1
|
Leimu L, Holm P, Gąciarz A, Haavisto O, Prince S, Pesonen U, Huovinen T, Lamminmäki U. Epitope-specific antibody fragments block aggregation of AGelD187N, an aberrant peptide in gelsolin amyloidosis. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107507. [PMID: 38944121 PMCID: PMC11298591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107507] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of aberrant fragment of plasma gelsolin, AGelD187N, is a crucial event underlying the pathophysiology of Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis, an inherited form of systemic amyloidosis. The amyloidogenic gelsolin fragment AGelD187N does not play any physiological role in the body, unlike most aggregating proteins related to other protein misfolding diseases. However, no therapeutic agents that specifically and effectively target and neutralize AGelD187N exist. We used phage display technology to identify novel single-chain variable fragments that bind to different epitopes in the monomeric AGelD187N that were further maturated by variable domain shuffling and converted to antigen-binding fragment (Fab) antibodies. The generated antibody fragments had nanomolar binding affinity for full-length AGelD187N, as evaluated by biolayer interferometry. Importantly, all four Fabs selected for functional studies efficiently inhibited the amyloid formation of full-length AGelD187N as examined by thioflavin fluorescence assay and transmission electron microscopy. Two Fabs, neither of which bound to the previously proposed fibril-forming region of AGelD187N, completely blocked the amyloid formation of AGelD187N. Moreover, no small soluble aggregates, which are considered pathogenic species in protein misfolding diseases, were formed after successful inhibition of amyloid formation by the most promising aggregation inhibitor, as investigated by size-exclusion chromatography combined with multiangle light scattering. We conclude that all regions of the full-length AGelD187N are important in modulating its assembly into fibrils and that the discovered epitope-specific anti-AGelD187N antibody fragments provide a promising starting point for a disease-modifying therapy for gelsolin amyloidosis, which is currently lacking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Leimu
- R&D, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation, Turku, Finland; Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Patrik Holm
- R&D, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation, Turku, Finland; Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Organon R&D Finland, Turku, Finland
| | - Anna Gąciarz
- R&D, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation, Turku, Finland; Mobidiag, A Hologic Company, Espoo, Finland
| | - Oskar Haavisto
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Stuart Prince
- R&D, Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation, Turku, Finland; MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ullamari Pesonen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Tuomas Huovinen
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Urpo Lamminmäki
- Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bollati M, Peqini K, Barone L, Natale C, Beeg M, Gobbi M, Diomede L, Trucchi M, de Rosa M, Pellegrino S. Rational Design of a Peptidomimetic Inhibitor of Gelsolin Amyloid Aggregation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213973. [PMID: 36430461 PMCID: PMC9698219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel) is characterized by multiple systemic and ophthalmic features resulting from pathological tissue deposition of the gelsolin (GSN) protein. To date, no cure is available for the treatment of any form of AGel. More than ten single-point substitutions in the GSN gene are responsible for the occurrence of the disease and, among them, D187N/Y is the most widespread variant. These substitutions undergo an aberrant proteolytic cascade, producing aggregation-prone peptides of 5 and 8 kDa, containing the Gelsolin Amyloidogenic Core, spanning residues 182-192 (GAC182-192). Following a structure-based approach, we designed and synthesized three novel sequence-specific peptidomimetics (LB-5, LB-6, and LB-7) built on a piperidine-pyrrolidine unnatural amino acid. LB-5 and LB-6, but not LB-7, efficiently inhibit the aggregation of the GAC182-192 amyloidogenic peptides at sub-stoichiometric concentrations. These peptidomimetics resulted also effective in vivo, in a C. elegans-based assay, in counteracting the proteotoxicity of aggregated GAC182-192. These data pave the way to a novel pharmacological strategy against AGel and also validate a toolbox exploitable in other amyloidogenic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bollati
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (IBF-CNR), c/o Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Kaliroi Peqini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, “A. Marchesini” General and Organic Chemistry Section, University of Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Luigi Barone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, “A. Marchesini” General and Organic Chemistry Section, University of Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Carmina Natale
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Marten Beeg
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Luisa Diomede
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Trucchi
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (IBF-CNR), c/o Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Matteo de Rosa
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council (IBF-CNR), c/o Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.d.R.); (S.P.)
| | - Sara Pellegrino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, “A. Marchesini” General and Organic Chemistry Section, University of Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.d.R.); (S.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang J, Kang G, Yuan H, Cao X, Huang H, de Marco A. Research Progress and Applications of Multivalent, Multispecific and Modified Nanobodies for Disease Treatment. Front Immunol 2022; 12:838082. [PMID: 35116045 PMCID: PMC8804282 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.838082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recombinant antibodies such as nanobodies are progressively demonstrating to be a valid alternative to conventional monoclonal antibodies also for clinical applications. Furthermore, they do not solely represent a substitute for monoclonal antibodies but their unique features allow expanding the applications of biotherapeutics and changes the pattern of disease treatment. Nanobodies possess the double advantage of being small and simple to engineer. This combination has promoted extremely diversified approaches to design nanobody-based constructs suitable for particular applications. Both the format geometry possibilities and the functionalization strategies have been widely explored to provide macromolecules with better efficacy with respect to single nanobodies or their combination. Nanobody multimers and nanobody-derived reagents were developed to image and contrast several cancer diseases and have shown their effectiveness in animal models. Their capacity to block more independent signaling pathways simultaneously is considered a critical advantage to avoid tumor resistance, whereas the mass of these multimeric compounds still remains significantly smaller than that of an IgG, enabling deeper penetration in solid tumors. When applied to CAR-T cell therapy, nanobodies can effectively improve the specificity by targeting multiple epitopes and consequently reduce the side effects. This represents a great potential in treating malignant lymphomas, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma and solid tumors. Apart from cancer treatment, multispecific drugs and imaging reagents built with nanobody blocks have demonstrated their value also for detecting and tackling neurodegenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, and infectious diseases and as antidotes for toxins. In particular, multi-paratopic nanobody-based constructs have been developed recently as drugs for passive immunization against SARS-CoV-2 with the goal of impairing variant survival due to resistance to antibodies targeting single epitopes. Given the enormous research activity in the field, it can be expected that more and more multimeric nanobody molecules will undergo late clinical trials in the next future. Systematic Review Registration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Wang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guangbo Kang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibin Yuan
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaocang Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Institute of Shaoxing, Tianjin University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ario de Marco
- Laboratory for Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cai J, Romão E, Wu G, Li J, Li L, Wang Z, Li Y, Yang J, Shen Y, Xu Z, Muyldermans S, Wang H. Nanobodies as binding-chaperones stabilize the recombinant Bombyx mori acetylcholinesterase and protect the enzyme activity in pesticide detection. Enzyme Microb Technol 2022; 155:109992. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.109992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
5
|
Zárybnický T, Heikkinen A, Kangas SM, Karikoski M, Martínez-Nieto GA, Salo MH, Uusimaa J, Vuolteenaho R, Hinttala R, Sipilä P, Kuure S. Modeling Rare Human Disorders in Mice: The Finnish Disease Heritage. Cells 2021; 10:cells10113158. [PMID: 34831381 PMCID: PMC8621025 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The modification of genes in animal models has evidently and comprehensively improved our knowledge on proteins and signaling pathways in human physiology and pathology. In this review, we discuss almost 40 monogenic rare diseases that are enriched in the Finnish population and defined as the Finnish disease heritage (FDH). We will highlight how gene-modified mouse models have greatly facilitated the understanding of the pathological manifestations of these diseases and how some of the diseases still lack proper models. We urge the establishment of subsequent international consortiums to cooperatively plan and carry out future human disease modeling strategies. Detailed information on disease mechanisms brings along broader understanding of the molecular pathways they act along both parallel and transverse to the proteins affected in rare diseases, therefore also aiding understanding of common disease pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomáš Zárybnický
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Anne Heikkinen
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Salla M. Kangas
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Marika Karikoski
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
| | - Guillermo Antonio Martínez-Nieto
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
- Turku Center for Disease Modelling (TCDM), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Miia H. Salo
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Johanna Uusimaa
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
- Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 20, 90029 Oulu, Finland
| | - Reetta Vuolteenaho
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
| | - Reetta Hinttala
- Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland; (A.H.); (S.M.K.); (M.H.S.); (R.V.)
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, 90014 Oulu, Finland;
- Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (G.A.M.-N.)
- Turku Center for Disease Modelling (TCDM), Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Satu Kuure
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- GM-Unit, Laboratory Animal Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: (R.H.); (P.S.); (S.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cheloha RW, Harmand TJ, Wijne C, Schwartz TU, Ploegh HL. Exploring cellular biochemistry with nanobodies. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:15307-15327. [PMID: 32868455 PMCID: PMC7650250 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.012960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Reagents that bind tightly and specifically to biomolecules of interest remain essential in the exploration of biology and in their ultimate application to medicine. Besides ligands for receptors of known specificity, agents commonly used for this purpose are monoclonal antibodies derived from mice, rabbits, and other animals. However, such antibodies can be expensive to produce, challenging to engineer, and are not necessarily stable in the context of the cellular cytoplasm, a reducing environment. Heavy chain-only antibodies, discovered in camelids, have been truncated to yield single-domain antibody fragments (VHHs or nanobodies) that overcome many of these shortcomings. Whereas they are known as crystallization chaperones for membrane proteins or as simple alternatives to conventional antibodies, nanobodies have been applied in settings where the use of standard antibodies or their derivatives would be impractical or impossible. We review recent examples in which the unique properties of nanobodies have been combined with complementary methods, such as chemical functionalization, to provide tools with unique and useful properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ross W Cheloha
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thibault J Harmand
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charlotte Wijne
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas U Schwartz
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hidde L Ploegh
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hebbrecht T, Liu J, Zwaenepoel O, Boddin G, Van Leene C, Decoene K, Madder A, Braeckmans K, Gettemans J. Nanobody click chemistry for convenient site-specific fluorescent labelling, single step immunocytochemistry and delivery into living cells by photoporation and live cell imaging. N Biotechnol 2020; 59:33-43. [PMID: 32659511 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
While conventional antibodies have been an instrument of choice in immunocytochemistry for some time, their small counterparts known as nanobodies have been much less frequently used for this purpose. In this study we took advantage of the availability of nanobody cDNAs to site-specifically introduce a non-standard amino acid carrying an azide/alkyne moiety, allowing subsequent Cu(I)-catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Click Chemistry (CuAAC). This generated a fluorescently labelled nanobody that can be used in single step immunocytochemistry as compared to conventional two step immunocytochemistry. Two strategies were explored to label nanobodies with Alexa Fluor 488. The first involved enzymatic addition of an alkyne-containing peptide to nanobodies using sortase A, while the second consisted of incorporating para-azido phenylalanine at the nanobody C-terminus. Through these approaches, the fluorophore was covalently and site-specifically attached. It was demonstrated that cortactin and β-catenin, cytoskeletal and adherens junction proteins respectively, can be imaged in cells in this manner through single step immunocytochemistry. However, fixation and permeabilization of cells can alter native protein structure and form a dense cross-linked protein network, encumbering antibody binding. It was shown that photoporation prior to fixation not only allowed delivery of nanobodies into living cells, but also facilitated β-catenin nanobody Nb86 imaging of its target, which was not possible in fixed cells. Pharmacological inhibitors are lacking for many non-enzymatic proteins, and it is therefore expected that new biological information will be obtained through photoporation of fluorescent nanobodies, which allows the study of short term effects, independent of gene-dependent (intrabody) expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hebbrecht
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Jing Liu
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Boddin
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Chloé Van Leene
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Klaas Decoene
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Annemieke Madder
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium; Center for Advanced Light Microscopy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu J, Hebbrecht T, Brans T, Parthoens E, Lippens S, Li C, De Keersmaecker H, De Vos WH, De Smedt SC, Boukherroub R, Gettemans J, Xiong R, Braeckmans K. Long-term live-cell microscopy with labeled nanobodies delivered by laser-induced photoporation. NANO RESEARCH 2020; 13:485-495. [PMID: 33154805 PMCID: PMC7116313 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-020-2633-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence microscopy is the method of choice for studying intracellular dynamics. However, its success depends on the availability of specific and stable markers. A prominent example of markers that are rapidly gaining interest are nanobodies (Nbs, ~ 15 kDa), which can be functionalized with bright and photostable organic fluorophores. Due to their relatively small size and high specificity, Nbs offer great potential for high-quality long-term subcellular imaging, but suffer from the fact that they cannot spontaneously cross the plasma membrane of live cells. We have recently discovered that laser-induced photoporation is well suited to deliver extrinsic labels to living cells without compromising their viability. Being a laser-based technology, it is readily compatible with light microscopy and the typical cell recipients used for that. Spurred by these promising initial results, we demonstrate here for the first time successful long-term imaging of specific subcellular structures with labeled nanobodies in living cells. We illustrate this using Nbs that target GFP/YFP-protein constructs accessible in the cytoplasm, actin-bundling protein Fascin, and the histone H2A/H2B heterodimers. With an efficiency of more than 80% labeled cells and minimal toxicity (~ 2%), photoporation proved to be an excellent intracellular delivery method for Nbs. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that cell division rate and migration remained unaffected, confirming excellent cell viability and functionality. We conclude that laser-induced photoporation labeled Nbs can be easily delivered into living cells, laying the foundation for further development of a broad range of Nbs with intracellular targets as a toolbox for long-term live-cell microscopy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Tim Hebbrecht
- Department of Biomolecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Toon Brans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Eef Parthoens
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- VIB Bioimaging Core Ghent, VIB, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Saskia Lippens
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- VIB Bioimaging Core Ghent, VIB, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Chengnan Li
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, ISEN, Univ. Valenciennes, UMR 8520-IEMN, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Herlinde De Keersmaecker
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Rabah Boukherroub
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, ISEN, Univ. Valenciennes, UMR 8520-IEMN, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biomolecular medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Ranhua Xiong
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| | - Kevin Braeckmans
- Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy, Ghent University, Ghent B-9000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Giorgino T, Mattioni D, Hassan A, Milani M, Mastrangelo E, Barbiroli A, Verhelle A, Gettemans J, Barzago MM, Diomede L, de Rosa M. Nanobody interaction unveils structure, dynamics and proteotoxicity of the Finnish-type amyloidogenic gelsolin variant. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:648-660. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
10
|
Bonì F, Milani M, Barbiroli A, Diomede L, Mastrangelo E, de Rosa M. Gelsolin pathogenic Gly167Arg mutation promotes domain-swap dimerization of the protein. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:53-65. [PMID: 29069428 PMCID: PMC5886171 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AGel amyloidosis is a genetic degenerative disease characterized by the deposition of insoluble gelsolin protein aggregates in different tissues. Until recently, this disease was associated with two mutations of a single residue (Asp187 to Asn/Tyr) in the second domain of the protein. The general opinion is that pathogenic variants are not per se amyloidogenic but rather that the mutations trigger an aberrant proteolytic cascade, which results in the production of aggregation prone fragments. Here, we report the crystal structure of the second domain of gelsolin carrying the recently identified Gly167Arg mutation. This mutant dimerizes through a three-dimensional domain swapping mechanism, forming a tight but flexible assembly, which retains the structural topology of the monomer. To date, such dramatic conformational changes of this type have not been observed. Structural and biophysical characterizations reveal that the Gly167Arg mutation alone is responsible for the monomer to dimer transition and that, even in the context of the full-length protein, the pathogenic variant is prone to form dimers. These data suggest that, in addition to the well-known proteolytic-dependent mechanism, an alternative oligomerization pathway may participate in gelsolin misfolding and aggregation. We propose to integrate this alternative pathway into the current model of the disease that may also be relevant for other types of AGel amyloidosis, and other related diseases with similar underlying pathological mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bonì
- CNR Istituto di Biofisica, c/o Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Milani
- CNR Istituto di Biofisica, c/o Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Barbiroli
- Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Diomede
- Dipartimento di Biochimica e Farmacologia Molecolare, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloise Mastrangelo
- CNR Istituto di Biofisica, c/o Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo de Rosa
- CNR Istituto di Biofisica, c/o Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Steels A, Verhelle A, Zwaenepoel O, Gettemans J. Intracellular displacement of p53 using transactivation domain (p53 TAD) specific nanobodies. MAbs 2018; 10:1045-1059. [PMID: 30111239 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2018.1502025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is of crucial importance in the prevention of cellular transformation. In the presence of cellular stress signals, the negative feedback loop between p53 and Mdm2, its main negative regulator, is disrupted, which results in the activation and stabilization of p53. Via a complex interplay between both transcription-dependent and - independent functions of p53, the cell will go through transient cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence or apoptosis. However, it remains difficult to completely fathom the mechanisms behind p53 regulation and its responses, considering the presence of multiple layers involved in fine-tuning them. In order to take the next step forward, novel research tools are urgently needed. We have developed single-domain antibodies, also known as nanobodies, that specifically bind with the N-terminal transactivation domain of wild type p53, but that leave the function of p53 as a transcriptional transactivator intact. When the nanobodies are equipped with a mitochondrial-outer-membrane (MOM)-tag, we can capture p53 at the mitochondria. This nanobody-induced mitochondrial delocalization of p53 is, in specific cases, associated with a decrease in cell viability and with morphological changes in the mitochondria. These findings underpin the potential of nanobodies as bona fide research tools to explore protein function and to unravel their biochemical pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneleen Steels
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Adriaan Verhelle
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Oregel KZ, Shouse GP, Oster C, Martinez F, Wang J, Rosenzweig M, Deisch JK, Chen CS, Nagaraj G. Atypical Presentation of Gelsolin Amyloidosis in a Man of African Descent with a Novel Mutation in the Gelsolin Gene. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2018; 19:374-381. [PMID: 29599423 PMCID: PMC5890616 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.907550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gelsolin amyloidosis is a very rare systemic disease presenting with a pathognomonic triad of corneal lattice dystrophy, cutis laxa, and polyneuropathy. The disease is mostly restricted to a Finnish population with known mutations (G654A, G654T) in exon 4 of the gelsolin gene. The mutations lead to errors in protein processing and folding, and ultimately leads to deposition of an amyloidogenic fragment in the extracellular space, causing the symptoms of disease. CASE REPORT We present a case of gelsolin amyloidosis in a male of African descent with an atypical clinical presentation including fevers, skin rash, polyneuropathy, and anemia. Gelsolin amyloidosis was diagnosed based on mass spectrometry of tissue samples. Importantly, a novel mutation in the gelsolin gene (C1375G) in exon 10 was found in this patient. His atypical presentation can possibly be attributed to the presence of a novel mutation in the gelsolin gene as the likely underlying cause of the syndrome. PCR primers were used to amplify the gelsolin gene from genomic DNA. Purified PCR products were then shipped to Eton Biosciences (San Diego, CA) for sequencing. CONCLUSIONS This study carries several important lessons relevant to the practice of medicine. First, the differential diagnosis for multisystem disease presentations should always include amyloidosis. Second, despite what has been uncovered about the molecular biology of disease, there is always more that can be discovered. Finally, further work to verify the link between this mutation and the clinical syndrome is still needed, as are effective treatments for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karlos Z Oregel
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Geoffrey P Shouse
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Cyrus Oster
- Division of Pathology, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Jun Wang
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Michael Rosenzweig
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy K Deisch
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Chien-Shing Chen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Gayathri Nagaraj
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mustonen T, Schmidt EK, Valori M, Tienari PJ, Atula S, Kiuru-Enari S. Common origin of the gelsolin gene variant in 62 Finnish AGel amyloidosis families. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:117-123. [PMID: 29167514 PMCID: PMC5838978 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-017-0026-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is an autosomal dominantly inherited systemic disorder with ophthalmologic, neurologic and dermatologic symptoms. Only the gelsolin (GSN) c.640G>A variant has been found in the Finnish patients thus far. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the Finnish patients have a common ancestor or whether multiple mutation events have occurred at c.640G, which is a known mutational hot spot. A total of 79 Finnish AGel amyloidosis families including 707 patients were first discovered by means of patient interviews, genealogic studies and civil and parish registers. From each family 1-2 index patients were chosen. Blood samples were available from 71 index patients representing 64 families. After quality control, SNP array genotype data were available from 68 patients from 62 nuclear families. All the index patients had the same c.640G>A variant (rs121909715). Genotyping was performed using the Illumina CoreExome SNP array. The homozygosity haplotype method was used to analyse shared haplotypes. Haplotype analysis identified a shared haplotype, common to all studied patients. This shared haplotype included 17 markers and was 361 kb in length (GRCh37 coordinates 9:124003326-124364349) and this level of haplotype sharing was found to occur highly unlikely by chance. This GSN haplotype ranked as the largest shared haplotype in the 68 patients in a genome-wide analysis of haplotype block lengths. These results provide strong evidence that although there is a known mutational hot spot at GSN c.640G, all of the studied 62 Finnish AGel amyloidosis families are genetically linked to a common ancestor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuuli Mustonen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Miko Valori
- Molecular Neurology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pentti J Tienari
- Molecular Neurology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari Atula
- Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Helsinki, Finland
- Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari Kiuru-Enari
- Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Verhelle A, Van Overbeke W, Peleman C, De Smet R, Zwaenepoel O, Lahoutte T, Van Dorpe J, Devoogdt N, Gettemans J. Non-Invasive Imaging of Amyloid Deposits in a Mouse Model of AGel Using 99mTc-Modified Nanobodies and SPECT/CT. Mol Imaging Biol 2017; 18:887-897. [PMID: 27130233 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-016-0960-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel), also known as familial amyloidosis, Finnish type (FAF), is an autosomal, dominant, incurable disease caused by a point mutation (G654A/T) in the gelsolin (GSN) gene. The mutation results in loss of a Ca2+-binding site in the second gelsolin domain. Subsequent incorrect folding exposes a cryptic furin cleavage site, leading to the formation of a 68-kDa C-terminal cleavage product (C68) in the trans-Golgi network. This C68 fragment is cleaved by membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) during secretion into the extracellular environment, releasing 8- and 5-kDa amyloidogenic peptides. These peptides aggregate and cause disease-associated symptoms. We set out to investigate whether AGel-specific nanobodies could be used to monitor amyloidogenic gelsolin buildup. PROCEDURES Three nanobodies (FAF Nb1-3) raised against the 8-kDa fragment were screened as AGel amyloid imaging agents in WT and AGel mice using 99mTc-based single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/X-ray tomography (CT), biodistribution analysis, and immunofluorescence (IF). The quantitative characteristics were analyzed in a follow-up study with a Nb11-expressing mouse model. RESULTS All three nanobodies possess the characteristics desired for a 99mTc-based SPECT/CT imaging agent, high specificity and a low background signal. FAF Nb1 was identified as the most potent, based on its superior signal-to-noise ratio and signal specificity. As a proof of concept, we implemented 99mTc-FAF Nb1 in a follow-up study of the Nb11-expressing AGel mouse model. Using biodistribution analysis and immunofluorescence, we demonstrated the validity of the data acquired via 99mTc-FAF Nb1 SPECT/CT. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate the potential of this nanobody as a non-invasive tool to image amyloidogenic gelsolin deposition and assess the therapeutic capacity of AGel therapeutics currently under development. We propose that this approach can be extended to other amyloid diseases, thereby contributing to the development of specific therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Verhelle
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Overbeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cindy Peleman
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rebecca De Smet
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Beghein E, Gettemans J. Nanobody Technology: A Versatile Toolkit for Microscopic Imaging, Protein-Protein Interaction Analysis, and Protein Function Exploration. Front Immunol 2017; 8:771. [PMID: 28725224 PMCID: PMC5495861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, nanobodies or single-domain antibodies have found their way in research, diagnostics, and therapy. These antigen-binding fragments, derived from Camelid heavy chain only antibodies, possess remarkable characteristics that favor their use over conventional antibodies or fragments thereof, in selected areas of research. In this review, we assess the current status of nanobodies as research tools in diverse aspects of fundamental research. We discuss the use of nanobodies as detection reagents in fluorescence microscopy and focus on recent advances in super-resolution microscopy. Second, application of nanobody technology in investigating protein–protein interactions is reviewed, with emphasis on possible uses in mass spectrometry. Finally, we discuss the potential value of nanobodies in studying protein function, and we focus on their recently reported application in targeted protein degradation. Throughout the review, we highlight state-of-the-art engineering strategies that could expand nanobody versatility and we suggest future applications of the technology in the selected areas of fundamental research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Els Beghein
- Nanobody Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Nanobody Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Verhelle A, Nair N, Everaert I, Van Overbeke W, Supply L, Zwaenepoel O, Peleman C, Van Dorpe J, Lahoutte T, Devoogdt N, Derave W, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T, Gettemans J. AAV9 delivered bispecific nanobody attenuates amyloid burden in the gelsolin amyloidosis mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:1353-1364. [PMID: 28334940 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gelsolin amyloidosis is a dominantly inherited, incurable type of amyloidosis. A single point mutation in the gelsolin gene (G654A is most common) results in the loss of a Ca2+ binding site in the second gelsolin domain. Consequently, this domain partly unfolds and exposes an otherwise buried furin cleavage site at the surface. During secretion of mutant plasma gelsolin consecutive cleavage by furin and MT1-MMP results in the production of 8 and 5 kDa amyloidogenic peptides. Nanobodies that are able to (partly) inhibit furin or MT1-MMP proteolysis have previously been reported. In this study, the nanobodies have been combined into a single bispecific format able to simultaneously shield mutant plasma gelsolin from intracellular furin and extracellular MT1-MMP activity. We report the successful in vivo expression of this bispecific nanobody following adeno-associated virus serotype 9 gene therapy in gelsolin amyloidosis mice. Using SPECT/CT and immunohistochemistry, a reduction in gelsolin amyloid burden was detected which translated into improved muscle contractile properties. We conclude that a nanobody-based gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses shows great potential as a novel strategy in gelsolin amyloidosis and potentially other amyloid diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Verhelle
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Everaert
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Overbeke
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Supply
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cindy Peleman
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo Van Dorpe
- Department of Medical and Forensic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tony Lahoutte
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Derave
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bertier L, Boucherie C, Zwaenepoel O, Vanloo B, Van Troys M, Van Audenhove I, Gettemans J. Inhibitory cortactin nanobodies delineate the role of NTA- and SH3-domain-specific functions during invadopodium formation and cancer cell invasion. FASEB J 2017; 31:2460-2476. [PMID: 28235780 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600810rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells exploit different strategies to escape from the primary tumor, gain access to the circulation, disseminate throughout the body, and form metastases, the leading cause of death by cancer. Invadopodia, proteolytically active plasma membrane extensions, are essential in this escape mechanism. Cortactin is involved in every phase of invadopodia formation, and its overexpression is associated with increased invadopodia formation, extracellular matrix degradation, and cancer cell invasion. To analyze endogenous cortactin domain function in these processes, we characterized the effects of nanobodies that are specific for the N-terminal acidic domain of cortactin and expected to target small epitopes within this domain. These nanobodies inhibit cortactin-mediated actin-related protein (Arp)2/3 activation, and, after their intracellular expression in cancer cells, decrease invadopodia formation, extracellular matrix degradation, and cancer cell invasion. In addition, one of the nanobodies affects Arp2/3 interaction and invadopodium stability, and a nanobody targeting the Src homology 3 domain of cortactin enabled comparison of 2 functional regions in invadopodium formation or stability. Given their common and distinct effects, we validate cortactin nanobodies as an instrument to selectively block and study distinct domains within a protein with unprecedented precision, aiding rational future generation of protein domain-selective therapeutic compounds.-Bertier, L., Boucherie, C., Zwaenepoel, O., Vanloo, B., Van Troys, M., Van Audenhove, I., Gettemans, J. Inhibitory cortactin nanobodies delineate the role of NTA- and SH3-domain-specific functions during invadopodium formation and cancer cell invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Bertier
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ciska Boucherie
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Berlinda Vanloo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen Van Troys
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Isabel Van Audenhove
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University-Campus Rommelaere, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Schmidt EK, Atula S, Tanskanen M, Nikoskinen T, Notkola IL, Kiuru-Enari S. Causes of death and life span in Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis. Ann Med 2016; 48:352-8. [PMID: 27137880 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2016.1177197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finnish type of hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is an autosomal dominant disorder. Until recently, there has only been little knowledge of fatal complications of the disease and its possible impact on the patients' life span. METHODS We identified 272 deceased patients based on patient interviews and genealogical data. After collecting their death certificates, we recorded the patients' underlying and immediate causes of death (CoD) and life span and compared them to the general Finnish population. We then calculated proportional mortality ratios (PMR), standardised for age and sex, for the CoDs. RESULTS The underlying CoD in 20% of the patients was AGel amyloidosis (PMR = 114.2; 95% CI: 85.6-149.4). The frequency of fatal cancers (10%) was significantly diminished (PMR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.31-0.69). Renal complications were overrepresented as the immediate CoD in female patients (PMR = 2.82 95% CI: 1.13-5.81). The mean life span for male patients was 73.9 years (95% CI: 72.0-75.6) and 78.0 years for female patients (95% CI: 76.4-79.5) compared to 72.1 and 80.1 years for the general population. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the disease increases the risk of fatal renal complications but does not substantially shorten the life span, possibly due to the significantly lower frequency of fatal cancers. Key Messages AGel amyloidosis may increase the risk of renal complications, especially among female patients. The frequency of fatal cancers is significantly lower. The patients' life span is comparable to that of the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sari Atula
- b Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Maarit Tanskanen
- c Department of Pathology , University of Helsinki and HUSLAB , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Tuuli Nikoskinen
- a Faculty of Medicine , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Sari Kiuru-Enari
- e Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology , University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Steeland S, Vandenbroucke RE, Libert C. Nanobodies as therapeutics: big opportunities for small antibodies. Drug Discov Today 2016; 21:1076-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2016.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
20
|
Koskelainen S, Pihlamaa T, Suominen S, Zhao F, Salo T, Risteli J, Baumann M, Kalimo H, Kiuru-Enari S. Gelsolin amyloid angiopathy causes severe disruption of the arterial wall. APMIS 2016; 124:639-48. [PMID: 27198069 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (HGA) is a dominantly inherited systemic disease reported worldwide. HGA is characterized by ophthalmological, neurological, and dermatological manifestations. AGel amyloid accumulates at basal lamina of epithelial and muscle cells, thus amyloid angiopathy is encountered in nearly every organ. HGA patients have cardiovascular, hemorrhagic, and potentially vascularly induced neurological problems. To clarify pathomechanisms of AGel angiopathy, we performed histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses on facial temporal artery branches from 8 HGA patients and 13 control subjects. We demonstrate major pathological changes in arteries: disruption of the tunica media, disorganization of vascular smooth muscle cells, and accumulation of AGel fibrils in arterial walls, where they associate with the lamina elastica interna, which becomes fragmented and diminished. We also provide evidence of abnormal accumulation and localization of collagen types I and III and an increase of collagen type I degradation product in the tunica media. Vascular smooth muscle cells appear to be morphologically and semi-quantitatively normal, only their basal lamina is often thickened. In conclusion, angiopathy in HGA results in severe disruption of arterial walls, characterized by prominent AGel deposition, collagen derangement and severe elastolysis, and it may be responsible for several, particularly hemorrhagic, disease manifestations in HGA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Koskelainen
- Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiia Pihlamaa
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sinikka Suominen
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fang Zhao
- Advanced Microscopy Unit, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Salo
- Research Group of Cancer and Translational Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juha Risteli
- Research Group of Cancer and Translational Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Marc Baumann
- Meilahti Clinical Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Kalimo
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sari Kiuru-Enari
- Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Van Audenhove I, Denert M, Boucherie C, Pieters L, Cornelissen M, Gettemans J. Fascin Rigidity and L-plastin Flexibility Cooperate in Cancer Cell Invadopodia and Filopodia. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:9148-60. [PMID: 26945069 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.706937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Invadopodia and filopodia are dynamic, actin-based protrusions contributing to cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The force of actin bundles is essential for their protrusive activity. The bundling protein fascin is known to play a role in both invadopodia and filopodia. As it is more and more acknowledged that functionally related proteins cooperate, it is unlikely that only fascin bundles actin in these protrusions. Another interesting candidate is L-plastin, normally expressed in hematopoietic cells, but considered a common marker of many cancer types. We identified L-plastin as a new component of invadopodia, where it contributes to degradation and invasiveness. By means of specific, high-affinity nanobodies inhibiting bundling of fascin or L-plastin, we further unraveled their cooperative mode of action. We show that the bundlers cannot compensate for each other due to strikingly different bundling characteristics: L-plastin bundles are much thinner and less tightly packed. Composite bundles adopt an intermediate phenotype, with fascin delivering the rigidity and strength for protrusive force and structural stability, whereas L-plastin accounts for the flexibility needed for elongation. Consistent with this, elevated L-plastin expression promotes elongation and reduces protrusion density in cells with relatively lower L-plastin than fascin levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Leen Pieters
- Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria Cornelissen
- Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Van Audenhove I, Gettemans J. Use of Nanobodies to Localize Endogenous Cytoskeletal Proteins and to Determine Their Contribution to Cancer Cell Invasion by Using an ECM Degradation Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1365:225-41. [PMID: 26498788 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3124-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There are numerous ways to study actin cytoskeletal structures, and thereby identify the underlying mechanisms of organization and their regulating proteins. Traditional approaches make use of protein overexpression or siRNA. However to study or modulate resident endogenous proteins, complementary methods are required. Since the discovery of nanobodies in 1993, they have proven to represent interesting tools in a variety of applications due to their high affinity, solubility, and stability. Especially their intracellular functionality makes them ideally suited for the study of actin cytoskeletal regulation. Here we provide a protocol to clone nanobody cDNAs in frame with an EGFP or mCherry fluorescent tag. We explain how to transfect this fusion protein in eukaryotic (cancer) cells and how to perform immunofluorescence. This allows microscopic analysis of endogenous (cytoskeletal) proteins and gives insight into their endogenous localization. Moreover, we outline an extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation assay as an application of the general protocol. By seeding cells onto a fluorescently labeled gelatin matrix, degradation can be quantified by means of a matrix degradation index. This assay demonstrates the contribution of a protein during cancer cell invasiveness in vitro and the potential of a nanobody to inhibit this degradation through modulation of its target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Van Audenhove
- Nanobody Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Nanobody Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Atula S, Nikoskinen T, Saastamoinen A, Strbian D, Schmidt EK, Kiuru-Enari S. Gender differences in the clinical course of Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis. Amyloid 2016; 23:33-8. [PMID: 26805765 DOI: 10.3109/13506129.2015.1119111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate gender differences in Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis). PATIENTS AND METHODS AGel amyloidosis patients, who were members of Finnish Amyloidosis Association (SAMY), filled in a questionnaire compiling known and suspected aspects of their disease. Telephone interviews and hospital medical records, when available, complemented the questionnaire. The data were entered to the database in order to create a national AGel amyloidosis patient registry (FIN-GAR). RESULTS A total of 227 patients, 156 women and 71 men, participated in the study. The women in our registry noticed their first symptoms at the median age of 39 years versus 43 years for men (p = 0.01). At the age in which the diagnosis was made there was a trend to be observed between men and women (women: 39 years versus men: 43 years, p = 0.053). Corneal lattice dystrophy was diagnosed in significantly younger women than men (median ages 41 versus 49 years, respectively, p = 0.01). Of other ophthalmological manifestations, corneal ulcer, impaired vision and glaucoma were all diagnosed at least 5 years earlier in women, although differences were not statistically significant. Ophthalmological manifestations, such as dry eyes and corneal ulcer; dermatological signs, such as blepharochalasis, and also neurological symptoms, such as myokymia and carpal tunnel syndrome, were more prevalent among women. CONCLUSIONS In the largest so far available study on AGel amyloidosis we show that women developed symptoms and signs of AGel amyloidosis at younger age. Especially eye-related problems occurred earlier and together with nerve and skin manifestations, the characteristic clinical triad in AGel amyloidosis, were more common in women. However, a clear limitation of our study was a selection bias caused by a significant underrepresentation of men in the study population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sari Atula
- a Department of Neurology , Clinical Neurosciences, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland and
| | - Tuuli Nikoskinen
- b University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Daniel Strbian
- a Department of Neurology , Clinical Neurosciences, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland and
| | | | - Sari Kiuru-Enari
- a Department of Neurology , Clinical Neurosciences, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland and
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Klamecka K, Severin PM, Milles LF, Gaub HE, Leonhardt H. Energy profile of nanobody–GFP complex under force. Phys Biol 2015; 12:056009. [DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/12/5/056009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
25
|
Van Overbeke W, Wongsantichon J, Everaert I, Verhelle A, Zwaenepoel O, Loonchanta A, Burtnick LD, De Ganck A, Hochepied T, Haigh J, Cuvelier C, Derave W, Robinson RC, Gettemans J. An ER-directed gelsolin nanobody targets the first step in amyloid formation in a gelsolin amyloidosis mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:2492-507. [PMID: 25601851 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis is an autosomal dominantly inherited amyloid disorder. A point mutation in the GSN gene (G654A being the most common one) results in disturbed calcium binding by the second gelsolin domain (G2). As a result, the folding of G2 is hampered, rendering the mutant plasma gelsolin susceptible to a proteolytic cascade. Consecutive cleavage by furin and MT1-MMP-like proteases generates 8 and 5 kDa amyloidogenic peptides that cause neurological, ophthalmological and dermatological findings. To this day, no specific treatment is available to counter the pathogenesis. Using GSN nanobody 11 as a molecular chaperone, we aimed to protect mutant plasma gelsolin from furin proteolysis in the trans-Golgi network. We report a transgenic, GSN nanobody 11 secreting mouse that was used for crossbreeding with gelsolin amyloidosis mice. Insertion of the therapeutic nanobody gene into the gelsolin amyloidosis mouse genome resulted in improved muscle contractility. X-ray crystal structure determination of the gelsolin G2:Nb11 complex revealed that Nb11 does not directly block the furin cleavage site. We conclude that nanobodies can be used to shield substrates from aberrant proteolysis and this approach might establish a novel therapeutic strategy in amyloid diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jantana Wongsantichon
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Inge Everaert
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - Adriaan Verhelle
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | | | - Anantasak Loonchanta
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Leslie D Burtnick
- Department of Chemistry and Centre for Blood Research, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ariane De Ganck
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - Tino Hochepied
- Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, VIB, Ghent, Belgium, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology and
| | - Jody Haigh
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology and Vascular Cell Biology Unit, VIB Inflammation Research Centre, Ghent, Belgium and Mammalian Functional Genetics Laboratory, Division of Blood Cancers, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Department of Clinical Haematology, Monash University and Alfred Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claude Cuvelier
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Derave
- Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
| | - Robert C Robinson
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, A*STAR, Biopolis, Singapore 138673, Singapore, Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore,
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finnish type of hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (FGA) is one of the most common diseases of Finnish disease heritage. Existing FGA knowledge is based only on smaller patient series, so our aim was to elucidate the natural course of the disease in a comprehensive sample of patients and to build up a national FGA patient registry. METHODS An inquiry about the known and suspected signs of FGA, sent to the members of Finnish Amyloidosis Association, telephone contacts, and hospital records were utilized to create the registry. RESULTS A total of 227 patients were entered to the database. The first symptom was ophthalmological for 167 patients (73.6%) at the mean age of 39 years. Corneal lattice dystrophy (CLD) was reported at the mean age of 43 years. Impaired vision, polyneuropathy, facial nerve paresis, and cutis laxa appeared on average between 52 and 57 years. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was reported by 86 patients (37.9%). Nine patients (4.0%) had a pacemaker, and 12 (6.1%) had cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSIONS The first symptom was ophthalmological in most cases. Except for CLD no prominent difference in the age of appearance was found between the major symptoms. CTS, cardiac pacemakers, and cardiomyopathy were remarkably more common compared to the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuuli Nikoskinen
- a Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland
| | | | - Daniel Strbian
- b Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Sari Kiuru-Enari
- b Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland
| | - Sari Atula
- b Clinical Neurosciences, Neurology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital , Helsinki , Finland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Bethuyne J, De Gieter S, Zwaenepoel O, Garcia-Pino A, Durinck K, Verhelle A, Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh G, Speleman F, Loris R, Gettemans J. A nanobody modulates the p53 transcriptional program without perturbing its functional architecture. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:12928-38. [PMID: 25324313 PMCID: PMC4227789 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p53 transcription factor plays an important role in genome integrity. To perform this task, p53 regulates the transcription of genes promoting various cellular outcomes including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or senescence. The precise regulation of this activity remains elusive as numerous mechanisms, e.g. posttranslational modifications of p53 and (non-)covalent p53 binding partners, influence the p53 transcriptional program. We developed a novel, non-invasive tool to manipulate endogenous p53. Nanobodies (Nb), raised against the DNA-binding domain of p53, allow us to distinctively target both wild type and mutant p53 with great specificity. Nb3 preferentially binds ‘structural’ mutant p53, i.e. R175H and R282W, while a second but distinct nanobody, Nb139, binds both mutant and wild type p53. The co-crystal structure of the p53 DNA-binding domain in complex with Nb139 (1.9 Å resolution) reveals that Nb139 binds opposite the DNA-binding surface. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Nb139 does not disturb the functional architecture of the p53 DNA-binding domain using conformation-specific p53 antibody immunoprecipitations, glutaraldehyde crosslinking assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Functionally, the binding of Nb139 to p53 allows us to perturb the transactivation of p53 target genes. We propose that reduced recruitment of transcriptional co-activators or modulation of selected post-transcriptional modifications account for these observations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Bethuyne
- Nanobody Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven De Gieter
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Olivier Zwaenepoel
- Nanobody Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Abel Garcia-Pino
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Kaat Durinck
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adriaan Verhelle
- Nanobody Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Remy Loris
- Structural Biology Brussels, Department of Biotechnology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Structural Biology Research Center, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Nanobody Lab, Department of Biochemistry, Ghent University, Albert Baertsoenkaai 3, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|