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Zhang Y, Zhang T, Li M, Miao M. Rational design to improve the catalytic efficiency and stability of arginine deiminase. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:132083. [PMID: 38705327 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Arginine deiminase (ADI) has garnered significant interest because of its ability to objectively eradicate cancer cells and produce L-citrulline. To meet the production demands, this study focused on enhancing the enzyme activity and thermal stability of ADI. In this study, 24 ADI mutants were obtained through computer aid site-specific mutation in the ADI of Enterobacter faecalis. Notably, the specific enzyme activities of F44W, N163P, E220I, E220L, N318E, A336G, T340I, and N382F increased, reaching 1.33-2.53 times that of the original enzyme. This study confirmed that site-specific mutations are critical for optimizing enzyme function. Additionally, the F44W, N163P, E220I, T340I, and A336G mutants demonstrated good thermal stability. The optimal pH for mutant F44W increased to 8, whereas mutants E220I, I244V, A336G, T340I, and N328F maintained an optimal pH of 7.5. Conversely, the M109L, N163P, E220L, I244L, and N318E mutants shad an optimal pH of 7. This study revealed that mutant enzymes with increased activity were more likely to contain mutation sites situated near the four loops associated with catalytic residues, whereas mutations at the dimer junction sites had a higher tendency to enhance enzyme stability. These findings contribute to the development of ADI industrial applications and its modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| | - Mengli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Ming Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Science and Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
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2
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Ding Q, Li R, Wang Q, Yu L, Zi F. A pan-cancer analysis of the role of argininosuccinate synthase 1 in human tumors. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1049147. [PMID: 38053661 PMCID: PMC10694447 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1049147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim There is accumulating evidence indicating that ASS1 is closely related to tumors. No pan-cancer analysis of ASS1 was available. Methods Here we explored the gene expression and survival analysis of ASS1 across thirty-three tumors based on the datasets of the TCGA (Cancer Genome Atlas), the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus), and the GEPIA2 (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, version 2). Results ASS1 is highly expressed in most normal tissues and is related to the progression of some tumors. We also report ASS1 genetic alteration and their association with tumor prognosis and report differences in ASS1 phosphorylation sites between tumors and control normal tissues. ASS1 expression was associated with the infiltration of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) for the TCGA tumors of BRCA (Breast invasive carcinoma), CESC (Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma), COAD (Colon adenocarcinoma), ESCA (Esophageal carcinoma), SKCM (Skin cutaneous melanoma), SKCM-Metastasis, TGCT (Testicular germ cell tumors), and endothelial cell for the tumors of BRCA, BRCA-Basal, CESC, ESCA, KIRC (Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma), LUAD (Lung adenocarcinoma), LUSC (Lung squamous cell carcinoma), SKCM, SKCM-Metastasis, SKCM-Primary, STAD (Stomach adenocarcinoma), and TGCT. The KEGG and GO analysis were used to analyze ASS1-related signaling pathways. Finally, we used Huh7 cell line to verify the function of ASS1 in vitro. After ASS1 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA), the proliferation and invasion of Huh7 were enhanced, cyclin D1 was up-regulated, and anti-apoptotic protein bax was down-regulated, suggesting that ASS1 is a tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusion Our first pan-cancer study offers a relatively comprehensive understanding of the roles of ASS1 in different tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Hematology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ruiqi Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Hematology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qingming Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Hematology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Hematology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Fuming Zi
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Hematology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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3
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Wei X, Chow HY, Chong HC, Leung SL, Ho MK, Lee MY, Leung YC. Arginine Is a Novel Drug Target for Arginine Decarboxylase in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13741. [PMID: 37762044 PMCID: PMC10531272 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813741] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been proven to be highly reliant on arginine availability. Limiting arginine-rich foods or treating patients with arginine-depleting enzymes arginine deiminase (ADI) or arginase can suppress colon cancer. However, arginase and ADI are not the best drug candidates for CRC. Ornithine, the product of arginase, can enhance the supply of polyamine, which favors CRC cell growth, while citrulline, the product of ADI, faces the problem of arginine recycling due to the overexpression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS). Biosynthetic arginine decarboxylase (ADC), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arginine to agmatine and carbon dioxide, may be a better choice as it combines both arginine depletion and suppression of intracellular polyamine synthesis via its product agmatine. ADC has anti-tumor potential yet has received much less attention than the other two arginine-depleting enzymes. In order to gain a better understanding of ADC, the preparation and the anti-cancer properties of this enzyme were explored in this study. When tested in vitro, ADC inhibited the proliferation of three colorectal cancer cell lines regardless of their ASS cellular expression. In contrast, ADC had a lesser cytotoxic effect on the human foreskin fibroblasts and rat primary hepatocytes. Further in vitro studies revealed that ADC induced S and G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCT116 and LoVo cells. ADC-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells followed the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and was caspase-3-dependent. With all results obtained, we suggest that arginine is a potential target for treating colorectal cancer with ADC, and the anti-cancer properties of ADC should be more deeply investigated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlei Wei
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho-Yin Chow
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu-Chi Chong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu-Lun Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mei-Ki Ho
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man-Yuen Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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4
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Chung SF, Tam SY, Kim CF, Chong HC, Lee LMY, Leung YC. Mono-PEGylated thermostable Bacillus caldovelox arginase mutant (BCA-M-PEG20) induces apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle arrest and growth inhibition in gastric cancer cells. Invest New Drugs 2022; 40:895-904. [PMID: 35857203 PMCID: PMC9395487 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-022-01265-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant solid tumors in the world, especially in Asia with high mortality due to a lack of effective treatment. The potential usage of the newly constructed arginine-depleting enzyme-mono-PEGylated Bacillus caldovelox arginase mutant (BCA-M-PEG20), an effective drug against multiple cancer cell lines such as cervical and lung cancers, for the treatment of gastric cancer was demonstrated. Our results indicated that BCA-M-PEG20 significantly inhibited argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS)-positive gastric cancer cells, MKN-45 and BGC-823, while another arginine-depleting enzyme, arginine deiminase (ADI, currently under Phase III clinical trial), failed to suppress the growth of gastric cancer cells. In vitro studies demonstrated that BCA-M-PEG20 inhibited MKN-45 cells by inducing autophagy and cell cycle arrest at the S phase under 0.58 U/mL (IC<sub>50</sub> values). Significant caspase-dependent apoptosis was induced in MKN-45 after the treatment with 2.32 U/mL of BCA-M-PEG20. In vivo studies showed that administrations of BCA-M-PEG20 at 250 U/mouse twice per week significantly suppressed about 50% of tumor growth in the MKN-45 gastric cancer xenograft model. Taken together, BCA-M-PEG20 demonstrated a superior potential to be an anti-gastric cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Fung Chung
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet-Ying Tam
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chi-Fai Kim
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu-Chi Chong
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Leo Man-Yuen Lee
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- grid.16890.360000 0004 1764 6123Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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Rashno Z, Sharifi I, Oliaee RT, Tajbakhsh S, Sharififar F, Sharifi F, Hatami A, Faridi A, Babaei Z. Anti-leishmanial activity of Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae family) leaves hydroalcoholic extract and its possible cellular mechanisms. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022; 17:e00239. [PMID: 35146140 PMCID: PMC8801380 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2022.e00239] [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: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural products are the main source of potent antioxidants and anti-leishmanial agents. This study was aimed to evaluate Avicennia marina (Avicenniaceae family) extract inhibitory effect against Leishmania tropica by accessing apoptotic markers and arginase activity. The A. marina were extracted and phytochemical analysis conducted. The inhibitory effect of A. marina was evaluated on L. tropica promastigote and amastigote forms, compared to meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime, MA) as standard drug. The level of apoptosis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and arginase activity was assessed in A. marina-treated cells compared to control group. Phytochemical screening of A. marina extract showed strong presence of tannins and saponins. We demonstrated the inhibitory effect of A. marina on promastigote stages in a dose dependent manner. Also, lower 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of amastigotes was indicated in A. marina group compared with the standard group of Glucantime (60.57 ± 1.46 vs. 73.19 ± 10.12 μg/mL, respectively, P < 0.05). Besides, A. marina represented no cytotoxicity as the selectivity index (SI) was 10.7. Also, it showed the potential to induce early apoptosis of 46.5% in promastigotes at 125 μg/mL concentration. Significant reduction of arginase level was observed in both A. marina-treated cells and promastigotes. The promising results indicated higher effectiveness of A. marina in decreasing parasite growth, inducing apoptosis in promastigotes, increasing ROS production and decreasing arginase level. So, A. marina can be a native plant candidate for anti-leishmanial drug in tropical regions with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. tropica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Rashno
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Razieh Tavakoli Oliaee
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Saeed Tajbakhsh
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fariba Sharififar
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sharifi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Abbas Hatami
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ashkan Faridi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Babaei
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Corresponding author at: Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Cai Y, Chow JPH, Leung YO, Lu X, Yuen CH, Lee WL, Chau KC, Yang LL, Wong RMH, Lam JYT, Chow DTL, Chung SHK, Kwok SY, Leung YC. NEI-01-Induced Arginine Deprivation Has Potent Activity Against Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Both In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:2218-2227. [PMID: 34433661 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that targeting amino acid metabolic enzymes is a promising strategy in cancer therapy. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) downregulates the expression of argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1), a recognized rate-limiting enzyme for arginine synthesis, and yet displays a critical dependence on extracellular arginine for survival and proliferation. This dependence on extracellular arginine, also known as arginine auxotrophy, suggests that arginine deprivation would be a treatment strategy for AML. NEI-01, a novel arginine-depleting enzyme, is capable of binding to serum albumin to extend its circulating half-life, leading to a potent anticancer activity. Here we reported the preclinical activity of NEI-01 in arginine auxotrophic AMLs. NEI-01 efficiently depleted arginine both in vitro and in vivo NEI-01-induced arginine deprivation was cytotoxic to arginine auxotrophic AML cells through induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, the potent anti-leukemia activities of NEI-01 were observed in three different types of mouse models including human cell line-derived xenograft, mouse cell line-derived homografts in syngeneic mice and patient-derived xenograft. This preclinical data provide strong evidence to support the potential use of NEI-01 as a therapeutic approach in AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Cai
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China.
| | | | - Yu-On Leung
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoxu Lu
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak-Ho Yuen
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Lun Lee
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Chun Chau
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Liz L Yang
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | | | | | - Sui-Yi Kwok
- New Epsilon Innovation Limited, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and Lo Ka Chung Research Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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7
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Kumari N, Bansal S. Arginine depriving enzymes: applications as emerging therapeutics in cancer treatment. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2021; 88:565-594. [PMID: 34309734 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04335-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy and other medications are employed to treat various types of cancer. However, each treatment has its own set of side effects, owing to its low specificity. As a result, there is an urgent need for newer therapeutics that do not disrupt healthy cells' normal functioning. Depriving nutrient or non/semi-essential amino acids to which cancerous cells are auxotrophic remains one such promising anticancer strategy. L-Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential vital amino acid involved in versatile metabolic processes, signaling pathways, and cancer cell proliferation. Hence, the administration of Arg depriving enzymes (ADE) such as arginase, arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and arginine deiminase (ADI) could be effective in cancer therapy. The Arg auxotrophic cancerous cells like hepatocellular carcinoma, human colon cancer, leukemia, and breast cancer cells are sensitive to ADE treatment due to low expression of crucial enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), and ornithine transcarbamylase (OCT). These therapeutic enzyme treatments induce cell death through inducing autophagy, apoptosis, generation of oxidative species, i.e., oxidative stress, and arresting the progression and expansion of cancerous cells at certain cell cycle checkpoints. The enzymes are undergoing clinical trials and could be successfully exploited as potential anticancer agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Kumari
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology Waknaghat, Solan, 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Saurabh Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology Waknaghat, Solan, 173234, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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8
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Wu C, You M, Nguyen D, Wangpaichitr M, Li YY, Feun LG, Kuo MT, Savaraj N. Enhancing the Effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Signaling and Arginine Deprivation in Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147628. [PMID: 34299249 PMCID: PMC8306073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma as a very aggressive type of cancer is still in urgent need of improved treatment. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) are two of many suggested drugs for treating melanoma. Both have shown anti-tumor activities without harming normal cells. However, resistance to both drugs has also been noted. Studies on the mechanism of action of and resistance to these drugs provide multiple targets that can be utilized to increase the efficacy and overcome the resistance. As a result, combination strategies have been proposed for these drug candidates with various other agents, and achieved enhanced or synergistic anti-tumor effect. The combination of TRAIL and ADI-PEG20 as one example can greatly enhance the cytotoxicity to melanoma cells including those resistant to the single component of this combination. It is found that combination treatment generally can alter the expression of the components of cell signaling in melanoma cells to favor cell death. In this paper, the signaling of TRAIL and ADI-PEG20-induced arginine deprivation including the main mechanism of resistance to these drugs and exemplary combination strategies is discussed. Finally, factors hampering the clinical application of both drugs, current and future development to overcome these hurdles are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjing Wu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Min You
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
| | - Dao Nguyen
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Medhi Wangpaichitr
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ying-Ying Li
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Lynn G. Feun
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Macus T. Kuo
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Niramol Savaraj
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami VA Healthcare System, Research Service, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (C.W.); (M.W.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.Y.); (D.N.); (L.G.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-305-575-3143; Fax: +1-305-575-3375
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9
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Badeaux MD, Rolig AS, Agnello G, Enzler D, Kasiewicz MJ, Priddy L, Wiggins JF, Muir A, Sullivan MR, Van Cleef J, Daige C, Vander Heiden MG, Rajamanickam V, Wooldridge JE, Redmond WL, Rowlinson SW. Arginase Therapy Combines Effectively with Immune Checkpoint Blockade or Agonist Anti-OX40 Immunotherapy to Control Tumor Growth. Cancer Immunol Res 2021; 9:415-429. [PMID: 33500272 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-20-0317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer. Many tumors exhibit auxotrophy for various amino acids, such as arginine, because they are unable to meet the demand for these amino acids through endogenous production. This vulnerability can be exploited by employing therapeutic strategies that deplete systemic arginine in order to limit the growth and survival of arginine auxotrophic tumors. Pegzilarginase, a human arginase-1 enzyme engineered to have superior stability and enzymatic activity relative to the native human arginase-1 enzyme, depletes systemic arginine by converting it to ornithine and urea. Therapeutic administration of pegzilarginase in the setting of arginine auxotrophic tumors exerts direct antitumor activity by starving the tumor of exogenous arginine. We hypothesized that in addition to this direct effect, pegzilarginase treatment indirectly augments antitumor immunity through increased antigen presentation, thus making pegzilarginase a prime candidate for combination therapy with immuno-oncology (I-O) agents. Tumor-bearing mice (CT26, MC38, and MCA-205) receiving pegzilarginase in combination with anti-PD-L1 or agonist anti-OX40 experienced significantly increased survival relative to animals receiving I-O monotherapy. Combination pegzilarginase/immunotherapy induced robust antitumor immunity characterized by increased intratumoral effector CD8+ T cells and M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. Our data suggest potential mechanisms of synergy between pegzilarginase and I-O agents that include increased intratumoral MHC expression on both antigen-presenting cells and tumor cells, and increased presence of M1-like antitumor macrophages. These data support the clinical evaluation of I-O agents in conjunction with pegzilarginase for the treatment of patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annah S Rolig
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | - Melissa J Kasiewicz
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | - Alexander Muir
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mark R Sullivan
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Matthew G Vander Heiden
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - William L Redmond
- Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon.
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10
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Zhang Y, Chung SF, Tam SY, Leung YC, Guan X. Arginine deprivation as a strategy for cancer therapy: An insight into drug design and drug combination. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:58-70. [PMID: 33429005 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Extensive studies have shown that cancer cells have specific nutrient auxotrophy and thus have much a higher demand for certain nutrients than normal cells. Amino acid deprivation has attracted much attention in cancer therapy with positive outcomes from clinical trials. Arginine, as one of the conditionally essential amino acids, plays a pivotal role in cellular division and metabolism. Since many types of cancer cells exhibit decreased expression of argininosuccinate synthetase and/or ornithine transcarbamylase, they are auxotrophic for arginine, which makes arginine deprivation an accessible choice for cancer treatment. Arginine deiminase (ADI) and human arginase (hArg) are the two major protein drugs used for arginine deprivation and are undergoing many clinical trials. However, the clinical application of ADI and hArg is facing some common problems, including their short half-lives, immunogenicity and inconsistent production, which underlines the importance of improving these drugs using protein engineering techniques. Thus, we systematically review the latest studies of protein engineering and anti-cancer studies based on in vitro, in vivo and clinical models of ADI and hArg, and we include the latest studies on drug combinations consisting of ADI/hArg with chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Food Rapid Detection, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Fung Chung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet-Ying Tam
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Lo Ka Chung Research Center for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development and State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Xiao Guan
- School of Medical Instruments and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Chung SF, Kim CF, Kwok SY, Tam SY, Chen YW, Chong HC, Leung SL, So PK, Wong KY, Leung YC, Lo WH. Mono-PEGylation of a Thermostable Arginine-Depleting Enzyme for the Treatment of Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124234. [PMID: 32545874 PMCID: PMC7353006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
L-arginine (L-Arg) depletion induced by randomly PEGylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) can treat arginosuccinate synthase (ASS)-negative cancers, and ADI-PEG20 is undergoing phase III clinical trials. Unfortunately, ASS-positive cancers are resistant to ADI-PEG20. Moreover, the yield of ADI production is low because of the formation of inclusion bodies. Here, we report a thermostable arginine-depleting enzyme, Bacillus caldovelox arginase mutant (BCA-M: Ser161->Cys161). An abundant amount of BCA-M was easily obtained via high cell-density fermentation and heat treatment purification. Subsequently, we prepared BCA-M-PEG20, by conjugating a single 20 kDa PEG monomer onto the Cys161 residue via thio-chemistry. Unlike ADI-PEG20, BCA-M-PEG20 significantly inhibited ASS-positive lung cancer cell growth. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that a single intraperitoneal injection (i.p). administration of 250 U/mouse of BCA-M-PEG20 induced low L-Arg level over 168 h. The mono-PEGylation of BCA-M prolonged its elimination half-life from 6.4 to 91.4 h (a 14-fold increase). In an A549 lung cancer xenograft model, a weekly administration of 250 U/mouse of BCA-M-PEG20 suppressed tumor growth significantly. We also observed that BCA-M-PEG20 did not cause any significant safety issue in mouse models. Overall, BCA-M-PEG20 showed excellent results in drug production, potency, and stability. Thereby, it has great potential to become a promising candidate for lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kwok-Yin Wong
- Correspondence: (K.-Y.W.); (Y.-C.L.); (W.-H.L.); Tel.: +852-3400-8661 (Y.-C.L.)
| | - Yun-Chung Leung
- Correspondence: (K.-Y.W.); (Y.-C.L.); (W.-H.L.); Tel.: +852-3400-8661 (Y.-C.L.)
| | - Wai-Hung Lo
- Correspondence: (K.-Y.W.); (Y.-C.L.); (W.-H.L.); Tel.: +852-3400-8661 (Y.-C.L.)
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12
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Ji JX, Cochrane DR, Tessier-Cloutier B, Chen SY, Ho G, Pathak KV, Alcazar IN, Farnell D, Leung S, Cheng A, Chow C, Colborne S, Negri GL, Kommoss F, Karnezis A, Morin GB, McAlpine JN, Gilks CB, Weissman BE, Trent JM, Hoang L, Pirrotte P, Wang Y, Huntsman DG. Arginine Depletion Therapy with ADI-PEG20 Limits Tumor Growth in Argininosuccinate Synthase-Deficient Ovarian Cancer, Including Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:4402-4413. [PMID: 32409304 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-1905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many rare ovarian cancer subtypes, such as small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), have poor prognosis due to their aggressive nature and resistance to standard platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. The development of effective therapeutics has been hindered by the rarity of such tumors. We sought to identify targetable vulnerabilities in rare ovarian cancer subtypes. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We compared the global proteomic landscape of six cases each of endometrioid ovarian cancer (ENOC), clear cell ovarian cancer (CCOC), and SCCOHT to the most common subtype, high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), to identify potential therapeutic targets. IHC of tissue microarrays was used as validation of arginosuccinate synthase (ASS1) deficiency. The efficacy of arginine-depriving therapeutic ADI-PEG20 was assessed in vitro using cell lines and patient-derived xenograft mouse models representing SCCOHT. RESULTS Global proteomic analysis identified low ASS1 expression in ENOC, CCOC, and SCCOHT compared with HGSC. Low ASS1 levels were validated through IHC in large patient cohorts. The lowest levels of ASS1 were observed in SCCOHT, where ASS1 was absent in 12 of 31 cases, and expressed in less than 5% of the tumor cells in 9 of 31 cases. ASS1-deficient ovarian cancer cells were sensitive to ADI-PEG20 treatment regardless of subtype in vitro. Furthermore, in two cell line mouse xenograft models and one patient-derived mouse xenograft model of SCCOHT, once-a-week treatment with ADI-PEG20 (30 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg) inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies identified ADI-PEG20 as a potential therapy for patients with rare ovarian cancers, including SCCOHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer X Ji
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Dawn R Cochrane
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Basile Tessier-Cloutier
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shary Yutin Chen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Germain Ho
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Khyatiben V Pathak
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Isabel N Alcazar
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - David Farnell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Samuel Leung
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Angela Cheng
- Genetic Pathology Evaluation Center, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Shane Colborne
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gian Luca Negri
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Friedrich Kommoss
- Institute of Pathology, Medizin Campus Bodensee, Friedrichshafen, Germany
| | - Anthony Karnezis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Gregg B Morin
- Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jessica N McAlpine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - C Blake Gilks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bernard E Weissman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jeffrey M Trent
- Integrated Cancer Genomics, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Lynn Hoang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Patrick Pirrotte
- Collaborative Center for Translational Mass Spectrometry, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Yemin Wang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David G Huntsman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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13
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Métayer LE, Brown RD, Carlebur S, Burke GAA, Brown GC. Mechanisms of cell death induced by arginase and asparaginase in precursor B-cell lymphoblasts. Apoptosis 2020; 24:145-156. [PMID: 30578463 PMCID: PMC6373273 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-018-1506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Arginase has therapeutic potential as a cytotoxic agent in some cancers, but this is unclear for precursor B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (pre-B ALL), the commonest form of childhood leukaemia. We compared arginase cytotoxicity with asparaginase, currently used in pre-B ALL treatment, and characterised the forms of cell death induced in a pre-B ALL cell line 697. Arginase and asparaginase both efficiently killed 697 cells and mature B lymphoma cell line Ramos, but neither enzyme killed normal lymphocytes. Arginase depleted cellular arginine, and arginase-treated media induced cell death, blocked by addition of arginine or arginine-precursor citrulline. Asparaginase depleted both asparagine and glutamine, and asparaginase-treated media induced cell death, blocked by asparagine, but not glutamine. Both enzymes induced caspase cleavage and activation, chromatin condensation and phosphatidylserine exposure, indicating apoptosis. Both arginase- and asparaginase-induced death were blocked by caspase inhibitors, but with different sensitivities. BCL-2 overexpression inhibited arginase- and asparaginase-induced cell death, but did not prevent arginase-induced cytostasis, indicating a different mechanism of growth arrest. An autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine, had no effect on the cell death induced by arginase, but doubled the cell death induced by asparaginase. In conclusion, arginase causes death of lymphoblasts by arginine-depletion induced apoptosis, via mechanism distinct from asparaginase. Therapeutic implications for childhood ALL include: arginase might be used as treatment (but antagonised by dietary arginine and citrulline), chloroquine may enhance efficacy of asparaginase treatment, and partial resistance to arginase and asparaginase may develop by BCL-2 expression. Arginase or asparaginase might potentially be used to treat Burkitt lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy E Métayer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Richard D Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - Saskia Carlebur
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK
| | - G A Amos Burke
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 OQQ, UK
| | - Guy C Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, UK.
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14
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Dhankhar R, Kumar A, Kumar S, Chhabra D, Shukla P, Gulati P. Multilevel algorithms and evolutionary hybrid tools for enhanced production of arginine deiminase from Pseudomonas furukawaii RS3. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 290:121789. [PMID: 31326652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present study a high arginine deiminase (ADI) yielding bacterium was isolated from soil samples of Haryana, India and identified as Pseudomonas furukawaii. The specific enzyme activity was optimized to 1.420 IU/ml by OFAT and further enhanced to 2.708 IU/ml (an increase of 90.7%) with the help of statistical parametric optimization approaches using GA-ANN and GA-ANFIS. The obtained value of the coefficient of correlation (R = 0.88) for ANN and epoch error (0.12) for ANFIS, indicates the prediction accuracy and strength of these data training models. ADI production was improved significantly in simple super broth media supplemented with 1.5% fructose and 1.75% arginine at pH 7 at 37 °C using multilevel algorithms and evolutionary hybrid tools. The native enzyme was partially purified (ten-fold) up to a specific enzyme activity of 29.559 IU/mg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakhi Dhankhar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Technology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar
- Optimization and Mechatronics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Technology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Deepak Chhabra
- Optimization and Mechatronics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Pratyoosh Shukla
- Enzyme Technology and Protein Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001, Haryana, India.
| | - Pooja Gulati
- Medical Microbiology and Bioprocess Technology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
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15
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Singh PK, Deorukhkar AA, Venkatesulu BP, Li X, Tailor R, Bomalaski JS, Krishnan S. Exploiting Arginine Auxotrophy with Pegylated Arginine Deiminase (ADI-PEG20) to Sensitize Pancreatic Cancer to Radiotherapy via Metabolic Dysregulation. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:2381-2393. [PMID: 31395686 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Distinct metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells compared with normal cells can potentially be exploited for therapeutic targeting. Deficiency of argininosuccinate synthetase-1 (ASS1) in pancreatic cancers creates auxotrophy for the semiessential amino acid arginine. We explored the therapeutic potential of depleting exogenous arginine via pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) treatment as an adjunct to radiotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy of treatment of human pancreatic cancer cell lines and xenografts with ADI-PEG20 and radiation via clonogenic assays and tumor growth delay experiments. We also investigated potential mechanisms of action using reverse-phase protein array, Western blotting, and IHC and immunofluorescence staining. ADI-PEG20 potently radiosensitized ASS1-deficient pancreatic cancer cells (MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1, AsPc-1, HPAC, and CaPan-1), but not ASS1-expressing cell lines (Bxpc3, L3.6pl, and SW1990). Reverse phase protein array studies confirmed increased expression of proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis, which were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Inhibition of ER stress signaling with 4-phenylbutyrate abrogated the expression of ER stress proteins and reversed radiosensitization by ADI-PEG20. Independent in vivo studies in two xenograft models confirmed significant tumor growth delays, which were associated with enhanced expression of ER stress proteins and apoptosis markers and reduced expression of proliferation and angiogenesis markers. ADI-PEG20 augmented the effects of radiation by triggering the ER stress pathway, leading to apoptosis in pancreatic tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj K Singh
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amit A Deorukhkar
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bhanu P Venkatesulu
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiaolin Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ramesh Tailor
- Department of Radiation Physics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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16
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Zou S, Wang X, Liu P, Ke C, Xu S. Arginine metabolism and deprivation in cancer therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 118:109210. [PMID: 31330440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain cancer cells with nutrient auxotrophy and have a much higher nutrient demand compared with normal human cells. Arginine as a versatile amino acid, has multiple biological functions in metabolic and signaling pathways. Depletion of this amino acid by arginine depletor is generally well tolerated and has become a targeted therapy for arginine auxotrophic cancers. However, the modulatory eff ;ect of arginine on cancer cells is very complicated and still controversial. Therefore, this article focuses on arginine metabolism and depletion therapy in cancer treatment to provide systemical review on this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyun Zou
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangmei Wang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Po Liu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changneng Ke
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shi Xu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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17
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Pokrovsky VS, Chepikova OE, Davydov DZ, Zamyatnin AA, Lukashev AN, Lukasheva EV. Amino Acid Degrading Enzymes and their Application in Cancer Therapy. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:446-464. [PMID: 28990519 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666171006132729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amino acids are essential components in various biochemical pathways. The deprivation of certain amino acids is an antimetabolite strategy for the treatment of amino acid-dependent cancers which exploits the compromised metabolism of malignant cells. Several studies have focused on the development and preclinical and clinical evaluation of amino acid degrading enzymes, namely L-asparaginase, L-methionine γ-lyase, L-arginine deiminase, L-lysine α-oxidase. Further research into cancer cell metabolism may therefore define possible targets for controlling tumor growth. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review was to summarize recent progress in the relationship between amino acids metabolism and cancer therapy, with a particular focus on Lasparagine, L-methionine, L-arginine and L-lysine degrading enzymes and their formulations, which have been successfully used in the treatment of several types of cancer. METHODS We carried out a structured search among literature regarding to amino acid degrading enzymes. The main aspects of search were in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical trials concerning application of these enzymes in oncology. RESULTS Most published research are on the subject of L-asparaginase properties and it's use for cancer treatment. L-arginine deiminase has shown promising results in a phase II trial in advanced melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Other enzymes, in particular Lmethionine γ-lyase and L-lysine α-oxidase, were effective in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION The findings of this review revealed that therapy based on amino acid depletion may have the potential application for cancer treatment but further clinical investigations are required to provide the efficacy and safety of these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vadim S Pokrovsky
- Blokhin Cancer Research Center, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russian Federation.,People's Friendship University, Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Olga E Chepikova
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | | | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.,Belozersky Institute of Physico- Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander N Lukashev
- People's Friendship University, Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena V Lukasheva
- People's Friendship University, Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russian Federation
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18
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Li S, Li G, Zhang T, Li J, Zhao Q, Zhang B, Wang R, Zhou R, Si J, Gan L, Liu Y, Zhang H, Liu B. Co-SLD suppressed the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma via disrupting mitochondrial function. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 47:1746-1757. [PMID: 31062618 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1608218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sirui Li
- School/Hospital of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Guo Li
- School/Hospital of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Taofeng Zhang
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jili Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Baoping Zhang
- School/Hospital of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rui Wang
- School/Hospital of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Si
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Gan
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Bin Liu
- School/Hospital of Stomatology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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19
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Lucarelli G, Loizzo D, Franzin R, Battaglia S, Ferro M, Cantiello F, Castellano G, Bettocchi C, Ditonno P, Battaglia M. Metabolomic insights into pathophysiological mechanisms and biomarker discovery in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2019; 19:397-407. [PMID: 30983433 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1607729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a metabolic disease, of which the incidence rate is increasing worldwide. Renal carcinoma is characterized by mutations in target genes involved in metabolic pathways. Metabolic reprogramming covers different processes such as aerobic glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and the utilization of tryptophan, glutamine, and arginine. In the era of the multi-omics approach (with integrated transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), discovering biomarkers for early diagnosis is gaining renewed importance. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ccRCC metabolic reprogramming. In addition, we describe the emerging metabolomics-based biomarkers differentially expressed in ccRCC and the rationale for the recently developed drugs specifically targeting the ccRCC metabolome. Expert opinion: A number of metabolic pathways will be explored in future years, and many of these pathways are potential therapeutic targets and may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lucarelli
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Davide Loizzo
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Rossana Franzin
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Stefano Battaglia
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Matteo Ferro
- b Division of Urology , European Institute of Oncology , Milan , Italy
| | - Francesco Cantiello
- c Department of Urology , Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro , Catanzaro , Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castellano
- d Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Nephrology and Dialysis Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Carlo Bettocchi
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Pasquale Ditonno
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
| | - Michele Battaglia
- a Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit , University of Bari , Bari , Italy
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20
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X-Ray Crystallography in Structure-Function Characterization of Therapeutic Enzymes. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1148:81-103. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-7709-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Przystal JM, Hajji N, Khozoie C, Renziehausen A, Zeng Q, Abaitua F, Hajitou A, Suwan K, Want E, Bomalaski J, Szlosarek P, O'Neill K, Crook T, Syed N. Efficacy of arginine depletion by ADI-PEG20 in an intracranial model of GBM. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1192. [PMID: 30546006 PMCID: PMC6294248 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1195-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a cancer with a poor prognosis and few effective therapeutic options. Successful medical management of GBM is limited by the restricted access of drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) caused by the blood brain barrier (BBB). We previously showed that a subset of GBM are arginine auxotrophic because of transcriptional silencing of ASS1 and/or ASL and are sensitive to pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20). However, it is unknown whether depletion of arginine in peripheral blood in vivo has therapeutic activity against intracranial disease. In the present work, we describe the efficacy of ADI-PEG20 in an intracranial model of human GBM in which tumour growth and regression are assessed in real time by measurement of luciferase activity. Animals bearing intracranial human GBM tumours of varying ASS status were treated with ADI-PEG20 alone or in combination with temozolomide and monitored for tumour growth and regression. Monotherapy ADI-PEG20 significantly reduces the intracranial growth of ASS1 negative GBM and extends survival of mice carrying ASS1 negative GBM without obvious toxicity. The combination of ADI-PEG20 with temozolomide (TMZ) demonstrates enhanced effects in both ASS1 negative and ASS1 positive backgrounds.Our data provide proof of principle for a therapeutic strategy for GBM using peripheral blood arginine depletion that does not require BBB passage of drug and is well tolerated. The ability of ADI-PEG20 to cytoreduce GBM and enhance the effects of temozolomide argues strongly for its early clinical evaluation in the treatment of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Magdalena Przystal
- Phage Therapy Group, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nabil Hajji
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Combiz Khozoie
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alexander Renziehausen
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Qingyu Zeng
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Fernando Abaitua
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Amin Hajitou
- Phage Therapy Group, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Keittisak Suwan
- Phage Therapy Group, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Want
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - John Bomalaski
- Polaris Pharmaceuticals Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Peter Szlosarek
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, UK
| | - Kevin O'Neill
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tim Crook
- St Luke's Cancer Centre, Egerton Road, Guildford, UK
| | - Nelofer Syed
- John Fulcher Neuro-Oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Xu S, Lam SK, Cheng PNM, Ho JCM. Recombinant human arginase induces apoptosis through oxidative stress and cell cycle arrest in small cell lung cancer. Cancer Sci 2018; 109:3471-3482. [PMID: 30155941 PMCID: PMC6215893 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for approximately 13% of all lung cancer cases. Small cell lung cancer is characterized by frequent relapse, and current treatments lack tumor specificity. Arginine is a non‐essential amino acid for human normal cells but critical to some tumor cells that cannot synthesize arginine. Therefore, arginine deprivation has become a potential therapeutic option for selected tumors. BCT‐100 is a pegylated arginase that has documented anticancer activity in arginine auxotrophic tumors, such as melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. One of the resistance mechanisms to arginase treatment is overexpression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1) and ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), two important enzymes in the urea cycle. We selected 9 SCLC and 1 non‐small cell lung carcinoma cell lines to determine the growth inhibition effects of BCT‐100 and established that cell lines with low expression of ASS1 and OTC are relatively sensitive to BCT‐100 treatment. Knocking down OTC in a H841 cell line could potentiate its sensitivity to BCT‐100 treatment. Arginine concentration was sharply decreased, accompanied by apoptosis through oxidative stress as well as G1 cell cycle arrest. In addition, BCT‐100 showed an anticancer effect on H446 and H510A xenograft models by lowering arginine levels and inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Xu
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sze-Kwan Lam
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - James Chung-Man Ho
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Savaraj N, Wu C, Kuo MT, You M, Wangpaichitr M, Robles C, Spector S, Feun L. The Relationship of Arginine Deprivation, Argininosuccinate Synthetase and Cell Death in Melanoma. Drug Target Insights 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117739280700200016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Niramol Savaraj
- VA Medical Center, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Chunjing Wu
- University of Miami, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Marcus Tien Kuo
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Molecular Pathology, Houston, Texas, U.S.A
| | - Min You
- University of Miami, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | | | - Carlos Robles
- VA Medical Center, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Seth Spector
- VA Medical Center, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Lynn Feun
- University of Miami, Hematology-Oncology, Miami, Florida, U.S.A
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Affiliation(s)
- Wissam Zam
- Al-Andalus University for Medical Sciences, Syrian Arab Republic
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25
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Starkova J, Hermanova I, Hlozkova K, Hararova A, Trka J. Altered Metabolism of Leukemic Cells: New Therapeutic Opportunity. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 336:93-147. [PMID: 29413894 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2017.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The cancer metabolic program alters bioenergetic processes to meet the higher demands of tumor cells for biomass production, nucleotide synthesis, and NADPH-balancing redox homeostasis. It is widely accepted that cancer cells mostly utilize glycolysis, as opposed to normal cells, in which oxidative phosphorylation is the most employed bioenergetic process. Still, studies examining cancer metabolism had been overlooked for many decades, and it was only recently discovered that metabolic alterations affect both the oncogenic potential and therapeutic response. Since most of the published works concern solid tumors, in this comprehensive review, we aim to summarize knowledge about the metabolism of leukemia cells. Leukemia is a malignant disease that ranks first and fifth in cancer-related deaths in children and adults, respectively. Current treatment has reached its limits due to toxicity, and there has been a need for new therapeutic approaches. One of the possible scenarios is improved use of established drugs and another is to introduce new druggable targets. Herein, we aim to describe the complexity of leukemia metabolism and highlight cellular processes that could be targeted therapeutically and enhance the effectiveness of current treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Starkova
- CLIP-Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Ivana Hermanova
- CLIP-Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Hlozkova
- CLIP-Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alzbeta Hararova
- Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Trka
- CLIP-Childhood Leukaemia Investigation Prague, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic
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26
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Alonezi S, Tusiimire J, Wallace J, Dufton MJ, Parkinson JA, Young LC, Clements CJ, Park JK, Jeon JW, Ferro VA, Watson DG. Metabolomic Profiling of the Synergistic Effects of Melittin in Combination with Cisplatin on Ovarian Cancer Cells. Metabolites 2017; 7:metabo7020014. [PMID: 28420117 PMCID: PMC5487985 DOI: 10.3390/metabo7020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melittin, the main peptide present in bee venom, has been proposed as having potential for anticancer therapy; the addition of melittin to cisplatin, a first line treatment for ovarian cancer, may increase the therapeutic response in cancer treatment via synergy, resulting in improved tolerability, reduced relapse, and decreased drug resistance. Thus, this study was designed to compare the metabolomic effects of melittin in combination with cisplatin in cisplatin-sensitive (A2780) and resistant (A2780CR) ovarian cancer cells. Liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to identify metabolic changes in A2780 (combination treatment 5 μg/mL melittin + 2 μg/mL cisplatin) and A2780CR (combination treatment 2 μg/mL melittin + 10 μg/mL cisplatin) cells. Principal components analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) multivariate data analysis models were produced using SIMCA-P software. All models displayed good separation between experimental groups and high-quality goodness of fit (R2) and goodness of prediction (Q2), respectively. The combination treatment induced significant changes in both cell lines involving reduction in the levels of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, and the arginine/proline pathway. The combination of melittin with cisplatin that targets these pathways had a synergistic effect. The melittin-cisplatin combination had a stronger effect on the A2780 cell line in comparison with the A2780CR cell line. The metabolic effects of melittin and cisplatin in combination were very different from those of each agent alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanad Alonezi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Jonans Tusiimire
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda.
| | - Jennifer Wallace
- WestCHEM Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK.
| | - Mark J Dufton
- WestCHEM Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK.
| | - John A Parkinson
- WestCHEM Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XL, UK.
| | - Louise C Young
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Carol J Clements
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Jin-Kyu Park
- #204, Beesen Co. Ltd., Bio Venture Town, Yuseong Daero 1662, Dae Jeon 34054, Korea.
| | - Jong-Woon Jeon
- #204, Beesen Co. Ltd., Bio Venture Town, Yuseong Daero 1662, Dae Jeon 34054, Korea.
| | - Valerie A Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
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27
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Manig F, Kuhne K, von Neubeck C, Schwarzenbolz U, Yu Z, Kessler BM, Pietzsch J, Kunz-Schughart LA. The why and how of amino acid analytics in cancer diagnostics and therapy. J Biotechnol 2017; 242:30-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Fernandes HS, Silva Teixeira CS, Fernandes PA, Ramos MJ, Cerqueira NMFSA. Amino acid deprivation using enzymes as a targeted therapy for cancer and viral infections. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2016; 27:283-297. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2017.1254194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. S. Fernandes
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C. S. Silva Teixeira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - P. A. Fernandes
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M. J. Ramos
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - N. M. F. S. A. Cerqueira
- UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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29
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Patil MD, Bhaumik J, Babykutty S, Banerjee UC, Fukumura D. Arginine dependence of tumor cells: targeting a chink in cancer's armor. Oncogene 2016; 35:4957-72. [PMID: 27109103 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arginine, one among the 20 most common natural amino acids, has a pivotal role in cellular physiology as it is being involved in numerous cellular metabolic and signaling pathways. Dependence on arginine is diverse for both tumor and normal cells. Because of decreased expression of argininosuccinate synthetase and/or ornithine transcarbamoylase, several types of tumor are auxotrophic for arginine. Deprivation of arginine exploits a significant vulnerability of these tumor cells and leads to their rapid demise. Hence, enzyme-mediated arginine depletion is a potential strategy for the selective destruction of tumor cells. Arginase, arginine deiminase and arginine decarboxylase are potential enzymes that may be used for arginine deprivation therapy. These arginine catabolizing enzymes not only reduce tumor growth but also make them susceptible to concomitantly administered anti-cancer therapeutics. Most of these enzymes are currently under clinical investigations and if successful will potentially be advanced as anti-cancer modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - J Bhaumik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - S Babykutty
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - U C Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology (Biotechnology), National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Punjab, India
| | - D Fukumura
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Starikova EA, Sokolov AV, Vlasenko AY, Burova LA, Freidlin IS, Vasilyev VB. Biochemical and biological activity of arginine deiminase from Streptococcus pyogenes M22. Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 94:129-37. [DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2015-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is an important gram-positive extracellular bacterial pathogen responsible for a number of suppurative infections. This micro-organism has developed complex virulence mechanisms to avoid the host’s defenses. We have previously reported that SDSC from GAS type M22 causes endothelial-cell dysfunction, and inhibits cell adhesion, migration, metabolism, and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting cell viability. This work aimed to isolate and characterize a component from GAS type M22 supernatant that suppresses the proliferation of endothelial cells (EA.hy926). In the process of isolating a protein possessing antiproliferative activity we identified arginine deiminase (AD). Further study showed that this enzyme is most active at pH 6.8. Calculating Km and Vmax gave the values of 0.67 mmol·L–1 and 42 s−1, respectively. A distinctive feature of AD purified from GAS type M22 is that its optimum activity and the maximal rate of the catalytic process is close to neutral pH by comparison with enzymes from other micro-organisms. AD from GAS type M22 suppressed the proliferative activity of endothelial cells in a dose-dependent mode. At the same time, in the presence of AD, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase increased. When l-Arg was added at increasing concentrations to the culture medium containing AD (3 μg·mL–1), the enzyme’s capacity to inhibit cell proliferation became partially depressed. The proportion of cells in phases S/G2 increased concomitantly, although the cells did not fully recover their proliferation activity. This suggests that AD from GAS type M22 has potential for the suppression of excessive cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora A. Starikova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Alexey V. Sokolov
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
- Saint-Petersburg State University, 7–9 Universitetskaya nab., St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Anna Yu. Vlasenko
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Larisa A. Burova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Irina S. Freidlin
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Vadim B. Vasilyev
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, 12 Pavlov Street, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
- Saint-Petersburg State University, 7–9 Universitetskaya nab., St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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31
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Arginine Metabolism in Bacterial Pathogenesis and Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:363. [PMID: 26978353 PMCID: PMC4813224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17030363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibacterial resistance to infectious diseases is a significant global concern for health care organizations; along with aging populations and increasing cancer rates, it represents a great burden for government healthcare systems. Therefore, the development of therapies against bacterial infection and cancer is an important strategy for healthcare research. Pathogenic bacteria and cancer have developed a broad range of sophisticated strategies to survive or propagate inside a host and cause infection or spread disease. Bacteria can employ their own metabolism pathways to obtain nutrients from the host cells in order to survive. Similarly, cancer cells can dysregulate normal human cell metabolic pathways so that they can grow and spread. One common feature of the adaption and disruption of metabolic pathways observed in bacterial and cancer cell growth is amino acid pathways; these have recently been targeted as a novel approach to manage bacterial infections and cancer therapy. In particular, arginine metabolism has been illustrated to be important not only for bacterial pathogenesis but also for cancer therapy. Therefore, greater insights into arginine metabolism of pathogenic bacteria and cancer cells would provide possible targets for controlling of bacterial infection and cancer treatment. This review will summarize the recent progress on the relationship of arginine metabolism with bacterial pathogenesis and cancer therapy, with a particular focus on arginase and arginine deiminase pathways of arginine catabolism.
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Mandal A, Das S, Roy S, Ghosh AK, Sardar AH, Verma S, Saini S, Singh R, Abhishek K, Kumar A, Mandal C, Das P. Deprivation of L-Arginine Induces Oxidative Stress Mediated Apoptosis in Leishmania donovani Promastigotes: Contribution of the Polyamine Pathway. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004373. [PMID: 26808657 PMCID: PMC4726550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth and survival of intracellular parasites depends on the availability of extracellular nutrients. Deprivation of nutrients viz glucose or amino acid alters redox balance in mammalian cells as well as some lower organisms. To further understand the relationship, the mechanistic role of L-arginine in regulation of redox mediated survival of Leishmania donovani promastigotes was investigated. L-arginine deprivation from the culture medium was found to inhibit cell growth, reduce proliferation and increase L-arginine uptake. Relative expression of enzymes, involved in L-arginine metabolism, which leads to polyamine and trypanothione biosynthesis, were downregulated causing decreased production of polyamines in L-arginine deprived parasites and cell death. The resultant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to L-arginine deprivation, correlated with increased NADP+/NADPH ratio, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, increased lipid peroxidation and reduced thiol content. A deficiency of L-arginine triggered phosphatidyl serine externalization, a change in mitochondrial membrane potential, release of intracellular calcium and cytochrome-c. This finally led to DNA damage in Leishmania promastigotes. In summary, the growth and survival of Leishmania depends on the availability of extracellular L-arginine. In its absence the parasite undergoes ROS mediated, caspase-independent apoptosis-like cell death. Therefore, L-arginine metabolism pathway could be a probable target for controlling the growth of Leishmania parasites and disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Mandal
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Sushmita Das
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, India
| | - Saptarshi Roy
- Cancer Biology & Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Ayan Kumar Ghosh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Abul Hasan Sardar
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Sudha Verma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Savita Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur, India
| | - Ruby Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Kumar Abhishek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
| | - Chitra Mandal
- Cancer Biology & Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Pradeep Das
- Department of Molecular Biology, Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (ICMR), Patna, India
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33
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Kaur B, Kaur R. Purification of a dimeric arginine deiminase from Enterococcus faecium GR7 and study of its anti-cancerous activity. Protein Expr Purif 2015; 125:53-60. [PMID: 26363115 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The arginine deiminase (ADI, E.C 3.5.3.6) - a key enzyme of ADI pathway of Enterococcus faecium GR7 was purified to homogeneity. A sequential purification strategy involving ammonium sulfate fractionation, molecular sieve followed by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration was applied to the crude culture filtrate to obtain a pure enzyme preparation. The enzyme was purified with a fold of 16.92 and showed a final specific activity of 76.65IU/mg with a 49.17% yield. The dimeric ADI has a molecular mass of about 94,364.929Da, and comprises of hetrodimers of 49.1kDa and 46.5kDa as determined by MALDI-TOF and PAGE analysis. To assess anti-cancerous activity of ADI by MTT assay was carried out against cancer cell lines (MCF-7, Sp2/0-Ag14 and Hep-G2). Purified ADI exhibited the most profound antiproliferative activity against Hep-G2 cells; with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.95μg/ml. Purified ADI from E. faecium GR7 was observed to induce apoptosis in the Hep-G2 cells by DNA fragmentation assay. Our findings suggest the possibility of a future use of ADI from E. faecium GR7 as a potential anticancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baljinder Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India.
| | - Rajinder Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Punjabi University, Patiala 147002, Punjab, India
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Maezawa Y, Paltser G, Tsui H, Cheung R, Wu P, Nicholas AP, Dosch HM. 2-Chloroacetamidine, a novel immunomodulator, suppresses antigen-induced mouse airway inflammation. Allergy 2015; 70:1130-8. [PMID: 25969859 DOI: 10.1111/all.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Citrullination is a presently under-recognized posttranslational protein modification catalyzed by PAD enzymes. Immune responses to citrullinated neo-epitopes are identified in a growing number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the involvement of hypercitrullination in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is still unknown. METHODS As main experimental tool, we examined the effect of 2-chloroacetamidine (2CA), a PAD enzyme inhibitor, on OVA-immunized and airway-challenged BALB/c mice; a commonly used model of allergic airway inflammation. We also measured the effect of 2CA on ex vivo lymphocytes and cell lines. RESULTS In vivo, 2CA dramatically suppressed lung tissue hypercitrullination, inflammatory cell recruitment, and airway-Th2 cytokine secretion. 2CA also suppressed systemic OVA-specific and total IgE production dramatically, effectively preventing de novo and diminishing established disease without measurably impacting general immunocompetence. In vitro, 2CA markedly inhibited the proliferation of mouse and human T cells with cell cycle block and apoptosis during a limited, postactivation phase. CONCLUSIONS 2CA acts as narrow-spectrum immunosuppressant that selectively targets lymphocyte populations involved in active inflammatory tissue lesions. If hypercitrullination is generated in patients with asthma, 2CA may represent a novel disease modulator for human asthmatics/allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Maezawa
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - G. Paltser
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - H. Tsui
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - R. Cheung
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - P. Wu
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
| | - A. P. Nicholas
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neuroimmunology; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham AL USA
- Birmingham VA Medical Center; Birmingham AL USA
| | - H.-M. Dosch
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute; Neuroscience and Mental Health; University of Toronto; Toronto ON Canada
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Agrawal V, Woo JH, Mauldin JP, Stone EM, Meininger CJ, Jo C, Kleypas K, Frenkel EP, Frankel AE. In-vivo evaluation of human recombinant Co-arginase against A375 melanoma xenografts. Melanoma Res 2015; 24:556-67. [PMID: 25304236 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0000000000000119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is a deadly form of cancer with few therapeutic options and the cause of more than 9480 deaths annually in the USA alone. Novel treatment options for this disease are urgently needed. Here we test the efficacy of a novel melanoma drug, the human recombinant Co-arginase (CoArgIPEG), against an aggressive A375 melanoma mouse model. CoArgIPEG is a modification of the naturally occurring human enzyme with improved stability, catalytic activity, and potentially lower immunogenicity compared with current amino acid-depleting drugs. Marked tumor growth reductions (mean P=0.0057) with apoptosis induction and proliferation inhibition are noted with CoArgIPEG treatment, both in the presence and in the absence of supplemental citrulline. Further, improved therapeutic efficacy has been noted against A375 xenografts relative to the naturally occurring human recombinant arginase enzyme at lower doses of CoArgIPEG. Unfortunately, after 1 month, half of the relapsing tumors showed argininosuccinate synthase induction, which correlated with Ser62-phosphorylated cMyc. Although argininosuccinate synthase induction could not be induced in vitro, a drug targeting pathway previously demonstrated to be associated with Ser62 cMyc phosphorylation - U0126 - in combination with CoArgIPEG demonstrated an in-vitro synergistic response (combination indices 0.13±0.10 and 0.14±0.10 with or without citrulline, respectively). Overall, favorable efficacy and potential synergy with other antimelanoma drugs support CoArgIPEG as a potent, novel cancer therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaidehi Agrawal
- aScott & White Cancer Research Institute, Baylor-Scott & White Health bDepartment of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple cDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin dDepartment of Internal Medicine University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Qiu F, Huang J, Sui M. Targeting arginine metabolism pathway to treat arginine-dependent cancers. Cancer Lett 2015; 364:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Hydrophobic Mutagenesis and Semi-rational Engineering of Arginine Deiminase for Markedly Enhanced Stability and Catalytic Efficiency. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2015; 176:1335-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s12010-015-1649-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Zhang L, Liu M, Jamil S, Han R, Xu G, Ni Y. PEGylation and pharmacological characterization of a potential anti-tumor drug, an engineered arginine deiminase originated from Pseudomonas plecoglossicida. Cancer Lett 2014; 357:346-354. [PMID: 25462857 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.11.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2014] [Revised: 10/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Arginine deiminase (ADI) has been studied as a potential anti-cancer agent for arginine-auxotrophic tumors. PEGylation is one of the best methods to formulate a bioconjugated protein with extended physical stability and reduced immunogenicity. Here, PEGylation and pharmacological properties of an engineered ADI originated from Pseudomonas plecoglossicida were studied. Among polyethylene glycol (PEG) reagents with succinimidyl ester groups varying in size and linkers, three PEGylated products with high yield and catalytic activity were further characterized, named ADI-SS(20 kDa), ADI-SC(20 kDa), and ADI-SPA(20 kDa). In the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic (PD/PK) studies with ADI-SPA(20 kDa), a remarkable improvement in circulating half-life compared with native ADI was observed. ADI-SPA(20 kDa) injections via intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous routes all exhibited superior efficacy than native ADI on depleting serum arginine. Additionally, our results demonstrated that single ADI-SPA(20 kDa) administration of 5 U/mouse via intravenous injection could maintain serum arginine at an undetectable level for 5 days with a half-life of 53.2 h, representing 11-fold improvement in half-life than that of the native ADI. In a mice H22 hepatocarcinoma model, ADI-SPA(20 kDa) dosage of 5 U per 5 days showed an inhibition rate of 95.02% on tumor growth during 15-day treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Menghan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Serwanja Jamil
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruizhi Han
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guochao Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ye Ni
- The Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China.
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Ahn KY, Lee B, Han KY, Song JA, Lee DS, Lee J. Synthesis of Mycoplasma arginine deiminase in E. coli using stress-responsive proteins. Enzyme Microb Technol 2014; 63:46-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Arginine starvation-associated atypical cellular death involves mitochondrial dysfunction, nuclear DNA leakage, and chromatin autophagy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:14147-52. [PMID: 25122679 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1404171111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is the principal catabolic prosurvival pathway during nutritional starvation. However, excessive autophagy could be cytotoxic, contributing to cell death, but its mechanism remains elusive. Arginine starvation has emerged as a potential therapy for several types of cancers, owing to their tumor-selective deficiency of the arginine metabolism. We demonstrated here that arginine depletion by arginine deiminase induces a cytotoxic autophagy in argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1)-deficient prostate cancer cells. Advanced microscopic analyses of arginine-deprived dying cells revealed a novel phenotype with giant autophagosome formation, nucleus membrane rupture, and histone-associated DNA leakage encaptured by autophagosomes, which we shall refer to as chromatin autophagy, or chromatophagy. In addition, nuclear inner membrane (lamin A/C) underwent localized rearrangement and outer membrane (NUP98) partially fused with autophagosome membrane. Further analysis showed that prolonged arginine depletion impaired mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation function and depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production significantly increased in both cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions, presumably leading to DNA damage accumulation. Addition of ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine or knockdown of ATG5 or BECLIN1 attenuated the chromatophagy phenotype. Our data uncover an atypical autophagy-related death pathway and suggest that mitochondrial damage is central to linking arginine starvation and chromatophagy in two distinct cellular compartments.
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Cheng F, Zhu L, Lue H, Bernhagen J, Schwaneberg U. Directed arginine deiminase evolution for efficient inhibition of arginine-auxotrophic melanomas. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2014; 99:1237-47. [PMID: 25104032 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5985-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Arginine deiminase (ADI) is a therapeutic protein for cancer therapy of arginine-auxotrophic tumors. However, ADI's application as anticancer drug is hampered by its low activity for arginine under physiological conditions mainly due to its high "K M" (S₀.₅) values which are often 1 magnitude higher than the arginine concentration in blood (0.10-0.12 mM arginine in human plasma). Previous evolution campaigns were directed by us with the aim of boosting activity of PpADI (ADI from Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, k cat = 0.18 s(-1); S₀.₅ = 1.30 mM), and yielded variant M6 with slightly reduced S₀.₅ values and enhanced k cat (S₀.₅ = 0.81 mM; k cat = 11.64 s(-1)). In order to further reduce the S₀.₅ value and to increase the activity of PpADI at physiological arginine concentration, a more sensitive screening system based on ammonia detection in 96-well microtiter plate to reliably detect ≥0.005 mM ammonia was developed. After screening ~5,500 clones with the ammonia detection system (ADS) in two rounds of random mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis, variant M19 with increased k cat value (21.1 s(-1); 105.5-fold higher compared to WT) and reduced S₀.₅ value (0.35 mM compared to 0.81 mM (M6) and 1.30 mM (WT)) was identified. Improved performance of M19 was validated by determining IC₅₀ values for two melanoma cell lines. The IC₅₀ value for SK-MEL-28 dropped from 8.67 (WT) to 0.10 (M6) to 0.04 μg/mL (M19); the IC₅₀ values for G361 dropped from 4.85 (WT) to 0.12 (M6) to 0.05 μg/mL (M19).
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cheng
- Lehrstuhl für Biotechnologie, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 3, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Fayura L. Development of Cultivation Technology for the Escherichia Coli Recombinant Strain Producing Arginine Deiminase of Mycoplasma Hominis. SCIENCE AND INNOVATION 2014. [DOI: 10.15407/scine10.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Phillips MM, Sheaff MT, Szlosarek PW. Targeting arginine-dependent cancers with arginine-degrading enzymes: opportunities and challenges. Cancer Res Treat 2013; 45:251-62. [PMID: 24453997 PMCID: PMC3893322 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2013.45.4.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine deprivation is a novel antimetabolite strategy for the treatment of arginine-dependent cancers that exploits differential expression and regulation of key urea cycle enzymes. Several studies have focused on inactivation of argininosuccinate synthetase 1 (ASS1) in a range of malignancies, including melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mesothelial and urological cancers, sarcomas, and lymphomas. Epigenetic silencing has been identified as a key mechanism for loss of the tumor suppressor role of ASS1 leading to tumoral dependence on exogenous arginine. More recently, dysregulation of argininosuccinate lyase has been documented in a subset of arginine auxotrophic glioblastoma multiforme, HCC and in fumarate hydratase-mutant renal cancers. Clinical trials of several arginine depletors are ongoing, including pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20, Polaris Group) and bioengineered forms of human arginase. ADI-PEG20 is furthest along the path of clinical development from combinatorial phase 1 to phase 3 trials and is described in more detail. The challenge will be to identify tumors sensitive to drugs such as ADI-PEG20 and integrate these agents into multimodality drug regimens using imaging and tissue/fluid-based biomarkers as predictors of response. Lastly, resistance pathways to arginine deprivation require further study to optimize arginine-targeted therapies in the oncology clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa M. Phillips
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute - a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michael T. Sheaff
- Pathology Group, Institute of Cell and Molecular Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Peter W. Szlosarek
- Center for Molecular Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute - a Cancer Research UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
- St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
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Three-dimensional environment renders cancer cells profoundly less susceptible to a single amino acid starvation. Amino Acids 2013; 45:1221-30. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1586-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Syed N, Langer J, Janczar K, Singh P, Lo Nigro C, Lattanzio L, Coley HM, Hatzimichael E, Bomalaski J, Szlosarek P, Awad M, O'Neil K, Roncaroli F, Crook T. Epigenetic status of argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase modulates autophagy and cell death in glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e458. [PMID: 23328665 PMCID: PMC3563985 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2012.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Arginine deprivation, either by nutritional starvation or exposure to ADI-PEG20, induces adaptive transcriptional upregulation of ASS1 and ASL in glioblastoma multiforme ex vivo cultures and cell lines. This adaptive transcriptional upregulation is blocked by neoplasia-specific CpG island methylation in either gene, causing arginine auxotrophy and cell death. In cells with methylated ASS1 or ASL CpG islands, ADI-PEG20 initially induces a protective autophagic response, but abrogation of this by chloroquine accelerates and potentiates cytotoxicity. Concomitant methylation in the CpG islands of both ASS1 and ASL, observed in a subset of cases, confers hypersensitivity to ADI-PEG20. Cancer stem cells positive for CD133 and methylation in the ASL CpG island retain sensitivity to ADI-PEG20. Our results show for the first time that epigenetic changes occur in both of the two key genes of arginine biosynthesis in human cancer and confer sensitivity to therapeutic arginine deprivation. We demonstrate that methylation status of the CpG islands, rather than expression levels per se of the genes, predicts sensitivity to arginine deprivation. Our results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for this invariably fatal central nervous system neoplasm for which we have identified robust biomarkers and which overcomes the limitations to conventional chemotherapy imposed by the blood/brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Syed
- John Fulcher Neuro-oncology Laboratory, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Cytotoxicity of human recombinant arginase I (Co)-PEG5000 in the presence of supplemental L-citrulline is dependent on decreased argininosuccinate synthetase expression in human cells. Anticancer Drugs 2012; 23:51-64. [PMID: 21955999 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0b013e32834ae42b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human recombinant arginase I cobalt [HuArgI (Co)] coupled with polyethylene glycol 5000 [HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000] has shown potent in-vitro depletion of arginine from tissue culture medium. We now show that HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000 is toxic to almost all cancer cell lines and to some normal primary cells examined. In contrast, HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000 in combination with supplemental L-citrulline is selectively cytotoxic to a fraction of human cancer cell lines in tissue culture, including some melanomas, mesotheliomas, acute myeloid leukemias, hepatocellular carcinomas, pancreas adenocarcinomas, prostate adenocarcinomas, lung adenocarcinomas, osteosarcomas, and small cell lung carcinomas. Unfortunately, a subset of normal human tissues is also sensitive to HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000 with L-citrulline supplementation, including umbilical endothelial cells, bronchial epithelium, neurons, and renal epithelial cells. We further show that cell sensitivity is predicted by the level of cellular argininosuccinate synthetase protein expression measured by immunoblots. By comparing a 3-day and 7-day exposure to HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000 with supplemental L-citrulline, some tumor cells sensitive on short-term assay are resistant in the 7-day assay consistent with the induction of argininosuccinate synthetase expression. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000 in combination with L-citrulline supplementation may be an attractive therapeutic agent for some argininosuccinate synthetase-deficient tumors. These in-vitro findings stimulate further development of this molecule and may aid in the identification of tissue toxicities and better selection of patients who will potentially respond to this combination therapy.
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Abstract
Cancer has become the leading cause of death in the developed world and has remained one of the most difficult diseases to treat. One of the difficulties in treating cancer is that conventional chemotherapies often have unacceptable toxicities toward normal cells at the doses required to kill tumor cells. Thus, the demand for new and improved tumor specific therapeutics for the treatment of cancer remains high. Alterations to cellular metabolism constitute a nearly universal feature of many types of cancer cells. In particular, many tumors exhibit deficiencies in one or more amino acid synthesis or salvage pathways forcing a reliance on the extracellular pool of these amino acids to satisfy protein biosynthesis demands. Therefore, one treatment modality that satisfies the objective of developing cancer cell-selective therapeutics is the systemic depletion of that tumor-essential amino acid, which can result in tumor apoptosis with minimal side effects to normal cells. While this strategy was initially suggested over 50 years ago, it has been recently experiencing a renaissance owing to advances in protein engineering technology, and more sophisticated approaches to studying the metabolic differences between tumorigenic and normal cells. Dietary restriction is typically not sufficient to achieve a therapeutically relevant level of amino acid depletion for cancer treatment. Therefore, intravenous administration of enzymes is used to mediate the degradation of such amino acids for therapeutic purposes. Unfortunately, the human genome does not encode enzymes with the requisite catalytic or pharmacological properties necessary for therapeutic purposes. The use of heterologous enzymes has been explored extensively both in animal studies and in clinical trials. However, heterologous enzymes are immunogenic and elicit adverse responses ranging from anaphylactic shock to antibody-mediated enzyme inactivation, and therefore have had limited utility. The one notable exception is Escherichia colil-asparaginase II (EcAII), which has been FDA-approved for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The use of engineered human enzymes, to which natural tolerance is likely to prevent recognition by the adaptive immune system, offers a novel approach for capitalizing on the promising strategy of systemic depletion of tumor-essential amino acids. In this work, we review several strategies that we have developed to: (i) reduce the immunogenicity of a nonhuman enzyme, (ii) engineer human enzymes for novel catalytic specificities, and (iii) improve the pharmacological characteristics of a human enzyme that exhibits the requisite substrate specificity for amino acid degradation but exhibits low activity and stability under physiological conditions.
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Arginine deiminase PEG20 inhibits growth of small cell lung cancers lacking expression of argininosuccinate synthetase. Br J Cancer 2011; 106:324-32. [PMID: 22134507 PMCID: PMC3261683 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2011.524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Some cancers have been shown to lack expression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), an enzyme required for the synthesis of arginine and a possible biomarker of sensitivity to arginine deprivation. Arginine deiminase (ADI) is a microbial enzyme capable of efficiently depleting peripheral blood arginine. Methods: Argininosuccinate synthetase expression was assessed in human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), with expression also assessed in a panel of 10 human SCLC by qRT-PCR and western blot. Proliferation assays and analyses of apoptosis and autophagy assessed the effect of pegylated ADI (ADI-PEG20) in vitro. The in vivo efficacy of ADI-PEG20 was determined in mice bearing SCLC xenografts. Results: Approximately 45% of SCLC tumours and 50% of cell lines assessed were negative for ASS. Argininosuccinate synthetase-deficient SCLC cells demonstrated sensitivity to ADI-PEG20, which was associated with the induction of autophagy and caspase-independent cell death. Arginine deiminase-PEG20 treatment of ASS-negative SCLC xenografts caused significant, dose-dependent inhibition of tumour growth of both small and established tumours. Conclusion: These results suggest a role for ADI-PEG20 in the treatment of SCLC, and a clinical trial exploring this therapeutic approach in patients with ASS-negative SCLC by IHC has now been initiated.
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Kuo MT, Savaraj N, Feun LG. Targeted cellular metabolism for cancer chemotherapy with recombinant arginine-degrading enzymes. Oncotarget 2011; 1:246-51. [PMID: 21152246 PMCID: PMC2998341 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been shown that a subset of human cancers, notably, melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are auxotrophic for arginine (Arg), because they do not express argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS), the rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of arginine from citrulline. These ASS-negative cancer cells require Arg from extracellular sources for survival. When they are exposed to recombinant Arg-degrading enzymes, e.g. arginine deiminase (ADI) or arginase, they die because of Arg starvation; whereas normal cells which express ASS are able to survive. A pegylated ADI (ADI-PEG20) has been developed for clinical trials for advanced melanoma and HCC; and favorable results have been obtained. ADI-PEG20 treatment induces autophagy in auxotrophic cancer cells leading to cell death. Clinical studies in melanoma patients show that re-expression of ASS is associated with ADI-PEG20 resistance. ADI-PEG20 treatment down-regulates the expression of HIF-1α but up-regulates c-Myc in culture melanoma cells. Induction of ASS by ADI-PEG20 involves positive regulators c-Myc and Sp4 and negative regulator HIF1α. Since both HIF-1α and c-Myc play important roles in cancer cell energy metabolism, together these results suggest that targeted cancer cell metabolism through modulation of HIF-1α and c-Myc expression may improve the efficacy of ADI-PEG20 in treating Arg auxotrophic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macus Tien Kuo
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
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Sheen JH, Zoncu R, Kim D, Sabatini DM. Defective regulation of autophagy upon leucine deprivation reveals a targetable liability of human melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Cell 2011; 19:613-28. [PMID: 21575862 PMCID: PMC3115736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2011.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is of increasing interest as a target for cancer therapy. We find that leucine deprivation causes the caspase-dependent apoptotic death of melanoma cells because it fails to appropriately activate autophagy. Hyperactivation of the RAS-MEK pathway, which is common in melanoma, prevents leucine deprivation from inhibiting mTORC1, the main repressor of autophagy under nutrient-rich conditions. In an in vivo tumor xenograft model, the combination of a leucine-free diet and an autophagy inhibitor synergistically suppresses the growth of human melanoma tumors and triggers widespread apoptosis of the cancer cells. Together, our study represents proof of principle that anticancer effects can be obtained with a combination of autophagy inhibition and strategies to deprive tumors of leucine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon-Ho Sheen
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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