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Zhang Z, Hou L, Liu D, Luan S, Huang M, Zhao L. Directly targeting BAX for drug discovery: Therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2378-2401. [PMID: 38828138 PMCID: PMC11143528 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
For over two decades, the development of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family therapeutics has primarily focused on anti-apoptotic proteins, resulting in the first-in-class drugs called BH3 mimetics, especially for Bcl-2 inhibitor Venetoclax. The pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) plays a crucial role as the executioner protein of the mitochondrial regulated cell death, contributing to organismal development, tissue homeostasis, and immunity. The dysregulation of BAX is closely associated with the onset and progression of diseases characterized by pathologic cell survival or death, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and heart failure. In addition to conducting thorough investigations into the physiological modulation of BAX, research on the regulatory mechanisms of small molecules identified through biochemical screening approaches has prompted the identification of functional and potentially druggable binding sites on BAX, as well as diverse all-molecule BAX modulators. This review presents recent advancements in elucidating the physiological and pharmacological modulation of BAX and in identifying potentially druggable binding sites on BAX. Furthermore, it highlights the structural and mechanistic insights into small-molecule modulators targeting diverse binding surfaces or conformations of BAX, offering a promising avenue for developing next-generation apoptosis modulators to treat a wide range of diseases associated with dysregulated cell death by directly targeting BAX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Linghui Hou
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Shenglin Luan
- China Resources Sanjiu Medical & Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Min Huang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Linxiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
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2
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Schweighofer SV, Jans DC, Keller-Findeisen J, Folmeg A, Ilgen P, Bates M, Jakobs S. Endogenous BAX and BAK form mosaic rings of variable size and composition on apoptotic mitochondria. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:469-478. [PMID: 38503846 PMCID: PMC11043412 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-024-01273-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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
One hallmark of apoptosis is the oligomerization of BAX and BAK to form a pore in the mitochondrial outer membrane, which mediates the release of pro-apoptotic intermembrane space proteins into the cytosol. Cells overexpressing BAX or BAK fusion proteins are a powerful model system to study the dynamics and localization of these proteins in cells. However, it is unclear whether overexpressed BAX and BAK form the same ultrastructural assemblies following the same spatiotemporal hierarchy as endogenously expressed proteins. Combining live- and fixed-cell STED super-resolution microscopy, we show that overexpression of BAK results in novel BAK structures, which are virtually absent in non-overexpressing apoptotic cells. We further demonstrate that in wild type cells, BAK is recruited to apoptotic pores before BAX. Both proteins together form unordered, mosaic rings on apoptotic mitochondria in immortalized cell culture models as well as in human primary cells. In BAX- or BAK- single-knockout cells, the remaining protein is able to form rings independently. The heterogeneous nature of these rings in both wild type as well as single-knockout cells corroborates the toroidal apoptotic pore model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah V Schweighofer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel C Jans
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jan Keller-Findeisen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anne Folmeg
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Ilgen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark Bates
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Optical Nanoscopy, Institute for Nanophotonics, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Jakobs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Translational Neuroinflammation and Automated Microscopy TNM, Göttingen, Germany.
- Department of NanoBiophotonics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany.
- Clinic of Neurology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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3
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Mergenthaler P, Balami JS, Neuhaus AA, Mottahedin A, Albers GW, Rothwell PM, Saver JL, Young ME, Buchan AM. Stroke in the Time of Circadian Medicine. Circ Res 2024; 134:770-790. [PMID: 38484031 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.124.323508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Time-of-day significantly influences the severity and incidence of stroke. Evidence has emerged not only for circadian governance over stroke risk factors, but also for important determinants of clinical outcome. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the interplay between chronobiology and cerebrovascular disease. We discuss circadian regulation of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying stroke onset or tolerance as well as in vascular dementia. This includes cell death mechanisms, metabolism, mitochondrial function, and inflammation/immunity. Furthermore, we present clinical evidence supporting the link between disrupted circadian rhythms and increased susceptibility to stroke and dementia. We propose that circadian regulation of biochemical and physiological pathways in the brain increase susceptibility to damage after stroke in sleep and attenuate treatment effectiveness during the active phase. This review underscores the importance of considering circadian biology for understanding the pathology and treatment choice for stroke and vascular dementia and speculates that considering a patient's chronotype may be an important factor in developing precision treatment following stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mergenthaler
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin (P.M., A.M.B.), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology (P.M.), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Stroke Research, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., A.M.B.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Joyce S Balami
- Stroke Research, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., A.M.B.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Ain A Neuhaus
- Stroke Research, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., A.M.B.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Radiology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (A.A.N.)
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Amin Mottahedin
- Stroke Research, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., A.M.B.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (A.M., P.M.R.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Gregory W Albers
- Department of Neurology, Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, CA (G.W.A.)
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Peter M Rothwell
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (A.M., P.M.R.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Wolfson Centre for Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (P.M.R.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Jeffrey L Saver
- Department of Neurology and Comprehensive Stroke Center, Geffen School of Medicine, University of Los Angeles, CA (J.L.S.)
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Martin E Young
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (M.E.Y.)
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
| | - Alastair M Buchan
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin (P.M., A.M.B.), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- Stroke Research, Radcliffe Department of Medicine (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., A.M.B.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Consortium International pour la Recherche Circadienne sur l'AVC (CIRCA) (P.M., J.S.B., A.A.N., A.M., G.W.A., P.M.R., J.L.S., M.E.Y., A.M.B.)
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4
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Lindenboim L, Zohar H, Gundersen GG, Worman HJ, Stein R. LINC complex protein nesprin-2 has pro-apoptotic activity via Bcl-2 family proteins. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:29. [PMID: 38225256 PMCID: PMC10789774 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01763-w] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The apoptotic intrinsic pathway is initiated by perforation of the mitochondrial outer membrane by the effector pro-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family, Bax and Bak. Bax and Bak need to be activated, a process facilitated by the action of BH3-only pro-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. The latter either directly activates the effector proteins or antagonizes the action of pro-survival Bcl-2 family members such as Bcl-xL. The nuclear envelope is a known target of the apoptotic machinery; however, it may also act as mediator of apoptosis. We showed previously that the nuclear envelope protein nesprin-2, a component of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, can bind to Bax in close proximity to the mitochondria and that the binding increases in apoptotic cells. We now show that depleting nesprin-2 inhibits the apoptotic mitochondrial pathway as measured by Bax and Bak activation and cytochrome c release. This survival effect was Bcl-xL-dependent. Nesprin-2 depletion also inhibited spontaneous exposure of the N-terminus of Bak in cells lacking Bcl-xL and increased the presence of Bcl-xL and Bax in the mitochondria. These results indicate that nesprin-2 promotes Bak activation and regulates mitochondrial translocation/retrotranslocation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Our findings demonstrate a new apoptotic pathway whereby the nuclear envelope, via nesprin-2, regulates apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora Lindenboim
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Hila Zohar
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Gregg G Gundersen
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Howard J Worman
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Reuven Stein
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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5
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Matsuyama M, Ortega JT, Fedorov Y, Scott-McKean J, Muller-Greven J, Buck M, Adams D, Jastrzebska B, Greenlee W, Matsuyama S. Development of novel cytoprotective small compounds inhibiting mitochondria-dependent cell death. iScience 2023; 26:107916. [PMID: 37841588 PMCID: PMC10568349 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We identified cytoprotective small molecules (CSMs) by a cell-based high-throughput screening of Bax inhibitors. Through a medicinal chemistry program, M109S was developed, which is orally bioactive and penetrates the blood-brain/retina barriers. M109S protected retinal cells in ocular disease mouse models. M109S directly interacted with Bax and inhibited the conformational change and mitochondrial translocation of Bax. M109S inhibited ABT-737-induced apoptosis both in Bax-only and Bak-only mouse embryonic fibroblasts. M109S also inhibited apoptosis induced by staurosporine, etoposide, and obatoclax. M109S decreased maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and reactive oxygen species production, whereas it increased glycolysis. These effects on cellular metabolism may contribute to the cytoprotective activity of M109S. M109S is a novel small molecule protecting cells from mitochondria-dependent apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. M109S has the potential to become a research tool for studying cell death mechanisms and to develop therapeutics targeting mitochondria-dependent cell death pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieko Matsuyama
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Joseph T. Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Yuri Fedorov
- Department of Genetics and Genome Science, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jonah Scott-McKean
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jeannie Muller-Greven
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Matthias Buck
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Drew Adams
- Department of Genetics and Genome Science, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Beata Jastrzebska
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | | | - Shigemi Matsuyama
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cleveland Center for Membrane and Structural Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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6
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Czabotar PE, Garcia-Saez AJ. Mechanisms of BCL-2 family proteins in mitochondrial apoptosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:732-748. [PMID: 37438560 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The proteins of the BCL-2 family are key regulators of mitochondrial apoptosis, acting as either promoters or inhibitors of cell death. The functional interplay and balance between the opposing BCL-2 family members control permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, leading to the release of activators of the caspase cascade into the cytosol and ultimately resulting in cell death. Despite considerable research, our knowledge about the mechanisms of the BCL-2 family of proteins remains insufficient, which complicates cell fate predictions and does not allow us to fully exploit these proteins as targets for drug discovery. Detailed understanding of the formation and molecular architecture of the apoptotic pore in the outer mitochondrial membrane remains a holy grail in the field, but new studies allow us to begin constructing a structural model of its arrangement. Recent literature has also revealed unexpected activities for several BCL-2 family members that challenge established concepts of how they regulate mitochondrial permeabilization. In this Review, we revisit the most important advances in the field and integrate them into a new structure-function-based classification of the BCL-2 family members that intends to provide a comprehensive model for BCL-2 action in apoptosis. We close this Review by discussing the potential of drugging the BCL-2 family in diseases characterized by aberrant apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E Czabotar
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Ana J Garcia-Saez
- Membrane Biophysics, Institute of Genetics, CECAD, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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7
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Moldoveanu T. Apoptotic mitochondrial poration by a growing list of pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200221. [PMID: 36650950 PMCID: PMC9975053 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The pore-forming BCL-2 family proteins are effectors of mitochondrial poration in apoptosis initiation. Two atypical effectors-BOK and truncated BID (tBID)-join the canonical effectors BAK and BAX. Gene knockout revealed developmental phenotypes in the absence the effectors, supporting their roles in vivo. During apoptosis effectors are activated and change shape from dormant monomers to dynamic oligomers that associate with and permeabilize mitochondria. BID is activated by proteolysis, BOK accumulates on inhibition of its degradation by the E3 ligase gp78, while BAK and BAX undergo direct activation by BH3-only initiators, autoactivation, and crossactivation. Except tBID, effector oligomers on the mitochondria appear as arcs and rings in super-resolution microscopy images. The BH3-in-groove dimers of BAK and BAX, the tBID monomers, and uncharacterized BOK species are the putative building blocks of apoptotic pores. Effectors interact with lipids and bilayers but the mechanism of membrane poration remains elusive. I discuss effector-mediated mitochondrial poration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,Correspondence:
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8
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Pore-forming proteins as drivers of membrane permeabilization in cell death pathways. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 24:312-333. [PMID: 36543934 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00564-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Regulated cell death (RCD) relies on activation and recruitment of pore-forming proteins (PFPs) that function as executioners of specific cell death pathways: apoptosis regulator BAX (BAX), BCL-2 homologous antagonist/killer (BAK) and BCL-2-related ovarian killer protein (BOK) for apoptosis, gasdermins (GSDMs) for pyroptosis and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) for necroptosis. Inactive precursors of PFPs are converted into pore-forming entities through activation, membrane recruitment, membrane insertion and oligomerization. These mechanisms involve protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions, proteolytic processing and phosphorylation. In this Review, we discuss the structural rearrangements incurred by RCD-related PFPs and describe the mechanisms that manifest conversion from autoinhibited to membrane-embedded molecular states. We further discuss the formation and maturation of membrane pores formed by BAX/BAK/BOK, GSDMs and MLKL, leading to diverse pore architectures. Lastly, we highlight commonalities and differences of PFP mechanisms involving BAX/BAK/BOK, GSDMs and MLKL and conclude with a discussion on how, in a population of challenged cells, the coexistence of cell death modalities may have profound physiological and pathophysiological implications.
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9
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Sekar G, Singh G, Qin X, Guibao CD, Schwam B, Inde Z, Grace CR, Zhang W, Slavish PJ, Lin W, Chen T, Lee RE, Rankovic Z, Sarosiek K, Moldoveanu T. Small molecule SJ572946 activates BAK to initiate apoptosis. iScience 2022; 25:105064. [PMID: 36147946 PMCID: PMC9485059 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Poration of the outer mitochondrial membrane by the effector BCL-2 proteins BAK and BAX initiates apoptosis. BH3-only initiators BID and BIM trigger conformational changes in BAK and BAX transforming them from globular dormant proteins to oligomers of the apoptotic pores. Small molecules that can directly activate effectors are being sought for applications in cancer treatment. Here, we describe the small molecule SJ572946, discovered in a fragment-based screen that binds to the activation groove of BAK and selectively triggers BAK activation over that of BAX in liposome and mitochondrial permeabilization assays. SJ572946 independently kills BAK-expressing BCL2allKO HCT116 cells revealing on target cellular activity. In combination with apoptotic inducers and BH3 mimetics, SJ572946 kills experimental cancer cell lines. SJ572946 also cooperates with the endogenous BAK activator BID in activating a misfolded BAK mutant substantially impaired in activation. SJ572946 is a proof-of-concept tool for probing BAK-mediated apoptosis in preclinical cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giridhar Sekar
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Geetika Singh
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Children’s GMP, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xingping Qin
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Cristina D. Guibao
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Brittany Schwam
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zintis Inde
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Christy R. Grace
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Weixing Zhang
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - P. Jake Slavish
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Wenwei Lin
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Taosheng Chen
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Richard E. Lee
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Kristopher Sarosiek
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston,02115 MA, USA,Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, 02115 MA, USA,Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston,02115 MA, USA
| | - Tudor Moldoveanu
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Roeck, AR 72205, USA,Corresponding author
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10
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Sashankh PV, Dorairaj DP, Chen JY, Chang YL, Chand K, Karvembu R, Chien CM, Hsu SC. Synthesis, in silico and in vitro studies of piperazinyl thiourea derivatives as apoptosis inducer for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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11
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Mobaraki F, Momeni M, Barghbani M, Far BF, Hosseinian S, Hosseini SM. Extract-mediated biosynthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles: Exploring their protective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in rat testis. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Physiological and pharmacological modulation of BAX. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2022; 43:206-220. [PMID: 34848097 PMCID: PMC8840970 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) is a critical executioner of mitochondrial regulated cell death through its lethal activity of permeabilizing the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). While the physiological function of BAX ensures tissue homeostasis, dysregulation of BAX leads to aberrant cell death. Despite BAX being a promising therapeutic target for human diseases, historically the development of drugs has focused on antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, due to challenges in elucidating the mechanism of BAX activation and identifying druggable surfaces of BAX. Here, we discuss recent studies that have provided structure-function insights and identified regulatory surfaces that control BAX activation. Moreover, we emphasize the development of small molecule orthosteric, allosteric, and oligomerization modulators that provide novel opportunities for biological investigation and progress towards drugging BAX.
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13
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Overcoming acquired resistance to third-generation EGFR inhibitors by targeting activation of intrinsic apoptotic pathway through Mcl-1 inhibition, Bax activation, or both. Oncogene 2022; 41:1691-1700. [PMID: 35102249 PMCID: PMC8969464 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mutation-selective third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as osimertinib has achieved remarkable success in the clinic. However, the immediate challenge is the emergence of acquired resistance, limiting the long-term remission of patients. This study suggests a novel strategy to overcome acquired resistance to osimertinib and other third-generation EGFR-TKIs through directly targeting the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. We found that osimertinib, when combined with Mcl-1 inhibition or Bax activation, synergistically decreased the survival of different osimertinib-resistant cell lines, enhanced the induction of intrinsic apoptosis, and inhibited the growth of osimertinib-resistant tumor in vivo. Interestingly, the triple-combination of osimertinib with Mcl-1 inhibition and Bax activation exhibited the most potent activity in decreasing the survival and inducing apoptosis of osimertinib-resistant cells and in suppressing the growth of osimertinib-resistant tumors. These effects were associated with increased activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway evidenced by augmented mitochondrial cytochrome C and Smac release. Hence, this study convincingly demonstrates a novel strategy for overcoming acquired resistance to osimertinib and other 3rd generation EGFR-TKIs by targeting activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway through Mcl-1 inhibition, Bax activation or both, warranting further clinical validation of this strategy.
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Li T, Tang Z, Li C, Liu X, Cheng L, Yang Z, Zhu X, Liu W, Huang Y. Magnesium-Assisted Cisplatin Inhibits Bladder Cancer Cell Survival by Modulating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:804615. [PMID: 35153759 PMCID: PMC8829071 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.804615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnesium, an essential mineral micronutrient, plays a role in the activation of various transporters and enzymes. The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of applying magnesium to enhance the efficacy of cisplatin which is still ranked as one of the major chemotherapeutic drugs for bladder cancer patients. Results showed that the survival rate and colony formation of bladder cancer cells were reduced by combinatorial treatment with cisplatin and magnesium chloride (MgCl2). The proportion of apoptotic cells was also increased in UC3 bladder cancer cells treated with a combination of cisplatin and MgCl2. Most importantly, a marked decrease in nuclear β-catenin was observed in cells that received cisplatin treatment. In addition, the nuclear β-catenin in cisplatin treated cells was further down-regulated by supplementing MgCl2. 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (BIO), an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) that activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by modulating β-catenin activity, was thus applied to further exploit the role of this signaling pathway in magnesium aided cancer treatment. The survival rate of bladder cancer cells was decreased by BIO treatment at concentrations of 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 μM accompanied by increased β-catenin expression. However, the expression of β-catenin in MgCl2-treated cells was lower than in untreated cells under the same BIO concentration. The expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3- II (LC3-II) was highest in cells treated with MgCl2 and 5.0 μM BIO among the examined groups. Our findings reveal that magnesium could contribute to cisplatin-based chemotherapy by moderately regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianye Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zihan Tang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunting Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoya Liu
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Linglin Cheng
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhijing Yang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacia Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaojin Zhu
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacia Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Changchun, China
| | - Yongye Huang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
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15
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Yunos NM, Amin NDM, Jauri MH, Ling SK, Hassan NH, Sallehudin NJ. The In Vitro Anti-Cancer Activities and Mechanisms of Action of 9-Methoxycanthin-6-one from Eurycoma longifolia in Selected Cancer Cell Lines. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030585. [PMID: 35163852 PMCID: PMC8838174 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An alkaloid compound from the hairy root culture of Eurycoma longifolia has been isolated and characterised as 9-methoxycanthin-6-one. The aims of these studies were to investigate the in vitro anti-cancer activities of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one against ovarian cancer (A2780, SKOV-3), breast cancer (MCF-7), colorectal cancer (HT29), skin cancer (A375) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines by using a Sulphorhodamine B assay, and to evaluate the mechanisms of action of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one via the Hoechst 33342 assay and proteomics approach. The results had shown that 9-methoxycanthin-6-one gave IC50 values of 4.04 ± 0.36 µM, 5.80 ± 0.40 µM, 15.09 ± 0.99 µM, 3.79 ± 0.069 µM, 5.71 ± 0.20 µM and 4.30 ± 0.27 µM when tested in A2780, SKOV-3, MCF-7, HT-29, A375 and HeLa cell lines, respectively. It was found that 9-methoxycanthin-6-one induced apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner when analysed via the Hoechst 33342 assay. 9-methoxycanthine-6-one were found to affect the expressions of apoptotic-related proteins, that were proteins pyruvate kinase (PKM), annexin A2 (ANXA2), galectin 3 (LGAL3), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNP1A1), peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from the differential analysis of 2-DE profiles between treated and non-treated 9-methoxycanthine-6-one. Proteins such as acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1A1), capping protein (CAPG), eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 (EEF1A1), malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) were also identified to be associated with A2780 cell death induced by 9-methoxycanthine-6-one. These findings may provide a new insight on the mechanisms of action of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one in exerting its anti-cancer effects in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurhanan Murni Yunos
- Bioactivity Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia; (N.D.M.A.); (N.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3627-97659
| | - Nor Datiakma Mat Amin
- Bioactivity Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia; (N.D.M.A.); (N.J.S.)
| | - Muhammad Haffiz Jauri
- Phytochemistry Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia; (M.H.J.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Sui Kiong Ling
- Phytochemistry Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia; (M.H.J.); (S.K.L.)
| | - Nor Hasnida Hassan
- Biotechnology Programme, Forestry Biotechnology Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia;
| | - Nor Jannah Sallehudin
- Bioactivity Programme, Natural Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109, Malaysia; (N.D.M.A.); (N.J.S.)
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16
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Rose M, Kurylowicz M, Mahmood M, Winkel S, Moran-Mirabal JM, Fradin C. Direct Measurement of the Affinity between tBid and Bax in a Mitochondria-Like Membrane. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8240. [PMID: 34361006 PMCID: PMC8348223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The execution step in apoptosis is the permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane, controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins. The physical interactions between the different proteins in this family and their relative abundance literally determine the fate of the cells. These interactions, however, are difficult to quantify, as they occur in a lipid membrane and involve proteins with multiple conformations and stoichiometries which can exist both in soluble and membrane. Here we focus on the interaction between two core Bcl-2 family members, the executor pore-forming protein Bax and the truncated form of the activator protein Bid (tBid), which we imaged at the single particle level in a mitochondria-like planar supported lipid bilayer. We inferred the conformation of the proteins from their mobility, and detected their transient interactions using a novel single particle cross-correlation analysis. We show that both tBid and Bax have at least two different conformations at the membrane, and that their affinity for one another increases by one order of magnitude (with a 2D-KD decreasing from ≃1.6μm-2 to ≃0.1μm-2) when they pass from their loosely membrane-associated to their transmembrane form. We conclude by proposing an updated molecular model for the activation of Bax by tBid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Rose
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Martin Kurylowicz
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Mohammad Mahmood
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Sheldon Winkel
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
| | - Jose M. Moran-Mirabal
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada;
| | - Cécile Fradin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M1, Canada; (M.R.); (M.K.); (M.M.); (S.W.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
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