NAMPT and NAPRT1: novel polymorphisms and distribution of variants between normal tissues and tumor samples

Disruption of central and peripheral circadian clocks and circadian controlled estrogen receptor rhythms in night shift nurses in working environments

Chronic disruption of circadian rhythms by night shift work is associated with an increased breast cancer risk. However, little is known about the impact of night shift on peripheral circadian genes (CGs) and circadian-controlled genes (CCGs) associated with breast cancer. Hence, we assessed central clock markers (melatonin and cortisol) in plasma, and peripheral CGs (PER1, PER2, PER3, and BMAL1) and CCGs (ESR1 and ESR2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In day shift nurses (n = 12), 24-h rhythms of cortisol and melatonin were aligned with day shift-oriented light/dark schedules. The mRNA expression of PER2, PER3, BMAL1, and ESR2 showed 24-h rhythms with peak values in the morning. In contrast, night shift nurses (n = 10) lost 24-h rhythmicity of cortisol with a suppressed morning surge but retained normal rhythmic patterns of melatonin, leading to misalignment between cortisol and melatonin. Moreover, night shift nurses showed disruption of rhythmic expressions of PER2, PER3, BMAL1, and ESR2 genes, resulting in an impaired inverse correlation between PER2 and BMAL1 compared to day shift nurses. The observed trends of disrupted circadian markers were recapitulated in additional day (n = 20) and night (n = 19) shift nurses by measurement at early night and midnight time points. Taken together, this study demonstrated the misalignment of cortisol and melatonin, associated disruption of PER2 and ESR2 circadian expressions, and internal misalignment in peripheral circadian network in night shift nurses. Morning plasma cortisol and PER2, BMAL1, and ESR2 expressions in PBMCs may therefore be useful biomarkers of circadian disruption in shift workers.

Altered Epigenetic Profiles in the Placenta of Preeclamptic and Intrauterine Growth Restriction Patients

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) are placental pathologies known to complicate pregnancy and cause neonatal disorders. To date, there is a limited number of studies on the genetic similarity of these conditions. DNA methylation is a heritable epigenetic process that can regulate placental development. Our objective was to identify methylation patterns in placental DNA from normal, PE and IUGR-affected pregnancies. DNA was extracted, and bisulfite was converted, prior to being hybridized for the methylation array. Methylation data were SWAN normalized and differently methylated regions were identified using applications within the USEQ program. UCSC's Genome browser and Stanford's GREAT analysis were used to identify gene promoters. The commonality among affected genes was confirmed by Western blot. We observed nine significantly hypomethylated regions, two being significantly hypomethylated for both PE and IGUR. Western blot confirmed differential protein expression of commonly regulated genes. We conclude that despite the uniqueness of methylation profiles for PE and IUGR, the similarity of some methylation alterations in pathologies could explain the clinical similarities observed with these obstetric complications. These results also provide insight into the genetic similarity between PE and IUGR and suggest possible gene candidates plausibly involved in the onset of both conditions.

Updated Functional Roles of NAMPT in Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Niches

Simple Summary

The advantages and applications of using the non-invasive way to detect serum biomarkers for assessing cancer diagnosis and prognosis have been explored. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), also designated as pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) or visfatin, is a secreted adipokine known to modulate tumor malignancies. Its significance in predicting cancer patient’s survival outcome further renders the implementation of NAMPT in clinical practice. In this review, recent discoveries of NAMPT in cancer studies were focused and integrated. We aim to provide updates for researchers who are proposing relevant objectives.

Abstract

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is notable for its regulatory roles in tumor development and progression. Emerging evidence regarding NAMPT somatic mutations in cancer patients, NAMPT expressional signatures in normal tissues and cancers, and the prognostic significance of NAMPT in many cancer types has attracted attention, and NAMPT is considered a potential biomarker of cancer. Recent discoveries have demonstrated the indirect association and direct biological functions of NAMPT in modulating cancer metastasis, proliferation, angiogenesis, cancer stemness, and chemoresistance to anticancer drugs. These findings warrant further investigation of the underlying mechanisms to provide knowledge for developing novel cancer therapeutics. In this review article, we explore recent research developments involving the oncogenic activities of NAMPT by summarizing current knowledge regarding NAMPT somatic mutations, clinical trials, transcriptome data, and clinical information and discoveries related to the NAMPT-induced signaling pathway in modulating hallmarks of cancer. Furthermore, the comprehensive representation of NAMPT RNA expression in a pancancer panel as well as in specific normal cell types at single-cell level are demonstrated. The results suggest potential sites and cell types that could facilitate NAMPT-related tumorigenesis. With this review, we aim to shed light on the regulatory roles of NAMPT in tumor development and progression, and provide information to guide future research directions in this field.

Based on multiple machine learning to identify the ENO2 as diagnosis biomarkers of glaucoma

Purpose

Glaucoma is a generic term of a highly different disease group of optic neuropathies, which the leading cause of irreversible vision in the world. There are few biomarkers available for clinical prediction and diagnosis, and the diagnosis of patients is mostly delayed.

Methods

Differential gene expression of transcriptome sequencing data (GSE9944 and GSE2378) for normal samples and glaucoma samples from the GEO database were analyzed. Furthermore, based on different algorithms (Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), lasso regression (LASSO)) two diagnostic models are constructed and diagnostic markers are screened. GO and KEGG analyses revealed the possible mechanism of differential genes in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. ROC curve confirmed the effectiveness.

Results

LR-RF model included 3 key genes (NAMPT, ADH1C, ENO2), and the LASSO model outputted 5 genes (IFI16, RFTN1, NAMPT, ADH1C, and ENO2), both algorithms have excellent diagnostic efficiency. ROC curve confirmed that the three biomarkers ADH1C, ENO2, and NAMPT were effective in the diagnosis of glaucoma. Next, the expression analysis of the three diagnostic biomarkers in glaucoma and control samples confirmed that NAMPT and ADH1C were up-regulated in glaucoma samples, and ENO2 was down-regulated. Correlation analysis showed that ENO2 was significantly negatively correlated with ADH1C (cor = -0.865714202) and NAMPT (cor = -0.730541227). Finally, three compounds for the treatment of glaucoma were obtained in the TCMs database: acetylsalicylic acid, 7-o-methylisomucitol and scutellarin which were applied to molecular docking with the diagnostic biomarker ENO2.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our research shows that ENO2, NAMPT, and ADH1C can be used as diagnostic markers for glaucoma, and ENO2 can be used as a therapeutic target.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-022-02350-w.

NAPRT Expression Regulation Mechanisms: Novel Functions Predicted by a Bioinformatics Approach

The nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) gene has gained relevance in the research of cancer therapeutic strategies due to its main role as a NAD biosynthetic enzyme. NAD metabolism is an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapies, given the high energy requirements of proliferating cancer cells and NAD-dependent signaling. A few studies have shown that NAPRT expression varies in different cancer types, making it imperative to assess NAPRT expression and functionality status prior to the application of therapeutic strategies targeting NAD. In addition, the recent finding of NAPRT extracellular form (eNAPRT) suggested the involvement of NAPRT in inflammation and signaling. However, the mechanisms regulating NAPRT gene expression have never been thoroughly addressed. In this study, we searched for NAPRT gene expression regulatory mechanisms in transcription factors (TFs), RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNA (miRNAs) databases. We identified several potential regulators of NAPRT transcription activation, downregulation and alternative splicing and performed GO and expression analyses. The results of the functional analysis of TFs, RBPs and miRNAs suggest new, unexpected functions for the NAPRT gene in cell differentiation, development and neuronal biology.

Inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) with OT-82 induces DNA damage, cell death, and suppression of tumor growth in preclinical models of Ewing sarcoma

NAMPT mediates the rate-limiting step of the NAD salvage pathway, which maintains cellular bioenergetics and provides a necessary substrate for functions essential to rapidly proliferating cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and mechanisms of action of OT-82, a novel, high-potency NAMPT inhibitor with a favorable toxicity profile, in preclinical models of Ewing sarcoma (EWS), an aggressive pediatric malignancy with previously reported selective sensitivity to NAMPT inhibition. We show that OT-82 decreased NAD concentration and impaired proliferation of EWS cells in a dose-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values in the single-digit nanomolar range. Notably, genetic depletion of NAMPT phenocopied pharmacological inhibition. On-target activity of OT-82 was confirmed with the addition of NMN, the product of NAMPT, which rescued NAD concentration and EWS cellular viability. Mechanistically, OT-82 treatment resulted in impaired DNA damage repair through loss of PARP activity, G2 cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis in EWS cells. Additional consequences of OT-82 treatment included reduction of glycolytic and mitochondrial activity. In vivo, OT-82 impaired tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice bearing EWS xenografts. Importantly, antitumor effect correlated with pharmacodynamic markers of target engagement. Furthermore, combining low-dose OT-82 with low doses of agents augmenting DNA damage demonstrated enhanced antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Thus, OT-82 treatment represents a potential novel targeted approach for the clinical treatment of EWS.

NAMPT and NAPRT: Two Metabolic Enzymes With Key Roles in Inflammation

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) are two intracellular enzymes that catalyze the first step in the biosynthesis of NAD from nicotinamide and nicotinic acid, respectively. By fine tuning intracellular NAD levels, they are involved in the regulation/reprogramming of cellular metabolism and in the control of the activity of NAD-dependent enzymes, including sirtuins, PARPs, and NADases. However, during evolution they both acquired novel functions as extracellular endogenous mediators of inflammation. It is well-known that cellular stress and/or damage induce release in the extracellular milieu of endogenous molecules, called alarmins or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which modulate immune functions through binding pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and activate inflammatory responses. Increasing evidence suggests that extracellular (e)NAMPT and eNAPRT are novel soluble factors with cytokine/adipokine/DAMP-like actions. Elevated eNAMPT were reported in several metabolic and inflammatory disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and cancer, while eNAPRT is emerging as a biomarker of sepsis and septic shock. This review will discuss available data concerning the dual role of this unique family of enzymes.

The complex genetic landscape of familial MDS and AML reveals pathogenic germline variants

The inclusion of familial myeloid malignancies as a separate disease entity in the revised WHO classification has renewed efforts to improve the recognition and management of this group of at risk individuals. Here we report a cohort of 86 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) families with 49 harboring germline variants in 16 previously defined loci (57%). Whole exome sequencing in a further 37 uncharacterized families (43%) allowed us to rationalize 65 new candidate loci, including genes mutated in rare hematological syndromes (ADA, GP6, IL17RA, PRF1 and SEC23B), reported in prior MDS/AML or inherited bone marrow failure series (DNAH9, NAPRT1 and SH2B3) or variants at novel loci (DHX34) that appear specific to inherited forms of myeloid malignancies. Altogether, our series of MDS/AML families offer novel insights into the etiology of myeloid malignancies and provide a framework to prioritize variants for inclusion into routine diagnostics and patient management.

Beyond Energy Metabolism: Exploiting the Additional Roles of NAMPT for Cancer Therapy

Tumor cells have increased requirements for NAD⁺. Thus, many cancers exhibit an increased reliance on NAD⁺ production pathways. This dependence may be exploited therapeutically through pharmacological targeting of NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD⁺ salvage pathway. Despite promising preclinical data using NAMPT inhibitors in cancer models, early NAMPT inhibitors showed limited efficacy in several early phase clinical trials, necessitating the identification of strategies, such as drug combinations, to enhance their efficacy. While the effect of NAMPT inhibitors on impairment of energy metabolism in cancer cells has been well-described, more recent insights have uncovered a number of additional targetable cellular processes that are impacted by inhibition of NAMPT. These include sirtuin function, DNA repair machinery, redox homeostasis, molecular signaling, cellular stemness, and immune processes. This review highlights the recent findings describing the effects of NAMPT inhibitors on the non-metabolic functions of malignant cells, with a focus on how this information can be leveraged clinically. Combining NAMPT inhibitors with other therapies that target NAD⁺-dependent processes or selecting tumors with specific vulnerabilities that can be co-targeted with NAMPT inhibitors may represent opportunities to exploit the multiple functions of this enzyme for greater therapeutic benefit.

The Role of Adipokines in Breast Cancer: Current Evidence and Perspectives

PURPOSE

The current review shows evidence for the role of adipokines in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis summarizing the mechanisms underlying the association between adipokines and breast malignancy. Special emphasis is given also on intriguing insights into the relationship between obesity and BC as well as on the role of novel adipokines in BC development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent evidence has underscored the role of the triad of obesity, insulin resistance, and adipokines in postmenopausal BC. Adipokines exert independent and joint effects on activation of major intracellular signal networks implicated in BC cell proliferation, growth, survival, invasion, and metastasis, particularly in the context of obesity, considered a systemic endocrine dysfunction characterized by chronic inflammation. To date, more than 10 adipokines have been linked to BC, and this catalog is continuously increasing. The majority of circulating adipokines, such as leptin, resistin, visfatin, apelin, lipocalin 2, osteopontin, and oncostatin M, is elevated in BC, while some adipokines such as adiponectin and irisin (adipo-myokine) are generally decreased in BC and considered protective against breast carcinogenesis. Further evidence from basic and translational research is necessary to delineate the ontological role of adipokines and their interplay in BC pathogenesis. More large-scale clinical and longitudinal studies are awaited to assess their clinical utility in BC prognosis and follow-up. Finally, novel more effective and safer adipokine-centered therapeutic strategies could pave the way for targeted oncotherapy.

Classic and Novel Adipocytokines at the Intersection of Obesity and Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we investigate the role of classic and novel adipocytokines in cancer pathogenesis synopsizing the mechanisms underlying the association between adipocytokines and malignancy. Special emphasis is given on novel adipocytokines as new evidence is emerging regarding their entanglement in neoplastic development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent data have emphasized the role of the triad of overweight/obesity, insulin resistance and adipocytokines in cancer. In the setting of obesity, classic and novel adipocytokines present independent and joint effects on activation of major intracellular signaling pathways implicated in cell proliferation, expansion, survival, adhesion, invasion, and metastasis. Until now, more than 15 adipocytokines have been associated with cancer, and this list continues to expand. While the plethora of circulating pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, such as leptin, resistin, extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase, and chemerin are elevated in malignancies, some adipocytokines such as adiponectin and omentin-1 are generally decreased in cancers and are considered protective against carcinogenesis. Elucidating the intertwining of inflammation, cellular bioenergetics, and adiposopathy is significant for the development of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies against cancer. Novel more effective and safe adipocytokine-centered therapeutic interventions may pave the way for targeted oncotherapy.

The role of extracellular and intracellular Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl-transferase in cancer: Diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives and challenges

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl-transferase (Nampt) or pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor or visfatin represents a pleiotropic molecule acting as an enzyme, a cytokine and a growth factor. Intracellular Nampt plays an important role in cellular bioenergetics and metabolism, particularly NAD biosynthesis. NAD biosynthesis is critical in DNA repair, oncogenic signal transduction, transcription, genomic integrity and apoptosis. Although its insulin-mimetic function remains a controversial issue, extracellular Nampt presents proliferative, anti-apoptotic, pro-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and metastatic properties. Nampt is upregulated in many malignancies, including obesity-associated cancers, and is associated with worse prognosis. Serum Nampt may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer. Pharmacologic agents that neutralize Nampt or medications that decrease Nampt levels or downregulate signaling pathways downstream of Nampt may prove to be useful anti-cancer treatments. In particular, Nampt inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination therapy have displayed anti-cancer activity in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this review is to explore the role of Nampt in cancer pathophysiology as well as to synopsize the mechanisms underlying the association between extracellular and intracellular Nampt, and malignancy. Exploring the interplay of cellular bioenergetics, inflammation and adiposopathy is expected to be of importance in the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Novel NAPRT specific antibody identifies small cell lung cancer and neuronal cancers as promising clinical indications for a NAMPT inhibitor/niacin co-administration strategy

Tumor cells are particularly dependent on NAD⁺ due to higher rates of metabolism, DNA synthesis and repair. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase inhibitors (NAMPTis) inhibit NAD⁺ biosynthesis and represent promising new anti-cancer agents. However, clinical efficacy has been limited by toxicities demonstrating the need for drug combinations to broaden the therapeutic index. One potential combination involves niacin/NAMPTi co-administration. Niacin can rescue NAD⁺ biosynthesis through a parallel pathway that depends on nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) expression. Most normal tissues express NAPRT while a significant proportion of malignant cells do not, providing a possible selection marker for patients to achieve NAMPTi efficacy while minimizing toxicities.

Here we identify and validate a novel highly NAPRT-specific monoclonal antibody (3C6D2) that detects functional NAPRT in paraffin embedded tissue sections by immunohistochemistry (IHC). NAPRT detection by 3C6D2 coincides with the ability of niacin to rescue cells from NAMPTi induced cytotoxicity in cell lines and animal xenograft models. 3C6D2 binds to an epitope that is unique to NAPRT among phosphoribosyltransferases. In a series of primary tumor samples from lung and brain cancer patients, we demonstrate that >70 % of human small cell lung carcinomas, glioblastomas and oligodendrogliomas lack NAPRT identifying them as potentially suitable indications for the NAMPT/niacin combination.

Analysis of cancer-related lncRNAs using gene ontology and KEGG pathways

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a disease that involves abnormal cell growth and can invade or metastasize to other tissues. It is known that several factors are related to its initiation, proliferation, and invasiveness. Recently, it has been reported that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can participate in specific functional pathways and further regulate the biological function of cancer cells. Studies on lncRNAs are therefore helpful for uncovering the underlying mechanisms of cancer biological processes.

METHODS

We investigated cancer-related lncRNAs using gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathway enrichment scores of neighboring genes that are co-expressed with the lncRNAs by extracting important GO terms and KEGG pathways that can help us identify cancer-related lncRNAs. The enrichment theory of GO terms and KEGG pathways was adopted to encode each lncRNA. Then, feature selection methods were employed to analyze these features and obtain the key GO terms and KEGG pathways.

RESULTS

The analysis indicated that the extracted GO terms and KEGG pathways are closely related to several cancer associated processes, such as hormone associated pathways, energy associated pathways, and ribosome associated pathways. And they can accurately predict cancer-related lncRNAs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided novel insight of how lncRNAs may affect tumorigenesis and which pathways may play important roles during it. These results could help understanding the biological mechanisms of lncRNAs and treating cancer.

Impact of ERG3 mutations and expression of ergosterol genes controlled by UPC2 and NDT80 in Candida parapsilosis azole resistance

OBJECTIVES

Candida parapsilosis is a healthcare-related fungal pathogen particularly common among immunocompromised patients. Our understanding of antifungal resistance mechanisms in C. parapsilosis remains very limited. We previously described an azole-resistant strain of C. parapsilosis (BC014R_PSC), obtained following exposure in vitro to posaconazole. Resistance was associated with overexpression of ergosterol biosynthetic genes (ERG genes), together with the transcription factors UPC2 (CPAR2-207280) and NDT80 (CPAR2-213640). The aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms underlying posaconazole resistance of the BC014R_PSC strain.

METHODS

To identify the causative mutation, we sequenced the genomes of the susceptible (BC014S) and resistant (BC014R_PSC) isolates, using Illumina technology. Ergosterol content was assessed in both strains by mass spectrometry. UPC2 and NDT80 genes were deleted in BC014R_PSC strain. Mutants were characterized regarding their azole susceptibility profile and ERG gene expression.

RESULTS

One homozygous missense mutation (R135I) was found in ERG3 (CPAR2-105550) in the azole-resistant isolate. We show that Erg3 activity is completely impaired, resulting in a build up of sterol intermediates and a failure to generate ergosterol. Deleting UPC2 and NDT80 in BC014R_PSC reduces the expression of ERG genes and restores susceptibility to azole drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

A missense mutation in the ERG3 gene results in azole resistance and up-regulation of ERG genes expression. We propose that this mutation prevents the formation of toxic intermediates when cells are treated with azoles. Resistance can be reversed by deleting Upc2 and Ndt80 transcription factors. UPC2 plays a stronger role in C. parapsilosis azole resistance than does NDT80.

Computational Discovery of Putative Leads for Drug Repositioning through Drug-Target Interaction Prediction

De novo experimental drug discovery is an expensive and time-consuming task. It requires the identification of drug-target interactions (DTIs) towards targets of biological interest, either to inhibit or enhance a specific molecular function. Dedicated computational models for protein simulation and DTI prediction are crucial for speed and to reduce the costs associated with DTI identification. In this paper we present a computational pipeline that enables the discovery of putative leads for drug repositioning that can be applied to any microbial proteome, as long as the interactome of interest is at least partially known. Network metrics calculated for the interactome of the bacterial organism of interest were used to identify putative drug-targets. Then, a random forest classification model for DTI prediction was constructed using known DTI data from publicly available databases, resulting in an area under the ROC curve of 0.91 for classification of out-of-sampling data. A drug-target network was created by combining 3,081 unique ligands and the expected ten best drug targets. This network was used to predict new DTIs and to calculate the probability of the positive class, allowing the scoring of the predicted instances. Molecular docking experiments were performed on the best scoring DTI pairs and the results were compared with those of the same ligands with their original targets. The results obtained suggest that the proposed pipeline can be used in the identification of new leads for drug repositioning. The proposed classification model is available at http://bioinformatics.ua.pt/software/dtipred/.

The emergence of multi-resistant bacterial strains and the existing void in the discovery and development of new classes of antibiotics is a growing concern. Indeed, some bacterial strains are now resistant to last-line antibiotics and considered untreatable. Drug repositioning has been suggested as a strategy to minimize time and cost expenses until the drug reaches the market, compared to traditional drug design. Drug-target interactions (DTIs) are the basis of rational drug design and thus, we proposed a computational approach to predict DTIs solely based on the primary sequence of the protein and the simplified molecular-input line-entry system of the ligand. In addition, network metrics are used to identify vital putative drug-targets in bacteria. Molecular docking experiments were performed to compare the binding affinities between a given ligand and a putative drug-target, as well as with their original targets. According to the docking results, the predicted DTIs have better or similar binding activities than the ligand and their real target, indicating the validity of the proposed model.

Extensive regulation of nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) expression in human tissues and tumors

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a cofactor in redox reactions and a substrate for NAD-consuming enzymes, such as PARPs and sirtuins. As cancer cells have increased NAD requirements, the main NAD salvage enzymes in humans, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), are involved in the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. Knowledge of the expression patterns of both genes in tissues and tumors is critical for the use of nicotinic acid (NA) as cytoprotective in therapies using NAMPT inhibitors. Herein, we provide a comprehensive study of NAPRT and NAMPT expression across human tissues and tumor cell lines. We show that both genes are widely expressed under normal conditions and describe the occurrence of novel NAPRT transcripts. Also, we explore some of the NAPRT gene expression mechanisms. Our findings underline that the efficiency of NA in treatments with NAMPT inhibitors is dependent on the knowledge of the expression profiles and regulation of both NAMPT and NAPRT.

New strategies to maximize therapeutic opportunities for NAMPT inhibitors in oncology

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is crucial for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) biosynthesis in mammalian cells. NAMPT inhibitors represent multifunctional anticancer agents that act on NAD(+) metabolism to shut down glycolysis, nucleotide biosynthesis, and ATP generation and act indirectly as PARP and sirtuin inhibitors. The selectivity of NAMPT inhibitors preys on the increased metabolic requirements to replenish NAD(+) in cancer cells. Although initial clinical studies with NAMPT inhibitors did not achieve single-agent therapeutic levels before dose-limiting toxicities were reached, a new understanding of alternative rescue pathways and a biomarker that can be used to select patients provides new opportunities to widen the therapeutic window and achieve efficacious doses in the clinic. Recent work has also illustrated the potential for drug combination strategies to further enhance the therapeutic opportunities. This review summarizes recent discoveries in NAD(+)/NAMPT inhibitor biology in the context of exploiting this new knowledge to optimize the clinical outcomes for this promising new class of agents.

Crystal structure of human nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase

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Human NaPRTase is a functional dimer.

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The structural bases for FK866 lack of inhibition of human NaPRTas were identified.

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Na, Nam and QA phosphoribosyltransferases share a conserved fold.

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Na, Nam and QA phosphoribosyltransferases show distinctive traits in the active site.

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Human and Enterococcus faecalis NaPRTase are highly structurally conserved.

Nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.11) (NaPRTase) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the three-step Preiss–Handler pathway for the biosynthesis of NAD. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of nicotinic acid (Na) and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN) and pyrophosphate (PPi). Several studies have underlined the importance of NaPRTase for NAD homeostasis in mammals, but no crystallographic data are available for this enzyme from higher eukaryotes. Here, we report the crystal structure of human NaPRTase that was solved by molecular replacement at a resolution of 2.9 Å in its ligand-free form. Our structural data allow the assignment of human NaPRTase to the type II phosphoribosyltransferase subfamily and reveal that the enzyme consists of two domains and functions as a dimer with the active site located at the interface of the monomers. The substrate-binding mode was analyzed by molecular docking simulation and provides hints into the catalytic mechanism. Moreover, structural comparison of human NaPRTase with the other two human type II phosphoribosyltransferases involved in NAD biosynthesis, quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, reveals that while the three enzymes share a conserved overall structure, a few distinctive structural traits can be identified. In particular, we show that NaPRTase lacks a tunnel that, in nicotinamide phosphoribosiltransferase, represents the binding site of its potent and selective inhibitor FK866, currently used in clinical trials as an antitumoral agent.

Three minimal sequences found in Ebola virus genomes and absent from human DNA

Motivation: Ebola virus causes high mortality hemorrhagic fevers, with more than 25 000 cases and 10 000 deaths in the current outbreak. Only experimental therapies are available, thus, novel diagnosis tools and druggable targets are needed.

Results: Analysis of Ebola virus genomes from the current outbreak reveals the presence of short DNA sequences that appear nowhere in the human genome. We identify the shortest such sequences with lengths between 12 and 14. Only three absent sequences of length 12 exist and they consistently appear at the same location on two of the Ebola virus proteins, in all Ebola virus genomes, but nowhere in the human genome. The alignment-free method used is able to identify pathogen-specific signatures for quick and precise action against infectious agents, of which the current Ebola virus outbreak provides a compelling example.

Availability and Implementation: EAGLE is freely available for non-commercial purposes at http://bioinformatics.ua.pt/software/eagle.

Contact:raquelsilva@ua.pt; pratas@ua.pt

Supplementary Information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Metabolic regulation of histone post-translational modifications

Histone post-translational modifications regulate transcription and other DNA-templated functions. This process is dynamically regulated by specific modifying enzymes whose activities require metabolites that either serve as cosubstrates or act as activators/inhibitors. Therefore, metabolism can influence histone modification by changing local concentrations of key metabolites. Physiologically, the epigenetic response to metabolism is important for nutrient sensing and environment adaption. In pathologic states, the connection between metabolism and histone modification mediates epigenetic abnormality in complex disease. In this review, we summarize recent studies of the molecular mechanisms involved in metabolic regulation of histone modifications and discuss their biological significance.