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Abo Qoura L, Balakin KV, Hoffman RM, Pokrovsky VS. The potential of methioninase for cancer treatment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189122. [PMID: 38796027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189122] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer cells are addicted to L-methionine (L-Met) and have a much greater requirement for L-Met than normal cells due to excess transmethylation, termed the Hoffman effect. By targeting this vulnerability through dietary restriction of L-Met, researchers have been able to achieve promising results in inhibiting tumor growth and eradicating cancer cells. Methioninase (EC 4.4.1.11; METase) catalyzes the transformation of L-Met into α-ketobutyrate, ammonia, and methanethiol. The use of METase was initially limited due to its poor stability in vivo, high immunogenicity, and enzyme-induced inactivating antibodies. These issues could be partially resolved by PEGylation, encapsulation in erythrocytes, and various site-directed mutagenesis. The big breakthrough came when it was discovered that METase is effectively administered orally. The enzyme L-asparaginase is approved by the FDA for treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METase has more potential as a therapeutic since addiction to L-Met is a general and fundamental hallmark of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louay Abo Qoura
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer Inc., San Diego, CA 92111, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037-7400, USA
| | - Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Research Institute of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, People's Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia; N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of Ministry of Health of Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia.
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2
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Bin P, Wang C, Zhang H, Yan Y, Ren W. Targeting methionine metabolism in cancer: opportunities and challenges. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:395-405. [PMID: 38580603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.002] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Reprogramming of methionine metabolism is a conserved hallmark of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed mechanisms regulating methionine metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that drive both cancer development and antitumor immunity evasion. In this review article we summarize advancements in our understanding of tumor regulation of methionine metabolism and therapies in development that target tumor methionine metabolism. We also delineate the challenges of methionine blockade therapies in cancer and discuss emerging strategies to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bin
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Chuanlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hangchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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3
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Zhang Q, Fan S, Tang M, Wang C, Li X, Jin Y, Yang Z. Computation-Guided Rational Design of Cysteine-Less Protein Variants in Engineered hCGL. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:9937-9946. [PMID: 38651303 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The engineered human cystathionine-γ-lyase (hCGL) resulting in enhanced activity toward both cysteine and cystine unveils a potential robust antitumor activity. However, the presence of cysteine residues has the potential to induce oligomerization or incorrect disulfide bonding, which may decrease the bioavailability of biopharmaceuticals. Through a meticulous design process targeting the cysteine residues within engineered hCGL, a set of potential beneficial mutants were obtained by virtual screening employing Rosetta and ABACUS. Experimental measurements have revealed that most of the mutants showed increased activity toward both substrates l-Cys and CSSC. Furthermore, mutants C109V and C229D demonstrated Tm value increases of 8.2 and 1.8 °C, respectively. After an 80 min incubation at 60 °C, mutant C229D still maintained high residual activity. Unexpectedly, mutant C109V, displaying activity approximately 2-fold higher than the activity of wild type (WT) for both substrates, showed disappointing instability in plasma, which suggests that computational design still requires further consideration. Analysis of their structure and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed the impact of hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonds, and near-attack conformation (NAC) stability on activity and stability. This study acquired information about mutants that exhibit enhanced activity or thermal resistance and serve as valuable guidance for subsequent specific cysteine modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Shuai Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Mengjia Tang
- School of Pharmacy, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
| | - Chenyu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- School of Pharmacy, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhaoyong Yang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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Hu Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Zhou Z, Wang J, Chen H, Huang M, Hu H, Dai Z, Jia K. Depletion of L-Methionine in Foods with an Engineered Thermophilic Methionine γ-lyase Efficiently Inhibits Tumor Growth. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 37909421 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Dietary restriction of l-methionine, an essential amino acid, exerts potent antitumor effects on l-methionine-dependent cancers. However, dietary restriction of l-methionine has not been practical for human therapy because of the problem with the administration of l-methionine concentration in foods. Here, a thermophilic methionine γ-lyase (MGL), that catalyzes the cleavage of the C-S bond in l-methionine to produce α-ketobutyric acid, methanethiol, and ammonia was engineered from human cystathionine γ-lyase and almost completely depleted l-methionine at 65 °C, a temperature that accelerates the volatilization of methanethiol and its oxidation products. The high efficiency of l-methionine lysis may be attributed to the cooperative fluctuation and moderate the structural rigidity of 4 monomers in the thermophilic MGL, which facilitates l-methionine access to the entrance of the active site. Experimental diets treated with thermophilic MGL markedly inhibited prostate tumor growth in mice, and in parallel, the in vivo concentrations of l-methionine, its transformation product l-cysteine, and the oxidative stress indicator malondialdehyde significantly decreased. These findings provide a technology for the depletion of l-methionine in foods with an engineered thermophilic MGL, which efficiently inhibits tumor growth in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangming Hu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jiulin Zhang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Zhijing Zhou
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jiaxue Wang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Hongyang Chen
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Meina Huang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Han Hu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Zongjie Dai
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Kaizhi Jia
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
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5
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Wilder CS, Chiou J, Battenhouse A, Saha A, Chen Z, Kim E, Gadallah MI, Tiziani S, Georgiou G, Stone E, DiGiovanni J. Enzymatic depletion of l-Met using an engineered human enzyme as a novel therapeutic strategy for melanoma. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1531-1545. [PMID: 37378415 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23597] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Many cancers, including melanoma, have a higher requirement for l-methionine in comparison with noncancerous cells. In this study, we show that administration of an engineered human methionine-γ-lyase (hMGL) significantly reduced the survival of both human and mouse melanoma cells in vitro. A multiomics approach was utilized to identify global changes in gene expression and in metabolite levels with hMGL treatment in melanoma cells. There was considerable overlap in the perturbed pathways identified in the two data sets. Common pathways were flagged for further investigation to understand their mechanistic importance. In this regard, hMGL treatment induced S and G2 phase cell cycle arrest, decreased nucleotide levels, and increased DNA double-strand breaks suggesting an important role for replication stress in the mechanism of hMGL effects on melanoma cells. Further, hMGL treatment resulted in increased cellular reactive oxygen species levels and increased apoptosis as well as uncharged transfer RNA pathway upregulation. Finally, treatment with hMGL significantly inhibited the growth of both mouse and human melanoma cells in orthotopic tumor models in vivo. Overall, the results of this study provide a strong rationale for further mechanistic evaluation and clinical development of hMGL for the treatment of melanoma skin cancer and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly S Wilder
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer Chiou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Anna Battenhouse
- Center for Biomedical Research Support, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Achinto Saha
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Zhao Chen
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Eunice Kim
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mohamed I Gadallah
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Stefano Tiziani
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - George Georgiou
- Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Everett Stone
- Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Oncology, University of Texas Dell Medical School, LiveSTRONG Cancer Institutes, Austin, Texas, USA
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
- Center for Molecular Carcinogenesis and Toxicology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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6
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Jiménez-Alonso JJ, López-Lázaro M. Dietary Manipulation of Amino Acids for Cancer Therapy. Nutrients 2023; 15:2879. [PMID: 37447206 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells cannot proliferate and survive unless they obtain sufficient levels of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids (AAs). Unlike normal cells, cancer cells have genetic and metabolic alterations that may limit their capacity to obtain adequate levels of the 20 AAs in challenging metabolic environments. However, since normal diets provide all AAs at relatively constant levels and ratios, these potentially lethal genetic and metabolic defects are eventually harmless to cancer cells. If we temporarily replace the normal diet of cancer patients with artificial diets in which the levels of specific AAs are manipulated, cancer cells may be unable to proliferate and survive. This article reviews in vivo studies that have evaluated the antitumor activity of diets restricted in or supplemented with the 20 proteinogenic AAs, individually and in combination. It also reviews our recent studies that show that manipulating the levels of several AAs simultaneously can lead to marked survival improvements in mice with metastatic cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel López-Lázaro
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
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Majtan T, Kožich V, Kruger WD. Recent therapeutic approaches to cystathionine beta-synthase-deficient homocystinuria. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:264-278. [PMID: 36417581 PMCID: PMC9822868 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)-deficient homocystinuria (HCU) is the most common inborn error of sulfur amino acid metabolism. The pyridoxine non-responsive form of the disease manifests itself by massively increasing plasma and tissue concentrations of homocysteine, a toxic intermediate of methionine metabolism that is thought to be the major cause of clinical complications including skeletal deformities, connective tissue defects, thromboembolism and cognitive impairment. The current standard of care involves significant dietary interventions that, despite being effective, often adversely affect quality of life of HCU patients, leading to poor adherence to therapy and inadequate biochemical control with clinical complications. In recent years, the unmet need for better therapeutic options has resulted in development of novel enzyme and gene therapies and exploration of pharmacological approaches to rescue CBS folding defects caused by missense pathogenic mutations. Here, we review scientific evidence and current state of affairs in development of recent approaches to treat HCU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Majtan
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Fribourg, Faculty of Science and Medicine, Fribourg, 1700, Switzerland
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine, Prague, 12808, Czech Republic
- Department of Pediatrics and Inherited Metabolic Disorders, General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, 12808, Czech Republic
| | - Warren D. Kruger
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19111, USA
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Jiménez-Alonso JJ, Guillén-Mancina E, Calderón-Montaño JM, Jiménez-González V, Díaz-Ortega P, Burgos-Morón E, López-Lázaro M. Artificial Diets Based on Selective Amino Acid Restriction versus Capecitabine in Mice with Metastatic Colon Cancer. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163378. [PMID: 36014884 PMCID: PMC9412877 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
New therapies are needed to improve the low survival rates of patients with metastatic colon cancer. Evidence suggests that amino acid (AA) restriction can be used to target the altered metabolism of cancer cells. In this work, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of selective AA restriction in colon cancer. After observing anticancer activity in vitro, we prepared several artificial diets and evaluated their anticancer activity in two challenging animal models of metastatic colon cancer. These models were established by injecting CT26.WT murine colon cancer cells in the peritoneum (peritoneal dissemination) or in the tail vein (pulmonary metastases) of immunocompetent BALB/cAnNRj mice. Capecitabine, which is a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colon cancer, was also evaluated in these models. Mice fed diet TC1 (a diet lacking 10 AAs) and diet TC5 (a diet with 6% casein, 5% glutamine, and 2.5% leucine) lived longer than untreated mice in both models; several mice survived the treatment. Diet TC5 was better than several cycles of capecitabine in both cancer models. Cysteine supplementation blocked the activity of diets TC1 and TC5, but cysteine restriction was not sufficient for activity. Our results indicated that artificial diets based on selective AA restriction have therapeutic potential for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilio Guillén-Mancina
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Víctor Jiménez-González
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Patricia Díaz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Estefanía Burgos-Morón
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Miguel López-Lázaro
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
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9
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Annexin A5 as a targeting agent for cancer treatment. Cancer Lett 2022; 547:215857. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Sedillo JC, Cryns VL. Targeting the methionine addiction of cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:2249-2276. [PMID: 35693095 PMCID: PMC9185618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Methionine is the initiator amino acid for protein synthesis, the methyl source for most nucleotide, chromatin, and protein methylation, and the carbon backbone for various aspects of the cellular antioxidant response and nucleotide biosynthesis. Methionine is provided in the diet and serum methionine levels fluctuate based on dietary methionine content. Within the cell, methionine is recycled from homocysteine via the methionine cycle, which is linked to nutrient status via one-carbon metabolism. Unlike normal cells, many cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo, show high methionine cycle activity and are dependent on exogenous methionine for continued growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the methionine dependence of diverse malignancies are poorly understood. Methionine deprivation initiates widespread metabolic alterations in cancer cells that enable them to survive despite limited methionine availability, and these adaptive alterations can be specifically targeted to enhance the activity of methionine deprivation, a strategy we have termed "metabolic priming". Chemotherapy-resistant cell populations such as cancer stem cells, which drive treatment-resistance, are also sensitive to methionine deprivation, suggesting dietary methionine restriction may inhibit metastasis and recurrence. Several clinical trials in cancer are investigating methionine restriction in combination with other agents. This review will explore new insights into the mechanisms of methionine dependence in cancer and therapeutic efforts to translate these insights into enhanced clinical activity of methionine restriction in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joni C Sedillo
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI, USA
| | - Vincent L Cryns
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Cioni P, Gabellieri E, Campanini B, Bettati S, Raboni S. Use of Exogenous Enzymes in Human Therapy: Approved Drugs and Potential Applications. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:411-452. [PMID: 34259137 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210713094722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The development of safe and efficacious enzyme-based human therapies has increased greatly in the last decades, thanks to remarkable advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for different diseases, and the characterization of the catalytic activity of relevant exogenous enzymes that may play a remedial effect in the treatment of such pathologies. Several enzyme-based biotherapeutics have been approved by FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (the European Medicines Agency) and many are undergoing clinical trials. Apart from enzyme replacement therapy in human genetic diseases, which is not discussed in this review, approved enzymes for human therapy find applications in several fields, from cancer therapy to thrombolysis and the treatment, e.g., of clotting disorders, cystic fibrosis, lactose intolerance and collagen-based disorders. The majority of therapeutic enzymes are of microbial origin, the most convenient source due to fast, simple and cost-effective production and manipulation. The use of microbial recombinant enzymes has broadened prospects for human therapy but some hurdles such as high immunogenicity, protein instability, short half-life and low substrate affinity, still need to be tackled. Alternative sources of enzymes, with reduced side effects and improved activity, as well as genetic modification of the enzymes and novel delivery systems are constantly searched. Chemical modification strategies, targeted- and/or nanocarrier-mediated delivery, directed evolution and site-specific mutagenesis, fusion proteins generated by genetic manipulation are the most explored tools to reduce toxicity and improve bioavailability and cellular targeting. This review provides a description of exogenous enzymes that are presently employed for the therapeutic management of human diseases with their current FDA/EMA-approved status, along with those already experimented at the clinical level and potential promising candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cioni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Edi Gabellieri
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Barbara Campanini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 23/A, 43124 Parma. Italy
| | - Stefano Bettati
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
| | - Samanta Raboni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa. Italy
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12
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Zhao Q, Wang Z, Yang L, Zhang S, Jia K. YALI0C22088g from Yarrowia lipolytica catalyses the conversion of l-methionine into volatile organic sulfur-containing compounds. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1462-1471. [PMID: 33793081 PMCID: PMC8313282 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzymatic conversion of l-methionine (l-Met) into volatile organic sulfur-containing compounds (VOSCs) plays an important role in developing the characteristic aroma of foods. However, the mechanism for the direct conversion of l-Met into VOSCs is still unclear in yeast cells used to make food products. Here, we show that the transcription profile of YALI0C22088g from Yarrowia lipolytica correlates positively with l-Met addition. YALI0C22088g catalyses the γ-elimination of l-Met, directly converting l-Met into VOSCs. YALI0C22088g also exhibits strong C-S lysis activities towards l-cystathionine and the other sulfur-containing compounds and forms a distinct cystathionine-γ-lyase subgroup. We identified eight key amino acid residues in YALI0C22088g, and we inferred that the size of the tunnel and the charges carried by the entrance amino acid residue are the determinants for the enzymatic conversion of l-Met into VOSCs. These findings reveal the formation mechanism of VOSCs produced directly from l-Met via the demethiolation pathway in Yarrowia lipolytica, which provides a rationale for engineering the enzymatic conversion of l-Met into VOSCs and thus stimulates the enzymatic production of aroma compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan‐Lu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education)Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial MicrobiologyHubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial FermentationHubei University of TechnologyWuhan430068China
| | - Zhu‐Lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education)Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial MicrobiologyHubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial FermentationHubei University of TechnologyWuhan430068China
| | - Lan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education)Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial MicrobiologyHubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial FermentationHubei University of TechnologyWuhan430068China
| | - Sai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education)Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial MicrobiologyHubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial FermentationHubei University of TechnologyWuhan430068China
| | - Kai‐Zhi Jia
- Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education)Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial MicrobiologyHubei Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial FermentationHubei University of TechnologyWuhan430068China
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13
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Enzyme-mediated depletion of serum l-Met abrogates prostate cancer growth via multiple mechanisms without evidence of systemic toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:13000-13011. [PMID: 32434918 PMCID: PMC7293657 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1917362117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extensive studies in prostate cancer and other malignancies have revealed that l-methionine (l-Met) and its metabolites play a critical role in tumorigenesis. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that systemic restriction of serum l-Met, either via partial dietary restriction or with bacterial l-Met-degrading enzymes exerts potent antitumor effects. However, administration of bacterial l-Met-degrading enzymes has not proven practical for human therapy because of problems with immunogenicity. As the human genome does not encode l-Met-degrading enzymes, we engineered the human cystathionine-γ-lyase (hMGL-4.0) to catalyze the selective degradation of l-Met. At therapeutically relevant dosing, hMGL-4.0 reduces serum l-Met levels to >75% for >72 h and significantly inhibits the growth of multiple prostate cancer allografts/xenografts without weight loss or toxicity. We demonstrate that in vitro, hMGL-4.0 causes tumor cell death, associated with increased reactive oxygen species, S-adenosyl-methionine depletion, global hypomethylation, induction of autophagy, and robust poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage indicative of DNA damage and apoptosis.
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14
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Li Z, Zhao Y, Zhou H, Luo HB, Zhan CG. Catalytic Roles of Coenzyme Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) in PLP-dependent Enzymes: Reaction Pathway for Methionine-γ-lyase-catalyzed L-methionine Depletion. ACS Catal 2020; 10:2198-2210. [PMID: 33344000 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b03907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, is an important and versatile coenzyme involved in a variety of enzymatic reactions, accounting for about 4% of all classified activities. However, the detailed catalytic reaction pathways for PLP-dependent enzymes remain to be explored. Methionine-γ-lyase (MGL), a promising alternative anti-tumor agent to conventional chemotherapies whose catalytic mechanism is highly desired for guiding further development of re-engineered enzymes, was used as a representative PLP-dependent enzyme, and the catalytic mechanism for L-Met elimination by MGL was explored at the first-principles quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) level with umbrella sampling. The QM/MM calculations revealed that the enzymatic reaction pathway consists of 4 stages for a total of 19 reaction steps with five intermediates captured in available crystal structures. Furthermore, the more comprehensive role of PLP was revealed. Besides the commonly known role of "electron sink", coenzyme PLP can also assist proton transfer and temporarily store the excess proton generated in some intermediate states by using its hydroxyl group and phosphate group. Thus, PLP is participated in most of the 19 steps. This study not only provided a theoretical basis for further development and re-engineering MGL as a potential anti-tumor agent, but also revealed the comprehensive role of PLP which could be used to explore the mechanisms of other PLP-dependent enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Yunsong Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huifang Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Bin Luo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
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15
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Machover D, Rossi L, Hamelin J, Desterke C, Goldschmidt E, Chadefaux-Vekemans B, Bonnarme P, Briozzo P, Kopečný D, Pierigè F, Magnani M, Mollicone R, Haghighi-Rad F, Gaston-Mathé Y, Dairou J, Boucheix C, Saffroy R. Effects in Cancer Cells of the Recombinant l-Methionine Gamma-Lyase fromBrevibacterium aurantiacum.Encapsulation in Human Erythrocytes for Sustained l-Methionine Elimination. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 369:489-502. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.256537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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16
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Anti-CD73 and anti-OX40 immunotherapy coupled with a novel biocompatible enzyme prodrug system for the treatment of recurrent, metastatic ovarian cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 425:174-182. [PMID: 29574275 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 75% of ovarian cancer is diagnosed once metastasis to the peritoneal cavity has occurred. A large proportion of patients eventually develop platinum-resistive tumors, which are considered terminal. In order to provide an alternative a novel fusion protein, mCTH-ANXA5, has been developed for the treatment of recurrent, metastatic ovarian cancer. The fusion protein combines annexin V (ANXA5), an ovarian tumor and tumor vasculature targeting protein, with mutated cystathionine gamma-lyase (mCTH), an enzyme that converts selenomethionine (SeMet) into toxic methylselenol, which generates reactive oxygen species and eventual tumor cell death. In order to further enhance the therapeutic efficacy, anti-CD73 and anti-OX40 immunostimulants were combined with mCTH-ANXA5, resulting in an increase of survival by 100% from 12 to 24 days post-therapy and decrease tumor burden in mice with orthotopic metastatic ovarian cancer. Further evaluation of the combination therapy revealed a strong antibody-mediated immune response, and an increased infiltration of cytotoxic T-cells along with a decrease in tumor promoting immune cells. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a synergistic, multi-drug system by attacking the tumor as well as enlisting the body's own defense system to treat the patient.
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17
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Gay F, Aguera K, Sénéchal K, Tainturier A, Berlier W, Maucort-Boulch D, Honnorat J, Horand F, Godfrin Y, Bourgeaux V. Methionine tumor starvation by erythrocyte-encapsulated methionine gamma-lyase activity controlled with per os vitamin B6. Cancer Med 2017; 6:1437-1452. [PMID: 28544589 PMCID: PMC5463067 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Erymet is a new therapy resulting from the encapsulation of a methionine gamma-lyase (MGL; EC number 4.4.1.11) in red blood cells (RBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate erymet potential efficacy in methionine (Met)-dependent cancers. We produced a highly purified MGL using a cGMP process, determined the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) properties of erymet in mice, and assessed its efficacy on tumor growth prevention. Cytotoxicity of purified MGL was tested in six cancer cell lines. CD1 mice were injected with single erymet product supplemented or not with vitamin B6 vitamer pyridoxine (PN; a precursor of PLP cofactor). NMRI nude mice were xenografted in the flank with U-87 MG-luc2 glioblastoma cells for tumor growth study following five intravenous (IV) injections of erymet with daily PN oral administration. Endpoints included efficacy and event-free survival (EFS). Finally, a repeated dose toxicity study of erymet combined with PN cofactor was conducted in CD1 mice. Recombinant MGL was cytotoxic on 4/6 cell lines tested. MGL half-life was increased from <24 h to 9-12 days when encapsulated in RBC. Conversion of PN into PLP by RBC was demonstrated. Combined erymet + PN treatment led to a sustained Met depletion in plasma for several days with a 85% reduction of tumor volume after 45 days following cells implantation, and a significant EFS prolongation for treated mice. Repeated injections in mice exhibited a very good tolerability with only minor impact on clinical state (piloerection, lean aspect) and a slight decrease in hemoglobin and triglyceride concentrations. This study demonstrated that encapsulation of methioninase inside erythrocyte greatly enhanced pharmacokinetics properties of the enzyme and is efficacy against tumor growth. The perspective on these results is the clinical evaluation of the erymet product in patients with Met starvation-sensitive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Delphine Maucort-Boulch
- Service de Biostatistique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,CNRS UMR 5558, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Equipe Biostatistique-Santé, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Jérôme Honnorat
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.,Service de Neuro-oncologie, Hôpital neurologique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Institut NeuroMyoGene INSERM U1217/CNRS UMR 5310, Lyon, France
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18
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Krais JJ, Virani N, McKernan PH, Nguyen Q, Fung KM, Sikavitsas VI, Kurkjian C, Harrison RG. Antitumor Synergism and Enhanced Survival with a Tumor Vasculature-Targeted Enzyme Prodrug System, Rapamycin, and Cyclophosphamide. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1855-1865. [PMID: 28522586 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-16-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutant cystathionine gamma-lyase was targeted to phosphatidylserine exposed on tumor vasculature through fusion with Annexin A1 or Annexin A5. Cystathionine gamma-lyase E58N, R118L, and E338N mutations impart nonnative methionine gamma-lyase activity, resulting in tumor-localized generation of highly toxic methylselenol upon systemic administration of nontoxic selenomethionine. The described therapeutic system circumvents systemic toxicity issues using a novel drug delivery/generation approach and avoids the administration of nonnative proteins and/or DNA required with other enzyme prodrug systems. The enzyme fusion exhibits strong and stable in vitro binding with dissociation constants in the nanomolar range for both human and mouse breast cancer cells and in a cell model of tumor vascular endothelium. Daily administration of the therapy suppressed growth of highly aggressive triple-negative murine 4T1 mammary tumors in immunocompetent BALB/cJ mice and MDA-MB-231 tumors in SCID mice. Treatment did not result in the occurrence of negative side effects or the elicitation of neutralizing antibodies. On the basis of the vasculature-targeted nature of the therapy, combinations with rapamycin and cyclophosphamide were evaluated. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, reduces the prosurvival signaling of cells in a hypoxic environment potentially exacerbated by a vasculature-targeted therapy. IHC revealed, unsurprisingly, a significant hypoxic response (increase in hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α subunit, HIF1A) in the enzyme prodrug-treated tumors and a dramatic reduction of HIF1A upon rapamycin treatment. Cyclophosphamide, an immunomodulator at low doses, was combined with the enzyme prodrug therapy and rapamycin; this combination synergistically reduced tumor volumes, inhibited metastatic progression, and enhanced survival. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1855-65. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Krais
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Needa Virani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Patrick H McKernan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Quang Nguyen
- School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Kar-Ming Fung
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Vassilios I Sikavitsas
- School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
| | - Carla Kurkjian
- Oncology/Hematology Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Roger G Harrison
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma. .,School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
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19
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Yan W, Stone E, Zhang YJ. Structural Snapshots of an Engineered Cystathionine-γ-lyase Reveal the Critical Role of Electrostatic Interactions in the Active Site. Biochemistry 2017; 56:876-885. [PMID: 28106980 PMCID: PMC5376214 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.6b01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Enzyme therapeutics that can degrade l-methionine (l-Met) are of great interest as numerous malignancies are exquisitely sensitive to l-Met depletion. To exhaust the pool of methionine in human serum, we previously engineered an l-Met-degrading enzyme based on the human cystathionine-γ-lyase scaffold (hCGL-NLV) to circumvent immunogenicity and stability issues observed in the preclinical application of bacterially derived methionine-γ-lyases. To gain further insights into the structure-activity relationships governing the chemistry of the hCGL-NLV lead molecule, we undertook a biophysical characterization campaign that captured crystal structures (2.2 Å) of hCGL-NLV with distinct reaction intermediates, including internal aldimine, substrate-bound, gem-diamine, and external aldimine forms. Curiously, an alternate form of hCGL-NLV that crystallized under higher-salt conditions revealed a locally unfolded active site, correlating with inhibition of activity as a function of ionic strength. Subsequent mutational and kinetic experiments pinpointed that a salt bridge between the phosphate of the essential cofactor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and residue R62 plays an important role in catalyzing β- and γ-eliminations. Our study suggests that solvent ions such as NaCl disrupt electrostatic interactions between R62 and PLP, decreasing catalytic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wupeng Yan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Everett Stone
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yan Jessie Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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20
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Manig F, Kuhne K, von Neubeck C, Schwarzenbolz U, Yu Z, Kessler BM, Pietzsch J, Kunz-Schughart LA. The why and how of amino acid analytics in cancer diagnostics and therapy. J Biotechnol 2017; 242:30-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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21
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Cramer SL, Saha A, Liu J, Tadi S, Tiziani S, Yan W, Triplett K, Lamb C, Alters SE, Rowlinson S, Zhang YJ, Keating MJ, Huang P, DiGiovanni J, Georgiou G, Stone E. Systemic depletion of L-cyst(e)ine with cyst(e)inase increases reactive oxygen species and suppresses tumor growth. Nat Med 2017; 23:120-127. [PMID: 27869804 PMCID: PMC5218918 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells experience higher oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species (ROS) than do non-malignant cells because of genetic alterations and abnormal growth; as a result, maintenance of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) is essential for their survival and proliferation. Under conditions of elevated ROS, endogenous L-cysteine (L-Cys) production is insufficient for GSH synthesis. This necessitates uptake of L-Cys that is predominantly in its disulfide form, L-cystine (CSSC), via the xCT(-) transporter. We show that administration of an engineered and pharmacologically optimized human cyst(e)inase enzyme mediates sustained depletion of the extracellular L-Cys and CSSC pool in mice and non-human primates. Treatment with this enzyme selectively causes cell cycle arrest and death in cancer cells due to depletion of intracellular GSH and ensuing elevated ROS; yet this treatment results in no apparent toxicities in mice even after months of continuous treatment. Cyst(e)inase suppressed the growth of prostate carcinoma allografts, reduced tumor growth in both prostate and breast cancer xenografts and doubled the median survival time of TCL1-Tg:p53-/- mice, which develop disease resembling human chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It was observed that enzyme-mediated depletion of the serum L-Cys and CSSC pool suppresses the growth of multiple tumors, yet is very well tolerated for prolonged periods, suggesting that cyst(e)inase represents a safe and effective therapeutic modality for inactivating antioxidant cellular responses in a wide range of malignancies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cystathionine gamma-Lyase/pharmacology
- Cysteine/drug effects
- Cysteine/metabolism
- Cystine/drug effects
- Cystine/metabolism
- Female
- Glutathione/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/genetics
- Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/metabolism
- Macaca fascicularis
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Oxidative Stress
- Polyethylene Glycols/pharmacology
- Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira L. Cramer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Achinto Saha
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Jinyun Liu
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Surendar Tadi
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Stefano Tiziani
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Wupeng Yan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Kendra Triplett
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Candice Lamb
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | | | | | - Yan Jessie Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Michael J. Keating
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - John DiGiovanni
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Dell Pediatric Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - George Georgiou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Everett Stone
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
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22
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Fernandes HS, Silva Teixeira CS, Fernandes PA, Ramos MJ, Cerqueira NMFSA. Amino acid deprivation using enzymes as a targeted therapy for cancer and viral infections. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 27:283-297. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1254194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. S. Fernandes
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C. S. Silva Teixeira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P. A. Fernandes
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M. J. Ramos
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - N. M. F. S. A. Cerqueira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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23
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Karamitros CS, Konrad M. Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting of Human l-asparaginase Mutant Libraries for Detecting Enzyme Variants with Enhanced Activity. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:2596-607. [PMID: 27442338 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Immunogenicity is one of the most common complications occurring during therapy making use of protein drugs of nonhuman origin. A notable example of such a case is bacterial l-asparaginases (L-ASNases) used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The replacement of the bacterial enzymes by human ones is thought to set the basis for a major improvement of antileukemic therapy. Recently, we solved the crystal structure of a human enzyme possessing L-ASNase activity, designated hASNase-3. This enzyme is expressed as an inactive precursor protein and post-translationally undergoes intramolecular processing leading to the generation of two subunits which remain noncovalently, yet tightly associated and constitute the catalytically active form of the enzyme. We discovered that this intramolecular processing can be drastically and selectively accelerated by the free amino acid glycine. In the present study, we report on the molecular engineering of hASNase-3 aiming at the improvement of its catalytic properties. We created a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based high-throughput screening system for the characterization of rationally designed mutant libraries, capitalizing on the finding that free glycine promotes autoproteolytic cleavage, which activates the mutant proteins expressed in an E. coli strain devoid of aspartate biosynthesis. Successive screening rounds led to the isolation of catalytically improved variants showing up to 6-fold better catalytic efficiency as compared to the wild-type enzyme. Our work establishes a powerful strategy for further exploitation of the human asparaginase sequence space to facilitate the identification of in vitro-evolved enzyme species that will lay the basis for improved ALL therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos S. Karamitros
- Enzyme Biochemistry Group, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, D-37077, Germany
| | - Manfred Konrad
- Enzyme Biochemistry Group, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, D-37077, Germany
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24
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Foo TC, Terentis AC, Venkatachalam KV. A continuous spectrophotometric assay and nonlinear kinetic analysis of methionine γ-lyase catalysis. Anal Biochem 2016; 507:21-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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25
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Muharram MM. Recombinant Engineering of L-Methioninase Using Two Different Promoter and Expression Systems and in vitro Analysis of Its Anticancer Efficacy on Different Human Cancer Cell Lines. Pak J Biol Sci 2016; 19:106-114. [PMID: 29023047 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2016.106.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant methioninase (rMETase) is an enzyme that has antitumor activity. In this work, METase gene from Pseudomonas putida ATTCC 8209 was cloned to pT7-7 plasmid (yielded, PT7-METase-R7 clone) and expressed in E. coli strain BL21 (DE3). A protein band with a molecular massof 42 kDa was visualized by SDS-PAGE. The applied protocol yielded a total protein of 3.13 g with a recovery of 66.89% and a specific activity of 18.59 U mg-1 which considered as a low yield. However, when the METase gene was cloned to the vector (pTrc99A, clone: pTrc99A-MET-3) cells of E. coli JM109 yielded a total protein of 32.63 g with a recovery of 41.62% and a specific activity of 54.86 U mg-1 which revealed that the enhancement of METase gene expression by trc promoter was more than the T7 RNA polymerase promoter. The t1/2 of the rMETase was 2 h asanalyzed in mice by IV injection. Antitumor efficacy of rMETase was studied in five human cancer cell lines. At 1 U mL-1 the growth rate of treated colon cancer cell lines, Colo205 and SW620, with rMETase was 46 and 32% relative to control, respectively. With the ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) rMETase produced an inhibition effect of 54% at 1.5 U mL-1. In addition, the growth rate was reduced to 45 and 53% with the skin cancer cell line (A375) and the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), respectively. These results indicate the feasibility of rMETase for use as a potent antitumor agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Muharram
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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26
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The bleak prognosis associated with pancreatic cancer (PDAC) drives the need for the development of novel treatment methodologies. Here, we evaluate the applicability of 3 enzyme prodrug therapies for PDAC, which are simultaneously targeted to the tumor, tumor vasculature, and metastases via annexin V. In these therapies, annexin V is fused to an enzyme, creating a fusion protein that converts nontoxic drug precursors, prodrugs, into anticancer compounds while bound to the tumor, therefore mitigating the risk of side effects. METHODS The binding strength of fusion proteins to the human PDAC cell lines Panc-1 and Capan-1 was measured via streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase binding to biotinylated fusion proteins. Cytotoxic efficacy was evaluated by treatment with saturating concentrations of fusion protein followed by varying concentrations of the corresponding prodrug plus docetaxel. RESULTS All fusion proteins exhibited strong binding to PDAC cells, with dissociation constants between 0.02 and 1.15 nM. Cytotoxic efficacy was determined to be very good for 2 of the systems, both of which achieved complete cell death on at least 1 cell line at physiologically attainable prodrug concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Strong binding of fusion proteins to PDAC cells and effective cytotoxicity demonstrate the potential applicability of enzyme prodrug therapy to the treatment of PDAC.
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27
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von Neubeck C, Seidlitz A, Kitzler HH, Beuthien-Baumann B, Krause M. Glioblastoma multiforme: emerging treatments and stratification markers beyond new drugs. Br J Radiol 2015; 88:20150354. [PMID: 26159214 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20150354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumour in adults. The standard therapy for GBM is maximal surgical resection followed by radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ). In spite of the extensive treatment, the disease is associated with poor clinical outcome. Further intensification of the standard treatment is limited by the infiltrating growth of the GBM in normal brain areas, the expected neurological toxicities with radiation doses >60 Gy and the dose-limiting toxicities induced by systemic therapy. To improve the outcome of patients with GBM, alternative treatment modalities which add low or no additional toxicities to the standard treatment are needed. Many Phase II trials on new chemotherapeutics or targeted drugs have indicated potential efficacy but failed to improve the overall or progression-free survival in Phase III clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss contemporary issues related to recent technical developments and new metabolic strategies for patients with GBM including MR (spectroscopy) imaging, (amino acid) positron emission tomography (PET), amino acid PET, surgery, radiogenomics, particle therapy, radioimmunotherapy and diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- C von Neubeck
- 1 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,2 OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - A Seidlitz
- 2 OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,3 Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - H H Kitzler
- 4 Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - B Beuthien-Baumann
- 2 OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,5 Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,6 Helmholtz-Zentrum, Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), PET Centre, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Krause
- 1 German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Dresden and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,2 OncoRay, National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,3 Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,7 Helmholtz-Zentrum, Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiooncology, Dresden, Germany
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Hoffman RM. Development of recombinant methioninase to target the general cancer-specific metabolic defect of methionine dependence: a 40-year odyssey. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2014; 15:21-31. [PMID: 25439528 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.963050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION All tested cancer cell types are methionine dependent in that the cells arrest and eventually die when deprived of methionine, a condition that is generally nontoxic to normal cells. Methionine dependence is the only known general metabolic defect in cancer. Methionine-deprived cancer cells arrest at the S/G2 phase, an unusual position for cell cycle arrest. In order to exploit the cancer-specific metabolic defect of methionine dependence, methioninases were developed. AREAS COVERED The present Expert Opinion describes the phenomena of methionine dependence and a methioninase cloned from Pseudomonas putida (chemical name: l-methionine α-deamino-γ-mercaptomethane lyase [EC 4.4.1.11]). The cloned methioninase, termed recombinant methioninase, or rMETase, has been tested in mouse models of human cancer as well as in macaque monkeys and a pilot Phase I trial of human cancer patients. Efficacy of rMETase has been demonstrated against various cancer types in mouse models. EXPERT OPINION The most promising application of rMETase therapy is in sequential combination therapy, whereby the cancer cells within a tumor are trapped in S/G2 by methioninase treatment and then treated with chemotherapeutic agents active against cells in S/G2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Hoffman
- AntiCancer, Inc. , 7917 Ostrow Street, San Diego, CA 92111 , USA +1 858 654 2555 ; +1 858 268 4175 ;
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L-methionase: a therapeutic enzyme to treat malignancies. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:506287. [PMID: 25250324 PMCID: PMC4164312 DOI: 10.1155/2014/506287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is an increasing cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. L-methionase has potential application against many types of cancers. L-Methionase is an intracellular enzyme in bacterial species, an extracellular enzyme in fungi, and absent in mammals. L-Methionase producing bacterial strain(s) can be isolated by 5,5′-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) as a screening dye. L-Methionine plays an important role in tumour cells. These cells become methionine dependent and eventually follow apoptosis due to methionine limitation in cancer cells. L-Methionine also plays an indispensable role in gene activation and inactivation due to hypermethylation and/or hypomethylation. Membrane transporters such as GLUT1 and ion channels like Na2+, Ca2+, K+, and Cl− become overexpressed. Further, the α-subunit of ATP synthase plays a role in cancer cells growth and development by providing them enhanced nutritional requirements. Currently, selenomethionine is also used as a prodrug in cancer therapy along with enzyme methionase that converts prodrug into active toxic chemical(s) that causes death of cancerous cells/tissue. More recently, fusion protein (FP) consisting of L-methionase linked to annexin-V has been used in cancer therapy. The fusion proteins have advantage that they have specificity only for cancer cells and do not harm the normal cells.
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Guillen KP, Kurkjian C, Harrison RG. Targeted enzyme prodrug therapy for metastatic prostate cancer - a comparative study of L-methioninase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, and cytosine deaminase. J Biomed Sci 2014; 21:65. [PMID: 25047949 PMCID: PMC4223417 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-014-0065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Enzyme prodrug therapy shows promise for the treatment of solid tumors, but current approaches lack effective/safe delivery strategies. To address this, we previously developed three enzyme-containing fusion proteins targeted via annexin V to phosphatidylserine exposed on the tumor vasculature and tumor cells, using the enzymes L-methioninase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, or cytosine deaminase. In enzyme prodrug therapy, the fusion protein is allowed to bind to the tumor before a nontoxic drug precursor, a prodrug, is introduced. Upon interaction of the prodrug with the bound enzyme, an anticancer compound is formed, but only in the direct vicinity of the tumor, thereby mitigating the risk of side effects while creating high intratumoral drug concentrations. The applicability of these enzyme prodrug systems to treating prostate cancer has remained unexplored. Additionally, target availability may increase with the addition of low dose docetaxel treatment to the enzyme prodrug treatment, but this effect has not been previously investigated. To this end, we examined the binding strength and the cytotoxic efficacy (with and without docetaxel treatment) of these enzyme prodrug systems on the human prostate cancer cell line PC-3. RESULTS All three fusion proteins exhibited strong binding; dissociation constants were 0.572 nM for L-methioninase-annexin V (MT-AV), 0.406 nM for purine nucleoside phosphorylase-annexin V (PNP-AV), and 0.061 nM for cytosine deaminase-annexin V (CD-AV). MT-AV produced up to 99% cell death (p < 0.001) with limited cytotoxicity of the prodrug alone. PNP-AV with docetaxel created up to 78% cell death (p < 0.001) with no cytotoxicity of the prodrug alone. CD-AV with docetaxel displayed up to 60% cell death (p < 0.001) with no cytotoxicity of the prodrug alone. Docetaxel treatment created significant increases in cytotoxicity for PNP-AV and CD-AV. CONCLUSIONS Strong binding of fusion proteins to the prostate cancer cells and effective cell killing suggest that the enzyme prodrug systems with MT-AV and PNP-AV may be effective treatment options. Additionally, low-dose docetaxel treatment was found to increase the cytotoxic effect of the annexin V-targeted therapeutics for the PNP-AV and CD-AV systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.N. Losso
- Department of Food Science; Louisiana State University; Agricultural Center; 111 Food Science Building Baton Rouge LA 70803
| | - M. Ogawa
- Department of Food Science; Louisiana State University; Agricultural Center; 111 Food Science Building Baton Rouge LA 70803
- Department of Applied Biological Science; Faculty of Agriculture Kagawa University; Kagawa Japan
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Van Rite BD, Krais JJ, Cherry M, Sikavitsas VI, Kurkjian C, Harrison RG. Antitumor Activity of an Enzyme Prodrug Therapy Targeted to the Breast Tumor Vasculature. Cancer Invest 2013; 31:505-10. [DOI: 10.3109/07357907.2013.840383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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