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Novikov DV, Vasilchikova EA, Vasilchikov PI. Prospects for the use of viral proteins for the construction of chimeric toxins. Arch Virol 2024; 169:208. [PMID: 39327316 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-024-06139-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
One of the actively developing areas of drug development is the creation of chimeric toxins, recombinant bifunctional molecules designed to affect target cells selectively. The prevalent approach involves fusing bacterial and plant toxins with molecules that facilitate targeted delivery. However, the therapeutic use of such toxins often encounters challenges associated with negative side effects. Concurrently, viruses encode proteins possessing toxin-like properties, exerting multiple effects on the vital activity of cells. In contrast to bacterial and plant toxins, the impact of viral proteins is typically milder, presenting a significant advantage by potentially reducing the likelihood of side effects. This review delineates the characteristics of extensively studied viral proteins with toxic and immunomodulatory properties and explores the prospects of incorporating them into chimeric toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V Novikov
- Academician I.N. Blokhina Nizhny Novgorod Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - E A Vasilchikova
- National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - P I Vasilchikov
- National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
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Malla WA, Arora R, Khan RIN, Mahajan S, Tiwari AK. Apoptin as a Tumor-Specific Therapeutic Agent: Current Perspective on Mechanism of Action and Delivery Systems. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:524. [PMID: 32671070 PMCID: PMC7330108 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide in humans and animals. Conventional treatment regimens often fail to produce the desired outcome due to disturbances in cell physiology that arise during the process of transformation. Additionally, development of treatment regimens with no or minimum side-effects is one of the thrust areas of modern cancer research. Oncolytic viral gene therapy employs certain viral genes which on ectopic expression find and selectively destroy malignant cells, thereby achieving tumor cell death without harming the normal cells in the neighborhood. Apoptin, encoded by Chicken Infectious Anemia Virus' VP3 gene, is a proline-rich protein capable of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a selective manner. In normal cells, the filamentous Apoptin becomes aggregated toward the cell margins, but is eventually degraded by proteasomes without harming the cells. In malignant cells, after activation by phosphorylation by a cancer cell-specific kinase whose identity is disputed, Apoptin accumulates in the nucleus, undergoes aggregation to form multimers, and prevents the dividing cancer cells from repairing their DNA lesions, thereby forcing them to undergo apoptosis. In this review, we discuss the present knowledge about the structure of Apoptin protein, elaborate on its mechanism of action, and summarize various strategies that have been used to deliver it as an anticancer drug in various cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Akram Malla
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Richa Arora
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Raja Ishaq Nabi Khan
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Sonalika Mahajan
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Tiwari
- Division of Biological Standardisation, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India
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Wen C, Chen J, Zhang D, Wang H, Che J, Qin Q, He L, Cai Z, Lin M, Lou Q, Huang L, Chen D, Iwamoto A, Ren D, Wang L, Lan P, Wang J, Liu H, Yang X. Pseudolaric acid B induces mitotic arrest and apoptosis in both 5-fluorouracil-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2016; 383:295-308. [PMID: 27713084 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy is the main chemotherapeutic approach for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Because chemoresistance occurs frequently and significantly limits CRC therapies, a novel agent is needed. Pseudolaric acid B (PAB), a small molecule derived from the Chinese medicinal herb ''Tujinpi'', exhibits strong cytotoxic effects on a variety of cancers. However, the detailed mechanisms by which PAB inhibits CRC cell growth and its potential role in overcoming 5-FU resistance have not been well studied. In this study, we showed that PAB significantly inhibited the viability of various CRC cell lines but induced minor cytotoxicity in normal cells. Both the in vitro and in vivo results showed that PAB induced proliferation inhibition, mitotic arrest and subsequently caspase-dependent apoptosis in both 5-FU-sensitive and -resistant CRC cells. Moreover, PAB was shown to interfere with CRC cell mitotic spindle apparatus and activate the spindle assembly checkpoint. Finally, CDK1 activity was involved in PAB-induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis in CRC cells. Taken together, these data reveal that PAB induces CRC cell mitotic arrest followed by apoptosis and overcomes 5-FU resistance in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that PAB may be a potential agent for CRC treatment, particularly for 5-FU-resistant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuangyu Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junxiong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Che
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiyuan Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zerong Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Lou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanlan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daici Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aikichi Iwamoto
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Donglin Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Lan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Human Virology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiangling Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology and the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Activation of the Chicken Anemia Virus Apoptin Protein by Chk1/2 Phosphorylation Is Required for Apoptotic Activity and Efficient Viral Replication. J Virol 2016; 90:9433-45. [PMID: 27512067 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00936-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is a single-stranded circular DNA virus that carries 3 genes, the most studied of which is the gene encoding VP3, also known as apoptin. This protein has been demonstrated to specifically kill transformed cells while leaving normal cells unharmed in a manner that is independent of p53 status. Although the mechanistic basis for this differential activity is unclear, it is evident that the subcellular localization of the protein is important for the difference. In normal cells, apoptin exists in filamentous networks in the cytoplasm, whereas in transformed cells, apoptin is present in the nucleus and appears as distinct foci. We have previously demonstrated that DNA damage signaling through the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway induces the translocation of apoptin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, where it induces apoptosis. We found that apoptin contains four checkpoint kinase consensus sites and that mutation of either threonine 56 or 61 to alanine restricts apoptin to the cytoplasm. Furthermore, treatment of tumor cells expressing apoptin with inhibitors of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) and Chk2 causes apoptin to localize to the cytoplasm. Importantly, silencing of Chk2 rescues cancer cells from the cytotoxic effects of apoptin. Finally, treatment of virus-producing cells with Chk inhibitor protects them from virus-mediated toxicity and reduces the titer of progeny virus. Taken together, our results indicate that apoptin is a sensor of DNA damage signaling through the ATM-Chk2 pathway, which induces it to migrate to the nucleus during viral replication. IMPORTANCE The chicken anemia virus (CAV) protein apoptin is known to induce tumor cell-specific death when expressed. Therefore, understanding its regulation and mechanism of action could provide new insights into tumor cell biology. We have determined that checkpoint kinase 1 and 2 signaling is important for apoptin regulation and is a likely feature of both tumor cells and host cells producing virus progeny. Inhibition of checkpoint signaling prevents apoptin toxicity in tumor cells and attenuates CAV replication, suggesting it may be a future target for antiviral therapy.
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Turner RL, Groitl P, Dobner T, Ornelles DA. Adenovirus replaces mitotic checkpoint controls. J Virol 2015; 89:5083-96. [PMID: 25694601 PMCID: PMC4403466 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00213-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Infection with adenovirus triggers the cellular DNA damage response, elements of which include cell death and cell cycle arrest. Early adenoviral proteins, including the E1B-55K and E4orf3 proteins, inhibit signaling in response to DNA damage. A fraction of cells infected with an adenovirus mutant unable to express the E1B-55K and E4orf3 genes appeared to arrest in a mitotic-like state. Cells infected early in G1 of the cell cycle were predisposed to arrest in this state at late times of infection. This arrested state, which displays hallmarks of mitotic catastrophe, was prevented by expression of either the E1B-55K or the E4orf3 genes. However, E1B-55K mutant virus-infected cells became trapped in a mitotic-like state in the presence of the microtubule poison colcemid, suggesting that the two viral proteins restrict entry into mitosis or facilitate exit from mitosis in order to prevent infected cells from arresting in mitosis. The E1B-55K protein appeared to prevent inappropriate entry into mitosis through its interaction with the cellular tumor suppressor protein p53. The E4orf3 protein facilitated exit from mitosis by possibly mislocalizing and functionally inactivating cyclin B1. When expressed in noninfected cells, E4orf3 overcame the mitotic arrest caused by the degradation-resistant R42A cyclin B1 variant. IMPORTANCE Cells that are infected with adenovirus type 5 early in G1 of the cell cycle are predisposed to arrest in a mitotic-like state in a p53-dependent manner. The adenoviral E1B-55K protein prevents entry into mitosis. This newly described activity for the E1B-55K protein appears to depend on the interaction between the E1B-55K protein and the tumor suppressor p53. The adenoviral E4orf3 protein facilitates exit from mitosis, possibly by altering the intracellular distribution of cyclin B1. By preventing entry into mitosis and by promoting exit from mitosis, these adenoviral proteins act to prevent the infected cell from arresting in a mitotic-like state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta L Turner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter Groitl
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Dobner
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David A Ornelles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
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Gupta SK, Gandham RK, Sahoo AP, Tiwari AK. Viral genes as oncolytic agents for cancer therapy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:1073-94. [PMID: 25408521 PMCID: PMC11113997 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Many viruses have the ability to modulate the apoptosis, and to accomplish it; viruses encode proteins which specifically interact with the cellular signaling pathways. While some viruses encode proteins, which inhibit the apoptosis or death of the infected cells, there are viruses whose encoded proteins can kill the infected cells by multiple mechanisms, including apoptosis. A particular class of these viruses has specific gene(s) in their genomes which, upon ectopic expression, can kill the tumor cells selectively without affecting the normal cells. These genes and their encoded products have demonstrated great potential to be developed as novel anticancer therapeutic agents which can specifically target and kill the cancer cells leaving the normal cells unharmed. In this review, we will discuss about the viral genes having specific cancer cell killing properties, what is known about their functioning, signaling pathways and their therapeutic applications as anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishir Kumar Gupta
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 UP India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gandham
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 UP India
| | - A. P. Sahoo
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 UP India
| | - A. K. Tiwari
- Molecular Biology Lab, Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122 UP India
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