induced decline of p-CREB, BDNF, TrkB, and p-Akt in the hippocampus. Conclusions These data indicated that HPTQ ameliorates the hippocampus apoptosis in diabetic cognitive dysfunction mice by activating CREB/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.
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27
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Feng G, Zhang X, Li Y, Wang R. Analysis of the Binding Sites on BAX and the Mechanism of BAX Activators through Extensive Molecular Dynamics Simulations. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 62:5208-5222. [PMID: 34047559 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The BAX protein is a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, which triggers apoptosis by causing permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane. However, the activation mechanism of BAX is far from being understood. Although a few small-molecule BAX activators have been reported in the literature, their crystal structures in complex with BAX have not been resolved. So far, their binding modes were modeled at most by simple molecular docking efforts. Lack of an in-depth understanding of the activation mechanism of BAX hinders the development of more effective BAX activators. In this work, we employed cosolvent molecular dynamics simulation to detect the potential binding sites on the surface of BAX and performed a long-time molecular dynamics simulation (50 μs in total) to derive the possible binding modes of three BAX activators (i.e., BAM7, BTC-8, and BTSA1) reported in the literature. Our results indicate that the trigger, S184, and vMIA sites are the three major binding sites on the full-length BAX structure. Moreover, the canonical hydrophobic groove is clearly detected on the α9-truncated BAX structure, which is consistent with the outcomes of relevant experimental studies. Interestingly, it is observed that solvent probes bind to the trigger bottom pocket more stably than the PPI trigger site. Each activator was subjected to unbiased molecular dynamics simulations started at the three major binding sites in five parallel jobs. Our MD results indicate that all three activators tend to stay at the trigger site with favorable MM-GB/SA binding energies. BAM7 and BTSA1 can enter the trigger bottom pocket and thereby enhance the movement of the α1-α2 loop, which may be a key factor at the early stage of BAX activation. Our molecular modeling results may provide useful guidance for designing smart biological experiments to further explore BAX activation and directing structure-based efforts toward discovering more effective BAX activators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqin Feng
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangying Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Renxiao Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic and Natural Products Chemistry, Center for Excellence in Molecular Synthesis, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanxi Key Laboratory of Innovative Drugs for the Treatment of Serious Diseases Based on Chronic Inflammation, College of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030619, People's Republic of China
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28
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Pogmore JP, Uehling D, Andrews DW. Pharmacological Targeting of Executioner Proteins: Controlling Life and Death. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5276-5290. [PMID: 33939407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Small-molecule mediated modulation of protein interactions of Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) family proteins was clinically validated in 2015 when Venetoclax, a selective inhibitor of the antiapoptotic protein BCL-2, achieved breakthrough status designation by the FDA for treatment of lymphoid malignancies. Since then, substantial progress has been made in identifying inhibitors of other interactions of antiapoptosis proteins. However, targeting their pro-apoptotic counterparts, the "executioners" BAX, BAK, and BOK that both initiate and commit the cell to dying, has lagged behind. However, recent publications demonstrate that these proteins can be positively or negatively regulated using small molecule tool compounds. The results obtained with these molecules suggest that pharmaceutical regulation of apoptosis will have broad implications that extend beyond activating cell death in cancer. We review recent advances in identifying compounds and their utility in the exogenous control of life and death by regulating executioner proteins, with emphasis on the prototype BAX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Pogmore
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1J7, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - David Uehling
- Drug Discovery Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - David W Andrews
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1J7, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada
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29
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Dadsena S, Jenner A, García-Sáez AJ. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization at the single molecule level. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:3777-3790. [PMID: 33576840 PMCID: PMC8106609 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03771-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Apoptotic cell death is essential for development, immune function or tissue homeostasis, and its mis-regulation is linked to various diseases. Mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is a central event in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and essential to control the execution of cell death. Here we review current concepts in regulation of MOMP focusing on the interaction network of the Bcl-2 family proteins as well as further regulatory elements influencing MOMP. As MOMP is a complex spatially and temporally controlled process, we point out the importance of single-molecule techniques to unveil processes which would be masked by ensemble measurements. We report key single-molecule studies applied to decipher the composition, assembly mechanism and structure of protein complexes involved in MOMP regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Dadsena
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Jenner
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ana J García-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics, CECAD Research Center, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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30
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Wang Z, Li K, Maskey AR, Huang W, Toutov AA, Yang N, Srivastava K, Geliebter J, Tiwari R, Miao M, Li X. A small molecule compound berberine as an orally active therapeutic candidate against COVID-19 and SARS: A computational and mechanistic study. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21360. [PMID: 33749932 PMCID: PMC8250068 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001792r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has grown into a global pandemic and a major public health threat since its breakout in December 2019. To date, no specific therapeutic drug or vaccine for treating COVID-19 and SARS has been FDA approved. Previous studies suggest that berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has shown various biological activities that may help against COVID-19 and SARS, including antiviral, anti-allergy and inflammation, hepatoprotection against drug- and infection-induced liver injury, as well as reducing oxidative stress. In particular, berberine has a wide range of antiviral activities such as anti-influenza, anti-hepatitis C, anti-cytomegalovirus, and anti-alphavirus. As an ingredient recommended in guidelines issued by the China National Health Commission for COVID-19 to be combined with other therapy, berberine is a promising orally administered therapeutic candidate against SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The current study comprehensively evaluates the potential therapeutic mechanisms of berberine in preventing and treating COVID-19 and SARS using computational modeling, including target mining, gene ontology enrichment, pathway analyses, protein-protein interaction analysis, and in silico molecular docking. An orally available immunotherapeutic-berberine nanomedicine, named NIT-X, has been developed by our group and has shown significantly increased oral bioavailability of berberine, increased IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells, and inhibition of mast cell histamine release in vivo, suggesting a protective immune response. We further validated the inhibition of replication of SARS-CoV-2 in lung epithelial cells line in vitro (Calu3 cells) by berberine. Moreover, the expression of targets including ACE2, TMPRSS2, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-6, and CCL-2 in SARS-CoV-2 infected Calu3 cells were significantly suppressed by NIT-X. By supporting protective immunity while inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines; inhibiting viral infection and replication; inducing apoptosis; and protecting against tissue damage, berberine is a promising candidate in preventing and treating COVID-19 and SARS. Given the high oral bioavailability and safety of berberine nanomedicine, the current study may lead to the development of berberine as an orally, active therapeutic against COVID-19 and SARS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen‐Zhen Wang
- Academy of Chinese Medical ScienceHenan University of Chinese MedicineZhengzhouChina
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
| | - Kun Li
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of IowaIowa CityIAUSA
| | - Anish R. Maskey
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
| | - Weihua Huang
- Department of PathologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
| | | | - Nan Yang
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- General Nutraceutical TechnologyElmsfordNYUSA
| | - Kamal Srivastava
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- General Nutraceutical TechnologyElmsfordNYUSA
| | - Jan Geliebter
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- Department of OtolaryngologySchool of MedicineNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
| | - Raj Tiwari
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- Department of OtolaryngologySchool of MedicineNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
| | - Mingsan Miao
- Academy of Chinese Medical ScienceHenan University of Chinese MedicineZhengzhouChina
| | - Xiu‐Min Li
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
- Department of OtolaryngologySchool of MedicineNew York Medical CollegeValhallaNYUSA
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Carrino D, Branca JJV, Becatti M, Paternostro F, Morucci G, Gulisano M, Di Cesare Mannelli L, Pacini A. Alcohol-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Impairment: An In Vitro Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2683. [PMID: 33799986 PMCID: PMC7967408 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, alcohol abuse has dramatically grown with deleterious consequence for people's health and, in turn, for health care costs. It has been demonstrated, in humans and animals, that alcohol intoxication induces neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration thus leading to brain impairments. Furthermore, it has been shown that alcohol consumption is able to impair the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but the molecular mechanisms underlining this detrimental effect have not been fully elucidated. For this reason, in this study we investigated the effects of alcohol exposure on a rat brain endothelial (RBE4) cell line, as an in vitro-validated model of brain microvascular endothelial cells. To assess whether alcohol caused a concentration-related response, the cells were treated at different times with increasing concentrations (10-1713 mM) of ethyl alcohol (EtOH). Microscopic and molecular techniques, such as cell viability assay, immunofluorescence and Western blotting, were used to examine the mechanisms involved in alcohol-induced brain endothelial cell alterations including tight junction distribution, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species production. Our findings clearly demonstrate that alcohol causes the formation of gaps between cells by tight junction disassembly, triggered by the endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress, highlighted by GRP78 chaperone upregulation and increase in reactive oxygen species production, respectively. The results from this study shed light on the mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction and a better understanding of these processes will allow us to take advantage of developing new therapeutic strategies in order to prevent the deleterious effects of alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatello Carrino
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy; (D.C.); (J.J.V.B.); (F.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Jacopo Junio Valerio Branca
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy; (D.C.); (J.J.V.B.); (F.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Matteo Becatti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Ferdinando Paternostro
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy; (D.C.); (J.J.V.B.); (F.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Gabriele Morucci
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Massimo Gulisano
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy; (D.C.); (J.J.V.B.); (F.P.); (M.G.)
| | - Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Firenze, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Pacini
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italy; (D.C.); (J.J.V.B.); (F.P.); (M.G.)
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32
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Picca A, Calvani R, Coelho-Junior HJ, Marzetti E. Cell Death and Inflammation: The Role of Mitochondria in Health and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030537. [PMID: 33802550 PMCID: PMC7998762 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria serve as a hub for a multitude of vital cellular processes. To ensure an efficient deployment of mitochondrial tasks, organelle homeostasis needs to be preserved. Mitochondrial quality control (MQC) mechanisms (i.e., mitochondrial dynamics, biogenesis, proteostasis, and autophagy) are in place to safeguard organelle integrity and functionality. Defective MQC has been reported in several conditions characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation. In this context, the displacement of mitochondrial components, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), into the extracellular compartment is a possible factor eliciting an innate immune response. The presence of bacterial-like CpG islands in mtDNA makes this molecule recognized as a damaged-associated molecular pattern by the innate immune system. Following cell death-triggering stressors, mtDNA can be released from the cell and ignite inflammation via several pathways. Crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis has emerged as a pivotal factor for the regulation of mtDNA release, cell’s fate, and inflammation. The repression of mtDNA-mediated interferon production, a powerful driver of immunological cell death, is also regulated by autophagy–apoptosis crosstalk. Interferon production during mtDNA-mediated inflammation may be exploited for the elimination of dying cells and their conversion into elements driving anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Picca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (E.M.)
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Riccardo Calvani
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (E.M.)
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(06)-3015-5559; Fax: +39-(06)-3051-911
| | - Hélio José Coelho-Junior
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Marzetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.P.); (E.M.)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Institute of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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Lv J, Zou X, Yu C, Ou W, Sun C. Effects of propofol on cardiac function and miR-494 expression in rats with hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:300060521990988. [PMID: 33682507 PMCID: PMC7944537 DOI: 10.1177/0300060521990988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effects of propofol on cardiac function and miR-494 expression in rats with hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS Forty healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to the sham operation group and three hepatic I/R injury groups. The I/R injury groups included I/R injury only (I/R group), treatment with propofol (propofol group), and treatment with propofol + overexpressed miR-494 (propofol+miR-494 group). Apoptosis of myocardial cells and changes in cardiac function indices, including left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness, as well as changes in miR-494, were monitored. RESULTS The apoptotic rate of myocardial cells in the I/R group was higher, cardiac function was deteriorated, and miR-494 levels were elevated compared with the sham group. The apoptotic rate was lower, cardiac function was improved, and miR-494 levels were suppressed in the propofol group compared with the I/R group. The apoptotic rate was higher, cardiac function was deteriorated, and miR-494 levels were elevated in the propofol+miR-494 group compared with the propofol group. CONCLUSION Propofol plays a vital role in preventing myocardial cell apoptosis and improvement of cardiac function by suppressing miR-494 in a hepatic I/R injury rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lv
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohua Zou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Wei Ou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Spitz AZ, Zacharioudakis E, Reyna DE, Garner TP, Gavathiotis E. Eltrombopag directly inhibits BAX and prevents cell death. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1134. [PMID: 33602934 PMCID: PMC7892824 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21224-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The BCL-2 family protein BAX has essential activity in mitochondrial regulation of cell death. While BAX activity ensures tissue homeostasis, when dysregulated it contributes to aberrant cell death in several diseases. During cellular stress BAX is transformed from an inactive cytosolic conformation to a toxic mitochondrial oligomer. Although the BAX transformation process is not well understood, drugs that interfere with this process are useful research tools and potential therapeutics. Here, we show that Eltrombopag, an FDA-approved drug, is a direct inhibitor of BAX. Eltrombopag binds the BAX trigger site distinctly from BAX activators, preventing them from triggering BAX conformational transformation and simultaneously promoting stabilization of the inactive BAX structure. Accordingly, Eltrombopag is capable of inhibiting BAX-mediated apoptosis induced by cytotoxic stimuli. Our data demonstrate structure-function insights into a mechanism of BAX inhibition and reveal a mechanism for Eltrombopag that may expand its use in diseases of uncontrolled cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Z Spitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Denis E Reyna
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Thomas P Garner
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Institute of Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Folic acid-modified bovine serum albumin nanoparticles with doxorubicin and chlorin e6 for effective combinational chemo-photodynamic therapy. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 117:111343. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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36
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Lindenboim L, Grozki D, Amsalem-Zafran AR, Peña-Blanco A, Gundersen GG, Borner C, Hodzic D, Garcia-Sáez AJ, Worman HJ, Stein R. Apoptotic stress induces Bax-dependent, caspase-independent redistribution of LINC complex nesprins. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:90. [PMID: 33024575 PMCID: PMC7501853 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-020-00327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical function of Bcl-2 family proteins is to regulate mitochondrial membrane integrity. In response to apoptotic signals the multi-domain pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak are activated and perforate the mitochondrial outer membrane by a mechanism which is inhibited by their interaction with pro-survival members of the family. However, other studies have shown that Bax and Bak may have additional, non-canonical functions, which include stress-induced nuclear envelope rupture and discharge of nuclear proteins into the cytosol. We show here that the apoptotic stimuli cisplatin and staurosporine induce a Bax/Bak-dependent degradation and subcellular redistribution of nesprin-1 and nesprin-2 but not nesprin-3, of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. The degradation and redistribution were caspase-independent and did not occur in Bax/Bak double knockout (DKO) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). Re-expression of Bax in Bax/Bak DKO MEFs restored stress-induced redistribution of nesprin-2 by a mechanism which requires Bax membrane localization and integrity of the α helices 5/6, and the Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain. We found that nesprin-2 interacts with Bax in close proximity to perinuclear mitochondria in mouse and human cells. This interaction requires the mitochondrial targeting and N-terminal region but not the BH3 domain of Bax. Our results identify nesprin-2 as a Bax binding partner and also a new function of Bax in impairing the integrity of the LINC complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora Lindenboim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Dan Grozki
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Ayelet R. Amsalem-Zafran
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Israel
| | - Aida Peña-Blanco
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gregg G. Gundersen
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Christoph Borner
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Stefan Meier Strasse 17, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Didier Hodzic
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660S. Euclid Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110 USA
| | - Ana J. Garcia-Sáez
- Institute for Genetics and Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Howard J. Worman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Reuven Stein
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978 Israel
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D’Aguanno S, Del Bufalo D. Inhibition of Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins in Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Current Overview in Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051287. [PMID: 32455818 PMCID: PMC7291206 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic interplay between pro-death and pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins is responsible for a cell’s fate. Due to the recognized relevance of this family in cancer progression and response to therapy, different efforts have made in recent years in order to develop small molecules able to target anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1. The limitations of the first Bcl-2 family targeted drugs, regarding on-target and off-target toxicities, have been overcome with the development of venetoclax (ABT-199), the first BH3 mimetic inhibitor approved by the FDA. The purpose of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-art in the development of drugs targeting Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins and to highlight the potential of their application as single agents or in combination for improving anti-cancer therapy, focusing in particular on solid tumors.
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Moldoveanu T, Czabotar PE. BAX, BAK, and BOK: A Coming of Age for the BCL-2 Family Effector Proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a036319. [PMID: 31570337 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The BCL-2 family of proteins control a key checkpoint in apoptosis, that of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization or, simply, mitochondrial poration. The family consists of three subgroups: BH3-only initiators that respond to apoptotic stimuli; antiapoptotic guardians that protect against cell death; and the membrane permeabilizing effectors BAX, BAK, and BOK. On activation, effector proteins are converted from inert monomers into membrane permeabilizing oligomers. For many years, this process has been poorly understood at the molecular level, but a number of recent advances have provided important insights. We review the regulation of these effectors, their activation, subsequent conformational changes, and the ensuing oligomerization events that enable mitochondrial poration, which initiates apoptosis through release of key signaling factors such as cytochrome c We highlight the mysteries that remain in understanding these important proteins in an endeavor to provide a comprehensive picture of where the field currently sits and where it is moving toward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Peter E Czabotar
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Pei C, Wang H, Shi C, Zhang C, Wang M. CircRNA hsa_circ_0013958 may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptotic signaling pathways. J Clin Lab Anal 2020; 34:e23292. [PMID: 32157748 PMCID: PMC7370733 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CircRNA plays an important role in the development of tumors, but its mechanism of action in ovarian cancer is still unclear. METHODS The expression level of hsa_circ_0013958 in 45 pairs of ovarian cancer tissues and cells was quantified by qRT-PCR, further revealing whether it is related to clinicopathological features and diagnostic value. Next, the effects of hsa_circ_0013958 on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A2780 and OVCAR-3 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Last, the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins (E-cadherin and Vimentin) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax) were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS Hsa_circ_0013958 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cells, and its expression was closely related to patient FIGO stage and lymph node metastasis. Further, in vitro studies showed that knockdown of hsa_circ_0013958 suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells but elevated the cell apoptotic rate. The expression levels of both epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins were also changed. CONCLUSIONS Hsa_circ_0013958 may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and apoptotic signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Pei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Cong Shi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shenyang Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuanqi Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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PEGylation-based strategy to identify pathways involved in the activation of apoptotic BAX protein. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129541. [PMID: 31987956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BAX activation is a crucial step for commitment to apoptosis. Several activators, such as BimBH3-based therapeutic peptides and cleaved Bid (cBid) protein, can trigger BAX-mediated apoptosis, but it is unclear whether they proceed through the same pathway. METHODS Here we utilize PEGylation-based approach, which is shown to efficiently shield individual binding grooves in BAX from activators, to investigate and reveal that the activators take different routes to induce BAX-mediated apoptosis. Various spectroscopic/biochemical tools, including electron spin resonance, circular dichroism, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and label-transfer assay, were employed to reveal details in the processes. RESULTS We observe a key mutant BAX 164-PEG that acts differently in response to cBid and BimBH3 stimuli. While BimBH3 directly interacts with the trigger groove (TG) to induce the conformational changes in BAX that includes the release of α9 from the canonical groove (CG) and oligomerization, cBid engages with CG and works with mitochondrial lipids to fully activate BAX. CONCLUSION PEGylation-based approach is proven useful to shield individual binding grooves of BAX from apoptotic stimuli. Groove engagement in CG of BAX is required for a full cBid-induced BAX activation. This study has identified differences in the pathways involved during the initiation of BAX activation by full-length cBid protein versus synthetic BimBH3-based peptides. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our finding is potentially valuable for therapeutic application as the pore-forming activity of 164-PEG is independent from the cBid-mediated apoptotic pathways, but can be administrated by the synthetic short peptides.
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Lim B, Greer Y, Lipkowitz S, Takebe N. Novel Apoptosis-Inducing Agents for the Treatment of Cancer, a New Arsenal in the Toolbox. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081087. [PMID: 31370269 PMCID: PMC6721450 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Evasion from apoptosis is an important hallmark of cancer cells. Alterations of apoptosis pathways are especially critical as they confer resistance to conventional anti-cancer therapeutics, e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapeutics. Thus, successful induction of apoptosis using novel therapeutics may be a key strategy for preventing recurrence and metastasis. Inhibitors of anti-apoptotic molecules and enhancers of pro-apoptotic molecules are being actively developed for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors in particular over the last decade. However, due to the complicated apoptosis process caused by a multifaceted connection with cross-talk pathways, protein–protein interaction, and diverse resistance mechanisms, drug development within the category has been extremely challenging. Careful design and development of clinical trials incorporating predictive biomarkers along with novel apoptosis-inducing agents based on rational combination strategies are needed to ensure the successful development of these molecules. Here, we review the landscape of currently available direct apoptosis-targeting agents in clinical development for cancer treatment and update the related biomarker advancement to detect and validate the efficacy of apoptosis-targeted therapies, along with strategies to combine them with other agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bora Lim
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Yoshimi Greer
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stanley Lipkowitz
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Naoko Takebe
- Early Clinical Trials Development, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Dengler MA, Robin AY, Gibson L, Li MX, Sandow JJ, Iyer S, Webb AI, Westphal D, Dewson G, Adams JM. BAX Activation: Mutations Near Its Proposed Non-canonical BH3 Binding Site Reveal Allosteric Changes Controlling Mitochondrial Association. Cell Rep 2019; 27:359-373.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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Légiot A, Céré C, Dupoiron T, Kaabouni M, Camougrand N, Manon S. Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) are involved in Bax mitochondrial localization and cytochrome c release. MICROBIAL CELL 2019; 6:257-266. [PMID: 31114795 PMCID: PMC6506693 DOI: 10.15698/mic2019.05.678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax in the outer mi-tochondrial membrane (OMM) is a central point of regulation of apoptosis. It is now widely recognized that parts of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are closely associated to the OMM, and are actively involved in different signaling processes. We addressed a possible role of these domains, called Mitochon-dria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) in Bax localization and function, by ex-pressing the human protein in a yeast mutant deleted of MDM34, a ERMES (ER-Mitochondria Encounter Structure) component. By affecting MAMs stabil-ity, the deletion of MDM34 altered Bax mitochondrial localization, and de-creased its capacity to release cytochrome c. Furthermore, the deletion of MDM34 decreased the size of an incompletely released, MAMs-associated pool of cytochrome c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Légiot
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Claire Céré
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Thibaud Dupoiron
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Mohamed Kaabouni
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Nadine Camougrand
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
| | - Stéphen Manon
- Institut de Biochimie et de Génétique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS & Université de Bordeaux, Campus Carreire, CS61390, 1 Rue Camille Saint-Saëns, 33077 Bordeaux, France
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Abstract
BAX is a formidable BCL-2 family protein that executes cellular suicide in response to physiologic and pathologic stress. A new article in Nature Chemical Biology (Garner et al.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-018-0223-0) reports small molecules that inhibit the conformational activation of BAX, informing a pharmacologic approach to blocking unwanted cell death in human disease.
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Garner TP, Amgalan D, Reyna DE, Li S, Kitsis RN, Gavathiotis E. Small-molecule allosteric inhibitors of BAX. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:322-330. [PMID: 30718816 PMCID: PMC6430685 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-018-0223-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BAX is a critical effector of the mitochondrial cell death pathway in response to a diverse range of stimuli in physiological and disease contexts. Upon binding by BH3-only proteins, cytosolic BAX undergoes conformational activation and translocation, resulting in mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Efforts to rationally target BAX and develop inhibitors have been elusive, despite the clear therapeutic potential of inhibiting BAX-mediated cell death in a host of diseases. Here, we describe a class of small molecule BAX inhibitors, termed BAIs, which bind directly to a previously unrecognized pocket and allosterically inhibit BAX activation. BAI-binding around the hydrophobic helix α5 using hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions stabilizes key areas of the hydrophobic core. BAIs inhibit conformational events in BAX activation that prevent BAX mitochondrial translocation and oligomerization. Our data highlight a novel paradigm for effective and selective pharmacological targeting of BAX to enable rational development of inhibitors of BAX-mediated cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Garner
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Dulguun Amgalan
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Denis E Reyna
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard N Kitsis
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. .,Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Reyna DE, Gavathiotis E. Liposomal Permeabilization Assay to Study the Functional Interactions of the BCL-2 Family. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1877:111-119. [PMID: 30536001 PMCID: PMC6487637 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8861-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death that is important for development and homeostasis, is regulated by the BCL-2 family of proteins. Over twenty BCL-2 family members have been classified in three groups based on structural homology and function. The multidomain antiapoptotic proteins promote survival, whereas the multidomain and the BH3-only proapoptotic members induce cell death. Because the interaction among the BCL-2 family members occurs primarily at the mitochondrial outer membrane, biochemical assays using artificial liposomes have been developed to study the functional relationship between these proteins. The liposomal permeabilization assay is a cell-free system that relies on the ability of multidomain pro-apoptotic members to promote membrane permeabilization upon activation. By encapsulating a fluorophore and a quencher into liposomes, the degree of permeabilization can be quantified by the increase in fluorescence intensity as the fluorophore and quencher dissociate. The liposomal permeabilization assay has been used to delineate interactions among BCL-2 family members as well as to characterize peptides, small molecules, and lipids that modulate the function of BCL-2 family of proteins. Here, we describe in detail the permeabilization of liposomes induced by the interaction between BAX and BH3-only activator tBID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis E Reyna
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
- Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Abstract
The BCL-2 protein family plays central roles in the mitochondrial pathway of cell apoptosis. The BCL-2-Associated X protein (BAX), along with other proapoptotic proteins, induces cell death in response to a variety of stress stimuli. Upon receipt of killing signals, cytosolic BAX is activated and translocates to mitochondria where it causes mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) and initials a series of cellular events that eventually lead to cell destruction. Despite recent progress toward understanding the structure, function, and activation mechanism of BAX, detailed information about how cytosolic BAX can be inhibited is still limited. Here we describe a method of selecting synthetic antibody fragments (Fabs) against BAX using phage display. Synthetic antibodies discovered from the selection have been used as structural probes to gain novel mechanistic details on BAX inhibition. This synthetic antibody selection method could be potentially applied to other BCL-2 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Dai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan R Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Abstract
BCL-2 family proteins interact in a network that regulates apoptosis. The BH3 amino acid sequence motif serves to bind together this conglomerate protein family, both literally and figuratively. BH3 motifs are present in antiapoptotic and proapoptotic BCL-2 homologs, and in a separate group of unrelated BH3-only proteins often appended to the BCL-2 family. BH3-containing helices mediate many of their physical interactions to determine cell death versus survival, leading to the development of BH3 mimetics as therapeutics. Here we provide an overview of BCL-2 family interactions, their relevance in health and disease, and the progress toward regulating their interactions therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Huska
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather M Lamb
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Marie Hardwick
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Abstract
Biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a powerful and versatile method for studying both protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and protein-small molecule binding. NMR has been used extensively in the investigation of BCL-2 family proteins revealing the structure of key family members, identifying binding partners and interaction sites, and screening small molecule modulators. In this chapter we discuss the application of NMR to identify interaction sites and structure determination of protein-protein and protein-small molecule complexes using two examples.
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