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Žilinskas J, Stukas D, Jasukaitienė A, Žievytė I, Balion Z, Šapauskienė J, Banienė R, Paužas H, Lizdenis P, Čėsna V, Dambrauskas Ž, Gulbinas A, Tamelis A. Assessing the Therapeutic Impacts of HAMLET and FOLFOX on BRAF-Mutated Colorectal Cancer: A Study of Cancer Cell Survival and Mitochondrial Dynamics In Vitro and Ex Vivo. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:142. [PMID: 38256402 PMCID: PMC10818271 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge. The BRAF V600E mutation, found in 8-12% of CRC patients, exacerbates this by conferring poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. Our study focuses on the efficacy of the HAMLET complex, a molecular substance derived from human breast milk, on CRC cell lines and ex vivo biopsies harboring this mutation, given its previously observed selective toxicity to cancer cells. Materials and Methods: we explored the effects of combining HAMLET with the FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen on CRC cell lines and ex vivo models. Key assessments included cell viability, apoptosis/necrosis induction, and mitochondrial function, aiming to understand the mutation-specific resistance or other cellular response mechanisms. Results: HAMLET and FOLFOX alone decreased viability in CRC explants, irrespective of the BRAF mutation status. Notably, their combination yielded a marked decrease in viability, particularly in the BRAF wild-type samples, suggesting a synergistic effect. While HAMLET showed a modest inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiration across both mutant and wild-type samples, the response varied depending on the mutation status. Significant differences emerged in the responses of the HT-29 and WiDr cell lines to HAMLET, with WiDr cells showing greater resistance, pointing to factors beyond genetic mutations influencing drug responses. A slight synergy between HAMLET and FOLFOX was observed in WiDr cells, independent of the BRAF mutation. The bioenergetic analysis highlighted differences in mitochondrial respiration between HT-29 and WiDr cells, suggesting that bioenergetic profiles could be key in determining cellular responses to HAMLET. Conclusions: We highlight the potential of HAMLET and FOLFOX as a combined therapeutic approach in BRAF wild-type CRC, significantly reducing cancer cell viability. The varied responses in CRC cell lines, especially regarding bioenergetic and mitochondrial factors, emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach considering both genetic and metabolic aspects in CRC treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justas Žilinskas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Darius Stukas
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.S.); (A.J.); (I.Ž.)
| | - Aldona Jasukaitienė
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.S.); (A.J.); (I.Ž.)
| | - Inga Žievytė
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.S.); (A.J.); (I.Ž.)
| | - Zbigniev Balion
- Preclinical Research Laboratory for Medicinal Products, Institute of Cardiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50162 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Jurgita Šapauskienė
- Department of Biochemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (J.Š.); (R.B.)
| | - Rasa Banienė
- Department of Biochemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (J.Š.); (R.B.)
| | - Henrikas Paužas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Paulius Lizdenis
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Vaidotas Čėsna
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
| | - Žilvinas Dambrauskas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.S.); (A.J.); (I.Ž.)
| | - Antanas Gulbinas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (D.S.); (A.J.); (I.Ž.)
| | - Algimantas Tamelis
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (H.P.); (P.L.); (V.Č.); (Ž.D.); (A.G.); (A.T.)
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Žilinskas J, Stukas D, Jasukaitienė A, Šapauskienė J, Banienė R, Trumbeckaitė S, Švagždys S, Cicciu M, Dambrauskas Ž, Gulbinas A, Tamelis A. HAMLET effect on cell death and mitochondrial respiration in colorectal cancer cell lines with KRAS/BRAF mutations. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04777-0. [PMID: 37099199 PMCID: PMC10374481 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04777-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) depends on the correct selection of personalized strategies. HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells) is a natural proteolipid milk compound that might serve as a novel cancer prevention and therapy candidate. Our purpose was to investigate HAMLET effect on viability, death pathway and mitochondrial bioenergetics of CRC cells with different KRAS/BRAF mutational status in vitro. METHODS We treated three cell lines (Caco-2, LoVo, WiDr) with HAMLET to evaluate cell metabolic activity and viability, flow cytometry of apoptotic and necrotic cells, pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, and protein expressions. Mitochondrial respiration (oxygen consumption) rate was recorded by high-resolution respirometry system Oxygraph-2 k. RESULTS The HAMLET complex was cytotoxic to all investigated CRC cell lines and this effect is irreversible. Flow cytometry revealed that HAMLET induces necrotic cell death with a slight increase in an apoptotic cell population. WiDr cell metabolism, clonogenicity, necrosis/apoptosis level, and mitochondrial respiration were affected significantly less than other cells. CONCLUSION HAMLET exhibits irreversible cytotoxicity on human CRC cells in a dose-dependent manner, leading to necrotic cell death and inhibiting the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. BRAF-mutant cell line is more resistant than other type lines. HAMLET decreased mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis in CaCo-2 and LoVo cell lines but did not affect WiDr cells' respiration. Pretreatment of cancer cells with HAMLET has no impact on mitochondrial outer and inner membrane permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justas Žilinskas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Street 2, 50161, Kaunas, Lithuania.
| | - Darius Stukas
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Aldona Jasukaitienė
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Šapauskienė
- Department of Biochemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Banienė
- Department of Biochemistry, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Sonata Trumbeckaitė
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Saulius Švagždys
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Street 2, 50161, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Marco Cicciu
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences, Morphological and Functional Images, School of Dentistry, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Žilvinas Dambrauskas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Street 2, 50161, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Antanas Gulbinas
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Street 2, 50161, Kaunas, Lithuania
- Institute of Digestive Research, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Algimantas Tamelis
- Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių Street 2, 50161, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Ho JCS, Mir SA, Cavalera M, Esmaeili P, Tran TH, Yann ZC, Tran TH, Chaudhuri A, Bendt AK, Wenk MR, Svanborg C. Lipid bilayer composition as a determinant of cancer cell sensitivity to tumoricidal protein-lipid complexes. Biofactors 2022; 48:1145-1159. [PMID: 35388547 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Complexes formed by the alpha1 N-terminal peptide of alpha-lactalbumin and oleic acid (alpha1-oleate) interact with lipid bilayers. Plasma membrane perturbations trigger tumor cell death but normal differentiated cells are more resistant, and their plasma membranes are less strongly affected. This study examined membrane lipid composition as a determinant of tumor cell reactivity. Bladder cancer tissue showed a higher abundance of unsaturated lipids enriched in phosphatidylcholine, PC (36:4) and PC (38:4), and sphingomyelin, SM (36:1) than healthy bladder tissue, where saturated lipids predominated and the lipid extracts from bladder cancer tissue inhibited the tumoricidal effect of the complex more effectively than healthy tissue extracts. Furthermore, unsaturated PC in solution inhibited tumor cell death, and the complex interacted with giant unilamellar vesicles formed by PC, confirming the affinity of alpha1-oleate for fluid membranes enriched in PC. Quartz Crystal Microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) detected a preference of the complex for the liquid-disordered phase, suggesting that the insertion into PC-based membranes and the resulting membrane perturbations are influenced by membrane lipid saturation. The results suggest that the membrane lipid composition is functionally important and that specific unsaturated membrane lipids may serve as "recognition motifs" for broad-spectrum tumoricidal molecules such as alpha1-oleate.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C S Ho
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sartaj Ahmad Mir
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator (SLING), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, YLL School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michele Cavalera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Parisa Esmaeili
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tuan Hiep Tran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Zandra Chew Yann
- School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thi Hien Tran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Arunima Chaudhuri
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anne K Bendt
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator (SLING), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Markus R Wenk
- Singapore Lipidomics Incubator (SLING), Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, YLL School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Catharina Svanborg
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Ho JCS, Ambite I, Mok KH, Babjuk M, Svanborg C. A scientific journey from discovery to validation of efficacy in cancer patients: HAMLET and alpha1-oleate. Mol Cell Oncol 2021; 8:1974278. [PMID: 34859140 PMCID: PMC8632289 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2021.1974278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The protein-lipid complex alpha1-oleate, derived from HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells), is identified as a molecular entity with significant therapeutic potential. Structural characterization of the complex and results of a successful placebo-controlled clinical trial are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C S Ho
- Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ines Ambite
- Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - K H Mok
- Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marek Babjuk
- Department of Urology, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.,2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Praha, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Catharina Svanborg
- Division of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Chetta KE, Alcorn JL, Baatz JE, Wagner CL. Cytotoxic Lactalbumin-Oleic Acid Complexes in the Human Milk Diet of Preterm Infants. Nutrients 2021; 13:4336. [PMID: 34959888 PMCID: PMC8707396 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Frozen storage is necessary to preserve expressed human milk for critically ill and very preterm infants. Milk pasteurization is essential for donor milk given to this special population. Due to these storage and processing conditions, subtle changes occur in milk nutrients. These changes may have clinical implications. Potentially, bioactive complexes of unknown significance could be found in human milk given to preterm infants. One such complex, a cytotoxic α-lactalbumin-oleic acid complex named "HAMLET," (Human Alpha-Lactalbumin Made Lethal to Tumor cells) is a folding variant of alpha-lactalbumin that is bound to oleic acid. This complex, isolated from human milk casein, has specific toxicity to both carcinogenic cell lines and immature non-transformed cells. Both HAMLET and free oleic acid trigger similar apoptotic mechanisms in tissue and stimulate inflammation via the NF-κB and MAPK p38 signaling pathways. This protein-lipid complex could potentially trigger various inflammatory pathways with unknown consequences, especially in immature intestinal tissues. The very preterm population is dependent on human milk as a medicinal and broadly bioactive nutriment. Therefore, HAMLET's possible presence and bioactive role in milk should be addressed in neonatal research. Through a pediatric lens, HAMLET's discovery, formation and bioactive benefits will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Chetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, 10 McClennan Banks Drive, MSC 915, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.E.B.); (C.L.W.)
| | - Joseph L. Alcorn
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Research Center, The University of Texas Health & Science Center at Houston, 6631 Fannin Street MSB 3.252, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - John E. Baatz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, 10 McClennan Banks Drive, MSC 915, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.E.B.); (C.L.W.)
| | - Carol L. Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, 10 McClennan Banks Drive, MSC 915, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (J.E.B.); (C.L.W.)
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Bladder cancer therapy using a conformationally fluid tumoricidal peptide complex. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3427. [PMID: 34103518 PMCID: PMC8187399 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23748-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Partially unfolded alpha-lactalbumin forms the oleic acid complex HAMLET, with potent tumoricidal activity. Here we define a peptide-based molecular approach for targeting and killing tumor cells, and evidence of its clinical potential (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03560479). A 39-residue alpha-helical peptide from alpha-lactalbumin is shown to gain lethality for tumor cells by forming oleic acid complexes (alpha1-oleate). Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements and computational simulations reveal a lipid core surrounded by conformationally fluid, alpha-helical peptide motifs. In a single center, placebo controlled, double blinded Phase I/II interventional clinical trial of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, all primary end points of safety and efficacy of alpha1-oleate treatment are reached, as evaluated in an interim analysis. Intra-vesical instillations of alpha1-oleate triggers massive shedding of tumor cells and the tumor size is reduced but no drug-related side effects are detected (primary endpoints). Shed cells contain alpha1-oleate, treated tumors show evidence of apoptosis and the expression of cancer-related genes is inhibited (secondary endpoints). The results are especially encouraging for bladder cancer, where therapeutic failures and high recurrence rates create a great, unmet medical need.
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α-Lactalbumin, Amazing Calcium-Binding Protein. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10091210. [PMID: 32825311 PMCID: PMC7565966 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) is a small (Mr 14,200), acidic (pI 4–5), Ca2+-binding protein. α-LA is a regulatory component of lactose synthase enzyme system functioning in the lactating mammary gland. The protein possesses a single strong Ca2+-binding site, which can also bind Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, K+, and some other metal cations. It contains several distinct Zn2+-binding sites. Physical properties of α-LA strongly depend on the occupation of its metal binding sites by metal ions. In the absence of bound metal ions, α-LA is in the molten globule-like state. The binding of metal ions, and especially of Ca2+, increases stability of α-LA against the action of heat, various denaturing agents and proteases, while the binding of Zn2+ to the Ca2+-loaded protein decreases its stability and causes its aggregation. At pH 2, the protein is in the classical molten globule state. α-LA can associate with membranes at neutral or slightly acidic pH at physiological temperatures. Depending on external conditions, α-LA can form amyloid fibrils, amorphous aggregates, nanoparticles, and nanotubes. Some of these aggregated states of α-LA can be used in practical applications such as drug delivery to tissues and organs. α-LA and some of its fragments possess bactericidal and antiviral activities. Complexes of partially unfolded α-LA with oleic acid are cytotoxic to various tumor and bacterial cells. α-LA in the cytotoxic complexes plays a role of a delivery carrier of cytotoxic fatty acid molecules into tumor and bacterial cells across the cell membrane. Perhaps in the future the complexes of α-LA with oleic acid will be used for development of new anti-cancer drugs.
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Yang J, Wang T, Zhao L, Rajasekhar VK, Joshi S, Andreou C, Pal S, Hsu HT, Zhang H, Cohen IJ, Huang R, Hendrickson RC, Miele MM, Pei W, Brendel MB, Healey JH, Chiosis G, Kircher MF. Gold/alpha-lactalbumin nanoprobes for the imaging and treatment of breast cancer. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 4:686-703. [PMID: 32661307 PMCID: PMC8255032 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-020-0584-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Theranostic agents should ideally be renally cleared and biodegradable. Here, we report the synthesis, characterization and theranostic applications of fluorescent ultrasmall gold quantum clusters that are stabilized by the milk metalloprotein alpha-lactalbumin. We synthesized three types of these nanoprobes that together display fluorescence across the visible and near-infrared spectra when excited at a single wavelength through optical colour coding. In live tumour-bearing mice, the near-infrared nanoprobe generates contrast for fluorescence, X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and exhibits long circulation times, low accumulation in the reticuloendothelial system, sustained tumour retention, insignificant toxicity and renal clearance. An intravenously administrated near-infrared nanoprobe with a large Stokes shift facilitated the detection and image-guided resection of breast tumours in vivo using a smartphone with modified optics. Moreover, the partially unfolded structure of alpha-lactalbumin in the nanoprobe helps with the formation of an anti-cancer lipoprotein complex with oleic acid that triggers the inhibition of the MAPK and PI3K-AKT pathways, immunogenic cell death and the recruitment of infiltrating macrophages. The biodegradability and safety profile of the nanoprobes make them suitable for the systemic detection and localized treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Yang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tai Wang
- Chemical Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lina Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Suhasini Joshi
- Chemical Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chrysafis Andreou
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Suchetan Pal
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hsiao-Ting Hsu
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanwen Zhang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ivan J Cohen
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruimin Huang
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald C Hendrickson
- Proteomics and Microchemistry Core Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew M Miele
- Proteomics and Microchemistry Core Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenbo Pei
- Chemical Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew B Brendel
- Molecular Cytology Core Laboratory, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - John H Healey
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriela Chiosis
- Chemical Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Breast Cancer Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Moritz F Kircher
- Center for Molecular Imaging and Nanotechnology (CMINT), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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El-Fakharany EM, Redwan EM. Protein-lipid complexes: molecular structure, current scenarios and mechanisms of cytotoxicity. RSC Adv 2019; 9:36890-36906. [PMID: 35539089 PMCID: PMC9075609 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra07127j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Some natural proteins can be complexed with oleic acid (OA) to form an active protein-lipid formulation that can induce tumor-selective apoptosis. The first explored protein was human milk α-lactalbumin (α-LA), called HAMLET when composed with OA in antitumor form. Several groups have prepared active protein-lipid complexes using a variety of approaches, all of which depend on target protein destabilization or direct OA-protein incubation to alter pH to acid or alkaline condition. In addition to performing vital roles in inflammatory processes and immune responses, fatty acids can disturb different metabolic pathways and cellular signals. Therefore, the tumoricidal action of these complexes is related to OA rather than the protein that keeps OA in solution and acts as a vehicle for transferring OA molecules to tumor cells. However, other studies have suggested that the antitumor efficacy of these complexes was exerted by both protein and OA together. The potential is not limited to the anti-tumor activity of protein-lipid complexes but extends to other functions such as bactericidal activity. The protein shell enhances the solubility and stability of the bound fatty acid. These protein-lipid complexes are promising candidates for fighting various cancer types and managing bacterial and viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmail M El-Fakharany
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City) New Borg EL-Arab 21934 Alexandria Egypt
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (SRTA-City) New Borg EL-Arab 21934 Alexandria Egypt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University P. O. Box 80203 Jeddah Saudi Arabia
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Effect of alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin oleic acid complexes on chromatin structural organization. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 520:136-139. [PMID: 31582209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This work focuses on the study of multimeric alpha-lactalbumin oleic acid and lactoferrin oleic acid complexes. The purpose of the research is to study possible mechanisms involved in their pro-apoptotic activities, as seen in some tumor cell cultures. Complexes featuring oleic acid (OA) with human alpha-lactalbumin (hAl) or with bovine alpha-lactalbumin (bAl), and human lactoferrin (hLf) were investigated using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). It was shown that while alpha-lactalbumin protein complexes were formed on the surface of polydisperse OA micelles, the lactoferrin complexes comprised a monodisperse system of nanoscale particles. Both hAl and hLf complexes appeared to interact with the chromatin of isolated nuclei affecting chromatin structural organization. The possible roles of these processes in the specific anti-tumor activity of these complexes are discussed.
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Abstract
Oleic acid (OA) is a monounsaturated fatty acid that upon binding to milk proteins, such as α-lactalbumin and lactoferrin, forms potent complexes, which exert selective anti-tumor activity against malignant cells but are nontoxic for healthy normal cells. We showed that the interaction of OA with albumins isolated from human, bovine, and camel milk results in the formation of complexes with high antitumor activity against Caco-2, HepG-2, PC-3, and MCF-7 tumor cells. The antitumor effect of the complexes is mostly due to the action of oleic acid, similar to the case of OA complexes with other proteins. Viability of tumor cells is inhibited by the albumin-OA complexes in a dose dependent manner, as evaluated by the MTT assay. Strong induction of apoptosis in tumor cells after their treatment with the complexes was monitored by flow cytometry, cell cycle analysis, nuclear staining, and DNA fragmentation methods. The complex of camel albumin with OA displayed the most pronounced anti-tumor effects in comparison with the complexes of OA with human and bovine albumins. Therefore, these results suggest that albumins have the potential to be used as efficient and low cost means of tumor treatment.
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Nadeem A, Ho JCS, Tran TH, Paul S, Granqvist V, Despretz N, Svanborg C. Beta-sheet-specific interactions with heat shock proteins define a mechanism of delayed tumor cell death in response to HAMLET. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:2612-2627. [PMID: 31082436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As chaperones, heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect host cells against misfolded proteins that constitute a by-product of protein synthesis. Certain HSPs are also expressed on the surface of tumor cells, possibly to scavenge extracellular unfolded protein ligands and prevent them from becoming cytotoxic. HAMLET-a complex of partially unfolded alpha-lactalbumin and oleic acid-is relying on its N-terminal alpha-helical domain to perturb tumor cell membranes, and the cells die as a consequence of this interaction. Here we show that in parallel, cell surface HSPs bind the beta-sheet domain of alpha-lactalbumin and activate a temporarily protective loop, involving vesicular uptake and lysosomal accumulation. Later, HAMLET destroys lysosomal membrane integrity, and HAMLET release kills the remaining tumor cells. HSPs were identified as HAMLET targets in a proteomic screen and Hsp70-specific antibodies or shRNAs inhibited HAMLET uptake by tumor cells, which showed increased Hsp70 surface expression compared to differentiated cells. The results suggest that HAMLET engages tumor cells by two parallel recognition mechanisms, defined by alpha-helical- or beta-sheet domains of alpha-lactalbumin and resulting in an immediate death response, or a delay due to transient accumulation of the complex in the lysosomes. This dual response pattern was conserved among tumor cells but not seen in normal, differentiated cells. By two different mechanisms, HAMLET thus achieves a remarkably efficient elimination of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Nadeem
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - James C S Ho
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden; Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Drive, 637553, Singapore
| | - Tuan Hiep Tran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sanchari Paul
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Victoria Granqvist
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nadege Despretz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Catharina Svanborg
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden.
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PhosphoPredict: A bioinformatics tool for prediction of human kinase-specific phosphorylation substrates and sites by integrating heterogeneous feature selection. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6862. [PMID: 28761071 PMCID: PMC5537252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07199-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation is a major form of post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates diverse cellular processes. In silico methods for phosphorylation site prediction can provide a useful and complementary strategy for complete phosphoproteome annotation. Here, we present a novel bioinformatics tool, PhosphoPredict, that combines protein sequence and functional features to predict kinase-specific substrates and their associated phosphorylation sites for 12 human kinases and kinase families, including ATM, CDKs, GSK-3, MAPKs, PKA, PKB, PKC, and SRC. To elucidate critical determinants, we identified feature subsets that were most informative and relevant for predicting substrate specificity for each individual kinase family. Extensive benchmarking experiments based on both five-fold cross-validation and independent tests indicated that the performance of PhosphoPredict is competitive with that of several other popular prediction tools, including KinasePhos, PPSP, GPS, and Musite. We found that combining protein functional and sequence features significantly improves phosphorylation site prediction performance across all kinases. Application of PhosphoPredict to the entire human proteome identified 150 to 800 potential phosphorylation substrates for each of the 12 kinases or kinase families. PhosphoPredict significantly extends the bioinformatics portfolio for kinase function analysis and will facilitate high-throughput identification of kinase-specific phosphorylation sites, thereby contributing to both basic and translational research programs.
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15
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Ho JC, Nadeem A, Svanborg C. HAMLET – A protein-lipid complex with broad tumoricidal activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 482:454-458. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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16
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Chaudhuri A, Prasanna X, Agiru P, Chakraborty H, Rydström A, Ho JCS, Svanborg C, Sengupta D, Chattopadhyay A. Protein-dependent Membrane Interaction of A Partially Disordered Protein Complex with Oleic Acid: Implications for Cancer Lipidomics. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35015. [PMID: 27731329 PMCID: PMC5059734 DOI: 10.1038/srep35015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine α-lactalbumin (BLA) forms cytotoxic complexes with oleic acid (OA) that perturbs tumor cell membranes, but molecular determinants of these membrane-interactions remain poorly understood. Here, we aim to obtain molecular insights into the interaction of BLA/BLA-OA complex with model membranes. We characterized the folding state of BLA-OA complex using tryptophan fluorescence and resolved residue-specific interactions of BLA with OA using molecular dynamics simulation. We integrated membrane-binding data using a voltage-sensitive probe and molecular dynamics (MD) to demonstrate the preferential interaction of the BLA-OA complex with negatively charged membranes. We identified amino acid residues of BLA and BLA-OA complex as determinants of these membrane interactions using MD, functionally corroborated by uptake of the corresponding α-LA peptides across tumor cell membranes. The results suggest that the α-LA component of these cytotoxic complexes confers specificity for tumor cell membranes through protein interactions that are maintained even in the lipid complex, in the presence of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunima Chaudhuri
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | | | - Priyanka Agiru
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Hirak Chakraborty
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Anna Rydström
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - James C. S. Ho
- Centre for Biomimetic Sensor Science, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637553 Singapore
| | - Catharina Svanborg
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Glycobiology (MIG), Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Hoque M, Gupta J, Rabbani G, Khan RH, Saleemuddin M. Behaviour of oleic acid-depleted bovine alpha-lactalbumin made LEthal to tumor cells (BAMLET). MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:1871-80. [DOI: 10.1039/c5mb00905g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Oleic acid (OA) complexes of human alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) and several other proteins are effective in the killing of a variety of tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehboob Hoque
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Aligarh 202002
- India
| | - Jyoti Gupta
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Aligarh 202002
- India
| | - Gulam Rabbani
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Aligarh 202002
- India
| | - Rizwan Hasan Khan
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Aligarh 202002
- India
| | - M. Saleemuddin
- Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Aligarh 202002
- India
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18
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Protein receptor-independent plasma membrane remodeling by HAMLET: a tumoricidal protein-lipid complex. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16432. [PMID: 26561036 PMCID: PMC4642337 DOI: 10.1038/srep16432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A central tenet of signal transduction in eukaryotic cells is that extra-cellular ligands activate specific cell surface receptors, which orchestrate downstream responses. This ‘’protein-centric” view is increasingly challenged by evidence for the involvement of specialized membrane domains in signal transduction. Here, we propose that membrane perturbation may serve as an alternative mechanism to activate a conserved cell-death program in cancer cells. This view emerges from the extraordinary manner in which HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumor cells) kills a wide range of tumor cells in vitro and demonstrates therapeutic efficacy and selectivity in cancer models and clinical studies. We identify a ‘’receptor independent” transformation of vesicular motifs in model membranes, which is paralleled by gross remodeling of tumor cell membranes. Furthermore, we find that HAMLET accumulates within these de novo membrane conformations and define membrane blebs as cellular compartments for direct interactions of HAMLET with essential target proteins such as the Ras family of GTPases. Finally, we demonstrate lower sensitivity of healthy cell membranes to HAMLET challenge. These features suggest that HAMLET-induced curvature-dependent membrane conformations serve as surrogate receptors for initiating signal transduction cascades, ultimately leading to cell death.
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