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Jorkesh A, Rothenberger S, Baldassar L, Grybaite B, Kavaliauskas P, Mickevicius V, Dettin M, Vascon F, Cendron L, Pasquato A. Screening of Small-Molecule Libraries Using SARS-CoV-2-Derived Sequences Identifies Novel Furin Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5079. [PMID: 38791119 PMCID: PMC11121672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105079] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen responsible for the most recent global pandemic, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide. Despite remarkable efforts to develop an effective vaccine, concerns have been raised about the actual protection against novel variants. Thus, researchers are eager to identify alternative strategies to fight against this pathogen. Like other opportunistic entities, a key step in the SARS-CoV-2 lifecycle is the maturation of the envelope glycoprotein at the RARR685↓ motif by the cellular enzyme Furin. Inhibition of this cleavage greatly affects viral propagation, thus representing an ideal drug target to contain infection. Importantly, no Furin-escape variants have ever been detected, suggesting that the pathogen cannot replace this protease by any means. Here, we designed a novel fluorogenic SARS-CoV-2-derived substrate to screen commercially available and custom-made libraries of small molecules for the identification of new Furin inhibitors. We found that a peptide substrate mimicking the cleavage site of the envelope glycoprotein of the Omicron variant (QTQTKSHRRAR-AMC) is a superior tool for screening Furin activity when compared to the commercially available Pyr-RTKR-AMC substrate. Using this setting, we identified promising novel compounds able to modulate Furin activity in vitro and suitable for interfering with SARS-CoV-2 maturation. In particular, we showed that 3-((5-((5-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-4,5 dihydrothiazol-2-yl)(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)amino)propanoic acid (P3, IC50 = 35 μM) may represent an attractive chemical scaffold for the development of more effective antiviral drugs via a mechanism of action that possibly implies the targeting of Furin secondary sites (exosites) rather than its canonical catalytic pocket. Overall, a SARS-CoV-2-derived peptide was investigated as a new substrate for in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) of Furin inhibitors and allowed the identification of compound P3 as a promising hit with an innovative chemical scaffold. Given the key role of Furin in infection and the lack of any Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Furin inhibitor, P3 represents an interesting antiviral candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Jorkesh
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Science, University of Padova, Via Marzolo, 5, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.V.); (L.C.)
| | - Sylvia Rothenberger
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 48, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Spiez Laboratory, Federal Office for Civil Protection, Austrasse, 3700 Spiez, Switzerland
| | - Laura Baldassar
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Birute Grybaite
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu Rd. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (B.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Povilas Kavaliauskas
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu Rd. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (B.G.); (V.M.)
- Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Biological Research Center, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes Str. 18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Pathogenic Microbiology, Birstono Str. 38A, LT-59116 Prienai, Lithuania
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Vytautas Mickevicius
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu Rd. 19, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania; (B.G.); (V.M.)
| | - Monica Dettin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.B.); (M.D.)
| | - Filippo Vascon
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.V.); (L.C.)
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.V.); (L.C.)
| | - Antonella Pasquato
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 9, 35131 Padova, Italy; (L.B.); (M.D.)
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2
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Petersen M, Lotke R, Hopfensperger K, Victoria S, Haußmann I, Burster T, Baldauf HM, Sauter D. Inhibition of Infectious HIV-1 Production by Rerouting the Cellular Furin Inhibitor Serpin B8. J Virol 2023; 97:e0029423. [PMID: 37272794 PMCID: PMC10308892 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00294-23] [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: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpins are a superfamily of proteins that regulate a variety of physiological processes by irreversibly inhibiting the enzymatic activity of different serine proteases. For example, Serpin Family B Member 8 (Serpin B8, also known as PI8 and CAP2) binds to and inhibits the proprotein convertase furin. Like many other viral pathogens, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exploits furin for the proteolytic activation of its envelope glycoprotein (Env). Since the furin inhibitor Serpin B8 is expressed in primary target cells of HIV-1 and induced under inflammatory conditions, we hypothesized that it might interfere with HIV-1 Env maturation and decrease infectivity of newly produced virions. Indeed, recombinant Serpin B8 reduced furin-mediated cleavage of an HIV-1 Env reporter substrate in vitro. However, Serpin B8 did not affect Env maturation or reduce HIV-1 particle infectivity when expressed in HIV-1-producing cells. Immunofluorescence imaging, dimerization assays and in silico sequence analyses revealed that Serpin B8 failed to inhibit intracellular furin since both proteins localized to different subcellular compartments. We therefore aimed at rendering Serpin B8 active against HIV-1 by relocalizing it to furin-containing secretory compartments. Indeed, the addition of a heterologous signal peptide conferred potent anti-HIV-1 activity to Serpin B8 and significantly decreased infectivity of newly produced viral particles. Thus, our findings demonstrate that subcellular relocalization of a cellular protease inhibitor can result in efficient inhibition of infectious HIV-1 production. IMPORTANCE Many cellular proteases serve as dependency factors during viral infection and are hijacked by viruses for the maturation of their own (glyco)proteins. Consequently, inhibition of these cellular proteases may represent a means to inhibit the spread of viral infection. For example, several studies have investigated the serine protease furin as a potential therapeutic target since this protease cleaves and activates several viral envelope proteins, including HIV-1 Env. Besides the development of small molecule inhibitors, cell-intrinsic protease inhibitors may also be exploited to advance current antiviral treatment approaches. Here, we show that Serpin B8, an endogenous furin inhibitor, can inhibit HIV-1 Env maturation and efficiently reduce infectious HIV-1 production when rerouted to the secretory pathway. The results of our study not only provide important insights into the biology of Serpins, but also show how protein engineering of an endogenous furin inhibitor can render it active against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Petersen
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rishikesh Lotke
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kristina Hopfensperger
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sabina Victoria
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Isabell Haußmann
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Timo Burster
- School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Hanna-Mari Baldauf
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute and Gene Center, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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3
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Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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4
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin in cancer: more than an oncogene. Oncogene 2022; 41:1252-1262. [PMID: 34997216 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Furin is the first discovered proprotein convertase member and is present in almost all mammalian cells. Therefore, by regulating the maturation of a wide range of proproteins, Furin expression and/or activity is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes ranging from embryonic development to carcinogenesis. Since many of these protein precursors are involved in initiating and maintaining the hallmarks of cancer, Furin has been proposed as a potential target for treating several human cancers. In contrast, other studies have revealed that some types of cancer do not benefit from Furin inhibition. Therefore, understanding the heterogeneous functions of Furin in cancer will provide important insights into the design of effective strategies targeting Furin in cancer treatment. Here, we present recent advances in understanding how Furin expression and activity are regulated in cancer cells and their influences on the activity of Furin substrates in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how Furin represses tumorigenic properties of several cancer cells and why Furin inhibition leads to aggressive phenotypes in other tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical applications of Furin inhibition in treating human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR 1029, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, Pessac, France.
- Institut Bergoinié, Bordeaux, France.
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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5
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Braun E, Sauter D. Furin-mediated protein processing in infectious diseases and cancer. Clin Transl Immunology 2019; 8:e1073. [PMID: 31406574 PMCID: PMC6682551 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic cleavage regulates numerous processes in health and disease. One key player is the ubiquitously expressed serine protease furin, which cleaves a plethora of proteins at polybasic recognition motifs. Mammalian substrates of furin include cytokines, hormones, growth factors and receptors. Thus, it is not surprising that aberrant furin activity is associated with a variety of disorders including cancer. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of furin is exploited by numerous viral and bacterial pathogens, thereby enhancing their virulence and spread. In this review, we describe the physiological and pathophysiological substrates of furin and discuss how dysregulation of a simple proteolytic cleavage event may promote infectious diseases and cancer. One major focus is the role of furin in viral glycoprotein maturation and pathogenicity. We also outline cellular mechanisms regulating the expression and activation of furin and summarise current approaches that target this protease for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Braun
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlmGermany
| | - Daniel Sauter
- Institute of Molecular VirologyUlm University Medical CenterUlmGermany
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6
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Vasylieva N, Kitamura S, Dong J, Barnych B, Hvorecny KL, Madden DR, Gee SJ, Wolan DW, Morisseau C, Hammock BD. Nanobody-based binding assay for the discovery of potent inhibitors of CFTR inhibitory factor (Cif). Anal Chim Acta 2019; 1057:106-113. [PMID: 30832908 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.12.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lead identification and optimization are essential steps in the development of a new drug. It requires cost-effective, selective and sensitive chemical tools. Here, we report a novel method using nanobodies that allows the efficient screening for potent ligands. The method is illustrated with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator inhibitory factor (Cif), a virulence factor secreted by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 18 nanobodies selective to Cif were isolated by bio-panning from nanobody-phage library constructed from immunized llama. 8 out of 18 nanobodies were identified as potent inhibitors of Cif enzymatic activity with IC50s in the range of 0.3-6.4 μM. A nanobody VHH219 showed high affinity (KD = 0.08 nM) to Cif and the highest inhibitory potency, IC50 = 0.3 μM. A displacement sandwich ELISA (dsELISA) with VHH219 was then developed for classification of synthetic small molecule inhibitors according their inhibitory potency. The developed assay allowed identification of new inhibitor with highest potency reported so far (0.16 ± 0.02 μM). The results from dsELISA assay correlates strongly with a conventional fluorogenic assay (R = 0.9998) in predicting the inhibitory potency of the tested compounds. However, the novel dsELISA is an order of magnitude more sensitive and allows the identification and ranking of potent inhibitors missed by the classic fluorogenic assay method. These data were supported with Octet biolayer interferometry measurements. The novel method described herein relies solely on the binding properties of the specific neutralizing nanobody, and thus is applicable to any pharmacological target for which such a nanobody can be found, independent of any requirement for catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Vasylieva
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Seiya Kitamura
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States; Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jiexian Dong
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Bogdan Barnych
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Kelli L Hvorecny
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Dean R Madden
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Shirley J Gee
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
| | - Dennis W Wolan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Christophe Morisseau
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States.
| | - Bruce D Hammock
- Department of Entomology and Nematology and UCD Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
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7
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Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), the autonomous variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies produced naturally by camelid ungulates and cartilaginous fishes, have evolved to bind antigen using only three complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops rather than the six present in conventional VH:VL antibodies. It has been suggested, based on limited evidence, that sdAbs may adopt paratope structures that predispose them to preferential recognition of recessed protein epitopes, but poor or non-recognition of protuberant epitopes and small molecules. Here, we comprehensively surveyed the evidence in support of this hypothesis. We found some support for a global structural difference in the paratope shapes of sdAbs compared with those of conventional antibodies: sdAb paratopes have smaller molecular surface areas and diameters, more commonly have non-canonical CDR1 and CDR2 structures, and have elongated CDR3 length distributions, but have similar amino acid compositions and are no more extended (interatomic distance measured from CDR base to tip) than conventional antibody paratopes. Comparison of X-ray crystal structures of sdAbs and conventional antibodies in complex with cognate antigens showed that sdAbs and conventional antibodies bury similar solvent-exposed surface areas on proteins and form similar types of non-covalent interactions, although these are more concentrated in the compact sdAb paratope. Thus, sdAbs likely have privileged access to distinct antigenic regions on proteins, but only owing to their small molecular size and not to general differences in molecular recognition mechanism. The evidence surrounding the purported inability of sdAbs to bind small molecules was less clear. The available data provide a structural framework for understanding the evolutionary emergence and function of autonomous heavy chain-only antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Henry
- a Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - C Roger MacKenzie
- a Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.,b School of Environmental Sciences , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
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8
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. The Antiviral Potential of Host Protease Inhibitors. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122247 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The replication of numerous pathogenic viruses depends on host proteases, which therefore emerged as potential antiviral drug targets. In some cases, e.g., for influenza viruses, their function during the viral propagation cycle is relatively well understood, where they cleave and activate viral surface glycoproteins. For other viruses, e.g., Ebola virus, the function of host proteases during replication is still not clear. Host proteases may also contribute to the pathogenicity of virus infection by activating proinflammatory cytokines. For some coronaviruses, human proteases can also serve in a nonproteolytical fashion simply as receptors for virus entry. However, blocking of such protein-protein contacts is challenging, because receptor surfaces are often flat and difficult to address with small molecules. In contrast, many proteases possess well-defined binding pockets. Therefore, they can be considered as well-druggable targets, especially, if they are extracellularly active. The number of their experimental crystal structures is steadily increasing, which is an important prerequisite for a rational structure-based inhibitor design using computational chemistry tools in combination with classical medicinal chemistry approaches. Moreover, host proteases can be considered as stable targets, and their inhibition should prevent rapid resistance developments, which is often observed when addressing viral proteins. Otherwise, the inhibition of host proteases can also affect normal physiological processes leading to a higher probability of side effects and a narrow therapeutic window. Therefore, they should be preferably used in combination therapies with additional antiviral drugs. This strategy should provide a stronger antiviral efficacy, allow to use lower drug doses, and minimize side effects. Despite numerous experimental findings on their antiviral activity, no small-molecule inhibitors of host proteases have been approved for the treatment of virus infections, so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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9
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The proprotein convertase furin is required to maintain viability of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:76743-76755. [PMID: 27572312 PMCID: PMC5363546 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Success of current therapies is still limited and outcome is particularly poor for metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS). We previously identified the proprotein convertase furin as potential target for specific drug delivery with RMS-homing peptides. Furin is a protease that converts inactive precursor proteins into bioactive proteins and peptides. In this study, we investigate the biological role of furin in aRMS progression in vitro and in vivo. Furin expression was confirmed in over 86% RMS biopsies in a tissue microarray (n=89). Inducible furin silencing in vitro led to significant impairment of cell viability and proliferation in all investigated aRMS cell lines, but not in MRC5 fibroblasts. Furthermore, the aRMS cell lines Rh3 and Rh4 revealed to be very sensitive to furin silencing, undergoing caspase-dependent cell death. Notably, furin silencing in vivo led to complete remission of established Rh4 tumors and to delayed growth in Rh30 tumors. Taken together, these findings identify furin as an important factor for aRMS progression and survival. Thus, we propose furin as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of aRMS.
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10
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Dahms SO, Jiao GS, Than ME. Structural Studies Revealed Active Site Distortions of Human Furin by a Small Molecule Inhibitor. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:1211-1216. [PMID: 28402100 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) represent highly selective serine proteases that activate their substrates upon proteolytic cleavage. Their inhibition is a promising strategy for the treatment of several pathologies including cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Here, we present the first experimental complex of furin with a non-substrate-like small molecule inhibitor, and the X-ray structure of the enzyme complexed to the small molecule inhibitor 1 at 1.9 Å resolution. Two molecules of inhibitor 1 were found to interact with furin. One is anchored at the S4 pocket of the enzyme and interferes directly with the conformation and function of the catalytic triade; the other molecule shows weaker binding and interacts with a distant, less conserved region of furin. The observed binding modes represent a new inhibition strategy of furin and imply the possibility to attain specificity among the PCs providing an innovative starting point of structure guided inhibitor development for furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department
of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- MedChem ShortCut, LLC, Pearl City, Hawaii United States
| | - Manuel E. Than
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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11
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Jaaks P, Bernasconi M. The proprotein convertase furin in tumour progression. Int J Cancer 2017; 141:654-663. [PMID: 28369813 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are proteases that have been implicated in the activation of a wide variety of proteins. These proteins are generally synthesised as precursor proteins and require limited proteolysis for conversion into their mature bioactive counterparts. Many of these proteins, including metalloproteases, growth factors and their receptors or adhesion molecules, have been shown to facilitate tumour formation and progression. Hence, this review will focus on the proprotein convertase furin and its role in cancer. The expression of furin has been confirmed in a large spectrum of cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer and rhabdomyosarcoma. Functional studies modulating furin activity uncovered its importance for the processing of many cancer-related substrates and strongly indicate that high furin activity promotes the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. In this review, we summarise the expression and function of furin in different cancer types, discuss its role in processing cancer-related proproteins and give examples of potential therapeutic approaches that take advantage of the proteolytic activity of furin in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Jaaks
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Oncology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Children's Research Centre, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Klein-Szanto AJ, Bassi DE. Proprotein convertase inhibition: Paralyzing the cell's master switches. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 140:8-15. [PMID: 28456517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are serine proteases responsible for the cleavage and subsequent activation of protein substrates, many of them relevant for the development of an ample variety of diseases. Seven of the PCs, including furin and PACE4, recognize and hydrolyze the C-terminal end of the general sequence RXRR/KXR, whereas PCSK-9 recognizes a series of non-basic amino acids. In some systems, PC-mediated substrate activation results in the development of pathological processes, such as cancer, endocrinopathies, and cardiovascular and infectious diseases. After establishing PCs as relevant contributors to disease processes, research efforts were directed towards the development of inhibition strategies, including small and large molecules, anti-sense therapies, and antibody-based therapies. Most of these inhibitors mimic the consensus sequence of PCs, blocking the active site in a competitive manner. The most promising inhibitors were designed as bioengineered proteins; however, some non-protein and peptidomimetic agents have also proved to be effective. These efforts led to the design of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials utilizing inhibitors to PCs. Although the initial studies were performed using non-selective PCs inhibitors, such as CMK, the search for more specific, and compartmentalized selective inhibitors resulted in specific activities ascribed to some, but not all of the PCs. For instance, PACE4 inhibitors were effective in decreasing prostate cancer cell proliferation, and neovascularization. Decreased metastatic ovarian cancer utilizing furin inhibitors represents one of the major endeavors, currently in a phase II trial stage. Antibodies targeting PCSK-9 decreased significantly the levels of HDL-cholesterol, in a phase III trial. The study of Proprotein convertases has reached a stage of maturity. New strategies based on the alteration of their activity at the cellular and clinical level represent a promising experimental pharmacology field. The development of allosteric inhibitors, or specific agents directed against individual PCs is one of the challenges to be unraveled in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel E Bassi
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cotman Ave, Philadelphia 19111, USA.
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13
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Dahms SO, Creemers JWM, Schaub Y, Bourenkov GP, Zögg T, Brandstetter H, Than ME. The structure of a furin-antibody complex explains non-competitive inhibition by steric exclusion of substrate conformers. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34303. [PMID: 27670069 PMCID: PMC5037460 DOI: 10.1038/srep34303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein Convertases (PCs) represent highly selective serine proteases that activate their substrates upon proteolytic cleavage. Their inhibition is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Inhibitory camelid antibodies were developed, targeting the prototypical PC furin. Kinetic analyses of them revealed an enigmatic non-competitive mechanism, affecting the inhibition of large proprotein-like but not small peptidic substrates. Here we present the crystal structures of furin in complex with the antibody Nb14 and of free Nb14 at resolutions of 2.0 Å and 2.3 Å, respectively. Nb14 binds at a site distant to the substrate binding pocket to the P-domain of furin. Interestingly, no major conformational changes were observed upon complex formation, neither for the protease nor for the antibody. Inhibition of furin by Nb14 is instead explained by steric exclusion of specific substrate conformers, explaining why Nb14 inhibits the processing of bulky protein substrates but not of small peptide substrates. This mode of action was further supported by modelling studies with the ternary factor X-furin-antibody complex and a mutation that disrupted the interaction interface between furin and the antibody. The observed binding mode of Nb14 suggests a novel approach for the development of highly specific antibody-based proprotein convertase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - John W M Creemers
- Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yvonne Schaub
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Zögg
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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14
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Structure of the unliganded form of the proprotein convertase furin suggests activation by a substrate-induced mechanism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11196-11201. [PMID: 27647913 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613630113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are highly specific proteases required for the proteolytic modification of many secreted proteins. An unbalanced activity of these enzymes is connected to pathologies like cancer, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolaemia, and infectious diseases. Novel protein crystallographic structures of the prototypical PC family member furin in different functional states were determined to 1.8-2.0 Å. These, together with biochemical data and modeling by molecular dynamics calculations, suggest essential elements underlying its unusually high substrate specificity. Furin shows a complex activation mechanism and exists in at least four defined states: (i) the "off state," incompatible with substrate binding as seen in the unliganded enzyme; (ii) the active "on state" seen in inhibitor-bound furin; and the respective (iii) calcium-free and (iv) calcium-bound forms. The transition from the off to the on state is triggered by ligand binding at subsites S1 to S4 and appears to underlie the preferential recognition of the four-residue sequence motif of furin. The molecular dynamics simulations of the four structural states reflect the experimental observations in general and provide approximations of the respective stabilities. Ligation by calcium at the PC-specific binding site II influences the active-site geometry and determines the rotamer state of the oxyanion hole-forming Asn295, and thus adds a second level of the activity modulation of furin. The described crystal forms and the observations of different defined functional states may foster the development of new tools and strategies for pharmacological intervention targeting furin.
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15
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Liver-Specific Inactivation of the Proprotein Convertase FURIN Leads to Increased Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:148651. [PMID: 26167473 PMCID: PMC4475760 DOI: 10.1155/2015/148651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are subtilisin-like serine endoproteases that cleave and hence activate a variety of proproteins, including growth factors, receptors, metalloproteases, and extracellular matrix proteins. Therefore, it has been suggested that inhibition of the ubiquitously expressed proprotein convertase FURIN might be a good therapeutic strategy for several tumor types. Whether this is also the case for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently not clear. In a mouse model for HCC expression of Furin was not altered in the tumors, while those of PC7, PC5/6, and PACE4 significantly decreased, at least at some time points. To investigate the impact of Furin inhibition on the development and progression of HCC in this model, Furin was genetically ablated in the liver. Furin inactivation resulted in an increased tumor mass after 5 weeks. This was not caused by decreased apoptosis, since no differences in the apoptosis index could be observed. However, it could at least partially be explained by increased hepatocyte proliferation at 5 weeks. The tumors of the Furin knockout mice were histologically similar to those in wild type mice. In conclusion, liver-specific Furin inhibition in HCC enhances the tumor formation and will not be a good therapeutic strategy for this tumor type.
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16
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (rs4932178) in the P1 Promoter of FURIN Is Not Prognostic to Colon Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:321276. [PMID: 26137475 PMCID: PMC4475562 DOI: 10.1155/2015/321276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
High expression of the proprotein processing enzyme FURIN has been associated with tumor progression and metastasis. A SNP (rs4932178) in the promoter of FURIN has been reported to affect expression in liver, with the T allele resulting in higher expression than the C allele. In this study we have investigated the association of this SNP with prognostic and biological subgroups of colorectal cancer (CRC). In a panel of 1382 patients with CRC, this SNP had no impact on overall survival or on postoperative risk of relapse. This SNP also could not be linked with FURIN expression levels in CRC samples from the patients. Furthermore, we demonstrate in luciferase reporter experiments in the colon cancer cell lines Caco-2 and SW480 and in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh 7 that expression is not affected by the SNP. Since, FURIN inhibition in human colon cancer cell lines has previously been shown to repress tumor metastases, association between FURIN gene expression levels and postoperative relapse-free survival was also investigated. However, no association could be found. Altogether, we could not confirm an effect of the SNP on FURIN expression in vitro and no correlations could be found in vivo with FURIN expression or outcome.
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17
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Huang Y, Nokhrin S, Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh G, Yu CH, Yang H, Barry AN, Tonelli M, Markley JL, Muyldermans S, Dmitriev OY, Lutsenko S. Interactions between metal-binding domains modulate intracellular targeting of Cu(I)-ATPase ATP7B, as revealed by nanobody binding. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:32682-93. [PMID: 25253690 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.580845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The biologically and clinically important membrane transporters are challenging proteins to study because of their low level of expression, multidomain structure, and complex molecular dynamics that underlies their activity. ATP7B is a copper transporter that traffics between the intracellular compartments in response to copper elevation. The N-terminal domain of ATP7B (N-ATP7B) is involved in binding copper, but the role of this domain in trafficking is controversial. To clarify the role of N-ATP7B, we generated nanobodies that interact with ATP7B in vitro and in cells. In solution NMR studies, nanobodies revealed the spatial organization of N-ATP7B by detecting transient functionally relevant interactions between metal-binding domains 1-3. Modulation of these interactions by nanobodies in cells enhanced relocalization of the endogenous ATP7B toward the plasma membrane linking molecular and cellular dynamics of the transporter. Stimulation of ATP7B trafficking by nanobodies in the absence of elevated copper provides direct evidence for the important role of N-ATP7B structural dynamics in regulation of ATP7B localization in a cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Huang
- From the Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Sergiy Nokhrin
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Gholamreza Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh
- the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Structural Biology Research Center, and Nanobody Service Facility, VIB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, and
| | - Corey H Yu
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Haojun Yang
- From the Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Amanda N Barry
- From the Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Marco Tonelli
- the Department of Biochemistry, National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - John L Markley
- the Department of Biochemistry, National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Serge Muyldermans
- the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Structural Biology Research Center, and
| | - Oleg Y Dmitriev
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E5, Canada,
| | - Svetlana Lutsenko
- From the Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205,
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18
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Dahms SO, Hardes K, Becker GL, Steinmetzer T, Brandstetter H, Than ME. X-ray structures of human furin in complex with competitive inhibitors. ACS Chem Biol 2014; 9:1113-8. [PMID: 24666235 PMCID: PMC4026159 DOI: 10.1021/cb500087x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Furin inhibitors are promising therapeutics
for the treatment of
cancer and numerous infections caused by bacteria and viruses, including
the highly lethal Bacillus anthracis or the pandemic
influenza virus. Development and improvement of inhibitors for pharmacological
use require a detailed knowledge of the protease’s substrate
and inhibitor binding properties. Here we present a novel preparation
of human furin and the first crystal structures of this enzyme in
complex with noncovalent inhibitors. We show the inhibitor exchange
by soaking, allowing the investigation of additional inhibitors and
substrate analogues. Thus, our work provides a basis for the rational
design of furin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven O. Dahms
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gero L. Becker
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department
of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuel E. Than
- Protein
Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
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19
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Kaiser PD, Maier J, Traenkle B, Emele F, Rothbauer U. Recent progress in generating intracellular functional antibody fragments to target and trace cellular components in living cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2014; 1844:1933-1942. [PMID: 24792387 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In biomedical research there is an ongoing demand for new technologies, which help to elucidate disease mechanisms and provide the basis to develop novel therapeutics. In this context a comprehensive understanding of cellular processes and their pathophysiology based on reliable information on abundance, localization, posttranslational modifications and dynamic interactions of cellular components is indispensable. Besides their significant impact as therapeutic molecules, antibodies are arguably the most powerful research tools to study endogenous proteins and other cellular components. However, for cellular diagnostics their use is restricted to endpoint assays using fixed and permeabilized cells. Alternatively, live cell imaging using fluorescent protein-tagged reporters is widely used to study protein localization and dynamics in living cells. However, only artificially introduced chimeric proteins are visualized, whereas the endogenous proteins, their posttranslational modifications as well as non-protein components of the cell remain invisible and cannot be analyzed. To overcome these limitations, traceable intracellular binding molecules provide new opportunities to perform cellular diagnostics in real time. In this review we summarize recent progress in the generation of intracellular and cell penetrating antibodies and their application to target and trace cellular components in living cells. We highlight recent advances in the structural formulation of recombinant antibody formats, reliable screening protocols and sophisticated cellular targeting technologies and propose that such intrabodies will become versatile research tools for real time cell-based diagnostics including target validation and live cell imaging. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Recent advances in molecular engineering of antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp D Kaiser
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julia Maier
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Bjoern Traenkle
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Felix Emele
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Rothbauer
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, 72770 Reutlingen, Germany; Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany.
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20
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Gagnon H, Beauchemin S, Kwiatkowska A, Couture F, D'Anjou F, Levesque C, Dufour F, Desbiens AR, Vaillancourt R, Bernard S, Desjardins R, Malouin F, Dory YL, Day R. Optimization of furin inhibitors to protect against the activation of influenza hemagglutinin H5 and Shiga toxin. J Med Chem 2013; 57:29-41. [PMID: 24359257 DOI: 10.1021/jm400633d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are crucial in the processing and entry of viral or bacterial protein precursors and confer increased infectivity of pathogens bearing a PC activation site, which results in increased symptom severity and lethality. Previously, we developed a nanomolar peptide inhibitor of PCs to prevent PC activation of infectious agents. Herein, we describe a peptidomimetic approach that increases the stability of this inhibitor for use in vivo to prevent systemic infections and cellular damage, such as that caused by influenza H5N1 and Shiga toxin. The addition of azaβ(3)-amino acids to both termini of the peptide successfully prevented influenza hemagglutinin 5 fusogenicity and Shiga toxin Vero toxicity in cell-based assays. The results from a cell-based model using stable shRNA-induced proprotein convertase knockdown indicate that only furin is the major proprotein convertase required for HA5 cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Gagnon
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke (IPS) and Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé (FMSS), Université de Sherbrooke , 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada
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21
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Van Audenhove I, Van Impe K, Ruano-Gallego D, De Clercq S, De Muynck K, Vanloo B, Verstraete H, Fernández LÁ, Gettemans J. Mapping cytoskeletal protein function in cells by means of nanobodies. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2013; 70:604-22. [DOI: 10.1002/cm.21122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 06/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Van Audenhove
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - Katrien Van Impe
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - David Ruano-Gallego
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology; Centro Nacional de Biotecnología; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus Cantoblanco Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM); Madrid Spain
| | - Sarah De Clercq
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - Kevin De Muynck
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - Berlinda Vanloo
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - Hanne Verstraete
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
| | - Luis Á. Fernández
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology; Centro Nacional de Biotecnología; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Campus Cantoblanco Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM); Madrid Spain
| | - Jan Gettemans
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University; Belgium
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22
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Curcumin affects proprotein convertase activity: elucidation of the molecular and subcellular mechanism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:1924-35. [PMID: 23583304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) form a group of serine endoproteases that are essential for the activation of proproteins into their active form. Some PCs have been proposed to be potential therapeutic targets for cancer intervention because elevated PC activity has been observed in many different cancer types and because many of the PC substrates, such as pro-IGF-1R, pro-TGF-beta, pro-VEGF, are involved in signaling pathways related to tumor development. Curcumin, reported to possess anticancer activity, also affects many of these pathways. We therefore investigated the effect of curcumin on PC activity. Our results show that curcumin inhibits PC activity in a cell lysate-based assay but not in vitro. PC zymogen maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum appears to be inhibited by curcumin. Treating cells with thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, two structurally unrelated inhibitors of the sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPase (SERCA), also hampered both the PC zymogen maturation and the PC activity. Importantly, curcumin, like the SERCA inhibitors, impaired ATP-driven (45)Ca(2+) uptake in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicate that curcumin likely restrains PC activity by inhibiting SERCA-mediated Ca(2+)-uptake activity. Experiments in three colon cancer cell lines confirm that curcumin inhibits both the (45)Ca(2+) uptake and PC activity, notably the processing of pro-IGF-1R. Both curcumin and thapsigargin inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of these three colon carcinoma cell lines. In conclusion, our findings indicate that curcumin inhibits PC zymogen maturation and consequently PC activity and that its inhibitory effect on Ca(2+) uptake into the ER allows and is sufficient to explain this phenomenon.
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