1
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Kung JE, Johnson MC, Jao CC, Arthur CP, Tegunov D, Rohou A, Sudhamsu J. Disulfi de constrained Fabs overcome target size limitation for high-resolution single-particle cryo-EM. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.10.593593. [PMID: 38798381 PMCID: PMC11118328 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.10.593593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
High-resolution structures of proteins are critical to understanding molecular mechanisms of biological processes and in the discovery of therapeutic molecules. Cryo-EM has revolutionized structure determination of large proteins and their complexes1, but a vast majority of proteins that underlie human diseases are small (< 50 kDa) and usually beyond its reach due to low signal-to-noise images and difficulties in particle alignment2. Current strategies to overcome this problem increase the overall size of small protein targets using scaffold proteins that bind to the target, but are limited by inherent flexibility and not being bound to their targets in a rigid manner, resulting in the target being poorly resolved compared to the scaffolds3-11. Here we present an iteratively engineered molecular design for transforming Fabs (antibody fragments), into conformationally rigid scaffolds (Rigid-Fabs) that, when bound to small proteins (~20 kDa), can enable high-resolution structure determination using cryo-EM. This design introduces multiple disulfide bonds at strategic locations, generates a well-folded Fab constrained into a rigid conformation and can be applied to Fabs from various species, isotypes and chimeric Fabs. We present examples of the Rigid Fab design enabling high-resolution (2.3-2.5 Å) structures of small proteins, Ang2 (26 kDa) and KRAS (21 kDa) by cryo-EM. The strategies for designing disulfide constrained Rigid Fabs in our work thus establish a general approach to overcome the target size limitation of single particle cryo-EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E. Kung
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Matthew C. Johnson
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christine C. Jao
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christopher P. Arthur
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Dimitry Tegunov
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Alexis Rohou
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jawahar Sudhamsu
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
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2
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Chitre AS, Wu P, Walters BT, Wang X, Bouyssou A, Du X, Lehoux I, Fong R, Arata A, Chan J, Wang D, Franke Y, Grogan JL, Mellman I, Comps-Agrar L, Wang W. HPK1 citron homology domain regulates phosphorylation of SLP76 and modulates kinase domain interaction dynamics. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3725. [PMID: 38697971 PMCID: PMC11066036 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is a negative regulator of T-cell receptor signaling and as such is an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Although the role of the HPK1 kinase domain (KD) has been extensively characterized, the function of its citron homology domain (CHD) remains elusive. Through a combination of structural, biochemical, and mechanistic studies, we characterize the structure-function of CHD in relationship to KD. Crystallography and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry reveal that CHD adopts a seven-bladed β-propellor fold that binds to KD. Mutagenesis associated with binding and functional studies show a direct correlation between domain-domain interaction and negative regulation of kinase activity. We further demonstrate that the CHD provides stability to HPK1 protein in cells as well as contributes to the docking of its substrate SLP76. Altogether, this study highlights the importance of the CHD in the direct and indirect regulation of HPK1 function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ping Wu
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Xiangdan Wang
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | | | - Xiangnan Du
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Isabelle Lehoux
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404, USA
| | - Rina Fong
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Alisa Arata
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Joyce Chan
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Die Wang
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Yvonne Franke
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Jane L Grogan
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
- GraphiteBio, Incl., 1400 Sierra Point Parkway, Brisbane, CA, 94005, USA
| | - Ira Mellman
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
| | | | - Weiru Wang
- Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
- Frontier Medicines, 151 Oyster Point Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA.
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3
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Das N, de Almeida LGN, Derakhshani A, Young D, Mehdinejadiani K, Salo P, Rezansoff A, Jay GD, Sommerhoff CP, Schmidt TA, Krawetz R, Dufour A. Tryptase β regulation of joint lubrication and inflammation via proteoglycan-4 in osteoarthritis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1910. [PMID: 37024468 PMCID: PMC10079686 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PRG4 is an extracellular matrix protein that maintains homeostasis through its boundary lubricating and anti-inflammatory properties. Altered expression and function of PRG4 have been associated with joint inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis. Here we show that mast cell tryptase β cleaves PRG4 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was confirmed by silver stain gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Tryptase-treated PRG4 results in a reduction of lubrication. Compared to full-length, cleaved PRG4 further activates NF-κB expression in cells overexpressing TLR2, -4, and -5. In the destabilization of the medial meniscus model of osteoarthritis in rat, tryptase β and PRG4 colocalize at the site of injury in knee cartilage and is associated with disease severity. When human primary synovial fibroblasts from male osteoarthritis patients or male healthy subjects treated with tryptase β and/or PRG4 are subjected to a quantitative shotgun proteomics and proteome changes are characterized, it further supports the role of NF-κB activation. Here we show that tryptase β as a modulator of joint lubrication in osteoarthritis via the cleavage of PRG4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabangshu Das
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Luiz G N de Almeida
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Afshin Derakhshani
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel Young
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kobra Mehdinejadiani
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paul Salo
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alexander Rezansoff
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gregory D Jay
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School & School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Christian P Sommerhoff
- Institute of Medical Education and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Roman Krawetz
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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4
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Rosenberg SC, Shanahan F, Yamazoe S, Kschonsak M, Zeng YJ, Lee J, Plise E, Yen I, Rose CM, Quinn JG, Gazzard LJ, Walters BT, Kirkpatrick DS, Staben ST, Foster SA, Malek S. Ternary complex dissociation kinetics contribute to mutant-selective EGFR degradation. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:S2451-9456(23)00030-2. [PMID: 36773603 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Targeted degradation of proteins by chimeric heterobifunctional degraders has emerged as a major drug discovery paradigm. Despite the increased interest in this approach, the criteria dictating target protein degradation by a degrader remain poorly understood, and potent target engagement by a degrader does not strongly correlate with target degradation. In this study, we present the biochemical characterization of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) degrader that potently binds both wild-type and mutant EGFR, but only degrades EGFR mutant variants. Mechanistic studies reveal that ternary complex half-life strongly correlates with processive ubiquitination with purified components and mutant-selective degradation in cells. We present cryoelectron microscopy and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectroscopy data on wild-type and mutant EGFR ternary complexes, which demonstrate that potent target degradation can be achieved in the absence of stable compound-induced protein-protein interactions. These results highlight the importance of considering target conformation during degrader development as well as leveraging heterobifunctional ligand binding kinetics to achieve robust target degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C Rosenberg
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Frances Shanahan
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Sayumi Yamazoe
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Marc Kschonsak
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yi J Zeng
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - James Lee
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Emile Plise
- Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Ivana Yen
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Christopher M Rose
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - John G Quinn
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Lewis J Gazzard
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Benjamin T Walters
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Donald S Kirkpatrick
- Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Steven T Staben
- Department of Discovery Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Scott A Foster
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Shiva Malek
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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5
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SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Effectiveness Is Influenced by Non-Epitope Mutation/Binding-Induced Denaturation of the Epitope 3D Architecture. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121437. [PMID: 36558771 PMCID: PMC9787365 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The public health threat from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to intensify with emerging variants of concern (VOC) aiming to render COVID-19 vaccines/infection-induced antibodies redundant. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is responsible for receptor binding and infection of host cells making it a legitimate antibody target. Antibodies mostly target epitopes in the receptor binding domain (RBD). Mutations occurring within epitopes influence antibody specificity and function by altering their 3D architecture. However, the mechanisms by which non-epitope mutations in the RBD influence antibody specificity and function remain a mystery. We used Protein Data Bank (PDB) deposited 3D structures for the original, Beta, Delta, BA.1, and BA.2 RBD proteins in complex with either neutralizing antibodies or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) to elucidate the structural and mechanistic basis for neutralizing antibody evasion driven by non-epitope amino acid substitutions in the RBD. Since the mechanism behind the extensively reported functional discrepancies between the same antibody when used individually and when used in an antibody cocktail is lacking, we explored the structural basis for this inconsistency. Finally, since SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are viral mutagens, we deciphered determinants for antibody-pressured amino acid substitutions. On the one hand, we show that non-epitope mutations in the RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2 VOC influence the formation of hydrogen bonds in the paratope-epitope interface by repositioning RBD amino-acid sidechains (AASCs). This increases the distance between complementary donor/acceptor atoms on paratope and epitope AASCs leading to weaker or the complete prevention of the formation of hydrogen bonds in the paratope-epitope interface. On the other hand, we show that SARS-CoV-2 VOC employ the same strategy to simultaneously search for complementary donor/acceptor atoms on ACE2 AASCs to form new interactions, potentially favoring increased viral transmission. Additionally, we illustrate that converting the spike protein to an RBD, a deletion mutation, also repositions epitope AASCs and that AASC interactions in the paratope-epitope interface vary when an antibody is used individually versus when utilized as a cocktail with other antibodies. Finally, we show that the process of substituting immunogenic RBD amino acids begins with the repositioning of their AASCs induced by immune/antibody pressure. We show that donor/acceptor atoms from any amino acid can determine cross-reactivity instead, provided they possess and present spatially pairing donor/acceptor atoms. By studying structural alignments for PDB deposited antibody-RBD 3D structures and relating them to published binding and neutralization profiles of the same antibodies, we demonstrate that minor structural alterations such as epitope AASC repositioning have a major impact on antibody effectiveness and, hence, should receive adequate attention given that protein structure dictates protein function.
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6
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Human Lung Mast Cells: Therapeutic Implications in Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214466. [PMID: 36430941 PMCID: PMC9693207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mast cells are strategically located in different compartments of the lung in asthmatic patients. These cells are widely recognized as central effectors and immunomodulators in different asthma phenotypes. Mast cell mediators activate a wide spectrum of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system during airway inflammation. Moreover, these cells modulate the activities of several structural cells (i.e., fibroblasts, airway smooth muscle cells, bronchial epithelial and goblet cells, and endothelial cells) in the human lung. These findings indicate that lung mast cells and their mediators significantly contribute to the immune induction of airway remodeling in severe asthma. Therapies targeting mast cell mediators and/or their receptors, including monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE, IL-4/IL-13, IL-5/IL-5Rα, IL-4Rα, TSLP, and IL-33, have been found safe and effective in the treatment of different phenotypes of asthma. Moreover, agonists of inhibitory receptors expressed by human mast cells (Siglec-8, Siglec-6) are under investigation for asthma treatment. Increasing evidence suggests that different approaches to depleting mast cells show promising results in severe asthma treatment. Novel treatments targeting mast cells can presumably change the course of the disease and induce drug-free remission in bronchial asthma. Here, we provide an overview of current and promising treatments for asthma that directly or indirectly target lung mast cells.
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7
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Plikusiene I, Maciulis V, Juciute S, Ramanavicius A, Balevicius Z, Slibinskas R, Kucinskaite-Kodze I, Simanavicius M, Balevicius S, Ramanaviciene A. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein interaction with a specific antibody by combined spectroscopic ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2022; 626:113-122. [PMID: 35780545 PMCID: PMC9233548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.06.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Detailed evaluations of the antigen and antibody interaction rate and strength of the immune complex formed are very important for medical and bioanalytical applications. These data are crucial for the development of sensitive and fast immunosensors suitable for continuous measurements. Therefore, combined spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique (SE/QCM-D) was used for the evaluation: (i) of covalent immobilization of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (SCoV2-N) on QCM-D sensor disc modified by self-assembled monolayer based on 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and (ii) interaction of immobilized SCoV2-N with specific polyclonal anti-SCoV2-N antibodies followed by immune complex formation process. The results show that the SCoV2-N monolayer is rigid due to the low energy dissipation registered during the QCM-D measurement. In contrast, the anti-SCoV2-N layer produced after interaction with the immobilized SCoV2-N formed a soft and viscous layer. It was determined, that the sparse distribution of SCoV2-N on the surface affected the spatial arrangement of the antibody during the formation of immune complexes. The hinge-mediated flexibility of the antibody Fab fragments allows them to reach the more distantly located SCoV2-N and establish a bivalent binding between proteins in the formed SCoV2-N/anti-SCoV2-N complex. It was noted that the SE/QCM-D method can provide more precise quantitative information about the flexibility and conformational changes of antibody during the formation of the immune complex on the surface over time.
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8
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Abstract
NOX2 is the prototypical member of the NADPH oxidase NOX superfamily and produces superoxide (O2•-), a key reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is essential in innate and adaptive immunity. Mutations that lead to deficiency in NOX2 activity correlate with increased susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections, resulting in chronic granulomatous disease. The core of NOX2 is formed by a heterodimeric transmembrane complex composed of NOX2 (formerly gp91) and p22, but a detailed description of its structural architecture is lacking. Here, we present the structure of the human NOX2 core complex bound to a selective anti-NOX2 antibody fragment. The core complex reveals an intricate extracellular topology of NOX2, a four-transmembrane fold of the p22 subunit, and an extensive transmembrane interface which provides insights into NOX2 assembly and activation. Functional assays uncover an inhibitory activity of the 7G5 antibody mediated by internalization-dependent and internalization-independent mechanisms. Overall, our results provide insights into the NOX2 core complex architecture, disease-causing mutations, and potential avenues for selective NOX2 pharmacological modulation.
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9
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Gerhardy S, Ultsch M, Tang W, Green E, Holden JK, Li W, Estevez A, Arthur C, Tom I, Rohou A, Kirchhofer D. Allosteric inhibition of HTRA1 activity by a conformational lock mechanism to treat age-related macular degeneration. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5222. [PMID: 36064790 PMCID: PMC9445180 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32760-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The trimeric serine protease HTRA1 is a genetic risk factor associated with geographic atrophy (GA), a currently untreatable form of age-related macular degeneration. Here, we describe the allosteric inhibition mechanism of HTRA1 by a clinical Fab fragment, currently being evaluated for GA treatment. Using cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and biochemical assays we identify the exposed LoopA of HTRA1 as the sole Fab epitope, which is approximately 30 Å away from the active site. The cryo-EM structure of the HTRA1:Fab complex in combination with molecular dynamics simulations revealed that Fab binding to LoopA locks HTRA1 in a non-competent conformational state, incapable of supporting catalysis. Moreover, grafting the HTRA1-LoopA epitope onto HTRA2 and HTRA3 transferred the allosteric inhibition mechanism. This suggests a conserved conformational lock mechanism across the HTRA family and a critical role of LoopA for catalysis, which was supported by the reduced activity of HTRA1-3 upon LoopA deletion or perturbation. This study reveals the long-range inhibition mechanism of the clinical Fab and identifies an essential function of the exposed LoopA for activity of HTRA family proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Gerhardy
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark Ultsch
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wanjian Tang
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Evan Green
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey K Holden
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alberto Estevez
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chris Arthur
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Irene Tom
- Department of OMNI Biomarker Development, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexis Rohou
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Kirchhofer
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Kaneko T, Kuwaki T, Kashiwadani H. Hypothalamic orexinergic neurons modulate pain and itch in an opposite way: pain relief and itch exacerbation. J Physiol Sci 2022; 72:21. [PMID: 35996084 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-022-00846-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Pain and itch are recognized as antagonistic sensations; pain suppresses itch and inhibition of pain generates itch. There is still a lack of evidence about the neural mechanism of the interaction between pain and itch in the central nervous system. In this study, we focused on the orexin (ORX) neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), which mediate various "defense responses" when animals confront stressors. We found that the scratching behaviors induced by the pruritogen were significantly suppressed in ORX-neuron-ablated (ORX-abl) mice. The exaggerated pain behavior and attenuated itch behavior observed in ORX-abl mice indicated that ORX neurons modulate pain and itch in an opposite way, i.e., pain relief and itch exacerbation. In addition, most of the ORX neurons responded to both pain and itch input. Our results suggest that ORX neurons inversely regulate pain- and itch-related behaviors, which could be understood as a defense response to cope with stress environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuroh Kaneko
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Kuwaki
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan
| | - Hideki Kashiwadani
- Department of Physiology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan.
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11
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Okwuofu EO, Hui AYC, Woei JLC, Stanslas J. Molecular and Immunomodulatory Actions of New Antiasthmatic Agents: Exploring the Diversity of Biologics in Th2 Endotype Asthma. Pharmacol Res 2022; 181:106280. [PMID: 35661709 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a major respiratory disorder characterised by chronic inflammation and airway remodelling. It affects about 1-8% of the global population and is responsible for over 461,000 deaths annually. Until recently, the pharmacotherapy of severe asthma involved high doses of inhaled corticosteroids in combination with β-agonist for prolonged action, including theophylline, leukotriene antagonist or anticholinergic yielding limited benefit. Although the use of newer agents to target Th2 asthma endotypes has improved therapeutic outcomes in severe asthmatic conditions, there seems to be a paucity of understanding the diverse mechanisms through which these classes of drugs act. This article delineates the molecular and immunomodulatory mechanisms of action of new antiasthmatic agents currently being trialled in preclinical and clinical studies to remit asthmatic conditions. The ultimate goal in developing antiasthmatic agents is based on two types of approaches: either anti-inflammatory or bronchodilators. Biologic and most small molecules have been shown to modulate specific asthma endotypes, targeting thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tryptase, spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), Janus kinase, PD-L1/PD-L2, GATA-3, and CD38 for the treatment and management of Th2 endotype asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Oshiogwe Okwuofu
- Pharmacotherapeutic Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Jonathan Lim Chee Woei
- Pharmacotherapeutic Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Johnson Stanslas
- Pharmacotherapeutic Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Understanding human mast cells: lesson from therapies for allergic and non-allergic diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 22:294-308. [PMID: 34611316 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00622-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mast cells have crucial roles in allergic and other inflammatory diseases. Preclinical approaches provide circumstantial evidence for mast cell involvement in many diseases, but these studies have major limitations - for example, there is still a lack of suitable mouse models for some mast cell-driven diseases such as urticaria. Some approaches for studying mast cells are invasive or can induce severe reactions, and very few mediators or receptors are specific for mast cells. Recently, several drugs that target human mast cells have been developed. These include monoclonal antibodies and small molecules that can specifically inhibit mast cell degranulation via key receptors (such as FcεRI), that block specific signal transduction pathways involved in mast cell activation (for example, BTK), that silence mast cells via inhibitory receptors (such as Siglec-8) or that reduce mast cell numbers and prevent their differentiation by acting on the mast/stem cell growth factor receptor KIT. In this Review, we discuss the existing and emerging therapies that target mast cells, and we consider how these treatments can help us to understand mast cell functions in disease.
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13
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Desole C, Gallo S, Vitacolonna A, Vigna E, Basilico C, Montarolo F, Zuppini F, Casanova E, Miggiano R, Ferraris DM, Bertolotto A, Comoglio PM, Crepaldi T. Engineering, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of an Antibody Targeting the HGF Receptor. Front Immunol 2021; 12:775151. [PMID: 34925346 PMCID: PMC8679783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.775151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (MET) promote several physiological activities such as tissue regeneration and protection from cell injury of epithelial, endothelial, neuronal and muscle cells. The therapeutic potential of MET activation has been scrutinized in the treatment of acute tissue injury, chronic inflammation, such as renal fibrosis and multiple sclerosis (MS), cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. On the other hand, the HGF-MET signaling pathway may be caught by cancer cells and turned to work for invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we engineered a recombinant antibody (RDO24) and two derived fragments, binding the extracellular domain (ECD) of the MET protein. The antibody binds with high affinity (8 nM) to MET ECD and does not cross-react with the closely related receptors RON nor with Semaphorin 4D. Deletion mapping studies and computational modeling show that RDO24 binds to the structure bent on the Plexin-Semaphorin-Integrin (PSI) domain, implicating the PSI domain in its binding to MET. The intact RDO24 antibody and the bivalent Fab2, but not the monovalent Fab induce MET auto-phosphorylation, mimicking the mechanism of action of HGF that activates the receptor by dimerization. Accordingly, the bivalent recombinant molecules induce HGF biological responses, such as cell migration and wound healing, behaving as MET agonists of therapeutic interest in regenerative medicine. In vivo administration of RDO24 in the murine model of MS, represented by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), delays the EAE onset, mitigates the early clinical symptoms, and reduces inflammatory infiltrates. Altogether, these results suggest that engineered RDO24 antibody may be beneficial in multiple sclerosis and possibly other types of inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Desole
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Simona Gallo
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Annapia Vitacolonna
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Elisa Vigna
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Montarolo
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), Orbassano, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | | | | | - Riccardo Miggiano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,IXTAL srl, Novara, Italy
| | - Davide Maria Ferraris
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.,IXTAL srl, Novara, Italy
| | | | | | - Tiziana Crepaldi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Candiolo, Italy.,Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
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Prognostic factors in adult brainstem glioma: a tertiary care center analysis and review of the literature. J Neurol 2021; 269:1574-1590. [PMID: 34342680 PMCID: PMC8857120 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10725-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Adult brainstem gliomas (BSGs) are rare central nervous system tumours characterized by a highly heterogeneous clinical course. Median survival times range from 11 to 84 months. Beyond surgery, no treatment standard has been established. We investigated clinical and radiological data to assess prognostic features providing support for treatment decisions. Methods 34 BSG patients treated between 2000 and 2019 and aged ≥ 18 years at the time of diagnosis were retrospectively identified from the databases of the two largest Austrian Neuro-Oncology centres. Clinical data including baseline characteristics, clinical disease course, applied therapies, the outcome as well as neuroradiological and neuropathological findings were gathered and analysed. The tumour apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), volumetry of contrast-enhancing and non-contrast-enhancing lesions were determined on magnetic resonance imaging scans performed at diagnosis. Results The median age at diagnosis was 38.5 years (range 18–71 years). Tumour progression occurred in 26/34 (76.5%) patients after a median follow up time of 19 months (range 0.9–236.2). Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was 24.1 months (range 0.9–236.2; 95% CI 18.1–30.1) and 14.5 months (range 0.7–178.5; 95% CI 5.1–23.9), respectively. Low-performance status, high body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis and WHO grading were associated with shorter PFS and OS at univariate analysis (p < 0.05, log rank test, respectively). ADC values below the median were significantly associated with shorter OS (14.9 vs 44.2 months, p = 0.018). Conclusion ECOG, BMI, WHO grade and ADC values were associated with the survival prognosis of BSG patients and should be included in the prognostic assessment.
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Mast cell tryptases in allergic inflammation and immediate hypersensitivity. Curr Opin Immunol 2021; 72:94-106. [PMID: 33932709 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated mast cell-mediated inflammation and/or activation have been linked to a number of human diseases, including asthma, anaphylaxis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and mast cell activation syndromes. As a major mast cell granule protein, tryptase is a biomarker commonly used in clinical practice to diagnose mast cell-associated disorders and -mediated reactions, but its mechanistic roles in disease pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of human tryptase genetics and the effects that different genetic composition may have on the quaternary structure of tetrameric mature tryptases. We also discuss how these differences may impact clinical phenotypes including allergic inflammation, immediate hypersensitivity, and others seen in patients with mast cell-associated disorders. With the increased application of next-generation sequencing, we foresee that human genetic approaches will be a major focus of understanding human tryptase functions in various human mast cell disorders and in new therapeutic development.
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