1
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Berge-Seidl S, Nielsen NV, Rodriguez Alfonso AA, Etscheid M, Kandanur SPS, Haug BE, Stensland M, Thiede B, Karacan M, Preising N, Wiese S, Ständker L, Declerck PJ, Løset GÅ, Kanse SM. Identification of a Phage Display-Derived Peptide Interacting with the N-Terminal Region of Factor VII Activating Protease (FSAP) Enables Characterization of Zymogen Activation. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 17:2631-2642. [PMID: 36070465 PMCID: PMC9486805 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.2c00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Factor VII Activating protease (FSAP) has a protective effect in diverse disease conditions as inferred from studies in FSAP-/- mice and humans deficient in FSAP activity due to single-nucleotide polymorphism. The zymogen form of FSAP in plasma is activated by extracellular histones that are released during tissue injury or inflammation or by positively charged surfaces. However, it is not clear whether this activation mechanism is specific and amenable to manipulation. Using a phage display approach, we have identified a Cys-constrained 11 amino acid peptide, NNKC9/41, that activates pro-FSAP in plasma. The synthetic linear peptide has a propensity to cyclize through the terminal Cys groups, of which the antiparallel cyclic dimer, but not the monocyclic peptide, is the active component. Other commonly found zymogens in the plasma, related to the hemostasis system, were not activated. Binding studies with FSAP domain deletion mutants indicate that the N-terminus of FSAP is the key interaction site of this peptide. In a monoclonal antibody screen, we identified MA-FSAP-38C7 that prevented the activation of pro-FSAP by the peptide. This antibody bound to the LESLDP sequence (amino acids 30-35) in an intrinsically disordered stretch in the N-terminus of FSAP. The plasma clotting time was shortened by NNKC9/41, and this was reversed by MA-FSAP-38C7, demonstrating the utility of this peptide. Peptide NNKC9/41 will be useful as a tool to delineate the molecular mechanism of activation of pro-FSAP, elucidate its biological role, and provide a starting point for the pharmacological manipulation of FSAP activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nis Valentin Nielsen
- Oslo
University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Bengt Erik Haug
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Pharmacy, University
of Bergen, 5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria Stensland
- Oslo
University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bernd Thiede
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul J. Declerck
- Department
of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geir Åge Løset
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
- Nextera
AS, 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sandip M. Kanse
- Oslo
University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
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2
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Dimer Interface in Natural Variant NK1 Is Dispensable for HGF-Dependent Met Receptor Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179240. [PMID: 34502141 PMCID: PMC8431453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
NK1, a splicing variant of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), binds to and activates Met receptor by forming an NK1 dimer and 2:2 complex with Met. Although the structural mechanism underlying Met activation by HGF remains incompletely resolved, it has been proposed that the NK1 dimer structure participates in this activation. We investigated the NK1 dimer interface’s role in Met activation by HGF. Because N127, V140, and K144 are closely involved in the head-to-tail NK1 dimer formation, mutant NK1 proteins with replacement of these residues by alanine were prepared. In Met tyrosine phosphorylation assays, N127-NK1, V140-NK1, and K144-NK1 showed 8.3%, 23.8%, and 52.2% activity, respectively, compared with wild-type NK1. Although wild-type NK1 promoted cell migration and scattering, N127-NK1, V140-NK1, and K144-NK1 hardly or marginally promoted them, indicating loss of activity of these mutant NK1 proteins to activate Met. In contrast, mutant HGFs (N127-HGF, V140-HGF, and K144-HGF) with the same amino acid replacements as in NK1 induced Met tyrosine phosphorylation and biological responses at levels comparable to those of wild-type HGF. These results indicate that the structural basis responsible for NK1-dependent Met dimer formation and activation differs from, or is at least distinguishable from, the structural basis responsible for HGF-dependent Met activation.
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3
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Guo W, Feng W, Huang J, Zhang J, Fan X, Ma S, Li M, Zhan J, Cai Y, Chen M. Supramolecular Self-Assembled Nanofibers Efficiently Activate the Precursor of Hepatocyte Growth Factor for Angiogenesis in Myocardial Infarction Therapy. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:22131-22141. [PMID: 33957750 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c23153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The reconstruction of blood perfusion is a crucial therapeutic method to save and protect cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The activation of the hepatocyte growth factor precursor (pro-HGF) has a significant effect on promoting angiogenesis and antiapoptosis. The oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) caused by AMI could induce vascular adventitia fibroblasts to differentiate into myofibroblasts and secrete the pro-HGF. Meanwhile, the specific Met receptor of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is upregulated in endothelial cells during AMI. However, the poor prognosis of AMI suggests that the pro-HGF is not effectively activated. Improving the activation efficiency of the pro-HGF may play a positive role in the treatment of AMI. Herein, we designed supramolecular nanofibers self-assembled by compound 1 (Comp.1, Nap-FFEG-IVGGYPWWMDV), which can strongly activate the pro-HGF and initiate HGF-Met signaling. Studies have proven that Comp.1 possesses a better ability to activate the pro-HGF to perform antiapoptosis and pro-angiogenesis. In vivo results have confirmed that the retention time of Comp.1 and its accumulation in the infarct area of the heart are promoted. Moreover, Comp.1 plays an effective role in promoting angiogenesis in the marginal area of AMI, reducing myocardial fibrosis, and protecting cardiac function. Herein, we will optimize the structure of bioactive peptides through supramolecular self-assembly and amplify their therapeutic effect by improving their efficiency, providing a new strategy for the therapy of AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Weijing Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Jianwu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xianglin Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Shaodan Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Jie Zhan
- Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, the First People's Hospital of Shunde, Foshan 528300, China
| | - Yanbin Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Minsheng Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Biomedical Engineering Technology Research Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology and Laboratory of Heart Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
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4
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State of the structure address on MET receptor activation by HGF. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:645-661. [PMID: 33860789 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The MET receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and its cognate ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) comprise a signaling axis essential for development, wound healing and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant HGF/MET signaling is a driver of many cancers and contributes to drug resistance to several approved therapeutics targeting other RTKs, making MET itself an important drug target. In RTKs, homeostatic receptor signaling is dependent on autoinhibition in the absence of ligand binding and orchestrated set of conformational changes induced by ligand-mediated receptor dimerization that result in activation of the intracellular kinase domains. A fundamental understanding of these mechanisms in the MET receptor remains incomplete, despite decades of research. This is due in part to the complex structure of the HGF ligand, which remains unknown in its full-length form, and a lack of high-resolution structures of the complete MET extracellular portion in an apo or ligand-bound state. A current view of HGF-dependent MET activation has evolved from biochemical and structural studies of HGF and MET fragments and here we review what these findings have thus far revealed.
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5
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Yu J, Chen GG, Lai PBS. Targeting hepatocyte growth factor/c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor axis in hepatocellular carcinoma: Rationale and therapeutic strategies. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:507-524. [PMID: 33026703 DOI: 10.1002/med.21738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The outcome of current standard treatments, as well as targeted therapies in advanced stages, are still unsatisfactory. Attention has been drawn to novel strategies for better treatment efficacy. Hepatocyte growth factor/c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (HGF/c-Met) axis has been known as an essential element in the regulation of liver diseases and as an oncogenic factor in HCC. In this review, we collected the evidence of HGF/c-Met as a tumor progression and prognostic marker, discussed the anti-c-Met therapy in vitro, summarized the outcome of c-Met inhibitors in clinical trials, and identified potential impetus for future anti-c-Met treatments. We also analyzed the inconsistency of HGF/c-Met from various publications and offered reasonable explanations based on the current understanding in this area. In conclusion, HGF/c-Met plays a crucial role in the progression and growth of HCC, and the strategies to inhibit this pathway may facilitate the development of new and effective treatments for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqing Yu
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Paul B S Lai
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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6
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Ruben EA, Gandhi PS, Chen Z, Koester SK, DeKoster GT, Frieden C, Di Cera E. 19F NMR reveals the conformational properties of free thrombin and its zymogen precursor prethrombin-2. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8227-8235. [PMID: 32358061 PMCID: PMC7294081 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The conformational properties of trypsin-like proteases and their zymogen forms remain controversial because of a lack of sufficient information on their free forms. Specifically, it is unclear whether the free protease is zymogen-like and shifts to its mature form upon a ligand-induced fit or exists in multiple conformations in equilibrium from which the ligand selects the optimal fit via conformational selection. Here we report the results of 19F NMR measurements that reveal the conformational properties of a protease and its zymogen precursor in the free form. Using the trypsin-like, clotting protease thrombin as a relevant model system, we show that its conformation is quite different from that of its direct zymogen precursor prethrombin-2 and more similar to that of its fully active Na+-bound form. The results cast doubts on recent hypotheses that free thrombin is zymogen-like and transitions to protease-like forms upon ligand binding. Rather, they validate the scenario emerged from previous findings of X-ray crystallography and rapid kinetics supporting a pre-existing equilibrium between open (E) and closed (E*) forms of the active site. In this scenario, prethrombin-2 is more dynamic and exists predominantly in the E* form, whereas thrombin is more rigid and exists predominantly in the E form. Ligand binding to thrombin takes place exclusively in the E form without significant changes in the overall conformation. In summary, these results disclose the structural architecture of the free forms of thrombin and prethrombin-2, consistent with an E*-E equilibrium and providing no evidence that free thrombin is zymogen-like.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza A Ruben
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Zhiwei Chen
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah K Koester
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gregory T DeKoster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Carl Frieden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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7
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Bousfiha A, Riahi Z, Elkhattabi L, Bakhchane A, Charoute H, Snoussi K, Bonnet C, Petit C, Barakat A. Further Evidence for the Implication of the MET Gene in Non-Syndromic Autosomal Recessive Deafness. Hum Hered 2019; 84:109-116. [PMID: 31801140 DOI: 10.1159/000503450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) gene are frequently associated with multiple human cancers but can also lead to human non-syndromic autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB97). In the present study, we identified a novel homozygous missense mutation in the METgene causing a non-syndromic hearing impairment DFNB97 form. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to determine the genetic causes of hearing loss in a Moroccan consanguineous family with an affected daughter. The structural analysis of native and mutant in the SEMA domain of the MET receptor was investigated using a molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) approach. We identified a novel pathogenic homozygous c.948A>G (p.Ile316Met) mutation in the MET gene in one deaf Moroccan young girl carrying a total bilateral non-syndromic hearing impairment. The results of the MDS approach show that an Ile316Met mutation in the SEMA domain leads to protein flexibility loss. This may produce a major impact on the structural conformation of the MET receptor, which also affects the function and binding site of the receptor. This is the first time that a mutation in the MET gene is described in a Moroccan family. Moreover, this study reports the second family in the world associating deafness and mutation in the MET gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amale Bousfiha
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.,Laboratoire de Physiopathologie et Génétique Moléculaire, Faculté des Sciences Ben M'Sik, Université Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Zied Riahi
- INSERM UMRS1120, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,UPMC-Sorbonnes Universités Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Lamiae Elkhattabi
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Amina Bakhchane
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Hicham Charoute
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Khalid Snoussi
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Crystel Bonnet
- INSERM UMRS1120, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,UPMC-Sorbonnes Universités Paris VI, Paris, France
| | - Christine Petit
- INSERM UMRS1120, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,UPMC-Sorbonnes Universités Paris VI, Paris, France.,Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l'Audition, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,Collège de France, Paris, France
| | - Abdelhamid Barakat
- Laboratoire de Génomique et Génétique Humaine, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco,
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8
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Role of the I16-D194 ionic interaction in the trypsin fold. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18035. [PMID: 31792294 PMCID: PMC6889508 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity in trypsin-like proteases is the result of proteolytic cleavage at R15 followed by an ionic interaction that ensues between the new N terminus of I16 and the side chain of the highly conserved D194. This mechanism of activation, first proposed by Huber and Bode, organizes the oxyanion hole and primary specificity pocket for substrate binding and catalysis. Using the clotting protease thrombin as a relevant model, we unravel contributions of the I16-D194 ionic interaction to Na+ binding, stability of the transition state and the allosteric E*-E equilibrium of the trypsin fold. The I16T mutation abolishes the I16-D194 interaction and compromises the architecture of the oxyanion hole. The D194A mutation also abrogates the I16-D194 interaction but, surprisingly, has no effect on the architecture of the oxyanion hole that remains intact through a new H-bond established between G43 and G193. In both mutants, loss of the I16-D194 ionic interaction compromises Na+ binding, reduces stability of the transition state, collapses the 215–217 segment into the primary specific pocket and abrogates the allosteric E*-E equilibrium in favor of a rigid conformation that binds ligand at the active site according to a simple lock-and-key mechanism. These findings refine the structural role of the I16-D194 ionic interaction in the Huber-Bode mechanism of activation and reveal a functional linkage with the allosteric properties of the trypsin fold like Na+ binding and the E*-E equilibrium.
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9
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Residues W215, E217 and E192 control the allosteric E*-E equilibrium of thrombin. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12304. [PMID: 31444378 PMCID: PMC6707225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A pre-existing, allosteric equilibrium between closed (E*) and open (E) conformations of the active site influences the level of activity in the trypsin fold and defines ligand binding according to the mechanism of conformational selection. Using the clotting protease thrombin as a model system, we investigate the molecular determinants of the E*-E equilibrium through rapid kinetics and X-ray structural biology. The equilibrium is controlled by three residues positioned around the active site. W215 on the 215-217 segment defining the west wall of the active site controls the rate of transition from E to E* through hydrophobic interaction with F227. E192 on the opposite 190-193 segment defining the east wall of the active site controls the rate of transition from E* to E through electrostatic repulsion of E217. The side chain of E217 acts as a lever that moves the entire 215-217 segment in the E*-E equilibrium. Removal of this side chain converts binding to the active site to a simple lock-and-key mechanism and freezes the conformation in a state intermediate between E* and E. These findings reveal a simple framework to understand the molecular basis of a key allosteric property of the trypsin fold.
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10
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Macrocyclic peptide-based inhibition and imaging of hepatocyte growth factor. Nat Chem Biol 2019; 15:598-606. [DOI: 10.1038/s41589-019-0285-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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11
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Casaletto JB, Geddie ML, Abu-Yousif AO, Masson K, Fulgham A, Boudot A, Maiwald T, Kearns JD, Kohli N, Su S, Razlog M, Raue A, Kalra A, Håkansson M, Logan DT, Welin M, Chattopadhyay S, Harms BD, Nielsen UB, Schoeberl B, Lugovskoy AA, MacBeath G. MM-131, a bispecific anti-Met/EpCAM mAb, inhibits HGF-dependent and HGF-independent Met signaling through concurrent binding to EpCAM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:7533-7542. [PMID: 30898885 PMCID: PMC6462049 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819085116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase, either by its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), or via ligand-independent mechanisms, such as MET amplification or receptor overexpression, has been implicated in driving tumor proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Clinical development of Met-targeted antibodies has been challenging, however, as bivalent antibodies exhibit agonistic properties, whereas monovalent antibodies lack potency and the capacity to down-regulate Met. Through computational modeling, we found that the potency of a monovalent antibody targeting Met could be dramatically improved by introducing a second binding site that recognizes an unrelated, highly expressed antigen on the tumor cell surface. Guided by this prediction, we engineered MM-131, a bispecific antibody that is monovalent for both Met and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). MM-131 is a purely antagonistic antibody that blocks ligand-dependent and ligand-independent Met signaling by inhibiting HGF binding to Met and inducing receptor down-regulation. Together, these mechanisms lead to inhibition of proliferation in Met-driven cancer cells, inhibition of HGF-mediated cancer cell migration, and inhibition of tumor growth in HGF-dependent and -independent mouse xenograft models. Consistent with its design, MM-131 is more potent in EpCAM-high cells than in EpCAM-low cells, and its potency decreases when EpCAM levels are reduced by RNAi. Evaluation of Met, EpCAM, and HGF levels in human tumor samples reveals that EpCAM is expressed at high levels in a wide range of Met-positive tumor types, suggesting a broad opportunity for clinical development of MM-131.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa L Geddie
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Adnan O Abu-Yousif
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Kristina Masson
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Aaron Fulgham
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Antoine Boudot
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Tim Maiwald
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Jeffrey D Kearns
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Neeraj Kohli
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Stephen Su
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Maja Razlog
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Andreas Raue
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139;
| | - Ashish Kalra
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Maria Håkansson
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Derek T Logan
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Welin
- SARomics Biostructures AB, Medicon Village, SE-223 81 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Brian D Harms
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Ulrik B Nielsen
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Birgit Schoeberl
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Alexey A Lugovskoy
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Gavin MacBeath
- Discovery Division, Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139;
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12
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Chakraborty P, Acquasaliente L, Pelc LA, Di Cera E. Interplay between conformational selection and zymogen activation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4080. [PMID: 29511224 PMCID: PMC5840343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21728-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypsin-like proteases are synthesized as zymogens and activated through a mechanism that folds the active site for efficient binding and catalysis. Ligand binding to the active site is therefore a valuable source of information on the changes that accompany zymogen activation. Using the physiologically relevant transition of the clotting zymogen prothrombin to the mature protease thrombin, we show that the mechanism of ligand recognition follows selection within a pre-existing ensemble of conformations with the active site accessible (E) or inaccessible (E*) to binding. Prothrombin exists mainly in the E* conformational ensemble and conversion to thrombin produces two dominant changes: a progressive shift toward the E conformational ensemble triggered by removal of the auxiliary domains upon cleavage at R271 and a drastic drop of the rate of ligand dissociation from the active site triggered by cleavage at R320. Together, these effects produce a significant (700-fold) increase in binding affinity. Limited proteolysis reveals how the E*-E equilibrium shifts during prothrombin activation and influences exposure of the sites of cleavage at R271 and R320. These new findings on the molecular underpinnings of prothrombin activation are relevant to other zymogens with modular assembly involved in blood coagulation, complement and fibrinolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradipta Chakraborty
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Laura Acquasaliente
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Leslie A Pelc
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA
| | - Enrico Di Cera
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
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Ueki R, Atsuta S, Ueki A, Sando S. Nongenetic Reprogramming of the Ligand Specificity of Growth Factor Receptors by Bispecific DNA Aptamers. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:6554-6557. [PMID: 28459560 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b02411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The reprogramming of receptor-ligand interactions affords an opportunity to direct cells to respond to user-defined external cues. Although this has often been achieved via the genetic engineering of receptors, an alternative, nongenetic approach is highly demanded. In this article, we propose the design of oligonucleotide-based synthetic switches that feature the ability to reprogram the ligand specificity of the growth factor receptor. We demonstrated that our synthetic switches induced growth factor signaling via the formation of the dynamic complex with specific external cues that would otherwise not induce the signaling. This chemical approach may be applied to designing a new class of chemical tools that can control the activities of native cells and represent smart and safer regenerative drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Ueki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Saki Atsuta
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Ayaka Ueki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Sando
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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14
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Umitsu M, Sakai K, Ogasawara S, Kaneko MK, Asaki R, Tamura-Kawakami K, Kato Y, Matsumoto K, Takagi J. Probing conformational and functional states of human hepatocyte growth factor by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33149. [PMID: 27608665 PMCID: PMC5017023 DOI: 10.1038/srep33149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HGF-Met signaling contributes to various biological events by controlling cell migration. Since the abnormal activation of Met receptor causes cancer progression, inhibitors such as neutralizing antibodies are regarded as promising therapeutics. HGF is secreted as a single-chain (sc) precursor and is processed by extracellular proteases to generate disulfide-bonded two-chain (tc) HGF. Although this proteolytic processing of HGF is necessary for its biological activity, exactly how the proteolysis leads to the conversion of HGF to the active form is still unclar due to the lack of structural information. In order to gain insights about this point, we generated 6 antibodies against HGF. All antibodies recognized different epitopes on the native HGF protein and showed distinct effects when tested in a cell-based HGF-Met signaling assay. They included one antibody (t1E4) that strongly blocks Met activation by tcHGF, as well as one antibody (t8E4) exclusively recognizing the active tcHGF but not inactive scHGF. Thus, a panel of anti-HGF antibodies suitable for probing the structural mechanism of HGF activation were obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Umitsu
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Katsuya Sakai
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ogasawara
- Department of Regional Innovation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Mika K Kaneko
- Department of Regional Innovation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Ryoko Asaki
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keiko Tamura-Kawakami
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Regional Innovation, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kunio Matsumoto
- Division of Tumor Dynamics and Regulation, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Junichi Takagi
- Laboratory of Protein Synthesis and Expression, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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15
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Maaty WS, Weis DD. Label-Free, In-Solution Screening of Peptide Libraries for Binding to Protein Targets Using Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:1335-43. [PMID: 26741284 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b11742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the discovery of peptide ligands that bind to protein targets. Discovery of such ligands is usually approached by screening large peptide libraries. However, the individual peptides must be tethered to a tag that preserves their individual identities (e.g., phage display or one-bead one-compound). To overcome this limitation, we have developed a method for screening libraries of label-free peptides for binding to a protein target in solution as a single batch. The screening is based on decreased amide hydrogen exchange by peptides that bind to the target. Hydrogen exchange is measured by mass spectrometry. We demonstrate the approach using a peptide library derived from the Escherichia coli proteome that contained 6664 identifiable features. The library was spiked separately with a peptide spanning the calmodulin binding domain of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, 494-513) and a peptide spanning the N-terminal 20 residues of bovine ribonuclease A (S peptide). Human calmodulin and bovine ribonuclease S (RNase S) were screened against the library. Using a novel data analysis workflow, we identified the eNOS peptide as the only calmodulin binding peptide and S peptide as the only ribonuclease S binding peptide in the library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid S Maaty
- Department of Nucleic Acid and Protein Structure, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center , Giza 12619, Egypt
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16
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Selection of High-Affinity Peptidic Serine Protease Inhibitors with Increased Binding Entropy from a Back-Flip Library of Peptide-Protease Fusions. J Mol Biol 2015; 427:3110-22. [PMID: 26281711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a new concept for designing peptidic protein modulators, by recombinantly fusing the peptidic modulator, with randomized residues, directly to the target protein via a linker and screening for internal modulation of the activity of the protein. We tested the feasibility of the concept by fusing a 10-residue-long, disulfide-bond-constrained inhibitory peptide, randomized in selected positions, to the catalytic domain of the serine protease murine urokinase-type plasminogen activator. High-affinity inhibitory peptide variants were identified as those that conferred to the fusion protease the lowest activity for substrate hydrolysis. The usefulness of the strategy was demonstrated by the selection of peptidic inhibitors of murine urokinase-type plasminogen activator with a low nanomolar affinity. The high affinity could not have been predicted by rational considerations, as the high affinity was associated with a loss of polar interactions and an increased binding entropy.
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17
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Luzina IG, Todd NW, Sundararajan S, Atamas SP. The cytokines of pulmonary fibrosis: Much learned, much more to learn. Cytokine 2015; 74:88-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Revised: 11/09/2014] [Accepted: 11/10/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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18
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Simonneau C, Bérénice Leclercq, Mougel A, Adriaenssens E, Paquet C, Raibaut L, Ollivier N, Drobecq H, Marcoux J, Cianférani S, Tulasne D, de Jonge H, Melnyk O, Vicogne J. Semi-synthesis of a HGF/SF kringle one (K1) domain scaffold generates a potent in vivo MET receptor agonist. Chem Sci 2015; 6:2110-2121. [PMID: 28717459 PMCID: PMC5496502 DOI: 10.1039/c4sc03856h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of MET receptor agonists is an important goal in regenerative medicine, but is limited by the complexity and incomplete understanding of its interaction with HGF/SF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor). NK1 is a natural occurring agonist comprising the N-terminal (N) and the first kringle (K1) domains of HGF/SF. In the presence of heparin, NK1 can self-associate into a "head to tail" dimer which is considered as the minimal structural module able to trigger MET dimerization and activation whereas isolated K1 and N domains showed a weak or a complete lack of agonistic activity respectively. Starting from these structural and biological observations, we investigated whether it was possible to recapitulate the biological properties of NK1 using a new molecular architecture of isolated N or K1 domains. Therefore, we engineered multivalent N or K1 scaffolds by combining synthetic and homogeneous site-specifically biotinylated N and K1 domains (NB and K1B) and streptavidin (S). NB alone or in complex failed to activate MET signaling and to trigger cellular phenotypes. Importantly and to the contrary of K1B alone, the semi-synthetic K1B/S complex mimicked NK1 MET agonist activity in cell scattering, morphogenesis and survival phenotypic assays. Impressively, K1B/S complex stimulated in vivo angiogenesis and, when injected in mice, protected the liver against fulminant hepatitis in a MET dependent manner whereas NK1 and HGF were substantially less potent. These data reveal that without N domain, proper multimerization of K1 domain is a promising strategy for the rational design of powerful MET agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Simonneau
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Bérénice Leclercq
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Alexandra Mougel
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Eric Adriaenssens
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Charlotte Paquet
- SIRIC ONCOLille , Maison Régionale de la Recherche Clinique , 6 rue du Pr. Laguesse , 59037 Lille Cedex , France
| | - Laurent Raibaut
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Nathalie Ollivier
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Hervé Drobecq
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Julien Marcoux
- UMR 7178 CNRS , Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique (LSMBO) , IPHC-DSA , Université de Strasbourg , 25 rue Becquerel , 67087 Strasbourg , France
| | - Sarah Cianférani
- UMR 7178 CNRS , Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique (LSMBO) , IPHC-DSA , Université de Strasbourg , 25 rue Becquerel , 67087 Strasbourg , France
| | - David Tulasne
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Hugo de Jonge
- Division of Immunology and General Pathology , Department of Molecular Medicine , University of Pavia , 9 via A Ferrata , 27100 Pavia , Italy
| | - Oleg Melnyk
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
| | - Jérôme Vicogne
- UMR CNRS 8161 CNRS , Université de Lille , Institut Pasteur de Lille , 1 rue du Pr Calmette , 59021 Lille Cedex , France . ;
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Liu CJ, Jones DS, Tsai PC, Venkataramana A, Cochran JR. An engineered dimeric fragment of hepatocyte growth factor is a potent c-MET agonist. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:4831-7. [PMID: 25451235 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), through activation of the c-MET receptor, mediates biological processes critical for tissue regeneration; however, its clinical application is limited by protein instability and poor recombinant expression. We previously engineered an HGF fragment (eNK1) that possesses increased stability and expression yield and developed a c-MET agonist by coupling eNK1 through an introduced cysteine residue. Here, we further characterize this eNK1 dimer and show it elicits significantly greater c-MET activation, cell migration, and proliferation than the eNK1 monomer. The efficacy of the eNK1 dimer was similar to HGF, suggesting its promise as a c-MET agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie J Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Douglas S Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ping-Chuan Tsai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Jennifer R Cochran
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.
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20
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Furlan A, Kherrouche Z, Montagne R, Copin MC, Tulasne D. Thirty Years of Research on Met Receptor to Move a Biomarker from Bench to Bedside. Cancer Res 2014; 74:6737-44. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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