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Fan X, Yuan W, Huang W, Lin Z. Recent progress in leptin signaling from a structural perspective and its implications for diseases. Biochimie 2023; 212:60-75. [PMID: 37080418 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
As a multi-potency cytokine, leptin not only plays a crucial role in controlling weight and energy homeostasis but also participates in the metabolic balance in the human body. Leptin is a small helical protein with a molecular weight of 16 kDa. It can interact with multiple subtypes of its receptors to initiate intracellular signal transduction and exerts physiological effects. Disturbances in leptin signaling may lead to obesity and a variety of metabolic diseases. Leptin was also found to be a critical factor in many diseases of the elderly. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the structural and molecular mechanisms of leptin signaling through its receptors with the aim of a deeper understanding of leptin-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Wensu Yuan
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China
| | - Weidong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, PR China.
| | - Zhi Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, PR China.
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Funcke JB, Moepps B, Roos J, von Schnurbein J, Verstraete K, Fröhlich-Reiterer E, Kohlsdorf K, Nunziata A, Brandt S, Tsirigotaki A, Dansercoer A, Suppan E, Haris B, Debatin KM, Savvides SN, Farooqi IS, Hussain K, Gierschik P, Fischer-Posovszky P, Wabitsch M. Rare Antagonistic Leptin Variants and Severe, Early-Onset Obesity. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:2253-2261. [PMID: 37314706 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2204041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hormone absence or inactivity is common in congenital disease, but hormone antagonism remains controversial. Here, we characterize two novel homozygous leptin variants that yielded antagonistic proteins in two unrelated children with intense hyperphagia, severe obesity, and high circulating levels of leptin. Both variants bind to the leptin receptor but trigger marginal, if any, signaling. In the presence of nonvariant leptin, the variants act as competitive antagonists. Thus, treatment with recombinant leptin was initiated at high doses, which were gradually lowered. Both patients eventually attained near-normal weight. Antidrug antibodies developed in the patients, although they had no apparent effect on efficacy. No severe adverse events were observed. (Funded by the German Research Foundation and others.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Bernd Funcke
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Barbara Moepps
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Julian Roos
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Julia von Schnurbein
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Kenneth Verstraete
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Elke Fröhlich-Reiterer
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Katja Kohlsdorf
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Adriana Nunziata
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Stephanie Brandt
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Alexandra Tsirigotaki
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Ann Dansercoer
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Elisabeth Suppan
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Basma Haris
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Klaus-Michael Debatin
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Savvas N Savvides
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - I Sadaf Farooqi
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Khalid Hussain
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Peter Gierschik
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- From the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (J.-B.F., J.R., J.S., K.K., A.N., S.B., P.F.-P., M.W.), the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacology of Natural Products (B.M., P.G.), and the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (K.-M.D.), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany; the Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.-B.F.); the Unit for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (K.V., A.T., A.D., S.N.S.); the Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria (E.F.-R., E.S.); the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar (B.H., K.H.); and Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom (I.S.F.)
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Simien JM, Orellana GE, Phan HTN, Hu Y, Kurth EA, Ruf C, Kricek F, Wang Q, Smrcka AV, Haglund E. A Small Contribution to a Large System: The Leptin Receptor Complex. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:2457-2465. [PMID: 36912891 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a classified epidemic, increasing the risk of secondary diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The pleiotropic hormone leptin is the proposed link for the gut-brain axis controlling nutritional status and energy expenditure. Research into leptin signaling provides great promise toward discovering therapeutics for obesity and its related diseases targeting leptin and its cognate leptin receptor (LEP-R). The molecular basis underlying the human leptin receptor complex assembly remains obscure, due to the lack of structural information regarding the biologically active complex. In this work, we investigate the proposed receptor binding sites in human leptin utilizing designed antagonist proteins combined with AlphaFold predictions. Our results show that binding site I has a more intricate role in the active signaling complex than previously described. We hypothesize that the hydrophobic patch in this region engages a third receptor forming a higher-order complex, or a new LEP-R binding site inducing allosteric rearrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Simien
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Grace E Orellana
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Hoa T N Phan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Emily A Kurth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Christine Ruf
- NBS-C BioScience & Consulting GmbH, Vienna, 1230, Austria
| | - Franz Kricek
- NBS-C BioScience & Consulting GmbH, Vienna, 1230, Austria
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Alan V Smrcka
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ellinor Haglund
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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4
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Tsirigotaki A, Dansercoer A, Verschueren KHG, Marković I, Pollmann C, Hafer M, Felix J, Birck C, Van Putte W, Catteeuw D, Tavernier J, Fernando Bazan J, Piehler J, Savvides SN, Verstraete K. Mechanism of receptor assembly via the pleiotropic adipokine Leptin. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:551-563. [PMID: 36959263 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The adipokine Leptin activates its receptor LEP-R in the hypothalamus to regulate body weight and exerts additional pleiotropic functions in immunity, fertility and cancer. However, the structure and mechanism of Leptin-mediated LEP-R assemblies has remained unclear. Intriguingly, the signaling-competent isoform of LEP-R is only lowly abundant amid several inactive short LEP-R isoforms contributing to a mechanistic conundrum. Here we show by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM that, in contrast to long-standing paradigms, Leptin induces type I cytokine receptor assemblies featuring 3:3 stoichiometry and demonstrate such Leptin-induced trimerization of LEP-R on living cells via single-molecule microscopy. In mediating these assemblies, Leptin undergoes drastic restructuring that activates its site III for binding to the Ig domain of an adjacent LEP-R. These interactions are abolished by mutations linked to obesity. Collectively, our study provides the structural and mechanistic framework for how evolutionarily conserved Leptin:LEP-R assemblies with 3:3 stoichiometry can engage distinct LEP-R isoforms to achieve signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Tsirigotaki
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Dansercoer
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Koen H G Verschueren
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Iva Marković
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christoph Pollmann
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Maximillian Hafer
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Jan Felix
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Catherine Birck
- Integrated Structural Biology Platform, Centre for Integrative Biology (CBI), Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), CNRS UMR 7104, INSERM U1258, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | | | - Dominiek Catteeuw
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Orionis Biosciences, Ghent, Belgium
| | - J Fernando Bazan
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- ħ Bioconsulting llc, Stillwater, MN, USA
| | - Jacob Piehler
- Department of Biology/Chemistry and Center for Cellular Nanoanalytics, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Savvas N Savvides
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Kenneth Verstraete
- Unit for Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Unit for Structural Biology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium.
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5
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Kuraku S, Kaiya H, Tanaka T, Hyodo S. Evolution of Vertebrate Hormones and Their Receptors: Insights from Non-Osteichthyan Genomes. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:163-182. [PMID: 36400012 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050922-071351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Homeostatic control and reproductive functions of humans are regulated at the molecular levels largely by peptide hormones secreted from endocrine and/or neuroendocrine cells in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Homologs of those hormones and their receptors function similarly in many vertebrate species distantly related to humans, but the evolutionary history of the endocrine system involving those factors has been obscured by the scarcity of genome DNA sequence information of some taxa that potentially contain their orthologs. Focusing on non-osteichthyan vertebrates, namely jawless and cartilaginous fishes, this article illustrates how investigating genome sequence information assists our understanding of the diversification of vertebrate gene repertoires in four broad themes: (a) the presence or absence of genes, (b) multiplication and maintenance of paralogs, (c) differential fates of duplicated paralogs, and (d) the evolutionary timing of gene origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehiro Kuraku
- Molecular Life History Laboratory, Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan; .,Department of Genetics, Sokendai (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan.,Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaiya
- Grandsoul Research Institute of Immunology, Inc., Uda, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
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6
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Bakshi A, Rai U. In silico analyses of leptin and leptin receptor of spotted snakehead Channa punctata. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270881. [PMID: 35797380 PMCID: PMC9262212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study, in addition to molecular characterization of leptin (lepa) and its receptor (lepr) of spotted snakehead Channa punctata, is focussed on physicochemical, structural, evolutionary and selection pressure analyses which are poorly elucidated in teleosts in spite of that existence of these genes is well reported in several fish species. The putative full-length Lep and Lepr of C. punctata showed conserved structural and functional domains, especially the residues responsible for structural integrity and signal transduction. Conversely, residues predicted essential for Lep-Lepr interaction displayed divergence between teleosts and tetrapods. Impact of substitutions/deletions predicted using protein variation effect analyser tool highlighted species specificity in ligand-receptor interaction. Physicochemical properties of ligand and receptor predicted for the first time in vertebrates revealed high aliphatic and instability indices for both Lepa and Lepr, indicating thermostability of proteins but their instability under ex vivo conditions. Positive grand average of hydropathy score of Lepa suggests its hydrophobic nature conjecturing existence of leptin binding proteins in C. punctata. In addition to disulphide bonding, a novel posttranslational modification (S-126 phosphorylation) was predicted in Lepa of C. punctata. In Lepr, disulphide bond formation and N-linked glycosylation near WSXWS motif in ECD, and phosphorylation at tyrosine residues in ICD were predicted. Leptin and its receptor sequence of C. punctata cladded with its homolog from C. striata and C. argus of order Anabantiformes. Leptin system of Anabantiformes was phylogenetically closer to that of Pleuronectiformes, Scombriformes and Perciformes. Selection pressure analysis showed higher incidence of negative selection in teleostean leptin genes indicating limited adaptation in their structure and function. However, evidence of pervasive and episodic diversifying selection laid a foundation of co-evolution of Lepa and Lepr in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Bakshi
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Umesh Rai
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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7
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Wong MTY, Kelm S, Liu X, Taylor RD, Baker T, Essex JW. Higher Affinity Antibodies Bind With Lower Hydration and Flexibility in Large Scale Simulations. Front Immunol 2022; 13:884110. [PMID: 35707541 PMCID: PMC9190259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.884110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have carried out a long-timescale simulation study on crystal structures of nine antibody-antigen pairs, in antigen-bound and antibody-only forms, using molecular dynamics with enhanced sampling and an explicit water model to explore interface conformation and hydration. By combining atomic level simulation and replica exchange to enable full protein flexibility, we find significant numbers of bridging water molecules at the antibody-antigen interface. Additionally, a higher proportion of interactions excluding bulk waters and a lower degree of antigen bound CDR conformational sampling are correlated with higher antibody affinity. The CDR sampling supports enthalpically driven antibody binding, as opposed to entropically driven, in that the difference between antigen bound and unbound conformations do not correlate with affinity. We thus propose that interactions with waters and CDR sampling are aspects of the interface that may moderate antibody-antigen binding, and that explicit hydration and CDR flexibility should be considered to improve antibody affinity prediction and computational design workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabel T. Y. Wong
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan W. Essex
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jonathan W. Essex,
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8
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Benot-Dominguez R, Cimini A, Barone D, Giordano A, Pentimalli F. The Emerging Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors in Treating Diet-Induced Obesity: New Opportunities for Breast and Ovarian Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2709. [PMID: 35681689 PMCID: PMC9179653 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112709] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity constitute the most impactful lifestyle-dependent risk factors for cancer and have been tightly linked to a higher number of tumor-related deaths nowadays. The excessive accumulation of energy can lead to an imbalance in the level of essential cellular biomolecules that may result in inflammation and cell-cycle dysregulation. Nutritional strategies and phytochemicals are gaining interest in the management of obesity-related cancers, with several ongoing and completed clinical studies that support their effectiveness. At the same time, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are becoming an important target in breast and ovarian cancer treatment, with various FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors that have recently received more attention for their potential role in diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here we provide an overview of the most recent studies involving nutraceuticals and other dietary strategies affecting cell-cycle pathways, which might impact the management of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as the repurposing of already commercialized chemotherapeutic options to treat DIO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyes Benot-Dominguez
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy;
| | - Daniela Barone
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA; (R.B.-D.); (A.G.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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9
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López-Hidalgo M, Caro-Gómez LA, Romo-Rodríguez R, Herrera-Zuñiga LD, Anaya-Reyes M, Rosas-Trigueros JL, Benítez-Cardoza CG. Atomistic mechanism of leptin and leptin-receptor association. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 41:2231-2248. [PMID: 35075977 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2029568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The leptin-leptin receptor complex is at the very core of energy homeostasis and immune system regulation, among many other functions. In this work, we built homology models of leptin and the leptin binding domain (LBD) of the receptor from humans and mice. Docking analyses were used to obtain the coordinates of the native leptin-LBD complexes and a mixed heterodimer formed by human leptin and mouse LBD. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed using all models (monomers and heterodimers) as initial coordinates and the GROMACS program. The overall structural and dynamical behaviors are similar for the three complexes. Upon MD simulations, several new interactions appear. In particular, hydrophobic interactions, with more than 90% persistence, seem to be the most relevant for the stability of the dimers, as well as the pair formed by Asp85Lep and Arg468LBD. This in silico analysis provides structural and dynamical information, at the atomistic level, about the mechanism of leptin-LBD complex formation and leptin receptor activation. This knowledge might be used in the rational drug design of therapeutics to modulate leptin signaling.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol López-Hidalgo
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis A Caro-Gómez
- Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Huixquilucan, Subdirección de Estudios Profesionales, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Rubí Romo-Rodríguez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Delegación Puebla, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Puebla, México.,Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | - Leonardo D Herrera-Zuñiga
- Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Huixquilucan, Subdirección de Estudios Profesionales, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Maricruz Anaya-Reyes
- Departamento de Investigación Clínica, Productos Medix, S.A. de C.V, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge L Rosas-Trigueros
- Laboratorio Transdisciplinario de Investigación en Sistemas Evolutivos, SEPI de la ESCOM del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia G Benítez-Cardoza
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
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10
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Kang N, Oh S, Kim SY, Ahn H, Son M, Heo SJ, Byun K, Jeon YJ. Anti-obesity effects of Ishophloroglucin A from the brown seaweed Ishige okamurae (Yendo) via regulation of leptin signal in ob/ob mice. ALGAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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11
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Omorodion O, Wilson IA. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Cysteinylation in Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies to HIV-1. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167303. [PMID: 34666044 PMCID: PMC8641059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cysteinylation is a little-studied post-translational modification in antibodies. Cysteinylation was identified in a lineage of bnAbs to HIV-1. The cysteinylation modification is clearly visualized in the crystal structures. Cysteinylation does not impair binding to antigen, compared to previous studies. These findings provide further perspectives on the role of antibody cysteinylation.
Antibodies with exceptional breadth and potency have been elicited in some individuals during natural HIV-1 infection. Elicitation and affinity maturation of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is therefore the central goal of HIV-1 vaccine development. The functional properties of bnAbs also make them attractive as immunotherapeutic agents, which has led to their production and optimization for passive immunotherapy. This process requires in vitro manufacturing and monitoring of any heterogeneous expression, especially when subpopulations of antibodies are produced with varying levels of biological activity. Post-translational modification (PTM) of antibodies can contribute to heterogeneity and is the focus of this study. Specifically, we have investigated cysteinylation in a bnAb lineage (PCDN family) targeting the N332-glycan supersite on the surface envelope glycoprotein (Env) of HIV-1. This PTM is defined by capping of unpaired cysteine residues with molecular cysteine. Through chromatography and mass spectrometry, we were able to characterize subpopulations of cysteinylated and non-cysteinylated antibodies when expressed in mammalian cells. The crystal structures of two PCDN antibodies represent the first structures of a cysteinylated antibody and reveal that the cysteinylation in this case is located in CDRH3. Biophysical studies indicate that cysteinylation of these HIV-1 antibodies does not interfere with antigen binding, which has been reported to occur in other cysteinylated antibodies. As such, these studies highlight the need for further investigation of cysteinylation in anti-HIV and other bnAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwarotimi Omorodion
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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12
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Molecular recognition of an acyl-peptide hormone and activation of ghrelin receptor. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5064. [PMID: 34417468 PMCID: PMC8379176 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25364-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin, also called “the hunger hormone”, is a gastric peptide hormone that regulates food intake, body weight, as well as taste sensation, reward, cognition, learning and memory. One unique feature of ghrelin is its acylation, primarily with an octanoic acid, which is essential for its binding and activation of the ghrelin receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. The multifaceted roles of ghrelin make ghrelin receptor a highly attractive drug target for growth retardation, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Here we present two cryo-electron microscopy structures of Gq-coupled ghrelin receptor bound to ghrelin and a synthetic agonist, GHRP-6. Analysis of these two structures reveals a unique binding pocket for the octanoyl group, which guides the correct positioning of the peptide to initiate the receptor activation. Together with mutational and functional data, our structures define the rules for recognition of the acylated peptide hormone and activation of ghrelin receptor, and provide structural templates to facilitate drug design targeting ghrelin receptor. Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone and its acylation is required for binding to and activation of the ghrelin receptor in the brain, which initiates appetite. Here, the authors present cryo-EM structures of the Gq-coupled ghrelin receptor bound to ghrelin and the synthetic agonist GHRP-6 and they describe how the acylated peptide hormone is recognised by the receptor, which is of interest for drug design.
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13
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Leptin-Activity Modulators and Their Potential Pharmaceutical Applications. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11071045. [PMID: 34356668 PMCID: PMC8301849 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin, a multifunctional hormone primarily, but not exclusively, secreted in adipose tissue, is implicated in a wide range of biological functions that control different processes, such as the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure, reproductive function, immune response, and bone metabolism. In addition, leptin can exert angiogenic and mitogenic actions in peripheral organs. Leptin biological activities are greatly related to its interaction with the leptin receptor. Both leptin excess and leptin deficiency, as well as leptin resistance, are correlated with different human pathologies, such as autoimmune diseases and cancers, making leptin and leptin receptor important drug targets. The development of leptin signaling modulators represents a promising strategy for the treatment of cancers and other leptin-related diseases. In the present manuscript, we provide an update review about leptin-activity modulators, comprising leptin mutants, peptide-based leptin modulators, as well as leptin and leptin receptor specific monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies.
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14
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Manandhar M, Chun E, Romesberg FE. Genetic Code Expansion: Inception, Development, Commercialization. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:4859-4878. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c11938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miglena Manandhar
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Eugene Chun
- Synthorx, a Sanofi Company, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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15
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Tao P, Kuang Y, Li Y, Li W, Gao Z, Liu L, Qiang M, Zha Z, Fan K, Ma P, Friedman JM, Yang G, Lerner RA. Selection of a Full Agonist Combinatorial Antibody that Rescues Leptin Deficiency In Vivo. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:2000818. [PMID: 32832353 PMCID: PMC7435230 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202000818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Growth factor deficiency in adulthood constitutes a distinct clinical syndrome with significant morbidities including abnormal body composition, reduced energy, affective disturbances, dyslipidemia, and increased cardiovascular risk. Protein replacement therapies using recombinant proteins or enzymes represent the only approved treatment. Combinatorial antibodies have shown great promise as a new class of therapeutic molecules because they act as "mechanism-based antibodies" with both agonist and antagonist activities. Using leptin, a key hormone in energy metabolism, as an example, a function-guided approach is developed to select combinatorial antibodies with high potency and full agonist activity that substitute natural growth factors in vivo. The identified antibody shows identical biochemical properties and cellular profiles as leptin, and rescues leptin-deficiency in ob/ob mice. Remarkably, the antibody activates leptin receptors that are otherwise nonfunctional because of mutations (L372A and A409E). Combinatorial antibodies have significant advantages over recombinant proteins for chronical usage in terms of immunological tolerance and biological stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingdong Tao
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yuanyuan Kuang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Yu Li
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wenping Li
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Zibei Gao
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Lili Liu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Min Qiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Zhao Zha
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Kun Fan
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- School of Life Science and Technology
ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyShanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Peixiang Ma
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
| | - Jeffrey M. Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular GeneticsHoward Hughes Medical InstituteThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkNY10065USA
| | - Guang Yang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical StudiesShanghaiTech UniversityShanghai201210China
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16
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Danielsson J, Noel JK, Simien JM, Duggan BM, Oliveberg M, Onuchic JN, Jennings PA, Haglund E. The Pierced Lasso Topology Leptin has a Bolt on Dynamic Domain Composed by the Disordered Loops I and III. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:3050-3063. [PMID: 32081588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Leptin is an important signaling hormone, mostly known for its role in energy expenditure and satiety. Furthermore, leptin plays a major role in other proteinopathies, such as cancer, marked hyperphagia, impaired immune function, and inflammation. In spite of its biological relevance in human health, there are no NMR resonance assignments of the human protein available, obscuring high-resolution characterization of the soluble protein and/or its conformational dynamics, suggested as being important for receptor interaction and biological activity. Here, we report the nearly complete backbone resonance assignments of human leptin. Chemical shift-based secondary structure prediction confirms that in solution leptin forms a four-helix bundle including a pierced lasso topology. The conformational dynamics, determined on several timescales, show that leptin is monomeric, has a rigid four-helix scaffold, and a dynamic domain, including a transiently formed helix. The dynamic domain is anchored to the helical scaffold by a secondary hydrophobic core, pinning down the long loops of leptin to the protein body, inducing motional restriction without a well-defined secondary or tertiary hydrogen bond stabilized structure. This dynamic region is well suited for and may be involved in functional allosteric dynamics upon receptor binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Danielsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Brendan Michael Duggan
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Mikael Oliveberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, USA; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, And Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, USA
| | - Patricia Ann Jennings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Ellinor Haglund
- The Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, USA.
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Rehman K, Munawar SM, Akash MSH, Buabeid MA, Chohan TA, Tariq M, Jabeen K, Arafa ESA. Hesperidin improves insulin resistance via down-regulation of inflammatory responses: Biochemical analysis and in silico validation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227637. [PMID: 31929574 PMCID: PMC6957178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin resistance and co-existing insulin resistance is considered as hallmark of diet-induced obesity. Here, we investigated therapeutic potential of hesperidin to improve leptin and insulin resistance using high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese experimental animal model. We also performed in silico studies to validate therapeutic effectiveness of hesperidin by performing protein-ligand docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. Group 1 was identified as control group receiving vehicle only. Group 2 was marked as non-treated group receiving 60% HFD. While, other groups were treated daily with orlistat (120 mg/kg/d), hesperidin (55 mg/kg/d), combination of hesperidin (55 mg/kg/d) + orlistat (120 mg/kg/d). Hesperidin alone (P<0.001) and particularly in combination with orlistat (P<0.001), resulted in controlling the levels of HFD-altered biomarkers including random and fasting state of glycemia, leptin and insulin resistance. Similarly, hesperidin also improved the serum and tissue levels of leptin, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha more significantly (P<0.05) when compared with that of orlistat. These results were found to be in accordance with the results of histopathological examination of pancreas, liver and adipose tissues. In-silico studies also proved that hesperidin binds to leptin receptor with higher affinity as compared to that of orlistat and induces the favorable variations in geometrical conformation of leptin receptor to promote its association with leptin which may lead to the cascades of reactions culminating the lipolysis of fats that may ultimately lead to cure obesity. The results of this study may be a significant expectation among the forthcoming treatment strategies for leptin and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Syeda Mehak Munawar
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajid Hamid Akash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- * E-mail: / (MSHA); (MAB)
| | - Manal Ali Buabeid
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- * E-mail: / (MSHA); (MAB)
| | - Tahir Ali Chohan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Pharmacology, Lahore Pharmacy College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Komal Jabeen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - El-Shaimaa A. Arafa
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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18
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Inamdar S, Joshi A, Malik S, Boppana R, Ghaskadbi S. Vitexin alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating AMPK in high fat diet fed mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 519:106-112. [PMID: 31472955 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a most common liver disorder characterized by accumulation of fat in the liver and currently there is no approved treatment for it. Obesity and diabetes being leading cause of NAFLD, compounds having anti-obesity activity and potential to reduce insulin resistance are considered suitable candidate for NAFLD treatment. In this study, we checked effect of vitexin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, on high fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD in C57BL/6J mice. In presence of vitexin, significant reduction in body and liver weight, triglyceride and cholesterol content in serum and liver was observed. Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were reduced significantly by vitexin which were elevated in HFD group whereas serum lipase activity remained unchanged. Vitexin suppressed de novo lipogenesis by downregulating expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), Fatty acid synthase (FAS) and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). Additionally, it also enhanced fatty acid oxidation and lipolysis by upregulating Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a) and Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Inhibition of lipogenesis and activation of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation by vitexin was found to be mediated by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Vitexin also improved insulin signalling by activating insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and its downstream target AKT. AMPK activation of vitexin was possibly through binding of vitexin to leptin receptor (LepR) which was confirmed by molecular docking studies and by observed enhanced expression of LepR. Thus, we propose that vitexin alleviates NAFLD by activating AMPK possibly by binding to LepR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shrirang Inamdar
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Ankita Joshi
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Sajad Malik
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | | | - Saroj Ghaskadbi
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India.
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Kumar MS. Peptides and Peptidomimetics as Potential Antiobesity Agents: Overview of Current Status. Front Nutr 2019; 6:11. [PMID: 30834248 PMCID: PMC6388543 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a high occurrence of obesity worldwide without many new medications being approved for its treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce new approaches for treating obesity. Bioactive peptides have been used to treat metabolic disorders- such as type-2 diabetes and obesity; while also possessing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties. However, the development of these peptides has taken backstage due to their size, reduced stability, poor delivery and bioavailability, fast rate of degradation etc. But with the emergence of newer techniques for multifunctional peptides, mimetics, peptide analogs, and aptamers, there is a sudden revival in this therapeutic field. An increased attention is required for development of the natural peptides from food and marine sources which can mimic the function of mediators involved in weight management to avoid obesity. Herein, the search for the structures of anti-obesity peptides was carried out in order to establish their potential for drug development in future. An extensive search for the current status of endogenous, food and marine peptides, with reference to novel and interesting experimental approaches based on peptidomimetics for controlling obesity, was performed. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R)-specific agonist, GLP-1 dual and triple agonists, neuropeptides and prolactin-releasing peptide mimetics were specifically examined for their anti-obesity role. Novel peptides, mimetics, and synthesis interventions are transpiring and might offer safer alternatives for otherwise scarcely available safe antiobesity drug. A deeper understanding of peptides and their chemistry through the use of peptide engineering can be useful to overcome the disadvantages and select best mimetics and analogs for treatment in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maushmi S Kumar
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies-NMIMS, Mumbai, India
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20
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Molecular dynamic (MD) studies on Gln233Arg (rs1137101) polymorphism of leptin receptor gene and associated variations in the anthropometric and metabolic profiles of Saudi women. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211381. [PMID: 30763324 PMCID: PMC6375553 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gln233Arg (A>G; rs1137101) polymorphism of the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) has been investigated extensively and is reported to be associated with different metabolic states. In this investigation, we aimed to study the frequency of Gln233Arg genotypes and alleles in a group of Saudi women stratified by their body mass index (BMI), to correlate the LEPR genotypes with variations in anthropometric, lipid and hormonal parameters and to investigate conformational and structural variations in the mutant LEPR using molecular dynamic (MD) investigations. The study group included 122 Saudi women (normal weight = 60; obese = 62) attending the clinics for a routine checkup. Anthropometric data: height, weight, waist and hip circumference were recorded and fasting serum sample was used to estimate glucose, lipids, ghrelin, leptin and insulin. BMI, W/H ratio, and HOMA-IR values were calculated. Whole blood sample was used to extract DNA; exon 6 of the LEPR gene was amplified by PCR and sequencing was conducted on an ABI 3100 Avant Genetic Analyser. Molecular Dynamic Simulation studies were carried out using different softwares. The results showed the presence of all three genotypes of Gln233Arg in Saudi women, but the frequencies were significantly different when compared to reports from some populations. No differences were seen in the genotype and allele frequencies between the normal weight and obese women. Stratification by the genotypes showed significantly higher BMI, waist and hip circumference, leptin, insulin, fasting glucose and HOMA-IR and lower ghrelin levels in obese women carrying the GG genotype. Even in the normal weight group, individuals with GG genotype had higher BMI, waist and hip circumference and significantly lower ghrelin levels. The MD studies showed a significant effect of the Gln/Arg substitution on the conformation, flexibility, root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg) values, solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) and number of inter- and intra-molecular H-bonds. The results suggest that the structural changes brought about by the mutation, influence the signaling pathways by some unknown mechanism, which may be contributing to the abnormalities seen in the individuals carrying the G allele of rs1137101.
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21
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Nunziata A, Funcke JB, Borck G, von Schnurbein J, Brandt S, Lennerz B, Moepps B, Gierschik P, Fischer-Posovszky P, Wabitsch M. Functional and Phenotypic Characteristics of Human Leptin Receptor Mutations. J Endocr Soc 2018; 3:27-41. [PMID: 30560226 PMCID: PMC6293235 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Several case series of extreme early-onset obesity due to mutations in the human leptin receptor (LEPR) gene have been reported. In this review we summarize published functional and phenotypic data on mutations in the human LEPR gene causing severe early-onset obesity. Additionally, we included data on six new cases from our obesity center. Literature research was performed using PubMed and OMIM. Functional relevance of mutations was estimated based on reported functional analysis, mutation size, and location, as well as phenotypic characteristics of affected patients. We identified 57 cases with 38 distinct LEPR mutations. We found severe early-onset obesity, hyperphagia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as cardinal features of a complete loss of LEPR function. Other features, for example, metabolic disorders and recurring infections, were variable in manifestation. Obesity degree or other manifestations did not aggregate by genotype. Few patients underwent bariatric surgery with variable success. Most mutations occurred in the fibronectin III and cytokine receptor homology II domains, whereas none was found in cytoplasmic domain. In silico data were available for 25 mutations and in vitro data were available for four mutations, revealing residual activity in one case. By assessing provided information on the clinical phenotype, functional analysis, and character of the 38 mutations, we assume residual LEPR activity for five additional mutations. Functional in vitro analysis is necessary to confirm this assumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Nunziata
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan-Bernd Funcke
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Guntram Borck
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Julia von Schnurbein
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stephanie Brandt
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Belinda Lennerz
- Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Barbara Moepps
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Peter Gierschik
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Pamela Fischer-Posovszky
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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22
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Haglund E, Nguyen L, Schafer NP, Lammert H, Jennings PA, Onuchic JN. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind disease-associated leptin variants. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:12919-12933. [PMID: 29950524 PMCID: PMC6102133 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic hormone leptin has a pivotal role in regulating energy balance by inhibiting hunger and increasing energy expenditure. Homozygous mutations found in the leptin gene are associated with extreme obesity, marked hyperphagia, and impaired immune function. Although these mutations have been characterized in vivo, a detailed understanding of how they affect leptin structure and function remains elusive. In the current work, we used NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, molecular dynamics simulations, and bioinformatics calculations to characterize the effects of these mutations on leptin structure and function and binding to its cognate receptor. We found that mutations identified in patients with congenital leptin deficiency not only cause leptin misfolding or aggregation, but also cause changes in the dynamics of leptin residues on the receptor-binding interface. Therefore, we infer that mutation-induced leptin deficiency may arise from several distinct mechanisms including (i) blockade of leptin receptor interface II, (ii) decreased affinity in the second step of leptin's interaction with its receptor, (iii) leptin destabilization, and (iv) unsuccessful threading through the covalent loop, leading to leptin misfolding/aggregation. We propose that this expanded framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying leptin deficiency arising from genetic mutations may be useful in designing therapeutics for leptin-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Haglund
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005.
| | - Lannie Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Nicholas Peter Schafer
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005
| | - Heiko Lammert
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005
| | - Patricia Ann Jennings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005; Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, and Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005.
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23
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Munikumar M, Krishna VS, Reddy VS, Rajeswari B, Sriram D, Rao MV. In silico design of small peptides antagonist against leptin receptor for the treatment of obesity and its associated immune-mediated diseases. J Mol Graph Model 2018; 82:20-36. [PMID: 29649778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Excess adiposity in obese inhibits negatively impacts immune function and host defence. Obesity is characterized by a state of low-grade, chronic inflammation in addition to disturbed levels of circulating nutrients and metabolic hormones. The impact of metabolic abnormalities on obesity-related co-morbidities has undergone intense scrutiny over the past decades. Thus, treatment of obesity and its associated immune-mediated diseases is challenging due to impaired function of leptin system. These disorders are managed through antibiotics and by cytokines replacement. However, the effectiveness of cytokines coupled to the complexity of the cytokine network leads to severe side-effects, which can still occur after careful preclinical evaluation. In addition, synthetic immunotherapeutics carry a degree of risk, time-consuming and expensive. Hence, the complexity of existing therapy and adverse effects emphasizes the need for an alternative approach for the management of immune dysfunction associated with obesity. Computer-aided small molecule antibody technology has been successful in the design of novel biologicals for the diagnosis of diseases and therapeutic interventions. In this study, the crystal structure of leptin receptor (LEPR) complex with monoclonal antibody (9F8 Fab) was explored to predict Ag-Ab interactions using bioinformatics tools. The LEPR of complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops were mutated with published positive control residues of Ser, Thr, Tyr, Trp, and Phe to design a set of 678 peptides which were evaluated through Ag-peptide docking, binding free-energies, and interaction energies. Thus, hypothesized novel peptides can be explored as clinically applicable antagonists for the treatment of obesity and associated immune-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manne Munikumar
- Biomedical Informatics Center (BMIC), National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Jamai-Osmania (Post), Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India.
| | - Vagolu Siva Krishna
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, 500078, India
| | | | - Bolla Rajeswari
- Biomedical Informatics Center (BMIC), National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Jamai-Osmania (Post), Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India
| | - Dharmarajan Sriram
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy, 500078, India
| | - Mendu Vishnuvardhana Rao
- National Institute of Medical Statistics, Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR), Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
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24
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Gallic acid modulates phenotypic behavior and gene expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by interfering with leptin pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2017; 214:30-37. [PMID: 29254802 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Gallic acid is a polyphenolic compost appointed to interfere with neoplastic cells behavior. Evidence suggests an important role of leptin in carcinogenesis pathways, inducing a proliferative phenotype. We investigated the potential of gallic acid to modulate leptin-induced cell proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. The gallic acid effect on leptin secretion by oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms, was also assessed. For this, we performed proliferation, migration, immunocytochemical and qPCR assays. The expression levels of cell migration-related genes (MMP2, MMP9, Col1A1, and E-cadherin), angiogenesis (HIF-1α, mir210), leptin signaling (LepR, p44/42 MAPK), apoptosis (casp-3), and secreted leptin levels by oral squamous cell carcinoma cells were also measured. Gallic acid decreased proliferation and migration of leptin-treated oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, and reduced mRNA expression of MMP2, MMP9, Col1A1, mir210, but did not change HIF-1α. Gallic acid decreased levels of leptin secreted by oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, accordingly with downregulation of p44/42 MAPK expression. Thus, gallic acid appears to break down neoplastic phenotype of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by interfering with leptin pathway.
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25
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Haglund E, Pilko A, Wollman R, Jennings PA, Onuchic JN. Pierced Lasso Topology Controls Function in Leptin. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:706-718. [PMID: 28035835 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b11506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Protein engineering is a powerful tool in drug design and therapeutics, where disulphide bridges are commonly introduced to stabilize proteins. However, these bonds also introduce covalent loops, which are often neglected. These loops may entrap the protein backbone on opposite sides, leading to a "knotted" topology, forming a so-called Pierced Lasso (PL). In this elegant system, the "knot" is held together with a single disulphide bridge where part of the polypeptide chain is threaded through. The size and position of these covalent loops can be manipulated through protein design in vitro, whereas nature uses polymorphism to switch the PL topology. The PL protein leptin shows genetic modification of an N-terminal residue, adding a third cysteine to the same sequence. In an effort to understand the mechanism of threading of these diverse topologies, we designed three loop variants to mimic the polymorphic sequence. This adds elegance to the system under study, as it allows the generation of three possible covalent loops; they are the original wild-type C-terminal loop protein, the fully circularized unthreaded protein, and the N-terminal loop protein, responsible for different lasso topologies. The size of the loop changes the threading mechanism from a slipknotting to a plugging mechanism, with increasing loop size. Interestingly, the ground state of the native protein structure is largely unaffected, but biological assays show that the activity is maximized by properly controlled dynamics in the threaded state. A threaded topology with proper conformational dynamics is important for receptor interaction and activation of the signaling pathways in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Haglund
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biosciences, Rice University , Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Anna Pilko
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) , La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Roy Wollman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) , La Jolla, California, United States
| | - Patricia Ann Jennings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) , La Jolla, California, United States
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biosciences, Rice University , Houston, Texas, United States
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26
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Wauman J, Zabeau L, Tavernier J. The Leptin Receptor Complex: Heavier Than Expected? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:30. [PMID: 28270795 PMCID: PMC5318964 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Under normal physiological conditions, leptin and the leptin receptor (ObR) regulate the body weight by balancing food intake and energy expenditure. However, this adipocyte-derived hormone also directs peripheral processes, including immunity, reproduction, and bone metabolism. Leptin, therefore, can act as a metabolic switch connecting the body's nutritional status to high energy consuming processes. We provide an extensive overview of current structural insights on the leptin-ObR interface and ObR activation, coupling to signaling pathways and their negative regulation, and leptin functioning under normal and pathophysiological conditions (obesity, autoimmunity, cancer, … ). We also discuss possible cross-talk with other receptor systems on the receptor (extracellular) and signaling cascade (intracellular) levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Wauman
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lennart Zabeau
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Cytokine Receptor Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Medical Biotechnology Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Jan Tavernier,
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27
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Leptin, obesity and breast cancer: progress to understanding the molecular connections. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 31:83-89. [PMID: 27816025 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Obesity has a complicated connection to both breast cancer risk and the clinical behaviour of the established disease. The obese setting provides a unique adipose tissue microenvironment that, in association with systemic endocrine modifications, promotes tumor initiation, primary growth, invasion, and metastatic progression. This review presents an overview of the clinical and experimental evidences highlighting the adipokine leptin as the most important molecular mediator of obesity-breast cancer axis. The research of leptin network operating in this context could launch a new field not only in the knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer but also in the development of leptin targeting drugs as promising anticancer agents.
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28
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Angotzi AR, Stefansson SO, Nilsen TO, Øvrebø JI, Andersson E, Taranger GL, Rønnestad I. Identification of a novel leptin receptor duplicate in Atlantic salmon: Expression analyses in different life stages and in response to feeding status. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 235:108-119. [PMID: 27288639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In recent years rapidly growing research has led to identification of several fish leptin orthologs and numerous duplicated paralogs possibly arisen from the third and fourth round whole genome duplication (3R and 4R WGD) events. In this study we identify in Atlantic salmon a duplicated LepRA gene, named LepRA2, that further extend possible evolutionary scenarios of the leptin and leptin receptor system. The 1121 amino acid sequence of the novel LepRA2 shares 80% sequence identity with the LepRA1 paralog, and contains the protein motifs typical of the functional (long form) leptin receptor in vertebrates. In silico predictions showed similar electrostatic properties of LepRA1 and LepRA2 and high sequence conservation at the leptin interaction surfaces within the CHR/leptin-binding and FNIII domains, suggesting conserved functional specificity between the two duplicates. Analysis of temporal expression profiles during pre-hatching stages indicate that both transcripts are involved in modulating leptin developmental functions, although the LepRA1 paralog may play a major role as the embryo complexity increases. There is ubiquitous distribution of LepRs underlying pleiotropism of leptin in all tissues investigated. LepRA1 and LepRA2 are differentially expressed with LepRA1 more abundant than LepRA2 in most of the tissues investigated, with the only exception of liver. Analysis of constitutive LepRA1 and LepRA2 expression in brain and liver at parr, post-smolt and adult stages reveal striking spatial divergence between the duplicates at all stages investigated. This suggests that, beside increased metabolic requirements, leptin sensitivity in the salmon brain might be linked to important variables such as habitat, ecology and life cycle. Furthermore, leptins and LepRs mRNAs in the brain showed gene-specific variability in response to long term fasting, suggesting that leptin's roles as modulator of nutritional status in Atlantic salmon might be governed by distinct genetic evolutionary processes and distinct functions between the paralogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Angotzi
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormølensgate 55, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Sigurd O Stefansson
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormølensgate 55, Bergen 5020, Norway
| | - Tom O Nilsen
- Uni Research Environment, Thormøhlensgate 49 B, N-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan I Øvrebø
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormølensgate 55, Bergen 5020, Norway; Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Eva Andersson
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 187, Nordnes, N-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Geir L Taranger
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 187, Nordnes, N-5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ivar Rønnestad
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Thormølensgate 55, Bergen 5020, Norway.
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29
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Xu S, Zhu X, Li H, Hu Y, Zhou J, He D, Feng Y, Lu L, Du G, Hu Y, Liu T, Wang Z, Ding G, Chen J, Gao S, Wu F, Xue Z, Li Y, Fan G. The 14th Ile residue is essential for Leptin function in regulating energy homeostasis in rat. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28508. [PMID: 27378381 PMCID: PMC4932527 DOI: 10.1038/srep28508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
LEPTIN (LEP) is a circulating hormone released primarily from white adipocytes and is crucial for regulating satiety and energy homeostasis in humans and animals. Using the CRISPR technology, we created a set of Lep mutant rats that carry either null mutations or a deletion of the 14(th) Ile (LEP(∆I14)) in the mature LEP protein. We examined the potential off-target sites (OTS) by whole-genome high-throughput sequencing and/or Sanger-sequencing analysis and found no OTS in mutant rats. Mature LEP(∆I14) is incessantly produced and released to blood at a much elevated level due to the feedback loop. Structure modeling of binding conformation between mutant LEP(∆I14) and LEPTIN receptor (LEPR) suggests that the conformation of LEP(∆I14) impairs its binding with LEPR, consistent with its inability to activate STAT3-binding element in the luciferase reporter assay. Phenotypic study demonstrated that Lep(∆I14) rats recapitulate phenotypes of Lep-null mutant rats including obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hepatic steatosis, nephropathy, and infertility. Compared to the existing ob/ob mouse models, this Lep(∆I14/∆I14) rat strain provides a robust tool for further dissecting the roles of LEP in the diabetes related kidney disease and reproduction problem, beyond its well established function in regulating energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyang Xu
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Youtian Hu
- Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jinping Zhou
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Di He
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Lina Lu
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Guizhen Du
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Youjin Hu
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
| | - Tiancheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guohui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Yixue Li
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guoping Fan
- Tongji University, School of Life Sciences and Technology, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China.,Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA
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30
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Sun Y, Yang Y, Qin Z, Cai J, Guo X, Tang Y, Wan J, Su DF, Liu X. The Acute-Phase Protein Orosomucoid Regulates Food Intake and Energy Homeostasis via Leptin Receptor Signaling Pathway. Diabetes 2016; 65:1630-41. [PMID: 27207522 DOI: 10.2337/db15-1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The acute-phase protein orosomucoid (ORM) exhibits a variety of activities in vitro and in vivo, notably modulation of immunity and transportation of drugs. We found in this study that mice lacking ORM1 displayed aberrant energy homeostasis characterized by increased body weight and fat mass. Further investigation found that ORM, predominantly ORM1, is significantly elevated in sera, liver, and adipose tissues from the mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and db/db mice that develop obesity spontaneously due to mutation in the leptin receptor (LepR). Intravenous or intraperitoneal administration of exogenous ORM decreased food intake in C57BL/6, HFD, and leptin-deficient ob/ob mice, which was absent in db/db mice and was significantly reduced in mice with arcuate nucleus (ARC) LepR knockdown, whereas enforced expression of ORM1 in ARC significantly decreased food intake, body weight, and serum insulin level. Furthermore, we found that ORM is able to bind directly to LepR and activate the receptor-mediated JAK2-STAT3 signaling in hypothalamus tissue and GT1-7 cells, which was derived from hypothalamic tumor. These data indicated that ORM could function through LepR to regulate food intake and energy homeostasis in response to nutrition status. Modulating the expression of ORM is a novel strategy for the management of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yili Yang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Center for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhen Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinya Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuming Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Tang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Wan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ding-Feng Su
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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31
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Gonzalez-Carter D, Goode AE, Fiammengo R, Dunlop IE, Dexter DT, Porter AE. Inhibition of Leptin-ObR Interaction Does not Prevent Leptin Translocation Across a Human Blood-Brain Barrier Model. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27037668 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin regulates appetite and energy homeostasis through the activation of leptin receptors (ObR) on hypothalamic neurones; hence, leptin must be transported through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach its target sites in the central nervous system. During obesity, however, leptin BBB transport is decreased, in part precluding leptin as a viable clinical therapy against obesity. Although the short isoform of the ObR (ObRa) has been implicated in the transport of leptin across the BBB as a result of its elevated expression in cerebral microvessels, accumulating evidence indicates that leptin BBB transport is independent of ObRa. In the present study, we employed an ObR-neutralising antibody (9F8) to directly examine the involvement of endothelial ObR in leptin transport across an in vitro human BBB model composed of the human endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3. Our results indicate that, although leptin transport across the endothelial monolayer was nonparacellular, and energy- and endocytosis-dependent, it was not inhibited by pre-treatment with 9F8, despite the ability of the latter to recognise hCMEC/D3-expressed ObR, prevent leptin-ObR binding and inhibit leptin-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) phosphorylation in hCMEC/D3 cells. Furthermore, hCMEC/D3 cells expressed the transporter protein low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-2 (LRP-2), which is capable of binding and endocytosing leptin. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that leptin binding to and signalling through ObR is not required for efficient transport across human endothelial monolayers, indicating that ObR is not the primary leptin transporter at the human BBB, a role which may fall upon LRP-2. A deeper understanding of leptin BBB transport will help clarify the exact causes for leptin resistance seen in obesity and aid in the development of more efficient BBB-penetrating leptin analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gonzalez-Carter
- Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A E Goode
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R Fiammengo
- Centre for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies @ UniLe, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (ITT), Arnesano, Lecce, Italy
| | - I E Dunlop
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - D T Dexter
- Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - A E Porter
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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32
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Craven TW, Cho MK, Traaseth NJ, Bonneau R, Kirshenbaum K. A Miniature Protein Stabilized by a Cation-π Interaction Network. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:1543-50. [PMID: 26812069 PMCID: PMC4867217 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b10285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The design of folded miniature proteins is predicated on establishing noncovalent interactions that direct the self-assembly of discrete thermostable tertiary structures. In this work, we describe how a network of cation-π interactions present in proteins containing "WSXWS motifs" can be emulated to stabilize the core of a miniature protein. This 19-residue protein sequence recapitulates a set of interdigitated arginine and tryptophan residues that stabilize a distinctive β-strand:loop:PPII-helix topology. Validation of the compact fold determined by NMR was carried out by mutagenesis of the cation-π network and by comparison to the corresponding disulfide-bridged structure. These results support the involvement of a coordinated set of cation-π interactions that stabilize the tertiary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy W. Craven
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, 12 Waverly Pl., New York, NY
| | - Min-Kyu Cho
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY
| | - Nathaniel J. Traaseth
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY
| | - Richard Bonneau
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, 12 Waverly Pl., New York, NY
- Department of Computer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY
- Simons Center for Data Analysis, New York, NY
| | - Kent Kirshenbaum
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, New York, NY
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33
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Rieg JAD, Chirasani VR, Koepsell H, Senapati S, Mahata SK, Rieg T. Regulation of intestinal SGLT1 by catestatin in hyperleptinemic type 2 diabetic mice. J Transl Med 2016; 96:98-111. [PMID: 26552046 PMCID: PMC4695279 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2015.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The small intestine is the major site for nutrient absorption that is critical in maintenance of euglycemia. Leptin, a key hormone involved in energy homeostasis, directly affects nutrient transport across the intestinal epithelium. Catestatin (CST), a 21-amino acid peptide derived from proprotein chromogranin A, has been shown to modulate leptin signaling. Therefore, we reasoned that leptin and CST could modulate intestinal Na(+)-glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) expression in the context of obesity and diabetes. We found that hyperleptinemic db/db mice exhibit increased mucosal mass, associated with an enhanced proliferative response and decreased apoptosis in intestinal crypts, a finding absent in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Intestinal SGLT1 abundance was significantly decreased in hyperleptinemic but not leptin-deficient mice, indicating leptin regulation of SGLT1 expression. Phlorizin, a SGLT1/2 inhibitor, was without effect in an oral glucose tolerance test in db/db mice. The alterations in architecture and SGLT1 abundance were not accompanied by changes in the localization of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, indicating intact differentiation. Treatment of db/db mice with CST restored intestinal SGLT1 abundance and intestinal turnover, suggesting a cross-talk between leptin and CST, without affecting plasma leptin levels. Consistent with this hypothesis, we identified structural homology between CST and the AB-loop of leptin and protein-protein docking revealed binding of CST and leptin with the Ig-like binding site-III of the leptin receptor. In summary, downregulation of SGLT1 in an obese type 2 diabetic mouse model with hyperleptinemia is presumably mediated via the short form of the leptin receptor and reduces overt hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Dominguez Rieg
- Department of Basic Sciences, Bastyr University California, San Diego, CA, USA,VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California; CA, USA
| | | | - Hermann Koepsell
- Department of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sanjib Senapati
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Sushil K. Mahata
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California; CA, USA,Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Timo Rieg
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California; CA, USA,Division of Nephrology-Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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34
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Chimal-Vega B, Paniagua-Castro N, Carrillo Vazquez J, Rosas-Trigueros JL, Zamorano-Carrillo A, Benítez-Cardoza CG. Exploring the structure and conformational landscape of human leptin. A molecular dynamics approach. J Theor Biol 2015; 385:90-101. [PMID: 26342543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Leptin is a hormone that regulates energy homeostasis, inflammation, hematopoiesis and immune response, among other functions (Houseknecht et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 1995; Paz-Filho et al., 2010). To obtain its crystallographic structure, it was necessary to substitute a tryptophan for a glutamic acid at position 100, thus creating a mutant leptin that has been reported to have biological activity comparable to the activity of the wild type but that crystallizes more readily. Here, we report a comparative study of the conformational space of WT and W100E leptin using molecular dynamics simulations performed at 300, 400, and 500 K. We detected differences between the interactions of the two proteins with local and distal effects, resulting in changes in the conformation, accessible surface area, compactness, electrostatic potential and dynamic behavior. Additionally, the series of unfolding events that occur when leptin is subjected to high temperature differs for the two constructs. We observed that both proteins are mostly unstructured after 20 ns of MD simulation at 500 K. However, WT leptin maintains a significant amount of secondary structure in helix α2, while the most stable region of W100E leptin is helix α3. Furthermore, we found that the region between residues 25 and 42 might adopt interconverting secondary structures ranging from α-helices and random coils to β-strand structures. Thus, this region can be considered an intrinsically disordered region. This atomistic description supports our understanding of leptin signaling and consequently might facilitate the use of leptin in treatments for the pathophysiologies in which it is implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Chimal-Vega
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Doctorado en Ciencias en Biotecnología, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera, México, D.F. 07320, México
| | - Norma Paniagua-Castro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Doctorado en Ciencias en Biotecnología, ENCB, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Avenida Wilfrido Massieu s/n, Esq. Manuel L. Stampa, Col. Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, 07738 México, D.F., México
| | - Jonathan Carrillo Vazquez
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Doctorado en Ciencias en Biotecnología, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera, México, D.F. 07320, México
| | - Jorge L Rosas-Trigueros
- Laboratorio Transdisciplinario de Investigación en Sistemas Evolutivos, SEPI de la ESCOM del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Juan de Dios Bátiz y Miguel Othón de Mendizábal s/n, México, D.F. 07738, México
| | - Absalom Zamorano-Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Doctorado en Ciencias en Biotecnología, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera, México, D.F. 07320, México
| | - Claudia G Benítez-Cardoza
- Laboratorio de Investigación Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Doctorado en Ciencias en Biotecnología, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guillermo Massieu Helguera, México, D.F. 07320, México.
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35
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Leptin: From structural insights to the design of antagonists. Life Sci 2015; 140:49-56. [PMID: 25998027 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
After its discovery in 1994, it soon became clear that leptin acts as an adipocyte-derived hormone with a central role in the control of body weight and energy homeostasis. However, a growing body of evidence has revealed that leptin is a pleiotropic cytokine with activities on many peripheral cell types. Inappropriate leptin signaling can promote autoimmunity, certain cardiovascular diseases, elevated blood pressure and cancer, which makes leptin and the leptin receptor interesting targets for antagonism. Profound insights in the leptin receptor (LR) activation mechanisms are a prerequisite for the rational design of these antagonists. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying leptin receptor activation and signaling. We also discuss the current strategies to interfere with leptin signaling and their therapeutic potential.
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36
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Jiang N, Sun R, Sun Q. Leptin signaling molecular actions and drug target in hepatocellular carcinoma. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2014; 8:2295-302. [PMID: 25484575 PMCID: PMC4238752 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s69004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous reports indicate that over 13 different tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are related to obesity. Obesity-associated inflammatory, metabolic, and endocrine mediators, as well as the functioning of the gut microbiota, are suspected to contribute to tumorigenesis. In obese people, proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6, insulin and insulin-like growth factors, adipokines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, adiponectin, and leptin are found to play crucial roles in the initiation and development of cancer. The cytokines induced by leptin in adipose tissue or tumor cells have been intensely studied. Leptin-induced signaling pathways are critical for biological functions such as adiposity, energy balance, endocrine function, immune reaction, and angiogenesis as well as oncogenesis. Leptin is an activator of cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis in several cell types, and an inducer of cancer stem cells; its critical roles in tumorigenesis are based on its oncogenic, mitogenic, proinflammatory, and pro-angiogenic actions. This review provides an update of the pathological effects of leptin signaling with special emphasis on potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targeting, which could potentially be used in future clinical settings. In addition, leptin-induced angiogenic ability and molecular mechanisms in HCC are discussed. The stringent binding affinity of leptin and its receptor Ob-R, as well as the highly upregulated expression of both leptin and Ob-R in cancer cells compared to normal cells, makes leptin an ideal drug target for the prevention and treatment of HCC, especially in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jiang
- Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongtong Sun
- Weihai Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Sun
- Department of Pathology, QianFoShan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
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37
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Yi X, Yuan D, Farr SA, Banks WA, Poon CD, Kabanov AV. Pluronic modified leptin with increased systemic circulation, brain uptake and efficacy for treatment of obesity. J Control Release 2014; 191:34-46. [PMID: 24881856 PMCID: PMC4197010 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Modification of hydrophilic proteins with amphiphilic block copolymers capable of crossing cell membranes is a new strategy to improve protein delivery to the brain. Leptin, a candidate for the treatment of epidemic obesity, has failed in part because of impairment in its transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that develops with obesity. We posit that modification of leptin with poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide), Pluronic P85 (P85) might permit this protein to penetrate the BBB independently of its transporter, thereby overcoming peripheral leptin resistance. Here we report that peripherally administered leptin-P85 conjugates exhibit biological activity by reducing food intake in mouse models of obesity (ob/ob, and diet-induced obese mouse). We further generated two new leptin-P85 conjugates: one, Lep(ss)-P85(L), containing one P85 chain and another, Lep(ss)-P85(H), containing multiple P85 chains. We report data on their purification, analytical characterization, peripheral and brain pharmacokinetics (PK). Lep(ss)-P85(L) crosses the BBB using the leptin transporter, and exhibits improved peripheral PK along with increased accumulation in the brain compared to unmodified leptin. Lep(ss)-P85(H) also has improved peripheral PK but in a striking difference to the first conjugate penetrates the BBB independently of the leptin transporter via a non-saturable mechanism. The results demonstrate that leptin analogs can be developed through chemical modification of the native leptin with P85 to overcome leptin resistance at the level of the BBB, thus improving the potential for the treatment of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yi
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Dongfen Yuan
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Susan A Farr
- Research and Development, VA Medical Center and Division of Geriatrics, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MI, USA
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Chi-Duen Poon
- Research Computer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Alexander V Kabanov
- Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Faculty of Chemistry, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119899 Moscow, Russia.
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38
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Peelman F, Zabeau L, Moharana K, Savvides SN, Tavernier J. 20 years of leptin: insights into signaling assemblies of the leptin receptor. J Endocrinol 2014; 223:T9-23. [PMID: 25063754 DOI: 10.1530/joe-14-0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leptin plays a central role in the control of body weight and energy homeostasis, but is a pleiotropic cytokine with activities on many peripheral cell types. In this review, we discuss the interaction of leptin with its receptor, and focus on the structural and mechanistic aspects of the extracellular aspects of leptin receptor (LR) activation. We provide an extensive overview of all structural information that has been obtained for leptin and its receptor via X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, homology modeling, and mutagenesis studies. The available knowledge is integrated into putative models toward a recapitulation of the LR activation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Peelman
- Department of Medical Protein ResearchFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent University, A. Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumUnit for Structural BiologyLaboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering (L-ProBE), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lennart Zabeau
- Department of Medical Protein ResearchFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent University, A. Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumUnit for Structural BiologyLaboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering (L-ProBE), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kedar Moharana
- Department of Medical Protein ResearchFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent University, A. Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumUnit for Structural BiologyLaboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering (L-ProBE), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Savvas N Savvides
- Department of Medical Protein ResearchFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent University, A. Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumUnit for Structural BiologyLaboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering (L-ProBE), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Tavernier
- Department of Medical Protein ResearchFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent University, A. Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumUnit for Structural BiologyLaboratory for Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering (L-ProBE), Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Londraville RL, Macotela Y, Duff RJ, Easterling MR, Liu Q, Crespi EJ. Comparative endocrinology of leptin: assessing function in a phylogenetic context. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 203:146-57. [PMID: 24525452 PMCID: PMC4128956 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2013] [Revised: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As we approach the end of two decades of leptin research, the comparative biology of leptin is just beginning. We now have several leptin orthologs described from nearly every major clade among vertebrates, and are moving beyond gene descriptions to functional studies. Even at this early stage, it is clear that non-mammals display clear functional similarities and differences with their better-studied mammalian counterparts. This review assesses what we know about leptin function in mammals and non-mammals, and gives examples of how these data can inform leptin biology in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Londraville
- Department of Biology and Program in Integrated Biosciences, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA.
| | - Yazmin Macotela
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Robert J Duff
- Department of Biology and Program in Integrated Biosciences, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Marietta R Easterling
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Biology and Program in Integrated Biosciences, University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Zhou W, Tian Y, Gong H, Guo S, Luo C. Oncogenic role and therapeutic target of leptin signaling in colorectal cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2014; 18:961-71. [PMID: 24946986 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2014.926889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity is characterized by high secretion of several cytokines from adipose tissue and is a recognized risk factor for many cancers. Among these cytokines, leptin mainly produced by adipose tissue and cancer cells is the most studied adipokine. Leptin is an activator of cell proliferation, an antiapoptotic molecule and inducer of cancer stem cells in many cell types, and its critical roles in obesity-related tumorigenesis are based on its oncogenic, mitogenic, pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic actions. AREAS COVERED These leptin-induced signals and action are critical for their biological effects on energy balance, adiposity, endocrine systems, immunity, angiogenesis as well as oncogenesis. This review focuses on the up-to-date knowledge on the oncogenic role of leptin signaling, clinical significance and specific drug target development in colorectal cancer (CRC). Additionally, leptin-induced angiogenic ability and molecular mechanisms in CRC cells are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Stringent binding affinity of leptin/Ob-R and overexpression of leptin/Ob-R and their targets in cancer cells make it a unique drug target for prevention and treatment of CRC, particularly in obesity colorectal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Zhou
- Shenyang Medical College, Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Microecology of Liaoning Province , No.146 North Huanghe St, Huanggu Dis, Shenyang City, Liaoning Pro 110034 , PR China
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Haglund E, Sulkowska JI, Noel JK, Lammert H, Onuchic JN, Jennings PA. Pierced Lasso Bundles are a new class of knot-like motifs. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003613. [PMID: 24945798 PMCID: PMC4063663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A four-helix bundle is a well-characterized motif often used as a target for designed pharmaceutical therapeutics and nutritional supplements. Recently, we discovered a new structural complexity within this motif created by a disulphide bridge in the long-chain helical bundle cytokine leptin. When oxidized, leptin contains a disulphide bridge creating a covalent-loop through which part of the polypeptide chain is threaded (as seen in knotted proteins). We explored whether other proteins contain a similar intriguing knot-like structure as in leptin and discovered 11 structurally homologous proteins in the PDB. We call this new helical family class the Pierced Lasso Bundle (PLB) and the knot-like threaded structural motif a Pierced Lasso (PL). In the current study, we use structure-based simulation to investigate the threading/folding mechanisms for all the PLBs along with three unthreaded homologs as the covalent loop (or lasso) in leptin is important in folding dynamics and activity. We find that the presence of a small covalent loop leads to a mechanism where structural elements slipknot to thread through the covalent loop. Larger loops use a piercing mechanism where the free terminal plugs through the covalent loop. Remarkably, the position of the loop as well as its size influences the native state dynamics, which can impact receptor binding and biological activity. This previously unrecognized complexity of knot-like proteins within the helical bundle family comprises a completely new class within the knot family, and the hidden complexity we unraveled in the PLBs is expected to be found in other protein structures outside the four-helix bundles. The insights gained here provide critical new elements for future investigation of this emerging class of proteins, where function and the energetic landscape can be controlled by hidden topology, and should be take into account in ab initio predictions of newly identified protein targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Haglund
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Department of Physics, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | | | - Jeffrey K. Noel
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Heiko Lammert
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - José N. Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) and Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia A. Jennings
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Moharana K, Zabeau L, Peelman F, Ringler P, Stahlberg H, Tavernier J, Savvides S. Structural and Mechanistic Paradigm of Leptin Receptor Activation Revealed by Complexes with Wild-Type and Antagonist Leptins. Structure 2014; 22:866-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2014.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Molecular dynamics, dynamic site mapping, and highthroughput virtual screening on leptin and the Ob receptor as anti-obesity target. J Mol Model 2014; 20:2247. [DOI: 10.1007/s00894-014-2247-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Leggio A, Catalano S, De Marco R, Barone I, Andò S, Liguori A. Therapeutic potential of leptin receptor modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2014; 78:97-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Abstract
Studies in human populations and mouse models of disease have linked the common leptin receptor Q223R mutation to obesity, multiple forms of cancer, adverse drug reactions, and susceptibility to enteric and respiratory infections. Contradictory results cast doubt on the phenotypic consequences of this variant. We set out to determine whether the Q223R substitution affects leptin binding kinetics using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), a technique that allows sensitive real-time monitoring of protein-protein interactions. We measured the binding and dissociation rate constants for leptin to the extracellular domain of WT and Q223R murine leptin receptors expressed as Fc-fusion proteins and found that the mutant receptor does not significantly differ in kinetics of leptin binding from the WT leptin receptor. (WT: ka 1.76×106±0.193×106 M−1 s−1, kd 1.21×10−4±0.707×10−4 s−1, KD 6.47×10−11±3.30×10−11 M; Q223R: ka 1.75×106±0.0245×106 M−1 s−1, kd 1.47×10−4±0.0505×10−4 s−1, KD 8.43×10−11±0.407×10−11 M). Our results support earlier findings that differences in affinity and kinetics of leptin binding are unlikely to explain mechanistically the phenotypes that have been linked to this common genetic variant. Future studies will seek to elucidate the mechanism by which this mutation influences susceptibility to metabolic, infectious, and malignant pathologies.
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Prokop JW, Schmidt C, Gasper D, Duff RJ, Milsted A, Ohkubo T, Ball HC, Shawkey MD, Mays HL, Cogburn LA, Londraville RL. Discovery of the elusive leptin in birds: identification of several 'missing links' in the evolution of leptin and its receptor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92751. [PMID: 24663438 PMCID: PMC3963946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptin is a pleiotropic protein best known for regulation of appetite and fat storage in mammals. While many leptin orthologs have been identified among vertebrates, an authentic leptin in birds has remained elusive and controversial. Here we identify leptin sequence from the Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (pfleptin), and identify sequences from two other birds (mallard and zebra finch), and 'missing' vertebrates (elephant shark, alligator, Indian python, Chinese soft-shelled turtle, and coelacanth). The pattern of genes surrounding leptin (snd1, rbm28) is syntenic between the falcon and mammalian genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of all known leptin protein sequences improves our understanding of leptin's evolution. Structural modeling of leptin orthologs highlights a highly conserved hydrophobic core in the four-helix cytokine packing domain. A docked model of leptin with the leptin receptor for Peregrine falcon reveals several conserved amino acids important for the interaction and possible coevolution of leptin with its receptor. We also show for the first time, an authentic avian leptin sequence that activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. These newly identified sequences, structures, and tools for avian leptin and its receptor will allow elucidation of the function of these proteins in feral and domestic birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W. Prokop
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Cameron Schmidt
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Donald Gasper
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Duff
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Amy Milsted
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Takeshi Ohkubo
- College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Amimachi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hope C. Ball
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Shawkey
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Herman L. Mays
- Geier Collections and Research Center, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Larry A. Cogburn
- Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RLL), cogburn@udel (LAG)
| | - Richard L. Londraville
- Integrated Biosciences Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (RLL), cogburn@udel (LAG)
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Newman G, Gonzalez-Perez RR. Leptin-cytokine crosstalk in breast cancer. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:570-582. [PMID: 23562747 PMCID: PMC3844060 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite accumulating evidence suggesting a positive correlation between leptin levels, obesity, post-menopause and breast cancer incidence, our current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in these relationships is still incomplete. Since the cloning of leptin in 1994 and its receptor (OB-R) 1 year later by Friedman's laboratory (Zhang et al., 1994) and Tartaglia et al. (Tartaglia et al., 1995), respectively, more than 22,000 papers related to leptin functions in several biological systems have been published (Pubmed, 2012). The ob gene product, leptin, is an important circulating signal for the regulation of body weight. Additionally, leptin plays critical roles in the regulation of glucose homeostasis, reproduction, growth and the immune response. Supporting evidence for leptin roles in cancer has been shown in more than 1000 published papers, with almost 300 papers related to breast cancer (Pubmed, 2012). Specific leptin-induced signaling pathways are involved in the increased levels of inflammatory, mitogenic and pro-angiogenic factors in breast cancer. In obesity, a mild inflammatory condition, deregulated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines such as IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and leptin from adipose tissue, inflammatory and cancer cells could contribute to the onset and progression of cancer. We used an in silico software program, Pathway Studio 9, and found 4587 references citing these various interactions. Functional crosstalk between leptin, IL-1 and Notch signaling (NILCO) found in breast cancer cells could represent the integration of developmental, proinflammatory and pro-angiogenic signals critical for leptin-induced breast cancer cell proliferation/migration, tumor angiogenesis and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Remarkably, the inhibition of leptin signaling via leptin peptide receptor antagonists (LPrAs) significantly reduced the establishment and growth of syngeneic, xenograft and carcinogen-induced breast cancer and, simultaneously decreased the levels of VEGF/VEGFR2, IL-1 and Notch. Inhibition of leptin-cytokine crosstalk might serve as a preventative or adjuvant measure to target breast cancer, particularly in obese women. This review is intended to present an update analysis of leptin actions in breast cancer, highlighting its crosstalk to inflammatory cytokines and growth factors essential for tumor development, angiogenesis and potential role in BCSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gale Newman
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, United States.
| | - Ruben Rene Gonzalez-Perez
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, United States.
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The designer leptin antagonist peptide Allo-aca compensates for short serum half-life with very tight binding to the receptor. Amino Acids 2013; 46:873-82. [PMID: 24366600 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1650-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The leptin receptor antagonist peptide Allo-aca exhibits picomolar activities in various cellular systems and sub-mg/kg subcutaneous efficacies in animal models making it a prime drug candidate and target validation tool. Here we identified the biochemical basis for its remarkable in vivo activity. Allo-aca decomposed within 30 min in pooled human serum and was undetectable beyond the same time period from mouse plasma during pharmacokinetic measurements. The C max of 8.9 μg/mL at 5 min corresponds to approximately 22% injected peptide present in the circulation. The half-life was extended to over 2 h in bovine vitreous fluid and 10 h in human tears suggesting potential efficacy in ophthalmic diseases. The peptide retained picomolar anti-proliferation activity against a chronic myeloid leukemia cell line; addition of a C-terminal biotin label increased the IC50 value by approximately 200-fold. In surface plasmon resonance assays with the biotin-labeled peptide immobilized to a NeutrAvidin-coated chip, Allo-aca exhibited exceptionally tight binding to the binding domain of the human leptin receptor with ka = 5 × 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and kdiss = 1.5 × 10(-4) s(-1) values. Peptides excel in terms of high activity and selectivity to their targets, and may activate or inactivate receptor functions considerably longer than molecular turnovers that take place in experimental animals.
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Gertler A, Solomon G. Leptin-activity blockers: development and potential use in experimental biology and medicine. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2013; 91:873-82. [PMID: 24117254 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2013-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The first adipokine, leptin, discovered almost 20 years ago, is secreted into circulation mainly from adipose tissue and acts both centrally and peripherally. Leptin regulates energy metabolism, reproductive function, bone metabolism, and immune response. However in some physiological or pathological situations such as enhancement of undesired immune responses in autoimmune diseases, tumorigenesis, elevated blood pressure, and certain cardiovascular pathologies, leptin activity may be harmful. In this review we screen different approaches to blocking leptin action, in vitro and in vivo. The recent development of superactive leptin muteins exhibiting antagonistic properties, and other leptin-action-blocking peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and nanobodies, opens new perspectives for their use in research, and eventually, therapy for cachexia, autoimmune disease, cancer, and other pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arieh Gertler
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science, and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Abstract
Activation of the IL-6 (interleukin 6) receptor subunit gp130 (glycoprotein 130) has been linked to the formation of complexes with IL-6 and the IL-6 receptor, as well as to gp130 dimerization. However, it has been shown that gp130 is present as a pre-formed dimer, indicating that its activation is not solely dependent on dimerization. Therefore the detailed mechanism of gp130 activation still remains to be deciphered. Recently, deletion mutations of gp130 have been found in inflammatory hepatocellular adenoma. The mutations clustered around one IL-6-binding epitope of gp130 and resulted in a ligand-independent constitutively active gp130. We therefore hypothesized that conformational changes of this particular IL-6-binding epitope precedes gp130 activation. Using a rational structure-based approach we identified for the first time amino acids critical for gp130 activation. We can show that gp130 D2–D3 interdomain connectivity by hydrophobic residues stabilizes inactive gp130 conformation. Conformational destabilization of the EF loop present in domain D2 and disruption of D2–D3 hydrophobic interactions resulted in ligand-independent gp130 activation. Furthermore we show that the N-terminal amino acid residues of domain D1 participate in the activation of the gp130 deletion mutants. Taken together we present novel insights into the molecular basis of the activation of a cytokine receptor signalling subunit.
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