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Cai G, Bao Y, Li Q, Hsu PH, Xia J, Ngo JCK. Design of a covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitor of SRPKs to suppress angiogenesis and invasion of cancer cells. Commun Chem 2024; 7:144. [PMID: 38937565 PMCID: PMC11211491 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01230-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Serine-arginine (SR) proteins are splicing factors that play essential roles in both constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Phosphorylation of their C-terminal RS domains by SR protein kinases (SRPKs) regulates their localization and diverse cellular activities. Dysregulation of phosphorylation has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancers. Here, we report the development of a covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitor, C-DBS, that targets a lysine residue within the SRPK-specific docking groove to block the interaction and phosphorylation of the prototypic SR protein SRSF1. C-DBS exhibits high specificity and conjugation efficiency both in vitro and in cellulo. This self-cell-penetrating inhibitor attenuates the phosphorylation of endogenous SR proteins and subsequently inhibits the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. These findings provide a new foundation for the development of covalent SRPK inhibitors for combatting diseases such as cancer and viral infections and overcoming the resistance encountered by ATP-competitive inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongli Cai
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yishu Bao
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qingyun Li
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Pang-Hung Hsu
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for the Oceans, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacky Chi Ki Ngo
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Soybean Research of the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center of Novel Biomaterials, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Protein Science and Crystallography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China.
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2
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Ahamad S, Bano N, Khan S, Hussain MK, Bhat SA. Unraveling the Puzzle of Therapeutic Peptides: A Promising Frontier in Huntington's Disease Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:783-815. [PMID: 38207096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in the production of a mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The accumulation of mHTT leads to the development of toxic aggregates in neurons, causing cell dysfunction and, eventually, cell death. Peptide therapeutics target various aspects of HD pathology, including mHTT reduction and aggregation inhibition, extended CAG mRNA degradation, and modulation of dysregulated signaling pathways, such as BDNF/TrkB signaling. In addition, these peptide therapeutics also target the detrimental interactions of mHTT with InsP3R1, CaM, or Caspase-6 proteins to mitigate HD. This Perspective provides a detailed perspective on anti-HD therapeutic peptides, highlighting their design, structural characteristics, neuroprotective effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Peptide therapeutics for HD exhibit promise in preclinical models, but further investigation is required to confirm their effectiveness as viable therapeutic strategies, recognizing that no approved peptide therapy for HD currently exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Nargis Bano
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Sameera Khan
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | | | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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3
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Corman A, Sirozh O, Lafarga V, Fernandez-Capetillo O. Targeting the nucleolus as a therapeutic strategy in human disease. Trends Biochem Sci 2023; 48:274-287. [PMID: 36229381 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The nucleolus is the site of ribosome biogenesis, one of the most resource-intensive processes in eukaryotic cells. Accordingly, nucleolar morphology and activity are highly responsive to growth signaling and nucleolar insults which are collectively included in the actively evolving concept of nucleolar stress. Importantly, nucleolar alterations are a prominent feature of multiple human pathologies, including cancer and neurodegeneration, as well as being associated with aging. The past decades have seen numerous attempts to isolate compounds targeting different facets of nucleolar activity. We provide an overview of therapeutic opportunities for targeting nucleoli in different pathologies and currently available therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Corman
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oleksandra Sirozh
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Vanesa Lafarga
- Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain.
| | - Oscar Fernandez-Capetillo
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Genomic Instability Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid 28029, Spain.
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4
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Peng SI, Leong LI, Sun JKL, Chen ZS, Chow HM, Chan HYE. A peptide inhibitor that rescues polyglutamine-induced synaptic defects and cell death through suppressing RNA and protein toxicities. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 29:102-115. [PMID: 35795484 PMCID: PMC9240964 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, including spinocerebellar ataxias and Huntington's disease, are progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by CAG triplet-repeat expansion in the coding regions of disease-associated genes. In this study, we found that neurotoxic small CAG (sCAG) RNA species, microscopic Ataxin-2 CAG RNA foci, and protein aggregates exist as independent entities in cells. Synaptic defects and neurite outgrowth abnormalities were observed in mutant Ataxin-2-expressing mouse primary cortical neurons. We examined the suppression effects of the CAG RNA-binding peptide beta-structured inhibitor for neurodegenerative diseases (BIND) in mutant Ataxin-2-expressing mouse primary cortical neurons and found that both impaired synaptic phenotypes and neurite outgrowth defects were rescued. We further demonstrated that BIND rescued cell death through inhibiting sCAG RNA production, Ataxin-2 CAG RNA foci formation, and mutant Ataxin-2 protein translation. Interestingly, when the expanded CAG repeats in the mutant Ataxin-2 transcript was interrupted with the alternative glutamine codon CAA, BIND's inhibitory effect on mutant protein aggregation was lost. We previously demonstrated that BIND interacts physically and directly with expanded CAG RNA sequences. Our data provide evidence that the BIND peptide associates with transcribed mutant CAG RNA to inhibit the formation of toxic species, including sCAG RNA, RNA foci, and polyQ protein translation and aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohong Isaac Peng
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lok I. Leong
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jacquelyne Ka-Li Sun
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhefan Stephen Chen
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hei-Man Chow
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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5
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Chen J, Huang Y, Hu X, Bian X, Nian S. Gastrodin prevents homocysteine-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells injury via PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/ARE pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:345-357. [PMID: 33320446 PMCID: PMC7810955 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the protective effects of gastrodin (Gas) against homocysteine‐induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and the role of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/threonine kinase 1 (Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathways. We stimulated cells with homocysteine (1 mmol/L, 24 hours) and tested the effects of gastrodin (200‐800 μg/mL) on cell viability and the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Then, Nrf2 distribution in the cytoplasm and nucleus as well as the expression of enzymes downstream of Nrf2 was determined. Furthermore, we analysed the expression of bax, bcl‐2 and cleaved caspase3, and assessed the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway by Western blots. Finally, we tested the vasoactive effect of gastrodin in thoracic aortic rings. The results showed that gastrodin decreased MDA, LDH and ROS production and increased cell viability, NO production and relaxation of thoracic aortic rings. Moreover, the protective effects of Gas on NO production and relaxation of thoracic aortic rings were blocked by L‐NAME but enhanced by Cav‐1 knockdown, and MK‐2206 treatment abolished the effect of Gas on the ROS. In addition, treatment with gastrodin increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation, thus enhancing the expression of downstream enzymes. Finally, gastrodin increased the expression of PI3K, p‐Akt, and eNOS and decreased Cav‐1 protein expression. In conclusion, our study suggested that gastrodin may protect HUVECs from homocysteine‐induced injury, and the PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/ARE pathways may be responsible for the efficacy of gastrodin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyu Chen
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanli Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaochuan Hu
- Department of Occupational disease, Qingdao Central Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaohong Bian
- School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sihui Nian
- Institute of Modern Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
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6
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Lee HS, Wang SH, Daniel JT, Hossain MA, Clark RJ, Bathgate RAD, Rosengren KJ. Exploring the Use of Helicogenic Amino Acids for Optimising Single Chain Relaxin-3 Peptide Agonists. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100415. [PMID: 33066369 PMCID: PMC7602263 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a highly conserved two-chain neuropeptide that acts through its endogenous receptor the Relaxin Family Peptide-3 (RXFP3) receptor. The ligand/receptor system is known to modulate several physiological processes, with changes in food intake and anxiety-levels the most well studied in rodent models. Agonist and antagonist analogues based on the native two-chain peptide are costly to synthesise and not ideal drug leads. Since RXFP3 interacting residues are found in the relaxin B-chain only, this has been the focus of analogue development. The B-chain is unstructured without the A-chain support, but in single-chain variants structure can be induced by dicarba-based helical stapling strategies. Here we investigated whether alternative helical inducing strategies also can enhance structure and activity at RXFP3. Combinations of the helix inducing α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) were incorporated into the sequence of the relaxin-3 B-chain. Aib residues at positions 13, 17 and 18 partially reintroduce helicity and activity of the relaxin-3 B-chain, but other positions are generally not suited for modifications. We identify Thr21 as a putative new receptor contact residue important for RXFP3 binding. Cysteine residues were also incorporated into the sequence and cross-linked with dichloroacetone or α, α'-dibromo-m-xylene. However, in contrast to previously reported dicarba variants, neither were found to promote structure and RXFP3 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Siean Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Shu Hui Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - James T. Daniel
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (M.A.H.); (R.A.D.B.)
- School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Richard J. Clark
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia; (M.A.H.); (R.A.D.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - K. Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (H.S.L.); (S.H.W.); (J.T.D.); (R.J.C.)
- Correspondence:
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7
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Kim MR, Feng T, Zhang Q, Chan HYE, Chau Y. Co-Encapsulation and Co-Delivery of Peptide Drugs via Polymeric Nanoparticles. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:E288. [PMID: 30960272 PMCID: PMC6419018 DOI: 10.3390/polym11020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination therapy is a promising form of treatment. In particular, co-treatment of P3 and QBP1 has been shown to enhance therapeutic effect in vivo in treating polyglutamine diseases. These peptide drugs, however, face challenges in clinical administration due to poor stability, inability to reach intracellular targets, and lack of method to co-deliver both drugs. Here we demonstrate two methods of co-encapsulating the peptide drugs via polymer poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polycaprolactone (PEG-b-PCL) based nanoparticles. Nanoparticles made by double emulsion were 100⁻200 nm in diameter, with drug encapsulation efficiency of around 30%. Nanoparticles made by nanoprecipitation with lipid 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) (POPG) were around 250⁻300 nm in diameter, with encapsulation efficiency of 85⁻100%. Particles made with both formulations showed cellular uptake when decorated with a mixture of peptide ligands that facilitate endocytosis. In vitro assay showed that nanoparticles could deliver bioactive peptides and encapsulation by double emulsion were found to be more effective in rescuing cells from polyglutamine-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Rie Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Teng Feng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ying Chau
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
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8
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Hong H, Koon AC, Chen ZS, Wei Y, An Y, Li W, Lau MHY, Lau KF, Ngo JCK, Wong CH, Au-Yeung HY, Zimmerman SC, Chan HYE. AQAMAN, a bisamidine-based inhibitor of toxic protein inclusions in neurons, ameliorates cytotoxicity in polyglutamine disease models. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2757-2770. [PMID: 30593503 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are a group of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG repeat in the coding region of the affected genes. Hallmarks of polyQ diseases include the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates, leading to neuronal degeneration and cell death. PolyQ diseases are currently incurable, highlighting the urgent need for approaches that inhibit the formation of disaggregate cytotoxic polyQ protein inclusions. Here, we screened for bisamidine-based inhibitors that can inhibit neuronal polyQ protein inclusions. We demonstrated that one inhibitor, AQAMAN, prevents polyQ protein aggregation and promotes de-aggregation of self-assembled polyQ proteins in several models of polyQ diseases. Using immunocytochemistry, we found that AQAMAN significantly reduces polyQ protein aggregation and specifically suppresses polyQ protein-induced cell death. Using a recombinant and purified polyQ protein (thioredoxin-Huntingtin-Q46), we further demonstrated that AQAMAN interferes with polyQ self-assembly, preventing polyQ aggregation, and dissociates preformed polyQ aggregates in a cell-free system. Remarkably, AQAMAN feeding of Drosophila expressing expanded polyQ disease protein suppresses polyQ-induced neurodegeneration in vivo In addition, using inhibitors and activators of the autophagy pathway, we demonstrated that AQAMAN's cytoprotective effect against polyQ toxicity is autophagy-dependent. In summary, we have identified AQAMAN as a potential therapeutic for combating polyQ protein toxicity in polyQ diseases. Our findings further highlight the importance of the autophagy pathway in clearing harmful polyQ proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Hong
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Alex Chun Koon
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Zhefan Stephen Chen
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Yuming Wei
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Ying An
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research.,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Wen Li
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science
| | - Matthew Ho Yan Lau
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | | | | | | | - Ho Yu Au-Yeung
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China, and
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- From the Laboratory of Drosophila Research, .,School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
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9
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Yang M, Zhang Q, Wang Q, Sørensen KK, Boesen JT, Ma SY, Jensen KJ, Kwan KM, Ngo JCK, Chan HYE, Zuo Z. Brain-Targeting Delivery of Two Peptidylic Inhibitors for Their Combination Therapy in Transgenic Polyglutamine Disease Mice via Intranasal Administration. Mol Pharm 2018; 15:5781-5792. [PMID: 30392378 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.8b00938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine diseases are a set of progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by misfolding and aggregation of mutant CAG RNA and polyglutamin protein. To date, there is a lack of effective therapeutics that can counteract the polyglutamine neurotoxicity. Two peptidylic inhibitors, QBP1 and P3, targeting the protein and RNA toxicities, respectively, have been previously demonstrated by us with combinational therapeutic effects on the Drosophila polyglutamine disease model. However, their therapeutic efficacy has never been investigated in vivo in mammals. The current study aims to (a) develop a brain-targeting delivery system for both QBP1 and L1P3V8 (a lipidated variant of P3 with improved stability) and (b) evaluate their therapeutic effects on the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of polyglutamine disease. Compared with intravenous administration, intranasal administration of QBP1 significantly increased its brain-to-plasma ratio. In addition, employment of a chitosan-containing in situ gel for the intranasal administration of QBP1 notably improved its brain concentration for up to 10-fold. Further study on intranasal cotreatment with the optimized formulation of QBP1 and L1P3V8 in mice found no interference on the brain uptake of each other. Subsequent efficacy evaluation of 4-week daily QBP1 (16 μmol/kg) and L1P3V8 (6 μmol/kg) intranasal cotreatment in the R6/2 mice demonstrated a significant improvement on the motor coordination and explorative behavior of the disease mice, together with a full suppression on the RNA- and protein-toxicity markers in their brains. In summary, the current study developed an efficient intranasal cotreatment of the two peptidylic inhibitors, QBP1 and L1P3V8, for their brain-targeting, and such a novel therapeutic strategy was found to be effective on a transgenic polyglutamine disease mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengbi Yang
- School of Pharmacy , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Life Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Qianwen Wang
- School of Pharmacy , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Kasper K Sørensen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Copenhagen , Thorvaldsensvej 40 , 1871 Frederiksberg , Denmark
| | - Josephine T Boesen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Copenhagen , Thorvaldsensvej 40 , 1871 Frederiksberg , Denmark
| | - Sum Yi Ma
- School of Life Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Knud J Jensen
- Department of Chemistry , University of Copenhagen , Thorvaldsensvej 40 , 1871 Frederiksberg , Denmark
| | - Kin Ming Kwan
- School of Life Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China.,Partner State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Jacky Chi Ki Ngo
- School of Life Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- School of Life Sciences , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China.,Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
| | - Zhong Zuo
- School of Pharmacy , The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , SAR , China
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