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Tanwar S, Ghaemi B, Raj P, Singh A, Wu L, Yuan Y, Arifin DR, McMahon MT, Bulte JWM, Barman I. A Smart Intracellular Self-Assembling Bioorthogonal Raman Active Nanoprobe for Targeted Tumor Imaging. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304164. [PMID: 37715297 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Inspired by the principle of in situ self-assembly, the development of enzyme-activated molecular nanoprobes can have a profound impact on targeted tumor detection. However, despite their intrinsic promise, obtaining an optical readout of enzyme activity with high specificity in native milieu has proven to be challenging. Here, a fundamentally new class of Raman-active self-assembling bioorthogonal enzyme recognition (nanoSABER) probes for targeted tumor imaging is reported. This class of Raman probes presents narrow spectral bands reflecting their vibrational fingerprints and offers an attractive solution for optical imaging at different bio-organization levels. The optical beacon harnesses an enzyme-responsive peptide sequence, unique tumor-penetrating properties, and vibrational tags with stretching frequencies in the cell-silent Raman window. The design of nanoSABER is tailored and engineered to transform into a supramolecular structure exhibiting distinct vibrational signatures in presence of target enzyme, creating a direct causality between enzyme activity and Raman signal. Through the integration of substrate-specific for tumor-associated enzyme legumain, unique capabilities of nanoSABER for imaging enzyme activity at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels in combination with machine learning models are shown. These results demonstrate that the nanoSABER probe may serve as a versatile platform for Raman-based recognition of tumor aggressiveness, drug accumulation, and therapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Tanwar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Behnaz Ghaemi
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Piyush Raj
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Aruna Singh
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Lintong Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Yue Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Dian R Arifin
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Michael T McMahon
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Ishan Barman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
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Kato S, Iwata O, Kato H, Fukaya S, Imai Y, Saitoh S. Furin Regulates the Alveolarization of Neonatal Lungs in a Mouse Model of Hyperoxic Lung Injury. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1656. [PMID: 38002338 PMCID: PMC10669361 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111656] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in treatment options, such as corticosteroid administration and less invasive respiratory support, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains an important prognostic factor in preterm infants. We previously reported that furin regulates changes in lung smooth muscle cell phenotypes, suggesting that it plays a critical role in BPD pathogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate whether it regulates the alveolarization of immature lungs through activating alveolarization-driving proteins. We first examined furin expression levels, and its functions, using an established hyperoxia-induced BPD mouse model. Thereafter, we treated mice pups, as well as primary myofibroblast cell cultures, with furin inhibitors. Finally, we administered the hyperoxia-exposed mice pups with recombinant furin. Immunofluorescence revealed the co-expression of furin with alpha-smooth muscle actin. Hyperoxia exposure for 10 d decreased alveolar formation, as well as the expression of furin and its target, IGF-1R. Hexa-D-arginine administration also significantly inhibited alveolar formation. Another furin inhibitor, decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone, accumulated pro-IGF-1R, and decreased IGF-1R phosphorylation in myofibroblast primary cultures. Finally, recombinant furin treatment significantly improved alveolarization in hyperoxia-exposed mice pups. Furin regulates alveolarization in immature lungs. Therefore, this study provides novel insights regarding the involvement of furin in BPD pathogenesis, and highlights a potential treatment target for ameliorating the impact of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Kato
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (O.I.); (S.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Osuke Iwata
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (O.I.); (S.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan;
| | - Satoko Fukaya
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (O.I.); (S.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Yukari Imai
- Department of Pharmacy, Kinjo Gakuin University, Nagoya 463-8521, Japan
| | - Shinji Saitoh
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-Cho, Mizuho-Ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (O.I.); (S.F.); (S.S.)
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Banasaz B, Zamzam R, Aghadoost D, Golabchi K, Morshedi M, Bayat M, Sadri Nahand J, Sheida A, Eshraghi R, Rahimzadeh Z, Mosavi SG, Goleij P, Rezaee A, Mirzaei H. Evaluation of expression pattern of cellular miRNAs (let-7b, miR-29a, miR-126, miR-34a, miR-181a-5p) and IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 249:154721. [PMID: 37591069 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a critical clinical and biological extracellular matrix systemic disorder. Despite the unknown nature of PEX etiopathogenesis, it is proven to be associated with various genes and factors. The present research focused on analyzing the expression of miR and inflammatory cytokines in PEX. Serum and aqueous humor (AH) were collected prior to cataract surgery or trabeculectomy from 99 participants (64 with PEX glaucoma, and 35 controls). Real-time PCR was used for assessing the expression pattern of some miRNAs namely let-7b, miR-29a, miR-126, miR-34a, and miR-181a-5p. ELISA was carried out to explore the transcription of some inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The indication of our results was a significant enhancement in the expression of let-7, miR-34a, and miR-181a-5p in PEX in contrast to the control group. Notwithstanding a significant suppression in miR-29a, and miR-126 expression levels in PEX in contrast to the control group. Analysis of ROC curve revealed that miR-29a and miR-34a are able to act as useful markers in order to discriminate the PEX group from the PEX negative subjects which were determined as the control group. According to the results obtained, the mean levels of TGF-β, TNF-α, and IL-6 upregulated among PEX subjects in contrast to control samples. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the selected cytokines alongside the selected miRNAs could be introduced as a biomarker panel in the diagnosis of PEX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Banasaz
- Internal Medicine Department, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Razieh Zamzam
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Davood Aghadoost
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Ophthalmologist, Matini Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Khodayar Golabchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, General Ophthalmologist, Matini Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mohammadamin Morshedi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mobina Bayat
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Amirhossein Sheida
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Reza Eshraghi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zoha Rahimzadeh
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyed Gholamabbas Mosavi
- Biostatistics Group, Health Faculty, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Pouya Goleij
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sana Institute of Higher Education, Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Aryan Rezaee
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Tanwar S, Wu L, Zahn N, Raj P, Ghaemi B, Chatterjee A, Bulte JWM, Barman I. Targeted Enzyme Activity Imaging with Quantitative Phase Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:4602-4608. [PMID: 37154678 PMCID: PMC10798004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is a powerful optical imaging modality for label-free, rapid, and three-dimensional (3D) monitoring of cells and tissues. However, molecular imaging of important intracellular biomolecules such as enzymes remains a largely unexplored area for QPI. Herein, we introduce a fundamentally new approach by designing QPI contrast agents that allow sensitive detection of intracellular biomolecules. We report a new class of bio-orthogonal QPI-nanoprobes for in situ high-contrast refractive index (RI) imaging of enzyme activity. The nanoprobes feature silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) having higher RI than endogenous cellular components and surface-anchored cyanobenzothiazole-cysteine (CBT-Cys) conjugated enzyme-responsive peptide sequences. The nanoprobes specifically aggregated in cells with target enzyme activity, increasing intracellular RI and enabling precise visualization of intracellular enzyme activity. We envision that this general design of QPI-nanoprobes could open doors for spatial-temporal mapping of enzyme activity with direct implications for disease diagnosis and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Tanwar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Lintong Wu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Noah Zahn
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Piyush Raj
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Behnaz Ghaemi
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Arnab Chatterjee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
| | - Jeff W M Bulte
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Inc., Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
| | - Ishan Barman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA
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5
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Ye Z, Song P, Zheng D, Zhang X, Wu J. A Naive Bayes model on lung adenocarcinoma projection based on tumor microenvironment and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Infect Dis Model 2022; 7:498-509. [PMID: 36091346 PMCID: PMC9403296 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on the lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) gene expression data from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, the Stromal score, Immune score and Estimate score in tumor microenvironment (TME) were computed by the Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. And gene modules significantly related to the three scores were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Based on the correlation coefficients and P values, 899 key genes affecting tumor microenvironment were obtained by selecting the two most correlated modules. It was suggested through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis that these key genes were significantly involved in immune-related or cancer-related terms. Through univariate cox regression and elastic network analysis, genes associated with prognosis of the LUAD patients were screened out and their prognostic values were further verified by the survival analysis and the University of ALabama at Birmingham CANcer (UALCAN) database. The results indicated that eight genes were significantly related to the overall survival of LUAD. Among them, six genes were found differentially expressed between tumor and control samples. And immune infiltration analysis further verified that all the six genes were significantly related to tumor purity and immune cells. Therefore, these genes were used eventually for constructing a Naive Bayes projection model of LUAD. The model was verified by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve where the area under curve (AUC) reached 92.03%, which suggested that the model could discriminate the tumor samples from the normal accurately. Our study provided an effective model for LUAD projection which improved the clinical diagnosis and cure of LUAD. The result also confirmed that the six genes in the model construction could be the potential prognostic biomarkers of LUAD.
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Yuan Y, Bulte JWM. Enzyme-mediated intratumoral self-assembly of nanotheranostics for enhanced imaging and tumor therapy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 14:e1786. [PMID: 35229485 PMCID: PMC9437863 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Enzyme-mediated intratumoral self-assembled (EMISA) nanotheranostics represent a new class of smart agents for combined imaging and therapy of cancer. Cancer cells overexpress various enzymes that are essential for high metabolism, fast proliferation, and tissue invasion and metastasis. By conjugating small molecules that contain an enzyme-specific cleavage site to appropriate chemical linkers, it is possible to induce self-assembly of nanostructures in tumor cells having the target enzyme. This approach of injecting small theranostic molecules that eventually become larger nanotheranostics in situ avoids some of the major limitations that are encountered when injecting larger, pre-assembled nanotheranostics. The advantage of EMISA nanotheranostics include the avoidance of nonspecific uptake and rapid clearance by phagocytic cells, increased cellular accumulation, reduced drug efflux and prolonged cellular exposure time, all of which lead to an amplified imaging signal and therapeutic efficacy. We review here the different approaches that can be used for preparing EMISA-based organic, inorganic, or organic/inorganic hybrid nanotheranostics based on noncovalent interactions and/or covalent bonding. Imaging examples are shown for fluorescence imaging, nuclear imaging, photoacoustic imaging, Raman imaging, computed tomography imaging, bioluminescent imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jeff W. M. Bulte
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Cellular Imaging Section and Vascular Biology Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Integrative multi-omic analysis identifies genetically influenced DNA methylation biomarkers for breast and prostate cancers. Commun Biol 2022; 5:594. [PMID: 35710732 PMCID: PMC9203749 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03540-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation has emerged as a hallmark in several cancers and contributes to risk, oncogenesis, progression, and prognosis. In this study, we performed imputation-based and conventional methylome-wide association analyses for breast cancer (BrCa) and prostate cancer (PrCa). The imputation-based approach identified DNA methylation at cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites (CpGs) associated with BrCa and PrCa risk utilising genome-wide association summary statistics (NBrCa = 228,951, NPrCa = 140,254) and prebuilt methylation prediction models, while the conventional approach identified CpG associations utilising TCGA and GEO experimental methylation data (NBrCa = 621, NPrCa = 241). Enrichment analysis of the association results implicated 77 and 81 genetically influenced CpGs for BrCa and PrCa, respectively. Furthermore, analysis of differential gene expression around these CpGs suggests a genome-epigenome-transcriptome mechanistic relationship. Conditional analyses identified multiple independent secondary SNP associations (Pcond < 0.05) around 28 BrCa and 22 PrCa CpGs. Cross-cancer analysis identified eight common CpGs, including a strong therapeutic target in SREBF1 (17p11.2)—a key player in lipid metabolism. These findings highlight the utility of integrative analysis of multi-omic cancer data to identify robust biomarkers and understand their regulatory effects on cancer risk. Methylome-wide association studies identify genetically-influenced CpGs associated with breast and prostate cancer risk and (epi)genome-transcriptome mechanistic relationships, with lipid metabolism genes implicated as potential therapeutic targets.
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The Path to Therapeutic Furin Inhibitors: From Yeast Pheromones to SARS-CoV-2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073435. [PMID: 35408793 PMCID: PMC8999023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The spurious acquisition and optimization of a furin cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is associated with increased viral transmission and disease, and has generated intense interest in the development and application of therapeutic furin inhibitors to thwart the COVID-19 pandemic. This review summarizes the seminal studies that informed current efforts to inhibit furin. These include the convergent efforts of endocrinologists, virologists, and yeast geneticists that, together, culminated in the discovery of furin. We describe the pioneering biochemical studies which led to the first furin inhibitors that were able to block the disease pathways which are broadly critical for pathogen virulence, tumor invasiveness, and atherosclerosis. We then summarize how these studies subsequently informed current strategies leading to the development of small-molecule furin inhibitors as potential therapies to combat SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases that rely on furin for their pathogenicity and progression.
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Identification of Kukoamine A, Zeaxanthin, and Clexane as New Furin Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052796. [PMID: 35269938 PMCID: PMC8911046 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The endogenous protease furin is a key protein in many different diseases, such as cancer and infections. For this reason, a wide range of studies has focused on targeting furin from a therapeutic point of view. Our main objective consisted of identifying new compounds that could enlarge the furin inhibitor arsenal; secondarily, we assayed their adjuvant effect in combination with a known furin inhibitor, CMK, which avoids the SARS-CoV-2 S protein cleavage by means of that inhibition. Virtual screening was carried out to identify potential furin inhibitors. The inhibition of physiological and purified recombinant furin by screening selected compounds, Clexane, and these drugs in combination with CMK was assayed in fluorogenic tests by using a specific furin substrate. The effects of the selected inhibitors from virtual screening on cell viability (293T HEK cell line) were assayed by means of flow cytometry. Through virtual screening, Zeaxanthin and Kukoamine A were selected as the main potential furin inhibitors. In fluorogenic assays, these two compounds and Clexane inhibited both physiological and recombinant furin in a dose-dependent way. In addition, these compounds increased physiological furin inhibition by CMK, showing an adjuvant effect. In conclusion, we identified Kukoamine A, Zeaxanthin, and Clexane as new furin inhibitors. In addition, these drugs were able to increase furin inhibition by CMK, so they could also increase its efficiency when avoiding S protein proteolysis, which is essential for SARS-CoV-2 cell infection.
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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] [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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11
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Li X, Xiu W, Xiao H, Li Y, Yang K, Yuwen L, Yang D, Weng L, Wang L. Fluorescence and ratiometric photoacoustic imaging of endogenous furin activity via peptide functionalized MoS 2 nanosheets. Biomater Sci 2021; 9:8313-8322. [PMID: 34782897 DOI: 10.1039/d1bm01410b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Furin is an important cellular endoprotease, which is expressed at high levels in various cancer cells. Accurate and real-time detection of endogenous furin with high sensitivity and selectivity is significant for the diagnosis of cancer. Herein an activatable nanoprobe (MoS2@PDA-PEG/peptide, MPPF) with dual-mode near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)/ratiometric photoacoustic (PA) imaging of endogenous furin activity has been developed. The MPPF nanoprobes were constructed by the covalent functionalization of polydopamine (PDA) coated MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) with Cy7-labeled furin substrate peptides. Upon cleavage of the peptides by furin, Cy7 molecules are released from MPPF nanoprobes and recover their fluorescence, realizing furin activity detection with the limit of detection (LOD) down to 3.73 × 10-4 U mL-1. Meanwhile, the ratio of the PA signal at 768 nm to that at 900 nm (PA768/PA900) decreases over time due to the destruction of fluorescence resonance energy transfer effect from Cy7 to MoS2 NSs and the rapid clearance of small Cy7 molecules from tissues. Thus, the simultaneous change in NIRF and ratiometric PA signals enables the imaging of endogenous furin activity in real time, and with high sensitivity, and high selectivity in both tumor cells and tumor-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Weijun Xiu
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Hang Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Yuqing Li
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Kaili Yang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Lihui Yuwen
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Dongliang Yang
- School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, China
| | - Lixing Weng
- School of Geography and Biological Information, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lianhui Wang
- Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Centre for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 9 Wenyuan Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
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12
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Prévost J, Medjahed H, Vézina D, Chen HC, Hahn BH, Smith AB, Finzi A. HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins Proteolytic Cleavage Protects Infected Cells from ADCC Mediated by Plasma from Infected Individuals. Viruses 2021; 13:2236. [PMID: 34835042 PMCID: PMC8625184 DOI: 10.3390/v13112236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum as a trimeric gp160 precursor, which requires proteolytic cleavage by a cellular furin protease to mediate virus-cell fusion. Env is conformationally flexible but controls its transition from the unbound "closed" conformation (State 1) to downstream CD4-bound conformations (States 2/3), which are required for fusion. In particular, HIV-1 has evolved several mechanisms that reduce the premature "opening" of Env which exposes highly conserved epitopes recognized by non-neutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) capable of mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Env cleavage decreases its conformational transitions favoring the adoption of the "closed" conformation. Here we altered the gp160 furin cleavage site to impair Env cleavage and to examine its impact on ADCC responses mediated by plasma from HIV-1-infected individuals. We found that infected primary CD4+ T cells expressing uncleaved, but not wildtype, Env are efficiently recognized by nnAbs and become highly susceptible to ADCC responses mediated by plasma from HIV-1-infected individuals. Thus, HIV-1 limits the exposure of uncleaved Env at the surface of HIV-1-infected cells at least in part to escape ADCC responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Prévost
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (J.P.); (H.M.); (D.V.)
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Halima Medjahed
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (J.P.); (H.M.); (D.V.)
| | - Dani Vézina
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (J.P.); (H.M.); (D.V.)
| | - Hung-Ching Chen
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA; (H.-C.C.); (A.B.S.III)
| | - Beatrice H. Hahn
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6076, USA;
| | - Amos B. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA; (H.-C.C.); (A.B.S.III)
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; (J.P.); (H.M.); (D.V.)
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
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13
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Semysinthetic biflavonoid Morelloflavone-7,4',7″,3‴,4‴-penta-O-butanoyl is a more potent inhibitor of Proprotein Convertases Subtilisin/Kexin PC1/3 than Kex2 and Furin. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:130016. [PMID: 34560176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Garcinia brasiliensis is a species native to the Amazon forest. The white mucilaginous pulp is used in folk medicine as a wound healing agent and for peptic ulcer, urinary, and tumor disease treatments. The activity of the proprotein convertases (PCs) Subtilisin/Kex is associated with the development of viral, bacterial and fungal infections, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases. METHODS Morelloflavone (BF1) and semisynthetic biflavonoid (BF2, 3 and 4) from Garcinia brasiliensis were tested as inhibitor of PCs Kex2, PC1/3 and Furin, and determined IC50, Ki, human proinflammatory cytokines secretion in Caco-2 cells, mechanism of inhibition, and performed molecular docking studies. RESULTS Biflavonoids were more effective in the inhibition of neuroendocrine PC1/3 than mammalian Furin and fungal Kex2. BF1 presented a mixed inhibition mechanism for Kex2 and PC1, and competitive inhibition for Furin. BF4 has no good interaction with Kex2 and Furin since carboxypropyl groups results in steric hindrance to ligand-protein interactions. Carboxypropyl groups of BF4 promote steric hindrance with Kex2 and Furin, but effective in the affinity of PC1/3. BF4 was more efficient at inhibiting PCl/3 (IC50 = 1.13 μM and Ki = 0,59 μM, simple linear competitive mechanism of inhibition) than Kex2, Furin. Also, our results strongly suggested that BF4 also inhibits the endogenous cellular PC1/3 activity in Caco-2 cells, since PC1/3 inhibition by BF4 causes a large increase in IL-8 and IL-1β secretion in Caco-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS BF4 is a potent and selective inhibitor of PC1/3. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE BF4 is the best candidate for further clinical studies on inhibition of PC1/3.
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14
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Rong R, Wang M, You M, Li H, Xia X, Ji D. Pathogenesis and prospects for therapeutic clinical application of noncoding RNAs in glaucoma: Systematic perspectives. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7097-7116. [PMID: 33634475 PMCID: PMC8451868 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding ribonucleic acids (ncRNAs) are an increasingly studied class of RNA molecules with extensive biological activities, including important roles in human development, health, and disease. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the retina, and one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. However, the specific roles of ncRNAs in the development and progression of glaucoma are unclear, and related reports are fragmented. An in‐depth understanding of ncRNAs participating in the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma would be helpful for opening up new avenues to facilitate the early diagnosis and clinical treatment. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to discuss the current research progress, the potentialfuture clinical applications and the research limitations of three critical classes of ncRNAs in glaucoma, namely microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Rong
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengxiao Wang
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mengling You
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haibo Li
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaobo Xia
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Ji
- Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Changsha, Hunan, China
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15
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Ma T, Xia T. Nanoparticle-Based Activatable Probes for Bioimaging. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000193. [PMID: 33724732 PMCID: PMC7966733 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular imaging can provide functional and molecular information at the cellular or subcellular level in vivo in a noninvasive manner. Activatable nanoprobes that can react to the surrounding physiological environment or biomarkers are appealing agents to improve the efficacy, specificity, and sensitivity of molecular imaging. The physiological parameters, including redox status, pH, presence of enzymes, and hypoxia, can be designed as the stimuli of the activatable probes. However, the success rate of imaging nanoprobes for clinical translation is low. Herein, the recent advances in nanoparticle-based activatable imaging probes are critically reviewed. In addition, the challenges for clinical translation of these nanoprobes are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiancong Ma
- Division of Nanomedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1772, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Jonathan and Karin Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1772, USA
| | - Tian Xia
- Division of Nanomedicine, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1772, USA
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16
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Farhat D, Ghayad SE, Icard P, Le Romancer M, Hussein N, Lincet H. Lipoic acid-induced oxidative stress abrogates IGF-1R maturation by inhibiting the CREB/furin axis in breast cancer cell lines. Oncogene 2020; 39:3604-3610. [PMID: 32060422 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1211-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The beneficial effects of lipoic acid (LA) in cancer treatment have been well documented in the last decade. Indeed, LA exerts crucial antiproliferative effects by reducing breast cancer cell viability, cell cycle progression and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the mechanisms of action (MOA) underlying these antiproliferative effects remain to be elucidated. Recently, we demonstrated that LA decreases breast cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting IGF-1R maturation via the downregulation of the proprotein convertase furin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the MOA by which LA inhibits furin expression in estrogen receptor α (ERα) (+) and (-) breast cancer cell lines. We unveil that LA exerts a pro-oxidant effect on these cell lines, the resulting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated being responsible for the reduction in the expression of the major (CREB) protein. This transcription factor is overexpressed in many types of cancers and regulates the expression of furin in breast cancer cells independently of ERα, as evidenced herein by the inhibition of furin expression following CREB silencing. Consequently, our findings expose for the first time the complete MOA of LA via the CREB/furin axis leading to inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Farhat
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Cancer biology Stem Cells and Molecular Immunology, Hadath-Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sandra E Ghayad
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science II, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | - Philippe Icard
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, Unité de recherche BioTICLA INSERM U 119, 14000, Caen, France.,Service de chirurgie thoracique, Hôpital Cochin, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Le Romancer
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France
| | - Nader Hussein
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Cancer biology Stem Cells and Molecular Immunology, Hadath-Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hubert Lincet
- Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France. .,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France. .,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon (CRCL), Lyon, France. .,ISPB, Faculté de Pharmacie, Lyon, France.
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17
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Chen C, Gupta P, Parashar D, Nair GG, George J, Geethadevi A, Wang W, Tsaih SW, Bradley W, Ramchandran R, Rader JS, Chaluvally-Raghavan P, Pradeep S. ERBB3-induced furin promotes the progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer via the IGF1R/STAT3 signaling axis. Oncogene 2020; 39:2921-2933. [PMID: 32029900 PMCID: PMC7346970 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1194-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma, accounts for up to 70% of all ovarian cases. Furin, a proprotein convertase, is highly expressed in high-grade serous carcinoma of ovarian cancer patients, and its expression is even higher in tumor omentum than in normal omentum, the preferred site of ovarian cancer metastasis. The proteolytic actions of this cellular endoprotease helps the maturation of several important precursors of protein substrates and its levels increase the risk of several cancer. We show that furin activates the IGF1R/STAT3 signaling axis in ovarian cancer cells. Conversely, furin knockdown downregulated IGF1R-β and p-STAT3 (Tyr705) expression. Further, silencing furin reduced tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Collectively, our findings show that furin can be an effective therapeutic target for ovarian cancer prevention or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Prachi Gupta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Deepak Parashar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Gopakumar G Nair
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Jasmine George
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Anjali Geethadevi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Wei Wang
- Metrohealth Medical Research Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Shirng-Wern Tsaih
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - William Bradley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Ramani Ramchandran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Janet S Rader
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Pradeep Chaluvally-Raghavan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Sunila Pradeep
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. .,Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. .,Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
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18
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Yakala GK, Cabrera-Fuentes HA, Crespo-Avilan GE, Rattanasopa C, Burlacu A, George BL, Anand K, Mayan DC, Corlianò M, Hernández-Reséndiz S, Wu Z, Schwerk AMK, Tan ALJ, Trigueros-Motos L, Chèvre R, Chua T, Kleemann R, Liehn EA, Hausenloy DJ, Ghosh S, Singaraja RR. FURIN Inhibition Reduces Vascular Remodeling and Atherosclerotic Lesion Progression in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 39:387-401. [PMID: 30651003 PMCID: PMC6393193 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective- Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and current treatment options are insufficient. Using systems-level network cluster analyses on a large coronary artery disease case-control cohort, we previously identified PCSK3 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin family member 3; FURIN) as a member of several coronary artery disease-associated pathways. Thus, our objective is to determine the role of FURIN in atherosclerosis. Approach and Results- In vitro, FURIN inhibitor treatment resulted in reduced monocyte migration and reduced macrophage and vascular endothelial cell inflammatory and cytokine gene expression. In vivo, administration of an irreversible inhibitor of FURIN, α-1-PDX (α1-antitrypsin Portland), to hyperlipidemic Ldlr-/- mice resulted in lower atherosclerotic lesion area and a specific reduction in severe lesions. Significantly lower lesional macrophage and collagen area, as well as systemic inflammatory markers, were observed. MMP2 (matrix metallopeptidase 2), an effector of endothelial function and atherosclerotic lesion progression, and a FURIN substrate was significantly reduced in the aorta of inhibitor-treated mice. To determine FURIN's role in vascular endothelial function, we administered α-1-PDX to Apoe-/- mice harboring a wire injury in the common carotid artery. We observed significantly decreased carotid intimal thickness and lower plaque cellularity, smooth muscle cell, macrophage, and inflammatory marker content, suggesting protection against vascular remodeling. Overexpression of FURIN in this model resulted in a significant 67% increase in intimal plaque thickness, confirming that FURIN levels directly correlate with atherosclerosis. Conclusions- We show that systemic inhibition of FURIN in mice decreases vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis. FURIN-mediated modulation of MMP2 activity may contribute to the atheroprotection observed in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopala K Yakala
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Hector A Cabrera-Fuentes
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.).,National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.).,Institute of Biochemistry, Medical School, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany (H.A.C.-F.).,Department of Microbiology, Kazan Federal University, Russian Federation (H.A.C.-F.).,Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingenieria y Ciencias, Centro de Biotecnologia-FEMSA, Nuevo Leon, México (H.A.C.-F.)
| | - Gustavo E Crespo-Avilan
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.).,National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.)
| | - Chutima Rattanasopa
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.).,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.)
| | - Alexandrina Burlacu
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu", Bucharest, Romania (A.B.)
| | - Benjamin L George
- National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.)
| | - Kaviya Anand
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - David Castaño Mayan
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Maria Corlianò
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Sauri Hernández-Reséndiz
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.).,National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.)
| | - Zihao Wu
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Anne M K Schwerk
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden (A.M.K.S., R.K.)
| | - Amberlyn L J Tan
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Laia Trigueros-Motos
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Raphael Chèvre
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Tricia Chua
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
| | - Robert Kleemann
- Department of Metabolic Health Research, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden (A.M.K.S., R.K.).,Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (R.K.)
| | - Elisa A Liehn
- National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.).,Institute of Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH, Aachen, Germany (E.A.L.).,Human Genetic Laboratory, University of Medicine, Craiova, Romania (E.A.L.)
| | - Derek J Hausenloy
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.).,National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.).,Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore (D.J.H.).,The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, United Kingdom (D.J.H.).,The National Institute of Health Research, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom (D.J.H.).,Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.J.H.)
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., C.R., S.H.-R., D.J.H., S.G.).,National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore (H.A.C.-F., G.E.C.-A., B.L.G., S.H.-R., E.A.L., D.J.H., S.G.)
| | - Roshni R Singaraja
- From the Translational Laboratories in Genetic Medicine, A*STAR Institute, and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (G.K.Y., C.R., K.A., D.C.M., M.C., Z.W., A.L.J.T., L.T.-M., R.C., T.C., R.R.S.)
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19
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Scott BM, Sheffield WP. Engineering the serpin α 1 -antitrypsin: A diversity of goals and techniques. Protein Sci 2019; 29:856-871. [PMID: 31774589 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
α1 -Antitrypsin (α1 -AT) serves as an archetypal example for the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) protein family and has been used as a scaffold for protein engineering for >35 years. Techniques used to engineer α1 -AT include targeted mutagenesis, protein fusions, phage display, glycoengineering, and consensus protein design. The goals of engineering have also been diverse, ranging from understanding serpin structure-function relationships, to the design of more potent or more specific proteinase inhibitors with potential therapeutic relevance. Here we summarize the history of these protein engineering efforts, describing the techniques applied to engineer α1 -AT, specific mutants of interest, and providing an appended catalog of the >200 α1 -AT mutants published to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Scott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.,Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - William P Sheffield
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Baumann J, Huang SF, Gassmann M, Tsao CC, Ogunshola OO. Furin inhibition prevents hypoxic and TGFβ-mediated blood-brain barrier disruption. Exp Cell Res 2019; 383:111503. [PMID: 31336100 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxic blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a common feature of CNS diseases however mechanisms underlying barrier disturbance are still largely unknown. This study investigated the role of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), a cytokine known to induce expression of the proprotein convertase Furin, in hypoxia-mediated barrier compromise. We show that exposure of brain endothelial cells (ECs) to hypoxia (1% O2) rapidly stimulates their migration. Additional exogenous TGFβ (0.4 nM) exposure potentiated this effect and increased Furin expression in a TGFβ type I receptor activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5) - dependent manner (prevented by 10 μM SB431542). Furin inhibition prevented hypoxia-induced EC migration and blocked TGFβ-induced potentiation suggesting existence of a feedback loop. TGFβ and Furin were also critical for hypoxia-induced BBB dysfunction. TGFβ treatment aggravated hypoxia-induced BBB permeability but ALK5 or Furin blockade reversed injury-induced permeability changes. Thus during insult Furin compromises endothelial integrity by mediating the effects of TGFβ. Targeting the Furin or ALK5 pathway may offer novel therapeutic strategies for improving BBB stability and CNS function during disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Baumann
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Zurich Center Integrative Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sheng-Fu Huang
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Zurich Center Integrative Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Max Gassmann
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Zurich Center Integrative Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chih-Chieh Tsao
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Zurich Center Integrative Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Omolara O Ogunshola
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty and Zurich Center Integrative Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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21
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Ginefra P, Filippi BGH, Donovan P, Bessonnard S, Constam DB. Compartment-Specific Biosensors Reveal a Complementary Subcellular Distribution of Bioactive Furin and PC7. Cell Rep 2019; 22:2176-2189. [PMID: 29466742 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin trafficking, and that of related proprotein convertases (PCs), may regulate which substrates are accessible for endoproteolysis, but tools to directly test this hypothesis have been lacking. Here, we develop targeted biosensors that indicate Furin activity in endosomes is 10-fold less inhibited by decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone and enriched >3-fold in endosomes compared to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Endogenous PC7, which resists this inhibitor, was active in distinct vesicles. Only overexpressed PC7 activity reached the cell surface, endosomes, and the TGN. A PLC motif in the cytosolic tail of PC7 was dispensable for endosomal activity, but it was specifically required for TGN recycling and to rescue proActivin-A cleavage in Furin-depleted B16F1 melanoma cells. In sharp contrast, PC7 complemented Furin in cleaving Notch1 independently of PLC-mediated TGN access. Our study provides a proof in principle that compartment-specific biosensors can be used to gain insight into the regulation of PC trafficking and to map the tropism of PC-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Ginefra
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno G H Filippi
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Prudence Donovan
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Bessonnard
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniel B Constam
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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22
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Advances in transformable drug delivery systems. Biomaterials 2018; 178:546-558. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.03.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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23
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Zhou M, Zhang Y, Wei H, He J, Wang D, Chen B, Zeng J, Gong A, Xu M. Furin inhibitor D6R suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition in SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells via the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2017; 15:3192-3196. [PMID: 29435056 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hexa-D-arginine (D6R), an inhibitor of furin, has potential therapeutic applications in different types of human tumor. However, the function of D6R in targeting pancreatic cancer cells remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells were examined using a Cell Counting Kit-8, and Transwell and wound healing assays. Subsequently, the expression of proteins associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the Hippo-yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway were detected using western blot analysis. It was revealed that D6R significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells. Additionally, D6R led to the upregulation of E-cadherin (an epithelial marker), and the downregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin (mesenchymal markers) in SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells. Furthermore, the results of the present study revealed that D6R significantly affected the YAP phosphorylation level and the total YAP protein level, indicating that D6R was functionally involved in the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway. It has been suggested that D6R-suppressed EMT in SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells may occur via the Hippo-YAP pathway and that it may be a feasible drug to ameliorate the malignant phenotype of SW1990 and PaTu8988 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Youli Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Hong Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Junbo He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Baoding Chen
- Department of Ultrasound Diagnosis, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Jian Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Gong
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China
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24
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Hasegawa-Minato J, Toyoshima M, Ishibashi M, Zhang X, Shigeta S, Grandori C, Kitatani K, Yaegashi N. Novel cooperative pathway of c-Myc and Furin, a pro-protein convertase, in cell proliferation as a therapeutic target in ovarian cancers. Oncotarget 2017; 9:3483-3496. [PMID: 29423060 PMCID: PMC5790477 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Myc is a master regulator of various oncogenic functions in many types of human cancers. However, direct c-Myc-targeted therapy has not been successful in the clinic. Here, we explored a novel therapeutic target, which shows synthetic lethality in c-Myc-driven ovarian cancers, and examined the molecular mechanism of the synthetic lethal interaction. By high throughput siRNA screening with a library of 6,550 genes, Furin, a pro-protein convertase, was identified as the top hit gene. Furin inhibition by siRNA or a Furin inhibitor significantly suppressed cell proliferation in high c-Myc-expressing ovarian cancer cells compared with low c-Myc-expressing cells. Conversely, Furin overexpression in the presence of high c-Myc significantly promoted cell proliferation compared with only c-Myc or Furin overexpression. Notch1, one of the Furin substrates, was upregulated by c-Myc, and Notch1 cleaved by Furin increased cell proliferation of high c-Myc-expressing ovarian cancer cells. Notch1 was involved in the cooperative pathway of c-Myc and Furin in cell proliferation. In clinical ovarian cancer specimens, co-expression of c-Myc and Furin correlated with poor survival. In conclusion, we found that c-Myc cooperates with Furin to promote cell proliferation. Furin may be a promising therapeutic target in c-Myc-driven ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Hasegawa-Minato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masafumi Toyoshima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masumi Ishibashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Xuewei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shogo Shigeta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.,Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Carla Grandori
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,SEngine Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kazuyuki Kitatani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.,Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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25
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Dobranowski P, Ban F, Contreras-Sanz A, Cherkasov A, Black PC. Perspectives on the discovery of NOTCH2-specific inhibitors. Chem Biol Drug Des 2017; 91:691-706. [PMID: 29078041 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Notch pathway is a cell-cell communication system where membrane-bound ligands interact with the extracellular region of Notch receptors to induce intracellular, downstream effects on gene expression. Aberrant Notch signaling promotes tumorigenesis, and the Notch pathway has tremendous potential for novel targeting strategies in cancer treatment. While γ-secretase inhibitors as Notch-inhibiting agents are already promising in clinical trials, they are highly non-specific with adverse side-effects. One of the underlying challenges is that two of the four known human Notch paralogs, NOTCH1 and 2, share very high structural similarity but play opposing roles in some tumorigenesis pathways. This perspective explores the feasibility of developing Notch-specific small molecule inhibitors targeting the anti-NOTCH2 antibody-binding epitopes or the "S2-Leu-plug-binding site" using a computer-aided drug discovery approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Dobranowski
- Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Fuqiang Ban
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alberto Contreras-Sanz
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Artem Cherkasov
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Peter C Black
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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26
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Willson JA, Muir CA, Evered CL, Cepeda MA, Damjanovski S. Stable expression of α1-antitrypsin Portland in MDA-MB-231 cells increased MT1-MMP and MMP-9 levels, but reduced tumour progression. J Cell Commun Signal 2017; 12:479-488. [PMID: 28849349 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane bound matrix metalloproteinase MT1-MMP plays roles in modulating cell movement, independent of its abilities to remodel the extracellular matrix. Unlike many MMPs, MT1-MMP is activated in the Golgi prior to secretion by a pro-protein convertase, primarily furin. Regulation of the activation of pro-MT1-MMP has been methodically investigated, as altering the level of the active protein has broad implications in both activating other pro-MMPs, including pro-MMP-2, and many subsequent remodelling events. Our previous work in MCF-7 cells has demonstrated that modest, and not extremely high, levels of active MT1-MMP manifests into altered cell morphology and movement. At this low but optimal amount of MT1-MMP protein, changes to MT1-MMP levels are always mirrored by MMP-9 and pERK levels, and always opposite to MMP-2 levels. In this study, stable expression of the furin inhibitor α1-antitrypsin Portland (α1-PDX) in MDA-MB-231 cells increased overall MT1-MMP levels, but cells maintained a 21% proportion of pro-MT1-MMP. The increase in MT1-MMP was mirrored by increases in MMP-9 and pERK, but a decrease in MMP-2. These changes were associated with increased NF-κB transcription. In vitro analysis showed that α1-PDX decreased cell protrusions and migration, and this manifested as decreased tumourigenesis when examined in vivo using a chick CAM assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Willson
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - C A Muir
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - C L Evered
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd. E, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - M A Cepeda
- Department of Urology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55902, USA
| | - S Damjanovski
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St. N, London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada.
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Solovyeva NI, Gureeva TA, Timoshenko OS, Moskvitina TA, Kugaevskaya EV. Furin as proprotein convertase and its role in normal and pathological biological processes. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW), SUPPLEMENT SERIES B: BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s1990750817020081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Glycosylation of matrix metalloproteases and tissue inhibitors: present state, challenges and opportunities. Biochem J 2017; 473:1471-82. [PMID: 27234584 PMCID: PMC4888457 DOI: 10.1042/bj20151154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Current knowledge about the glycosylation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is reviewed. Whereas structural and functional aspects of the glycobiology of many MMPs is unknown, research on MMP-9 and MMP-14 glycosylation reveals important functional implications, such as altered inhibitor binding and cellular localization. This, together with the fact that MMPs contain conserved and many potential attachment sites for N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides, proves the need for further studies on MMP glycobiology. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are crucial components of a complex and dynamic network of proteases. With a wide range of potential substrates, their production and activity are tightly controlled by a combination of signalling events, zymogen activation, post-translational modifications and extracellular inhibition. Slight imbalances may result in the initiation or progression of specific disease states, such as cancer and pathological inflammation. As glycosylation modifies the structures and functions of glycoproteins and many MMPs contain N- or O-linked oligosaccharides, we examine, compare and evaluate the evidence for whether glycosylation affects MMP catalytic activity and other functions. It is interesting that the catalytic sites of MMPs do not contain O-linked glycans, but instead possess a conserved N-linked glycosylation site. Both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides, attached to specific protein domains, endow these domains with novel functions such as the binding to lectins, cell-surface receptors and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs). Validated glycobiological data on N- and O-linked oligosaccharides of gelatinase B/MMP-9 and on O-linked structures of membrane-type 1 MMP/MMP-14 indicate that in-depth research of other MMPs may yield important insights, e.g. about subcellular localizations and functions within macromolecular complexes.
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29
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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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30
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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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31
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Vähätupa M, Aittomäki S, Martinez Cordova Z, May U, Prince S, Uusitalo-Järvinen H, Järvinen TA, Pesu M. T-cell-expressed proprotein convertase FURIN inhibits DMBA/TPA-induced skin cancer development. Oncoimmunology 2016; 5:e1245266. [PMID: 28123881 PMCID: PMC5214164 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2016.1245266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCSK) have a critical role in the body homeostasis as enzymes responsible for processing precursor proteins into their mature forms. FURIN, the first characterized member of the mammalian PCSK family, is overexpressed in multiple malignancies and the inhibition of its activity has been considered potential cancer treatment. FURIN has also an important function in the adaptive immunity, since its deficiency in T cells causes an impaired peripheral immune tolerance and accelerates immune responses. We addressed whether deleting FURIN from the immune cells would strengthen anticancer responses by subjecting mouse strains lacking FURIN from either T cells or macrophages and granulocytes to the DMBA/TPA two-stage skin carcinogenesis protocol. Unexpectedly, deficiency of FURIN in T cells resulted in enhanced and accelerated development of tumors, whereas FURIN deletion in macrophages and granulocytes had no effect. The epidermises of T-cell-specific FURIN deficient mice were significantly thicker with more proliferating Ki67+ cells. In contrast, there were no differences in the numbers of the T cells. The flow cytometric analyses of T-cell populations in skin draining lymph nodes showed that FURIN T-cell KO mice have an inherent upregulation of early activation marker CD69 as well as more CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ positive T regulatory cells. In the early phase of tumor promotion, T cells from the T-cell-specific FURIN knockout animals produced more interferon gamma, whereas at later stage the production of Th2- and Th17-type cytokines was more prominent than in wild-type controls. In conclusion, while PCSK inhibitors are promising therapeutics in cancer treatment, our results show that inhibiting FURIN specifically in T cells may promote squamous skin cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vähätupa
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Ulrike May
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | - Stuart Prince
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere , Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Tero A Järvinen
- School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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32
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Bassi DE, Zhang J, Renner C, Klein-Szanto AJ. Targeting proprotein convertases in furin-rich lung cancer cells results in decreased in vitro and in vivo growth. Mol Carcinog 2016; 56:1182-1188. [PMID: 27584082 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) are serine proteases with an active role in the post-translational processing of numerous inactive proteins to active proteins including many substrates of paramount importance in cancer development and progression. Furin (PCSKC3), a well-studied member of this family, is overexpressed in numerous human and experimental malignancies. In the present communication, we treated two furin-overexpressing non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines (Calu-6 and HOP-62) with the PC inhibitor CMK (Decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone). This resulted in a diminished IGF-1R processing and a simultaneous decrease in cell proliferation of two NSCLC lines. Similarly, growth of subcutaneous xenografts of both cell lines, were partially inhibited by an in vivo treatment with the same drug. These observations point to a potential role of PC inhibitors in cancer therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Bassi
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jirong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Catherine Renner
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andres J Klein-Szanto
- Department of Pathology and Histopathology Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Jaaks P, D’Alessandro V, Grob N, Büel S, Hajdin K, Schäfer BW, Bernasconi M. The Proprotein Convertase Furin Contributes to Rhabdomyosarcoma Malignancy by Promoting Vascularization, Migration and Invasion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161396. [PMID: 27548722 PMCID: PMC4993484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase (PC) furin cleaves precursor proteins, an important step in the activation of many cancer-associated proteins. Substrates of furin and furin-like PCs play a role in proliferation, metastasis and invasion. Some of them are involved in the progression of the pediatric soft tissue sarcoma rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). In this study, we show that PCs, and in particular furin, are expressed in RMS cell lines. To investigate the functional role of furin, we generated RMS cell lines with modulated furin activity. Silencing or stable inhibition of furin delayed tumor growth in Rh30 and RD xenografts in vivo, and was correlated with lower microvessel density. Reduced furin activity also decreased migration and invasion abilities in vitro, and inhibition of furin in RMS cells diminished processing of IGF1R, VEGF-C, PDGF-B and MT1-MMP, leading to lower levels of mature proteins. Furthermore, we found that furin activity is required for proper IGF signaling in RMS cells, as furin silencing resulted in reduced phosphorylation of Akt upon IGF1 stimulation. Taken together, our results suggest that furin plays an important role in the malignant phenotype of RMS cells by activating proteins involved in tumor growth and vascularization, metastasis and invasion.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Furin/antagonists & inhibitors
- Furin/genetics
- Furin/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 14/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 14/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism
- Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology
- Phosphorylation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Receptor, IGF Type 1
- Receptors, Somatomedin/genetics
- Receptors, Somatomedin/metabolism
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/genetics
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/metabolism
- Rhabdomyosarcoma/pathology
- Signal Transduction
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/genetics
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/metabolism
- Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology
- Transplantation, Heterologous
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/genetics
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Jaaks
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valentina D’Alessandro
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Grob
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sina Büel
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katarina Hajdin
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat W. Schäfer
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michele Bernasconi
- Department of Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Children’s Research Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Wu C, Song Z, Liu H, Pan J, Jiang H, Liu C, Yan Z, Feng H, Sun S. Inhibition of furin results in increased growth, invasiveness and cytokine production of synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Joint Bone Spine 2016; 84:433-439. [PMID: 27450196 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2016.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fibroblast-like synoviocytes derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis play a key role by local production of cytokines and proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix and cartilage. These synoviocytes acquire phenotypic characteristics commonly observed in transformed cells, like anchorage-independent growth, increased proliferation and invasiveness, and insensitivity to apoptosis. Furin is a ubiquitous proprotein convertase that is capable of cleaving precursors of a wide variety of proteins. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, furin is reported to be highly expressed in the synovial pannus compared with healthy persons. However, the mechanisms are poorly understood. This study is to explore the effect of furin overexpression in rheumatoid synoviocytes. METHODS In this study, RNA interference was used to knock down furin expression and to assess the resultant effects on biological behaviors of synoviocytes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, cell cycle and cell apoptosis. In addition, the production of inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. RESULTS The results showed that the inhibition of furin enhanced proliferation, invasion, and migration of synoviocytes in vitro. Cell cycle was accelerated and cell death was affected by furin knockdown. Also, the inhibition of furin increased interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion of synoviocytes. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of furin enhances invasive phenotype of synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, implying a protective role of furin. Agents targeting upregulation of furin may have therapeutic potential for rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changshun Wu
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
| | - Zezhong Song
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Cancer Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
| | - Jihong Pan
- Shandong Medicinal and Biotechnology Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, PR China
| | - Huiyu Jiang
- Shandong Medicinal and Biotechnology Center, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250062, PR China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
| | - Zexing Yan
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
| | - Hong Feng
- Cancer Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China.
| | - Shui Sun
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, PR China
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PACE4 inhibitors and their peptidomimetic analogs block prostate cancer tumor progression through quiescence induction, increased apoptosis and impaired neovascularisation. Oncotarget 2016; 6:3680-93. [PMID: 25682874 PMCID: PMC4414146 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in North American men. Current pharmacological treatments are limited to anti-androgen strategies and the development of new therapeutic approaches remains a challenge. As a fundamentally new approach, we propose the inhibition of PACE4, a member of the proprotein convertases family of enzymes, as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer. We developed an inhibitor named the Multi-Leu peptide, with potent in vitro anti-proliferative effects. However, the Multi-Leu peptide has not been tested under in vivo conditions and its potency under such conditions is most likely limited, due to the labile characteristics of peptides in general. Using a peptidomimetic approach, we modified the initial scaffold, generating the analog Ac-[DLeu]LLLRVK-Amba, which demonstrates increased inhibitory potency and stability. The systemic administration of this peptidomimetic significantly inhibits tumor progression in the LNCaP xenograft model of prostate cancer by inducing tumor cell quiescence, increased apoptosis and neovascularization impairment. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles of this inhibitor confirm adequate tumor delivery properties of the compound. We conclude that PACE4 peptidomimetic inhibitors could result in stable and potent drugs for a novel therapeutic strategy for prostate cancer.
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Solovyeva N, Gureeva T, Timoshenko O, Moskvitina T, Kugaevskaya E. Furin as proprotein convertase and its role in normal and pathological biological processes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 62:609-621. [DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20166206609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Furin belongs to serine intracellular Ca2+-dependent endopeptidases of the subtilisin family, also known as proprotein convertase (PC). Human furin is synthesized as zymogen with a molecular weight of 104 kDa, which is then activated by autocatalytic in two stages. This process can occur when zymogen migrates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, where a large part of furin is accumulated. The molecular weigh t of the active furin is 98 kDa. Furin relates to enzymes with a narrow substrate specificity: it hydrolyzes peptide bonds at the site of paired basic amino acids and furin activity exhibits in a wide pH range 5-8. Its main biological function is activation of the functionally important protein precursors. It is accompanied by the launch of a cascade of reactions, which lead to appearance of biologically active molecules involved in realization of specific biological functions both in normal and in some patologicheskih processes. Furin substrates are biologically important proteins such as enzymes, hormones, growth factors and differentiation, receptors, adhesion proteins, proteins of blood plasma. Furin plays an important role in the development of processes such as proliferation, invasion, cell migration, survival, maintenance of homeostasis, embryogenesis, as well as the development of a number of pathologies, including cardiovascular, oncologic and neurodegenerative diseases. Furin and furin-like proprotein convertases participate as key factors in the realization of the regulatory functions of proteolytic enzymes, the value of which is currently being evaluated as most important in comparison with the degradative function of proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T.A. Gureeva
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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Murata K, Kinoshita M. Establishment of proprotein convertase, furinA knocked-out lines in medaka, Oryzias latipes, and unique form of medaka furin-like prorprotein convertase (mflPC). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2015; 178:169-180. [PMID: 26475985 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Furin is a member of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family. Medaka furin-like proprotein convertase (mflPC), a unique form of medaka FurinA (mFurinA) (GenBank accession no. AB092685.1) was cloned from the ovary cDNA library. Compared to human furin (GenBank accession no. NM_002569.3) and mFurinA in the structural motif of mflPC, only the catalytic domain and the N-terminal region of the P domain are highly conserved, but more C-terminal domains are truncated. Based on our research, there three forms of furin, mFurinA, mflPC and mFurinB that exist in medaka. These three genes are expressed in the developing embryos and ubiquitously in adult tissues. To investigate the function of mFurinA and mflPC, as a first step, mFurinA KO lines were established. The mFurinA KO larvae with abnormal phenotypes exhibit edema, abnormal body fluid accumulation in the pericardial and yolk sacs, enlarged hearts, clogged blood vessels, structurally weak eyes, and a very short life. The data suggests that abnormal processing of TGF-β may be one of the causes of these disorders. FurinA KO medaka is a good model for the study of human diseases such as Fraser Syndrome and Marfan syndrome. The creation of human genomic disorder models using recently advanced genome editing procedures informs us of the function of key molecules and their role in causing equivalent human disorders and will be useful as a tool to identify the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Murata
- Center for Health and the Environment, University of CA, Davis, Old Davis Road, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Masato Kinoshita
- Division of Applied Biosciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
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Oncolysis by paramyxoviruses: preclinical and clinical studies. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2015; 2:S2372-7705(16)30019-5. [PMID: 26640815 PMCID: PMC4667943 DOI: 10.1038/mto.2015.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies demonstrate that a broad spectrum of human malignant cells can be killed by oncolytic paramyxoviruses, which include cells of ecto-, endo-, and mesodermal origin. In clinical trials, significant reduction in size or even complete elimination of primary tumors and established metastases are reported. Different routes of viral administration (intratumoral, intravenous, intradermal, intraperitoneal, or intrapleural), and single- versus multiple-dose administration schemes have been explored. The reported side effects are grade 1 and 2, with the most common among them being mild fever. Some advantages in using paramyxoviruses as oncolytic agents versus representatives of other viral families exist. The cytoplasmic replication results in a lack of host genome integration and recombination, which makes paramyxoviruses safer and more attractive candidates for widely used therapeutic oncolysis in comparison with retroviruses or some DNA viruses. The list of oncolytic paramyxovirus representatives includes attenuated measles virus (MV), mumps virus (MuV), low pathogenic Newcastle disease (NDV), and Sendai (SeV) viruses. Metastatic cancer cells frequently overexpress on their surface some molecules that can serve as receptors for MV, MuV, NDV, and SeV. This promotes specific viral attachment to the malignant cell, which is frequently followed by specific viral replication. The paramyxoviruses are capable of inducing efficient syncytium-mediated lyses of cancer cells and elicit strong immunomodulatory effects that dramatically enforce anticancer immune surveillance. In general, preclinical studies and phase 1–3 clinical trials yield very encouraging results and warrant continued research of oncolytic paramyxoviruses as a particularly valuable addition to the existing panel of cancer-fighting approaches.
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Ramos-Molina B, Lick AN, Blanco EH, Posada-Salgado JA, Martinez-Mayorga K, Johnson AT, Jiao GS, Lindberg I. Identification of potent and compartment-selective small molecule furin inhibitors using cell-based assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 96:107-18. [PMID: 26003844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is implicated in a variety of pathogenic processes such as bacterial toxin activation, viral propagation, and cancer. Several groups have identified non-peptide compounds with high inhibitory potency against furin in vitro, although their efficacy in various cell-based assays is largely unknown. In this study we show that certain guanidinylated 2,5-dideoxystreptamine derivatives exhibit interesting ex vivo properties. Compound 1b (1,1'-(4-((2,4-diguanidino-5-(4-guanidinophenoxy)cyclohexyl)oxy)-1,3-phenylene)diguanidine) is a potent and cell-permeable inhibitor of cellular furin, since it was able to retard tumor cell migration, block release of a Golgi reporter, and protect cells against Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa intoxication, with no evident cell toxicity. Other compounds based on the 2,5-dideoxystreptamine scaffold, such as compound 1g (1,1'-(4,6-bis(4-guanidinophenoxy)cyclohexane-1,3-diyl)diguanidine) also efficiently protected cells against anthrax, but displayed only moderate protection against Pseudomonas exotoxin A and did not inhibit cell migration, suggesting poor cell permeability. Certain bis-guanidinophenyl ether derivatives such as 2f (1,3-bis(2,4-diguanidinophenoxy) benzene) exhibited micromolar potency against furin in vitro, low cell toxicity, and highly efficient protection against anthrax toxin; this compound only slightly inhibited intracellular furin. Thus, compounds 1g and 2f both represent potent furin inhibitors at the cell surface with low intracellular inhibitory action, and these particular compounds might therefore be of preferred therapeutic interest in the treatment of certain bacterial and viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam N Lick
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elias H Blanco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Alan T Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Aiea, HI, USA
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Aiea, HI, USA.
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Jiang Y, Zhang P, Li LP, He YC, Gao RJ, Gao YF. Identification of novel thyroid cancer-related genes and chemicals using shortest path algorithm. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:964795. [PMID: 25874234 PMCID: PMC4385622 DOI: 10.1155/2015/964795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a typical endocrine malignancy. In the past three decades, the continued growth of its incidence has made it urgent to design effective treatments to treat this disease. To this end, it is necessary to uncover the mechanism underlying this disease. Identification of thyroid cancer-related genes and chemicals is helpful to understand the mechanism of thyroid cancer. In this study, we generalized some previous methods to discover both disease genes and chemicals. The method was based on shortest path algorithm and applied to discover novel thyroid cancer-related genes and chemicals. The analysis of the final obtained genes and chemicals suggests that some of them are crucial to the formation and development of thyroid cancer. It is indicated that the proposed method is effective for the discovery of novel disease genes and chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiang
- Department of Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Peiwei Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Li-Peng Li
- Department of Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Yi-Chun He
- Department of Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Ru-jian Gao
- Department of Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
| | - Yu-Fei Gao
- Department of Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China
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Kara I, Poggi M, Bonardo B, Govers R, Landrier JF, Tian S, Leibiger I, Day R, Creemers JWM, Peiretti F. The paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4) is involved in the maturation of insulin receptor isoform B: an opportunity to reduce the specific insulin receptor-dependent effects of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). J Biol Chem 2014; 290:2812-21. [PMID: 25527501 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.592543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaining the full activity of the insulin receptor (IR) requires the proteolytic cleavage of its proform by intra-Golgi furin-like activity. In mammalian cells, IR is expressed as two isoforms (IRB and IRA) that are responsible for insulin action. However, only IRA transmits the growth-promoting and mitogenic effects of insulin-like growth factor 2. Here we demonstrate that the two IR isoforms are similarly cleaved by furin, but when this furin-dependent maturation is inefficient, IR proforms move to the cell surface where the proprotein convertase PACE4 selectively supports IRB maturation. Therefore, in situations of impaired furin activity, the proteolytic maturation of IRB is greater than that of IRA, and accordingly, the amount of phosphorylated IRB is also greater than that of IRA. We highlight the ability of a particular proprotein convertase inhibitor to effectively reduce the maturation of IRA and its associated mitogenic signaling without altering the signals emanating from IRB. In conclusion, the selective PACE4-dependent maturation of IRB occurs when furin activity is reduced; accordingly, the pharmacological inhibition of furin reduces IRA maturation and its mitogenic potential without altering the insulin effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imène Kara
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Marjorie Poggi
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Bernadette Bonardo
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Roland Govers
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-François Landrier
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Sun Tian
- Nuolan Net, 1098 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingo Leibiger
- the Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Day
- the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada, and
| | - John W M Creemers
- the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Center for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Franck Peiretti
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France,
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Kang S, Zhao Y, Hu K, Xu C, Wang L, Liu J, Yao A, Zhang H, Cao F. miR-124 exhibits antiproliferative and antiaggressive effects on prostate cancer cells through PACE4 pathway. Prostate 2014; 74:1095-106. [PMID: 24913567 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION PACE4 plays an important role in prostate cancer (PCa) proliferation and aggression, which might provide a useful target against prostate cancer. In this study, we had strived to find some key miRNAs to decrease malignancy and invasiveness of PCa through regulating PACE4 expression. METHODS Clinically pathological analysis of immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization was carried out to detect the relationship between PACE4 expression/miRNAs and the malignancy of prostate mass. Prostate cell lines (DU145, C4-2, and BPH-1) were cultured for growth curve, immunocytochemistry analysis, colony formation, Matrigel invasion, and transcriptional/translational expression assay of PACE4-related signaling molecules for confirming the relationship. MiRNAs targeting PACE4 were predicted, validated and further-corroborated using bio-software, real-time PCR, luciferase reporter assay and transfection of miRNA mimics and inhibitor. RESULTS It was suggested that PACE4 might reflect the pathological malignancy of prostate lesion from pathology analysis. Moreover, DU145 cells, the highest PACE4-level and related TF expression indicated of the strongest malignancy and invasiveness. It was significantly found that miR-124 was presented with the biggest odd to target PACE4-3'UTR, the capability of decreasing PACE expression and slowing down cell growth and cell invasion. CONCLUSIONS It was clear that PACE4 level was closely associated with malignancy and invasiveness of PCa in vivo or in vitro MiR-124, played a crucial role inhibiting PACE4 transcription thus exhibiting obvious effects of antiproliferation and antiaggression of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaosan Kang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Hebei United University Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei, China
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Fu J, Zhang J, Gong Y, Testa CL, Klein-Szanto AJ. Regulation of HIF-1 alpha by the proprotein convertases furin and PC7 in human squamous carcinoma cells. Mol Carcinog 2014; 54:698-706. [PMID: 24436242 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PC), a family of serine proteases, process cancer-related substrates such as growth factors, growth factor receptors, cell adhesion molecules, metalloproteinases, etc. HIF-1α is a major transcription factor involved in tumorigenesis by sensing intratumoral hypoxia. Furin (PCSK3) is one of the numerous target genes regulated by HIF-1α transactivation and its distribution into endosomal compartments and onto the cell surface can be triggered by hypoxia via HIF-1α. siRNAs to knockdown PCs were transfected into cells alone or in combination with different drug treatments. Protein and RNA expression levels were analyzed by Western blotting or RT-PCR, respectively. PC7 (PCSK7) and furin siRNAs upregulated HIF-1α protein under normoxic condition to a level similar to that obtained by cobalt chloride treatment, eventually leading to activation of VEGF-A synthesis in two human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. The unchanged levels of HIF-1α mRNA expression under siRNA treatment and the additive HIF-1α induction of PC siRNAs and either cobalt chloride or the 26S ribosome inhibitor, MG-132, suggested a post-transcriptional PC-mediated regulation. Furthermore, cycloheximide chase showed that PC7/furin siRNA regulation occurred at the level of HIF-1α translation. A specific IGF-1R signaling inhibitor was able to attenuate the PC siRNA induction of HIF-1α, suggesting the involvement of the IGF-1R pathway. Thus, the data show that PCs regulate HIF-1α. Furin and PC7 siRNAs induced HIF-1α protein by increasing its translation, resulting in upregulation of VEGF-A. This finding may provide insight into intricate PC functions that seem to be independent from their substrate-processing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Fu
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jirong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yulan Gong
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Courtney Lyons Testa
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andres J Klein-Szanto
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Cancer Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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44
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Enhanced UV-induced skin carcinogenesis in transgenic mice overexpressing proprotein convertases. Neoplasia 2013; 15:169-79. [PMID: 23441131 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 12/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertases (PCs) furin and PACE4 process numerous substrates involved in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. We have previously shown that PCs increase the susceptibility to chemical skin carcinogenesis. Because of the human relevancy of UV radiation in the etiopathogenesis of human skin cancer, we investigated whether or not transgenic mice overexpressing either furin alone or both furin and PACE4 show increased susceptibility to UV carcinogenesis. After backcrossing our previously described furin and PACE4 transgenic lines, targeted to the epidermis, into a SKH-1 background, we exposed both single and double transgenic mice to UV radiation for 34 weeks. The results showed an increase in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) multiplicity of approximately 70% in the single furin transgenic mouse line SF47 (P < .002) and a 30% increase in the other single transgenic line SF49 when compared to wild-type (WT) SKH-1 mice. Interestingly, there was also an increase in the percentage of high histologic grade SCCs in the transgenic lines compared to the WT mice, i.e., WT = 9%, SF47 = 15%, and SF49 = 26% (P < .02). Targeting both furin and PACE4 to the epidermis in double transgenic mice did not have an additive effect on tumor incidence/multiplicity but did enhance the tumor histopathologic grade, i.e., a significant increase in higher grade SCCs was seen in the bigenic mouse line SPF47 (P < .02). Thus, we observed an increased susceptibility to UV in single furin transgenic mice that was not substantially enhanced in the double furin/PACE4 transgenic mice.
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Opposite roles of furin and PC5A in N-cadherin processing. Neoplasia 2013; 14:880-92. [PMID: 23097623 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that lack of Furin-processing of the N-cadherin precursor (proNCAD) in highly invasive melanoma and brain tumor cells results in the cell-surface expression of a nonadhesive protein favoring cell migration and invasion in vitro. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of malignant human brain tumor cells revealed that of all proprotein convertases (PCs) only the levels of Furin and PC5A are modulated, being inversely (Furin) or directly (PC5A) correlated with brain tumor invasive capacity. Intriguingly, the N-terminal sequence following the Furin-activated NCAD site (RQKR↓DW(161), mouse nomenclature) reveals a second putative PC-processing site (RIRSDR↓DK(189)) located in the first extracellular domain. Cleavage at this site would abolish the adhesive functions of NCAD because of the loss of the critical Trp(161). This was confirmed upon analysis of the fate of the endogenous prosegment of proNCAD in human malignant glioma cells expressing high levels of Furin and low levels of PC5A (U343) or high levels of PC5A and negligible Furin levels (U251). Cellular analyses revealed that Furin is the best activating convertase releasing an ~17-kDa prosegment, whereas PC5A is the major inactivating enzyme resulting in the secretion of an ~20-kDa product. Like expression of proNCAD at the cell surface, cleavage of the NCAD molecule at RIRSDR↓DK(189) renders the U251 cancer cells less adhesive to one another and more migratory. Our work modifies the present view on posttranslational processing and surface expression of classic cadherins and clarifies how NCAD possesses a range of adhesive potentials and plays a critical role in tumor progression.
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Li J, Chen L, Du L, Li M. Cage the firefly luciferin! – a strategy for developing bioluminescent probes. Chem Soc Rev 2013; 42:662-76. [DOI: 10.1039/c2cs35249d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Hada K, Isshiki K, Matsuda S, Yuasa K, Tsuji A. Engineering of α1-antitrypsin variants with improved specificity for the proprotein convertase furin using site-directed random mutagenesis. Protein Eng Des Sel 2012; 26:123-31. [PMID: 23155057 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzs091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin, PACE4, PC5/6 and PC7 are members of the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase (SPC) family. Although these enzymes are known to play critical roles in various physiological and pathological events including cell differentiation, tumor growth, virus replication and the activation of bacterial toxins, their distinct functions are yet to be fully delineated. α1-PDX is an engineered α1-antitrypsin variant carrying the RXXR consensus motif for furin within its reactive site loop. However, α1-PDX inhibits other SPCs in addition to furin. In this work, we prepared various rat α1-antitrypsin variants containing Arg at the P1 site within the reactive site loop, and examined their respective selectivity. The novel α1-antitrypsin variant AVNR (AVPM(352)/AVNR) was identified as a highly selective inhibitor of furin. This variant formed a sodium dodecyl sulfate- and heat-stable furin/α1-antitrypsin complex and inhibited furin activity ex vivo and in vitro. Other SPC members including PACE4, PC5/6 and PC7 were not inhibited by the AVNR variant. Furin-mediated maturation of bone morphogenetic protein-4 was completely inhibited by ectopic expression of the AVNR variant. The AVNR variant should prove to be a useful inhibitor in identifying the specific role of furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Hada
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, University of Tokushima Graduate School, 2-1 Minamijosanjima, Tokushima 770-8506, Japan
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Transgenic overexpression of the proprotein convertase furin enhances skin tumor growth. Neoplasia 2012; 14:271-82. [PMID: 22577343 DOI: 10.1593/neo.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Furin, one of the members of the family of proprotein convertases (PCs), ubiquitously expressed as a type I membrane-bound proteinase, activates several proteins that contribute to tumor progression. In vitro studies using cancer cell lines and clinical specimens demonstrated that furin processes important substrates such as insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and transforming growth factor β, leading to increased tumor growth and progression. Despite the numerous studies associating furin with tumor development, its effects in preclinical models has not been comprehensively studied. In this study, we sought to determine the protumorigenic role of furin in vivo after a two-stage chemical carcinogenesis protocol in transgenic mice in which furin expression was targeted to the epidermal basal layer. We found that processing of the PC substrate IGF-1R and the proliferation rate of mouse epidermis was enhanced in transgenic mice when compared with their WT counterparts. Histopathologic diagnoses of the tumors demonstrated that furin transgenic mice (line F47) developed twice as many squamous carcinomas as the control, WT mice (P < .002). Similarly, tumors cells from transgenic mice were able to process PC substrates more efficiently than tumor cells from WT mice. Furthermore, furin expression resulted in a higher SCC volume in transgenic mice as well as an increase in the percentage of high-grade SCC, including poorly differentiated and spindle cell carcinomas. In conclusion, expression of furin in the basal layer of the epidermis increased tumor development and enhanced tumor growth, supporting the consideration of furin as a potential target for cancer treatment.
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Huang YH, Lin KH, Liao CH, Lai MW, Tseng YH, Yeh CT. Furin overexpression suppresses tumor growth and predicts a better postoperative disease-free survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40738. [PMID: 22808247 PMCID: PMC3393699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin is a member of the pro-protein convertase family. It processes several growth regulatory proteins into their active forms, which are critical to tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Furin over-expression could occur in liver cancer and a previous study showed that over-expression of furin promoted HepG2 cell invasion in tail vein xenograft models. However, the clinical relevance of furin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained unknown. Surprisingly, in a postoperative survival analysis for HCC patients, it was found that the tumor/non-tumor (T/N) ratio of furin expression ≥ 3.5 in HCC tissues predicted a better postoperative disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.010; log-rank test). Furthermore, subcutaneous xenograft experiments demonstrated a significant suppression effect of tumor growth in the furin-overexpressed xenografts (Huh7-Furin) compared to the mock control. Administration of a synthetic furin inhibitor for inhibition of the pro-protein convertase activity, decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone (decRVKR-CMK), to the Huh7-Furin xenograft bearing mice restored the repression effect of tumor growth. In contrast, administration of decRVKR-CMK to the mock Huh7 xenograft bearing mice showed no change in growth rate. In conclusion, furin overexpression inhibited HCC tumor growth in a subcutaneous xenograft model and predicted a better postoperative DFS in clinical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Huang
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsin Liao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Wei Lai
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Chang Gung Children Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsin Tseng
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Dillon SL, Williamson DM, Elferich J, Radler D, Joshi R, Thomas G, Shinde U. Propeptides are sufficient to regulate organelle-specific pH-dependent activation of furin and proprotein convertase 1/3. J Mol Biol 2012; 423:47-62. [PMID: 22743102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The proprotein convertases (PCs) furin and proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1) cleave substrates at dibasic residues along the eukaryotic secretory/endocytic pathway. PCs are evolutionarily related to bacterial subtilisin and are synthesized as zymogens. They contain N-terminal propeptides (PRO) that function as dedicated catalysts that facilitate folding and regulate activation of cognate proteases through multiple-ordered cleavages. Previous studies identified a histidine residue (His69) that functions as a pH sensor in the propeptide of furin (PRO(FUR)), which regulates furin activation at pH~6.5 within the trans-Golgi network. Although this residue is conserved in the PC1 propeptide (PRO(PC1)), PC1 nonetheless activates at pH~5.5 within the dense core secretory granules. Here, we analyze the mechanism by which PRO(FUR) regulates furin activation and examine why PRO(FUR) and PRO(PC1) differ in their pH-dependent activation. Sequence analyses establish that while both PRO(FUR) and PRO(PC1) are enriched in histidines when compared with cognate catalytic domains and prokaryotic orthologs, histidine content in PRO(FUR) is ~2-fold greater than that in PRO(PC1), which may augment its pH sensitivity. Spectroscopy and molecular dynamics establish that histidine protonation significantly unfolds PRO(FUR) when compared to PRO(PC1) to enhance autoproteolysis. We further demonstrate that PRO(FUR) and PRO(PC1) are sufficient to confer organelle sensing on folding and activation of their cognate proteases. Swapping propeptides between furin and PC1 transfers pH-dependent protease activation in a propeptide-dictated manner in vitro and in cells. Since prokaryotes lack organelles and eukaryotic PCs evolved from propeptide-dependent, not propeptide-independent prokaryotic subtilases, our results suggest that histidine enrichment may have enabled propeptides to evolve to exploit pH gradients to activate within specific organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Dillon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97229, USA
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