1
|
Georgiou N, Mavromoustakos T, Tzeli D. Docking, MD Simulations, and DFT Calculations: Assessing W254's Function and Sartan Binding in Furin. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8226-8238. [PMID: 39194703 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Furins are serine endoproteases that are involved in many biological processes, where they play important roles in normal metabolism, in the activation of various pathogens, while they are a target for therapeutic intervention. Dichlorophenyl-pyridine "BOS" compounds are well known drugs that are used as inhibitors of human furin by an induced-fit mechanism, in which tryptophan W254 in the furin catalytic cleft acts as a molecular transition energy gate. The binding of "BOS" drug into the active center of furin has been computationally studied using the density functional theory (DFT) and ONIOM multiscaling methodologies. The binding enthalpies of the W254 with the furin-BOS is -32.8 kcal/mol ("open") and -18.8 kcal/mol ("closed"), while the calculated torsion barrier was found at 30 kcal/mol. It is significantly smaller than the value of previous MD calculations due to the relaxation of the environment, i.e., nearby groups of the W254, leading to the reduction of the energy demands. The significant lower barrier explains the experimental finding that the dihedral barrier of W254 is overcome. Furthermore, sartans were studied to evaluate their potential as furin inhibitors. Sartans are AT1 antagonists, and they effectively inhibit the hypertensive effects induced by the peptide hormone Angiotensin II. Here, they have been docked into the cavity to evaluate their effect on the BOS ligand via docking and molecular dynamics simulations. A consistent binding of sartans within the cavity during the simulation was found, suggesting that they could act as furin inhibitors. Finally, sartans interact with the same amino acids as W254, leading to a competitive binding that may influence the pharmacological efficacy and potential drug interactions of sartans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikitas Georgiou
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, 11571 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Mavromoustakos
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, 11571 Athens, Greece
| | - Demeter Tzeli
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, 11571 Athens, Greece
- Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 11635 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang X, Li D, Maghsoudloo M, Zhang X, Ma W, Fu J. Targeting furin, a cellular proprotein convertase, for COVID-19 prevention and therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104026. [PMID: 38762086 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104026] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has triggered an international outbreak of the highly contagious acute respiratory disease known as COVID-19. Identifying key targets in the virus infection lifecycle is crucial for developing effective prevention and therapeutic strategies against it. Furin is a serine endoprotease that belongs to the family of proprotein convertases and plays a critical role in the entry of host cells by SARS-CoV-2. Furin can cleave a specific S1/S2 site, PRRAR, on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which promotes viral transmission by facilitating membrane fusion. Hence, targeting furin could hold clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. This review offers an overview of furin's structure, substrates, function, and inhibitors, with a focus on its potential role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China; The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
| | - Dabing Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; School of Basic Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mazaher Maghsoudloo
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinghai Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Wenzhe Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau.
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, The Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lange RW, Bloch K, Heindl MR, Wollenhaupt J, Weiss MS, Brandstetter H, Klebe G, Falcone FH, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Fragment-Based Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Aminoisoindole-Derived Furin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400057. [PMID: 38385828 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400057] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
A 1H-isoindol-3-amine was identified as suitable P1 group for the proprotein convertase furin using a crystallographic screening with a set of 20 fragments known to occupy the S1 pocket of trypsin-like serine proteases. Its binding mode is very similar to that observed for the P1 group of benzamidine-derived peptidic furin inhibitors suggesting an aminomethyl substitution of this fragment to obtain a couplable P1 residue for the synthesis of substrate-analogue furin inhibitors. The obtained inhibitors possess a slightly improved picomolar inhibitory potency compared to their benzamidine-derived analogues. The crystal structures of two inhibitors in complex with furin revealed that the new P1 group is perfectly suited for incorporation in peptidic furin inhibitors. Selected inhibitors were tested for antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a furin-dependent influenza A virus (SC35M/H7N7) in A549 human lung cells and demonstrated an efficient inhibition of virus activation and replication at low micromolar or even submicromolar concentrations. First results suggest that the Mas-related G-protein coupled receptor GPCR-X2 could be a potential off-target for certain benzamidine-derived furin inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman W Lange
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Konstantin Bloch
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wollenhaupt
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manfred S Weiss
- Macromolecular Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| | - Franco H Falcone
- Institute of Parasitology, BFS, Justus Liebig University, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Sven O Dahms
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria Phone
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, D-35032, Marburg, Germany Phone
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ho C, Nazarie WFWM, Lee PC. An In Silico Design of Peptides Targeting the S1/S2 Cleavage Site of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein. Viruses 2023; 15:1930. [PMID: 37766336 PMCID: PMC10536081 DOI: 10.3390/v15091930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, invades host cells via its spike protein, which includes critical binding regions, such as the receptor-binding domain (RBD), the S1/S2 cleavage site, the S2 cleavage site, and heptad-repeat (HR) sections. Peptides targeting the RBD and HR1 inhibit binding to host ACE2 receptors and the formation of the fusion core. Other peptides target proteases, such as TMPRSS2 and cathepsin L, to prevent the cleavage of the S protein. However, research has largely ignored peptides targeting the S1/S2 cleavage site. In this study, bioinformatics was used to investigate the binding of the S1/S2 cleavage site to host proteases, including furin, trypsin, TMPRSS2, matriptase, cathepsin B, and cathepsin L. Peptides targeting the S1/S2 site were designed by identifying binding residues. Peptides were docked to the S1/S2 site using HADDOCK (High-Ambiguity-Driven protein-protein DOCKing). Nine peptides with the lowest HADDOCK scores and strong binding affinities were selected, which was followed by molecular dynamics simulations (MDSs) for further investigation. Among these peptides, BR582 and BR599 stand out. They exhibited relatively high interaction energies with the S protein at -1004.769 ± 21.2 kJ/mol and -1040.334 ± 24.1 kJ/mol, respectively. It is noteworthy that the binding of these peptides to the S protein remained stable during the MDSs. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential of peptides targeting the S1/S2 cleavage site as a means to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering cells, and contributes to the development of therapeutic interventions against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chian Ho
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
| | - Wan Fahmi Wan Mohamad Nazarie
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
| | - Ping-Chin Lee
- Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia; (C.H.); (W.F.W.M.N.)
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ridgway H, Orbell JD, Matsoukas MT, Kelaidonis K, Moore GJ, Tsiodras S, Gorgoulis VG, Chasapis CT, Apostolopoulos V, Matsoukas JM. W254 in furin functions as a molecular gate promoting anti-viral drug binding: Elucidation of putative drug tunneling and docking by non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:4589-4612. [PMID: 37817778 PMCID: PMC10561063 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.09.003] [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] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Furins are serine endoproteases that process precursor proteins into their biologically active forms, and they play essential roles in normal metabolism and disease presentation, including promoting expression of bacterial virulence factors and viral pathogenesis. Thus, furins represent vital targets for development of antimicrobial and antiviral therapeutics. Recent experimental evidence indicated that dichlorophenyl (DCP)-pyridine "BOS" drugs (e.g., BOS-318) competitively inhibit human furin by an induced-fit mechanism in which tryptophan W254 in the furin catalytic cleft (FCC) functions as a molecular gate, rotating nearly 180o through a steep energy barrier about its chi-1 dihedral to an "open" orientation, exposing a buried (i.e., cryptic) hydrophobic pocket 1. Once exposed, the non-polar DCP group of BOS-318, and similar halo-phenyl groups of analogs, enter the cryptic pocket, stabilizing drug binding. Here, we demonstrate flexible-receptor docking of BOS-318 (and various analogs) was unable to emulate the induced-fit motif, even when tryptophan was replaced with less bulky phenylalanine or glycine. While either substitution allowed access to the hydrophobic pocket for most ligands tested, optimal binding was observed only for W254, inferring a stabilizing effect of the indole sidechain. Furthermore, non-equilibrium steered molecular dynamics (sMD) in which the bound drugs (or their fragments) were extracted from the FCC did not cause closure of the open W254 gate, consistent with the thermodynamic stability of the open or closed W254 orientations. Finally, interactive molecular dynamics (iMD) revealed two putative conduits of drug entry and binding into the FCC, each coupled with W254 dihedral rotation and opening of the cryptic pocket. The iMD simulations further revealed ligand entry and binding in the FCC is likely driven in part by energy fluxes stemming from disruption and re-formation of ligand and protein solvation shells during drug migration from the solution phase into the FCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harry Ridgway
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
- AquaMem Consultants, Rodeo, NM 88056, USA
| | - John D. Orbell
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
- College of Sport, Health & Engineering, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
| | | | | | - Graham J. Moore
- Pepmetics Inc., 772 Murphy Place, Victoria, BC V8Y 3H4, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sotiris Tsiodras
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilis G. Gorgoulis
- Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- Laboratory of Biology, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
- Faculty Institute for Cancer Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, M20 4GJ Manchester, UK
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, GU2 7XH Surrey, UK
| | - Christos T. Chasapis
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne 3030, VIC, Australia
- Immunology Program, Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Melbourne 3021, VIC, Australia
| | - John M. Matsoukas
- NewDrug/NeoFar PC, Patras Science Park, Patras 26504, Greece
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
- Institute for Health and Sport, Immunology and Translational Research, Victoria University, Melbourne 3030, VIC, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li Y, Wang K, Sun H, Wu S, Wang H, Shi Y, Li X, Yan H, Yang G, Wu M, Li Y, Ding X, Si S, Jiang J, Du Y, Li Y, Hong B. Omicsynin B4 potently blocks coronavirus infection by inhibiting host proteases cathepsin L and TMPRSS2. Antiviral Res 2023; 214:105606. [PMID: 37076089 PMCID: PMC10110284 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a major threat to public health and requires identification of novel therapeutic agents to address the unmet medical needs. Small molecules impeding viral entry through inhibition of spike protein priming proteases could have potent antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Omicsynin B4, a pseudo-tetrapeptides identified from Streptomyces sp. 1647, has potent antiviral activity against influenza A viruses in our previous study. Here, we found omicsynin B4 exhibited broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity against HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 prototype and its variants in multiple cell lines. Further investigations revealed omicsynin B4 blocked the viral entry and might be related to the inhibition of host proteases. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mediated pseudovirus assay supported the inhibitory activity on viral entry of omicsynin B4 with a more potent inhibition of Omicron variant, especially when overexpression of human TMPRSS2. Moreover, omicsynin B4 exhibited superior inhibitory activity in the sub-nanomolar range against CTSL, and a sub-micromolar inhibition against TMPRSS2 in biochemical assays. The molecular docking analysis confirmed that omicsynin B4 fits well in the substrate binding sites and forms a covalent bond to Cys25 and Ser441 in CTSL and TMPRSS2, respectively. In conclusion, we found that omicsynin B4 may serve as a natural protease inhibitor for CTSL and TMPRSS2, blocking various coronavirus S protein-driven entry into cells. These results further highlight the potential of omicsynin B4 as an attractive candidate as a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus agent that could rapidly respond to emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yihua Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Kun Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hongmin Sun
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuo Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Huiqiang Wang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xingxing Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Haiyan Yan
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Ge Yang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Mengyuan Wu
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yihong Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiaotian Ding
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shuyi Si
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Jiandong Jiang
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Du
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Yuhuan Li
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Research, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Bin Hong
- CAMS Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology for Drug Innovation, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Antibiotics, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cassari L, Pavan A, Zoia G, Chinellato M, Zeni E, Grinzato A, Rothenberger S, Cendron L, Dettin M, Pasquato A. SARS-CoV-2 S Mutations: A Lesson from the Viral World to Understand How Human Furin Works. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4791. [PMID: 36902222 PMCID: PMC10003014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054791] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent responsible for the worldwide pandemic and has now claimed millions of lives. The virus combines several unusual characteristics and an extraordinary ability to spread among humans. In particular, the dependence of the maturation of the envelope glycoprotein S from Furin enables the invasion and replication of the virus virtually within the entire body, since this cellular protease is ubiquitously expressed. Here, we analyzed the naturally occurring variation of the amino acids sequence around the cleavage site of S. We found that the virus grossly mutates preferentially at P positions, resulting in single residue replacements that associate with gain-of-function phenotypes in specific conditions. Interestingly, some combinations of amino acids are absent, despite the evidence supporting some cleavability of the respective synthetic surrogates. In any case, the polybasic signature is maintained and, as a consequence, Furin dependence is preserved. Thus, no escape variants to Furin are observed in the population. Overall, the SARS-CoV-2 system per se represents an outstanding example of the evolution of substrate-enzyme interaction, demonstrating a fast-tracked optimization of a protein stretch towards the Furin catalytic pocket. Ultimately, these data disclose important information for the development of drugs targeting Furin and Furin-dependent pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Cassari
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Angela Pavan
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Zoia
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Chinellato
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Zeni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Grinzato
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 71, Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvia Rothenberger
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Permethrin as a Potential Furin Inhibitor through a Novel Non-Competitive Allosteric Inhibition. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041883. [PMID: 36838867 PMCID: PMC9959265 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin is a potential target protein associated with numerous diseases; especially closely related to tumors and multiple viral infections including SARS-CoV-2. Most of the existing efficient furin inhibitors adopt a substrate analogous structure, and other types of small molecule inhibitors need to be discovered urgently. In this study, a high-throughput screening combining virtual and physical screening of natural product libraries was performed, coupled with experimental validation and preliminary mechanistic assays at the molecular level, cellular level, and molecular simulation. A novel furin inhibitor, permethrin, which is a derivative from pyrethrin I generated by Pyrethrum cinerariifolium Trev. was identified, and this study confirmed that it binds to a novel allosteric pocket of furin through non-competitive inhibition. It exhibits a very favorable protease-selective inhibition and good cellular activity and specificity. In summary, permethrin shows a new parent nucleus with a new mode of inhibition. It could be used as a highly promising lead compound against furin for targeting related tumors and various resistant viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
|
9
|
Proprotein convertases regulate trafficking and maturation of key proteins within the secretory pathway. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2023; 133:1-54. [PMID: 36707198 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein Convertases (PCs) are serine endoproteases that regulate the homeostasis of protein substrates in the cell. The PCs family counts 9 members-PC1/3, PC2, PC4, PACE4, PC5/6, PC7, Furin, SKI-1/S1P, and PCSK9. The first seven PCs are known as Basic Proprotein Convertases due to their propensity to cleave after polybasic clusters. SKI-1/S1P requires the additional presence of hydrophobic residues for processing, whereas PCSK9 is catalytically dead after autoactivation and exerts its functions using mechanisms alternative to direct cleavage. All PCs traffic through the canonical secretory pathway, reaching different compartments where the various substrates reside. Despite PCs members do not share the same subcellular localization, most of the cellular organelles count one or more Proprotein Convertases, including ER, Golgi stack, endosomes, secretory granules, and plasma membranes. The widespread expression of these enzymes at the systemic level speaks for their importance in the homeostasis of a large number of biological functions. Among others, PCs cleave precursors of hormones and growth factors and activate receptors and transcription factors. Notably, dysregulation of the enzymatic activity of Proprotein Convertases is associated to major human pathologies, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, infections, inflammation, autoimmunity diseases, and Parkinson. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, Furin has further attracted the attention as a key player for conferring high pathogenicity to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we review the Proprotein Convertases family and their most important substrates along the secretory pathway. Knowledge about the complex functions of PCs is important to identify potential drug strategies targeting this class of enzymes.
Collapse
|
10
|
Dankwa B, Broni E, Enninful KS, Kwofie SK, Wilson MD. Consensus docking and MM-PBSA computations identify putative furin protease inhibitors for developing potential therapeutics against COVID-19. Struct Chem 2022; 33:2221-2241. [PMID: 36118173 PMCID: PMC9470509 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02056-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has severely posed substantial health challenges and claimed millions of lives. Though vaccines have been produced to stem the spread of this disease, the death rate remains high since drugs used for treatment have therapeutic challenges. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the disease, has a slew of potential therapeutic targets. Among them is the furin protease, which has a cleavage site on the virus’s spike protein. The cleavage site facilitates the entry of the virus into human cells via cell–cell fusion. This critical involvement of furin in the disease pathogenicity has made it a viable therapeutic strategy against the virus. This study employs the consensus docking approach using HYBRID and AutoDock Vina to virtually screen a pre-filtered library of 3942 natural product compounds of African origin against the human furin protease (PDB: 4RYD). Twenty of these compounds were selected as hits after meeting molecular docking cut-off of − 7 kcal.mol−1, pose alignment inspection, and having favorable furin-ligand interactions. An area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.72 was computed from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, and Boltzmann-enhanced discrimination of the ROC curve (BEDROC) value of 0.65 showed that AutoDock Vina was a reasonable tool for selecting actives for this target. Seven of these hits were proposed as potential leads having had bonding interactions with catalytic triad residues Ser368, His194, and Asp153, and other essential residues in the active site with plausible binding free energies between − 189 and − 95 kJ/mol from the Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) calculations as well as favorable ADME/Tox properties. The molecules were also predicted as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, membrane permeability inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors, cytoprotective, and hepatoprotective with probable activity (Pa) above 0.5 and probable inactivity values below 0.1. Some of them also have anti-influenza activity. Influenza virus has many similarities with SARS-CoV-2 in their mode of entry into human cells as both are facilitated by the furin protease. Pinobanksin 3-(E)-caffeate, one of the potential leads is a propolis compound. Propolis compounds have shown inhibitory effects against ACE2, TMPRSS2, and PAK1 signaling pathways of SARS-CoV-2 in previous studies. Likewise, quercitrin is structurally similar to isoquercetin, which is currently in clinical trials as possible medication for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bismark Dankwa
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Computer Science, School of Physical & Mathematical Science, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, LG 163 Legon, Accra Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Broni
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| | - Kweku S. Enninful
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
| | - Samuel K. Kwofie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, College of Basic & Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 77, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra LG 54, Ghana
| | - Michael D. Wilson
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Sciences (CHS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153 USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ghosh A, Kar PK, Gautam A, Gupta R, Singh R, Chakravarti R, Ravichandiran V, Ghosh Dastidar S, Ghosh D, Roy S. An insight into SARS-CoV-2 structure, pathogenesis, target hunting for drug development and vaccine initiatives. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:647-675. [PMID: 35814927 PMCID: PMC9215161 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00009a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been confirmed to be a new coronavirus having 79% and 50% similarity with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, respectively. For a better understanding of the features of the new virus SARS-CoV-2, we have discussed a possible correlation between some unique features of the genome of SARS-CoV-2 in relation to pathogenesis. We have also reviewed structural druggable viral and host targets for possible clinical application if any, as cases of reinfection and compromised protection have been noticed due to the emergence of new variants with increased infectivity even after vaccination. We have also discussed the types of vaccines that are being developed against SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we have tried to give a brief overview of the fundamental factors of COVID-19 research like basic virology, virus variants and the newly emerging techniques that can be applied to develop advanced treatment strategies for the management of COVID-19 disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arijit Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata India
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calcutta Kolkata India
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Cancer Research institute 3081, Nayabad Kolkata-700094 India
| | - Paritosh K Kar
- Foundation on Tropical Diseases & Health Research Development, A Mission on Charitable Health Care Unit Balichak CT, Paschim Medinipur West Bengal 721 124 India
| | - Anupam Gautam
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen Sand 14 72076 Tübingen Germany
- International Max Planck Research School "From Molecules to Organisms", Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen Max-Planck-Ring 5 72076 Tübingen Germany
| | - Rahul Gupta
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Kolkata India
| | - Rajveer Singh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata India
| | - Rudra Chakravarti
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata India
| | | | - Dipanjan Ghosh
- Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata India
| | - Syamal Roy
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Kolkata India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Douglas LEJ, Reihill JA, Ho MWY, Axten JM, Campobasso N, Schneck JL, Rendina AR, Wilcoxen KM, Martin SL. A highly selective, cell-permeable furin inhibitor BOS-318 rescues key features of cystic fibrosis airway disease. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:947-957.e8. [PMID: 35202587 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In cystic fibrosis (CF), excessive furin activity plays a critical role in the activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), dysregulation of which contributes to airway dehydration, ineffective mucociliary clearance (MCC), and mucus obstruction. Here, we report a highly selective, cell-permeable furin inhibitor, BOS-318, that derives selectivity by eliciting the formation of a new, unexpected binding pocket independent of the active site catalytic triad. Using human ex vivo models, BOS-318 showed significant suppression of ENaC, which led to enhanced airway hydration and an ∼30-fold increase in MCC rate. Furin inhibition also protected ENaC from subsequent activation by neutrophil elastase, a soluble protease dominant in CF airways. Additional therapeutic benefits include protection against epithelial cell death induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Our findings demonstrate the utility of selective furin inhibition as a mutation-agnostic approach that can correct features of CF airway pathophysiology in a manner expected to deliver therapeutic value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E J Douglas
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - James A Reihill
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Melisa W Y Ho
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Axten
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Nino Campobasso
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Jessica L Schneck
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Alan R Rendina
- GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | | | - S Lorraine Martin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Nayak D, Wasmuth EV, Olsen SK. Clearing the air: Uniquely engaging furin as an approach to cystic fibrosis therapy. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:927-929. [PMID: 35714591 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Douglas et al. describe a potent, specific, and cell-permeable furin inhibitor that interacts with a cryptic binding site to rescue hallmarks of cystic fibrosis in human ex vivo models. BOS-318 holds promise for development of therapeutics targeting an array of furin-dependent pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Digant Nayak
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Elizabeth V Wasmuth
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Shaun K Olsen
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dahms SO, Schnapp G, Winter M, Büttner FH, Schlepütz M, Gnamm C, Pautsch A, Brandstetter H. Dichlorophenylpyridine-Based Molecules Inhibit Furin through an Induced-Fit Mechanism. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:816-821. [PMID: 35377598 PMCID: PMC9016704 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Inhibitors of the
proprotein convertase furin might serve as broad-spectrum
antiviral therapeutics. High cellular potency and antiviral activity
against acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have
been reported for (3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyridine-derived furin inhibitors.
Here we characterized the binding mechanism of this inhibitor class
using structural, biophysical, and biochemical methods. We established
a MALDI-TOF-MS-based furin activity assay, determined IC50 values, and solved X-ray structures of (3,5-dichlorophenyl)pyridine-derived
compounds in complex with furin. The inhibitors induced a substantial
conformational rearrangement of the active-site cleft by exposing
a central buried tryptophan residue. These changes formed an extended
hydrophobic surface patch where the 3,5-dichlorophenyl moiety of the
inhibitors was inserted into a newly formed binding pocket. Consistent
with these structural rearrangements, we observed slow off-rate binding
kinetics and strong structural stabilization in surface plasmon resonance
and differential scanning fluorimetry experiments, respectively. The
discovered furin conformation offers new opportunities for structure-based
drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gisela Schnapp
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Martin Winter
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Frank H. Büttner
- Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Marco Schlepütz
- Department of I&R Research, R&D Project Management and Development Strategies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Christian Gnamm
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Pautsch
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH& Co KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Negahdaripour M, Rahbar MR, Mosalanejad Z, Gholami A. Theta-Defensins to Counter COVID-19 as Furin Inhibitors: In Silico Efficiency Prediction and Novel Compound Design. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:9735626. [PMID: 35154362 PMCID: PMC8829439 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9735626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Dec. 2019. SARS-CoV-2 binds to the cell membrane through spike proteins on its surface and infects the cell. Furin, a host-cell enzyme, possesses a binding site for the spike protein. Thus, molecules that block furin could potentially be a therapeutic solution. Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that can hypothetically inhibit furin because of their arginine-rich structure. Theta-defensins, a subclass of defensins, have attracted attention as drug candidates due to their small size, unique structure, and involvement in several defense mechanisms. Theta-defensins could be a potential treatment for COVID-19 through furin inhibition and an anti-inflammatory mechanism. Note that inflammatory events are a significant and deadly condition that could happen at the later stages of COVID-19 infection. Here, the potential of theta-defensins against SARS-CoV-2 infection was investigated through in silico approaches. Based on docking analysis results, theta-defensins can function as furin inhibitors. Additionally, a novel candidate peptide against COVID-19 with optimal properties regarding antigenicity, stability, electrostatic potential, and binding strength was proposed. Further in vitro/in vivo investigations could verify the efficiency of the designed novel peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manica Negahdaripour
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahbar
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Mosalanejad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ahmad Gholami
- Biotechnology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dahms SO, Haider T, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T, Brandstetter H. OFF-State-Specific Inhibition of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1692-1700. [PMID: 34415722 PMCID: PMC8453481 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
The pro-protein convertase
furin is a highly specific serine protease
involved in the proteolytic maturation of many proteins in the secretory
pathway. It also activates surface proteins of many viruses including
the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Furin inhibitors effectively suppress viral replication and thus are
promising antiviral therapeutics with broad application potential.
Polybasic substrate-like ligands typically trigger conformational
changes shifting furin’s active site cleft from the OFF-state
to the ON-state. Here, we solved the X-ray structures of furin in
complex with four different arginine mimetic compounds with reduced
basicity. These guanylhydrazone-based inhibitor complexes showed for
the first time an active site-directed binding mode to furin’s
OFF-state conformation. The compounds undergo unique interactions
within the S1 pocket, largely different compared to substrate-like
ligands. A second binding site was identified at the S4/S5 pocket
of furin. Crystallography-based titration experiments confirmed the
S1 site as the primary binding pocket. We also tested the proprotein
convertases PC5/6 and PC7 for inhibition by guanylhydrazones and found
an up to 7-fold lower potency for PC7. Interestingly, the observed
differences in the Ki values correlated
with the sequence conservation of the PCs at the allosteric sodium
binding site. Therefore, OFF-state-specific targeting of furin can
serve as a valuable strategy for structure-based development of PC-selective
small-molecule inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tanja Haider
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lewandowska-Goch MA, Kwiatkowska A, Łepek T, Ly K, Navals P, Gagnon H, Dory YL, Prahl A, Day R. Design and Structure-Activity Relationship of a Potent Furin Inhibitor Derived from Influenza Hemagglutinin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:365-372. [PMID: 33738063 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin plays an important role in various pathological states, especially in bacterial and viral infections. A detailed understanding of the structural requirements for inhibitors targeting this enzyme is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies in infectious diseases, including an urgent unmet need for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previously, we have identified a potent furin inhibitor, peptide Ac-RARRRKKRT-NH 2 (CF1), based on the highly pathogenic avian influenza hemagglutinin. The goal of this study was to determine how its N-terminal part (the P8-P5 positions) affects its activity profile. To do so, the positional-scanning libraries of individual peptides modified at the selected positions with natural amino acids were generated. Subsequently, the best substitutions were combined together and/or replaced by unnatural residues to expand our investigations. The results reveal that the affinity of CF1 can be improved (2-2.5-fold) by substituting its P5 position with the small hydrophobic residues (Ile or Val) or a basic Lys.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika A. Lewandowska-Goch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Teresa Łepek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kévin Ly
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Hugo Gagnon
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Many research teams all over the world focus their research on the SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes the so-called COVID-19 disease. Most of the studies identify the main protease or 3C-like protease (Mpro/3CLpro) as a valid target for large-spectrum inhibitors. Also, the interaction of the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with the viral surface glycoprotein (S) is studied in depth. Structural studies tried to identify the residues responsible for enhancement/weaken virus-ACE2 interactions or the cross-reactivity of the neutralizing antibodies. Although the understanding of the immune system and the hyper-inflammatory process in COVID-19 are crucial for managing the immediate and the long-term consequences of the disease, not many X-ray/NMR/cryo-EM crystals are available. In addition to 3CLpro, the crystal structures of other nonstructural proteins offer valuable information for elucidating some aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thus, the structural analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 is currently mainly focused on three directions-finding Mpro/3CLpro inhibitors, the virus-host cell invasion, and the virus-neutralizing antibody interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Ileana Ionescu
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur, 400349, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Microbiology, County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400006, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gil C, Ginex T, Maestro I, Nozal V, Barrado-Gil L, Cuesta-Geijo MÁ, Urquiza J, Ramírez D, Alonso C, Campillo NE, Martinez A. COVID-19: Drug Targets and Potential Treatments. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12359-12386. [PMID: 32511912 PMCID: PMC7323060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Currently, humans are immersed in a pandemic caused by the emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which threatens public health worldwide. To date, no drug or vaccine has been approved to treat the severe disease caused by this coronavirus, COVID-19. In this paper, we will focus on the main virus-based and host-based targets that can guide efforts in medicinal chemistry to discover new drugs for this devastating disease. In principle, all CoV enzymes and proteins involved in viral replication and the control of host cellular machineries are potentially druggable targets in the search for therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2. This Perspective provides an overview of the main targets from a structural point of view, together with reported therapeutic compounds with activity against SARS-CoV-2 and/or other CoVs. Also, the role of innate immune response to coronavirus infection and the related therapeutic options will be presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tiziana Ginex
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Maestro
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Nozal
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Barrado-Gil
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Cuesta-Geijo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Urquiza
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - David Ramírez
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas,
Universidad Autónoma de Chile,
Llano Subercaseaux 2801- piso 6, 7500912 Santiago,
Chile
| | - Covadonga Alonso
- Department of Biotechnology,
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y
Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA),
Ctra. de la Coruña km 7.5, 28040 Madrid,
Spain
| | - Nuria E. Campillo
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martinez
- Centro de Investigaciones
Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro
de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Convertino D, Mishra N, Marchetti L, Calvello M, Viegi A, Cattaneo A, Fabbri F, Coletti C. Effect of Chemical Vapor Deposition WS 2 on Viability and Differentiation of SH-SY5Y Cells. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:592502. [PMID: 33192279 PMCID: PMC7662391 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.592502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, transition metal dichalcogenides have been attracting an increasing interest in the biomedical field, thus implying the need of a deeper understanding of their impact on cell behavior. In this study we investigate tungsten disulfide (WS2) grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a transparent substrate (sapphire) as a platform for neural-like cell culture. We culture SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on WS2, using graphene, sapphire and standard culture well as controls. The quality, thickness and homogeneity of the materials is analyzed using atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The cytocompatibility of CVD WS2 is investigated for the first time by cell viability and differentiation assessment on SH-SY5Y cells. We find that cells differentiated on WS2, displaying a viability and neurite length comparable with the controls. These findings shine light on the possibility of using WS2 as a cytocompatible material for interfacing neural cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Convertino
- National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
| | - Neeraj Mishra
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Filippo Fabbri
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
- NEST Istituto Nanoscienze—CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Camilla Coletti
- Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vankadari N. Structure of Furin Protease Binding to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein and Implications for Potential Targets and Virulence. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:6655-6663. [PMID: 32787225 PMCID: PMC7409919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an urgent global health emergency, and the presence of Furin site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein alters virulence and warrants further molecular, structural, and biophysical studies. Here we report the structure of Furin in complex with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, demonstrating how Furin binds to the S1/S2 region of spike glycoprotein and eventually cleaves the viral protein using experimental functional studies, molecular dynamics, and docking. The structural studies underline the mechanism and mode of action of Furin, which is a key process in host cell entry and a hallmark of enhanced virulence. Our whole-exome sequencing analysis shows the genetic variants/alleles in Furin were found to alter the binding affinity for viral spike glycoprotein and could vary in infectivity in humans. Unravelling the mechanisms of Furin action, binding dynamics, and the genetic variants opens the growing arena of bona fide antibodies and development of potential therapeutics targeting the blockage of Furin cleavage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Vankadari
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash
University, Victoria 3800,
Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Potential Therapeutic Targeting of Coronavirus Spike Glycoprotein Priming. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25102424. [PMID: 32455942 PMCID: PMC7287953 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25102424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Processing of certain viral proteins and bacterial toxins by host serine proteases is a frequent and critical step in virulence. The coronavirus spike glycoprotein contains three (S1, S2, and S2′) cleavage sites that are processed by human host proteases. The exact nature of these cleavage sites, and their respective processing proteases, can determine whether the virus can cross species and the level of pathogenicity. Recent comparisons of the genomes of the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV2 and MERS-CoV, with less pathogenic strains (e.g., Bat-RaTG13, the bat homologue of SARS-CoV2) identified possible mutations in the receptor binding domain and in the S1 and S2′ cleavage sites of their spike glycoprotein. However, there remains some confusion on the relative roles of the possible serine proteases involved for priming. Using anthrax toxin as a model system, we show that in vivo inhibition of priming by pan-active serine protease inhibitors can be effective at suppressing toxicity. Hence, our studies should encourage further efforts in developing either pan-serine protease inhibitors or inhibitor cocktails to target SARS-CoV2 and potentially ward off future pandemics that could develop because of additional mutations in the S-protein priming sequence in coronaviruses.
Collapse
|
25
|
Jarvela TS, Shakya M, Bachor T, White A, Low MJ, Lindberg I. Reduced Stability and pH-Dependent Activity of a Common Obesity-Linked PCSK1 Polymorphism, N221D. Endocrinology 2019; 160:2630-2645. [PMID: 31504391 PMCID: PMC6892424 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Common mutations in the human prohormone convertase (PC)1/3 gene (PCKSI) are linked to increased risk of obesity. Previous work has shown that the rs6232 single-nucleotide polymorphism (N221D) results in slightly decreased activity, although whether this decrease underlies obesity risk is not clear. We observed significantly decreased activity of the N221D PC1/3 enzyme at the pH of the trans-Golgi network; at this pH, the mutant enzyme was less stable than wild-type enzyme. Recombinant N221D PC1/3 also showed enhanced susceptibility to heat stress. Enhanced susceptibility to tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress was observed in AtT-20/PC2 cell clones in which murine PC1/3 was replaced by human N221D PC1/3, as compared with wild-type human PC1/3. However, N221D PC1/3-expressing AtT-20/PC2 clones processed proopiomelanocortin to α-MSH similarly to wild-type PC1/3. We also generated a CRISPR-edited mouse line expressing the N221D mutation in the PCKSI gene. When homozygous N221D mice were fed either a standard or a high-fat diet, we found no increase in body weight compared with their wild-type sibling controls. Sexual dimorphism was observed in pituitary ACTH for both genotypes, with females exhibiting lower levels of pituitary ACTH. In contrast, hypothalamic α-MSH content for both genotypes was higher in females compared with males. Hypothalamic corticotropin-like intermediate peptide content was higher in wild-type females compared with wild-type, but not N221D, males. Taken together, these data suggest that the increased obesity risk linked to the N221D allele in humans may be due in part to PC1/3-induced loss of resilience to stressors rather than strictly to decreased enzymatic activity on peptide precursors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Jarvela
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Surbhi
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tomas Bachor
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Anne White
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm J Low
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Correspondence: Iris Lindberg, PhD, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 20 Penn Street, Room S267, Baltimore, Maryland 21210. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bollati M, Scalone E, Bonì F, Mastrangelo E, Giorgino T, Milani M, de Rosa M. High-resolution crystal structure of gelsolin domain 2 in complex with the physiological calcium ion. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:94-99. [PMID: 31416615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The second domain of gelsolin (G2) hosts mutations responsible for a hereditary form of amyloidosis. The active form of gelsolin is Ca2+-bound; it is also a dynamic protein, hence structural biologists often rely on the study of the isolated G2. However, the wild type G2 structure that have been used so far in comparative studies is bound to a crystallographic Cd2+, in lieu of the physiological calcium. Here, we report the wild type structure of G2 in complex with Ca2+ highlighting subtle ion-dependent differences. Previous findings on different G2 mutations are also briefly revised in light of these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bollati
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Scalone
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonì
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Eloise Mastrangelo
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Toni Giorgino
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Milani
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo de Rosa
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Löw K, Hardes K, Fedeli C, Seidah NG, Constam DB, Pasquato A, Steinmetzer T, Roulin A, Kunz S. A novel cell-based sensor detecting the activity of individual basic proprotein convertases. FEBS J 2019; 286:4597-4620. [PMID: 31276291 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The basic proprotein convertases (PCs) furin, PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, PACE4, PC4, and PC7 are promising drug targets for human diseases. However, developing selective inhibitors remains challenging due to overlapping substrate recognition motifs and limited structural information. Classical drug screening approaches for basic PC inhibitors involve homogeneous biochemical assays using soluble recombinant enzymes combined with fluorogenic substrate peptides that may not accurately recapitulate the complex cellular context of the basic PC-substrate interaction. Herein we report basic PC sensor (BPCS), a novel cell-based molecular sensor that allows rapid screening of candidate inhibitors and their selectivity toward individual basic PCs within mammalian cells. BPCS consists of Gaussia luciferase linked to a sortilin-1 membrane anchor via a cleavage motif that allows efficient release of luciferase specifically if individual basic PCs are provided in the same membrane. Screening of selected candidate peptidomimetic inhibitors revealed that BPCS can readily distinguish between general and selective PC inhibitors in a high-throughput screening format. The robust and cost-effective assay format of BPCS makes it suitable to identify novel specific small-molecule inhibitors against basic PCs for therapeutic application. Its cell-based nature will allow screening for drug targets in addition to the catalytically active mature enzyme, including maturation, transport, and cellular factors that modulate the enzyme's activity. This broadened 'target range' will enhance the likelihood to identify novel small-molecule compounds that inhibit basic PCs in a direct or indirect manner and represents a conceptual advantage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Löw
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Chiara Fedeli
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, (Affiliated to the University of Montreal), Canada
| | - Daniel B Constam
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Switzerland
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Germany
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Kunz
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Pearce KH, Overton LK, Gampe RT, Barrett GB, Taylor JD, McKee DD, Campobasso N, Nolte RT, Reid RA. BacMam production and crystal structure of nonglycosylated apo human furin at 1.89 Å resolution. Acta Crystallogr F Struct Biol Commun 2019; 75:239-245. [PMID: 30950824 PMCID: PMC6450522 DOI: 10.1107/s2053230x19001419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin, also called proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 3 (PCSK3), is a calcium-dependent serine endoprotease that processes a wide variety of proproteins involved in cell function and homeostasis. Dysregulation of furin has been implicated in numerous disease states, including cancer and fibrosis. Mammalian cell expression of the furin ectodomain typically produces a highly glycosylated, heterogeneous protein, which can make crystallographic studies difficult. Here, the expression and purification of nonglycosylated human furin using the BacMam technology and site-directed mutagenesis of the glycosylation sites is reported. Nonglycosylated furin produced using this system retains full proteolytic activity indistinguishable from that of the glycosylated protein. Importantly, the nonglycosylated furin protein reliably forms extremely durable apo crystals that diffract to high resolution. These crystals can be soaked with a wide variety of inhibitors to enable a structure-guided drug-discovery campaign.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth H. Pearce
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laurie K. Overton
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert T. Gampe
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - George B. Barrett
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - J. David Taylor
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - David D. McKee
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Nino Campobasso
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert T. Nolte
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Robert A. Reid
- Platform Technology and Science, Department of Protein Cellular and Structural Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dahms SO, Demir F, Huesgen PF, Thorn K, Brandstetter H. Sirtilins - the new old members of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor family. J Thromb Haemost 2019; 17:470-481. [PMID: 30644641 PMCID: PMC6850207 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Essentials Blood coagulation is driven by vitamin K (VK)-dependent proteases. We have identified and characterized 'sirtilin' as an additional VK-dependent protease. Sirtilins emerged early in the evolution of the coagulation system of vertebrates. Ubiquitous occurrence might indicate an important functional role of sirtilins. SUMMARY: Background Vitamin K (VK)-dependent proteases are major players in blood coagulation, including both the initiation and the regulation of the cascade. Five different members of this protease family have been described, comprising the following coagulation factors: factor VII, FIX, FX, protein C (PC), and prothrombin (FII). FVII, FIX, FX and PC share a typical domain architecture, with an N-terminal γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) domain, two epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domains, and a C-terminal trypsin-like serine protease (SP) domain. Objectives We have identified uncharacterized proteins in snake genomes showing the typical Gla-EGF1-EGF2-SP domain architecture but relatively low sequence conservation compared to known VK-dependent proteases. On the basis of sequence analysis, we hypothesized that these proteins are functional members of the VK-dependent protease family. Methods/results Using phylogenetic analyses, we confirmed the so-called 'sirtilins' as an additional VK-dependent protease class. These proteases were found in several vertebrates, including jawless fish, cartilaginous fish, bony fish, reptiles, birds, and marsupials, but not in other mammals. The recombinant zymogen form of Thamnophis sirtalis sirtilin was produced by in vitro renaturation, and was activated with human activated FXI. The activated form of sirtilin proteolytically cleaved peptide and protein substrates, including prothrombin. Mass spectrometry-based substrate profiling of sirtilin revealed a narrower sequence specificity than those of FIX and FX. Conclusions The ubiquitous occurrence of sirtilins in many vertebrate classes might indicate an important functional role. Understanding the detailed functions of sirtilins might contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolution and function of the vertebrate coagulation system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Department of BiosciencesUniversity of SalzburgSalzburgAustria
| | - Fatih Demir
- ZEA‐3 AnalyticsCentral Institute for Engineering, Electronics and AnalyticsForschungszentrum JülichJülichGermany
| | - Pitter F. Huesgen
- ZEA‐3 AnalyticsCentral Institute for Engineering, Electronics and AnalyticsForschungszentrum JülichJülichGermany
| | - Karina Thorn
- Haemophilia ResearchNovo Nordisk A/SMåløvDenmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Van Lam van T, Ivanova T, Hardes K, Heindl MR, Morty RE, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Lindberg I, Than ME, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:673-685. [PMID: 30680958 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201800807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The activation of viral glycoproteins by the host protease furin is an essential step in the replication of numerous pathogenic viruses. Thus, effective inhibitors of furin could serve as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs. A crystal structure of an inhibitory hexapeptide derivative in complex with furin served as template for the rational design of various types of new cyclic inhibitors. Most of the prepared derivatives are relatively potent furin inhibitors with inhibition constants in the low nanomolar or even sub-nanomolar range. For seven derivatives the crystal structures in complex with furin could be determined. In three complexes, electron density was found for the entire inhibitor. In the other cases the structures could be determined only for the P6/P5-P1 segments, which directly interact with furin. The cyclic derivatives together with two non-cyclic reference compounds were tested as inhibitors of the proteolytic activation and replication of respiratory syncytial virus in cells. Significant antiviral activity was found for both linear reference inhibitors, whereas a negligible efficacy was determined for the cyclic derivatives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 2, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rory E Morty
- Department of Lung Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Dianati V, Navals P, Couture F, Desjardins R, Dame A, Kwiatkowska A, Day R, Dory YL. Improving the Selectivity of PACE4 Inhibitors through Modifications of the P1 Residue. J Med Chem 2018; 61:11250-11260. [PMID: 30501188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Paired basic amino acid cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4), a serine endoprotease of the proprotein convertases family, has been recognized as a promising target for prostate cancer. We previously reported a selective and potent peptide-based inhibitor for PACE4, named the multi-Leu peptide (Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 sequence), which was then modified into a more potent and stable compound named C23 with the following structure: Ac-dLeu-LLLRVK-Amba (Amba: 4-amidinobenzylamide). Despite improvements in both in vitro and in vivo profiles of C23, its selectivity for PACE4 over furin was significantly reduced. We examined other Arg-mimetics instead of Amba to regain the lost selectivity. Our results indicated that the replacement of Amba with 5-(aminomethyl)picolinimidamide increased affinity for PACE4 and restored selectivity. Our results also provide a better insight on how structural differences between S1 pockets of PACE4 and furin could be employed in the rational design of selective inhibitors.
Collapse
|
32
|
Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. The Antiviral Potential of Host Protease Inhibitors. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122247 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The replication of numerous pathogenic viruses depends on host proteases, which therefore emerged as potential antiviral drug targets. In some cases, e.g., for influenza viruses, their function during the viral propagation cycle is relatively well understood, where they cleave and activate viral surface glycoproteins. For other viruses, e.g., Ebola virus, the function of host proteases during replication is still not clear. Host proteases may also contribute to the pathogenicity of virus infection by activating proinflammatory cytokines. For some coronaviruses, human proteases can also serve in a nonproteolytical fashion simply as receptors for virus entry. However, blocking of such protein-protein contacts is challenging, because receptor surfaces are often flat and difficult to address with small molecules. In contrast, many proteases possess well-defined binding pockets. Therefore, they can be considered as well-druggable targets, especially, if they are extracellularly active. The number of their experimental crystal structures is steadily increasing, which is an important prerequisite for a rational structure-based inhibitor design using computational chemistry tools in combination with classical medicinal chemistry approaches. Moreover, host proteases can be considered as stable targets, and their inhibition should prevent rapid resistance developments, which is often observed when addressing viral proteins. Otherwise, the inhibition of host proteases can also affect normal physiological processes leading to a higher probability of side effects and a narrow therapeutic window. Therefore, they should be preferably used in combination therapies with additional antiviral drugs. This strategy should provide a stronger antiviral efficacy, allow to use lower drug doses, and minimize side effects. Despite numerous experimental findings on their antiviral activity, no small-molecule inhibitors of host proteases have been approved for the treatment of virus infections, so far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. Characterization of Proprotein Convertases and Their Involvement in Virus Propagation. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122180 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dahms SO, Hardes K, Steinmetzer T, Than ME. X-ray Structures of the Proprotein Convertase Furin Bound with Substrate Analogue Inhibitors Reveal Substrate Specificity Determinants beyond the S4 Pocket. Biochemistry 2018; 57:925-934. [PMID: 29314830 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b01124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is a highly specific serine protease modifying and thereby activating proteins in the secretory pathway by proteolytic cleavage. Its substrates are involved in many diseases, including cancer and infections caused by bacteria and viruses. Understanding furin's substrate specificity is crucially important for the development of pharmacologically applicable inhibitors. Using protein X-ray crystallography, we investigated the extended substrate binding site of furin in complex with three peptide-derived inhibitors at up to 1.9 Å resolution. The structure of the protease bound with a hexapeptide inhibitor revealed molecular details of its S6 pocket, which remained completely unknown so far. The arginine residue at P6 induced an unexpected turnlike conformation of the inhibitor backbone, which is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular H-bonds. In addition, we confirmed the binding of arginine to the previously proposed S5 pocket (S51). An alternative S5 site (S52) could be utilized by shorter side chains as demonstrated for a 4-aminomethyl-phenylacetyl residue, which shows steric properties similar to those of a lysine side chain. Interestingly, we also observed binding of a peptide with citrulline at P4 substituting for the highly conserved arginine. The structural data might indicate an unusual protonation state of Asp264 maintaining the interaction with uncharged citrulline. The herein identified molecular interaction sites at P5 and P6 can be utilized to improve next-generation furin inhibitors. Our data will also help to predict furin substrates more precisely on the basis of the additional specificity determinants observed for P5 and P6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O Dahms
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg , Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria.,Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) , Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Osadchuk TV, Shybyryn OV, Kibirev VK. Chemical structure and properties of low-molecular furin inhibitors. UKRAINIAN BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 2018; 88:5-25. [PMID: 29235831 DOI: 10.15407/ubj88.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The review is devoted to the analysis of the relationship between a chemical structure and properties of low-molecular weight inhibitors of furin, the most studied proprotein convertase, which is involved in the development of some pathologies, such as oncologic diseases, viral and bacterial infections, etc. The latest data concerning the influence of peptides, pseudo-peptides, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, some natural ones such as flavonoids, coumarins, and others on enzyme inactivation are considered. The power of furin inhibition is shown to rise with the increasing number of positively charged groups in the structure of these compounds. Peptidomimetics (Ki = 5-8 pM) are shown to be the most effective furin inhibitors. The synthesized substances, however, have not been used in practical application yet. Nowadays it is very important to find more selective inhibitors, improve their stability, bioavailability and safety for the human organism.
Collapse
|
36
|
Balmith M, Soliman MES. Potential Ebola drug targets — filling the gap: a critical step forward towards the design and discovery of potential drugs. Biologia (Bratisl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2017-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
37
|
Ivanova T, Hardes K, Kallis S, Dahms SO, Than ME, Künzel S, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Lindberg I, Jiao GS, Bartenschlager R, Steinmetzer T. Optimization of Substrate-Analogue Furin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:1953-1968. [PMID: 29059503 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is a potential target for drug design, especially for the inhibition of furin-dependent virus replication. All effective synthetic furin inhibitors identified thus far are multibasic compounds; the highest potency was found for our previously developed inhibitor 4-(guanidinomethyl)phenylacetyl-Arg-Tle-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (MI-1148). An initial study in mice revealed a narrow therapeutic range for this tetrabasic compound, while significantly reduced toxicity was observed for some tribasic analogues. This suggests that the toxicity depends at least to some extent on the overall multibasic character of this inhibitor. Therefore, in a first approach, the C-terminal benzamidine of MI-1148 was replaced by less basic P1 residues. Despite decreased potency, a few compounds still inhibit furin in the low nanomolar range, but display negligible efficacy in cells. In a second approach, the P2 arginine was replaced by lysine; compared to MI-1148, this furin inhibitor has slightly decreased potency, but exhibits similar antiviral activity against West Nile and Dengue virus in cell culture and decreased toxicity in mice. These results provide a promising starting point for the development of efficacious and well-tolerated furin inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kallis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Künzel
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Hochschule Ansbach, Residenzstraße 8, 91522, Ansbach, Germany
| | | | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Honolulu, HI, USA.,MedChem ShortCut LLC, Pearl City, HI, USA
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Łepek T, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Dory Y, Prahl A, Day R. Macrocyclization of a potent PACE4 inhibitor: Benefits and limitations. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:476-485. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
|
39
|
Dianati V, Shamloo A, Kwiatkowska A, Desjardins R, Soldera A, Day R, Dory YL. Rational Design of a Highly Potent and Selective Peptide Inhibitor of PACE4 by Salt Bridge Interaction with D160 at Position P3. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:1169-1172. [PMID: 28722823 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertases (PCs) family of serine proteases, is a validated target for prostate cancer. Our group has developed a potent and selective PACE4 inhibitor: Ac-LLLLRVKR-NH2 . In seeking for modifications to increase the selectivity of this ligand toward PACE4, we replaced one of its P3 Val methyl groups with a basic group capable of forming a salt bridge with D160 of PACE4. The resulting inhibitor is eight times more potent than the P3 Val parent inhibitor and two times more selective over furin, because the equivalent salt bridge with furin E257 is not optimal. Moreover, the β-branched nature of the new P3 residue favors the extended β-sheet conformation usually associated with substrates of proteases. This work provides new insight for better understanding of β-sheet backbone-backbone interactions between serine proteases and their peptidic ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Dianati
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, IPS, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Azar Shamloo
- Département de Chimie, Centre Québécois sur les Matériaux Fonctionnels, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Armand Soldera
- Département de Chimie, Centre Québécois sur les Matériaux Fonctionnels, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Yves L Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, IPS, Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Solovyeva NI, Gureeva TA, Timoshenko OS, Moskvitina TA, Kugaevskaya EV. Furin as proprotein convertase and its role in normal and pathological biological processes. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW), SUPPLEMENT SERIES B: BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990750817020081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
41
|
Dahms SO, Jiao GS, Than ME. Structural Studies Revealed Active Site Distortions of Human Furin by a Small Molecule Inhibitor. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:1211-1216. [PMID: 28402100 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) represent highly selective serine proteases that activate their substrates upon proteolytic cleavage. Their inhibition is a promising strategy for the treatment of several pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Here, we present the first experimental complex of furin with a non-substrate-like small molecule inhibitor, and the X-ray structure of the enzyme complexed to the small molecule inhibitor 1 at 1.9 Å resolution. Two molecules of inhibitor 1 were found to interact with furin. One is anchored at the S4 pocket of the enzyme and interferes directly with the conformation and function of the catalytic triade; the other molecule shows weaker binding and interacts with a distant, less conserved region of furin. The observed binding modes represent a new inhibition strategy of furin and imply the possibility to attain specificity among the PCs providing an innovative starting point of structure guided inhibitor development for furin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department
of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- MedChem ShortCut, LLC, Pearl City, Hawaii United States
| | - Manuel E. Than
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Jaaks P, Bernasconi M. The proprotein convertase furin in tumour progression. Int J Cancer 2017; 141:654-663. [PMID: 28369813 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are proteases that have been implicated in the activation of a wide variety of proteins. These proteins are generally synthesised as precursor proteins and require limited proteolysis for conversion into their mature bioactive counterparts. Many of these proteins, including metalloproteases, growth factors and their receptors or adhesion molecules, have been shown to facilitate tumour formation and progression. Hence, this review will focus on the proprotein convertase furin and its role in cancer. The expression of furin has been confirmed in a large spectrum of cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma. Functional studies modulating furin activity uncovered its importance for the processing of many cancer-related substrates and strongly indicate that high furin activity promotes the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. In this review, we summarise the expression and function of furin in different cancer types, discuss its role in processing cancer-related proproteins and give examples of potential therapeutic approaches that take advantage of the proteolytic activity of furin in cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Jaaks
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Hardes K, Ivanova T, Thaa B, McInerney GM, Klokk TI, Sandvig K, Künzel S, Lindberg I, Steinmetzer T. Elongated and Shortened Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:613-620. [PMID: 28334511 PMCID: PMC5572662 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Novel elongated and shortened derivatives of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor phenylacetyl-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide were synthesized. The most potent compounds, such as Nα (carbamidoyl)Arg-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (Ki =6.2 pm), contain additional basic residues at the N terminus and inhibit furin in the low-picomolar range. Furthermore, to decrease the molecular weight of this inhibitor type, compounds that lack the P5 moiety were prepared. The best inhibitors of this series, 5-(guanidino)valeroyl-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide and its P3 tert-leucine analogue displayed Ki values of 2.50 and 1.26 nm, respectively. Selected inhibitors, together with our previously described 4-amidinobenzylamide derivatives as references, were tested in cell culture for their activity against furin-dependent infectious pathogens. The propagation of the alphaviruses Semliki Forest virus and chikungunya virus was strongly inhibited in the presence of selected derivatives. Moreover, a significant protective effect of the inhibitors against diphtheria toxin was observed. These results confirm that the inhibition of furin should be a promising approach for the short-term treatment of acute infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Thaa
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerald M. McInerney
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tove Irene Klokk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsten Sandvig
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sebastian Künzel
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Hochschule Ansbach, Residenzstraße 8, D-91522 Ansbach, Germany
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Małuch I, Levesque C, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, Ly K, Desjardins R, Neugebauer WA, Prahl A, Day R. Positional Scanning Identifies the Molecular Determinants of a High Affinity Multi-Leucine Inhibitor for Furin and PACE4. J Med Chem 2017; 60:2732-2744. [PMID: 28287731 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase family of enzymes includes seven endoproteases with significant redundancy in their cleavage activity. We previously described the peptide Ac-LLLLRVK-Amba that displays potent inhibitory effects on both PACE4 and prostate cancer cell lines proliferation. Herein, the molecular determinants for PACE4 and furin inhibition were investigated by positional scanning using peptide libraries that substituted its leucine core with each natural amino acid. We determined that the incorporation of basic amino acids led to analogues with improved inhibitory potency toward both enzymes, whereas negatively charged residues significantly reduced it. All the remaining amino acids were in general well tolerated, with the exemption of the P6 position. However, not all of the potent PACE4 inhibitors displayed antiproliferative activity. The best analogues were obtained by the incorporation of the Ile residue at the P5 and P6 positions. These substitutions led to inhibitors with increased PACE4 selectivity and potent antiproliferative effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Małuch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Christine Levesque
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Kévin Ly
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Witold A Neugebauer
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke J1H 5N4, Canada.,Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Centre Hospitalier Université de Sherbrooke , 3001 12e Avenue Nord, J1H 5N4 Sherbrooke, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Balmith M, Faya M, Soliman MES. Ebola virus: A gap in drug design and discovery - experimental and computational perspective. Chem Biol Drug Des 2016; 89:297-308. [PMID: 27637475 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The Ebola virus, formally known as the Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is an acute viral syndrome causing sporadic outbreaks that have ravaged West Africa. Due to its extreme virulence and highly transmissible nature, Ebola has been classified as a category A bioweapon organism. Only recently have vaccine or drug regimens for the Ebola virus been developed, including Zmapp and peptides. In addition, existing drugs which have been repurposed toward anti-Ebola virus activity have been re-examined and are seen to be promising candidates toward combating Ebola. Drug development involving computational tools has been widely employed toward target-based drug design. Screening large libraries have greatly stimulated research toward effective anti-Ebola virus drug regimens. Current emphasis has been placed on the investigation of host proteins and druggable viral targets. There is a huge gap in the literature regarding guidelines in the discovery of Ebola virus inhibitors, which may be due to the lack of information on the Ebola drug targets, binding sites, and mechanism of action of the virus. This review focuses on Ebola virus inhibitors, drugs which could be repurposed to combat the Ebola virus, computational methods which study drug-target interactions as well as providing further insight into the mode of action of the Ebola virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Balmith
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mbuso Faya
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mahmoud E S Soliman
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Design Research Group, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Dahms SO, Creemers JWM, Schaub Y, Bourenkov GP, Zögg T, Brandstetter H, Than ME. The structure of a furin-antibody complex explains non-competitive inhibition by steric exclusion of substrate conformers. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34303. [PMID: 27670069 PMCID: PMC5037460 DOI: 10.1038/srep34303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein Convertases (PCs) represent highly selective serine proteases that activate their substrates upon proteolytic cleavage. Their inhibition is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Inhibitory camelid antibodies were developed, targeting the prototypical PC furin. Kinetic analyses of them revealed an enigmatic non-competitive mechanism, affecting the inhibition of large proprotein-like but not small peptidic substrates. Here we present the crystal structures of furin in complex with the antibody Nb14 and of free Nb14 at resolutions of 2.0 Å and 2.3 Å, respectively. Nb14 binds at a site distant to the substrate binding pocket to the P-domain of furin. Interestingly, no major conformational changes were observed upon complex formation, neither for the protease nor for the antibody. Inhibition of furin by Nb14 is instead explained by steric exclusion of specific substrate conformers, explaining why Nb14 inhibits the processing of bulky protein substrates but not of small peptide substrates. This mode of action was further supported by modelling studies with the ternary factor X-furin-antibody complex and a mutation that disrupted the interaction interface between furin and the antibody. The observed binding mode of Nb14 suggests a novel approach for the development of highly specific antibody-based proprotein convertase inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - John W M Creemers
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yvonne Schaub
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Zögg
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Structure of the unliganded form of the proprotein convertase furin suggests activation by a substrate-induced mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11196-11201. [PMID: 27647913 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613630113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are highly specific proteases required for the proteolytic modification of many secreted proteins. An unbalanced activity of these enzymes is connected to pathologies like cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Novel protein crystallographic structures of the prototypical PC family member furin in different functional states were determined to 1.8-2.0 Å. These, together with biochemical data and modeling by molecular dynamics calculations, suggest essential elements underlying its unusually high substrate specificity. Furin shows a complex activation mechanism and exists in at least four defined states: (i) the "off state," incompatible with substrate binding as seen in the unliganded enzyme; (ii) the active "on state" seen in inhibitor-bound furin; and the respective (iii) calcium-free and (iv) calcium-bound forms. The transition from the off to the on state is triggered by ligand binding at subsites S1 to S4 and appears to underlie the preferential recognition of the four-residue sequence motif of furin. The molecular dynamics simulations of the four structural states reflect the experimental observations in general and provide approximations of the respective stabilities. Ligation by calcium at the PC-specific binding site II influences the active-site geometry and determines the rotamer state of the oxyanion hole-forming Asn295, and thus adds a second level of the activity modulation of furin. The described crystal forms and the observations of different defined functional states may foster the development of new tools and strategies for pharmacological intervention targeting furin.
Collapse
|
48
|
Stijnen P, Ramos-Molina B, O'Rahilly S, Creemers JWM. PCSK1 Mutations and Human Endocrinopathies: From Obesity to Gastrointestinal Disorders. Endocr Rev 2016; 37:347-71. [PMID: 27187081 DOI: 10.1210/er.2015-1117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prohormone convertase 1/3, encoded by the PCSK1 gene, is a serine endoprotease that is involved in the processing of a variety of proneuropeptides and prohormones. Humans who are homozygous or compound heterozygous for loss-of-function mutations in PCSK1 exhibit a variable and pleiotropic syndrome consisting of some or all of the following: obesity, malabsorptive diarrhea, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, altered thyroid and adrenal function, and impaired regulation of plasma glucose levels in association with elevated circulating proinsulin-to-insulin ratio. Recently, more common variants in the PCSK1 gene have been found to be associated with alterations in body mass index, increased circulating proinsulin levels, and defects in glucose homeostasis. This review provides an overview of the endocrinopathies and other disorders observed in prohormone convertase 1/3-deficient patients, discusses the possible biochemical basis for these manifestations of the disease, and proposes a model whereby certain missense mutations in PCSK1 may result in proteins with a dominant negative action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Stijnen
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology (P.S., B.R.-M., J.W.M.C.), Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; and Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit (S.O.), Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology (P.S., B.R.-M., J.W.M.C.), Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; and Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit (S.O.), Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology (P.S., B.R.-M., J.W.M.C.), Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; and Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit (S.O.), Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology (P.S., B.R.-M., J.W.M.C.), Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium; and Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit (S.O.), Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
PACE4 inhibitors and their peptidomimetic analogs block prostate cancer tumor progression through quiescence induction, increased apoptosis and impaired neovascularisation. Oncotarget 2016; 6:3680-93. [PMID: 25682874 PMCID: PMC4414146 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in North American men. Current pharmacological treatments are limited to anti-androgen strategies and the development of new therapeutic approaches remains a challenge. As a fundamentally new approach, we propose the inhibition of PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertases family of enzymes, as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. We developed an inhibitor named the Multi-Leu peptide, with potent in vitro anti-proliferative effects. However, the Multi-Leu peptide has not been tested under in vivo conditions and its potency under such conditions is most likely limited, due to the labile characteristics of peptides in general. Using a peptidomimetic approach, we modified the initial scaffold, generating the analog Ac-[DLeu]LLLRVK-Amba, which demonstrates increased inhibitory potency and stability. The systemic administration of this peptidomimetic significantly inhibits tumor progression in the LNCaP xenograft model of prostate cancer by inducing tumor cell quiescence, increased apoptosis and neovascularization impairment. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles of this inhibitor confirm adequate tumor delivery properties of the compound. We conclude that PACE4 peptidomimetic inhibitors could result in stable and potent drugs for a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
Collapse
|
50
|
Solovyeva N, Gureeva T, Timoshenko O, Moskvitina T, Kugaevskaya E. Furin as proprotein convertase and its role in normal and pathological biological processes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 62:609-621. [DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20166206609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Furin belongs to serine intracellular Ca2+-dependent endopeptidases of the subtilisin family, also known as proprotein convertase (PC). Human furin is synthesized as zymogen with a molecular weight of 104 kDa, which is then activated by autocatalytic in two stages. This process can occur when zymogen migrates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, where a large part of furin is accumulated. The molecular weigh t of the active furin is 98 kDa. Furin relates to enzymes with a narrow substrate specificity: it hydrolyzes peptide bonds at the site of paired basic amino acids and furin activity exhibits in a wide pH range 5-8. Its main biological function is activation of the functionally important protein precursors. It is accompanied by the launch of a cascade of reactions, which lead to appearance of biologically active molecules involved in realization of specific biological functions both in normal and in some patologicheskih processes. Furin substrates are biologically important proteins such as enzymes, hormones, growth factors and differentiation, receptors, adhesion proteins, proteins of blood plasma. Furin plays an important role in the development of processes such as proliferation, invasion, cell migration, survival, maintenance of homeostasis, embryogenesis, as well as the development of a number of pathologies, including cardiovascular, oncologic and neurodegenerative diseases. Furin and furin-like proprotein convertases participate as key factors in the realization of the regulatory functions of proteolytic enzymes, the value of which is currently being evaluated as most important in comparison with the degradative function of proteases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - T.A. Gureeva
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|