1
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Douglas LEJ, Reihill JA, Montgomery BM, Martin SL. Furin as a therapeutic target in cystic fibrosis airways disease. Eur Respir Rev 2023; 32:32/168/220256. [PMID: 37137509 PMCID: PMC10155048 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0256-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of cystic fibrosis (CF) has been greatly improved by the development of small molecule modulators of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). These drugs help to address some of the basic genetic defects of CFTR; however, no suitable CFTR modulators exist for 10% of people with CF (PWCF). An alternative, mutation-agnostic therapeutic approach is therefore still required. In CF airways, elevated levels of the proprotein convertase furin contribute to the dysregulation of key processes that drive disease pathogenesis. Furin plays a critical role in the proteolytic activation of the epithelial sodium channel; hyperactivity of which causes airways dehydration and loss of effective mucociliary clearance. Furin is also responsible for the processing of transforming growth factor-β, which is increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from PWCF and is associated with neutrophilic inflammation and reduced pulmonary function. Pathogenic substrates of furin include Pseudomonas exotoxin A, a major toxic product associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative pathogen for coronavirus disease 2019. In this review we discuss the importance of furin substrates in the progression of CF airways disease and highlight selective furin inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to provide clinical benefit to all PWCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E J Douglas
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - James A Reihill
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - S Lorraine Martin
- School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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2
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Ellis JL, Evason KJ, Zhang C, Fourman MN, Liu J, Ninov N, Delous M, Vanhollebeke B, Fiddes I, Otis JP, Houvras Y, Farber SA, Xu X, Lin X, Stainier DYR, Yin C. A missense mutation in the proprotein convertase gene furinb causes hepatic cystogenesis during liver development in zebrafish. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:3083-3097. [PMID: 36017776 PMCID: PMC9592797 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.2038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cysts are fluid-filled lesions in the liver that are estimated to occur in 5% of the population. They may cause hepatomegaly and abdominal pain. Progression to secondary fibrosis, cirrhosis, or cholangiocarcinoma can lead to morbidity and mortality. Previous studies of patients and rodent models have associated hepatic cyst formation with increased proliferation and fluid secretion in cholangiocytes, which are partially due to impaired primary cilia. Congenital hepatic cysts are thought to originate from faulty bile duct development, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In a forward genetic screen, we identified a zebrafish mutant that developed hepatic cysts during larval stages. The cyst formation was not due to changes in biliary cell proliferation, bile secretion, or impairment of primary cilia. Instead, time-lapse live imaging data showed that the mutant biliary cells failed to form interconnecting bile ducts because of defects in motility and protrusive activity. Accordingly, immunostaining revealed a disorganized actin and microtubule cytoskeleton in the mutant biliary cells. By whole-genome sequencing, we determined that the cystic phenotype in the mutant was caused by a missense mutation in the furinb gene, which encodes a proprotein convertase. The mutation altered Furinb localization and caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The cystic phenotype could be suppressed by treatment with the ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid and exacerbated by treatment with the ER stress inducer tunicamycin. The mutant liver also exhibited increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Treatment with mTOR inhibitors halted cyst formation at least partially through reducing ER stress. Conclusion: Our study has established a vertebrate model for studying hepatic cystogenesis and illustrated the contribution of ER stress in the disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L. Ellis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Kimberley J. Evason
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Huntsman Cancer Institute and Department of PathologyUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Changwen Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Makenzie N. Fourman
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | - Jiandong Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- McAllister Heart InstituteDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineSchool of MedicineThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Nikolay Ninov
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Center for Regenerative Therapies TU DresdenDresdenGermany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus of TU DresdenGerman Center for Diabetes ResearchDresdenGermany
| | - Marion Delous
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Equipe GENDEVCentre de Recherche en Neurosciences de LyonInserm U1028CNRS UMR5292Universite Lyon 1Universite St EtienneLyonFrance
| | - Benoit Vanhollebeke
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Laboratory of Neurovascular SignalingDepartment of Molecular BiologyULB Neuroscience InstituteUniversite Libre de BruxellesGosseliesBelgium
| | - Ian Fiddes
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jessica P. Otis
- Department of EmbryologyCarnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of BiologyJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and BiochemistryBrown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Yariv Houvras
- Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian HospitalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Steven A. Farber
- Department of EmbryologyCarnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Department of BiologyJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Xiaolei Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyDepartment of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Xueying Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyDepartment of Cardiovascular MedicineMayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Didier Y. R. Stainier
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Developmental GeneticsMax Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Chunyue Yin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsProgram in Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyLiver Center and Diabetes CenterUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Division of Developmental BiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhioUSA
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3
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Loss of hypothalamic Furin affects POMC to proACTH cleavage and feeding behavior in high-fat diet-fed mice. Mol Metab 2022; 66:101627. [PMID: 36374777 PMCID: PMC9664468 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2022.101627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The hypothalamus regulates feeding and glucose homeostasis through the balanced action of different neuropeptides, which are cleaved and activated by the proprotein convertases PC1/3 and PC2. However, the recent association of polymorphisms in the proprotein convertase FURIN with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, prompted us to investigate the role of FURIN in hypothalamic neurons controlling glucose and feeding. METHODS POMC-Cre+/- mice were bred with Furinfl/fl mice to generate conditional knockout mice with Furin-deletion in neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMCFurKO), and Furinfl/fl mice were used as controls. POMCFurKO and controls were periodically monitored on both normal chow diet and high fat diet (HFD) for body weight and glucose tolerance by established in-vivo procedures. Food intake was measured in HFD-fed FurKO and controls. Hypothalamic Pomc mRNA was measured by RT-qPCR. ELISAs quantified POMC protein and resulting peptides in the hypothalamic extracts of POMCFurKO mice and controls. The in-vitro processing of POMC was studied by biochemical techniques in HEK293T and CHO cell lines lacking FURIN. RESULTS In control mice, Furin mRNA levels were significantly upregulated on HFD feeding, suggesting an increased demand for FURIN activity in obesogenic conditions. Under these conditions, the POMCFurKO mice were hyperphagic and had increased body weight compared to Furinfl/fl mice. Moreover, protein levels of POMC were elevated and ACTH concentrations markedly reduced. Also, the ratio of α-MSH/POMC was decreased in POMCFurKO mice compared to controls. This indicates that POMC processing was significantly reduced in the hypothalami of POMCFurKO mice, highlighting for the first time the involvement of FURIN in the cleavage of POMC. Importantly, we found that in vitro, the first stage in processing where POMC is cleaved into proACTH was achieved by FURIN but not by PC1/3 or the other proprotein convertases in cell lines lacking a regulated secretory pathway. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that FURIN processes POMC into proACTH before sorting into the regulated secretory pathway, challenging the dogma that PC1/3 and PC2 are the only convertases responsible for POMC cleavage. Furthermore, its deletion affects feeding behaviors under obesogenic conditions.
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Abstract
Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 sequence revealed a multibasic furin cleavage site at the S1/S2 boundary of the spike protein distinguishing this virus from SARS-CoV. Furin, the best-characterized member of the mammalian proprotein convertases, is an ubiquitously expressed single pass type 1 transmembrane protein. Cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by furin promotes viral entry into lung cells. While furin knockout is embryonically lethal, its knockout in differentiated somatic cells is not, thus furin provides an exciting therapeutic target for viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial infections. Several peptide-based and small-molecule inhibitors of furin have been recently reported, and select cocrystal structures have been solved, paving the way for further optimization and selection of clinical candidates. This perspective highlights furin structure, substrates, recent inhibitors, and crystal structures with emphasis on furin's role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, where the current data strongly suggest its inhibition as a promising therapeutic intervention for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essam
Eldin A. Osman
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Alnawaz Rehemtulla
- Department
of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nouri Neamati
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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5
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin in cancer: more than an oncogene. Oncogene 2022; 41:1252-1262. [PMID: 34997216 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02175-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Furin is the first discovered proprotein convertase member and is present in almost all mammalian cells. Therefore, by regulating the maturation of a wide range of proproteins, Furin expression and/or activity is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes ranging from embryonic development to carcinogenesis. Since many of these protein precursors are involved in initiating and maintaining the hallmarks of cancer, Furin has been proposed as a potential target for treating several human cancers. In contrast, other studies have revealed that some types of cancer do not benefit from Furin inhibition. Therefore, understanding the heterogeneous functions of Furin in cancer will provide important insights into the design of effective strategies targeting Furin in cancer treatment. Here, we present recent advances in understanding how Furin expression and activity are regulated in cancer cells and their influences on the activity of Furin substrates in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how Furin represses tumorigenic properties of several cancer cells and why Furin inhibition leads to aggressive phenotypes in other tumors. Finally, we summarize the clinical applications of Furin inhibition in treating human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR 1029, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, Pessac, France. .,Institut Bergoinié, Bordeaux, France.
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Pharmacological inhibition of Mint3 attenuates tumour growth, metastasis, and endotoxic shock. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1165. [PMID: 34621018 PMCID: PMC8497560 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02701-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) plays essential roles in human diseases, though its central role in oxygen homoeostasis hinders the development of direct HIF-1-targeted pharmacological approaches. Here, we surveyed small-molecule compounds that efficiently inhibit the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 without affecting body homoeostasis. We focused on Mint3, which activates HIF-1 transcriptional activity in limited types of cells, such as cancer cells and macrophages, by suppressing the factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1). We identified naphthofluorescein, which inhibited the Mint3–FIH-1 interaction in vitro and suppressed Mint3-dependent HIF-1 activity and glycolysis in cancer cells and macrophages without evidence of cytotoxicity in vitro. In vivo naphthofluorescein administration suppressed tumour growth and metastasis without adverse effects, similar to the genetic depletion of Mint3. Naphthofluorescein attenuated inflammatory cytokine production and endotoxic shock in mice. Thus, Mint3 inhibitors may present a new targeted therapeutic option for cancer and inflammatory diseases by avoiding severe adverse effects. Sakomoto et al. identify naphthofluorescein as a mint3 inhibitor that disrupts the Mint3–FIH-1 interaction and attenuates HIF-1 activity. In vivo experiments in mice reveal a reduction in tumor growth with attenuated inflammatory cytokine production and endotoxic shock, presenting an option for targeted therapies for cancer and inflammatory diseases that avoid severe adverse effects.
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7
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Coppola I, Brouwers B, Meulemans S, Ramos-Molina B, Creemers JWM. Differential Effects of Furin Deficiency on Insulin Receptor Processing and Glucose Control in Liver and Pancreatic β Cells of Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6344. [PMID: 34198511 PMCID: PMC8231939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) is critically involved in maintaining glucose homeostasis. It undergoes proteolytic cleavage by proprotein convertases, which is an essential step for its activation. The importance of the insulin receptor in liver is well established, but its role in pancreatic β cells is still controversial. In this study, we investigated the cleavage of the IR by the proprotein convertase FURIN in β cells and hepatocytes, and the contribution of the IR in pancreatic β cells and liver to glucose homeostasis. β-cell-specific Furin knockout (βFurKO) mice were glucose intolerant, but liver-specific Furin knockout (LFurKO) mice were normoglycemic. Processing of the IR was blocked in βFurKO cells, but unaffected in LFurKO mice. Most strikingly, glucose homeostasis in β-cell-specific IR knockout (βIRKO) mice was normal in younger mice (up to 20 weeks), and only mildly affected in older mice (24 weeks). In conclusion, FURIN cleaves the IR non-redundantly in β cells, but redundantly in liver. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the IR in β cells plays a limited role in glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Coppola
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Bas Brouwers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
- Obesity and Metabolism Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), 30120 Murcia, Spain
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (I.C.); (B.B.); (S.M.)
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8
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Abstract
The kexin-like proprotein convertases perform the initial proteolytic cleavages that ultimately generate a variety of different mature peptide and proteins, ranging from brain neuropeptides to endocrine peptide hormones, to structural proteins, among others. In this review, we present a general introduction to proprotein convertase structure and biochemistry, followed by a comprehensive discussion of each member of the kexin-like subfamily of proprotein convertases. We summarize current knowledge of human proprotein convertase insufficiency syndromes, including genome-wide analyses of convertase polymorphisms, and compare these to convertase null and mutant mouse models. These mouse models have illuminated our understanding of the roles specific convertases play in human disease and have led to the identification of convertase-specific substrates; for example, the identification of procorin as a specific PACE4 substrate in the heart. We also discuss the limitations of mouse null models in interpreting human disease, such as differential precursor cleavage due to species-specific sequence differences, and the challenges presented by functional redundancy among convertases in attempting to assign specific cleavages and/or physiological roles. However, in most cases, knockout mouse models have added substantively both to our knowledge of diseases caused by human proprotein convertase insufficiency and to our appreciation of their normal physiological roles, as clearly seen in the case of the furin, proprotein convertase 1/3, and proprotein convertase 5/6 mouse models. The creation of more sophisticated mouse models with tissue- or temporally-restricted expression of specific convertases will improve our understanding of human proprotein convertase insufficiency and potentially provide support for the emerging concept of therapeutic inhibition of convertases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manita Shakya
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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9
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Novel Homozygous Inactivating Mutation in the PCSK1 Gene in an Infant with Congenital Malabsorptive Diarrhea. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050710. [PMID: 34068683 PMCID: PMC8151971 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), encoded by the PCSK1 gene, is expressed in neuronal and (entero)endocrine cell types, where it cleaves and hence activates a number of protein precursors that play a key role in energy homeostasis. Loss-of-function mutations in PCSK1 cause a recessive complex endocrinopathy characterized by malabsorptive diarrhea and early-onset obesity. Despite the fact that neonatal malabsorptive diarrhea is observed in all patients, it has remained understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the enteroendocrine pathologies in a male patient with congenital PCSK1 deficiency carrying the novel homozygous c.1034A>C (p.E345A) mutation. This patient developed malabsorptive diarrhea and metabolic acidosis within the first week of life, but rapid weight gain was observed after total parenteral nutrition, and he displayed high proinsulin levels and low adrenocorticotropin. In vitro analysis showed that the p.E345A mutation in PC1/3 resulted in a (near) normal autocatalytic proPC1/3 processing and only partially impaired PC1/3 secretion, but the processing of a substrate in trans was completely blocked. Immunohistochemical staining did not reveal changes in the proGIP/GIP and proglucagon/GLP-1 ratio in colonic tissue. Hence, we report a novel PCSK1 deficient patient who, despite neonatal malabsorptive diarrhea, showed a normal morphology in the small intestine.
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10
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Rose M, Duhamel M, Rodet F, Salzet M. The Role of Proprotein Convertases in the Regulation of the Function of Immune Cells in the Oncoimmune Response. Front Immunol 2021; 12:667850. [PMID: 33995401 PMCID: PMC8117212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.667850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PC) are a family of 9 serine proteases involved in the processing of cellular pro-proteins. They trigger the activation, inactivation or functional changes of many hormones, neuropeptides, growth factors and receptors. Therefore, these enzymes are essential for cellular homeostasis in health and disease. Nine PC subtilisin/kexin genes (PCSK1 to PCSK9) encoding for PC1/3, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5/6, PACE4, PC7, SKI-1/S1P and PCSK9 are known. The expression of PC1/3, PC2, PC5/6, Furin and PC7 in lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes, thymus and spleen has suggested a role for these enzymes in immunity. In fact, knock-out of Furin in T cells was associated with high secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibody production in mice. This suggested a key role for this enzyme in immune tolerance. Moreover, Furin through its proteolytic activity, regulates the suppressive functions of Treg and thus prevents chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. In macrophages, Furin is also involved in the regulation of their inflammatory phenotype. Similarly, PC1/3 inhibition combined with TLR4 stimulation triggers the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway with an increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Factors secreted by PC1/3 KD macrophages stimulated with LPS exert a chemoattractive effect on naive auxiliary T lymphocytes (Th0) and anti-tumoral activities. The link between TLR and PCs is thus very important in inflammatory response regulation. Furin regulates TL7 and TLR8 processing and trafficking whereas PC1/3 controls TLR4 and TLR9 trafficking. Since PC1/3 and Furin are key regulators of both the innate and adaptive immune responses their inhibition may play a major role in oncoimmune therapy. The role of PCs in the oncoimmune response and therapeutic strategies based on PCs inhibition are proposed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Rose
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Marie Duhamel
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Franck Rodet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
| | - Michel Salzet
- Université Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire et Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Lille, France
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11
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Lam van TV, Heindl MR, Schlutt C, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Bartenschlager R, Klebe G, Brandstetter H, Dahms SO, Steinmetzer T. The Basicity Makes the Difference: Improved Canavanine-Derived Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:426-432. [PMID: 33732412 PMCID: PMC7957917 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Furin activates numerous
viral glycoproteins, and its inhibition
prevents virus replication and spread. Through the replacement of
arginine by the less basic canavanine, new inhibitors targeting furin
in the trans-Golgi network were developed. These inhibitors exert
potent antiviral activity in cell culture with much lower toxicity
than arginine-derived analogues, most likely due to their reduced
protonation in the blood circulation. Thus, despite its important
physiological functions, furin might be a suitable antiviral drug
target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Van Lam van
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Ruth Heindl
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christine Schlutt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University and German Center for Infection Research, Heidelberg Partner Site, Im Neuenheimer Feld 344, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Klebe
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sven O. Dahms
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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12
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Lewandowska-Goch MA, Kwiatkowska A, Łepek T, Ly K, Navals P, Gagnon H, Dory YL, Prahl A, Day R. Design and Structure-Activity Relationship of a Potent Furin Inhibitor Derived from Influenza Hemagglutinin. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:365-372. [PMID: 33738063 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin plays an important role in various pathological states, especially in bacterial and viral infections. A detailed understanding of the structural requirements for inhibitors targeting this enzyme is crucial to develop new therapeutic strategies in infectious diseases, including an urgent unmet need for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previously, we have identified a potent furin inhibitor, peptide Ac-RARRRKKRT-NH 2 (CF1), based on the highly pathogenic avian influenza hemagglutinin. The goal of this study was to determine how its N-terminal part (the P8-P5 positions) affects its activity profile. To do so, the positional-scanning libraries of individual peptides modified at the selected positions with natural amino acids were generated. Subsequently, the best substitutions were combined together and/or replaced by unnatural residues to expand our investigations. The results reveal that the affinity of CF1 can be improved (2-2.5-fold) by substituting its P5 position with the small hydrophobic residues (Ile or Val) or a basic Lys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika A. Lewandowska-Goch
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anna Kwiatkowska
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Teresa Łepek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Kévin Ly
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Pauline Navals
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Hugo Gagnon
- PhenoSwitch Bioscience Inc., 975 rue Léon-Trépanier, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1G 5J6, Canada
| | - Yves L. Dory
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chimie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Adam Prahl
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 63, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
- Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et Sciences de la Santé, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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13
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Brouwers B, Coppola I, Vints K, Dislich B, Jouvet N, Van Lommel L, Segers C, Gounko NV, Thorrez L, Schuit F, Lichtenthaler SF, Estall JL, Declercq J, Ramos-Molina B, Creemers JWM. Loss of Furin in β-Cells Induces an mTORC1-ATF4 Anabolic Pathway That Leads to β-Cell Dysfunction. Diabetes 2021; 70:492-503. [PMID: 33277337 DOI: 10.2337/db20-0474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
FURIN is a proprotein convertase (PC) responsible for proteolytic activation of a wide array of precursor proteins within the secretory pathway. It maps to the PRC1 locus, a type 2 diabetes susceptibility locus, but its specific role in pancreatic β-cells is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of FURIN in glucose homeostasis. We show that FURIN is highly expressed in human islets, whereas PCs that potentially could provide redundancy are expressed at considerably lower levels. β-cell-specific Furin knockout (βFurKO) mice are glucose intolerant as a result of smaller islets with lower insulin content and abnormal dense-core secretory granule morphology. mRNA expression analysis and differential proteomics on βFurKO islets revealed activation of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), which was mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1). βFurKO cells show impaired cleavage or shedding of vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) subunits Ac45 and prorenin receptor, respectively, and impaired lysosomal acidification. Blocking V-ATPase pharmacologically in β-cells increased mTORC1 activity, suggesting involvement of the V-ATPase proton pump in the phenotype. Taken together, these results suggest a model of mTORC1-ATF4 hyperactivation and impaired lysosomal acidification in β-cells lacking Furin, causing β-cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas Brouwers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K
| | - Ilaria Coppola
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katlijn Vints
- Electron Microscopy Platform and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Bioimaging Core, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bastian Dislich
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nathalie Jouvet
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Leentje Van Lommel
- Gene Expression Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Segers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Natalia V Gounko
- Electron Microscopy Platform and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Bioimaging Core, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Campus Kulak, KU Leuven, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Frans Schuit
- Gene Expression Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan F Lichtenthaler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer L Estall
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeroen Declercq
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Al Rifai O, Susan-Resiga D, Essalmani R, Creemers JWM, Seidah NG, Ferron M. In Vivo Analysis of the Contribution of Proprotein Convertases to the Processing of FGF23. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:690681. [PMID: 34149625 PMCID: PMC8213403 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.690681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone secreted from fully differentiated osteoblasts and osteocytes that inhibits phosphate reabsorption by kidney proximal tubules. The full-length (i.e., intact) protein mediates FGF23 endocrine functions, while endoproteolytic cleavage at a consensus cleavage sequence for the proprotein convertases (PCs) inactivates FGF23. Two PCs, furin and PC5, were shown to cleave FGF23 in vitro at RHTR179↓, but whether they are fulfilling this function in vivo is currently unknown. To address this question, we used here mice lacking either or both furin and PC5 in cell-specific manners and mice lacking the paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4) in all cells. Our analysis shows that furin inactivation in osteoblasts and osteocytes results in a 25% increase in circulating intact FGF23, without any significant impact on serum phosphate levels, whether mice are maintained on a normal or a low phosphate diet. Under conditions of iron deficiency, FGF23 is normally processed in control mice, but its processing is impaired in mice lacking furin in osteoblasts and osteocytes. In contrast, FGF23 is normally cleaved following erythropoietin or IL-1β injections in mice lacking furin or both furin and PC5, and in PACE4-deficient mice. Altogether, these studies suggest that furin is only partially responsible for FGF23 cleavage under certain conditions in vivo. The processing of FGF23 may therefore involve the redundant action of multiple PCs or of other peptidases in osteoblasts, osteocytes and hematopoietic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Al Rifai
- Unité de recherche en physiologie moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Department of Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nabil G. Seidah
- Unité de recherche en biochimie neuroendocrinienne, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Unité de recherche en physiologie moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Programme de biologie moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Mathieu Ferron,
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15
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. Loss of Proprotein Convertase Furin in Mammary Gland Impairs proIGF1R and proIR Processing and Suppresses Tumorigenesis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092686. [PMID: 32962246 PMCID: PMC7563341 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known to have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the role of Furin, a proprotein convertase involved in the activation of wide range of protein precursors in TNBC progression. The generation of a TNBC mouse model lacking Furin specifically in the mammary gland confirmed that Furin is implicated in TNBC tumor progression and the derived lung metastasis. Further analysis revealed that the proteolytic activation of proIGF1R and proIR receptors, two substrates of Furin involved in TNBC were inhibited in these mice and was associated with reduced AKT and ERK1/2 expression and phosphorylation. In addition, Furin is frequently overexpressed in TNBC tumors and correlates with poor patient prognosis, suggesting the use of Furin inhibition as a potential adjunct therapy in TNBC. Abstract In triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, the proprotein convertase Furin cleaves and then activates several protein precursors involved in oncogenesis. However, the in vivo role of Furin in the mammary gland and how mammary gland-specific Furin knockout specifically influences tumor initiation and progression of TNBC is unknown. Here, we report that Furin is frequently overexpressed in TNBC tumors and this correlates with poor prognosis in patients with TNBC tumors. In a whey acidic protein (WAP)-induced mammary epithelial cell-specific Furin knockout mouse model, mice show normal mammary development. However, loss of Furin in mammary glands inhibits primary tumor growth and lung metastasis in an oncogene-induced TNBC mouse model. Further analysis of TNBC mice lacking Furin revealed repressed maturation of the Furin substrates proIGF1R and proIR that are associated with reduced expression and activation of their downstream effectors PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK1/2. In addition, these tissues showed enhanced apoptotic signaling. In conclusion, our findings reveal that upregulated Furin expression reflects the poor prognosis of TNBC patients and highlights the therapeutic potential of inhibiting Furin in TNBC tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Abdel-Majid Khatib
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR 1029, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, 33615 Pessac, France
- Digestive group, Institut Bergonié, 33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence: (A.-M.K.); (J.W.M.C.)
| | - John W. M. Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (A.-M.K.); (J.W.M.C.)
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16
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He Z, Khatib AM, Creemers JW. Loss of the proprotein convertase Furin in T cells represses mammary tumorigenesis in oncogene-driven triple negative breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 484:40-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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17
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Nemunaitis J, Stanbery L, Senzer N. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection: let the virus be its own demise. Future Virol 2020. [PMCID: PMC7249572 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There has been a collaborative global effort to construct novel therapeutic and prophylactic approaches to SARS-CoV-2 management. Although vaccine development is crucial, acute management of newly infected patients, especially those with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, is a priority. Herein we describe the rationale and potential of repurposing a dual plasmid, Vigil (pbi-shRNAfurin-GM-CSF), now in Phase III cancer trials, for the treatment of and, in certain circumstances, enhancement of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
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18
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He Z, Thorrez L, Siegfried G, Meulemans S, Evrard S, Tejpar S, Khatib AM, Creemers JWM. The proprotein convertase furin is a pro-oncogenic driver in KRAS and BRAF driven colorectal cancer. Oncogene 2020; 39:3571-3587. [PMID: 32139876 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1238-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in KRAS and/or BRAF that activate the ERK kinase are frequently found in colorectal cancer (CRC) and drive resistance to targeted therapies. Therefore, the identification of therapeutic targets that affect multiple signaling pathways simultaneously is crucial for improving the treatment of patients with KRAS or BRAF mutations. The proprotein convertase furin activates several oncogenic protein precursors involved in the ERK-MAPK pathway by endoproteolytic cleavage. Here we show that genetic inactivation of furin suppresses tumorigenic growth, proliferation, and migration in KRAS or BRAF mutant CRC cell lines but not in wild-type KRAS and BRAF cells. In a mouse xenograft model, these KRAS or BRAF mutant cells lacking furin displayed reduced growth and angiogenesis, and increased apoptosis. Mechanistically, furin inactivation prevents the processing of various protein pecursors including proIGF1R, proIR, proc-MET, proTGF-β1 and NOTCH1 leading to potent and durable ERK-MAPK pathway suppression in KRAS or BRAF mutant cells. Furthermore, we identified genes involved in activating the ERK-MAPK pathway, such as PTGS2, which are downregulated in the KRAS or BRAF mutant cells after furin inactivation but upregulated in wild-type KRAS and BRAF cells. Analysis of human colorectal tumor samples reveals a positive correlation between enhanced furin expression and KRAS or BRAF expression. These results indicate that furin plays an important role in KRAS or BRAF-associated ERK-MAPK pathway activation and tumorigenesis, providing a potential target for personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongsheng He
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Interdisciplinary Research Facility, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | | | - Sandra Meulemans
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Serge Evrard
- INSERM, LAMC, UMR, Allée Geoffroy St Hilaire, 1029, Pessac, France.,Institut Bergonié, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sabine Tejpar
- Digestive Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - John W M Creemers
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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19
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Decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-Chloromethylketone: An Antiviral Compound That Acts against Flaviviruses through the Inhibition of Furin-Mediated prM Cleavage. Viruses 2019; 11:v11111011. [PMID: 31683742 PMCID: PMC6893617 DOI: 10.3390/v11111011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Dengue virus (DENV), and West Nile virus (WNV), are important arthropod-borne pathogens that present an immense global health problem. Their unpredictable disease severity, unusual clinical features, and severe neurological manifestations underscore an urgent need for antiviral interventions. Furin, a host proprotein convertase, is a key contender in processing flavivirus prM protein to M protein, turning the inert virus to an infectious particle. For this reason, the current study was planned to evaluate the antiviral activity of decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone, a specific furin inhibitor, against flaviviruses, including ZIKV and JEV. Analysis of viral proteins revealed a significant increase in the prM/E index of ZIKV or JEV in dec-RVKR-cmk-treated Vero cells compared to DMSO-treated control cells, indicating dec-RVKR-cmk inhibits prM cleavage. Plaque assay, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assay revealed a strong antiviral activity of dec-RVKR-cmk against ZIKV and JEV in terms of the reduction in virus progeny titer and in viral RNA and protein production in both mammalian cells and mosquito cells. Time-of-drug addition assay revealed that the maximum reduction of virus titer was observed in post-infection treatment. Furthermore, our results showed that dec-RVKR-cmk exerts its inhibitory action on the virus release and next round infectivity but not on viral RNA replication. Taken together, our study highlights an interesting antiviral activity of dec-RVKR-cmk against flaviviruses.
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20
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Ginefra P, Filippi BGH, Donovan P, Bessonnard S, Constam DB. Compartment-Specific Biosensors Reveal a Complementary Subcellular Distribution of Bioactive Furin and PC7. Cell Rep 2019; 22:2176-2189. [PMID: 29466742 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Furin trafficking, and that of related proprotein convertases (PCs), may regulate which substrates are accessible for endoproteolysis, but tools to directly test this hypothesis have been lacking. Here, we develop targeted biosensors that indicate Furin activity in endosomes is 10-fold less inhibited by decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone and enriched >3-fold in endosomes compared to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Endogenous PC7, which resists this inhibitor, was active in distinct vesicles. Only overexpressed PC7 activity reached the cell surface, endosomes, and the TGN. A PLC motif in the cytosolic tail of PC7 was dispensable for endosomal activity, but it was specifically required for TGN recycling and to rescue proActivin-A cleavage in Furin-depleted B16F1 melanoma cells. In sharp contrast, PC7 complemented Furin in cleaving Notch1 independently of PLC-mediated TGN access. Our study provides a proof in principle that compartment-specific biosensors can be used to gain insight into the regulation of PC trafficking and to map the tropism of PC-specific inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Ginefra
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno G H Filippi
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Prudence Donovan
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Bessonnard
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Daniel B Constam
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) SV ISREC, Station 19, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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21
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Dupays L, Towers N, Wood S, David A, Stuckey DJ, Mohun T. Furin, a transcriptional target of NKX2-5, has an essential role in heart development and function. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212992. [PMID: 30840660 PMCID: PMC6402701 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeodomain transcription factor NKX2-5 is known to be essential for both normal heart development and for heart function. But little is yet known about the identities of its downstream effectors or their function during differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs). We have used transgenic analysis and CRISPR-mediated ablation to identify a cardiac enhancer of the Furin gene. The Furin gene, encoding a proprotein convertase, is directly repressed by NKX2-5. Deletion of Furin in CPCs is embryonic lethal, with mutant hearts showing a range of abnormalities in the outflow tract. Those defects are associated with a reduction in proliferation and premature differentiation of the CPCs. Deletion of Furin in differentiated cardiomyocytes results in viable adult mutant mice showing an elongation of the PR interval, a phenotype that is consistent with the phenotype of mice and human mutant for Nkx2-5. Our results show that Furin mediate some aspects of Nkx2-5 function in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Dupays
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LD); (TM)
| | - Norma Towers
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Wood
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna David
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J. Stuckey
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LD); (TM)
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22
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Li Y, Liu W, Guan X, Truscott J, Creemers JW, Chen HL, Pesu M, El Abiad RG, Karacay B, Urban JF, Elliott DE, Kaplan MH, Blazar BR, Ince MN. STAT6 and Furin Are Successive Triggers for the Production of TGF-β by T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 201:2612-2623. [PMID: 30266770 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Production of TGF-β by T cells is key to various aspects of immune homeostasis, with defects in this process causing or aggravating immune-mediated disorders. The molecular mechanisms that lead to TGF-β generation by T cells remain largely unknown. To address this issue, we take advantage of the fact that intestinal helminths stimulate Th2 cells besides triggering TGF-β generation by T lymphocytes and regulate immune-mediated disorders. We show that the Th2 cell-inducing transcription factor STAT6 is necessary and sufficient for the expression of TGF-β propeptide in T cells. STAT6 is also necessary for several helminth-triggered events in mice, such as TGF-β-dependent suppression of alloreactive inflammation in graft-versus-host disease. Besides STAT6, helminth-induced secretion of active TGF-β requires cleavage of propeptide by the endopeptidase furin. Thus, for the immune regulatory pathway necessary for TGF-β production by T cells, our results support a two-step model, composed of STAT6 and furin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Weiren Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Xiaqun Guan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Jamie Truscott
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - John W Creemers
- Laboratory for Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3000 Belgium
| | - Hung-Lin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland.,Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Rami G El Abiad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Bahri Karacay
- Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Joseph F Urban
- Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - David E Elliott
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Mark H Kaplan
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455; and
| | - M Nedim Ince
- Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242; .,Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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23
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Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Garten W, Klenk HD. Characterization of Proprotein Convertases and Their Involvement in Virus Propagation. ACTIVATION OF VIRUSES BY HOST PROTEASES 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122180 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75474-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institut für Virologie, Philipps Universität, Marburg, Germany
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24
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Cordova ZM, Grönholm A, Kytölä V, Taverniti V, Hämäläinen S, Aittomäki S, Niininen W, Junttila I, Ylipää A, Nykter M, Pesu M. Myeloid cell expressed proprotein convertase FURIN attenuates inflammation. Oncotarget 2018; 7:54392-54404. [PMID: 27527873 PMCID: PMC5342350 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertase enzyme FURIN processes immature pro-proteins into functional end- products. FURIN is upregulated in activated immune cells and it regulates T-cell dependent peripheral tolerance and the Th1/Th2 balance. FURIN also promotes the infectivity of pathogens by activating bacterial toxins and by processing viral proteins. Here, we evaluated the role of FURIN in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo. Mice with a conditional deletion of FURIN in their myeloid cells (LysMCre-fur(fl/fl)) were healthy and showed unchanged proportions of neutrophils and macrophages. Instead, LysMCre-fur(fl/fl) mice had elevated serum IL-1β levels and reduced numbers of splenocytes. An LPS injection resulted in accelerated mortality, elevated serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulated numbers of pro-inflammatory macrophages. A genome-wide gene expression analysis revealed the overexpression of several pro-inflammatory genes in resting FURIN-deficient macrophages. Moreover, FURIN inhibited Nos2 and promoted the expression of Arg1, which implies that FURIN regulates the M1/M2-type macrophage balance. FURIN was required for the normal production of the bioactive TGF-β1 cytokine, but it inhibited the maturation of the inflammation-provoking TACE and Caspase-1 enzymes. In conclusion, FURIN has an anti-inflammatory function in LysM+ myeloid cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzet Martinez Cordova
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Grönholm
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville Kytölä
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Valentina Taverniti
- Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Division of Food Microbiology and Bioprocessing, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanna Hämäläinen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Wilhelmiina Niininen
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Antti Ylipää
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Computational Biology, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- Immunoregulation, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology (BioMediTech), University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.,Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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25
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Hoac B, Susan-Resiga D, Essalmani R, Marcinkiweicz E, Seidah NG, McKee MD. Osteopontin as a novel substrate for the proprotein convertase 5/6 (PCSK5) in bone. Bone 2018; 107:45-55. [PMID: 29126984 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Seven proprotein convertases cleave the basic amino acid consensus sequence K/R-Xn-K/R↓ (where n=0, 2, 4 or 6 variable amino acids) to activate precursor proteins. Despite similarities in substrate specificity, basic amino acid-specific proprotein convertases have a distinct tissue distribution allowing for enzymatic actions on tissue-resident substrates. Proprotein convertase 5/6 (PC5/6) has two splice variants - soluble PC5/6A and membrane-bound PC5/6B - and is expressed during mouse development in many tissues including bone and tooth, but little is known about the substrates for PC5/6 therein. Osteopontin (OPN) is an abundant bone extracellular matrix protein with roles in mineralization, cell adhesion and cell migration, and it has putative consensus sequence sites for cleavage by PC5/6, which may modify its function in bone. Since PC5/6-knockout mouse embryos show developmental abnormalities, and reduced overall mineralization, we designed this study to determine whether OPN is a substrate of PC5/6. In silico analysis of OPN protein sequences identified four potential PC5/6 consensus cleavage sites in human OPN, and three sites - including a noncanonical sequence - in mouse OPN. Ex vivo co-transfections with human OPN revealed complete OPN cleavage reducing full-length OPN (~70kDa) to an N-terminal fragment migrating at ~50kDa and two C-terminal fragments at ~18kDa and ~16kDa. Direct cleavage of OPN by PC5/6A - the predominant isoform expressed in human osteoblast cells - was confirmed by cell-free enzyme-substrate assays and by mass spectrometry. The latter was also used to investigate potential cleavage sites. Co-transfections of PC5/6 and mouse OPN showed partial cleavage of OPN into a C-terminal OPN fragment migrating at ~30kDa and an N-terminal fragment migrating at ~29kDa. Micro-computed tomography of PC5/6-knockout embryos at E18.5 confirmed a reduction in mineralized bone, and in situ hybridization performed on cryo-sections of normal mouse bone using Pcsk5 and Opn anti-sense and control-sense cRNA probes indicated the co-localization of the expression of these genes in bone cells. This mRNA expression profile was supported by semi-quantitative RT-PCR using osteoblast primary cultures, and cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblast and MLO-Y4 osteocyte cell lines. Immunoblotting for OPN from mouse bone extracts showed altered OPN processing in PC5/6-knockout mice compared to wildtype mice. OPN fragments migrated at ~25kDa and ~16kDa in wildtype bone and were not present in PC5/6-deficient bone. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Pcsk5 is expressed in bone-forming cells, and that OPN is a novel substrate for PC5/6. Cleavage of OPN by PC5/6 may modify the function of OPN in bone and/or modulate other enzymatic cleavages of OPN, leading to alterations in the bone phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty Hoac
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Affiliated with the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rachid Essalmani
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Affiliated with the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Edwige Marcinkiweicz
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Affiliated with the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Montreal Clinical Research Institute, Affiliated with the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marc D McKee
- Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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26
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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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27
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Al Rifai O, Chow J, Lacombe J, Julien C, Faubert D, Susan-Resiga D, Essalmani R, Creemers JW, Seidah NG, Ferron M. Proprotein convertase furin regulates osteocalcin and bone endocrine function. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:4104-4117. [PMID: 28972540 DOI: 10.1172/jci93437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteocalcin (OCN) is an osteoblast-derived hormone that increases energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance. The cDNA sequence of OCN predicts that, like many other peptide hormones, OCN is first synthesized as a prohormone (pro-OCN). The importance of pro-OCN maturation in regulating OCN and the identity of the endopeptidase responsible for pro-OCN cleavage in osteoblasts are still unknown. Here, we show that the proprotein convertase furin is responsible for pro-OCN maturation in vitro and in vivo. Using pharmacological and genetic experiments, we also determined that furin-mediated pro-OCN cleavage occurred independently of its γ-carboxylation, a posttranslational modification that is known to hamper OCN endocrine action. However, because pro-OCN is not efficiently decarboxylated and activated during bone resorption, inactivation of furin in osteoblasts in mice resulted in decreased circulating levels of undercarboxylated OCN, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced energy expenditure. Furthermore, we show that Furin deletion in osteoblasts reduced appetite, a function not modulated by OCN, thus suggesting that osteoblasts may secrete additional hormones that regulate different aspects of energy metabolism. Accordingly, the metabolic defects of the mice lacking furin in osteoblasts became more apparent under pair-feeding conditions. These findings identify furin as an important regulator of bone endocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Al Rifai
- Integrative and Molecular Physiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs of the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacqueline Chow
- Integrative and Molecular Physiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Julie Lacombe
- Integrative and Molecular Physiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Catherine Julien
- Integrative and Molecular Physiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | - Rachid Essalmani
- Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Research Unit, IRCM, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Nabil G Seidah
- Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Research Unit, IRCM, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Integrative and Molecular Physiology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Molecular Biology Programs of the Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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28
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Belfiore A, Malaguarnera R, Vella V, Lawrence MC, Sciacca L, Frasca F, Morrione A, Vigneri R. Insulin Receptor Isoforms in Physiology and Disease: An Updated View. Endocr Rev 2017; 38:379-431. [PMID: 28973479 PMCID: PMC5629070 DOI: 10.1210/er.2017-00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The insulin receptor (IR) gene undergoes differential splicing that generates two IR isoforms, IR-A and IR-B. The physiological roles of IR isoforms are incompletely understood and appear to be determined by their different binding affinities for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly for IGF-2. Predominant roles of IR-A in prenatal growth and development and of IR-B in metabolic regulation are well established. However, emerging evidence indicates that the differential expression of IR isoforms may also help explain the diversification of insulin and IGF signaling and actions in various organs and tissues by involving not only different ligand-binding affinities but also different membrane partitioning and trafficking and possibly different abilities to interact with a variety of molecular partners. Of note, dysregulation of the IR-A/IR-B ratio is associated with insulin resistance, aging, and increased proliferative activity of normal and neoplastic tissues and appears to sustain detrimental effects. This review discusses novel information that has generated remarkable progress in our understanding of the physiology of IR isoforms and their role in disease. We also focus on novel IR ligands and modulators that should now be considered as an important strategy for better and safer treatment of diabetes and cancer and possibly other IR-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Roberta Malaguarnera
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Veronica Vella
- School of Human and Social Sciences, University Kore of Enna, via della Cooperazione, 94100 Enna, Italy
| | - Michael C. Lawrence
- Structural Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Laura Sciacca
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesco Frasca
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- Department of Urology and Biology of Prostate Cancer Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
| | - Riccardo Vigneri
- Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
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29
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Meng TG, Hu MW, Ma XS, Huang L, Liang QX, Yuan Y, Hou Y, Wang H, Schatten H, Wang ZB, Sun QY. Oocyte-specific deletion of furin leads to female infertility by causing early secondary follicle arrest in mice. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2846. [PMID: 28569793 PMCID: PMC5520891 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The process of follicular development involves communications between oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. FURIN is a member of the family of proprotein convertases that is involved in the activation of a large number of zymogens and proproteins by cleavage at its recognition motif. To investigate the functions of FURIN in female fertility, furinflox/flox (furfl/fl) mice were crossed with Zp3-Cre mice and Gdf9-Cre, respectively, to achieve oocyte-specific disruption of FURIN. Here we report for the first time that FURIN is dispensable for primordial follicle maintenance and activation but important for early secondary follicular development, as ablation of FURIN in oocytes caused failure of follicle development beyond the type 4 and/or 5a follicles in mutant mice, resulting in increased number of early secondary follicles and the severely decreased number of mature follicles, thus anovulation and infertility. We also found that the developmental arrest of early secondary follicles might be rooted in the loss of the mature form of ADAMTS1 (85-kDa prodomain truncated) and compromised proliferation of granulosa cells in mutant mice. Taken together, our data highlight the importance of FURIN in follicle development beyond the early secondary follicle stage and indicate that compromised FURIN function leads to follicular dysplasia and female infertility in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tie-Gang Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Meng-Wen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xue-Shan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yi Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Zhen-Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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30
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Essalmani R, Susan-Resiga D, Guillemot J, Kim W, Sachan V, Awan Z, Chamberland A, Asselin MC, Ly K, Desjardins R, Day R, Prat A, Seidah NG. Thrombin activation of protein C requires prior processing by a liver proprotein convertase. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:10564-10573. [PMID: 28468828 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.770040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein C, a secretory vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant serine protease, inactivates factors Va/VIIIa. It is exclusively synthesized in liver hepatocytes as an inactive zymogen (proprotein C). In humans, thrombin cleavage of the propeptide at PR221↓ results in activated protein C (APC; residues 222-461). However, the propeptide is also cleaved by a furin-like proprotein convertase(s) (PCs) at KKRSHLKR199↓ (underlined basic residues critical for the recognition by PCs), but the order of cleavage is unknown. Herein, we present evidence that at the surface of COS-1 cells, mouse proprotein C is first cleaved by the convertases furin, PC5/6A, and PACE4. In mice, this cleavage occurs at the equivalent site, KKRKILKR198↓, and requires the presence of Arg198 at P1 and a combination of two other basic residues at either P2 (Lys197), P6 (Arg193), or P8 (Lys191) positions. Notably, the thrombin-resistant R221A mutant is still cleaved by these PCs, revealing that convertase cleavage can precede thrombin activation. This conclusion was supported by the fact that the APC-specific activity in the medium of COS-1 cells is exclusively dependent on prior cleavage by the convertases, because both R198A and R221A lack protein C activity. Primary cultures of hepatocytes derived from wild-type or hepatocyte-specific furin, PC5/6, or complete PACE4 knock-out mice suggested that the cleavage of overexpressed proprotein C is predominantly performed by furin intracellularly and by all three proprotein convertases at the cell surface. Indeed, plasma analyses of single-proprotein convertase-knock-out mice showed that loss of the convertase furin or PC5/6 in hepatocytes results in a ∼30% decrease in APC levels, with no significant contribution from PACE4. We conclude that prior convertase cleavage of protein C in hepatocytes is critical for its thrombin activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Essalmani
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Delia Susan-Resiga
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Johann Guillemot
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Woojin Kim
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Vatsal Sachan
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Zuhier Awan
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Ann Chamberland
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Marie-Claude Asselin
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Kévin Ly
- the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Roxane Desjardins
- the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Annik Prat
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Nabil G Seidah
- From the Laboratories of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
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31
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Klein-Szanto AJ, Bassi DE. Proprotein convertase inhibition: Paralyzing the cell's master switches. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 140:8-15. [PMID: 28456517 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are serine proteases responsible for the cleavage and subsequent activation of protein substrates, many of them relevant for the development of an ample variety of diseases. Seven of the PCs, including furin and PACE4, recognize and hydrolyze the C-terminal end of the general sequence RXRR/KXR, whereas PCSK-9 recognizes a series of non-basic amino acids. In some systems, PC-mediated substrate activation results in the development of pathological processes, such as cancer, endocrinopathies, and cardiovascular and infectious diseases. After establishing PCs as relevant contributors to disease processes, research efforts were directed towards the development of inhibition strategies, including small and large molecules, anti-sense therapies, and antibody-based therapies. Most of these inhibitors mimic the consensus sequence of PCs, blocking the active site in a competitive manner. The most promising inhibitors were designed as bioengineered proteins; however, some non-protein and peptidomimetic agents have also proved to be effective. These efforts led to the design of pre-clinical studies and clinical trials utilizing inhibitors to PCs. Although the initial studies were performed using non-selective PCs inhibitors, such as CMK, the search for more specific, and compartmentalized selective inhibitors resulted in specific activities ascribed to some, but not all of the PCs. For instance, PACE4 inhibitors were effective in decreasing prostate cancer cell proliferation, and neovascularization. Decreased metastatic ovarian cancer utilizing furin inhibitors represents one of the major endeavors, currently in a phase II trial stage. Antibodies targeting PCSK-9 decreased significantly the levels of HDL-cholesterol, in a phase III trial. The study of Proprotein convertases has reached a stage of maturity. New strategies based on the alteration of their activity at the cellular and clinical level represent a promising experimental pharmacology field. The development of allosteric inhibitors, or specific agents directed against individual PCs is one of the challenges to be unraveled in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel E Bassi
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cotman Ave, Philadelphia 19111, USA.
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32
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Hardes K, Ivanova T, Thaa B, McInerney GM, Klokk TI, Sandvig K, Künzel S, Lindberg I, Steinmetzer T. Elongated and Shortened Peptidomimetic Inhibitors of the Proprotein Convertase Furin. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:613-620. [PMID: 28334511 PMCID: PMC5572662 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Novel elongated and shortened derivatives of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor phenylacetyl-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide were synthesized. The most potent compounds, such as Nα (carbamidoyl)Arg-Arg-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (Ki =6.2 pm), contain additional basic residues at the N terminus and inhibit furin in the low-picomolar range. Furthermore, to decrease the molecular weight of this inhibitor type, compounds that lack the P5 moiety were prepared. The best inhibitors of this series, 5-(guanidino)valeroyl-Val-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide and its P3 tert-leucine analogue displayed Ki values of 2.50 and 1.26 nm, respectively. Selected inhibitors, together with our previously described 4-amidinobenzylamide derivatives as references, were tested in cell culture for their activity against furin-dependent infectious pathogens. The propagation of the alphaviruses Semliki Forest virus and chikungunya virus was strongly inhibited in the presence of selected derivatives. Moreover, a significant protective effect of the inhibitors against diphtheria toxin was observed. These results confirm that the inhibition of furin should be a promising approach for the short-term treatment of acute infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Teodora Ivanova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Bastian Thaa
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerald M. McInerney
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tove Irene Klokk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kirsten Sandvig
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sebastian Künzel
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Hochschule Ansbach, Residenzstraße 8, D-91522 Ansbach, Germany
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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Malaguarnera R, Vella V, Nicolosi ML, Belfiore A. Insulin Resistance: Any Role in the Changing Epidemiology of Thyroid Cancer? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:314. [PMID: 29184536 PMCID: PMC5694441 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer (TC), namely of its papillary hystotype (PTC), has shown a steady increase worldwide, which has been attributed at least in part to the increasing diagnosis of early stage tumors. However, some evidence suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors can also play a role. Among the potential risk factors involved in the changing epidemiology of TC, particular attention has been drawn to insulin-resistance and related metabolic disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, which have been also rapidly increasing worldwide due to widespread dietary and lifestyle changes. In accordance with this possibility, various epidemiological studies have indeed gathered substantial evidence that insulin resistance-related metabolic disorders might be associated with an increased TC risk either through hyperinsulinemia or by affecting other TC risk factors including iodine deficiency, elevated thyroid stimulating hormone, estrogen-dependent signaling, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, and others. This review summarizes the current literature evaluating the relationship between metabolic disorders characterized by insulin resistance and the risk for TC as well as the possible underlying mechanisms. The potential implications of such association in TC prevention and therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Malaguarnera
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Veronica Vella
- School of Human and Social Sciences, “Kore” University of Enna, Enna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Vella, ; Antonino Belfiore,
| | - Maria Luisa Nicolosi
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonino Belfiore
- Endocrinology, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- *Correspondence: Veronica Vella, ; Antonino Belfiore,
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Intra- and extracellular plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 regulate effect of vitronectin against radiation-induced endothelial cell death. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 87:150-158. [PMID: 27650166 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is induced by radiation resulting in endothelial cell impairment, potentially leading to multiple organ failure. Vitronectin (VN) is a 75-kDa glycoprotein (VN75) cleaved into two forms (VN75 or VN65/10) by furin, which is regulated by intracellular PAI-1. VN protects against radiation-induced endothelial cell death, but the mechanisms involved in VN processing and its interactions with intra- and extracellular PAI-1 remain unclear. We examined these processes in cells in vitro using recombinant proteins or overexpression of VN and PAI-1 genes, including furin-susceptible (T381) and furin-resistant VN (A381). VN processing was analyzed using a mutant PAI-1 with relatively weaker binding to VN. VN function was evaluated by survival of radiation-damaged endothelial cells. Wild-type, but not mutant PAI-1 inhibited furin-dependent VN processing. Gene transfer revealed that furin-susceptible VN was processed more than the furin-resistant form, but processing of both was inhibited by PAI-1 overexpression. Intracellular PAI-1 formed a complex with VN75 (T381) in cells and media, and the VN75 form was secreted preferentially. Only VN75 protected against radiation-induced endothelial cell death, in which its effect was abolished by wild-type but not mutant PAI-1. These findings indicate that intracellular PAI-1 inhibits VN processing and protects against radiation-induced endothelial cell death.
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Couture F, Levesque C, Dumulon-Perreault V, Ait-Mohand S, D'Anjou F, Day R, Guérin B. PACE4-based molecular targeting of prostate cancer using an engineered ⁶⁴Cu-radiolabeled peptide inhibitor. Neoplasia 2015; 16:634-43. [PMID: 25220591 PMCID: PMC4235008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential of PACE4 as a pharmacological target in prostate cancer has been demonstrated as this proprotein convertase is strongly overexpressed in human prostate cancer tissues and its inhibition, using molecular or pharmacological approaches, results in reduced cell proliferation and tumor progression in mouse tumor xenograft models. We developed a PACE4 high-affinity peptide inhibitor, namely, the multi-leucine (ML), and sought to determine whether this peptide could be exploited for the targeting of prostate cancer for diagnostic or molecular imaging purposes. We conjugated a bifunctional chelator 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7- triacetic acid (NOTA) to the ML peptide for copper-64 ((64)Cu) labeling and positron emission tomography (PET)- based prostate cancer detection. Enzyme kinetic assays against recombinant PACE4 showed that the NOTA-modified ML peptide displays identical inhibitory properties compared to the unmodified peptide. In vivo biodistribution of the (64)Cu/NOTA-ML peptide evaluated in athymic nude mice bearing xenografts of two human prostate carcinoma cell lines showed a rapid and high uptake in PACE4-expressing LNCaP tumor at an early time point and in PACE4-rich organs. Co-injection of unlabeled peptide confirmed that tumor uptake was target-specific. PACE4-negative tumors displayed no tracer uptake 15 minutes after injection, while the kidneys, demonstrated high uptake due to rapid renal clearance of the peptide. The present study supports the feasibility of using a (64)Cu/NOTA-ML peptide for PACE4-targeted prostate cancer detection and PACE4 status determination by PET imaging but also provides evidence that ML inhibitor-based drugs would readily reach tumor sites under in vivo conditions for pharmacological intervention or targeted radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Couture
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Christine Levesque
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Véronique Dumulon-Perreault
- Centre de Recherche Clinique Étienne-Le Bel, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Samia Ait-Mohand
- Centre de Recherche Clinique Étienne-Le Bel, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - François D'Anjou
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Day
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
| | - Brigitte Guérin
- Centre de Recherche Clinique Étienne-Le Bel, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiobiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
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Liver-Specific Inactivation of the Proprotein Convertase FURIN Leads to Increased Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:148651. [PMID: 26167473 PMCID: PMC4475760 DOI: 10.1155/2015/148651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases are subtilisin-like serine endoproteases that cleave and hence activate a variety of proproteins, including growth factors, receptors, metalloproteases, and extracellular matrix proteins. Therefore, it has been suggested that inhibition of the ubiquitously expressed proprotein convertase FURIN might be a good therapeutic strategy for several tumor types. Whether this is also the case for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently not clear. In a mouse model for HCC expression of Furin was not altered in the tumors, while those of PC7, PC5/6, and PACE4 significantly decreased, at least at some time points. To investigate the impact of Furin inhibition on the development and progression of HCC in this model, Furin was genetically ablated in the liver. Furin inactivation resulted in an increased tumor mass after 5 weeks. This was not caused by decreased apoptosis, since no differences in the apoptosis index could be observed. However, it could at least partially be explained by increased hepatocyte proliferation at 5 weeks. The tumors of the Furin knockout mice were histologically similar to those in wild type mice. In conclusion, liver-specific Furin inhibition in HCC enhances the tumor formation and will not be a good therapeutic strategy for this tumor type.
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Lu Y, Hardes K, Dahms SO, Böttcher-Friebertshäuser E, Steinmetzer T, Than ME, Klenk HD, Garten W. Peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir and ribavirin efficiently blocks propagation of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and delays high level oseltamivir resistance in MDCK cells. Antiviral Res 2015; 120:89-100. [PMID: 26022200 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antiviral medication is used for the treatment of severe influenza infections, of which the neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) are the most effective drugs, approved so far. Here, we investigated the antiviral efficacy of the peptidomimetic furin inhibitor MI-701 in combination with oseltamivir carboxylate and ribavirin against the infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) that are activated by the host protease furin. Cell cultures infected with the strains A/Thailand/1(KAN-1)/2004 (H5N1) and A/FPV/Rostock/1934 (H7N1) were treated with each agent alone, or in double and triple combinations. MI-701 alone achieved a concentration-dependent reduction of virus propagation. Double treatment of MI-701 with oseltamivir carboxylate and triple combination with ribavirin showed synergistic inhibition and a pronounced delay of virus propagation. MI-701 resistant mutants were not observed. Emergence of NA mutation H275Y conferring high oseltamivir resistance was significantly delayed in the presence of MI-701. Our data indicate that combination with a potent furin inhibitor significantly enhances the therapeutic efficacy of conventional antivirals drugs against HPAIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Lu
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6-10, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Klenk
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Ramos-Molina B, Lick AN, Blanco EH, Posada-Salgado JA, Martinez-Mayorga K, Johnson AT, Jiao GS, Lindberg I. Identification of potent and compartment-selective small molecule furin inhibitors using cell-based assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 96:107-18. [PMID: 26003844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase furin is implicated in a variety of pathogenic processes such as bacterial toxin activation, viral propagation, and cancer. Several groups have identified non-peptide compounds with high inhibitory potency against furin in vitro, although their efficacy in various cell-based assays is largely unknown. In this study we show that certain guanidinylated 2,5-dideoxystreptamine derivatives exhibit interesting ex vivo properties. Compound 1b (1,1'-(4-((2,4-diguanidino-5-(4-guanidinophenoxy)cyclohexyl)oxy)-1,3-phenylene)diguanidine) is a potent and cell-permeable inhibitor of cellular furin, since it was able to retard tumor cell migration, block release of a Golgi reporter, and protect cells against Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa intoxication, with no evident cell toxicity. Other compounds based on the 2,5-dideoxystreptamine scaffold, such as compound 1g (1,1'-(4,6-bis(4-guanidinophenoxy)cyclohexane-1,3-diyl)diguanidine) also efficiently protected cells against anthrax, but displayed only moderate protection against Pseudomonas exotoxin A and did not inhibit cell migration, suggesting poor cell permeability. Certain bis-guanidinophenyl ether derivatives such as 2f (1,3-bis(2,4-diguanidinophenoxy) benzene) exhibited micromolar potency against furin in vitro, low cell toxicity, and highly efficient protection against anthrax toxin; this compound only slightly inhibited intracellular furin. Thus, compounds 1g and 2f both represent potent furin inhibitors at the cell surface with low intracellular inhibitory action, and these particular compounds might therefore be of preferred therapeutic interest in the treatment of certain bacterial and viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam N Lick
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elias H Blanco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Alan T Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Aiea, HI, USA
| | - Guan-Sheng Jiao
- Department of Chemistry, Hawaii Biotech, Inc., Aiea, HI, USA.
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland-Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Hardes K, Becker GL, Lu Y, Dahms SO, Köhler S, Beyer W, Sandvig K, Yamamoto H, Lindberg I, Walz L, von Messling V, Than ME, Garten W, Steinmetzer T. Novel Furin Inhibitors with Potent Anti-infectious Activity. ChemMedChem 2015; 10:1218-31. [PMID: 25974265 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
New peptidomimetic furin inhibitors with unnatural amino acid residues in the P3 position were synthesized. The most potent compound 4-guanidinomethyl-phenylacteyl-Arg-Tle-Arg-4-amidinobenzylamide (MI-1148) inhibits furin with a Ki value of 5.5 pM. The derivatives also strongly inhibit PC1/3, whereas PC2 is less affected. Selected inhibitors were tested in cell culture for antibacterial and antiviral activity against infectious agents known to be dependent on furin activity. A significant protective effect against anthrax and diphtheria toxin was observed in the presence of the furin inhibitors. Furthermore, the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 and H7N1 avian influenza viruses and propagation of canine distemper virus was strongly inhibited. Inhibitor MI-1148 was crystallized in complex with human furin. Its N-terminal guanidinomethyl group in the para position of the P5 phenyl ring occupies the same position as that found previously for a structurally related inhibitor containing this substitution in the meta position, thereby maintaining all of the important P5 interactions. Our results confirm that the inhibition of furin is a promising strategy for a short-term treatment of acute infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Hardes
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg (Germany)
| | - Gero L Becker
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg (Germany)
| | - Yinghui Lu
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, Marburg (Germany)
| | - Sven O Dahms
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena (Germany)
| | - Susanne Köhler
- Institute of Environmental and Animal Hygiene, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart (Germany)
| | - Wolfgang Beyer
- Institute of Environmental and Animal Hygiene, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70599 Stuttgart (Germany)
| | - Kirsten Sandvig
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, 0310 Oslo (Norway)
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 (USA)
| | - Iris Lindberg
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 (USA)
| | - Lisa Walz
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, 63225 Langen (Germany)
| | - Veronika von Messling
- Veterinary Medicine Division, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, 63225 Langen (Germany)
| | - Manuel E Than
- Protein Crystallography Group, Leibniz Institute for Age Research-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena (Germany)
| | - Wolfgang Garten
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse 2, Marburg (Germany)
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032 Marburg (Germany).
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Ortutay Z, Oksanen A, Aittomäki S, Ortutay C, Pesu M. Proprotein convertase FURIN regulates T cell receptor-induced transactivation. J Leukoc Biol 2015; 98:73-83. [PMID: 25926688 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.2a0514-257rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen emergence rapidly stimulates T cells, which leads to changes in cytokine production, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Some of the key molecules involved in these events, such as TGF-β1 and NOTCH1, are synthesized initially as inactive precursors and are proteolytically activated during T cell activation. PCSKs regulate proprotein maturation by catalyzing the proteolytic cleavage of their substrates. The prototype PCSK FURIN is induced upon TCR activation, and its expression in T cells is critical for the maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that FURIN regulates T cell activation. Our data demonstrate that IL-2 is increased initially in FURIN-deficient mouse CD4(+) T cells, but the TCR-induced IL-2 mRNA expression is not sustained in the absence of FURIN. Accordingly, the inhibition of FURIN in human Jurkat T cell lines also results in a decrease in IL-2 production, whereas the overexpression of WT FURIN is associated with elevated IL-2 levels. In Jurkat cells, FURIN is dispensable for immediate TCR signaling steps, such as ERK, ZAP70, or LAT phosphorylation. However, with the use of gene reporter assays, we demonstrate that FURIN regulates the AP-1, NFAT, and NF-κB transcription factors. Finally, by performing a transcription factor-binding site enrichment analysis on FURIN-dependent transcriptomes, we identify the FURIN-regulated transcription factors in mouse CD4(+) T cell subsets. Collectively, our work confirms the hypothesis that the TCR-regulated protease FURIN plays an important role in T cell activation and that it can specifically modulate TCR-activated transactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Ortutay
- *Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Finland; HiDucator Oy, Kangasala, Finland; and Department of Dermatology and Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Anna Oksanen
- *Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Finland; HiDucator Oy, Kangasala, Finland; and Department of Dermatology and Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- *Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Finland; HiDucator Oy, Kangasala, Finland; and Department of Dermatology and Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Csaba Ortutay
- *Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Finland; HiDucator Oy, Kangasala, Finland; and Department of Dermatology and Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
| | - Marko Pesu
- *Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, Finland; HiDucator Oy, Kangasala, Finland; and Department of Dermatology and Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere University Hospital, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, Tampere, Finland
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Layne JD, Shridas P, Webb NR. Ectopically expressed pro-group X secretory phospholipase A2 is proteolytically activated in mouse adrenal cells by furin-like proprotein convertases: implications for the regulation of adrenal steroidogenesis. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:7851-60. [PMID: 25623068 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.634667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Group X secretory phospholipase A2 (GX sPLA2) hydrolyzes mammalian cell membranes, liberating free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. GX sPLA2 is produced as a pro-enzyme (pro-GX sPLA2) that contains an N-terminal 11-amino acid propeptide ending in a dibasic motif, suggesting cleavage by a furin-like proprotein convertase (PC). Although propeptide cleavage is clearly required for enzymatic activity, the protease(s) responsible for pro-GX sPLA2 activation have not been identified. We previously reported that GX sPLA2 negatively regulates adrenal glucocorticoid production, likely by suppressing liver X receptor-mediated activation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression. In this study, using a FLAG epitope-tagged pro-GX sPLA2 expression construct (FLAG-pro-GX sPLA2), we determined that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) enhanced FLAG-pro-GX sPLA2 processing and phospholipase activity secreted by Y1 adrenal cells. ACTH increased the expression of furin and PCSK6, but not other members of the PC family, in Y1 cells. Overexpression of furin and PCSK6 in HEK 293 cells significantly enhanced FLAG-pro-GX sPLA2 processing, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown of both PCs almost completely abolished FLAG-pro-GX sPLA2 processing in Y1 cells. Expression of either furin or PCSK6 enhanced the ability of GX sPLA2 to suppress liver X receptor reporter activity. The PC inhibitor decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethyl ketone significantly suppressed FLAG-pro-GX sPLA2 processing and sPLA2 activity in Y1 cells, and it significantly attenuated GX sPLA2-dependent inhibition of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression and progesterone production. These findings provide strong evidence that pro-GX sPLA2 is a substrate for furin and PCSK6 proteolytic processing and define a novel mechanism for regulating corticosteroid production in adrenal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph D Layne
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Division of Nutritional Sciences, the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, and
| | - Preetha Shridas
- the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
| | - Nancy R Webb
- the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
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Couture F, Kwiatkowska A, Dory YL, Day R. Therapeutic uses of furin and its inhibitors: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2015; 25:379-96. [PMID: 25563687 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2014.1000303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Since the discovery of furin, numerous reports have studied its role in health and diseases, including cancer, inflammatory and infectious diseases. This interest has led to the development of both large protein- and peptide-based inhibitors aiming to control furin activity to treat these disorders. The most recent advances include the development of potent peptidomimetic furin inhibitors, considerably expanding the field of therapeutic applications. AREA COVERED In this review, the use of furin or its inhibitors for therapeutic conditions is described through the patent literature since 1994. Only compounds with biological efficacy or augmented properties demonstrated within the patent literature or the associated publications concerning their claimed uses are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Considering the diseases that may benefit from furin inhibition, several patents detail the use of the restricted number of furin inhibitors. However, there have been recent reports of new scaffolds, and even the use of furin itself, as a therapeutic agent. Despite considerable evidence of in vivo efficacy, limited confirmation from clinical trials supports or refutes the further use of these compounds in a therapeutic context. The most advanced application is the use of furin knockdown in the generation of an autologous cancer vaccine, which has initiated clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Couture
- Université de Sherbrooke, Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Department of Surgery/Urology Division, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé , 3001 12e Ave. Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4 , Canada +1 819 564 5428 ; +1 819 564 5400 ;
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Kara I, Poggi M, Bonardo B, Govers R, Landrier JF, Tian S, Leibiger I, Day R, Creemers JWM, Peiretti F. The paired basic amino acid-cleaving enzyme 4 (PACE4) is involved in the maturation of insulin receptor isoform B: an opportunity to reduce the specific insulin receptor-dependent effects of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). J Biol Chem 2014; 290:2812-21. [PMID: 25527501 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.592543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaining the full activity of the insulin receptor (IR) requires the proteolytic cleavage of its proform by intra-Golgi furin-like activity. In mammalian cells, IR is expressed as two isoforms (IRB and IRA) that are responsible for insulin action. However, only IRA transmits the growth-promoting and mitogenic effects of insulin-like growth factor 2. Here we demonstrate that the two IR isoforms are similarly cleaved by furin, but when this furin-dependent maturation is inefficient, IR proforms move to the cell surface where the proprotein convertase PACE4 selectively supports IRB maturation. Therefore, in situations of impaired furin activity, the proteolytic maturation of IRB is greater than that of IRA, and accordingly, the amount of phosphorylated IRB is also greater than that of IRA. We highlight the ability of a particular proprotein convertase inhibitor to effectively reduce the maturation of IRA and its associated mitogenic signaling without altering the signals emanating from IRB. In conclusion, the selective PACE4-dependent maturation of IRB occurs when furin activity is reduced; accordingly, the pharmacological inhibition of furin reduces IRA maturation and its mitogenic potential without altering the insulin effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imène Kara
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Marjorie Poggi
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Bernadette Bonardo
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Roland Govers
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-François Landrier
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France
| | - Sun Tian
- Nuolan Net, 1098 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingo Leibiger
- the Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robert Day
- the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Département de Chirurgie/Urologie, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1H 5N4, Canada, and
| | - John W M Creemers
- the Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Center for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Franck Peiretti
- From the INSERM 1062, INRA 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France,
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Oksanen A, Aittomäki S, Jankovic D, Ortutay Z, Pulkkinen K, Hämäläinen S, Rokka A, Corthals GL, Watford WT, Junttila I, O'Shea JJ, Pesu M. Proprotein convertase FURIN constrains Th2 differentiation and is critical for host resistance against Toxoplasma gondii. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 193:5470-9. [PMID: 25355923 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1401629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin enzymes proteolytically convert immature proproteins into bioactive molecules, and thereby they serve as key regulators of cellular homeostasis. The archetype proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin, FURIN, is a direct target gene of the IL-12/STAT4 pathway and it is upregulated in Th1 cells. We have previously demonstrated that FURIN expression in T cells critically regulates the maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance and the functional maturation of pro-TGF-β1 in vivo, but FURIN's role in cell-mediated immunity and Th polarization has remained elusive. In this article, we show that T cell-expressed FURIN is essential for host resistance against a prototypic Th1 pathogen, Toxoplasma gondii, and for the generation of pathogen-specific Th1 lymphocytes, including Th1-IL-10 cells. FURIN-deficient Th cells instead show elevated expression of IL-4R subunit α on cell surface, sensitized IL-4/STAT6 signaling, and a propensity to polarize toward the Th2 phenotype. By exploring FURIN-interacting proteins in Jurkat T cells with Strep-Tag purification and mass spectrometry, we further identify an association with a cytoskeleton modifying Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate/dedicator of cytokinesis 2 protein complex and unravel that FURIN promotes F-actin polymerization, which has previously been shown to downregulate IL-4R subunit α cell surface expression and promote Th1 responses. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that in addition to peripheral immune tolerance, T cell-expressed FURIN is also a central regulator of cell-mediated immunity and Th1/2 cell balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oksanen
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Aittomäki
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Zsuzsanna Ortutay
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Kati Pulkkinen
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Sanna Hämäläinen
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Anne Rokka
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Garry L Corthals
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland; Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GD Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wendy T Watford
- Lymphocyte Cell Biology Section, Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Ilkka Junttila
- Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, 33101 Tampere, Finland; School of Medicine, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland; and
| | - John J O'Shea
- Lymphocyte Cell Biology Section, Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Marko Pesu
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, BioMediTech, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland; Fimlab Laboratories, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, 33101 Tampere, Finland; Department of Dermatology, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, 33101 Tampere, Finland
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Pang YJ, Tan XJ, Li DM, Zheng ZH, Lei RX, Peng XM. Therapeutic potential of furin inhibitors for the chronic infection of hepatitis B virus. Liver Int 2013; 33:1230-8. [PMID: 23617302 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is essential for the development of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Furin, a proprotein convertase, plays a key role in processing of HBeAg precursor into maturated HBeAg. For these reasons, the therapeutic potential of furin inhibition for chronic HBV infection was studied. METHODS The effects of furin inhibitor I (decanoyl-RVKR-chloromethylketone, CMK) and furin inhibitor II (hexa-D-arginine, D6R) on HBeAg secretion, the destination of unprocessed precursor and cellular secretory functions were comparatively investigated. RESULTS CMK and D6R significantly decreased the supernatant level of HBeAg and increased the intracellular level of HBeAg precursor in HepG2.2.15 cells in vitro. The accumulated HBeAg precursor was not found to be retro-transported into the cytosol to inhibit HBV replication as expected, but was found to be expressed on the cell surface, where it may be more convenient to mediate host immune responses. Furthermore, these inhibitors at effective concentrations were not found to interfere with the maturations of albumin and prothrombin. Compared with CMK, D6R was suboptimal in effectiveness; however, D6R neither enhanced HBV replication through the accumulation of cytosolic HBcAg nor did it cause severe cell damage in an elongated safety analyses. CONCLUSION Furin inhibitors CMK and D6R reduce HBeAg secretion and increase cell surface expression of the HBeAg precursor in HepG2.2.15 cells. Novel furin inhibitors or modified forms of D6R may promote the reduction of immune tolerance and the elimination of infected hepatocytes in patients with chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan J Pang
- Hepatology Laboratory, The Hospital for Liver Disease, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Essalmani R, Susan-Resiga D, Chamberland A, Asselin MC, Canuel M, Constam D, Creemers JW, Day R, Gauthier D, Prat A, Seidah NG. Furin is the primary in vivo convertase of angiopoietin-like 3 and endothelial lipase in hepatocytes. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:26410-8. [PMID: 23918928 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.501304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The proprotein convertases (PCs) furin, PC5/6, and PACE4 exhibit unique and/or complementary functions. Their knock-out (KO) in mice resulted in strong and specific phenotypes demonstrating that, in vivo, these PCs are unique and essential during development. However, they also exhibit redundant functions. Liver angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) inhibits lipolysis by binding to lipoprotein lipases. It is found in the plasma as full length and truncated forms. The latter is more active and generated by cleavage at a furin-like site. Endothelial lipase (EL) binds heparin sulfate proteoglycans on cell surfaces and catalyzes the hydrolysis of HDL phospholipids. EL activity is regulated by two endogenous inhibitors, ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4, and by PCs that inactivate EL through cleavage releasing the N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal lipid-binding domains. Herein, because furin and PC5/6 complete KOs are lethal, we used mice lacking furin or PC5/6 specifically in hepatocytes (hKO) or mice completely lacking PACE4. In primary hepatocytes, ANGPTL3 was processed into a shorter form of ANGPTL3 intracellularly by furin only, and extracellularly mainly by PACE4. In vivo, the absence of furin in hepatocytes reduced by ∼50% the circulating levels of cleaved ANGPTL3, while the lack of PACE4 had only a minor effect. Analysis of the EL processing in primary hepatocytes and in vivo revealed that it is mostly cleaved by furin. However, the lack of furin or PC5/6 in hepatocytes and complete PACE4 KO did not appreciably modify plasma HDL levels or EL activity. Thus, inhibition of furin in liver would not be expected to modify the plasma lipid profiles.
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Seidah NG, Sadr MS, Chrétien M, Mbikay M. The multifaceted proprotein convertases: their unique, redundant, complementary, and opposite functions. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:21473-81. [PMID: 23775089 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r113.481549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The secretory proprotein convertase (PC) family comprises nine members: PC1/3, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5/6, PACE4, PC7, SKI-1/S1P, and PCSK9. The first seven PCs cleave their substrates at single or paired basic residues, and SKI-1/S1P cleaves its substrates at non-basic residues in the Golgi. PCSK9 cleaves itself once, and the secreted inactive protease escorts specific receptors for lysosomal degradation. It regulates the levels of circulating LDL cholesterol and is considered a major therapeutic target in phase III clinical trials. In vivo, PCs exhibit unique and often essential functions during development and/or in adulthood, but certain convertases also exhibit complementary, redundant, or opposite functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil G Seidah
- Laboratory of Biochemical Neuroendocrinology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM, affiliated with the University of Montreal), Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada.
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Role of proprotein convertases in prostate cancer progression. Neoplasia 2013; 14:1032-42. [PMID: 23226097 DOI: 10.1593/neo.121368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Better understanding of the distinct and redundant functions of the proprotein convertase (PC) enzyme family within pathophysiological states has a great importance for potential therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigated the functional redundancy of PCs in prostate cancer in the commonly used androgen-sensitive LNCaP and the androgen-independent DU145 human cell lines. Using a lentiviral-based shRNA delivery system, we examined in vitro and in vivo cell proliferation characteristics of knockdown cell lines for the endogenous PCs furin, PACE4, and PC7 in both cell lines. Of the three PCs, only PACE4 was essential to maintain a high-proliferative status, as determined in vitro using XTT proliferation assays and in vivo using tumor xenografts in nude mice. Furin knockdowns in both cell lines had no effects on cell proliferation or tumor xenograft growth. Paradoxically, PC7 knockdowns reduced in vitro cellular proliferation but had no effect in vivo. Because PCs act within secretion pathways, we showed that conditioned media derived from PACE4 knockdown cells had very poor cell growth-stimulating effects in vitro. Immunohistochemistry of PACE4 knockdown tumors revealed reduced Ki67 and higher p27(KIP) levels (proliferation and cell cycle arrest markers, respectively). Interestingly, we determined that the epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway was activated in PC7 knockdown tumors only, providing some explanations of the paradoxical effects of PC7 silencing in prostate cancer cell lines. We conclude that PACE4 has a distinct role in maintaining proliferation and tumor progression in prostate cancer and this positions PACE4 as a relevant therapeutic target for this disease.
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Edwards JP, Fujii H, Zhou AX, Creemers J, Unutmaz D, Shevach EM. Regulation of the expression of GARP/latent TGF-β1 complexes on mouse T cells and their role in regulatory T cell and Th17 differentiation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:5506-15. [PMID: 23645881 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
GARP/LRRC32 was defined as a marker of activated human regulatory T cells (Tregs) that is responsible for surface localization of latent TGF-β1. We find that GARP and latent TGF-β1 are also found on mouse Tregs activated via TCR stimulation; however, in contrast to human Tregs, GARP is also expressed at a low level on resting Tregs. The expression of GARP can be upregulated on mouse Tregs by IL-2 or IL-4 exposure in the absence of TCR signaling. GARP is expressed at a low level on Tregs within the thymus, and Treg precursors from the thymus concomitantly express GARP and Foxp3 upon exposure to IL-2. The expression of GARP is independent of TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 loading into GARP and is independent of furin-mediated processing of pro-TGF-β1 to latent TGF-β1. Specific deletion of GARP in CD4(+) T cells results in lack of expression of latent TGF-β1 on activated Tregs. GARP-deficient Tregs develop normally, are present in normal numbers in peripheral tissues, and are fully competent suppressors of the activation of conventional T cells in vitro. Activated Tregs expressing GARP/latent TGF-β1 complexes are potent inducers of Th17 differentiation in the presence of exogenous IL-6 and inducers of Treg in the presence of IL-2. Induction of both Th17-producing cells and Tregs is caused preferentially by Tregs expressing the latent TGF-β1/GARP complex on their cell surface rather than by secreted latent TGF-β1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin P Edwards
- Cellular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1892, USA
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Curcumin affects proprotein convertase activity: elucidation of the molecular and subcellular mechanism. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:1924-35. [PMID: 23583304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2012] [Revised: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Proprotein convertases (PCs) form a group of serine endoproteases that are essential for the activation of proproteins into their active form. Some PCs have been proposed to be potential therapeutic targets for cancer intervention because elevated PC activity has been observed in many different cancer types and because many of the PC substrates, such as pro-IGF-1R, pro-TGF-beta, pro-VEGF, are involved in signaling pathways related to tumor development. Curcumin, reported to possess anticancer activity, also affects many of these pathways. We therefore investigated the effect of curcumin on PC activity. Our results show that curcumin inhibits PC activity in a cell lysate-based assay but not in vitro. PC zymogen maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum appears to be inhibited by curcumin. Treating cells with thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, two structurally unrelated inhibitors of the sarco- and endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)ATPase (SERCA), also hampered both the PC zymogen maturation and the PC activity. Importantly, curcumin, like the SERCA inhibitors, impaired ATP-driven (45)Ca(2+) uptake in the endoplasmic reticulum. These results indicate that curcumin likely restrains PC activity by inhibiting SERCA-mediated Ca(2+)-uptake activity. Experiments in three colon cancer cell lines confirm that curcumin inhibits both the (45)Ca(2+) uptake and PC activity, notably the processing of pro-IGF-1R. Both curcumin and thapsigargin inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of these three colon carcinoma cell lines. In conclusion, our findings indicate that curcumin inhibits PC zymogen maturation and consequently PC activity and that its inhibitory effect on Ca(2+) uptake into the ER allows and is sufficient to explain this phenomenon.
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