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Mazzocato Y, Perin S, Morales-Sanfrutos J, Romanyuk Z, Pluda S, Acquasaliente L, Borsato G, De Filippis V, Scarso A, Angelini A. A novel genetically-encoded bicyclic peptide inhibitor of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator with better cross-reactivity toward the murine orthologue. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 95:117499. [PMID: 37879145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The inhibition of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (huPA), a serine protease that plays an important role in pericellular proteolysis, is a promising strategy to decrease the invasive and metastatic activity of tumour cells. However, the generation of selective small molecule huPA inhibitors has proven to be challenging due to the high structural similarity of huPA to other paralogue serine proteases. Efforts to generate more specific therapies have led to the development of cyclic peptide-based inhibitors with much higher selectivity against huPA. While this latter property is desired, the sparing of the orthologue murine poses difficulties for the testing of the inhibitor in preclinical mouse model. In this work, we have applied a Darwinian evolution-based approach to identify phage-encoded bicyclic peptide inhibitors of huPA with better cross-reactivity towards murine uPA (muPA). The best selected bicyclic peptide (UK132) inhibited huPA and muPA with Ki values of 0.33 and 12.58 µM, respectively. The inhibition appears to be specific for uPA, as UK132 only weakly inhibits a panel of structurally similar serine proteases. Removal or substitution of the second loop with one not evolved in vitro led to monocyclic and bicyclic peptide analogues with lower potency than UK132. Moreover, swapping of 1,3,5-tris-(bromomethyl)-benzene with different small molecules not used in the phage selection, resulted in an 80-fold reduction of potency, revealing the important structural role of the branched cyclization linker. Further substitution of an arginine in UK132 to a lysine resulted in a bicyclic peptide UK140 with enhanced inhibitory potency against both huPA (Ki = 0.20 µM) and murine orthologue (Ki = 2.79 µM). By combining good specificity, nanomolar affinity and a low molecular mass, the bicyclic peptide inhibitor developed in this work may provide a novel human and murine cross-reactive lead for the development of a potent and selective anti-metastatic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylenia Mazzocato
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
| | - Stefano Perin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
| | - Julia Morales-Sanfrutos
- Proteomics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), C. de Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Zhanna Romanyuk
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
| | - Stefano Pluda
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy; Fidia Farmaceutici S.p.A., Via Ponte della Fabbrica 3/A, Abano Terme 35031, Italy
| | - Laura Acquasaliente
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Borsato
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Filippis
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Scarso
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy
| | - Alessandro Angelini
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy; European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Calle Crosera, 30123 Venice, Italy.
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2
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Wiedemeyer SJA, Wu G, Pham TLP, Lang-Henkel H, Perez Urzua B, Whisstock JC, Law RHP, Steinmetzer T. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Macrocyclic Plasmin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200632. [PMID: 36710259 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Two series of macrocyclic plasmin inhibitors with a C-terminal benzylamine group were synthesized. The substitution of the N-terminal phenylsulfonyl group of a previously described inhibitor provided two analogues with sub-nanomolar inhibition constants. Both compounds possess a high selectivity against all other tested trypsin-like serine proteases. Furthermore, a new approach was used to selectively introduce asymmetric linker segments. Two of these compounds inhibit plasmin with Ki values close to 2 nM. For the first time, four crystal structures of these macrocyclic inhibitors could be determined in complex with a Ser195Ala microplasmin mutant. The macrocyclic core segment of the inhibitors binds to the open active site of plasmin without any steric hindrance. This binding mode is incompatible with other trypsin-like serine proteases containing a sterically demanding 99-hairpin loop. The crystal structures obtained experimentally explain the excellent selectivity of this inhibitor type as previously hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J A Wiedemeyer
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Guojie Wu
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - T L Phuong Pham
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Heike Lang-Henkel
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Perez Urzua
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, 8331150, Chile
| | - James C Whisstock
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Ruby H P Law
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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Ramarajan D, Đorović Jovanović J, Marković Z, Dimić D, Sudha S. Spectroscopic, molecular docking, and ecotoxicology analyses of the monomer and dimers of 3-aminocyclohexa-2,6-diene-1-sulfonic acid – a theoretical approach. J CHEM SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12039-022-02077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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4
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Baldini E, Presutti D, Favoriti P, Santini S, Papoff G, Tuccilli C, Carletti R, Di Gioia C, Lori E, Ferent IC, Gagliardi F, Catania A, Pironi D, Tripodi D, D’Andrea V, Sorrenti S, Ruberti G, Ulisse S. In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor WX-340 on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073724. [PMID: 35409084 PMCID: PMC8999125 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system is associated with tumor invasion, neo-angiogenesis, and metastatic spread, and has been shown to positively correlate with a poor prognosis in several cancer types, including thyroid carcinomas. In recent years, several uPA inhibitors were found to have anticancer effects in preclinical studies and in some phase II clinical trials, which prompted us to evaluate uPA as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of patients affected by the most aggressive form of thyroid cancer, the anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of WX-340, a highly specific and selective uPA inhibitor, on two ATC-derived cell lines, CAL-62 and BHT-101. The results obtained indicated that WX-340 was able to reduce cell adhesion and invasiveness in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines. In addition, WX-340 increased uPA receptor (uPAR) protein levels without affecting its plasma membrane concentration. However, this compound was unable to significantly reduce ATC growth in a xenograft model, indicating that uPA inhibition alone may not have the expected therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Dario Presutti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Pasqualino Favoriti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Simonetta Santini
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Giuliana Papoff
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Chiara Tuccilli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Raffaella Carletti
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (C.D.G.)
| | - Cira Di Gioia
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (R.C.); (C.D.G.)
| | - Eleonora Lori
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Iulia Catalina Ferent
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Federica Gagliardi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Antonio Catania
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniele Pironi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Domenico Tripodi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Vito D’Andrea
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
| | - Giovina Ruberti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, 00015 Rome, Italy; (D.P.); (S.S.); (G.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.B.); (P.F.); (C.T.); (E.L.); (I.C.F.); (F.G.); (A.C.); (D.P.); (D.T.); (V.D.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
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5
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El Salamouni NS, Buckley BJ, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Urokinase plasminogen activator as an anti-metastasis target: inhibitor design principles, recent amiloride derivatives, and issues with human/mouse species selectivity. Biophys Rev 2022; 14:277-301. [PMID: 35340592 PMCID: PMC8921380 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a widely studied anticancer drug target with multiple classes of inhibitors reported to date. Many of these inhibitors contain amidine or guanidine groups, while others lacking these groups show improved oral bioavailability. Most of the X-ray co-crystal structures of small molecule uPA inhibitors show a key salt bridge with the side chain carboxylate of Asp189 in the S1 pocket of uPA. This review summarises the different classes of uPA inhibitors, their binding interactions and experimentally measured inhibitory potencies and highlights species selectivity issues with attention to recently described 6-substituted amiloride and 5‑N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Michael J. Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522 Australia
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6
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Wettstein L, Kirchhoff F, Münch J. The Transmembrane Protease TMPRSS2 as a Therapeutic Target for COVID-19 Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1351. [PMID: 35163273 PMCID: PMC8836196 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
TMPRSS2 is a type II transmembrane protease with broad expression in epithelial cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, the prostate, and other organs. Although the physiological role of TMPRSS2 remains largely elusive, several endogenous substrates have been identified. TMPRSS2 serves as a major cofactor in SARS-CoV-2 entry, and primes glycoproteins of other respiratory viruses as well. Consequently, inhibiting TMPRSS2 activity is a promising strategy to block viral infection. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of TMPRSS2 in the entry processes of different respiratory viruses. We then review the different classes of TMPRSS2 inhibitors and their clinical development, with a focus on COVID-19 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jan Münch
- Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (L.W.); (F.K.)
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Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Urokinase and Its Receptor in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030498. [PMID: 35158766 PMCID: PMC8833673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have ascertained that uPA and uPAR do participate in tumor progression and metastasis and are involved in cell adhesion, migration, invasion and survival, as well as angiogenesis. Increased levels of uPA and uPAR in tumor tissues, stroma and biological fluids correlate with adverse clinic-pathologic features and poor patient outcomes. After binding to uPAR, uPA activates plasminogen to plasmin, a broad-spectrum matrix- and fibrin-degrading enzyme able to facilitate tumor cell invasion and dissemination to distant sites. Moreover, uPAR activated by uPA regulates most cancer cell activities by interacting with a broad range of cell membrane receptors. These findings make uPA and uPAR not only promising diagnostic and prognostic markers but also attractive targets for developing anticancer therapies. In this review, we debate the uPA/uPAR structure-function relationship as well as give an update on the molecules that interfere with or inhibit uPA/uPAR functions. Additionally, the possible clinical development of these compounds is discussed.
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8
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Kumar AA, Buckley BJ, Ranson M. The Urokinase Plasminogen Activation System in Pancreatic Cancer: Prospective Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets. Biomolecules 2022; 12:152. [PMID: 35204653 PMCID: PMC8961517 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy that features high recurrence rates and the poorest prognosis of all solid cancers. The urokinase plasminogen activation system (uPAS) is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic cancers. Overexpression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) or its cell surface receptor uPAR is a key step in the acquisition of a metastatic phenotype via multiple mechanisms, including the increased activation of cell surface localised plasminogen which generates the serine protease plasmin. This triggers multiple downstream processes that promote tumour cell migration and invasion. Increasing clinical evidence shows that the overexpression of uPA, uPAR, or of both is strongly associated with worse clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in PDAC patients. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the uPAS in the pathogenesis and progression of pancreatic cancer, with a focus on PDAC, and summarises the substantial body of evidence that supports the role of uPAS components, including plasminogen receptors, in this disease. The review further outlines the clinical utility of uPAS components as prospective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PDAC, as well as a rationale for the development of novel uPAS-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna A. Kumar
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.A.K.); (B.J.B.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J. Buckley
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.A.K.); (B.J.B.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (A.A.K.); (B.J.B.)
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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9
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S El Salamouni N, Buckley BJ, Jiang L, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ, Yu H. Disruption of Water Networks is the Cause of Human/Mouse Species Selectivity in Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Inhibitors Derived from Hexamethylene Amiloride (HMA). J Med Chem 2021; 65:1933-1945. [PMID: 34898192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a critical role in tumor cell invasion and migration and is a promising antimetastasis target. 6-Substituted analogues of 5-N,N-(hexamethylene)amiloride (HMA) are potent and selective uPA inhibitors that lack the diuretic and antikaliuretic properties of the parent drug amiloride. However, the compounds display pronounced selectivity for human over mouse uPA, thus confounding interpretation of data from human xenograft mouse models of cancer. Here, computational and experimental findings reveal that residue 99 is a key contributor to the observed species selectivity, whereby enthalpically unfavorable expulsion of a water molecule by the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring occurs when residue 99 is Tyr (as in mouse uPA). Analogue 7 lacking the 5-N,N-hexamethylene ring maintained similar water networks when bound to human and mouse uPA and displayed reduced selectivity, thus supporting this conclusion. The study will guide further optimization of dual-potent human/mouse uPA inhibitors from the amiloride class as antimetastasis drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehad S El Salamouni
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fujian 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,CONCERT-Translational Cancer Research Centre, Sydney, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Haibo Yu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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10
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Sun YJ, Velez G, Parsons DE, Li K, Ortiz ME, Sharma S, McCray PB, Bassuk AG, Mahajan VB. Structure-based phylogeny identifies avoralstat as a TMPRSS2 inhibitor that prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:147973. [PMID: 33844653 PMCID: PMC8121520 DOI: 10.1172/jci147973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs targeting host proteins can act prophylactically to reduce viral burden early in disease and limit morbidity, even with antivirals and vaccination. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) is a human protease required for SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral entry and may represent such a target. We hypothesized that drugs selected from proteins related by their tertiary structure, rather than their primary structure, were likely to interact with TMPRSS2. We created a structure-based phylogenetic computational tool named 3DPhyloFold to systematically identify structurally similar serine proteases with known therapeutic inhibitors and demonstrated effective inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo. Several candidate compounds, avoralstat, PCI-27483, antipain, and soybean trypsin inhibitor, inhibited TMPRSS2 in biochemical and cell infection assays. Avoralstat, a clinically tested kallikrein-related B1 inhibitor, inhibited SARS-CoV-2 entry and replication in human airway epithelial cells. In an in vivo proof of principle, avoralstat significantly reduced lung tissue titers and mitigated weight loss when administered prophylactically to mice susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, indicating its potential to be repositioned for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prophylaxis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Joo Sun
- Molecular Surgery Lab, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Velez
- Molecular Surgery Lab, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Dylan E. Parsons
- Molecular Surgery Lab, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Stanford ChEM-H Medicinal Chemistry Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul B. McCray
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
| | - Alexander G. Bassuk
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Neurology, and
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Vinit B. Mahajan
- Molecular Surgery Lab, Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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11
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Mahmood N, Rabbani SA. Fibrinolytic System and Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094358. [PMID: 33921923 PMCID: PMC8122389 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrinolysis is a crucial physiological process that helps to maintain a hemostatic balance by counteracting excessive thrombosis. The components of the fibrinolytic system are well established and are associated with a wide array of physiological and pathophysiological processes. The aberrant expression of several components, especially urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cognate receptor uPAR, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), has shown a direct correlation with increased tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. As a result, targeting the fibrinolytic system has been of great interest in the field of cancer biology. Even though there is a plethora of encouraging preclinical evidence on the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the key oncogenic components of the fibrinolytic system, none of them made it from “bench to bedside” due to a limited number of clinical trials on them. This review summarizes our existing understanding of the various diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting the fibrinolytic system during cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niaz Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
| | - Shafaat A. Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A3J1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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12
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Rudzińska M, Daglioglu C, Savvateeva LV, Kaci FN, Antoine R, Zamyatnin AA. Current Status and Perspectives of Protease Inhibitors and Their Combination with Nanosized Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Cancer Therapy. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:9-20. [PMID: 33442233 PMCID: PMC7797289 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s285852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In cancer treatments, many natural and synthetic products have been examined; among them, protease inhibitors are promising candidates for anti-cancer agents. Since dysregulated proteolytic activities can contribute to tumor development and metastasis, antagonization of proteases with tailored inhibitors is an encouraging approach. Although adverse effects of early designs of these inhibitors disappeared after the introduction of next-generation agents, most of the proposed inhibitors did not pass the early stages of clinical trials due to their nonspecific toxicity and lack of pharmacological effects. Therefore, new applications that modulate proteases more specifically and serve their programmed way of administration are highly appreciated. In this context, nanosized drug delivery systems have attracted much attention because preliminary studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic capacity of inhibitors has been improved significantly with encapsulated formulation as compared to their free forms. Here, we address this issue and discuss the current application and future clinical prospects of this potential combination towards targeted protease-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Rudzińska
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Cenk Daglioglu
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Application and Research Center, Integrated Research Centers, Izmir Institute of Technology, Urla, Izmir 35430, Turkey
| | - Lyudmila V Savvateeva
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Fatma Necmiye Kaci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Yakutiye, Erzurum 25050, Turkey
| | - Rodolphe Antoine
- CNRS, Institut Lumière Matière, Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon F-69622, France
| | - Andrey A Zamyatnin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119991, Russia.,Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia.,Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi 354340, Russia
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13
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St Denis JD, Hall RJ, Murray CW, Heightman TD, Rees DC. Fragment-based drug discovery: opportunities for organic synthesis. RSC Med Chem 2020; 12:321-329. [PMID: 34041484 PMCID: PMC8130625 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00375a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This Review describes the increasing demand for organic synthesis to facilitate fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), focusing on polar, unprotected fragments. In FBDD, X-ray crystal structures are used to design target molecules for synthesis with new groups added onto a fragment via specific growth vectors. This requires challenging synthesis which slows down drug discovery, and some fragments are not progressed into optimisation due to synthetic intractability. We have evaluated the output from Astex's fragment screenings for a number of programs, including urokinase-type plasminogen activator, hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase, and hepatitis C virus NS3 protease-helicase, and identified fragments that were not elaborated due, in part, to a lack of commercially available analogues and/or suitable synthetic methodology. This represents an opportunity for the development of new synthetic research to enable rapid access to novel chemical space and fragment optimisation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard J Hall
- Astex Pharmaceuticals 436 Cambridge Science Park Cambridge CB4 0QA UK
| | | | - Tom D Heightman
- Astex Pharmaceuticals 436 Cambridge Science Park Cambridge CB4 0QA UK
| | - David C Rees
- Astex Pharmaceuticals 436 Cambridge Science Park Cambridge CB4 0QA UK
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14
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Lin H, Xu L, Yu S, Hong W, Huang M, Xu P. Therapeutics targeting the fibrinolytic system. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:367-379. [PMID: 32152451 PMCID: PMC7156416 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0397-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The function of the fibrinolytic system was first identified to dissolve fibrin to maintain vascular patency. Connections between the fibrinolytic system and many other physiological and pathological processes have been well established. Dysregulation of the fibrinolytic system is closely associated with multiple pathological conditions, including thrombosis, inflammation, cancer progression, and neuropathies. Thus, molecules in the fibrinolytic system are potent therapeutic and diagnostic targets. This review summarizes the currently used agents targeting this system and the development of novel therapeutic strategies in experimental studies. Future directions for the development of modulators of the fibrinolytic system are also discussed. The fibrinolytic system was originally identified to dissolve blood clots, and is shown to have important roles in other pathological processes, including cancer progression, inflammation, and thrombosis. Molecules or therapeutics targeting fibrinolytic system have been successfully used in the clinical treatments of cancer and thrombotic diseases. The clinical studies and experimental models targeting fibrinolytic system are reviewed by Haili Lin at Sanming First Hosipital, Mingdong Huang at Fuzhou University in China, and Peng Xu at A*STAR in Singapore to demonstrate fibrinolytic system as novel therapeutic targets. As an example, the inhibition of fibrinolytic system protein can be used to suppress cancer prolifieration and metastasis. This review also discusses the potential therapeutic effects of inhibitiors of fibrinolytic system on inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanming First Hospital, 365000, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Luning Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Sanming First Hospital, 365000, Sanming, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujuan Yu
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, 350116, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Peng Xu
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore, 138673, Singapore.
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15
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Steinmetzer T, Pilgram O, Wenzel BM, Wiedemeyer SJA. Fibrinolysis Inhibitors: Potential Drugs for the Treatment and Prevention of Bleeding. J Med Chem 2019; 63:1445-1472. [PMID: 31658420 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Hyperfibrinolytic situations can lead to life-threatening bleeding, especially during cardiac surgery. The approved antifibrinolytic agents such as tranexamic acid, ε-aminocaproic acid, 4-aminomethylbenzoic acid, and aprotinin were developed in the 1960s without the structural insight of their respective targets. Crystal structures of the main antifibrinolytic targets, the lysine binding sites on plasminogen's kringle domains, and plasmin's serine protease domain greatly contributed to the structure-based drug design of novel inhibitor classes. Two series of ligands targeting the lysine binding sites have been recently described, which are more potent than the most-widely used antifibrinolytic agent, tranexamic acid. Furthermore, four types of promising active site inhibitors of plasmin have been developed: tranexamic acid conjugates targeting the S1 pocket and primed sites, substrate-analogue linear homopiperidylalanine-containing 4-amidinobenzylamide derivatives, macrocyclic inhibitors addressing nonprimed binding regions, and bicyclic 14-mer SFTI-1 analogues blocking both, primed and nonprimed binding sites of plasmin. Furthermore, several allosteric plasmin inhibitors based on heparin mimetics have been developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6 , D-35032 Marburg , Germany
| | - Oliver Pilgram
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6 , D-35032 Marburg , Germany
| | - Benjamin M Wenzel
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6 , D-35032 Marburg , Germany
| | - Simon J A Wiedemeyer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry , Philipps University Marburg , Marbacher Weg 6 , D-35032 Marburg , Germany
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16
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Buckley BJ, Majed H, Aboelela A, Minaei E, Jiang L, Fildes K, Cheung CY, Johnson D, Bachovchin D, Cook GM, Huang M, Ranson M, Kelso MJ. 6-Substituted amiloride derivatives as inhibitors of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator for use in metastatic disease. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126753. [PMID: 31679971 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The oral K+-sparing diuretic amiloride shows anti-cancer side-activities in multiple rodent models. These effects appear to arise, at least in part, through moderate inhibition of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA, Ki = 2.4 µM), a pro-metastatic trypsin-like serine protease that is upregulated in many aggressive solid malignancies. In applying the selective optimization of side-activity (SOSA) approach, a focused library of twenty two 6-substituted amiloride derivatives were prepared, with multiple examples displaying uPA inhibitory potencies in the nM range. X-ray co-crystal structures revealed that the potency increases relative to amiloride arise from increased occupancy of uPA's S1β subsite by the appended 6-substituents. Leading compounds were shown to have high selectivity over related trypsin-like serine proteases and no diuretic or anti-kaliuretic effects in rats. Compound 15 showed anti-metastatic effects in a xenografted mouse model of late-stage lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Buckley
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Hiwa Majed
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Ashraf Aboelela
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Elahe Minaei
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Longguang Jiang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Karen Fildes
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Chen-Yi Cheung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Darren Johnson
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daniel Bachovchin
- Tri-institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY 10065, USA; Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gregory M Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Otago 9016, New Zealand
| | - Mingdong Huang
- National Joint Biomdical Engineering Research Centre on Photodynamic Technologies, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Michael J Kelso
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, NSW 2522, Australia; Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
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17
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Wang D, Yang Y, Jiang L, Wang Y, Li J, Andreasen PA, Chen Z, Huang M, Xu P. Suppression of Tumor Growth and Metastases by Targeted Intervention in Urokinase Activity with Cyclic Peptides. J Med Chem 2019; 62:2172-2183. [PMID: 30707839 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a diagnostic marker for breast and prostate cancers recommended by American Society for Clinical Oncology and German Breast Cancer Society. Inhibition of uPA was proposed as an efficient strategy for cancer treatments. In this study, we report peptide-based uPA inhibitors with high potency and specificity comparable to monoclonal antibodies. We revealed the binding and inhibitory mechanisms by combining crystallography, molecular dynamic simulation, and other biophysical and biochemical approaches. Besides, we showed that our peptides efficiently inhibited the invasion of cancer cells via intervening with the processes of the degradation of extracellular matrices. Furthermore, our peptides significantly suppressed the tumor growth and the cancer metastases in tumor-bearing mice. This study demonstrates that these uPA peptides are highly potent anticancer agents and reveals the mechanistic insights of these uPA inhibitors, which can be useful for developing other serine protease inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , 155 West Yangqiao Road , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , No.19 (A) Yuquan Road , Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Yongshuai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , 155 West Yangqiao Road , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , No.19 (A) Yuquan Road , Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 , China.,College of Life Science , Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry , Fuzhou University , Fuzhou , Fujian 350116 , China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Life Science , Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China
| | - Jinyu Li
- College of Chemistry , Fuzhou University , Fuzhou , Fujian 350116 , China
| | - Peter A Andreasen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics , Aarhus University , Aarhus C 8000 , Denmark
| | - Zhuo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , 155 West Yangqiao Road , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China
| | - Mingdong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , 155 West Yangqiao Road , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China.,College of Chemistry , Fuzhou University , Fuzhou , Fujian 350116 , China
| | - Peng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter , Chinese Academy of Sciences , 155 West Yangqiao Road , Fuzhou , Fujian 350002 , China
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18
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Mukherjee P, Leman LJ, Griffin JH, Ghadiri MR. Design of a DNA-Programmed Plasminogen Activator. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:15516-15524. [PMID: 30347143 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b10166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Although the functional specificity and catalytic versatility of enzymes have been exploited in numerous settings, controlling the spatial and temporal activity of enzymes remains challenging. Here we describe an approach for programming the function of streptokinase (SK), a protein that is clinically used as a blood "clot buster" therapeutic. We show that the fibrinolytic activity resulting from the binding of SK to the plasma proenzyme plasminogen (Pg) can be effectively regulated (turned "OFF" and "ON") by installing an intrasteric regulatory feature using a DNA-linked protease inhibitor modification. We describe the design rationale, synthetic approach, and functional characterization of two generations of intrasterically regulated SK-Pg constructs and demonstrate dose-dependent and sequence-specific temporal control in fibrinolytic activity in response to short predesignated DNA inputs. The studies described establish the feasibility of a new enzyme-programming approach and serves as a step toward advancing a new generation of programmable enzyme therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purba Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - Luke J Leman
- Department of Chemistry , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - John H Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
| | - M Reza Ghadiri
- Department of Chemistry , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States.,The Skaggs Institute of Chemical Biology , The Scripps Research Institute , La Jolla , California 92037 , United States
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19
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Li CY, de Veer SJ, Law RHP, Whisstock JC, Craik DJ, Swedberg JE. Characterising the Subsite Specificity of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator and Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator using a Sequence-Defined Peptide Aldehyde Library. Chembiochem 2018; 20:46-50. [PMID: 30225958 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) are two serine proteases that contribute to initiating fibrinolysis by activating plasminogen. uPA is also an important tumour-associated protease due to its role in extracellular matrix remodelling. Overexpression of uPA has been identified in several different cancers and uPA inhibition has been reported as a promising therapeutic strategy. Although several peptide-based uPA inhibitors have been developed, the extent to which uPA tolerates different tetrapeptide sequences that span the P1-P4 positions remains to be thoroughly explored. In this study, we screened a sequence-defined peptide aldehyde library against uPA and tPA. Preferred sequences from the library screen yielded potent inhibitors for uPA, led by Ac-GTAR-H (Ki =18 nm), but not for tPA. Additionally, synthetic peptide substrates corresponding to preferred inhibitor sequences were cleaved with high catalytic efficiency by uPA but not by tPA. These findings provide new insights into the binding specificity of uPA and tPA and the relative activity of tetrapeptide inhibitors and substrates against these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choi Yi Li
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Simon J de Veer
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ruby H P Law
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - David J Craik
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Joakim E Swedberg
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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20
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Ivanova T, Hardes K, Kallis S, Dahms SO, Than ME, Künzel S, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Lindberg I, Jiao GS, Bartenschlager R, Steinmetzer T. Optimization of Substrate-Analogue Furin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:1953-1968. [PMID: 29059503 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is a potential target for drug design, especially for the inhibition of furin-dependent virus replication. All effective synthetic furin inhibitors identified thus far are multibasic compounds; the highest potency was found for our previously developed inhibitor 4-(guanidinomethyl)phenylacetyl-Arg-Tle-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (MI-1148). An initial study in mice revealed a narrow therapeutic range for this tetrabasic compound, while significantly reduced toxicity was observed for some tribasic analogues. This suggests that the toxicity depends at least to some extent on the overall multibasic character of this inhibitor. Therefore, in a first approach, the C-terminal benzamidine of MI-1148 was replaced by less basic P1 residues. Despite decreased potency, a few compounds still inhibit furin in the low nanomolar range, but display negligible efficacy in cells. In a second approach, the P2 arginine was replaced by lysine; compared to MI-1148, this furin inhibitor has slightly decreased potency, but exhibits similar antiviral activity against West Nile and Dengue virus in cell culture and decreased toxicity in mice. These results provide a promising starting point for the development of efficacious and well-tolerated furin inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kallis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Künzel
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Hochschule Ansbach, Residenzstraße 8, 91522, Ansbach, Germany
| | | | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Honolulu, HI, USA.,MedChem ShortCut LLC, Pearl City, HI, USA
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 345, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
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21
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Xu P, Andreasen PA, Huang M. Structural Principles in the Development of Cyclic Peptidic Enzyme Inhibitors. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:1222-1233. [PMID: 29104489 PMCID: PMC5666521 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.21597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes our studies in the development of small cyclic peptides for specifically modulating enzyme activity. Serine proteases share highly similar active sites but perform diverse physiological and pathological functions. From a phage-display peptide library, we isolated two mono-cyclic peptides, upain-1 (CSWRGLENHRMC) and mupain-1 (CPAYSRYLDC), which inhibit the activity of human and murine urokinase-type plasminogen activators (huPA and muPA) with Ki values in the micromolar or sub-micromolar range, respectively. The following affinity maturations significantly enhanced the potencies of the two peptides, 10-fold and >250-fold for upain-1 and mupain-1, respectively. The most potent muPA inhibitor has a potency (Ki = 2 nM) and specificity comparable to mono-clonal antibodies. Furthermore, we also found an unusual feature of mupain-1 that its inhibitory potency can be enhanced by increasing the flexibility, which challenges the traditional viewpoint that higher rigidity leading to higher affinity. Moreover, by changing a few key residues, we converted mupain-1 from a uPA inhibitor to inhibitors of other serine proteases, including plasma kallikrein (PK) and coagulation factor XIa (fXIa). PK and fXIa inhibitors showed Ki values in the low nanomolar range and high specificity. Our studies demonstrate the versatility of small cyclic peptides to engineer inhibitory potency against serine proteases and to provide a new strategy for generating peptide inhibitors of serine proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, P.R. China
| | - Peter A Andreasen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark
| | - Mingdong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, P.R. China.,College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, P.R. China
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22
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Torng W, Altman RB. 3D deep convolutional neural networks for amino acid environment similarity analysis. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:302. [PMID: 28615003 PMCID: PMC5472009 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1702-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Central to protein biology is the understanding of how structural elements give rise to observed function. The surfeit of protein structural data enables development of computational methods to systematically derive rules governing structural-functional relationships. However, performance of these methods depends critically on the choice of protein structural representation. Most current methods rely on features that are manually selected based on knowledge about protein structures. These are often general-purpose but not optimized for the specific application of interest. In this paper, we present a general framework that applies 3D convolutional neural network (3DCNN) technology to structure-based protein analysis. The framework automatically extracts task-specific features from the raw atom distribution, driven by supervised labels. As a pilot study, we use our network to analyze local protein microenvironments surrounding the 20 amino acids, and predict the amino acids most compatible with environments within a protein structure. To further validate the power of our method, we construct two amino acid substitution matrices from the prediction statistics and use them to predict effects of mutations in T4 lysozyme structures. Results Our deep 3DCNN achieves a two-fold increase in prediction accuracy compared to models that employ conventional hand-engineered features and successfully recapitulates known information about similar and different microenvironments. Models built from our predictions and substitution matrices achieve an 85% accuracy predicting outcomes of the T4 lysozyme mutation variants. Our substitution matrices contain rich information relevant to mutation analysis compared to well-established substitution matrices. Finally, we present a visualization method to inspect the individual contributions of each atom to the classification decisions. Conclusions End-to-end trained deep learning networks consistently outperform methods using hand-engineered features, suggesting that the 3DCNN framework is well suited for analysis of protein microenvironments and may be useful for other protein structural analyses. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-017-1702-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Torng
- Deparment of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Russ B Altman
- Deparment of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. .,Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity of deoxyelephantopin in cancer cells. Integr Med Res 2017; 6:190-206. [PMID: 28664142 PMCID: PMC5478298 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deoxyelephantopin (DOE) is a natural bioactive sesquiterpene lactone from Elephantopus scaber, a traditionally relevant herb in Chinese and Indian medicine. It has shown promising anticancer effects against a broad spectrum of cancers. Methods We examined the effect of DOE on growth, autophagy, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, metastasis, and various molecular signaling pathways in cancer cells, and endeavored to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying its effect. The cytotoxicity of DOE was examined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and colony formation assays. The antimetastatic potential of DOE was identified by wound closure, as well as invasion and migration assays. The expression of mRNAs and proteins related to cytotoxicity in cancer cells induced by DOE was investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. Results DOE showed significant cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in cancer cells. DOE promoted the autophagy of HCT 116 and K562 cells. DOE arrested cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase. DOE treatment caused activation of caspase-8, -9, -3 and -7, reactive oxygen species production, and cleavage of cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), the markers of apoptosis. Moreover, apoptosis induction was associated with mitochondrial permeability and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Treatment of cancer cells with DOE inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-kappa B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt), and β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, treatment of DOE increased the expression of p53, phospho-Jun amino-terminal kinases (p-JNK), and p-p38 and decreased the expression of phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) and phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) in cancer cells. DOE downregulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2) and MMP-9, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mRNA levels in cancer cells. Conclusion These findings concluded that DOE may be useful as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer.
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Menou A, Duitman J, Flajolet P, Sallenave JM, Mailleux AA, Crestani B. Human airway trypsin-like protease, a serine protease involved in respiratory diseases. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 312:L657-L668. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00509.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 2% of all human genes are coding for a complex system of more than 700 proteases and protease inhibitors. Among them, serine proteases play extraordinary, diverse functions in different physiological and pathological processes. The human airway trypsin-like protease (HAT), also referred to as TMPRSS11D and serine 11D, belongs to the emerging family of cell surface proteolytic enzymes, the type II transmembrane serine proteases (TTSPs). Through the cleavage of its four major identified substrates, HAT triggers specific responses, notably in epithelial cells, within the pericellular and extracellular environment, including notably inflammatory cytokine production, inflammatory cell recruitment, or anticoagulant processes. This review summarizes the potential role of this recently described protease in mediating cell surface proteolytic events, to highlight the structural features, proteolytic activity, and regulation, including the expression profile of HAT, and discuss its possible roles in respiratory physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awen Menou
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
| | - JanWillem Duitman
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
| | - Pauline Flajolet
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
| | - Jean-Michel Sallenave
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
| | - Arnaud André Mailleux
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
| | - Bruno Crestani
- Inserm UMR1152, Medical School Xavier Bichat, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Département Hospitalo-Universitaire FIRE (Fibrosis, Inflammation and Remodeling) and LabEx Inflamex, Paris, France; and
- APHP, Hôpital Bichat, Service de Pneumologie A, Paris, France
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Afosah DK, Al-Horani RA, Sankaranarayanan NV, Desai UR. Potent, Selective, Allosteric Inhibition of Human Plasmin by Sulfated Non-Saccharide Glycosaminoglycan Mimetics. J Med Chem 2017; 60:641-657. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K. Afosah
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
and Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Rami A. Al-Horani
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
and Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Nehru Viji Sankaranarayanan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
and Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
| | - Umesh R. Desai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry,
and Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23219, United States
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Voegeli R, Wikstroem P, Campiche R, Steinmetzer T, Jackson E, Gempeler M, Imfeld D, Rawlings AV. The effects of benzylsulfonyl-D-Ser-homoPhe-(4-amidino-benzylamide), a dual plasmin and urokinase inhibitor, on facial skin barrier function in subjects with sensitive skin. Int J Cosmet Sci 2016; 39:109-120. [PMID: 27434836 DOI: 10.1111/ics.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to optimize the synthesis of the plasmin and urokinase (uPA) inhibitor benzylsulfonyl-D-Ser-homoPhe-(4-amidino-benzylamide) (BSFAB), to characterize its activity and mechanism of action and to assess its use to improve stratum corneum (SC) barrier function. METHODS Peptide coupling methods were used to synthesize BSFAB, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) together with 1 H- and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) were applied to clarify its structure and determine its purity. Its binding mode was determined by docking studies to the catalytic domains of plasmin and uPA. Inhibition constants (Ki ) were determined by enzyme kinetic studies, and the effect of BSFAB on plasmin, uPA and transglutaminase 1 expression was evaluated in non-cytokine and cytokine-stimulated keratinocytes. A vehicle-controlled clinical study on SC barrier function was conducted on facial skin of subjects with self-perceived sensitive skin. RESULTS BSFAB was synthesized with high purity (97.3%). In silico studies indicated that the amidine moiety of BSFAB was anchored in the S1 pocket of both enzymes by binding to Asp189, Ser190 and Gly219, whereas the backbone of the D-Ser residue makes an anti-parallel β-sheet interaction with Gly216. BSFAB was shown to be an effective inhibitor of plasmin and uPA with Ki values of 29 and 25 nM, respectively. BSFAB also inhibited keratinocyte-secreted protease activities in basal (plasmin inhibition 37.7%, P < 0.05 and uPA inhibition 96.6%, P < 0.01) and cytokine-induced conditions (plasmin inhibition 41.1%, P < 0.05 and uPA inhibition 97.0%, P < 0.001) and stimulated the gene expression of transglutaminase 1 in cytokine-stimulated keratinocytes (approximately 4.5 times increased expression, P < 0.01). Clinically, BSFAB was shown to improve SC barrier integrity (P < 0.02 on day 29) and subjective improvements in the perception of healthy skin (P < 0.05 on day 28). CONCLUSION BSFAB binds as a reversible competitive inhibitor to the active sites of plasmin and uPA. Additionally, BSFAB positively improved keratinocyte differentiation gene expression (transglutaminase 1). These effects were translated into improvements in SC barrier integrity clinically in subjects with dry and sensitive skin and improved their perception of having a healthy skin condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Voegeli
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - P Wikstroem
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - R Campiche
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - T Steinmetzer
- Philipps University, Department of Pharmacy, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - E Jackson
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - M Gempeler
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - D Imfeld
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Wurmisweg 571, 4303, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - A V Rawlings
- AVR Consulting Ltd, 26 Shavington Way, Northwich, Cheshire, UK
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Hinkes S, Wuttke A, Saupe SM, Ivanova T, Wagner S, Knörlein A, Heine A, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T. Optimization of Cyclic Plasmin Inhibitors: From Benzamidines to Benzylamines. J Med Chem 2016; 59:6370-86. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hinkes
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - André Wuttke
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian M. Saupe
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Knörlein
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Heine
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg
6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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Maiwald A, Hammami M, Wagner S, Heine A, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T. Changing the selectivity profile – from substrate analog inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa to potent matriptase inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2016; 31:89-97. [DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2016.1172574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Maiwald
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Maya Hammami
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wagner
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Heine
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
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29
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Endreas W, Brüßler J, Vornicescu D, Keusgen M, Bakowsky U, Steinmetzer T. Thrombin-Inhibiting Anticoagulant Liposomes: Development and Characterization. ChemMedChem 2015; 11:340-9. [DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wegderes Endreas
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps University; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Jana Brüßler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmacy; Philipps University; Ketzerbach 63 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Doru Vornicescu
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps University; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Michael Keusgen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps University; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Udo Bakowsky
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology & Biopharmacy; Philipps University; Ketzerbach 63 35032 Marburg Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Philipps University; Marbacher Weg 6 35032 Marburg Germany
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30
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Jiang L, Andersen LM, Andreasen PA, Chen L, Huang M. Insights into the serine protease mechanism based on structural observations of the conversion of a peptidyl serine protease inhibitor to a substrate. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1860:599-606. [PMID: 26691138 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serine proteases are one of the most studied group of enzymes. Despite the extensive mechanistic studies, some crucial details remain controversial, for example, how the cleaved product is released in the catalysis reaction. A cyclic peptidyl inhibitor (CSWRGLENHRMC, upain-1) of a serine protease, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), was found to become a slow substrate and cleaved slowly upon the replacement of single residue (W3A). METHODS By taking advantage of the unique property of this peptide, we report the high-resolution structures of uPA in complex with upain-1-W3A peptide at four different pH values by X-ray crystallography. RESULTS In the structures obtained at low pH (pH4.6 and 5.5), the cyclic peptide upain-1-W3A was found to be intact and remained in the active site of uPA. At 7.4, the scissile bond of the peptide was found cleaved, showing that the peptide became a uPA substrate. At pH9.0, the C-terminal part of the substrate was no longer visible, and only the P1 residue occupying the S1 pocket was identified. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of these structures provides explanations why the upain-1-W3A is a slow substrate. In addition, we clearly identified the cleaved fragments of the peptide at both sides of the scissile bond in the active site of the enzyme, showing a slow release of the cleaved peptide. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This work indicates that the quick release of the cleaved P' fragment after the first step of hydrolysis may not always be needed for the second hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longguang Jiang
- State Key Lab of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yang Qiao West Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China; Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Denmark. http://www.proteasesandcancer.org
| | - Lisbeth Moreau Andersen
- Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000-DK, Denmark. http://www.proteasesandcancer.org
| | - Peter A Andreasen
- Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus 8000-DK, Denmark. http://www.proteasesandcancer.org
| | - Liqing Chen
- University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
| | - Mingdong Huang
- State Key Lab of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yang Qiao West Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China; Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer, Denmark.
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Gladysz R, Adriaenssens Y, De Winter H, Joossens J, Lambeir AM, Augustyns K, Van der Veken P. Discovery and SAR of Novel and Selective Inhibitors of Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (uPA) with an Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine Scaffold. J Med Chem 2015; 58:9238-57. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Gladysz
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yves Adriaenssens
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Winter
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Joossens
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anne-Marie Lambeir
- Medical Biochemistry, Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein
1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Koen Augustyns
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van der Veken
- Laboratory
of Medicinal Chemistry (UAMC), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp (UA), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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Application of Molecular Modeling to Development of New Factor Xa Inhibitors. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:120802. [PMID: 26484350 PMCID: PMC4592935 DOI: 10.1155/2015/120802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In consequence of the key role of factor Xa in the clotting cascade and absence of its activity in the processes that do not affect coagulation, this protein is an attractive target for development of new blood coagulation inhibitors. Factor Xa is more effective and convenient target for creation of anticoagulants than thrombin, inhibition of which may cause some side effects. This study is aimed at finding new inhibitors of factor Xa by molecular computer modeling including docking SOL and postdocking optimization DISCORE programs. After validation of molecular modeling methods on well-known factor Xa inhibitors the virtual screening of NCI Diversity and Voronezh State University databases of ready-made low molecular weight species has been carried out. Seventeen compounds selected on the basis of modeling results have been tested experimentally in vitro. It has been found that 12 of them showed activity against factor Xa (IC50 = 1.8-40 μM). Based on analysis of the results, the new original compound was synthesized and experimentally verified. It shows activity against factor Xa with IC50 value of 0.7 μM.
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Häußler D, Scheidt T, Stirnberg M, Steinmetzer T, Gütschow M. A Bisbenzamidine Phosphonate as a Janus-faced Inhibitor for Trypsin-like Serine Proteases. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:1641-6. [PMID: 26306030 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A hybrid approach was applied for the design of an inhibitor of trypsin-like serine proteases. Compound 16 [(R,R)- and (R,S)-diphenyl (4-(1-(4-amidinobenzylamino)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-ylcarbamoyl)phenylamino)(4-amidinophenyl)methylphosphonate hydrochloride], prepared in a convergent synthetic procedure, possesses a phosphonate warhead prone to react with the active site serine residue in a covalent, irreversible manner. Each of the two benzamidine moieties of 16 can potentially be accommodated in the S1 pocket of the target enzyme, but only the benzamidine close to the phosphonate group would then promote an irreversible interaction. The Janus-faced inhibitor 16 was evaluated against several serine proteases and caused a pronounced inactivation of human thrombin with a second-order rate constant (kinac /Ki) of 59 500 M(-1) s(-1). With human matriptase, 16 showed preference for a reversible mode of inhibition (IC50 =2.6 μM) as indicated by linear progress curves and enzyme reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Häußler
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn (Germany)
| | - Tamara Scheidt
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn (Germany)
| | - Marit Stirnberg
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn (Germany)
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg (Germany)
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121 Bonn (Germany).
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Selection of High-Affinity Peptidic Serine Protease Inhibitors with Increased Binding Entropy from a Back-Flip Library of Peptide-Protease Fusions. J Mol Biol 2015; 427:3110-22. [PMID: 26281711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2015.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a new concept for designing peptidic protein modulators, by recombinantly fusing the peptidic modulator, with randomized residues, directly to the target protein via a linker and screening for internal modulation of the activity of the protein. We tested the feasibility of the concept by fusing a 10-residue-long, disulfide-bond-constrained inhibitory peptide, randomized in selected positions, to the catalytic domain of the serine protease murine urokinase-type plasminogen activator. High-affinity inhibitory peptide variants were identified as those that conferred to the fusion protease the lowest activity for substrate hydrolysis. The usefulness of the strategy was demonstrated by the selection of peptidic inhibitors of murine urokinase-type plasminogen activator with a low nanomolar affinity. The high affinity could not have been predicted by rational considerations, as the high affinity was associated with a loss of polar interactions and an increased binding entropy.
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WYGANOWSKA-ŞWIĄTKOWSKA MARZENA, JANKUN JERZY. Plasminogen activation system in oral cancer: Relevance in prognosis and therapy (Review). Int J Oncol 2015; 47:16-24. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Häußler D, Gütschow M. Synthesis of a Fluorescent-Labeled Bisbenzamidine Containing the Central (6,7-Dimethoxy-4-coumaryl)Alanine Building Block. HETEROATOM CHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/hc.21269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Häußler
- Pharmaceutical Institute; Pharmaceutical Chemistry I; University of Bonn; D-53121 Bonn Germany
| | - Michael Gütschow
- Pharmaceutical Institute; Pharmaceutical Chemistry I; University of Bonn; D-53121 Bonn Germany
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Pathak M, Wilmann P, Awford J, Li C, Hamad BK, Fischer PM, Dreveny I, Dekker LV, Emsley J. Coagulation factor XII protease domain crystal structure. J Thromb Haemost 2015; 13:580-91. [PMID: 25604127 PMCID: PMC4418343 DOI: 10.1111/jth.12849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coagulation factor XII is a serine protease that is important for kinin generation and blood coagulation, cleaving the substrates plasma kallikrein and FXI. OBJECTIVE To investigate FXII zymogen activation and substrate recognition by determining the crystal structure of the FXII protease domain. METHODS AND RESULTS A series of recombinant FXII protease constructs were characterized by measurement of cleavage of chromogenic peptide and plasma kallikrein protein substrates. This revealed that the FXII protease construct spanning the light chain has unexpectedly weak proteolytic activity compared to β-FXIIa, which has an additional nine amino acid remnant of the heavy chain present. Consistent with these data, the crystal structure of the light chain protease reveals a zymogen conformation for active site residues Gly193 and Ser195, where the oxyanion hole is absent. The Asp194 side chain salt bridge to Arg73 constitutes an atypical conformation of the 70-loop. In one crystal form, the S1 pocket loops are partially flexible, which is typical of a zymogen. In a second crystal form of the deglycosylated light chain, the S1 pocket loops are ordered, and a short α-helix in the 180-loop of the structure results in an enlarged and distorted S1 pocket with a buried conformation of Asp189, which is critical for P1 Arg substrate recognition. The FXII structures define patches of negative charge surrounding the active site cleft that may be critical for interactions with inhibitors and substrates. CONCLUSIONS These data provide the first structural basis for understanding FXII substrate recognition and zymogen activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pathak
- Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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38
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Farha A, Dhanya S, Mangalam SN, Remani P. Anti-metastatic effect of deoxyelephantopin from Elephantopus scaber in A549 lung cancer cells in vitro. Nat Prod Res 2015; 29:2341-5. [DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2015.1012165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A.K. Farha
- Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - S.R. Dhanya
- CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - S. Nair Mangalam
- CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - P. Remani
- Division of Cancer Research, Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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39
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LeBeau AM, Sevillano N, Markham K, Winter MB, Murphy ST, Hostetter DR, West J, Lowman H, Craik CS, VanBrocklin HF. Imaging active urokinase plasminogen activator in prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2015; 75:1225-35. [PMID: 25672980 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The increased proteolytic activity of membrane-bound and secreted proteases on the surface of cancer cells and in the transformed stroma is a common characteristic of aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. We describe here the development of an active site-specific probe for detecting a secreted peritumoral protease expressed by cancer cells and the surrounding tumor microenvironment. Using a human fragment antigen-binding phage display library, we identified a human antibody termed U33 that selectively inhibited the active form of the protease urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA, PLAU). In the full-length immunoglobulin form, U33 IgG labeled with near-infrared fluorophores or radionuclides allowed us to noninvasively detect active uPA in prostate cancer xenograft models using optical and single-photon emission computed tomography imaging modalities. U33 IgG labeled with (111)In had a remarkable tumor uptake of 43.2% injected dose per gram (%ID/g) 72 hours after tail vein injection of the radiolabeled probe in subcutaneous xenografts. In addition, U33 was able to image active uPA in small soft-tissue and osseous metastatic lesions using a cardiac dissemination prostate cancer model that recapitulated metastatic human cancer. The favorable imaging properties were the direct result of U33 IgG internalization through an uPA receptor-mediated mechanism in which U33 mimicked the function of the endogenous inhibitor of uPA to gain entry into the cancer cell. Overall, our imaging probe targets a prostate cancer-associated protease, through a unique mechanism, allowing for the noninvasive preclinical imaging of prostate cancer lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M LeBeau
- Center for Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Natalia Sevillano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Kate Markham
- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Michael B Winter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Stephanie T Murphy
- Center for Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - James West
- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Henry Lowman
- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California
| | - Charles S Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Henry F VanBrocklin
- Center for Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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40
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Kromann-Hansen T, Lund IK, Liu Z, Andreasen PA, Høyer-Hansen G, Sørensen HP. Allosteric inactivation of a trypsin-like serine protease by an antibody binding to the 37- and 70-loops. Biochemistry 2013; 52:7114-26. [PMID: 24079451 DOI: 10.1021/bi400491k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease catalytic activity is in many cases regulated by conformational changes initiated by binding of physiological modulators to exosites located distantly from the active site. Inhibitory monoclonal antibodies binding to such exosites are potential therapeutics and offer opportunities for elucidating fundamental allosteric mechanisms. The monoclonal antibody mU1 has previously been shown to be able to inhibit the function of murine urokinase-type plasminogen activator in vivo. We have now mapped the epitope of mU1 to the catalytic domain's 37- and 70-loops, situated about 20 Å from the S1 specificity pocket of the active site. Our data suggest that binding of mU1 destabilizes the catalytic domain and results in conformational transition into a state, in which the N-terminal amino group of Ile16 is less efficiently stabilizing the oxyanion hole and in which the active site has a reduced affinity for substrates and inhibitors. Furthermore, we found evidence for functional interactions between residues in uPA's C-terminal catalytic domain and its N-terminal A-chain, as deletion of the A-chain facilitates the mU1-induced conformational distortion. The inactive, distorted state is by several criteria similar to the E* conformation described for other serine proteases. Hence, agents targeting serine protease conformation through binding to exosites in the 37- and 70-loops represent a new class of potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kromann-Hansen
- Danish-Chinese Centre for Proteases and Cancer and ‡Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University , DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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41
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Inhibitors of urokinase type plasminogen activator and cytostatic activity from crude plants extracts. Molecules 2013; 18:8945-58. [PMID: 23896619 PMCID: PMC4034058 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18088945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2013] [Revised: 07/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In view of the clear evidence that urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) plays an important role in the processes of tumor cell metastasis, aortic aneurysm, and multiple sclerosis, it has become a target of choice for pharmacological intervention. The goal of this study was thus to determine the presence of inhibitors of uPA in plants known traditionally for their anti-tumor properties. Crude methanol extracts were prepared from the leaves of plants (14) collected from the subtropical dry forest (Guanica, Puerto Rico), and tested for the presence of inhibitors of uPA using the fibrin plate assay. The extracts that tested positive (6) were then partitioned with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, in a sequential manner. The resulting fractions were then tested again using the fibrin plate assay. Extracts from leaves of Croton lucidus (C. lucidus) showed the presence of a strong uPA inhibitory activity. Serial dilutions of these C. lucidus partitions were performed to determine the uPA inhibition IC50 values. The chloroform extract showed the lowest IC50 value (3.52 µg/mL) and hence contained the most potent uPA inhibitor. Further investigations revealed that the crude methanol extract and its chloroform and n-butanol partitions did not significantly inhibit closely related proteases such as the tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasmin, indicating their selectivity for uPA, and hence superior potential for medicinal use with fewer side effects. In a further evaluation of their therapeutic potential for prevention of cancer metastasis, the C. lucidus extracts displayed cytostatic activity against human pancreatic carcinoma (PaCa-2) cells, as determined through an MTS assay. The cytostatic activities recorded for each of the partitions correlated with their relative uPA inhibitory activities. There are no existing reports of uPA inhibitors being present in any of the plants reported in this study.
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42
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Identification of the first synthetic inhibitors of the type II transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 suitable for inhibition of influenza virus activation. Biochem J 2013; 452:331-43. [PMID: 23527573 DOI: 10.1042/bj20130101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
TMPRSS2 (transmembrane serine proteinase 2) is a multidomain type II transmembrane serine protease that cleaves the surface glycoprotein HA (haemagglutinin) of influenza viruses with a monobasic cleavage site, which is a prerequisite for virus fusion and propagation. Furthermore, it activates the fusion protein F of the human metapneumovirus and the spike protein S of the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus). Increased TMPRSS2 expression was also described in several tumour entities. Therefore TMPRSS2 emerged as a potential target for drug design. The catalytic domain of TMPRSS2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and used for an inhibitor screen with previously synthesized inhibitors of various trypsin-like serine proteases. Two inhibitor types were identified which inhibit TMPRSS2 in the nanomolar range. The first series comprises substrate analogue inhibitors containing a 4-amidinobenzylamide moiety at the P1 position, whereby some of these analogues possess inhibition constants of approximately 20 nM. An improved potency was found for a second type derived from sulfonylated 3-amindinophenylalanylamide derivatives. The most potent derivative of this series inhibits TMPRSS2 with a K(i) value of 0.9 nM and showed an efficient blockage of influenza virus propagation in human airway epithelial cells. On the basis of the inhibitor studies, a series of new fluorogenic substrates containing a D-arginine residue at the P3 position was synthesized, some of them were efficiently cleaved by TMPRSS2.
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43
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Saupe SM, Leubner S, Betz M, Klebe G, Steinmetzer T. Development of New Cyclic Plasmin Inhibitors with Excellent Potency and Selectivity. J Med Chem 2013; 56:820-31. [DOI: 10.1021/jm3012917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M. Saupe
- Department
of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg,
Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephanie Leubner
- Department
of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg,
Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Betz
- Department
of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg,
Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department
of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg,
Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department
of Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg,
Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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44
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Hammamy MZ, Haase C, Hammami M, Hilgenfeld R, Steinmetzer T. Development and characterization of new peptidomimetic inhibitors of the West Nile virus NS2B-NS3 protease. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:231-41. [PMID: 23307694 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A series of new substrate analogue inhibitors of the WNV NS2B-NS3 protease containing decarboxylated arginine mimetics at the P1 position was developed. Among the various analogues, trans-(4-guanidino)cyclohexylmethylamide (GCMA) was identified as the most suitable P1 residue. In combination with dichloro-substituted phenylacetyl groups at the P4 position, three inhibitors with inhibition constants of <0.2 μM were obtained. These GCMA inhibitors have a better selectivity profile than the previously described agmatine analogues, and possess negligible affinity for the trypsin-like serine proteases thrombin, factor Xa, and matriptase. A crystal structure in complex with the WNV protease was determined for one of the most potent inhibitors, 3,4-dichlorophenylacetyl-Lys-Lys-GCMA (K(i)=0.13 μM). The inhibitor adopts a horseshoe-like conformation, most likely due to a hydrophobic contact between the P4 phenyl ring and the P1 cyclohexyl group, which is further stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the P1 guanidino group and the P4 carbonyl oxygen atom. These inhibitors are stable, readily accessible, and have a noncovalent binding mode. Therefore, they may serve as suitable lead structures for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zouhir Hammamy
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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45
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Synthesis and Biological Activity of N-Sulfonyltripeptides with C-Terminal Arginine as Potential Serine Proteases Inhibitors. Int J Pept Res Ther 2012; 19:191-198. [PMID: 23926446 PMCID: PMC3726930 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-012-9338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Tripeptides of the general X-SO2-d-Ser-AA-Arg-CO-Y formula, where X = α-tolyl, p-tolyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl; AA = alanine, glycine, norvaline and Y = OH, NH-(CH2)5NH2 were obtained and tested for their effect on the amidolytic activities of urokinase, thrombin, trypsin, plasmin, t-PA and kallikrein. The most active compound towards urokinase was PhCH2SO2-d-Ser-Gly-Arg-OH with Ki value 5.4 μM and the most active compound toward thrombin was PhCH2SO2-d-Ser-NVa-Arg-OH with Ki value 0.82 μM. The peptides were nontoxic against porcine erythrocytes in vitro. PhCH2SO2-d-Ser-Gly-Arg-OH showed cytotoxic effect against DLD cell lines with IC50 values of 5 μM. For the highly selective determination of the interaction of some of the synthesised acids of tripeptides with urokinase and plasmin the Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging sensor has been applied. These compounds bind to urokinase and plasmin in 0.05 mM concentration.
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46
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Active site mapping of trypsin, thrombin and matriptase-2 by sulfamoyl benzamidines. Bioorg Med Chem 2012; 20:6489-505. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2012.08.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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47
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Almholt K, Juncker-Jensen A, Lærum OD, Johnsen M, Rømer J, Lund LR. Spontaneous metastasis in congenic mice with transgenic breast cancer is unaffected by plasminogen gene ablation. Clin Exp Metastasis 2012; 30:277-88. [PMID: 22996753 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-012-9534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasminogen (Plg) plays a central role in tissue remodeling during ontogeny, development, and in pathological tissue remodeling following physical injury, inflammation and cancer. Plg/plasmin is, however, not critical for these processes, as they all occur to a varying extent in its absence, suggesting that there is a functional redundancy with other proteases. To explore this functional overlap in the transgenic MMTV-PyMT breast cancer metastasis model, we have combined Plg deficiency and a pharmacological metalloprotease inhibitor, which is known to reduce metastasis in this model, and has been shown to synergistically inhibit other tissue remodeling events in Plg-deficient mice. While metalloprotease inhibition dramatically reduced metastasis, we found no effect of Plg deficiency on metastasis, either independently or in combination with metalloprotease inhibition. We further show that Plg gene deficiency is of no significant consequence in this metastasis model, when analyzed in two different congenic strains: the FVB strain, and a F1 hybrid of the FVB and C57BL/6J strains. We suggest that the extensive backcrossing performed prior to our studies has eliminated the confounding effect of a known polymorphic metastasis modifier gene region located adjacent to the Plg gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Almholt
- Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen Biocenter, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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48
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Biela A, Sielaff F, Terwesten F, Heine A, Steinmetzer T, Klebe G. Ligand Binding Stepwise Disrupts Water Network in Thrombin: Enthalpic and Entropic Changes Reveal Classical Hydrophobic Effect. J Med Chem 2012; 55:6094-110. [DOI: 10.1021/jm300337q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Biela
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Frank Sielaff
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Felix Terwesten
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Heine
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University
Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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49
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Angelini A, Cendron L, Chen S, Touati J, Winter G, Zanotti G, Heinis C. Bicyclic peptide inhibitor reveals large contact interface with a protease target. ACS Chem Biol 2012; 7:817-21. [PMID: 22304751 DOI: 10.1021/cb200478t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
From a large combinatorial library of chemically constrained bicyclic peptides we isolated a selective and potent (K(i) = 53 nM) inhibitor of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and crystallized the complex. This revealed an extended structure of the peptide with both peptide loops engaging the target to form a large interaction surface of 701 Å(2) with multiple hydrogen bonds and complementary charge interactions, explaining the high affinity and specificity of the inhibitor. The interface resembles that between two proteins and suggests that these constrained peptides have the potential to act as small protein mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Angelini
- Institute
of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura Cendron
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padua,
Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Giuseppe Orus 2, 35129
Padua, Italy
| | - Shiyu Chen
- Institute
of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy Touati
- Institute
of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Greg Winter
- Laboratory of
Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2
0QH, U.K
| | - Giuseppe Zanotti
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Padua, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padua,
Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via Giuseppe Orus 2, 35129
Padua, Italy
| | - Christian Heinis
- Institute
of Chemical Sciences
and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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50
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Becker GL, Lu Y, Hardes K, Strehlow B, Levesque C, Lindberg I, Sandvig K, Bakowsky U, Day R, Garten W, Steinmetzer T. Highly potent inhibitors of proprotein convertase furin as potential drugs for treatment of infectious diseases. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:21992-2003. [PMID: 22539349 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.332643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimization of our previously described peptidomimetic furin inhibitors was performed and yielded several analogs with a significantly improved activity. The most potent compounds containing an N-terminal 4- or 3-(guanidinomethyl)phenylacetyl residue inhibit furin with K(i) values of 16 and 8 pM, respectively. These analogs inhibit other proprotein convertases, such as PC1/3, PC4, PACE4, and PC5/6, with similar potency, whereas PC2, PC7, and trypsin-like serine proteases are poorly affected. Incubation of selected compounds with Madin-Darby canine kidney cells over a period of 96 h revealed that they exhibit great stability, making them suitable candidates for further studies in cell culture. Two of the most potent derivatives were used to inhibit the hemagglutinin cleavage and viral propagation of a highly pathogenic avian H7N1 influenza virus strain. The treatment with inhibitor 24 (4-(guanidinomethyl)phenylacetyl-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide) resulted in significantly delayed virus propagation compared with an inhibitor-free control. The same analog was also effective in inhibiting Shiga toxin activation in HEp-2 cells. This antiviral effect, as well as the protective effect against a bacterial toxin, suggests that inhibitors of furin or furin-like proprotein convertases could represent promising lead structures for future drug development, in particular for the treatment of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gero L Becker
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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