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Zhang B, Zhong Y, Du J, Ye R, Fan B, Deng Y, Bai R, Feng Y, Yang X, Huang Y, Liang B, Zheng J, Rong W, Yang X, Huang Z. 1,2-Dichloroethane induces testicular pyroptosis by activating piR-mmu-1019957/IRF7 pathway and the protective effects of melatonin. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 184:108480. [PMID: 38341879 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) is a prevalent environmental contaminant, and our study revealed its induction of testicular toxicity in mice upon subacute exposure. Melatonin, a prominent secretory product of the pineal gland, has been shown to offer protection against pyroptosis in male reproductive toxicity. However, the exact mechanism underlying 1,2-DCE-induced testicular toxicity and the comprehensive extent of melatonin's protective effects in this regard remain largely unexplored. Therefore, we sequenced testis piRNAs in mice exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 1,2-DCE by 28-day dynamic inhalation, and investigated the role of key piRNAs using GC-2 spd cells. Our results showed that 1,2-DCE induced mouse testicular damage and GC-2 spd cell pyroptosis. 1,2-DCE upregulated the expression of pyroptosis-correlated proteins in both mouse testes and GC-2 spd cells. 1,2-DCE exposure caused pore formation on cellular membranes and lactate dehydrogenase leakage in GC-2 spd cells. Additionally, we identified three upregulated piRNAs in 1,2-DCE-exposed mouse testes, among which piR-mmu-1019957 induced pyroptosis in GC-2 spd cells, and its inhibition alleviated 1,2-DCE-induced pyroptosis. PiR-mmu-1019957 mimic and 1,2-DCE treatment activated the expression of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) in GC-2 spd cells. IRF7 knockdown reversed 1,2-DCE-induced cellular pyroptosis, and overexpression of piR-mmu-1019957 did not promote pyroptosis when IRF7 was inhibited. Notably, melatonin reversed 1,2-DCE-caused testicular toxicity, cellular pyroptosis, and upregulated piR-mmu-1019957 and IRF7. Collectively, our findings indicated that melatonin mitigates this effect, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention against 1,2-DCE-induced male reproductive toxicity in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingli Zhang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yizhou Zhong
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiaxin Du
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Rongyi Ye
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Bingchi Fan
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ruobing Bai
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yu Feng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaohong Yang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuji Huang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Boxuan Liang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiewei Zheng
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Weifeng Rong
- Institute of Chemical Surveillance, Guangdong Provincial Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Xingfen Yang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhenlie Huang
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Safety Evaluation of Cosmetics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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2
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Modi P, Shah BM, Patel S. Interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE): A comprehensive review on discovery and development of caspase-1 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115861. [PMID: 37857145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Caspase-1 is a critical mediator of the inflammatory process by activating various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as pro-IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-33. Uncontrolled activation of caspase-1 leads to various cytokines-mediated diseases. Thus, inhibition of Caspase-1 is considered therapeutically beneficial to halt the progression of such diseases. Currently, rilonacept, canakinumab and anakinra are in use for caspase-1-mediated autoinflammatory diseases. However, the poor pharmacokinetic profile of these peptides limits their use as therapeutic agents. Therefore, several peptidomimetic inhibitors have been developed, but only a few compounds (VX-740, VX-765) have advanced to clinical trials; because of their toxic profile. Several small molecule inhibitors have also been progressing based on the three-dimensional structure of caspase-1. However there is no successful candidate available clinically. In this perspective, we highlight the mechanism of caspase-1 activation, its therapeutic potential as a disease target and potential therapeutic strategies targeting caspase-1 with their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmi Modi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. J. Institute of Pharmacy, L J University Ahmedabad - 382 210, Gujarat, India
| | - Bhumi M Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. J. Institute of Pharmacy, L J University Ahmedabad - 382 210, Gujarat, India
| | - Shivani Patel
- Division of Biological and Life Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India.
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3
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Nagatani K, Abe Y, Homma T, Fujii J, Suzuki T. Copper chelation by d-penicillamine alleviates melanocyte death induced by rhododendrol without inhibiting tyrosinase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 663:71-77. [PMID: 37119768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative metabolism of rhododendrol (RD), a skin-whitening ingredient, by tyrosinase has caused leukoderma in a certain population of Japanese consumers. Toxic RD metabolites and reactive oxygen species are proposed causes for the melanocyte death. However, the mechanism by which reactive oxygen species are produced during RD metabolism remains elusive. Some phenolic compounds are known to act as suicide substrates for tyrosinase, resulting in release of a copper atom and hydrogen peroxide during its inactivation. We hypothesized that RD may be a suicide substrate for tyrosinase and that the released copper atom may be responsible for the melanocyte death through hydroxyl radical production. In line with this hypothesis, human melanocytes incubated with RD showed an irreversible decrease in tyrosinase activity and underwent cell death. A copper chelator, d-penicillamine, markedly suppressed the RD-dependent cell death without significantly affecting the tyrosinase activity. Peroxide levels in RD-treated cells were not affected by d-penicillamine. Given the unique enzymatic properties of tyrosinase, we conclude that RD acted as a suicide substrate and resulted in release of a copper atom and hydrogen peroxide, which would collectively impair melanocyte viability. These observations further imply that copper chelation may alleviate chemical leukoderma caused by other compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Nagatani
- Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
| | - Yuko Abe
- Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
| | - Takujiro Homma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
| | - Junichi Fujii
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Yamagata University, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
| | - Tamio Suzuki
- Department of Dermatology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
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4
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Liang R, Yao Y, Wang G, Yue E, Yang G, Qi X, Wang Y, Zhao L, Zheng T, Zhang Y, Wenge Wang E. Repositioning Quinacrine Toward Treatment of Ovarian Cancer by Rational Combination With TRAIL. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1118. [PMID: 32766144 PMCID: PMC7379129 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Quinacrine has been identified as a potent DR5-inducing agent that sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In the current study, we found that quinacrine increased DR5 mRNA levels significantly in ovarian cancer cell lines regardless of p53 status. Further study showed the half-life of DR5 in quinacrine-treated cells was significantly prolonged, indicating that DR5 protein degradation was inhibited by quinacrine. We tested if the combination of TRAIL and quinacrine could be effective in ovarian cancer treatment in vitro and in ovarian cancer xenograft mouse models. We found that quinacrine enhanced TRAIL sensitivity or reversed TRAIL resistance in all the ovarian cancer cell lines tested. Mice treated with quinacrine and TRAIL remained disease-free for up to 20 weeks, however, mice treated with TRAIL or quinacrine alone and in control group died within ~8 weeks after treatment. Intraperitoneal delivery of quinacrine and TRAIL is rational and practical with extraordinary synergistic anti-cancer effects in preclinical models of ovarian cancer. Clinical investigation of combining quinacrine with TRAIL for ovarian cancer treatment is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States.,Department of Pharmacy, Suzhou Vocational Health College, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuanfei Yao
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States.,Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States.,Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Er Yue
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Guangchao Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Xiuying Qi
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Ling Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Tongsen Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States.,Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanqiao Zhang
- Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Edward Wenge Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United States
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5
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Vana PG, LaPorte HM, Kennedy RH, Gamelli RL, Majetschak M. Effects of a caspase and a calpain inhibitor on resting energy expenditures in normal and hypermetabolic rats: a pilot study. Physiol Res 2016; 65:537-41. [PMID: 27070748 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several diseases induce hypermetabolism, which is characterized by increases in resting energy expenditures (REE) and whole body protein loss. Exaggerated protein degradation is thought to be the driving force underlying this response. The effects of caspase and calpain inhibitors on REE in physiological and hypermetabolic conditions, however, are unknown. Thus, we studied whether MDL28170 (calpain inhibitor) or z-VAD-fmk (caspase inhibitor) affect REE under physiological conditions and during hypermetabolism post-burn. Rats were treated five times weekly and observed for 6 weeks. Treatment was started 2 h (early) or 48 h (late) after burn. In normal rats, MDL28170 transiently increased REE to 130 % of normal during week 2-4. z-VAD-fmk reduced REE by 20-25 % throughout the observation period. Within 14 days after burns, REE increased to 130+/-5 %. Whereas MDL28170/early treatment did not affect REE, MDL28170/late transiently increased REE to 180+/-10 % of normal by week 4 post-burn. In contrast, with z-VAD-fmk/early REE remained between 90-110 % of normal post-burn. z-VAD-fmk/late did not affect burn-induced increases in REE. These data suggest that caspase cascades contribute to the development of hypermetabolism and that burn-induced hypermetabolism can be pharmacologically modulated. Our data point towards caspase cascades as possible therapeutic targets to attenuate hypermetabolism after burns, and possibly in other catabolic disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Vana
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA.
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6
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Poreba M, Szalek A, Kasperkiewicz P, Rut W, Salvesen GS, Drag M. Small Molecule Active Site Directed Tools for Studying Human Caspases. Chem Rev 2015; 115:12546-629. [PMID: 26551511 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Caspases are proteases of clan CD and were described for the first time more than two decades ago. They play critical roles in the control of regulated cell death pathways including apoptosis and inflammation. Due to their involvement in the development of various diseases like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, or autoimmune disorders, caspases have been intensively investigated as potential drug targets, both in academic and industrial laboratories. This review presents a thorough, deep, and systematic assessment of all technologies developed over the years for the investigation of caspase activity and specificity using substrates and inhibitors, as well as activity based probes, which in recent years have attracted considerable interest due to their usefulness in the investigation of biological functions of this family of enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Poreba
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology , Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Szalek
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology , Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Kasperkiewicz
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology , Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Wioletta Rut
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology , Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Guy S Salvesen
- Program in Cell Death and Survival Networks, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute , La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Marcin Drag
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology , Wyb. Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
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7
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Poreba M, Strózyk A, Salvesen GS, Drag M. Caspase substrates and inhibitors. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2013; 5:a008680. [PMID: 23788633 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a008680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Caspases are proteases at the heart of networks that govern apoptosis and inflammation. The past decade has seen huge leaps in understanding the biology and chemistry of the caspases, largely through the development of synthetic substrates and inhibitors. Such agents are used to define the role of caspases in transmitting life and death signals, in imaging caspases in situ and in vivo, and in deconvoluting the networks that govern cell behavior. Additionally, focused proteomics methods have begun to reveal the natural substrates of caspases in the thousands. Together, these chemical and proteomics technologies are setting the scene for designing and implementing control of caspase activity as appropriate targets for disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Poreba
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Technology, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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8
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Galliot B. Injury-induced asymmetric cell death as a driving force for head regeneration in Hydra. Dev Genes Evol 2012; 223:39-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s00427-012-0411-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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9
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Charrier JD, Durrant SJ, Studley J, Lawes L, Weber P. Synthesis and evaluation of novel prodrugs of caspase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:485-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.10.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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10
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Liang C, Li H, Zhou H, Zhang S, Liu Z, Zhou Q, Sun F. Recombinant Lz-8 from Ganoderma lucidum induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagic cell death in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells. Oncol Rep 2011; 27:1079-89. [PMID: 22179718 PMCID: PMC3583434 DOI: 10.3892/or.2011.1593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In Asia, the mushroom of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the past two millennia. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of recombinant Lz-8 (rLz-8), a protein belonging to a family of fungal immunomodulatory proteins. We report that rLz-8 induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated autophagic cell death in the human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. Our results show that rLz-8 induces autophagic cell death by aggregating in the ER, triggering ER stress and the ATF4-CHOP pathway. A foreign protein, in the ER rLz-8 causes the activation of the ubiquitine/proteasome ER-associated degradation (ERAD) system. The autophagic arm of this system is then overstimulated by an excessive abundance of rLz-8 and causes the cell’s death through an over-autophagic response. We also found that caspase inhibitors do not prevent rLz-8-induced cell death, and therefore the autophagic response induced by rLz-8 is independent of caspase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Liang
- Institute of Frontier Medical Science of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
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11
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Müller I, Lamers MBAC, Ritchie AJ, Park H, Dominguez C, Munoz-Sanjuan I, Maillard M, Kiselyov A. A new apo-caspase-6 crystal form reveals the active conformation of the apoenzyme. J Mol Biol 2011; 410:307-15. [PMID: 21621544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2011.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Caspase-6 has been identified as a key component in the pathway of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. It has been the focus of drug development for some time, but only recently have structural data become available. The first study identified a novel noncanonical conformation of apo-caspase-6 contrasting with the typical caspase conformation. Then, the structures of both caspase-6 zymogen and the Ac-VEID-CHO peptide inhibitor complex described caspase-6 in the canonical conformation, raising the question of why the intermediate between these two structures (mature apo-caspase-6) would adopt the noncanonical conformation. In this study, we present a new crystal form of the apoenzyme in the canonical conformation by identifying the previous apostructure as a pH-inactivated form of caspase-6. Our new apostructure is further compared to the Ac-VEID-CHO caspase-6 inhibitor complex. The structural comparison allows us to visualize the organization of loops L2, L3, and L4 upon ligand binding and how the catalytic groove forms to accommodate the inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Müller
- BioFocus, Chesterford Research Park, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1XL, UK
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12
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Boura-Halfon S, Shuster-Meiseles T, Beck A, Petrovich K, Gurevitch D, Ronen D, Zick Y. A novel domain mediates insulin-induced proteasomal degradation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1). Mol Endocrinol 2010; 24:2179-92. [PMID: 20843941 PMCID: PMC5417385 DOI: 10.1210/me.2010-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) plays a pivotal role in insulin signaling, therefore its degradation is exquisitely regulated. Here, we show that insulin-stimulated degradation of IRS-1 requires the presence of a highly conserved Ser/Thr-rich domain that we named domain involved in degradation of IRS-1 (DIDI). DIDI (amino acids 386-430 of IRS-1) was identified by comparing the intracellular degradation rate of several truncated forms of IRS-1 transfected into CHO cells. The isolated DIDI domain underwent insulin-stimulated Ser/Thr phosphorylation, suggesting that it serves as a target for IRS-1 kinases. The effects of deletion of DIDI were studied in Fao rat hepatoma and in CHO cells expressing Myc-IRS-1(WT) or Myc-IRS-1(Δ386-430). Deletion of DIDI maintained the ability of IRS-1(Δ386-434) to undergo ubiquitination while rendering it insensitive to insulin-induced proteasomal degradation, which affected IRS-1(WT) (80% at 8 h). Consequently, IRS-1(Δ386-434) mediated insulin signaling (activation of Akt and glycogen synthesis) better than IRS-1(WT). IRS-1(Δ386-434) exhibited a significant greater preference for nuclear localization, compared with IRS-1(WT). Higher nuclear localization was also observed when cells expressing IRS-1(WT) were incubated with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. The sequence of DIDI is conserved more than 93% across species, from fish to mammals, as opposed to approximately 40% homology of the entire IRS-1. These findings implicate DIDI as a novel, highly conserved domain of IRS-1, which mediates its cellular localization, rate of degradation, and biological activity, with a direct impact on insulin signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigalit Boura-Halfon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
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13
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Babu S, Blauvelt CP, Nutman TB. Filarial parasites induce NK cell activation, type 1 and type 2 cytokine secretion, and subsequent apoptotic cell death. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 179:2445-56. [PMID: 17675506 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.4.2445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
NK cells are an important source of early cytokine production in a variety of intracellular viral, bacterial, and protozoan infections; however, the role of NK cells in extracellular parasitic infections such as filarial infections is not well-defined. To investigate the role of NK cells in filarial infections, we have used an in vitro model system of culturing live infective-stage larvae (L3) or live microfilariae (Mf) of Brugia malayi, a causative agent of human lymphatic filariasis, with PBMC of normal individuals. We found that NK cells undergo early cell activation and produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha within 24 h after stimulation with both live L3 and Mf. Interestingly, NK cells also express IL-4 and IL-5 at this time point in response to live Mf but not L3. This is accompanied by significant alterations in NK cell expression of costimulatory molecules and natural cytotoxicity receptors. This activation is dependent on the presence of monocytes in the culture, IL-12, and direct contact with live parasites. The early activation event is subsequently followed by apoptosis of NK cells involving a caspase-dependent mechanism in response to live L3 but not live Mf. Thus, the NK cell-parasite interaction is complex, with filarial parasites inducing NK cell activation and cytokine secretion and finally NK cell apoptosis, which may provide an additional mechanism of down-regulating the host immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subash Babu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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14
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Watanabe K, Ueno M, Kamiya D, Nishiyama A, Matsumura M, Wataya T, Takahashi JB, Nishikawa S, Nishikawa SI, Muguruma K, Sasai Y. A ROCK inhibitor permits survival of dissociated human embryonic stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 2007; 25:681-6. [PMID: 17529971 DOI: 10.1038/nbt1310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1510] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2007] [Accepted: 05/10/2007] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Poor survival of human embryonic stem (hES) cells after cell dissociation is an obstacle to research, hindering manipulations such as subcloning. Here we show that application of a selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632, to hES cells markedly diminishes dissociation-induced apoptosis, increases cloning efficiency (from approximately 1% to approximately 27%) and facilitates subcloning after gene transfer. Furthermore, dissociated hES cells treated with Y-27632 are protected from apoptosis even in serum-free suspension (SFEB) culture and form floating aggregates. We demonstrate that the protective ability of Y-27632 enables SFEB-cultured hES cells to survive and differentiate into Bf1(+) cortical and basal telencephalic progenitors, as do SFEB-cultured mouse ES cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiichi Watanabe
- Organogenesis and Neurogenesis Group, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
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15
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House SB, Rusnak M, Liu XH, Youle RJ, Gainer H. Bcl-xL and caspase inhibition increase the survival of rat oxytocin and vasopressin magnocellular neurons in organotypic culture. Exp Neurol 2006; 200:267-71. [PMID: 16624298 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2005] [Revised: 02/01/2006] [Accepted: 02/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hypothalamic magnocellular neurons (MCNs) are highly vulnerable to axotomy-induced cell death in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we determined whether the anti-apoptotic agent Bcl-xL, a member of the Bcl-2 family which prevents programmed cell death in the central nervous system, can rescue oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) MCNs in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) in organotypic culture. We found that the novel, membrane permeant form of Bcl-xL that we employed in these studies protected both OT and VP MCNs from degeneration as long as the Bcl-xL was present in the medium. In contrast, z-VAD-fmk, an inhibitor of caspases that are involved in apoptosis, was less effective in that it significantly rescued OT MCNs (P < 0.01) but not VP MCNs (P > 0.09). Unlike the Bcl-xL, Z-VAD-fmk's effectiveness in reducing MCN cell death was not sustained for the full 15 days in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley B House
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry, Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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16
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Graczyk PP, Khan A, Bhatia GS, Palmer V, Medland D, Numata H, Oinuma H, Catchick J, Dunne A, Ellis M, Smales C, Whitfield J, Neame SJ, Shah B, Wilton D, Morgan L, Patel T, Chung R, Desmond H, Staddon JM, Sato N, Inoue A. The neuroprotective action of JNK3 inhibitors based on the 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole scaffold. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2005; 15:4666-70. [PMID: 16153829 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2005.07.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2005] [Revised: 07/26/2005] [Accepted: 07/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Imidazole-based structures of p38 inhibitors served as a starting point for the design of JNK3 inhibitors. Construction of a 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole scaffold led to the synthesis of the (S)-enantiomers, which exhibited p38/JNK3 IC50 ratio of up to 10 and were up to 20 times more potent inhibitors of JNK3 than the relevant (R)-enantiomers. The JNK3 inhibitory potency correlated well with inhibition of c-Jun phosphorylation and neuroprotective properties of the compounds in low K+-induced cell death of rat cerebellar granule neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr P Graczyk
- Eisai London Research Laboratories, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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17
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Chao TH, Lam T, Vong BG, Través PG, Hortelano S, Chowdhury C, Bahjat FR, Lloyd GK, Moldawer LL, Boscá L, Palladino MA, Theodorakis EA. A new family of synthetic diterpenes that regulates cytokine synthesis by inhibiting IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. Chembiochem 2005; 6:133-44. [PMID: 15540220 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.200400089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis and the biological evaluation of a new family diterpenes are presented. The synthetic studies were inspired by the structural framework of acanthoic acid (1) and yielded a family of compounds that were evaluated as anti-inflammatory agents. Among them, compounds 2, 10, 12, and 16 exhibited a very low nonspecific cytotoxicity and inhibited the synthesis of TNF-alpha with greater than 65 % efficacy at low micromolar concentrations. Cytokine-specificity studies revealed that these compounds also inhibited the synthesis of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6, while inhibition of IL-1ra and IL-8 synthesis was marginal and only occurred at high concentrations. Further studies, through EMSA and Western blot analyses, indicated that these compounds decreased the extent of phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha; this suggests that they exert their anti-inflammatory profile by inhibiting NF-kappaB-mediated cytokine synthesis. These findings imply that these diterpenes represent promising leads for the development of novel anti-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Hsiang Chao
- Nereus Pharmaceuticals, Inc, 10480 Wateridge Circle, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
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18
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Gilroy DW, Lawrence T, Perretti M, Rossi AG. Inflammatory Resolution: new opportunities for drug discovery. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2004; 3:401-16. [PMID: 15136788 DOI: 10.1038/nrd1383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 552] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek W Gilroy
- William Harvey Research Institute, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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19
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Abstract
Cancer cells are intrinsically resistant to growth arrest and can further acquire multidrug resistance. Current approaches to this problem are intended to reverse, overcome or prevent the drug resistance. However, the resistance of cancer cells can be exploited to kill resistant cells selectively, while sparing sensitive normal cells. As the simplest example, multidrug-resistant cells pump out protectors, such as pharmacological inhibitors of apoptosis. A sequence of at least two agents must include an exclusive protector, which is ineffective in resistant cancer cells, and an inclusive cytotoxic drug, which kills unprotected cells. By abolishing several dose-limiting side effects of chemotherapy, this strategy provides a means to treat selectively most deranged, aggressive and resistant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Blagosklonny
- Brander Cancer Research Institute, New York Medical College, 19 Bradhurst Ave, Hawthorne, NY 10532, USA.
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