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Carpenter KA, Altman RB. Databases of ligand-binding pockets and protein-ligand interactions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1320-1338. [PMID: 38585646 PMCID: PMC10997877 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Many research groups and institutions have created a variety of databases curating experimental and predicted data related to protein-ligand binding. The landscape of available databases is dynamic, with new databases emerging and established databases becoming defunct. Here, we review the current state of databases that contain binding pockets and protein-ligand binding interactions. We have compiled a list of such databases, fifty-three of which are currently available for use. We discuss variation in how binding pockets are defined and summarize pocket-finding methods. We organize the fifty-three databases into subgroups based on goals and contents, and describe standard use cases. We also illustrate that pockets within the same protein are characterized differently across different databases. Finally, we assess critical issues of sustainability, accessibility and redundancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy A. Carpenter
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Russ B. Altman
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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2
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Farinha CM, Santos L, Ferreira JF. Cell type-specific regulation of CFTR trafficking-on the verge of progress. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1338892. [PMID: 38505263 PMCID: PMC10949533 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1338892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein is a complex process that starts with its biosynthesis and folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is coupled with the acquisition of a compact structure that can be processed and traffic through the secretory pathway. Once reaching its final destination-the plasma membrane, CFTR stability is regulated through interaction with multiple protein partners that are involved in its post-translation modification, connecting the channel to several signaling pathways. The complexity of the process is further boosted when analyzed in the context of the airway epithelium. Recent advances have characterized in detail the different cell types that compose the surface epithelium and shifted the paradigm on which cells express CFTR and on their individual and combined contribution to the total expression (and function) of this chloride/bicarbonate channel. Here we review CFTR trafficking and its relationship with the knowledge on the different cell types of the airway epithelia. We explore the crosstalk between these two areas and discuss what is still to be clarified and how this can be used to develop more targeted therapies for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos M. Farinha
- Faculty of Sciences, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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3
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Cui G, Strickland KM, Vazquez Cegla AJ, McCarty NA. Comparing ATPase activity of ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 4, lamprey CFTR, and human CFTR using an antimony-phosphomolybdate assay. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1363456. [PMID: 38440176 PMCID: PMC10910009 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1363456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters use the hydrolysis of ATP to power the active transport of molecules, but paradoxically the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR, ABCC7) forms an ion channel. We previously showed that ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 4 (ABCC4) is the closest mammalian paralog to CFTR, compared to other ABC transporters. In addition, Lamprey CFTR (Lp-CFTR) is the oldest known CFTR ortholog and has unique structural and functional features compared to human CFTR (hCFTR). The availability of these evolutionarily distant orthologs gives us the opportunity to study the changes in ATPase activity that may be related to their disparate functions. Methods: We utilized the baculovirus expression system with Sf9 insect cells and made use of the highly sensitive antimony-phosphomolybdate assay for testing the ATPase activity of human ABCC4 (hABCC4), Lp-CFTR, and hCFTR under similar experimental conditions. This assay measures the production of inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the nanomolar range. Results: Crude plasma membranes were purified, and protein concentration, determined semi-quantitatively, of hABCC4, Lp-CFTR, and hCFTR ranged from 0.01 to 0.36 μg/μL. No significant difference in expression level was found although hABCC4 trended toward the highest level. hABCC4 was activated by ATP with the equilibrium constant (Kd) 0.55 ± 0.28 mM (n = 8). Estimated maximum ATPase rate (Vmax) for hABCC4 was about 0.2 nmol/μg/min when the protein was activated with 1 mM ATP at 37°C (n = 7). Estimated maximum ATPase rate for PKA-phosphorylated Lp-CFTR reached about half of hCFTR levels in the same conditions. Vmax for both Lp-CFTR and hCFTR were significantly increased in high PKA conditions compared to low PKA conditions. Maximum intrinsic ATPase rate of hABCC4 in the absence of substrate was twice that of hCFTR when activated in 1 mM ATP. Conclusion: The findings here suggest that while both ABCC4 and hCFTR bear one consensus and one degenerate ATPase site, the hCFTR exhibited a reduced intrinsic ATPase activity. In addition, ATPase activity in the CFTR lineage increased from Lp-CFTR to hCFTR. Finally, the studies pave the way to purify hABCC4, Lp-CFTR, and hCFTR from Sf9 cells for their structural investigation, including by cryo-EM, and for studies of evolution in the ABC transporter superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nael A. McCarty
- Division of Pulmonology, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory + Children’s Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
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4
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Kim MD, Chung S, Baumlin N, Qian J, Montgomery RN, Sabater J, Berkland C, Salathe M. The combination of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin e-cigarette aerosols induces airway inflammation and mucus hyperconcentration. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1942. [PMID: 38253598 PMCID: PMC10803801 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite concerns over their safety, e-cigarettes (e-cigs) remain a popular tobacco product. Although nicotine and flavors found in e-cig liquids (e-liquids) can cause harm in the airways, whether the delivery vehicles propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are innocuous when inhaled remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of e-cig aerosols generated from e-liquid containing only PG/VG on airway inflammation and mucociliary function in primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) and sheep. Primary HBEC were cultured at the air-liquid interface (ALI) and exposed to e-cig aerosols of 50%/50% v/v PG/VG. Ion channel conductance, ciliary beat frequency, and the expression of inflammatory markers, cell type-specific markers, and the major mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B were evaluated after seven days of exposure. Sheep were exposed to e-cig aerosols of PG/VG for five days and mucus concentration and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity were measured from airway secretions. Seven-day exposure of HBEC to e-cig aerosols of PG/VG caused a significant reduction in the activities of apical ion channels important for mucus hydration, including the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and large conductance, Ca2+-activated, and voltage-dependent K+ (BK) channels. PG/VG aerosols significantly increased the mRNA expression of the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL6), IL8, and MMP9, as well as MUC5AC. The increase in MUC5AC mRNA expression correlated with increased immunostaining of MUC5AC protein in PG/VG-exposed HBEC. On the other hand, PG/VG aerosols reduced MUC5B expression leading overall to higher MUC5AC/MUC5B ratios in exposed HBEC. Other cell type-specific markers, including forkhead box protein J1 (FOXJ1), keratin 5 (KRT5), and secretoglobin family 1A member 1 (SCGB1A1) mRNAs, as well as overall ciliation, were significantly reduced by PG/VG exposure. Finally, PG/VG aerosols increased MMP-9 activity and caused mucus hyperconcentration in sheep in vivo. E-cig aerosols of PG/VG induce airway inflammation, increase MUC5AC expression, and cause dysfunction of ion channels important for mucus hydration in HBEC in vitro. Furthermore, PG/VG aerosols increase MMP-9 activity and mucus concentration in sheep in vivo. Collectively, these data show that e-cig aerosols containing PG/VG are likely to be harmful in the airways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Samuel Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Nathalie Baumlin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Jian Qian
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - Robert N Montgomery
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Juan Sabater
- Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, 33140, USA
| | - Cory Berkland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 66047, USA
| | - Matthias Salathe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
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Santinelli R, Benz N, Guellec J, Quinquis F, Kocas E, Thomas J, Montier T, Ka C, Luczka-Majérus E, Sage E, Férec C, Coraux C, Trouvé P. The Inhibition of the Membrane-Bound Transcription Factor Site-1 Protease (MBTP1) Alleviates the p.Phe508del-Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Defects in Cystic Fibrosis Cells. Cells 2024; 13:185. [PMID: 38247876 PMCID: PMC10814821 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is present due to mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene, the most frequent variant being p.phe508del. The CFTR protein is a chloride (Cl-) channel which is defective and almost absent of cell membranes when the p.Phe508del mutation is present. The p.Phe508del-CFTR protein is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and together with inflammation and infection triggers the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). During the UPR, the Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) is activated with cleavage and then decreases the expression of p.Phe508del-CFTR. We have previously shown that the inhibition of the activation of ATF6 alleviates the p.Phe508del-CFTR defects in cells overexpressing the mutated protein. In the present paper, our aim was to inhibit the cleavage of ATF6, and thus its activation in a human bronchial cell line with endogenous p.Phe508del-CFTR expression and in bronchial cells from patients, to be more relevant to CF. This was achieved by inhibiting the protease MBTP1 which is responsible for the cleavage of ATF6. We show here that this inhibition leads to increased mRNA and p.Phe508del-CFTR expression and, consequently, to increased Cl-efflux. We also explain the mechanisms linked to these increases with the modulation of genes when MBTP1 is inhibited. Indeed, RT-qPCR assays show that genes such as HSPA1B, CEBPB, VIMP, PFND2, MAPK8, XBP1, INSIG1, and CALR are modulated. In conclusion, we show that the inhibition of MBTP1 has a beneficial effect in relevant models to CF and that this is due to the modulation of genes involved in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Santinelli
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Nathalie Benz
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Julie Guellec
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Fabien Quinquis
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Ervin Kocas
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Johan Thomas
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Tristan Montier
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Chandran Ka
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Emilie Luczka-Majérus
- Inserm UMR-S 1250, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA), SFR Cap-Santé, F-51100 Reims, France; (E.L.-M.); (C.C.)
| | - Edouard Sage
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France;
| | - Claude Férec
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
| | - Christelle Coraux
- Inserm UMR-S 1250, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA), SFR Cap-Santé, F-51100 Reims, France; (E.L.-M.); (C.C.)
| | - Pascal Trouvé
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, F-29200 Brest, France; (R.S.); (N.B.); (J.G.); (F.Q.); (E.K.); (J.T.); (T.M.); (C.K.); (C.F.)
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Dobi D, Loberto N, Bassi R, Pistocchi A, Lunghi G, Tamanini A, Aureli M. Cross-talk between CFTR and sphingolipids in cystic fibrosis. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1601-1614. [PMID: 37315117 PMCID: PMC10476574 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited, life-limiting disorder in Caucasian populations. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which lead to an impairment of protein expression and/or function. CFTR is a chloride/bicarbonate channel expressed at the apical surface of epithelial cells of different organs. Nowadays, more than 2100 CFTR genetic variants have been described, but not all of them cause CF. However, around 80-85% of the patients worldwide are characterized by the presence, at least in one allele, of the mutation F508del. CFTR mutations cause aberrant hydration and secretion of mucus in hollow organs. In the lungs, this condition favors bacterial colonization, allowing the development of chronic infections that lead to the onset of the CF lung disease, which is the main cause of death in patients. In recent years, evidence has reported that CFTR loss of function is responsible for alterations in a particular class of bioactive lipids, called sphingolipids (SL). SL are ubiquitously present in eukaryotic cells and are mainly asymmetrically located within the external leaflet of the plasma membrane, where they organize specific platforms capable of segregating a selected number of proteins. CFTR is associated with these platforms that are fundamental for its functioning. Considering the importance of SL in CFTR homeostasis, we attempt here to provide a critical overview of the literature to determine the role of these lipids in channel stability and activity, and whether their modulation in CF could be a target for new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina Dobi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Nicoletta Loberto
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Rosaria Bassi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Anna Pistocchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Giulia Lunghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Anna Tamanini
- Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and MovementUniversity of VeronaItaly
| | - Massimo Aureli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational MedicineUniversity of MilanItaly
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Iazzi M, Sadeghi S, Gupta GD. A Proteomic Survey of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Surfaceome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11457. [PMID: 37511222 PMCID: PMC10380767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to collate recent contributions of proteomic studies to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biology. We summarize advances from these studies and create an accessible resource for future CFTR proteomic efforts. We focus our attention on the CFTR interaction network at the cell surface, thus generating a CFTR 'surfaceome'. We review the main findings about CFTR interactions and highlight several functional categories amongst these that could lead to the discovery of potential biomarkers and drug targets for CF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gagan D. Gupta
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
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8
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Salinas EA, Macauley V, Keeling KM, Edwards YJK. Discovery of dysregulated circular RNAs in whole blood transcriptomes from cystic fibrosis patients - implication of a role for cellular senescence in cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros 2023; 22:683-693. [PMID: 37142522 PMCID: PMC10947771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A largely unexplored area of research is the identification and characterization of circular RNA (circRNA) in cystic fibrosis (CF). This study is the first to identify and characterize alterations in circRNA expression in cells lacking CFTR function. The circRNA expression profiles in whole blood transcriptomes from CF patients homozygous for the pathogenetic variant F508delCFTR are compared to healthy controls. METHODS We developed a circRNA pipeline called circRNAFlow utilizing Nextflow. Whole blood transcriptomes from CF patients homozygous for the F508delCFTR-variant and healthy controls were utilized as input to circRNAFlow to discover dysregulated circRNA expression in CF samples compared to wild-type controls. Pathway enrichment analyzes were performed to investigate potential functions of dysregulated circRNAs in whole blood transcriptomes from CF samples compared to wild-type controls. RESULTS A total of 118 dysregulated circRNAs were discovered in whole blood transcriptomes from CF patients homozygous for the F508delCFTR variant compared to healthy controls. 33 circRNAs were up regulated whilst 85 circRNAs were down regulated in CF samples compared to healthy controls. The overrepresented pathways of the host genes harboring dysregulated circRNA in CF samples compared to controls include positive regulation of responses to endoplasmic reticulum stress, intracellular transport, protein serine/threonine kinase activity, phospholipid-translocating ATPase complex, ferroptosis and cellular senescence. These enriched pathways corroborate the role of dysregulated cellular senescence in CF. CONCLUSION This study highlights the underexplored roles of circRNAs in CF with a perspective to provide a more complete molecular characterization of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward A Salinas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Victor Macauley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Kim M Keeling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Yvonne J K Edwards
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Cell, Development and Integrative Biology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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9
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Hwang TC, Braakman I, van der Sluijs P, Callebaut I. Structure basis of CFTR folding, function and pharmacology. J Cyst Fibros 2023; 22 Suppl 1:S5-S11. [PMID: 36216744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The root cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common life-shortening genetic disease in the Caucasian population, is the loss of function of the CFTR protein, which serves as a phosphorylation-activated, ATP-gated anion channel in numerous epithelia-lining tissues. In the past decade, high-throughput drug screening has made a significant stride in developing highly effective CFTR modulators for the treatment of CF. Meanwhile, structural-biology studies have succeeded in solving the high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) structure of CFTR in different conformations. Here, we provide a brief overview of some striking features of CFTR folding, function and pharmacology, in light of its specific structural features within the ABC-transporter superfamily. A particular focus is given to CFTR's first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1), because folding of NBD1 constitutes a bottleneck in the CFTR protein biogenesis pathway, and ATP binding to this domain plays a unique role in the functional stability of CFTR. Unraveling the molecular basis of CFTR folding, function, and pharmacology would inspire the development of next-generation mutation-specific CFTR modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzyh-Chang Hwang
- Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan; Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ineke Braakman
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter van der Sluijs
- Cellular Protein Chemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Isabelle Callebaut
- Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, UMR CNRS 7590, Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, IMPMC, 75005 Paris, France.
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Jackson JJ, Mao Y, White TR, Foye C, Oliver KE. Features of CFTR mRNA and implications for therapeutics development. Front Genet 2023; 14:1166529. [PMID: 37168508 PMCID: PMC10165737 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1166529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease impacting ∼100,000 people worldwide. This lethal disorder is caused by mutation of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes an ATP-binding cassette-class C protein. More than 2,100 variants have been identified throughout the length of CFTR. These defects confer differing levels of severity in mRNA and/or protein synthesis, folding, gating, and turnover. Drug discovery efforts have resulted in recent development of modulator therapies that improve clinical outcomes for people living with CF. However, a significant portion of the CF population has demonstrated either no response and/or adverse reactions to small molecules. Additional therapeutic options are needed to restore underlying genetic defects for all patients, particularly individuals carrying rare or refractory CFTR variants. Concerted focus has been placed on rescuing variants that encode truncated CFTR protein, which also harbor abnormalities in mRNA synthesis and stability. The current mini-review provides an overview of CFTR mRNA features known to elicit functional consequences on final protein conformation and function, including considerations for RNA-directed therapies under investigation. Alternative exon usage in the 5'-untranslated region, polypyrimidine tracts, and other sequence elements that influence splicing are discussed. Additionally, we describe mechanisms of CFTR mRNA decay and post-transcriptional regulation mediated through interactions with the 3'-untranslated region (e.g. poly-uracil sequences, microRNAs). Contributions of synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms to CFTR transcript utilization are also examined. Comprehensive understanding of CFTR RNA biology will be imperative for optimizing future therapeutic endeavors intended to address presently untreatable forms of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- JaNise J. Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yiyang Mao
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Tyshawn R. White
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Catherine Foye
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kathryn E. Oliver
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kathryn E. Oliver,
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11
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Schenkel M, Ravamehr-Lake D, Czerniak T, Saenz JP, Krainer G, Schlierf M, Deber CM. Impact of cholesterol and Lumacaftor on the folding of CFTR helical hairpins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOMEMBRANES 2023; 1865:184078. [PMID: 36279907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2022.184078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene that codes for the chloride channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Recent advances in CF treatment have included use of small-molecule drugs known as modulators, such as Lumacaftor (VX-809), but their detailed mechanism of action and interplay with the surrounding lipid membranes, including cholesterol, remain largely unknown. To examine these phenomena and guide future modulator development, we prepared a set of wild type (WT) and mutant helical hairpin constructs consisting of CFTR transmembrane (TM) segments 3 and 4 and the intervening extracellular loop (termed TM3/4 hairpins) that represent minimal membrane protein tertiary folding units. These hairpin variants, including CF-phenotypic loop mutants E217G and Q220R, and membrane-buried mutant V232D, were reconstituted into large unilamellar phosphatidylcholine (POPC) vesicles, and into corresponding vesicles containing 70 mol% POPC +30 mol% cholesterol, and studied by single-molecule FRET and circular dichroism experiments. We found that the presence of 30 mol% cholesterol induced an increase in helicity of all TM3/4 hairpins, suggesting an increase in bilayer cross-section and hence an increase in the depth of membrane insertion compared to pure POPC vesicles. Importantly, when we added the corrector VX-809, regardless of the presence or absence of cholesterol, all mutants displayed folding and helicity largely indistinguishable from the WT hairpin. Fluorescence spectroscopy measurements suggest that the corrector alters lipid packing and water accessibility. We propose a model whereby VX-809 shields the protein from the lipid environment in a mutant-independent manner such that the WT scaffold prevails. Such 'normalization' to WT conformation is consistent with the action of VX-809 as a protein-folding chaperone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Schenkel
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dorna Ravamehr-Lake
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Tomasz Czerniak
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - James P Saenz
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Georg Krainer
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK.
| | - Michael Schlierf
- B CUBE - Center for Molecular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - Charles M Deber
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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12
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Uc A, Strandvik B, Yao J, Liu X, Yi Y, Sun X, Welti R, Engelhardt J, Norris A. The fatty acid imbalance of cystic fibrosis exists at birth independent of feeding in pig and ferret models. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1773-1791. [PMID: 36416119 PMCID: PMC9747517 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit a unique alteration of fatty acid composition, marked especially among polyunsaturates by relative deficiency of linoleic acid and excess of Mead acid. Relative deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid is variably found. However, the initial development of these abnormalities is not understood. We examined fatty acid composition in young CF ferrets and pigs, finding abnormalities from the day of birth onward including relative deficiency of linoleic acid in both species. Fatty acid composition abnormalities were present in both liver and serum phospholipids of newborn CF piglets even prior to feeding, including reduced linoleic acid and increased Mead acid. Serum fatty acid composition evolved over the first weeks of life in both non-CF and CF ferrets, though differences between CF and non-CF persisted. Although red blood cell phospholipid fatty acid composition was normal in newborn animals, it became perturbed in juvenile CF ferrets including relative deficiencies of linoleic and docosahexaenoic acids and excess of Mead acid. In summary, fatty acid composition abnormalities in CF pigs and ferrets exist from a young age including at birth independent of feeding and overlap extensively with the abnormalities found in humans with CF. That the abnormalities exist prior to feeding implies that dietary measures alone will not address the mechanisms of imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliye Uc
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Birgitta Strandvik
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet NEO, Flemingsberg, Stockholm 14183, Sweden
| | - Jianrong Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Yaling Yi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Xingshen Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Ruth Welti
- Kansas Lipidomics Research Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, U.S.A
| | - John F. Engelhardt
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
| | - Andrew W. Norris
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, U.S.A
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13
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Cystic Fibrosis Patients with F508del/Minimal Function Genotype: Laboratory and Nutritional Evaluations after One Year of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Treatment. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11236900. [PMID: 36498475 PMCID: PMC9735556 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The last ten years have been characterized by an enormous step forward in the therapy and management of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), thanks to the development and combination of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Receptor (CFTR) correctors and potentiators. Specifically, the last approved triple combination elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor has been demonstrated to improve lung function in CF patients with both homozygous Phe508del and Phe508del/minimal function genotypes. Here we have assessed the effect of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in patients carrying the Phe508del/minimal function genotype (n = 20) after one year of treatments on liver function and nutrient absorption with a focus on lipid metabolism. We show that weight, BMI, and albumin significantly increase, suggesting a positive impact of the treatment on nutrient absorption. Furthermore, cholesterol levels as a biomarker of lipid metabolism increased significantly after one year of treatment. Most importantly, we suggest that these results were not dependent on the diet composition, possibly indicating that the drug improves the hepatic synthesis and secretion of proteins and cholesterol.
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14
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Shrestha N, McCarron A, Rout-Pitt N, Donnelley M, Parsons DW, Hryciw DH. Essential Fatty Acid Deficiency in Cystic Fibrosis Disease Progression: Role of Genotype and Sex. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214666. [PMID: 36364928 PMCID: PMC9657825 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate intake of nutrients such as essential fatty acids (EFA) are critical in cystic fibrosis (CF). The clinical course of deterioration of lung function in people with CF has been shown to relate to nutrition. Independent of the higher energy consumption and malabsorption due to pancreatic insufficiency, EFA deficiency is closely associated with the risk of pulmonary infection, the most significant pathology in CF. This review will focus on the EFA deficiency identified in people with CF, as well as the limited progress made in deciphering the exact metabolic pathways that are dysfunctional in CF. Specifically, people with CF are deficient in linoleic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid, and the ratio of arachidonic acid (omega 6 metabolite) and docosahexaenoic acid (omega 3 metabolite) is increased. Analysis of the molecular pathways in bronchial cells has identified changes in the enzymes that metabolise EFA. However, fatty acid metabolism primarily occurs in the liver, with EFA metabolism in CF liver not yet investigated, indicating that further research is required. Despite limited understanding in this area, it is well known that adequate EFA concentrations are critical to normal membrane structure and function, and thus are important to consider in disease processes. Novel insights into the relationship between CF genotype and EFA phenotype will be discussed, in addition to sex differences in EFA concentrations in people with CF. Collectively, investigating the specific effects of genotype and sex on fatty acid metabolism may provide support for the management of people with CF via personalised genotype- and sex-specific nutritional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirajan Shrestha
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Alexandra McCarron
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Nathan Rout-Pitt
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - David W. Parsons
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Deanne H. Hryciw
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3735-3601
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15
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Kim MD, Chung S, Dennis JS, Yoshida M, Aguiar C, Aller SP, Mendes ES, Schmid A, Sabater J, Baumlin N, Salathe M. Vegetable glycerin e-cigarette aerosols cause airway inflammation and ion channel dysfunction. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1012723. [PMID: 36225570 PMCID: PMC9549247 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1012723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) serve as delivery vehicles for nicotine and flavorings in most e-cigarette (e-cig) liquids. Here, we investigated whether VG e-cig aerosols, in the absence of nicotine and flavors, impact parameters of mucociliary function in human volunteers, a large animal model (sheep), and air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). We found that VG-containing (VG or PG/VG), but not sole PG-containing, e-cig aerosols reduced the activity of nasal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in human volunteers who vaped for seven days. Markers of inflammation, including interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-8 (IL8) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) mRNAs, as well as MMP-9 activity and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) expression levels, were also elevated in nasal samples from volunteers who vaped VG-containing e-liquids. In sheep, exposures to VG e-cig aerosols for five days increased mucus concentrations and MMP-9 activity in tracheal secretions and plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). In vitro exposure of HBECs to VG e-cig aerosols for five days decreased ciliary beating and increased mucus concentrations. VG e-cig aerosols also reduced CFTR function in HBECs, mechanistically by reducing membrane fluidity. Although VG e-cig aerosols did not increase MMP9 mRNA expression, expression levels of IL6, IL8, TGFB1, and MUC5AC mRNAs were significantly increased in HBECs after seven days of exposure. Thus, VG e-cig aerosols can potentially cause harm in the airway by inducing inflammation and ion channel dysfunction with consequent mucus hyperconcentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Samuel Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - John S. Dennis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Makoto Yoshida
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Carolina Aguiar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sheyla P. Aller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Eliana S. Mendes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Juan Sabater
- Department of Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, United States
| | - Nathalie Baumlin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Matthias Salathe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States,*Correspondence: Matthias Salathe,
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16
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Centorame A, Dumut DC, Youssef M, Ondra M, Kianicka I, Shah J, Paun RA, Ozdian T, Hanrahan JW, Gusev E, Petrof B, Hajduch M, Pislariu R, De Sanctis JB, Radzioch D. Treatment With LAU-7b Complements CFTR Modulator Therapy by Improving Lung Physiology and Normalizing Lipid Imbalance Associated With CF Lung Disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:876842. [PMID: 35668939 PMCID: PMC9163687 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.876842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive genetic disease in Caucasians, affecting more than 100,000 individuals worldwide. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the gene encoding CFTR, an anion channel at the plasma membrane of epithelial and other cells. Many CF pathogenic variants disrupt the biosynthesis and trafficking of CFTR or reduce its ion channel function. The most frequent mutation, loss of a phenylalanine at position 508 (F508del), leads to misfolding, retention in the endoplasmic reticulum, and premature degradation of the protein. The therapeutics available for treating CF lung disease include antibiotics, mucolytics, bronchodilators, physiotherapy, and most recently CFTR modulators. To date, no cure for this life shortening disease has been found. Treatment with the Triple combination drug therapy, TRIKAFTA®, is composed of three drugs: Elexacaftor (VX-445), Tezacaftor (VX-661) and Ivacaftor (VX-770). This therapy, benefits persons with CF, improving their weight, lung function, energy levels (as defined by reduced fatigue), and overall quality of life. We examined the effect of combining LAU-7b oral treatment and Triple therapy combination on lung function in a F508deltm1EUR mouse model that displays lung abnormalities relevant to human CF. We assessed lung function, lung histopathology, protein oxidation, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid and lipid profiles in F508deltm1EUR mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Centorame
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Daciana Catalina Dumut
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mina Youssef
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Ondra
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | | | - Juhi Shah
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Radu Alexandru Paun
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tomas Ozdian
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - John W. Hanrahan
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Gusev
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, The Centre for Respiratory Research at McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Basil Petrof
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, The Centre for Respiratory Research at McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | | | - Juan Bautista De Sanctis
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Danuta Radzioch
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Laurent Pharmaceuticals, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Danuta Radzioch,
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17
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The NSAID glafenine rescues class 2 CFTR mutants via cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition of the arachidonic acid pathway. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4595. [PMID: 35302062 PMCID: PMC8930988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08661-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most cases of cystic fibrosis (CF) are caused by class 2 mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR). These proteins preserve some channel function but are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Partial rescue of the most common CFTR class 2 mutant, F508del-CFTR, has been achieved through the development of pharmacological chaperones (Tezacaftor and Elexacaftor) that bind CFTR directly. However, it is not clear whether these drugs will rescue all class 2 CFTR mutants to a medically relevant level. We have previously shown that the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen can correct F508del-CFTR trafficking. Here, we utilized RNAi and pharmacological inhibitors to determine the mechanism of action of the NSAID glafenine. Using cellular thermal stability assays (CETSAs), we show that it is a proteostasis modulator. Using medicinal chemistry, we identified a derivative with a fourfold increase in CFTR corrector potency. Furthermore, we show that these novel arachidonic acid pathway inhibitors can rescue difficult-to-correct class 2 mutants, such as G85E-CFTR > 13%, that of non-CF cells in well-differentiated HBE cells. Thus, the results suggest that targeting the arachidonic acid pathway may be a profitable way of developing correctors of certain previously hard-to-correct class 2 CFTR mutations.
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18
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Hryciw DH, Jackson CA, Shrestha N, Parsons D, Donnelley M, McAinch AJ. Role for animal models in understanding essential fatty acid deficiency in cystic fibrosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7991-7999. [PMID: 34741185 PMCID: PMC11072998 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04014-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Essential fatty acid deficiency has been observed in most patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF); however, pancreatic supplementation does not restore the deficiency, suggesting a different pathology independent of the pancreas. At this time, the underlying pathological mechanisms are largely unknown. Essential fatty acids are obtained from the diet and processed by organs including the liver and intestine, two organs significantly impacted by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (Cftr). There are several CF animal models in a variety of species that have been developed to investigate molecular mechanisms associated with the CF phenotype. Specifically, global and systemic mutations in Cftr which mimic genotypic changes identified in CF patients have been generated in mice, rats, sheep, pigs and ferrets. These mutations produce CFTR proteins with a gating defect, trafficking defect, or an absent or inactive CFTR channel. Essential fatty acids are critical to CFTR function, with a bidirectional relationship between CFTR and essential fatty acids proposed. Currently, there are limited analyses on the essential fatty acid status in most of these animal models. Of interest, in the mouse model, essential fatty acid status is dependent on the genotype and resultant phenotype of the mouse. Future investigations should identify an optimal animal model that has most of the phenotypic changes associated with CF including the essential fatty acid deficiencies, which can be used in the development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanne H Hryciw
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia.
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Courtney A Jackson
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Nirajan Shrestha
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - David Parsons
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Martin Donnelley
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrew J McAinch
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
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19
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Hanssens LS, Duchateau J, Casimir GJ. CFTR Protein: Not Just a Chloride Channel? Cells 2021; 10:2844. [PMID: 34831067 PMCID: PMC8616376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in a gene encoding a protein called Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR). The CFTR protein is known to acts as a chloride (Cl-) channel expressed in the exocrine glands of several body systems where it also regulates other ion channels, including the epithelial sodium (Na+) channel (ENaC) that plays a key role in salt absorption. This function is crucial to the osmotic balance of the mucus and its viscosity. However, the pathophysiology of CF is more challenging than a mere dysregulation of epithelial ion transport, mainly resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance (MCC) with consecutive bronchiectasis and in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This review shows that the CFTR protein is not just a chloride channel. For a long time, research in CF has focused on abnormal Cl- and Na+ transport. Yet, the CFTR protein also regulates numerous other pathways, such as the transport of HCO3-, glutathione and thiocyanate, immune cells, and the metabolism of lipids. It influences the pH homeostasis of airway surface liquid and thus the MCC as well as innate immunity leading to chronic infection and inflammation, all of which are considered as key pathophysiological characteristics of CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence S. Hanssens
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Avenue J.J. Crocq 15, 1020 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jean Duchateau
- Laboratoire Académique de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Avenue J.J. Crocq 15, 1020 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Georges J. Casimir
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Avenue J.J. Crocq 15, 1020 Brussels, Belgium;
- Laboratoire Académique de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Avenue J.J. Crocq 15, 1020 Brussels, Belgium;
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20
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Cottrill KA, Giacalone VD, Margaroli C, Bridges RJ, Koval M, Tirouvanziam R, McCarty NA. Mechanistic analysis and significance of sphingomyelinase-mediated decreases in transepithelial CFTR currents in nHBEs. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e15023. [PMID: 34514718 PMCID: PMC8436056 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15023] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of function of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) causes cystic fibrosis (CF). In the lungs, this manifests as immune cell infiltration and bacterial infections, leading to tissue destruction. Previous work has determined that acute bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase) decreases CFTR function in bronchial epithelial cells from individuals without CF (nHBEs) and with CF (cfHBEs, homozygous ΔF508-CFTR mutation). This study focuses on exploring the mechanisms underlying this effect. SMase increased the abundance of dihydroceramides, a result mimicked by blockade of ceramidase enzyme using ceranib-1, which also decreased CFTR function. The SMase-mediated inhibitory mechanism did not involve the reduction of cellular CFTR abundance or removal of CFTR from the apical surface, nor did it involve the activation of 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In order to determine the pathological relevance of these sphingolipid imbalances, we evaluated the sphingolipid profiles of cfHBEs and cfHNEs (nasal) as compared to non-CF controls. Sphingomyelins, ceramides, and dihydroceramides were largely increased in CF cells. Correction of ΔF508-CFTR trafficking with VX445 + VX661 decreased some sphingomyelins and all ceramides, but exacerbated increases in dihydroceramides. Additional treatment with the CFTR potentiator VX770 did not affect these changes, suggesting rescue of misfolded CFTR was sufficient. We furthermore determined that cfHBEs express more acid-SMase protein than nHBEs. Lastly, we determined that airway-like neutrophils, which are increased in the CF lung, secrete acid-SMase. Identifying the mechanism of SMase-mediated inhibition of CFTR will be important, given the imbalance of sphingolipids in CF cells and the secretion of acid-SMase from cell types relevant to CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten A. Cottrill
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology PhD ProgramEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Vincent D. Giacalone
- Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis PhD ProgramEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Camilla Margaroli
- Department of MedicineDivision of PulmonaryAllergy & Critical Care MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Program in Protease/Matrix BiologyUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Robert J. Bridges
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsCenter for Genetic DiseasesChicago Medical SchoolNorth ChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Michael Koval
- Department of MedicineDivision of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and Department of Cell BiologyEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Healthcare of AtlantaCenter for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease ResearchEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Nael A. McCarty
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology PhD ProgramEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Healthcare of AtlantaCenter for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease ResearchEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
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21
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Cui G, Cottrill KA, Strickland KM, Mashburn SA, Koval M, McCarty NA. Alteration of Membrane Cholesterol Content Plays a Key Role in Regulation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Channel Activity. Front Physiol 2021; 12:652513. [PMID: 34163370 PMCID: PMC8215275 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.652513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered cholesterol homeostasis in cystic fibrosis patients has been reported, although controversy remains. As a major membrane lipid component, cholesterol modulates the function of multiple ion channels by complicated mechanisms. However, whether cholesterol directly modulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel function remains unknown. To answer this question, we determined the effects of changing plasma membrane cholesterol levels on CFTR channel function utilizing polarized fischer rat thyroid (FRT) cells and primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) significantly reduced total cholesterol content in FRT cells, which significantly decreased forskolin (FSK)-mediated activation of both wildtype (WT-) and P67L-CFTR. This effect was also seen in HBE cells expressing WT-CFTR. Cholesterol modification by cholesterol oxidase and cholesterol esterase also distinctly affected activation of CFTR by FSK. In addition, alteration of cholesterol increased the potency of VX-770, a clinically used potentiator of CFTR, when both WT- and P67L-CFTR channels were activated at low FSK concentrations; this likely reflects the apparent shift in the sensitivity of WT-CFTR to FSK after alteration of membrane cholesterol. These results demonstrate that changes in the plasma membrane cholesterol level significantly modulate CFTR channel function and consequently may affect sensitivity to clinical therapeutics in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiying Cui
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy/Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory + Children's Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kirsten A Cottrill
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy/Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory + Children's Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kerry M Strickland
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy/Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory + Children's Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah A Mashburn
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael Koval
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nael A McCarty
- Division of Pulmonology, Allergy/Immunology, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Department of Pediatrics, Emory + Children's Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airways Disease Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
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22
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Strandvik B. Is the ENaC Dysregulation in CF an Effect of Protein-Lipid Interaction in the Membranes? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052739. [PMID: 33800499 PMCID: PMC7962953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
While approximately 2000 mutations have been discovered in the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), only a small amount (about 10%) is associated with clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. The discovery of the association between CFTR and the hyperactive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) has raised the question of the influence of ENaC on the clinical CF phenotype. ENaC disturbance contributes to the pathological secretion, and overexpression of one ENaC subunit, the β-unit, can give a CF-like phenotype in mice with normal acting CFTR. The development of ENaC channel modulators is now in progress. Both CFTR and ENaC are located in the cell membrane and are influenced by its lipid configuration. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of the interaction of lipids and these proteins in the membranes. Linoleic acid deficiency is the most prevailing lipid abnormality in CF, and linoleic acid is an important constituent of membranes. The influence on sodium excretion by linoleic acid supplementation indicates that lipid-protein interaction is of importance for the clinical pathophysiology in CF. Further studies of this association can imply a simple clinical adjuvant in CF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Strandvik
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet NEO, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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D'Aprile C, Prioni S, Mauri L, Prinetti A, Grassi S. Lipid rafts as platforms for sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism and signalling. Cell Signal 2021; 80:109929. [PMID: 33493577 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous segregation of cholesterol and sphingolipids as a liquid-ordered phase leads to their clustering in selected membrane areas, the lipid rafts. These specialized membrane domains enriched in gangliosides, sphingomyelin, cholesterol and selected proteins involved in signal transduction, organize and determine the function of multiprotein complexes involved in several aspects of signal transduction, thus regulating cell homeostasis. Sphingosine 1-phosphate, an important biologically active mediator, is involved in several signal transduction processes regulating a plethora of cell functions and, not only several of its downstream effectors tend to localize in lipid rafts, some of the enzymes involved in its pathway, of receptors involved in its signalling and its transporters have been often found in these membrane microdomains. Considering this, in this review we address what is currently known regarding the relationship between sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism and signalling and plasma membrane lipid rafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara D'Aprile
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Prioni
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mauri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Prinetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Grassi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
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24
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Liessi N, Pedemonte N, Armirotti A, Braccia C. Proteomics and Metabolomics for Cystic Fibrosis Research. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155439. [PMID: 32751630 PMCID: PMC7432297 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this review article is to introduce the reader to the state-of-the-art of the contribution that proteomics and metabolomics sciences are currently providing for cystic fibrosis (CF) research: from the understanding of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biology to biomarker discovery for CF diagnosis. Our work particularly focuses on CFTR post-translational modifications and their role in cellular trafficking as well as on studies that allowed the identification of CFTR molecular interactors. We also show how metabolomics is currently helping biomarker discovery in CF. The most recent advances in these fields are covered by this review, as well as some considerations on possible future scenarios for new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Liessi
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Pedemonte
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica, IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy;
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Lab, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-010-2896-938
| | - Clarissa Braccia
- D3PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy;
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