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Riera-Ferrer E, Mazanec H, Mladineo I, Konik P, Piazzon MC, Kuchta R, Palenzuela O, Estensoro I, Sotillo J, Sitjà-Bobadilla A. An inside out journey: biogenesis, ultrastructure and proteomic characterisation of the ectoparasitic flatworm Sparicotyle chrysophrii extracellular vesicles. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:175. [PMID: 38570784 PMCID: PMC10993521 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06257-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminth extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known to have a three-way communication function among parasitic helminths, their host and the host-associated microbiota. They are considered biological containers that may carry virulence factors, being therefore appealing as therapeutic and prophylactic target candidates. This study aims to describe and characterise EVs secreted by Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Polyopisthocotyla: Microcotylidae), a blood-feeding gill parasite of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), causing significant economic losses in Mediterranean aquaculture. METHODS To identify proteins involved in extracellular vesicle biogenesis, genomic datasets from S. chrysophrii were mined in silico using known protein sequences from Clonorchis spp., Echinococcus spp., Fasciola spp., Fasciolopsis spp., Opisthorchis spp., Paragonimus spp. and Schistosoma spp. The location and ultrastructure of EVs were visualised by transmission electron microscopy after fixing adult S. chrysophrii specimens by high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution. EVs were isolated and purified from adult S. chrysophrii (n = 200) using a newly developed ultracentrifugation-size-exclusion chromatography protocol for Polyopisthocotyla, and EVs were characterised via nanoparticle tracking analysis and tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Fifty-nine proteins involved in EV biogenesis were identified in S. chrysophrii, and EVs compatible with ectosomes were observed in the syncytial layer of the haptoral region lining the clamps. The isolated and purified nanoparticles had a mean size of 251.8 nm and yielded 1.71 × 108 particles · mL-1. The protein composition analysis identified proteins related to peptide hydrolases, GTPases, EF-hand domain proteins, aerobic energy metabolism, anticoagulant/lipid-binding, haem detoxification, iron transport, EV biogenesis-related, vesicle-trafficking and other cytoskeletal-related proteins. Several identified proteins, such as leucyl and alanyl aminopeptidases, calpain, ferritin, dynein light chain, 14-3-3, heat shock protein 70, annexin, tubulin, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, enolase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, have already been proposed as target candidates for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. CONCLUSIONS We have unambiguously demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge the secretion of EVs by an ectoparasitic flatworm, inferring their biogenesis machinery at a genomic and transcriptomic level, and by identifying their location and protein composition. The identification of multiple therapeutic targets among EVs' protein repertoire provides opportunities for target-based drug discovery and vaccine development for the first time in Polyopisthocotyla (sensu Monogenea), and in a fish-ectoparasite model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Riera-Ferrer
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Hynek Mazanec
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ivona Mladineo
- Laboratory of Functional Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Konik
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 1160/31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - M Carla Piazzon
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Roman Kuchta
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, (BC CAS), České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Oswaldo Palenzuela
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
| | - Itziar Estensoro
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain.
| | - Javier Sotillo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla
- Fish Pathology Group, Institute of Aquaculture Torre de La Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IATS, CSIC), Ribera de Cabanes, 12595, Castellón, Spain
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Li H, Wang L, Zhang H, Yu W, Li Y, Jiang H, Wang D, Wang Y. Study on material basis and anti-hypertensive metabolomics of Zhengan-Xifeng-Tang(ZXT): A comparison between ZXT decoction and granules. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1236:124063. [PMID: 38447242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124063] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
High blood pressure is a serious human health problem and one of the leading risk factors for fatal complications in cardiovascular disease. The ZXT granules were prepared based on the Zhengan-Xifeng-Tang (ZXT) decoction. However, the therapeutic effects of ZXT granules on spontaneous hypertension and the metabolic pathways in which they may intervene are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the antihypertensive effect of ZXT granules on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and to analyze the metabolic pathway of intervention through chemical composition characterization, pharmacodynamics, and serum metabolomics analysis. After eight weeks of administration, serum and aortic arch samples were collected for biochemical, histopathology and serum metabolomics analysis to assess the effect of ZXT granules on SHR. The results showed that ZXT granules reduced aortic arch injury and blood pressure in SHR rats. Serum data from rats in each group was collected using LC-MS and 74 potential biomarkers were identified that showed significant differences between the model and control groups. Of these, 18 potential biomarkers were found to be deregulated after intervention with ZXT granules. These 18 potential differential metabolic markers are primarily involved in bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, and fatty acid degradation. The results demonstrated that ZXT granules significantly affected blood lipids, aortic arch, and metabolic disorders in SHR rats. ZXT granules offer a new possibility for effective and convenient treatment of hypertensive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichao Li
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Wenchi Yu
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Yunlun Li
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Haiqing Jiang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Basic Research, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Danyang Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Basic Research, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
| | - Yu Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250011, China.
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Cai Y, Mu X, Li G, Xu D. Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Elucidation of the Catalytic Mechanism of Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase as an Epoxidase. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:10338-10350. [PMID: 38010510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) functions as a mono-zinc bifunctional enzyme with aminopeptidase and epoxidase activities. While the aminopeptidase mechanism is well understood, the epoxidase mechanism remains less clear. In continuation of our prior research, we undertook an in-depth exploration of the LTA4H catalytic role as an epoxidase, employing a combined SCC-DFTB/CHARMM method. In the current work, we found that the conversion of LTA4 to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) involves three successive steps: epoxy ring opening (RO), nucleophilic attack (NA), and proton transfer (PT) reactions at the epoxy oxygen atom. Among these steps, the RO and NA stages constitute the potential rate-limiting step within the entire epoxidase mechanism. Notably, the NA step implicates D375 as the general base catalyst, while the PT step engages protonated E271 as the general acid catalyst. Additionally, we delved into the mechanism behind the formation of the isomer product, Δ6-trans-Δ8-cis-LTB4. Our findings debunked the feasibility of a direct LTB4 to iso-LTB4 conversion. Instead, we highlight the possibility of isomerization from LTA4 to its isomeric conjugate (iso-LTA4), showing comparable energy barriers of 5.1 and 5.5 kcal/mol in aqueous and enzymatic environments, respectively. The ensuing dynamics of iso-LTA4 hydrolysis subsequently yield iso-LTB4 via a mechanism akin to LTA4 hydrolysis, albeit with a heightened barrier. Our computations firmly support the notion that substrate isomerization exclusively takes place prior to or during the initial substrate-binding phase, while LTA4 remains the dominant conformer. Notably, our simulations suggest that irrespective of the active site's constrained L-shape, isomerization from LTA4 to its isomeric conjugate remains plausible. The mechanistic insights garnered from our simulations furnish a valuable understanding of LTA4H's role as an epoxidase, thereby facilitating potential advancements in inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Cai
- MOE Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
| | - Xia Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P. R. China
| | - Guohui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, Liaoning 116000, P. R. China
| | - Dingguo Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610064, P. R. China
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Li H, Wang L, Zhang L, Liu J, Zhang H, Wang D, Yang W. Study on material basis and anti-hypertensive metabolomics of different extraction methods of the Uncaria rhynchophylla Scrophularia Formula. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2023; 233:115464. [PMID: 37209496 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide. Previous studies suggested that the Uncaria rhynchophylla Scrophularia Formula (URSF), a medical institution preparation of the affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is effective for essential hypertension. However, the efficacy of URSF for hypertension remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the anti-hypertensive mechanism of the URSF. The material basis of URSF was identified by the LC-MS. We also evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy of URSF on SHR rats by body weight, blood pressure and biochemical indicators. The LC-MS spectrometry-based serum non-targeted metabolomics was used to seek potential biomarkers and relevant pathways for URSF in the treatment of SHR rats. 56 biomarkers were metabolically disturbed in SHR rats in the model group compared with the control group. After URSF intervention, 13 biomarkers showed a recovery in the optimal method compared with the other three groups. We identified 3 metabolic pathways in which URSF is involved: the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, the niacin and nicotinamide metabolism pathway, and the purine metabolism pathway. These discoveries offer a basis for the study of URSF for the treatment of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichao Li
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Jinlei Liu
- Shandong Gujinzhong Medicine Technology Co., Ltd, Jinan 250104, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Danyang Wang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
| | - Wenqing Yang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
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An enzyme activated fluorescent probe for LTA 4H activity sensing and its application in cancer screening. Talanta 2023; 253:123887. [PMID: 36088846 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123887] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Early diagnosis of cancer is an efficient strategy to prevent tumor progression and improve the survival rate of patients. However, to discovery of reliable tumor-specific biomarkers remains a great challenge. Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is a bifunctional zinc metalloenzyme with epoxide hydrolase activity and aminopeptidase activity, which plays important roles in allergic and inflammatory reactions and showed strong relevance with carcinoma progression. We thus sought to investigate the possibility of application LTA4H activity detection in cancer diagnosis. To achieve this, we herein develop an enzyme activated fluorescent probe for LTA4H activity sensing by incorporating the specific recognition unit of LTA4H with a red-emitting fluorophore. The acquired probe (named as ADMAB) showed high sensitivity and specificity toward LTA4H in vitro. By further application of ADMAB in living cells, significantly elevated LTA4H activity in cancer cell lines was observed when compared with normal cell lines and in vivo tracing A549 tumor in nude mice was also realized by ADMAB. Meanwhile, the wound-healing assay further revealed the importance of LTA4H in tumor metastasis. Moreover, the LTA4H activity in human serum sample was successfully detected by ADMAB and significantly elevated LTA4H activity in patients diagnosed with cancer was firstly found, which demonstrated ADMAB to be a useful tool for cancer diagnosis and LTA4H related biological study.
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Tsai MJ, Chang WA, Chuang CH, Wu KL, Cheng CH, Sheu CC, Hsu YL, Hung JY. Cysteinyl Leukotriene Pathway and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010120. [PMID: 35008546 PMCID: PMC8745400 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, despite many advances being made in recent decades. Changes in the tumor microenvironment, including dysregulated immunity, may contribute to carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) pathway is involved in several signal pathways, having various functions in different tissues. We summarized major findings of studies about the roles of the CysLT pathway in cancer. Many in vitro studies suggested the roles of CysLTs in cell survival/proliferation via CysLT1 receptor (CysLT1R). CysLT1R antagonism decreased cell vitality and induced cell death in several types of cancer cells, such as colorectal, urological, breast, lung and neurological malignancies. CysLTs were also associated with multidrug resistance of cancer, and CysLT1R antagonism might reverse chemoresistance. Some animal studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of CysLT1R antagonist in inhibiting tumorigenesis and progression of some cancer types, particularly colorectal cancer and lung cancer. The expression of CysLT1R was shown in various cancer tissues, particularly colorectal cancer and urological malignancies, and higher expression was associated with a poorer prognosis. The chemo-preventive effects of CysLT1R antagonists were demonstrated in two large retrospective cohort studies. In summary, the roles of the CysLT pathway in cancer have been delineated, whereas further studies are still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ju Tsai
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Wei-An Chang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Chuang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Kuan-Li Wu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Hung Cheng
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chau-Chyun Sheu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ling Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Jen-Yu Hung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; (M.-J.T.); (W.-A.C.); (C.-H.C.); (K.-L.W.); (C.-H.C.); (C.-C.S.)
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Respiratory Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-3121101 (ext. 5651)
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Tang L, Zhang YH, Wang X, Zhang CC, Qin G, Lin Q. Effects of chronic exposure to environmental levels of tributyltin on the lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) liver: Analysis of bioaccumulation, antioxidant defense, and immune gene expression. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 801:149646. [PMID: 34416608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT), an organotin compound frequently detected in the coastal environments, poses a threat to aquatic organisms. The lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is a vulnerable species found in nearshore water habitats. The mechanisms by which this fish responds to TBT exposure are not yet fully understood. Histological, biochemical, and transcriptional analyses were conducted, and the results showed that 60 days of exposure to 50 and 500 ng/L TBT caused significant tin accumulation and liver damage to seahorses. Antioxidant defenses and immune responses to TBT exposure in the livers of seahorses were further investigated. The enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content increased, while catalase activity decreased. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that a series of genes involved in the antioxidant defense system were highly induced to protect the hepatic cells from oxidative damage. TBT exposure also resulted in the induction of genes associated with immune and inflammatory processes, representing a stress response to combat the adverse environmental conditions in the exposed seahorses. Furthermore, seahorses showed an increased health risk, according to the elevation of the expression of genes with tumor-promoting effects, when exposed to TBT. These findings contribute to our understanding of the adverse effects of TBT exposure on seahorses, and their potential defense mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yan-Hong Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China.
| | - Xin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China
| | - Can-Chuan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Geng Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China
| | - Qiang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China.
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Distinct Metabolomic Signatures in Preclinical and Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112950. [PMID: 34831173 PMCID: PMC8616419 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease with poor risk prediction due to incomplete penetrance and a lack of clear genotype–phenotype correlations. Advanced imaging techniques have shown altered myocardial energetics already in preclinical gene variant carriers. To determine whether disturbed myocardial energetics with the potential to serve as biomarkers are also reflected in the serum metabolome, we analyzed the serum metabolome of asymptomatic carriers in comparison to healthy controls and obstructive HCM patients (HOCM). We performed non-quantitative direct-infusion high-resolution mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics on serum from fasted asymptomatic gene variant carriers, symptomatic HOCM patients and healthy controls (n = 31, 14 and 9, respectively). Biomarker panels that discriminated the groups were identified by performing multivariate modeling with gradient-boosting classifiers. For all three group-wise comparisons we identified a panel of 30 serum metabolites that best discriminated the groups. These metabolite panels performed equally well as advanced cardiac imaging modalities in distinguishing the groups. Seven metabolites were found to be predictive in two different comparisons and may play an important role in defining the disease stage. This study reveals unique metabolic signatures in serum of preclinical carriers and HOCM patients that may potentially be used for HCM risk stratification and precision therapeutics.
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Mu X, Xu D. QM/MM Molecular Dynamics Investigations of the Substrate Binding of Leucotriene A4 Hydrolase: Implication for the Catalytic Mechanism. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:7253-7263. [PMID: 29965770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b04203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
LTA4H is a monozinc bifunctional enzyme which exhibits both aminopeptidase and epoxide hydrolase activities. Its dual functions in anti- and pro-inflammatory roles have attracted wide attention to the inhibitor design. In this work, we tried to construct Michaelis complexes of LTA4H with both a native peptide substrate and LTA4 molecule using combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics molecular dynamics simulations. First of all, the zinc ion is coordinated by H295, H299, and E318. For its aminopeptidase activity, similar to conventional peptidases, the fourth ligand to the zinc ion is suggested to be an active site water, which is further hydrogen bonded with a downstream glutamic acid, E296. For the epoxide hydrolase activity, the fourth ligand to the zinc ion is found to be an epoxy oxygen atom. The potential of mean force calculation indicates about an 8.5 kcal/mol activation barrier height for the ring-opening reaction, which will generate a metastable carbenium intermediate. Subsequent frontier molecular orbital analyses suggest that the next step would be the nucleophilic attacking reaction at the C12 atom by a water molecule activated by D375. Our simulations also analyzed functions of several important residues like R563, K565, E271, Y383, and Y378 in the binding of peptide and LTA4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Mu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology, College of Chemistry , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan , People's Republic of China 610064
| | - Dingguo Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology, College of Chemistry , Sichuan University , Chengdu , Sichuan , People's Republic of China 610064
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Wang H, Xue K, Li P, Yang Y, He Z, Zhang W, Zhang W, Tang B. In Vivo Two-Photon Fluorescence Imaging of the Activity of the Inflammatory Biomarker LTA4H in a Mouse Pneumonia Model. Anal Chem 2018; 90:6020-6027. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Xue
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuyun Yang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zixu He
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Tang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, People’s Republic of China
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Protective effects of bestatin in the retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Exp Eye Res 2016; 149:100-106. [PMID: 27344955 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2016.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
CD13/APN (aminopeptidase N) was first identified as a selective angiogenic marker expressed in tumor vasculature and is considered a target for anti-cancer therapy. CD13 was also reported to express in non-diabetic, hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization. Whether diabetes induces upregulation of CD13 expression in the retina is unknown. We hypothesize that at an early stage of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) characterized by disruption of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability is related to upregulated expression of CD13 because of its known role in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of CD13/APN and the therapeutic efficacy of a CD13/APN inhibitor in a mouse model of streptozotocin-induced NPDR. Hyperglycemic C57Bl/6 mice 26 weeks after streptozotocin (STZ) injection were intravitreally injected with a sustained release formulation of CD13/APN inhibitor bestatin. At 15th day of post-bestatin treatment, mouse retinas were evaluated for vascular permeability by Evans blue dye extravasation assay, fluorescent angiography of retinal vascular permeability and leukostasis. Retinal protein extracts were analyzed by Western blot to determine the effects of bestatin treatment on the expression of CD13/APN related inflammatory mediators of ECM degradation and angiogenesis. Intravitreal bestatin treatment significantly inhibited retinal vascular permeability and leukostasis. This treatment also significantly inhibited retinal expression of CD13, ECM degrading proteases (heparanase and MMP9 and angiogenic molecules (HIF-1α and VEGF). Intravitreal CD13 inhibition may relate to furthering our knowledge on the protective effect of bestatin against diabetic retinal vasculature abnormalities through inhibition of retinal permeability, leukostasis, inflammatory molecules of ECM degradation and angiogenesis.
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Wells JM, O'Reilly PJ, Szul T, Sullivan DI, Handley G, Garrett C, McNicholas CM, Roda MA, Miller BE, Tal-Singer R, Gaggar A, Rennard SI, Jackson PL, Blalock JE. An aberrant leukotriene A4 hydrolase-proline-glycine-proline pathway in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014; 190:51-61. [PMID: 24874071 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201401-0145oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Chronic neutrophilic inflammation is a hallmark in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and persists after cigarette smoking has stopped. Mechanisms involved in this ongoing inflammatory response have not been delineated. OBJECTIVES We investigated changes to the leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H)-proline-glycine-proline (PGP) pathway and chronic inflammation in the development of COPD. METHODS A/J mice were exposed to air or cigarette smoke for 22 weeks followed by bronchoalveolar lavage and lung and cardiac tissue analysis. Two human cohorts were used to analyze changes to the LTA4H-PGP pathway in never smokers, control smokers, COPD smokers, and COPD former smokers. PGP/AcPGP and LTA4H aminopeptidase activity were detected by mass spectroscopy, LTA4H amounts were detected by ELISA, and acrolein was detected by Western blot. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Mice exposed to cigarette smoke developed emphysema with increased PGP, neutrophilic inflammation, and selective inhibition of LTA4H aminopeptidase, which ordinarily degrades PGP. We recapitulated these findings in smokers with and without COPD. PGP and AcPGP are closely associated with cigarette smoke use. Once chronic inflammation is established, changes to LTA4H aminopeptidase remain, even in the absence of ongoing cigarette use. Acrolein modifies LTA4H and inhibits aminopeptidase activity to the same extent as cigarette smoke. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate a novel pathway of aberrant regulation of PGP/AcPGP, suggesting this inflammatory pathway may be intimately involved in disease progression in the absence of ongoing cigarette smoke exposure. We highlight a mechanism by which acrolein potentiates neutrophilic inflammation through selective inhibition of LTA4H aminopeptidase activity. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00292552).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Wells
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
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13
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Yousefi B, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Azizi G, Hajighasemi F, Mirshafiey A. The role of leukotrienes in immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2014; 24:225-35. [DOI: 10.3109/14397595.2013.854056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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14
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Yousefi B, Jadidi-Niaragh F, Azizi G, Hajighasemi F, Mirshafiey A. The role of leukotrienes in immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol 2013. [PMID: 23529572 DOI: 10.1007/s10165-013-0861-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of joints for which there is no strict cure. However, conventional medications can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and slow joint damage. Leukotrienes are a family of paracrine agents derived from oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid. Synthesis of lipid mediators and subsequent induction of receptor activity are tightly regulated under normal physiological conditions, so that enzyme and/or receptor dysfunction can lead to a variety of clinical signs and symptoms of disease, such as local pain and tissue edema. In these tissues, immunocompetent cells accumulate at the site of injury, contributing to tissue damage and perpetuation of the disease process. Leukotrienes (often leukotriene B4) as potent chemotactic agents can provoke most signs and symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis by initiating, coordinating, sustaining, and amplifying the inflammatory response, through recruitment of leukocytes. A number of studies have reported that pharmacological modulation in this field can significantly attenuate clinical manifestations associated with different inflammatory pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Box: 6446, 14155, Tehran, Iran
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Development of predictive quantitative structure–activity relationship model and its application in the discovery of human leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2013; 5:27-40. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.12.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Human LTA4H catalyzes the conversion of LTA4 to LTB4 and plays a key role in innate immune responses. Inhibition of this enzyme can be a valid method in the treatment of inflammatory response exhibited through LTB4. Results & discussion: The quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed using genetic function approximation and validated. A training set of 26 diverse compounds and their molecular descriptors were used to develop highly correlating QSAR models. A six-descriptor model explaining the biological activity of the training and test sets with correlation values of 0.846 and 0.502, respectively, was selected as the best model and used in a database screening of drug-like Maybridge database followed by molecular docking. Conclusion: Based on the predicted potent inhibitory activities, expected binding mode and molecular interactions at the active site of hLTA4H final leads were selected as to be utilized in designing future hLTA4H inhibitors.
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Tanis VM, Bacani GM, Blevitt JM, Chrovian CC, Crawford S, De Leon A, Fourie AM, Gomez L, Grice CA, Herman K, Kearney AM, Landry-Bayle AM, Lee-Dutra A, Nelson J, Riley JP, Santillán A, Wiener JJ, Xue X, Young AL. Azabenzthiazole inhibitors of leukotriene A4 hydrolase. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:7504-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Census of cytosolic aminopeptidase activity reveals two novel cytosolic aminopeptidases. Med Microbiol Immunol 2012; 201:463-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s00430-012-0266-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Thangapandian S, John S, Lazar P, Choi S, Lee KW. Structural origins for the loss of catalytic activities of bifunctional human LTA4H revealed through molecular dynamics simulations. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41063. [PMID: 22848428 PMCID: PMC3405069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukotriene A4 hydrolase (hLTA4H), which is the final and rate-limiting enzyme of arachidonic acid pathway, converts the unstable epoxide LTA4 to a proinflammatory lipid mediator LTB4 through its hydrolase function. The LTA4H is a bi-functional enzyme that also exhibits aminopeptidase activity with a preference over arginyl tripeptides. Various mutations including E271Q, R563A, and K565A have completely or partially abolished both the functions of this enzyme. The crystal structures with these mutations have not shown any structural changes to address the loss of functions. Molecular dynamics simulations of LTA4 and tripeptide complex structures with functional mutations were performed to investigate the structural and conformation changes that scripts the observed differences in catalytic functions. The observed protein-ligand hydrogen bonds and distances between the important catalytic components have correlated well with the experimental results. This study also confirms based on the structural observation that E271 is very important for both the functions as it holds the catalytic metal ion at its location for the catalysis and it also acts as N-terminal recognition residue during peptide binding. The comparison of binding modes of substrates revealed the structural changes explaining the importance of R563 and K565 residues and the required alignment of substrate at the active site. The results of this study provide valuable information to be utilized in designing potent hLTA4H inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundarapandian Thangapandian
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Systems and Synthetic Agrobiotech Center, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences and National Core Research Center for Cell Signaling and Drug Discovery Research, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Shalini John
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Systems and Synthetic Agrobiotech Center, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Prettina Lazar
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Systems and Synthetic Agrobiotech Center, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences and National Core Research Center for Cell Signaling and Drug Discovery Research, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Keun Woo Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Program), Systems and Synthetic Agrobiotech Center, Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Mulenga A, Erikson K. A snapshot of the Ixodes scapularis degradome. Gene 2011; 482:78-93. [PMID: 21596113 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Revised: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic encoded proteases are essential to regulating interactions between parasites and their hosts and thus they represent attractive anti-parasitic druggable and/or vaccine target. We have utilized annotations of Ixodes scapularis proteases in gene bank and version 9.3 MEROPS database to compile an index of at least 233 putatively active and 150 putatively inactive protease enzymes that are encoded by the I. scapularis genome. The 233 putatively active protease homologs hereafter referred to as the degradome (the full repertoire of proteases encoded by the I. scapularis genome) represent ~1.14% of the 20485 putative I. scapularis protein content. Consistent with observations in other animals, the content of the I. scapularis degradome is ~6.0% (14/233) aspartic, ~19% (44/233) cysteine, ~40% (93/233) metallo, ~28.3% (66/233) serine and ~6.4% (15/233) threonine proteases. When scanned against other tick sequences, ~11% (25/233) of I. scapularis putatively active proteases are conserved in other tick species with ≥ 60% amino acid identity levels. The I. scapularis genome does not apparently encode for putatively inactive aspartic proteases. Of the 150 putative inactive protease homologs none are from the aspartic protease class, ~8% (12/150) are cysteine, ~58.7% (88/150) metallo, 30% (45/150) serine and ~3.3% (5/150) are threonine proteases. The I. scapularis tick genome appears to have evolutionarily lost proteolytic activity of at least 6 protease families, C56 and C64 (cysteine), M20 and M23 (metallo), S24 and S28 (serine) as revealed by a lack of the putatively active proteases in these families. The overall protease content is comparable to other organisms. However, the paucity of the S1 chymotrypsin/trypsin-like serine protease family in the I. scapularis genome where it is ~12.7% (28/233) of the degradome as opposed to ~22-48% content in other blood feeding arthropods, Pediculus humanus humanus, Anopheles gambiae, Aedes Aegypti and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus is notable. The data is presented as a one-stop index of proteases encoded by the I. scapularis genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mulenga
- Texas A & M University AgriLife Research, Department of Entomology, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Isbaniah F, Wiyono WH, Yunus F, Setiawati A, Totzke U, Verbruggen MA. Echinacea purpurea along with zinc, selenium and vitamin C to alleviate exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results from a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther 2010; 36:568-76. [PMID: 21062330 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2010.01212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) frequently cause exacerbations of chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Stimulation of the innate immune system may provide an early defence against such infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether Echinacea purpurea (EP) along with micronutrients may alleviate COPD exacerbations caused by acute URTI. METHODS This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in COPD patients with acute URTI. Patients were given ciprofloxacin for 7 days and additionally one tablet per day of EP, of EP along with zinc, selenium and ascorbic acid (EP+), or of placebo until day 14. Serum levels of TNF α and interleukins 1β, 6 and 10 were measured before and after treatment. Until week 4 post-end of treatment, all patients had to daily report on COPD symptoms in diaries. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In total, 108 mostly male patients with a mean age of 65·8 years (40-81 years) were enrolled. Patients of the three treatment arms did not vary significantly in baseline characteristics. EP+, but not EP resulted in significantly less severe and shorter exacerbation episodes following URTI as compared with placebo suggesting a synergistic effect of Echinacea and micronutrients. Large variations in biomarkers in-between and within groups were unrelated to treatment. Study medication was safe and well tolerated with overall 15 adverse events one of which was serious. Among those, sleeping disorders were most frequent and likely related to the underlying disease. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION The combination of EP, zinc, selenium and vitamin C may alleviate exacerbation symptoms caused by URTI in COPD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the interactions among Echinacea, zinc, selenium and vitamin C.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Isbaniah
- Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
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Mirshafiey A, Jadidi-Niaragh F. Immunopharmacological role of the Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and inhibitors of leukotrienes generating enzymes in Multiple Sclerosis. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2010; 32:219-27. [DOI: 10.3109/08923970903283662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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22
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Decker M, Arand M, Cronin A. Mammalian epoxide hydrolases in xenobiotic metabolism and signalling. Arch Toxicol 2009; 83:297-318. [PMID: 19340413 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-009-0416-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/16/2009] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epoxide hydrolases catalyse the hydrolysis of electrophilic--and therefore potentially genotoxic--epoxides to the corresponding less reactive vicinal diols, which explains the classification of epoxide hydrolases as typical detoxifying enzymes. The best example is mammalian microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH)-an enzyme prone to detoxification-due to a high expression level in the liver, a broad substrate selectivity, as well as inducibility by foreign compounds. The mEH is capable of inactivating a large number of structurally different, highly reactive epoxides and hence is an important part of the enzymatic defence of our organism against adverse effects of foreign compounds. Furthermore, evidence is accumulating that mammalian epoxide hydrolases play physiological roles other than detoxification, particularly through involvement in signalling processes. This certainly holds true for soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) whose main function seems to be the turnover of lipid derived epoxides, which are signalling lipids with diverse functions in regulatory processes, such as control of blood pressure, inflammatory processes, cell proliferation and nociception. In recent years, the sEH has attracted attention as a promising target for pharmacological inhibition to treat hypertension and possibly other diseases. Recently, new hitherto uncharacterised epoxide hydrolases could be identified in mammals by genome analysis. The expression pattern and substrate selectivity of these new epoxide hydrolases suggests their participation in signalling processes rather than a role in detoxification. Taken together, epoxide hydrolases (1) play a central role in the detoxification of genotoxic epoxides and (2) have an important function in the regulation of physiological processes by the control of signalling molecules with an epoxide structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Decker
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurer Str. 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Grice CA, Tays KL, Savall BM, Wei J, Butler CR, Axe FU, Bembenek SD, Fourie AM, Dunford PJ, Lundeen K, Coles F, Xue X, Riley JP, Williams KN, Karlsson L, Edwards JP. Identification of a potent, selective, and orally active leukotriene a4 hydrolase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity. J Med Chem 2008; 51:4150-69. [PMID: 18588282 DOI: 10.1021/jm701575k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
LTA 4H is a ubiquitously distributed 69 kDa zinc-containing cytosolic enzyme with both hydrolase and aminopeptidase activity. As a hydrolase, LTA 4H stereospecifically catalyzes the transformation of the unstable epoxide LTA 4 to the diol LTB 4, a potent chemoattractant and activator of neutrophils and a chemoattractant of eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells, and T cells. Inhibiting the formation of LTB 4 is expected to be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), asthma, and atherosclerosis. We developed a pharmacophore model using a known inhibitor manually docked into the active site of LTA 4H to identify a subset of compounds for screening. From this work we identified a series of benzoxazole, benzthiazole, and benzimidazole inhibitors. SAR studies resulted in the identification of several potent inhibitors with an appropriate cross-reactivity profile and excellent PK/PD properties. Our efforts focused on further profiling JNJ 27265732, which showed encouraging efficacy in a disease model relevant to IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Grice
- Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C., 3210 Merryfield Row, San Diego, California 92121, USA.
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25
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Ge QF, Wei EQ, Zhang WP, Hu X, Huang XJ, Zhang L, Song Y, Ma ZQ, Chen Z, Luo JH. Activation of 5-lipoxygenase after oxygen-glucose deprivation is partly mediated via NMDA receptor in rat cortical neurons. J Neurochem 2006; 97:992-1004. [PMID: 16606359 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03828.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is the enzyme metabolizing arachidonic acid to produce pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. We have reported that 5-LOX is translocated to the nuclear envelope after ischemic-like injury in PC12 cells. In the present study, we determined whether 5-LOX is activated (translocation and production of leukotrienes) after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in primary rat cortical neurons; if so, whether this activation is mediated by NMDA receptor. After OGD, 5-LOX was translocated to the nuclear envelope as detected by immunoblotting, immunostaining and green fluorescent protein-5-LOX transfection. 5-LOX metabolites, cysteinyl-leukotrienes (CysLTs) but not leukotriene B4, in the culture media were increased 0.5-1.5 h after recovery. Similarly, NMDA (100 microm) also induced 5-LOX translocation, and increased the production of CysLTs during 0.5-1 h NMDA exposure. Both OGD and NMDA reduced neuron viability. NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 inhibited almost all the responses to OGD and NMDA; whereas 5-LOX activating protein inhibitor MK-886 and 5-LOX inhibitor caffeic acid inhibited the reduction of neuron viability and the production of CysLTs, but did not affect 5-LOX translocation. From these results, we conclude that OGD can activate 5-LOX in primary rat cortical neurons, and that this activation may be partly mediated via activating NMDA receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Fu Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, Zheijang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Alestas T, Ganceviciene R, Fimmel S, Müller-Decker K, Zouboulis CC. Enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 are active in sebaceous glands. J Mol Med (Berl) 2005; 84:75-87. [PMID: 16388388 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-005-0715-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2005] [Accepted: 07/20/2005] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The expression of enzymes involved in leukotriene and prostaglandin signalling pathways, of interleukins 6 and 8 and of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in sebaceous glands of acne-involved facial skin was compared with those of non-involved skin of acne patients and of healthy individuals. Moreover, 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A(4) hydrolase were expressed at mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in SZ95 sebocytes in vitro (leukotriene A(4) hydrolase > 5-lipoxygenase), while 15-lipoxygenase-1 was only detected in cultured sebocytes. Cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 were also present. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors were constitutively expressed. Enhanced 5-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin 6 expression was detected in acne-involved facial skin. Arachidonic acid stimulated leukotriene B(4) and interleukin 6 release as well as prostaglandin E(2) biosynthesis in SZ95 sebocytes, induced abundant increase in neutral lipids and down-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha, but not receptor-gamma1 mRNA levels, which were the predominant peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor isotypes in SZ95 sebocytes. In conclusion, human sebocytes possess the enzyme machinery for functional leukotriene and prostaglandin pathways. A comprehensive link between inflammation and sebaceous lipid synthesis is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodosios Alestas
- Department of Dermatology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Fabeckstrasse 60-62, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Petasis NA, Akritopoulou-Zanze I, Fokin VV, Bernasconi G, Keledjian R, Yang R, Uddin J, Nagulapalli KC, Serhan CN. Design, synthesis and bioactions of novel stable mimetics of lipoxins and aspirin-triggered lipoxins. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2005; 73:301-21. [PMID: 16098719 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2005.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The lipoxins (LX) are a class of potent endogenous oxygenated products that are enzymatically generated from arachidonic acid and have novel anti-inflammatory properties and promote resolution. Elucidation of the biochemical pathways involved in the metabolic inactivation of LX and the discovery of the aspirin-triggered lipoxins (ATL) provided the basis for the design and synthesis of stable analogs of LX and ATL. This special issue review describes the efforts that led to the design and synthesis of stable LX/ATL mimetics, which permitted the detailed elucidation of their novel biological roles, leading to the development of new anti-inflammatory agents that mimic their actions. These synthetic molecules provided the means to uncover the physiologic roles of both the LX and the ATL biosynthetic pathways which led to several unexpected discoveries. Among these findings is the involvement of polyisoprenyl phosphates (PIPP) in intracellular signaling mediated by presqualene diphosphate (PSDP), and the recognition of the novel roles of these lipid mediators in regulating cell trafficking during inflammation as well as in promoting resolution of inflammatory processes. These efforts also provided the basis for examining the potential therapeutic role of LX/ATL stable mimetics and led to the development of new analogs with improved pharmacokinetics that opened the way to potentially new approaches to treating human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicos A Petasis
- Department of Chemistry and the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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Morgan EL, Maskrey BH, Rowley AF. At what stage in metazoan evolution did leukotriene generation first appear?--key insights from cartilaginous fish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 29:53-59. [PMID: 15325523 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2004.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2004] [Revised: 04/19/2004] [Accepted: 05/06/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Leukotriene (LT) B4 is a key player in inflammatory responses in mammals. During the generation of this derivative of arachidonic acid, the unstable product of 5-lipoxygenase, termed LTA4, is converted to LTB4 by LTA4 hydrolase. Invertebrates do not generate LTs yet all vertebrates from bony fish onwards synthesize this compound. As cartilaginous fish are the most primitive living jawed vertebrates, we investigated if the leukocytes from such a fish, the Thornback ray (Raja clavata) could generate LTB4. Supernatants from ionophore-challenged leukocytes generated the 5-lipoxygenase products, 6-trans-LTB4 and 6-trans-12-epi-LTB4 but were unable to synthesize LTB4. To determine if these cells contained an active LTA4 hydrolase, LTA4 was incubated with lysates from ray leukocytes. Such preparations did not contain any demonstrable LTA4 hydrolase activity. Our findings imply at the stage of cartilaginous fish evolution over 350 million years ago that the evolution of an active LTA4 hydrolase had yet to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Morgan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK
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Zimmer JSD, Dyckes DF, Bernlohr DA, Murphy RC. Fatty acid binding proteins stabilize leukotriene A4: competition with arachidonic acid but not other lipoxygenase products. J Lipid Res 2004; 45:2138-44. [PMID: 15342681 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m400240-jlr200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukotriene A(4) (LTA(4)) is a chemically reactive conjugated triene epoxide product derived from 5-lipoxygenase oxygenation of arachidonic acid. At physiological pH, this reactive compound has a half-life of less than 3 s at 37 degrees C and approximately 40 s at 4 degrees C. Regardless of this aqueous instability, LTA(4) is an intermediate in the formation of biologically active leukotrienes, which can be formed through either intracellular or transcellular biosynthesis. Previously, epithelial fatty acid binding protein (E-FABP) present in RBL-1 cells was shown to increase the half-life of LTA(4) to approximately 20 min at 4 degrees C. Five FABPs (adipocyte FABP, intestinal FABP, E-FABP, heart/muscle FABP, and liver FABP) have now been examined and also found to increase the half-life of LTA(4) at 4 degrees C to approximately 20 min with protein present. Stabilization of LTA(4) was examined when arachidonic acid was present to compete with LTA(4) for the binding site on E-FABP. Arachidonate has an apparent higher affinity for E-FABP than LTA(4) and was able to completely block stabilization of the latter. When E-FABP is not saturated with arachidonate, FABP can still stabilize LTA(4). Several lipoxygenase products, including 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 5,6-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, and leukotriene B(4), were found to have no effect on the stability of LTA(4) induced by E-FABP even when present at concentrations 3-fold higher than LTA(4).
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Abstract
Epoxides are attractive intermediates for producing chiral compounds. Important biocatalytic reactions involving epoxides include epoxide hydrolase mediated kinetic resolution, leading to the formation of diols and enantiopure remaining substrates, and enantioconvergent enzymatic hydrolysis, which gives high yields of a single enantiomer from racemic mixtures. Epoxides can also be converted by non-hydrolytic enantioselective ring opening, using alternative anionic nucleophiles; these reactions can be catalysed by haloalcohol dehalogenases. The differences in scope of these enzymatic conversions is related to their different catalytic mechanisms, which involve, respectively, covalent catalysis with an aspartate carboxylate as the nucleophile and non-covalent catalysis with a tyrosine that acts as a general acid-base. The emerging new possibilities for enantioselective biocatalytic conversion of epoxides suggests that their importance in green chemistry will grow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J de Vries
- Department of Biochemistry, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands
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