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Ye L, Huang Y, Liu X, Zhang X, Cao Y, Kong X, Yuan X, Xu J, Zhu H. Apelin/APJ system protects placental trophoblasts from hypoxia-induced oxidative stress through activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in preeclampsia. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 208:759-770. [PMID: 37774802 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia is a placentally induced syndrome with diverse clinical presentation that currently has no cure. Oxidative stress is a potent inducer of placental dysfunction. The apelin receptor (APJ) system is a pleiotropic pathway with a potential for therapeutic targeting in preeclampsia. This study examines the alteration of circulating apelin levels and placental APJ expression in preeclampsia and investigates whether apelin/APJ system can protect placental trophoblast from hypoxia-induced oxidative stress injury through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. RESULTS Our results confirmed that maternal apelin concentration was increased in women with preeclampsia, but APJ expression was reduced in the preeclamptic placentas. Apelin-13 treatment not only specifically attenuated CoCl2-induced superoxide production, but also prevented CoCl2-induced reduction of SOD activity and SOD1 expression. In addition, apelin-13 suppressed CoCl2-induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of bcl-2/bax ratio and by decreasing the expression of active caspase-3 in placental trophoblasts. Furthermore, we found that apelin-13 binding APJ activated the PI3K and AKT kinases and inhibition of PI3K kinase significantly blocked the anti-oxidative effects of apelin-13 in placental trophoblasts. CONCLUSIONS Decrease of placental APJ expression is associated with oxidative stress-induced placental dysfunction in preeclampsia, and increased circulating apelin could be a moderately successful marker to differentiate subjects with preeclampsia from healthy pregnant women. Inhibition of superoxide production and caspase-3 cleavage, together with upregulation of SOD activity/expression and bcl-2/bax ratio, could be the potential molecular mechanisms by which apelin-13/APJ protects placental trophoblasts from oxidative stress injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Ye
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yujia Huang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiangju Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiaolei Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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2
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Xu C. Cardiovascular aspects of ELABELA: A potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 151:107193. [PMID: 37433415 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107193] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
ELABELA, an early endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ (apelin peptide jejunum, apelin receptor), has been known as an important regulator in cardiovascular homeostasis and may be a novel therapeutic target for multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). At the physiological level, ELABELA exhibits angiogenic and vasorelaxant effects and is essential for heart development. At the pathological level, circulating ELABELA levels may be a novel diagnostic biomarker for various CVDs. ELABELA peripherally displays antihypertensive, vascular-protective, and cardioprotective effects, whereas central administration of ELABELA elevated BP and caused cardiovascular remodeling. This review highlights the physiological and pathological roles of ELABELA in the cardiovascular system. Enhancement of the peripheral ELABELA may be a promising pharmacological therapeutic strategy for CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanming Xu
- Translational Medicine Centre, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330002, Jiangxi, China.
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3
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Rossin D, Vanni R, Lo Iacono M, Cristallini C, Giachino C, Rastaldo R. APJ as Promising Therapeutic Target of Peptide Analogues in Myocardial Infarction- and Hypertension-Induced Heart Failure. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051408. [PMID: 37242650 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The widely expressed G protein-coupled apelin receptor (APJ) is activated by two bioactive endogenous peptides, apelin and ELABELA (ELA). The apelin/ELA-APJ-related pathway has been found involved in the regulation of many physiological and pathological cardiovascular processes. Increasing studies are deepening the role of the APJ pathway in limiting hypertension and myocardial ischaemia, thus reducing cardiac fibrosis and adverse tissue remodelling, outlining APJ regulation as a potential therapeutic target for heart failure prevention. However, the low plasma half-life of native apelin and ELABELA isoforms lowered their potential for pharmacological applications. In recent years, many research groups focused their attention on studying how APJ ligand modifications could affect receptor structure and dynamics as well as its downstream signalling. This review summarises the novel insights regarding the role of APJ-related pathways in myocardial infarction and hypertension. Furthermore, recent progress in designing synthetic compounds or analogues of APJ ligands able to fully activate the apelinergic pathway is reported. Determining how to exogenously regulate the APJ activation could help to outline a promising therapy for cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rossin
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Roberto Vanni
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Marco Lo Iacono
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Caterina Cristallini
- Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, IPCF ss Pisa, CNR, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Giachino
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Raffaella Rastaldo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
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4
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Pang B, Jiang YR, Xu JY, Shao DX, Hao LY. Apelin/ELABELA-APJ system in cardiac hypertrophy: Regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175727. [PMID: 37062502 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175727] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure is one of the most significant public health problems faced by millions of medical researchers worldwide. And pathological cardiac hypertrophy is considered one of the possible factors of increasing the risk of heart failure. Here, we introduce apelin/ELABELA-APJ system as a novel therapeutic target for cardiac hypertrophy, bringing about new directions in clinical treatment. Apelin has been proven to regulate cardiac hypertrophy through various pathways. And an increasing number of studies on ELABELA, the newly discovered endogenous ligand, suggest it can alleviate cardiac hypertrophy through mechanisms similar or different to apelin. In this review, we elaborate on the role that apelin/ELABELA-APJ system plays in cardiac hypertrophy and the intricate mechanisms that apelin/ELABELA-APJ affect cardiac hypertrophy. We also illuminate and make comparisons of the newly designed peptides and small molecules as agonists and antagonists for APJ, updating the breakthroughs in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pang
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Yin-Ru Jiang
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Jia-Yao Xu
- China Medical University-The Queen's University of Belfast Joint College, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast Northern Ireland, BT9 7BL, United Kingdom.
| | - Dong-Xue Shao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Li-Ying Hao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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5
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Murali S, Aradhyam GK. Structure-function relationship and physiological role of apelin and its G protein coupled receptor. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:127-143. [PMID: 36919024 PMCID: PMC9995629 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01044-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Apelin receptor (APJR) is a class A peptide (apelin) binding G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays a significant role in regulating blood pressure, cardiac output, and maintenance of fluid homeostasis. It is activated by a wide range of endogenous peptide isoforms of apelin and elabela. The apelin peptide isoforms contain distinct structural features that aid in ligand recognition and activation of the receptor. Site-directed mutagenesis and structure-based studies have revealed the involvement of extracellular and transmembrane regions of the receptor in binding to the peptide isoforms. The structural features of APJR activation of the receptor as well as mediating G-protein and β-arrestin-mediated signaling are delineated by multiple mutagenesis studies. There is increasing evidence that the structural requirements of APJR to activate G-proteins and β-arrestins are different, leading to biased signaling. APJR also responds to mechanical stimuli in a ligand-independent manner. A multitude of studies has focused on developing both peptide and non-peptide agonists and antagonists specific to APJR. Apelin/elabela-activated APJR orchestrates major signaling pathways such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKs), protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), and p70S. This review focuses on the structural and functional characteristics of apelin, elabela, APJR, and their interactions involved in the binding and activation of the downstream signaling cascade. We also focus on the diverse signaling profile of APJR and its ligands and their involvement in various physiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhashree Murali
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Gopala Krishna Aradhyam
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India
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6
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Yue Y, Liu L, Wu LJ, Wu Y, Wang L, Li F, Liu J, Han GW, Chen B, Lin X, Brouillette RL, Breault É, Longpré JM, Shi S, Lei H, Sarret P, Stevens RC, Hanson MA, Xu F. Structural insight into apelin receptor-G protein stoichiometry. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:688-697. [PMID: 35817871 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00797-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The technique of cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has revolutionized the field of membrane protein structure and function with a focus on the dominantly observed molecular species. This report describes the structural characterization of a fully active human apelin receptor (APJR) complexed with heterotrimeric G protein observed in both 2:1 and 1:1 stoichiometric ratios. We use cryo-EM single-particle analysis to determine the structural details of both species from the same sample preparation. Protein preparations, in the presence of the endogenous peptide ligand ELA or a synthetic small molecule, both demonstrate these mixed stoichiometric states. Structural differences in G protein engagement between dimeric and monomeric APJR suggest a role for the stoichiometry of G protein-coupled receptor- (GPCR-)G protein coupling on downstream signaling and receptor pharmacology. Furthermore, a small, hydrophobic dimer interface provides a starting framework for additional class A GPCR dimerization studies. Together, these findings uncover a mechanism of versatile regulation through oligomerization by which GPCRs can modulate their signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yue
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lier Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Jie Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiran Wu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junlin Liu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gye-Won Han
- Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bo Chen
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Lin
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rebecca L Brouillette
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology at Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Émile Breault
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology at Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Michel Longpré
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology at Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Songting Shi
- Structure Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hui Lei
- Structure Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Pharmacology at Sherbrooke, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Raymond C Stevens
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.,Structure Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Fei Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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7
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Nyimanu D, Kay RG, Kuc RE, Brown AJH, Gribble FM, Maguire JJ, Davenport AP. In vitro metabolism of synthetic Elabela/Toddler (ELA-32) peptide in human plasma and kidney homogenates analyzed with mass spectrometry and validation of endogenous peptide quantification in tissues by ELISA. Peptides 2021; 145:170642. [PMID: 34455010 PMCID: PMC8484864 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elabela/Toddler (ELA) is a novel endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor, whose signalling has emerged as a therapeutic target, for example, in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Shorter forms of ELA-32 have been predicted, including ELA-21 and ELA-11, but metabolism and stability of ELA-32 in humans is poorly understood. We, therefore, developed an LC-MS/MS assay to identify ELA-32 metabolites in human plasma and tissues. METHOD Human kidney homogenates or plasma were incubated at 37 °C with ELA-32 and aliquots withdrawn over 2-4 h into guanidine hydrochloride. Proteins were precipitated and supernatant solid-phase extracted. Peptides were extracted from coronary artery, brain and kidney by immunoprecipitation or solid-phase extraction following acidification. All samples were reduced and alkylated before analysis on an Orbitrap mass spectrometer in high and nano flow mode. RESULTS The half-life of ELA-32 in plasma and kidney were 47.2 ± 5.7 min and 44.2 ± 3 s, respectively. Using PEAKS Studio and manual data analysis, the most important fragments of ELA-32 with potential biological activity identified were ELA-11, ELA-16, ELA-19 and ELA-20. The corresponding fragments resulting from the loss of C-terminal amino acids were also identified. Endogenous levels of these peptides could not be measured, as ELA peptides are prone to oxidation and poor chromatographic peaks. CONCLUSIONS The relatively long ELA plasma half-life observed and identification of a potentially more stable fragment, ELA-16, may suggest that ELA could be a better tool compound and novel template for the development of new drugs acting at the apelin receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duuamene Nyimanu
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard G Kay
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK; Sosei Heptares, Granta Park, Cambridge, UK; Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Sciences, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rhoda E Kuc
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Fiona M Gribble
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, Institute of Metabolic Sciences, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Janet J Maguire
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Anthony P Davenport
- Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
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8
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Manoliu LCE, Martin EC, Milac AL, Spiridon L. Effective Use of Empirical Data for Virtual Screening against APJR GPCR Receptor. Molecules 2021; 26:4894. [PMID: 34443478 PMCID: PMC8399775 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder incompatible with normal daily activity, affecting one in nine people. One of its potential targets is the apelin receptor (APJR), a G-protein coupled receptor, which presents considerably high expression levels in the central nervous system. In silico studies of APJR drug-like molecule binding are in small numbers while high throughput screenings (HTS) are already sufficiently many to devise efficient drug design strategies. This presents itself as an opportunity to optimize different steps in future large scale virtual screening endeavours. Here, we ran a first stage docking simulation against a library of 95 known binders and 3829 generated decoys in an effort to improve the rescoring stage. We then analyzed receptor binding site structure and ligands binding poses to describe their interactions. As a result, we devised a simple and straightforward virtual screening Stage II filtering score based on search space extension followed by a geometric estimation of the ligand-binding site fitness. Having this score, we used an ensemble of receptors generated by Hamiltonian Monte Carlo simulation and reported the results. The improvements shown herein prove that our ensemble docking protocol is suited for APJR and can be easily extrapolated to other GPCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Laurentiu Spiridon
- Department of Bioinformatics and Structural Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independenţei 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania; (L.C.E.M.); (E.C.M.); (A.L.M.)
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9
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Sarret P. Éric Marsault (1971-2021): A Legacy through the Prism of Relationship Chemistry. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5221-5224. [PMID: 33760613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Sarret
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
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